THE ISOTOPES ISSUE NO. 1, VOLUME 15 by The Isotopes

The Official English School Publication of Rizal National Science High School | Binangonan I, Division of Rizal, Region IV-A CALABARZON | Issue No. 1 Vol. 15 | October-July 2021

DECLINING CASE FOR FACE-TO-FACE

More than a year into pandemic, odds for return of physical classes remain grim among Riscians BY LANCE AREVADA

ith schools shifting to distance learning this year, Grade 8 student Airish Alonso and three of her siblings, currently in college and elementary, needed to proportionally share their internet connection to attend their online classes and comply with activities. While this problem continues to remain a challenge for her family, a remedy they have agreed to do is to prioritize those who need the internet the most, such as answering her quiz online for example. “If papipiliin po ako, face-to-face po of course, kasi po mas masaya po talaga na makasama yung classmates and mas mabilis po akong matuto sa school,” Alonso shared. However, she acknowledged that while she is hoping to return to school, it is still unrealistic given the country’s current pandemic situation and progress in mass vaccination. After more than seven months of distance learning, a survey by the Isotopes revealed that a narrow majority or 54.7% out of 563 students of Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) are undecided if it is safe to return to school for the upcoming School Year (SY) 2021-2022, while 38.7% deemed it unsafe and only 6.6% agreeing. CONTINUE ON PAGE 2

STORIES TO BE TOLD

NEWS Like young US voters, PH youth too can make changes thru technology

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As school year comes to end, most students continue to wrestle with new normal of education

BY CRISTINE FOLLERO AND THERESA REVES

ith the current School Year 2020-2021 finally ending, students of Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) raised their continued struggles and difficulties in adapting to the new normal setup for education.

A survey by The Isotopes revealed that while most Riscians have access to educational resources and technological requirements to support online distance learning (ODL), almost half of them still rated the effectiveness of distance learning to a score of ‘3’, with 5 being the highest.

“Marami talaga akong na-encounter na problema sa resources tulad ng kawalan ng internet connection tsaka problema sa gadgets. Malaki ang impact noon sa pagaaral ko kasi nakakasagabal talaga siya sa paggawa ko ng mga school works,” Grade 12 student, Jeleen Canoy said

in an interview. Responses from the poll, formally called Riscian Pulse: The Isotopes 2021 General Survey, showed that the difficulties most commonly encountered were lack of resources, internet connection problems, and emotional stress during classes.

OPINION Change and its Costs

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FEATURE Behind the Masks and Beyond the Sacrifices of the Fallen Hero from Cainta

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SCIENCE Test, Trace, Isolate: Binangonan continues to ramp up COVID-19 response

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News

EVERY VOTE COUNTS. John Carlo Borja, Brgy. Calumpang, Binangonan SK Chairperson and an alumnus from Rizal National Science High School, discusses voter registration for 2022 National Elections during Humanistalk: The Power of Youth webinar on April 30. As of May 21, approximately 3.5 million voters were registered, according to the Commission of Elections (COMELEC). Caption and Photo by: Myra Clare Rapel

Most ‘voter-eligible’ Riscians are not yet registered – survey BY cristine follero With only less than five months until the end of voter registration period for the upcoming national elections, majority of students in Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) that are qualified to vote have not yet registered, a survey by The Isotopes revealed. The survey, called “Riscian Pulse: The Isotopes 2021 General Survey,” showed about 76% of 221 Senior High School (SHS) students that will be 18 years old on or before the 2022 May elections are not registered voters, with roughly only 24% already registered.

BY theresa reves In a time where the youth continues to become more outspoken and involved in current issues, students all over the country are called on to further engage in political and electoral discourses and take part in community action initiatives in the webinar series held by Grade 12 students of Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS). Students from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand organized the webinar series called “HumanisTALK: The Power of Youth” on April 30 and May 7, that featured youth leaders and personalities from the academic and legal field. In a special message, Sen. Risa Hontiveros encouraged the youth to engage in community programs and said that youths have what it takes to make the Philippines a better country. “I know our country’s future will be better because it will be in your hands. That is and has always been the power of youth,” she said. Moreover, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio in his message commended the critical role the youth are playing in the midst of a pandemic.

“Young people are well-positioned to respond and adapt to COVID-19. Young people can be at the forefront in finding new and innovative ways to communicate with their government’s mass media, medical services, and their communities through channels,” San Antonio added. The webinar series reached more than 2,000 views in its premiere and gathered at least 420 official participants in more than 50 senior high schools and universities throughout the country.

‘The country needs your vote’ As the national elections draw closer, Brgy. Calumpang Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson John Carlo Borja in his lecture highlighted the importance of registering and voting

of the youth for the 2022 elections and demanding for better governance. In line with this, Borja cited that Generation Z and Millennials comprise almost 19 million voters, equivalent to 31% of the country’s total voters. However, he said that out of the estimated only two million have already registered out of the target four million new voters this year. “We register and vote for our future and for those who cannot yet,” he added. Furthermore, human rights lawyer Atty Chel Diokno stressed that the youth now holds the power in choosing the next leaders that must prioritize their future. “Please make sure you vote for the candidates who have the integrity and also the track record, ‘yung talagang tumutulong sa kapwa,” he said.

Meanwhile, for Grade 11 student Andrea Cervo, she plans to register in her municipality “as much as possible” if her family considers it safe to go outside once again. “Ngayon, since under MECQ pa rin, nagiging first priority muna especially ng guardians namin is na mag stay at home as much as possible. Pero ideally, this year sana makapag-paregister na po,” she added. On the other hand, Grade 12 student Christelle Cerezo, who is already a registered voter, shared that she applied through COMELEC’s online portal iRehistro that thoroughly guided her through the process. “Wala akong difficulty na naencounter kasi all I had to do was fill in with what’s required sa site then ako na mismo nagplace ng appointment on when ako makakapunta sa COMELEC office para maprocess yung registration form ko,” she said. Cerezo added: “Our future depends on the ballots that we have shaded; we are voting for the good (or worst) of our and the future generation’s lives. We have every right and responsibility in creating our envisioned future safe based on our votes.”

Like young US voters, PH youth too can make changes thru technology — Fil-Am rep BY lance AREVADA

“

Technology, including social media, can be fun. But, it can also very much be a tool for great social change”

Marvin Lim

Georgia State District Rep.

Amid a record-high turnout among young Americans in the 2020 US Presidential Elections, the Filipino youth can also maximize their power in making social changes using technology, a Filipino-American US representative said. In an interview with The Isotopes, Georgia State District Representative Marvin Lim expressed his hope that the youth can realize their advantages in utilizing social

Grade 7 students blast child car seat law BY VIRGIE LErona, SINAG intalan Due to the overall physical and financial inconvenience, Grade 7 students of Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) rejected the controversial child car seat law that mandates the use of car seats for children 12 years old and below with a height of 4 feet and 11 inches.

media to amplify their voices in raising causes. “People of all ages are on social media, and many are likelier to pay attention to what’s said there than anywhere else....so those who are able to be creative are those likeliest to be heard,” he said. Lim also noted how recent events showed that those who can use things to their own advantage “can influence great segments of people,”

In an effort to ensure the safety of children in private vehicles to limit injuries and deaths in case of a crash, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act in February 2019 but only took effect this year. However, newly-welcomed Riscians, who are mostly 12-year-olds, addressed that implementing this law amid the pandemic is not convenient as people struggle with money. According to a report by AutoIndustriya, the price of a car seat

like in the 2016 US and Philippine elections. “Technology, including social media, can be fun. But, it can also very much be a tool for great social change – and I hope young people might use it as much for that as anything else,” he added. For Grade 12 student Adrienne Flores, a naturalborn Filipino and an American citizen by birth, she can see herself making changes as a young voter through informing

for infants starts at P4,000; P9,000 for 1-4 years old; and P2,500 for 4-12 years old. “I think it is very unusable since ‘di pwede lumabas yung mga minors, so what’s the point of having a car seat when minors can’t go out?” Class Mayor Maureen Francisco said. Francisco stated that it would be a waste of money for the families since they might not need it in the future. “I don’t really think it will work out the way they want it to be,” she added. Calling the law unfair, 7-Unity student Robertjames Cebanico also expressed

ONLY 2 OUT 10 ELIGIBLE RISCIANS ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE

Students urged to conduct initiatives, register for 2022 polls in HUMSS community webinar series

Furthermore, 95% of those not registered said that they have plans to register in their local Commission on Elections (COMELEC) offices, while 4% are undecided and 1% declined to register.

others on ways in voting responsibly. “By simply informing others can already make a change...because change doesn’t mean like a big step forward. I think changes can be simple ways that can lead to big contributions to the society,” she said. Flores added, “I think not everyone...is still actively participating about the issues that we are facing especially in the upcoming elections...I think not everyone is confident like...[some are] doubting themselves that their vote doesn’t matter.

the law’s disadvantage of being costly since others need to buy a car seat and it is unfair to people who cannot afford to buy it. Meanwhile, Kyle Esarza, also from 7-Unity, appealed to the government regarding its date of effectivity: “Sana kung ipapatupad nila ito, dapat sa tamang panahon.” The implementation of the law was deferred by the President citing the country’s economic condition brought by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that was argued by its critics.

News

Tugon Riscian: RiSci leads relief efforts for ‘Ulysses’ victims in Daraitan BY Cristine Follero, Jonaliza Infante

BAYANIHAN. Locals lift sacks of relief goods brought by volunteers of RIzal National Science High School (RNSHS) for affected households of the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses in Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal on November 21, 2020. Through the Tugon Riscian donation drive, the school collected a total of P51,000 that aided more than 75 families.

TUGON RISCIAN

Photo by: RNSHS SSG FB Page

BY JUAN DELA CRUZ

To provide assistance for the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in the province, the Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) conducted its own relief operations through a donation drive for affected families in the highlands of Barangay Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal. The Tugon Riscian donation drive, led by the school administration and the RNSHS Supreme Student Government (SSG), has managed to collect a total of P51,000 that has assisted more than 75 families. In partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio Pre-Medical Society, DC Gaming, and other stakeholders, selected RiScian volunteers personally provided food packages to affected communities in Barangay Daraitan on November 21. “Nakapag-provide kami ng enough food package for each family. Also, nag bigay din kami ng clothes and other necessities such as

toiletries para sa kanila,” SSG President Mineli Cinco said in an interview. Each food package contained five kilos of rice, five canned goods, three packs of biscuits, five noodles, two packs of powdered milk, and two large bottles of distilled water. “We need to be a man for others especially during these times. And that’s the sole purpose of this donation drive, to help the people affected by the recent typhoons. We rise by being able to uplift others,” Cinco stressed. While for TLE mentor Alyssa Balleta, she described

RiSci Admissions: Entrance process for incoming students shifts online BY virgie LERONA, THERESA REVES

Amid the continued threat brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) has shifted its conduct of annual entrance process for aspiring Grade 7 and Grade 11 students online through the RiSci School Admissions (RSA) for incoming School Year (SY) 2021-2022. In contrast to the usual way of admission, applicants do not have to take any examination. Instead, they were evaluated on their academic and extracurricular standing from the previous school years. The admission process was conducted in two phases:

the Tugon Riscian initiative as a “commendable” act because not all schools can afford to have such donation drives. “In just more than a year in teaching in RiSci, I clearly see that the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ or compassion is alive, regardless if there is a typhoon, earthquake, volcanic eruption or a student in need and the like,” she added. Tugon Riscian has first provided assistance to the affected families in Tanay on November 18 and has further extended its assistance to the typhoon victims through succeeding waves of operation. the paper screening of submitted documentary requirements and the interview for applicants who passed the first phase through Google Meet to assess their knowledge and previous learnings with selected teachers serving as panelists. In an interview, Dahlia Ramos, Prefect of Discipline and one of the facilitators for RSA, said that despite the absence of written examinations, the school authorities ensured the stringent selection for incoming students. “The school made sure that even though there will

LOOKING FOR NEW STUDENTS. Teachers from Rizal National Science High

School (RNSHS) ask English questions to a senior high school applicant during the interview phase of RiSci Admissions 2021 on April 11. The RNSHS administration decided to conduct an online admission process instead of the annual RiSci Entrance Test (RSET) to conform to the restrictions due to COVID-19

Face-to-face Classes Continued from page 1 BY lance arevada

As the current SY 2020-2021 enters its final quarter, an overwhelming majority of about 79.8% of Riscians who answered agreed that it is still not safe to return to school within the remaining months with 17.9% being undecided and only 2.3% considering it safe. The survey, called “Riscian Pulse: The Isotopes 2021 General Survey,” was conducted in April as the record-high surge of coronavirus cases forced Rizal Province and other areas in NCR Plus under the strictest form of lockdown for two weeks. Following the dismissal of its dry runs of in-person classes in February, the Department of Education (DepEd) is now eyeing to start the next school year by late August to early September with the proposal

of face-to-face classes subjected to the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte. About half of Riscians who answered also affirm this, calling for the implementation of a blended approach of distance learning and face-to-face classes next school year. “For students to be able to experience the usual life of faceto-face classes while also being cautious and implementing protocols around the school could be a middle ground for the students to learn and interact with other people as well,” Grade 11 student Phoemela Razon said. While for Grade 10 student Nicole Bolanos, the approach should be based on grade levels as “various distance learning modalities may fit for high school and lower levels.” “But for senior high school, college, and graduate schools, blended approach of distance learning and face-to-face classes might be more suitable for those that are pursuing for the career that can’t be polished or taught virtually,” she added.

be no written examinations, the selection process is valid and reliable,” she added. For Arlene Paralejas, English mentor and one of the panelists and interview process, the integrity and standards were affected “in a positive way”. “It’s like making the required qualifications to enter Risci more comprehensive, and a unique approach to note whether the incoming students are qualified to be scholars,” Paralejas said. The RSA was held from February to May in which the results announced on May 1 showed a total of 200 and 94 aspiring Grade 7 and 11 applicants were admitted for the incoming school year with a passing rate of 65% and 46%, respectively.

SSG’s ‘Iskamiseta and More’ aids 40 Riscians through load assistance BY loren hernandez

To aid students in need of financial support for their distance learning classes, the Supreme Student Government (SSG) of Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) launched its own load assistance project for 40 selected beneficiaries. With funding from the SSG’s fundraising program ‘Iskamiseta and More’, the initiative supports 40 selected students from different year levels in which 35 students receive 100-pesos worth of load while five others acquire a 200-peso load assistance, respectively. “Nakuha namin yung beneficiaries based sa Google Forms na pinasagutan namin per batch. Reasons were also stated by each respondent

so mas madali naming natrack yung need talaga ng assistance,” SSG President Mineli Cinco stated in an interview. With P5,000 as an allocated budget for every distribution, the council already managed to roll out load assistance twice and is still eyeing for the third issuance by the second semester. “Hopefully, there will be a third distribution that is why we are trying our very best as a council to provide for the students,” Cinco added. Additionally, Grade 7 Coordinator Ira Bendaña emphasized that the assistance will greatly help the students in easing their frustrations on the

current set-up as they will no longer need to worry about the lack of internet connection. “Ang load assistance para sa Riscian ay malaking tulong para sa kanyang pamilya lalong-lalo na sa kanya at sa kanyang pag-aaral,” Bendaña added. Furthermore, as per Grade 12 beneficiary Marithe Co, the SSG’s initiative has really considered the situation of the students as it has provided a path for continued education. “It sparks a torch of inspiration that has the potential to be relayed to other people of same minds; illuminating a bright future of equity in education, no matter how hard the situation,” she added.

News

No student left behind: OVP launches Community Learning Hub in Taytay BY Cristine Follero, Theresa Reves, Virgie Lerona To provide an alternative learning space and volunteer tutors for students who lack access to educational materials, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) together with local officials in Brgy. Sta. Ana in Taytay, Rizal, opened its local Community Learning Hub (CLH) on October 18. The learning hub is composed of various equipment including computers, photocopy machines, and printers available for the residents of the said barangay. About 220 students from elementary to senior high school are enrolled in the hub, in which 10 trained tutors would readily assist them. The said facility is established in partnership with the alumni of the OVP’s Angat Buhay Young Leaders in Government (ABYLG) Fellowship and local youth organizations in Taytay, led by Brgy. Sta. Ana Kagawad, Tobit Cruz. In a statement, Vice President Leni Robredo noted the importance of the hub for the students, especially to those who do not have their parents with them while answering the learning modules. “Sobra talagang laking bagay kasi iniisip ko kung sa bahay nila gagawin,

EDUCATION FOR ALL. One of the volunteers from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) teaches local children during the launching of the community learning hubs in Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal on October 21, 2020. Community learning hubs were launched by the OVP to provide free internet access, gadgets, and tutors for learners who have no access to these necessities for distance learning. Caption by: MYRA CLARE TAPEL Photo by: BRGY. STA. ANA COMMUNITY LEARNING HUB - TAYTAY, RIZAL FACEBOOK PAGE

Science mentors ok DepEd’s call for teachers to aid vaccine info drives

New normal of education CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BY CRISTINE FOLLERO, THERESA REVES For Grade 11 student Franchesca Talavera, the comprehension of lessons in a virtual learning setup is one of the challenges that she faces every day as exchange of information has been described as fast-paced. “Para sa akin, mas effective pa rin ‘yung may physical interactions and hands-on activities. Unlike sa ODL na tanging PPTs, vids, at digital documents lang ang materials na meron ang mga estudyante upang matuto,” she added. While they bared their difficulties with the setup,

BY JAMES ALCANTARA Following the Department of Education (DepEd)’s statement that educators may contribute to vaccine information drives, science teachers in Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) agreed to take part in teaching the vaccine’s importance and the rundown of the vaccine rollout. Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in February that the teachers’ big contribution is to help spread vaccine and vaccine rollout information given that they are briefed thoroughly and will not be tapped to administer the vaccines. In an interview, Senior High School (SHS) science mentors Joyce Abenes and Robert John Dela Cruz sympathized with Briones’ statement and said that informing the public about the importance of vaccines for the citizens’ own knowledge and safety is vital especially due to the renewed surge on COVID-19 cases in March. “Although this would be an

additional task to our already numerous load of school works, it is for the public’s interest and safety, so a little sacrifice is all right,” Abenes said. She also said that it is essential to lay down all the positive effects and possible risks of each vaccine available, to emphasize that being vaccinated will be more beneficial, and to ease the public’s anxiety about getting vaccinated. Moreover, Dela Cruz concurred that DepEd should conduct seminars for educators before proceeding to actual information drives to ensure the accuracy of data to be disseminated. “The education department should have a proper training program for teachers on COVID-19 vaccines prior to the information drive. This will enable us to have an orientation about the nature and effects of vaccines to be distributed in our country,” he said.

Almost half of RiScians rated

most Riscians still acknowledged the efforts and teaching strategies of their teachers in trying to adapt with the new normal of teaching in their end. Grade 9 student Michaela Cyd Dizon has called for DepEd to commit to doing more efforts in supporting teachers as she sees that it has “done enough” for students. “I think they should give teachers a higher allowance. Teachers are always struggling with the Wi-Fi connection, and I think providing an allowance for them

will help,” she said. In response to these calls, the DepEd has already committed to providing three months’ worth of internet load to public school teachers nationwide that is set to roll out in June. Aside from the assistance from DepEd, Congress is currently pushing for the passage of the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act or Bayanihan 3 Bill that seeks to allocate P1-billion for mobile and internet allowance for the education sector and P3-billion for providing tablets for students.

as the score of the effectiveness of distance learning

tapos wala iyong parents nila, mahirap talaga,” she said via Facebook live when she personally visited the learning hub on October 21. For Grade 12 student and Sta. Ana resident, Ace Halili, the project is really helpful and has a great impact on the educational progress of the students during the pandemic crisis. The learning hubs have started operating since October 18, with 13 pilot learning hubs in seven places in the country founded in Pasig and Caloocan in Metro Manila; Taytay, Rizal; Himamaylan, Negros Occidental; San Jose, Camarines Sur; Balete, Aklan; Lucena, Quezon; and Tabaco City, Albay. Aside from the initial facilities, the OVP plans to establish more educational facilities in various communities throughout the country.

SOURCE: RISCIAN PULSE: The Isotopes 2021 General Survey

Amid new normal, Korean subject is still pursued in RNSHS BY SINAG INTALAN, Virgie Lerona Despite the shift from traditional to distance learning, even a pandemic cannot hinder the recently introduced Korean subject in Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) to continue being offered that is now in its second year of implementation. The Special Program in Foreign Language Korean (SPFLK) is currently participated by 120 students in total, with two classes for 81 students in Grade 7, and one class for 39 Grade 8 students deemed as qualified to further advance. For Romnick Nicolas, the school’s only

Korean subject mentor, coping up with the new normal is really a challenge with his classes facing several struggles. “The common dilemma I encounter is the poor and unstable internet connection at home that somehow affects the way I deliver the lesson. At the same time, the way students comprehend it,” he said in an interview. The mentor also explained that preparing for an interactive lesson or activity is quite “taxing and tedious” because he could not see all of them on screen. In addition, Grade 7 student Zonetha

Degoma, shared that there are times where the discussions would have technical problems, thus she tried “to search the words or the parts that I find difficulty with.” Nonetheless, Nicolas believes that learning is more effective in this new set-up as students are given “more avenue to learn and practice the language” such as easier access to various sites and learning resources. “Learners are given more learning opportunities to immerse themselves in various modes of learning particularly online, which are not typically present in a physical

class setup,” he added. As the program will be further expanded and sustained in the coming years, the mentor is hoping that more teachers will be trained until the first batch in the school reaches Grade 10. “The greatest challenge now is I am single-handedly teaching the subject. I will be needing more alternates to teach it. Nonetheless, the SPFLK program expansion... gives me hope that one or two teachers will be added to the SPFLK teaching force of our school,” he added.

5 Opinion

The Isotopes | The Official School Publication in English of Rizal National Science High School Issue No. 1 Vol. 15 | October-July 2021 Section Editor: Loren Hernandez

CHANGE AND ITS COSTS

ducation was among the first things to be hampered by the pandemic—affecting the final weeks of the previous school year and completely changing the current, and based on what we have seen, the future system as well. The unfamiliarity caused by the sudden shift in modes of learning deadens the quality and value of education.

Because of the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) developed an alternative system that aims to minimize physical contact and possible virus transmissions, thus introducing Online Distance Learning (ODL) and Modular Distance Learning. It was said to give options—with modular learning that enables students to study at their own pace and online learning that tries to virtually replicate classroom methods. But each has cons that make it feel like choosing the lesser evil rather than having what is convenient. Synchronous online classes required a lot of resources for students to stay online, be it an updated gadget to use or a stable internet connection. Modular learning, on the other hand, requires accurate information in learning materials and guidance of parents, who fail to do so as they are also tasked to provide for the needs of the family. Such setbacks make it impossible for learners to completely grasp the knowledge they ought to have for the past year. Based on the survey conducted by The Isotopes, 42.8%

of the 563 respondents from Rizal National Science High School rated their performance under online distance learning with a score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5, meaning they are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with how they performed during ODL. Hence, causing the same impact on their productivity that got the same rating from 43.7% of the respondents. Mentors also had a hard time addressing problems for the past year as they shared that they lacked access to the latest technology while others also failed to constantly have a stable internet connection. Although they had struggles with technical means, their efforts have been clearly acknowledged as the survey conducted shows that the average rating of teachers is 4.2 and 41.7% of the student body are very satisfied with their efforts in providing education amidst the pandemic. Before the school year started, DepEd initially assured the public that the government was all set, insisting that teachers have been advised about innovative teaching

Incompetence Creates Hindrances BY loren hernandez

MISSING PIECE

The unfamiliarity caused by the sudden shift in modes of learning deadens the quality and value of education. strategies, schedules with reduced screen time will be implemented, internet stability was on its way, and modules are already set for distribution. They also provided gadgets and prepaid Wi-Fi modems for students in need. However, as the school year comes to an end, the burden can still be clearly seen. Up until now, internet assistance is lacking for some, modules are still delayed even in the last quarter of the school year, and families are still burdened with costs. It has already been a year since the shift, yet the question we had from the start still remains: Do we still yearn for growth or we just always opt not to get left behind?

The public must not hesitate to demand excellence and proficiency when it comes to education.

ducational materials in the form of self-learning Modules (SLMs) have been assisting students in continuing their education despite the pandemic. By all means, these modules play a significant role in distance learning since it is the nearest source of knowledge students can grasp due to the fact that educators are diffcult to reach in times like this. Regardless of this known purpose, the Department of Education (DepEd) has committed errors in producing modules which have caused a great amount of disappointment from both learners and educators.

The reason why many people are calling out DepEd is that several SLMs contain typographical, grammatical, computational, printing, and factual errors. Due to these SLM errors, the department created a mechanism referred to as "DepEd Error Watch". DepEd Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua stated that this action accommodates learners and teachers in reporting found inaccuracies in modules and forward those reports to the righteous offces for immediate revision and ratification. The quality of education is already at stake ever since online classes have started, and a number of false information inside some distributed modules brings more weight. For instance, in an activity written inside a module that was reported, an author has

editorialboard SY. 2020-2021

incorrectly characterized Igorots who are part of the indigenous groups. It included prejudiced situational questions that emphasize the color, physical appearance, and attire of the Indigenous groups. Because of such errors and statements, teachers are obliged to research further about the information inside the modules before teaching, and that causes them to possess another heavy workload. Students are still in the process of adapting together with their teachers, that is why they expect DepEd to ensure a service that can somehow lessen the burden they are facing. Mr. Angelito Usi, a Senior High School teacher in Rizal National Science High School, shared that he always searches for multiple materials from different

School Paper Adviser Jeremias Rivera School Principal Edna Villamayor News Editor Lance Arevada Sports Editor Bervin Ocampo

The Official School Publication in English of Rizal National Science High School

publications because the information in the given modules is very limited or just covers limited topics and the basic terms. The students have been relying on SLMs to attain the knowledge that is necessary for them. However, these incompetently made modules are obviously becoming a hindrance for students who are aiming for academic excellence despite the obstacles brought by the pandemic. The education department must pay attention to the quality of the modules they distribute and the public must not hesitate to demand excellence and proficiency from the government when it comes to education. After all, every phase of education is vital not only for the welfare of the student's future but also for the country.

Editor in Chief Lance Arevada

Associate Editors Loren Hernandez Rhed Atienza

Managing Editors Rianna Mantua Marielle Crisostomo

Opinion Editor Loren Hernandez

Feature Editor Rianna Mantua

Science Editor Tyron Cenidoza

Graphics Team Heads Marielle Crisostomo Rhed Atienza

Online Editor James Alcantara

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Endangered Learning BY lance arevada

THE OPTION

Planning to push for face-to-face classes endangers not only the learners and instructors but the act of learning itself.

mid the sudden spike of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, the discussion for the supposed resumption of face-to-face classes has been progressing, as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on March 26 released a go signal for limited face to face classes in selected colleges all over the country. During a pandemic where waves of cases are far from being curbed, such implementations are subject to danger. The said pilot implementation of faceto-face classes was being tackled since December 2020, but was suspended by the Department of Education (DepEd) amid the new virus strains and was also later withdrawn by President Rodrigo Duterte. Peaking at 15,000 cases, daily reports of cases are released by the Department of Health (DOH), showing that the waves are far from being curbed. Similarly, the amount of confirmed cases locally in Rizal province also steadily increased, with 35,085 confirmed cases as of May 25. Upon questioning several people who either work or study in Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS), we can say that the risk of face-to-face classes is far too great, endangering both teachers and students alike. In a survey conducted by The Isotopes, 79.8% of the students think that it is unsafe for face-to-face classes to resume for the remaining months of the school year. When asked about the possibility of having it for SY 2021-2022, 38.7% are firm about it being impossible

and 54.7% are still uncertain if it will happen. “The idea of face-to-face resumption of classes is not really safe, we should adhere to the decision of the Philippine president, since the availability of vaccines in the country is considered to be one of the critical factors.” Mrs. Arlene Paralejas, a Grade 10 English mentor, said. For Jovee Gardoce, a Grade 10 student of RNSHS, “Hindi pa gaanong ligtas ang mga lugar ngayon kasi the reported cases were increasing very high in numbers. As much as I want to go back to school, hindi pa naman nakakapag administer ng vaccine sa majority ng civilians.” The resumption of face-to-face classes is still like shooting for the moon as the danger it poses continues to linger as vaccines are yet to be fully administered. Although conducting face-to-face classes is the best mode of learning, planning to push for it while cases continue to rise endangers not only the learners and instructors but the act of learning itself.

Opinion

REVISIONS ON ADMISSIONS The vulnerable sectors must not be neglected but instead must be served and protected.

BY rianna mantua

moving forward

he RiSci Entrance Test (RSET) is cancelled for incoming School Year 2021-2022 as dangers of both physical and online entrance exams remain. The pandemic requires altering things that people have been used to in order to ensure safety. The school’s own admissions system, like in most universities, happened to be one of those.

Though some may say it would already be safe to go outside this year, with the implementation of mass vaccination, the school’s face-to-face admissions are still out of the question as students, parents, and school faculty are still at risk of acquiring the virus. As the school’s applications for this year end by March 26 and high school students are less prioritized in vaccinations, it is highly unlikely for physical tests to push through. With regards to the now called RiSci School Admissions (RSA), although more convenient than when it is done faceto-face, problems may still arise. It is very likely that applicants

would encounter problems with internet connection, making it diffcult for them to go through the process of application and would likely affect their performance. And doing online admission tests also proposes the possibility of cheating, since it would be very hard to monitor the applicants during the exam process. The new process of RSA heavily relies on the applicant’s existing records as a substitute to the examinations and interviews set up by the school. Aspiring Grade 7 and Grade 11 RiScians are required to pass certificate of good moral character and report cards for the past two years in their

previous schools. “Nothing can replace RSET when it comes to assessing the student-applicants,” Sir Neil Pulan, Head of RiSci Offce of Student Affairs (OSA) said when asked about his thoughts on the sudden change. Truly, RSET is a process that has been tried and tested for multiple years. It opened paths and opportunities for thousands of students to enter the institution for the past two decades. The pandemic has brought changes to all and the RiSci community isn’t an exception; but despite all these changes, we continue to rise and prove that excellence is still the way of life.

To The Isotopes, At this time of crisis, I would like to express my gratitude to your team for being one of the sources of information for us fellow RiScians. Amid the pandemic, The Isotopes still delivers news that keeps us updated in the recent events that is happening to our school and country. Indeed, as campus journalism enters the digital era, it produced a new platform for writing that could be easily accessed by anyone through The Isotopes Facebook page and Twitter Account. In line with entering the new age of technology, I would specifically request if The Isotopes could provide an article that deals with the effectivity of the Online Distance Learning (ODL) setup. This could be done through an online survey to know whether the said modality is suffcient enough to supply the learners with knowledge that they will need as they take up more advanced subjects in the following school year. With this, it could reveal certain prevailing issues with the setup that could notify the RNSHS School Administrator for collective effort to resolve such problem. By that, future issues to be faced by the students as well as the teaching staff will also be given importance to be addressed. I believe that The Isotopes have the power to create change in the views and opinions of the people regarding this issue. This could be our fighting chance to reveal the hardships and struggles of learning in this time of pandemic. We the students of RNSHS will not only be involved in this initiative but also benefit as our voices will be given a platform to be heard to demonstrate a unified statement on this learning setup. And I hope this could be addressed as soon as possible and may this come in light as “The truth well told.”

Sincerely,

jake clarence s. bayawa Mayor, 12-Archimedes

Voice of Responsibilty BY czarina maligalig

THE CATALYST

ircumstances and issues such as human rights and corruption have made the youth more eager to participate in the elections more than ever. With the breakthrough in their beliefs and views, many people believe that hope lies in each and every one of them.

It is indeed a fact that the youth is the future of this country. They are the leaders of tomorrow, and they know that truth too well. With that being said, they reveal their clinical opinions on social media, specifically on Twitter. Twitter has been a platform where people voice out their views on particular social and political issues. With all these inputs, we can say that they can be wiser than anyone can imagine. The role of the young people in politics is what every Filipino should recognize. It might be truly overwhelming and surprising for others to witness them taking so much interest in the government, but seeing the opposite will be a lot more catastrophic. The importance of today is not extremely different from tomorrow. In fact, the choices of today are what reflect tomorrow. Last April 30, Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students of Rizal National Science High School conducted an online webinar that urges everyone eligible to register and exercise their right to vote. The talk entitled “The Hows and Whys of Voter Registration”, led by Calumpang SK Chairperson Hon. John Carlo Borja, has encouraged thousands of viewers to participate in the elections on May 9. As seen on the data from the recent 2019 midterm elections, 31% of the total percentage of voters are Millennials or Gen Z amounting to about 18,847,230 Filipinos. For the upcoming elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has already opened the voter registration period for the 2022 General Elections and 1,578,935 first-time voters have already registered as of April 15. With this data, it is evident that the young people of this country have been practicing their right to vote like how they should and that's something Filipinos should acknowledge. Everyone must start to act now. As the youth participates in the upcoming elections, it is high time to recognize and value their discernment. They are not to be intimidated by. After all, age is not the basis of wise thinking, opinions made and expressed by facts are.

The Hanging Dream BY james alcantara

ALL OUT

s we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, most universities and colleges in the country chose not to hold College Entrance Tests (CETs) for the school year 2021-2022. Among the schools that chose to cancel admission tests were the “Big Four” universities: University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), University of Santo Tomas (UST), and De La Salle University (DLSU).

Among one of the most anticipated exams is the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) which records up to 100,000 applicants per academic year. It was announced in November by the UP Board of Regents that they have decided to call off the UPCAT and instead instructed the Offce of Admissions to come up with a modified freshman admissions system. They further said they did not deem it feasible to administer the usual UPCAT in 94 testing centers throughout the country. The university admins admitted they weighed the risks of all options and alternatives like conducting online tests but have unanimously decided to push for an academic performance-based college admissions for this year. Academic records from Junior High School to the first semester of Grade 11 are required. Additional requirements for others include certificates from various contests and seminars, personal essays, or additional interviews. However, this kind of admission caused anxiety to some students as the selection process

is not fully disclosed to the public. As of writing, universities have already started to release results and some are disappointed on how things turned out. Some statements from applicants posted on social media expressed disappointment as they failed to pass because of a single “line of 8” grade; some even failed despite their impressive academic standing. “Kung lahat ng college ngayon magbi-base lang sagrades at ECA, parang tinanggalan na rin ‘yung iba nghoice na mag-aral sa university at sa course na gusto nila. Hindi dapat maging hadlang sa students ngayon yung hindi makapag-college kasi walang school na napasahan,” Gwyneth Enriquez, a Grade 12 student and college applicant, shared. Education must continue amidst the struggles of this pandemic but the well-being of students must not be put at risk. Entering college is a step closer to their dreams, a bad grade during 9th grade is an unacceptable reason for that chance to be taken away from them.

Education must continue but the well-being of students must not be put at risk.

Opinion Opinion

Rendering Gaps

BY angel egama

reaching out

ith online distance learning as the main modality of education used nowadays, it definitely creates a distance, not just based on location, but between relations that affects academic performance.

Teachers are known to be one of the key factors for students to be motivated in learning and engaged in school activities. But due to the pandemic, it is hard for them to monitor every student in class. With this, the Schools Division Offce (SDO) of Rizal found a way on how to monitor academic progress amidst pandemic struggles. The home visitation program, ‘Anak, Kumusta Ang Pag-aaral?’ (AKAP) addresses learning challenges through regular home visitation and connecting through other social media platforms. Home visitation is a time-tested and reliable intervention to keep learners connected or reconnected to schooling. Project AKAP focuses on the students who are having trouble within the learning modality or the ones that are academically at risk. It emphasizes the motto of the schools division that “No student is left behind” as it helps teachers assess the areas of learning where students are having diffculties and also gives chance for the determined students to continuously progress in their education. The Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) also conducts virtual consultations for Project AKAP, providing additional support to the students without the hassle of going distances. With the faculty starting door-to-door visitations last February, they were also able to uplift the teacher-parent connections. Home visitation programs focus specifically on teachers educating and supporting parents and children in the home. “Para sa’kin po, effective yung home visitations kasi natuturuan o nagagabayan po tayong mabuti ng teachers harap-harapan; makakapagtanong po tayo agad sa kung saan tayo nahihirapan. Sa virtual

Greetings in the name of scholars! On behalf of all of our editors and staff, The Isotopes would like to thank you and all of our fellow RiScians for their support in our school paper and the shift of campus journalism to online platforms amid the challenges brought by the pandemic. Without the trust and support you have given us as a credible source of news and information, we would not be able to fully enact and fulfill our duties and responsibilities to our With regards to your request, we are happy to inform you that the experiences of our fellow students under the Online Distance Learning (ODL) modality are detailed in an article that can be found in our front page. Furthermore, the views of RiScians on the return of physical classes is our top story that could contribute for further discourse as we move on towards the new normal. Through these articles, we hope that we have successfully amplified the calls and experiences of RiScians and that the proper authorities would read these to let them know that this is what our students are currently facing. As we move on to a new school year, we hope that you and the rest of our students would continue in supporting our initiatives even if there would be changes within our board and the setup of our publication. We also encourage students that are interested to join us and carry on the fire of campus journalism in our school. The Isotopes will always remain with our fellow RiScians in being the voice of the voiceless and unheard, and your source of news, information, and truth — that will remain to be well told.

from the editor

BY MARIELLE crisostomo

he Blue Rizal: Barangayan Para sa Bawat Bata Bumabasa (BR-B4) is a flagship program launched in July 2020 by the Schools Division Offce of Rizal (SDO-Rizal) that aims to increase the reading competencies of students in Rizal. The question is: how effective is this program, especially that we are now in a pandemic?

The program can be flexible, for students are given modules in English and Filipino. However, teachers cannot measure progress in reading and comprehension for they are not allowed to visit each learner due to the prevailing pandemic. As of now, the data are solely based on Individual Monitoring Plans that indicate if the learner has shown either mastery of the learning competencies which the parents are in charge of. “How can we rely on the report that is given to us by parents? Hindi naman lahat ng nanay nagsasabi ng totoo, pwedeng sabihin na ‘Ay, nakakabasa na ang anak ko!’ pero hindi naman talaga nakakabasa, ‘di ba?” Editha Feliciano, the coordinator of BR-B4 in a school in Taytay, Rizal, said in an interview. The BR-B4 program has more than 400 volunteers or “reading warriors” in 2020. But according to Schools Division Superintendent Cherrylou D. Repia, due to the current situation brought by COVID-19, most of the volunteers backed out because of the risks and hazards. As teachers and reading warriors cannot reach every

child regularly, parents are the substitutes to uplift child literacy. And with the current situation where every family is thriving to survive, it will not come as a surprise if some of them would find it diffcult to teach, consider education as least priority, and would even come as a waste of time. On the other hand, despite the program struggling in the grasps of the pandemic, it remains being implemented. As for some schools, they have student-volunteers who teach kids within their reach by teaching the children at home. “At first, I joined BR-B4 just for fun, but as I was teaching my brother, I realized na it was such a great opportunity. I got to tutor him not just as his sister, but as a student and a part of the community,” Leanna Labrador, a studentvolunteer from 10-Patience, said in an interview. As we watch how this program will lead out, asking whether it will be a solution to end the number of nonreaders in this province or will it fall out knowing the situation we have right now, we have faith in all the teachers and volunteers that they will keep on striving for every Rizaleño and become a ray of light despite all the darkness.

LITTLE TO NONE

BY soFIA BRILLANTES

BY johnesa andres

RISE AND FALL

China’s Sinovac vaccine was in the spotlight during the early months of the year as the national government pursued its partnership with Beijing despite all doubts and concerns regarding its pricing. With all these uncertainties, local government units and other companies who pledged to vaccinate the entirety of their cities and employees chose other vaccine suppliers like AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer. As nationwide cases surge past 1,000,000, although there are enough stocks of vaccine available, the government still fails to offer vaccines to a significant portion of the country. The early batches of vaccines delivered are to expire in June and July yet the vaccination is still paced at 40,000-60,000 shots daily. At this rate, finishing the millions of AstraZeneca and Sinovac stocks that are expiring in June is impossible. In Rizal Province, municipalities have started to provide vaccines and as of writing, are following a priority list currently on A3 category, including those with comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension. The local government, as promised, initially prioritized medical frontliners, high-risk immunocompromised residents, and senior citizens. All have been listed first under A1 and A2 level for the program. Currently having more than 30,000 confirmed cases, the provincial government must continue to provide means and combat the virus sooner. Jedidiah Santos, a Grade 12 student and a resident of Cainta, shared she felt relieved when Mayor Kit Nieto assured them even months ago of vaccination. She also said that Nieto’s pledge: “Mahirap o mayaman, basta Cainteño may bakuna” puts her heart in peace. The only way to achieve normalcy is for the government to fulfill their responsibility in administering vaccines as soon as possible. Along with this, there should be equity in immunization and transparency in every action. Keeping things clean and clear, especially on things that truly matter here, is a must to avoid speculations and public skepticism.

No child will be a non-reader by 2022.

helping hand

What Lies Beneath accinating the entire country needs strategic efforts and hefty funding especially when the Department of Health (DOH) ambitiously targets to get 50 to 70 million Filipinos vaccinated by the end of 2021. The government has already allotted a lot of public money for vaccine procurement this year. But with the lack of overall progress, updates with the process, and the issue of vaccines expiring starting this June, suspicions of anomalies continue to rise.

consultations naman po ay nakaka-help din since nakukumusta po at nae-encourage tayo ng mga teachers.” Ericka Pangilinan, a Grade 7 student said. The risks and hazards, as well as the fear of getting infected with the virus while conducting home visitations are still there. Ms. Nicka Makayan, one of the teachers assigned for home visitations, said that it is diffcult for them to visit students especially those from remote areas knowing the risks of travelling. However, within the instructions stated in the division memorandum, health protocols must be implemented to minimize the threat of COVID-19. And with regards to the scope of the location, according to the teachers, it is a sacrifice they have to make in order to create a better learning environment. Now, as Project AKAP is still ongoing and teachers and volunteers are going out of their ways to hold out their hands in order to help, students also need to do their part. In order to fully render the gaps, everyone must make an effort and work hand in hand.

Defying the Odds

To Mr. Bayawa,

UNHEARD TRUTHS

The vulnerable sectors must not be neglected. They must be served and protected.

n March 12, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the first pandemic restrictions in the country and days later implemented the Enhanced Community Quarantine for the entire Luzon. Now, more than a year after the lockdown’s first appearance, parts of the country are still under quarantine, people are still fighting to survive, and government assistance is still to be found. Pandemic restrictions may have evolved throughout the year-be it ECQ, GCQ, MECQ, MGCQ, Hard GCQ, or Soft MGCQ, but one thing remains the same: Filipino families are burdened and they still need help.

All these restrictions are rendered useless as the government failed to offer calculated and organized methods as well as solutions to problems that deal with economic losses. These restrictions led to people being hungered as sources of livelihood, including jobs and businesses, are lost. It is evident that the far-reaching consequences of the pandemic severely affects the poor and vulnerable communities in the country. Although the lack of livelihood assistance is visible, some projects by local government units were successful and commendable. In Rizal, the vaccination process is ongoing and by far smooth sailing. There are also projects in Binangonan like the E-Palengke and E-Botika that makes buying necessities easier and lessens the possibility of virus transmission. There are also multiple facilities within the province for isolation and storage facilities for vaccines. The government initially mandated an emergency subsidy program (ESP) under Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. In this policy, “18 million low-income households” were said to be entitled to a cash aid for April to May 2020, taking up to P200 billion from the state’s

emergency budget at that time. However, it took months for that little cash aid or “ayuda” to be distributed to families and clearly is not enough to live on for months. This year, as if it’s déjà vu, the gov ernment promised to give P1,000 to 22.9 million individuals, with a maximum of P4,000 per family.

The “ayuda” is still far from the amount that a family needs in order to live for a month and will force people to leave their homes despite lockdown restrictions. In the eyes of the people, this social amelioration program is an utter failure. Funds definitely aren’t distributed properly as beneficiaries were not clear and no consolidated databases were formed. Other issues like lack of inclusivity, politicking among offcials, and issues during distribution and claiming were also raised. It is high time for the government

to focus on labor intensive projects and offer income opportunities for these are necessary steps in combating this pandemic.

Opinion

SUPPRESSION D VOICES SILENCE IS NOT PROTECTION BY Dandy fernandez

rise up

BY Dandy Fernandez

RISE UPa campaign to silence the voice ed-tagging has been a widespread issue in the Philippines, wherein of the oppressed and most especially, political enemies, is disguised as an anti-terrorism operation.

ews media outlets have become a common ground for journalists in voicing out unbiased information

been ever so strengthened due to the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL). And while which for now, it has is in comprehensive Thisand criticisms. Those who yearn to uphold the truth and speak out for the silenced can radar.humane intentions, on the and citizens meretheir even it has now placed before,enlightenment. for dissenters targeted it was usespecifically their passion in writing and elevate But despite genuine

journalists continue to face threats, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination.

streets.to counter the oppression in Congress and cacies bothpersecution up the will ramp law that dissemination to the was them from experiencing andin the Hoping as apublic was presented said law TheNews believe who those are however, not limited, but also became available restriction. The RA 7079 has flaws that put student journalists are dealing with, Communists, vague government’s anti-terrorism operations; but with such for students through school publications. journalists at serious risk, for the law does the bill involves the compulsory an overthrowing of idea the — in communism provisions, abuse is inevitable. Thus makes human rights groups They serve as an avenue wherein not include a penalty clause, which establishment of school publications, Most oppressive system into a liberated society. alarmed by the enactment of the bill, wherein the definition students can responsibly write articles implies that individuals andor may not be unarmed, the autonomy of as the New the school paper’s of them may expanded. This could be interpreted in terrorism is greatly of concerning national and local issues, administrations will not be penalized editorial board, and administrative Army (NPA) is infamously known as their since howPeople’s happening alreadythey it is abuse ofof and the ways, various making citizens informed matters no matter many offenses they sanctions. armed wing. law was the should bepassed. aware of. Its influence have committed. Phoemela Razon, a Grade 11 student Novem- High School, Duterte onScience by President a speech red-tagging isConfrontation But isAccording widespread, and it seeks to counter for in their works delivered and of Rizal National jurisprudence, to Philippine communists, andthe university, labeled activists disinformation andlabelling promote objectivity. critiques for in the agrees that present law has to be ber 17, heunavoidable by has become branding, specifically and as the public defined mga ng Since the emergence of school student writers. Campus journalists are amended, and she thinks that there will mag-recruit hindi kung ginawa “Walang one. as organior government agencies and the military, of individuals publications in the Philippines, the not different from others, yet at some be no losses if it happens. She also judgement can be labelled as terrorism and threat to the ang binibira niyo Gusto kayo. nag-aaral tapos komunista d’yan zations as “threats” or “enemies of the state.” This is where the RA 7079 or Campus Journalism Act of point, their freedom of speech or believes that such improvements will even as students, we must never stop shouting, we must state, more causes only gobyerno,” Duterte said. Such generalization it poses start to surface, as there is a clear difference dangers 1991 has played a role in protecting and self-expression is put on hold for help student journalists be reminded of silenced. if journalists are continuously 10 student and current Grade As said by be never confusion to the general public and endangers the safety now, and state terrorists. But activists, between defending the communists, rights of student unreasonable causes. Kabataan their accountability and help them to suppressed? The Pauline presence of journalists Labrador, “Hanggang Secretary of RNSHS SSG, Leanna that activists are not comneed to take notepractice We stated, activists. of national democratic membersthe between the lines blurring journalists. It seeks to promote RepresentativeofSarah Elago better journalism. can be a sign of independence; tayo magpapakatanga sa katotohanang bukas makaand injustice against are voices — they munists CPP-NPA-journos insurgents from the development campusand journalism. “Campus are nor notterrorists exempted from The Campus Journalism Act kailan of 1991 their words can pave way for good organizationsof(NDMOs) mass ang dila natin?” nagovernance. putol lawa, society. our in happening are continuously that inhumanity Likewise, it encourages to write strategy. threats stemming from the content they limits student writers’ capacity and As individuals who hold the government’s becomingstudents is apparently NDF, up, shout, speak to be your voicefor forambitions time the is Now for equality, ethically, creatively, and critically. publish.” Her evident remark solidifies her criticisms to what seems appealing for great ourheard: nation like them, gender for fight that today voices those And through cause a for fight who Activists are individuals never can you that RA 7079 indeed safeguards the conviction to push forlivelihood, the repeal most. everyone has the initiative and we mustremember be taking a step to strengthen always cry. But or even facing even now areNot our farmers andofforRA better peaceful protests and petitions with adherence to our counfreedom of student writers; however, the 7079 by proposing House Bill No. 319 or courage to speak the truth, so how can their protection and promote their silenced. be negative and criticism where administration an more terror. In laws. They are not armed but rather, they take their advotry’s existence of this law could not prevent the Campus Press Freedom bill. the truth be told to our society sincere intentions.

Misdirected Blame BY TYRON cenidoza

varied views

What people want is not attention, but justice.

A Threat to All

ape culture is a serious topic that people need to address. It has been a growing problem in our society that has almost been normalized at certain times even though it is prejudiced. One way that rape culture comes into play is victim-blaming, where the victim-survivors are the ones deemed responsible for their situation.

For what excuses do people blame the victims? Some people commonly justify the rapists by saying that the victims were “dressed up in provocative clothing,” drunk, or alone during the incident. But none of these are reasons to hold victims accountable in any way for those do not give anyone a reason to take advantage of them. Now, as we experience a pandemic, rape culture still exists online. Women are sexually harassed and objectified on the internet, and a lot of times, they are the ones blamed again for “showing too much skin.” Other than that, there are also people on the internet who make fun of

rape, even telling others that they just can’t take a joke and it is wrong to be offended. Some comments even say that they should take it as a compliment. “They think that lust or being lustful isn't something humans can control, especially men who aren't used to being disciplined since they think they are ‘stronger,’” Julienne Delegado, a Grade 8 student, said when asked why they think Filipinos have this mindset. This misogynistic mindset sees women as lesser people who can be easily dominated and exploited. No victim “asked for it.” Saying this is ignorant because the victim asking to be raped defeats the whole point

and definition of rape, in which the victim is forcibly assaulted without their consent. A person wearing more alluring clothing is not a form of consent. People do this for themselves to make them more comfortable with their own body as a form of self-expression. They don’t do this for other people, and definitely not for the people who would commit such a heinous crime. The only cause of rape is rapists. Without the misogynistic mindset, no woman would be abused, whatever type of clothes they wear, however sober they are, whether or not they are alone. Rape is an inexcusable crime, despite all reasons and alibis.

Keep Calm and Bring No Clout

t has become a common occurrence in the Philippines that politicians banking on their popularity, regardless of their education and leadership background, have the upper hand in collecting votes to win an election. We had an action star as a President of the Philippines, a comedian as Senate President, and more politicians like them seated in the plenaries of Senate and Batasan. As 2022 is approaching and the country is bracing for a bitter fight for power once again, a government offcial seems to stand out much earlier than the rest.

Looking through his offcial page, Secretary Harry Roque’s posts are a mix of him enacting his job as the government’s offcial mouthpiece while posting cringey one-liners that always end with #KalmaAkoLangTo. An example of this was when he joked that he asked a saleslady the price of actor James Reid’s picture, the saleslady replied that the item was a mirror. It seems that he holds two positions in the government: the offcial Presidential Spokesperson and the unoffcial government mascot. Roque may be regarded as the favorite clown of netizens in the government, but his publicity strategy works. His James Reid post on April 14 garnered more than 244,000 reactions and 78,000 shares as of writing. While on the next day, his post on his press briefing only reached at least 1,300

Beware of crocodiles and pigs in Messiah or clown's clothing.

reactions and 435 shares as of writing. Observing this pattern of engagements in his page proves the publicity strategy’s success: enact his dull duty of posting presentations and live streams while bait the public through his one-liners to maintain popularity. The public may see this as a joke today, but the spokesperson presumably thinks he has the upper hand less than a year away. Nevertheless, we have yet to see the effect of this in the long run. According to Pulse Asia’s February 2021 Ulat ng Bayan survey, Roque only ranked within the bottom 27-30 range on top senatorial preferences despite having an awareness level of 98. This data could mean that relevance does not necessarily translate to voter preference. Still, while offcials may devise ways to gain attention as the filing of candidacy is set for October, the road towards May 2022 is still far ahead, and the status quo is continuously subjected to change. What only remains is a message for Filipinos that will decide the country’s future: Beware of crocodiles and pigs in Messiah or clown’s clothing.

BY roweliza nedia

SAFE space

he battle against COVID-19 is still ongoing, yet this January, students from universities are once again struggling for academic freedom. The termination of the UP-DND Accord resulted in extreme frustration for state university students. In line with this, red-tagging of several alumni from universities also started. As youth, we must be alarmed.

In 1989, University of the Philippines (UP) President Jose Abueva and former Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Fidel V. Ramos signed the UP-DND Accord. The agreement seeks to safeguard students, teachers, guests, and employees from sudden interference and investigation of police or military inside the institution. It also requires the military to notify the institutions before conducting a movement inside the school. More than 30 years later and while in the middle of a pandemic, red-tagging remains rampant and it is noticeable that most victims are students from state universities. Hence, the UP-DND Accord serves as a defense for them against the unverified accusations they are subjected to. With that, the sole reason we can find for ending the agreement is to silence the voices of the oppressed. Addressing the issue, current Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described UP, the country’s premier university, as becoming “a haven for enemies of the state." Moreover, he also affrmed that DND only wants the best for the youth. However, it seemed that the youth are deprived of the trust they should gain from the government regardless. “Abrogating the accord will give state forces the capacity to freely enter the premises of the campus, interfere in peaceful protests, and conduct military operations. This is an underhanded attempt of the government to stifle dissent among individuals who are critical of them,” Fidel Louis Ceñidoza, a former student of Rizal National Science High School and now a student of the UP Diliman, said. “In the long run, it entails threats to academic freedom, free and critical thinking, and our democratic rights in general since there are more opportunities to red-tag, repress, and abuse the youth.” he added. The hate of the government is surely misdirected. The root of all the unwanted recruitments are the terrorists, not the students. Schools must be a safe place for everyone who wants to make a change. The more the youth are enlightened with the truth, the more eager they become to correct the errors they witness.

Feature

Behind the masks

the fallen hero from Cainta BY RIANNA MANTUA

t seems implausible that suffering could be contained, especially when unforeseen circumstances leave a scar that is hard to heal from. As humans, we have been fully aware that the only occurrence that can never be ruled out in this life is the inevitability of suffering. For Maria Theresa Cruz, a 47-year-old mother and a nurse, who accepted this challenge to suffer bravely, life has given her meaning up to the last moment.

She did not know her more significant role and impact on the lives of her daughters Joie, Anne, and Maxin when it comes to nurturing their growth in the fields where they chose to help within the community. The Cruz family received messages of support and calls from government offiicials, extending their help and condolences. Nonetheless, what consoled their hearts the most during that time were the ripples of changes that inspired their mother’s family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers to turn their grief into a call of action, justice, and accountability.

Theresa’s COVID-19 story was put into the national limelight when one of her daughters, Joie, posted her mother’s questionable hazard pay on Facebook. She served at the Cainta Municipal Hospital for 11 years, and was diagnosed with pneumonia before the pandemic. But instead of sitting out the health crisis, she still chose to fulfill her role, for it was a “sworn duty”. Anne Casey Cruz, one of her children and an alumna from Rizal National Science High School, told her to settle at home during the start of the pandemic, yet she hesitated for she could not bear to leave her colleagues on duty.

“My mother’s untimely death and the rest of our fallen heroes who fought in the frontline should not remain as mere numbers. Along with their sworn duty, is a responsibility to contribute in the fight to improve their working conditions,” her daughter said. The Cruz family then filed a complaint to the Offiice of the Ombudsman, to investigate the flow of events and determine any maltreatment of the higher-ups in the hospital that led to the sudden demise of their mother.

Casey shared how her mother was very committed to balancing both her personal and professional life. "Tinuring niyang family yung co-workers niya sa hospital...Iyon na naging mundo niya, at nagtitinda rin siya ng kung ano-ano doon kaya kilala talaga siya,” shesaid. However, Theresa was more than just a person who had saved and healed the lives of people.

Victor Frankl once said, “In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” The sudden end of Theresa's life may have left a painful reminder to her family. But, the attributing purpose behind their suffering leads to a new beginning that embarks on change and hope, including the measures they took in demanding a reliable and accessible health care system in a time of crisis.

Finding Purpose in Pain: Aina Marcelino’s Story of Hope BY SoFIa Brillantes father can be admitted became a challenge.T hey thought nothing could make their situation worse, not until Aina’s family also tested positive for COVID-19, making her devastated as all of her problems came in all at once. However, this randomness of life made her confront the overwhelming experience they were facing.

he warmth of the sun wakes you up and this kind of scenery reassures you as it unfolds right before your eyes. Once the Earth rotates and the unexpected thunder kicks in, the darkness envelopes our source of hope. These inevitable circumstances make us reach the In the darkness of the night, the sun may peak of melancholy; but it will all pass, have come down, but the moon and the stars in the moment we found the purpose in our pain. the sky reach their way out of the dark to shed light. Some people from different walks of life Aina Marcelino, a Grade 11 Riscian, experienced became Aina’s stars and the moon. Her friends, this darkness. Aina is the eldest of three siblings. Her batchmates, teachers, and the school alumni father, Jommer Marcelino, previously worked as a bank helped her with their medical expenses and have employee and tricycle driver while managing a rice field constantly stayed through her tough times. to support his family. In 2016, he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and has continued juggling three “Comparison is the thief of joy. Ang sabi ko jobs until his kidney disease reached the fifth stage in 2019. sa sarili ko, kung icocompare ko yung sitwasyon ko sa iba, hindi ako makakaahon. We’re all at our With hospitals reaching full capacity during the first own pace, pwedeng hindi ko pa naa-achieve COVID-19 surge in March 2020, finding a hospital where her yung buhay na gusto ko, pero someday ay

giginhawa rin ako at yung family ko. I should just focus on my family and goals and stop comparing everything na nangyayari sakin sa iba,” Aina shared. Aina’s family have recovered from COVID, but his father is currently unemployed. Despite the adversities her family had faced, she still feels relieved because little-by-little, their situation has been lighter than before. The darkness may be overwhelming, but sometimes the only way to carry a burden is to share it with another. Aina is thankful to her moon and stars that guided her to find the light of hope. Through these instruments, she became more patient and courageous to face future endeavors. For just like the sun that always sets, it will surely rise again, just like her.

Rising From Deep Waters BY RYANNE CONCEPCION

year has passed since the pandemic began, yet hopelessness, despair, and uncertainty still prevail. Being in quarantine introduced a new set of dilemmas for Filipinos, and the events industry was not an exemption. In fact, it is one of the first to sink deep down into the trenches of the business industry. Amidst the roaring tides of tribulations, Filipinos refuse to forgo and instead, persist in overcoming these adversities. For businesses related to events and celebrations, income is mostly uncertain as they solely depend on the schedule of events. His & Her Event's, an event planning business in Angono, struggled to survive each day of quarantine as mass gatherings were prohibited. Since its establishment in 2011, Katherine Concepcion has balanced her responsibility as the company’s owner and a single mother to three children, including Grade 10 student Ryanne Concepcion. As the lockdown has further extended through months, His & Her Events had no other choice but to reschedule and cancel events. Being a single mother, Katherine

deemed sources

that she needed to of income for the

find other meantime.

“There’s a saying to never put all your eggs in one basket. You need to have other means of income, never settle for one business,” she shared. That is why the businesswoman started ‘Samu’t saring Tinda ni Julian & Migo’as an alternative source of income. There was even a time that she was involved in a drunk driving motorcycle accident in which she sustained several injuries. After her recovery, she continued to deliver products with a medical boot and a sling plastered on her hand, consistently persevering regardless of the diffiiculty she had toface. In the last months of 2020, His & Her Events slowly conquered with each gust of diffiiculty this unending pandemic brought them. One instance, Katherine had a client who tested positive for COVID-19. The couple found out that they contracted the virus six months before the wedding, but through God’s grace, they were able to make it. As of now, the business has organized 45 weddings already since last year. The company’s situation made them realize the importance of helping and having each other as

inspirations despite h a v i n g nothing and hopeless “Our employees are working students that also need the money to support their families, without having events we are not able to help them” Conception added. Thereby, the obstacles they had to face became an avenue to establish a support system that would help them get through. Despite the tremendous adjustments because of the new normal, organizers like Katherine have been their client’s silver linings; they have been put to the test to go above and beyond to carry out their client’s vision for their wedding day. The current situation of Katherine and her event company is still far from ideal. But slowly, they are managing to rise and recover from the damages COVID-19 has brought them, serving as an example of always remembering to have strength and determination. And ultimately, learn to slowly rise despite being in deep waters.

Feature

The role of young

# Sulong Binangonan:

people in shaping the country for the better is vital now more than ever. Hence, there was no age barrier put to mind when Sulong Kabataan stepped up and took the full initiative to lend a hand, representing the genuineness of the always-ready-to-help youth.

An initiative to shape the youth into involved citizens as Typhoon Ulysses strikes the Philippines by nYVELLE CELERIO

To create a network of young leaders and provide a platform where they can collaboratively work together in building “a better Binangonan for all” through youth-led programs and activities, the Sulong Kabataan Youth Organization led #SulongBinangonan donation drive to help Typhoon Ulysses victims from the municipality to recover from the disastrous incident. Running from November 15 until November 30, the youth organization aimed to raise funds and gather in-kind donations, targeting to provide food bags, hygiene kits, and bedding materials to at least 50 families within the community. As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the young people are demonstrating continued leadership within their communities. Lanz del Rosario, a Sulong Kabataan member said, “If the welfare of the people matters to you; then, the youth's never seen in a

MPH

RIZAL:

involvement in social issues is negative light but as a contribution to amplifying voices. It flourishes or somewhat a domino effect.” It does not matter that the person next to you seems unable to be moved for they are taller or older than you, but always initiate a chain reaction to encourage people to be on the same page as you.

Throughout this pandemic, multiple plights and concerns of the most vulnerable members of society, including the young generations, are ignored by the government. Besides, these people have also been labeled as self-imposed and too proactive with the societal issues we are facing. However, this initiative has shined a light on the fact that the youth are among the ones who are most active in responding to the pandemic because they have both “the capacity and energy” which should be used to make a creative and positive impact on our communities. Thus, encouraging the youth into reaching out and helping other people plays an important role in society, for there is no amount of help that is ever too small to not create a ripple effect of positive change.

A vision led by YOUth:

Millennials initiatives in Pressing towards a Holistic growth

AMBISYON PH rises up in times of turmoil

BY Jesse Mirabel

BY Ryanne Concepcion

Filipino trait defined as working together towards a shared cause, the Bayanihan spirit fully emerged in the country amid the pandemic. These initiatives in light of the successive calamities pushed various youth organizations, including Millennials PH (MPH) Rizal, to become an avenue to consolidate rescue efforts and to come together to educate the youth's responsibility in the current situation in the community.

Villaluz believes that youth’s leadership and initiatives are very important in shaping the progress of a community especially in times of crisis. “We youth are the hope for the future, So as early as now, I believe it is already important to engage and be active in these kinds of organizations, so that we are beginning to develop our empathy and sense of responsibility and urgency regarding the matters happening around us,” he added.

Upon the onset of the pandemic, the MPH Rizal Chapter, an advocacy-based organization centered on the aspiration of Rizaleño youth, was formed to help the underprivileged families in the province of Rizal. The group had already implemented projects such as going to communities under Para Sa Katutubo and Tawid Edukasyon Rizaleno, their chosen beneficiary, to provide in-kind donations, face masks, food packs, and reams of bond paper.

MPH Rizal helped Villaluz in the various aspects of his life. Apart from honing his skills as a youth leader, seeing through the lens of the unheard voices in the country made him realize the importance of power and privilege. “It is great that we see injustices around us, but I think it is greater to do something about these injustices and address these; if you think you cannot do it alone, we can do it together - as youth and as Filipinos,” Villaluz added.

The group’s Para sa Katutubo project has provided reusable face masks to 15,000 Indigenous Peoples including Dumagats, Aetas, and Igorots living in the mountains of Tanay, Rizal. The masks were sourced from the unemployed sewers of Taytay, Rizal. Through the collaborations, they were able to assist both sectors in making ends meet during this period of crisis.

Despite personal and environmental hurdles, Filipinos' Bayanihan fills the gaps of the government's pandemic response. As the youth, we are entitled to use our voices to also contribute in counter-measures in helping alleviate the repercussions of our fellow Filipinos; with this entitlement comes the responsibility to take action about it.

spiring to take the lead and spearhead in peacefully defending the frontlines of seeking to change today’s society, the youth organization Ambisyon Philippines aims to amplify the belittled and oppressed voices of the youth. Founded by Hannah Beatrice Ramos, John Vincent Balawen, Christianne Gerarde Bartolazo, Gabriel Joaquin Natalicio, Irish Julliana Pagulayan, and Hanna Nel Inocencio, the organization sticks to a three-pronged approach: empowering the youth to realize their potential, educating them about the different societal issues and collaborating to develop solutions based on grounded information, and engaging them to partake in peaceful and positive new developments. Having collective goals accompanied by sustainable advocacies, fair opportunities, and initiatives helps the youth understand how essential their role is in the different sectors in the community. “The future we want will be shaped by the questions that young people are asking.” Hannah Ramos, Ambisyon’s Founding Vice President for Community Affairs and former RiSci alumna, said. One of the projects implemented by Ambisyon PH was intended to educate and to empower the youth about the state of our country in times of natural disaster relief and response, hence entitled it with “AKSYON”.

In launching AKSYON in the affected communities at Cagayan, Isabela, and Surigao from the casualties brought by the highly destructive typhoons ‘Ulysses’ and ‘Rolly’ last November 2020, the organization gathered funds and donations through social media postings and received a total of PHP 107,017.95. These collected funds were spent on buying food packs and hygiene kits for over 300+ families. Joining Ambisyon developed Ramos’ skills and abilities in being a youth leader. Through associating her interest with the progressive activities of Ambisyon, she was able to re-evaluate her intentions in reminding herself that there is so much more than an individual can do to change the world. “Organizations have resources, manpower, and opportunities, while the youth have time, knowledge, and skills, with both being bound by their shared advocacy and passion to serve," Ramos mentioned. The key in achieving the anchored life where comfort, security, and overall growth manifests must begin first with a single step. This step should be governed by young and innovative people who have the passion to lead and advocate for better causes. Indeed, we have a long way to go, but one must not be afraid to ask to take part in actions that aim to conquer the path that would steer all of us towards a better tomorrow.

Feature

Rekindling the spark: How a student-leader found strength in self-care amidst pandemic BY Rianna Rianna Mantua Mantua and and Zian Zian De De Vera Vera BY

honestly feel feel like like we we could could have have done done so so much much better better ifif II honestly we were given a face-to-face situation. However, we we were given a face-to-face situation. However, we needed to adapt and realign ourselves and our plans to needed to adapt and realign ourselves and our plans to what we are currently experiencing,” she shared. The what we are currently experiencing,” she shared. The adjustments for the set-up were tough for Mineli, but it was adjustments for the set-up were tough for Mineli, but it was not impossible as each individual under her leadership not impossible as each individual under her leadership contributed to make this school year effiicient. contributed to make this school year effiicient.

M M

ore than ever, unusual situations and uncertainties are the best time for than ever, unusual situations and uncertainties are thegrowth best time for leadersore to do something meaningful and unleash the potential of the leaders to do something meaningful and unleash potential of the people around them. Mineli Joyce Cinco stands tothe prove this asgrowth she currently people Cinco to prove this as Government. she currently takes onaround the rolethem. of thisMineli year’sJoyce President of stands the Supreme Student takes on the role of this year’s President of the Supreme Student Government. Being a student-leader, Mineli saw the importance of interacting and communicating with people face-to-face. Butimportance due to the pandemic, she and had Being a student-leader, Mineli saw the of interacting to adjust to enliven her visionsface-to-face. through online she took athad the communicating with people Butmeans. due toThe thepath pandemic, she beginning the pandemic not online easy, but she The managed to took rise to to adjust toof enliven her visions was through means. path she at the occasion nonetheless. “Our term ending themanaged month of to July thistoyear, beginning of the pandemic was will notbe easy, but in she rise the occasion nonetheless. “Our term will be ending in the month of July this year,

Mineli was blessed to be given the opportunity to Minelithe was blessed be given the opportunity to represent region and to to share her advocacies through represent the region and to share her advocacies through online platforms, such as school-based webinars and talks online platforms, such as school-based webinars and talks conducted by the DepEd Central Offiice. Their council had conducted by the DepEd Offiice. Their council had also extended support to Central the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in also extendedthrough support their to the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in the province Tugon Riscian donation drive. the through theirprojects, Tugon Riscian donation Afterprovince implementing these she feels fulfilled drive. to be After implementing these projects,to she to be able to live and serve her purpose thefeels RiScifulfilled community. able to live and serve her purpose to the RiSci community. Additionally, this time of diffiiculty made Mineli evaluate thisneeded time of diffiiculty made Mineli the Additionally, things that she to prioritize in her life.evaluate Among the things sheofneeded to prioritize in hergood life. Among these is thethat value resting because taking care of ourselves essential for usbecause to function, perform well of in these is theis value of resting taking good care certain aspects and perform maintain ourselves is essentialof forour us tolives, function, wellthe in balance aspects with the relationships we form. certain of our lives, andthatmaintain the balance with the relationships that we form.

Other than than these these routines, routines, Mineli Mineli also also Other mentioned the importance of having a strong mentioned the importance of having a strong support system. In these adversities, both her support system. In these adversities, both her family’s support and her passion for serving family’s support and her passion for serving people became her constant reminders to keep people became her constant reminders to keep on pressing forward regardless of the situation. on pressing forward regardless of the situation. People rely a lot on leaders that they People rely a the lot fact on that leaders that they sometimes overlook these leaders sometimes overlook the fact that these leaders also have other roles in their personal lives. It also have other roles in but theirleaders personal lives. might seem mundane, must alsoIt might mundane, but leaders must also spendseem suffiicient time caring for themselves spend suffiicient time do caring for for themselves as much as they care others. as much as they do care for others. As a youth leader acting as a catalyst As a youthitleader acting as ato catalyst for change, is important start for change, within it is ourselves. importantBut, to if start the initiative you the within ourselves. if you wantinitiative to become the best But, leader for want to become the bestforleader the people or the best version yourselffor — the bestaround version for yourself — andpeople inspireor the those you to do the same investing in your well-being and inspire— those around you to do is worth makingin yourtime for. the same — investing well-being is worth making time for.

Renowned Rain: Renowned Rain:

Hats and plates are full, Hats and are full, but soplates is my heart but so is my heart BY Julian Tambara, Dominique Sales, and Maria Fatima Bellison

BY Julian Tambara, Dominique Sales, and Maria Fatima Bellison

n a world where you hustle from one commitment to the next, keeping all your plates spinning can be a constant n a world where you hustle from one commitment to the challenge. For an average individual, multitasking between next, keeping your plates can less be asatisfaction constant different roles all generates morespinning stress and challenge. For an Rain average individual, between in life. However, Matienzo begs multitasking to differ since she different generates stress and hats less insatisfaction manages roles to wear and more balance these her life. in life. However, Rain Matienzo begs to differ since she Rain is to a RiSci alumna now is in her final year college manages wear and and balance these hats in ofher life. at the University of the Philippines Diliman, taking up BA Broadcast sister,of student, Rain is aCommunication. RiSci alumna andAs nowa is daughter, in her final year college TikToker, artist, Matienzo said she is flexible in dealing at the and University of the Philippines Diliman, taking with up the BA roles and environment she has As to juggle. “I think I am adaptable, Broadcast Communication. a daughter, sister, student, there areand times that I need to miss a isclass for in a dealing shoot, but there TikToker, artist, Matienzo said she flexible with the are and also environment times naman na toI juggle. need “Ito compromise and roles she has think I am adaptable, turn down a big project my for acads,” shebut added. there are times that I needbecause to miss aofclass a shoot, there are also times naman na I need to compromise and Eager a to big see project what the saturated has she to offer, she turn down because of platform my acads,” added. tried TikTok out of curiosity. With TikTok constantly shifting from one trendEager to another, adapt the current of she the to see Rain whattries the to saturated platform hasscope to offer, audiences’ humor. tried TikTok out of curiosity. With TikTok constantly shifting from one trend to another, Rain tries to adapt the current scope of the audiences’ humor.

According to Matienzo, keeping the mundane events, and bringing out the humor in those are what inspired her to create more skits. According to Matienzo, keeping the mundane events, and bringing outMissing the humor in those learning, are whatRain inspired heritto create face-to-face thought would be more fun toskits. call back to her own college experiences. From there, the first video that Missing face-to-face learning, Rain thought would be fun to call went viral was her POV skit as the classmate whoitexposed the freeloadback to her own college experiences. From there, the first video that er problem in group work. “It was an unexpected phenomenon, people me am everywhere," she the jokingly said. went viralwould was hertell POV skitthat as theI classmate who exposed freeloader problem in group work. “It was an unexpected phenomenon, Matienzo dreams of hosting a television show,she having a regular people would tell me that I am everywhere," jokingly said. program, and exploring more of her acting skills. Most importantly, her growth as a person what excitesa her the most. Living the fullest as she Matienzo dreamsis of hosting television show, having a regular enters adulthood and achieving seemed to be inseparaprogram, and exploring more of breakthroughs her acting skills. Most importantly, her ble in Rain’s life. “Don’t pressure yourself much in finding youraspath growth as a person is what excites her thetoo most. Living the fullest she because opportunity, opportunity lang ‘yan soseemed make sure prepare enters adulthood and achieving breakthroughs to betoinseparayourself for that But before arrives, invest in yourself,” Rain ble in Rain’s life.opportunity. “Don’t pressure yourselfit too much in finding your path mentioned her realization. Indeed, theso world’s a stage, and because opportunity, opportunity langall‘yan make sure to prepare there seems to opportunity. be no limit But to before where itRain will invest end up playing next, yourself for that arrives, in yourself,” Rain but to keep balanceIndeed, in thealldifferent roles a one hasand to mentioned her the realization. the world’s stage, portray, she tobelieves thatto staying true will to end yourupauthentic self there seems be no limit where Rain playing next, wouldto help overcome inevitable but keep the balancethe in the differentroadblocks roles one in has life. to portray, she believes that staying true to your authentic self would help overcome the inevitable roadblocks in life.

Mrs. Retu-T ALA: ALA: TheMrs. Regi-STARRetu-T who continues to serve

The Regi-STAR whodespite continues to serve as Riscian’s light the Pandemic as Riscian’s light despite the Pandemic BY NYVELLE CELERIO

F F

orced to adjust to new norms due to the virus, almost everyone is in the gutter, trying to adapt to changes, and did not exclude such a competent lady like Mrs. Yet, to in the this virus, dark orced to Maris adjustCerda to newRetutal. norms due time, chose isto be gutter, a star trying whoseto existence almostshe everyone in the adapt to shone G12 Riscians to ignite changes,brightly, and did for not exclude such a competent their sparks through theirin this dreams. lady like Mrs. Maris Cerdareaching Retutal. Yet, dark time, she chose to be a star whose existence Ma’am Maris Retutal, age, has been the shone brightly, for G12 Riscians to ignite school’s registrar for over six years. She empathiztheir sparks through reaching their dreams. es a lot with Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) students, as she was once a scholar and Ma’amstudent Maris at Retutal, age, has been the a working the same time who juggled school’s registrar for over six years. She empathizsidelines and studies before. She is aware that this es a is lotfull with Rizal National Science School RiSci of youthful dreamers, and High she wanted (RNSHS) as she was once a scholar and to help students, them even simply by her assistance. a working student at the same time who juggled sidelines and studies before. She is aware that this RiSci is full of youthful dreamers, and she wanted to help them even simply by her assistance.

BY NYVELLE CELERIO I try my best to create an organized system with proper scheduling that supports my working attitude.” Mrs. Maris added. I try my best to create an organized system Maris treats her students like child, withMa’am proper scheduling thather own supports even when her heavy workloadMrs. clashesMaris with responsibilimy working attitude.” added. ties as a mother. She makes sure to fulfill both duties at school and home. “I’ll make sure that like no student get Ma’am Maris treats her students her ownwill child, left behind, especially attainingclashes your dreams.” she said. even when her heavy in workload with responsibilities as a mother. She makes sure to fulfill both duties at One home. time, “I’ll while she to will submit school and make surewas thatrushing no student get requirements for the University of the Philippines College left behind, especially in attaining your dreams.” she said. Admission Test (UPCAT), she received an emergency call. Her sickly son, Charles Retutal, is diagnosed with a One time, while she had wasnosebleeds, rushing toand submit blood condition called Sepsis, was requirements the University ofno thechoice Philippines College rushed to the for hospital. She had but to inform Admission Test (UPCAT), she received an emergency call. Her sickly son, Charles Retutal, is diagnosed with a blood condition called Sepsis, had nosebleeds, and was rushed to the hospital. She had no choice but to inform

the principal and decided to bring the papers at home, simultaneously accomplishing roles at home without missing a responsibility. Although it’s risky on her part to go outside knowing that principal the virus isand still out there, she still chooses to go toatschool three the decided to bring the papers home, times a week toaccomplishing sustain the needs students.“If may simultaneously rolesofatgraduating home without missing a concerns kami, siya rin it’s yung nagcocontact universities about it. responsibility. Although risky on her part tosago outside knowing Open din siyais sa namin to make to thegojob effiicient. that the virus stillsuggestions out there, she still chooses to more school three Overall, she’stothe motherly figure to us as she takes care times a week sustain the needs of graduating students.“If may of our mistakes if ever man and we learn from concerns kami, siya rin yung nagcocontact sa universities abouther.” it. Julien dinDela thenamin mayor of theG12-Dalton, said. Open siya sa Vega, suggestions to make job more effiicient. Overall, she’s the motherly figure to us as she takes care of The stars may not shine as bright as the sun and moon, our man provide and hope we that learnthe from her.” yet its mistakes shimmers inif theever bare night day after Julien Vega, Thethe mayor of G12-Dalton, said. tomorrowDela gets better. existence of Ma'am Maris made the student's uncertainties a reality, and through her The stars may not shine as bright as within the sun moon, guidance and comfort, the future is already theirand hands. yet its shimmers in the bare night provide hope that the day after tomorrow gets better. The existence of Ma'am Maris made the student's uncertainties a reality, and through her guidance and comfort, the future is already within their hands.

FEATURE Likhang Bayanihan: T

BY SOFIA BRILLANTES

hey always say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, that with every step we take, we become closer to our dreams. However, the pandemic engraved a hopeless atmosphere within our spirits. However, these obstacles remind us to do something out of this negativity and to make a way to reach out to people. After the series of events, compassion kindled in the hearts of the Grade 11 students who started an organization called Likhang Bayanihan - an initiative created to help people through expressing themselves with their art. The small organization began with only 17 Riscian students. Some of them were already accepting art commissions during the lockdown. The misfortune of contracting the coronavirus was experienced by one of their family’s batchmates; this was what triggered them to unite and do something from their art for a cause. For the time being, other artists outside the school also volunteered to join. Malena Ballon, one of the founding members of Likhang Bayanihan, shared that they always think of new ways to engage and encourage people to help. Their vigor to help the Typhoon Ulysses victims was displayed as they started an art raffle called “Bente Para sa Cagayan.” The project

gave the donors a chance to win a slot to request an artwork for every Php 20 they have donated. This raffle collected a total of Php 11,000 by the end of November 2020. The proceeds were donated to Ambisyon Philippines’ Aksyon Para Sa Cagayan Donation Drive for ‘Ulysses’ victims in Cagayan and Isabela. Malena shared that kindness is contagious and another way of making connections with people. By helping others, one is forming a strong link of love and compassion. Joint efforts can turn into great ones if there is determination, altruism, and compassion throughout the process. “We should always remember that no one is powerless to help those in need. No matter how big or small it is, it could make a difference. Helping others is not limited to grand gestures, like organizing a donation drive and charity. You can do one small act of kindness at a time and it will surely go a long way,” she added. Expressing themselves through art became their platform to help the people in need. These are diffiicult times that made the role of the youth vital in the progress of our society. These collected little efforts can turn into big ones the moment our actions encourage others to fight for their future.

Caught in Juxtaposition

Unleash Your Inner Character

by Zian DE VERA

any say that practicality hinders passion, but Grade 12 student Viven Daso begs to differ. This 17-year-old student-artist proves that pursuing what you love while treading a path to a better career is indeed possible.

Kinaiya Podcast

Spending her junior high school years in Regional Lead School for the Arts in Angono, center for CALABARZON’s young artists, Vivien decided to move out of her comfort zone and challenge herself by studying in a science high school. When asked why she transferred, she answered that part of her reason was that she felt like a hobby will not be enough to make a living out of it in the long run. Of course, change brings challenges along with it. The immense difference between the fortes of the two high schools gave Vivien a hard time adjusting. She mentioned that she had diffiiculties catching up with lessons, which made her pause pursuing art for some time.

Nonetheless, she challenges in a

viewed positive

these light.

For Vivien, her experience helped her realize how important it is to believe in her craft. Finding inspiration in her family and their pet cat, she continues to brave the field of arts. Mustering up new strength, Vivien previously joined the digital poster-making competition of the annual UP-Baguio MEDALLA Conference, where she placed second runner-up. This recent achievement of hers only proves that changing her focus to academics did not hinder her from reaching new heights as an artist. Furthermore, Vivien believes that pursuing a path in the arts is no different from other walks of life. “...just like any other career path, the arts also has its form of doubts, discouragements, criticisms, and hardships. And in times like these, we must keep our hearts and joys on creating.” Science and arts are almost opposites: one is objective, while the other is subjective. The contrast between these two fields becomes obvious when placed side by side— a juxtaposition. And in this juxtaposition, Vivien, without a doubt, found the midpoint where she can experience the best of both worlds.

BY Julian Tambara, Maria Fatima Belison, and Dominique Sales

Talents are meant to be shown, creations

Kinaiya Podcast - Ep: 1

Kinaiya PH

are to be shared, and opinions are to be discussed. Managing the channel by themselves, Kinaiya Podcast created by hearts with our and the Riscians has provided the comfort and the people's stories. We want platform to showcase all of these. more people to see each story our videos bring, not just in RiSci, Formed by Grade 10 students under the but a bigger range of audience. We aliases Luna and Astron, Kinaiya is an online hope our stories can inspire other people platform where students can talk about to do what they love, even when the their opinions on various topics. The idea of people around them don't believe them. having a podcast started with an online We want Kinaiya to be a source of their group study with friends. Astron was talking motivation and courage,” Astron said. through his mic, sharing topics by himself and the others listened and communicated This simply exhibits that showcasing through the chatbox, just like what it feels one’s talents and skills is worth it. Enhanclike listening to a podcast. Hence the word ing talents gives one the determination “kinaiya”, a word that describes one’s inner to improve certain aspects of character, was the name they settled with. themselves. Also, there is self-contentment and satisfaction when someone Through this podcast, the creators feels the moment that they know they wanted to have a safe space where have left an impact on people by people can freely share anything that being themselves and by loving showcases their creativity and talents such what they do as a person. as sharing stories through writings, artworks, and music without being judged. Not only We all have different kinds of talents, is the podcast a great way of showcasing skills, and creativity that we have not people’s abilities, but It also helps the discovered yet or are not comfortable founders grow and learn as a person. The sharing. But there's no doubt that Kinaiya recording process made them have a Podcast has opened its doors for people deeper bond that explores unorthodox and served as their foundation to freely ways of storytelling. With the help of each explore and share what they want. In this entry, they opened their minds to new ideas pandemic plagued with all forms of and insights by viewing that everyone has a struggles, platforms such as Kinaiya unique story to share, eventually giving helped and inspired people, regardless them the courage to share their own.“We of age, to show their inner characters hope Kinaiya will continue to reach more and be a better version of themselves.

13 Science

The Isotopes | The Official School Publication in English of Rizal National Science High School Issue No. 1 Vol. 15 | October-July 2021 Section Editor: Fidel Tyron Ceñidoza

2 in 5 Riscians plan to get vaccinated if eligible, Pfizer-BioNTech rise as top choice: poll bout two in five students of Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) are A willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if

deemed eligible with the Pfizer-BioNTech as their most preferred brand, a survey by The Isotopes revealed. The COVID-19 vaccination portion of “Riscian Pulse: The Isotopes 2021 General Survey” showed that about 46.2% or 260 out of 563 respondents answered that they plan to be inoculated by the vaccine, while 43.9% or 247 students are undecided and 9.9% or 56 students refusing. Grade 9 student Michaela Cyd DIzon said that she is planning to receive a COVID-19 to lessen the risk of people contracting the virus, and also protect the people around them. “And we all know everyone wants this pandemic to end, so through vaccination, we can be one step closer to ending the pandemic,” she added. While for Grade 9 student Zycke Constantino, he is planning to receive a vaccine

BY Fidel Ceñidoza, Alethia Lumayog

because it will not only decrease the probability of spreading the virus, and he and his loved ones will be able to interact with each other again physically rather than through a screen. For those planning to be vaccinated, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the most preferred brand with 402 (79.3%) out of 507 students, followed by Oxford AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines with 249 (49.1%) and 230 (45.4%) respondents, respectively. Moreover, the survey revealed that RiScians are most concerned about the side effects, long-term safety, and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. Dizon added that she would just like to be sure what COVID-19 vaccine to be injected in her is effective and safe, while Constantino is willing to be inoculated regardless of brand. "Regarding the vaccine, I expect the vaccine to be effective and efficient. It must have no side effects, can be taken by all ages and must be available to everyone," Constantino said.

WHAT TO KNOW: COVID-19 vaccines available in PH BY gabriel de guzman

ith the government’s mass vaccination program already underway, most of the public are still hesitant in receiving a vaccine against COVID-19. To achieve herd immunity, 70 million Filipinos must be vaccinated by the end of the year. As more people are now eligible and more vaccines are available, what to know about the COVID-19 vaccines? As of May 2021, the Philippines has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to seven vaccines against COVID-19, namely: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Sputnik V, Janssen, Bharat Biotech, and Moderna. Out of these seven, the vaccines Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Sputnik V are currently available in the country while the others are expected in the coming months. For most brands, about two doses are required to be inoculated per individual, that will be done in intervals. While the Janssen vaccine requires only one dose for full immunization. As individuals receive their first dose of either Pfizer, Sputnik V, and Novavax, they must return after three weeks to receive the last dose

that will fully guarantee them protection against COVID-19. For Sinovac, Bharat Biotech, and Moderna, 28 days or one month is the required interval, while AstraZeneca could take up to 12 weeks. Meanwhile, the efficacy rate, or the measure of protection of vaccine against COVID-19, varies among the vaccine brands from 65 up to 100%. Regardless of these, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends all vaccines that pass the 50% threshold as all of the brands are worth using and will bring protection against mild and severe cases. Regardless of the brand or efficacy rate, the bottomline is that all of the vaccines against COVID-19 are effective and do not generally bring harm to the public. It is highly encouraged for everyone that is already eligible to register and vaccinated, not just for one’s own protection but for the welfare and safety of families and communities toward a better normal. Visit the official accounts and website of the Department of Health (DOH) for more information on the vaccines and your LGU official pages on the local mass vaccinations.

2 OUT OF 5 RESPONDENTS (46%) PLAN TO GET VACCINATED IF ELIGIBLE PREFERRED BRANDS AMONG RISCIANS:

1. Pfizer-BioNTech

2. AstraZeneca

3. Moderna

MYTHBUSTERS: DEBUNKING COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ON COVID-19 VACCINES BY rion torrado

t has been more than a year since the first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been reported to the World Health Organization. After months of research and testing, various companies have released their own COVID-19 vaccines. The introduction of these vaccines instantly became a spotlight in multiple platforms, with tons of fake news and disinformation quickly spreading through social media, meaning we shouldn't trust everything we see. First off, most believe that COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips that will enable other people to track their real-time location. This is obviously fake. It is true that the technology we have right now is already advanced, but its current state makes it impossible to create a microchip small enough not to be seen by the naked eye. The next misconception that people believe—which is a bit surprising— that COVID-19 vaccines infect you with COVID-19. It is common knowledge that vaccines are produced to help our immune system fight a certain disease, and in this case, COVID-19. This myth is definitely false as all the vaccines developed are authorized and recommended for use against the disease. And if these vaccines contain the coronavirus, it would obviously defeat the purpose of developing a vaccine in the first place. Another common belief is that COVID vaccines cause blood clots. This is both true and false. This only happens if: the vaccinated person is on birth control pills,

underwent “spinal tap,” and is critically ill with infectionsand when the person is vaccinated with a Johnson & Johnson vaccine or one fromAstraZeneca. People also tend to trust the fallacy that a person might still test positive for COVID-19 after being vaccinated. It is false as no vaccines approved for use result in a person still testing positive for the virus. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these vaccines deploy “memory” T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes, which are both defensive white blood cells. The body usually takes a couple of weeks to produce these cells. So, for some instances that a person contracted COVID-19 even after getting vaccinated, it is not because of the vaccine. It just means that the body needs more time to produce the defensive white cells. During this time, society still has a long way to explore how COVID-19 fully functions; people are still living in unfamiliarities and questions are still lingering in our minds. But this is not an excuse for us to continuously believe and spread false information on possible solutions that might be the key to ending this pandemic. The myths above are just the common ones so, remember to always check facts and research further as mistakes like these may cost our lives.

ENDING THE PANDEMIC: THE PHILIPPINES’ LONG ROAD TO HERD IMMUNITY BY: jayden gatapia

ore than a year after the pandemic, the Philippines still has a long way to go to control the outbreak of COVID-19 active cases. Cases are spiking in areas outside NCR and the tally of national active cases are rising. As Dr. Peter Cayton, a statistician from the University of the Philippines, has said, “The end of the pandemic is far from sight.” To end the pandemic, the government solely relies on its mass vaccination program. According to the Department of Health (DOH), as of June 4, almost six million doses have already been administered with more than 1.2 million Filipinos being fully vaccinated. To achieve herd immunity, a form of indirect protection from infectious disease

that can occur when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune, 70 million Filipinos must be vaccinated. With the current data, this will take about 3.2 years or by August 2024. According to Binangonan Municipal Health Officer Dr. Angelito U. Dela Cuesta, the government prioritized the vaccine roll-out according to importance. Only Filipinos under priority sectors A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities) are currently eligible to be vaccinated. Frontline essential workers and indigent Filipinos belonging in A4 and A5 are yet to be given clearance to be vaccinated as well. “Ang bilang ng mga dapat bakunahan sa buong bansa ay may target na 70 percent ng population. Kaya kung

ang population ng Binangonan ngayon ay 300,000, nasa mahigit 200,000 ang dapat mabakunahan,” Dela Cuesta said. As of June 4, more than 12,000 individuals have been vaccinated in Binangonan, far from the 200,000 target as vaccine roll-outs depend on the supply from DOH. Supplies of vaccines are steadily arriving, with more than 9 million doses already available to vaccinate 4.23% of the population. Sinovac vaccines from China is the most available brand with more than six million available, followed by AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech with more than 2.5 million and almost 200, 000 doses. Nevertheless, Dela Cruz assured that the local government of Binangonan

AS OF JUNE 4, MORE THAN 12,000 HAVE BEEN VACCINATED OUT OF THE TARGET POPULATION OF 200,000 IN BINANGONAN

is ready to procure additional doses if needed. “Mostly ang vaccines ay provided by the National Government at sa pagkakaalam ko ang kanilang inorder ay sapat na para sa mahigit 70% ng population sa buong bansa. May nakastand-by pa na pondong 20 million with AstraZeneca just in case hindi sapat ang vaccines,” Dela Cuesta said. As more vaccines are expected to come, the road to achieving herd immunity relies on the availability of doses to more people, and still, the government’s response to rising cases. What only Filipinos can do is to get vaccinated as soon as possible with the available dose, and hope that by doing so, it will contribute in achieving “better Christmas” by year-end.

SOURCE: BINANGONAN HMO

Science

LOOKING BACK: TIMELINE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS PH ENTERS NEW PHASE OF SURGE IN CASES, VACCINES BY jayden gatapia, rion torrado

ore than a year has passed since the first COVID-19 case appeared in Rizal Province, and yet the country continues to grapple with the virus that causes it. Students witnessed several class suspensions and cancellations of extra-curricular activities with lockdown protocols but resumed with the use of online classes late last year. Now, we look back at the notable events and occurrences that unfolded in the pandemic: from the first whispers of the virus in China to the biggest health emergency in years, and how Filipinos handled it.

On March 7, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 from Rizal was officially recorded—a 62-year-old male from Cainta. The day after saw the emergence of more cases, and the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon a week later. Quarantine restrictions in the province were downgraded to general community quarantine by the beginning of June. But this did not last long as the curve has ascended from its peak in July and weekly cases continued to rise. The country entered its second wave of cases in August, with a peak of more than 20,000 cases in a week and the first breach of 100,000 cases. This would go to surpass the 300,000 mark one month later. October saw the start of classes in public schools nationwide. Around this time, cases continued to dwindle since the August wave that continued until the end of 2020. At the start of 2021, the more contagious B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant was reported in the country. The Philippines in the following months then reported the emergence of the threatening B.1.351 and B.1.617 variants that were first detected in South Africa and India. A new variant called P.3 was also first detected in the country. In February, the Philippines granted its first authorization to Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine amid skepticism. The following month, PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi became the first official recipient of COVID-19 vaccine as vaccination rollout began in the country on the first day of March. However, the country saw another unprecedented surge in Summer that peaked at more than 60,000 cases a week. Quarantine restrictions in the so-called ‘NCR Plus’ were again heightened. On April 26, total cases in the country finally breached the one million mark as more than a million Filipinos received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 1,000,000 people have recovered as the death toll reached more than 21,000 by the beginning of June. Despite the waves of cases, the surge of vaccines in the coming months are expected to further boost the government’s program for “population protection” vs. COVID-19, targeting 50 to 60% of the population vaccinated by the end of the year.

TEST, TRACE, ISOLATE: BINANGONAN CONTINUES TO RAMP UP COVID-19 RESPONSE BY FIDEL TYRON CEÑIDOZA

ore than a year into the pandemic, the Municipality of Binangonan continues to exert efforts and implement further initiatives in response to COVID-19 through targeted testing, contact tracing, and isolation. According to Dr. Fidelito Ceñidoza, Councilor and Chairman of Committee on Health, the LGU sustains its implementation of health and safety as well as quarantine protocols in accordance with the directives of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases. “Nakapagpatayo tayo ng quarantine areas, may contact tracings, at tumulong tayo sa mga COVID-19 patients at sa mga pamilya nila sa pagbibigay ng mga ayuda katulad ng food packs, at may mga batas din tayo na dapat panatilihin,” Ceñidoza said. About 60 to 80 people are tested daily through the town’s own Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (RT-PCR) Test and Antigen Swab Test that are both free for all citizens. Once a person tested positive as reported by the laboratory or hospital to the Municipal Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (MESU), a staff from the MESU will contact the positive COVID-19 patient to ask about if they have signs and symptoms of the virus, places where they went, and their close contacts. Then, a contact tracer will notify close contacts of the positive COVID-19 patient through call or text to ask if they have signs and symptoms of the virus and advised to have a COVID-19 test and a 10 to 14-day quarantine. Close monitoring is being done by the Municipal Health Offce to people who tested positive in COVID-19 and their close contacts along with the coordination of their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs). For patients that are asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms

who have their own bedroom and comfort room, they are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days with monitoring conducted by their BHERT. While those that do not have suffcient space are required to stay in the local isolation facilities. Besides the aformentioned efforts of the municipality, Ceñidoza added that Binangonan LGU continues its laws including wearing of face masks and face shields, social distancing, curfew hours, and liquor bans to avoid the spread of the virus.

SWAB IT. A health worker takes a nasal sample from a patient during the daily swab testing at the Libis Covered Court in Binangonan, Rizal on April 5, 2021. Daily COVID-19 swab tests were established by the Municipal Health Offce of Binangonan in order to speed up tracing of COVID-19 patients and minimize the virus transmission. PHOTO FROM: PAMAHALAANG BAYAN NG BINANGONAN, RIZAL FACEBOOK PAGE

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

concerns may further slow down the rollout ue to the continuous spread of COVID-19, in the country. the government created and implementAs of February 25, 2021, the total number of ed health protocols to ensure the safety of the active COVID-19 cases in the Philippines are public. However, not everyone follows such 32,437. Also, as of March 17, 2021, there are a total protocols and cooperates with the calls of the of 66,567 active COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. offcials. As a consequence, the increase of Which says that the number of cases almost COVID-19 cases ensues. Adhering to the national government’s BY GABRIEL DE GUZMAN doubled in a month. This would be the result of insuffcient response an managemen order, the Municipality of Binangonan BARE EYES in the country. enforced some restrictions in order to protect The said restrictions may have helped lessen the the health and safety of the general public as spread of the virus, but the key to stopping this pandemtheir response to the COVID-19 cases in the municipality. ic still lies on the actions of the people; whether they will The restrictions include strict implementations of social make this work by strictly following all the health protodistancing with two arm’s length and necessary wearing cols and guidelines implemented or completely disreof face mask and face shield. gard the safety of the public. Apart from those, Municipal Ordinances 30 and 31, s. In compliance with the extensive efforts of the munic2020 established protocols in the municipality that reguipality to contribute to the flattening of the curve, the lates mass gatherings, imposes curfew hours from 10:00 Rizal National Science High School carries out regular PM to 5:00 AM, enforces liquor ban, and limits capacities disinfection and sanitation procedures within the school in establishments and tricycle operations to further prepremise to prevent the possible spread of the virus. vent virus transmission. The number of COVID-19 cases keeps on increasing According to the Department of Health (DOH), as of even with the cooperation of the people and imJune 4, 5,828,735 out of 9,329,050 available doses of plementations of the health and safety protocols. In vaccines have been administered to health workers, which case, the government can improve some of the senior citizens, and people with comorbidities. Herd improtocols and restrictions so that public safety can be munity, at this rate, is expected to be reached in ensured. Also, to enhance the distribution process of 3.2 years. the vaccines to the citizens in order for vaccines to be But all of these efforts would still not be enough to conadministered to the designated people. With this, peotrol or manage the number of COVID-19 active cases. ple can be saved by following protocols and choosing Vaccines may become quickly available, but distribto get vaccinated. uting it to Filipinos is a different case as hesitancy and

Riscian Pulse: Most students located in various LGUs still follow health protocols BY ALETHIA JAIME LUMAYOG

ore than a year of masks and social distancing, majority of students in Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) that are located in different municipalities in Rizal Province still follow the minimum health protocols set by the government against COVID-19. A survey by The Isotopes revealed that 92% or 521 out of 563 respondents often follow the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields in public places, while about 77% or 436 students always practice physical distancing of at least one meter away from other people. The survey, formally called “Riscian Pulse: The Isotopes 2021 General Survey,” gathered data from students that were mostly from the municipalities of Binangonan, Taytay, Cainta, and Angono, and the City of Antipolo. Furthermore, in terms of being involved in mass gatherings and crowded areas, 84% or 474 Riscians said they mostly limit themselves from participating in these activities. About 77% or 433 respondents meanwhile reduce their interaction time with other people especially indoors. Luis Gabriel Luciano, a Grade 9 student from Cainta, Rizal, noted how local authorities implement other policies such as effcient case management and border checkpoints aside from enforcing minimum health and safety protocols as his municipality is adjacent to Metro Manila. "It is strict in the municipality of Cainta because we are near the NCR region. So the people always follow the protocols," he added. For Khurt Denzel Querubin, a Grade 9 student from Antipolo City, following these health and safety protocols “help the frontliners lessen their burdens,” but he observed that some of the residents within his community tend to forget the guidelines. "Offcials of my municipality continuously remind Antipoleños to follow the health and safety protocols. People follow them as much as possible, but there are still times that some of them may forget," he said. Querubin added, “Aside from that, efforts and actions of the government also add up to the condition that we are experiencing. All of these reflect the current situation of our country against COVID-19.”

Masks 92%

Mass Gatherings 84%

Distancing 77%

Science

Maintaining wellness through fitness: How the pandemic changed a Riscian’s lifestyle

Amid new normal, Utak Berde continues to highlight excellence through online S&T events

BY JAYDEN GATAPIA

either pandemic nor quarantine restrictions can stop the students of Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) to continue showcasing their talents in science and technology (S&T) through participating in online contests and fairs. The rise of coronavirus presented big challenges amidst all forms of education in the Philippines. Starting with quarantine protocols in March 2020, most extra-curricular activities and international events were prohibited. For Val Eltagonde, a member of RiSci’s Utak Berde, he first felt “disheartened” upon knowing that competitions that were usually participated by selected students of the school will not be held any time soon. “I feel really disheartened on being unable to join various contest/s due to the pandemic; and missing out on a lot of opportunities to learn more and gain scientific experiences outside the school,” he shared. Despite these prohibitions, opportunities still manage to come for students as various organizations from universities and associations started holding their own online events. Competing with prominent and renowned schools in the country, Grade 12 students Joshua Ray Magpoc, Marc Adrian Ignacio, Jasmine Abby Sotto and Andrei Robert Saberdo bagged 2nd runner up in Research Proposal Competition in the first remote installment of Genetics Camp of the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños. With these such opportunities still available, the school’s acclaimed robotics group is eager to further join any contests that prop up online and continue upholding the school’s competitive reputation of excellence in the field of research and robotics. “Despite the ongoing pandemic, I believe the team is still doing well, even if unable to gather in-person,” Eltagonde said. He added:“However, the team is currently on the lookout to join in online research and robotics competitions locally and internationally.”

BY gabriel de guzman, rion torrado

PLAY AT HOME. Jami Danganan, practicing the badminton stances at home to keep healthy during the pandemic. The player of RiSci has taken a break from her old badminton regumen due to the pandemic and is opting to exercise and clean up her basics. PHOTO BY JIANNA MAE AMOIN

he emergence of COVID-19 changed the Riscians’ lifestyle and social activities. Who thought Treplaced that laughing and eating with friends in fast-food chains after class would be impossible and be with endless uncertainty of being confined inside the house? With these adjustments, it is

still essential to find coping mechanisms to help yourself maintain overall wellness and fitness, side by side.

While much of the world has come to a stop during the pandemic, the need for looking after one's health care has not. The difficult times that we are in call for the need to focus on keeping ourselves as healthy as much as we can, even though living each waking day is getting hard as time passes by. The help of exercise, balanced diets, and physical activities as leisure help in alleviating the stress the majority of people experience. Daniel Gabilo, a Grade 11 student, shared he is having a hard time doing physical activities on weekdays. Before the pandemic, he used to play different sports and do exercises along with his pet. Now, he is having a hard time finding time to do his

usual routine. Despite this, he tries to apply the activities he learned from his PE classes “It is never too late to try setting health goals and doing fitness exercises,” Gabilo pointed out. Meanwhile, Grade 7 student Mary Marquez shared that online distance learning has affected her physical well-being. Most of her time is allotted to studying, although she has too many academic workloads on her plate, she is happy to have done steps in keeping herself healthy. Surprisingly enough, the subject of Physical Education helped to keep her in shape. “I usually jog or walk a lot outside when I have free time and because I walk from house to house so I get some exercise here and there.

Honestly, I don't do any activities most of the time because I'm always doing something. The only time I perform activities is when I need to do my PE performance task (PETA),” Marquez said. The new normal might have brought immense discomfort in different ways to our way of living. But, setting plans and goals for your health can help in overcoming the constant challenges that block an individual’s energy to work in their capacity. When this pandemic ends, the greatest reward you can achieve and give back to your loved ones is an embracing wholeness, which includes investing in your physical and emotional fitness.

Local nutrition programs launched to combat hunger, malnutrition amid pandemic BY fIDEL TYRON CEÑIDOZA

o provide nutritional support and service to underweight babies and young children, the Binangonan Municipal Health Offce (MHO) launched various nutrition programs in response to hunger and malnutrition in the time of COVID-19. The program, called “Labanan ang Gutom at Malnutrisyon sa Panahon ng Pandemya (COVID-19),” focused on providing underfed babies with food packs including eggs, milk, bread, vitamins, and ready-to-use food supplements. On the other hand, the program “Kahalagahan ng Nutrisyon ay Unahin sa Panahon ng Pandemya” sought to give nutritional support for malnourished and indigent young children aged 1 to 5 years old. Likewise, this initiative provided its beneficiaries with food packs containing 1 tray of eggs, milk powder, loaf of bread, cereals, and multivitamins. The two programs are based on Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 1 s. 2020 on the Nutrition Cluster Guidelines on LGU Nutritions Actions Relative to COVID-19 issued by the

National Nutrition Council. According to Oyun Dendevnorov, UNICEF Representative to the Philippines, one out of three Filipino children under 5 years old are stunted or short for their age, and about 7 percent are excessively thin for their height. “While food is important for the nutrition of children, nutrition goes beyond mere feeding programs. Increased vulnerability to diseases due to poor health-seeking behavior, incomplete immunization, poor hygiene and care practices, and inadequate diet — both in quantity and quality — causes undernutrition in early childhood,” he said. Dr. Amado Parawan, Health and Nutrition Advisor of Save the Children Philippines, further noted that the pandemic has worsened the number of underweight children in the country. “The COVID-19 pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine did not only create a situation that posed challenges to the nutrition programs...worse, it has resulted to the inability of families to meet their basic food requirements due to income losses,” Parawan added.

ENLIGHTENED. Health staff, midwives with nurses educate pregnants during Patient Education & Health Promotion on :Prenatal Care,Importance of exclusive breastfeeding & family planning program at Barangay Palangoy in Binangonan, Rizal on October 05, 2020. Guiding patients is a part of the Nutrition Actions Relative to COVID 19 implemented by the Binangonan Municipal Health Offce that aims to provide nutritional support & services to those at risk in the community. PHOTO FROM: MA CECILIA LIWANAG SALAZAR, FACEBOOK POST

A RiScian’s Pixelated Socialization

o you remember the moments when you can socialize and enjoy the company of others? Meeting friends and classmates face-to-face is one of the things that COVID-19 erased in students’ lives. They can't get out in the middle of the pandemic and do things that they enjoyed in the past.

CARTOON BY JEREDY CATUNAO

For Jan Jerwin Tongohan, a Grade 9 student from Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) whose social life has been affected in these times of pandemic, he feels bored and empty because he misses the feeling of talking face to face with his friends inside the school. Another Grade 9 student, John Bernard Calderon, also

BY ALETHIA Lumayog experiences the same as Tongohan as he feels bored because every day he only interacts with the people inside his home. To cope with the unexpected changes in his social life brought by this pandemic, both Tongohan and Calderon said they use social media sites excessively. According to the New York Times, online data providers revealed during this pandemic, people have been spending more time of their lives online. Kaveri Subrahmanyam, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist, found that social media presents both risk and opportunities. "Studies have found associations between social media use and loneliness, depression, and poor

life satisfaction," says Subrahmanyam. Tongohan said that the excessive use of social media sites affected his relationships at home because he uses social media sites rather than making conversations with his family. Also, according to him, social media sites affect his studies as theydistract him. "Sometimes, other people have misunderstandings about a certain topic online which is stressful to see by other people like me. Current news and events such as murder cases, and the human rights issues due to unlawful killing of the authority may be stressful and uncomfortable," Tongohan said. The continuous increase of COVID-19 cases which is reported

online every day also makes him anxious about his health. While, for Calderon: "We all know that during this pandemic we have to bring positivity even if we are experiencing a worse situation, but some people keep on posting that would only give disappointment to the ones who can see it.” One’s social health is the most affected in these times of pandemic. People encounter changes in their way of communicating, studying, and living, but they found ways such as social media to fill up these parts. Individuals may still not be used to this type of socialization, yet time will come that we will be able to socialize face to face.

Science

UPON DIGITALIZATION ith the continuing changes to our daily lives brought by the W COVID-19 pandemic that is now more than a year, the public have standardized distance learning as the new normal for the educational system. As online classes commenced, teachers’ responsibility to provide quality education for students did not stop, even with the use of modern technology through various gadgets and internet connection. But this is a huge adjustment for both the teachers and the students as this limits the opportunities of both parties to learn, grow, and develop.

For the education sector not to put on hold, the online distance learning (ODL) was one of the alternative learning modalities implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) to continue the education of millions of students nationwide without posing risks of transmission. It may be advantageous in preventing the COVID-19, but it is very difficult for everyone to be flexible in these situations, especially to those who can’t comply with the requirements needed to participate in the ODL. Transitioning into online learning brought problems for both students and teachers in terms of their capability to adapt. One of those problems is having a stable internet connection, and good devices that are capable for video conferencing and doing activities digitally. These two are the least minimum requirements to have education in the middle of the pandemic, and which can affect their performances in online learning. However, not everyone can afford these two. Some of the students and teachers are facing the same problem which makes it difficult to make the ODL work. John Villaluz, the student council’s Grade

The Philippines’ growing climate issue— how bad is it?

11 Governor, commented that there are circumstances where he encounters technical difficulties, but he can manage it. This problem is always brought up in online classes. Technical difficulties, in which students may experience slow internet connection or crashing of devices. Which is one of the obstacles a student faces since it shows an opportunity gap between the students. The difficulties result when a student can’t join the meeting or falls behind in lessons and submission of requirements. “The technological devices and interface characteristics divide our learning capacities as students, so the ones who have better devices may do their tasks more efficiently,” Villaluz said. In these cases, the teachers gave consideration to the students since they can understand the

situation of the student, and they are just starting to adapt in the online classes. Also, to give fair treatment to those who are experiencing difficulties with their situations. Technology is very vital in the online classes, which gives unequal opportunities to students. In order for the students to receive the education they deserve, authorities could sponsor gadgets and internet capabilities to the students. So that students can have the quality learning capabilities they need and no student can be left behind.

Strain from the Screen: The impact of virtual learning on students’ eyesight By FIDEL TYRON Ceñidoza

s society started to progress, so did the modernization of technology. Likewise, online platforms A are also getting more advanced. Each has provid-

BY jayden gatapia

long view

till not yet recovered from the onslaught of Rolly, the country was immediately hit by Category - 4 Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in early November 2020, devastating homes from Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces, including Rizal. This natural disaster alone left thousands of Filipinos calling for food, water, and shelter in its wake. “Years ago, eto na yung warning sa atin,” said Vice President Leni Robredo in an interview with ABS-CBN news, “...na kapag hindi natin sineryoso, mangyayari eto. At nangyayari nga.” According to a report published in 2019 by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Philippines is the country most at risk from the climate crisis, and it makes total sense. As an archipelago on the seas, a large portion of Manila and its nearby coasts are projected to be below the tideline by 2050. The aftermath of Ulysses caused a total damage of 20.3 billion pesos across the country, destroyed 26,000 houses, and took the lives of more than 73 individuals. The cost of both human life—and the money needed to lick the nation’s wounds—continues to rise with every intensified natural disaster. Government action is indeed needed to pause the impending climate crisis, but it is important that we do the best we can to help reduce carbon emissions as citizens. To help stop the progress of climate change as an individual, many organizations have recommended the following: conserving water, as the process of using this resource requires a significant amount of energy to extract, convey, treat, distribute, and clean up; and traveling green by using public transport, electric cars, and bicycles reduces oil consumption and carbon emissions, locally and globally. Vegan and vegetarian organizations recommend eating less meat as the animal industry continues to be the top players in greenhouse gas emissions. Any action that lessens energy expenditure (which we get from fossil fuels) is favored for an optimized lifestyle. Indeed we have the responsibilities as humans to save the planet. However, a 2018 study, highlighted by The Guardian, shows that 100 corporations are responsible for 71% of global greenhouse emissions since 1988. It is then that we have to ask ourselves: is the current climate crisis the moral failings of an individual? Or is it the exploitative nature of businesses and enterprises that seeks to obtain profit, no matter the cost? Perhaps it is not as black-and-white—but there can be no harm in desiring to solve both.

ed increasing ways to interact and do tasks online, especially with the shift of education modalities during this COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the breakthrough in technology requires students to be more proactive than they would be in a classroom setting to catch up with these changes. And this cycle of exhaustion from attending classes without a break indeed is tiring, particularly, for those who have poor eyesight. Studies say that a long time of staring on screen causes negative effects on people’s health, mostly the eyes. Heavy screen time causes eye strain and blurry vision. Hence, the Department of Education reminded schools to follow the proper screen time of using the online distance learning (ODL) modality based on their Memorandum 2020-00162. The maximum number of screen time assigned for kindergarten students is one hour, for Grades 1 to 5 is 1.5 hours, and two hours for Grades 6 to 8. As for Grades 9 to 12, screen time should only be limited for four hours, two hours each for morning and afternoon classes. A Grade 9 student from Rizal National Science High School (RNSHS) who has a poor eyesight, Caamilla Rivera, said that the four hours of synchronous classes is enough, but it is better to lower it and limit activities online. "Di ko pa sigurado pero parang malapit na tumaas ulit ang grado ko. Siguro dahil ito sa oras ng ODL at oras ng pagbrobrowse sa internet bilang libangan," she said. Another Grade 9 student from RNSHS that has poor eyesight, Chriselle Joyce Maculangan, said that a day of online class causes her eyes to ache. "That’s almost 7 hours na rin. Also, yung break times na medyo maikli para sa ’kin, no time to get up from the computer. Sumasakit rin mata ko sa ilaw," she said. Besides having eye problems as effects of excessive screen time, according to the Mayo Clinic, spending too much time on screen is also associated with obesi-

ty, irregular sleep, behavioral problems, and impaired social skills. Subsequently, people who spend too much time on the screen should limit the usage of their gadgets. This emergence of ODL as an alternative mode of education in light of the pandemic has been a hindrance especially for both students and teachers who have poor eyesight. Despite this set-up, students should still learn how to discipline themselves with different activities online. With the different online school loads that cause fatigue and eyestrain, students need to take a break and continue to learn with a healthy body.

Risci’s 5Cs: Consecutive Catastrophes Call for Consistent Cautions

By Alethia Lumayog, Rion Torrado

ultiple natural disasters have hit the country over the past year. A great example is typhoon Ulysses, which RiScians had no escape from. Regieco Batarra and Audrey Soliongco, students from Rizal National Science High School, live far from each other. But, when it comes to the distance from the eye of the typhoon, both are always affected. Batarra resides in Rainbow Village in Angono, Rizal had to suffer from intense floodings. With this, their local government implemented a project to flatten the roadway to lessen this flooding and make it a point to provide food to the affected families. Soliongco, who lives in Cainta, Rizal, shared the same experiences with Batarra, while relying on their local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for updates and providing relief packages. Since the typhoons have affected a large expanse of the country, Batarra and Soliongco were not the only RiScians that were affected by natural disasters. Due to the problems that the natural disasters have brought to the country, especially to

students, the school has taken measures to keep RiScians safe during face-to-face learning. As the DRRM Council Coordinator of the school, Mr. Jomar Cruz has done a lot of help to the school in terms of natural disasters. He leads the earthquake drills that the school has been conducting virtually, management of the cleaning of the school due to the ashfall last year, and keeping learning materials safe from the onslaught of last year’s typhoons. "There should be an annual maintenance of the school. Some parts of the school need to be retrofitted," Cruz stated. Indeed, prevention is better than cure. Whatever situation the world is in, natural disasters are inevitable phenomena, and we could not estimate the intensity and damage it would bring us. Hence, applying the lessons we have learned in school, including preparing survival kits, medicines, and the right amount of food that would last for weeks. Also, mastering the strength of being mentally prepared would help us calmly think of alternative solutions to get through these temporary catastrophes.

17 Sports

The Isotopes | The Official School Publication in English of Rizal National Science High School Issue No. 1 Vol. 15 | October-July 2021 Section Editor: Bervin Ocampo

RIDE UP! Glicerio Estacio, a teacher from Rizal National Science High School, rides his bicycle to explore nearby towns in Baras, Rizal on January 30, 2021. Estacio started biking during the COVID-19 pandemic, and according to him, it is the safest and cheapest mode of transportation for necessities and a good way to maintain his physical and mental health.

Bicycling as a form of LeiSURE to make a FUNdemic feature Bicycling has been an accessible sport, whether in local lanes or high mountain miles from the urban cities. Taking the two wheels and pedaling away, leaving the stresses ovf daily life, entails an enormous sense of freedom and comfort to people who want to escape themselves and find solitude instead. While everyone else was stuck at home watching time pass by, Serge Estacio and Amar Pajarito utilized bicycling to make this pandemic fun to deal with. Sir Serge Estacio learned to ride a bike when his neighbor let him borrow it in his fourth grade. Given that public transportation was on hold, he started to use the bike as his means of transportation. He biked to different places not only to buy supplies and pay bills but to abide by the quarantine

BY FELICITTI STA CATALINA and nyvelle celerio

measures as well. “I am sure that my legs are better, bit that they have become longer, but because I can feel my muscles there are firmer than before. I can also observe that my endurance has improved.” Sir Estacio added. Like the glimpse of a beautiful sunrise after the darkest dawn, whenever he feels sad for no reason, biking helps him to shake it off. When bicycling, he tends to be focused on the environment with breathtaking sceneries. Indeed, getting a breather once in a while can be a form of physical activity as well. The quarantine nearly stopped the regular quality times with friends. However, it was not the case for him. While bicycling, he met new friends that are also cyclists. Through this sport, he got

to know them deeper, allowing them to see the other side of his personality. On the other hand, Amar Pajarito, a student from G11 Mendel, discovered biking at the age of nine. His father being in the triathlon, a multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running over various distances, inspired him to engage in bicycling. Through practice, Amar was able to gain achievements in this field such as winning in marathons, duathlons, and aquathlons. “Cycling through different places may help your body in order to be healthy and fit, it can change your social skills too because when you are cycling to different places you will meet people that are engaged to cycling too that can bring relationships and friendships into place.” Amar mentioned.

Life is not always an easy ride along a beautiful cycling path. With the unexpected challenges brought by the pandemic, we are stuck in a phase where the bicycle wheel we are in keeps on spinning around on the ups and downs of a muddy trail. Nevertheless, Sir Serge and Amar found balance in life and nature through the distance these wheels have reached.

Photo by SERGE ESTACIO

Promoting Physical Fitness at Home During the Pandemic psalms fausto

As we continue to struggle to flatten the coronavirus curve by implementing different protective measures, another health crisis is brewing as we become more isolated and less mobile than before the pandemic. The thought of battling a virus that cannot be seen by the eye and would not be going to disappear any time soon has taken a toll on our physical, social, and emotional well-being. However, there is an elixir that has been accessible to help mitigate these ails even before COVID-19. The majority of the Riscians acknowledged the importance of engaging in physical activities

amid the challenges brought by the pandemic. According to studies, regular physical exercise is emerging as one of the most protective factors and strategies to promote and preserve our health and productivity in the ongoing struggle of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Robert Neil, a student from G10 - Fortitude, “Physical activities equals health, and a pandemic takes health. So, physical activities and it shall be balanced as all things should be. Jk, but you get the point.” Indeed, to avoid the ripple effect this pandemic has caused in the various aspects of

our well-being, finding an activity that fuels the parts of our body is essential to stay sane, secured, and healthy all at the same time. Furthermore, most of the students engage in less vigorous tasks such as dancing to Zumba/YouTube workout videos, jogging, cycling, badminton, table tennis, and walking. In line with this, some students revealed that eating healthy foods, maintaining a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep or rest are also vital routines to keep themselves physically and emotionally healthy. “It is a must to engage in

physical activities because if you don’t exercise there’s a long list of future diseases you’re gonna get. Just thinking about the hospital bills I’ll be paying just because I’m a couch potato motivates me to exercise.” Maxene Carreon, a student from 10 - Humility, added. The promise of a COVID-19 vaccine as a potion does not undo the damage already caused by the pandemic. There is not yet a scientific intervention that can diminish the physical and emotional sufferings the pandemic has caused, but setting alternatives, for the time being, is enough to make progress for your future selves’ well-being and health.

A DOOR TOWARDS NEW OPPORTUNITIES MARY Dyan Lipit plays Valorant with her laptop setup on June 7, 2021. A tactical first person shooting game launched in 2019, Valorant is currently looking for gamers who want to cement their names in the pro gaming league. Photo by MARY DYAN LIPIT

Electronic sports, better known as ESports, has been popular with people today, and some even considered it not just as a hobby, but as a passion. The famous competition that involves video and online games even made opportunities for some who are interested in it. And now, more chances will be open to those people because ESports will open new careers as a potential part of education today, with its first degree program under development. Since ESports is popular among Filipino youth, many are supporting contests which involve teams of professional players that compete locally and internationally for the crown and cash prize. But now, Esports has been considered to be part of today’s education and become a career for those who love it. Gaming agency Tier One Entertainment, together with Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) seeks to create a four-year

degree curriculum of Bachelor of Science in ESports. Once approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), it will be offered next school year for people who want to pursue this degree. Tier One’s chief executive officer Tryke Guti errez said that there will be two tracks under the program, namely game development and ESports management, but the specific subjects aren’t revealed. He also stated that this program’s goal is to provide opportunities for gamers. “The goal has always been to create more opportunities for gamers in Asia. If this curriculum gets approved, we won’t just be providing post career opportunities for gaming, but we will have a new generation of graduates ready to work in the ESports industry,” he said in a post online. Gutierrez also reminded future students that they should study or train hard through learning the lessons and skills to be provided by experts in the ESports industry. He also urged the people to support them so that the

by psalms fausto

program will be successful. With that, people who want to pursue their dreams for gaming will definitely find this program as an opportunity to become professional. This program can be a stepping stone to a lot of gamers through the right guidance for their development and learnings in future subjects or tracks. Gaming skills and strategy will be enhanced through proper training, as well as sportsmanship, discipline and cooperation. Creativity will also be prioritized since game development is included that will help creators produce new games. Moreover, people can establish careers through starting businesses in the ESports industry by participating in streaming games online, bring players together in events, and make money. ESports already brought success to those who are passionate, but this new program will bring a good chance and more opportunities to people who are willing to develop and pursue this career they love.

Sports

GETTING READY. Sonny Montalvo leads bubble training of the national Karate Team for the upcoming Olympic qualifying at Inspire Sports Academy Philippines. Bubble training was implemented for a safer way to continue playing team sports amidst the pandemic. Photo by PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION

Team PH eyes bagging first gold at 2020 Summer Olympics BY Felicitti Sta. Catalina Filipino qualified delegates look for ward to topping t he record-breaking 39 medals clinched last 2019 SEA Games despite the pandemic in 2020 Summer Olympics t o b e h e l d a t To k yo , J a p a n , July 23 to August 8. T h e s a i d e v e n t w a s p ro posed to s tar t back then from July 23 to Augus t 9, 2 0 2 0 , b u t t h e C OV I D - 1 9 V i r u s made it vague that caused a o n e - y e a r d e l a y. Philippines’ chef de mission to the Summer Games, Mariano N onong Araneta a n t ic ipated the countr y to target a ro u n d 3 8 , o r 1 O l y m p i a n s at leas t to be ves ted since t h e re a r e 1 5 s p o r t s . T h e s e i n c l u d e r o w i n g , c a n o e - ka y -

a k , a rc h e r y, f e n c i n g , a t h letics, golf, ka rate , ju do, triathlon, boxing, weightlif ting, and skate b oarding. The aspiring qualifiers a re s e t t o f o l l o w t h e f o o t s teps of the four q ualified a s p i ra n t s i n c l u d i n g To k y o 2 0 2 0 q u a l i f i e r, E u m i r F e l i x M a rc i a l i n M e n’ s m i d d l e weight in boxing, who bagged gold in 2015, 2 0 1 7, a n d 2 0 1 9 S o u t h e a s t Asian Games editions. A p a r t f ro m t h a t i s t h e Wom en’s f lywe ight ca tegory with Irish Magno, w h o k n o c ke d o f f h e r mas ter y in international amateur com petitions including the Asian Games a n d t h e Wor ld Cha m p ionships. Magno, being on

the verge of summit she is, now became the first Filipino female boxer to enter the Summer Olympics. Ernest John Uy Obiena, on the othe r hand, ra ise d the pole for gymnas tics to comp e t e a t M e n’ s P o l e Va u l t . H e re maine d u n p a ralle le d i n s h o w c a s i n g b r e a kthrou ghs in p ole va u lting w i t h a r e c o rd o f 5 . 5 5 m e t e r s which he accomplished on April 29, 2016, at the 78th Singap ore Op e n Cha m p ions h i p s i n Ka l l a n g , S i n g a p o re . H e la te r b roke the Asia n At h l e t i c s C h a m p i o n s h i p s r e c o rd w i t h 5 . 7 1 m e t e r s o n A p r i l 2 1, 2 0 1 9 , o n i t s 2 3 r d b i ennial meet at Doha, Qatar which earned him the coveted gold medal finish.

Ini ti ati ng credenti al s up to a r t i s t i c , C a r l o s E d r i e l Yu l o i s bei ng banked o n af ter being the first Filipino and the first male Southeast Asian gymnas t to wi n i n the Wo rl d Artistic Gymnastics Championshi ps wi th hi s f l o o r exerci se bro nze medal fi ni sh i n 2018, and the fir s t-ever gold medal for the Philippines in 2019 on the same apparatus. Endeavor s for weightlif ters, Hidilyn Diaz and Judoka K i yo mi Watanabe; track a t h l e t e s , Ky l a R i c h a r d s o n and Willie Morrison; cyclis ts, Ariana Dormitorio and Daniel Caluag, with boxer Nesthy Peteci o — rei gn as to havi ng a shot to make i t to the co mpetition. “ We want them to trai n fo r

the Olympics first, and hopef u l l y t h e y c a n q u a l i f y, ” e x pressed Araneta. H o w e v e r, w i t h i t s t e n t a t i v e schedule in the middle of g rudges, he sai d he’s been communicating with the co untr y’s spo r ts federati o ns so they can submit to the I AT F - E I D t h e t r a i n i n g g u i d e lines intended for Olym pic pro spects; whi ch aro und the u n c e r t a i n t y o f To k y o 2 0 2 0 , i s the o nl y — assurance.

We want them to train for the Olympics first, and hopefully they can qualify.

Life goes on for global sports events BY PSALMS FAUSTO TRIAL. John Vic De Guzman shows eagerness during the tryouts for the men’s volleyball team at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority gymnasium in Subic, Zambales on Thursday, April 29, 2021. There were 31 volleyball players who attended the audition hoping to be included in the set-up of the team for 2021 South East Asian Games. Photo by PHILIPPINE NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION

Defending champion Philippines to try securing overall title in next SEA Games BY BERVIN OCAMPO The Philippines has started its campaign to defend their overall championship title in the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) with 626 athletes in Hanoi, Vietnam from November 21 to December 2, 2021. The upcoming biennial meet will highlight 40 sports and 500 events including athletics, basketball, football, gymnastics, taekwondo, and among others. Coming from the country’s biggest delegation of 1,115 athletes in the last 2019 SEA games, they decided to cut it to half due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The basis of selection primarily hinged on those athletes who won medals [of any color] in the 2019 SEA Games that we

hosted. We also looked at events where the potential of winning the gold medal is very high, as justified by an athlete or athletes performance in 2019,” POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said. After 14 years, the Philippines edged over all of its competitors in the run for the SEA games overall championship title as they beat all of the other countries with an all time high of 149 golds. The POC added 66 more athletes following the previous announcement of 560 athletes would be sent to Hanoi and the deadline of submission of athletes by number was on March 21 while the deadline for the names is in August. Tolentino said, “After a careful

review—with the mindset of defending our overall title—we came up with these numbers.” Philippines, home of the 2019 SEA games, bagged three golds, four silvers, and four bronze in cycling including in BMX and mountain bike. “We should be at par if not better than Thailand and Indonesia. We have a very big chance in the women’s because we’ve seen the caliber of our rivals. In the men’s, we will improve in the ITT and TTT,” Ernesto “Judes”Echauz, chairman of standard insurance, said. “And our riders are familiar with the terrain in Vietnam, because they’ve competed there,” he added.

BATTLEFIELD

International sports events have always brought thrill and fun to many people around the world. Games and their respective sports were held. Competitions were joined by many athletes which are also supported by sports enthusiasts who are eager to see the action. However, these events stopped due to COV ID-19, and although safety measures and discipline are practiced to finally continue sports events, there might be a lot of adjustments. The pandemic has made the world of sports less exciting. Tournaments were postponed. Training for the athletes is delayed. Sports fans are required to stay at home. It will be hard for those who find sports as a part of their life, especially for the athletes themselves. But sports events are slowly coming back since different organizations

and groups found new ways to let them continue amidst the pandemic. Guidelines are set and there are rules to be followed accordingly in order for the play to begin. Now, international contests and games were announced. Athletes are set to participate in the sports competitions, such as the 2021 Southeast Asian Games and the 2020 Summer Olympics, which are scheduled to start on November 21 and July 23, respectively. Since there is a chance that the events will still continue during the pandemic, it is a must to follow safety protocols to avoid the contact and spread of COVID-19, especially if the athletes come from different places around the world, considering that COVID-19 cases are increasing and quarantine is present in most countries. Protective equipment is essential and very much need-

ed. Players and staff should be checked from time to time, and everyone’s well-being should be prioritized. Also, the venues should be checked thoroughly, and the people who will join must be limited. Medical help should always be there to offer assistance when it comes to health and safety. Most importantly, discipline must be shown. It is very important when it comes to sports, and now it is more essential because of the situation right now. People should obey the rules given and act accordingly in order to be safe and for the games to go smoothly. Sports requires discipline as well as cooperation, and people should always be mindful of those two not just during the games, but also in situations that need it, especially today, so that things will get successful and the upcoming action and events would be performed well.

Gilas Pilipinas all out with an all-cadet lineup for 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers third window

h e S a m a h a n g B a s ke t bol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will send an all-cadet lineup in the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers third window in Clark, Pampanga from a tentative date of June 14-20. C u r re n t l y, G i l a s P i l i p i n a s l e a d s G ro u p A w i t h a w i n - l o s s re c o rd o f 3 - 0 a n d f o l l o w e d by S o u t h Ko re a w i t h a 2 - 0 re c o rd a n d I n d o n e s i a i n t h i rd p l a c e .

BY BERVIN OCAMPO O n l y 1 6 te a m s w i l l q u a l i f y i n t h e m a i n ro u n d . T h e to p t w o te a m s o f eve r y g ro u p w i l l a d va n c e i n t h e m a i n ro u n d w h i l e t h e 3 rd p l a c e r w i l l f i g h t f o r t h e f i n a l q u a l i f y i n g to u r n a m e n t . Indonesia is qualified in the 2 0 2 1 F I B A A s i a C u p s i n c e t h ey a re t h e h o s t c o u n t r y w h i l e L e b a n o n a n d B a h ra i n a re a l s o q u a l i f i e d i n t h e m a i n ro u n d s i n c e t h ey w e re t h e to p 2 te a m s i n G ro u p D w i t h s ta n d i n g o f 6 - 0 a n d 4 - 2 , re s p e c t i ve l y.

Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas has s ta r te d i t s o n e m o n t h - p re p a ra t i o n for the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the INSPIRE Sports Ac a d e m y i n C a l a m b a , L a g u n a i n a b u b b l e s et t i n g . D u e to t h e p a n demic, the 2021 FIBA Asia cup that w a s o r i g i n a l l y s et f ro m A u g u s t 3 to 1 5 w a s p o s t p o n e d to A u g u s t 1 6 to 28. T h e te a m i s c o m p o s e d o f a n a l l - c a d et l i n e u p a n d n o P B A p l a ye r w i l l b e i n c l u d e d . T h e te a m i s l e d by D w i g h t R a m o s , J u s t i n e B a l ta z a r,

D a ve I l d e f o n s o , C h r i s Ko o n , J u a n G o m e z d e L i a n o , a n d n a t u ra l i z a t i o n c a n d i d a te A n g e l o Ko u a m e . “ I f w e re a l l y h a ve to s ta r t t ra i n i n g eve n a s e a r l y a s t h i s m o n t h a n d t h e P B A w i l l s ta r t i t s s e a s o n i n A p r i l , t h i s w i l l g o t h ro u g h a l l t h e w a y to J u l y 4 w h i c h i s t h e l a s t d a y o f t h e O Q T, ” S B P P re s i d e n t A l P a n l i l i o s a i d . Ka i S o t to , w h o w i l l n o t ret u r n i n t h e NBA G League this season, and natu ra l i z e d c a n d i d a te A n g e l o Ko u a m e a re s t i l l i n c l u d e d i n t h e l i n e - u p o f Gilas pool for the FIBA q ualifiers.

Sports

by LANCE AREVADA

by Bervin Jayelle Ocampo

In an interview with Cabatian, he said that despite the not-so-big amount DC Gaming gathered, to provide help was what was more important. “Ang importante nakatulong kami and sobrang nag-enjoy kami habang ginagawa ‘yon,” he explained.

The aforementioned Riscians came up with an idea of this livestreaming, narrating how they start gaining interest with such. “Dati nag-start kami mag-livestream for fun lang, gano’n. Na-enjoy namin magstream pero nung nagkapasok, ‘di na namin nagagawa. Dahil gusto ulit namin mag-stream at maglaro, why not mag-stream kami for a cause since nag-eenjoy kami while helping kahit gano’n lang ‘yung ginagawa namin,” Cabatian added. Just like the concept in gaming, there are also glitters in life that could spark errors unexpectedly. The initiative they have done proved that no matter how much damage per second

in life a person is to encounter, there will always be some sort of destruction over time that is always a vital rebut in a complicated game in life. DC Gaming’s way of helping others is indeed a very creative method to achieve both of their goals— to enjoy gaming and to help by giving. The drive they used to channel their creativity into something worthwhile is their love and passion for playing popular online games. There are really a lot of ways in lending a hand to others, and no matter how big or small these actions are, when combined would still make the lives of people better, including yourself.