November Issue 5 - A.Y. 2019-2020

NOVEMBER 2019

VOLUME XLIII ISSUE 5

FEATURES

NEWS

Colegio registers 46.67% in November 2019 CE Licensure Examination

SPORTS

OPINION

The Escolta Block Festival

Letramurals better than SEA Games 2019?

Coach Bonnie downed San Beda with the help of ‘Super Friends’

Letran dethrones San Beda, claims 18th title

CHAMPION. The Letran Knights emerged as champion in the NCAA Season 95 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

PHOTO BY MIX GATPANDAN

BY ALYSSA AQUINO & JONASH DANNUG

AFTER A FOUR-YEAR odyssey, Letran is finally back on top.

As the dust settled after three grueling games, the Knights were crowned as the NCAA Season 95

Men’s Basketball champion, after taking down arch-rival San Beda Red Lions, in a tight 81-79 affair, November 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jerrick Balanza was at the forefront of the attack, making sure that his collegiate career

will end the same way it started -- with a championship.

“Sa amin naman talaga to simula pa lang,” said team captain Balanza, who ended his stellar collegiate career with 27 points on top of seven rebounds and three assists.

Quadricentennial Year 4 ends with a double celebration

BY JACKQUELINE PILAR

THE COLEGIO wrapped its Quadricentennial Year 4 Celebration last November 22 at St. Thomas Grounds with the annual Arribafest and a victory party after the Letran Knights won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 95 Men’s Senior Basketball Title.

The week-long celebration, with its theme “Como El Sol Es Tu Gloria Sin Fin” which started onNovember 19, was aimed to prepare for the 400th year celebration of Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 2020.

In a short speech delivered by the Letran Knights Head Coach,

PHOTO BY PATRICK ROMERO

» QUADRICENTENNIAL/ PAGE 3

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Seeing the Knights’ 11-point lead cut down to one at the 4:52 mark of the final quarter, the Letran senior calmly sank two crucial free throws to restore order.

Ato Ular then had his moment, completing an and-one play to

extend the Knights’ lead to six. But Clint Dolliguez answered right back with a cold-blooded three in the ensuing play to keep the Red Lions within striking distance.

Unfortunately for San Beda, though, Balanza once again came

BY JOANNA FLORES

na karami ‘yong nalalaman mo and paano mo mai-apply sa examinations,” she added.

Sinon then affirmed that the ‘83’ quota grade in their undergraduate course taught her not to settle for less and to always challenge herself more.

Sinon even emphasized how the Colegio’s ideals helped her through her journey.

“Magbo-board exam ka kasi may faith ka kay Lord na ipapasa ka Niya,” she stated.

“Mag-take ka ng board exam to be more competent while serving our countrymen and do it kasi you are a proud Knight na kaya mo ‘yong challenge,” she added.

» CHAMPION/ PAGE 3

Letran achieves 87.5% passing rate in October 2019 Psychometrician Board Examination

THE COLEGIO registered an 87.5% passing rate in the October 2019 board examination for osychometricians with 34 passers.

In an interview with The LANCE, 2019 psychology graduate and former Letran Student Council Psychology Senator Phoebie Sinon shared her experiences preparing and acing the board examination.

“Heavy reading talaga kasi ‘yong mga subjects included sa board examination, first and second-year pa namin tinake sa Letran,” Sinon said.

“Then sa review center may mga drills from time to time so nameasure talaga kung gaano Follow us on Instagram @thelanceletran

» BOARD/ PAGE 2

Visit our official website www.thelance.letran.edu.ph

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NEWS

NEWS EDITOR: RAILON DENIEGA LAYOUT ARTIST: ELDRICK NOLASCO

Colegio registers 46.67% in November 2019 CE Licensure Examination

BY JOANNA FLORES

THE COLEGIO garnered a 46.67% passing rate in the November 2019 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination with 7 out of 15 making the cut.

Out of 15,075 examinees, Gleomel Dominise, Limuel Sta Ana, Fletcher Rainiel Mistica, Roselle Magpayo, Snow Cabatuando, Miguel Andaya and Caesey Aquino, barged into the 6,510 passers.

In an interview with The LANCE,

Civil Engineering graduate Miguel Andaya expressed his emotions upon seeing the results.

“I was so ecstatic to tell my family that my name was on the list of passers,” he said.

However, Andaya shared that he also felt sad because he would not be able to tell his mother, who just passed away last 2018.

“She did not get to witness my two recent significant events in my life, which is graduating and passing the board exam,” he confessed.

“ I am still grateful to the Lord because he gave me the things that I prayed for even though I know I do not deserve any of them,” Andaya then affirmed.

The newly registered civil engineer revealed how he made a lot of sacrifices during the preparation for the examination.

“I had to sacrifice spending time with my friends and even my family because I had to review almost all of my five years studying civil engineering in just 5 months,” said Andaya.

Devoting most of his time to studying, Andaya also emphasized how his faith pushed him to succeed.

“What I always did was pray to the Lord to ask for guidance and provision during the whole review period,” he affirmed.

Other than that, Andaya firmly believes that Letran helped him to be the person that he is today.

“Letran made me more compassionate, through its efforts to give back to the community,” he furthered.

Letran’s passing rate for first-time takers in this year’s examination was above the national passing rate of 43.18%.

Meanwhile, Lou Mervin Mahilum from the University of San Carlos topped the licensure examination after garnering a passing rate of 93.25%.

The Civil Engineering Licensure Examination was administered by the members of the Board of Civil Engineering; Engr. Praxedes Bernardo, Engr. Pericles Dakay and Engr. Romeo Estañero.

‘Beloved, gifted and empowered’ Year of the Youth ends with spiritual refreshment

BY RONI MAE SERRANO

THE YEAR of the Youth officially closed with a eucharistic mass followed by a worship activity organized by the Religious Affairs Division last November 21 at the St. Thomas Grounds.

In preparation for the celebration of the 500th Year of Christianity in the Philippines, the CBCP has declared 2019 as the Year of the Youth.

The occasion was officially opened last December 2, 2018, the first Sunday of Advent, and closed on November 24, 2019, the feast of Christ the King.

The year-long celebration reflected on the theme “Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered”.

Activities both in the national and diocesan levels are aimed at least four objectives: youth in formation, youth in the community, Church and society, youth in mission, and youth ministry and youth ministers.

In an interview with The LANCE, head of the Campus Ministry, Teddy Toledo shared the preparations done before and during the year of the youth.

“The preparations go like sculpting for the possible theme for the last event

noong February and consultation with the young people on what they would like the activity to be,” Toledo told The LANCE. He also added that the celebration of the year of the youth was truly a collaboration with the young people inside the institution.

“The spearheading office is the Religious Affairs Office and the Campus Ministry but our workforce and the think tank of these activities were young people, the youth,” Toledo explained.

As the year of the youth ended, the campus ministry head expressed his realization by relating the theme of the year of the youth to the Letranites.

“The theme ‘Being beloved, gifted, empowered’ proves that truly Letran young people are empowered,” he said.

“The task of the Campus Ministry and the Religious Affairs division is only to make them feel that they are loved by God, make them realize and recognize that they have the gift, that they can share it with people and young people like them,” he furthered.

According to Toledo, modernization affects the church but he believes that

PHOTO BY PATRICK ROMERO

the youth plays a valuable role in the church.

“Wala nang lasa ang simbahan. It is becoming mechanically utilized, why because ang nagpapatakbo ay mga old people,” he said.

“But because of young ones, of the youth, nagiging reinvigorated ‘yong spirit, nagkakaroon ng bagong

Students to have 20% discount on domestic flights

PHOTO FROM THE INTERNET

BY JACKQUELINE PILAR

THE CIVIL Aeronautics Board (CAB) has just confirmed that starting November 1, students are entitled to avail of a 20-percent discount for domestic airline flights.

Students who wish to avail of a 20% discount on domestic flights are required to present a school ID, validated enrollment form and at least of the following: birth certificate, baptismal certificate, latest school record, naturalization certificate or passport.

As mandated by the Republic Act 11314 or the Student Fare Discount

Act which was signed into law last July by President Rodrigo Duterte, students can choose between promotional fares or discounted regular fare.

According to the online article released by The Filipino Times last November 4, CAB said students enrolled in elementary, secondary, technical or vocational and higher education institution will be covered.

However, the discount does not apply to those enrolled in postgraduate courses or short-term courses, such as dancing, swimming, driving lessons, and seminar-type courses.

Meanwhile, the rules set by CAB stated that the 20% discount would be calculated from the “regular base fare” of domestic flights.

Alongside airline tickets, students may also avail of a 20% discount in taxis, buses, jeepneys, vehicles for hire, tricycles, passenger trains, and marine vessels.

Note that the discount is applicable for the whole period that the student is enrolled, which includes during holidays and weekends.

On the other hand, the Department of Transportation separately waived discounted train rides and terminal fees for students.

pananaw, refreshed and perspective sa mga bagay bagay,” he furthered.

He then admitted that to be able to see the significance of the year of the youth, it needs to take time.

“Activities like these takes time, it needs further discernment and reflection on the part of those who attended,” Toledo said.

BOARD FROM PAGE 1

Devoting her time to studying, Sinon expressed her emotions upon seeing the result.

“Sinabi ko nga when I posted online ‘yong results, test of faith and board examination. Gaano kalaki at kalakas ang paniniwala mong ipapasa ka Niya,” she shared.

She then added that one of the important notes to learn is to surround yourself with good people.

“Malaki ang epekto kapag ‘yong mga kasama mo matatapang at matulungin.

Iyong tutulungan ka to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually,” said Sinon.

The Colegio’s passing rate in the Psychometrician Board Examination was above the national passing rate of 63.73%.

Meanwhile, in the separate examination for Psychologists, Jet Uy Buenconsejo, Letran alumnus and Letran Research Center staff landed at third place.

However, Buenconsejo shared that Psychology was not his first choice because after graduating from high school, he said he wanted to enter the seminary.

“My father was asking me to take something sa college muna before I could enter the

When asked if the year of the youth has been a success, Toledo proudly claimed: “The mere fact that the people who worked behind it are young people, the fact that it was conceptualized, planned and implemented by young people, it only proves it was indeed the year of the youth.” seminary. Hindi naman lahat ng nagse-seminary would come out as a priest,” he furthered.

When asked if he still wants to pursue seminary, Buenconsejo said that through the years, he learned to transform his studies and research in Psychology related to religion and spirituality.

“One of my focus sa mga research would be the psychology of religion and spirituality,” said Buenconsejo.

As a full-time employee in Letran, he shared that apart from reviewing and juggling with work, the pressure and fear of failing were part of his struggles.

However, Buenconsejo noted that proper scheduling and self-discipline was his key to success.

Similar to other board examination takers in Letran, he echoed the same sentiments of living with the Colegio’s values as it trained and molded him.

“I am just very grateful to Letran. Siguro one of the dreams that I had was to give back and to bring honor to Letran,” said first-time taker Buenconsejo.

“In a way, I felt like with the result of the board exam, I made that goal of making Letran proud, na parang I’m a product of this institution,” he said.

News

VO LU M E X L I I I - I S S U E 5

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Letranites honor human rights in a week-long celebration

BY JOANNA FLORES

IN OBSERVANCE of the Human Rights Day on December 10, the Center for Community Development (CCD), spearheaded a week-long Human Rights celebration last November 11 to 15.

The celebration was in collaboration with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and various recognized student organizations of Letran; The LANCE, Letran Community Volunteers, Letran Politicvs, and Letran Legal Management Society.

In 2017, the Colegio formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement with CHR to sustain the values and promote humanity within the community of Letran.

“Last year, 2017, nagkaroon ng formal MOA signing. After the MOA Signing, Letran is officially a Center for Human Rights Education,” CCD Director, Leo Bernadas, said.

“That is why for 2 years, may mga activities tayo na related for Human Rights education,” he added.

The CCD Director also shared that they conducted a 2-day capacity building in line with the goals of CHR last 2018.

FRANCISCO DE VITORIA While this year’s Human Rights week commemorates the victims of injustices, the celebration was named after Francisco de Vitoria, a Spanish theologian, in remembrance of his formidable contributions to human rights.

The seminars conducted highlighted the story of the Spanish theologian and the Process of Salamanca.

With the center’s vision in human rights initiatives, Bernadas shared that the goal is to also involve the students in human rights activities.

“For a deeper involvement, students may engage in Human Rights activities through research para mas mapalalim pa ang kaalaman nila about Karapatang Pantao,” he said.

Along with this, the sessions held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the week, consistently

Psychology students spearhead water conservation seminar

PHOTO FROM THE THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE OF WTF - WATER THE FUTURE

BY ANDREA ANDRES

IN LINE to their academic requirements for the subject Environmental Science, students of Psychology-2A organized a seminar entitled “WTF: Water The Future” last November 14 at the Mabini Hall.

The class’ goal is to disseminate information on the possible consequences of a country with an undersupply water. The said activity also addressed the current crisis on water supply.

The guest speaker was Mr. Willy Manzano Sentinta Jr., a licensed Pollution Control of the Colegio, an Environmental Protection officer (by the Environmental Management Bureau of Department and Natural Resources and Laguna Lake authority) and also a Registered Chemical Engineer.

During his talk, he discussed the water consumption of the Metro Manila, followed by the different water reservoirs.

According to Dominique Alico, the head organizer of the event, one of their objectives is to inspire students to contribute in conserving water.

“As to the main goal of the WTF: Water the Future is to promote knowledge and awareness to every Letranite,” Alico said.

“This is to give them knowledge and awareness of the possible consequences that will happen if the water will be undersupplied,” he added.

Moreover, the Psychology Students aims to encourage students about the possible ways to conserve water inside and outside of the Colegio, fulfilling one mission of a Letranite.

“The topic is timely and relevant in our society and we also noticed that water consumption is becoming one of the main problems in Colegio,” Alico said when asked why the group decided to tackle the issue.

The group four of class Environmental Science was just one out of six groups who presented their final project. The group is composed of Dominique Alico, Mikaella Syla Del Rosario, Sarah Erum, Glecy Ann Morales and Ednalyn Saul.

The seminar was made possible by their professor, Asst. Prof. Catherine Sanchez.

instilled the CHR mandate, programs and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Rights of Women in the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against women, Rights of the Child, Child Protection Law and the Rights of Indigenous People were among the topics discussed. The organizers capped off the last day of Francisco de Vitoria week by discussing the Rights of Accused, Anti-Torture Law and Rights of Person under custodial investigation.

Meanwhile, the exhibit that conveys the central message related to Human Rights was located near the Finance office.

LOVE FOR HUMANITY In line with the Colegio’s Quadricentennial Week, The LANCE collaborated with the Center for Community Development in organizing the “Love For Humanity”.

The event consisted of two sessions; first, a seminar about Karapatang Pantao discussed by Michael Adrian Non, a human

QUADRICENTENNIAL FROM PAGE 1

Bonnie Tan, he expressed his gratitude to the Letran community for the overwhelming support for the team.

“Hindi niyo po alam ang pinagdaanan ng mga players na ‘to mula umpisa hanggang sa bawat laban,” Tan told the Letranites.

“Kaya naman maraming salamat sa inyo [Letranites], sa suporta at tiwala, sa coaching staffs, sa administrators, kay VPAA Cabral at Rector,” Tan acknowledged.

Tan and Letran Knights Team Captain, Jerrick Balanza led the raising of the 18th NCAA Men’s Senior Basketball banner during the victory party.

Meanwhile, Letranites enjoyed the Arribafest 2019 after Par, Alab, Mojofly, Laraza, Jason Fernandez, and Muni-muni filled the Colegio with blasting musical performances.

“Ang atin pong Arribafest na sinabayan ng Victory Party ay naging matagumpay at masaya.

Dito po ay nasaksihan po natin ang pagkakaisa ng Letran Community na sinabayan ng mga mahuhusay na banda,” Letran Student Council President, Charmaine Yatco told The LANCE. “Ang daming booth and the bands were amazing. Mas nagpasaya pa ‘yong pagdating ng mga Knights and the raising of the 18th NCAA Championship banner talagang mararamdaman mo na we are champions,” Broadcasting Student, Zea Clemente commended.

OPENING DAY New events, booths, bazaar, and concert were spearheaded by the Office of Alumni and Public Affairs, the Letran Student Council, and representatives from different colleges and offices.

The Quadricentennial Year 4 Celebration formally opened through a eucharistic mass participated by the Letran Community at Manila Cathedral.

After the mass, Grand Float Parade was held at the Plaza Roma with different departments from Basic Education to collegiate level joining the event to showcase their creative floats.

Furthermore, the Grade 7 students emerged as overall champions in the Quadricentennial

PHOTO BY PATRICK ROMERO

rights defender, was held.

After this, a candle-lighting ceremony in commemoration of the victims of injustices took place in front of the Colegio.

When asked about his vision after these initiatives, the CCD Director shared, “Ang vision ay maging vibrant center and center for human rights education ng Letran towards building a democratic and peaceful society.”

Year 4 Field Demonstration.

The annual Run HueKnighted also took place with its colorful fun-run and musical party.

NCAA SEASON 95 VICTORY Day 2 of celebration was filled triumph after the Knights were crowned as the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Men’s Basketball champion after taking down arch-rival San Beda Red Lions.

Letranites celebrated the 18th title with a bonfire as they gathered inside the Colegio to welcome with all cheer and pride the basketball team.

In a short speech delivered by Rev. Fr. Clarence Marquez, O.P, he expressed his gratitude with the Letran community specifically in Knights Basketball Team for bringing back the trophy in Intramuros, ending the three-year title drought of Letran in NCAA Basketball.

“Sa Diyos, champion ang Letran.

Sa Letran, champion ang Diyos,” Rev. Fr. Marquez proudly stated.

Blue Carpet Cultural Show was also spearheaded by the Letran Cultural Organizations namely Letran Singing Ambassadors, Letran Filipiniana Dance Company and Teatro de Letran, Letran Uknighted Dance Company, Letran Band, and Letran Cheering Squad, presenting various performances to complete the vibe of the celebration.

The celebration was also filled with a fireworks display concluding the victorious day.

LETRAN SINGING IDOL On the 4th day of celebration, Jonathan Paul Quirong, a Communication Student, was hailed as the first Letran Singing Idol happened last November 21 at St. Thomas Grounds.

“I wanted to ignite my passion again in singing. I have been competing with several contests before when I was young. I just happened to stop so that I can focus on my studies,” Quirong shared with The LANCE. “I considered joining Singing Idol to at least move one step forward again,” he added.

Meanwhile, Aerich Khan Balanggao placed the first runner up and Pauline Lalog managed to bag the second runner up.

He furthered by encouraging everyone to involve themselves in this engagement.

“As an individual, we can start here sa loob ng Letran,” Bernadas encouraged.

“Kung ano man ang natutunan natin about human rights education, let’s exercise what we learned not only within the institutions but even outside the four walls of Letran,” he added.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: INTEROCKTION 2019 Moreover, Letran Student Council Battle of the Bands: Interocktion 2019.

The On The Way Band from the Senior High School Department, composed of Marco Torres, Carol De Ramos, Cyver Garoso, Juan Regala, Adonis Bacoy, and Julian Haynes, was declared the overall champion scoring a total of 89.05% Meanwhile, the Subway Band which composed of Gette-Yzek Muring, Maverick Morales, Avrille Fernandez, and Danzel Aurelio bagged the first runner up, garnering 79.17% overall score.

Broadcasting students Paolo Trinidad, Emilio Santiago, Carlo Buan and John Rafael Kabiling of Kalaw Avenue Band grabbed the second runner up with 75.67% total score.

CHAMPION FROM PAGE 1

to Letran’s defense, dropping a three-point bomb to stretch the lead once more.

Evan Nelle was able to bring the Red Lions to within two after hitting two crucial three-pointers and even had the chance to steal Knights’ thunder.

Nelle, however, was blocked in his last-ditch to save San Beda while Donald Tankoua failed to get a grip of the ball -- sealing Letran’s 18th championship in the oldest collegiate league in the country.

Balanza, along with seniors Bonbon Batiller and Christian Balagasay, capped off their Letran careers with a title.

Batiller collected 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Ular, on the other hand, added nine points while Finals MVP Fran Yu had eight points, five rebounds and six assists.

San Beda, meanwhile, was led by graduating center Tankoua with 22 points and seven rebounds while Season MVP Calvin Oftana followed suit with 18 markers and eight boards.

Sophomores James Kwekuteye and Nelle, along with Clint Doliguez chipped in 11 points in the loss.

4

OPINION

NOVEMBER 2019

EDITORIAL Letramurals better than SEA Games 2019?

WE hope not.

Hosting the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is slowly becoming a circus and we’re starting to think that Letramurals may even be better. Perhaps the OSWD directress should give PHISGOC Chairman Allan Peter Cayetano a few pointers on organizing sporting events.

Who would’ve thought that humiliating our country would cost billions of pesos? From the heavily criticized logo that looks straight out of MS-Paint, to poorly made public materials and accommodation mishaps. The athletes were even served kikiam, egg, and rice for breakfast, despite the fact that the budget allocated for catering is more than P200-million. To make matters worse, sports venues were still under construction one week prior to the official start of SEA Games.

Moreover, volunteers are being treated unfairly. How come the government has all the money to build a P50million cauldron but not have enough to compensate its manpower? It seems like the officials don’t value human resources at all. While showing support for the country is immeasurable, volunteers must be paid or at least be treated right with adequate transportation allowance and meals to keep them going.

For a third world country, we sure have disturbing priorities. A cauldron that costs that much, the money could’ve been spent to build classrooms, improve healthcare systems or at the very least fund our aspiring athletes with professional training and benefits they deserve.

How did we get to this? The event was supposed to be our source of pride but is now being ridiculed with memes.

Some even expounded on Twitter that college students are better at organizing events.

Then again, why are we surprised? Do we really expect much from a government who neglected our very own athletes ever since?

The government’s lack of financial support on athletes has been a long battle cry but it is only now that we’re starting to recognize their torment. For now, let us show our support to our athletes as they play their hearts out to win us medals and bring glory to our name.

E D I T O R I A L B O A R D S Y. 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR ONLINE EDITOR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR DESIGN EDITOR

ALYSSA AQUINO ETHAÑA RAMONES RAILON DENIEGA MEILINDA MALACAT CHANTAL MACARAEG PATRICK ROMERO ELDRICK NOLASCO

NEWS WRITERS

SPORTS WRITER

Joanna Flores

Alyssa Aquino

Andrea Andres Roni Mae Serrano

CARTOONIST

Patricia Lara

Rumiel Casanova

FEATURES WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Angelica Joy Mendoza

Jemverick Viray

Raine Cepeda

Pinky Genove

Justin Santelices

King Martin

Georgina Santiago

ANTON VINCENZ L. TANTOCO PUBLICATION ADVISER Published monthly, THE LANCE has its office at 3F Student Center Building, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Intramuros Manila FOR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Email us at thelance@letran.edu.ph

ARTWORK BY RUMIEL CASANOVA

Nowadays, whether you like it or not, we are categorized by labels. While these provide cognitive shortcuts by telling us which friends to hide in our newsfeeds, I find it really disturbing.

First of all, criticizing our government doesn’t generally make us part of the so-called ’dilawan.’ It only means that some people chose not to turn a blind eye, not to mention the questionable allocation of budget worth P6 billion for hosting expenses.

The issues surrounding Sea Games 2019 goes beyond the two mentioned parties. Our country’s name is at stake and Once you’re in, you can’t resist. If you will, then try harder.

Statista, a well- known digital statistics determiner released an article this month discovering that as of October 2019, there are 4.48 billion people who were active users of the internet. The number shows that 58 percent of the global population uses internet.

Furthermore, as cited in a marketing platformEmarsys, the Oberlo.com emphasized that 3.2 billion people were social media users and about 42 percent of that same population.

One thing is for sure, social media users are mostly mobile and internet capable. No matter where or what they are doing they are being optimized by mobile browsing. Social media just break down boundaries and generations in just a snap. Millennials were considered to be on top, as the generation who uses social media the most, Gen X comes second and Baby Boomers at third.

A person spent an

‘DDS’ versus ‘dilawan’ SILENT KNIGHT Alyssa Aquino

@alyssakthryn eic.thelance@letran.edu.ph

yet we chose to side different parties.

The Digong Duterte Supporters or ‘DDS’ calledout different media outlets such as Rappler and ABSCBN for reporting the lack of preparedness of PHISGOC for the event. Even popular sports outlets were not spared from the drama.

DDS tagged them as ‘dilawan’ for ‘oversharing’ logistical blunders prior to the official start of Sea Games 2019.

The officials in-charge also went against the media for “continuously negative reporting” of the event as if the reports on their shortcomings were to blame

Online vanity: Not the title CLAIMING STRIDES Ethaña Ramones

@ethanyita_ maned.thelance@letran.edu.ph

average of 2 hours and 22 minutes per day, browsing, scrolling and typing the most wonderful caption together with the amazing edited photo. Indeed, social media is a trap. It’s hard to escape right? But why do humans feel the need to post something online?

One fascinating thing is how we became serious in depending our lives on the internet, especially social media. No one can deny that our generation grow up with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It’s so overwhelming that it became part of our system and habits knowing that it has a lot of disadvantages.

Personally, I like posting on social media a lot.

Like a LOT. Excluding the Instagram stories, and some archived posts. Some people

might say “Bakit naman ang vain mo?”, “Ikaw lang laman ng feed ko.” and “Bakit ka ba post nang post?”

The answer is none of their business. It’s your own social media, honey. This is a free country we can do what we want. But use that freedom, responsibly! As I was researching if there is such law that prohibits on posting contents on social media- the result is none as long as it’s not offending and slanderous. So if it is just a simple post regarding your dog or the food you ate in a famous restaurant it’s not bad at all.

Moreover, there are available laws that regulates the use of social media and protect the citizens from the harm it can bring. Under the 1987 Constitution Bill of Rights Section 3 and Section

for the humiliation we are facing.

Pointing out PHISGOC’s shortcomings has never been an attack against President Duterte or the current administration.

More importantly, they are not anti-Philippines and unpatriotic.

What is unpatriotic is when we make politically influenced statements and dress them up as patriotic pronouncements.

Now that everyone’s pointing fingers for this mess.

Let’s just hope that things get better soon.

In the end, someone needs to be accountable.

4, in Chapter 2 Article 26 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, Human Security Act of 2007, the Anti- Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

So what now? With all the regulating laws and the freedom to post on social media there is no such thing as vanity in here, this is an expression in which a lot of users get satisfaction from, posting is a form of discipline where the quality content is being shown with no judgment at all, clicking the button for posting can be one step in achieving an objective, posting can open opportunities or even advocacies.

Let us maximize social media with our good intentions, for our selfsatisfaction and happiness, for sharing information that could help others and to engage audience with the advocacy of your own. Let us make difference in posting worthy content that could inspire others aesthetically, politically and even globally.

Opinion

VO LU M E X L I I I - I S S U E 5

Why we should leave revenge to karma?

“The best revenge is always to just happily move on and let Karma do the rest.”

We all have a basic concept of Karma and most often we relate this to what the golden rule says, “What goes around comes around” and “You get what you give”.

The Sanskrit translation of Karma is “action”. History says that the idea of Karma first appears in Hinduism.

It is a core concept in some religions depending on its context and belief.

Karma is wrapped up with its concern in the relationship of actions and results, denoting the cycle of cause and effect that a person might affect him or her in the future. As natural and universal law, it believes to be connected in our actions and the results of it.

People believe that Karma inspires their being to follow two things; to do good deeds will lead “Huli pero ‘di kulong,”—a phrase popularly used when someone catches anyone doing a figuratively incriminating action— although what seems to be a mainstream tag line for many could be applied literally to the current state of affairs these days.

Just recently, President Rodrigo Duterte has made a statement ordering the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest people who are caught smoking electronic cigarettes including vaping devices— better known as “vape”—in public. He also commanded to ban the importation of said products. The president affirmed that it was meant to protect the health of the Filipinos, as it was urged duly days after health authorities confirmed a case of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes, which couldn’t be a bad intention.

However, what’s even more concerning is what the head of state has also

THE LAMPSTAND Railon Deniega

@raideniega newsed.thelance@letran.edu.ph

to beneficial effects and to do the bad deed is to expect harmful effects.

The results of our actions and inactions will have consequences and we claim those as “Karma”.

Everything that we have ever thought, spoken, done or caused is called Karma.

However, we use Karma to denote luck, destiny, fate, or out of its traditional and religious meaning, an explanation of a good or bad fortune.

Most often, whenever there is a person committed something against us and they have probably wronged us at some point in our lives, we would feel the need to seek revenge against him

or her. It does not work that way. Revenge does not feel good and the better option is to let Karma do all the work.

Revenge does not stop or erase what the person committed against our lives and how it created an impact to us. Seeking revenge against someone is not worth it and it cannot change the past but could harm the present and future.

When we have wronged and seek to correct it, we set ourselves as judges. In that way, we realize that revenge is what we are seeking when we refuse to forgive.

I could not say that it is easy to forgive and I admit that forgiving is hard but it is a process of healing, accepting

‘Simon says’ LIMINALIST Meilinda Marie Malacat

@partyatmosbys featuresed.thelance@letran.edu.ph

furthered, “And they said, what’s the law? Never mind the law. The law will come.

Tell them who --- I ordered it.”

As a matter of fact, this declaration has alarmed politicians, health officers, and citizens alike, as there seems to be no specific law to penalize it. “I do not want anyone in the Philippines vaping. The executive order will come,” Duterte has said.

Even PNP officer-incharge Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa, a licensed lawyer, admitted that the police order was made ‘“just to implement the directive of the President.” Since then, vape users are temporarily arrested and not detained in police stations. Rather,

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Looking back comes with a sense of wistfulness in delving into significant moments from years, months, or even days ago.

Standing 400 strong years, Colegio de San Juan de Letran became a haven for innumerable stories of both challenges and victories. While some are better dead and buried, many of our shared histories are worthy to live on through words of our vicissitudes, which molded the world as it is. Through these, we carry on the torch of light and knowledge to layout a newfound hope.

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they are listed in blotter and released afterward.

What brought this matter more defective is the president’s conviction not to abide with the judiciary’s decision, which could prompt to questionable system of checks and balances. In this situation, the executive leader goes beyond the law in issuing a verbal order that does not constitute to any clear legal basis.

The point is no matter how beneficial the objective of the directive was, it must still undergo legal procedures to be implemented towards the mass. The State, especially the executive branch, cannot imply their authority without fulfilling the

and freeing yourself from all the grudges that are keeping you to forgive. If you fight fire with fire then you are playing with fire. I could only say that casting a stone back only makes you look just as bad. If you have something at stake, make sure the battle is worth your time, energy and effort. Revenge can only make you feel worse but trusting Karma would give you peace. Revenge does not restore one’s life nor it repairs trust or provides a sense of justice for the parties involved.

“Hatred stirs up conflict but love covers over all wrongs.” (Proverbs 10:12) The saddest part of revenge is that before you realize it, it turns you into one of them. When you do manage to avenge yourself, it feels great for a short period but eventually, the feelings will fade and the revenge committed will turn into a futile victory. requirements in enforcing such laws.

In other words, one cannot just follow unquestionably only because the president spoke about something.

Moreover, stating another statute with some similarities as an alternative resolution to carry out punishments is in contrary to the legal principle “expressio unius est exclusio alterius”, which means, “what the law does not include, it excludes.”

Simply, one cannot fully protect themselves if they do not know what they’re protecting themselves from.

Looking at the bigger picture, once the president has the maximum capacity to enact the police and other law-enforcing agents by merely pronouncing instructions without an executive order, what more of his other derogatory assertions? Really? In this country where the unjust system kills you first before vaping?

5

Irregular, huh?

UNDER SPOTLIGHT Chantal Macaraeg

@chanporaduh onlineed.thelance@letran.edu.ph

Shout out to the irregular students everywhere, this one’s for you. Cheers to us having to race against the clock all the time so we could keep up with our batch mates.

Totally loving that pitying look others have just because they aren’t on the same level as regular students. They could use some work on the sad eyes and “sympathy”, which they totally don’t need right now.

So who’s at fault here? The tragic grade from that one cursed subject? The major you failed despite spending sleepless nights over it? The inability to be financially capable so one could take the required number of units?

No matter what the reason is, the student shouldn’t be blamed entirely. It’s already frustrating that they were already being held back. The educational system is failing yet the students are still the ones taking the blame for it.

Failing subjects despite spending most of waking hours dedicated to school is becoming a norm. Some students would rather attend a class while delirious. It’s better to be there than miss everything.

It’s exhausting. It’s not like being an irregular student was a choice. It shouldn’t be even a choice at all. The only choices one has as a college student is to be a regular student, a drop out, or an irregular. Those who end up as irregulars are often mocked for it. Apparently, if they worked harder and had more money, there is a chance of graduating on time.

Guess what? Too bad, the society has stigmatized it.

Irregular students face uncertainties. Graduation is a far off dream. Being able to enroll in enough classes is a struggle. One’s social life will take a hit because they can’t be with their friends and had to get along with everyone.

On top of that, the free time they have are dedicated to working or catching up with classes.

Then there is the romanticization of it. What is inspiring about being a semester or two off the supposed graduation date? Is our struggle supposed to uplift people who don’t even understand what is it really being one? I mean, I’m also at fault as well. I was raised in a family where you have to study hard because of the negative view of irregulars. The embarrassment I had to face when I shifted courses and ended up missing graduation by a semester.

I couldn’t even look at my family straight in the eye anymore. I shouldn’t be even ashamed over it. How am I going to justify myself when I’m the second child in family to face this situation? Apparently all those honor student awards and above average grades didn’t spare me from becoming an irregular. Even if I didn’t shift courses, I’m probably behind by one year in my batch.

Allow me to rephrase a quote from one of my favorite childhood movies- She didn’t bring honor to us all.

Apparently I failed a seemingly simple task. Said task is to maintain decent grades and love my original course.

Amazing.

The society has dictated that we all should finish our schooling on time. If we couldn’t, there should be an MMK-style backstory to support why one didn’t finish college on time. While its being normalized, the stigma remains especially from the older generation. It’s true that we have the resources. But with these resources comes a new burden that only our generation can understand.

People on the internet might be a little more understanding and sympathetic. Outside the internet, people aren’t as kind. A relative would be saying “Dapat naging mas masipag ka mag-aral” even though one tried their hardest already.

It’s frustrating. Friends from your original batch wouldn’t understand why are you taking certain classes ahead of them. They wouldn’t understand why you’re lagging behind in majors either. Hello, there are prerequisites for all majors you can’t just skip it. Even if one is of the blessed few who are proceeding with their majors as usual, it can be a pain in the neck.

In short, they just want their suffering to be over. They want to be done with whatever subject they repeated or lagging behind in units. Being an irregular student is like being stuck in a limbo. It’s an even harder race against the clock. All the time in the world yet the clock is always close to zero.

In a perfect world, a student can finish their studies at their own pace. There is no need to follow the standard being set upon them. They are allowed to flourish as their capabilities let them. Sleepless nights and constant anxiety are unheard of. There is no need to console someone with assurance that they will eventually graduate.

Alas, that world only existed in imagination.

VIEWFINDER

CELEBRATION. THE COLEGIO ORGANIZED A WEEK-LONG OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE QUADRICENTENNIAL YEAR FOUR. PHOTOS BY PATRICK ROMERO, JEMVERICK VIRAY & PINKY GENOVE

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FEATURES

The Escolta Block Festival

BY GEORGINA SANTIAGO

BACK in the early days of Manila, Escolta was the shopping capital of the Philippines. Due to the Westernized look of the streets, people often get lost with the idea that they’re away from their homeland. Not only did it housed fashion boutiques but also other mundane establishments such as cinemas, shops [for soldiers], and even an ice cream parlor. In fact, shops in Escolta were the first to install elevators before corporate stores like SM started appearing.

How do we keep a culture from being lost in the process of evolution? One of the events in the first-ever Escolta Block Festival hosts one of a few exhibits that showcase Filipino culture in a developing metropolis.

The exhibit is entitled ‘Tipong Pinoy: A Typography Exhibit’, which stems the question “How do we ensure that what makes a city look Filipino doesn’t get lost?” while this year’s festival theme is ‘Future Forward’, where local

FEATURES EDITOR: MEILINDA MALACAT LAYOUT ARTIST: ELDRICK NOLASCO

design studios and designers, namely Serious Studio, And A Half, and Team Manila, are challenged to interpret inspired by local folk typography.

According to the organizers, it is “a site for exhibitions and performances, host discussions, and act as a venue for like-minded people to meet, discuss new and old ideas.”

Aside from the exhibit, the Escolta Block Festival is a onemonth celebration.

Different activities are going to be held every week of November, such as Block Markets for shopaholics and performances of various bands, DJs, parades, and many more. There are also workshops and talks ranging from film and design to learning of Baybayin, displaying the beauty of the street of Escolta and indulging in history, tours are conducted, as well.

The exhibit opened on the 16th of November at the Escolta Exchange, while the first-ever Escolta Block Festival will be open up until the 30th of November.

PHOTO FROM THE INTERNET

Sneakers and Sneakerheads Neoliberalism: A haunting specter

BY JUSTIN SANTELICES

Maybe you like Vans, the unofficial official shoes for the ‘cool kids’ or perhaps you’re more of a Nike person yourself dying to get an autographed Air Jordan 1. It’s also possible that you’re an Adidas freak with an inclination towards Yeezys.

Somewhere out there exists a breed that has a passion for all shoes; a breed that admires and collects them; a breed that sees a shoe as more than just a shoe and they’re called “sneakerheads”.

The purportedly simple act of collecting shoes is more subtle than how it is received and understood by most. It’s not so simple that you just go to your local mall and get the latest shoes they have to offer; it takes times, money, and even energy.

The whole process is an investment.

You may wonder though, what is it about these footwears that justifies spending thousands just to have them? Well, the exact answer to that is elusive, to say the least. As straightforward as it makes itself out to be, the whole things goes deeper.

It’s more nuanced than just buying for the sake of buying.

More than the spending, it’s the thrill of the hunt and the sense of fulfillment they feel once they get the shoes they want, that makes it worth it. But as with many words, “worth” is a relative term.

Collecting these shoes is seen as impractical by those uninformed of the hobby, and regarded as wasteful by those confused by the passion.

This impression of impracticality is due to the fact that “collecting” connotes “not using everything”. In

other words, some shoes get used while some stay in the closet.

Indeed, collecting shoes can be construed as being “excessive”, if nothing else but the sneakerhead is able to see beyond the physical object, for to him, it is ultimately a source of happiness. In a world where nothing stays, happiness is a blessing, and that blessing may come in the form of the Kyrie x Spongebob collection or Adidas’ Off-White series.

It isn’t always buying what’s trending though since a buyer has to also be smart; the sneakerhead has to be a step ahead of other collectors if he plans to gain profit from his collection in the future.

Some shoes hold great value due to the associations and identities attached to them. For this reason, being able to appraise which ones will shoot up in value in the following years is both a skill and a necessity in the world of sneaker collecting.

The market value of shoes is capricious by nature. What’s seen as “ordinary” today could become tomorrow’s next Marty Mcfly shoes.

And as much as it is a practical object, it is also a statement. Yes, the Sperry you bought three weeks ago is a manifestation of you as an individual, at least a part of it.

The shoes that one chooses to pair with a certain attire speak volumes about one’s character, for aside from protecting the feet, it is also a status symbol.

To sneakerheads, shoes are made more than “covering for the feet,” The art of collecting shoes may not be for everyone but to some of them, it means everything.

PHOTO FROM THE INTERNET

BY ANGELICA JOY MENDOZA

WE ARE introduced and born into an economic state wherein neoliberalism—also known as ‘modern-day imperialism’ which delineates the privatization of public services—manifesting within our society. It leans towards free-market capitalism, allowing countries to bring forth capitalist corporations in the face of globalism.

Under this system, people are programmed to become unconscious consumers. Neoliberalism entices us to incessantly spend on our material needs, shaping us to think that how consumption measures one’s own worth.

This perception drives consumers to adhere to the notion that worth is based on the things they buy, and how much money they make, leading to self-derogation whenever there are instances wherein one cannot satisfy their needs and wants, which is one of the many factors of mental health deterioration. It creates a different kind of insecurity that devours the consumers entirely.

This plague has primarily affected the middle class as they are the ones

who are most likely to have jobs with salaries that are sustainable enough to provide beyond their basic needs. They can spend money for various leisure activities. But, once the job becomes precarious or uncertain, they are more likely to suffer from self-deprecation or worse, depression, for they validate themselves through their career achievements. The job instability also induces frustration on the middle-class consumers for they are more used to consistency. It impedes them from attaining their individualistic desires.

The consumers are not to be blamed for their plights. The current political and economic state incites us to long for abundance. To work under this state is a battlefield. As time passes, the cost of living gradually increases that the employees need to work twice as hard and longer than the average shift just to earn more than what is given. But still, failing at their respective jobs is imminent, yet again another cause of selfdegradation.

Neoliberalism wormed its way in everyday lives. It takes more than a “Don’t spend your money” to

put a halt on it. Neoliberalism, by itself, is not the cause. The values surrounding it and the way it is setup made the problems bigger than it appeared to be. However, one cannot entirely blame it for causing mental health problems. Capitalists take advantage of this problem by making consumers buy more to satisfy their cravings for happiness.

Neoliberalism, at its very root, focuses on materialistic happiness.

Rather than placing value on how much one spends on something, one should learn that the best things in life are free. While we could actually buy happiness from our purchases, some forms of happiness cannot be brought. Happiness alone cannot completely cure the mental problems caused by neoliberalism. One should still seek help if they could. All hope is not lost though.

Self-gratification is still attainable with other means aside from material successes. If one focused less on what they could buy, but rather what they could do. To quote Hellen Keller, “The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched— they must be felt with the heart.”

Features

VO LU M E X L I I I - I S S U E 5

9

Tadhana: A Filipino tabletop RPG

BY JUSTIN SANTELICES

IN A WORLD becoming more and more saturated with online games, here comes Tadhana to fill your nostalgia for the more intimate and social experience that traditional games from your childhood gave you.

Inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, a well-known tabletop role-playing game (RPG) from the west, Nathan Briones, decided to make his own game titled Tadhana based on his love for Filipino lore and mythology . Like every other sane person thinking of a title for a game, “Why not?”

TABLETOP AND IMAGINATION Tabletop games, as its name implied, are games meant to be played on a table or any other flat surface. The elements of the games use analog (physical) components and may include digital components as well.

Tadhana is D&D with a Filipinotwist. A DM (short for Dungeon Master) conducts the whole game, which by the way, does not necessarily have to be a one-day game only. Some “campaigns” reach up to weeks, months, and even years. The DM sets up the “world” the players are going to be in, while the players create characters of their own, both in design and background story.

For example, a character may be a reserved and aloof Tikbalang with a knack for doing lame knock-knock jokes every other minute.

In addition to roleplaying and storytelling, combats are also present in the game. Yes, a character can die in-game. Several factors contribute to the outcome of combat such as the roll of a dice, a character’s abilities, and the character’s relationship with others’ characters. To the dismay of some, this means that there will

Cancelledt

be calculations done. Don’t stress out too much though, only basic mathematics is involved in the game.

LONELINESS + BOREDOM = INSPIRATION When asked about what made him venture into the tabletop world, Briones mentions how MOBA (Multiple Online Battle Arena) types of games were the rage back then during his college days.

Unfortunately, MOBA-style games didn’t allow much casual fun between friends. It also made his girl peers feel left out. He found that board games and D&D were better alternatives for social recreation because of it being a relatively cheap hobby.

He enumerated a few other inspirations to making Tadhana aside from D&D. “Poverty, The Sandman, D&D and Overlord, and my students back when I was a teacher in SHS”. He wasn’t able to afford the original D&D products back then so he decided to make his own game that he played with friends and family. Because why not, right?

The Sandman and Overlord are pieces of literature with the former being a classic comic book series written by Neil Gaiman and the latter being a Japanese light novel (with an anime adaptation) written by Kugane Maruyama. Both The Sandman and Overlord expanded the work and gave him direction, so he says.

Lastly, a prototype of Tadhana became his method of teaching his SHS students back then so as to make the students have fun while learning, which he says finalized his approach to simplifying the design of the then-budding Tadhana and making sure that it had depth and potential for optimization, while keeping its aspects of being exciting and not too (mathematically) intimidating.

He jokingly added that the title

became Tadhana because “...it was fated!” On a serious note, he says that it’s his love for Filipino lore and mythology that made it what it is.

A NICHE COMMUNITY D&D or tabletop gaming is still far from being mainstream. Briones believed that Tadhana will thrive and grow. “If not as a tabletop game then as a video game”. He added that while the tabletop game design is his work, coding and video game design remains as his hobby.

He doubted that it will reach the mainstream level in his generation.

“Even D&D took decades before it became mainstream”.

While the tabletop community is relatively small, the people are rich and enthusiastic about the hobby. Briones hopes that outside of commercial success, Tadhana will achieve to have more than just a cult following. He wants fame, awards, and recognition but not for personal game. Instead, he wants it to be directed towards the game so that the world can see what the Philippines has to offer.

“Because our culture and stories are awesome and I wanna play them in games.” He pointed out. He hoped that Tadhana inspires other Filipinos in being able to create something beautiful out of a mess.

A DICHOTOMY OF EMOTIONS The presence of Tadhana is felt not just in the Philippines. It also met great success at an international level. Briones said that it’s both awesome and sad that people from other countries liked the game.

“Awesome, because at least we know it’s up to par with the bare minimum of international standards”. He maintains that it is a big deal for their team of miscreants who almost went broke trying to fund their venture to the project that is Tadhana.

PHOTO FROM THE INTERNET

On the other hand, he finds it sad because “...our international sales are surpassing the local sales”. Briones likens this to Filipino Martial Arts where foreigners appreciate Filipino craft while Filipinos themselves practically snub, look down or are ignorant about it.”

In the years to come, Tadhana may grow outside of its usual world and enter the bigger picture of things. When it does, the Filipino community will enjoy a different kind of entertainment, support something local, better appreciate the Filipino lore and mythology, and be in a community with many others.

Find out more about Tadhana on their Facebook page: Project Tadhana. up with a list of solutions in order to suppress the traffic predicament, though nothing seemed to abate the problem. The masses’ suffrage exacerbates in the face of the inability to arrive at their destinations on time due to the heavy traffic and the lack of transport vehicles that could accommodate them. A day in a commuter’s life is subjected to become an aggravation and an inconvenience, a clear manifestation of a mass transport crisis.

BY JUSTIN SANTELICES

CANCEL culture (also known as call-out culture) is the practice of bringing to light past statements and actions that an individual has made, which at the time that it was committed may have been generally more acceptable in society.

“That’s not activism. That’s not bringing about change” - said former U.S. President on “call-out culture.”

Not too long ago, James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1 and 2, found himself in exactly the same circumstances.

Gunn, for all the praises and accolades that the online community has given him, faced the other side of it all when he realized that the Internet is as much a bane as it is a boon.

The force that is the Internet came together to criticize Gunn for unearthed tweets from years ago. The series of tweets that have long been deleted was, at the very least, concerning.

Locally, there have also been cases where the essence of cancel culture was manifested. It was a few years back when some indie bands found themselves in hot water for alleged issues of sexual misconduct with fans.

Although the topic of sexual misconduct is a different matter

PHOTO FROM THE INTERNET

altogether, the way that the people of the Internet came together and had these bands “canceled” by discouraging support for the band, which is the very source of income for these

performers, partakes the spirit of cancel culture.

Even more concerning is the idea that some people will readily criticize an individual, even if there should be no concrete proof

in some cases and is only doing so because everyone else is, to the point of unjust harassment for something they may have said or done in the past.

This system of “canceling”, which

Those who experience the struggle of commuting cannot deny the fact that there is a deteriorating mass transport crisis within the metro and its outskirts. Panelo, denying its existence, invalidates the plight of the commuters who suffer every day just to accomplish their daily objectives. The former even accepted the challenge of commuting to Malacanan just to prove that no such crisis exists. Panelo’s mockery on the crisis agitated commuters who felt as if their daily suffrage was disregarded by the presidential spokesman. He even insisted that Filipinos are innately creative and could easily find alternative ways to ease the hassle that they have been experiencing when they are commuting as if he was inciting that these commuters should possess resiliency like how Filipinos could easily recover after every typhoon.

The Filipinos’ resiliency, though deemed as a positive attribute, shall not conceal the government’s failure to serve the masses with basic transport convenience. The public deserves a comfortable transportation experience, a safe space for commuters, accessible transport vehicles to all.

mostly occurs on social media and particularly on Twitter, brings awareness not only to the act or statement itself but to the bigger picture of it. It does have its positive effects when and if it creates conversation and sometimes even stirs meaningful debates.

The line between “educating” and “harassing” is a fine line to walk on.

When the conversation becomes one-sided, a reassessment of one’s purpose is ideal.

Nevertheless, it does not make cancel culture any more right.

That one statement somebody said ten years ago is not an accurate representation of who he is as a person ten years subsequently.

In other words, one mistake does not make up for the entirety of any one person.

As the sun comes up with each passing day, so too does the world change. And the world has changed to be more critical and discerning. And it seems to have forgotten the notion that people are flawed and are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them.

Indeed, every person should be held accountable for their past actions. But the very idea of “canceling” a person denies them the opportunity of growth, of redemption, and of learning, that in the first place, is expected of them.

When it is someone’s passion, livelihood, and very person versus the chance to “cancel” him, which is essentially enacting capital punishment online, the choice to make seems obvious.

10

NEWS

VO LU M E X L I I I - I S S U E 5

Roxas on Political Dynasty: ‘Masama ang dinastiya’

BY RONI MAE SERRANO

“Totoo akong naniniwala na masama ang dinastiya,” said Manuel “Mar” Araneta Róxas II, as he started his speech, presenting his background in politics in a seminar conducted by the Letran Politicvs entitled “Breaking the Stranglehold: Eradicating Political Dynasties” last November 20, at the St. Thomas Hall.

Roxas also pointed out that there is no monopoly on the intelligence of ideas, good efforts, and patriotism.

“There is a diversity of leadership.

Mas nakatutulong at nakabubuti sa magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he furthered.

Roxas explained during his talk the issue of a political dynasty that is well-existing in the Philippines which emerged ever since the country started building its political system.

Since then, families of different cities and towns all over the country have been holding the political powers from the first generations to present generations resulting in a political dynasty.

He also mentioned that some political families who are practicing dynasties

only care about their interests and not truly committing to serving the country.

“Bakit ganoon ang kinikilos nila?

Profit ng pamilya ang inuuna, hindi serbisyo,” Roxas professed.

He also reminisced the Marcos regime where there was only one family who holds important services for the Filipino people, such as the only telecommunication company existing, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

The former senator also gave an example of imperialism in the Marcos era, which he claimed led the Philippines in the worst situation.

Meanwhile, as the political dynasty holds great power in the political system, Roxas explained what could the Filipinos get if the dynasty continues to exist in the system.

“Kung iisa lang ang may hawak ng kapangyarihan, kung iisa lang ang powerbase ng isang lugar, you will get the limited by their accents,” he asserted.

“Their level of intelligence, their level of effort, their level of interests kasi wala naman silang interest na makapagbibigay ng maganda at makabuluhang serbisyo kung walang

kumpetisyon,” he added.

Roxas then expressed his insight that ending the political dynasty is one way for people to experience the kind of government they deserve.

“We will have more transparent government and a government na ginagawa ‘yong gusto natin, kumpara doon sa isang pamahalaan na ginagawa ‘yong kagustuhan ng pamilya na may hawak ng dinastiya,” he said.

He also encouraged students of the institution to be educated and informed with the issue in which they could decide accordingly to whom they consider as a political leader that focuses on serving the country.

“Iyang kaalaman na ‘yan ang magbibigay sa inyo ng sapat na insight para gumawa ng mabuting desisyon para sa inyo, sa inyong pamilya, at sa ating bansa,” Roxas adviced.

Roxas then ended his speech by telling the Letranites that they have a powerful role to fight the political problem.

“Itong laban natin kontra dinastiya, kabahagi ‘yan nitong education, effort, a relevant role that forms Letranites who are ready for a relevant role, and what is that relevant role? Tulad ng napag-

PHOTO BY PATRICK ROMERO

usapan natin ngayon, ‘yon ang ating laban kontra sa dinastiya,” Roxas urged the Letranites.

Aside from Roxas, Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Icasiano Diokno was also present in the said event.

“Hindi raw natin maaayos ‘yang problema. Hindi ako naniniwala riyan, I will tell you why. One simple is an amendment to a law,” Diokno claimed.

Diokno expounded that the political dynasty exists because the law such as term limits which can prevent dynasties are never considered in the legislator’s department.

He also discussed one way to prevent dynasties, is for people to have a national conscience, wherein he explained that by having this, the Filipinos will be able to know what is right or wrong for our

Knights Speak

country.

Moreover, emphasizing that it is very important to address the issue of a political dynasty, Diokno shared his hope that this problem will soon end with the help of the new breed of Filipinos.

“I believe the solution of political dynasties is in your hands. Every single one of you can change our country by registering and by voting for the rights of the people,” he called.

The two political personalities consider themselves as one with the mass towards ending the political dynasty in the country, closing their talk with great hope that fighting the problem should start with the mass society, especially the youth, who ought to hold the nation for the future generations.

Are you in favor of bringing back Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) as a separate subject in the K-12 Curriculum?

Asst. Prof. Roman Gallego, Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Carl Joseph Ferrer, President, Partido Muralla

“Sang-ayon ang DepEd na paigtingin ang pagtuturo ng Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) mula sa panukalang batas ni Rep. Joel Villanueva. Sang-ayon din ako ngunit mula rito, hindi lamang guro at magulang ang may responsibilidad na turuan ang mga mag-aaral. Ang komunidad ay may bahagi roon. Ayon nga sa isang African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” kaya ang lipunan lalo ang mga namumuno ng bayan ay higit ding dapat na nagtataglay ng mahusay at mabuting pag-uugali dahil sa lawak ng kanilang eksposyur sa iba’t ibang uri ng midya. Maaaring itinuturo ito ngunit dapat ay inihahawa rin. Impluwensya rin ito at hindi dapat idinidikta lamang kaya kailangan ng paglubog sa wastong pag-uugali at makataong gawa. Kung natatakot tayo sa kinabukasan ng bayan mula sa ipinakikita ng mga kabataan ngayon, nararapat na higit tayong maging tulad ng mga ugaling inaayawan mula sa kanila, kung mayroon o anuman iyon.”

“Good manners and right conduct were already practiced for the past decades. I believe that it has a big impact on a student’s holistic formation. I believe that students do not only excel in academics but we should also have the right attitude and action towards certain situations. Adding it as a separate subject can add focus on different problems this generation has concerning how to make it better for us students to be professionals and be ready for a relevant role in society.

One of the ideals of Partido Muralla is to have a student-centered student council. We always want what is best for every student in Letran. As the President of Partido Muralla, I agree with adding up good manners and right conduct as a separate subject because I believe it will help us and we all want to have an environment that practices the right attitude and be a better influence to other students. Having a community that showcases good manners and right conduct can make the standard of Letran as a reputable school of quality education.”

“I do not agree with making GMRC as a separate subject. Firstly, good manners should be automatically taught regardless of the subject of focus. The simple deed of having discipline while the teacher is discussing is already a part of good manners and right conduct. Secondly, GMRC must be evident by how the child is being raised at home. Having said that, it is recommended that teachers tackle the children’s manners during Parent-Teacher Conferences so that the parents could monitor the behavior of their children when at school. Lastly, GMRC would just add to the load of the students in K-12 if implemented.

GMRC could be enough as a component of their Values Education as part of their Junior High School curriculum.”

“I am in favor of bringing back GMRC as a separate subject in K-12. While we make sure students would be competent individuals, it is equally important to make sure they are good and proper individuals as well. Nowadays we largely rely on parents to teach the children how to properly behave, but we should also remember that school plays a huge influence on their character building too. Thus, schools should also share the responsibility of teaching children good manners and right conduct. Moreover, if we teach our children to be better human beings, I’d like to think that they would make the world a better place. As L.R. Knost said, “It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.” And I think it can begin with teaching them GMRC.”

“I am not in favor of bringing back Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) because, for me, it is incorporated in classrooms with teachers imposing it. Educational institutions also impose their core values to students. Manners and proper conduct are learned at home and aside from that, we have our theology classes for proper guidance. I think it shouldn’t be brought back as a subject should be taught by the school separately and not as a subject. Besides, subjects like GMRC should be given less importance, specialized subjects should be more of a priority of students and the institution itself.”

“I am in favor of bringing back GMRC to k-12 curriculum considering that it is something that an individual must constantly practice. Though I must say that teaching GMRC will be useless if parents and elders are not acting as good examples. In my opinion, teaching GMRC will only be effective if you will not just tell what a kid should do but more on showing them how to do it. Bringing back this subject is not a waste of time. It can be a stepping stone for enhancing the character of an individual especially students to be honed. Without good manners and right conduct, knowledge will be wasted.”

“I am in favor of bringing back Good Manners and Right Conduct as a separate subject in the k-12 curricula because it will help to promote a good environment among the students. however, no matter how you teach someone, they will just follow their own will. The implementation should be revised and be different from the subject most of us taken back in elementary. The treatment and style of the subject should fit the current generation that will complement the pre-college students.”

“As a student, Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) can be a separate subject in the K12 Curriculum. There are pros and cons of the said argument. It will be a reminder to students to gain self-respect, respect for other people and learn how to properly socialize with others.

There is also a need to strengthen its cores and there should be a practical application of this subject. But there is a need to avoid redundancy and not focus on a grade-based education for this will be applied to our daily lives and future workforce.”

“Regarding the resurfacing of the subject GMRC. I think that it should be brought back, however, following the current societal standards of what a global citizen is. There is not enough stress on the development of human rights and the current efforts to end violence and abuses. I would suggest one that is centered on the United Nations ideals and are progressive. On the other hand, GMRC could be too aligned with other disciplines that it’d be repetitive; an additional burden for students. The Synthesis I see is to ensure that the substance is worth the student’s time and effort and that would be possible if qualified and open-minded teachers are to teach the subject, and when we could create learning environments that are openly correcting wrong practices.”

“I would not say that I am very much in favor of its implementation since it will be again another additional burden to our parents and students, but I would rather say that I am not against it since true enough our students’ present generation badly need such moral virtues/ values of pleasant manners and appropriate conduct. The lack of sensitivity dominates the youth of today. The mobile phone and headset culture developed a lack of empathy towards the needs of other people. However, making the subject a graded requirement in the curriculum only poses the question of sincerity and genuineness concerning its motive and intention.

Genuine learning does not often come along with the grade.”

Gian Maverick Mandap, 1st year, Psychology Student

James Cane, Treasurer, Letran Student Council

Randy Mendez, 2nd year, Broadcasting Student

Melody Soriano, 1st year, Journalism Student

Asst. Prof. Angel Beroin, Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Carmela Asistio, Associate Vice President for Publicity, Media Works

Gian Valiente, President, Aksyon Alyansa Letranista

Asst. Prof. Menelito Mansueto, Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Sports

NOVEMBER ISSUE

11

UDC wins 1st runner up in 30th SEA Games Streetdance Competition

PHOTO FROM THE THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE OF THE COLEGIO

BY RAILON DENIEGA

Uknighted Dance Company (UDC) placed first runner up in the 30th SEA Games: Dance as One Streetdance Competition, held at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last November 12.

The competition is part of the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which will be hosted by the Philippines from November 30 to December 11.

The team was composed of Grade

11 Students, Arif Jhon Minanga, Aron Paul Ibarra, Gabriel Real, Jian Ailyn Ambayec, Louis Addison Santiago, Louise Mondragon, Marcus Flores, and Rhaine Eisley Bortanog together with members of Letran Pep Squad, Glen Paul Ramayla, Jan Kenneth Falcatan, and Collegiate Students, Alexandra Grace Basco, and Arjeth Ann Tangan.

In an interview with The LANCE, One of the UDC Leaders, Louise Lizan Mondragon said that the team

Muyang ready to dominate in Letran’s title-defense

BY ALYSSA AQUINO

Standing at 6-foot-5, Larry Muyang is a very big man.

But during his first two years with Letran, he did not seem so big as almost half of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) squads were reinforced by foreign studentathletes.

Still, last season’s top rookie did not back down against them. And in the Finals, he went all out against 6-foot-6 Cameroonian Donald Tankoua of San Beda.

“Sobrang hirap kasi local ka lang.

Pero kailangan i-stop si Donald at doon pa lang, blessing na sa akin yun na nagawa ko yun,” shared the 24-year-old native of San Fernando, Pampanga.

As the dust settled, it was Muyang and the Knights who stood the tallest

last November 19, dethroning the Red Lions in a cardiac winner-take-all game, 81-79.

But come Season 96, Muyang, who averaged 12.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during the season, will be one of the biggest men in the land as the league will ban all “imports” from playing.

That is why the burly Letranite is grateful for the experience and lessons he picked up from his foreign counterparts. Muyang knows that he will carry this during Letran’s back-toback bid next year.

“Yung natutunan ko sa paglaban sa kanila ngayong last year nila, madadala ko sa next year ko,” said Muyang, who will play his final year next season.

“Kung anong ginawa namin ngayon, ganoon din ang gagawin namin next year o higit pa. Yung Pinoy iba din maglaro, wala din kinakatakutan eh.”

joined through submitting videos of their previous performances.

“From the different video entries coming from different colleges and universities, we were selected as one of the finalists for the mixed division,” Mondragon told The LANCE. Mondragon also shared that the team struggled to balance their academics and preparations for the competitions.

“We had to sit for a couple of weeks to focus on major

examinations. At UDC we make sure that academics are at paramount importance,” Mondragon said.

“We also had reinforcements from the Letran Cheering Squad.

Their athleticism helped a lot in strengthening our piece for the competition,” she added.

As for their preparations for the event, Mondragon said that they had a systematic timeline and approach towards the competition and they only practice after class hours.

“We started by selecting which

styles to showcase, strengthened our foundations and we did lots of evaluations before competing,” she said.

Furthermore, Mondragon shared the strength that the team possessed is the pride of Arriba Spirit.

“We go out there carrying the name of the school and want to make sure that our school is one of the best in the field of street dance.

Ang Letranista, hindi nagpapatalo,” she said.

PHOTO BY KING MARTIN

Sports The Lance

STRONGER THAN EVER. Head coach Bonnie Tan with the rest of the coaching staff poses for a photo after winning the championship.

PHOTO BY PATRICK ROMERO

Coach Bonnie downed San Beda with the help of ‘Super Friends’

BY ALYSSA AQUINO

Letran head coach Bonnie Tan would be the first to admit that he and the Knights would have a hard time going mano-a-mano against Boyet Fernandez and the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Finals.

First off, none from Letran made it to the Mythical Five while the defending, three-time champions technically had four.

“Walang Mythical Five sa team namin. Sabi namin, ‘Okay lang yan

for as long as we give the trophy na lang sa school.’ Mas malaki yun di yun makakalimutan ng mga family ninyo lalo na sa Letran community because they are celebrating yung 400 years,” said Tan. “Yun ang wish ko sa kanila na maging part sila dun sa celebration ng quadricentennial,” he added.

Then there’s the head-up matchup between him and Fernandez.

For his part, Tan has been a suit for the longest time, serving as team manager of NorthPort. On

Yu and Batillier found redemption with Letran

BY ALYSSA AQUINO

Fran Yu and Bonbon Batillier shared a tight hug as the Knights claim their 18th title.

After long four years, the stars finally got their redemption.

Back in 2015, the 5-foot-11 Batiller was recruited by the University of the East after a standout campaign with Holy Trinity College during the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup back. The Red Warriors then paired him up with Fran Yu, who was the ace of the Chiang Kai. However, the two failed to lead UE to the Final Four.

Then came former Letran head coach Jeff Napa who saw a potential duo.

“Tinanggal ako sa UE noong 2017, basura na ako. Pinulot ako ni coach Jeff, pinaliguan, inalagaan,” recalled Batiller.

Napa knew that Batiller needed a running mate and asked General Santos’ native to call Yu as well, who was then playing in Thailand.

“Tinanong ako ni coach Jeff, ‘Saan si Fran?’ Nasa Thailand. Sabi niya kontaktin mo kung gusto niya mag-Letran,” continued Batiller.

“Kinontact ko si Fran. Sabi ko, ‘Bata, gusto mo ba mag-Letran?

Nandito ako.’ Sabi niya, ‘Sige, uwi ako diyan. Diyan tayo maglaro sa Letran.”

While the two found a second

chance to prove their worth, the NCAA Season 94 tournament only brought heartbreak to the two.

When JP Calvo went down with an injury during the Final Four berth against Lyceum, the duo could not carry the cudgels for Letran, resulting in their elimination.

“Isa lang ang sinabi ko kay Fran. Sabi ko ‘Fran, kailangan natin ipakita dito, patunayan sa mga nag-doubt sa atin, mga hindi naniwala sa atin’,” said Batiller.

“Importante kasi sabi nga niya, wala na nga kaming dalawa, wala na kaming career,” added Yu. In the end, the two never forgot the person who got them there, thanking Napa for giving them a second lease on life.

“Pinulot lang kami ni Coach Jeff.

Minotivate niya kami hanggang umabot kami sa point na ito.

Hanggang ngayon tumutulong siya sa amin,” expressed Yu. Redemption eventually came to the two as the knights dethroned San Beda spoiling the Red Lions’ dream for a perfect season and crashing their four-peat bid to an 81-79 Game Three win.

Batillier couldn’t be more thankful to the guy who believed in him when no one else did.

“Ayun, nakuha namin ni Fran ‘yung championship. Ang laki ng pasasalamat ko kay coach Jeff [Napa],” continued Batiller.

the other hand, Fernandez made it a hobby to win championships left and right -- from the NCAA to the PBA D-League.

But what are friends for right?

That is why for the entire course of the best-of-three Finals, Tan had allies on his side. And his allies were a who’s who in the coaching scene -- his ‘Super Friends.’

Besides having a coaching staff that consists of two-time UCBL champion coach Rensy Bajar, four-time PBA champion guard LA Tenorio, helping him call the shots

on the sidelines were Letran’s special assistant to the athletic director Alfrancis Chua, multititled UAAP Juniors Basketball champion coach Jeff Napa, and NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio.

“Di naman ako nahihiya na aminin na this is our first finals appearance, so why not get all the help we can get?,” quipped Tan. With the sheer will of the Knights led by the quartet of Jerrick Balanza, Bonbon Batiller, Fran Yu, and Larry Muyang, to go

along with his think tank, Letran was able to topple San Beda’s dynasty.

And all of them, from the players to his staff, did it for Tan as they badly wanted to give him his redemption story.

“Parati ko ngang sinasabi sa players at sa coaches na lahat ng story may ending. Sana ibigay nila sa akin yung happy ending,” said Tan, who struggled during his time with Lyceum a few years back.

“Naibigay naman nila,” he concluded.

PHOTOS BY JEMVERICK VIRAY