The Palladium January 2014 Magazine

ThePalladium JANUARY 2014 Issue 2

The Official Student Publication of the Ateneo Law School

http://thepalladiumonline.com

FROM THE RUBBLE

IN this ISSUE

Editorial Board Patricia Janelli A. Davide Editor in Chief Iris M. Pozon Associate Editor Arik Aaron C. Abu Managing Editor Joseph Giancarlo C. Agdamag Junior Associate Editor Erlaine Vanessa D. Lumanog News Editor Nellaine Annabelle L. Soliman Legal Editor Darcee Lois B. Galleon Features Editor Rita Odessa A. Villaruel Arts and Culture Editor Ana Flor M. Lacanlalay Layout and Graphics Editor Yul C. Araya Photo Editor Ma. Lourdes N. Colinares Marketing Manager

Cover Photo by: Ma. Lourdes Colinares MAGALLANES ST., TACLOBAN CITY - Piles of rubble greeted law student Mari Colinares when she returned to her hometown for Christmas. A little more than a month, Typhoon Yolanda had ravaged Visayas and devastated its populace. In taking this photo, Mari remembered struggling with the idea of moving on: "Our lives will never be the same. The Tacloban we grew up in is gone, physically.

The pain of losing so much loved ones so suddenly still haunts us, especially since two of our family members remain missing. The stories and images will never be forgotten. There is an overwhelming feeling of desperation and frustration here. But, undoubtedly, there is also a glimmer of hope. Even I can't wait for the new Tacloban to rise. God-willing, it would be far better than what it used to be."

Arts & Culture 5

#SomethingNew L.E.S. Bagels

6

The 2014 Watchlist

10

The Not-So-Secret Files

Features 11

Tacloban and Warsaw: A Tale of Two Cities

12

Victims or Victors?

We Will Rise Again—Stronger and Better

22

The Earth Kitchen 2

ThePalladium JANUARY 2014

Dan Abraham G. Guinigundo Office and Circulations Manager

Staff NEWS

Frances Pabilane Mika Sollano Kaye Baldonado Alexis Aquino Aika Beltran Cara Maglaya Gay Gamad

LEGAL

Gerard Contreras

Mao Santos

FEATURES

Lara Tuazon Korin Aldecoa Anna Bueno Jason Certeza Kim Rances Laurice Peñamante Alyssa Nuqui

ARTS & CULTURE

KT Ramos Jami Chan Ivy Enguio

Regina Martinez Paula Rivera Carlo Narvasa

LAYOUT & GRAPHICS

Jean Ramirez Kamae Livelo

Pierre Salva Joanne Ala

PHOTOS

Aika Beltran Denise Sales Joan Estremadura Ann Guillian Tero

Jo Godino Raymond Cusipag Maki Falgui Quito Nitura

MARKETING Francis Panganiban Raymond Sanchez

The Palladium has its editorial office at the Palladium Room, 3/F Ateneo Professional Schools Building, 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City 1200. For comments and suggestions, please drop a line at thepalladiumonline.com. © Copyright The Palladium 2014.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any manner whatsoever without the prior express written permission of the Editorial Board, except in cases of brief quotations for academic research purposes.

Twitter: @ThePalladiumALS Facebook: facebook.com/palladiumALS

A R T S

&

C U L T U R E

One Stage AtA T ime

By Ree Villaruel eople like to think of law students as curious, scholarly individuals who, every now and then, blurt out terms and phrases only they could understand. Though this could be true, it is but a piece of the puzzle that makes up a law student’s image today. The image of a law student reading the thickest journals in the library all day is so fifty years ago. Nowadays, the crowd of law school is as diverse as that of a university. From a college degree in theater arts to a professional degree in architecture, the educational and extra-curricular backgrounds of law students are both just as varied as they are in any given society.

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It is not surprising that in the ALS community, there a number of law students who are not just engaged in academics, but also in other fields where they excel at and spend a lot of time in. These law students could be on a stage much bigger than the classroom platforms they recite on—a stage where nerves and tension rise not because of the professor shuffling the cards but because of the big audience awaiting their performance—a stage where everyone could witness the product of restless days of preparation—a stage where the loud applause of the audience gives them a sense of fulfillment similar to what they feel when their seatmate whispers “good job” after a good recitation in class. Still, they have made the choice of going to law school, which necessarily means lesser time for their leisurely passions. They have chosen to spend their days in a four-cornered room, which, while much smaller in size compared to a concert stage, holds the promise of bigger experiences and stability.

Get to know these law students who excel in dance, music, and theater arts.

Music Lito Paolo “Pao” Martin II Pao started singing when he was in grade school. He recalls that what triggered him to do voice lessons was the high grade that his music teacher gave him in one of their practical examinations. From then on, Pao became more active in their church’s chancel choir.

Though he was part of the glee club in high school and already participated in choir competitions, Pao says that he did not take singing seriously until college. He joined the Saint Louis University Glee Club, which required their members to train from 4:00 – 7:00 pm every day. As a tenor 2, it was there that Pao was first exposed to different genres of music as well as theatrical productions staged by the university. He was also able to join the ensemble of the university’s production of Miss Saigon.

Despite having already experienced rigid training, Pao says that he is not used

to doing impromptu performances as it would usually take time for him to prepare for presentations. When asked if he is still active in singing while in law school, Pao answers, “If the work load in law school is already heavy, performing is out of the question. Conversely, if the school load permits, I try to prepare with some friends in law school for intermission numbers to be presented most especially during Christmas parties and when requested at different programs.”

Pao describes singing as a way to share his gift of music to others. While it involves a lot of hard work and practice, Pao says that these are eventually paid off by the warm smiles and applause he gets after each and every performance.

“Singing doesn’t have to be serious all the time. I usually go on videoke dates with my friends just to have fun and enjoy time with them,” adds Pao. Pao may be a talented singer, but he does not see himself pursuing a career out of it. “I believe I have the interest but not the passion to pursue singing as a career,” he says. He would rather focus on programs and activities that would help him become a better lawyer someday. Nevertheless, he considers it a “great hobby” that he can engage in every once in a while. Whenever Christmas draws closer and Christmas parties abound, Pao’s classmates, professors, and friends await his great performances!

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John Benedict “Ben” Ty When asked when he first started singing, Ben jokingly answers “probably as early as I started talking.” For someone who is as passionate in music as Ben, it is not hard to believe that he might have actually already known how to sing way before he went to school. Ben joined a number of singing contests as a kid and teenager.

He says that his mom was the one who pushed him to develop his talent in singing. He proudly shares that music runs in his blood. “All of my mom’s four siblings can sing and my maternal grandfather was a great tenor during his time,” says Ben. Ben was a member of a local chorale group in Borongan, Easter Samar as well as in the UP Visayas Tacloban College Chorale. He is currently a member of the ALS choir, singing as a tenor. He performs in school events such as NOTA (Night of the Arts), Salubong, and Christmas carols.

Ben describes music as an outlet where he can escape from all the stress that law school brings. “It’s one of the few outlets that keep me sane. It kind of enriches my soul,” says Ben. While he may be spending most of his days studying the law, Ben says he definitely sees himself making a career in music. “I’d grab that opportunity in a second, without even thinking about it,” Ben shares.

Ma. Ivana “Smile” Callangan Her name speaks for herself. With her heart-warming performances that never fail to bring smiles to the audience’s faces, Smile may just be the epitome of a talented law student. She plays the piano and violin alongside being a highlytrained singer, ballerina and theater actress. Smile has been part of several music, dance and theater organizations since she was in grade school – School of the Holy Spirit Ballet, Harlequin Guild, Center for Pop Music Philippines, BF Homes Youth Choir and the Music School of Ryan Cayabyab, to name a few.

She was the President of Aglaia Dance Team and a member of Squadra Dance Varsity and House of Dance Company. She also played the violin for Symphony Sensations and the UP College of Music Extension Program.

As a child, Smile won a couple of singing competitions. Growing up, she began joining more music festivals and competitions as well as dance battles. She placed first in UP Musikahan for playing the violin while her dance group won first runner up in the 2007 DLSU’s Dance Celebration and in the 2007 Skechers Streetdance Battle.

Amidst the heavy demands of law school, Smile still makes time for music. During school breaks, Smile would study piano and violin pieces on her own. She also sings and plays the piano in their parish during Sunday mass. Whenever there are class events, she would often be asked to sing with her blockmates Pao Martin and Ran Ortinez.

When asked what music and theater arts mean to her, Smile says that they are her “first love.” It has always been her dream to be part of a musical production and she intends to make a career out of it after passing the Bar Examinations in 2015.

she can truly express herself and let go of all her “insecurities and self-doubt.”

Given the chance, she says she would definitely make a career in dance arts. “It was never an option for me to quit dancing. I can see myself working in a law firm while teaching dance class over the weekend,” shares Teri.

Theatere

Patricia Ruth “Pat” Pena Pat Peña has spent the last four years of her life not just studying the law but also keeping herself involved in theater arts. Pat was a member of Ateneo ENTABLADO and was an awardee of the prestigious Loyola Schools Awards for the Arts in 2009.

She says that she did not entirely give up theater arts while in law school. Despite the hefty amount of time that law school consumes, she still managed to participate in less time-consuming theater activities like conducting workshops. Last semester, she returned on-stage for the production of Dennis Marasigan’s “Ang Buhay ay Pelikula.”

Pat describes theater arts as a “discipline.” “You don’t just wake up one day and go on-stage. Acting is a product of months of diligent rehearsals, character building, and memorization,” she says. When asked if she sees herself making a career out of theater arts alongside being a lawyer someday, Pat says yes and adds, in jest, “in the Courts, maybe?”

Virlynn Rose “Virlynn” Ramirez Virlynn began being active in the theater community thirteen years ago. She was a member of Ateneo ENTABLADO and Forte Impromptu and was also a recipient of the Loyola Schools Awards for the Arts in 2008. Despite her busy schedule in law school, Virlynn managed to be on-stage, performing for a number of plays, for the past four years.

Virlynn describes theater arts as a form of self-discovery. In theater arts, actors also get to know themselves when they do a character study of the roles they are portraying. Virlynn also explains how teamwork plays a major role in the production of a play. “The artistic team, production crew and actors must work together in order to produce a good show,” says Virlynn. While acting may seem to be an easy undertaking to some, theater acting definitely requires more preparation and skills compared to acting on screen. As Virlynn says, “Theater is all about giving your all every single time. There are no second takes, cuts, rewinds or replays. You are only as good as your last show.” Like Pat, Virlynn also plans on being active in theater arts even by the time she already practices law. P

Dance

Anna Teresita “Teri” Marcelo Like Smile, Teri attended ballet classes as a kid. Growing up, she found herself more inclined to street dance, gymnastics and cheerleading. She was a member of Club Gymnastica and AC hardcourt (varsity cheerleading team) in high school. In college, she joined the Company of Ateneo Dancers where she trained for both the street and jazz division.

Teri joined several cheerleading competitions in high school and street dance competitions in college. Today, though she has not been as active in dancing as before, she would sometimes take walk-in classes at various dance studios.

Teri describes dancing as an outlet where 4

ThePalladium JANUARY 2014

PHOTO CREDITS: Teri Marcelo – Aaron Vicencio Pat Pena – Hub Pacheco Virlynn Ramirez – Austin Jimeno

: w e N g in h t e m o #S

L.E.S. BAGELS Text and Photos by Ivy J. Enguio

C

upcakes? French Macarons? Cronuts? These are just some of the food trends that flooded our Instagram feeds.

Hashtags such as #foodporn and #foodstagram contain photos of these mouthwatering food trends, which eventually catapulted them into the mainstream. What makes people go crazy over them are the new twists and flavour added to the basic, original recipe. Various innovations are constantly introduced in our fast evolving food culture, like make-your-own pizza, burger or salad. These days, consumers and foodies like the experience of having to participate in the actual food preparation.

Combining these two market strategies, emerged L.E.S (Lower East Side) Bagels, a new pastry shop which offers a feel of The Big Apple through its freshly baked bagels. Located in Tuscany Residences, Upper Mckinley Road, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, this shop provides a wide variety of bagels to choose from, including cream cheese to go with it. It opened last August and was set up by the same group behind other restaurant favorites such as Nolita and Borough. So far, the McKinley shop is their first and only branch here in the Philippines.

L.E.S. Bagels offers a new way for discerning pastry-lovers to experience the way they enjoy their bagels by allowing its patrons to create or customize their own bagel and cream cheese combination. For those scared enough to experiment, one can still choose from the wide selection of bagel sandwiches and specialty sandwiches they offer. For

their specialty sandwiches, they even allow to substitute the sandwich bread for a bagel—free of charge!

The basic bagel costs P40 each. They also offer a Baker’s Dozen for P480, which comes with one free bagel of your choice. Imagine, this deal allows you get an extra bagel for the price of 12. Their bagel has a shelf life of two to three days, and if frozen, it can last up to three to four days. Their bestsellers are the Pumpernickel, Sesame Seed and Everything. These non-traditional versions are also coupled with variations which change the flavour of the dough, like salt, onion, cinnamon raisin, garlic, chocolate and blueberry.

First-timers or those who are indecisive need not fret since the store provides a free taste of the cream cheese selection.

The buyer has the option to put the cream cheese in the bagel or have it in a separate container. It is advisable to choose the latter so one can control the amount of cream cheese to spread in the bagel. Their freshly baked products are exactly how a good bagel should be—chewy and doughy.

Another noteworthy addition to their menu is the New York Egg Cream, continued on p. 7

There are many flavors of cream cheese to choose from.

Among the favorites, LOX, a mixture of cream cheese and cured salmon, is best paired with Pumperknickel. Other best-sellers include Garlic & Chives, Sundried Tomato & Basil and Bacon Cheddar.

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By Paula Rivera

s set to e lineup of film to be es is With an extescnsreiven om pr 14 20 , g tle bi hit the goers. Fromeartlith in ie ov m r fo ng ti e exci sing the endsnlofikth platoon y el Hobbits traver u an to to save e m ti a great adventgure t agains ce ra a lin tt tely ba of men s, there is deHfiernie are ce ie rp te as m ic st ne! arti ore for everyo movies next something inmstos d te pa ci ti t an some of the year:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Two years after fighting the battle in New York with the Avengers, Steve Rogers now resides in Washington, D.C. leading a normal life in contemporary society.

But after an attack against a Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.) member, he once again suits up as Captain America and teams up with the Black Widow. Upon uncovering an entire scheme threatening the globe, they seek help from the Falcon. In doing so, they meet their adversary, the Soviet Agent known as the Winter Soldier.

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo. Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Samuel Jackson, Emily VanCamp. In Theaters: April 2014

300: Rise of an Empire This new film is based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel entitled Xerxes. Greek General Themistokles attempts to unite all Greek city-states by storming the seas and leading the charge that will shape the course of the war. Themistokles battles against the mortal-turned-god Xerxes and his massive troops, and a spiteful Persian commander, Artemesia. Viewers can expect no less than the astounding visual effects similar to the first 300 movie.

Director: Noam Murro. Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Heady, Rodrigo Santoro, Hans Matheson, David Wenham. In Theaters: March 2014.

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ThePalladium JANUARY 2014

The Hobbit: There and Back Again In contrast to the bright and sunny imagery of the Shire, this movie follows the adventures of Hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he treads eerie places to get his share in the treasure guarded by the dragon Smaug. He is accompanied by Gandalf and the Dwarves. They finally arrive in Smaug’s lair, but will they be successful in their quest?

Director: Peter Jackson. Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee. In Theaters: December 2014.

X- Men: Days of Future Past In an attempt to save the future, the original characters from the X- Men Trilogy team up with their younger selves in X- Men: First Class I and engage in an epic war to change the past for the survival of species.

Director: Bryan Singer. Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ian Keller, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage. In Theaters: May 2014.

The Grand Budapest Hotel The Grand Budapest Hotel is set in the 1920s, during the period between World War I and World War II. It follows the story of a legendary concierge named Gustave H who works at a famous European hotel, and Zero Moustafa, a lobby boy who would later become his protégé. Their adventures include the theft of a Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune, all interwoven against the backdrop of a changing European panorama.

Director: Wes Anderson. Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Lea Seydoux, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody. In Theaters: March 2014.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part I)

The Amazing Spiderman 2

In the last book of the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, protagonist Katniss Everdeen leads the rebellion of District Panem, a nation that emerged from post- apocalyptic North America, against the hegemonic and totalitarian regime of the Capitol. This final installment is a two-part movie which is expected to bring the same amount of success as the previous ones.

A sequel to the 2011 movie, Peter Parker continues to live his life as a superhero while balancing school life and time with his love, Gwen Stacy. He faces new enemies with the entry of a new villain, Electro, and the return of an old pal, Harry Osbourn. Along the way, he discovers secrets from his past.

Director: Francis Lawrence. Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson.

In Theaters: November 2014.

Maleficent Childhood memories or fears are bound to be relived in “Maleficent,” a new Disney movie that tells the story of “Sleeping Beauty” through the eyes of the villainous self-confessed Mistress of All Evil. The movie promises to be interesting because it will show past experiences of Maleficent which hardened her heart and ultimately made her put a curse on the young Princess Aurora.

Director: Robert Stromberg. Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley. In Theaters: May 2014

Director: Marc Webb. Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeeHan. In Theaters: May 2014.

The Monuments of Men A rest from fictional tales, The Monuments of Men is an action-thriller based on a true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history. The movie is from the book The Monuments of Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter. It focuses on an unlikely World War II Allied platoon composed of seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, who was given the task of going to Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces in the possession of Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. The looming mission seems impossible considering that the art works are with the enemy, the platoon is lacking in military prowess, and on top of that, an order has been made by the German Army to destroy everything as the Reich fell. The Monuments of Men risk their lives as they try to prevent the destruction of 1000 years’ worth of culture and preserve man’s greatest achievements.

Director: George Clooney. Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, and Cate Blanchett. In theaters: February 2014. P

#SomethingNew: L.E.S. Bagels continued from p. 5

unique drink concocted to cap off your Big-Apple experience. Luckily, we were able to try their flavor of the day, Cappuccino Egg Cream, a variation to their original flavors of Chocolate and Vanilla.

Finding the taste a bit unconventional for my palate, I made a quick research and found out that the drink is made of choc-

olate or vanilla, milk and soda water.

Lastly, for those who still have enough room for dessert, L.E.S. Bagels offers an array of mouth- watering pastries displayed right at the counter. Since the place is small (probably a take-outkind-of-service is contemplated), it is usually filled during weekends. One can

leisurely take his time during weekdays as customers usually have their orders to go. They have two tables for Al Fresco, which is a good place to have breakfast or brunch. It can also be a great substitute to the usual Starbucks study routine during weekdays as the shop is quiet and the overall area is yet to be discovered. P JANUARY 2014 ThePalladium

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the Surfer Spirit

By Leslie Glenne C. Abad Photo by Alexandra Castro

T

he thing about surfers is that we are a surprisingly cranky bunch. If you see a surfer who has more or less turned ‘white’ (rest assured this is not the white that is white

by Manila standards), I would advise you to stay away—if you value your dignity, your happiness and generally, just the rest of your day.

Surfers need to surf just like pigs need to eat, cows need to be milked and horses need to run.

We are just uncomfortable and lost without our boards and without the ocean. The best you can do for these ‘white’ surfers is ask what it feels like to surf so you can see their face light up as they think about the good big days or the lazy small days.

Most surfers would narrate about a particularly big day. They would start of by saying how it was hell trying to get out. Short boarders would describe how the duck dives were particularly difficult ‘kasi sobrang washing machine sa ilalim.’

You will probably hear ‘washing machine’ a lot during the big day stories because when the big waves break, you tumble and turn and get tangled up with yourself and your leash underneath the wave as it breaks. As a girl who likes surfing in a bikini, there have been times when I found my bikini bottom down to my knees and my top, well, you get the picture.

But short boarders would fight the ‘washing machine’ by gripping their boards firmly and flexing all their muscles to come back up unscathed and poised on the other side of the wave.

The long boarders would take a more careful approach. We would paddle as hard as we possibly can in between sets (sets are when the bigger waves come and they usually come in 8

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threes, i.e. normal waves for the day are 5-6 feet, sets would be 7-9 feet). Sometimes we make it, sometimes the white water would drag us right back where we started. All the while, we are underneath gasping for air due to the washing machine. But when we somehow make it to the outside (the place before the waves break), it is already an achievement. Because of my size and my demeanor, short boarders wonder how I got out there and would congratulate me for making it.

I’m going to stay here and die!’

Making it outside, though an achievement in itself, is only half of the challenge. The next challenge is to actually get a wave and ride it.

There are different types of big waves. Some are fat, which are difficult to get because they do not have enough power. Some are dumping, meaning they have no wall. Imagine a piano and you slam your arm over several keys simultaneously— that is a dumping wave. Now imagine putting your finger over ‘do’ and sliding it over to ‘re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do’— those are the waves that have walls and are the perfect kind of waves.

So I try to get my first wave. Sometimes I go for it; sometimes, I back out when I look down and realize that the drop is higher than I expected.

(The drop is literally a drop. It is most noticeable in really big waves spanning 20 feet and you see the surfer drop right before he turns to the wall of the wave. YouTube it for exciting visuals.)

But eventually, I do go for it. I have to say, it is the best thing ever! The drop is perfect and the power of the wave is just amazing that I get enough momentum so that one slight twist of my body would bring me up and another twist back down the wave. A round house would be perfect but then I would have to gain more speed to get ahead of the break so that I can go back to it again. You notice how the water is clear (even if it is really not), how the skies are so blue (they are really gray because of the oncoming storm) and the birds are chirping (there are no birds chirping because of the forthcoming storm). And at that moment you know everything is right where they are supposed to be.

Surfers would mostly describe a perfect day with a perfect wave—unless we remember some wipeout that amuses us because of our own stupidity. The perfect day would be one where the waves are bigger and more difficult than what we are normally used to. Of course, it depends on the surfer what that wave is.

Every surfer has a wave outside of her comfort zone and as true hard-headed people, we will say we know our limits and the conditions are manageable. Once I am out there and after congratulating myself on how great I am, my next thought is usually, ‘Uh-oh. The waves are bigger than expected. I won’t be able to go back in.

This is what surfers dream of on flat days. This is why your friend who surfs will be missing your birthday celebration that you told her about two months ago. This is what she prefers when given a choice among possible weekend dates in Tagaytay or in Enchanted Kingdom, in Batangas or in Corregidor. For in that wave, she finds—both within herself and without— power, beauty, grace and freedom. For her, the experience of that wave, of every wave, is the best that life has to offer. Maybe one day she will find something better to do; but right now, she deeply and sincerely apologizes for being that “MIA” friend again this weekend. P

THE R E V I E W:

BLACK LIST

By Joseph Giancarlo C. Agdamag

Rating: 7.8/10

The concept is interesting. Imagine, a criminal tricking and capturing other criminals—a friendly reminder that a thief hates his fellow thief.

In an industry where plot themes are already flooded with all sorts of spy thrillers, it is hardly conceivable that there would be room for more.

All concepts have been made, remade and oft-repeated. Take for instance, NBC’s newest spy drama, “The Blacklist.” The premise is not really original, but with some plot elements here and there, it can turn up as one of this season’s .viewing pleasures Created by Jon Bokenkamp, “The Blacklist” revolves around Raymond Reddington ( James Spader), one of America’s most wanted criminals. For an unknown reason, he suddenly decided to surrender to the FBI. Saying that he is one with the FBI’s crusade against crime and terrorism, he volunteers inside information on imminent terrorist threats and the identities of the perpetrators. This is on the condition that he speaks only with Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), a rookie FBI profiler. Throughout the course of his criminal career, Reddington accumulated a list of criminals whom he considers as dangerous to society, which he calls ”.as “the blacklist The concept is interesting. Imagine, a criminal tricking and capturing other criminals—a friendly reminder that a thief hates his fellow thief. In every episode, Reddington spills the beans on unlikely personalities posing a threat against national security. What follows is a riveting adventure, complete with massive explosions and pulse racing action sequences.

It is a right blend of 24’s jam-packed, heartstopping moments coupled with Homeland’s .intriguing plot twists However, the show’s strength could also turn out to be its weakness. Though Reddington is deemed a criminal genius, it is highly doubtful that he has encyclopedic knowledge on the movement and affairs of hundreds of felons on

his list. Believability is compromised as when a high-profile lawbreaker like him is allowed to act as double agent, while at the same time convincing the government to give in to his every demand. As of this writing (six episodes have been aired thus far), there is still a lack of a central story arch, save for the mystery concerning Keen’s husband. With each episode dealing with a different criminal, the show risks itself to be repetitive— making the audience .grew weary instead of spiking more interest Critics consider Emmy-award winning actor Spader (The Practice, Boston Legal) as the show’s biggest draw—and rightly so. Spader consistently delivers a compelling performance.

His presence alone is enough for the viewers to stay focused. He embodies an aura of mystery, enough to captivate both his friends and foes.

He might just turn out to be one of television’s well-loved criminals—brilliance matched with .good old wit Boone catches up as well. Together with Spader, the two have the right chemistry. If my prediction serves me right, Reddington could possibly be Keen’s long-lost father. Such a scene would be fun to watch. But yeah, it cannot be that predictable (but sometimes, it is). Thus, Reddington’s motivations could potentially end .up as the show’s biggest mystery So far, “The Blacklist” seems to be promising.

Those who got turned-off with Homeland’s lackluster plot this season or its unnecessary obsession with Dana Brody (or maybe both), might find reprieve in this show. Though it is unguaranteed whether the story’s crime-busting aspect could turn up with new ideas, the show still has a rich backstory it can rely on. For that reason—and of course, Spader—it is worth giving a try. P

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THE NOT-SOSECRET FILES

By Jose Antonio A. Certeza

The Internet is so big, so powerful, and pointless, that for some people, it is a complete substitute for life.

- Andrew Brown

A couple of weeks ago, a new page on the popular social networking site, Facebook, was created for the sole purpose of exposing the “deepest and darkest secrets” of current Ateneo Law students, and alumni alike. Aptly named “Ateneo Law School Secret Files,” individuals were given the opportunity to share their personal and, more often than not, controversial experiences on a public forum. The page is by no means an original idea of its administrators. In reality, several other institutions have already set-up a similar Facebook page, such as the Ateneo de Manila Secret Files and The Diliman Files.

Anonymity is the most unique feature of this page. How does the Secret Files work? To wouldbe contributors, a link to an online sign-up sheet is available on the page. After typing his or her message, the user can elect to include an alias to be identified with and the batch he or she is in. The administrators of the page then upload the submissions to the public Facebook page for everyone to see. The audience can then “like” or comment on the posts, express their agreement or disagreement to the posts. During the entire process, the identity of the contributor is never known to both the administrators and the viewing public—hence the “secret” part.

As of this article’s writing, the page has about 913 followers—the total number of likes it generated since it was opened. There have also been at least 100 posts on the page already. While most of the submissions are about feelings of admiration for fellow students, a number have tackled more serious subjects, such as crab mentality and thoughts on “division” across year levels. There have also been posts concerning specific individuals, affiliations and confessions of mischievous “activities.” Some of the more recent posts include:

shh! ;-)

“To Ms./ Mr. xxxxxxxx Bakit ba ang labo mo? goodluck na lang sa kung sino man maging boyfriend/girlfriend mo. (Why are you confusing? Good luck to whoever becomes your boyfriend/girlfriend.)”

- Bitter Ocampo, 2015 10 ThePalladium JANUARY 2014

“hi the sophomore-buff-guy-who-likesshot-put, gusto sana kita yakapin, you’re (sic) like a teddy bear pero matigas >:) (I would like to hug you. You’re like a teddy bear but firm.)”

- shotputlover, 2017

There have also been posts questioning the appropriateness and purpose of the page. To wit, “i hope this page closes down, we’re all in law school, and everyone in this page sounds like they haven’t hit puberty. Either they sound like a bunch of high school girls or the guys literally don’t have the b*lls to admit what they have to say.

We’re all at least 20+ years old so start acting like your age. you may all be doing it all in the spirit of fun, but look at the mirror, you’re all too old for this sh*t, so start acting your age. nakakahiya sobra (It’s really embarrassing.)”

All in all, one can find all sorts of information and revelations on the said page. It really depends on the reader whether or not to he or she will be entertained or offended by the submissions.

Like in any other public space, especially in a forum which is under limited censorship, some posts will definitely overstep the bounds of socially-accepted niceties. But again, this is highly subjective. It is up to the viewer to decide for him or herself, especially since there is no way of verifying the content posted.

Perhaps the page exists to serve different purposes for different viewers. It may be a sounding board for those with no other outlet for their frustrations, an avenue for validation of one’s opinions and convictions, a means to connect with others within the ALS community, the only way to express one’s true feelings for fear of rejection, a source of entertainment, or respite from the stress that studying brings; or an exercise of self-censorship.

Ultimately, the page exists, and it asks, “What is your deepest and darkest secret?” P

Tacloban and Warsaw: A Tale of Two Cities

By Tony La Viña

S

trange as it may seem, there was an intimate connection between Tacloban, a city in the Visayas, and Warsaw, the capital of Poland, last November 2013.

All Filipinos know what happened on November 8.

Yolanda, a Category Five typhoon (Storm Signal No. 4 in the Philippines) devastated Tacloban with strong winds and five meter waves generated by a storm surge. People were warned about it, but many did not anticipate its gravity. As a result, thousands died, hundreds of thousands were displaced, and millions were affected.

But not that many Filipinos—or citizens of other countries for that matter—know what happened in Warsaw in the two weeks following Yolanda. This was the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP 19) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an annual meeting where the countries of the world (over 195 parties of the UNFCCC) decide what actions to take to address the most serious environmental threat the world is facing: climate change.

Together with around 30 Filipinos in Warsaw, I acted as a negotiator for the Philippines. But while we were there, dressed in our suits, sweaters and winter overcoats, our minds and hearts remained with the people of Tacloban.

When Commissioner Yeb Saño, lead negotiator of the Philippines, spoke in the opening plenary of COP 19, he pleaded to thousands of officials, negotiators, and observers from over 190 countries to “stop the madness” of the climate crisis. In his speech, he announced that he would voluntarily fast until he saw a concrete and meaningful outcome from COP19. In his appeal, he said that “this process under the UNFCCC has been called many names. It has been called a farce. It has been called an annual carbonintensive gathering of useless frequent flyers. It has been called many names. But it has also been called the Project to save the planet. It has been called ‘saving tomorrow today.’ We can fix this. We can stop this madness.

Right now. Right here, in the middle of this football field.”

During the high level segment of COP 19 when ministers deliver their speeches, Secretary Lucille Sering, Vice-Chair of the Climate Change Commission and head of the Philippine delegation, also acknowledged the link between Typhoon Yolanda and Warsaw. Sering eloquently described not only the suffering caused by the typhoon, but also stories of resiliency.

“After Haiyan, we have seen how our little boys become men overnight.

We see pictures of men playing basketball in the midst of debris. We

are a people with a good of sense of humor, and we are using it to cope, knowing that there is nothing laughable about their ordeal. Our women, most especially, have shown strength in character, and selflessness. In all these, we are each other’s source of strength. That makes me proud to be a Filipino. Citing messages posted by my countrymen affected by Haiyan, ‘Roofless, Homeless but not Hopeless,’” she shared.

Did the Warsaw conference meet our expectations? Did Tacloban make any difference to Warsaw?

Unfortunately, no. While we—countries at the frontlines of climate change—did gain something, so much still needs to be done to really get a grip on this challenge.

COP19 saw the birth of the Warsaw international mechanism for loss and damage. This will provide technical and financial support to developing countries that have lost lives and properties due to extreme weather events such as typhoons and drought and slow-onset ones, such as sea level rise and ocean acidification. The mechanism, however, was established under the Cancun Adaptation Framework. Because of this, the support to be given by developed countries might be limited to measures for adaptation.

We must work hard in the future to make this evolve into a compensation and liability mechanism.

In my article for Rogue Magazine, I wrote that there must be no retreat or surrender in combating climate change because—believe or not—it will get worse. “We can’t just fold our tents, build seawalls that will crumble anyway as storm surges become stronger and sea level rises higher, get into our boats to go nowhere because everywhere is flooded or every place will be a public health nightmare. So yes, frustrated, disappointed and angry as we are, we can’t walk away. We must learn the art of negotiation better, be smarter the next time, certainly be more imaginative.”

Indeed, it is an obligation for everyone to continue working to solve this problem. We cannot give up because we need to be able to teach the next generation how to do this better. Personally, as I am doing here in the Ateneo Law School, I am committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of climate negotiators and climate justice workers. I am confident that they will do a better job than my generation.

Secretary Sering, in invoking Tacloban in her Warsaw speech, was absolutely correct. She said that “we can no longer afford any delay. This is not for us only. This is for our youth, the current generation and the future.” P

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VICTIMS OR

VICTORS?

We Will Rise Again—Stronger and Better

By Antonio Oposa Jr.* Cover photo courtesy of Ma. Lourdes Colinares; Article photos courtesy of Antonio Oposa Jr.

*Editor’s Note: Antonio “Tony” Oposa Jr. is an Environmental Law advocate, who has won the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the International Environmental Law Award, among many others, for his outstanding and impassioned work in the preservation and protection of the environment. He and his law office represented the minor petitioners in the landmark environmental case, Oposa v. Factoran (224 SCRA 792).

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We can even show the world how we can turn climate adversity into a climate of opportunity.

Some call it ‘Climate Capitalism’

A scientific study conducted by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as illustrated in the map below reveals the Earth’s sea surface temperatures.

Notice the dark red portion on the right side of the map? There lies the hottest sea surface temperature. Notice which country lies right in the middle of it? Isn’t that our precious chain of 7,100 islands known as the Philippines? So what does this map mean?

This means that: 1. Warm water fuels typhoons. The hotter the sea surface temperature, the greater the fuel for typhoons. This is the cause of the more frequent and more intense typhoons in the Philippines.

2. The warmer the seawater, the greater is the evaporation. The greater the evaporation, the more water vapor collects in the clouds. This process is called condensation. Since everything that goes up must come down, greater volume of rainfall that leads to severe flooding results in the Philippines and in Asia.

3. The sea located in the east of the Philippines is also experiencing the highest rate of sea

level rise. This was verified by a 15-year study by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

This is not rocket science. It is pure and simple common sense—something that seems to escape our so-called leaders. We say ‘so-called’ because save for a handful of them, most of our elected leaders appear to “clueless, spineless, gutless, and heartless.” Not to mention that “their heads and their butts are interchangeable,” with no noticeable difference.

Clear and simple science tells us that this is the new reality. The Typhoon Yolandas, Pablos, Ondoys, and even the inundating habagats (southwest monsoon) are not isolated atmospheric events. They are the new reality and it will only get worse as the atmosphere of the Earth continues to heat up.

It is like having diabetes. When we are diagnosed with it, the first order of business is to accept it, and then commit to reverse it, or live with the least inconvenience to our well-being. Unless we understand and accept this new reality, we will continue to be the victims of these (un)natural calamities. They are all caused by a creature that sees itself as the wisest animal on Earth: humans.

So What Do We Do?

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FEATURE

Rain Gardens as a Measure against Floods1 Why is there flooding? Quite simply, it is because excess water has no place to go. Since flooding is the new ‘state of the world,’ we must find a place for the excess water to go. In the natural state, that is the function of lakes, ponds, and wetlands. But what did the smart humans do? They filled them up and paved them over with concrete. And then they complain of floods.

To reverse this, we must open up lands (even small portions) to put up rainwater catchment ponds, wetlands and rain gardens. These will capture and store excess waters that cause flooding. These will restore the water into an underground water table, also known as the aquifer.

As we know by now, land is subsiding because we have been sucking out too much water from the groundwater table without replenishing it. This is exactly what rain gardens can do. It replenishes the groundwater table.

Filipinizing the Term ‘Storm Surges’ Those of us in the field of environmental studies have long known about storm surge—at least in theory. They are tsunami-like waves caused by powerful winds.

However, the reality of this concept did not dawn upon me until December 2009, when the waves of the sea fronting my little house on the coast of Bantayan Island washed up ashore and

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went all the way up to the road (about 200 meters inland), as the winds of amihan (northeast monsoon) blew.

Knowing this and seeing the more intense flooding occurring in the island, my family and I decided to rebuild our home with a hundredmeter setback from the shoreline. We also dug a man-made mangrove area/wetland/rainwater catchment pond between the shoreline, now locally known as the Climate Change House.

When PAGASA warned everyone about Yolanda’s “7-meter storm surges,” no one understood what it meant. The people of Tacloban are used to storms and typhoons, but they had no idea they were to face something tsunami-like.

We should coin a word for this new reality of “storm surges.” Perhaps the Tagalogs and the Bisayans can call it “tsu-alon” and “tsu-balod” respectively, to mean a wave (alon/balod) that is like a tsunami. Whatever the term, what is important is that it has a name understood

by our minds and hearts—only then can we prepare for it.

Secure Water and Food Source Our total dependence on piped running water makes us most vulnerable to electrical shutdowns caused by floods or typhoons. We must go back to basics. The old- fashioned atabay (in Bisaya) or balon (in Tagalog) must be a mainstay in all communities, even in highend residential communities. In the event of ever-frequent emergencies, they will be the most valuable source of water, a most valuable source of life.

Rice versus Root

A rain garden is a planted depression or a hole that allows rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas, like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas, the opportunity to be absorbed. This reduces rain runoff by allowing storm water to soak into the ground (as opposed to flowing into storm drains and surface waters which causes erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater).

Rain Garden, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_garden (last accessed Nov 23, 2013), citing “Rain Gardens: Enhancing your home landscape and protecting water quality,” University of Rhode Island. Graphic image from http://vienna-wv.com/images/raingarden.jpg 1

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Crops and Vegetables One of the greatest myths of human civilization is the myth about rice. It is not only nutritionally useless but it is also very harmful to health.

Nutritionists tell us that one cup of rice has the sugar content (technically known as the glycemic index) equivalent to eight spoonfuls of sugar. That is why people who have diabetes are not supposed to eat rice.

The ecological costs of cultivating rice are extremely high. Wetlands, which are supposed to absorb excess waters, are converted into rice paddies that emit methane—a very hot gas that is one of the causes of the ongoing global heating. In addition, there is the intensive need for water to irrigate rice paddies, the constant poisonous chemical inputs from fertilizers and pesticides, and the backbreaking labor needed to grow and process rice. Rice is also very vulnerable to the uncertainties of the weather. If it

is too hot, it dries up. If it is too wet and there is flood, it is soaked and the plant dies. If it is hit by strong winds, the grains are blown away.

And in the event of an emergency, rice is very difficult to transport and cook.

Look at our brothers and sisters in the Batanes Islands. They are so used to powerful typhoons that they plant root crops as staple. Camote is one of the most nutritious and highly-resilient root crops there is. Its leaves and roots are edible (and can be eaten raw if necessary). As the Spanish say, ‘en tiempo hambre, no hay mal pan.’ In times of hunger, there is no bad food (bread).

Multi-storey /Collective / Climate-Resilient Housing Units We have a liking for the bahay kubo—that quaint thatched-roof structure made of bamboo or sawali (woven bamboo mat) and other

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light materials. However, the age for kubos is gone forever, especially in coastal areas.

Between the more intense typhoons and storm surges, building flimsy houses is one sure way of getting ourselves killed.

So what do we do? First of all, let us begin to re-engineer our cities and human settlements as far from the coast as possible. In short, let us move away from the shoreline! Second, let us understand that single detached housing, especially for the poor, is neither safe nor cost-effective. It is time to build multi-floor, medium-rise, collective, and climate-resilient housing.

The biggest cost of a building is the land and yes, the government can afford this.

The Philippine Government has so much money that it can line the pockets of rotten politicians. To design climate resilient dwellings, we can launch a nationwide competition among architecture students and architects. These designs can then be adapted according to the local climate of a particular region or province.

After Typhoon Frank hit us in Bantayan Island in June 2008 and destroyed the original structure of the School of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates), we learned our lesson. We rose to build the Climate Change House (CCH). First, we relocated the house about 100 meters away from the beach line. Between the beach and the house, we put up a man-made brackishwater lagoon (and evolving mangrove forest) as a buffer in the event of a storm surge. The house is also on 10-foot concrete stilts as a measure against the floods and tsu-balods.

The ground floor is kept open. During ordinary times, it can be used for various purposes. But in case of a weather emergency, one can easily abandon it and go up to the second floor or the roof-deck.

Around the windows are plant boxes housing vegetables and camote (sweet potato) as an ever-ready source of food in an emergency.

Instead of Galvanized Iron (GI) sheets for a roof, we built a concrete roof. It now serves as the roof-deck edible garden. To ensure constant water supply, there is an old-fashioned well at the bottom that is protected against flooding. We manually pump the water to a tank up on the roofdeck using an old-fashioned hand pump.

That tank then supplies the water needs of the Climate Change House.

After doing all this, the ultimate question is: Did it work?

Typhoon Yolanda hit us very hard in Bantayan Island last November 8. It flattened entire villages. Out of the eight structures in the School of the SEA, only two remained standing. Out of the two, only the Climate Change House was relatively unscathed. The camote plants remained

Camote is one of the most nutritious and highly-resilient root crops there is. Its leaves and roots are edible (and can be eaten raw if necessary).

Photo by Ev Espiritu from Inquirer.net

intact and ready to eat.

People used to laugh me because I built a structure with seemingly weird features fitting of a ‘Doomsday Prepper.’ But a lawyer is trained to think logically and draw conclusions only when supported by evidence. The clear scientific evidence— the writings on the wall—have been there for a long time and for all of us to see. But then, our so-called leaders—blinded by greed, severe short-sightedness, or the need to boost Yolanda-like egos—have refused to open their eyes.

Now that it has been proven to work, maybe people will begin to listen. The opportunity for us to shine is staring us right in the face. We can use the community spirit of bayanihan to build these low-rise collective (condominium) residences using the model popularized by the Gawad Kalinga movement.

Those who can afford can give the materials, the government buys the land, and the people put in their sweat equity.

One such model of the collective

poor man’s condo complex already exists in the Baywalk of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, built by the erstwhile Mayor Ed Hagedorn. Unlike ordinary tenement housing, the design and structure of these ‘condos’ rival even that of a very high-end—but very ugly—condominium complex in the Bonifacio Global City. And how much do the people pay per month?

A measly 800 pesos (or about U$19), the

The Climate Change House (below) was the only structure relatively intact in the School of the SEA in Bantayan Island (Cebu) after Typhoon Yolanda. Note that it is on stilts as a measure against storm surges.

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Ready to eat camote tops and roots on the windowsills of the Climate Change House (left) Cyclone resistant homes built in Bangladesh (right).

Image © Mark Tran for The Guardian

equivalent a meal for two in a middle-scale restaurant in Manila.

Emergency Vehicles Do we need fighter planes that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars? Do we need more helicopters gunships? What for? To fight China? Let us not joke ourselves.

Or do we need more transport helicopters and planes, more amphibian vehicles, and more transport and hospital boats?

Finger-Pointing and Politicking It was sad to hear that, instead of coming to the rescue the people of Tacloban City, our top leader started to point the finger of blame upon local officials. Has he ever experienced being in the center of a 300-plus kilometer per hour typhoon in a city that was entirely swamped by a tsu-balod?

Sadder even was the piece of news that a Cabinet Secretary allegedly wanted an already-beleaguered Mayor to write a letter to relinquish his powers, or some such silliness. The tiff between Mr. Secretary and the Mayor escalated so badly that it had to be refereed by the President.

I say, boys, boys, boys, please behave! In times of emergency, a power play is the last thing we need. As ordinary citizens, we have no interest in your petty power plays.

But let us ask a simple question: If the The only typhoon stronger than Yolanda is the daily dose of typhoon signal no. 10 from our politicians’ egos and epals.

Mayor were a member of the Liberal Party, would he receive the same poor treatment from the people in power?

As my son Uli says, “Kung ikaw ay hindi dilaw, ang may sala ay ikaw” [If your political color is not yellow (or of the ruling Liberal Party), you are the one at fault].

If there is any place that knows of typhoons, it is Tacloban and the towns of Eastern Visayas and Bicol. They have typhoons for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

But then it was not the typhoon that killed the people and caused so much destruction. It was the tsu-balod (the storm surge). Our people did not understand what a ‘storm surge’ was because it is an English term that does not have a commonly understood local translation. This was compounded with the fact that our people have never before experienced a storm surge of such magnitude. Thus, the warnings of a 7-meter storm surge did not seem real to us. Had our weather bureau better explained what a storm surge is or called it a tsunami-like wave, the people of Tacloban would have ran for their lives and rushed to higher ground.

Besides, how many times have we ever experienced the power of a Typhoon Signal No. 4? Come to think of it, we experience it every day. But it does not come in the form of wind and rain. Rather, it comes in the form of political egos and epals with sustained winds of a typhoon signal number 10.

When we talk about preparedness, is the pot calling the kettle black? Mr. National Government, please answer this: how many cargo helicopters do we have? None. How many C-130 cargo planes do we have? Two. How many satellite phones does the National Disaster Management Council have? None!

Brilliant! Bravo! Con-

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gratulations! Mabuhay! I commend you Mr. National Government. That is really disaster-preparedness at its best—Philippine Government style.

Let us thank our lucky stars and the international community for coming to our rescue.

In Closing—Two Things In summary, there are two things that we need to do: 1. Understand and accept that the climate crisis is real and is the new normal.

2. Unleash the native genius of the Filipino resilience to adapt and rise from this crisis.

Unless and until we do these two simple things, we will continue to be the victims of this never-ending tragedy, year in and year out.

But if we understand and accept this new reality, we can then unleash the native genius of Filipino resilience and emerge as victors. We can even show the world how we can turn climate adversity into a climate of opportunity. Some call it ‘Climate Capitalism’ (i.e., capitalizing on activities and projects that reduce the causes of, or adapt to, the climate crisis).

What about our political leaders? Where do they come in? Let us not bother with them. In the language of the courtroom, most of them have become irrelevant, immaterial, and impertinent. Also, please do not to kick them in the ass. They might suffer brain hemorrhage.

But we, the People, who hold the real power, must ask ourselves— In the face of this climate crisis, Will we continue to be the victims? Or will we emerge as the victors?

The choice is ours. Mabuhay ang Filipino! P

1

Students must be flexible thinkers.

This might be an easier said than done. Picture yourself suddenly caught up in an earthquake drill in Justitia and the only exit available is the narrow stairs to the Ground Floor. What would you do? Students must be able to compose themselves and think rationally and critically during times of emergency. This will enable them to make judgment calls and be creative in finding the best way to respond to a given situation.

This is vital because emergency situations can never be completely predicted. As things do not always go according to plan, students must be capable and willing to take the lead and address complications as they come.

2

Know the ins and outs of the APS. In addition to knowing the school’s response plan and guidelines for action, mastering the area around you can greatly affect the way you respond to a calamity. Knowing where the exits are, the safe or danger zones and the fastest ways to get to or away from them will clearly matter when time is of the essence. Think imaginary blueprints of the building ala Mission Impossible. Look up, down, left, right from your study area. You may store these visual imprints in your mind, because these may come in handy when disaster strikes.

3

Knowing the persons usually in the building would allow authorities to determine those who are missing and could potentially be in danger. This fast recognition and reaction time usually spells the difference between life and death. So the next time you meet or converse with someone along the hallways, smile that megawatt smile and gain friends.

Crisis Management and Disaster Mitigation: The ADMU Way

By Domingo Lucenario*

Green foliage and sky-high buildings tower over the Ateneo Professional Schools (APS) building in Rockwell. It looks aesthetically pleasing and secure enough, but who is to say that it is safe from any natural calamity? With the frequency of natural disasters that hit the Philippines, one can never be too complacent or careful in anticipating their occurrence. Prevention is still the best policy, and the noteworthy attitude of vigilance exuded by the heads and members of the Ateneo Loyola campus should be followed by the rest of the APS Community.

In a seminar held last October 16, 2013 at the Ateneo Loyola campus, disaster mitigation and crisis management expert Seiji Suwa of Kobe, Japan shared his experiences and some advice on how to properly anticipate and deal with natural calamities from the perspective of an educational institution. The following are some guidelines from the said seminar:

Get to know the people around you.

4

Immerse yourself in different activities.

Being open and ready to try new things will help establish the open-mindedness needed by a flexible thinker. These help students gain the confidence to surpass challenges that they may face in emergency situations. To illustrate, when streets were flooded by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, student-mountaineers did not hesitate to cross the waters and help others since they already faced similar situations in traversing rivers and turbulent waters during their hikes.

All these guidelines are intended to help the APS Community move towards greater social awareness on the effects of climate change. One can never underscore the importance of disaster preparedness. After all, hell hath no fury like Mother Nature scorned. P *Editor’s Note: The author is a member of the Environmental Law Society of Ateneo (ELSA).

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Manila, in a good light

By Ma. Anna Bueno Photos by Francis Monfort; Top photo from Oldmanila.net

Photo by Francis Monfort

The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

T

olkien has penned some of the most beautiful things that I have ever read. In The Fellowship particularly, he referred to that endless Road, the very same path that inspired me to explore old Manila, a part of the nation’s ailing yet fascinating capital.

My first stop was Binondo, a former enclave where the Spaniards relocated Chinese sangleys who converted to Christianity.

To the rest of the world, Binondo, which was established in 1594, is the oldest Chinatown among all Chinatowns. For me, it is a hub of cheap yet delicious FilipinoChinese fare.

The Road also led us to the riverside, near the mouth of the Pasig. It is easy to imagine that a long time ago, the Pasig River—

To reach Binondo from the Carriedo station of LRT-1, my friend and I took a calesa to the Church of Binondo, where San Lorenzo Ruiz himself used to serve.

Barring the bumpy ride and the first-time thrill that came with the calesa trip, I pitied the horse, which had to drag three of us for half a kilometer under the stinging sun.

At Ongpin Street (now Quintin Paredes), we alighted after glimpsing at the church.

A wedding was about to start then, so we headed to the plaza, took out our map and pretended to be tourists looking for a place to eat, taking pictures, and walking around.

We ended up in Sincerity Cafe, listed in the map as one of the best (and oldest) places serving chicken that will supposedly change your life. The restaurant was dressed plainly, in orange paint, steel chairs, and mirrors inscribed with Chinese characters. Diners gabbed with each other in Chinese. The atmosphere made me imagine somehow that we were somewhere in China, instead of Manila.

What followed after a very satisfying lunch

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of chicken and broccoli was a very long walk and a few missteps that eventually led us to Intramuros, the former stronghold and first line of defense of Manila. One who wishes to immerse in local history can walk the wall’s ramparts, and view the scenery below.

Manila’s artery of commerce and trade— was a gem in the landscape. Now, however, it is a dumping site that ribbons through most of Manila’s cities, reminding us of our fallibility as humans: we destroy what we find beautiful.

Perhaps the same cannot be said for Intramuros. There were obvious efforts to bring it back to its former glory. There were the lamps crediting volunteers for their preservation efforts, the gallery of presidents sculpted in iron, a busy street advertising a shop called La Monja Loca and a charming restaurant called Ilustrado. Near the Manila Cathedral was a memorare, which

Barring the bumpy ride and the first-time thrill that came with the calesa trip, I pitied the horse, which had to drag three of us for half a kilometer under the stinging sun.

honored the countless who died in the 1940s.

The statue reminded me of Michelangelo’s La Pieta, only that the woman was holding on to many children.

We tried to ride a padyak to Luneta, but changed our minds when a driver told us the fare was P100 (which was highway robbery and a total rip-off to tourists and locals, considering that Luneta was just walking distance).

A tourist who has visited a fair number of countries may have the following observations about old Manila: The place is neglected. A few structures (a water fountain, a church, an ancestral home) struggle in vain to evoke a charm of years past, when men and women strolled proudly in the streets and snubbed each other from above their calesas.

There is also little to no sense of preservation of identity—of keeping beauty as it was found.

If there was, I will neither see posters scattered on the streets nor the dilapidated state of houses that have seen better times. There would also be no vandalism on the walls of Colegio de San Juan de Letran or the four statues of Augustinian priests, nor will there be mismatched street lights.

Rizal Park, which we visited last, is a preservation effort that has also gone awry. The park featured a Japanese Garden, which had a dried-up pool, and a few so-called Japanese artifacts that felt contrived and made the whole thing feel like a bad joke.

There were a few things in Luneta that deserve praise, however. Lapu-Lapu’s towering statue inspires awe, especially at twilight. Propped in the stairs of the National Museum’s annex building (aptly called the National Museum for the Filipino People) was one of my favorite discoveries. The Philippine Youth Symphonic Band plays classical pieces every Sunday in this place for free, with only stragglers and the curious passers-by for an audience.

By the time we saw the moon and Venus smile in the night sky, we had spent a good ten hours in Manila, a time both long enough to see how ugly it had become and contemplate on whether or not it can still be saved. And I hope Manila can be saved. After all, beauty still illuminates, even from places that fade. P

JANUARY 2014 ThePalladium 19

Hold Your

Breath

By Joanne Ala

Photos by Junie Santiago

people from the experience because such perilous creatures live with those that are absolutely thrilling and beautiful.

I have tried bringing a bag of breadcrumbs in one of my swimming expeditions. Submerged, I scattered the crumbs around me and saw how an amazingly large school of fish instantly surrounded me to fight greedily for their individual share. Suspended in that moment and in the middle of a tornado of fish, I thought about how moments like this happen only on television…and I was getting to experience it in real life.

I have also dived with a herd of sea turtles large enough for a person to ride. I remember looking at each turtle in the eye and being amazed at how real they were. It was surreal, but the most breathtaking experience I’ve experienced so far was when I was able to dive an arm’s length away from a Manta Ray twice my size. I reveled at its majesty, but I didn’t dare touch it lest I ruin such once-in-a-life-time moment.

F

ree diving is an extreme sport that needs complete mental and physical relaxation. You will not be able to hold your breath long if you panic. Unlike scuba divers, free divers (or skin divers) do not use breathing apparatuses. Aside from masks, fins and snorkels, we only rely on the strength of our lungs and willpower.

What most people do not know is that humans have an amphibious instinct, which is triggered when our bodies are submerged in great depths. This instinct allows us to hold our breaths for extended periods of time. The average healthy person can hold his or her breath for three to four minutes, but a skilled free diver can do so for around 10 minutes. Within that span, free divers can swim to more than 30 feet of water. For kicks or a friendly wave hello, we can even dive as low as scuba divers.

Competition, however, isn’t the only reason why I free dive. I do it because of the breathtaking and out-of-this-world encounters that I only get to experience when I am 20 or 30 feet below sea level and swimming above the coral reefs. It’s amazing how so many things can happen with a single breath.

At one time, I was able to chase a flute

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There is so much to love about free diving: the colors, the shapes, the movements, and the creatures of the fish (an elongated fish shaped like an eel) around the coral reefs and accidentally swim into the territory of the aggressive trigger fish. I have been warned not to go near its territory since it houses its nest there.

Learning my predicament, I swam as fast and far away as I could from the trigger fish, which were already attacking my fins. My fins still have the bite marks that remind me of that encounter.

At another time, I was attacked by a red, yellow and black sea snake. I was very lucky to have swum fast enough to avoid it since it was apparently poisonous. I was also once pestered by a cute clown fish when I swam a bit too close to its anemone. I never thought that I would run away from Nemo, but I did when it became too territorial for my liking.

It is inevitable for one to stumble upon several dangerous creatures when free diving. However, this shouldn’t hinder

sea. I have already experienced so much in my previous dives, but each dive just makes me crave for more. Each one consists of numerous breaths, countless moments of submergence and complete peace as one glides around the coral reefs. Every breath one takes marks a new adventure without limits.

P (Editor’s Note: Joanne Ala not only writes for The Palladium, but also immerses herself in various outdoors sports. She has been free diving for three years now.)

Flipping Over Flipping Over

By Iris M. Pozon “Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss; but every once in a while, you find someone who’s iridescent, and once you do, nothing will ever compare.” – Chet Duncan Images © Warner Bros.

B

ased on the young adult fiction by Wendelin Van Draanen of the same name, Rob Reiner’s Flipped (2010) is about the awkward and often complicated story of finding one’s first love.

For Bryce Loski (Callan McAuliffe), nothing could be worse than finding a googly-eyed stalker when you’re in second grade. After moving with his family to classic American suburbia, he finds himself briefly locking eyes with new neighbor Julianna Baker (Madeline Carroll) and sharing a moment that would spark what Bryce calls “the beginning of more than half a decade of ‘strategic avoidance’ and social discomfort”, obsessive sniffing and hugging and endless playground taunts. By sixth grade, Bryce finally conceives a plan to shake off Juli. However the plan backfires and leaves Juli, the girl with a smart, independent and rebellious spirit, to focus on Bryce’s dazzling blue eyes and heart-melting smile all the more.

But like leaves that seasonally turn, Juli’s feelings change as she realizes that her

perfect boy-next-door doesn’t always live up to her expectations. With the help of his grandfather however, Bryce finally overcomes his teenage immaturity and succumbs to the iridescence of the tree hugger he thought he hated.

Heart-warming and exceptionally acted, the movie, which pushed back the modern tale to the fifties, takes its viewers back to their childhood and lets them reminisce on the feelings of being–or at least thinking of falling in love for the first time. The thing that probably sets the film apart from some its counterparts, is its more mature take of puppy love. Reminiscent of “Little Manhattan” and perhaps a younger version “500 Days with Summer,” Flipped successfully charms its audience with a sweet yet not overly nauseating he-said, she-said teen romance.

The twin accounts of Bryce and Juli are perfect in setting the overall tone of the film and provide a balancing effect to the sometimes obscured point of view of one character.

McAuliffe and Caroll have an amazing

chemistry and are well-suited in their roles as the awkward and not-quite couple finally coming into terms not only with their true feelings for each other, but also about themselves.

Aidan Quinn and John Mahoney, who portray Juli’s father Richard Baker and Bryce’s grandfather Chet Duncan respectively, were particularly glowing in their performances as the wise and supportive ears to the teens. Quinn’s loving attention to his on-screen daughter stood out and provided one of the more tender moments and interesting life lessons of the movie, giving it a more solid and mature foundation of what true love is and our general impression of life should really be about: “a painting (that) is more than a sum of its parts…”

The boy meets–gets to know and finally flips over–girl-next-door seemed inevitable enough. But the journey from point A to point B was exciting and quite exhilarating to see, especially to those who are open to remembering or perhaps, looking forward to the one “still walking around with (their) first kiss.” P

JANUARY 2014 ThePalladium 21

The Earth Kitchen

By Korin A. Aldecoa, Photos from The Earth Kitchen facebook

“Healthy, local, sustainable”–a not-so-average tagline for a not-so-average restaurant.

Earth Kitchen, a foodie destination found along White Plains, Katipunan Avenue, would impress the pickiest of eaters. True to its brand, the restaurant harvests all ingredients without harming the environment. Greens are served crisp and fresh in Instagram-worthy dishes. The food is also never oily or greasy. It is prepared in such a way that all their natural flavors are brought out, and one’s taste buds and health are both indulged.

Since many have yet to get over the trauma of being force-fed vegetables as kids however, it is quite understandable to regard so-called healthy restaurants with some skepticism—if not aversion. If these are to win skeptics over, they must do more than brandish the trite banner of health and fitness. Earth Kitchen, for one, harnesses the power of social media to showcase its dishes. With over 8,300 likes in Facebook since its opening just last July, it already managed to intrigue its followers with interesting ingredients like Dayap vinaigrette, local feta cheese, edible flowers, and even bacon for the meat lovers.

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During my first visit, I happily observed the interiors of the restaurant. Its walls were lined with live plants. Its tables and chairs were made from what appears to be upcycled wood. And its lighting was a soft yellow—perfect for a relaxing affair for just about everyone.

The chicken kebab was served with Ifugao rice and grilled vegetables and tzakiki (“the best kebab sauce ever” on the side). The kebab was tender and juicy, while the Ifugao rice was enriched by various herbs and had an interesting texture.

The beef taco was another love story waiting The menu boasts of selections I have never to happen. At first, the ensemble of radish, heard of: beef and citrus salad, uni negra kimchi rice, salad greens and seaweed, risotto, pumpkin and goat’s cheese paccheri terrified the carnivore in me. I longed for the pasta, and many others. My unsophisticated taste buds, however, craved the familiar.

Mushroom soup was the first thing I ordered, followed by beef bulgogi in soft taco and chicken kebab. For dessert, I had tablea (or Filipino chocolate) ice cream.

When the mushroom soup was served, I must admit that it was not love at first sight.

The soup appeared too thick and creamy for my liking. But as I tried a spoonful—and another then another—I slowly understood how it could drive one “crazy”. My taste buds enjoyed its many distinct flavors so much so that I wanted to lick my bowl clean.

Local, because we work a lot with local farmers and source our ingredients locally as much as possible.

Sustainable, because we use sustainable farming methods and also do our best to help our communities become independent and sustainable.”

straightforward version served at Taco Bell and resisted the urge to put the vegetables away—and it was worth it. For the first time, I found myself enjoying vegetables, which did taste like they were freshly picked from someone’s garden. As for the beef, every chunk was lean, tasty, and oh-so-tender that it melted on my mouth.

The tablea ice cream was a fitting finale.

It was served in a chilled glass to keep it from melting. Every spoonful was a treat of delightfully creamy carabao’s milk. And who knew that local chocolate tasted so exquisite? Its distinctive bittersweet cacao flavor left me savoring every bit. Eating it in a hurry would have been unforgivable. It was laced with crusty crumbs of chocolate chip cookie crumble that created a contrast of textures. The aftertaste had an unexpected hint of mint that neutralized the richness of the ice cream. This restaurant certainly pays attention to detail.

Obviously, Earth Kitchen has made a new

fan in me. While I find the prices a tad too steep, the food was definitely worth every centavo. Almost all the dishes are not only made from scratch, but also whipped using premium ingredients by talented chefs who simply will not scrimp on them. Finally, I have found a restaurant that excels in making healthy food delicious, and delicious food healthy. Not only is it “healthy, local, sustainable,” it also takes its business very seriously.

Melissa Yeung, one of the owners, explains, “[our food is] healthy, because our ingredients are farmed without chemicals and other harmful substances. We also try our best to make our food on the healthy side and not drip[ing] in oil, used lard, etcetera. Local, because we work a lot with local farmers and source our ingredients locally as much as possible. Sustainable, because we use sustainable farming methods and also do our best to help our communities become independent and sustainable.”

Earth Kitchen is also a part of the Got Heart Foundation, a social enterprise chain whose “vision is to help hardworking farmers get lifted out of poverty”. The restaurant owners and chefs do not only work closely with local farmers (a collaborative effort that gives Earth Kitchen an edge over its competitors), they also advocate ecoconsciousness. For one, Earth Kitchen’s Facebook page is a good resource for useful yet artistic recycling tips. In fact, the restaurant itself was built and furnished with upcycled materials, and is in the practice of turning its kitchen waste into natural fertilizers.

With all these, Earth Kitchen masterfully mixes delicious, healthy, eco-friendly, and socially responsive in one figurative bowl. It not only makes taste buds and bellies happy, it also helps the environment, farmers, and indigenous communities. What other restaurants do all that? P

JANUARY 2014 ThePalladium 23

The Palladium

BUCKET LIST

By Ree Villaruel

L.E.S. BAGELS

DINE

Create your own N.Y. style bagel combination in this newly opened café in Mckinley Hill! Set up by Patrick Santos, Chef Cuit Kaufman and Albert Besa, L.E.S. Bagels offers an array of delicious bagels and cream cheese. Check out Ivy Enguio’s article “L.E.S. Bagels” for the complete review.

MALASIMBO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL 2014

EXPERIENCE

Music, arts and nature adjoin in a threeday annual event to showcase Filipino heritage in Mt. Malasimbo, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. The Malasimbo Music and Arts Fest is an international celebration featuring a diverse lineup of both local and international artists that serve as the focal entertainment for music buffs. Meanwhile, the festival grounds, a combination of nature and man’s art, will surely charm art and nature lovers. The grounds flaunt Filipino contemporaneous art in the form of distinctive sculptures created by our very own talented artists, as well as art crafted by nature herself in the form of the spectacular stature of the amphitheater.

Last year, reggae legend Jimmy Cliff and English soul singer and Grammy winner Joss Stone, among others, performed for the hundreds of festivalgoers. Malasimbo 2014 is scheduled on February 27 to March 2, from 6:00pm – 6:00am. While the lineup of artists is not yet revealed, the organizers promise its spectators of an “expansion” of the event, pertaining to venue, artists and attendees altogether. It will surely be another packed out event so plan your trip early!

For more info: visit malasimbofestival. com

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VICTIMS OF YOLANDA

DONATE

So much for self-indulgence.

Pasay City. Contact Roel Montesa at Make your presence count by 09263469927 for more info. lending a hand to our countrymen who were affected by the  Organizations accepting donastrongest typhoon to have made tions through their website: landfall in recorded history.

• World Food Programme Philippines (www.wfp.org)

Below are some of the relief initia- • The Catholic Relief Services (emergencies.crs.org) tives for the typhoon victims:

• Save The Children (www. savethechildren.org) • UNICEF (donate.unicef.ph) Send your cash donations through • DLSU’s Center for Social Concern either of the following accounts: and Action (globalgiving.com) BPI – C/A 4951-0067-56 (Account • Shelterbox (www.givealittle.co.nz) Name: Philippine Daily Inquirer, P Inc.); Metrobank – C/A 7286-810930 (Account Name: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.). You may also contact Bianca Casilag or Connie Kalagayan at 897-8808 or 899-4426.

 Philippine Daily Inquirer

 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

The DSWD is accepting all sorts of donations at its relief headquarters located at NAIA Chapel Road,