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NEWS FEATURE Cough-based AI Algorithm detects COVID-19 patients
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SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ
A research conducted by Laguarta, Hueto, and Subirana in their paper published in the IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology is only one of the several research and IT models that prove the possibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to diagnose COVID-19 patients with a mere cough recording. In a short span of a year, various researchers and specialists alike have gathered and engineered COVID-19 cough recording applications, and the results of these innovations have sparked great curiosity by many.
Almost a year into the pandemic and there are still inadequate resources for people to freely get checked for COVID-19. With the lack of free testing, COVID-19 patients fail to acquire the proper medical support and fail to isolate themselves until the symptoms have already reached noticeable and more transmissible degrees. Laguarta, Hueto, and Subirana’s paper stated that a forced-cough recording taken on a cellphone may detect both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases with the help of AI.
Said research collected cough audio recordings from 5,320 positive and negative COVID-19 subjects, and the way it works is through following a detailed process. Every cough recording would be split into six-second clips, processed with the MFCC package, and passed through biomarker 1 (muscular degradation). ResNet50s are then trained to capture the acoustics on biomarkers 2 (vocal chords), 3 (sentiment), and 4 (lungs and respiratory tract), which would be collected using a Global Average Pooling 2D layer. This entire structure is designed according to the collected cough dataset of 5,320 individuals and would help in the binary classification of cases. Faith on the effectiveness of such algorithms depend heavily on past diagnoses generated by AI, such as using smartphones to detect Pertussis, pneumonia, asthma, and other diseases.
The research declared the algorithm a success by presenting its 98.5% accuracy, proving to be 18% more effective than self-diagnosis. 100% of accuracy rate, on the other hand, was presented among asymptomatic subjects. Higher-level biomarkers may be added to improve the algorithm, and to sufficiently diagnose individuals.
Once developed, such AI-assisted models may be able to alleviate the ever-increasing cases of COVID-19, particularly in places where free and large-scale testing is close to impossible due to the lack of supplies, manpower, and finance. Asymptomatic individuals would be aware of their health conditions, lessening chances of unintentionally spreading viruses; screening would not be limited only to temperature checking at important checkpoints, which also prove to be inoperable for asymptomatic cases; and manpower and finance would no longer be considered barriers to getting tested and saving lives.
MA. RHEANNA TUAZON
Multidisciplinary team under the University of Cincinnati uncovers evidence of a 2000-year old Ancient Water Filtration system once used by Mayan Civilization. Discovery of this filtration system took place in the city of Tikal, in the rainforests of northern Guatemala.
Researchers under UC, which include a team of anthropologists, geologists, and biologists, found identified crystalline quartz and zeolite which are minerals utilized during water filtration. Such discovered minerals have the ability to kill harmful microbes, heavy metals, nitrogen-rich compounds, and other toxins in the water under filtration. This might have safeguarded the Mayans against harmful cyanobacteria and toxins.
The best part of this discovery is that post-modern technology has just been able to utilize such innovation until recently—but Ancient Mayan has already been using it more than 2,000 years ago. Although said ancient troops are not considered the technological giant during its prime unlike China, Rome, or India, Ancient Maya is generations ahead when it comes to water management, probably since it is situated in a tropical environment. They treated sources of water with utmost importance, often relying on porous limestone which made potable water accessible during seasonal droughts.
Sources of import for both the quartz and zeolite are pinpointed from the steep ridges around the Bajo de Azucar. The place is 18 miles away from the abandoned city.
The researchers, at the moment, are trying to determine how the Ancient Maya protected their precious reservoirs from erosions.
PHOTO/ SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
YANCY MORON
P. arayatnesis: A call for healing
COVID-19 pandemic coerced us to contend in our homes for an indefinite period of time and much of the happenings outside became out of our reach because of the dangers of the virus. Inversely, the said outbreak and the established norm of staying home became a bounty for our nature to heal and thrive with the temporary inexistence of our busy society. This new reality also sheds an opportunity for extensive research and continuous preservation of wildlife conditions, and one of its marvels is the discovery of Pyrostria arayatnesis.
Discovered by a joint research team from Angeles University Foundation (AUF) and University of Santo Tomas (UST), the endemic plant species are said to be found in the lowland grounds of Mount Arayat National Park (MANP) in Pampanga. Although the said discovery is a breakthrough, the national park and even Mount Arayat itself is home to a bountiful array of wildlife species—86 species of birds, 49 species of trees and plants, 14 species of mammals, 11 species of reptiles and with two endemic plant species like the Flame Tree and Chamberlain’s Pitogo.
Even if the new plant species was divulged as a result of botanical expeditions in MANP in 2017, it was formally included in an international scientific journal Annales Botanici Fennice, and became a part of the dissertation of AUF College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Marlon Suba in UST, along with colleagues Dr. Axel Arriola, Dr. Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Nicolas Raphael Arcangel, Jomari Jalipa, Joaquim Gerardo Jurilla, and Jose Manuel Villasenor.
Growing in the beat of the healing nature, the discovery of such species, as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Luzon Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr. said, has proven that an excellent quality of biodiversity is evident in the mountain park. Moreno, having a firm initiative that MANP’s ecological significance should be preserved, remained positive on Suba’s research ensemble and the hope that they will bring good results after.
Pyrostria arayatnesis is living proof that amid the pandemic’s paralyzing effects on our society, there comes a hope on the other facet of our planet—our nature’s continuous healing and growth. Even after this global crisis, the DENR Region 3 is in full hopes that people should protect and conserve MANP, the newly-found species’ home, from any disturbances as it is a vital biodiversity hotspot in a region.
BIOONE
PHOTO/ OPINION
There will be no development while class society exists
VOX POPULI
Ma. Rheanna Tuazon
Iwas en route to Angeles City in a Sapangbato-Angeles jeepney when a child beggar stepped inside the vehicle to ask for spare changes. I was not complacent with the idea of giving money, so I gave him a packed cheesecake alternatively. One thing that I noticed was the fact that the child was not wearing a face mask. I immediately grabbed my extra face mask and gave it to the kid. He seemed to be truly delighted and said something along the lines of, “Salamat ate, minsan lang ako magsuot ng ganito kasi bihira lang may nagbibigay.”
That succinct narrative of mine during the brief jeepney ride led me to think about the living conditions of the prole and poor. If us, petty bourgeoisie people, those who are proletariats, barely endure, then how do the marginalized people live during this period of contagion? We are panic-stricken easily when lockdowns are issued, we get overwrought about our food storage, or the days we’d have to skip going to the office if work from home options are not available. With these things affecting us, can we imagine how these distress those who do not have a stable source of food and a roof on top of their heads?
I, then, got to thinking deeper. Riding a public transportation such as the jeepney is also slightly dangerous as well— but as part of the working class, not all of us have the reserves to procure a private vehicle. In my 21 years of existence, I have never once imagined a senator riding a jeepney or a president travelling by MRT; although Chiz Escudero has once rented out a jeepney for Heart Evangelista and Salvador Panelo has also once tried public transportation, those are special cases.
With this supposition bothering me, I envisioned how it would be if the distribution of wealth is not based on capitalism. Higher profits would not matter and people would not have to live by their labor. Margins of poverty would not have to exist and there will be no homeless. Although there would be no ostentatious lifestyle like those in BGC, imeldarific spendings, or brand new luxury cars roaming around; wouldn’t life be easier and safer if everyone lived fairly without a price?
At such time when we won’t have any reasons to hold a peaceful protest anywhere in Mendiola, would be the only time when the Philippines could prosper. This is why, on a MarxistLeninist perspective, I will always say, dissolve the triangle.
BY KEVIN VALEN ARCELO
Provoke no corruption in me, no depravity that hounds without lease or payment, With a faust lip gummed over a year on some man’s mouth, I jest and arouse, The Bull in me, a quickened welcome, of a solon, tasting, feminine, Of that adolescent orange year, did I speckle at once this exhibition, And undressed this young fear like a flower’s womb, into flurry,
And sweltered my kiss onto another man’s name, and God must divine me, My sweet horn, and umbra, my ursine breast, did this calor enrapture,
That year, Venus did turn, to delight onto my citrus opening, and swelter out newborn, An inconceivable, new man foregone.
Bildungsroman
BY SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ
At the young age of 13, Girl still basked in the comfort of her peculiar little bubble. Her naivety left her contentedly unaware of the fact that the slightest of touches could shake her entire world and leave her changed, forever.
Few birthdays passed and the idea of a fairy tale life is all a fever dream to her—she is average in every possible aspect of the word, and started to play sidekick to some better girl, who wears glitter to cover up her insecurities.
Living the glamorous life of a twenty-year-old, in a world of subordinates and impostors, Girl could no longer care any less—bow ties and bright lights never made anyone shine brighter. Alas, she thought, nobody seems to hear farther than their own bubbles would let them.
Within the shrinking bubble that she cosseted herself in for years, Girl echoed her thoughts. The bubble is a tight space and the outside is unfamiliar territory, yet she finds herself tranced to trudge it.
Without looking back, she walked away.
BY RAHUL MODY
When “Let’s play catch” Becomes “I need cash”. The early memory fades Into bittersweet reality.
The coming of age Embarks on a new journey Full of spirit and drive, Now you’re the captain.
New experiences Marked by emotion.
Ups and downs
On this roller coaster.
Driven by expectation, Carried by determination,
Belief from hope,
Success from results.
Dilemma of life, No more toys and food. The captain makes his own rules
On this ship with no navigator.
From the experiences, Rise leaders and followers. For a hopeful future, For a new generation.
The northern star Guides even the lost ship to shore. As boys become men And girls become women.
To be unique among the common Seems impassable. Like Magellan around the world Follow your own belief.
Classes fail.
Friendships end,
Times pass. Test of courage.
New interests stir, New friendships form. On this journey of age You’re the captain.
To stand your ground, To decide your fate. The coming of age. The first flap to flight.
Growing up BY ISABELLE MAGLALANG
Waking up early in the morning
I often hear clatters from the kitchen, My neighbor’s bathroom singing My packed lunch, chicken.
Suddenly everything stopped Early morning turned into late nights Kitchen clatters turned microwave timer
Neighbors became vacation houses
Barely at my prime But already foreseeing The events that seemed blurry Pushing but can hardly discern
But when the rain finally stops And only tiny droplets remain Knowing that they too will fade Realizing we can no longer delay
Wrinkles and Callouses
BY ANGELO FERNANDEZ
Hey there, I wanted to ask you Have you ever thought Of how strong you are? Look where you came from And how far you have come
There was a time You never would’ve thought
To be able to go so far
But you’re here now, Aren’t you?
Do you remember your first step Into this new world of uncertainty? All trembling, shaking That was all it took A single brave step You were scared You were vulnerable The challenges were too much Even for you Yet you persisted I know my dear The years haven’t been kind Life tried to break you And Fate seemed to fail And there you thrived Time has passed since then And here you are Covered all over In wrinkles and callouses But still here, fighting
Pictures, stars
BY YANCY MORON
They said a picture conveys thousands of thoughts. Well, I think I made many, just like stars you would cease to count. I would flick my finger and hold on a scene where our skin would stick together, bare and exposed, feeling the wet strands of your hair while you take a shot in a fog-stained mirror, still leaning on my body after we bond in extreme delectation. I also saw a scene where I would snuggle my head into the sides of your neck, hugging you from behind while humming a familiar tune that will surely annoy you, but I chose to because that would remind you of my unrestrained
love. Another shot is where I am gazing atop the sunset sky, while you freely fly away with your dream. Basking myself in the magnificent sparkle of the afterglow, my heart is of full hopes that someday, that same sky will bring you back to me. As I finished going through the pictures, I realized that even if these pictures bore stars of thoughts hanging through my unilluminated sky, they are not true. They will live in my mind believing that everything is a spectacular galaxy to wander around.
The Next Winter
BY YANCY MORON
It was the usual sunny day. It was the same, scorching ray of the sun that startled me every time I peeked through my stained window glass. Still with my hands cold, I stared out on the road in front of our house. I knew that this is just the usual spot where I occasionally stare and nothing could hold dearly to it. But that thought is only true until the day that I have mentioned. Yes, that stressful day. That is the day where the other days would just be an absolute mess. On that usual spot where I am staring right now, I saw how I was run off by some guys as I was crossing the streets. Even if the cursing weather of winter has subsided from that day, I still feel the coldness it gave through not just on my body, but also on my heart.
I felt the pain that lingered after that incident, so did the pain that I inflicted on them.
“Blacks are savages. They do not conform to our standards.”
I now understand the feeling of regret that I should be feeling right now because of my remarks. I did not realize the impact of my remarks before, so did their actions which have caused my misfortunes.
“Respect my opinion. This is none of your businesses. I can be angry for all I want.” I also learned to conceal my emotions whenever I pass judgment, that if I let my heart drive my mouth into saying something that would damage my reputation, I wish I could have said it. I wish I could have used my mind instead.
“This will not affect me, because this is my opinion and my whole being is not reflective of what I just said. I will continue to be a nice person that I know I am.” I now strive to scavenge for a change, so did the change that drove people to pillage me on that very street which I am still staring at. But, I am still hoping that this change will bring me to people who I have hurt in my opinion; that I am still capable of regaining their trust and somewhat see the reason why they heavily ostracized me and let me pass on this unbearable curse.
I learned to accept the fact that my opinion will drive the world crazy. I have always wanted to be popular, but realizing how stupid and crappy my way of getting there was, I think I got a lot more, even with ugly scratches and broken arms with it.
A year has just passed since my crazy and shameless remarks just circulated like wildfire on social media, but I can tell that the road which I was run off, albeit silent and vibrant because of the sunrays, still tells the same horror as a repercussion of these people’s anger and hatred towards me. To cut my nostalgic reminiscence,
I scrolled through my phone and clicked the Mail. I still looked over that same message which was sent to me a week ago:
“Greetings from Howard University,
It is with the deepest regret that you are not qualified to take any degree programs at our University. Although you have qualified based on your academic credentials and entrance exams result, the University has found out several racist remarks from your social media account, which is clearly not inline with the vision of our university, which is, Education for All. I hope you nothing but the best for your university hunt and we are happy that you chose to apply at Howard University. Best regards.”
I do not view this message recurrently because I am sad about not getting into that university, but because it serves as a wake-up call that reminds me my actions were in no way acceptable to people, and the consequences can become more unbearable than I might have imagined. Closing my phone and staring at that same spot yet again, I also noticed that the ambiance which I am currently into is quite similar to my experience– the road where I was hit and run was analogous to the hatred which I have planted on those people that I once hurt. Just like how same it is as compared to that horrifying day, the hatred and spite they hold against me might also seem unchanging even up until now. I understand that feeling in the same manner that I understood the road being still for years.
However, the difference lies in the weather. The coldness of the winter is not forever, and that the scorching sun which I hated before gave me a chance to see that I am still capable of changing. I hated changes before, with the same feeling of hating the sun for a long time now, but with this change, I am fully certain that I am off to forgiveness.
I am ready to see the next winter with a different heart and mind.
SPORTS EDITORIAL Care as one!
The world paused in this pandemic. People experienced closing down businesses, losing jobs, and dealing with health crises among many others. This unexpected scenario puts everything at risk. One of the sectors that felt the effect of this pandemic is the sports sector. People don’t even recognize that sportsmen are experiencing a crisis because the world never cares for sports unless there are national and international competitions where someone can benefit from it. Some of them actually get their income from sports— but not until the pandemic. In the whole duration of the pandemic, they were left behind. No plans were made for them. Now, inch-by-inch, they are bouncing back. They are now starting to regain their lost job and lost glory – but with difficulty. They play even when there is a pandemic. However, this habit sacrifices their health.
Job vs. Health Risk
Thousands of Filipinos continue to lose hope as they become jobless amidst this global crisis that we are facing. People including our professional athletes were forced to risk their mental and physical health for income. Meanwhile, Philippine Basketball Association kicked off its All-Filipino conference at Angeles City with the implementation of health protocols and guidelines to ensure the safety of every player and staff inside the bubble. These professional athletes were forced to play just to earn money and survive this pandemic. Recently, Philippine Inquirer published a news story about a COVID-positive player from one of the teams of the said conference. With this, we can say that the health protocols and security systems that were implemented were not concrete enough to ensure the safety of every person inside the bubble. The government should take action in this crisis, they should lend a hand to our athletes who are also a pride of our country. With enough service and compassion from the government, athletes won’t force themselves to play just to earn money for their needs. Athletes including these professional basketball players were risking their well-being including their mental health as they battle in this pandemic. The government shall take action in this situation, we had suffered enough and we can’t afford to lose innocent lives anymore. With the sense of normalcy brought by this situation, we are risking our people and the future of our nation.
Budget Allocation for Athletes
In addition to the taxing demands of playing amidst a global pandemic—physical health, after all, is the athlete’s primary concern—there is the concern for income, especially for professional athletes. To cope with this, the bubble season pushed through. But the point stands: should they bite the risk to earn, especially when there are safer, more wellthought options? And one option worthwhile to delve in is budget allocation. Last August, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez expressed his hopes in the proposed Bayanihan 2—it should cover funds that will provide allowances for national athletes and coaches. Eventually, in the next month, the said Bill was signed into a law by the president, and the P180 million-peso budget has allocations for the athletes.
However, this is an assurance for national athletes, those who play while bearing the country’s flags. Is there hope for professional athletes from franchised teams that will not involve actual game-time? If the government could not be relied on for funding, sourcing could come from the association itself, or from the respective companies of the existing basketball teams. Or is there actually a need to give allowance to these players? After all, the income of a PBA player is peaked at P420,000 a month. And that doesn’t include the additional incentives they receive for playing well, plus the endorsements they are signed to. But then again, like all earners, athletes would need income to sustain their needs, and another option would be to find a different source for their finances. Again, the higher risk can be alleviated with a choice, that is, not the bubble season.
False Hope, Forced Normalcy
The country, however, overall still remains as one with the poorer funded athletes and sports sector in general. And this could affect their gameplay. And a rusty gameplay in turn, could affect the Filipino sports lovers’ morale. Another driving factor that allowed the bubble season to be pursued lies on the positive spectrum— to give hope to the sports-loving nation, that amidst a pandemic, sports will not die. But this sense of normalcy, with the recent news that prove the ineffectiveness of the make-shift area for basketball, only gives false hope. The already dimming light of sports was distorted behind plastic sheets. While a bubble exhibits iridescence, this PBA season is nothing of the sort. One could even ascertain that the postponement of the series would be the better choice—why? Because it will build excitement, craving, longing. This kind of thinking would pay off once the true normal season returns. Fans will be hyped more than ever, like they were sun-ridden for years then finally, they taste the warmth of the Filipino athlete’s spirit, burning brighter than it ever did before.
Equal care and priority for our Filipino athletes—that’s how we want to blow all the arguments in one bubble. It’s a paradigm shift where the Philippine government must start moving with and not slacking to. Does our support stretch only during during prestigious events like SEA Games? Should we just remember their names only when they’ve given enough honor for the country? Is entertainment more essential than their health? Whatever season of high and low our sports field is facing, we must not stop raising our tiny flags for them. How can we “win as one” if we are not fighting the battle as united as we should? How can we hope to “heal as one” if the real infection is not really the COVID virus but the nonchalance of those who are seated in position? We must care as one!
I think it is okay to continue professional sports as long as protocols are followed. Some sports like shooting or any individual sports may take a step forward. I don’t advise group sports, for one on one contact is highly expected. However, NBA is still able to hold games. And that’s why I say no. I don’t think it is okay, basically it is pandemic. Remember when some NBA players were infected by the virus? That’s the main thing that will happen when professional sports are followed.
-Krizia Petalio, BSED English and CLT 5
No, we’ve all made sacrifices to lessen our interactions. Especially those who need face to face interactions to pursue other professions. Professional sports is not an exception. As much as possible, professional sports should be discontinued for the moment until the pandemic has been resolved. It is better to be fair and just, than to be leisurely complacent.
-Anthony James Balitayo, BS Nursing 1
I don’t think it is the best time to continue such activities as it can endanger the lives of the players, spectators, and etcetera. Just like what happened in the PBA Games last season, the games were postponed due to a player testing positive. In addition, these postponements and tests are not budget friendly. It’s not financially rational to spend more money while putting the lives of everyone involved on the line.
-Sheela Anjali Mayani, BS Criminology 2
No. We must minimize any kind of interaction because we have to be safe in this time of pandemic.
We have to make sure that we are healthy. And in order for us to achieve this, one must workout, eat healthy to improve our immune system, and most importantly, just simply stay at home.
-Paolo Susi, BS Management and Entrepreneurship 2
SPORTS BUFF BEAT
Yes, but with strict protocols and guidelines. Many people enjoy watching sports. It can be their coping mechanism during these challenging times. Also, professional sports can be of help to the economy. However, as a more contagious variant of the virus is discovered, the players’ and officials’ health should be a top priority. Strict health protocols like vaccination should be implemented.”
-Mikaella Mae Silva, BS IT 2
Personally, I think it is best if only noncontact sports are resumed during this pandemic. Noncontact sports like badminton, tennis, table tennis, golf, and etcetera are safer than sports such as basketball and volleyball which require contact and close proximity as it may increase the risk of acquiring the virus.
-Kathleen Anne Aguilar, BS Physical Therapy 1
We all know that professional players receive payment for their performances in every game, where for some players, it served as their source of income.
However, we could not allow those events to continue because it could not avoid the contact between players that could lead to the spread of the
Coronavirus. Inn this battle, we do not see our enemy, so we need to follow health and safety protocols to protect ourselves; do not sacrifice our health for the things that could be postponed [professional sports].
No, I don’t think professional sports should be continued. This is because professional sports would evidently require trainings that could only be held in conducive locations such as vast fields or indoor arenas. The utilization of masks or face shields will not suffice to avoid the possible spread of the virus during the training periods nor the actual competition. Not only this, but professional sports will require a vast amount of funding for the safety of their players either through vaccination or disinfection area. This in return, might splice the funding that must focused towards healthcare during pandemic.”
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS STUDENT-ATHLETE TITLE IN GLORY
CHRISTLE ANN BERNARDO
Sonny Q. Capio Jr. along with the AUF Great Danes volleyball team capped the coveted gold in the city meet championship last summer, and although that seems far away, the now college sophomore and former NZAAM gold medalist is still in full gears to face the hallmarks of both worlds: sports and academics.
Aside from an early ignited passion for volleyball at 12, Sonny topped his class in elementary and continued to make the cream of the crop in his junior high school days. Eventually, his glorious silver medal from the city meet in senior high school was coupled with a meritorious valedictory address. He, once again, made it to the top— he earned medals, being the two words of ‘student-athlete’.
Standing at five-foot-11, and definitely passing the makings of an open hitter, Sonny is now taking the course Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in his homestead, Angeles University Foundation. The road he took as he bore the title of student-athlete was never easy, in fact, at first, he was not considering to join the Great Danes so he could comfortably maintain his academic scholarship. But a simple tap on the shoulder or a nudge of encouragement was enough to light his flame anew for volleyball. “You are your only limit,” he said, and he took this to heart. “I saw myself going back to the thing that I really wanted to do - to play volleyball.”
Although he admits he wasn’t the most skilled Great Dane, he is definitely one who believes that hard work pays off. “During our tryout, there were a lot of players who are better compared to my skills... I just did my part and reminded myself that trying isn’t that dreadful. It’s true that hard work pays off and I am thankful that I tried,” he stated.
Sonny also realizes that volleyball is a team sport, and so he values his team just as much as he cherishes the sport. Sharing victories is a euphoric feeling, when it was them who were with him during the long and hard days of training. But he is also thankful for the tidbits of advice he received, and most importantly, the trust they shared as one spirited team. “… Thank you for molding me into the best form that I can as an athlete… My journey in AUF will not be exciting without you.”—he added.
With the pandemic halting sporting activities and trainings, Sonny still hopes to get back on the court soon, to come home to his best-loved sport. And for aspiring athletes out there, heed some words from the champ, “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do. We have our own pace and finish line in life.”
The young boy who played volleyball with his friends during PE time is now a college varsity player and a continuous achiever. At present, Sonny Capio Jr. is 19, and still has the best of both worlds.
FEMALE POWER ON THE LEAD A WOMAN WITH A FIERY HEART FOR VOLLEYBALL
JOHN VINCENT MIGUEL
Consistent academic achiever and outside hitter Janellee Pamintuan of Angeles University Foundation Women’s Volleyball Team is a woman who has a beast inside that always strives for the best. Growing up, Janellee manifests a fiery heart in the competitive world of volleyball wherein she snatched various individual recognitions and awards. Janellee kicked off her career when she joined in the fifth grade when she was listed as under trainee. Despite being included in the trainee list, Janellee proved that she deserves a spot in the team by attending training consistently and it paid off when she gained a spot after a year. Sixth-grade Janellee made an appearance on one of the most awaited volleyball competition - Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) wherein she represented Angeles city and bagged a silver medal with a ticket to Palarong Pambansa.
Being one of the people that represented Angeles city in the Palarong Pambansa 2012, Janellee was offered different doors to walk-in including Coach Benjie of Angeles University Foundation offer. She started her student-athlete journey at AUF back in 2013 wherein she was trained and included in the list of the players who competed in different regional and national competitions such as Milo Little Olympics and Shakey’s V-league. As she continues to grow a strong and fiery heart in the field of volleyball, Janelle was selected to be the team-captain from 2015-2019 and aside from being a hardworking student-athlete, she received different academic achievements such as Bronze Academic Achievement (20182019) and The Junior High School Medal of Excellence for Sports. at the same time despite countless failures and discouragements” she answered when I asked her what inspires her. Truly, Janellee deserves recognition because of her mindset and perseverance on striving for what’s best.
Janellee displayed her loyalty to the school and her passion for volleyball up until today. She is one of the people behind the victory of AUF Women’s Volleyball Team in the recently held Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) 2020 where they clinched a gold medal for the university.
Indeed, Janellee is a real woman who has a strong mind and a blazing heart for volleyball.
She serves as an inspiration to the youth who are also striving in different
platforms such as arts, music or even sports like her.
A Forward moving forwards GOLDEN HEART BEHIND GOLD MEDALS
TRISHA LINDO & ADRIAN BLANDO
For some, dribbling the ball is just a hobby, but for others, it is the game of their own season. Basketball is really a life for others because they are getting their life motivation inside the 4-corner court. Every point counts and every point sparks hope for them. Playing this game is no longer a pastime for Angeles University Foundation Men’s Basketball Forward Damian Jules Anunciacion, as he took the lead to become magaling in this field.
Annunciacion is a 2nd year Marketing Management student, who dribbles this field since elementary. He started to practice mastering his 3-point shots when he was still in Grade 6 – just few blocks away from his home – where that time, he never knew that basketball would be his crown and glory. After resting for a year, he bounced back in the field as he really wanted his attention on basketball. In his Junior High School years, Angeles University Foundation – Integrated School (AUFIS) served as his warm-up court, while University of Santo Tomas (UST) served as his harvest court when he committed playing for the school in his Senior High School years. Easy as it sounds, but for Annunciacion, but try out is as hard as his foot work exercises. He needed to surpass almost 1,500 aspiring varsity applicants in UST to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) games. Perseverance and self-trust washis technique and these led him to become the official player of the said university for UAAP seasons 79 and 80. This rare opportunity made him stronger, and now he is going back to his home court— not just as his warm-up court, but as his skill’s daily bread— the home of the great danes: AUF.
As a player, Annunciaon considered himself full of attitude who is very submissive to his coaches and a good team mate to his co-players. He always has the positive outlook, just like with his look-up PBA player Japeth Aguilar, to be persistent and humble in all of your season always. To him, there should be equal opportunity to all aspiring players no matter what school you come from. In fact, he mentioned that AUF can ride the hype of UAAP schools and can win against them. His rejections before made him realized this idea.
Now, he is doing his passion player. His own of motivations and in this field.
With all the continuously as an AUF varsity gym bag is full experiences
action put up by
Anunciacion inside court, what is more stirring is his bigger heart for a bigger game he plays off-court. Aside from being a passionate basketball player, he is also an enthusiastic on being a Youtube vlogger and the snippets of his everyday-life can be watched on his own channel Daemlife & Vlogss that recently started around March of this year.
Staying true to himself and his ideals, and the way he always wear his heart on his sleeves are the things loved by the people about him. He used Youtube in reaching out to more people and to mirror the real Daemian Anunciacion—a man of substance who strives not just of success but of value as well. If you would scroll on his channel, the content of it is a flipping switch of either quick motivational talks where he is happy to spill some tips and how-tos of playing basketball, or his #KAWANGGAWA segment focusing on simple charity works. As he paces the floors of the arena, he also roams around the streets of Angeles City every now and then to look for homeless people who he can share his blessings with, even recalling how the heartfelt tears and simple “thank you” of the needy become the most fulfilling moments for him.
He may be sitting at the normal setup pauses the athletes like him, but he motion—not on the court time. More hustle and daily calendar whereas he online to earn extra found love for another cycling is his leisure time benches now as the new routinely trainings of AUF still finds a way to be in but on real grounds this bustle is clouding his does live-selling of clothes income, while his new sports which is outdoor from his oh-so-busy life.
When asked if he a career in basketball responded by saying to settle for a related job someday. “I’m still young and a lot can happen in a span of a year. I want to be more and do more,” he said.
would still pursue after college, he that he wishes
A footnote he left for those who aspires to be a basketball player was importance of not paying too much attention to those people who says that “you can’t” and “you aren’t capable.” One must turn that scorn into a driving force to be at their highest version of who they are.
Sports thePIONEER
Great Danes pounces on virtual training
TRISHA LINDO
AUF’s varsity team takes a pause from usual face-to-face workout sessions at Sports and Cultural Complex (SCC) and places its paws instead on web-based training through Zoom and Google Meet platforms last August out of the restrictive call of COVID-19 pandemic.
The new setup of the training is scheduled in the morning and only consumes less than two hours of the players’ time as compared to their 4-hour frame during school days, making them more capable to juggle online class.
Most of the tasked drills are basic—composed of body-strengthening and resistance workouts that focus on the movements and forms. Short conferences are also held right after the training to get quick updates. Such a new approach adapted by the university coaches is done for the safety of the players and to keep them conditioned amid the situation.
3rd year Open Spiker, Jolina Torres, spilled how she and other varsity players like her take initiation on training even off-cam.
“I’m trying my best to stay active. On the first month of lockdown, my body craves for the hardcore exercises that we used to experience at the SCC grounds. I felt how my body became heavy because of inactivity, that’s why I decided to do self-training just so I wouldn’t lose my energy in playing despite being locked at home,” she admitted.
“It might be a long time before I’ll find myself on the actual court again, but when I do, I’d like to come back stronger as though the outbreak didn’t freeze my normal routine,” Torres added.
As of now, there are no foreseen events on the agenda board as the coaches would like to shift their focus first on moving into this kind of new transition.
Philippine athletes gunning for tickets to Tokyo Olympics 2021
JOHN VINCENT MIGUEL
Amidst the pandemic, Tokyo Olympics 2021 will be ideally pushed through on 2021 according to the President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee. The Philippines is hoping to send at least 15 delegates to the said world-class event. Persistent training and determination were seen with these professional athletes who are eyeing tickets for Tokyo Olympics 2021.
Delegates from various sports such as rowing, canoekayak, archery, fencing, athletics, golf, karate, judo, triathlon, boxing, weightlifting, skateboarding, and gymnastics have the chance to prove that the Philippines can compete in world-class competition. These hopeful delegates are given time to prepare and train before the Olympic qualifiers that will be held in 2021.
Meanwhile, world-class gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter Ej Obiena, and boxer Eumir Marcial proved themselves and claimed tickets for Tokyo Olympics 2021. Their performances from previous competitions such as World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Pole vaulting athletics meet in Italy, and 2021 Asia and Oceania Olympic boxing qualifiers in Jordan gave them the chance to compete in the most awaited Tokyo Olympics 2021.
Moreover, South East Asian Games gold medalist and no. 14 women’s skateboarder in the world Margielyn Didal has the chance to introduce the Philippines to the Olympics if she will maintain her spot in the top 20. Moreover, Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, cyclists Ariana Dormitorio and Daniel Caluag, and track athletes Kyla Richardson and Willie Morrison have chances of making it to the Tokyo Olympics 2021.
Furthermore, the training and preparation of these athletes are doubled due to the inconvenience brought by the pandemic. The country’s sports federations are communicating with the chef de mission to the Summer Games Mariano Araneta for the preparation of training guidelines for the delegates that will be sent to the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases.
SPORTS FEATURE
Isa, dalawa, tatlo! Reminiscing the Laro ng Lahi
CHRISTLE ANN BERNARDO
It would be apt to say, it seems only yesterday when we were all but carefree children. Drenched in sweat while basking in the hot sun, shouting “Taya!” and laughing uncontrollably— free from worry, fears, and bursting with spirit.
However, to say it seems only yesterday would be false, or incorrect, so to speak. Yesterday, after all, feels so far away. Streets are now lifeless, barren from the cries and squeals of happiness from children playing Langit Lupa or Tumbang Preso— what is left to remind us of our childhood, of the games we tirelessly and repeatedly reveled in?
For the time being, we can cure our nostalgia by delving in the Laro ng Lahi we very much enjoyed in the past, and by re-connecting them to our lives. Laro ng Lahi or the traditional games of the Philippines are one of the reasons Filipinos enjoy or relished their youth. Some of these include the following:
Langit Lupa
Probably the most known Laro ng Lahi, Langit Lupa is played by a group where the Taya chases the other players, but only when they are in the ground or Lupa. When the ones being chased climb a platform or pavement that is considered Langit, they are exempt from being tagged.
Taguan
Taguan is essentially Hide-and-Seek. The Taya will count with eyes closed and gives the other players time to hide. After the countdown, the seeking part of the game begins. There are many variations to Taguan. It could be the Taguan of slippers or other items, or a rushed hide-and-seek where the Taya has to find the ones in hiding before they could “Bang” or tag them.
Maro
Another Laro ng Lahi, Maro or Agawan Base is played by two teams who, as the name suggests, are stealing bases from each other. It starts by the players deciding their ‘base’, and proceeds with the two sides attempting to reach the base of their opponents without getting tagged. When they are tagged, they become the ‘prisoners’ of their foes, but they can still be saved by their allies. another stone which serves as each of the players’ “tanda” or an indicator of where they stopped or missed. The traditional Piko utilizes a set of 10 boxes that are connected and numbered, and corresponds to a certain jump or move. The objective is to reach the tenth box without errors in jumping, then going back again to the starting point.
Luksong Baka
This game has many variations, including Luksong Baboy, or Luksong Tinik. However, all of them involve jumping over something that is gradually increasing in height. Luksong Tinik is done by successfully skipping over the stacked hands (fingers outstretched and connected from thumb to pinky, with the palm facing sideways) of the players. Luksong Baka or Luksong Baboy on the other hand, uses the bodies of the players themselves as the barrier they need to jump over. They begin in a very low, crouched position, and as the level increases, the crouched player is also slowly gaining height by gradually standing.
Patintero
This is played by two opposing groups, taking turns to reach the finish line without being tagged. But this differs from Maro or Agawan Base, as the defending team is actually positioned in parallel ‘stations’ and are running sideways with arms outstretched to prevent the playing team to pass through.
Sipa
Unlike the previously mentioned Laro ng Lahi, this is an individual game. The winner is the one who can produce the most kicks to the tansan consistently. The tansan is attached with straw, and serves as the substitute for the rattan ball usually used in Sepak Takraw, where the traditional game is based.
The pandemic indeed, somehow made us forget, or rather, gave us no time to reminisce the happiest moments of our lives. But with simple reminders of our very own Laro ng Lahi and how they are played, curbing our nostalgia and the longing for that childhood spirit is within reach. When all of this is over, and hopefully, that would be soon, the streets will be filled with carefree children again, and we will be reminded of hope; the euphoric moments we reveled in would truly seem like they were only yesterday.
