The Pioneer 2020-2021 Tabloid

VOLUME XLIX, NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

COMMUNITY PANTRIES TO CONTINUE DESPITE RED-TAGGING

ANA PATRICIA NON. She who started the community pantries.

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PHOTO / ANJO LAPRESCA THROUGH PH TATLER

OPINION

EDITORIAL

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Angeleneans voted for the USC elections

81.12% Angeleneans voted for the CSC elections

NEWS SCOOPS:

P1

Rep. Bargaza passes bill to mandate vaccination in the PH

P2

CAMP snatches overall gold; concludes first virtual U-Week

P3

Thrive Central Luzon with AUF

P4

Asian Hate Crimes, countered by Stop AAPI Hate

Angeleneans elect leaders for next academic year HAZEL JOYCE REYES WITH 80.13% casted votes for the University Student Council and 81.12% for the College Student Councils, the new batch of student leaders are now ascertained as the academic year enfolds to a close.

Angeleneans casted their votes on May 21 and 22 via AUF MyClass Student Portal, following The Pioneer’s recently held #SAUFfrage2021 /Page 3 PADAYON INSYNC. Elected USC Party members pose in Facebook thank you graphics post.

S. Duterte motorcade pushed; E.O. No. 5-2021 in question RHEANNA TUAZON DESPITE IMPLEMENTING “stringent measures and health protocols” as stated by the signed E.O. no. 5-2021 on March 19, Sara Duterte supporters drove motorcades through Jose Abad Santos Avenue, San Juan, City of San Fernando morning after said

order implementation.

In a Facebook post made by citizen-journalist, Reiner Grospe, photos documented several vans and motorcycles on the road with Davao City Mayor Duterte’s banners and tarpaulins. One readable tarpaulin wrote “#SARALL: / PAGE 2

PH keeps its GSP+ status despite human rights violations DOROTHY REYES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (EU) called for a resolution to revoke the Philippines’s duty-free privileges in the European market

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Candlelight

President Duterte, be a Filipino

Pag-ibig na inalay sa bayan

80.13%

LITERARY

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granted by the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) scheme last September.

GSP+ aims to assist vulnerable developing countries integrate into the world economy

by removing tariffs from the products, and is dependent on the effective implementation of the “27 core international conventions on human and labor rights, environmental protection, and /P2

Be updated or give us suggestions through:

The Pioneer AUF

@thepioneerauf

PHOTO / CARL DAVE SANTOS

The Pioneer hallmarks first nationwide event TRISHA MAE CHU PROMOTING FACT-checking and responsible online journalism — The Pioneer’s annual Tayid Tayid 1 on February 20 accommodated more than 200 participants from different high school and college publications all over the Philippines, along with various media partners. This is the first independent nation-wide event of the publication.

Led by guest speakers Rheinlander Musni, former Senior Multimedia Producer of GMA News; and Mark Villaluna, Multimedia Journalist from Manila Bulletin, the webinar focused on / PAGE 3 thepioneer@auf.edu.ph

thepioneerauf

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IO EXCLUSIVES

HUKBONG MAPAGPALAYA Progressive groups protest for 10k ayuda MULTI-SECTORAL GROUPS, including College Editors Guild of the Philippines, submitted a petition to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on April 18. Said petition demands financial aid for marginalized citizens, victims of recent disasters and those laid off from work due to COVID-19.

CEGP Deputy SecretaryGeneral Regina Tolentino stresses the importance of the government’s actions and the lack

thereof, calling it “inefficiency” amidst the country’s desperation.

“As more people are plunged into poverty, and many are laid off and have no sources of income, we

should never get tired of demanding for more accountability,” Tolentino stated.

On April 30, almost 2 weeks after their petition, CEGP

BUMABAKA. Mayo Uno Mob 2021, Angeles City

PHOTOS / KYLE UMIPIG & SPEARHEAD MULTIMED

ESSENTIAL? S Duterte motorcade spotted along Jose Abad Santos Ave., San Juan,

CAMP snatches overall gold; concludes first virtual U-Week DOROTHY ANN RAE REYES THOMAS JEFFERSON OVIVIR KAYE ANN JOY CASTRO WITH THEIR wingspans of grit and razor-sharp vision to prevail, falcons from the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) snatched the overall championship in the recently concluded Virtual University Week while primarily conquesting and being absolute frontrunners in the academic competitions, e-sports and other facets of the said campus-wide endeavor with a garnered score of 438 total points, splintering the six-year gold streak of the reigning College of Business and Accountancy (CBA).

Particularly with the other events, the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) triumphed in the virtual lip sync battle during the first virtual university week.

Meanwhile, CBA came in first for the "Hugot Angelenean: Spoken Poetry.” During the oratorical, Neil David (CAMP) won first; while for the impromptu, Mark Joseph Ganacial (CCJE) placed first.

Due to the constraints brought upon by the pandemic, this is the first circumstance that the annual University Week has been held virtually.

... S. Duterte from P1

Nasa PUSO ang magsasaka, mangingisda at maralita,” with a text on the bottom stating that the slogan is Inday Sara Duterte’s advocacy.

However, in the signed Executive Order no. 5-2021 which is also reiterated and announced publicly by Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda, only 18-60 year-olds are allowed to go out for strict “essential purposes.” This is due to the continuing high number of daily reported COVID-19 cases and mortality rate.

In the same manner, E.O. no. 5-2021, Section Three defines social gathering as a “congregation of more than five people in one place.” Additionally, Section One, Clause C states that only a maximum of two people per household are allowed to go out for essential purposes.

With questioned provisions under the executive order,

pushed through with their social media protest themed “Pambansang Pagkilos Para sa Ayuda” to commence the celebration of Labor Day. League of Filipino Students, Gabriela Women’s Party, and UPLB Perspective are only some of the handful of other protesters that gathered on May 1 for a protest mobilization, and later took to social media to participate in the abovementioned online protest.

Decisions on whether to pass the Bayanihan 3 bill will be determined on the 17th of May.

the Sara Duterte supporters’ motorcade fiasco is questioned by several concerned citizens and youth leaders.

Denisse Macalino, chairperson of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines Central Luzon chapter, expressed her deep displeasure towards the political gimmick.

“I am gravely disgusted by this stunt. This does not end with the motorcade alone; it also can be extended to the heaps of premature election paraphernalia of Sara Duterte scattered all around the province,” Macalino said.

Macalino also expressed her dismay at the officials’ lack of prohibition.

“Since this is politically related, anger should not be enough. We need to launch counter props as well. It is fairly obvious that the money

and the whole operation were not initiated by the people.

What’s worse is that premature campaigning is not penalized,” she added.

This motorcade campaign scheme is also being done all over the north of Manila, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.

It should also be noted that aside from the motorcade in question, there are also a myriad of tarpaulins and posters of Duterte posted in the vicinity, including Angeles City. While this is not counted as a violation of election laws as per COMELEC, it is already propagandistic in nature.

Other ploys are also in play such as the contact tracing logbook submitted by an anonymous netizen to CEGPCentral Luzon which is a petition pushing Duterte to run.

...despite human rights violations from P1 good governance.”

Grounds for revocation are the country’s "rapidly deteriorating human rights" situation, particularly the extrajudicial killings by police and military force under President Rodrigo Duterte's government. To add to this, foreign lawmakers are pointing at the country’s restricted freeTHE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

speech, including the detainment of prominent journalists like Maria Ressa, as well as imprisoning politicians from the opposition on trumped-up charges.

In spite of these human rights violations, the Philippines did not lose its GSP+ status. It was noted by the annual evaluation of the EU that the Philippines made

PHOTOS / REINER GROSPE, FACEBOOK POST

SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ

progress in the areas of labor rights, environmental protection, climate change, and good governance.

The withdrawal of these privileges would have significantly impacted the Philippine economy, which could lead up to an estimated loss of 200,000 jobs, according to VP Leni Robredo.

IO EXCLUSIVES

...Angeleneans elect where candidates publicized their sociopolitical beliefs in the spirit of civic consciousness.

The following will assume office next semester:

For the USC... Carl Dave Santos (President), John Lester Santiago (Vice President), Marko Miguel Soliman (Secretary), Mary Antoneth Manansala (Treasurer) and Sheela Anjali Mayani (PRO).

CSC-CON... Inigo Von Fabian (President), Joshua Renz Mangalino

CSC-CBA... Juaquim Lorenzo Santiago (Pres), John Lucas Tayag (VP), Mykee Allyana Santiago (Sec), (VP), Czejkyla Blaesi Santos (Secretary), Kim Cedric Ponio (Treasurer) and Ryzen Reigne Mergal (Treasurer) and Hazel Joyce Reyes (PRO).

Edward Sembrano (PRO),

CSC-CCJE... Alicia Abby Ann

CSC-CAMP... Carl Jefferson Ang (Pres), Siera Mae De Guzman Ponio (Pres), Patricia Gabriella Romero (VP), Kyla Beatrice Yutuc (Sec), (VP), Kaye Ann Joy Castro (Sec), Maureen Perez (Treasurer) and Aeiou Jemima Guiao (Treasurer) and Shaira Manlutac (PRO).

Mae Juco (PRO).

CSC-CCS... Dian Raisa

CSC-CAS... Irish Jean Rivera Pangilinan (Pres), Carlo Alfonso (Pres), Mary Faustina Cayanan (VP), Lintag (VP), Francis Ivan Cunanan Sofia Beatrice Agenar (Sec), Christle (Sec), Joshua Christian Cortez Ann Bernardo (Treasurer) and Aila (Treasurer) and Jay-ar Anunciacion Nicole Pili (PRO).

The Pioneer hallmarks...

PUBLICITY MATERIAL / KIAN FRANCIS PERALTA

the significance of analyzing online news and information in the digital age as well as responsible digital journalism.

Musni emphasized in his talk that as aspiring journalists and regular citizens, it is important to be

from page 1

from page 1

vigilant online and know the ways on how to identify fake news from facts.

“[You must] be mindful of what you consume online and be vigilant when it comes to dealing with fake news,” he said.

Musni also took time in discussing the difference of information, misinformation, and disinformation as these terms are incorrectly understood by many.

On the other hand, Villaluna mainly discussed digital journalism and the importance of stories emerging in our society.

He mentioned that even if there is a change in the way journalism is presented, particularly the platform, it is still the journalist’s responsibility to underline the issue that truly needs emphasis.

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(PRO).

CSC-CEA... Eigdelbert Hamuel Agulto (Pres), Edcel Amoloria (VP), Emmanuel Carreon (Sec), Annah Jonah Reyes (Treasurer) and Heather Chloe Tulan (PRO).

CSC-CED... Chassel Paras (Pres), Eaudene Canlas (VP), Jeri Mae Laxamana (Sec), Joshua Javier (Treasurer) and Liezel Pineda (PRO).

List is obtained from the Office of Student Affairs and Financial Aid.

THRIVE Central Luzon with AUF DOROTHY REYES ANGELES UNIVERSITY Foundation (AUF) supports locals as it partakes in the local innovation program called Technological Hive of Regional Innovation for a Vibrant Ecosystem (THRIVE) Central Luzon.

THRIVE aims to provide another avenue for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses to ameliorate their products or services, especially in the areas of technological advancement, research and development, and other innovation-related requisites. In partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other

stakeholders, a launching took place online, with a virtual signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the establishment and upkeep of the structure.

In addition, a local university will receive two million pesos worth of seed funding to establish a business innovation unit in support of THRIVE Central Luzon as announced by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology during the event.

THRIVE is part of the Philippine government's expanding network of Regional Inclusive Innovation Centers (RIIC).

PHOTO / USAID PHILIPPINES

PHOTO / DAILY TRAIBUNE

Community pantries to continue despite red-tagging SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ MAGINHAWA COMMUNITY Pantry, led by Ana Patricia Non, temporarily re-opened to serve the community on April 21 after becoming viral online for their makeshift community pantry on April 14. However, due to various red-tagging incidents, Non temporarily shut down the pantry for the safety of her volunteers.

Quezon City Police District and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) took to Facebook

and posted claims of communist parties using makeshift pantries for their propaganda. Non stated that their intentions in building the pantries are solely for the good of their community, but they will have to stop operations for their safety.

“Magbigat sa pakirandam ko kasi maganda po ang intentions ko noong binuo ko ang #CommunityPantry at ilang araw na din po na napakaraming pinagsisilbihan nito at ganun din po ang tulong na dumadating.”

(It is a heavy feeling for me because my intentions were honest when I started the community pantry, and we have already served so many of those in need, along with the help we receive.)

“Sigurado po maraming tao po ang pipila sa amin bukas pero kailangan po muna nila maghintay sa susunod na araw bago po ito maipamahagi. Lalo na po at nagkaproblema kanina ang ibang Community Pantry sa mga kapulisan.”

(I am certain that so many are going to wait in line tomorrow, but we have to wait for a few more days before continuing. Especially when other community pantries have had trouble with the police force.)

Despite all the red-tagging and conflicts with the police force, community pantries became a movement in various places within the country. “‘Pag may isang

gumawa ng mabuti, lahat gagaya (When one person does a good deed, everyone else follows),” Judy Ann, one of the volunteers, said.

Non’s initiative in creating makeshift community pantries where people can give and take according to their ability and needs is inspired by the government’s lack of response. “Pagod na akong magreklamo… Pagod na ako sa inaction,” she told Rappler.

As of present, Filipinos are organizing more community pantries.

An online platform named Saan May Community Pantry tracks community pantries across the country for the convenience of those in need, which already pinned down 800 locations in April.

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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IO EXCLUSIVES

Asian Hate Crimes, countered by Stop AAPI Hate ISABELLE MAGLALANG University San Bernardino states that Asian hate crimes have surged STOP ASIAN Americans and significantly in early 2021. More Pacific Islanders Hate (Stop AAPI high-profile attacks include the Hate) announced in May that a year into the pandemic, the United shootings in Atlanta, leaving six States has seen more than 6,600 hate women of Asian descent dead.

In early May, two Asian incidents. Anti-Asian hate crimes, during the first quarter of the year, women were attacked in Manhattan increased to 223% in New York City by a man asking them to remove their mask. The attacker swung his alone. hammer at them as the women tried

Center for the Study of to fight back. According to reports, Hate and Extremism at Cal State

one was taken to the hospital due to a wound on the head and no arrests have been made yet.

Despite the sudden increase in Asian hate crimes in the United States, many remain undisclosed due to the victims’ mistrust of the law, language barriers, and migration status.

Russell Jeung, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, adds that the data remains unstable due to the lack of

awareness and media attention, with most incidents remaining unreported.

The United States Senate has passed a bill to counter the increasing hate crimes committed against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. United States President Joe Biden expresses support of said bill, emphasizing that he will sign it as soon as it reaches his desk.

NEWS FEATURE

Angeleneans underscore importance of unified action, mobilize community pantries ANGELENEANS SERVED the community through recently taking part in multiple community pantries and social work. Said community pantries around the country have prompted an opportunity for the Filipino people to lend their hands to the unprivileged and deprived in the midst of a health crisis.

As Angeleneans adhere to one of the academe’s core values, may malasakit sa kapwa, in the pursuit of an economic downturn, students from different colleges partook in becoming driving forces behind a number of pantries within their respective communities.

Katherine Denice Yunting, a third year Communication major from the College of Arts and

Teacher’s Pen grabs Tayid-Tayid 2 overall win TRISHA MAE CHU COLLEGE OF Education’s official college publication, Teacher’s Pen, won overall champion in The Pioneer’s annual Tayid Tayid 2 competition, a university-wide press conference held on March 6.

Contributing the most to this victory are the winning compositions of Jovelyn Tabago for Development Communication Writing and Kriza Petalio for Editorial Writing. Moreover, Pink Penelopy Flores secured both medals for Feature Writing and Most Outstanding College Journalist award.

Prior to the virtual writing competition, The Pioneer’s

Executive Committee and Editors Committee officers, namely Rheanna Tuazon, Samantha Gutierrez, Dorothy Reyes, Clarise Mercado, Kevin Arcelo, Trisha Lindo and Adrian Blando, premiered a short webinar foregrounding news, feature, sports, literary, editorial and development communication respectively.

Winning participants from other categories include Monica Ysabel Himor from The AlliMed Explorer (College of Allied Medical Professions); Louis Nicole Manarang for News Writing; and Kyle Katreece Nabong for Sports Writing, both from Nurscene (College of Nursing). On the other hand, Nurscene and The AlliMed Explorer garnered second and third Best College Publication titles respectively.

Rep. Barzaga passes bill to mandate vaccination in the PH ISABELLE MAGLALANG

“MANDATORY COVID-19 Immunization Act of 2021” or House Bill 9252, filed on April

26 in the House of Representatives

by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., mandates all Filipinos to be vaccinated for free at any government hospitals or public health centers.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Sciences went in the forefront of establishing Mipanantabe (a Kapampangan term which directly defines as solidarity and togetherness) Community Pantry, an initiative that according to Yunting, stemmed from her and her friends’ compassion for the greater good.

“This project has given me the sense of fulfillment and humbleness. Seeing the smiles on their faces while we are giving food made me feel like I have done another mission successfully,” Yunting said.

An influx of people from Barangay Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac were given essential goods from said pantry which was assisted by the Community Anti-crime Group.

Moreover, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology freshman from the same college, Thomas Jefferson Ovivir, started Manyampukaki (an adjective which means overflowing or abundant in Kapampangan) Community Pantry with his former schoolmates in Barangay Sto. Domingo II, Capas, Tarlac.

When asked about the project, Ovivir said, “To become an oasis for others in this desert of drought because of the pandemic sparked so much joy, and I hope this gave my fellow Angeleneans a nudge to also do something in communion with the oppressed.”

The Department of Health is opposed to the bill, stating that there must be exemptions. Said exemptions could only be for those people who have medical conditions and people who are deemed by specialists as unfit to receive the vaccine. Furthermore, the house bill requires medical certificates to certify all aforementioned situations.

As such, when a person is found guilty of violating the act a fine of not more than 50,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than a year will be imposed. Barzaga adds that such measures are “imperative to solve the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and achieve herd immunity or population immunity.”

Likewise, Director General of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Eric Domingo stated in an interview that vaccines should have consent by the person. This is for the reason that COVID-19 vaccines are only under emergency use and are still at the developmental stage.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire adds

that even the World Health Organization and its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization seeks to keep the immunization process voluntary.

“When we get vaccinated, we think not only of ourselves, but our loved ones, our community, and the whole population… But at this stage, with vaccines still in the developmental stage, we cannot mandate people to accept these vaccines because they are not really completed yet,” Vergeire said.

Barzaga filed the bill after a survey in February showed that six out of ten Filipinos are hesitant with the vaccines.

ERSPECTIVE seas of the country for ‘economic gains.’

However, it is unfortunate that between unconstitutionally boosting ‘unsure’ economic ties and protecting national territories, the President chose the former.

Moreover, this is a chess move thought by a toddler as the worth of the West Philippine Sea is much greater than the diplomatic relations and investments of the China to the Philippines. Said $24 billion is pea bite-sized compared to the value of sea riches inside the West PH Sea. This territorial water of the Philippines stores unexploited oil and gas deposits; not to mention, the largest coral reefs and an abundant number of fishes and other seafood.

It is loudly harebrained that the leader chose to go by this course of action.

EDITORIAL

POINT THREE: WILL PH GO TO WAR WITH CHINA FOR DISPUTING?

How will PH go to war? It is plainly fallacious to invoke fear on the citizens by emphasizing the possibility of war with a superpower. The deceptive ‘insist on Hague “Kapag ayaw nila, I will ask the Navy to bring La Salle College of Law with certificates in ruling’ or ‘go to war with China’ is an inept me to the nearest boundary, diyan sa Spratly, International Law from the Hague Academy apathy towards international relations and sa Scarborough. Bababa ako at sasakay ako of International Law and Masters of Laws law. ng jetski, dala-dala ko ang flag ng Filipino at in International Law from Duke University

It should be understood that pupunta ako dun [sic] sa airport ng China negated the president’s claims through his with the Philippine-US Mutual Defense tapos itanim ko.” is Duterte’s claim five column, “HOWIE SEE IT: Just a piece of Treaty, the last thing China would do to the years ago, which he declined recently, when paper.” He claimed that an international Philippines is to touch it. This is because if he persuaded the people that through his court’s decision is based on a “collective the latter terrorizes or declares war on the leadership, ‘change is coming.’ However, it did commitment that countries enter into Philippines for the WPS dispute, the United come, change did transpire— just not in the stipulating that they will honor, protect and States of America would be able to step in. way we expected it to. Between insisting that abide by a certain conduct that is respected Also, on The Diplomat’s report back in 2015, the West Philippine Sea is ours and debunking among the international community.” it is explained that China operates on “Three the mythical nine-dash claim of China, what Therefore, the arbitral tribunal of the United Warfares.” These are public opinion warfare, he did was sleep.

Nations Convention on the Law of Sea psychological warfare, and legal warfare.

Moreover, how does one lead the (UNCLOS) is pivotal to PH sovereignty.

So far, it has done great efforts to sabotage nation without primarily respecting the

What President Duterte did when Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and our own constitution? How can a president fulfill he referred to the Philippines' award in the in terms of psychological ability through his duty of “serving the Filipino” without West Philippine Sea arbitration as a simple several reclamation projects. respecting first that the Philippines is a “piece of paper” is an upfront treachery to

There will be no blood in the sovereign state? On a greater sense, how the state— predominantly, his disinterest rightful execution of dispute— in fact, can President Duterte preserve the National and immobility towards China’s fullIndonesia and Vietnam have boldly and Territory (enshrined in the Article 1 of the blown bullying is a betrayal. This serves vehemently condemned the doings of 1987 Constitution) if China matters more to as a reminder that he would more readily China to their Exclusive Economic Zone. him? The Philippines might not be an official succumb to the blustering of a superpower So far, there is no war or nuclear conflict. province of China, but its president sure has than assert our sovereign rights. For an Furthermore, the state and its leaders can his heart set on all-out subservience. unfair price of small promised investment never allow other country to threaten and “friendship,” he has abandoned his prime war when the disputes (the WPS dispute POINT ONE: ‘JUST A PIECE OF PAPER’? duty of serving the Filipino people. in subject, particularly) has already been

Last Wednesday night, it should be decided through an international ruling. It is reiterated that the president stated that ‘the POINT TWO: WPS DISREGARDED BY already clear and obvious that the President winning of the Philippines over the imperialist PRESIDENT DUTERTE FOR $24B— himself, who is forcing that the country China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration INDIRECTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL should never go to war with China even was just a piece of paper that he opts to just

The question lies between ‘fighting though it was not a looming actuality from throw away.’ It was not just a regular sheet or for PH’s national territorial waters’ and the beginning, is using fear as an instrument parchment— such reflects an international ‘securing diplomatic relations,’ and upon to make submission to said imperialist decision that the Philippines owned more choosing the latter, President Duterte country valid. than 80 percent of the West Philippine Sea and took home $15B accounts for company Therefore, the excuses of “power that China had no international rights over to-company deals and $9B accounts for imbalance” and “war threats” are mythical the water in any way. This nullifies the bully’s loans back in 2016— that is a total of $24B. and should be dismissed. This is a ridiculous claim on our exclusive economic zone, how is However, is that amount of money enough to way of shrouding President Duterte’s it merely a piece of paper? surrender a large piece of the territory? incompetence and fear.

Atty. Howard Calleja, a law professor Even the 1987 Constitution entails at the Ateneo de Manila Law school and De that it is prohibited to pawn any territorial POINT FOUR: CHINA’S ONGOING

President Duterte, be a Filipino

5

DAMAGE TO THE TERRITORIAL SEA

Even without official ownership, China’s reclamation activities and illegal fishing operations have been causing damages to the reef ecosystems of the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands worth P33.1 billion every year. This amount still does not include sea areas that are invisible to satellites, it could have been higher. If this persists, our country’s food security and fishermen’s products might be put into danger.

POINT FIVE: #DUTERTEDUWAG AND #DUTERTERESIGN TRENDING

#DuterteDuwag and #DuterteResign have proliferated as netizens called out the president’s incompetence.

On President Duterte’s speech, he irresponsibly barked at retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio by calling him "ug*k" and accused the former with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario of being involved in the verdict to draw out Navy ships from the WPS. President Duterte also claimed that he would punch Del Rosario if he sees him. Furthermore, he challenged Carpio to a debate; and when the latter accepted the challenge and urged the former to keep his word of resigning if his claims were proven false, the former backed out and sent out Presidential Spox Harry Roque to face Carpio instead.

It is true and understandable that the Filipino people would feel dismay— if President Duterte cannot keep his words for issues as minuscule as this, how can the people be sure that he can stand up for the country?

In the same way, this can also be likened to a high school bully who would dare taunt a schoolmate to fight with him— and when accepted, he would send out his mother instead.

With all said, this is the people’s message and call to action: Mr. President, stop sleeping and be a Filipino, be the leader you claimed to be and execute your sworn duty of serving the Filipino people as Chief Executive. The people call to embolden their leader to strengthen his knees and take a stand for the country as he truly should.

Furthermore, it is China’s role, the bully, to delegitimize the arbitration process of our dispute— do not do their jobs for them as we are not lapdogs. The Filipino people do not need a Chinese-favoring godfather, what they need is a leader.

EDITORIAL BOARD A.Y. 2020-2021 MA. RHEANNA TUAZON Editor in Chief | SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ Associate Editor | ADRIAN POUL BLANDO Managing Editor | DOROTHY ANN RAE REYES News Editor | KEVIN VALEN ARCELO Literary Editor | TRISHA LINDO Sports Editor | ANN CLARISE MERCADO Features Editor | ALLEN DAVE TUBANGUI Circulations Manager | CHRISTIAN ANDREW TORRES, DENZEL DIZON, RALPH LAURENCE PERALTA Photojournalists | KIAN FRANCIS PERALTA Cartoonist | KAYE ANN JOY CASTRO, AILA PILI, AZEL RAPHAEL FLORES, RIONA PALO, CHA TANGLAO, GABRIEL DY Graphics Artists and Contributors | MA. CLARIZ ISABELLE MAGLALANG, TRISHA MAE CHU, THOMAS JEFFERSON OVIVIR News Correspondents | JOHN LESLIE LAYUG, CARL DAVE SANTOS, GERINE GONZALES, YANCY MORON, HAZEL JOYCE REYES Features Correspondents | ANGELO FERNANDEZ, RAHUL MODY, CHELSEA GALANG, MAITRI CHAVDA Literary Correspondents | JOHN VINCENT MIGUEL, CHRISTLE ANN BERNARDO Sports Correspondents | MRS. CRISTINA REYES University Paper Adviser P: 0919-648-8069 O: A212, Main Building, Angeles University Foundation, McArthur Hi-Way, Angeles City 2009, Pampanga, Philippines W: https://www.facebook.com/ThePioneerAUF

Bridging Gaps. Unity in Diversity. Write to Serve.

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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ANORAMA

VOX POPULI

Dalisay na pag-ibig sa bayan Ma. Rheanna F. Tuazon Editor in Chief | AB Communication tuazon.marheanna@auf.edu.ph

“

Ang ganda mong nahubog sa piling ng masa.

Hinding-hindi kukupas, 'di malalanta.”

Bagama’t napakabigat, at sa saktong oras ng pagsulat ang pagbawi sa buhay ni Ka JC— isang masugid na tagapagtanggol ng mga pesante’t api, ay ipipilit pa rin ang kudlit ng pluma. Ito ay higit pa sa magindapat na alay sa mga taong kagaya ni Ka JC na nagbigay buhay sa maraming puso.

Itong espasyong ito kung saan ako sumusulat— ang mismong tinta’t salitang ibinubuhos sa panulat... nais ko itong ilaan sa mga nag-alay ng sariling buhay para sa pag-ibig sa bayan.

Hinding-hindi ko maitago ang nararamdamang pighati; at siyang rason kung bakit nagdadalamhati ay dahil sa pagkawala ng isang bayani. Tunay na mayroong mga namamatay para sa ipinaglalaban; kung kaya’t ito ang pampaalab upang magpatuloy sa taglay na prinsipyo at sining makabayan. Nakalulumbay, at sa patuloy na paniniil ng estado’y kailangan pang may maisadlak.

“

Ito ay higit pa sa magindapat na alay sa mga taong kagaya ni Ka JC na nagbigay buhay sa maraming puso.

Mga mabubuting anak ng bayan, ang puso’y nagsisilbi nang walang hantay na kapalit. Hindi ko talaga maitago ang paghanga

ko sa bawat pagsusumakit at pagpupunyagi. Kailanman ay nakatatak na sa akin kung gaano katatag ang taglay na pag-ibig.

Sa bawat hawak at hiyaw sa mikropono, at sa bawat inindang init, pagod, at kahinaan— patuloy ang pagporma ng mataas na respeto ko para sainyo. Hangga’t laya’y malayo pa sa kamay ng bayan, walang araw na hindi naisip magsakripisyo para sa mga naisisiil.

Ito lamang at Ka JC, hindi ka pangkaraniwan. “Ang ligaya niyo’y nasa ngiti ng mga dukha’t api.”

Simbolo ng tapang— humarap sa bawat pagsubok, andirito ang hindi mapantayang

paghanga sa isang magiting na gaya mo. Ang katibayan ng loob ay siyang pulang tingkad ng rosas, at kagaya ng namukadkad na bulaklak ay marilag ang istorya’t paninindigan.

Mga taong alay sa bayan ay dalisay na pag-ibig na sa tuwina’y pamukawsigla at inspirasyon ay siyang mga anak ng bayan. Sila’y sumibol sa despotikong panahon, lumaban, at nag-alay ng buhay para sa bayan— sila’y handog sa atin ng Poong Maykapal.

Ka JC, sagana kayo sa pagmamahal, maraming salamat.

Lumipas man ang mahabang panahon, ang pag-ibig ninyong inalay sa bayan ay naiukit at hinding-hindi malalanta.

Mabuhay ka, Ka JC.

DE FACTO

On death beds and deceptive casualness Samantha G. Gutierrez

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ilipinos are dying in their cars, by hospital doors.

Others are dying at home, in tents, and outside emergency rooms. Anywhere around the country, death gives off its unmasked stench of false promises and helplessness, while those with power enjoy double doses of the vaccine we could die for.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that the Philippines denied the offer of hospital beds for the reason that it only covered 15 out of the 200 that was promised. So, what exactly happened? Health Secretary Francisco Duque III happened.

Duque somehow managed to botch the deal with an Austrian company, failing generously to secure what the country needed most at the moment and casually refused to be reprimanded during a Cabinet meeting. A “shouting session” reportedly happened during a Cabinet meeting, all the while our frontliners are dying of

Associate Editor | AB Communication gutierrez.samantha@auf.edu.ph

the virus, cases are soaring, and 600 more ICU beds are needed in Metro Manila. More than a year into the pandemic and we are only managing to nag a proposal for hospital beds that would barely solve our country’s massive problems.

Furthermore, the country’s consistent dependence and support for China has cost the country yet another 25,000 jobs. The Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines reported that three factories were shut down due to DOH’s preference to purchase personal protective equipment from China and other countries instead of their own—just another local sector battered down into nothingness due to the government’s muck up.

It is like rubbing salt on wounds, as we are all still haunted by the failed Pfizer vaccine negotiations.

In some way, somehow, our health secretary managed to butcher our small chance of surviving the pandemic for a few more years. 10 million doses of the vaccine would

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have expedited the vaccination process among our frontliners, but instead, we are all left to fight for the limited number of vaccines.

Senator Panfilo Lacson stated his dismay in a cryptic tweet regarding losing the vaccines to another country.

“In July, we passed the ball to him. Instead of aiming at the hoop, he scratched his balls so he dropped the ball even as time was running out. Then, Singapore grabbed and shot the ball,” Lacson stated.

Along with this, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted the same sentiments tinged with obvious disappointment and anger, stating how we were so close to achieving the vaccines, had it not been mishandled by one person.

“That said my thanks [sic] just the same to US Sec of State Mike Pompeo we – Babe Romualdez and I – got 10 million doses of Pfizer financed by World

Bank and ADB to be shipped thru FEDEX to Clark in January.

But somebody dropped the ball,” Locsin said.

“

In some way, somehow, our health secretary managed to butcher our small chance of surviving the pandemic for a few more years.

As of May, only 1.6% (1,689,892) are vaccinated with one dose, and only 0.3% (309,385) are completed with two doses. It is not rocket science to know that it will take years to vaccinate the country’s 108 million population.

This just guarantees us nothing but years more to suffer the consequences of having a faulty set of leaders. While they are getting away with messing up and risking the entire Filipino nation, being branded as heroes while they are at it, we are left to fight for scraps, desperate for hospital beds.

ANORAMA

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COGITO

Anti-Asian Hate Crime and Humanity in a Pandemic Adrian Poul Blando

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hey say that history repeats itself. Things that were horrifying before could happen again in the present. Right now, the nightmare we have to relive is the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, particularly among those living outside the confines and safety of their own lands.

In 1871, in Los Angeles, California, the infamous Chinese Massacre happened. White and Hispanic people bullied, attacked, and killed Chinese residents in Chinatown. Today, the same scenario is being repainted as some Asians are experiencing life-threatening actions from other races. Between March 2020 and February 2021, the organization Stop AAPI Hate received 1,691 reports regarding

Managing Editor | BSED English and CLT blando.adrianpoul@auf.edu.ph

anti-Asian hate crimes. This includes high-profile hate crimes such as the shootings in Atlanta that killed eight women, six of which were of Asian descent. Even elderlies were not shown mercy, as a senior Asian citizen received unprovoked attacks from their neighborhood in Oakland’s Chinatown. On March 10, a Filipina was grabbed by the neck and slammed to the ground in San Jose's Diridon Station while her attacker yelled anti-Asian slurs.

It is undeniable that these attacks are mainly caused by the pandemic. As a reaction to the news that the virus originated from Wuhan, China, along with former USA President Donald Trump regarding it as a “Chinese virus,” the people were led to believe that

Asians are carriers of the virus, and they must be sent back and “put in their places.” This prompted various people of Asian descent to hastily cover themselves up with beanies and sunglasses before heading out to avoid getting recognized.

The entire world created noise when they saw the oppression of the black community. The #BlackLivesMatter campaign trended globally and everyone shouted the same plea. Generally speaking, this is an issue of racism and is the same issue with the anti-Asian hate crimes. The noise that they created in this issue should speak the same volumes in fighting this present discrimination. If the world cried for the black community, the world should cry for Asians, too.

“

If the world cried for the black community, the world should cry for Asians, too.

Nobody deserves to be treated this way because of their race and the #StopAAPIHate deserves as much recognition as the BLM movement. At such times when lives are lost and people are at risk of getting hurt, we need more acknowledgement from the people and the media. More than ever, we have to show support for our kind across the globe, through actively talking about these issues and pressuring their countries to take action.

AD HONOREM

Addressing gaps Dorothy Ann Rae Reyes News Editor | BS Psychology reyes.dorothyannrae@auf.edu.ph

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t has been well over two years since the COVID-19 pandemic plagued the shores of the country, and until now there has been no notable change with the government’s overall response, which has been fraught with incompetence and terror.

It revealed several lapses in the administration, including failure to address the primary crisis of public health and safety; difficulties in transporting agriculture and food commodities from the farms or ports to the urban consumers due to inefficient transport and road systems; economic decline; and unpreparedness for continued education to name a few.

As such, many progressive groups, organizations, and human rights activists provided much needed support by offering PPEs, food, medicine, and financial aid to fill the gaps left by the government.

In spite of this, they have been

met with unjust allegations and imprisonment because of differing political ideals. This phenomenon is quite common in the streets of the Philippines and is widely known as red-tagging.

Human rights activists say that red-tagging is the act of labelling individuals as communists or terrorists without substantial evidence often by government supporters and state officials. Medical professionals, activists, educators, students, and journalists are among those who have been targeted. As a result, at least 78 people have been killed and some 136 arrests have been made in the past year, according to human rights group Karaptan.

In relation to this, those who have been imprisoned because of stances contrary to those of their government, known as “political prisoners,” have been shadowed, hardly acknowledged by the media.

False allegations are often leveled

against political prisoners. They are through utilizing different social media platforms to accused of ordinary crimes rather than political acts to thwart them demonstrate their indignation at the unjust accusations from posting bail. To add, they are denied due process, civil and political and detention of political rights. Among them are ordinary prisoners, and to vent antigovernment grievances citizens accused of supporting insurgents especially if they live in accumulated over five years of areas occupied by the likes of the New authoritarian rule.

People’s Army, the military arm of the Although it has been Communist Party of the Philippines. extremely difficult especially during this time, Filipinos still put themselves at risk They are accused of ordinary crimes to protect our rights. People rather than political who were previously too acts to thwart them passive, cowed, or indifferent from posting bail. To to complain about things add, they are denied they saw as wrong with the due process, civil and political rights. government have become empowered to demand reform, including the resignation of authorities

Social advocacies for human responsible for the welfare rights have been making significant of the Filipinio people. It is a impact, keeping Filipinos engaged positive development for the and educated on various social issues cause of protecting our rights.

“

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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ANORAMA

VICIT

Food not fear Trisha Lindo

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ag red-tag ayon sa hinala, pumapel dahil lang may ginintuang chapa.

Paranoia seems to poison the camouflage-uniformed men again, labelling volunteers of community pantry as part of a ‘communist party.’ The bayanihan act of Filipinos through the setup of carts loaded with basic food and necessities in order to ease the hunger and needs that most people, the marginalized specifically, experience this pandemic caught eyes and urged others to do the same. This drive that mushroomed at least 300 pantries now over various localities originated from Ana Patricia Non who started and organized the first community pantry in Maginhawa Community, Quezon City with the micro-socialist ideology, “Kumuha ayon sa pangangailangan, magbigay batay sa kakayahan.”

Knowing much of our military force’s character, there is

Sports Editor | AB Communication lindo.trisha@auf.edu.ph

nothing that their nose can’t sniff.

The selfless movement started by Non is deemed by Anti-communist Task Force Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. as a work of Satan—reflecting from the biblical story of how Eve was once deceived by evil, thus the root of sin. National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) believes that there is a hidden agenda behind Non’s initiative and that it is probably controlled by a communist organization to subtly lure people onto their side by winning their hearts in service. For the gunned men, Ana Patricia Non is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The fear of being red-tagged as rebels has scared off some pantry volunteers in pushing through with said community service. There were reports that others were harassed by the police and were also urged to fill out forms. Thus, one thing is clear— the government and military feel threatened. They impose fear because they themselves fear the power of the

filled; there will be no community pantry in the first place if the government provides enough service for its people.

Now, they cannot just throw people the usual “Ano ba ang ambag mo?” question because all we know is that Filipinos can do so much more than the combined powers of They are that weak, the seated. The answer doesn’t rely cowardly, and shameful anymore on the promises of leaders under their projected full of false hopes but rather on the bravado collective action of people. We are not expecting the government to

If you’ll ponder about it, they are alarmed because it exposes move for us, we can do it ourselves without their help. too much of the government’s

Community pantries failure in addressing food must continuously thrive and be security—the one in a million encouraged. People who like to pandemic problems that weren’t extend helping hands must be given solutions until now. It is a admired and not shadowed by hurtful slap for the leaders to see threats. Pantries can inclusively that the things meant to be done by them are executed by the people embrace all people and serve them regardless of their social status; it instead. Indeed, the only thing that is consistent is the authority’s is a tangible sign of hope amidst incompetence. The existence of the hopelessness. We have the power now to kill the PNP and AFP with community pantry is a sign that there is a great need needing to be kindness. people. It’s silly to think that simple community pantries can be a striking jab on their egos. They are that weak, cowardly, and shameful under their projected bravado— all dressed in crisp uniforms and adorned with gold badge yet afraid in a food cart laid on the street.

“

CARPE DIEM

Game Changers of 2022 Ann Clarise Mercado

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ilipinos vent their frustrations regarding the incompetence of the government, particularly their response to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. At present, #MagpaRehistroKa para sa #Halalan2022 trends on all the social media sites in the country, tapping into the minds of the youth, willing them to become registered voters and be the game-changers of the upcoming elections.

National elections are scheduled on May 9th of the following year, which constantly reminds us of our revered duty as the sovereign Filipino people. This includes our right to cast our vote for who will be the next president, vice president and 12 senators,

Features Editor | BS Biology mercado.annclarise@auf.edu.ph

and who will become members of the House of Representatives and the local officials who will be in the public service for the next six years and three years, respectively.

Undeniably so, elections are beyond doubt the lifeblood for the democracy of a nation.

In the past elections, our desperate hopes for change turned out to increase and exacerbate the severe problems of our country.

From the societal injustices, economic inequities, prevalent poverty and hunger, widespread unemployment, poor standard education and health care system, attacks on our territorial integrity by a foreign authority, up to the wrecking blow of the pandemic and the left-and-right red tagging of the alleged “enemies” of the

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state—these all turn into an eyesore and an eye-opener to many Filipinos, especially the youth.

The youth, and their constantlymisjudged use of social media, turn out to be misinterpreted by many. After the United States election 2020, in which Joe Biden wins over President Donald Trump, it is revealed that 53% of the qualified youth voters cast their votes, which became a key driver for the outcomes. This ignites the hope of the Filipinos that we can still achieve the government we deserve; celebrities and influencers have clamored online that we can do that too and encouraged the millennials and Gen Zs to register to vote.

According to the data from Philippine Statistics Authority

(PSA) and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) there are 40 million Filipinos ages 18 to 35 who are eligible to vote in 2022.

COMELEC said that there were 2.6 million registered first-time voters for the 2022 elections and hoped to reach their 4 million first-time registered voters target before the registration ends on September 30, 2021.

“

Undeniably so, elections are beyond doubt the lifeblood for the democracy of a nation.

Cliché as it may sound but “ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng Continue on next page

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Gamechangers... from Page 8 bayan,” in which the youth have the means to re-shape and reset our national politics away from an incompetent and abusive authority, still stands true.

The botched war on drugs, the terrible West Philippine Sea drama, the anti-poor, inadequate and catastrophic COVID-19 response and the allocated 3 billion pesos to combat COVID versus 14 billion pesos allocated to tourism, the dolomite fiasco, the PhilHealth

15 billion-peso scandal are only some of the multiple other failures served to us by our elected leaders.

It is high time for us to seek change and make a change.

It’s never too late to elect and have responsible, transparent, accountable, and real public servants—we are given the choice after every few years to elect another set of leaders, and we might make a bigger change if

everybody who is qualified ensures to register and cast their votes in the upcoming elections. Once again, let’s not be blinded by their endorsements, unconcrete plans and programs, celebrity panache, and masked cash bribes. Instead, we must look for the candidates who have the feasible visions, skills, determination and concrete solutions for the relevant issues of our society that will impact every present and future Filipino.

Thus, to the million strong millennials and Gen Zs: make yourselves heard.

To the agencies that will facilitate the registration and elections: we’re expecting fair and square results to redeem the democracy that our nation deserves. Indeed, voting is the food for democracy! Every vote matters, be the change #MagpaRehistro ka para sa #Halalan2022!

ERGO

A Woman is A Woman is A Woman Kevin Valen Arcelo Literary Editor | BS Medical Technology arcelo.kevinvalen@auf.edu.ph

Based on my understanding, in the flora of human nature, duality seems to me is but a searing mere fiction. I think of it as a silent myth. An imaginary asymptote. A sociological polarity brewed rigid and static.

For some time, I reason with this because I could never trust duality in its introspect.

Somehow, I ended up becoming suspicious of its beliefs and disguises. To be fair, I learned of this vast philosophy of the fictitious myth of duality when I first tried understanding the lives of trans people. A lot of people do not get the chance to understand them because they have never been truly represented properly in the media or by other people.

As an outsider, I was merely a naive foreigner too. It would, of course, be rather harmful and rather misconceived to assume that I had known all of what was needed to know about them when I was never truly one in the first place. I suppose I could create an analogy for this when men were deciding women’s fates back in the old days, just for example, where suffrage and education had favored a single sex and gender category.

I felt that many trans people felt the same way, particularly when other people are left deciding their fates. Fates as to whether they can use the toilet that they want, fates as to whether they can get medical treatment for the distress they feel about living in the wrong body, or to even be called the proper pronoun.

I have always thought “how hard could that be? You know, saying the proper pronoun.” A

nickname seems harder to say at times. In fact, I sometimes make the mistake of calling a person “he” when their preferred pronoun is a “she.”

In my opinion, mistakes like this are pretty honest, but isn’t the point of all this to achieve dialogue and not outburst?

I remember my fellow classmate back when I was in elementary school being made fun of because he had a rather effeminate voice. They would always call him a “she” even though he really wanted to be called a “he.” It must have really beaten him up during that time because he was always being bullied like that.

It made sense at that time to me that I shouldn’t be the basis of what a person should be called. It was “he” of course who should have made that decision. It’s because it’s what makes him comfortable. It’s what he truly identifies himself as.

And I would never understand a person most fully if I was never them to begin with.

Even at this point in my life, I would never fully grasp what it means to be a trans person or what it means to be a woman, particularly what their joys or sufferings and conflicts mean, but I know for a fact that I can at least try.

Living as a man who had been brought up by the pillars of women, it was easier for me to be knowledgeable of their experiences, because being gay and being a part of a family sprouted forth by the miracles of women made it easier to relate.

To relate to the experience of suffering brought about by society.

Simply imagine how some women would have felt if they

were told by other people such as men, for example, that they were lesser because they could not give birth or because they could not menstruate. Should these even be the bases of being a woman? Some women cannot grow the lengths of their hair as other women can do.

Some women may also have small breasts and some women have larger waistlines, but they are all valid in the equity that they deserve.

Supposedly one argues about trans women saying that they are not women because they cannot give birth, then refer back. Is being a woman really based on giving birth or other functions which, to be fair, not all women even naturally have?

For me entirely, a woman will always be a woman whether they have these functions or not.

A lot of people also fail to understand the lines of sex or gender and tend to mix it up well enough that they may even mistake other words such as a sign for a symptom or accuracy for precision even though in scientific reality, all these words really mean highly different things.

“

A woman will always be a woman whether they have these functions or not.

Sex, in itself, is the biological manifestation of being born a boy or a girl while gender is a social aspect based on what is generally perceived masculine or feminine. To consider, even trans people can agree with you about their biological sex and what they have transitioned into.

In fact, the term transitioning can somehow be slightly misleading since most trans people do not agree that transitioning is a past and present

concept. Sort of like the idea that they were “this” and now they are “that.” In reality, trans people always had an intimate belief with the connection of who they know they are, whether it is a male or a female concept.

In some cases, gender values may also differ among trans people as some do not believe in the binary or the duality that we have talked about. This is, of course, not something exclusive to them.

In fact, even in some inkling, we can relate to a non-binary concept. For example, why is the color blue even associated with the male gender? Is the sky masculine? And flowers feminine? Some flowers have two reproductive organs for crying out loud!

Take this into a different perspective, wouldn’t it be rather strange to generalize populations based on a selective sample? A biased sample that is meant to diverge the ideas of who these people are. It is the media that produces this playground for us, because it’s much easier to consume. Like the way some men relate to the sexuality of women and treat it as if it is an artifice of what is being represented in the media even if it is entirely false.

Who understands the intimacy of what it means to be one in the first place?

Perhaps, after reading this, you would have already known the answer well enough.

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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ANORAMA | COLLEGE PUBLICATIONS HEART FOR SERVICE

In the Spirit of Truth, Justice, Solidarity and Freedom Iris Yvonne Torres

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oter registration is the first step in exercising your right to choose the next leaders who will greatly shape our country’s economy, public health, and other critical national policies. Therefore, voting is not only mandated by law, but also a fundamental right of every Filipino citizen. The Philippines has a democratic and republican political system; hence, the sovereignty belongs to the people and the government authority entirely emanates from them.

The pandemic exposed too many aspects in our lives we worked and sacrificed not for – a broken health care system, a dysfunctional educational structure, unclear distribution of resources, and an administration that is turning a blind eye to whom we should help and what we should focus on – the frontliners, the underprivileged, and flattening the curve. The past 5 years

Editor in Chief | Nurscene College of Nursing

have proven that cowering in fear is not an option despite the demoralized and regressive system the ruthless Duterte Administration has built.

In the coming 2022 elections, it is critical to vote not only with feet and hands antsy of leaving unfamiliar premises; rather, be mindful and vote with your whole heart. Vote with the raging desire to make this country a better place for the future generation Vote with the hope of changing the crooked system established by appalling regimes and fascist leaders to a liberal, better, and forward path.

Vote because you are exhausted from seeing a myriad of children, women, and families begging for a life deprived by a system that should have supported them, to begin with. Vote as if your own life depends on it because one day it will. Most importantly, vote because your heart is capable of loving and giving love in return. After all, what good is a decision if not for

the moral good of the people?

During this trying time of modern revolutionaries, it is of paramount importance to call for leaders who will not abide by actions that best serve their egocentricity but believe in the power behind the youth’s need to protest for a system that does not rule but serve. If we continue to tolerate the ills of the government - of dictators and tyrants who violate human rights and lowly promotes mass murder, what sort of democracy will we pass over to the next generation when it is time for them to take the lead? What good are leaders if they cannot, in justice and solidarity, serve those who have given them the power to do so?

Many are disturbed and are enfolded by the crippling fear of not having the option to change the world. However, YOU DO. The Filipino Youth have the

power to make decisions and initiate actions that can change the landscape of our nation – in the spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. Thus, it is an important reminder that political leaders should not be the ones in favor of its people; rather, it’s the people who should be in favor of those who are seated.

“

It’s the people who should be in favor of those who are seated.

Let us take the initiative to rise above the tides that have been drowning our countrymen in poverty and oppression since time has told. Voting is deciding what happens in this country, with our voices unified, we have the power to break the chains that were never meant to be there at all. We have the power to make our motherland stronger.

EDUCATOR'S CREED

Modular Mishaps Angelika Mae Bello Editor in Chief | Teacher's Pen College of Education

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problems in their lessons. However, n a world where nothing how about the students from public is constant but change, the educational system may be one schools left answering a stack of modules just to comply with the of the most relevant changes deadlines? in society. In October 2020, the In reality, both students Department of Education (DepEd) and teachers from public schools reopened the classes amid the coronavirus outbreak by shifting are struggling more. Teachers are from face-to-face classes to modular having difficulties in monitoring their students’ progress, given that learning.

Public schools are provided they handle more students. More so, with Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) students are encountering problems with their socio-economic status and which is required for students to even in their own learning materials. accomplish within a given period.

Private schools are more fortunate because they have academic In reality, both freedom to choose or deliver (for the students and administration) blended instructions teachers from anchored to the curriculum. This is public schools are struggling more. the “new normal” in the education system. Students from private schools at least have the assistance of their instructors whenever they encounter Modular learning should be

“

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in a form of distance learning where students can study at their own phase, evaluate learning by self-assessment, and answer the worksheets not for the sake of compliance. DepEd’s expectation in modular learning is too idealistic that every student will learn through their pre-prepared modules, which turned out to be flawed and erroneous.

From the first months of implementing the modular learning, numerous errors are found in the materials provided by DepEd, mostly factual errors: unknown sources, mathematical computations, and even incorrect examples. Other assessment activities are not aligned to the discussion and objectives which are obviously inaccurate. There are also pictures that do not match the directions and choices of answers. In line with this, DepEd Undersecretary

Alain Del B. Pascua said that errors cannot be avoided because “they are not perfect.” Even so, the materials must undergo multiple evaluations and revisions to avoid these errors, or if there would be mistakes, it must be minimal and almost unnoticeable.

A slight mistake from the instruction can lead to permanent impact to the student’s beliefs if not corrected immediately— especially because teachers cannot directly reinforce their students the way they could in a face-toface setup.

A post about a Grade 1 pupil, Ayesha, who expressed her opinion on gender identity, earned the recognition of Continue on next page...

ANORAMA

...Mishaps

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from page 10

netizens. In her worksheet, they were instructed to encircle the pictures of toys meant for girls and box those meant for boys. Ayesha explained that toys and clothes can be for everyone regardless of gender. Another viral post by a netizen was given attention after a Grade 5 student named Miguel Lapid from Polomolok Central Elementary School wrote a letter to the Department of Education. Miguel

pointed out that he is not in favor of the instructions depicting the characteristics of a male as strong, brave, and ‘astig’ or cool, while a female is described as a crybaby, modest, and unpredictable. For him, it is ‘stereotypical’ and ‘biased’ which can be harmful for others. Such examples from the modules are not the values we intend to inculcate in our students. If these learners at

such a young age can identify these outdated social norms, the authors and designers of the instruction should be more aware and sensitive to these issues because this could make an enormous impact on the learners’ perceptions as they grow older.

Offering quality education has always been the goal from the beginning, but how can we provide such if the materials and instructions

that we give are flawed? We are about to enter a new academic year in a few months. There should have been enough time for these modules to undergo revisions, editing, and multiple evaluations to make sure that students will have the privilege to gain quality education even in the hardest situation.

MEDICAL ALLIES

The Philippines under Duterte's Regimen: #NeverForget Nicole Catacutan Associate Editor | The AlliMed Explorer College of Allied Medical Profession

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lmost five years ago, President Rodrigo "Roa" Duterte promised a story of change to the Pearl of the Orient Seas wherein most Filipinos were expecting a shift in the system. However, five years have passed, yet the record under his regime was a mix of change, continuity, and regression. The tale of the current administration mishandles economic problems, global pandemic, higher annual population growth, higher unemployment rate, and territory problems.

“Change is coming” was his known tagline. A few of the points of action during the electoral campaign are the ending of the war on drugs in six months, going on the jetski at the Scarborough Shoal to defend the territory of the Philippines, cleansing

of the population, and other similar advocacies. Most of the people were astounded about how he would see that he, as the next president, can change the whole system of corruption. However, as of the moment, what are the things that this administration achieved? Are the 16 million people who voted for him as the president of this country satisfied with his performance?

For the masses, the promised change of the system of the government may lead to a more developed and progressive Philippines. The 16 million voters who voted for the current president of this administration only sought for change. Many were mesmerized and thought he would achieve every single platform that he promised for the Filipinos, but it was all hot air. President Rodrigo Duterte, in a

public address last May 10, admitted that the jetski campaign was a pure joke and part of the electoral campaign for his presidency. He also called everyone who believed in him “stupid” for actually believing that he would go to Scarborough Shoal with a jetski and mark the territory with a Philippine flag.

“

The record under his regime was a mix of change, continuity, and regression.

The Philippine Government's debt reached a new high in February, amounting to P10.405 trillion, as the country borrowed more to fund the coronavirus pandemic response. As of February, the domestic debt stood at P7.3 trillion, 10% higher than the end-2020 level, as the government borrowed P540 billion from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last

January. Meanwhile, external debt fell by 1.9% to P3.04 trillion as of February, from the end-2020 level, due to loan repayments. However, it increased by 1.4% in February from January due to loans amounting to P14.5 billion. For the first two months of 2021, the country's total debt rose by 6.2% from end-2020.

Is this the kind of progress that you want to see for the next generation?

Is this the kind of future that you want for the next generation?

Think again! It's your civic responsibility to register and to vote wisely in the next election. #HALALAN2022

#WeDecide: Atin ang Pilipinas— our 2022 battle cry

MURMURS OF THE MIND

Just the way you are Lorena Tuazon Editor in Chief | CBA Tradewings College of Business and Accountancy

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ou probably have heard this saying a billion times: "Love yourself first before you love someone else." I couldn't have been more indifferent to my response when I heard this advice come from the mouth of my dearest friends. In one ear, but out the

other, you could say.

The thing is, it's easier said than done. Society expects us to be molded in a certain way while offering too little advice on how to get there.

"Love yourself."

"Be brave."

"Get over it."

It is an exasperating thing.

Not every person is tailor-made the same way. Not everyone is brought forth into this world with a similar amount of self-love. People fail to comprehend that they can preach self-love easily only because they

already have it in the first place, or they may have gained it in a way that they think is also befitting for every person.

The same goes for self-esteem. The gnawing Continue on next page...

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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ANORAMA | COLLEGE PUBLICATIONS

...Just the way shadow of self-doubt looms over the shoulder of a man at least one point in their life. A man may garner medals, certificates, and trophies but still feel inadequate. These socalled achievements are anything but external proofs. It may look good on paper, but it is not necessarily a reflection of what a person feels inside.

There is the fear of the unknown; a fear of what the future may hold; a dark tunnel you could not see the end of. Uncertainty may be the root of it all. It is what hinders a person from being the best version of themselves.

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Instead, embrace what you feel and embrace the unknown.

Escapism may be a temporary solution. However, that’s just what it is, temporary. So, breathe in a little.

Stop thinking about things you could have done better in the past and focus on living in the present. Do not keep yourself hung on making up because you can never really make up for the lost times. Each day will always be a new day. The past may be gone but today is full of possibilities.

That is what I told myself.

I have come to an actualization about what people mean when they say you should treat

yourself as someone you love. You should treat yourself with love and respect not because no one will do it for you— it is because you consider yourself as someone you love.

“

Stop thinking about things you could have done better in the past and focus on living in the present.

Do not clamor for the validation of other people as a measure of your self-worth. Doing

so would only result in a neverending cycle of self-indulgence.

You cannot rely on someone else to fill your emptiness. It is not the lack of someone else’s love that causes you to feel like an empty husk. The latter is caused by self-abandonment— not loving yourself enough.

The first step in everything is to take that first step. Loving yourself is a journey of self-discovery, albeit, a slow and grueling process (for those who don’t). I guess the takeaway here is— you are enough just the way you are.

COMPUTED STRIDES

Inks and Pens: A Weapon to Destroy Online Barriers Jasmine Renae Coronel Editor in Chief | Datalink College of Computer Studies

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n the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, problems and adversities were present in almost all sectors of the country, and education is one of the most affected areas during this time of hardship. The traditional method of learning transformed into a technological kind and all transactions, including classes, meetings, and group sessions, are now online, which proves to be difficult for both the students and the teachers. Everyone is not yet accustomed, with others struggling to have the technology that they can use.

Moreover, problems in the

cellular and Wi-Fi signals exist in the Philippines, and there are unidentified barriers that lead to the misunderstanding between the school administration and the students. However, by using or reading the opinion of the student journalists, they will understand every side of the story and adequately address the existing problems in distance learning.

Schools and universities must maximize their publications and journalistic curriculums. The main objective is to train the students to assess the current problems within the school community, enhance their critical thinking, and develop their

skills in writing. These writings encompass the issues that are existing in school and they tackle the challenges that every student is facing in the school system.

Nevertheless, it also includes the thoughts of the teachers or the administrations of the school.

By reading it, everyone will be informed of the opinions of every party.

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They will know everything that everyone has to go through in this kind of situation. In the end, this process might even provide a solution that may help in solving the existing problems in the system.

Student journalism has the power to open the reader's eye. It widens the perspective of an individual that may result in understanding both parties and all sides of a story. Therefore, it These writings is needless to say that by giving encompass the light to the opinion of a student issues that are journalist, we will be able to existing in school and they tackle the 'address the online barriers challenges that every properly and provide a solution for student is facing in them. the school system.

JOIN THE TEAM! The Pioneer, the official student publication of Angeles University Foundation, is now opening its reportorial examination for aspiring journos who may want to join our collective unit of students journalists for A.Y. 2021-2022!

We are looking for: *News Correspondents *Feature Correspondents *Literary Correspondents *Sports Correspondents *Layout Artists *Graphic Artists *Cartoonists *Photojournalists If interested, take the first step: https://forms.gle/vU5gBxkBFF8sPb1v8 ***Due to the current situation, the entire application process will be conducted online.*** For inquiries you may send an email to thepioneer@auf.edu.ph or message 09196488069, Rhein Tuazon, Editor in Chief.

Bridging Gaps | Unity in Diversity | Write to Serve THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

IO FEATS

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AILA PILI AND KIAN PERALTA

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here is no stopping the so-called ‘community pantries’ that have sprung across all corners of our country that, surprisingly, might even continue growing. At first glance, one would presume a myriad of good responses from this cause—from a simple gratitude to a throbbing veneration. Who would have thought, perhaps, that during this pandemic, someone just stormed with a selfless idea of congregating tons of foods and goods in the middle of the street just for people brisking by to get them for free?

While others feel the glee and jubilation, I see through my own eyes the total opposite. When I get to at least hear those two

By Dorothy Ann Rae Reyes

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e all have that classmate: the one who barges in class an hour into the lecture, making a statement by proudly holding an admission slip in one hand and a Starbucks cup in the other; or that thesis mate who finally turns in their parts the night before the deadline, after you’ve gone through all stages of grief and shouldered their responsibility. The Philippine

seemingly enchanting words lauded by many, there could only be one word that would form inside my mind: incompetence. Going through the cutthroat effects of this health crisis, we have received nothing great from the government but delayed SAP cash aids laced with gaslighting and manipulation.

From this apparent reality that we nonchalantly face, compassion has been valued the same as the measly ayudas that some people would have waited in long lines for hours.

Filipinos at this point came one bar lower than what they actually deserve.

Through Ana Patricia Non’s initiative to turn the street of Maginhawa in Quezon City into a haven of kindness, the happy hours

this woman has created has also been a time of a live exposé—the revelation of the government’s stark neglect and apathy for the past years going through this pandemic.

As viral as the coronavirus has acted, the Maginhawa Community Pantry did not just become an attraction of its own. It managed to create a noise, not just for the people who are in dire need of it, but also for the ones who aim to denounce it. The recent baseless attacks and threats from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) through its mouthpiece Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. became an obvious foul play, and their continued accusations must have derived from the fact that none of these goods have come from their dirty pockets, even a single centavo.

Along with the message of hope and understanding, there is more to realize on this good initiative. The 350 food banks that came into existence as of today, at the very least, was not just a manifestation of Filipinos’ traditional traits of hospitality and resilience, but a counterattack to the disservice of those who pledged to sustain our lives during these trying times. More than ever, compassion can be so bold and ruthless towards the ills of today’s society that it refuses to be fetishized by many, even by its oppressors.

Blunt Spears: Home Care Kits in Lieu of Scarce Vaccines government is much like that classmate—not the most punctual and dependable—in terms of calamity response, as you probably have noticed already.

Now, with over a million COVID cases in the country, the Department of Health (DOH), as per Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, has decided to dispense home care kits for mild COVID patients, which they consider a mitigation response that should have been done as early as the onset of the contagion.

While this bundle may provide those who could not afford such items with COVID first-aid, the benefit would only last for so long.

Let’s say the distribution of kits is materialized, and successful at that, but when this fungible package runs or wears out, what happens then? As of May 1, the country has amassed a stockpile of only around 4,040,600 vaccines, Sinovac’s CoronaVac, AstraZeneca, and Sputnik V combined. This is

an accumulation of six CoronaVac batches, two of which are “gifts'' from China that arrived last February and March, while the six sets are fully-paid for by the government; 525,600 AstraZeneca vaccines that arrived two months ago from the global COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility; and 15,000 doses of Sputnik V that arrived from Russia on Labor Day. Considering the two-dose regimen for injection, these vaccines can immunize only less than 3% of the entire Philippine populace.

At this pace, we still have a long way to go before cementing herd immunity in the country—a long way to go before we finally start transitioning back to our better normal. While we’re assembling kits that aren’t even guaranteed to affect even the slightest dent in the curve and barely getting a move on with the vaccine rollout, other nations have begun to lift their quarantine and face-mask protocols. The

only reason why other countries are able to do such is because of their governments’ fasttracked and well-tackled immunization campaign.

This is where the administration has fallen short.

What the Philippines is in dire need of right now is mass vaccination, sufficient and delivered immediately before another million Filipinos succumb to the virus.

Unfortunately, the Philippine government is that ever-tardy and overlydependent classmate. These home care kits are clearly way behind their time, a band-aid solution for an overgrown malignant wound, like facing a longdrawn fight with a solid, unwavering enemy, but carrying only blunt spears.

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

Killing Hope

A breath of

By: Christle Ann Bernardo

By Rahul Mody By: Rahul Mondy

Nobody saw it coming— and, when it did, it came like a hurricane and blew our matchstick-made lives. We were already fragile. Balancing on the might-have-beens and solitary promises. Life was normal, as it should.

The day only begins at 10 a.m. now. And I don’t get up to get ready to go for class. I spend more time in the bathroom but get less done. Life feels... monotonous. And not in the eat, sleep, rave, repeat kind of way. I can’t help but be latched on to the memories of the time before we were put under house arrest. When we could go out without thinking twice about who we’re going with.

People lost their jobs, are stuck away f rom their families, lack education, and many other worse things. And here, my problems lie in the fact that I can’t travel or visit my f riends so often. Petty but realistic. I can’t care for everyone on the planet when thinking about my own desires. Was there a time we dreaded going to class? Dreaded waking up early in the morning? Dreaded having to sit for hours to learn? I wouldn’t remember. I lie in wait for the day I can run to my classroom, greet my teachers, gossip with my f riends, grab a quick lunch at Jolibee, and get some drinks after class. It can’t possibly be dread what I felt if now I feel desire.

Then suddenly, it was not.

For days on, I wondered. I wished. I wept. I wondered again. Who knew that life could be altered so greatly, and so terribly? Human lives have become wisps— so easily blown by the invisible and now deadly wind.

Life, alongside faith, comfort, and joy are dead. But something remains alive, although barely.

Hope. Killing hope is the terrible, terrible side effect of a worldwide crisis. A killed hope would mean squeezing out the last bit of trust and longing we could muster into an abyss. If hope is dead, everything else would be too.

I found hope in the mundane: in the glee of my lola’s voice when she greets me “good morning,” in her gleaming eyes when I finish my works early because that would mean we could a watch a movie, in the sound of the car that signals my mom and dad are home and safe, and in the occasional buzz of my phone where a flurry of messages from my friends greeting me.

For days on I still wondered. I still wished. I wept more.

But I knew everything was rekindled by hope.

Nobody saw it coming, but hopefully, we could all see it end.

Spur Memento The

of

By: Ann Clarise Mercado

Laid my back at the fresh mowed lawn, With a hopeless heart, agonies pulled me down, I closed my eyes, Forget the present and reminisce about the past.

I remember the day you drove me to my first gala, Telling me I’ll be the most stunning lady of the night.

For every awarding ceremony, I always heard your applaud and proudly say “hurrah!”

And my heart melts every time I see how your smile is so bright!

Your coffee was the finest I’d ever sipped, Your lullabies that always put me to a comfy sleep, All of our terrific carabao ride, And every single joke we laughed at.

Those memories will never fade, Even your name is carved on that grave.

You’re now an angel from above, That still embraces us with love.

I then opened my eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Getting motivation from a wonderful memory is surely nice, Recollecting my grandpa’s memento to fight until the last breath.

CHRISTLE BERNARDO AND KIAN PERALTA

Selda Bente Uno NI: THOMAS JEFFERSON OVIVIR

Ika-isang daa’t limang araw na nang magsimula akong akitin ng seldang nagmistulang pahinga Nakatitig na naman sa blangkong espasyo na untiunting nagiging pamilyado, bukod sa maninipis na sinulid mula sa gagambang araw-araw na kumukumusta mula sa kawala’t pangamba.

Buntong-hininga, pikit, dilat.

Biglang bumulwak sa kinikinitang imahinasyon ang pagindak ng sining na pinagtagpi-tagpi ng mga tela ng bersikulo at koro, awit mula sa mga balumbong pinagbuklod ng pagmamahal sa sikolohiya noong ika-bente uno. Unti-unting naguhit ang mga imaheng nagsimula sa mga letra’t pagkumpas mula sa pagnanasa para sa serbesa.Ang mga mata ni Helios na sing-

f fresh air.

Maybe this wears exactly the kind of ref reshment our mind needed. To appreciate the things we take for granted. When f reedom is taken away only do you realize its’ value. Freedom to move f reely, f reedom to meet f reely, f reedom to be caref ree.

Nature is truly something beyond our control. It takes f rom us what we took f rom it. And it’s well deserved as well. Look at the skies so full of clouds and stars. A breath of f resh air indeed. Nature teaches us family values. You can’t rely on anyone more than you can rely on your family. For care, comfort, love, support. Nature teaches us to appreciate the small things. We no longer possess the excuse of “not enough time.”

Nature also surprisingly teaches us the value of our digital world. The relationships that can be maintained with technology today is fascinating. The ones that can’t be maintained also become clear in this time as well. You can clearly root the real f rom the fake when you put a barrier of distance between people. Nature teaches us introspection, self-love, self-care, and self-reliance. Because in a time where you cant depend on others, you have to depend on yourself.

People cope differently. Rekindling the old flame of passion for some while crying about wasted time for others. You can not stop time and you can most def initely not get back lost time. However, the circumstances have given us a chance to make the best use of our time.

Getting back to old hobbies, exercising, forming new relationships using social media, and a lot more opportunities lie waiting for people to take advantage of the times.

With words like “lockdown” and “quarantine” becoming common grammar, it is only natural that one must come to their senses eventually. To be able to realize the profound benef its of the pandemic is an art in itself. Then again, people cope differently.

We are responsible to end the very thing we forced nature to create. No matter how much we “desire” to go back to the time before the pandemic, it is unavoidable to take this as a huge learning curve.

While countless lives were lost or left in ruins, we must look beyond the sorrow. The monotonous life continues as long as you don’t continue growing. Opportunities galore but only few take advantage. We all make promises to be 100 times more proactive once the chance comes but again, people will start dreading the thing they had just begun desiring. The day doesn’t just start at 10 a.m.

Candlelight By: Samantha G. Gutierrez

talim ng espadang may dalawang-tabak ang siyang bumungad sa aking araw na umapaw sa pagkabalisa, kasabay ng mga seryosong tawa’t halakhak na dala ni geybxx at ng pagkamatamis at sensitibong sisidlan ni Xylaaaa14. Sa isang iglap, pikit ng mata at tunog ng kuliglig, problema’y naibsan na.

Buntong-hininga, pikit, dilat.

Tingin sa kanan, tingin sa kaliwa. TItig sa taas, titig sa baba. Nahanap ko na sa wakas ang santuwaryo ng katinuan at kahinahunan.

Isang panawagan katumbas ang pagtapak pataas sa hagdan, isang panawagan katumbas ang paglimot sa masalimuot na nakaraan, isang panawagan katumbas ang pagpahid sa patak ng luhang tumahan at isang panawagan katumbas ang pagharap sa liwanag kinabukasan.

Buntong-hininga, pikit, dilat.

As As the the sky sky darkened, darkened, so so did did the the four four corners corners of of my my room. room. II squinted squinted at at the the dim dim glow glow emanating emanating from from the the sputtering sputtering cancandlelight dlelight before before me. me. The The candlestick candlestick stood stood proud proud and and simple; simple; it it leaned leaned sideways, sideways, with with half half its its body body melting melting away; away; its its lifeline lifeline decreasing decreasing with with every every second second that that passed, passed, but but it it still still proudly proudly basked basked me me in in its its warm warm light. light.

II looked looked up up at at my my bare bare wall, wall, thinking thinking what what aa shame shame it it was was to to spend spend an an entire entire year year cooped cooped up up in in this this familiar familiar space, space, wastwasting ing time time on on familiar familiar routines, routines, and and worrying worrying over over familiar familiar didilemmas. lemmas. What What a a shame. shame.

II furrowed furrowed my my brows brows at at the the candle—what candle—what aa wonder wonder it it was was for for living living still, still, despite despite barely barely doing doing so. so. Its Its light light still still blinded blinded me me regardless regardless of of the the puddle puddle that that now now gathered gathered to to shake shake its its very very foundation. foundation.

A A year year into into this this forsaken forsaken limbo limbo and and we we are are still still living. living. We We wake wake up up with with the the looming looming sense sense of of déjà déjà vu. vu. Yet, Yet, we we still still persepersevere. vere. Each Each day day we we burn burn ourselves ourselves out, out, dead dead tired tired from from aa day’s day’s work. work. We We slump slump back back in in our our beds, beds, and and close close our our eyes, eyes, only only to to open open them them once once more more for for the the same, same, damned damned cycle. cycle.

The The candle candle flickered. flickered. What What was was it it waiting waiting for? for? It It has has already already realized realized its its end, end, so so why why can’t can’t it it just just see see it it through? through?

Alas-singko na pala. Tilaok at huni nila ay dinig na. Isang panibagong araw na namang mamumuhay sa selda, sa seldan ayaw ko nang takasan pa dahil sa kanila.

It It dawned dawned on on me me that that in in this this strange strange limbo limbo we we are are living living in, in, we we are are not not stuck. stuck. No, No, we we are are simply simply waiting, waiting, and and only only good good things things come come to to those those who who wait wait with with patience. patience. II am am alive, alive, II tell tell myself. myself. The The future future may may be be bleak, bleak, but but at at least least II have have one. one.

Buntong-hininga, pikit, dilat at magpahinga na sa piling nila.

Still Still captivated captivated by by its its will will to to hold hold on, on, II blew blew the the fire fire out. out. What What a a time time to to be be a a ll ii v v ee ..

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IO FEATS

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o my fellow rising youth: Picture this. It’s 2010.

You’re eight years old, and you wake up to the sound of rain rapping on your roof, harmonizing with the hum of the kitchen radio announcing the day’s class suspension due to the incessant downpour.

Promptly, you tug at your blankets, inhaling the nippy air as you drift back to sleep.

This is probably one of everyone’s fondest memories as a child, and it’s a reminiscence that would always envelop us in warmth and nostalgia. Life was simpler back then, and it was harmless to be carefree toward the future and everything that happened around us. But, could you still say the same today?

Now, imagine that it’s 2022. You’re a full-time young adult, and you wake to the sound of the news headlines reeling off from the TV. The national COVID-19 case count is still rising exponentially, and while vaccines are already being dispensed, there is still no adequate supply to immunize the millions of Filipinos whose lives are jeopardized by this invisible menace. Maybe 2024, our so-called leaders say. Maybe by 2024 we would finally have vaccines accessible and available for everyone. But are we really going to bank on a maybe?

In other news, students, activists, celebrities— innocents—are still, for some wildly absurd reason, being branded as terrorists and detained for fabricated charges.

Poverty has gone worse, and the economy has been at its lowest point since the Martial Law. And to top all that, the country is now saddled with a whopping P13.7trillion debt—a price to be paid not by government officials, but by the blood and sweat of the Filipino laborer. In short, the Philippines is living through a feral tempest, not one concocted by nature, but by the imprudence of self-serving officers.

Unlike when you were eight, this isn’t a storm you’d sleep through.

In your gut, an unsettling medley of anger and frustration has amassed, materializing into a mouthful of grievances, dangling at the tip of your tongue, itching for release. But what use is ranting on Twitter, or taking to the streets to protest about the government’s long-standing incompetence when they refuse to listen? What is the use of my voice if it ends up being repressed? All calls for change have been futile efforts. And now, the country is a veritable dystopia.

So, what else is there to do?

You rack your brain for answers—for ways you could challenge the system and impact a change, when you remember, it’s 2022. The national elections are right around the corner, and you could cast your votes for the most promising candidates and exercise your right for a fair and capable

administration. The only good thing about 2022 might just be the end of this hellish era, and you are more than ready to see that end become a reality, when you realize… you’re not.

The allowed period for voter’s registration has elapsed, and you failed to apply for a voter’s ID. An overwhelming wave of regret takes over, and you watch helplessly as the country falls deeper… and deeper... and deeper… into chaos…

You wake with a jerk as consciousness rushes in like a tape rewinding. As you recount your nightmare, you realize that it’s only a dream, a mere couldbe. But yes, could-be. Possibly?

Likely.

My fellow rising youth, we have a weapon— our democracy—for securing a future that outlives the pandemic. While we now have emails and backlogs to worry about, we can’t afford to keep telecommuting and distance learning ‘til who knows when.

We’ve only been compelled to adapt to the new normal, and we could only take so much.

Luckily, there is one way we could make our voices resound, louder than our social media call-outs. Because we, the youth who are stepping into the world of adulthood, are also stepping into a world of responsibilities, and one of our important duties is to claim and wield our right to vote. This is our weapon, and it’s ours to take—or not.

You’re no longer a child, and when you are forced to skip school because of your lack of privilege, because of things you have no control over, of things our leaders have the power to change yet remain unchanged; when every day, more and more people lose their livelihood from relentless lockdowns and get beaten to death by authorities for trying to live through the quarantine; and when every night you lie awake and think of a loved one, of every Filpino who deserved better yet lost their lives to COVID only because our government deprived them of the chance to live… will you rise, or sleep through the storm?

AZEL RAPHAEL FLORES THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

To the rising youth, rise.

IO FEATS

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n the past months, we've seen news of brutality towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. With the emergence of COVID-19, Asians have been accused of being carriers of the disease, and in the early months of 2021, the anti-Asian hate crimes have only doubled in number.

"casually walked away in broad daylight"

When the former president of the United States of America purposefully called COVID-19 a "Chinese Virus," his supporters started seeing Asians the wrong way. USA received multiple reports of racial discrimination and highprofile crimes. According to AAPI (Asian-American Pacific Islander) Hate Reporting Center, 70.9% of Asian hate crimes are verbal assaults, 21.4% are shunning, and 8.7% are physical assaults. At this rate, the crimes are only escalating in number, due to the lack of awareness and media presence. Here are some of the recorded hate crimes reported by BBC News as of May 5:

7. An Asian American woman in New York City was struck in the head with a hammer by an unidentified assailant who demanded that she remove her mask

1. An 84-year-old Thai immigrant in San Francisco, California, died in February after being violently shoved to the ground during his morning walk 2. In Oakland, California, a 91-year-old senior was shoved to the pavement from behind 3. An 89-year-old Chinese woman was slapped and set on fire by two people in Brooklyn, New York 4. Two Asian American women were stabbed at a San Francisco bus stop; eyewitness reports say the assailant

5. An Asian man walking with his 1-year-old child in a stroller in San Francisco was punched in the head and back multiple times 6. A stranger on the New York subway slashed a 61-year-old Filipino-American passenger's face with a box cutter

8. Asian American restaurant employees in New York City told the New York Times they now always go home early in fear of violence and harassment 9. An Asian American butcher shop owner in Sacramento, California found a dead cat likely intended for her - left in the store's parking lot; police are investigating it as a hate crime 10. An Asian American family celebrating a birthday at a restaurant in Carmel, California, was berated with racist slurs by a Trump-supporting tech executive

they've been abused with racial slurs and had rocks thrown at their houses 12. The only Asian American lawmaker in the Kansas legislature says he was physically threatened in a bar by a patron who accused him of carrying the coronavirus 13. New York police arrested a man who assaulted a woman during a protest against antiAsian racism 14. A grieving family received a hateful letter on the day of their father's funeral, telling them to "pack your bags and go back to your country where you belong" 15. A school board candidate of Vietnamese descent in Portland, Oregon, found a note with the words "Kung Flu" on her doorstep 16. A medical worker of Filipino descent in Los Gatos, California, was shoved to the ground from behind by an assailant who told her to "go back to China"

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These enumerated hate crimes are only some of the reported stories on the internet, with several others remaining undisclosed. Similar to other movements, the #StopAAPIHate and #StopAsianHate movement has garnered a lot of attention from people and celebrities alike.

During these times of unrest, we must stay educated and willing to educate. When this kind of hate stems from someone who is supposed to lead his people to peace, then the leader must not be in his proper state of mind.

When this kind of hate is believed to cure the virus we are all hoping to emancipate, then we must not be thinking straight.

11. Several Asian American homeowners say

CHA TANGLAO AND CHRISTLE BERNARDO VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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IO CULTURE

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insan nang hinusgahan ang kakayahan, minsan nang pinagkaitan ng karapatan, at minsan nang minaliit ng lipunan.

Ngunit lahat ng mga ito ay may hangganan dahil hindi hahayaan ng mga kababaihan na magpatuloy ang ganitong ‘di makat’wirang pagtingin ng lipunan.

Sila ay lumalaban, sumusulong, at patuloy na nagwawagayway ng bandila ng mga Juana!

Sa bisa ng Proklamasyon Blg. 227 na nilagdaan ni Pangulong Corazon Aquino noong 1998, idineklara ang buwan ng Marso bilang pagdiriwang at pagkilala sa kakayahan at gampanin ng mga kababaihan na naghatid ng malasakit, pag-asa at

pagbabago sa ating kasaysayan hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Kung dati ang tingin kay Juana ay ilaw lamang ng tahanan, ngayon siya’y nakikilala na din bilang haligi nito.

Si Juana ay sina Gabriela Silang at Melchora Aquino na buong tapang na nakibaka laban sa mga dayuhang mananakop noon, at ang kanilang katapangan ay isa sa mga nagsilbing susi sa tinatamasa nating kalayaan ngayon.

Si Juana ay si Senador na nanindigan at ipinaglaban ang karapatan ng taong-bayan.

Sa mga katagang kanyang iniwan “ang pagbabago ay magsisimula sa akin…” ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa bawat Pilipino upang makamit ang tunay na pagbabago na ating inaasamasam.

CHA TANGLAO AND KIAN PERALTA

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Si Juana ay si Leni Robredo na tahimik na tumutulong, sa paniniwalang ito ang kaniyang nararapat na tungkulin bilang mabuting tagapaglingkod ng bansa.

Sa simula pa lamang ng pandemiya ay handa na siyang manguna, habang nagsisilbing inspirasyon ng pagbabago.

Si Juana ay si Ana Patricia Non na siyang nagpasimula sa patuloy na paglaganap ng mga community pantries sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas. Siya ay naniniwala na ang maliliit na bagay ay makapagbabago ng isang sistema, lalo sa panahon ng pangangailangan, kung tayo ay tatayo nang sama-sama para sa isang adhikain.

Gayunpaman, si Juana rin ay nasasaktan sa patuloy na paghusga sa kanyang

kakayahan, sa patuloy na pagtingin sa kanyang katauhan, at sa patuloy na diskriminasyon at pagmamalupit ng lipunan.

Ngunit si Juana ay patuloy pa rin na lumalaban upang maiwaksi ang karahasan sa kanilang lipi at siya ay hindi padadaig hanggang sa magpantay ang pagtingin sa mga kasarian dito sa lipunang ating ginagalawan. Dahil si Juana rin ay isang mamamayang lumalaban para sa ikauunlad ng bansang kanyang sinilangan.

Patuloy lang ang paglaban, pagsulong at pagtayo ng iyong bandera Juana!

Kaya mo ‘yan dahil babae ka at hindi babae lang.

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AILA PILI AND KIAN PERALTA

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ilm, among many industries, is maledominated. The gender distribution of film directors in the US consists of 82% men leading to a harmful representation of minority groups, gendered regimes among institutions, and biased hatred against women and non-hetero individuals. Unfortunately so, this is oftentimes projected even in film, through objectifying in male gaze. However, this year was perceived differently as an Asian woman represents a change in the mediascape.

The year 2021 appears as a watershed moment that challenges the male-dominated

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e are living in this era where love is but a contagious feeling fleeting through computer screens. Thanks to our exposure to the connected world of social media, it is just an excuse, or a deliberate, noble choice to spare yourselves from the ‘feels’ of seeing couples dancing and prancing their sweet, and mostly, cringeworthy affections on TikTok; couple goals flaunted on our Facebook news feeds; or the cryptic and sometimes neverending quips from Twitter. But above all the spectacles on their part and the apparent sana all remarks that we have to let out of our breaths, this can all be nothing but thin air, vanishing just as the fun has started to transpire, all year round.

Just as painful as the pandemic has brought its new entrance this year, so does the grim news for the lovey-dovey out there. Marites Allen, the Philippines’ Feng Shui matriarch, hated to break the news to those couples and aspirant soul-searchers by stating that

industry when Chloe Zhao made history for winning Best Director at the Oscar Academy Awards. She is heavily recognized as the first woman of Asian descent and the second woman to ever win the prestigious award for her film “Nomadland,” a story following a modern day, van-dwelling nomad that also won best motion picture category and secured the best actress spot for Frances McDormand.

Zhao’s win, apart from celebrating a feminist protest in the industry, further raised awareness on the recent AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islanders) hate in the United States. Reports of Asian immigrants shoved in the ground, slashed in the face, and set on fire emerged since the one-year-mark of the pandemic,

her prediction about 2021 is that it will be the ‘Year of Heartbreak.’ Per Allen, the alignment of the stars number 7 and 3 that are aligned to South-Southwest and Northwest direction respectively, can bring about misunderstandings and confusion among couples, resulting in the surges of separation during this Year of the Metal Ox.

Even with these astronomical predictions being kicked out of the picture, this phenomenon is seemingly observable among certain personalities that we see in our socials, at the very least.

Upon scrolling through our phones, it might be a normal sight for us to break into some ‘tea’ and savor tons of revelations about cheating that would often lead to circuit-break uproar among the community. From these widespread stories of heartbreaks attributed from famous individuals online, there are more things than what meets our bewildered eyes.

We may figure this out or not, what is more special in seeing

particularly branding anyone of Asian descent as “carriers of the virus.”

In a virtual press conference, Zhao mentions her support on raising awareness as part of the community and as a woman of color. Further, she believes that a compassionate heart would lead to more understanding. “I think when we look in each other’s eyes and stare at the other person, you can’t deny them as a human being. We all just have to learn. Maybe we need to be a bit more compassionate to ourselves,” Zhao said.

As the world experiences tougher circumstances, she said that we must try harder on putting

what others think as beguiling entertainment is that it does expose people out of their limelights.

These people that we always see on-screen, interacting with all smiles wide and cute, are not different from us and our normal dealings. As we would have the tendency to be the villain in our own rights, they would also. If we also wanted to cheat the way out of our dysfunctional relationship, they can also.

The way we see them from the distance while we glamorize and give them the ‘god-tier’ pass actually gives them the continued assurance that they can be left uncaught with their own wrongdoings.

Our own perception of idolatry and self-gratification from these personalities undermine the fact that they are human beings, too, and are in no way privileged with their feelings and actions than us.

We unconsciously feed them such powers, and on this silly-apparent ‘Year of Heartbreaks,’ we are winning.

In a more general context,

things in perspective. If one were to live in the other person’s shoes, this would direct them to knowing the entire story and having fewer to no preconceptions.

As Asian women of color belonging in minority sectors are appearing in global consciousness, we can see how much of their representation could clear out conflicts and foster awareness. This time teaches a valuable lesson that people shouldn’t be tagged as viruses and that only hate and aggression could lead to a man’s downfall.

the ubiquity of social media and its thrusting effect of amplifying the stories of heartbreak gave a very monumental attention to the value of self-worth.

Although romanticized because of its overwhelming presence, such feelings of deception posted and sometimes revealed erratically by these individuals created a message of people loving one’s self more than others.

While everyone is getting fazed and indulged by the idea of love in this time and age, it is so brave for people who, after just experiencing a traumatizing milestone in their lives, revealed such a story for other people to see and be feasted upon, not knowing that there unfolds a new chapter in their lives; a new person in them who has learned there are no other kinds of love that will get the best of them, but self-love.

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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IO CULTURE

“And I Thank You”: Beauty Pageants in the time of a Pandemic By: John Leslie P. Layug

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I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest of times. As of the moment, I want to help my community. I want to use my strength to make an impact.

And that is the essence of a beauty pageant. It gives us the power to make a difference," Miss Universe Philippines 2020, Rabiya Mateo, said.

With the world's current situation, it has become a constant question of where to get our daily fix of happiness in such dark times. Some get it out of their favorite TV series; others find time to cook and bake new finds; and others find joy in keeping close watch on the latest updates in the pageantry world.

These beauty pageants showcase more than just the physique of the candidates, but also their community involvement, particularly at such times, and whether they stay true to their advocacies.

Our reigning Miss Universe Philippines, Rabiya Mateo offered her own service to cook and deliver food for our front liners; Michelle Gumabao, second runner-up of Miss Universe Philippines, asked for donations for the people affected by the pandemic and the recent typhoons. These simple acts of kindness show that the pageant world has an immense contribution to our society, making such competition worthy of looking out for.

The Search for Earth's Eco Angel

Miss Earth, being the first organization to stage their pageant through a virtual platform, garnered different reactions. As Filipinos consider themselves hardcore pageant enthusiasts, it wasn't accepted by them that the organization

will not hold a physical procession.

Despite this, the audience of said competition continue to support their chosen candidates.

Roxanne Baeyens, the winner of Miss Earth, is a great advocate of urban gardening. At a time of a pandemic, when most people are stuck in the confines of their own homes, experts have stated that urban gardening has an effect on a person’s mental well-being. Baeyens, as a daughter of an environmentalist, understands the benefits of gardening, particularly when it comes to contributing to better air supply, and properly handled food.

Together with the Miss Earth organization, Baeyens proved that this pandemic can't stop a relevant pageant. The international pageant was held on November 29 last year, where Roxanne Baeyens was crowned as Miss Earth - Water, Lindsey Coffee of USA was crowned the title Miss Earth, Stephany Zreik of Venezuela was crowned as Miss Earth - Air, and Michala Rubinstein of Denmark as Miss Earth - Fire.

Once a Binibini, Always a Binibini

With the multiple postponements of the oldest and grandest pageant in the Philippines, namely Binibining Pilipinas, two of their candidates have been appointed for two of their respective franchises – Rowena Lucero Susuluya for The Miss Globe and Samantha Bernardo for Miss Grand International.

Rowena Lucero remarkably became known for sharing our country’s sweet delicacies and snacks to her fellow candidates, including the famous burnt pastillas from her hometown, Bulacan. She also let her fellow candidates taste our polvoron, and the kids' favorite Mik Mik, among others. Lucero gracefully

KIAN PERALTA THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

won the pageant with a fourth runner-up finish and the People's Choice award.

On the other hand, like the journey of Pia Wurtzbach, Samantha Bernardo joined Binibining Pilipinas three times. The perseverance and determination she poured into proving that for once more, a Binibini can conquer the international stage is remarkable.

Her advocacy for a Malaria-Free Philippines helped her win Miss Grand International, along with her astounding performance.

People were impressed by her stage despite the brief 20-day preparation that she had with her team. In the end, she gracefully ended the pageant with a first runner-up finish.

One other thing that made Bernardo remembered is her speech, where she put emphasis on the importance of remembering how to love, especially when we live in the same world.

“We are living under one sky so let us all live peacefully where love is our language, humanity in our race, and peace is our lasting legacy to the world," she said.

A Phenomenal Woman with a Heartfelt Beauty

On May 16, the most awaited pageant in the whole universe will conquer the hearts of the pageant fans. Miss Universe 2020 will be held on May 16, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida, United States, with Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa crowning her successor at the end of the event.

The Philippines’s enthusiasm in the pageant reflects in its 10-year streak of placement in the semi-finals with one top 20, two top 10, one top 6, four runners-up, and 2 crowns.

Now that the new era has begun, fans are eagerly eyeing the

country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.

Rabiya Mateo, a licensed physical therapist and a lecturer, is our representative for the 69th Miss Universe competition. Mateo is a Filipina who struggled and climbed her way to success, sharing stories of her juggling work and school; sleeping on a banig; and borrowing a phone to catch up with the pageant.

In her opening speech, the line “phenomenal woman with a heartfelt beauty” became her brand as she pushes forth with utmost determination and perseverance to show the universe that she can be a symbol of hope for all women.

In her bid for the fifth Miss Universe crown, Mateo launched a series called Stories of Hope, where she shares different stories of students here in the Philippines. Her first episode featured the story of Kimberly of Cebu, who walks kilometers to get into her school—a heartfelt tale of a girl who will do anything to make her dreams come true.

Mateo, after interviewing, distributed school supplies to the children of Cebu, and several other students after hearing their stories of hard work.

Her team also launched a series called Going Places.

In their first episode, Mateo interviewed Analie, an Ati tribe teacher, who seeks to finish her studies despite her age.

She wanted to show her tribe that education chooses no sex nor age.

With these, Filipinos are avidly watching her journey while waiting for the day of competition, and the support she is receiving already guarantees more than a winning crown.

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WHY NOT? BARBIE IS PRETTY.

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he little innocent boy in me always wanted to get that toy. The one dressed in pretty clothes of vibrant colors, matched with a lovely face stamped with pigments that I also wanted to play with in my mom’s good ole pink makeup pouch. At the shelves, I would give the toy a good stare, completely enchanted with her beauty and I would get butterflies at the thought of being able to brush her hair. But my mini wonderland would end as soon as my mother brought me to the ranger figurines. And no, I wouldn’t even argue with her because apparently, Barbie is “not for me.”

Though Mom never bought me that plastic doll, she couldn’t prevent me from adoring the fairies of Winx Club and the agents of Totally Spies. Nor could she stop me from basking under the scorching heat while playing Chinese garter, more so having girls as friends.

As a kid, I would rather be treated as a good brother in bahay-bahayan, than be called “sister” in overly exaggerated feminine tones by some random guys I barely know. I chose to play 10-20, as the great mother who saved everyone rather than be laughed at in basketball for having an unusual stance and not throwing the ball hard enough. I wanted to be acknowledged with my smooth moves in Pamela 1 rather than be ridiculed by teenage guys for merely looking at my nails and elbows in distinct ways. That is why if anyone wondered why I didn’t like being with straight boys, needless to ask.

Albeit young and still clueless, the society was already so sure in gendering me. Parts of my upbringing are the records of voices in my head from almost every imaginable stranger, all shouting at me with the same

by Allen Dave Tubangui

word, “Bakla!” As if it was an insult, as if I was an insult. Some even make chants out of it; it sure was fun for them. All it took was a glimpse of my walk, or the snippet of my talk – I was already completely gendered, degraded.

Keep encountering something till familiarity and you will get used to it, but those voices were the exemptions to the rule. So, I learned the chameleon’s skill, how straights are supposed to act, because it appears that I was too feminine for the organ between my thighs.

Regardless of the chameleon's effort to act manly enough, I still get called names these days. As if they were any good before, they’ve evolved now – Sirena (mermaid), Barbie. But in no difference with the voices before, they still carry the same derogatory tone. Amidst being just sound waves, they still carry the teeth of the mouth they come from, they bite.

Longhair, face makeup, shorts and skirts, handbags, high-pitched voice, hips that sway from the eastern pole and to the farthest west, or any other display of femininity or combinations of such; effeminate gays, aka femme gays, are people’s standard base idea of a gay person.

Our first encounters of gay people are those who stood on stage in towering platform heels introducing themselves as Anne Curtis and the likes to tickle our entertainment. Yet these are the same people, whom after giving off laughs to the society that still suffer from the bully that is also the society.

It is often a comfort statement these days to say that gays are generally more accepted in today’s generation. Now, I no longer hear them say “Bakla!”

Rather, they say “Bakla 'yan pero…” followed by a positive trait that is supposed to compensate for my gayness. “Tanggap kita basta…” were the words of the people around me whilst proudly, yet

discreetly presenting their contract of acceptance with restrictions made of literally my femme character.

Did I already say these were comfort statements? Perhaps they really were because I was lucky; I wasn’t physically hurt for coming out.

But those who only had three-leaf clovers have way more violent stories to tell. Some had to be in dextrose and hospital beds, some had to find themselves a new home and family.

The world today definitely knows about femme gay existence. People, who seek for laughter, enter the fun realm of comedy bars dominated by the femmes. A barangay fiesta is not complete without a Miss Gay pageant, which are joined by my kind, to spice up the celebration. Even I see my character often used in movies as the protagonist’s fun and humorous best friend, the one who deliberately carries the comedic part of the show.

However, as many gayinvolved movies and dramas came before my eyes, fewest of the few were the times I have seen myself portrayed as the main character. Even through the surge of Boys’ Love (BL) themed dramas and stories that center on gay relationships, rarely have I found a blue moon where I, a femme gay, was the main interest of the lover. It was always between two masculine gays of qualities indifferent to straight guys falling so sweetly in love with each other.

Even gay hookup culture singles out femme gays. Almost no one would touch sexual and/ or romantic attention to a femme.

Dating app bios would even say “No femme”, “Discreet/Manly only.”

I, being femme, am a swipe-left to most gays. Discrimination towards people like me also happens inside the gay community, a hardship inside a hardship, so much to say about acceptance and representation.

Patriarchy, the man-centric society, is the primary motivator of femme gay discrimination. The

misogynistic perspectives of the people make it hard for the effeminates to reach a genuinely accepting society. A clogged tube can only let more fluid flow once the dirt, that is patriarchy, is removed.

I sometimes face my reflection with regrets as to why I became a femme gay. It surely is a daily battle out there, but as soon as realization hits my bothered head, I am reminded – if I wasn’t gay I would just be like any other boring canvas, less creative, less colorful, and less beautiful.

People are threatened by my existence, and that is a strength that I always take as a compliment. I grew up in the inspirations of smart, funny, kind-hearted, and talented gays and women, how can they say I am less?

I am not a satirical term. I am not a negative affiliation before a positive quality. I am not a breach of contract. I am not just a sidekick. I am not a punching bag. I am not just for others’ entertainment. I am swiperight worthy. I am a mermaid whom little kids dream of seeing. I am Barbie whom children look up to and love to play with.

Today, I strolled through the alley of toys again. The grown up in me is no longer obsessed with that plastic doll, but the little boy beside me surely is.

As I approached the kid, a familiar hand blocked the way.

Seemingly reaching for two dolls, she gave one to the child and she put the other in our shopping cart. I gave my mom a look of wonder and she just replied, “Why not? Barbie is pretty.”

KIAN PERALTA

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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IO FEATS

KIAN PERALTA, CHRISTLE BERNARDO, CHA TANGLAO, GABRIEL DY

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he continuation of academic endeavors in a public health emergency, imposed lockdowns and downfall of world economies is a testament as to how the education system is flawed, self-serving, barely working and extremely anti-poor. Prior to the continuation of the academic year of 2020-2021, there have been countless recurring protests to have an academic break in upholding a principle that no one should be left behind. In the current situation, acquiring the virus is no longer in the question of ‘if ’ but ‘when’ which puts everyone in a vulnerable, helpless spot.

We are not heard; the cries of students and activist groups were put aside, thus, the online classes have persistently commenced, in a program with no backbone, and an arena where the accessibility of a fair, quality education is no longer equitably possible.

Learning in one’s

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bowl of lugaw’s perfect warmth is a staple breakfast merienda for every Filipino, which mirrors the richness of the culinary culture of the country.

In fact, the National Geographic society stated that this dish had nourished over 3.5 million people worldwide and is considered as one of the earliest renowned foods of our ancestors by the National Quincentennial Committee.

own phase can be enticing; it was popularized by home school operators which promotes a lessrestrictive ground where people with tighter schedules get to learn and manage prior commitments at the same time. However, building its structure in the educational system in this time of pandemic bombards a student holistically; especially in areas of their mental health and financial stability. The past few months have rendered an exhausting struggle of balancing responsibilities as a student and the matter of survival. The surge of COVID-19 cases has been reported to breach the million mark, showing no sights of its recession in the way of how the government handles the pandemic.

This issue has only exacerbated the long-enduring problems of the education system and has only made it harder for students to reasonably keep up.

Moreover, we have witnessed how the online class setting is not only a problem for students but also for instructors. Both parties concerned have been unmotivated

*Roasted garlic – gives powerful antioxidants and bounty of vitamin C *Spring onions – contain high vitamin C that boost the immune system *Boiled egg – rich in nutrients and high quality proteins, and a good source of omega-3

So what really makes lugaw *Calamansi – aids in controlling the cholesterol level and in detoxifying essential? the body

Here is the deconstructed list of ingredients that make up such an incredible dish:

*Black pepper – has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

*Rice – a good source of iron, vitamin B, and carbohydrates that provide energy

*Tofu – important source of protein and helps in lowering bad cholesterol

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

and overworked. Educational institutions believe that studying and working at home equates to more time, hence assigning more tasks. In contrast with the popular notion, our homes will never be conducive to learning.

Further, in lectures that require hands-on and experiential learning, online class learning appears barely sufficient. We cannot expect students to genuinely show interest in courses they only see virtually.

This seems to be one of the main reasons why students tend to stop for a year, shift from their programs and live in constant mental stress.

Apart from its structural failure and inconsiderate means, online classes are also financially burdening. It’s a known fact that not everyone can have tools or gadgets to learn in this setting.

With most Filipino people in the lower-economic strata, we can definitely tell as to how it is anti-poor where it only serves the privileged ones. Though

*Pork – rich source of vitamins and minerals

Even one serving of plain lugaw, which is usually made with just rice and water, already contains about 138

modular distance learning was introduced to public schools, we cannot fully assure its effectiveness as the burden relies on parents teaching their kids.

Zero presence of teachers would only lead to more confusion, having to resort to cheating and academic dishonesty.

Inarguably, this time was a tough time for all of us. We are shown neither progression of the pandemic’s management nor concrete plans for the vaccine rollout. The online class setting is not working. With its constraints and its limiting nature, we can never learn what we need to. Hear Ye; provide the public more secure options that will not compromise their health and learning. If not, help everyone through postponing the coming academic year, or at least giving out week-long mental health breaks. We would not like learning to come at expense of our health, especially if it's with no working structures and proven integrations.

calories, 1.3 g of fat, 28 g of carbohydrates, and 1.3 g of fiber. This soul-satisfying dish truly quenches one’s hunger without compromising their health. Therefore, the delivery of this good food must not be hampered 24/7 because lugaw is essential!

IO FEATS

23

GABRIEL DY AND CHRISTLE BERNARDO

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Your parcel is being delivered by a courier,” is a message that instantly lights us up any day, and since the beginning of lockdown, we have all received a myriad of these notifications.

Right from the onset of the pandemic came various e-commerce platforms that offer good deals through vouchers and promos that are patronized by bargain-loving Filipinos. In fact, a study conducted by iPrice Group showed that the online purchases of the Filipinos in the first half of 2020 has increased by 57%, which is the highest rise among all Southeast Asian countries.

Although this practice helps with the stay-at-home protocols and acts as a proper pick-me-up on a bad day, we’re actually silently creating a

discernible yet tacit environmental dilemma. In particular, the amount of single-use plastic waste has amounted to more pollution problems.

A New York State analysis concluded that it only takes an average of 12 minutes for a package to transfer from a buyer’s hands to the trash can. This nonenvironmental practice increases plastic waste for up to 300% in landfills, and may end up either burned in cement kilns or in drainage and bodies of water.

more eco-friendly practices and packages. EcoNest PH introduced an eco-packaging solution for this problem – the cassava bag that would only take about 100 days to decompose and is also soluble in hot water.

Fortunately, over 150 diverse groups have instigated to call the attention of those online shopping sites and appeal for sustainable packaging. As buyers and consumers of this time, we must take responsibility and start

At this rate, delivery companies and online platforms must be pressured into using

supporting actual platforms that are environmentallyaware and are seeking for change.

Let us not allow another factor into the destruction of our environment, just as we are all starting to move for change.

What use are metal straws and reusable cups if we are not mindful of the plastic packaging it comes with?

JOIN THE TEAM! The Pioneer, the official student publication of Angeles University Foundation, is now opening its reportorial examination for aspiring journos who may want to join our collective unit of students journalists for A.Y. 2021-2022!

We are looking for: *News Correspondents *Feature Correspondents *Literary Correspondents *Sports Correspondents *Layout Artists *Graphic Artists *Cartoonists *Photojournalists If interested, take the first step: https://forms.gle/vU5gBxkBFF8sPb1v8 ***Due to the current situation, the entire application process will be conducted online.*** For inquiries you may send an email to thepioneer@auf.edu.ph or message 09196488069, Rhein Tuazon, Editor in Chief.

Bridging Gaps | Unity in Diversity | Write to Serve VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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RESS BOX

EDITORIAL

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New hoop season, new problems that may arise.

nother spectacle in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) arena is being brewed by PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas as he proposes to stage a best-of-seven series between Gilas Pilipinas and Chinese national team that would better jumpstart the upcoming 46th season.

Getting the players dosed by Moderna vaccine courtesy of the Philippine Red Cross is the first step assured by the officials before letting them loose on the court. It is foreseen that such exhibition can spark hope and among Filipinos during this pandemic—making them feel that “semblance of normalcy” as they like to put it.

Let’s face it, nothing is ever the same again. Maybe now we have to redefine what real normal is. Indeed, this duel may weave a stronger story for PBA history but is it really that urgent and necessary as of this moment? Why are they so caught up to perform and deliver something on television when pride from such a showdown with the Chinese ballers cannot really solve anything absolute? There is something problematic in sketching a picture where there is good entertainment inside the arena yet in reality outside its walls, there are those who continue to suffer in this crisis.

How can we keep the ball dribbling if the virus has not stopped in its scare game?

Hope not a Hoop

Our nation needs more than a ball and a ring, we need action, not a game, a response, not a playoff, and a hope not a hoop. Imagine displaying normalcy and playing a huge game in a country ranked second with the most number of cases in South East Asia, a country that has incompetent

leaders and sluggish response to the pandemic.

Vaccination for the teams? Why not administer it to those unfortunate and immunocompromised who really deserves the vaccine? We cannot just watch them dribble and pass

authorities. When there should be efforts aligned with the strengthening of our pool of athletes, especially at these crucial times, we see another pointless attempt aimed at making friendly ties with the neighboring nation. This is even

as on the other hand, frontliners are worn out saving lives, our country rather. This ballgame can wait unless there is really a shade behind this, what cannot wait is the immediate response to millions of Filipinos who are currently suffering. This playoff will never be a cure for them.

Misplaced Camaraderie

It would not be a stretch to say that this spectacle is another misdirected action of the government and the sporting

contradictory as disputes in our seas still occur with China— our fishermen are being driven away, and all of these persist despite our win in the arbitral tribunal way back in 2015.

Camaraderie and sportsmanship lies at the very core of sports. And we Filipinos are known sports lovers or enthusiasts, so, it is safe to ascertain that we also understand these values. But now, it is time to look at those and

observe where they are placed— if they can be achieved with the China vs. Philippines exhibition game, or merely become concepts we cannot grasp.

To Gain or to Lose

As mentioned above, this proposed game is a futile attempt to bring back normalcy. And we might lose more than what we can gain. Assumptions that there may be a hidden agenda held by the Philippines sporting authorities and/or China cannot be withheld; actually, they should be out in the open.

It is also important to note that opposing the said proposal does not equate to opposing a chance for the Filipinos to receive inspiration or pride from a well-loved sport, but rather, to the effort and actions that will be squandered if it ever pushes through. It is so obvious that the future plans of the government and sporting committees should be directed to our very own athletes.

Before we aim to empower Filipinos, we must first empower and provide a strong foundation to the ones who give us empowerment and pride.

Let the sun stay where it is. Sports fans are already content watching PBA alone.

This enthusiasm brought by the Filipino basketball fans reflects how focus we are with our players– it seems like they are already playing in an international arena.

Giving China a spot in our PBA matches is like removing the essence of organizing the PBA.

Therefore, there is no need for these committees to think twice. Bring back the same PBA, and Filipino fans will never fail to give the hype even without China. If China wants to prove something, then they can prove themselves in an international arena. We had enough.

third in MLBB.

The CCS Dragons coasted to victory in the semi-finals round of Valorant against the Serpents but took a loss in the finals against the Falcons to ultimately rest at second place.

The CON Serpents claimed the second and third spots in Call of Duty Mobile and Valorant, respectively.

The CBA Bobcats occupied the third place seats in Call of Duty Mobile and League of Legends, while the CCS Dragons settled for third in DOTA 2.

The competitions are concluded and streamed on the University Student Council’s Discord and official Facebook page.

#AUFWIN: Angeleneans battle it out in were the College of Nursing (CON) Esports CHRISTLE BERNARDO From Page 28 to the lanes of League as they emerged Champions in League of Legends (LOL), overpowering the CAMP Falcons to second place.

#CONquering DOTA 2

Serpents, slithering their way to destroy the ancient of the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) Tigers and claim the first place in the esport.

The College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) Bobcats clinched the second place in the popular Mobile Legends (ML), while the CBA Tigers settled for

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

RESS BOX

“As we all know, we’re still in a state of pandemic situation. If we do not have and experience this kind of problem, I may be in favor of the PBA-China series.

However, it is hard to start this new season because the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines is still high and increasing. It is better for us to prioritize our safety and protection than other things...”

“For me, I’m actually opposed to this idea. It’s the PBA’s 35th anniversary and yet they want foreign players to play during that said day. Why won’t they just focus on their own Filipino players and let them truly showcase their talent during that event. Also, this is not a good time to invite players from other countries knowing that the COVID cases here in our country are still surging. Another thing is we have this issue with China regarding the West Philippine Sea. They are saying that this is a good idea to relieve the tension between the two countries but I think this will not really help with the problem. So yeah, it’s a no for me.”

Christine Agustine , BSN-2E

Larah Mae Lacanlala, BSED-2

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"No, kasi if ever na matuloy according sa news the series daw kasi poses many questions kaya I think I’m not in favor with the PBA-China series."

“The sports field was one of the things that was really affected in this pandemic. However, I believe that giving our athletes the opportunity to play gives the public a sense of hope in these trying times. Much like how the NBA and UFC lets their athletes play in the field, I believe that the PBA should grab this opportunity to play against China because I believe that it is healthy for our sports field granted that the safety of the players is still the priority.”

Michaela Fuertez Marbella (3rd year, BSBA Marketing Management)

Marc Joseph Ganancial (BS Criminology 3)

SPORTS BUFF BEAT Are you in favor of the eyed PBA-China series for the next league season?

Why or why not?

“In my opinion, I am not in favour sa said event. Kasi kahit clear man ang lahat ng players, hindi parin makakasigurado na safe lahat. Lalo na padami ng padami mga cases right now. We should focus more on how to get the cases lower before creating events for the satisfaction of the people.”

Samantha Pineda (BS Multimedia Arts 2)

“It seems na isa na naman itong dressing of how can Ph maintain its relationship to China and China slowly colonizing Philippines.

Opening this kind of series even though it is just for exhibition games, it just means that Filipino players have been degraded more and more. PBA is not pure anymore,so this is just something for show.”

“According to the PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, one reason for the match is to get a semblance of normalcy amid the West Philippine Sea issue but I don’t think it would resolve or contribute anything to the current issue between China and the Philippines.

I also don’t think it’s recommendable to accept people from other countries given our current situation if ever the season will start this year.”

“Yes, I am in favor of the PBA-China series for the next league season. Despite the concurrent issues and heavy atmosphere surrounding the Filipinos and Chinese, I think that the event is acceptable since it is just about the sport. Ordinary citizens such as the Filipino and Chinese players should not be involved in political matters because the government is responsible for these.

Having said this, there is really no problem having the PBA-CHINA exhibition games.”

Heather Chloe Tulan (BS Architecture 1)

Joshua Canlas (BS Biology 1)

Clark Angelo Supan , BSPT

Squad without its stars JOHN VINCENT MIGUEL

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) pushed through its national team tryouts for the women's volleyball team last April 28 at Subic Gymnasium amidst pandemic.

Following the protocols,

16 out of 40 athletes who attended the tryouts secured a spot in the women's national team according to Ramon Suzara, PNVF President.

Among the athletes who were present were the national team’s pillars Jaja Santiago, Aby Marano, Majoy Baron, and Mylene

Paat attended the said tryouts.

Also, veterans Ria Meneses, Dell Palomata, Iris Tonelada, and young athletes Kamille Cal, Imee Hernandez, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Ivy Lacsina, Mhicaela Belen, Bernadette Pepito, Eya Laure and Alyssa Solomon are also in attendance.

On the other hand, SEA Games professional athletes Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, and Maddie Madayag did not take part in the tryouts due to their health and safety concerns brought by the pandemic.

Moreover, pro-league Continue on Page 28 >>

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

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RESS BOX

SHE COULD, SHE DID: Who are the go-hard Filipinas staged for Tokyo Olympics?

TRISHA LINDO

I

f he could, so could she.

Filipina national athletes continue to dominate the world of sports here in our country, a game of go hard or go home made some of them to even book tickets for 2021 Tokyo Olympics this July 23. True enough, they aren’t just made for the side benches but meant to rule the impossible stadiums. One cannot fan out the flame of female power—proving that they are as equally capable as of men and that they also have their rightful spot whether on small or big stages.

Probably the biggest stage of sports that every single athlete shoots for is the Olympic Games and it is with pride that we’re not yet bidding goodbye on our chances to cop medals in this prestigious event as we have the best national athletes to front the battle, proudly some of them are faces of female.

Let’s take a look at the girl power set to see action in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics: Nesthy Petecio and Irish Magno

If there are two prizefighters you need to fear in the women’s division, it is Nesthy Petecio and Irish Magno who take the ring as if it’s a playground where they can put up their A-game of blows.

Being named as the second-best boxer in the Women’s Elite 57-kilogram category did not just happen for no reason. Nesthy Petecio, a Davao del Sur native, cruised her way in Olympics lane when she captured the gold medal in 2019 Women’s Boxing World Championship.

Two decades in boxing and it served her well as her nonstop jab and medal-after-medal moments had finally led her to her lifelong dream—the Tokyo Olympics.

29 year-old Iloilo pride Irish Magno on the other hand knows the hardship vocabulary long enough that she became the first Filipina who won seat in Olympics via Asia-Oceania qualifiers last March 2020. Who would have thought that an amateur boxer and one who once worked in a farm to support her family is now bound to Tokyo

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

stage? Great opportunities indeed come to those who make the most of the small ones.

Hustle, hit and never quit is a mantra we can grasp from the mighty gloves of both Petecio and Magno— something that fuelled them towards where they are now. Along with one more Olympian bet Carlo Paalam, the boxing team currently prepares hard in their training camp in Samui Island, Thailand.

Hidilyn Diaz

Just her name itself already weighs something.

Hidilyn Diaz is a pocket dynamo weightlifter, a world-renowned icon whose endeavour cannot be carried by anyone else the way she greatly does.

This is the fourth flight of Diaz in Olympics.

Her first debut was way back in 2008 Beijing Olympics then the next door was the 2012 London Olympics. She cracked through the walls

of country’s long drought in the field of weightlifting when she brought home the silver in 2016 Rio Olympics. Packed with so much power, she repeats her history by securing another spot for Olympics but this time in Tokyo after recently finishing as 4th place overall at the 2021 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Uzbekistan.

Diaz kept her eyes focused on the Olympic gold, not just for herself but for the glory of Filipino people and young aspirants.

This energy of hers was manifested in an interview, “I’m still continuing this journey towards the Olympics because I believe I can win. I believe that God has a plan for me.”

The queen weightlifter started her training in Malaysia since March. After her journey, she is plans to study and get a degree next as she already earned a silver medal [from 2016 Rio Olympics]. Clearly, there is no limit to what she can do and accomplish.

RESS BOX

PH fencers gear up on SoKor Training for SEA Games Build up

PHOTO / RAPPLER

MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY GAMES

#UWEEK2021: Falcons rise to the top in Esports

KYLE KATREECE NABUNG The Philippine Fencing Team is in talks for laying the groundwork training in South Korea, in preparation for the anticipated 31st Southeast Asian Games Build up this year which will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Philippine Fencing Association’s coach, Rolando “Amat” Canlas said that two possibilities were taken into consideration in line with the team’s preparatory measures prior the biennial meeting imbuing the Filipino fencers harnessed skills on November 21 to December 2 where initially, a one-month camp was to be settled in South Korea, a country that is entitled to be a global power in sports.

Correspondingly, as disclosed by coach Amat Canlas in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation: “Our Plan B is quite cheaper, [that] is to send Korean fencers in our

27

country for us to train against adept fencers.Probably, about 12 fencers, [that is] our second option.”

The dramatic shift that the pandemic inflicted demanded major adjustments as imposed restrictions and protocol have left the chance in a supposed sojourn training in Hong-Kong. “This quarantine is what will kill us. Like in Hong Kong, lengthened days of quarantine period takes about 21 days. However in Korea, the number of days of quarantine will take 14 days” said Canlas, as he reiterated about the previous arrangement with Korea regarding the training similarly in the previous years (2019).

Likelihood of bubble training in Ormoc, City will partake once again, just like it did for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament a month ago. The

CHRISTLE ANN BERNARDO Staying true to #bakaCAMPYONyan, the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) Falcons soared high as they claimed the championship in three of the five e-sports during the university days— Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Valorant, and Call of Duty Mobile, last April 26-27.

PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN

federation will preside over the event for the National Fencing Championships, a SEA Games qualifier, at Ormoc City Superdome from July 3-11.

PHOTO / UP FENCING TEAM FB PAGE

Curious to see if Angeleneans are in favor of the eyed PBA-China series for the next league season?

Check out Sports Buff Beat on Press Box Page 25!

Falcon Ivan Vanity Bondoc was hero in MLBB, and joining him at the top are Joel Dungca and Ralph Gene Vargas, fellow CAMPyons in CODM and Valorant, respectively, as all three rose to be the Most Valuable Players in their esport. #CONquering DOTA 2 were the College of Nursing (CON) Serpents, slithering their way in the lanes to destroy the ancient of the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) Tigers and claim the first place in the esport with MVP Dean Santos leading the charge.

The College of Computer Studies (CCS) Dragons rose and breathed fire to the lanes of League as they emerged Champions in League of Legends (LOL), overpowering the CAMP Falcons to second place; Lance Dagdag was main champ as he was hailed MVP.

The competitions are concluded and are streamed on the University Student Council’s Discord and official Facebook page.

VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE NO. 4 | JANUARY TO JULY 2021

READ ON P27

PH fencers gear up on SoKor Training for SEA Games Build up

SCOOP

She could she did: Who are the go-hard Filipinas READ ON P26 staged for Tokyo Olympics?

Sports JANUARY TO MAY 2021

#AUFWIN:

ANGELENEANS BATTLE IT OUT IN ESPORTS CHRISTLE BERNARDO ANGELENEANS bearing the might and pride of their colleges, laid siege in the virtual battlegrounds as the AUF University Student Council (USC) organized five Esports competitions last April 26-27 in celebration for the first-ever virtual university week.

Staying true to #bakaCAMPYONyan, the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) Falcons soared high as they claimed the championship in three of the five Esports during the

university days— Mobile Legends, Valorant, and Call of Duty Mobile.

The College of Computer Studies (CCS) Dragons rose and breathed fire Continue on Page 24

Squad without its stars JOHN VINCENT MIGUEL ...from Page 25 players and some former national team key players Kim Fajardo, Denden Lazaro, Dawn Macandili, and Kalei Mau, to name a few, also opted to beg off from the tryouts.

Kalei Mau, Filipino-Hawaiian athlete skipped the tryouts since she was pursuing a professional volleyball stint in Puerto Rico. Also, student-athlete, De La Salle University’s Angel Canino, also missed the tryouts because her parents prioritized her health.

Suzara plans without the squad national team (Valdez) and other "We have to effect mentioned.

to keep the ball rolling even stars. ""Why? Don’t tell me the can’t be formed without Alyssa [star] players," he mentioned. change in Philippine volleyball.” he

PH loses chess marvel; So now an American citizen CHRISTLE BERNARDO Chess prodigy and grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So officially became a US citizen last February 26.

Nothing less than a sucker-punch on the nonchalant sporting authorities of the Philippines.

World no. 9 So, who previously represented the country in multiple national championships now bids goodbye to his hometown.

“I am now a part of the American dream,” said the 27year old So. “I am part of the most successful country on earth, ready to make my own contribution and have my own legacy here.”

So peaked in March of 2017, when he ranked second in the world, just behind the World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, and just two years later, the Filipino-born ousted the Norwegian great in the first-ever FIDE-sanctioned Fischer Random World Chess The Pioneer AUF

@thepioneerauf

Championship.

And two years more, after bringing down the world’s no. 1, So changed citizenship and was claimed by the US Chess Federation as their very own on March 4.

“That does not mean I don't love the Philippines. I have good memories from there. But I did not have the connections needed to succeed in that culture.

I was from the province, not a city boy. Had no money, etc. I wanted to go further, and there was only one country where a nobody [could] make it. The USA!" So exclaimed in an interview.

So began entering tournaments at 9 years old, earned the seat of the 9th youngest GM in the world, and still holds the title of youngest International Master and GM in the Philippines.

The chess prodigy currently residing in Excelsior, Minnesota, is projected to walk the hall of fame of chess, being only in his 20s and boasting records that make him a marvel in the world of the sport. thepioneer@auf.edu.ph

thepioneerauf