Bridging Gaps. Unity in Diversity. Write to Serve NEWS
OPINION
Students receive tablets and loaded pocket wifi— implements Brick-toClick
Dysfuntional RA 7079: The Death of Campus Press? >> PAGE 7
FEATURE Aling Marie: A tita we all deserve >> PAGE 12
>> PAGE 2
P6 / EDITORIAL
Angelenean’s real struggle
The Official Student Publication of Angeles University Foundation
resilience. art by Kian Peralta
VOLUME XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
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NEWS
EQUIPPED FOR “BRICK-TO-CLICK” LEARNING. Qualified students receive bundles from the university.
PHOTO/ AUF’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
Students receive tablets and loaded pocket wifi— implements Brick-to-Click MA. RHEANNA TUAZON Qualified students from different colleges qualified as recipients of the Click Bundles. Said assistance included a Lenovo M10 HD tablet, pocket WiFi, and 300 pesos monthly e-load. During this pandemic, the university made way to assist as many students as they can. Part of these assistances are the distribution of the mentioned click bundles;
some also received Internet Data Bundles which gave 300 pesos worth of e-load. Student-applicants are screened well and are recommended by respective colleges. “Click bundle helped me with my study because I don’t have any gadgets to use. The tablet that the AUF distributed to us, chosen students are in good condition and smooth,” said Cristia Llona from College of Education.
AUF exceeds another PAASCU accreditation feat TRISHA MAE CHU Angeles University Foundation continuously proved the excellence of its undergraduate programs after receiving yet another accreditation status granted by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP). Said university passed the standards set by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), therefore granting the university higher statuses for most of its programs. Among the academic programs with a Level III status are: Basic Education, Computer Science, Information Technology, Medical Technology, Medicine, and Physical Therapy. On the other hand, ten academic programs successfully maintained their statuses, providing respective benefits and incentives until May 2025. These re-accredited academic programs are: Biology, Communication, Elementary Education, Nursing, Psychology,
Secondary Education (all at Level IV), Accountancy, Business Administration (both at Level III), Civil Engineering (Level II), and Pharmacy (Level I). In addition, Electronics Engineering is given its Level I initial accreditation, which would be valid until May 2023. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) stated that benefits and incentives would be granted according to an institution’s level. Level IV, being the highest level, grants full autonomy for the program and the authority to offer new graduate programs allied to existing Level IV courses, open learning or distance education and extension. Manifesting its excellence in instruction, research, and community extension services, AUF is one of the few educational institutions in the country that are granted with the full autonomous status by CHED. Alongside with this are the Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development in various programs, the greatest number among private higher education institutions in Central Luzon.
The bundles aided students in the current online learning platform of the university. The selected students mentioned that the Lenovo M10 HD tablets distributed are functioning properly and the pocket WiFi with the e-load helped them with their much-needed network especially in power interruptions. “Para sa akin itong internet bundle na ‘to malaki ang
hatid na tulong lalo na kapag may biglaang power interruption sa lugar namin. Madalas kasing mangyari ‘yon tapos natatapat pa kung kailan may exam ako or may online class,” added Anna Kathleen David from College of Arts and Sciences, a receiver of the internet data bundle. Said distribution of bundles is part of the university’s Distance Learning Plan or “Brick-to-Click.”
University commences safe operations under GCQ SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ As Pampanga shifted to general community quarantine on June 1, public transportation and businesses are allowed to ease into more lenient protocols. Angeles University Foundation is one of the few universities that took this opportunity to serve its students while in quarantine. In this new normal, AUF made sure to announce
that its operations may still be done online or at home. “AUF puts a premium on the safety and well-being of its faculty, staff, and students while remaining committed to the quality of instruction that it has been best known for,” the university stated on a Facebook post. While AUF provides onsite assistance for payments, the rest > Page 4
Dr. Tulabut marks position as Assistant VPAA ANGELO FERNANDEZ Dr. Olga Angelinetta P. Tulabut, the former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been appointed the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs as proudly announced by the University through its online platforms. The newly appointed
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assistant vice president has served the University as the Program Chair for the Graduate School even before becoming the Dean of CAS. These responsibilities have equipped Dr. Tulabut with experiences in curriculum planning, strategy evaluation and faculty development, institutional research > Page 4
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Pampang Public Market re-opens after its temporary shutdown. LESLIE LAYUG
TAILED. Student activists before peaceful protest.
PHOTO/ CEGP-CL
5 student activists, tailed and interrogated by military men MA. RHEANNA TUAZON Despite clear intentions of peacefully rallying while complying with the regulations of social distancing, five student activists from different progressive youth groups have been interrogated by seven men in uniform on June 12. According to Denisse Macalino, chairperson of The College Editors Guild of the PhilippinesCentral Luzon Chapter, activists immediately cleared out from the venue after the peace protest. However, a bystander notified said five activists
about the military men following them. When halted, the officials enquired about the students’ names and linked organizations. Amidst numerous threats accepted by dissenters and critics from both state troopers and trolls, the fight for human rights and liberty of the nation still prevails. This also served as the objective of the student-dissenters when they decided to conduct the peace protest. The peace protest is executed as an extension of the nation-wide “Grand Mañanita” in the National Capital Region. It is done on the Plaza Miranda and also serves as a celebration for the 122nd Independence Day.
CHED pushes face-to-face classes despite COVID-19 ISABELLE MAGLALANG On May 24, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero De Vera III first announced in an interview that face-to-face classes in higher levels will reopen on August. “For those universities that are ready to implement flexible learning systems, they can open in August. For those that have difficulty they can open later, maybe September, depending on the health protocols applied in their cities,” he said. More than a month later, despite the steady increase of the number of the infected, he firmly stated that the country is going to push through with the reopening of universities and colleges on said date. “No ifs, no buts. Learning must continue. We learn as one, we are ready,” he added Several schools have already prepared to implement the flexible
learning method, which makes use of online tools. Some students, however, find this burdensome because of the lack of resources and financial support. De Vera rebuked these claims by saying that flexible learning does not mean going purely online; it includes both online and offline. According to De Vera, most schools have already shifted to flexible learning even before the enhanced community quarantine. His worries go to smaller universities who are not as prepared as those universities in the cities, but fortunately, some schools have extended a helping hand. Even before this statement, several universities have taken up their stance against online classes like: UP, ADMU, DLSU, and UST. AUF-USC also appealed to the resumption of the online class, in it they identified the reasons are to why online classes are unfavorable to both the privileged and unprivileged alike.
On July 3, Pampang Public Market, the main public market of Angeles City, partially reopened after its temporary shutdown on June 24 due to the COVID-19 positive result of a vendor. After the rapid testing, disinfection, and self-quarantine imposed on all stall owners and vendors, Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. ordered a partial re-opening of Pampang Public Market. To prevent the spread of the virus, the city government issued contact tracing
forms for all market-goers to assure that no one has any traces or even symptoms of the virus. Not all vendors are able to re-open stalls due to incomplete requirements asked by the city government. Some of them, even before the re-opening, decided to sell their products on the streets of Barangay Lourdes Northwest. City government reminds the people to always wear their face masks when stepping outside to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the virus.
Bugarin conquers 19th Chinese Bridge ADRIAN BLANDO Despite the pandemic situation, the Confucius Institute (CI) in the Philippines hailed its new representative in the global competition, Jessa Leigh Bugarin, after launching 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Language Students in the Philippines virtually last July 11. This 21-year old Ilocana from College of Education, outsmarted 15 other college students in four different rounds of the competition: Quiz Bee, Impromptu Speech, Talent Round and Freestyle Final Message. “For the record, this is a Chinese Proficiency Competition, and I thought I’m not qualified. But in the end, I’ve realized that this was just my excuse.” she claimed. She also emphasized
that the competition helped her gain more knowledge to Chinese culture, to showcase her talent, and to prove that she can do more. “There is something more within me” she added. This competition is sponsored by the Chinese Embassy and organized by the Confucius Institute at Angeles University Foundation. This year’s competition is also held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, which according to Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines Huang Xilian, is of extraordinary significance. Bugarin said that she is still waiting for the announcement of her international competition.
OUTSMARTING. 21-year-old Angelenean claims victory on 19th Chinese Bridge PHOTO/ JESSA LEIGH BUGARIN, FROM HER FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
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NEWS
ABS-CBN SHUT DOWN. Millenium Transmitter at night. PHOTO/ MOOGLET— FLICKR ACCOUNT
Congress shuts down PH media giant: ABS-CBN ALLEN DAVE TUBANGUI On July 10, after a series of hearings, the Congress followed the recommendation of the committee’s technical working group (TWG) to deny ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. With an overwhelming 70-11 voting turnout, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises moved to reject the 25-year franchise bid of one of the country’s largest broadcasting networks—ABS-CBN. House committee’s decision to reject a new franchise opts the media giant to lay off 11,000 employees, leaving them jobless during this pandemic where money and resources are scarce. The network faced numerous issues and violations, one of which is labor-related breaches. According to the House panel, ABSCBN’s labor conditions are “less
than exemplary” as only 25% of its 11,701 employees are regularized. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that there are 67 pending cases against ABS-CBN in the National Labor Relations Commission. However, DOLE stated that “on account of those findings, the company took steps to correct those violations.” Subsidiaries of ABS-CBN such as the Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation are also allegedly used as tax shields. While it is not illegal, the tax avoidance of the network contributes to the growing inequality in the country as stated by the lawmakers. On the contrary Ricardo Tan, the network’s chief financial officer, told the House that it has been compliant to paying taxes annually and has never paid zero taxes on any given year. Tan added that ABS-CBN has largely contributed to the country’s economy paying Php 71.5 billion worth of tax from 2003-2019. Another accusation is the
‘illegal extending’ of the network’s services through a frequency not owned by them. ABS-CBN’s block-time deal with Amcara Broadcasting Network made it possible for the former to air several channels in TVPlus using the latter’s frequency. This arrangement convinced the Congress that ABS-CBN is violating the legislative franchise granted to them. To argue, both network executives stood that these block-time agreements are a standard and commonly practiced in the broadcasting field. Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III’s, ABS-CBN chairman emeritus, dual citizenship is also questioned by the House panel. A constitutional rule states that a broadcasting company must be owned 100% by a Filipino, which the committee sees that Lopez is violating. The Department of Justice, on the other hand, asserted that Lopez is a natural born Filipino for
700 stranded individuals sent home by OVP SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ Office of the Vice President announced on June 19 that 700 locally stranded individuals (LSI) have been sent home over the weekend. Local government officials aided said office in the operation. Prior to the operation, all LSIs are required to undergo protocol such as submission of medical certificates and local authorization, disinfection procedures, and temperature checks. All individuals observed social distancing in their designated buses
and are provided with hot meals and food packs. OVP also corresponded with the local government of said individuals to ensure alignment of send-off with LGU’s decisions. Among the 700 LSIs sent home, 146 once-stranded individuals in Metro Manila are sent home to Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Masbate. 584 LSIs, on the other hand, are sent to their homes in Albay. Robredo stated that the send-off operation for LSIs is a huge relief for their families. These individuals that are given assistance are claimed to be those
Dr. Tulabut marks position as Assistant VPAA ... from Page 2
PHOTO/ AUF WEBSITE
and professional development trainings. Dr. Marlon DL Suba, the program chair of the Biology department, succeeded Dr. Tulabut in her previous position as the Dean of CAS. Ms. Cherry Lou de Ala, the former head for the Psychology department, is also appointed as the new Assistant Dean.
who are enduring most hardships in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis despite being far from their families. This initiative of the OVP stemmed from fears that the Michelle Silvertino incident might happen again. Silvertino, 33, is found unconscious on a footbridge in Manila on June 5. Due to the pandemic, no public transportation vehicles are allowed during the enhanced community quarantine. Reports say that the victim is stranded on a footbridge for several days until she is found unconscious and later declared dead.
University commences safe operations under GCQ ... from Page 2
of the transactions are to be done online, including classes. In a Facebook post on June 28, AUF announced their distance learning plan entitled
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having Filipino parents and is also American, as he is born there. Congress also put on center stage the ABS-CBN’s issuance of Philippine Depository Receipts (PDR) to foreign firms. PDRs are used by media outlets to allow foreign investments, but do not give these foreigners the power to control the network. Law experts and the Court of Appeals described that PDRs are not illegal. However, the House interpreted this move as “creatively allow the participation of foreigners to fully-nationalized and partially-nationalized activities.” Forced to stop its operations, ABS-CBN assured that it is doing its best to assist the 11,000 affected workers of the company to land new jobs and provide them separation and retirement benefits to “mitigate the pain” this fiasco has caused them. “Brick-to-Click,” which explains that the university is to provide “Application-rich, teacher-Guided, Interdisciplinary, Learner-centered, and Engaging” (AGILE) course materials through AUF MyCLASS. The schedule of classes is expected to be shorter but amounts to the same learning hours. The university claims that these learning hours are flexible to the needs and availability of the students. On the other hand, faculty members are also prepared by the university to be one with the students in reaching digital literacy. “Faculty members have completed a massive open online course (MOOC) on teaching online and attended a series of webinars on online course framework and design,” the university concluded. New students are also reassured that AUF MyCLASS provides step-by-step procedures and reminded said group that these should be completed by everyone before the start of the semester. Contact details for colleges and university offices are available at Angeles University Foundation’s official Facebook page and website.
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NEWS FEATURE
A Quick Camp Fire with Calabia MA. RHEANNA TUAZON Struggles of being a student-leader are exceptionally difficult; the duty comes with having to handle many people, making sure that an event or advocacy goes well, and tending to the needs of the student body. Furthermore, can anyone imagine how even more rigorous it could get with every innate adversities of leadership— but done through only an online setup? In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer and DWAU 104.1, Michelle G. Calabia, concurrent University Student Council President, shares the hardships, expectations, and ideologies of being the one who took on the challenge of serving the students with an extraordinary spur amidst the pandemic. Since everyone is curious as to how the USC plans to commence their operations during this odd time, Calabia was asked to expound on their plans for this academic year. She immediately answered that she knew it was going to be severely challenging on their part because everything is virtual— and for that, she feels pressured. However, she emphasized that she knows she’s not the only one having a hard time adjusting to the scenario. With that, the USC wanted to focus on interacting with Angeleneans; to reassure them every now and then that they are not alone. Their first project is a product of their concern; the Silungan Segment is a form “kamustahan” every month with a random Angelenean. Calabia, then, was asked to narrate how she ideally wants to take on her leadership style. She mentioned how her style leans more on Democratic or Participative Leadership— going on about how she wants to lead through persuasion. Aside from this, she stressed that she does not want to have anyone in the group feel left out, and that she wants e v e r y plans and decisionmaking
to be mutually agreed upon by everyone. “Mas maraming brains, mas maganda ang idea,” she added while concluding her first point. The most splendid thing for Calabia is that she did not refer to her subordinates as “Officers ko” but rather, used the term, “Co-officers.” This implied that she thinks of the USC Officers and other groups in the same line of work as teammates among other things. When asked about the areas she wanted to improve, she shared that when she was first appointed as the USC President, she doubted herself. However, with Ericka Frye, the former prexy telling her, “kung hindi niyo mapapantayan ginawa namin, alam kong mahihigitan niyo,” the sense of trust kept her going. She added that she did not want to waste everyone’s assurance and belief. Being the former Angelenean Student Council President before she took on her current role, she was asked whether the said experience gives her an edge. Connected to her last question, she continued to say that even with experiences from the previous position, she is still afraid whether, hypothetically, her experiences are not enough or that she was still lacking as a leader. However, with the people who continually put their certitude on her and with her co-officers, she believes that she can get through it. As someone who is truly humbled and honored to accept the responsibility, she added that she is a firm believer of teamwork and communication behind every team’s success. She said, “Synergy will play a vital role in order for us to have a successful term. Everyone’s
cooperation and interaction will definitely lead us to be more productive than if were to act individually. Together, we can come up with greater ideas so that we can meet or exceed the expectations from us as the representatives of the entire student body.” When asked to describe her coofficers, she mentioned that she sees them as “teammates,” and that she appreciates every effort and initiative that her teammates exert. She also commended her co-officers as hard-working ones and noted that they share the same vision of serving their fellow Angeleneans despite the current situation. She ended the point by saying, “We are supposed to fill out whatever shortcoming one has. We are not perfect leaders; we are all lacking in some areas but I am proud that we can all be each other’s support system.” In concluding the interview, she reiterated that being a representative of a student body does not mean that you have to be perfect. She said, “You just have to be someone every student can lean on especially when they need you as their voice. Most importantly, as a representative of the student body, you must always stay committed and dedicated with your goal and purpose and that is to inspire and empower others.” As Frye’s leadership took us to the summit during Sierra, the Angelenean community believes that it is Calabia’s turn to light a campfire during Ardent. Now, more than ever, we need someone who is willing to enflame a beacon large enough to serve as a symbol of hope and to ignite the warm flames of faith in everyone’s hearts that everything will be perfectly fine after the contagion.
VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
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EDITORIAL
resilience. The Official Newsletter of The Pioneer EDITORIAL BOARD A.Y. 2020-2021
MA. RHEANNA TUAZON Editor in Chief
SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ Associate Editor
ADRIAN POUL BLANDO Managing Editor
DOROTHY REYES News Editor
ANN CLARISE MERCADO Features Editor
KEVIN ARCELO Literary Editor
TRISHA LINDO Sports Editor
ALLEN DAVE TUBANGUI Circulations Manager
ANDREW TORRES DENZEL DIZON RALPH LAURENCE PERALTA Photojournalists
KIAN PERALTA Cartoonist
KAYE CASTRO Layout Artist
MA. CLARIZ ISABELLE MAGLALANG TRISHA MAE CHU THOMAS JEFFERSON OVIVIR News Correspondents
JOHN LESLIE LAYUG SAIRA BOGNOT CARL DAVE SANTOS GERINE GONZALES Features Correspondents
ANGELO FERNANDEZ RAHUL MODY Literary Correspondents
JOHN VINCENT MIGUEL Sports Correspondent
MS. CRISTINA REYES Adviser
The Pioneer AUF @ThePioneerAUF aufthepioneer@gmail.com
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Angelenean’s real struggle
OVID-19 put a sudden halt on everything, including businesses and schools. Graduation, recognition, and moving-up ceremonies were cancelled; businesses and organizations were forced to close; and jobs and thousands of lives were lost. Despite the predicaments brought upon everyone by the pandemic, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education ignored the people’s calls for academic freeze and their dire need to not get left behind. The year 2020 came by in a blur of Zoom calls and Canvas quizzes, and a flurry of misled priorities, such as the AntiTerror Law and renaming an airport. As soon as distance learning started, students and staff members gave up on any hope that their institutions would listen. Franz Berdida, a civil engineering student, hiked five kilometers one night to submit an online requirement. Efren Cabotage, a Mathematics teacher, climbed mountains to enroll students who did not have any means to do it online. These people are only a couple among thousands of others who are trying their best to compromise and survive this sham of an educational system. The worse threatened to come when DepEd announced that face-to-face classes shall resume later this year, on top of
the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea) begging for the resumption of incampus learning as soon as possible. Cocopea stated that many private schools have already opened earlier this year. They also stated that, as private institutions, some schools may have the right to adjust their own academic calendar and start physical classes on August 24. Cocopea, an organization of around 2,500 private school institutions in the Philippines, seemed to have forgotten about the
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As soon as distance learning started, students and staff members gave up on any hope that their institutions would listen.
highly infectious disease that killed 3,300 people and will threaten to impact thousands more if they push through with their rash decisions. COVID-19 has also damaged the economy of the country. With people getting laid off of work, financial stability remains unknown for most of us. Online classes are not cheap either; universities even require students to have web cameras and microphones on them, other than the obligatory stable internet connection. To top this all off, some private institutions have remained silent amidst the students’ dissent regarding the enrollment and miscellaneous fees.
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Health and finance are not the only problems that have become apparent. The parents of the children now play a huge role in this distance learning, but have we thought of “no-read, no-write” adults that might not be able to supervise their children? We must take into account that computer literacy is not always present in all households in the country. Education is important. After all, we have been taught to believe that it is the key to everything we will ever wish to achieve in life. But the pandemic struck and changed every bit of normal we once took for granted. We need education, but in the middle of a deathly pandemic, we can only ask ourselves: at what cost? When our lives are already in the brink of collapse, how much more can we risk? In the end, the alarming death toll, deathly pathogens in the air, and the daily stresses of the pandemic are all out of the question. The tunnel vision of these institutions and the government provide no room for our opinions. To them, education must continue at any cost.
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OPINION VERITAS
Dysfunctional RA 7079: The death of Campus Press? MA. RHEANNA TUAZON
M
yriad of attacks on Campus Publications have surfaced ever since— and we cannot fully invoke our rights because there is no punishment waiting for the violators It is only recently that I have joined in leading the College Editors Guild of the Philippines as part of the National Secretariat. During such times, I have encountered many Editorin-Chiefs from various parts of the Philippines. They are worried and agitated because of different transgressions that wound their campus publication deeply. 29 years earlier, on President Corazon Aquino’s term, the Republic Act 7079 or Campus Journalism Act of 1991 has been enacted. We all thought it would be the pillar of journalists as it has been enacted as a commemoration to the
campus journalists who fought and/or died during Marcos’ regime. However, instead of being a pillar, it became a representation of the country’s cold reception towards journos and its press community. Even with the word “Journalism” plastered on the name of the law, its usage has always served otherwise.
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Instead of being a pillar, it became a representation of the country’s cold reception towards journos and its press community.
Different youth groups, including the CEGP, have tried to reach out and amend parts of the law since year 1996— but to no avail, pleas are discarded, and violations are still occurring. A law, once thought of as a fortress for journalists, is now serving as a path for
crimes— but the absence of a penalty clause considers everything null and void. This meagerness in accountability serves as a way for some to abuse campus publications because they will be unscathed. The dearth of an accountability clause encourages aberrant individuals or people to attack campus publications. However, despite all these, let us still shout. We cannot ever be silent when our law system still allows repressions to exist; our fight does not end with ‘just’ the Campus Journalism Act of 1991. On today’s level of tyranny, we are in desperate need for a law which would safeguard us from any subjugation. The RA 7079 may be dysfunctional, but not the Campus Press People— we must fight, shout, and unite to air out our voices. This should never be the death of Campus Press.
oppressors to keep on infringing basic press rights. In 2014 alone, even with the said law in place, 185 give or take Campus Press Freedom violations have been reported to CEGP. This law is supposed to give a safe space for campus journalists to write about the truth without fear of reprisals. However, because of the Supreme Court’s 2000 ruling which set a caveat on the Section 7 of the CJA, this safe space has been reduced to little or nothing. Also, since the RA 7079 does not impose mandatory publication fee, state universities publications have been facing the difficulty of publishing. The provisions of the law only suggest possible sources of funding. In fact, a number of journalists have said that they have to shell out money from their own wallets just to continue operating. The law should officially be considered toothless. It might have provisions which determine oppressive
DE FACTO
When rubber bands are pulled taut, they break
I
always identified myself with a rubber band: I tend to be flexible, useful, and adaptable. Change is constant and I have taught myself the hard lesson of embracing it. Now, I treat it with vigor, as if every change in my life could be considered an opportunity to exceed, to become active, and to come out brand-new. Who would have imagined that that particularly sweltering walk to the convenience store would be the last view of the outside world I would have imprinted in my brain for months and counting? I never would. Now, all I remember was watching a homeless child eat on the floor by the glass door. I remember how she smiled at me and said, “Tara, kain po!” with a smile so carefree. Over the course of the ECQ, it pains me to witness how indifferent
SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ some people could be to the needs of the marginalized and how helpless I was back then, standing there with barely anything to give. Who would have thought that that particular lunch at school would be the last time I get to indulge in the busy schedule of my college life? Because, finally, I have plenty of time in my hands and hardly anything on my plate. However, the circumstances have changed. Having enough time to waste and barely anything to waste it on does not mean our minds are not occupied. Anxiety, stress, and trauma are the “new normal”; some of us will come out of this scathed and scared, needing time to recuperate. Who would have thought that as a student journalist, anything I write about from this day on will reflect the fears of the people and attract the hate of others? I always thought of my position as a harmless tool to represent the university and that it should, by all means, please everyone. Not
anymore. I am learning to stand for what is right between my morals and the truth; the administration and the students; and the voiceless and the ignorant. That was my final picture of the world that has gone quiet: everybody who is unaffected by this change is basking comfortably in the dim glow of their favorite Netflix show, their backs protected by expensive clothes and soft cushions that keep them safe and sound. Somebody of great power and influence is out there, mulling over the possibility of a war against the poor, all the while people are suffering both because of the virus and of hunger. Every person has a limit and the rubber band I have identified myself with is on the verge of breaking apart. This pandemic isn’t the kind of change I so proudly embrace. I worry for my loved ones, my family and friends, and their parents who are battling
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Every person has a limit and the rubber band I have identified myself with is on the verge of breaking apart.
this pandemic in the front lines. In the end, I realize that I must brave past my breaking point— staying silent has never stopped a war, so I will speak up. No, I do not have to come out brand-new, or better and improved. I do not have to stay still and will myself to finish tasks, when I barely have any will left at all. Please, take time stretching yourself to the limit, and help others in every small way possible. We are all in this together, and my struggles may just be as difficult as yours. A hundred days passed and I have learned the hard way that rubber bands are harder to break when they stick together.
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OPINION
COGITO
What went wrong? ADRIAN POUL BLANDO
O
ver the years I have been serving the school publication, the closure of ABS-CBN is the biggest disappointment I got from the government. As a student journalist living after martial law, press freedom is my privilege— but I think not until today. As they continuously give us these kinds of decisions, it just creates a big wall to access my privilege. Numerous times I have fought online— posting my opinion, encouraging other people to recalibrate their beliefs towards the issue, explaining in an academic perspective, but at the end of the day, I just lost. Right now, I want to emphasize again how I saw this issue and how their supporters went wrong. Up until now, there are several people who are saying that this is the fate of ABS-CBN because no one is above the law. Well, are
they hypocrites for believing since they are consciously aware of what happened to those other violators in the government? For those who cannot understand, when we say ‘no one,’ it simply means no exemption and everyone is included. If they kept on propagating this, they
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Press freedom is my privilege— but I think not until today.
should also be noticing other people. Basically, the ABS-CBN is a victim of selective justice. Secondly, I don’t understand why some people cannot comprehend that they do not have any tax violation. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) already proved that they have been paying taxes according to law. This was already cleared as before they
gave ABS-CBN a cease and desist order. Time has never been a problem for the station. The ABS-CBN attempted 14 times to renew their franchise. They have been trying to renew since last September 2014 up until February 2020. Digging deeper to some allegations, there are some people saying that there are violations with franchise terms. FICTAP President Neng Juliano-Tamano in an interview said the ABS-CBS’s TV Plus Blackbox violated some franchise terms such as the pay-per-view. But, this issue was already cleared by the Senate Committee in public services that the network has no violation. This is another allegation that was answered, yet they choose to neglect it. Again, ABS-CBN is neglected. Under this administration, we are hearing statements from the President himself how he really does not want to
renew their franchise. Actually, he mentioned that he was dismayed at the network for not airing his promotion video when he ran as president. However, ABS-CBN Corporation CEO Carlo Katigbak already said his apology and the complainant wholeheartedly accepted it. 30 years from now, this is probably a history that my kids would hear. To some who are saying that this is just ABS-CBN’s fight for franchise, you are all wrong. You will never realize how oppressed we are if you let your pride speak to you mind. I hope we all can see the effect of this decision - job lost to many, dying press freedom, injustices. For now, let’s all wait to see what will happen. Right now, if all the allegations were already answered, the question is, what went wrong?
VICIT
Hands off, China!
T
he boat is sinking, let’s group ourselves and defend our sovereign rights. The boat is sinking, save the Philippine islands from China! It has been a year since the hit-and-run incident on the disputed waves of Recto bank, but we are still counting out the days before justice for the Pinoy fishermen. The said collision has stirred a great urge among Filipinos to answer the call on fighting for a territory that belongs to us, the West Philippine Sea— which China claims to be theirs. It was the midnight of June 9, 2019 when a Chinese vessel rammed the anchored F/B Gen-ver of local fishermen, causing the fishing boat to sink, leaving its crew helpless in the middle of the sea. This is only a “daplis” for President Duterte as he describes it as a little maritime accident. But we are not blind for us not see how it was intentionally
TRISHA LINDO done by the Chinese crew; choosing to speed away from our fishermen who sought help. Despite how the Philippines won the case on the 2016 Hague Ruling, China remains firm on their territorial desire and rebukes the international tribunal’s verdict that the West Philippine Sea is rightfully ours to take. The Recto Bank is known to be a treasure chest of 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas—and these reserves only mean a potential hub to fuel an economy. A so called “3-warfare strategy” was coined by Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio pointing out the three mutual reinforcements of China: psychological operations, media manipulation, and legal warfare. He adds that China’s strategy is not to fire a single shot because a war may mean an excuse for the U.S. to intervene in the South China Sea dispute because of the PhilippineU.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. They may have apologized for the Recto Bank crash issue, but we must not forget that their lust for control can create more worst-case scenarios for the Filipino people—the one who suffers the most
as the Philippine government chooses to succumb to the shadows of Chinese leaders. In an interview, former foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario echoed, “The moment we forget is the moment we cave in to persistent Chinese atrocity; it is the moment we lose ourselves as Filipinos. The act of remembering is crucial in order for us to stand up for our rights in the face of persistent bullying and injustice.” Enough is enough! We are tired of being shooed away like
and seizing their catch, whereas it is only their saving grace to be able to survive, is an oppression that we can’t afford to continue. Back off, China! Stop spoiling our sea because of your militarization plans. We, Filipinos, are not your slaves to fear you. Ears out, President Duterte! This diplomatic ties of yours with China only strangles your people to death. Stop downplaying, stop lawyering for China like a counsel entering the courtroom in their defense. You have lost your loyalty to the one you really be serving—the Filipino We are tired of should people. We refuse to have our freedom being shooed be just simply bought by foreign away like dogs investments. What is ours is ours! Philippine waters are not for sale. on our own This is a long voyage territory towards independence, but let’s hoist courage and sail out the dogs on our own territory by strangers rough waves. Remember, a sunken who don’t even have the right to do boat is a sunken freedom. So so. Barring the Filipinos from fishing please stay afloat, Philippines.
“
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
FEATURES
resilience.
9
MA. RHEANNA TUAZON KIAN PERALTA
I
’ve a lw ay s v i e we d t he ove r p ass b e t we e n t he AU F MC and AU F P S as an e ye s ore ; not b e c aus e of s afe t y issu e s as t h is is a bl e ss i ng , but b e c aus e I hate d t a k i ng t he st ai rs . At t i me s w he n I have to move b e t we e n AU F P S and AU F Mai n , I a lw ay s w h i ne d i nte r na l ly ab out how t a k i ng t he st ai rs c onst ant ly t i re me. I ha d pre v i ously i mag i ne d goi ng b a ck to t he u n ive rs it y as a su c c e ss f u l a lu m na , on ly to bu i l d a z ipl i ne b e t we e n t he Mai n and P S s o stu d e nt s c ou l d just ju mp f rom t he 5 t h f l o or P S and l and at t he Mai n Bu i l d i ng’s g ate — it’s qu ite a f u n ny t hou g ht , I just hate d t ho s e st ai rs s o mu ch , but now, I’d p ay any t h i ng to cl i mb t hat st ai rs up ag ai n w h i l e l au g h i ng w it h f r i e nds on t he w ay to ou r ne x t cl ass . T he broi l i ng hot af te r no on a ls o ne ve r c e as e d f r i e nds f rom hang i ng out on t he stone b e nche s . O nc e s e ate d, t he v i e w of d ive rs it y c ome s i nto pl ay ; t he re are stu d e nt s w ho are qu i e t ly stu dy i ng for ne x t cl ass’ qu i z , t he re are a ls o t ho s e w ho c an not re v i e w s i l e nt ly, t he re are t ho s e w ho e at t he i r he ar t s out , t he re are t ho s e w ho are ch i l l i ng w it h f r i e nds , t he re are t ho s e w ho are st at i one d wel l at t he i r s e at s b e c aus e of Mobi l e L e ge nds , and t he re are t ho s e c oupl e s w ho we, s i ng l e s , re motely l o ok at w it h d is g ust c ove r i ng e nv y. Si lu ng an ha d t he s ame stor y, just … l e ss hot . At lu nch t i me, p e opl e go c r a z y for a c e r t ai n c re amy ch i cke n — an a c c e ss ibl e st apl e fo o d for a t y pi c a l Angel e ne an . S ome wou l d go to B a l e Tap s i and ord e r t he i r f amous Tokw a’t B ab oy w h i ch t he y wou l d t h row i n w it h a s ma l l pl ate of ch i l l i g arl i c
s au c e. For an af te r- lu nch s na ck , Pi l ang s’ l arge tu ron usu a l ly d o e s t he t r i ck . S ome wou l d go for s i omai r i c e. By t h is t i me, I’d a l re a dy b e buy i ng i c e d c of fe e b e fore he a d i ng to my ne x t cl ass . T h is is w hat help e d me c op e up w it h c ol l e ge — t he nois e ; t he ve r y s ame nois e w h i ch I p e rc e ive d as an noy i ng du r i ng nor ma l t i me s . We of te n c ompl ai ne d ab out b e i ng su r rou nd e d by nois e ; and now t hat t he ab s e nc e of it is d e afe n i ng , we u nd e rst and t hat w h i l e it ma d e us fe el g r u mpy b a ck t he n , it re assu re d us t hat we are not is ol ate d. We are re m i nd e d t hat out of fou r c ol l e ge stu d e nt s , one of t he m a ls o ha d l e ss t han 5 hou rs of sl e e p, one of t he m has a te r m p ap e r w h i ch t he y have to pro c r ast i nate w it h l ate r, one of t he m ha d a re p or t tomor row, and one of t he m has t roubl e w it h a subj e c t — t he s ame a dve rs it i e s you are f a c i ng .
f a ç a d e of t he u n ive rs it y w i l l b e f i l l e d w it h br i g ht c ol ors ag ai n . Af te r t he p and e m i c , hu g s w i l l b e t i g hte r, s m i l e s w i l l b e ge nu i ne, and AU F w i l l b e t he br i g hte st it has e ve r b e e n . We are re s i l i e nt , we b ou nc e b a ck af te r any t r age dy — t hat is how Angeleneans are ma d e.
T he u n ive rs it y ha l ls we re w it ne ss e s to t he s e re assu r i ng nois e s . It’s just s a d to k now t hat t he onc e e ar- spl itt i ng ha l lw ay s have tu r ne d i nd e f i n itely qu i e t . Stu d e nt s we re n’t s itt i ng by t he stone b e nche s and s i lu ng an , t he y we re n’t i n t he l ibr ar y, t he y we re n’t i n t he cl ass ro oms , and t he y we re n’t on t he ha l ls e it he r. T he Un ive rs it y ha d su d d e n ly b e c ome qu i e t and g l o omy. It ha d l o st it s spi r it s and c ol or. In t i me, t he bl a ck and w h ite
VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
What makes a nation?
RAHUL MODY
United we stand Divided we fall Foundation of a nation Heroic pillars
Together A triumphant victory A devastating defeat A combined fate
Love greater than life Pride greater than a lion Together we sing the hymn Separated by region
Hopeful future Hungry for success Generations of hardship Shared success
History of our land Proves struggles brings fruit A developing nation Marked by bloodshed
A work in progress Prone to evils United we stand Divided we fall
LESLIE LAYUG
Napakasarap tir’han ang mapayapang bayan. Walang halong kasinungalingan, Walang dahas na mababakas, Lahat ay patas. Mulat ang lahat sa tamang gawi. Alam ang sa bayan ay nakabubuti. Heto ang bayang ninanais. Walang kulang, walang labis.
Marahuyo: On Filipinohood
KEVIN VALEN ARCELO
Supplicate my geography. Its garlands, forlorn, grit, and wild ecstasy. The Christ and the devil partaking in one breadth of land. The red pinnacle, the blue amuse, this sunlight arouse, and holmium stars, Creation and adulteration of such strange divine.
ardent, non-concealing, like an unmute sky of ripping love. Who is not fantasy, but then, the reality. The Malay, who does neuter God’s skin, who does not expire his very own, Whose captor, he does not savior. Whose pleasures, he does not bull. Whose vice he does not virtue, whose sufficiency he does not mere, Whose liberty he does not bargain, whose genuflects he does not enslave. For her nature, does she reverence. Her lovers she will not sting,
What sun and romance it is to be the author of Bathala, Not of a Spain man, the American verite, or of a Japanese insular. Nor Filipino Judas, nor Malay trader, or the one, of any, Whom would dare kiss the skin of thy one For my Filipino is her own church, for my Filipino does not pagan her soul. Jupiter, For he is signature and then absolute, a What a true Filipino is, I say, and I say, is a blush of the dawn and saturn, An ultimacy of ominous and revealing, Filipino revealed, Who instead infects beauty with a bravery Of the most burning, and liberating, Like the passion of a foreigner. for imminent possession. Who inflicts ferociously, most ferally, This Here with pure mesmerism.
The Bleeding Flag ANGELO FERNANDEZ
The flag is bleeding As the country bleeds As its heroes bleed The flag is crying Where have its heroes gone? Unacknowledged, unappreciated Heroes in their own battlefield Fighting wars unknown to most Battles won and lost Praise the heroes unwavering Raise the flag that is bleeding Bless the country that is healing
Paano kung hin Paano kung kabaliktaran ang na Dadalhin kita sa bansang hindi
Sa pagkakataong ibinibigay Tila ba parang pagmamahal s
Our
PRI
pili-pinas
ndi ganito? akikita mo? marunong pumili— Pilipinas.
y ng madla, sa bayan ay nawawala.
Tila ba nawawalan ng kasarinlan. Binibigyang halaga ang banyaga, Sa sariling bansa ay hindi ka kilala. Guro na siyang ikalawang magulang, Hustisya ay napakahirap. Inaakusahang sila’y nagkulang. Pagpapantay-pantay ay hindi mo malasap. Walang kasalanang ginagawa, Mas importante ang iba. Tanging nais ay kaalamang walang sawa. Ikaw ay hindi mahalaga. Bakit sila ang may sala? Sa bansang iyong sinilangan, Ikaw ay nagmumukhang dayuhan. Hindi ba’t lider ng bansa ang ginagaya ng madla? Hindi nila kakulangan, Mababa ang karapatan, Maling lider lang ang laging namamasdan. Ngunit hindi lahat sila. Ang iba ay bulag na. Hindi tanggap ang pagkamulat, Mga estudyanteng lumalaban nang tapat. Tama ba ang pagpili?
Filipino
IDE
Pulis na tapat sa bayan. Kaayusan ang ninanais ng mga iyan. Magigiting at matatapang, Sa kabutihan ang laban. Sa bansang kanilang pinaglilingkuran, Katotohanan ang siyang pinapaburan. Ngunit hindi lahat. Silang tagapangalaga sa kaayusan, Bakit tila ba nagiging kabaliktaran? Ang siyang tumatama sa mga masasama, Siya na rin ay kabilang sa kanila. Suwail sa batas, Ang kanilang paglaban ay hindi patas. Maaring lumabag sa kautusan, Pero hindi ang mga normal na mamamayan.
Mamahayag na silang may hatid ng impormasyon, Nais gawing pipe ng administrasyon. Takot na maihayag ang katotohanan, Takot sa resultang kahihinatnan. Bakit pinatatahimik? Ang isa sa dahilan para ang mga tao ay umimik. Ngunit hindi lahat sila. May ibang nais manahimik na
lamang. Nagbubulag-bulagan sa katotohanan, Inihahayag ang baluktot na katotohanan. Kasarinlan, Malawak na salita ngunit nais ng bayan. Ang hiling ay pagkilala sa karapatang pantao, Hindi ang pagpatay sa mga ito. Kaya siguro hindi lahat nakakapagsalita, Kaya siguro ang iba ay nais nalang maging tiwali, Kaya siguro hindi lahat, Para maiwasan ang gulo. Pero hindi tama ito. Kailangang magbago. Huwag kang matakot piliin ang nararapat. Huwag mong pigilan ang mga sa bayan ay tapat. Huwag mong idaan sa dahas, Ang mga taong ipinaglalaban ang tama nang patas. Huwag mong takpan ang bibig, Ang mga taong pagkamulat lang ang ibig. Pilipinas, panahon na. Pumili ka. Piliin ang likas na sa iyo, Piliin ang mga tamang tao. Ikaw ang may hawak sa kaayusan, Kaya piliin ang para sa bayan. Napakasarap tir’han ang mapayapang bayan. Walang halong kasinungalingan, Walang dahas na mababakas, Lahat ay patas. Mulat ang lahat sa tamang gawi. Alam ang sa bayan ay nakabubuti. Heto ang bayang ninanais. Walang kulang, walang labis Ito sana ang Pilipinas. Pili-pinas.
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resilience.
FEATURES
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
FEATURES
resilience.
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VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
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resilience.
FEATURES Subtle Clown Traits. Do not cut the idea.
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
FEATURES
resilience.
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VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
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resilience.
FEATURES
Quarantine Fatigue and how to cope with it
A
SAMANTHA GUTIERREZ
hundred days and counting has gone by and we are still stuck at home, doing the same routines and worrying over the same things. The unending fear and uncertainty brought upon us by this pandemic could take a toll on all of us mentally, emotionally and physically. Media reports of the growing numbers of deaths and infected, school stress, and financial difficulties due to being laid off from work could be some of the factors of quarantine fatigue. Therapists online have stated ways to cope with this in simple ways that we could incorporate in our daily lives. One of the ways to cope with this “new normal” is by developing a routine you are familiar with. Working from home makes it difficult to separate your personal space and your work space therefore, it helps to designate a comfortable work area that resembles
something professional. You can change into work clothes when working and into your pajamas when you are done, which creates a boundary and a feeling of normalcy even when at home. Reading news reports and updates on the government and COVID-19 may be helpful, but may turn traumatic when prolonged. You must limit your exposure to news and social media to prevent your brain from becoming overactive. Therapists have stated that we must stay updated hourly, but avoid reading and watching anything that may get us worked up 30 minutes before going to bed. Switch this routine up with some heavy reading of novels or podcasts that could keep you distracted for hours on end. Viral Chloe Ting abdomen workouts may sound difficult at first, but are actually really helpful. Movement will help work some stress out of your system, especially now that we seem to forget to take breaks from our phones and computers. Cleaning and meditating are both therapeutic to most. A clean space is not only essential in these times, but also reflects our state of mind. On the other hand, meditation can be done
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anywhere, such as breathing exercises which calm down the body’s nervous system. Finally, you must stay connected with others, be it your family, friends, or pets. Isolation and social distancing can strain us in many ways, and if there is one of the many things that can combat this, it would be communication. Talk with your family over breakfast, start video calls with your friends, play with your pets, or watch a movie with your siblings. Normalize the practice of reaching out and asking for help whenever you feel the need to. All of us are experiencing the same struggles, and these people need the same support that you do. Sometimes, talking about it helps, too. In the end, you must keep in mind that you are still in control of yourself. It is okay to not feel okay or feel overwhelmed and scared, because sometimes, it works best to be accepting of what is happening around you instead of staying in denial and afraid. Be gentle with yourself, and work this out at your own pace.
FEATURES TRISHA LINDO
#HIJAAKO Abante, Babae!
“Batang bata ka pa at marami ka pang kailangan malaman at intindihin sa mundo…yan ang totoo.” The lyrics from the 1980 OPM hit song of Apo Hiking Society seems to be on the same rhythm with the statement, “Ang tanging magagawa ay manamit ng tama. Huwag nating pukawin ang pagnanasa nila. Ito ang iyong magagawa. Bago natin sila baguhin, baguhin muna natin ang sarili’t pag-iisip natin. Gets mo Hija?” sung by the 65-year old TV Broadcaster Ben Tulfo trying to lecture 19-year old Frankie Pangilinan out of her dropped “don’t teach girls how to dress teach men not to rape” nugget of wisdom as if her naivety makes her principles invalid. Despite opposing views from other people, Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Ms. Megastar Sharon Cuneta’s daughter knew no fear in fighting for what is right and refused to have her stand against rape culture belittled just because of her age. “It’s not politics, but a principle—principle of knowing the right and wrong. I don’t have any political loyalties because my loyalty is to my principles,” Frankie said. Kakie, known to be civic-minded and naturally outspoken about social matters, made a headline after slamming the broadcaster in a controversial Twitter exchange by firing back three strong points providing simple logic that rape wouldn’t exist without rapists. “Ang iksi kasi ng suot mo.” “Sus, gawa-gawa kwento!” “May pruweba ka ba?” “Eh baka gusto mo din” “Ba’t ngayon mo lang sinabi?” These are the accusatory words usually uttered that shun victims in total silence when they try to speak up of being sexually harassed, assaulted, or raped. Victim-blaming is nothing but a toxic culture where the burden of fault is weighed heavily on the shoulders of the victims instead of on the conscience of the perpetrators, leaving them unaccountable. Why is it easier for us to finger-point all the shame and
guilt to the victim than reaching out our hand to help them wake from the nightmare? Stop normalizing the idea of “boys will always be boys” and allowing them to use it in justifying their lewd acts. It isn’t even our job to educate men and make them question their stances. Sexual objectification doesn’t make someone a man. No gender is superior and women are nobody’s puppets—they are bold, free, and independent beings worthy of respect. Not being a rapist isn’t enough to be women’s allies; men must use their privilege to call out other men and put an end to any form of violence. These facts, overridden by the spoon-fed denial in society, are the bitter pills we refuse to swallow! Outfits of women are not to blame for the immoral behavior of men. The exhibit “Don’t Tell Me How to Dress” launched by the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women in 2019 earned praises as it broke the stigma that the way a woman dresses is the root
resilience.
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KIAN PERALTA
problem of catcalling, harassment, and assault. The varied garments collected from the survivors only proves that age is not deemed by the beasts and that violence can strike any time of the day. The way we dress doesn’t mean “yes,” and “no” doesn’t mean “convince me.” Clothes do not mean consent, what we wear is not a statement of invitation nor is it a measure of our worth. Just because our skin is showing doesn’t mean it gives you the right to touch it. The moment you harass a woman, it is no longer about what she is wearing, it is a matter of your wrong upbringing. Mga manong, ang mga mata at isip niyo ang dapat damitan. Ang sabi ng iba baka ginusto ko, pero bakit parang kasalanan ko? Tanong mo bakit ang ikli ng suot ko, sagot ko sino ka ba para mamili ng suot ko? We are our own people, don’t tell us what to do. Women dress for themselves and not for men. Harassment is not a flattery or a compliment, it’s an assault. We don’t want your attention; we want your respect! Older people seem to still classify girls under Maria Clara’s umbrella—but we must understand that we live in a different calendar now where women have dynamic roles. A modern Filipina is fearless, amplifies her voice not just for herself but to echo inspiration for others too. She can stand her ground to show that women shouldn’t be left on any conversations. A modern Filipina can be found in her inner “hija” strength. #HijaAko, hayaan niyo kong magsalita. #Hija ako at kaya ko. Abante, Babae!
VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
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resilience.
FEATURES All Talk, No Walk:
The Witnesses of Black Lives Matter KEVIN ARCELO
T
he shame of our history pronounces itself when empathy ends up becoming a product of another person’s cruelty. In the waking tides of the century, the viral killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have brewed the world into a state of fiery civil unrest amidst a growing hiatus across the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From confronting riots to peaceful and courageous demonstrations, the movement of Black Lives Matter is now further evolving into an unprecedented gesture of a tragic outcry that many of us have not yet ever seen in a multitude of years. For many of us, joining in the rallies and being involved amongst the conversation against systemic racism enamors our same desires for solidarity and equality, but it also finds naivety amongst some individuals and business companies and corporations alike who speak of these slates of violence and subordination for the sake of appearing legitimate and justified. Such hypocrisy is evident amongst social media sites when individuals cascade their own notions of racial equality whilst delivering their own feeds and blaring remarks of discrimination against women, homosexuality, people of other religions, or even their own kin. The same is accentuated by businesses that—although highlight their own positive stand with racial equality—have seen no changes in their public records in employee diversity. This goes particularly for Nike in starring black American football star Colin
Kaepernick for a 2018 advertising campaign prior to facing backlash after publicizing records revealing that less than 10% of their company’s vice presidents worldwide were black. It is also fair to say that even if one is sincere in their communal interest for the betterment of black lives, the ability to speak of the atrocities that they lived with is comparatively less demanding than when one is to act truly against it. In this type of world, words are only as strong as the actions that persist from them and feeding from those words without initiation births no fertile ground for change or improvement. In other words, it equates to nearly nothing at all. Day to day, we may sometimes find ourselves overhearing a sly and mindless remark of racial ignorance. At times, even physical and emotional violence motivated by such racial resentments amongst our peers, those in power, and even from ourselves. At these points, we as individuals become the bystander and the spectator at hand. We become the witnesses when we are capable of viewing all the transformations and amplitudes of discrimination and violence presently without bearing from it. My belief can only be summed by the realization that all forms of violence comes truly and unbearably from our own fears. Our own fears of the unknown, our inability to understand ourselves and others, and our fears of difference. Our fears are as effective
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in ensuring that we can consciously defend ourselves from it even if it requires the sacrifice of human dignity or even our complete denial of other people’s oppression. Our silence, our ambiguity, and our held-up defenses to avoid argument, awkward situations, and concern over moments or racial violence and discrimination does nothing but help the oppressor finish their lasting blows. Even if our uprising stance throughout the waves of the Black Lives Matter protests continue, one still questions exactly what will happen once we arrive upon the stages where things have already gotten lukewarm? Would the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery be given any justice or will they all ultimately end up being just another mere statistic driven indefensibly towards their deathbeds? Would it have truly changed anything across governments and among individuals or will the world slowly revert back to its same propositions, its same silences, and same biases against them? Unless honest change is truly transformed by us and unless governments do take action and hear our pleas, the Black Lives Matter movement may only end up being just another artifact, just another quotation, just another few mere words that may ultimately find itself being dusted off the bin in the anticipation of another new, innocent, and defenseless victim. Here, in this final sentence, I ask all, if not now, then when?
SPORTS
resilience.
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SPORTS EDITORIAL
G
Resilience of an Athlete
one are the days when sports centers are packed by spectators; when arenas are shaken by loud cheers; or when athletes put up a show in front of a thousand-strong crowd. The thrill and energy usually seen around its walls are now just an echo of the life we had known. With the pandemic creeping in, the sports venues are equipped with hospital beds, nurse stations, and other medical equipment as they are spun into COVID-19 quarantine facilities. What is evident is how the phrase “Don’t give up!” uttered by athletes during huddles, is not just being lived up inside the court but also on this trying time. Sportswriters adjust to the new normal setup by spilling the sports updates through online platforms like podcasts. Some UAAP athletes voluntarily held jersey auctions to raise funds for the affected community and frontliners. Why is this happening to them? Because, no one saw their outside court life.
players were forced to say goodbye to their respective sports. Some of them chose to be a delivery man just to cope up with the needs in this pandemic. Some of them choose to be a janitor just to have a job. Why is this
“
The thrill and energy usually seen around its walls are now just an echo of the life we had known
happening to them? Well, because people treat sports as a hobby, but not as a profession.
There is nothing wrong with their current job; but the quick shift from their court play is something that is upsetting. Imagine that your passion was Some athletes’ hardships taken away from you. You were left with don’t stop there. Some underprivileged no choice but to leave because there’s no
back-up plan as an athlete but to be an athlete itself. Why is this happening to them? It is because they are not appreciated by society from the very start. The invisible enemy may have turned the world upside-down, but it couldn’t batter the resilience of the Filipinos. Fears may turn into degrees, but the light of the bright side hasn’t flickered. Our current situation whistled a big time-out on our usual life hustle, forcing us to change our ways and fix our lens on much more important things that we don’t usually focus on. We may be feet or miles apart, but we are still connected by thread. We are living on this history— together, we can survive our story. So, salute to all these athletes for being brave. Salute for changing your lenses even how unconnected to you the perspective is. COVID-19 might have his first score as of now, but we believe that you can beat the buzzer with your resilience. This is just a time-out, but you will be back to your own court soon. Our cheers might be silent for now, but always remember that we are with you with your new sport! VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 | June to August 2020
PH to offer its first ever E-sports degree ADRIAN POUL BLANDO Online gaming is now in the process of becoming a college degree in the Philippines as the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) and esports and gaming agency Tier One Entertainment collaborated to develop the curriculum of the fouryear degree on Bachelor of Science in Electronic Sports (ESports). This new degree program in ESports will be offered
once the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) sign for approval. Tier One Entertainment said in a social media post that the full course might be available in 2020. Even though the subjects under this program are not disclosed yet, Tier One Entertainment already named two tracks under this course: game development and esports management. “The goal has always been to create more opportunities for gamers in Asia. If this curriculum gets approved, we
MLB, NHL forced to close facilities ADRIAN POUL BLANDO Covid-19 - 1, MLB - 0, NHL - 0 The Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Hockey League (NHL) lost their match against Covid-19 by forcefully closing their training facilities after players and staff are tested positive. Covid-affirmation of five players and three team’s staff of MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies led to their Clearwater, Florida, site closure. Phillies managing partner John Middleton said that the all facilities in Clearwater have been closed indefinitely to all players, coaches, and staff. The Toronto Blue Jays’ Dunedin, Florida, training center is also shut down after a player presented symptoms consistent with those of the virus. Meanwhile, NHL’s
Tampa Bay Lighting faced the same fate after three players and some staff members were confirmed to be infected. “Those players have been selfisolating following CDC protocols and are asymptomatic other than a few cases of low-grade fever,” General Manager Julies Brisebois claimed in a tweet. The start of MLB 2020 season is still in debate, while the NHL is having a hard time pushing through a 24-team playoff format in summer.
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won’t just be providing post career opportunities for gaming, but we will have a new generation of graduates ready to work in the esports industry.” Gaming agency’s chief executive officer Tryke Gutierrez claimed. Easy as it sounds, but Gutierrez warned its future students that the course is not as easy as a hobby. Some universities in the United State and United Kingdom are already offering programs in online gaming.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, nine universities and colleges only offer game development courses. These are as follows: University of the East - Manila, Mapua University Makati campus, FEU Institute of Technology, iAcademy, De La Salle University Laguna campus, De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, Colegio de San Juan de Letran (Laguna), CIIT College of Arts and Technology, and Asia Pacific College.
SMB’s Fajardo keeps a good pace on mending from shin injury TRISHA LINDO Six-time Most Valuable Player giant Jun Mar Fajardo continues to recover from his season-ending leg injury with his right tibia being fractured during training even before the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season started, cutting off his hopeful bid for 7th streak MVP award as he sat this season out. Fajardo has been strict with his meal plan. He is also focused on doing alternative exercises that help him regain flexibility. Fajardo explained that since his rehabilitation program is postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he is advised that he needs 10-12 months of rest before he could make a court comeback. “My doctor said I can’t be aggressive with the weight-bearing yet so I’m just lying on a mat, doing kneeto-chest stretches,” he mentioned.
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San Miguel Beermen Coach Leo Austria expressed his joy with the progress of his prized player and is impressed at Fajardo’s determination to return as soon as possible by prioritizing his health first. The 6-foot-10 center’s optimistic attitude behind the incident has been dubbed by many as the “rise of the Kraken.” On an Instagram caption, Fajardo shared that, “I already know what giving up feels like but I want to see what happens if I don’t. God has a better plan. I’ll be right back,” only seeing everything as a minor setback. Meanwhile, Fajardo found another patch to recover as he has been busying himself on his recently launched e-sports streaming channel named, “AHOSgaming” to create more space for online gaming here in the Philippines.
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