MAGAZINE
MASK AND SHIELD! How UA responded to the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic at the onset.
Volume 29 Issue No.1 January 2021 - June 2021
about the cover The theme “Pandora’s Box” is based from the myth of Pandora in Hesiod’s Works and Days. This box – or referred to as “pithos” in Greek – contained special gifts, according to the Gods. Pandora was cautioned, however, not to open the artifact. But her curiosity had won her over and, in the end, the hidden evils that resided within the sealed container were unleashed. While illnesses and death managed to escape, there was one thing that was left behind as Pandora placed the lid back over the receptacle. And that thing was hope. This year’s edition of the magazine, RAFFLESIA, explores the hardships that people had gone through as the pandemic struck the country. Health protocols, lockdowns, and quarantines were observed and implemented, affecting people’s livelihoods. Adjustments were also made as the doors for the new normal were opened, with students coping with the changes in pursuing their degrees and continuing their education. This edition also tackles the importance of raising awareness and being aware of the social issues happening around the world; how these issues should not just dissipate into thin air long after they have ceased from appearing in the trends. This magazine will also give you a glimpse that amidst the difficulties, people have not given up on themselves and on their dreams. Within their hearts, there was one thing that helped them persevere and fight their battles with all their might. In their hearts, hope continued to beat on its rhythm.
A smokey feeling of uncertainty filled everybody’s consciousness as we all witnessed how much misery the world could give. A grey cloudlike view of anxiety covered what was once light and at peace. Everything was halted, even the deafening sounds of laughter and rumbling steps were unheard and unseen. The everyday scenario of unbothered individuals traversing the path they’ve chosen—school, work, and home causes nostalgia. It is beyond one’s imagination that the year 2020 is too heavy to bear. Almost everything shifted to online platforms while everyone underwent hardships in coping with the new normal. The ticking of the clock continues and it gets us all apprehensive day by day. The sights of yesterday disappeared. Everything turned bleak the festive occasions were prohibited and everyone were confined in their homes with only windows that allow them to see the future. As campus media, our role is to provide a prism of opportunities for people to find hope even in their most trying times. We are the beacon that ushers them to the truth amidst the darkness that blanketed them in this pandemic. Though challenging, we remain steadfast in fulfilling our moral obligation to them. That is what we live for. This year’s magazine theme, “Pandora’s box”, is especially intended to remind us of the horrors of the pandemic but at the same time unveil one good thing amidst this blurry vision of the present: HOPE. As you turn its pages, may you see the goodness of life as we tackle variouz issues concerning our individuality and on community. May you understand that light will not appear without darkness, and that hope will not spark without despondency.
Marianne T. Palcat Louie John M. Servancia EDITORS IN CHIEF
EDITORS’ NOTE
FOREWORD The pandemic struck a ripple in the waves of the norms that people all over the world have been used to. Adapting to the changes wasn’t easy; we all dealt with the hardships as we continued to adjust in this manner of living inbetween our respective, personal difficulties and the constant changes in health regulations. Before we entered a new year, weren’t we all curious about what surprises it would bring us? We greeted it with heightened anticipation, opening a trove that drove us all into a state of shock as the most flabbergasting events began to unfold before our eyes. Our “Pandora’s Box” opens up about people’s experiences, about what their lives were like at the start of the lockdown, and how they continued to persevere amidst their struggles. Within the pages of this year’s issue, you may find yourself being reflected in the experiences you would read ahead. You may read about topics dealing with new information you may not have heard about. You may encounter something as you read along that may pique your interest. We will not be saying much more, but we dedicate this issue to you, our dear readers and fellow UAeans, that it may captivate your eagerness to peruse the stories that we shared in the light that it may give you something that you might have lost along the way: . . Hope.
Korina H. Aurelio Alden John C. Tubale MAGAZINE EDITORS
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Faith amidst pandemic Spirituality and Health
Black Lives Matter Society
Panihon: a tradition that must survive through the pandemic Livelihood and Culture
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Out of fear and anxiety People and Health
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Should the pandemic turn man against his ‘bestfriend’? Animal Welfare
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Amelioriating socie of uncertain Community
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Livelihood of a lifetime Education
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New normal education and what parents have to say Education
3 5 4 7 41 50 38 0 19 46 27 History meets modernity Business
Savage! Reality’s escape from cruelty Technology
Pedal it out Leisure
ety in time nty
The perfect metaphor for resilience People and Health
Costly Romance Technology
Embroidered with motherly love People
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5 07 10 03 Determinasyon sa likod ng diskriminasyon People and Community
Essential means for conduct of classes Education
How virtual laboratory classes create dillema for student interns Education
A trek to school away from school Education
Mask and Shield! Institution
Coming out of the box
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Institution
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Mask and
Shield!
In the month of January 2020, nobody ever expected how a virus would test the world’s mettle in various aspects. Some downplayed it. Some did not care. A virus that made us feel twinges of negative emotions. A virus that desegregated people, that does not accord anyone. A virus that stole the world from us and changed it into a condition of being deficient in health, happiness and prosperity. COVID-19. Regardless of its quick widespreading, scientist discovered different ways and tools for preventing and curing the symptoms it brought. Aside from keeping a safe one-meter distance, washing hands often for at least 20 seconds or sanitizing, staying at home as much as one can, and the use of face masks and face shields are the important preventive measures to combat the virus. We can’t tell if one carries the virus unless tested. Its submicroscopic property is a great hitch. As cases increased nationwide, the University of Antique (UA) was one of the institutions that initiated a project that is impactful in the time of crisis. Due to strict demand of supplies, face masks and face shields were scarce. This is because of panic-buying and the very need of hospitals, healthcare centers and the people in the frontline.
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There are more memories waiting to be made for UA. Memories that would fill the blank halls that are usually chaotic during ordinary school days. Yet, sometimes memories can be different from what is expected. Cautious . Silent . Lifeless .
It was seemingly unfortunate for the UA colony that its ants weren’t able to smell or touch each other to express that they belong in the same colony— which is a distinguished behavior of the UA spirit animal. With a fragmented community inside its campuses due to the absence of people, UA took the initiative to protect the other community it serves, the community outside its concrete walls—the Antiqueños.
Covering the smile to block the strain Face masks are the most effective primary protective materials as face covers worn by individuals to prevent and reduce potential pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19. Medical face masks such as disposable surgical masks and N95 filtering face piece respirators are the most recommended to use. According to a 2013 study published in Aerosol Science and Technology, surgical face masks can filter out about 60% of smaller,
Dr. Farparan led the production of washable face masks in the College of Technology’s fashion design laboratory.
inhaled particles. They are primarily intended to protect the wearer from droplets, sprays and splatters. N95 masks are even more effective as they filter out 95% of particles breathed in the air. However, in the months of March, April and May when the virus spread all over the country with exorbitant haste, quick demands of facemasks in the market was jolting high, leaving stores bare. in response to the need, UA, under the management of Dr. Nelly Mistio as main campus director, initiated a program bUligAy Kita Kontra COVID, the UA COVID-19 Response Initiatives. This program involved the production and delivery of medical essentials like face masks to barangays, agencies, and units to address this need. With an allocated budget of Php 10, 457, the fashion and apparel faculty of the College of Technology, together with some volunteers, made 418 face masks. These were distributed to the medical personnel, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) staff and other frontliners around the province. These face masks were made of cotton cloth and come with filter pockets. With sewing machines, these cotton cloths were sewed. Facial tissues or other cloths may be used as filters by simply slipping them into the filter pockets. These
greatly helped the filtration of potential virus-containing particles that are released into the air through droplet spray.
Seeing the world beyond the transparent shield
The face mask is not the only protective face covering needed to take on the threats of the pandemic. Face shields are used by health workers in the frontline as additional protection since it covers the entire face, making it useful in medical settings and regular contact.
The university estimated to produce more than 2,000 face shields for medical personnel of provincial and municipal hospitals, policemen and rescue officers in the checkpoints and the barangay health and emergency response teams. This face shield initiative was part of the production of face masks where Php 66, 768 was allotted for the production. With the full utilization of the budget, the university, through the efforts of volunteers from its faculty and staff and student leaders, had produced 4,350 face shields where around 2,000 of them were already distributed to the people in the frontline.
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Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., University President, works hand in hand with the formulation of homemade sanitizers as a substitute for alcohol.
UA has formulated surface disinfectant.
However, this initiative did not start or end in the production of face shield. The Mass Communication faculty of the university and the Student Government, edited and uploaded a video in the university page on how to make face shields with mere acetate plastic, insulation foam, and garter, and which was demonstrated by Santi, UA’s official mascot together with the the volunteers.
Living up to the core values of commitment and social responsibility Despite the feeling of trepidation and anxiety as psychological effects of the pandemic, the faculty and staff, without a qualm, ran the risk to secure that the initiative is put into action. The work force lived up to the core values of social responsibility and commitment.
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“I am in my 60s. Individuals who are in the age bracket of 19 years old and below, and 60 years old and above, who are restricted to go out, notwithstanding, it never gave me a reason not to fulfill my aspirations. It reminded me of my purpose and commitment. It kept me to be of a piece in my profession and service. I knew I was at risk because of my age but never did it stop me,” Dr. Lilian Farparan, dean of College of Technology and one of the spearheads for the face masks production, said. The power of volunteerism was the key that unlocked the door of possibility. It gave hope to the Antiqueños. That Wilfredo Muhat, PhD, Student Affair Services director and one of the initiators for face shields production, shared a point
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Seeing infected individuals and frontliners who suffered from the virus pushes me to pursue the call – service. I’ve seen how my expertise in sewing can generate help for those who are in need of it. Together with the tenacity of everyone involved, the spirit of social responsibility was roused,” Dr.Farparan furthered.
Do-it-yourself face shields.
that the excruciating travail that the whole work force has experienced was not put into waste. During these times, the world sees the warm emotions we let out as villainous acts—showing smiles and faces is like exposing a poison and giving hugs and kisses is like embracing a demon. What once was our delight is now our fear. Yet, the initiative of the UA community to provide the covers to our gates of expression, our faces, is keeping faith among the people in the frontline. The benevolence of UAeans gave hope to the frontliners who are faded and already losing it.
WRITTEN BY JORIELYN MARTIZANO AND DAVEN LUIS ARAGON PHOTOS FROM UA FB PAGE Rafflesia
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A trek to school away from school
The place where Roshan gets a good signal after a thirty to fourty-five-minutes walk from their home.
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s the sun rose and exploded on Earth’s face, the sidewalks are lined with UAeans going to school. Everyday spent in UA is a page-turning event in their calendar towards the achievement of their dreams. As each class period ends, the corridors are filled with excited shrieks and laughter. Now, this remains a memory.
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As the global health crisis reached the country, many people were affected due to threats brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first three months of the year 2020 was a challenge to everyone. Many individuals tend to give up because of the struggles they have never encountered before. Workers forced to abandon their workplaces because many establishments were closed. Students were immediately sent home as campuses closed. Similarly, many academic institutions struggled because the faculty workloads have doubled or tripled. They need to devise an effective mode of teaching to meet the university’s mission. Due to the demand of quality education, the UA system created a learning management system to centralize the delivery of instruction. According to TechTarget, Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application or webbased technology used to plan, implement and assess a specific learning process. It is used for eLearning practices and, in its most common form, consists of two elements: a server that performs the base functionality and a user interface that is operated by instructors, students and administrators. The development of Learning Management System in UA brought a lot of changes in the learning environment of the students because classes would be done virtually wherein teachers and students meet and interact online. The learning management system became an enormous repository that allows users to access and track information in one specific place. This allowed learners to explore a new learning environment and honed students’ skills on technology-based learning as what the University of Antique envisions.
The pandemic brought uncertainty to the academic life of the students. While this could be an opportunity for some students to have a stress-free life, this can be a challenge for most. That is why, the university has an effective way in maintaining the learning of every student.
A trek not meant for leisure A thirty to forty-five-minute walk is needed in order to reach an area where mobile internet is available since the LMS has no offline feature yet internet is an indespensible resource for UAeans. Roshan Joy Corpez, 20, a strong, determined, faithful and goal-oriented young lady has captured someone’s heart because of her courage and patience in all the impossible things that happened in her life. Being an older sister among nine siblings, her parents expected her to finish her studies in to uplift the economic states of her family. Her father is a laborer and her mother is a homemaker. Her eldest brother and her younger sister are the ones who support her studies. Her parents gave her the opportunity to study because she possesses the potential in academics, which is why she was sent to college even though her younger sister had to stop schooling. Their poverty challenged her chances to keep up with her lesson. Without money for transportation, she cannot go downtown for internet. The only choice she has is to climb the hill for approximately forty-five minutes to reach that one spot where their is mobile data connection. Apart from that she needs to inform her elder siblings through chat that she needs mobile load for internet connection. At dawn, she prepares breakfast. By six o’clock she starts her trek to the signal spot. With her little sister to accompany her, she packs lunch wrapped in plastic and a bottle of drinking water. Lunch means getting two cups of rice and three pieces of grilled dried fish (awol-awol). This is what shedoes and what she have everyday.
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Roshan did not allow her poverty to stop her from pursuing her family’s dream. She has to finish it and find a stable Job. “ I was once thinking that I have to stop school because I took pity on my parents who are struggling to pay for my boarding house. But they told me that they are fulfilling their duties as my parents,” she shared.
access it even if they do not have a data connection. The, LMS intensifies the flexibility and creativity of the learning materials, that enrich student experience and strengthen shared collaboration. Student development through lessons and assessments becomes more self-driven – tapping into the natural way.
Roshan is a girl with a passionate heart improve her family’s situation. She performs all the tasks needed to the best of her abilities. She did well in her academics and was joyous to hear that she was included in the semestral honors’ list.
A good LMS makes learning more enjoyable and engaging for learners, encouraging them to take a more active role in their own growth. To enable learners to participate, an LMS should be easy to access and use. The LMS should be designed to be user-friendly in both appearance and functionality.
Giving the students an alternative way to teach and learn, UA provided a system of accessing all learning content. The LMS, gives academic institutions a way to organize and I store data in a single location. This makes it easier for teachers and students to update and manage their learning materials. The LMS enables them to access the learning materials ranging from written materials and presentations, to videos and interactive lessons.
In the time of uncertainties, a learning management system can be utilized as an alternative platform to facilitate learning. The development of LMS brought a lot of benefits in the field of education because the use of technology in the classroom has resulted in teachers and students equipping themselves with knowledge and skills in the 21st century. Hence, today’s learners have better ways to understand key concepts while focusing on their unique learning styles.
The LMS also allows the teachers to establish pedagogical models to deliver more personalized lessons and increase the engagement level of students. It also allows students to learn on their own via computers, laptops, and mobile devices, and keep learning alive 24/7. They can
WRITTEN BY ALDEN JOHN TUBALE
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How virtual laboratory classes create
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dilemma for student-interns
truggle is real for science majors. Without having the analytical balance, what would be the accuracy level of weighing compounds needed for a chemical reaction? How could you determine the properties of normal microflora present in purified water? Can you observe that metals really expand when undertaking the experiment in thermal expansion? These are just some of the questions in mind of aspiring science teachers which could be better answered through actual scientific experiments in laboratory activities. However, due to the overwhelming situation posed by COVID-19 pandemic, the answers to these questions remain indefinite. In 2021, government is still trying to curb the surging cases day by day which makes face to face instruction a difficult goal now. Not only science students but also other students enrolled in programs with hands-on activities are in constant struggle. They are bearing the dilemma on how to equip themselves with various scientific skills worthy to be called competent and holistic. Besides, teaching science adheres to the mastery of science concepts which in turn could be manifested in everyday life.
The core of science is the laboratory. It is where the theories and complex concepts are tested through scientific inquiry and investigatory process. These hands-on activities are crucial for the holistic development of learners as it offers wide arrays of tasks that nurtures their intelligent reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Reinforcing the effectivity of theoretical concepts in any academic discipline requires active engagement to the actual learning experience. The application of well-crafted activities serve as the primary indicator whether students have mastered what has been taught to them by the teachers. In addition, it further deepens the understanding of abstract knowledge in the real context. One of the recent researches authored by Avi Hofstein which was published in Research Gate last 2017 suggests that laboratory activities in schools is the platform for learning that upholds the essential outcomes of science learning. This affirms that practical works in the laboratory propel students to master the concepts embedded in science lessons and obtain higher academic standards.
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Necessity of Laboratory works
Princess Angella F. Situbal, a fourth year student of the University of Antique enrolled in Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science, shared some of her experiences in doing the laboratory works that took place before the pandemic. She highlighted the laboratory experiments they have in their course Microbiology and Parasitology about the timely outbreak of the COVID-19 that fits exactly on what they have experienced in the practical work. “One of our laboratory activities in our Microbiology and Parasitology course enabled us to determine the microflora present on the things we have physical contact wth everyday. The result of the activity showed that wide variety of bacteria and fungi can be found in any surface. The activity made us conscious of touching surfaces and months later, news reports about COVID-19 spread rapidly. Hence, we are already aware that we are susceptible of getting infected with harmful... microorganisms if we are not careful enough,” Princess narrated.
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Taking up Science as her major, Princess underscores the crucial role of laboratory works in proving the theoretical aspect of Science. She added that these activities are training her to be competent in undertaking the scientific process. “As a science student, laboratory activities are very essential in our learning process since it is the practical application of the scientific theories and concepts that we have learned during class discussions. In addition, laboratory activities helped us develop our skills specifically critical thinking in terms of testing hypotheses and drawing out conclusions from the activities.” Despite the pandemic, school administrators are trying to cope with the challenges brought by this health crisis. Princess shared a story of hope that triumphs over the hardships she encountered in dealing with the current condition in the education system.
“Since laboratory activities serve as our training ground to teach science, it is also the only way where we can investigate the concepts that we have learned. I am very thankful that our professors were able to give us tasks which can be done at home in remediation to the laboratory activities that we are supposed to perform in school. Moreover, YouTube videos are able to provide us insights on how to perform the laboratory tasks of every subjects and gave us the idea on how to execute its process,” she added with a hopeful prospect. For Princess, laboratory tasks are important because they supplement the lessons so that they have in-depth knowledge of the concepts and the mastery of the apparatuses and its uses inside the laboratory. “Laboratory activities would enable us to have a thorough understanding of the lessons and we do not have a chance of familiarizing the procedures, different laboratory equipments as well as its respective functions,” She said. Princess pointed out that these practical tasks are a great need for them especially in student teaching because they will be facilitating experiments in the field.
These are crucial training ground for us pre-service teachers. It will help us develop our skills in performing scientific processes such as experiments. Thus, equip us with enough knowledge so that we will be able to guide our students in the future. Practice Teaching Status during the Pandemic Practice teaching is a necessary aspect of pre-service training. It is where various learning theories and teaching approaches are applied and tested by the undergraduate students; This is the proper time for student-teachers to put into practice the pedagogical knowledge and skills they have acquired in the process of becoming a teacher.
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Despite this health crisis, the need for on-the-job training remains to be the topmost priority. This is essential for education courses as it will enable students to develop a holistic learning within them and their environment. This is a platform for them in unleashing their varying talents and realize their creative potentials. This also paves the way so that they will learn collaboratively with competent people in the field and increase their self-awareness on the real context of teaching. Crizel John N. Labanon, a fourth year education major in Science, student of the University of Antique shared his insights on the importance of practice teaching with faceto-face interaction and the dilemma it poses in the new normal setting. “For me, holistic learning comes from real life experiences. So, I find it more preferable to practice teaching in the normal or traditional setting. For sure, practice teaching in the new normal would require us to use several platforms to reach out to students. This will be a challenge since the locality that we are living in is not ideal for technology-mediated learning. Also, using technology to teach can still be applied in face-to-face teaching-learning process. But, the experience that traditional practice teaching can provide will not be sufficed with technology alone,” he affirmed. When the pandemic struck, Crizel is in doubt if is ready for the student internship due to the paradigm shift in the mode of learning delivery. “Based on my experiences these past few months, I can hardly say that I am already prepared for practice teaching. The sudden shift in the learning environment had been a challenge for me as an education student since we are supposed to train ourselves in an environment that will continuously allow us to be socially active. Aside from it, learning during the online class isn’t holistic enough causing me to feel uncertain about going out into the field and apply the knowledge and experience that I have, which for me is not enough,” he said with uncertainty. Despite the hesitations and fears, Crizel considers practice teaching as a trial for him to surpass.
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“As an incoming fourth year student taking up one of the education courses, practice teaching in the midst of pandemic is a challenge. It will be impossible for us to train in an ‘actual’ setting since the learning environment had already changed due to the safety measures imposed by the government. Also, we will not be able to apply the learning theories and teaching strategies that we have learned since most of them fits in the classroom setting” he explained. On the other hand, he said that it was a chance for self-awareness about the current mode of learning. “This is also an opportunity for us since we expect that if ever we are given the chance to practice teach, the teaching-learning process will be technology-mediated. Thus, giving us the chance to familiarize the new-normal learning environment,” he said. The progressivist perspective, posits that education is a process of development which focuses on the cultivation of individuality. It is centered on experiences, interests, and abilities of students thereby providing necessary skills to students in order to interact with his changing environment, learn through active engagement and learn through their experiences. For instance, practical tasks and student internship are among its major curricular activities.
The pandemic imposed a great challenge for everyone but with the technological innovations, academic institutions are gradually coping to its effects. With strategic planning and collaboration, home laboratory activities are simple yet significant method of learning. It equipped students with the necessary skills. Technological applications can be an alternative way for students to attain the basic competencies for practical works. For practice teaching, things that lie ahead maybe uncertain but the UA Red Ants Code of Conduct for every UAean, says there is no OBSTACLE that we can’t OVERCOME!
Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science students doing their home-based laboratory activity on wine making for their Organic Chemistry subject.
WRITTEN BY FRANCIS MISSION PHOTOS BY KIM JOHN OSUNERO
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ew ormal education and what parents have to say
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People are living in the concept of the new normal wherein we take precautionary measures to not get infected with the spread of the pandemic while managing to somehow stick to our plans for the year. As for education, online classes are serving a purpose in expanding learning through the use of internet. A modular version of the lesson is also made available for those who do not have access to websites online. School offices improvised sanitary stuff which everyone can have access to as social distancing is practiced. These are just examples that we apply into proper practice in order to stay safe and meet the rules for the new normal amidst the global pandemic. People find ways to reconnect with their usual routines. Some make ways to get through the barriers of today’s normality. But whatever the reason is, everyone surely strives hard to keep surviving in today’s society. Covid- 19 has affected not only our mental health but also our way of living. Some might be experiencing culture shock while others may only focus on what good societal rules can do for them. But the matter that needs to be tackled is distance learning; its pros and cons, as a result of the pandemic. The strike it did rearranged the perspective, the attitude of both students and parents, and the society as a whole towards their goals. Since physical distancing has made a way for us to unconsciously self- isolate, it also begets to interpersonal disconnectedness, which may lead to mental health instability. Due to the long duration of time one has to spend alone, the messier the thoughts can get. And if we add up personal problems and academic matters, it sure will result to anxiety and should not be taken lightly. Students now fear two things; to be left out and to just give up on education. This happens because the differences of today’s mode of learning has not enabled every learner to adjust and parents bear this struggle along with their kids.
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Furthermore, isolation caused ways of working and education to change and both professionals and students have to manage their time well in answering their modules and attending to their chores. The new work environment is at home and online. Interaction is via collaboration tools, which makes it uneasy for those who lawck gadgets and for those with unstable internet connection. But we have to ensure our education and work’s continuity as the show must go on for aspirants who want to finish with degrees.
What do parents think about distance learning? Aside from educators who make efforts to continue their objective of bringing good education to students, parents are the ones who witness their children’s hard works and breakdowns first hand. Some of them are in favour of the current educational state while others are contradicting the idea. “We are not in favour of online classes because we notice that our children do not learn as much as the traditional set up. They cannot focus on the lectures and instead, social media distracts them.” Shared one of our respondents when asked if online learning is favourable. Some are also complaining about reloading their child’s mobile device every week since that money could have been spent for food instead. Moreover, there are students who have younger siblings who need help with their work and as bigger persons, college and high school students often spend half of their time tutoring elementary kids. While there are parents who dislike the current situation, there are also those who seek to understand it and find the good out of the current educational system like parents who are also educators.
“I agree with the implementation of online classes. I feel that, if the students showcase discipline and exercise responsibilities, they would be able to learn just as much as they would have if there are face-to-face classes.” Though online classes can be difficult at times due to connection instability, I simply cannot risk my health as well as that of my students,” shared another respondent.
Essence of adaptability should be introduced to us, where one learns to conduct initiatives in times of crisis. Reflect to what the pandemic has set posivity into and build a culture that welcomes change. Everyone needs the right approach of education; an approach that embraces flaws, recognizes new challenges and is flexible to still be productive through time.
There will always be disadvantages in an endeavour and we cannot simply blame the difficulties of learning to a single source. The pandemic has taken the possibility of face to face classes for now but learning is infinite and so are the ways through it.
WRITTEN BY NIÑA RICA BELMONTE
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ESSENTIAL MEANS FOR CONDUCT OF CLASSES WRITTEN BY JAN BRIAN SILADAN
Kenneth Talete is one of the architecture students who really struggled with online learning.
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school year passed as gigabytes of data were consumed by thousands of students at the University of Antique. Students with lesser means and resources go a step further to catch up. Online education was proven somewhat doable after a year of its conduct. Now it leaves a question of whether the schools were ready or were experimenting. “The DICT constructed wifi outlets on school campuses. However, on mountainous areas, you can’t really expect (construction), not only in Antique but althroughout the country and, other (provinces) might even be worse” Vice Governor Edgar Denosta said, addressing the queries of students regarding online classes and wifi connections, on an interview with a staff of The Prism during the granting of provincial scholarship subsidy for college students at Bugasong, Antique. Kenneth Talete, a Bachelor of Science in Architecture Student, and Jayson Rosillo, a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy student, in the same university are both residents of Paliwan and Guija, Bugasong. Both of them are also acquaintances stating that they are former classmates back in junior high school at Antique Vocational School. 17
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“At first, I enrolled just for the sake of enrolling even if I did not know the outcome of online classes. It was also mid-2020 when I decided to take up a course at University of Antique given that the classes would be online,” Kenneth said in an interview with a staff of The PRISM. Rosillo and Talete ended up surviving one year of online classes at UA. Accountancy and Architecture differ when it comes to the center of study but the two students shared one common setback, readiness for online classes. Talete continues his education by the belief that God may bestow upon a person what is due to him and take away what is unnecessary. Back in November 2020, Rosillo said that it would be better if students like him were given a clearer platform of communication, also, that not everyone is able to maintain a good source of internet connection. Rosillo also questioned, the teacher-student communication and how efficient the grading system would seem at this type of situation. “Teachers are governed by schedules and policies of the school. If we just tolerate these students, then programs of the school would lead nowhere so in my own opinion maybe resourcefulness of the students (is needed). If we let one or two (students) be, it would be unfair to those who are dedicated,” Vice governor Denosta explained. The day before the pronouncement of the first Enhanced Community Quarantine on May 1, 2020 at the Province of Antique, Talete had his graduation photoshoot and was not aware that he would not be able to experience the long awaited typical graduation ceremony for senior high school graduates.
As Talete and Rosillo survived a year under the online platform of classes, there are still more challenging years to come. For some, online class may be efficient and effective but for Kenneth and Jayson, as a year passes by, the difficulty of their courses start to require a face to face integration.
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he is the first person a student will meet before entering. She wears a distinctive, wellfitted uniform with a badge labelled “Security Officer.” Her eyebrows are raised accompanied by bulging flashbulb eyes directly to a student when she catches one not wearing a complete school uniform. Behind her strong aura as a lady guard is a caring single mother of three children. In this modern age, a woman can do a man’s job. According to a recent study of the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 15 million solo parents in the Philippines and 95 percent of them are women. Imee Panaguiton Lasara, a 44-year-old resident of Piapi 3, Hamtic, Antique is a part of that population.
Love at a young age
She was led to the altar at the age of 16. Her husband cooked for her, but he ended up dining with another woman. While Imee was pregnant with her second child, the other woman was pregnant with her first child. When she was pregnant with her third child, the other woman was also pregnant with her second child. Imee got aggravated and put an end to their vows. She and her husband both signed an agreement to annal their marriage. She ended her seven-year marriage with her cheating husband. As a single mother, she always went an extra mile to ensure her children’s are fed and sent to school.
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bowed shoulders, she starts preparing food for dinner again. She does every chore in the house before and after working so that her children will be left with only one thing to do - study and obtain high grades. Her eldest daughter got pregnant during her sophomore year in college but Imee believes that pregnancy is not a hindrance for her daughter to finish schooling. She was still determined to walk her daughter to a degree until she graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. At some point in time, her husband decided to help send their second child to college. He shouldered the school expenses of their son, in John B. Lacson. Her youngest is now battling in her first year, taking Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Being a solo parent, she provides for all her three children. She stood like a hundred old acacia. She cannot fall nor bent. She had to work hard; so she became a lady guard.
A single mom and a lady guard
According to the licensing office of the Philippine National Police, there are 500, 000 licensed security guards in the country. Imee Lasara is one of them. She has served the University of Antique for a decade up until the COVID - 19 pandemic came.
An empowered single parent She opens her eyes wide in an effort to be awake before the sun rises. She starts her day at 3:30 in the morning. Using the old rusty water pump, she takes her morning bath. The noise of the water pump is loud, as if the metals a swordfight is happening. It should have been replaced. But since they cannot afford to buy a new one or to have their own water supply at home. She prepares breakfast for her children before they wake up. After her duty, without putting her bag down with her
Life as a guard isn’t easy especially when one guards students. Aside from a feeling faded standing all day, there are also students who give headache to them. Despite this, she loves her work tremendously. She does not really mind the salary she receives; she aims to improve the students’ behavior through discipline and by highlighting the rules implemented and observed within the university. If a student violated the rules of the university, they will not be allowed to enter the premises. However, if the students came from far places and have valid reasons, they will be allowed to enter and the guards will have responsibility over them. Students who continuously violate the rules will receive warnings and face consequences. They do not have biases. For them, the rules of the University must be followed all the time.
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As a lady guard, Imee does not tire serving UA. She goes to work straight all year round except for Sundays. The gates of the university became her home for 10 years. It became a witness to both the river flowing down her cheeks and her cheshire grin.
Guarding a closed campus during pandemic
Her jobs were doubled when she became a frontliner. She stayed in the university to provide assistance for three days which she found difficult because she was not with her family --- her breath of fresh air after exhaustion. She faced not only the threats of COVID-19, but also the horrifying judgments of those she serves, the cruelty of those who harshly judge from a shallow surface. She was questioned if she was doing her job and observing the right implementation of the protocols. Some people do not want to be bothered when entering the university gates therefore they do not want to follow the safety protocols such as washing hands and checking the temperature through the thermal scanner; even wearing a face mask properly was an issue to some. Her job’s salary was just enough to feed her family. They lack the means to obtain comfort in their lives and it was made worse when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Fare was doubled. But the Lasara family, in the winter of despair, found hope that just like all problems they have encountered, all of the stumbling blocks they are facing will be solved.
The eyes are the window to a soul. Her eyes tell that
she is a nice person with a kind heart. She is intimidating to look at and students get scared most especially if they are not in their complete uniforms. But despite her austere appearance, she has a warm heart. She always greets everyone who enters the gate. She is more than a lady guard but a family to the students and to the UA community.
Not all are rainbows and cupcakes. Sometimes, there are dark clouds and rain.
Even so, she still manages to turn them into something positive. Underneath her beaming smile is a storm of problems. A dish with different recipes can always turn out the best with the right mixture of ingredients and procedures. Our responsibilities make us, women, beautiful. We can be the standard of hard work and perseverance, crafted to care and provide for the basic necessities of our family. Imee Panaguiton Lasara is an example of a woman beautifully carved to exceed the standard. Turns out, she is the most beautiful possession of her children. Any woman can be. It’s just a matter of perception and will. She is the first person a student will meet before entering the gates of the university and the last person to the eye of students when they go home. Her long, silky, braided hair is waving for women empowerment that being a security guard is for all genders. She wears her distinctive, well-fitted uniform with a badge labeled “Security Officer” embroided with motherly love.
WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE KATE BALBOA AND REAH RICA PADRONCILLO 21
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L
ivelihood of a ifetime
WRITTEN BY MARIANNE PALCAT AND REAH RICA PADRONCILLO
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Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Says the clock in a cold pitch-black daylight. As she glanced at the time, seeds of sweat rolled down all over her weary face, prompting her to quicken her pace so she can make it on time. Waking up at 3 o’clock in the morning will lead her to her usual place, a place where commuters are scattered along the way. She stood in anticipation for the arrival of the people she patiently waits for; her customers. Jenny Cepeda, a 53-year-old resident of Esperanza II, Sibalom, Antique has been a vendor for 32 years. Having seven children and a husband who works as a farmer pushed her to look for means to have an extra income. This paved her way in becoming a vendor at the terminal of RORO and Dimple Star back in 1993. She transferred at the Ceres terminal at 1999 up to the present. Her old age does not stop her from going to and fro the bus station. She carries a basket on her left arm, a basket which is not like the fancy beribboned basket on the dining table on Christmas Eve. Hers is a plain
plastic basket full of goodies waiting to be bought by her customers. Her body acted as her alarm clock to wake up before the first light of day. Rubbing her half-closed misty eyes is her way to stop her drowsiness. Though her eyes felt like falling while putting firewood to cook her fried peanuts and banana chips, neither of her products ended in bad taste nor inedible bits. After all the preparations, she will put all her products in her capacious life-saving basket. She would sell banana chips, chicharon, puto, bandi, bottled water and some other snacks starting from dawn to dusk. She brings her own lunch she had personally prepared. At the terminal, she cares about her health so much that she makes sure she eat because according to her, “if you love your children you will take good care of your health”.
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“
The work is tiring, but I don’t have a choice because I will have nothing to feed my family if I stopped working.”
Jenny Cepeda has been a vendor for 32 years.
With the earnings of 500 pesos a day, it was difficult for her to sell a 100-peso worth of snacks. When the pandemic disturbed the system of transportation, the worst thing happened; there was a very limited number of vehicle and passengers, and because of that vendors could not earn a penny since everyone was taking precautionary measures to protect themselves from the virus. When people started to distance themselves from each other, the present and usual earnings of the vendors also went rock bottom.
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In time the of pandemic when Jenny was forced not to sell for a while, the greens in their background became the source of their food. They have peanuts, they have chickens and luckily Jenny raised and molded responsible children who are responsible in doing the household chores. When the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was lifted, she got back to her old usual routine, because until when could their greens serve them? People with raised eyebrows while talking rudely on the phone, a family on cloud nine, a pregnant woman holding her ultrasound result; different people stirring up all kinds of emotions are what she encounters on her day to day work at the terminal. She feels the sting of rejection from them, some even throws painful words at her when she offers her goodies but it became normal to her, she still paints a smile before moving to other passengers.
When her kids were still little, she sells at the terminal with her bag full of baby bottles and a hammock for her little one. A friend at the restaurant takes care of her baby in the hammock as she drifts her focus on the basket she needs to sell for the day. Even if there are times when she is bombarded with countless problems, she still did not lose the light of hope within her. She does not make it as a hindrance to get up. She knows that blessings will come to her footsteps again. Her work is what sustains her whole family so she does not have a reason to lie down on her bed and be eaten up by her daily struggles in life. Her experiences and her love for her children fueled her with enough energy and strength to carry on. Not having sales for a day also means
that her children will not have fare for school, and as a mother she cannot bear seeing her children’s cry. What could be a humble job in the eyes of others could very well be a lifetime’s worth of earnings for someone. Being a vendor helped Jenny sustain the needs of her children in school, two of them had already graduated. For Jenny, what made her more committed to her job were the wonderful and meaningful experiences throughout her journey. Making sure that she keeps her faith in God ablazed in whatever she does for life, granted her with a life that is happy and meaningful. For her, being poor will never be a barrier to reach success and to have education. She will keep on selling as long as she could.
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People / Health
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‘‘
After the radio announcement, people started gossiping about things that were nonsensical. Pointing their fingers at people like us”.
UT OF FEAR AND ANXIET Y 25
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fter the dreadful events caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, classifications were made for a better health care treatment system between patients who tested positive for COVID 19, PUM (Person Under Monitoring and PUI (Person Under Investigation).
Discrimination is defind as the unfair / prejudicial treatments against people based in various categories. It is innate for human being to categorize and criticize groups to make sense of the world. And thus, we differ with how we react to and perceive things. The COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t spare us from prejudice. Arseneth Dionela began to tell her part of the story of what it feels like to be a PUI, of what it feels like to be isolated from everyone else with piercing eyes watching her as the sirens of an ambulance numb her hearing of reality. “They both got me and my family, twisted around those unpleasant canards” then with a heavy heart, she heaved out a sigh to express her sorrow.
the first positive case in pandan lives. We were socializing with the building when owner even before the diagnosis came),” she revealed. She also said that before undergoing a swab test, she was already experiencing a symptom, and was quarantined for a week in a quarantine facility prepared by the Rural Health Unit of Pandan. “Nadala lang siguro ako sa stress dahil a month before na-implement ang lockdown, palagi nalang ako nagpupuyat at saka nakakaramdam ng pagod (Perhaps I was just so stressed because before the lockdown, I was already feeling restless and deprived of sleep),” she said with a hand on her chest. Even before and after the quarantine, Arseneth remained optimistic. She hoped for the best, she took care of her health and with her family in mind she gained strength and ignored the unpleasant opinions from the people around her.
Dionela, was formerly working as a sales analyst in Manila, but is currently working as an office staff of the municipal accounting office and of Pandan.
Throughout the pandemic, a lot of rants, complaints and opinions that reek of discrimination against COVID-19 positive patients, PUM, PUI and our very own health care workers on social media platforms and outlets were expressed, raising online discourse and heated debates on a global scale.
“Choice ko umuwi for good with my family. And nagkaroon ng opportunity na makapagwork ako dito kaya grinab ko na ( It was my choice to return home wih my family. When I had the opportunity to work here, I took it),” she explained.
To address the issue, on June 02, 2020, the House of Representatives approved the House Bill no.6817 or the “Covid 19 related Anti-Discrimination Act”. It sought ban discrimination against Health workers and repatriated OFW’s or those deemed possible cases of COVID-19.
Though she observed proper protocol by wearing the required facemask and face shield at work, this does not mean that she’s would not get infected. Despite the hardships, she chose to persevere through the adversities and continue working for a living.
“Yung husband ko ang nagbabantay ng tindahan namin, kasama ang anak ko ( My husband tended our store with my child),” she shared.
“Viruses don’t discriminate and neither should we.”
- WHO Western Pacific Region.
But on April 08, 2020, along with a number of suspected covid-19 positive patients, Arseneth’s fear of being away from her family befell upon her. She was identified as a PUI (Person Under Investigation). “Nung di pa natapos ang renovation ng municipal hall, the respective offices rented a temporary place and dun sa nirentahan namin na office, yung may-ari mismo yung pinaka unang positive patient from Pandan at nakasalamuha namin sya even before pa sya na diagnose ( When the renovation of the municipal hall was still underway, our respective offices rented a temporary place. The building we rented is also where
WRITTEN BY IYEN BAUTISTA
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People / Community
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Determinasyon Sa Likod ng Diskriminasyon
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aong 2019 sa buwan ng Mayo
petsa labing-tatlo, umusbong ang panibagong pag-asa para sa mga kabataang Pilipino. Ng magkaroon ng panibagong halalan para sa mga lideres na mamumuno mapa nasyonal ma’t lokal. Kasabay din nito ang pagbabalik ng Sangguniang Kabataan na mahigit ilang taon ding nawala. Kung kaya ito ang naging dahilan upang mabigyang pansin muli ang nalimutang kapangyarihan at boses ng mga kabataan sa lipunan.
Saligang Batas Numero 10742 o kilala sa tawag na Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015. Repormadong batas na nagsasaad na ang mga kabataan ay may sarili din Sanggunian na maging kinatawan nila upang mabilis na maaksiyunan at madinig ng gobyerno ang kanilang samu’t-saring konsumisyo’t hinanaing. Isa pang dahilan ang malayang pamamahala sa sariling pondo, ngunit ang sinasaad na kalayaan sa bagong batas ay nananatili paring nakalimbag na salita at hindi masalin-salin sa gawa. Dalawang pinagsama na letra, S at K na pinalooban ng tatlong kulay kagaya ng sa ating watawat. Ang mga kumbinasyong ito ay pawang makikita sa bagong sagisag ng SK na nagsisimbulo sa bawat katangian ng mga kabataan sa kasalukuyang panahon. Ayon sa National Youth Commision (NYC), ang 10 antas na pagilid ng letrang S at K ay kumakatawan sa pinakamahalagang posisyon sa Sangguniang Kabataan. Iyon ay ang isang inihalal na SK Chairperson, pitong SK Kagawad, isang hinirang na SK Secretary at SK Treasurer. Bukod dito isa pang dahilan na kung bakit nakapatong ang letra sa dilaw na bilog ay dahil sa pagtawag pansin sa pagkakakilanlan ng mga 27
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Ang mga mag-aaral sa elementarya ng Brgy. Binanogan, Valderrama, Antique, ang nakinabang sa proyektong “Bulig sa Eskwelahan Program” na Pinamunuan ng SK Provincial Federation sa Antique.
kabataan sa larangan ng pamumuno. Inaasahan din na sila ang magiging susi sa pagpapalaganap ng pagkakaisa ng mga kabataan sa lipunan. Panghuli, ang pagsunod sa disenyong kulay ng ating watawat alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 8491 o Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. Humigit kumulang 107.29 milyong katao ang naninirahan sa Pilipinas, 40 porsyento ng mga kabataan ang naikompromisang sakop sa kabuuang populasyon nito. Isa na dito ang munisipalidad ng Valderama sa probinsya ng Antique kung saan nakatira ang kasalukuyang SK Provincial Federation President na kilala sa katawagang Mark Canja. Hindi na lingid sa kamalayan ni Marc ang kahirapan dahil sa murang edad naranasan na niya ito. Kung kaya ito ang kaniyang naging inspirasyon upang magpursiging tumakbo bilang SK Chairperson, ang tulungan ang kagaya niyang kabataan sa kanilang barangay. Naging mapalad siya sa kaniyang karera bilang SK Chairperson, simula sa kaniyang barangay hanggang sa posisyon mayroon siya ngayon. Hindi naging madali ang tatlong taong pamumuno ni Marc. Kasama ng pagbago ng batas ng SK ay ang kawalang kakayahang magalaw ang nararapat na pondo para sa kanila. Isa ito sa mga pangunahing suliranin kinakaharap ng mga SK Chairperson dito sa probinsya. Hindi hadlang ang kawalan ng pondo kay Marc upang makapaglingkod siya sa kapwa niya kabataan. Pinalad siya ng makatanggap ng 300,000.00 na pondo galing sa opisina ng ating Gobernador na kahit may kaliitan ay kaniyang tinitiis upang may magamit sa loob ng isang taon. Ilan-ilan lamang sa mga pinaka-importanteng larangan
na dapat nakatuon ang pondo ng SK ay ang mga: Edukasyon dito binibigyang atensyon ng chairman ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon higit sa lahat ang mga Out of School Youth (OSY) na walang permanenteng lebel ng edukasyon na natamo. Pangalawa, Sports ito ang pinakatampok sa lahat dahil ang ganitong klaseng aktibidad ay nasa pamamahala talaga ng SK Chairperson kung kaya sila ang naturang naitalaga bilang Committee on Sports sa kanilang barangay. Isa din sa binibigyang halaga ay ang Environment, dito nakapokus ang programa sa kung paano mapangalagaan ang kalikasan. Tree planting at Clean-up Drive ang karaniwang ginagawa sa larangan na ito. Sakop rin sa dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ang Disaster Resiliency, binibigyang diin ang kahandaan ng mga kabataan sa tuwing may sakuna na darating. Nakapaloob rin dito ang mga symposium at seminar na makatutulong sa pagkakaroon ng kaalaman at preparasyon. Ang kakalagyan ng pondo ng bawat SK ay nakadepende sa pangunahing pangangailangan ng kabataan sa naturang lugar. Naging basehan din ang mga nakalagay sa Comprehensive Barangay Development Plan (CBYDP) at Annual Barangay Youth Development Plan (ABYIP). Ngunit dahil na din sa malaking pagbabago ng panahon dala nitong pandemya ay napilitang iayon muli ang pondo sa mga bagay na dapat unahin at pagtuunan ng pansin. Iyon ang kalusugan at edukasyon. Halos lahat ng mga nakagawiang gawin ng mga kabataan kagaya ng Sports at ibang patimpalak ay pinagpaliban dulot ng Covid.
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Komplikado at limitado ang galaw ng bawat SK Chaiperson sa ngayong taon. Lalo na sa mga barangay na nakapaloob sa bawat bayan ng Antique. Isa na dito si John Manuel Obasan o kilala sa tawag na “Manuel” isa sa nahalal na SK Chairperson sa bayan ng Tobias Fornier. Si Manuel ay bunso sa apat na magkakapatid, sa gulang na labin-lima naramdaman at alam na niya ang tungkulin ng isang lider. Likas na sa kaniyang sarili ang pagiging pinuno dahil bago paman siya maging SK Chairperson ay naging presidente muna siya sa Student Pupil Government (SPG) noong elementarya pa lamang. Student Governement Vice-President nang makatungtong ng sekondarya at Youth President ng kanilang ministeryo sa kanilang barangay. Kung kaya noong nalaman niyang ibinalik ng gobyerno ang halalan sa SK ay kusang loob siyang pumila sa kadahilanang nais niyang paglingkuran ang kaniyang parehong kabataan. Kagaya ni Marc isa din Manuel na gumagawa ng mga alternatibong paraan upang mapanatiling maging aktibo parin ang mga kabataan sa kanilang barangay. Isa na doon ang paggawa ng solicitations at paghingi ng tulong sa mga pribadong tao upang maisakatuparan lamang ang mga naplanuhang programa. Bukod sa personal na pera ay tanging solicitation lamang ang mainam na paraan upang maipatupad ang kanilang inaasam na programa. Samakatuwid, hindi madali ang pagiging SK Chairperson sa ngayong taon. Lahat ng hinanaing at panghuhusga ng mga tao ay ibabato sayo. Paratang na wala palaging ginagawa, nagpapakasasa sa honohorarium na tinatanggap at walang kakayahan pangatawanan ang inuupuang posisyon. Gayunpaman, patuloy parin na lumalaban at naglilingkod ang mga SK Chairpersons sa kanilang kapwa kabataan.
Libreng tsinelas para sa mga mag-aaral ng Brgy. Lublub, Valderrama, Antique.
“Hayaan niyo na lamang ang mga diskriminisasyon na inyong naririnig sa ibang tao. Basta’t alam natin na tama ang ating ginagagawa wala dapat tayong ipangamba. Ipakita natin sa kanila na karapat-dapat tayo sa ating posisyon na ang lahat ng ating ginagawa ay para sa kapakanan din ng kapwa nating kabataan,” – Marc Canja.
Pagmamahal sa ating ginagawa ang tanging mabisang pundasyon na ating mapanghahawakan. Walang kahit anong diskriminisasyon o hamon ng panahon ang makasisira sa taong pursigido at may angking determinasyon.
SINULAT NI SANDIE GED NICHOLAS MINAVES 29
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Amelioriating society in time of uncertainty
WRITTEN BY LOUIE JOHN SERVANCIA
We sail on the same sea, not in the same boat. Others may enjoy the luxury of the yacht, but most endure riding on a raft.
O
ur concern doesn’t just revolve around human health as we experience the global health crisis caused by covid-19. Employment rate wentdown to 7.1% in March 2021, translating to 3.44 million Filipinos with no jobs, according to a Rappler report. Lucky are those well off people who have the resources and it is misery to those who are in the margins of society who became even more deprived of government aid. Various difficulties gradually arose, one of which was the difficulty in providing daily basic needs, particularly when the Philippine Government imposed an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) on March 16, 2020 that started in the island of Luzon and caused a lot of restrictions.
Filipinos are told to be healthy and to, at least, strengthen their immune system to combat the virus. But most of them do not know where to get food to put on the table. With the serious threat of the pandemic in different aspects of life, we can’t deny the hardship it has caused. To help recover the vulnerable groups, solo parents, Persons with Disability (PWDs), and indigent Indigenous People (IP), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allocated 199.975 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to fund the Social Amelioration Program-Emergency Subsidy Program (SAP-ESP).
According to DSWD, SAP is a social care program Rafflesia 30
and inter-agency measure to help mitigate the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 health crisis and the rules implemented by ECQ (RA No. 11469 or Bayanihan to Heal as One Act). The ESP is the aid under the SAP during ECQ in collaboration with Local Government Units (LGU) or local government from the province to the barangay. Each qualifying family will receive 5,000 to 8,000 for two months to cover basic needs. This amount is based on the minimum wage of a region. Receiving financial assistance from the government is one of the things that people who are suffering from extreme poverty are grateful for, but not everyone received a heartfelt satisfaction. SAP-ESP beneficiaries have many stories to tell. There are fortunate ones who received subsidies, but some experienced the opposite situation. The most gut-wrenching experience that the people have sustained was the revocation of the grant. As you walk through the public streets, you will definitely spot a “Sari-sari Store”. It is undeniably one of the most popular micro businesses here in the Philippines. But this pandemic knows no exception because even this small source of income has received a serious impact. *Rosalinda, a native of Belison, Antique, is one of the countless sari-sari store owners here in the country who immensely struggled with the burden brought by the pandemic. She may seem unaffected because her store remained open but she already lost a lot. The daily expenses and her children’s education depend on their income at the store. Sometimes, their extra ‘ihaw-ihaw’ or barbecue business contribute as well. Her husband works as a contractual security guard and earns a meager salary. The principle “No work, no pay” applies to him. When the country declared a lockdown, the struggle of Rosalinda’s family got worse. Their business weakened. 31
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Shortage of stocks and constraints on the items to be purchased added to the problem. Sometimes, they’re forced to consume their own goods which caused their income to lessen. “Tama gid ka budlay ang igo ka pandemya ngaya. Daw wara na kami ti ginabuol nga ginansya, kag naduraan pa ka ubra bana ko kang ECQ, gustuhon mo man mangita ka pamaagi pero duro restrictions (The pandemic hit us hard. We lost profit and my husband lost his job during ECQ. The restrictions prevented us to find means),” she said while preparing sticks for her ihaw-ihaw. Fortunately, Rosalinda’s family was one of those included in SAP-ESP. Somehow, it plucked the thorn from her heart. The emergency subsidy was able to provide help for her in purchasing their essential needs such as food, medicine, and toiletries. Apart from this, the remaining money served as an additional capital to their store. “Gapasalamat gid ako sa bulig kang gobyerno. Mahambal mo man nga hindi gid tama ka bahul pero kahit papaano nakapahagan-hagan man sa kapigaduhon ka taho (I am thankful for the government aid. It’s not that much but it helps alleviate our poverty),” she added.
Down on her luck A week after getting the emergency subsidy, a woman was beaming with gratitude after buying enough food supplies her and her grandson until the ECQ is lifted. But her face was immediately stained with great sadness after hearing the news that her beneficiary (her nephew) violated ECQ protocols that led for her grant disqualification. It was a painful experience for a 63-year-old Mercy (not her real name) who supports her grandson alone just by selling “suman”, a rice cake made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped with coconut leaves.
The LGU planned to revoke the cash aid given to her. Although she wanted to return the money, she only has an empty pocket considering the additional hardships brought by the pandemic which afflicted her livelihood. “Ginbuhusan gid ako kang kasubo sa natabo kanakun, sangka semana dun ang nagligad kag nagasto ko run ang kwarta. Wara gid ko ti masagapan ka baralik kay budlay gid sitwasyon kadya (I was saddened by it. It has been a week and I’ve spent the money already. The situation is bad, it was difficult to return the money),” she said. Last March 2020, while the country was still under the ECQ, she still continued to rush to various barangays following safety measures with her old basket to sell. It has been three years since she became a widow. Apart from selling, she also takes out loans to supplement her grandson’s education. “Mayad lang gani sa amo to nga tiun, nag-untat man ang baydanay, nakasupot man ko gamay. Kahit papano, nakaluwas taman sa pang adlaw-adlaw (The loan moratorium was so timely. I was able to save for our daily needs),” She truly hopes that next time, the aid given to those who are struggling to survive in their daily lives will not be revoked immediately if any violation has occurred. Unexpected things really come; they should issue a warning first to somehow prevent unintended circumstances.
A 4ps beneficiary Raising two children is quite difficult already, but what if there were 13 more? Imagine how backbreaking it is. Indeed, parental sacrifice is incomparable. Even before the sun claimed its throne in the morning, Nanay Pacencia (not her real name) and her sons have already prepared their newly sharpened sickle to be used in harvesting rice crops which is one of their sources of daily necessities. Occasionally, she also sells "banana cue" a famous Filipino snack made using fried bananas (saba) coated with caramelized brown sugar, to supplement their electricity bill and support her children's education. This brave 59-year-old mother was blessed with 15 children. Supposedly 16, but the twin of one of her daughters died on the day of her birth. She has been a widow for four years. Even before the pandemic, Nanay Pacencia's family was already exposed to poverty so their suffering has doubled in the midst of global health crisis.
She also relies on the subsidy provided by the
government. They get financial help from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that covers two types of cash grants: health and education. “Bahul ang bulig kang 4Ps ngaya kanakun kag sa kabataan ko, kung wara lang kami naabutan kang bulig ngaya, hindi man guro ko kapa eskwela kay nanda (The 4Ps realy helped us a lot. If not for this grant. I wouldn’t have been able to send my children to school).” The same with senior citizens receiving pension, nonindigents and formal sector workers, 4Ps beneficiaries are not included in SAP. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that upon the calculation of 18 million low-income families, 4Ps are no longer included in SAP as they have been given an emergency subsidy apart from their regular 4Ps grant. The top up is equivalent to the amount given to non-Pantawid beneficiaries. As reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), a total of 132 4Ps beneficiaries in the Province of Antique returned the cash aid under the SAP after learning they were ineligible to avail of the assistance. A total of 792,000 was returned to their respective municipal treasurers. Duplication of the said grant was one of the problems of the government because there are still vulnerable groups that have not received financial assistance. The honesty of those who returned the aid spawned a great help to those nonPantawid beneficiaries who were left out. Currently, Nanay Pacencia has a child who’s attending college at the University of Antique (UA). Her son can’t keep up with his online class sometimes due to the unstable internet connection and expensive mobile load. Most of her children have their own families already. Although they still provide help, but it’s not enough for her two children who are currently high school students. Luckily, the conduct of classes was done through the modular way of learning so it was inexpensive on her part as she did not have to spend much. It has been almost a year since the catastrophe that Covid-19 brought. Restrictions may be reduced, but we continue to endure the hardships of life caused by the pandemic. The absence of income and livelihood leads to the emergence of perturbation as we do what we can to survive each day in the midway of uncertainties. Not everyone is privileged. Many Filipinos need assistance and hopefully, the help continues to be provided because these days, the so-called resiliency no longer suffices, and the majority’s concern is no longer the virus, but how to survive on a daily basis.
* Not her real name
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Livelihood / Culture
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Panihon
a tradition that must survive through the pandemic
PHOTOS BY VANESSA AMOR BUENAFE
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oosters began to crow and the cold breeze of the wind added serenity to the place. The gas lamp lighted the house and a vexatious sound coming from an old transistor radio blanketed the nipa hut where the four children were sleeping. The bamboo floor produced a cracking sound as Victoria’s footsteps led her towards their kitchen. She started to burn firewood to cook their breakfast and also prepared some hot drink made from cocoa powder for her children. While sitting one meter away from the hearth waiting for the rice to be cooked, the flame caught her attention and brought her back in the year 1943, when she was still 15 years old – a time when she first learned the life that she has right now with her own family. Until, her husband enters the door with a sack of mud, ready for their “panihon”, the work that they used to do every 4 o’clock in the morning. Her lips are dry and slightly tattered, furrows visible in her brows, and gray hair flaunt her stale face despite of her age. Her wrinkled and tanned skin can be seen through her white Cameson dress that also highlighted her complexion. Her tepid hands were
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tirelessly shaking as she tries to put a pair of hearing aid on her ears. Her big brown dewy eyes started to convey her story. People say that change is the only constant thing in this world but not for Victoria Garciniego, a 92-yearold woman, who asserted that her way of living did not change since she was 15. Protruding veins covered her bare hands as she prudently molds the clay to create patterns – clay that makes money to sustain the basic needs of her family. The province of Antique is known not only for its abundant resources and number of endemic species of plants and animals, but also known for its artistic and skilled people who continually support and contribute to its growth and development. Like many places in the Province, Barangay Bari in Sibalom is rich with various natural and diverse resources that eventually help its people earn for a living. Because of its geographic features, the people of Bari find the place to be suitable in order to have a good source of livelihood.
What is Panihon? Pottery is one of the treasured gems that was unearthed from the flourishing cultural heritage of Sibalom. In Kinaray-a dialect, it is called as panihon. Panihon, per se, is the art or process of making earthenware, statues and other forms of terracotta products combining the elements and principles of design to create peculiar threedimensional figures. It is one of the primary sources of livelihood of the people in the Municipality of Sibalom that progressed continuously through the course of time. The raw materials used in pottery-making were the clayey soil which can be found in the fields of Bari and fine sand from Sibalom river; proper amount of moisture is mixed thoroughly until it becomes an ideal material for shaping and molding different forms of clayware which in the latter, will be furnished by varnishing a diluted red soil to have a pastel effect. The finished products of Bari-Potters are “kalan” or earthen stove and “kuron” or clay pots used in cooking food, figurines used for home
decorations, “mesitasan” or flower pots used for growing flowers, and “banga” or earthen jars used for storing potable water.
The Potter’s Perspective Bayanihan spirit is one of the Filipino values held by the Bari potters. It is an act of helping one another regardless of their status especially in times of their need. This shows how the potters of barangay Bari look out for one another. Because of this, they decided to establish an organization composing the “Manugdihon” or potters as its members. They first named it as Katin-aran followed by the Pottery Making Association of Bari (PMAB). Yet, the two organizations were inactive due to the individual differences and personal interests of the potters and their mindset was focused directly on panihon. Luckily, manugdihon never lost hope until they decided to create a cooperative and named it as Bari Manugkuron Producers Cooperative (BMPC), which aims to sustain and support the individual needs of the potters, especially in minimizing their
expenses for panihon. Quality pot making is one of the characteristics of the traditional panihon products in Bari, Sibalom, pioneered by the potters. This is one of the tangible and ancestral traditions which was bestowed by their parents as it links them to where their lineage came from. “We have to get along with technological advancements in pottery, we have to make our hand-made handicrafts unique from others by offering them quality products that they deserve. It is true that most people are now progressing because of the technology but not all of them because many advocates the use of clay pots and figurines for their decorations,” said Mr. Alvin Obrique, 30, the current president of the potters’ association in barangay Bari. Pottery-making needs forbearance, creativity and zealous heart as Manugdihon endure pains, constant sweating, and circumstances throughout the lengthy yet fulfilling process.
“We have to spend much in gathering the raw materials considering that this pandemic made everything costly. But what we actually invested are the perseverance, artistic skills, and passion to finish our work and be satisfied with it,” Thelma Obrique, 63, said wholeheartedly. The pottery operations in barangay Bari were greatly affected by the pandemic. Some had to quit making earthenwares, figurines and other products due to the lack of buyers but became hopeful when planting flowers became a trend for everyone. “There were times that we have to stop making clayware due to the lack of potential buyers and we came to a point that where we only depended our needs on the financial support from the government and food packs that they have distributed to us. But, we were happy when people spent most of their time in planting and cultivating flowers because that is the only time when we were able to make flower pots and it was an advantage, especially during those times that pots were in demand in the market,” Lorna Vicente, 65 uttered during the interview.
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On a positive note, some potters had continued their work despite the pandemic but on a limited number of pieces only. Some people had contacted the potters but were restricted only to border to border transaction. They also affirmed that it had helped them in sustaining their needs amidst the health crisis.
The pandemic had limited the number of products that we are making. We have buyers who contacted us but our means of transaction is only border to border only due to lockdowns. Despite of that, I am still grateful because it helped me in providing the needs of my family,”
On the other hand, pottery is neither a mere work nor a source of income for Lola Victoria. Her four children attained a degree in education through this livelihood. She lived by the values she learned through pottery-making in her life until now. These values were also acquired and instilled in the minds of her children because she also taught them the tiresome process of panihon which enabled them to cherish the transformational power of education. “Pagpanihon is not simply a work but will always be part of my life. I am forever grateful as a manugdihon because my four children finished college and already have stable jobs because of this kind of livelihood. Potters have undergone a series of failures in the making but I was able to make it as my motivation instead of being stumbled by life’s challenges. What I have learned as a potter was possessing these three values – hope, passion and persistence. I have imparted these to my children so that they will value education more because that is one thing which I can offer them aside from panihon,” Lola Victoria narrated with a smile of success on her face in her 90’s. A clay of frustrations and challenges create a jar full of hope and faith which later invested the highest value of respect, honor and appreciation through her children who are now professionals. We are the potters of our own life. Pots are fragile yet, delicate. Like pots, life undergoes toil process of collecting lessons and molding experiences in order to achieve the outcome that we designed for ourselves. Remember that even pots need an open fire to make them strong and durable, likewise, people need to have a steadfast adherence to withstand the hardships caused by the devastating plight that comes along their way.
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The perfect metaphor for resilience
The misty, sharp-edges leaves of plants that produced awning shadows for the passersby were still covered by the dewdrops. As the sunrise delineates hues in the east horizon, the sharpened bolo is set. The tools used in cutting raw materials for bamboo handicrafts resemble percussion instruments in the middle of the forest. A perfect representation of how the tillers start their new life that intertwine with the tradition handed down to them by their ancestors. The thrust between the alternate process is a balance and proportion of passion, handwork and mental fortitude among the craftsmen. Life-skills fueled with good virtues are the main source of strength for the workers in making a harmonious design of geometric figures. Thus, untold stories were revealed through a symmetrical pattern of bamboo chips weaved tenaciously to create a distinctive masterpiece. Bamboo is one of the diverse species that mostly grows in a tropical and mountainous area of Antique. It offers wide arrays of uses that can be mirrored in the lives of people in many towns in the Province. It is not only a mere grass that protects the locals from the devastating typhoonsbut they consider it as their lifeline for it supports their daily living. For many people, bamboo is a renewable resource and it is a sustainable source of livelihood. It has myriads of conventional and prevalent uses among the locals who depend their basic needs from it even at present. It was also associated with the cultural beliefs, traditions and practices among its people in many rural areas such as myths, healing prowess and even history. Every community believes that they have their own history which serves as their landmark in order to be known to other people. The history of the town of San Remigio affirms that it is known for its diverse species of bamboo like reeds that grow along-edge of the streams. The first settlement was “tigbagacay”, the coined name which came from the bamboo like reeds that grow alongside the Sibalom river that the locals call “bagacay”, one of the various species of bamboo in town. According to history, hunting is a primary source of living of the earliest settlers. They used bagacay to make spears, not only to catch wild animals for food, but also as weapons essential for self-protection and survival. Tracing the roots of history, bamboo plays a pivotal role in the lives of the first inhabitants of San Remigio.
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Moreover, it links directly to the handcraft of its people that was deeply rooted from their ancestors who entrusted them with a unique cultural heritage. This marks the tradition that bamboo craftsmanship was, and always will be treasured: the pace it set will continue to whir into notion, moving its gears steadily from generation to generation.
“Tigbagacay”, the coined name which came from the bamboo like reeds that grow alongside the Sibalom river which the locals call it “Bagacay”, one of the various species of bamboo in town.
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Farming, as the primary livelihood of people in many rural areas of San Remigio, was greatly affected by the pandemic because of lockdowns that ceased the sales and production of different crops. Hence, bamboo crafts making became the source of income of some people during the outbreak of this health crisis. It has been the option that the farmers in Barangay Carawisan 1, San Remigio, Antique opted in order to earn for a living as well as sustain the basic needs of their families. The process of bamboo weaving is tedious, needs patience and extra effort especially for a beginner. But for the artisan, it is their way of relieving boredom and liberating from everyday stressors they are facing. They find it fascinating as it serves as their form of entertainment during their free time. “For a beginner, this task needs forbearance and strong-willed mind as it takes some time to accomplish a single output. The patterns that were used in weaving need to be
accurate in order to achieve its desired outcome that fits the product that you are making. After the strenuous works in cultivating our small farm, we relied on this handcraft as one of our leisure activities that somehow help lessen the burdens that we are carrying,” Tatay Fred said in an interview. Behind the untold success story of a family that elevated their socio-economic status from the morass of poverty is the art of bamboo weaving. Sons and daughters of craftsmen practicing this craft earned a degree in education and became professionals. For them, this kind of work occupies a special place in their heart.
“Through this work, my daughter became an Information Technology graduate at Advance Central College. This is my source of income since then and it helped me sustain her educational needs when she was still studying. It placed a huge part in our lives because it supports the basic needs of our daily living,”
Tatay Fred narrates, a smile adoring his features. He didn’t even mind the heat from the sun directly touching his skin. The production of bamboo crafts continues despite the health crisis. It is also the time when these are in demand in the market. “Despite the pandemic, we’re still working on these handcrafts because they attract more buyers. Because of the imposed lockdown, limitations and restraints were implemented. We were not able to sell and deliver the products to our customers. The reason why our production is somehow affected because, some of them were still contacting us for reservations. Also, our expenses became moderate because some of our costumers are buying our products in volume and it was a great help especially for us who are dependent on a buy-and-sell process.” Tatay Bonie added.
“We are blessed, knowing that the pandemic had changed everything; on our part, this work helped us sustain the needs of our families. No matter what and how difficult we’ve been through, I believe that we can overcome it together as long as our family ties are still intact and everyone helps one another to minimize the adverse effects of challenges that we are facing,” he concluded with hope. Challenges are indisputably part of one’s life. In order to survive these adversities, we need to be as flexible as a bamboo in order to withstand every storm that comes to our life. People might say that a bamboo is just grass, but we should not always focus on what others label us. Instead, we should always believe on what we can do to help them. Like Tatay Bonie, who never stops sustaining his family even if his work does not level on the highest and distinguished profession in the society; what he believes in life cannot be paid by the most expensive thing that any professional can afford. For him, happiness comes from a simple thing in life contentment, faith and satisfaction and a family who never abandoned him, even in the midst of trials. Tatay Bonie proved to us that he designed not only the most beautiful bamboo craft, but also wove the strongest family bond.
He turned back to God, recognizing the great contribution of bamboo craftsmanship to his family during the pandemic.
WRITTEN BY FRANCIS MISSION
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Animal Welfare
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hould the pandemic turn man against his ‘bestfriend’ ? Caged. Tortured. Slaughtered. The astonishing number of reported cases involving animal cruelty is just a drop in the ocean – most cases of it were not even reported. Due to the rise of reported cases caused by the COVID19 pandemic, everyone had been devastated and forced to change and adapt in order to survive. Billions of people were affected, but another considerable amount of life form were greatly inclined – animals (specifically strays.)
For some canines and felines that are under the care of their owners, they were lucky enough to be fed and pampered well amidst the lockdown. But for the strays, it is not. Because of the general / modified community quarantines in different cities and towns, most businesses were closed and this caused a great impact for the strays; especially the closure of the restaurants and food stalls which, for the very least, were the source of food they even needed in order to survive. Due to this, numerous strays roam the streets looking
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for food; some are even found in the dumpsters and sidewalks, eating anything that was discarded just to satisfy their hunger. Unfortunately, other strays died from the trash that they have consumed which may have contained unknown toxic chemicals, other strays are stolen and picked up to be slaughtered or butchered in secret; barbecued and sold illegally while the internal organs were cooked, and were even sold separately – around 730 dogs are slayed each year (based on Animal Welfare Organization, Network for Animals.) Meanwhile, according to Stephen Louie Checa - the same situation happened in Brgy. Nazareth, Sibalom. About 10 helpless dogs were killed through the food being fed to them containing an unknown chemical, which led to extreme vomiting and death. It is said that the dogs were poisoned by unknown perpetrators. Thus, the resident owners asked for the help of the animal welfare advocates to seek justice for the death of their pets through social media. Sibalom Mayor, Gian Carlo Occeña, said that LGU Sibalom has an existing ordinance that orders the confiscating of stray dogs in the streets that can cause harm or accidents to residents and motorists. He also said that they order barangays to do the same but not in a violent /barbaric way like poisoning the animals. The mayor said that he will include the matter in the agenda of the next Liga ng mga Barangay meeting.
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According to SB member Elmer Elio of Belison, this ordinance with regards to loitering of dogs is very important and needed to be implemented, because of the current situation and the data recorded wherein, one of the causes of vehicular accident especially for the motorcycles, which the fatally results to the loss of life and permanent disability is due to stray dogs roaming around the streets and public highway roads. Also, identified stray dogs was one of the problems in terms of the feces they loiter everywhere, specifically in the streets, public plazas and even in public infrastructures. Another is that, there were several cases of dog bites recorded that caused dilemma to their victims. In coordination with the PNP of Belison and as assigned by the municipal mayor, the selected police officials create schedules in patrolling the streets of every barangay in order to assure that there will be no strays wandering the streets. They would be in patrol, handling their dog-catching and restraining devices, followed by a truck containing a cage in which the captured canines would be kept and isolated. The strays being caught on the streets are taken to the impounding area; fed and put in a cage for their temporary home, until they are claimed by their owners. Sadly, most of the dogs that were not redeemed (particularly the ones without owners) are either auctioned or just left there; some suffered from diseases and even died of hunger, dehydration and trauma. A similar case was reported on August 2020 - filed by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) against five Manila City Pound officials for alleged animal cruelty. Based on the report, PAWS stated that they filed charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against Hector David Dimaculangan, Virgil Benedict De Jesus, Joey Diaz, Nicanor Santos Jr., and Narcisa Bacanto Javier for allegedly violating the Animal Welfare Act and for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conducted prejudicial acts to the best interest of the service.
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PAWS had accused them of cramming 60 cats into a 2x3 foot cage, subjecting impounded dogs and cats to starvation and dehydration, and failure to provide veterinary treatment to sick and injured dogs. They also added that during their visit to the pounding area, “the number of diseased, dying and dead animals observed within the facility… shortly after imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) indicated that the animals were not euthanized but were left to die from neglect and disease. Allegedly, it is perhaps done to spare the city from the expense of having to euthanize them.
Apart from the law and ordinances implemented for the protection of the animals, there are also certain organizations, establishments and foundations aiming to keep these creatures secured and away from potential danger or threats. Some of these are the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) which drafted RA 8485 and promotes adopting instead of buying pets and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia that believes - animals shouldn’t be worn, experimented on or consumed and used for entertainment. They also partnered with PAWS in 2012 in rescuing animals affected by the storm.
Elio added that these animals have also the right to live, because they are helpless when the people have the urge to harm them, for the reason that human beings are more powerful than the animals. As a result, we need also a law to protect them as specified in RA 8485 which has a specific provision on how it is outlawed to harm or slaughter these animals. Considering that a dog is a are man’s best friend, having them will bring about the sense of responsibility to the owners, especially in taking good care of them and making sure that they could not harm anybody.
Comparable to people, animals also bound to have feelings and emotion especially when they are harmed. As David Barritt of Animal Welfare Organization, Network for Animal stated in an article (regarding illegal dog meat trade in the Philippines), this had caused indescribable physical and mental suffering to so many helpless dogs and also puts human health at risk.
Since the impound area located at the barangay was just temporary, and there are no dog pounds present in the locality, street dogs just wander around the streets in search of their home, a food to eat and water to drink; most particularly, hoping to be adopted, which is a disadvantage in keeping them safe and unharmed.
“In order to stop this from happening, it is crucial to educate and work with local communities to raise awareness of the risks that the dog meat industry poses to both human health and animal welfare,” Elio concluded.
WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA JOY QUIMAN
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Technology
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COSTLYROMANCE
With the rise of digital technology, humans had found a new and exciting way to connect through social media. It started to rise into popularity in the early 2000’s and as of October 2020, 4.14 billion people or 53% of the total global population is using social media in one form or another. With its widespread fame and demand, predators found a way to feed through many of its platforms. One of the most devastating form of their predatory acts is scamming gullible preys with the pretense of initiating romantic intentions. Online dating became immensely popular through the use of online applications and various websites. A reaction given to a certain post or a comment linking towards a common interest can connect two strangers together, which could lead to a romantic conversation. A simple hi and hello in WhatsApp or Messenger could develop into something more that could last a lifetime. Romantic stories about how someone met their ‘forever’ online creates a buzz, both in the online and offline world, and often elicit responses like ‘sana all’ which expresses the sentiment that they also want to have or experience. With this growing interest in finding romance among users in the online community, it is no wonder predators made social media and dating apps their hunting ground. And at this time of pandemic, a considerable rise in the number of online dating scams across the globe can be observed. The pandemic gave way to people to spend more time on their gadgets and explore more on the internet, social media and even dating apps. According to Match Group, a company who owns popular dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid, etc., more people are using online dating apps since COVID-19 stroked. The company’s earning report on the second quarter of 2020 shows that there is a considerable increase in subscribers and app downloads over the course of the pandemic. With social distancing restrictions and lockdown regulations, people are looking for ways to fill the gap and many of them found it through a romantic exchange the use of Facebook, Instagram and any dating apps. Sadly, with their desire for connection and companionship, they became vulnerable to emotional, mental, and financial exploitation. These online dating frauds are thorough, tenacious, and master manipulators. They will work with any information that a potential prey posted online, when they see a vulnerability, they will use it to create and build a connection. These scammers uses stolen photos, fake identities and fictitious background stories. Being a military serving abroad is one of
the most common lie they tell their victims as to avoid future meet-ups. He can also be under the guise that he is an employee on a overseas company or an architect who is on an abroad assignment. Feeding off on the vulnerability of the victim, the scammer works patiently on emotional manipulation and later on, rob them of their money or use them for fraudulent transactions like money laundering. There is one victim who posted on her profile stating that she loves kids but can’t have them. She made a friend on social media who told her that he is a single dad with a little boy. The man said he is working abroad in an oil company. They chatted and texted regularly and the man made her feel wanted and special. However, he always made an excuse that his laptop’s camera is not working whenever she requests a video call. The woman didn’t really mind it because he sends her pictures of him with the little boy. She even played games with his son online. With the strong emotional manipulation, the woman did not hesitate to send financial help to the man who told her it was for an emergency that concerns his son. She discovered later on that everything the unidentified persona told her are lies. With the COVID-19 situation, these predators are also using the pandemic now as part of their story. To avoid meeting in person, they will provide an excuse that they are being quarantined or they are stuck in another country because of pandemic- related restrictions. These frauds can also ask for financial support with the tale of them having contracted the virus and they are in dire need of food, medical care, and other supplies. Loneliness and isolation during this time of pandemic are some of the primary reasons why people turn to social media and dating apps. It may be an inevitable situation for someone or a choice to another but whichever it is, one must be vigilant and informed about these heartless predators who would play with their victim’s heart in order to have monetary gain. Engaging in this fabricated romance is very costly, not only in the financial aspect but also in the emotional and the mental.
WRITTEN BY DIANA JOY DUBRIA Rafflesia
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Reality’s Escape from Cruelty Excitement stirs as the heroes slay the enemy with skill combos and active efforts, made by the quick coordination of eyes and fingers as well as the mind. Anger is sensed as neither side gives up, trying to push towers while cursing all along, hoping that words as well is as powerful as one’s skills. At the same time, determination is seen as almost everyone is trying to be better at every game played, because indeed for gamers, winning is everything in the world of gaming.
It is undeniable that the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic caused disturbance to every sector of the community, stopping face to face interaction and shifting to virtual. Not everyone is ready for the drastic change brought by the pandemic, not everyone is open to the fact that the world may not be brought back to what it was before. However, as every facet of the world changed, there’s this portion that remained unaffected - the virtual world, where online gaming was on peak, as community quarantine guidelines prohibited one to go out, which left people no choice but to immerse themselves into it.
Video games: the unaffected portion
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Call of Duty: Mobile, Tekken7, Legends of Runeterra and NBA2K were among the video games played by many depending on their personal biases and tastes. One thing common upon all is that the end goal is to witness that moment where the word VICTORY is heard, causing euphoric feeling of success. League of Legends is a 5v5 Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game where one takes a role and the team that destroys the enemy Nexus (base) is the winner. Legends of Runeterra is a strategic card game based on the same universe as League of Legends called Runeterra, a game where two players outwit each other on who destroys the enemy nexus first. Likewise, Mobile Legends is a multiplayer online battle field with two opposing teams fighting to reach and destroy enemy’s base. On the other hand, NBA2K is a series of basketball sports simulation video games developed and released annually since 1999. The premise of each game in the series is to emulate the sport of basketball, more specifically, the National Basketball Association (NBA).
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time enjoyment for me whenever I don’t feel like playing active sports,” a gamer with an in-game name (IGN) Soi Fon said. There is indeed a variety in the duration of how long one has been acquainted with video games. It may be several months or years and in the long run, whatever are their reasons for committing their selves into gaming, what is guaranteed are the experiences they treasure in gaming. With or without pandemic, the world of gaming remained as it is, unbothered by the external forces as its only aim is to give fun and enjoyment to whoever takes the game into their lives. So as deemed by many it may be just a mere game, but for certain players or gamers it’s more than a game. It’s more like their gateway of self-expression, their bridge in building connections to their virtual friends, and their escape from the negativities that the world is currently facing.
The beginnings, experiences and realizations As every journey begins with a single step, every deep connection formed between the game and the gamer had its pivotal beginnings as well. Some were brought out of curiosity; others were pushed by peer pressure while others wanted to challenge themselves in the extent of how good they could be.
“My curiosity about how others really appreciate and get thrilled on it, took me to play League. My reason for it was just curiosity at first, but now it’s a free
“Last year on my birthday while I’m playing League of Legends, I got the special skin for my favorite champion, Urgot. I got the Battlecast Urgot. That is one of the best birthday gifts I ever received,” shared by someone with an IGN of I P a t wicked, when asked about his unforgettable experience in gaming amidst pandemic. Likewise another gamer with an IGN of Redyoki11 said that gaming is not an addiction but a community, a way of helping yourself go through things without looking back and a place where everyone can be who they want to be. Different people have different perspectives and viewpoints towards something. Someone who hates gaming probably would not believe what were positively expressed by some. But how we see gaming, either a nuisance or not depends on what beliefs are in our thoughts. Yes, too much exposure on video games could physically harm someone. Yet, we should also consider that in order to live life we should not just focus on one aspect. How about the others aspects? The spiritual, emotional and mental aspects of our totality as humans are as important as our physical.
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What lies behind every game “A waste of time” is the usual comment of nongamers. But, are games really a waste of time? Or living life not the way you wanted is? We all want to live life, experience life and have fulfillment. Then how can you be fulfilled and enlightened on everything you do if you keep on minding the toxic opinions of others? It’s their life and basically means their choices and their happiness. If you’re happy being able to do chores at home or being able to pass school requirements on time, then there are some who’s happy being in front of their screen, gaming. There are some who are at peace when they start to immerse themselves into the virtual world. There are some who are able to smile despite the burden they are carrying. There are some who longed for friendship and found it in the virtual world, especially that the world began to shut the door for everyone. Though gaming somehow negatively affected others, it is important to note that it is not the game itself that did someone wrong. It’s you as a person. It is you who tend to choose games over matters that supposed to matter. It is you as an individual who wasn’t able to control oneself and be able to follow limitations. After all, the only person that decides
whether to prioritize one over another is you, no one else. In return, when life turns upside down, the one who will suffer is no other than you. Ruined relationships, unhealthy habits, and unfulfilled goals are some of the negative impacts of gaming. The thought that there is fun in gaming is true. But is life all about fun? You may be living it the way you wanted, to the point that you forget what really is the meaning of life. If there’s one thing that the pandemic taught us, that is to treasure relationships as much as we can and value life as long as we can. Feeling the excitement and any other emotions while gaming are manifestations that we are humans and are still alive. Humans who put themselves in the world where heroes feel no pain, where destroying bases has no consequences, and where everything visible in the game has no life. After each game, what comes next is you ought to be back to the cruelty of reality. You may have escaped for a period of time, forgetting all the worries, disregarding the faults of life, but one thing is for sure, you will always come back to where you are supposed to be. You will always end up realizing your decisions matter, and that every click you make is the same to every second you took not living a life.
WRITTEN BY MARIANE PALCAT
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Leisure
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PEDAL IT OUT
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hat is one thing that is more commonly seen on the road nowadays? Plenty of answers will come up but one that might stand out the most would be cyclists. During the height of the pandemic and lockdown was enforced, people were encouraged to use public transport less. The COVID19 pandemic has completely changed what was considered normal before January 2020, and fundamentally changed the lifestyle of communities and cities. Lockdowns, physical distancing, business and schools being closed, social restrictions, wearing masks, self-isolation measures, priority of telecommuting and staying at home rules have disrupted commuting as a whole and created a new behavioral and spiritual travel, which has a broader impact. In response to the pandemic, Covid19 triggered a substantial increase in bicycle sales. Due to this, cycling became an option for many. Since then, we see more and more cyclists on the road each day. Suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand. Cities started to provide lanes that accommodate large number of cyclists.
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“
The best part of cycling is that you can discover things and new places even if the destination is not that far.”
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Cycling has been around since the 19th century. It has been used for transportation, exercise and for leisure. For almost a century and a half, bicycles have been the main means of transportation, helping communities deal with disasters, conflicts, and countless traffic accidents. Many urban residents have a spare bicycle at home in case accidents may affect public transportation. It is estimated that there are currently more than 1 billion bicycles in the world. Bringing this huge global bicycle park to the streets of cities can bring huge benefits to mankind and the planet. Cycling became popular in Antique due to the fact that it is one of the simplest forms of exercise. For a long time, bicycles have been one of the fastest, most versatile, and most reliable means of transportation. Even before the pandemic, millions of people relied on bicycles to get work or go to work.
Ryleen Genesis R. Faulan, a student from University of Antique, is not one of those people that jumped on the bandwagon when cycling reached its peak during lockdown. He started his cycling journey at a young age and has been cycling for almost 10 years now. His first bike was a BMX which was a gift from his father when he was in 5th grade. He said that after school hours, he and his friends would tour around their barangay. Ryleen’s enthusiasm for cycling grew; he upgraded from a BMX to a Mountain Bike. He said that he really loves cycling because it is a way of transportation that will not harm the environment and it is also a good form of exercise because it does not only strengthen your legs but also your core.
The most common hardship that Ryleen faces when cycling is the sudden malfunction of a bike which includes, loosening of the threads, when tires puncture, when the bike chain breaks etc. He said that it is harder when you are already far away and these malfunctions happened. When asked about how he maintains his bike, he said “I look for affordable products of fine quality. The most important thing is, after you use your bike and when you get home, always make sure to wash it. Some bicycles are hard to maintain because, it has a specific part that could be expensive and some stocks are limited, especially when you’re here in Antique.’’ Cycling has a positive effect on the health of almost everyone. People inhale more oxygen outdoors and this is very beneficial for the body. Cycling not only protects you from the people around you, but also reduces the risk of infection through surface contact. If people follow the proper protocols, going out will not be a problem. With the rise in demand for bikes, there is that fear of gentrification on the bike market. Without proper knowledge on gears, accessories, etc., people could end up purchasing the aforementioned products at a much higher price point but mediocre quality. However, young or old people have joined this phenomenon. They have found cycling to be a more sustainable and healthier way to get them from one place to another. People can also be free from the problems that the world has given them. Lastly, it can boost social morale because one of its benefits includes meeting new people.
WRITTEN BY BRENT THOMAS SALVALEON
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Business
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HIS
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T ORY ME E T S
The reemergence of the Barter Trade System and the rise of Online Businesses amidst the CoViD19 pandemic.
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s if someone pressed the pause button, the world seemed to stop for a couple of months when the COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic. Everyone was strictly advised to stay in their homes. The first few weeks were fun, but the rest of the months had people succumbing to the depths of boredom, given that being trapped in their homes did not guarantee them the fun it had promised weeks prior.
Iloilo Barter Community, Colleen Joy M. Rivera is a 27-yearold Antiqueña residing in Pavia, Iloilo City who bartered a couple of times. Some of her trades were her kid’s unused clothes in exchange for 7.5 kilograms of chicken. She also traded her kid’s slightly used diaper bag for a pack of diaper. “My best trade was when I traded 1 kilo of any kind of fish and 1 kilo of fruits (500 pesos total worth) in exchange for a table and chair set for my child.”
Tiktok is one of the past times that people would usually do. Tiktok is a free social media application that lets people ə watch, create and share videos. But those who are loyal users of noun Facebook, Facebook Messenger and Instagram may have probably the action or heard of the word Online Barter exchanging goods and Online Business.
Though online barter offers the convenience of being a cashless process in acquiring goods and services, bartering online still has its dangers. First is system of the threat posed by the pandemic. or services Traders must be extra careful during meet-ups; they have to without using money. observe proper health protocols Dating all the way back such as wearing of face masks to 6000BC, the barter system and face shields and disinfecting was used by the Mesopotamians, the items during the trading process. Phoenicians and the Babylonians in exchanging food, spices, tea and even weapons. This system has been used long before Another danger in bartering online is the security money was invented. of the people. “You need to choose wisely; some traders are bogus dealers and scammers. Sometimes, being OC (obsessive The Online Barter Trade System first emerged compulsive) might come in handy in terms of checking out and became popular when a group of people in Iloilo City, offers and items,” said Colleen. Philippines decided to create a Facebook group where they can post pictures of items found in their homes in order to find a good trade. People have been trading household equipments, appliances, bikes, preloved clothes and sometimes, even food and groceries. This new online craze reached the news. Among the thousands of members who joined the
Barter /’bär-t r/
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Pm Sent! Popular as it may seem, the online barter trade system has become a one hit wonder. The statement of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) saying “online barter is illegal and should be taxed” brought conflict and somehow toned the barter craze down. But Colleen believes that bartering is a very brilliant way to attain essentials especially in this time of the pandemic. People have lost their jobs and adhere to trading unused and preloved household items in exchange for something more essential. Bartering online not only promotes cashless purchase, but also expands our social circle and promotes reusing of items causing sustainability and lesser carbon footprint.
Online business, also known as e-business, is any kind of business that utilizes the internet to sell or buy products or services. Unbelievable as it may seem, but the history of online shopping dates back to 1979! Now that the risk of catching CoViD19 in public places is skyrocketing, people have found new ways to limit their chances of going out in public places to shop for daily necessities and wants. With just a few minutes of scrolling and a couple of taps on your mobile screens, the next thing you know is that someone is standing in front of your houses with the item you purchased on hand.
The Sushi Bake Antique Aesthetically pleasing and mouth-watering sushi in a pan will suddenly pop up in your news feed if you are friends with this woman on Facebook. Behind the The Sushi Bake Antique is a person who can testify that if you have an idea that you genuinely think is good, don’t keep it to yourself, work on it and make it a reality. Success awaits.
Maxine Louise O. Feranil is the youngest among three siblings. She was based in Beijing, China with her two older sisters where she studied Mandarin and worked as a part time preschool teacher. Maxine and her siblings were home when the enhanced community quarantine was implemented. Without any choice, but to stay at home and somehow take a break from their lives in Beijing. With nothing much to do, they decided to create something that they never expected would become a full-time job.
“It was all an experiment. My sisters and
I were bored and was just really trying to get creative with the food that we eat. One of us decided to bring home a pack of nori sheets and an aluminum pan and just mixed some toppings. All of the toppings are inspired from our favorite sushi train restaurant and we tried out best to recreate it using the ingredients available at Robinsons Antique.”
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It was the very same day when Maxine and her sisters decided to market their new product as an experiment to see if their sushi would get famous among the people. And it did. “It was all about luck.” Maxine added. Since sushi is a traditional Japanese food, Maxine stated that they added a little Filipino twist in their sushi in an attempt to captivate the taste buds of the Antiqueños. “We focused on the elements of the two (Japanese inspired but a Filipino tastebud friendly dish). We tried to balance the uniqueness of two different culture in one dish. With respect to the authentic taste of a Japanese sushi, we also inclined to the unique taste-buds of the Filipinos,” Maxine said that their dish is a taste of abroad with a hint of home. The Sushi Bake Antique also got the chance to have a physical store when they participated during the Binirayan Kapitolyo Market last December 1-30, 2020. Though being a first timer in the world of business, Maxine handled everything with grace even if she was under pressure. Their sushi products are always sold out. It has dawned on her that there is no easy route when it comes to business. Both traditional and online selling is hard. “They have both their pros and cons. Although online selling can give you the comfort of just taking orders through your phone, delivering and packaging requires another set of effort. In a small town, it is hard to find an easy way to deliver food if the restaurant doesn’t have its own delivery man/vehicle. And in a traditional way, face-to-face, I presume, it’s hard to make people come into your stall and explain your product. You have to repeat the same phrase to every customer and it’s a gamble if they’re going to buy or not.”
It takes patience and perseverance in walking the path to success in terms of business. Nothing is ever certain. Sometimes, it’s all about abundance and sometimes, you have nothing. Maxine is surely paving her way to the success, courtesy of The Sushi Bake Antique. She still has a lot to learn and to improve. She encourages those who are thinking of venturing into the world of business and entrepreneurship to start making their dreams a reality. “An uncle of us once said that if you see an opportunity in something and it speaks deeply in your heart, go for it. Don’t listen to the voices you hear. There will be lots of people who will say you can’t but know that you can. Set your mind to it. Business is a gamble; you win, you lose. But you can’t lose if you keep on trying. Stand firm; the hardships won’t last, but regrets do.” Like the “Hantik” ants, we should always be hardworking and persistent. Ambitions and dreams will never be a reality if we just sit and do nothing. Success doesn’t come overnight. We fail, but we should never give up. We emerge once again, bolder and stronger. Just like how these ancient and old practices reemerge and adapt to the fast pacing modern world.
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Spiritualy / Health
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Faith amidst pandemic
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unday morning, gnarled trees hung low over the quiet space, creaking ominously in the howling winds. The heavy oak doors were open, chirps of the birds echoing around the empty church. The sunlight shone through the heavily cracked stained-glass windows, casting an eerie glow onto the altar.
Twelve o’clock. The church bells rang throughout the whole community, sending a flock of pigeons into disarray, cooing and flapping violently away from the building. Each slow chime echoed through the cavernous inner hall, reverberating off the cemented walls, bouncing between each red velvet lined pew and finally laying to rest upon the altar. The once full and vibrant church, occupied by hundreds of worshippers singing their prayers and songs of faith aloud was now an empty chamber. It was March of 2020 when the whole nation was put into a strict lockdown trying to curve the Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) infections.
Public gatherings, schools, transport services, and non-essential work has been halted, including that of a church. Priests in the predominantly Catholic nation had to be creative in finding ways to keep the faithful engaged. For many people, this removes one of the most consoling parts of their lives- the Mass and the Eucharist-and isolates them even more from the community at a time when they need support the most.
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Bringing church to the community It was the season of religious events and cultural festivities when the government discouraged or banned large gatherings and urged people to stay home. For the past months, millions of Catholics in the Philippines commemorated special occasions at home, when they would normally attend mass processions and other events. In the provinces, it was no exemption, although cases of the said virus are of low-rate compared to that in urban places, the government is still strict about it. “I have been living my life for 82 years and this was the only moment where I was obliged to not go to church. I am saddened by what’s happening around, although I couldn’t hear and see that much because of my age I am hopeful that this pandemic would end. I would like to go to church every Sunday just like before but now I just listen to the radio where masses are broadcasted,” Arsenia Pelingon stated. With teary-eyes, she looked back on the days where everything was normal. During Sundays, she would consistently go to church and pray. The cancellation of these religious services have meant that a life rhythm was disrupted for her. For most priests and religious people, they have resorted to streaming online masses and in television by filming the service, complete with music. They look forward to normalizing things in the midst of things that are not normal but for Rev. Fr. Froilan Pacete, Fr.Rogelio Pon-an and Fr. Roel of the Parish of San Nicholas de Tolentino, physical presence of the church is more important now than ever. Four o’clock in the afternoon. Lighted candles were placed alongside the road by the people with rosary in their hands, wearing their masks. Sadness could be seen in their eyes, the fear brought by COVID-19 is evident. The sound of the prayer, Oratio Imperata, could be heard as the priests approached the people. They had with them the statue of Jesus Christ while giving people holy water. That certain act greatly brought a positive impact to the community. It sparkled their hope and faith that somehow, all will be well.
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consistency of gathering each week can become the most certain part of someone’s life. And even though that mass services could be done now, religious practioners see to it that everyone is observing safety health protocols. For communities with small churches, they held their masses at schools and covered gyms. This crisis raises serious medical, ethical and logical questions. Sure, it was frightening, for many got sick and died but it also raises the question for people of faith. Many things have been cancelled because of this pandemic. Love is not one of them. The silver lining of all these things is to know that we are not alone. No matter how big our problems are, know that our Almighty God is bigger than it and never forget the most important thing; Prayer. There is a long standing tradition in our church of receiving a “spiritual communion” when, if you cannot participate the Mass in person, you unite yourself with God in prayer. Remember that Jesus said, “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them” (Mt, 18:20). Also, the church is not a building. It is the faith you have within. Go to Him in prayer. And trust that he hears you and is with you.
Faith in time of pandemic For Pastor Nicolas “Nic” Nerecina, a bornagainchristian and is currently presiding at Four Square in Igdalaguit, Tobias Fornier, Antique, the pandemic did not make him stronger, it was God. The pandemic for him did not change people but rather, saw this as an opportunity for them to oppress the weak and the poor. Quarantine should be a time to reflect and be gentle with ourselves, a time to attest our Faith and hold onto Him, not a chance to be selfish and ungrateful for being alive.
WRITTEN BY SHAINA ROSE AYUPAN
“If people were really affected by this huge sudden change then they should be praying, a lot. Repent for our sins, because Jesus is coming. The question on why this virus happened or occurred is irrelevant anymore. God let it happen for us to realize that the end is near and that people should be ready for it”, Pastor Nic expressed his disbelief and disappointment upon the behaviors of many.
So much in this world is uncertain that even the small
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Society
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The Death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter Movement “I can’t breathe.” These were the unmistakable last words of African-American George Floyd as he helplessly lay on the ground, a policeman’s knee pressed down against his windpipe. With every gasp, he choked out the same words as he struggled to breathe properly. But it was as if the policeman had gone deaf; he showed no signs of budging from his place. His fellow officers were every bit of help as he is, not having the slightest care about what happened to the man in handcuffs. After nine minutes and thirty seconds, gone were the coughing sounds from the handcuffed Floyd. Gone were the pleas to be released from the force that kept him from breathing. Because George Floyd was already gone, robbed of his chance to breathe. day.
Robbed of his chance to see and live another
Footage of this incident was recorded and upon its release online, it became the buzz on social media platforms. Hashtags such as #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd and #BlackLivesMatter fought their way on top of the trends on Twitter. A wave of anger, a sliver of sympathy, a roaring outcry for justice – these were the emotions overflowing upon knowledge of the death of George Floyd that went viral, his last moments in publicity for all to witness and his last words echoing long after the video has been played. With every post came a caption that spoke of the discriminatory actions that black people are on the receiving end of. More tweets surfaced from the trends, mingled fury and condolences in a sea of links dedicated to educate and raise awareness about the Black Lives Matter movement. However, trending a movement isn’t enough to emphasize the fact that police brutality is a danger that black people face. Reposting the photos and footage clips of the police officer’s victim will not bring back the innocent life whose last breath cannot even draw an ounce of remorse from his mnurderer.
Despite the risks of going out in large numbers due to the onslaught of the COVID pandemic, the virus itself taking lives on its own without so much as a lift of a finger, people went out into the streets with their banners raised and their voices even higher as they screamed for justice to be served – a voice for a person who was no longer there. Young, old, men, women, – each person, no matter what their skin color was, was willing to leave the safety of their homes to clamor for equal rights and amplify the voices of black people who have suffered at the hands of policemen. Their innocent blood, their last calls for help, their last moments with their loved ones, and especially their lives, lives that they were supposed to enjoy and go through like everybody else – they can no longer enjoy its luxuries or experience the small pleasantries that life has yet to offer.
Because they are no longer with us.
The flame of a candle extinguished long before its wax could even melt the fire perching on the wick – a life taken before Death itself could embrace it on his own.
Black Lives Matter Movement: Timeline
Long before the death of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement has already existed. This is a movement that began in the year 2013 as a response to the killings of black people, a campaign that was co-founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. Following the death of seventeen-year old Trayvin Martin – a teenager who was fatally shot by an officer named George Zimmerman – Garza first used the words “Black Lives Matter” on a Facebook post. It was her co-founder Cullors who turned these words into the hashtag “#BlackLivesMatter”, igniting the start of the movement. In the year 2014, the movement has attracted the interest and garnered the attention of a number of people. Protests under the banner of the Black Lives Matter movement were made as more deaths of Black and African-American people were recorded and reported. In July of 2014, Eric Garner died in New York City as a result of a policeman putting him on chokehold as he was arrested. The following month, an unarmed teenager named Michael Brown was shot down by a policeman who goes by the name of Darren Wilson.
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2018 marked the fifth year since the Black Lives Matter movement began its course. A study dating back to 1st of May 2018 showed that the tag “#BlackLivesMatter” had been used “nearly 30 million times on Twitter since the first instance in 2013”. A Black Lives Matter 100-strong rally ensued days after Isaiah Lewis was shot and killed by the police in the year 2019. This now brings us to the year 2020, when the George Floyd incident took place. Protests around the world were carried out. More resources about the Black Lives Matter movement were provided online in order for people to be more aware of what black people go through every day and why it’s important for others to amplify their voices. More organized protests were made in 2015 as black people suffered the cruelty of the police officers. Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, and Meagan Hockaday were some of the names of the victims that suffered a tragic demise at the end of the police’s hands. It was in this year that organized protests and riots included and highlighted the unjust treatment towards black women and black transgender women. Many more protests were organized the following year as the killing of black people did not cease; they had their lives mercilessly taken from them by the police force. The deaths recorded included Anton Sterling, Diamond Reynolds, and Charles Kinsey. The year 2016 was when American sports stars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony showed their own support towards the movement. Many other sports stars also began taking part in protests during national anthems at sports games. Black History Month was celebrated during the month of February and in some places like the United Kingdom, it was held in October. Coinciding with the Black History Month, an art exhibition was put up, which consisted of the artworks done by over thirty Black artists and creators. It is also important to keep in mind that the movement is not just about the killings suffered by Black people; it’s also about the acquittals and non-guilty verdicts. It is about the policemen being able to escape the consequences of their actions because of the positions that they hold and the lack of proper evidence to support the crimes they did, evidence that would have guaranteed them their own places inside the prison cells.
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All Lives Matter? The most common counterargument for “Black Lives Matter” is the statement “All Lives Matter”. It’s a conversation that you often encounter because there are people who misunderstand the message that “Black Lives Matter” convey. The usual interpretation for “Black Lives Matter” is that black lives matter more than any other lives. But the problem with the “All Lives Matter” statement is that it’s taking away the focus from those who need it. It redirects the attention away from black lives, who are the ones in danger. There is no doubt that every life is considered valuable, but not everyone’s lives are in danger just because of the color of their skin. To say that “All Lives Matter” diminishes the focus on the violence, racism, and discrimination that black people face every day. To quote an article: “"Black Lives Matter" isn't equivalent to saying other lives don't, but rather that black lives should matter as much as white lives.”
Racism: Does it still exist? Even if you wipe these words off the trends, racism continues to happen. Racial discrimination is rampant, whether or not cameras record these incidents. We are made aware of what black people go through by the reports, courtesy of media outlets and online news. But what of the racism that happens when there are no cameras present to support the occurrences that happened?
Racism is very much alive and it will not cease on existing as long as there are those who use the colors of their skin as a representation of their superiority. This does not just happen to common people; this is also a prejudice that celebrities, influencers, and models have to further educate themselves on as well as be made aware about the difficulties that black people face every day. Let us take the case of Miss Universe Romania Bianca Tirsin’s blackface photoshoot. In one of Bianca’s photoshoots, gold makeup adorned her blackpainted face with earrings and nails a shimmering shade of yellow. This, in particular, sparked anger and pain on the Afro community, especially with Miss Universe Canada’s Nova Stevens. She expressed her disappointment on Instagram, putting up a post on her account with the caption regarding the use of blackface. According to the post put up by Stevens, blackface is “painting one’s face black”. Further explanation as to why Stevens took offense by Tirsin’s photoshoot is because blackface is deeply rooted to racism. Blackface was first popularized in the 19th century through minstrel shows. In these shows, white performers made a mockery of slaved Africans on Southern plantations. They painted their faces to appear “stereotypically black” in an attempt to darken their skin and portrayed black people as lazy and ignorant, wearing tattered clothes in the process. The minstrel shows were meant to be a source of entertainment for white people. For black people, however, these shows were nothing but offensive and hurtful.
What Can You Do? Aside from attending protests, there are other ways to show your support towards the movement. One of these is to donate to fundraising drives and donating to organizations that help support black people and fight against racism. You can also show your support by signing petitions of black individuals who have been imprisoned or put on death row despite their innocence. Showing solidarity through the use of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter is also a way of supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Share donation links, provide more information if you’re knowledgeable about racism and black history, and read more on historical injustices and racial inequalities. Keep listening and keep on learning. Learn to treat this less like a trend. Black people suffer from racism and discrimination every day. These incidents happen even if they don’t make it to the news nor show up on the trends. They’re real events that don’t disappear even when the trends do. So continue to speak up. Continue to raise your voice and spread awareness. Continue to amplify the voices of the black community. This is not just a fight for justice to be served or for the discriminations to come to an end. This is also a call for equal and human rights.
Stevens, though clearly in pain after seeing the photos on her feed, went on to say that: “Rather than arguing to see your point of view, please see ours. Blackface will never be a neutral form of entertainment”. What does this mean? It means that instead of telling black people that they’re being sensitive or that they are overreacting towards a set of photos or towards the skin being fully coated in black paint, you, as a decent human being, should understand that they have experienced more than enough prejudice and maltreatment in their lives to be talked over and drowned out by arguments that make them appear like they’re the ones who are in the wrong. Black people have the right to say what offends them and what doesn’t. This is not just about the colors of their skin – this is about people’s ignorance towards their culture as well as the media brainwashing its viewers about black people. Inaccurate representations in films and theater plays, the exaggerations, the stereotypes – these are what we have been raised with, not knowing that there’s a history behind that was never taught and a story that was never brought to light. We accepted these representations to be accurate.
WRITTEN BY KORINA AURELIO
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The PRISM
The Official Student Publication of University of Antique Main Campus
Jorielyn Martizano
Associate Editor
Alfonso Samillano Jr.
Adviser
Louie John Servancia
Editors in Chief Marianne Palcat
Daryl Reginaldo
Circulation Managers Iyen Bautista
CONTACT
- 0975 983 3785
- theprism@antiquespride.edu.ph
BLOG SITE
- http://www.theprismpub.wordpress.com
Bryan Zander Baconga
Reah Rica Marie Padroncillo
Managing Editor
Op-Ed Editors Daven Luis Aragon
Niña Rica Belmonte
Literary Editor
Shaina Rose Ayupan
News Editor
Korina Aurelio
Magazine Editors Alden John Tubale
Sandie Ged Nicolas Minaves Brent Thomas Salvaleon
Sports Editors
Jan Brian Siladan
Staff Writers
Samantha Joy Quiman
Francis Mission
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
- @theprismpub
Ma. Stephanie Kate Balboa
VISION Leading University in Science and Technology by 2022.
MISSION The University shall provide quality, relevant, and responsive scientific technological and professional education and advanced training in different areas of specialization, and shall undertake research and extension services in support to socio-economic development of Antique, the Filipino nation, and the global community.
GOALS To elevate the University into national and international distinction, it shall endeavor to: 1. Deliver quality instruction of international standards; 2. Implement innovative and research development system; 3. Undertake responsive and collaborative means for technological transfer; 4. Develop viable and sustainable resource generating strategies; and 5. Establish effective, efficient, and supportive administration.
OBJECTIVES The University should be able to: 1. Ensure that at least 30% of the faculty members are doctorate degree holders and the rest are master’s degree holders in their respective fields of specialization by 2022 in line with its vision and upgrade researchers’ and extensionists’ capability through continuous trainings and exposure; 2. Provide state-of-the art physical and instructional facilities; 3. Re-align curricular offerings preferably towards science and technology-based courses; 4. Achieve at least level 3 accreditation status in all programs; 5. Publish researches in national and international refereed journals; 6. Strengthen national and international linkages with public and private institution; 7. Formulate and implement investment plans for financial sustainability; 8. Collaborate with funding agencies for resource generation; 9. Conduct periodic management review for quality delivery of service to the stakeholders. (Art 6, University Code).