RAFFLESIA
OKM: Igniting the dying embers of our local melody
“Fan the dying embers until it blasts a raging fire... We all have our own mystery blast waiting to explode like a nuclear bomb that someday will create a remarkable blow and leaves an indelible flame -- A flame that is kept constantly burning, enkindling with delight and gratification that resembles in the blaze of glory. Sparks have been given off. This was the exact avouchment after I made an ardent affirmation of accepting the challenge of the passion I have dreamed ever since. Being a campus journalist is like a charcoal burning. It always started from choosing what type of wood we need or what kind of method to be used in order to know that our writing prowess keeps afire and build it up on our chosen field which is, the journalism. We want our works as raw but hot as possible, so we
have to feed our minds with dense information and ideas to keep the contents swelter so that we can be able to give light to you, our dear readers. Charcoal undergoes outgassing, so we do brainstorming. Though, being a writer is never been easy because of the changing dilemmas and uncertain thresholds but we are still doing our best to achieve our goal and attain its fullest potential to deliver relevant issues yet, we make sure that we will give you the chunks you truly deserve.
its fuel of inspiration and a blaze of lessons that would help you in your endeavor. May you find each page of this paper dazzling that will radiate through the bottom of your hearts. Brenne weiter!
FRANCIS S. MISSION Editor-in-Chief
The Prism cannot kindle to its best without you our beloved students for you serve as our match sticks to beacon our torch of purpose. So, as this year’s theme, “ignite”, The Prism has bagged its firebox of issues which are now ready to offer you its hardwoods of experience,
EDITORS' n
In a world where the night brought darkness and cold, there was a spark. A burst of light, like the star in the sky falling to the earth. That spark lit up the night for the first time and brought with it warmth. It was like a piece of the sun that was summoned in the night, a great source of power. Yet there are times when the gentle flames that give warmth become the raging inferno that destroys all to start anew. A fire so big that it is unable to die and lasts for days and days- even months. Be gentle to the flames because those who do not know how to get burned in the end. Fire can be powerful enough to burn everything till nothing is left, not even ashes. Let the flames ablaze in every UAean as they flip the pages. We hope to inspire our readers to start a fire within them, control and let it burn so bright in their own fields. It only takes a small spark of hope for our dreams to ignite.
REAH RICA MARIE N. PADRONCILLO Magazine Editor
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CONTENTS PAGE 3
From humble beginnings to lofty heights
PAGE 7
SANTI
PAGE 9
Red Ants
Institution
page
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Institution Trademark of a True UAean Institution
OKM
Igniting the dying embers of our local melody Society & Culture
page
Jansen Magpusao
17
The star of John Denver Trending People
page
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NONG ARMAN
A man graced with indestructible faith People
PAGE 23
Tenacity in a Firefighter’s Heart
PAGE 25
Solidarity in the Midst of Adversity
PAGE 26
SAYAW
PAGE 39
MAARAM
People People
The Antiqueño Wedding Dance Society & Culture Tradition of Ages Society & Culture
PAGE 41
LUWA
PAGE 43
DOUSED
PAGE 45
COVID-19
Reviving the dying culture for the dead Society & Culture Health
Deadly plague of 21st century Health
page
49 DULUNGAN
Nest builders of Hope and Persistence Wildlife
Rural Life Broughtme to the World People
She pays the rent. She buys her own goodies. People
page
21
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page
MISS INDEPENDENT PAGE 47
Mental Fortitude
PAGE 53
Bendong Gadas
PAGE 55
Exploring Libertad
PAGE 58
The PRISM writes the other 30
The toughness of mind that most millenials need Health Sarap na wagas Food & Cuisine
The liberating experience that reveals one’s true self Travel & Leisure Local
INSTITUTION
In a tremulous landscape with a prevailing tropical climate known for its famous tagline, “where the mountain meets the sea”, nestled an academic institution with a humble past that sparked into a remarkable present – University of Antique. It remains steadfast in its mission which is the attainment of quality education and provide a globally competent graduates through an effective curricular instruction. The sole purpose of such undertaking is to maintain the quality assurance and wholesome management which adhere on the core values of the university. Thus, producing holistic Antiqueños with a dream of soaring greater heights and embracing wide arrays of opportunities.
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ccording to Corporate Finance Institute, quality management is a means of “overseeing different activities and tasks within an organization to ensure that services offered, as well as the means used to provide them, are consistent to achieve and maintain a desired level of quality within the organization.” Hence, quality assurance of academic and administrative services are viewed as a holistic approach covering all the processes in a higher education institution, in order to serve the students and other stakeholders based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) quality standards. The success of a quality assurance relies on the collective efforts of the administration and all of its support staff. Since the UA was officially converted into a state university by virtue of Republic Act 9746, it gradually transformed into notable institution. Continuous changes in the external and extension campuses had set forth to render relentless service among UAeans. This paradigm shift was performed as necessary plans and strategies for continual institutional development. UA embarks the journey to develop its educational standards as well as its quality management system wherein it remains resolute with its goals and quality policy. Since UA is the only state university in the province which envisions to be the leading university in science and technology by 2022, it constantly upholds its ideals to seek and treasure potential benefits that pave the way in opening doors for greatest opportunities. 3
LOFTY HEIGHTS Accreditation is viewed as a process by which an institution at the tertiary level evaluates its educational activities, in whole or in part, and seeks an independent judgment to confirm that it substantially achieves its objectives, and is generally equal in quality to comparable institutions. Therefore, curriculum implementation must undergo an accreditation process that guarantees the effectivity of curricular instruction and standardization of curriculum content that accord to global echelons.
another milestone the University of Antique had attained. Years had passed. The surging passion of every UAean in turning their dreams into reality is not far-fetched. The bitter-sweet savor of success had been carved into a sculpted dream. The four junctions representing the core values of the university rest the soul of its noble existence.
University of Antique embraces a total change and it was a major challenge to keep the fire ablaze in the university system to continue develop its quality education services. The leading university in the province garnered the fourth spot in terms of the number of accredited programs as recognized by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACUP) in 2018. With this highly commendable achievement, the university progressively unfolds its capability to soar high and meet international standards with regards to the educational status of the institution. This marks
As empowered change agents, UAeans are imbued with a heart of helping one another. UA further strengthened its connection in the community, upholding one of its core values which is social responsibility. Social transformation can be achieved through extending a hand full of compassion, unconditional love and mutual respect to both deprived and underprivileged.
UAEANS AS KASUBAY
One of the Code of Conducts of UA Red Ants, the icon of a true UAean is “Be a Servant to each other� which
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO
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underscores their unwavering service, time and effort in order to alleviate societal issues such as poverty, lack of education and cultural degradation. Providing services among the community in the province is one of the goals of UA as it is stated in the university’s mission. Among are the outreach programs of clubs and organizations and extension programs of every college that offer different kinds of services to recipient school or barangay. The sUbAy Code of Conduct which is “Be Persistently Purpose-Driven” highlights that UAeans must create a purposeful life so as to make it worth living. There are many activities organized through collective efforts initiated by the students. For instance, tree planting activity spearheaded by the university officials and UA Student Government (UASG), composed of clubs and organization presidents in collaboration with the Provincial Youth Development Office head, Mr. Rexon C. Nodque. In addition, the Latazon Outreach of The Prism together with the College of Arts and Sciences, which covers gift giving and literacy program among the people of Iraynon Bukidnon of Laua-an, Antique are just some of the community-related services created with a purpose. The university was established through the support of the Antiqueños. So, the institution reciprocates this. When one takes part the responsibility he or she is not looking for his/her own welfare but also of the others’. The attribute of UA substantiating that it is indeed true in ‘transforming lives and building communities’. These gradual changes brought University of Antique to the summit of its hard work. Its humble beginning earns the spotlight at the center of development. As UA embraces change, its four thrusts give direction to all its internal and external processes. It fully blooms and continuously radiate the essence of its core values which are integrity, excellence, commitment and social responsibility. This institution will remain steadfast in all battles. The epitome of development will soar up high to unlock door of opportunities in order to cater the needs of hopeful Antiqueños.
WRITTEN BY ALDEN JOHN TUBALE PHOTOS BY CODY CHAN TALATALA
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SANTI:
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INSTITUTION
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Everyone was craning their necks, an excited babble rippled among the crowd then finally, a big, bright red ant emerged. He stole the spotlight as he walked and waved around the oval of the University of Antique during the opening ceremonies of Hugyaw 2019. Santi had been stealing hearts since that day. Santi is the official mascot of University of Antique who embodies the spirit animal of the institution. He is a big, red ant dressed in a yellow shirt and black pants with big friendly eyes and a smiling mouth. He was formally introduced for the first time during the opening ceremony of HUGYAW 2019. Then, for his first island travel, he went with UA Officials and athletes to Negros Occidental to join in the Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association’s (RSCUAA) sports fest and conference. He appeared for the first time in a regional event and he was the only mascot that appeared from among other state universities and colleges (SUCs) who were present, making the crowd grow wild in excitement. In the said event, Santi even danced! He performed with UA delegates during the sUbAy unity dance, adding more fuel to his sudden and growing popularity. There had been numerous selfie sessions and the presidents of other state colleges and universities had also been amazed by the big red ant.
The Birth of Santi So why and how did Santi come into being? Santi was conceptualized after the words of CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera in his commencement address in 2018 that UAeans are like ants that possess many commendable traits. Furthermore, the province of Antique and by extension, the University of Antique, had acquired its name from Hantik, a variety of ants. And it was through the initiative of Dr. Pablo. S. Crespo Jr., the university president, that the visual representation of UA’s spirit animal was conceived in the image of Santi. Through the design of executive assistant, Mr. Jaykem Elanga, and Cocoon layout artist, Mr. Junel Sapanza, and Recreational Social and Cultural Services (RSCS) Coordinator, Mrs. Shiela Sandoy, Santi was given his physical, overall look. As for his name, Santi has quite a unique name and for a good reason. Santi is named after Mayor Santiago Lotilla, one of UA’s founding pillars. Mayor Lotilla, along with the cooperation of the sectors of the community and municipal officials, had acquired the site in which the University of Antique Main Campus is situated today. In its humble beginnings, the site had accommodated a five-room building made of nipa and bamboo. It was in those nipa classrooms that the dream of the Antiqueño in providing its youth with quality education, had started to flourish. Mayor Lotilla is indeed worthy to be honored in the person of Santi, the charming mascot of the university.
WRITTEN BY IYEN BAUTISTA and DIANA JOY DUBRIA PHOTO BY FRANCIS MISSION
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INSTITUTION
The moment my feet landed on the grounds of UA, my eyes immersed in a view brimming with opportunities. I know this academically engaging institution will lead young people like me into the world. The more I leave footprints on its grounds, the more I want to wrap my arms being a kasUbay. University of Antique launched sUbAy as its spirit animal in various fields of excellence. It comes with following Codes of Conducts which are set of prescribed behavior the UA community has to subscribe to make sure that actions are within the bounds of law, morals and will lead to the best
BE PERSISTENTLY PURPOSEDRIVEN Like ants who are focused on their goal to gather as much food in dry season, UA RED ANTS set clear-cut goals and priorities, to which they channel their time and energy while at the university. Be persistent! Life may get hard at times but UA RED ANTS don’t stop in the middle of the run. They have a vision bigger than themselves added with a strong determination and will to finish the race.
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interest of the students and the entire UA community. It is to remind them of the virtues that must be possessed. Upon the founding of sUbAy, representatives of the regional and national competitions such as the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) will carry the name, UA Pulahan, and the UA community will live up to the UA Red Ants’ Code of Conduct. The creation of UA Red Ants was inspired by the insect’s significance to Antique’s history, its characteristics as described by authors and philosophers, and its similarities to the people of Antique and the university.
BE A DREAMER, DREAM BIG! Like ants- little maybe who carry loads heavier than them and build colonies bigger than we imagine, the UA RED ANTS strive to excel, pursue big dreams and work to achieve them like a champion. Our life as students is not easy, some want to ace every test they take and finish with flying colors. But some just want to complete their education no matter what it takes and no matter how muddy their feet will get before going to school. Being a starry-eyed dreamer is about not giving up no matter how tight the entry is. UA’eans dream big and dream more. There is nothing wrong with dreaming as long as you are doing your job to achieve it. They say, if your dreams don’t scare you then you are not dreaming big.
BE A TRUE ANTIQUEÑO. UA RED ANTS are integrated individual, taking pride in their Antiqueño heritage, acknowledging and fulfilling their roles as stewards of the province. As such, they act at all times in the interest of the province and the country. Antiqueños are like ants. The bayanihan spirit are still practiced even up to this day in some remote areas. Bayanihan is one of the values of ants reflected in the culture of Antiqueños. UA RED ANTS are living some of the values that best describe their personality. Aside from being hardworking, red ants are also flexible – in a sense that no matter how hard the situation or tasks that has been overlapped on their shoulders, they still have time to manage it and gave a soothing smile as well. Red Ants are also adaptable, gregarious and feisty. As UA RED ANTS conquer the realm of its cultural heritage, they act as like what their forefathers done way back in ancient times.
R e d A n ts Trademark of a true UAean WRITTEN BY ALDEN JOHN TUBALE and REAH RICA MARIE PADRONCILLO
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The essence of being a true kasUbay brought a lot of awakenings in the UA community. A hopeful one turns its nightmare into a glistening dream. One must live and practice the red ants’ code of conduct. Each one of the students must embrace change and enclasp the living legacy of its forefathers.”
BE ALWAYS PREPARED Like ants that do not stop gathering food for the wet season, UA RED ANTS commit constantly train and be prepared for the battles and tasks ahead.
BE A SERVANT TO EACH OTHER Like ants who lead and heal each other, UA RED ANTS help each other and serve the UA Community in particular and the Antique province in general.
BE A TEAM-PLAYER Like ants whose work is for their colony, UA RED ANTS show commitment to work together beyond individual differences, upholding the common good of the university.
In order to combat the uncertainties that may arise along the Red Ants journey, each of them must possess a lively mindset that they should be always prepared. As UA RED ANTS gradually conquer their own battles in the field of education, they should equipped themselves in order to surpass the real clash in the battle field.
Nothing will lose if your desire to extend help to others is voluntary and without expecting reward towards them. One must possess characteristic of a RED ANTS which is helping each other to gather and collect something that is beneficial without carrying any burden on it. UA RED ANTS serves its community by helping themselves to become a productive kasUbAy. As they sail the deepest sea along their journey and conquer the biggest wave in their dreams, they work and help each other in trying times so that tasks that may come ahead will become easy to handle.
UA’eans show a genuine commitment to the group and actively participates in group discussions. Open and willing to share ideas and experiences.
Upholding the fourth code of conduct, UA RED ANTS always prepared in all aspect of life. Because we do not know what adversities may hinder us to reach the zenith of our dreams. As the red ants starting to treasure their own very luck, they plan and prepared ahead because this simple logical trick may bring someone into success. Furthermore, UA RED ANTS come to school were everything as set.
Takes initiative and does not just stay in the shadows. Responsible and complete tasks according to priority.
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PEOPLE
MANONG ARMAN A man graced with indestructible faith WRITTEN BY FRANCIS MISSION
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othing seems so perfect when two hearts were destined for each other. Like how these sweethearts shared a lot and found true love in common. But like most couples in town, they also have experienced adversities and their fortunate union was challenged. One has never thought that it was about to break the oath that both of them had solemnly pledged in front of God. He was incognizant of the morally upright action. Grain of tears were running down his cheeks, his heart was shattered into pieces because he found no shoulder to lean on. Hopeless of mending their melancholic relation, he suddenly hearkened back God’s promise stated in Hebrew 13:5 which says, “...be content with what you have because God had said, never will I leave you, never will I forsake you...” thus, he laid back, reflected and faithfully prayed. Facing battles and challenges in life is daunting. Helpless people suffer from mental disorders causing them to breakdown and crumble. However, for a father who is a breadwinner and always look after the welfare of his family, giving up was never his choice. He always ponders the side of every trying situation that challenges his mission in life. When no one was there to share with his problems, he just look back at what he had started and continued for his family, steering closer to God. His surging passion in serving God continues despite of the failures he had encountered. This was the primary reason why he chose to be a virtuous person. People labeled him as a polite man because they would always hear him saying courteous expressions and simple greetings to whoever he met. According to those who knew him, his words were truly courteous and amiable. The man behind this is a retired employee of University of Antique, Mr. Armando Alejo Asis, Sr. PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND HIS FAMILY Borrowed from the Book of Matthew chapter five verse 16, is the philosophy lived by Manong Arman which reminds him to do what he believes is right and ethical in his life. In a world full of fairy tales, theirs was the reality. There was this lady named Angela Abao-an, a native of Antique with a naturally-tanned complexion who had captured his heart. The sight of her rendered him dumbfounded and awakened his innocence. His feelings towards her grow deeper and in order to prove his love for this woman, he asked her hands and made her his wife. He married Angela Abao-an Asis, his companion who helped him build their own family. Bestowed with the gift of life and love, Manong Arman and his wife Angela were blessed with four children and named them Adonai Emmanuel, Ana Magdalene, Arianne Mae and Armando Asis, Jr. With God’s guidance, they were able to send their children to school and later found stable jobs for themselves. Like their children, Manong Arman also had education. He completed his elementary in Libertad Elementary School and his secondary in Agusan High School which were both situated in Butuan City, 11
Agusan Del Norte. Moreover, he pursued his tertiary education in the University of Mindanao taking up Bachelor of Science in Criminology. Unfortunately, he stopped school due to financial constraints. ON HIS WORK AND PASSION Venturing the world outside his comfort zone was his only choice, so he decided to go to Manila to find work. He stayed in his uncle’s house (the youngest brother of his father) as he continuously searching his fate in the city. He never thought that his plans in life would open doors of opportunities for him in the field of boxing. “One day, there was this man who told me to practice boxing if I wanted to. Without any hesitation, I said yes to his offer then the next day I went to training,” Manong Arman said in an interview. His perseverance and determination led him to become successful in this field. He became a licensed boxer because he fought 10 rounds which only licensed boxers are allowed to in professional matches. “I have spotted Flash Elorde, a renowned World Boxing Champion in the field, watching my battle inside the boxing ring in Jose Rizal Memorial Stadium,” he added. His zeal and passion placed him in limelight when he was included in the Philippine Ranking putting him in the 9th place in the Feather Weight Division in 1977. But he came to the point where life gave him his biggest punch. His boxing career was hampered by his health condition. He has to choose between continuing his love for boxing or taking his
timeout but later he decided to give it up without any doubts and learned to accept that some things were not meant to be fought until the end. No matter how life poked him hard, he still found ways to make use of his skills and capabilities. After quitting, he became a baggage checker in Aboitiz Shipping Lines in Tondo, Manila. His work paved the way in order to meet his lifetime partner. He considered his wife as the best thing that had ever happened in his life, a treasured gift given by God to him. HIS CONNECTION WITH GOD Being certain about eternal life and having no fear of the future is the happiest moment in his life. It was deeply rooted to his indestructible faith in God. It all started when they both agreed to move here in the province to settle for good. “My life became closer to God when my wife and I back then were still lovers, visited her aunt’s house. Then, we met her visitor, Pastor Eddie Banquillo from Valderrama, Antique. He told us about the words of God especially asking absolution from Him for all the sins we have committed. Most of all, the acceptance of Christ as our personal savior,” he emphasized. This was the main reason why he cannot forget his spiritual birthday which is February 14, 1955 and equate it to John 3:16. He is also teaching the words of God in their church and to the students as well. His deep connection with God serves as his weapon in order to hurdle the trials in life. “Struggles are natural phenomenon yet play an important role in our lives. How can we know that a certain individual is firm and steadfast if they never encountered these challenges?” he asked. He associates his life to a fully grown tree that withstood the strongest storms testing his faith in God. There are lots of difficulties he had been through but he still embraced it with open arms because he believes that God is always with him. Like boxing, he also got past several rounds to win the battle. Another strike he received was when their marriage was being impelled in a woe. This complete misery made him suffered from severe emotional distress but he stood up still, prayed and surrendered everything to God. Fortunately, their dilemma was solved and their bond became harmonious and peaceful.
MANONG ARMAN WAS INCLUDED IN THE PHILIPPINE RANKING THAT PLACED HIM IN THE 9TH PLACE IN THE FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION IN 1977.
WORK EXPERIENCES IN UA Manong Arman started working at then Antique School of Arts and Trades (ASAT) in 1983 as ground man gardener. His passion coupled with hard work promoted him as Administrative Aide III, the highest position that he received in the university. “There were so many times when I worked overtime without any compensation. But, it doesn’t matter to me at all because I only want to finish my work in the allotted time given to me,” he continued. His job was printing of examination questionnaires of the seven colleges and laboratory high school in the university. Accordingly, the good deeds of the institution to him was reciprocated by his loyalty, diligence and kindness. “My work in UA nurtured my personality and helped me become the person I am today. During my stay, I’ve learned a lot of things which are relevant to my ordinary yet very meaningful life,” he added and for a while painted a smile on his lips like he is reminiscing those good old memories that were kept in the valued jar of his experiences. HIS MESSAGE to the young ones “Love and obey your parents. You should know their struggles and sacrifices that they’ve been through just to give you a better life. Study well and 12
find a decent job. Nothing can make your parents happier than seeing you fulfilling your dreams and become successful,” he answered when he was asked to give his message to the students of UA. “To all the teachers, I salute you! Continue on making a difference to others lives and always inspire your students to learn more. To Dr. Pablo S. Crespo, Jr., it is always an honor to be part of this academic institution. Thank you, Sir for your commitment and perseverance in leading the university,” he said. “I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to The Prism for giving such opportunity especially to a person like me to have a chance to share and express my story,” he added. Manong Arman concluded his message with an inspiring and heartwarming statement, “may this story inspire and motivate everyone in facing their own battles in life. Rest assured, God will light your obscured path and will mold you to be the best of your choice. Always pray to God, He will guide you, and He will never forsake you.” Life, indeed is like a boxing. It has random rounds that test both - your strengths and weaknesses. Every round is a new set of punches, strikes, and pain but boxing taught us the significance of life which is to keep fighting in order to get yourself out from the boxing ring. Just like Manong Arman who is an example of a responsible husband and father who chose to endure the pain of boxing just to provide the needs of his family. His bruises are the evidence of how he fought eagerly not only to win the game but also to build himself along the process, his wounds proved how he gave his best just to keep himself from being knocked out. All of those are proof of how he achieved his dreams for his family. The sound of the bell simply reminds us that God called us to take some timeout and have some rest. A true champion cannot only be measured by the number of belts you’ve gained but also seen on how you keep humanity in the middle of the fight. The only difference between life and boxing is that, boxing is one of the entertainment platforms, a sport but life is the reality. Who would ever thought that the young boy who was born on the 25th day of March in the year 1955 will bring honor and pride not only to his family but also to the whole University of Antique community. A man who was once a utility worker has contributed another success story and became part of UA history. “Boxing can be our life but life could not only be boxing. We are all boxers of our own life yet it is still in our hands to choose our own battlefield, but above all, never forget God who can make all things possible,” Manong Arman concluded.
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MANONG ARMAN WAS A DASHING MAN IN HIS PRIME AGE. HIS BOXING LED LIFESTYLE GAVE HIS A VERY FIT BODY.
PEOPLE
RURAL LIFE BROUGHT HIM TO THE WORLD
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WRITTEN BY JORIELYN MARTIZANO
Art is subjective. but unlike literature, visual arts transcends the art of storytelling. It is like a code that compels people to crack. Like the mystery that lies in the unreadable expression of “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci and the controversial “Lady in the Portrait” by Juan Luna, there were many conclusions. But the art of the Edsel Moscoso is the opposite, so are the others, perhaps. Moscoso’s paintings answer what was once a mystery to those who grew to a place that is highly civilized. Moscoso’s art reveals what rural life looks like.
IN THE EYE OF HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY His family and friends call him “Totong.” But the world knows him as Edsel Hermoso Moscoso. Born on January 30, 1952, Edsel is the 6th child of Dr. Julito Moscoso, board member of the Antique Provincial Council and President of the Antique Medical Society and Remedios Atillo Hermoso, a pharmacist who graduated from the University of the Philippines. He is a sibling to Arturo, Franklin, Geoffrey, Edwin, Melinda, Hector, Patricio, Mario, and Cordelia. He is a grandson of Pastor Moscoso, brother of Segundo Moscoso, member of Congress during the presidency of Manuel L. Quezon. As a child, Edsel showed his love for art. His brother’s friend once shared that at the age of 10, he would show the comics he drew to his schoolmates at Bugasong Elementary School. He would tell them what was happening with the fights of his imaginary action hero. The next day, he would share the drawings with dialogues in his notebook. “Palagi akong gumuguhit, kahit sa klase. Kung minsan, hindi ako nakikinig sa mga teacher ko (I’d always spend my time drawing even during classes. Sometimes, I don’t listen to the discussion of my teachers),” he shared during one of his interviews about his starting days at Bugasong, Antique, his hometown. 14
Education and Career Edsel took his Bachelor in Fine Arts degree at University of the Philippines through Manuel Escudero scholarship. He was also a campus journalist and served as a news editor of a college publication in UP. He graduated on 1974 and finished his Master in Art History in the same school as a University Scholar, the following year. The young Edsel had relished his humble career in the Philippines. However, there’s a bigger place for his growth beyond the country’s borders. There’s a wider room for his development. And so he chose the world. “It came in too fast, by around 1980, I was already analyzing things, ‘Ganito nalang ba ang buhay? (Would life as an artist always be this way?) Everything was blueprinted. Everybody was buying my works; all these society people would watch the shows.’ I got tired of it. So when I got the chance to study in Europe, I went to Europe,” he told his interviewers. He later studied at Center for the Study of Medieval Art and Culture in Spoleto, Italy through a scholarship granted by the Italian government. He also studied at Accademia di Belle Arti de Roma for two years and on the third year, he studied restoration of frescoes at Centre International in Rome. Moreover, he graduated summa cum laude at the Pontifico Instituto di Archelogia Cristiana in Rome and joined archaeological digging groups at the Roman Forum and attended an international forum on Christian archaeology in Lyons, France. EDSEL MOSCOSO IS A BUGASONGNON WHO WAS FIRST KNOWN BY THE WORLD BEFORE HE WAS KNOWN BY HIS BIRTH PROVINCE.
Edsel Moscoso had his exhibits both in the local and abroad. His works were displayed in shows at Bacolod City and in Makati City. His first notable international exhibit was at Rome, Italy that was soon followed at Moscow, Russia and one-man show in the House of Friendship with Foreign Countries Kalinin Prospekt, Moskva, and at Stockholm, Sweden. Some of his notable exhibits were at the Kawilihan Gallery and in Brussels prior his sixth solo presentation at the French Embassy in Makati. He held his one-man exhibition in one year, his 10th at the Galerie an Weidendamn in Berlin, Germany. The eleventh was at Pamatnik Norodniho Pisemnitive V Praze in Czechoslovakia, then followed in Handelsbanken, Stroget, Copenhagen and in Bucnkarest. His fourteenth exhibit was at the Galerija Umjetnosti, Titograd, Montenegro, Yugoslavia, and his fifthteenth was in Sofia, Bulgaria. He was also included in the Allgemeines Künstler Lexicon (General Artist Encyclopedia). His painting was also reproduced into a postage stamp in Yugoslavia. But what’s with Edsel Moscoso’s art that it is not only the Philippine art enthusiasts who beheld it but also the world kept it travelling country by country, continent by continent? Perhaps, it’s the genuineness of his subjects, the life it shows to its audience, and the nostalgia it brings to those who used to live that way. His works are characterized by washed sepia images of Filipino rural life. These images were not placed in a farm or coastal scenery but in a contrasting colorful background. Thus, his paintings emphasize the daily rural life of fisher folk, farmers and
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women, peaceful and idyllic. National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin described Moscoso’s work as “manscapes” and wrote about it in his column for Manila Standard, “(they) tell no story — except that eternal story of born, live, love, work, suffer and die — but they do make a point foretelling that story as the story of how the Filipino is born, lives, loves, works, suffers, and dies.” Moscoso also loved to put faith for religion in his paintings, joining the rural folks in their works that cycles everyday. But unlike the images of the deities seen in homes and churches, the faces are painted with resemblance to his race. “Noong napunta ako sa Europe, naisip ko (When I went to Europe, it has come into my mind that), one thing has always remained unanswered, we are a pretty religious people. We would always paint our divinities but represented by Western faces. So I thought that probably it would be meaningful if I could come up with images of the divinities but using the Filipino people as my models,” he shared. During the celebration of Philippine Arts Month in 2007, Philippine Embassy to Seoul organized “Lahi: Ethnicity,” an art exhibit at Gallery Nuri of the Korea Foundation Cultural Center where 24 paintings by Filipino artist Edsel Moscoso. “This is a true depiction of what rural life is like. It is fast disappearing with the onset of modernity. I feel a sense of moral
obligation to chronicle this disappearing way of life. Give or take 25 years, you don’t know if you’ll still see this kind of lifestyle,” he said during his interview with Korea Times. His works became the highlight of Philippine Independence celebration in Geneva in 2008 that marked his 41st time to display his paintings. The 42nd exhibit of Edsel Moscoso was probably the most memorable one that took place around August 2008. It was titled as “Antiqueños: Homage to my Kasimanwas” where he proudly presented his roots and announced that his paintings are the images of Antiqueños.
Recognition It was Moscoso’s talent for art and the life he grew up that marked his name to his fellow artists, to his province, and to his own alma mater. In 1975, he was among the 13 Outstanding Young Artists that was given by Art Association of the Philippines. He was also later hailed as “Bugal kang Antique”(Pride of Antique) in the year 1993. Moscoso was also named as UP Awardee for Visual Arts of University of the Philippines, his alma mater on 2008.
Death and Legacy Edsel never had the chance to see his paintings showing the rural life’s history turn into images telling the rural life’s present. On December 21, 2008, he succumbed to leukemia, leaving his
legacy--- his masterpieces tell their depictions on their own and make sure that his name will never be consigned to oblivion. Maybe the line from Hamilton musical is right: Legacy is planting seeds in the garden you never get to see. Moscoso spent most of his life dedicating his passion to his subjects yet he did not witness how he is remembered by the people. It was after 10 years of his death, when he was honored by the Senate of the Philippines through the then-senator Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda who filed a resolution for his legacy. Even until now, Moscoso’s paintings continue to make waves in auctions. Moscoso may have been proud of his Antiqueño roots, however, the Tales of Datu Lubay raised a point from a line of a certain brochure saying “Moscoso’s art identifies with the Filipino rural community. He spent part of his life in the simplicity of the rural environment.” That Moscoso was first discovered by the nation before he was owned by his province. Perhaps, it is true. It is true in a sense that a national organization recognized him first before his own province called him as its pride. But it was Moscoso’s art that shows he belongs to his province even before he was known by the world. His subjects were inspired by what he saw everyday in the rural life in Antique. It was the rural life he drew that brought him to the world.
EDSEL MOSCOSO’S PAINTINGS SHOW THE FACES OF HIS KASIMANWA (TOWNMATES) LIVING THE RURAL EVERYDAY LIFE.
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He has this innocent look in his face with his eyes so gentle that they seem to conspire with his sweet smile; something he has probably brought with him on and off the camera. He talks with his hands clasped along with his prim posture and crisp answers. He chooses his answers confidently and delivers them with eagerness and smiles in between. He looks like a typical charming boy, catching peoples heart with just one look, but this article will not talk about just that. Behind the screen, his life was far from his role as John Denver. He was loved and supported by his family. He was adored and cared by his teachers and friends at school. He is just fifteen years old, but he dreams to be a civil engineer someday and is doing well in his studies. His current disposition in life is far from how John Denver was accused, bullied and was wrongfully criticized and pointedout as a thief of a mere iPad. John Denver Trending is a film by Arden Rod Condez which tells the tragic story of a 14-year-old townboy whose life was suddenly overturned when a video of himself physically attacking a classmate went viral on facebook. If you watched John Denver Trending, then you know Jansen Magpusao and how he dramatically carved the loveable character of John Denver in the viewer’s hearts. “I was not expecting the film to be as successful as it is now. I was shocked to know that I was the one to be awarded as Cinemalayas 2019 Best Actor. Of course there were a lot of veterans vying for such distinction with their own films. With nothing but my very best, I won.” In fact, if you have seen him after watching the film whether through interviews, screenings or pictures, you can easily notice how everything about his eyes sparkles cinematically. His persona matches the success of the film; it’s fresh and flourishing. Born into a family as the youngest, Jansen Magpusao grew up in Sitio Malumpati, Brgy. Guia, Pandan Antique. With both of his parents and siblings nurturing him, they were very supportive about his acting career and they cheer him for his success while encouraging him to prioritize his studies. “I really wanted to become a Civil Engineer someday because I like Math very much, even though my grades are not high as you think it is” Jansen replies showing his bright and bubbly side. He is currently a Grade 10 student at Jinalinan Academy, a fun haven where he spent hours of studying and formed friendships of his own. And while doing the film, he also met new friends. “We were in separate schools and before the shoot we were not familiar with each other, but when the filming started we became very close, and that’s why I adore him so much” Jansen talking about his new found friend Jofranz
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PEOPLE
jansen magpusao
the star of John Denver Trending WRITTEN BY IYEN BAUTISTA
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Ambubuyog, a co-actor in the film. Jansen is a proud Pandananon which puts him even closer to his fans in Pandan. When he came home after receiving the Best Actor award, he was welcomed by a caravan and he was swarmed with people of all ages. A lot of people who have watched the film praised him with how he effectively embodied and portrayed his role and how the role suits him as Jansen very well. When he was asked about his unforgettable experience during the shoot for the film, at first he answered with a wide smile and a hint of laughter as if it’s something comical for him “It was when we shot the scene inside the principal’s office where we had to do seven takes before doing a great take for the film because I can’t stop laughing” he explained with recurring smiles. He was a rookie but he acted like it was a role fit for him. He gave it justice and it earned him the Cinemalaya award. “He was very awkward in the set. He was very anxious about everything,” Arden Rod Condez, film director, said. “But it was what I love about him the most.” Arden Rod Condez was also the one who chose Jansen for the role. He described him as someone who can pull-off the character very well and that his biggest contribution to the film was his presence itself. “I think he was the most quiet in the shoot but your attention will focus on Jansen,” Condez furthered. There is a big discrepancy between him as Jansen in real-life and him as John Denver. The film has colossal amount of twists and turns more than his own life could ever have. He claims to be just an ordinary person with a simple life and that he couldn’t ask for more than a great success. “Kaya niyo man dan (you can do it, too), an ordinary person can be extraordinary too,” Jansen proudly said as he ended the interview. John Denver trending is a film that has garnered a lot of compliments and merits from the eyes of moviegoers. It has competed for the Busan International Film Festival in Busan, Korea. It is not just a film for entertainment but a movement with a cause. Truly life doesn’t get more cinematic than a painfully beautiful ending.
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“I was not expecting the film to be as successful as it is now. I was shocked to know that I was the one to be awarded as Cinemalaya’s 2019 Best Actor. Of course, there were a lot of veterans vying for such distinction with their own films. With nothing but my very best, I won.”
PHOTOS BY ARDEN ROD CONDEZ 20
PEOPLE
WRITTEN BY REAH RICA MARIE PADRONCILLO
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MISS INDEPENDENT She pays the rent. She buys her own goodies.
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The sun scorched the day, and as fate would have it, a baby girl was born on the 14th of July in the year 2000. Parents could not wait to hold the baby in their arms. Tears, sweat, and blood cover the old scanty blanket of a mother that is having a newborn in a few minutes. At last, they will be having a rose in the family. In a short while, a baby’s cry deafened the room, they look at the newborn with so much adoration in their eyes but they could tell in a glance that she is different. She is different, her feet and fingers were not fully developed but she has her unique characteristics. She is Sharmaine Vego. As she grew up, people’s eyes glued at her physical appearance became normal to her. She had a hard time coping with people, most especially when she started schooling. In a noisy room full of children, she has no one to talk to. Her size is smaller and shorter than any other kid in her class. So many times she tried to join different activities at school but was not allowed because of her disability, teachers are also afraid that she might get in trouble if she’ll join. She always found herself sitting in a corner while other kids are playing. By the beginning of the third grade, kids were expected to do basic writing skills. But the little girl was more exposed to the realities of life. She was not born with a silver spoon on her mouth or pennies to rub together. Though she has a disability at an early age, she learned to work her fingers to the bone to help her family. She started selling “kakanin,” an umbrella term for sweets made of glutinous rice and coconut milk. She tried all the means where she can earn money. There will always a big curve on her lips after selling all the “kakanin” because that also means that she has something to give to her mother on that day. Her disability did not limit her to work hard to help the family. When she stepped into high school, like a usual teenager, someone caught her attention and she fell head over heels with, but because of her disability, she was rejected. At that moment, she asked herself why she is not like the average person. Out of billions of individuals in the world, why is it that she belonged to those who have a disability. There also came a time when she asked the supreme being as to why she is existing. And to exist with her physical condition is something that she still doesn’t understand. People teasing and copying her imbalanced walk always blows up her confidence. To a disabled person, this world seems to be designed for regular people. People with complete body parts who can walk on their own without having their butt get hurt from the metal chair, people who do not have difficulty in constructing a word and saying it aloud, and those who do not struggle for mobility. In practice, Persons With Disability
(PWDs) have always dealt with obstacles and emotional struggles every day. Sharmaine was always left out because of her disability but has found a sense of belonging through the clapping hands of her family. Whenever she cries her mother will always be there to shower her with comforting words. Her mother became her weapon to fight, that there will always be hope for someone like her. That there will always be a reason for her existence. She prayed and whispered within her soul that she is more than her disability and that’s how the sun starts shining on her again. From then on, she started to be active in school and ignore all the criticisms that she hears every day. All the harsh words that were thrown at her became music in her ears. It became an inspiration to show the world that even though she has a disability, she can still perform excellently like an average human being. Currently, she is an incoming third-year student taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing. A DJ of a radio station at San Jose, Antique, a manager of the Personal Collection, and has also joined Miss Advocate 2018. She works hard every day three times more of what she did when she was still a kid. Never asked a penny to her parents in sustaining her needs a student. All the part-time jobs that she has, become her main source for her financial needs. She has fully embraced her disability and transformed it into an exemplary capability. She learned how to channel her inner “rock star.” Robert M. Hensel said “There is no greater disability than the inability to see a person as more.” Who would have thought the baby girl who is different in the eyes of people became a breadwinner of the family. Who would have thought that the girl who consumes criticism every day is now a DJ that is a barrel of laugh? She was once in a dark and dim chapter but has now in an illumined phase of her life. She unravelled the purpose of her existence and it is worth sharing with the world. Whenever you find yourself falling into a hole and you feel like it is starting to consume you. Don’t just stay there, find a light, a ladder, or someone who will pull you up for you to see the sunshine again. Life is what you make it. Every sunrise is a new chapter, every chapter comes with a new story to be told and every exit is a new entry for another phase. There are pages you want to read again and again for it makes you feel like walking on air. There are also chapters you don’t even want to lay your eyes on but still fathom every printed word. The life of Sharmaine is one of those page-turning storiesthat enables us to rediscover that disability is just a perception. What you do with it alters that perception. 22
PEOPLE
TENACITY IN A FIREFIGHTER’S HEART WRITTEN BY KORINA AURELIO
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“The future does not belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.” – Ronald Reagan Growing up, every one of us has an inkling of a dream. A blueprint of how our lives would play out as soon as we reach our desired goals, a driving force that pushes us to constantly work with everything that we got. A dream is a manifestation, a visual representation within the mind, which presents countless possibilities of what we’re capable of achieving in the future. Just like how light presents itself at the end of a dark tunnel and the way metals are attracted to magnets, a dream is what motivates us to keep on reaching for the end despite the difficulties throughout the long journey. It is what keeps us enthralled; the thought of being able to get to the finish line is more than enough to put someone in a state of euphoria. The heroine in our story went through a series of unfortunate events growing up. She faced losses, discouragement, and was led astray from the path she originally wanted to trudge down. It’s her courageous heart, her tenacity, and her down-to-earth personality that made her far in life. She wouldn’t be the resilient firefighter that she is today. Micah Trishia E. Alojado is the third child out of four siblings. She, together with her siblings, grew up and lived most of their lives without their parents by their sides. “My father was a seaman and my mother was a high school teacher. They died early because of stroke; my father died in 1997 while I was only seven years old and my mother in the year 2003. I was thirteen back then.” Without the aid and the financial support of her parents, the thought of going to any of the existing prestigious universities at the time was out of the line. They were like ripe fruits blossoming on unimaginably tall trees; beautiful to look at yet impossible to reach. 23
“We had relatives residing in Sibalom. After our parents died, our uncle [which happens to be my mom’s brother] took us in and decided that we should go to the University of Antique.” All seemed to farewell at that point yet another tragedy presented itself; déjà vu of sorts. “In the year 2007, when I was only in my first year, my uncle died due to stroke as well. Because of that, our aunt [who is my father’s sister] ended up being the one who helped us continue and finish our studies.” A dream often shifts its course in the long run; yesterday’s dream may dissipate into a cloud of nothingness as another dream manifests itself. We dream of different things and we aspire to reach a certain profession. However, external factors and hindrances cannot be avoided. This is what Micah had to face as she was choosing a course suitable for her. “Actually, my first choice was nursing but UA didn’t offer the said course. So I decided to go with my second choice, which was Criminology. I wanted to be a policewoman because my ex of seven years was a policeman and I was influenced by him. But my aunt was against this idea and told me to pursue Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) instead since it was easy to go abroad.” This was not in any of her choices and it
wasn’t her dream at all. Though it wasn’t her plan in the first place, she was left with no other alternatives; her only way was to pursue BSHRM. Despite not being able to spend her four years of college under a course she didn’t expect to take, there was another challenge that awaited her within the campus. “There were students who were making up issues about me. They were far from the truth yet they kept at it. If I were any weaker, I think would’ve quit studying. If I listened to them rather than focusing on myself, I really think it would have been game over for me.” There is a quotation from the novel Slasher Girls and Monster Boys that states, “It took courage to let other people’s cruelty bounce right off of you”. Which is correct; Micah set an example for that. Harsh words and untrue stories can cut right through our hearts, shards of unspoken pain engraved in them. But instead of crumbling into a helpless state, she braved through these negativities with her head held high. After she graduated from college, she applied to become a policewoman. Yet fate wasn’t on her side. It wasn’t until she met her distant relative who was also a graduate from the University of Antique. They made a decision to apply for the Bureau of Fire Protection. Another decision made, meant she had to face another train of negative criticisms. It took Micah five attempts to be able to qualify to undergo training. During the times when she faced rejection from her application and examination, she had best friends who were working as a pharmacist and a nurse respectively. Instead of showering her with encouraging words, they kept on throwing discouraging statements at her. They advised her to stop pursuing that path and simply give it a rest. With a persistent attitude, she kept moving forward. “It was painful for me to face one rejection after another. I also had to deal with my best friends’
constant nagging about how I should just give it all up. It was a lot to handle but I managed, eventually.” Hearing your best friends belittle you and being the ones that are hindering you from pursuing the dream you have wanted to reach is a different kind of pain. But even if they didn’t believe in her at that time, she had enough strength to believe in herself. She didn’t look at her rejections in a negative light. She took this as a sign that maybe it wasn’t her time yet. That someday, all the waiting and all the expenses she had made would be worth it. And they were. Pursuing the path of a firefighter became her passion. Yes, this was not the dream she had in the first place but eventually, it grew on her. The Bureau of Fire Protection provided her the opportunity to be able to go out to the operation instead of just being barricaded within the walls of the office. “The last time that I applied for the Philippine National Police, they were assigning female officers to offices instead of sending them out to operations. It felt unfair to me since we went through the same training yet we don’t get to experience the same things when it comes to our assignments.” Micah is currently assigned at the Leon Fire Station in Iloilo City. After the countless struggles she had the misfortune to experience, her years at the University of Antique kept her grounded. The people who believed in her, especially her beloved significant other, were also the source of her strength and encouragement. She reached the dream she had worked so hard for without losing herself in the process. “If there is anything that my alma mater has taught me, it’s to remain strong despite the adversities that you encounter and to always remain humble. My boyfriend also taught me that I have to always thank the Lord for the blessings that He showers me with.” Just like Micah, we aslo face many difficulties and walk down challenging paths in life. It takes bravery to get up on your feet. It takes determination to constantly try and try again until you finally reach what you are aiming for. It takes strength to face the world and grab opportunities when they present themselves to you. Her experiences made her the strong woman that she is today. They tried to tear her down but she always fought back; she knew she was capable and she believed in herself more than the negativities that encircled her and tried to drown her. She didn’t succumb to her demons but fought them and emerged victorious. The fire that crackled within the chambers of her heart grew larger until her demons could extinguish them no more. She took chances and made sacrifices throughout her journey in order to reach her dream. *Photos form Sibalom Fire Station
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PEOPLE
in the midst of
Adversity
WRITTEN BY ALDEN JOHN TUBALE and FRANCIS MISSION
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Situated amongst majectic canyons bordered by mountain ranges, San Remigio is known for its spectacular landscape. It boasts of its village dubbed as “Little Baguio” in the province. On its crystal clear freshwater reflects the visage of the sun, creating a gorgeous mirage. It is a paradise home to many species of birds and flowers. This is only one thing that San Remigio is known for. And for another, it is known for the magnanimity of its people.
San Remigio Official, the official facebook page of San Remigio, Antique posted relevant data and timely information about COVID-19 response and relief operations of the LGU San Remigio. The efforts of the LGU headed by their proactive LCE and other government sectors had equally given aids either in-kind or cash to San Remigionhons who were affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Reliefs include food packs, personal protective equipment, and sanitary kits to name a few.
True to its mission of ‘delivering quality and timely services for the upliftment of the living condition of San Remigionhons through a corps of highly professional civil servants,’ LGU San Remigio was lauded due to its effective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and competent service to its people. Local officials used their best approach to cater to the needs of the people. They worked as one amid their political beliefs and affiliation to win against the deadly disease and provide every one of the unrelenting service they truly deserve.
Meanwhile, equality and fairness was valued in this time of crisis. The proper distribution of the relief goods was undertaken by the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) to suffice the basic needs of San Remigionhons. Mrs. Rosa Ella M. Sastrillo, Licensed Social Worker and MSWD officer emphasized that all people regardless of their socio-economic status were granted with many relief goods from NGOs and GOs as long as their name is in the list of the underprivileged sector.
Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, our government’s efforts in vanquishing the unseen enemy was raised to its optimum level. The LGU San Remigio had strengthen the implementation of health protocols and ensure the equal distribution of various aids to all affected citizens especially the underprivileged. In the Municipality of San Remigio, all sectors work together to cater the needs of both the severely affected people and practitioners in the frontlines. Through the initiative of its Local Chief Executive, Margarito C. Mission Jr., they provided government assistance to the constituents. LGUs and other government organizations in the entire country have their own styles and approaches to break the continuous chain of transmission of the deadly virus. Solidarity fueled up government agencies to work together for one cause, thus the frontline Inter Agency Task Force for COVID-19 was born. IATF for COVID-19 pandemic was designed to monitor and validate the status of COVID related events. Thus, IATF in San Remigio strictly implement the safety health protocols as well as the policies and guidelines approved by the national and local governments.
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“The response had been undertaken by the local IATF of San Remigio especially the health personnel. They guarantee that everything is in order. Implementing precautionary measures and safety protocols are their responsibilities because in this time of crisis, the bayanihan spirit was maintained to control the unseen enemy,” Mar Mission said in an interview.
“We assure that all the financial aids and relief goods will be distributed equally to all San Remigionhons. This time of crisis we must give the utmost service we could offer to everyone ensuring transparency to everybody,” Rosa Ella M. Sastrillo, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer, said. Fighting the unseen enemy cannot be done only by the health workers. Dr. Diana Jean M. Cabanalan, Municipal Health Officer ensured that proper tracking of the Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) and Persons Under Infection (PUIs) was strictly implemented by the health personnel. “Fighting COVID-19 needs a multi-sectorial approach and our health personnel cannot do it alone. We have been campaigning way back before this pandemic struck specifically in the month of January. We appeal to everyone to stay at home and never breach any implemented health protocols while the IATF is also doing their part,” Dr. Cabanalan stressed out. In facing the pandemic, San Remigionhons are like hambaro or a flock of birds that were bonded with unity, persistence and compassion as they work together for their goals and aspirations in the hope of making San Remigio a progressive place. As it is mentioned in the song San Remigio Palangga Mo, Palangga Ko by Engr. Roger Petinglay and interpreted by Mr. Sammy Rubido, “Kauswagan kag kalinungan handum naton tanan…magbuylog kag magtingub, sa liwan magabantog (we all hope for progress and peace... participate and converge until it becomes a practice.”
SOCIETY & CULTURE
Sayaw
The AntiqueĂąo Wedding Dance
WRITTEN BY FRANCIS MISSION
“The rekindling of Sinulog or Sayaw unveils the radiant jewels of cultural heritage that gleam throughout the course of time. This peculiar wedding ritual bequeaths a perpetual grace from predecessors of Busalian lineage to the children of this generation. The remnants of ancient soil are concealed in the vintage jar of the old folk who inherited a healing prowess. These jars are vital paraphernalia in the execution of the wedding ritual. The moment the antique jar is opened, it symbolizes the acceptance of fortune, guidance, protection, and blessings to the married couple.
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The third wave of the spine-chilling war- dance had finally come. The newly-wed became pale as the two fiery-faced warrior armed with a sharp bolo shouted with a hoard voice. Their quick mincing steps and intense hand movements go harmoniously with the sound of the improvised percussion instrument. The sharp metallic tool produced fire when the ritual-performers strike it in a forceful way. The couple had no choice but to persistently endure the hair-raising situation. It’s almost 10 minutes when the ritual in-charge had thrown a handful of silver and gold colored coins and a “tilad” to the dance warriors. It serves as a priceless payment in order for the married couple to be freed. With that, the debt was already paid off and another descendant was graced. The same scenario was witnessed by the people after a religious wedding in many places in the province of Antique. In its remote barangays, people are endowed with rich and unique cultural heritage that are still practiced up to this day. Old folks firmly believe that marriage has diverse collection of rituals that made it more enthralling. One of those is a terrifying war-dance that attracts more spectators to witness the unique dance ritual-Sayaw. According to Lolo Ontoy (not in his real name), a descendant of a busali-an, Sayaw is a post-wedding ritual deep rooted from their ancestor’s way back before the pre-Hispanic era. Despite of the colonization that happened, the customs and traditions like sayaw continue to flourish although Christianity had been introduced. He added that it is not just a mere ritual to be experienced by the married 27
couple but a tradition to be handed generation by generation. “Ang sayaw naghalin pa sa mga busalian- mga taho nga may mga kinaadman nga lain ti natural kag pareho sa ordinaryo nga taho kag ginagamit nanda para amligan kag protektahan ang anda kaugalingon sa mga ital-ital nga panyempo. Ginagamhan man sanda kadya kang Diyos kag ang mga surundanon nga ginapatihan asta kadya sanda ang ginhalinan. Ang sayaw sangka mayad nga patimaan kang manami nga pagpangabuhi kang darwa ka mag-asawa” Busali-an is a skilled wizard who possesses magical powers used to defend themselves from all forms of threats and hazards. They worship a Supreme Being in heaven more powerful than them which they believe as their source of life, strength and power. Nowadays, descendants of busalians are ‘manugbulong’ or healers of illnesses cannot be cured by certain medications for they believe it was caused by mythical creatures lurking everywhere. They live by many beliefs and practices manifested in the occasions and events in life they undergone with. They uphold the living traditions they have because they value it like a treasured gift given to them by their ancestors. One of these is the wedding ritual, sayaw, which they upholded for it is a fortune in starting a new union. Sayaw (sinulog in other localities) is a sacred wardance performed by the dancers whose lineage was deep rooted to busalian. It is exclusively performed after a religious wedding
busalian ancestors to perform their legacy. He also regarded sayaw as their wealth because not all people can experience these unique traditions. Moreover, he added that they never had a proper training in performing the risky and breathtaking steps of sayaw. He was also amazed on how they perform it well without harming the married couple. But for him, one thing is certain, they were under the power of the spirits assuming their minds that leads them while performing. “Sakto man nga ang sayaw sangka tradisyon kang kasal pero para kanamon pinasahi nga bugna halin sa mahal nga Makaako nga ginpasa-pasa kang amon kamal-aman. Amon gintuman ang dya nga surundanon para mangin mayad ang amon pagpangabuhi hay kon hindi mo dya matuman may mga kalisud nga matabo sa urihing adlaw” Manang Inday affirmed that sayaw is not just a mere tradition but a unique blessing from God which was handed to them by their ancestors. They believe that adhering to this wedding ritual would make their lives fruitful. She asserted that if they failed to follow it, their life would be in miserable condition in the succeeding days. PHOTO BY PHILIPPINE PERFORMANCE ARCHIVE: CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
for it is a God-given grace bestowed upon the married couple. It is usually done before the reception part which usually comes in three waves that last for 10 minutes. Each wave starts with a shout from both warriors which marks the beginning of the dance. It was followed by the dance proper around the married couple hitting forcefully their sharp bolos that nearly reaches the couple but it never touches them. It occurs in conformity with the striking sounds of the improvised percussion instrument. The third wave happens in the front of the reception in a locale where the descendants reside. When the manugsinulog (dance-warriors) was paid with coins and “tilad”components of maram-un, the ritual is already finished. Sayaw can be undertaken and can be experienced only by people who are descendants of busalians. It is a highly respected dance greatly valued by the couple because it is their key determinant on how their way of life would be in the future. In the case of the manugsayaw, they must come in pair of two male performers who are also ‘maaram or manugbulong’ of illnesses caused by alleged spirits living in any untouched pieces of lands. An ordinary person cannot act as a performer because they will suffer any mental disorder for it is believed that when they perform the sayaw, their minds were replaced by the pysche of the person behind their healing prowess. “Nangin manugsayaw ako tungod sangka surundanon namon ria kag sara ako sa mga gintawag kang mga mal-am nga dalungdungan para mag obra kang anda ginbilin nga legasiya. Wara man namon ginsekyar kay ginakabig namon ja nga manggad kay lain ti tanan pwede maka eksperyensya kadya” A manugsayaw claimed that becoming a sayaw-dancer is a tradition they should follow and he is one of them who were called by the spirits that govern their
People who are still in practice of the wedding ritual believe that if the descendants who never undergone sinulog, would later found their union dwelled in bad luck. Their children would likely become inhabited with diseases cannot be determined by science and cannot be cured by medical specialists. In addition, mental disorders among children might happen if the couple failed to practice the aforementioned wedding ritual. However, due to the advent of modernization where technology remains to be the utmost priority of everyone, some of these traditions were easily vanished as it sounds archaic. Yet, cultural organizations advocate the preservation of these rituals and traditions because those are the valuable gifts and priceless wealth of our ancestors which they handed successfully generation by generation. The practice of these rituals proved that Antiqueños are truly upholding one of the Filipino core values, Makabayan. These also depict that Antiqueños are rich in culture as it mirrors their way of living. Sayaw gives color to the lives of many people. Its unique characteristics made our cultural heritage distinct from others. It is a trademark of Antiqueños that sets them apart from others. Therefore, we should uphold the unique cultural heritage that connects our hearts to be one. 28
SOCIETY & CULTURE
I
Imagine the world being quiet. No melody can heard and no sound of an instrument wakes our resting emotions; only the natural noise of nature, the humming of birds, and murmur of the rivers flare our morning. Are they enough for our ears? Or do we need more? The existence of music in the world has given color to our lives. The melody that comes from our heart conveyed by uttering and humming to express a particular message is like ink on a blank paper. It has a different effect on our lives whether you are the audience or the performer. It has the capacity to attract no matter what style, genre, or language it has. In today’s Kpop dominated music industry, where does local music stand? Is it relevant or is it seen as outdated? The province of Antique is not just a rural province that boasts of its tourist spots, rich culture, and people but also possesses a hidden gem that is ready to appear to the rest of the world, and that is our original music. In the1950s, Antiqueños have never been so attached to music. There are few English songs and you can rarely even hear Tagalog songs but Kinaray-a? Nothing at all, and if anyone tries, it does not please people’s ears because they perceived it as buki, a local term for something that is outdated. But the emergence of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bee Gees, and other musical groups have greatly influenced music lovers in the past, particularly in 1960s. As others often listen to their radios, here they were inspired to compose their own song using their own language. In Antique, OKM is a term which refers to songs composed and performed by an Antiqueño artist in Kinaray-a (language spoken by the people of Antique). “Daw sa Kanami Lang” was the first Kinaray-a song that glommed the elusive musical taste of most of the Antiqueños. The song has a story to tell and an emotion to feel. But have you ever wondered who is the person behind this masterpiece?
THE FATHER OF KINARAY-A MUSIC Engr. Bernie Lagos Salcedo often called as “Tatay Bern,” is a native
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Antiqueño from Barangay Poblacion, Anini-y. He was the first to introduce the trend in OKM. He’s now a 67-year-old Chemical Engineer by profession and a former barangay captain. He was born on August 24, 1954, as the thoughtful son of Felix Legaspi Salcedo and Leoncia Erispe Lagos who were both from Anini-y. He met the love of his life, Fe Guerra Quanico in San Jose De Buenavista, Antique and are blessed to have eight loving children: seven daughters and a son. He was regarded as “Father of Kinaray-a Music” because of what he started. He finished his elementary education at Anini-y Central School. During highschool, he was undeniably excellent to where he graduated as class valedictorian. From an early age, he felt that he had a mission to fulfill; he is trained to think that when there is no leader he will take the responsibility. On top of that, he’s also a declaimer and received awards when he graduated from highschool. It was here that he began composing yells for their cheering team which allowed him to discover his hidden musical talent and this led him to compose “Daw sa Kanami Lang” in 1969. Tatay Bern is man of intellect. He attended college at the University of the Philippines -Visayas (UPV) and took Public Management but due to Martial Law at that time, his father transferred him to the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) also located in Iloilo City and took up Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. They came up with that decision because he liked to attend rallies, which caused his father to worry about what might happen to him.
K THE STORY BEHIND HIS FIRST COMPOSITION
nice it is when the one you love by your side honors her vow.)”
He has no formal music training and also learned to play a guitar by himself. Being left handed added another challenge to him. Guitars are used to be strummed by the right fingers, if you reverse the handling of the guitar the placements of the chords will change too. Tatay Bern could do nothing but to challenge himself. Most lefties have no option but to play it the same way as right handed musicians do but he still strived to play using his left hand and soon after he learned it impeccably. Actually, there are guitars exclusive for lefties but lack of money and the availability of the instrument locally was a worry for him.
After that first composition, Tatay Bern also produced a variety of songs dealing with different themes and messages such as social realities, about the province and Antiqueños, life, environment, trilogy, and oppression.
Tatay Bern enjoys jamming with his friends. His home is always considered their favorite place to sing or in the plaza with a guitar. They love The Beatles and other musical groups. Whenever they sing English songs, not everyone gets along because they cannot speak English words very well. At first they were mixing it with Tagalog until they finally replaced it with Kinaray-a, and with that version, everyone in the group was in sync. Truly, a simple enjoyment led an inspiration out of Bernie’s passion as it turned one of the reasons he began composing Kinaray-a songs.
Bernie is known for being clever in using powerful and meaningful words in his compositions that’s why it has a different effect on the listener’s emotion; you can get hooked deeply in every line that his song tries to deliver.
“Daw sa Kanami Lang” is a song about friendship. The lyrics convey different experiences of being in a group or what they call ‘barkada’; every stanza has a story to tell. Since they are an all-male group, they wanted to have female members and that’s how the second stanza of the song was formed with the line, ‘Daw sa kanami lang kung ang imo palangga sa tupad mo nagtampad sa gimsumpa (how
It was followed by “Mamingaw nga Mata” that talks about remembering the past, “Lantawa ang Adlaw” that was composed during martial law and consists of only two paragraphs; he made it a medley to his other compositions that were unfinished. “OKM had evolved because of my first composition. I taught all of my expertise in music to other artists as well as to the students. Since then they have never been discouraged to speak kinaray-a. I started composing ‘Daw sa Kanami Lang’ then followed by ‘Lantawa ang Adlaw’ because I was searching for Kinaray-a soul,” Tatay Bern said.
He taught “Lantawa Ang Adlaw” and “Katahum Kang Langit” to the students of Antique National School (ANS) and Saint Anthony’s College (SAC) for the provincial songfest adjoined with choreography. They even used it in college as their entry in the Open Pop Song Contest in the University of the Philippines (UP) System. Luckily, they bagged second place as the jury was stunned despite the language barrier. Songs like “Antique Rogya Kami”, “Katapusan Nga Pagpanakayun” and “Panahon” were some of his popular compositons as well. Tatay Bern’s passion paved the way for the province to have its own sparkle that we are very proud of today. He has made many compositions he could not remember some of them anymore. Some copies have been lost so they are defunct.
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FATHER OF ORIGINAL KINARAY-A M
ENGR. BERNIE LAGOS SALCEDO OR “TATAY BERN” IS AN ANTIQUEÑO WHO INTRODUCED THE TREND IN O
PHOTOS BY SAMUEL C STORY BY MARIANNE LOUIE JOHN SERVANC
MUSIC
OKM
CEZAR RUBIDO JR. PALCAT and CIA
EVELIO’S ROLE IN HIS JOURNEY After graduating from college, he cut his hair bald so he could not go out in order to focus for his six-month review. Fortunately, he passed the exam and became his desired profession. Immediately after the results were released, the former Antique Governor Evelio B. Javier invited him to go to his office. He wondered how Evelio knew him. Supposedly, after the results were out, he will fly straight to America to fulfill his plan of marrying the co-worker of his sister to be anAmerican citizen and live a good life there. So he did ask Evelio why he knew him and why he wanted Bernie to work with him. “When you were in college, I was watching you because of your good deeds,” Evelio said. It was Evelio’s intention to ride with what they called “76 kahoy nga bus” even as a governor. Whenever he was with a student while riding a bus, he always asked about the leader of those Antiqueños who are studying in Iloilo. The responses were the same, and it was Bernie. According to him, many highschool students were neophytes to Iloilo so he created an “Antique Desk” that helps his fellow Antiqueños get enrolled. Having low and failing grades became their problems as well so the young Bernie sought a tutor until he also even taught them freely. Eventually, Evelio was impressed. Tatay Bern said that one you should not be surprised why his life was tied to Evelio. He even said that if you took that dimension, he was just a normal person. Indeed, their encounter has a purpose to each other’s life. He would have forgetten his fiancée because he’s always with Evelio, he always sang his compositions to wherever they were headed and his recognition began here as the Father of OKM. While working at the Antique Provincial Capitol, he became a member of the performing arts called “Teatro Obrero kang Antique”, a member of a band as bass guitarist, and a member of Maragtas Cultural Association (MCA). Aklan and Capiz were some of the places they have gone to for concerts. This experience contributed a lot to him as he progressed being a composer. He may not be good at reading notes but by just listening, he could do the key. He is a musician by ears. Truly blessed in the field of music, arts, and culture, his group wrote skits for plays. It was part of his job to present this form of art in every celebration of Binirayan Festival, the festival of Antique that commemorates the legend of the arrival of the ten Bornean datus in the municipality of Hamtic. Bernie created the first part of his trilogy called “Maragtas” between 1977-1978, based on the writings of Pedro Alcantara Monteclaro about the arrival of the ten Bornean datus. Its second and third parts were followed in 1982 and the musical was finished between 1984-1998. As the years went by, some of the songs were revised due to changes in the plot. Soon after, his relationship with the governor became stronger and later he wrote a song dedicated to Evelio entitled “Ang Bata.” Moreover, he also created a script for a street theater related to the story of Jesus. The theater had seven groups and each group has its own drama. It was reenacted in San Jose De Buenavista and was localized; camel was replaced by the buffalos with sledges. They 33
selected strategic houses for the show to perform a 10-15 minutes tableau. As they walk, they continue singing as if it is like a Flores de Mayo that honors Mary through flowers and songs. Since it was composed of seven groups, it has seven albums as well. The songs were recorded in casette tapes which are already defunct hence, Bernie forgot the other songs but still had some notes left. Presently, they are planning to restore it with their own expenses before they lose memory. They are looking forward to continuing what they have started in 1978. “Ang music sangka rekado sa kabuhi kang taho (Music is a spice of life). It can make you cry, laugh, hate, love, and it can move mountains. Why? Patas kang EDSA People Power, pagkanta kang mga taho kang Bayan Ko nakita kung paano nag singgit ang tagipusuon nanda kag amo to ang nagpalayas kay Marcos (Like in EDSA People Power, when people started singing Bayan Ko, their hearts’ desire was revealed and it ousted Marcos.)” he emphasized as he describes music. The rise of Bernie’s music has inspired other people who wished to follow his footsteps and has led to the appearance of other OKM artists like Dante Beriong who is known for his themed songs, Sammy Rubido who is popular in his novelty
songwriter/composer. He is an Economics major at Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU). After he graduated, he worked as an economics instructor at Saint Anthony’s College (SAC) where he met his wife, Felisa Beluso, who happened to be his student. Aside from being an officer in charge at the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent of Department of Education (DepEd) Antique, his wife once became a disc jockey (DJ) before they were met by fate and now they’re blessed with four children with ears for music as what their parents have.
HOW HE STARTED AS A COMPOSER Never in his wildest dreams did he think that someday he would be a musician. Ukulele, a small guitar-like instrument with four nylon strings, was the first instrument that his father bought him; he used to play a free reed wind instrument called harmonica as well. At a very young age he was exposed to many musical types: classical, music of The Beatles, country and folk songs. Unlike other OKM artists, Dante didn’t start composing Kinaray-a songs. At the Ateneo Himigsikan competition in the late 70’s, he joined using his first composition in highschool entitled “For Agnes,” dedicated to a woman who was problematic in life. It followed in 1995 after he tried again his luck but he lost to his classmate, Arnel De Pano, a conductor and a member of Ateneo Glee Club who was the composer of “Lead Me Lord” and “Lipad na Pangarap.”
DANTE BERIONG IS BEHIND THE PHILIPPINE CENTENIAL SONG “MABUHAY KA, PILIPINO.”
songs, and Noel Alamis who is loved by people for his sensual songs. These three are just a few Antiqueño artists who pursued the path to OKM. Consequently, they are much loved and admired for providing diversity of genres.
Dante Beriong: Panay’s King of Festival Songs Probably, in just the first beat of the song you would know that it belongs to him. But would you believe that some of his compositions were written while he was driving a motorcycle? How eccentric, right? For some, the noise caused by the vehicles is irksome but it turned a blessing to him for it was able to bestow an idea in spawning a beat. He has this bizarre way of composing but once it was aired, inevitably, it will leave a mark as his passion aspires to plant a seed of hope, inspiration, and joy.
A REAL VIRTUOSO WITH A HEART OF SERVICE A former Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Member in the province, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member of his town of San Jose de Buenavista , Community Organizer, and an Assistant Chief of Protocol in the Office of the Philippine Senate for seven years, Dante Beriong is now living his life as a freelance
After losing to Arnel, his composition entitled “How Can I” won in the regional competition. It was his first regional championship songwriting award under the Department of Tourism. This song automatically qualified as a national finalist where he competed against the likes of Lani Misalucha, Dulce and Angelica dela Cruz. From being his competitor, Arnel became the arranger of Dante’s entry in the Search for the Philippine Centennial Independence Theme Song Competition. The year 1998 marked the 100th anniversary of the Philippine Independence. This year brought opportunities to all aspiring musicians who once dreamed of fulfilling their hopes to have a limelight. Imagine, the first to clinch that once-in-a-lifetime victory is an Antiqueño. His composition “Mabuhay ka, Pilipino!” was chosen for the theme song of Philippine Centennial Celebration. His generosity of his talent brought honor to the province of Antique. Eventually, his name is already written in history and as part of the historical literature in the Philippines. “The winning glory of my success is the ‘Mabuhay ka, Pilipino!’ Whenever someone asks, who wrote it? It doesn’t matter who, people may not know me but the fact that it was written by an Antiqueño is the most important thing,” he said.
DANTE AS AN OKM ARTIST After such national recognitions, he asked himself, “I have won the national competition but why couldn’t I make a song for my province?” “Why didn’t I even think of writing a song in my own language?” So many realizations have come to him that it has led to the making of the project called “The Search for the Theme Song of the Province of Antique.” All the possible ways were done by Dante himself, from finding fund sponsors up to making it adopted by the province legally. On the other hand, that excitement turned to sadness because as the project organizer, it disqualified him from joining the search for Antique’s theme song. It never stopped him though. He wrote “Antique, Antiqueño,”which was supposedly his entry had he been allowed to participate. 34
TRUTH BEHIND THE ANTIQUE’S PROVINCIAL THEME SONG Romeo ‘Katz’ Amerila is known as the composer of the Provincial Theme Song “Antique, Banwa Nga Hamili.” He wrote the music of the song. But it was Dante Beriong who wrote the lyrics. Likewise, Cesar Bandiola contributed some words in the theme song. “I did that for the love of the province. I may have bent over the rules a bit as a sidelined participant so we did not declare my role as lyricist. I let time pass by but let me correct history.”
OTHER COMPOSITIONS There was a night before when the electricity went out when Dante remembered Evelio who was always proud of the Antiqueños who are successful elsewhere yet look back to the province where they came from. So he asked himself what song he would dedicate to Antique. So he composed a homecoming song “Mauli Gid Ako Sa Antique” a song dedicated to all Antiqueños around the world who left the province for the sake of their families, making a living and seeking educational advancement. They are referred to as Layas Antiqueño. “If our people are outside and are doing well, making good money, they come home, they send help to the province but how do you encourage them to be generous out of their hearts and their resources? Dapat palanggaun gid natun probinsya ta, di bala? (We should love our hometown, right?)” he said. Indeed, it was made not for competition but because of the passion to move the hearts of Antiqueños to remember where they came from. Because of his exposure in the music industry, people continued to admire his talent which led him to gain commissioned work and led him to be regarded as “Panay’s King of Festival Songs”. “Go! Western Visayas Go! (2004 West Visayas Regional Athletic Meet Theme Song), Hala Bira! Iloilo! (Dinagyang Festival Theme Song of Iloilo City), Binirayan, Krruuhhaay! (Binirayan Festival Theme Song), Krruuhhaay! Katahum Kang Antique! (Provincial Tourism Program Song), Kadarag-An Kang Pamilya, Kadarag-An Kang Banwa (Reproductive Health Program Theme Song), Hamtic, Matahum Kag Maragtasun Nga Banwa (Municipal Theme Song of Hamtic, Antique), Sebaste, Banwa Nga Palangga Ko (Municipal Theme Song of Sebaste, Antique), O Banwa Ko Nga Laua-an (Municipal Theme Song of Laua-an, Antique), Tibiao, Tibiao (Municipal Theme Song of Tibiao, Antique), Kabuganaan (1997 World Food Day Celebration Theme Song), Estrella Del Norte, Bayan Ng Taytay (Municipal Theme Song of Taytay, Palawan), Banigan (Banigan Festival Theme Song of Libertad, Antique), and Tatusan (Tatusan Festival Song of Caluya, Antique). “Don’t belittle the song writers by saying kanta lang man ra man-an na kara! There are tangible and intangible things. Life is incredible. It comprises two thing:; the material and the spiritual. Music is spirit. Poetry is spirit. Art is spirit,” he added. “I hope that when you do things, you do it with the perspective that we can contribute to our progress - personal and family as well as in the community.”
SAMMY RUBIDO: PRINCE OF NOVELTY SONGS Imagine a world without music, what would it be like? Would it be a world as colorful as it is? I guess not. Life without music, would be chaotic. That’s how Samuel Cezar Rubido Sr. aka “Sammy Rubido”, a very talented man with a nice personality anticipated life to be without 35
music. Sammy is one of a million people who took courage in voyaging the challenging route in the sea of music industry in Antique, wherein he was tagged as the “Prince of Novelty Songs”. It is believed that Antique achieved its tagline: “The Rising Star of Western Visayas” because of the richness and abundance of its cultural heritage and tourist spots. Sammy is one of the people who are behind the province’s success. He is currently working at the Provincial Tourism Office assigned in Cultural Tourism. Since then, Sammy was tied with his love for the culture and arts of the province. His meritorious deeds have reached its peak of success when he lived his dream as a singer-songwriter of OKM. If not because of OKM, he possibly remained as a dreamer and didn’t become what he is now.
OKM AS DEEMED BY SAMMY Music evolves diversely depending on its time. Music before was different to what it is now. What’s good in the existence of OKM is that it served as the identity of Antiquenos. Identity in such a way that when a certain person is out of the province and OKM is heard, they certainly say with pride “taga-Antique ako” and “amo ra kanami ang pangabuhi sa Antique.” OKM was deemed by him as something that gives color to one’s life, same as how it colored his own.
Same in songwriting, very rare but when you capture something special, may it be a line, a tune or an inspiration, you finally have a treasure in front of you... You better not let it go,” he added. One day, Sammy witnessed a couple quarrel. The husband hit his wife. That’s what led Sammy in composing his song “Araguy, Inday”. According to him, “ginbaliskad ko ang sitwasyon, para bisan sa kanta man lang makabalos man ang bahi (I switched the circumstance in order that the woman could get even.)” Believe it or not, but his song Manangguete has its surprising reason behind it. It was his own experience in meeting the love of his life, his wife, Ma. Lerio Namia Rubido whom he had four talented children in the field of arts. It was in such time, that he accompanied his friend, a manangguete in climbing coconut trees. Upon climbing, Sammy was captured by a beautiful maiden washing clothes inside a cubicle made and surrounded by sacks without a cover above head. In his song he even described the woman as if at first sight that woman captured his heart. Among his popular songs are Pamalaran, Patadyong ni Inday, Bayle and many more. But the very well known song of Sammy that gave him his spotlight is Pangabuhi sa Uma that detailed how struggling yet fulfilling the life of Antiquenos in uma (farm) is. He also higlighted that the youth should make time in honoring their own. Because if not, time will come that OKM along with our identity will be forgotten.
SAMMY RUBIDO AND HIS BANDMATES
“Nami kaja ay naghawan dun ang aragyan, kay sa amun panahon tama ka lisod... Sa mga pamatan-on, dapat may mabulos gid kanamon nga magapadayon kang OKM para sa identidad kang mga Antiqueno, dapat natun suportaran ang kultura nga Kinaray-a (It is easier now that the path is clear... the youth should replace us in pursuing OKM as an Antiqueño identity, we should patronize Kinaray-a culture”, he advised.
NOEL ALAMIS: THE CONCERT KING OF ANTIQUE “OKM is comparable to color. If many were wearing red shirts and you decided to wear a white shirt, you become the center of attraction. People will tend to focus on something different, something new. That’s why I’ve decided to compose Kinaray-a music to satisfy people’s zeal for something unique,” he said. He has been a member of Panublion Antique - Cultural NGO which pushed him to focus on his own language and not the foreign ones. It was quite challenging journey on how his songs flowed with OPM and foreign songs in the music industry. It was in the year of 1990, were he sailed his first boat in the sea of music industry. Together with other OKM artists, Sammy pursued his career in composing OKM until such time that Antiqueños open-heartedly accepted it.
SAMMY AS AN OKM ARTIST Sammy contributes to society through music are based on real-life situations and culture of Antiqueños. For him, one of the major ingredients in composing songs is inspiration. It was his inspiration that led him to compose several songs that are trendy until now. These songs are now available in Youtube and Spotify, because according to him, his songs should be relevant. “People ask me how I make music. I tell them it was just like catching a very rare species called umbok, very hard to catch...
She’s not been forgotten, his first love The first he liked and looked up like a dove The one, he asked, he begged from above But sadly, it ended as an unrequited love She has been the reason for him to giggle And caused his heart a feeling of tickle But why? Why is their chance of love so little? Heart filled with pain, music he found to win his battle Once a boy, now a man, a lucky one named Noel. As what is believed by many, love moves in mysterious ways. It is unpredictably chaotic but when felt, it’s still wonderful. Any relationship, may it be a failure or a success, plays a valuable role in one’s life stories. The people we love tend to become teachers that give lessons of life and serve as mirrors that reflects one’s self, inner self. Most people come into one’s life to strengthen them so that they can move forward - many times alone, just like how Noel Alamis, the Concert King of Antique, did after experiencing difficulty in life and unrequited love. His journey is bittersweet. Who would have ever thought that his unrequited love became the precedent of his success? His song Ang Probinsyana Gwapa is intentionally dedicated for his childhood crush in Lindero, Laua-an. 36
Noel Alamis is now a Board Member of the North District Province of Antique and is one of the singer-songwriters of OKM whom without hesitation helped in lifting up and flaming the identity of Antiquenos in the music industry.
A DREAMER AND A BELIEVER Through music, he finally found his way. Once a dreamer, now a successful OKM singer-songwriter. Born to a poor family, he grew up without a proper guidance, care and love from parents. Poverty brought him to deep thinking. Deep thinking such as “what will he become in the future?” and “how will he be able to live tomorrow?” With his forward thinking and God-given talent, he started trekking towards the mountainous road of success. Once a believer, now an achiever. Since then, he believed his talent could save him, and it definitely did. His talent in singing and songwriting made him well known by many and enabled him to enter the world of politics which in turn made him become more aggressive in composing more songs. Plato once said, “music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Music was deemed by Noel as something that is liked and loved by everybody. It is something that is easily captured by the heart for it is encrypted with emotions. According to him “Ang music gapanalupsup sa baratyagon kang taho (music seeps through the heart of a person)”. It could even change people’s feeling, mood and perspective.
NOEL AS AN OKM ARTIST It has been years and Noel had produced many OKMs. Some of them were Diskarte ni Lolo, Balikbayan, Nagakitaay Bukid kag Baybay, Lugar Kang Paghigugma, Lagaw Ta Sa Antique and many more. Above everything else, Noel thanked God for letting his song Ang Probinsyana Gwapa seep throught the heart of Antiqueños. When it comes to OKM, Noel pointed out that it is very important that one composes the song if that song which relates to the life of the people. In composing OKM one should take the challenge. The challenge of making OKM keep its raging fire in the music industry. “Sa kadyaa amat-amat gatahaw ang OKM (Presently, OKM is losing its edge). It will take time. Hidlaw-hidlaw lang man ra mung. (It depends on longingness). Patas bala ka pag-uli ka bakasyonista nga gayapa-yapa gid ang mga taho dara kang kahidlaw, sa kanta amu man ra (Like people who are stoked to see their loved ones coming home, it is the same for songs) Time will come, it will happen again nga ang mga Antiqueno mayapa-yapa pagid sa OKM (that Antiqueños will be stoked to hear OKM),” he said.
THE KEYS TO NOEL’S SUCCESS Attitude. Creativity. Persistence. These are the three keys to success in Noel’s life. The first one to consider is attitude. Talent, intellect and anything else would be nothing if one doesn’t have a good attitude and a nice personality to the people around. Spreading love and positivity is a good thing for it surely comes back in triple folds. The next one is creativity. It is a must in today’s time. There are thousands or even millions who keep on composing songs and if you stick to what is usual and ordinary, success for sure is far beyond what is expected. The third thing is persistence. There will be no success for those who quit. So, Noel advices the young generation to never quit because with persistence, success is not just visible but is also attainable. “Never stop. Once napungko ikaw, gin-umpisahan mo, tapusa. Hindi run maghulat ka sunod nga adlaw (One you sat down to start something, finish it. Do not wait for tomorrow),” he said. Dante, Sammy, and Noel were not the only ones who followed Bernie’s footsteps in exploring the challenging world of OKM. Mark Quintella, Noel Tabo-Tabo, Edmund Infante, and Katz Amerila also furnished color and life to OKM which continued to gain diversity.
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NOEL ALAMIS IS THE MARTIN NIEVERA OF ANTIQUE BEING THE CONCERT KING OF THE PROVINCE.
They do not compete with their compositions because they have the same purpose; to capture the hearts of the listeners and enrich their own music. We are deeply grateful for their contribution that revolutionized the views of Antiqueños in OKM. The so-called buki music was replaced with praise and acceptance. The shame then was displaced by pride. And what was once avoided is now being supported. Perhaps many young Antiqueños today want to continue what our OKM artists have started. As time goes by, we will be able to watch our own music continue to evolve, from the composer and to their masterpiece. OKM will remain as the unique identity of Antiqueños. OKM tells us who we are.
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SOCIETY & CULTURE
According to our ancestors, the universe is composed of seven layers. The fourth of which is Lupa (land) where the humans and spirits alike dwell. The spirits who live amongst humans are known as tamawo, kama-kama, mangingilaw, mantiw, kapre, sigbin, bawa, and aswang. These beings are also known as lupan-un in the local language. Between the humans and these spirits, there exists special people who act as vessels of communication. They are called maaram or babaylan.
In the province of Antique, there are towns whose babaylans still exist. Tobias Fornier, also known as Dao, hosts a number of babaylans who officiate in the traditional practices. Andong*, a native inhabitant of Dao is regarded by his town as maaram or babaylan. His ancestry as maaram was passed through generations and among the five members of his family, he inherited the gift of a babaylan’s wisdom from his ancestors. In his first six years as maaram, Andong struggled in accepting such gift.
MAARAM:
Tradition of ages WRITTEN BY
DIANA ROSE LAMPASA, SANDIE GED NICHOLAS MINAVES and BRYAN ZANDER BACONGA
Between the humans and the spirits, there exists special people who act as vessels of communication. They are called maaram or babaylan.
Although a maaram is involved with practicing what is known by the public as witchcraft, he also believes in God and constantly communicates with Him through prayer. “Holy week is the most sacred time for sacrifices and offering. Pagpangalap or looking for medicinal plants to be used in curing illnesses is done during this week. We search in dangerous places like caves, steep cliffs and mountains,” Andong said. The maaram believes that Tuesdays and Fridays are the most powerful days in doing rituals. They believed that plants gathered during this time acquired bertud or inherited power to heal. Andong performed several rituals as a maaram in his town. Among these rituals is batak ka dungan (calling out a person’s soul). Batak ka dungan is explained in its origin as an invisible entity or duplicate of a living person. This dungan resides in the person until death. It has been said that a person with weak dungan easily gets sick. The ancestors believed that a person’s stronger dungan can overpower another’s weak one. Andong also performs pabulag sa kalag (to separate from the soul of the dead) usually done when the cause of sickness is the spirit of the dearly departed. The ritual food required inthe practice of this ritual is a bangkilan’s (wild boar) meat. This is performed in order to free the victim from the lure of the spirits.
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The maaram uses pamulso (getting the pulse rate), luy-a (using ginger in performing a ritual), pagpakot (divination), itlog (egg ritual), kandila (candle ritual), and the victim’s clothes in diagnosing sickness. Through the urasyon (magical chants), hurobaton (formularies), use of libretto (religious booklet), panguyang (food offering), tu-ob (smoking), lubu-ob (steaming), dirigos (medicinal drinks), pamanyos (applying medicinal herbs), and laway (application of saliva). These traditional healing methods vary in its usage depending on the particular illness.
*not his real name
“I do not want to pass my gift to my children. I do not wantr them to be burdened by the great responsibilty of possessing such extraordinary gift of healing,” Andong He emphasized that the maaram absorbs the negative energies from the diseases and suffer from dizziness, loss of appetite and overfatigue. It requires concentration and strong faith in order to succeed the healing process. For them, the failure to conduct such healing method meant sickness, poor harvest or catch, melancholic life, and weakening of one’s dungan or soul of the living person that resides with her/him wherever, she/he goes. The maaram or the babaylan hold the samba or the worship of the ancestors twice a year. Like Andong, who perform such ritual explained that samba is done during April on Good Friday, to ask for the rain and on October to give thanks to the ancestral and environmental spirits. This is done through chant, dance, and pray. He added that there are two types of maaram, the Panghilawod (Sea), and the Pangdutan-un (land) that is the reason why there is what we called, Samba sa Dagat and Samba sa Bukid.
Samba sa Dagat also called, panaet (peace) where coastal or seaside households offer a food into a nigo (bamboo tray). Ritual foods consist of dressed chicken, puso – or the native term for a rice cooked inside young coconut leaves, inalupi (ground glutinous or non-glutinous rice cooked in banana leaves), bunga (betel nut), and buyo (betel leaves). The ceremony starts at seven in the evening and ends at two in the morning. This long ceremony is for making peace offerings with the sea spirits who can bring sickness and cause accident to fishermen. Like the Samba sa Dagat, Samba sa Bukid also done by the gatherings of the villagers. This ceremony performed every year to ask for rain for good rice harvest. The ceremony consists of seven babaylans and each one waiting for his turn to dance. This is done near a spring for it was believed that it is the exact time to worship their ancestors. These maaram or the babaylans had the skills to cure diseases. They are also skilled in making amulets in protection for the evil spirits. The samba ritual can be seen particularly in the town of Tobias Fornier.
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F
For ordinary people, joining in a funeral is also joining the mourners mourn but for a group of elders that performs luwa in a funeral is both mourning and having fun. To them, luwa is their source of entertainment when there’s death funeral.
Lakat sang madali
The performing of luwa is as old as the ancestors of Antique. It was already there before the people were referred as Filipinos, and even before adapting a foreign culture. Luwa is an indigenous poem that is usually done in funerals and is mostly expressed in couplet with a rhyme scheme.
Nagbilin ang amay, lumismo ang iloy Iya dili pagpatyon ang kahoy nga lumboy.
For the elders of the most far-flung barangay of Bugasong, Barangay Igsoro, this is how luwa is played... Before performing a luwa, there should be a game first that is played with a chant called belasyon. The elders call the chant bordon where there’s a king, a queen, and a queen’s company. The following is an excerpt from the bordon of elders of Igsoro: Bordon de las kwerdas Bordon de las bornades
Singsing, ay abaw singsing
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Pakadto sa rayna, sa ginoong hari
Ang kahoy nga lumboy, doble ang produkto bunga ginakaon, dahon sigarilyo Anhon si pagkuha si Inday sa kalipayan Pakasal kon may pilak, husay nga bulawan Ahay nina dali-dali Tan-awa ang hamili sa idalom nagahibi, Nagahibi kay nagsungon Binayaan mo sing dayon Tan-awa ang korason...
SOCIETY & CULTURE
Reviving the dying culture for the dead WRITTEN BY JORIELYN E. MARTIZANO Si Florente ang nadula, si Florente nga nagaluhod sa sadtong baras Nga tagatuhod nagasinggit ay Abaw utod, si Florente na ang nalunod... Si Ontoy nga nagahapa-hapa sadtong baras nga tagahita Nagasinggit, Ay abaw si Inday ang nadula.
During the belasyon, the king stands in the middle surrounded by the queen and the queen’s company. The king would give a ring to the queen and the latter would give it to her company so that the king will not catch or see the ring. The luwa will officially start if the king sees and gets the ring with the king is the first in the sequence followed by the queen, and then her company. The luwa will end if all of the participants have performed their luwa. One example of a luwa is “Lapakan ko hagdan biak, si Nene warat migo baghak.” However, if the king fails to get or even get the ring, the reyna will say “Boro!” and the king will perform a luwa depending
on the queen’s choice since the game is not just about doing luwa but also accepting dares. It is the queen’s company that executes and speaks for the queen and goes like this. King: Ay! Ay! Members: Betor! King: What’s your bet? Members: Maluwa (or gives the dare)! For the elders, the belasyon is sacred that it is prohibited to be chanted when there is no funeral like it is a taboo. They give no reason why and simply say that it is bad. It is a secret of their culture and as a secret that will may remain that way. Perhaps, it is only the mountain dwellers left who perform this tradition that are only passed orally from the ancestors to their descendants. The luwa in Igsoro may have been successfully passed to the generation that lives with technology but it may not be the same with the luwa(s) that the community first performed. Nevertheless, the luwa endured. The luwa endured almost four centuries of marriage of the culture of East and West. Now, luwa endures as a tradition in the m idst of modernization. 42
DOUSED
WRITTEN BY NIÑA RICA BELMONTE
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HEALTH
Withered as the leaves is what a smoker’s life is like. Plain in appearance and dry when touched. Too cold to be placed into flame and be doused into the reality that smoking will always be a factor of health issues. As a cigarette is expertly lit up by those hands, a fire of more wanting for smoke is ignited within you. An unending saga of needing what is not the essential and is not safe. As those lips touch the stick, your soul embraces the habit—the deed of smoking. As those eyes fidget in ecstasy, a smoker’s life would be placed on a straight line; whether it is death or emptiness. But it does not only consume a single person. You should count the people around you in, as well. As they inhale what was lighted, smokers and secondhand smoke victims will go through the same process of an unhealthy lifestyle. In some cases, the latter would even take in a harder go. Smoking has been responsible for more than 117, 700 people killed by tobacco- caused disease every year in the Philippines and an estimated number of 3,000 non- smoking adults from secondhand smoke. This type of smoke causes lung cancer and triggers heart diseases which makes 71,850 Filipinos suffer every hour as per statistics. In connection with this, 18 municipalities in the province of Antique have already implemented anti- smoking ordinances in order to protect the public from exposure to cigarette smoke that can cause serious health damage according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in an interview on Panay News. Sibalom, being one of the municipalities that is implementing smoking ban today as per Municipal Ordinance No. 9, series of 2018 or the Comprehensive Smoke- Free Ordinance has been on watch for the smokers especially in public establishments since Mayor Joel P. Occeña has issued an Executive Order in support to the aforementioned campaign. To address the situation, local police officers started following protocols upon the implementation of the Municipal Ordinance. Platoon Police NonCommissioner Officer (PNCO), PSMS Jackson P. Janod, Jr. shared that there are no specific civilians who were given tickets in a barangay about the case for now but as long as it is a present- day ordinance, majority of the people will follow protocols and can save money. Police officers are serving as the implementing bodies of this campaign and they are enforcers of the upper bodies. “The focus of smoking ban is to protect the people’s health since cigarettes are a host of pollution and the government has potentially seen this matter to be addressed. One example are smokers inside the jeepneys or public places that lack discipline. They are unaware that there could be kids and pregnant women in the same place and just proceed with their thing that is why the government could be strict,” he added.
Moreover, in response with the needs of the mass and as part of the executive order, a maximum penalty of P2,500.00 will be casted among those who will be caught red handed. This includes smoking in public or work establishments. Those who are also sellers or advertisers of any kind of cigarette, tobacco and electronic cigarette will also be arrested as long as they are within a hundred-meter radius scope of the prohibited areas. It is a reminder to the public that smoking affects your lungs badly. Coughs, colds and asthma are just a start of it. Fatal diseases can also develop such as pneumonia, emphysema and lung cancer. Aside from this, cigarette butts are a toxic waste to the environment as they contain chemicals that can contaminate waterways such as canals and even ground soil or worse, discarded lit cigarettes have cases to cause fires that can damage domes and properties. “This is hard for us, smokers as we were used to smoking already. This would have a big impact on our body and our needs,” stated a civilian who is a smoker of cigarette. However, on the other hand, seven out of 10 respondents agreed to the total implementation of Smoking Ban as it would reduce the risk of second-hand smoke and the nuisance from smokers. Let all the thoughts about smoking wither away with its ashes as how those lips should be brusheds with no chemicals. Lift those fingers up not to ignite a flame of regression but of progress. Taking a life does not feel as comforting as coming home. A smoker’s hand may be hard to control but it can be doused with the accurate information to stop what was started. To make known what is actually happening with just box consumed and to introduce the right habit—supporting smoking ban.
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covid-19 A thief in the night
WRITTEN BY MARIANNE PALCAT and LOUIE JOHN SERVANCIA
i
It was January 2020 when we were starting to gain our new hopes for the new year, setting goals for self-betterment, and fulfilling our bucket list. But as couple of months pass quietly, there was a sudden turbulence that not only halted us from working on our goals but also caused precious lives as we were blanketed by a suspected airborne disease called nCoV or novel coronavirus. It is indeed very hard to suppress an enemy that cannot be seen or touched. It is very challenging to win a fight against something that works and spreads beyond man’s ability. As of July 2020, the country’s confirmed cases rose up to over 40, 000 amidst the implementation of government protocols and ordinances and observing safety precautions as advised by LGUs. As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new strain of virus first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. COVID-19 is known to target a person’s respiratory system. Infected patients may exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and in some cases, muscle pain and sore throat. Some patients may also be asymptomatic, those who present no symptoms of disease. This is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus. Trepidation paved its way to the remaining unguarded provinces as Bacolod confirmed its first case on March 20 which brought Western Visayas to its first recorded case, a precursor for the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Antique. With the governor strictly imposing a border lockdown, Antiqueños were complacent that acquiring the disease is far-fetched, until a 74-year-old man from Parañaque City arrived in Semirara Island on March 9, who was observed having symptoms and was later on confirmed as positive for SARS-CoV 2, the strain of coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) “We are having a difficulty in suppressing it because it is a newly discovered type of disease hence the limited amount of information on treatment. Active participation of each member of the community and implementing a comprehensive approach are effective ways in controlling the disease,” Dr. Leoncio Q. Abiera Jr., Provincial Health Officer II of IPHO-Antique said. 45
Dr. Abiera also introduced the 4R’s in controlling the spread of the disease. This includes resilience (both physical and mental) of individuals which would improve their health status by taking care of their immune system. Since this pandemic created panic and made us paranoid, individuals should learn to calm their minds and avoid negativity in their thoughts. Reducing transmission, reduction of contact and reducing the duration of disease completed the said prevention. “If we practice physical distancing, new normal, and minimum health standards, at least we could say that we’re protected. Cognitive restructuring and health advancement is what we need,” he pointed out. Presently, the province of Antique under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) has two new confirmed cases with 14 recoveries. The MGCQ is the newly implemented strategy by the province wherein the reduction of transport and contact was remained, mass gatherings were allowed as long as participants are limited to 50%, offices and establishments were allowed to operate providing the proper implementation of guidelines and individuals aging 21 to 59 without COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities are allowed to go out from home and travel within the region. It has been months that the community quarantine restrictions were eased, which caused an increase to the country’s cases, from thousands to fold of thousands. Though the mortality rate of the said disease is low, it is still very alarming for it continues to spread everywhere. To reduce the dispersion of the disease it has been highly advised by the experts to stay at home, maintain social distancing and obey the provided safety measures
HEALTH
DR. LEONCIO Q. ABIERA JR., PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICER II OF IPHO-ANTIQUE, DISCUSSES THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS THAT THE PROVINCE HAS IMPLEMENTED. HE ENCOURAGED ANTIQUEÑOS TO PRACTICE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.
by the Department of Health (DOH) such as by washing hands regularly with soap and water.
“If we practice physical distancing, new normal, and minimum health standards, at least we could say that we’re protected. Cognitive restructuring and health advancement is what we need.”
Until now, the research for the vaccine is still in its stage for clinical trials and we are just relying on some western, traditional and home remedies that may alleviate symptoms of COVID-19. For instance, governor of Cebu suggested tuob or steam inhalation as a cure for COVID-19. However, doctors in Cebu do not agree that steam inhalation can kill viruses. On the other hand, there are a lot of information spreading that led to some misconceptions. One of this is the identification of confirmed cases wherein people are confused about testing measures such as the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). RDT is the screening procedure of antibodies that are present. IgG test detects IgG antibodies and indicate that you may have had COVID-19 in the recent past and have developed antibodies that may protect you from future infection. In IgM test, your body slowly develops antibodies of IgM. When IgM is detected you may be infected and can be a probable case. Lastly, the RTPCR is the confirmatory test that detects the nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2in upper and lower respiratory specimens. 46
mental fortitude The toughness of mind most millenials need WRITTEN BY
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KORINA AURELIO and DAVEN LUIS ARAGON
T
“There is no health without mental health”.
When we hear the words “mental health”, what often comes into mind? What words or scenarios do we usually associate with the term? We talk about mental health on social media platforms; this is done by sharing articles related to it, putting up posts to raise awareness, and to reach out to those who might feel like they do not have a voice to talk about their mental and emotional struggles. But what does mental health really mean? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “…a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. On the other hand, Medilexicon’s medical dictionary defines mental health as “a state of psychological well-being in which one has achieved a satisfactory integration of one’s instinctual drives acceptable to both oneself and one’s social milieu; an appropriate balance of love, work, and leisure pursuits. Unlike what most would commonly link with the term, it does not portray the presence of mental illnesses or disorders but rather, the absence of them. It is often misused and interchangeably being used in substitute of mental illnesses. When we say mental health, it tackles about our mental well-being. This encompasses the spectrum of our emotions, our thoughts and feelings, our capabilities in solving our problems and overcoming the difficulties that we face on an everyday basis, the connections and the relationships that we share with the people around us, and the way we understand the world. One of the most important parts of mental health is the ability to perceive things realistically. Having good mental health doesn’t necessarily mean that we are happy all the time or that we don’t have any problems weighing us down; it’s about being able to cope up with the challenges and stressful events and continuing on living despite them. Mental illnesses (which is also referred to as mental health conditions/ disorders), however, is defined as an illness which affects the way people think, behave, and feel around others. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, it is specifically referred to as a “syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. According to the Philippines Statistics Authority in 2010, 14% from the population of 1.4 million Filipinos with disabilities were identified to have mental disorders. In the data provided by the Department of Health in the year 2005, only 88 out of 100, 000 cases were reported for every population, an underestimation of its prevalence considering that mental illness is the third most prevalent form of morbidity reported by the National Statistics Office. The Department of Health released a statement last 2019, stating that a total of 3.3. million Filipinos are suffering from depressive disorders with suicide rates 2.5 and 1.7 per 100, 000 in males and females, respectively. It was also noted that there are 800, 000 people who die from suicide each year, as said by the World Health Organization.
HEALTH Because there are many assumptions, beliefs, and stories that surround mental health and mental disorders, the stigma continues to grow and continue in the Philippines. On June 2018, the Philippine Mental Health Act was signed into law. This is otherwise known as the Republic Act of 11036. The Philippine Mental Health Act protects the rights of the patients, stated as follows: “a right to freedom from discrimination, right to protection from torture, cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment; right to aftercare and rehabilitation; right to be adequately informed about psychosocial and clinical assessments; right to participate in the treatment plan to be implemented; right to evidence-based or informed consent; right to confidentiality; and right to counsel, among others”. This law highlights the importance of psychosocial support to be given to the family of the patients when needed and to include them if the patients were to undergo treatment. Not only does it put importance on the mental struggles of the people but also the relevance and the roles of mental health professionals. This law protects their rights in participating in the treatment of their patients and to work in an environment that is safe for them. The law also seeks to educate more people about mental health by promoting programs related to it in schools and organizations. Why is it important to break the stigma that surrounds mental health and the people who continue to suffer from mental illnesses? Social stigma and the continuous degradation of a person can worsen one’s mental health, putting him in a situation where he is too afraid to be open about his feelings. It can make it hard for someone to recover as negative feelings start to arise such as hopelessness and fear. Everyone, may it be someone who’s suffering from mental illnesses or is free from them, has a role to play in breaking the stigma in order to provide and promote a much healthier mental health community. One of the ways is to learn more about mental illnesses and taking personal experiences into account. By sharing this information to your family, friends, and colleagues, you are helping them open their eyes and making them see that people are more than what is being labeled to them as. Treat everyone with respect and do not let negative judgments cloud your perspective.
There is a stigma that surrounds mental illnesses in Asian countries and cultures. People with mental illnesses are often discriminated and viewed as violent and dangerous. There is even a belief that supernatural forces are behind mental illnesses. In addition to that, it is viewed as a collectivist culture and the discussion of mental health struggles are seen as disrespectful and is not socially accepted, in other contexts. There are instances where people who suffer from disorders are labeled demeaning nicknames associated with their struggles. 48
WRITTEN BY FRANCIS MISSION PHOTOS BY DAVID QUIMPO/ HARIBON FOUNDATION INC. 49
WILDLIFE
DULUNGAN
Nest builders of hope and persistence THE FLAGSHIP BIRD SPECIES OF THE PROVINCE OF ANTIQUE Under the scorching heat of the sun, groves align both sides of the trail, with their foliage resembling a verdant canopy for avid scouters. Footsteps through the bushy tuft produce sounds as they traverse towards the glade in the lawn of the forest. Campers have to trek approximately five to seven kilometers in order to reach the mountain top. Upon reaching the peak, a flock of birds can be seen flying to the west. After a while, they heard a screech ten meters away from their tents. Everyone gathered in the pinnacle to witness the magnificent hues of birds reflected in the apparent descent of the sun at the horizon. As the gray light dusked the camping site, the bonfires begin to light. 50
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According to the Philippine Geography, our country is rich in natural resources including the different species of plants and animals that may help contribute in maintaining the equilibrium of our ecosystem. For most tourists visiting the Philippines, Panay in Western Visayas, is considered as one of the most visited islands because of its undiscovered tourist spots. Nevertheless, Panay is not only a place for vacations and tours, but it is also a home to a number of endemic but threatened and critically endangered species. One of which is the Rufous-headed Hornbill. Among the most threatened in the wild, the Rufousheaded Hornbill or Walden’s Hornbill also called as Visayan Wrinkled Hornbill or Writhed-Billed Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus Waldeni) known locally as “Dulungan”, is one of the 11 hornbill species that can be found in the rainforests on the islands of Negros and Panay. Dulungan has its own unique and distinct features in order to recognize their sexes. The male has rufous head, neck and upper breast. It showcases red and yellow on its head and beaks, and the rest of the body plumage blackish with glossed green upperparts, has orange bare orbital angular skin. While the female boasts a pop of blue against its crimson throat, has white bare orbital and gular skin paired with blue and black underparts. Both males and females have ocular skins that make them more attractive and pleasing regardless of their notorious goat-like call. Despite of their resounding outcry and grotesque resemblance, Rufous-Headed Hornbills are the most elusive among any other hornbills but these Dulungans can also be found in the province of Antique particularly in the montane forests of Culasi and lush mountains of Sebaste. Because of the abundance of its various biological diversity, Antique has become not just a habitat for plants and animals but reckons as the sanctuary of wildlife. Dulungans are one of the most responsible birds because they have the bizarre method of protecting their young in which they are highly territorial and eager to defend their nest site. Unlike other bird species, 51
Dulungan has a unique habit of nesting in hollow trees. However, these birds are slow breeders and the breeding season is their weakest period but Dulungan parents work together to ensure their chicks’ survival. As the females burrowed inside their nests nursing the young, the males tend to fly around looking for food and return home to feed their hungry chicks. Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. or simply known as Haribon Foundation, is the country’s pioneering environmental conservation organization advocating biodiversity conservation through building constituents, empowering communities and applying multidisciplinary research. The Haribon Society, on its founding years, yields on bird conservation where they conduct research, collaborates with local agencies, communities and indigenous people, and engage different groups and individuals in an exhilarating quest for the Specie of Hope and globally-threatened Dulungan. Their journey over the decades has extricated captivating verity about the Philippine birds that are in most need of protection and security, including their habitats. As an educational institution, University of Antique (UA) was tapped by the Haribon Foundation to become one of its partners for the implementation of the school-based information campaign and conduct researches to raise awareness about the Dulungan, to promote a various community-based intervention to save the species and engage the youth on biodiversity conservation in more creative ways. In response to this proposal, through the formulation of the Critical Habitat Management Plan (CHMP), UA was able to conduct workshops to introduce Dulungan to students and encourage them to take part on this advocacy. “In order to preserve the forest, you have also to preserve the Dulungan for they are the seed dispensers or farmers of the forest,” Dr. Dolorosa Pajarillo, Team Leader of the UA Research Team on Dulungan said in an interview. Dulungan also serves as the “Health of the Forests” because of its ability in propagating the plants. While the female was left cooping inside the hollow tree, the male is tasked to find their food. It carries the food (mostly the seeds) through its beaks and if the bird can no longer hold the seed, it let the seed fall to the ground. Through time, the seed develops and grow to a new tree and the cycle continues until all the areas of the forest have been covered by trees from the seeds that were being scattered by Dulungans. Towering ridges, steep cliffs, flowing rivers, crackling sounds of twigs, rustling leaves, and nostalgic allure of sunlight, the trees of the montane forests grow dense --- closed canopy, evergreen --- mostly undamaged by human activity, are too far different from what is being experienced by these species at present. Poaching, hunting, and habitat loss are some of the more threats to Dulungan. Chronic deforestation caused by illegal logging, burn farming, expansion of agricultural lands, and encroachment from settlers has led Dulungan to its extinction and extreme scarcity and only 23% of the Philippines’ original forests remain. After decades of perversion, the Rainforests of the Philippines have been transformed into a vast swathes of desert thereby reducing its population over the year. Dulungan inhabits in a lowland dipterocarp forests with a tall hardwood tropical trees. Therefore, there is a need to restore their sanctuary and guarantee that they are able to thrive and survive alongside humans, hence, it is further important to create a critical mass of individuals who have similar framework for action and the necessary skills to pursue biodiversity management. People are responsible stewards of the environment. They have to ensure a sustainable approach in carrying the quality of life that values sustainable development for the preservation of ecosystem. Planting trees that cater birds, implementing nest guarding scheme, anti-poaching and illegal logging crackdown can bring back the homes of the Philippine birds. Through a massive information dissemination campaign, community efforts to save and protect Dulungan has also to increase drastically. A certain individual doesn’t need to be an expert to help contribute in saving the nature, sometimes, it takes a willing heart to take a step and lead the way. In spite of its heavy-looking appearance, Dulungan has been declared as a “Flagship Specie” of the Province of Antique. Dulungan conservation is a pride that Antiqueños should be proud of.
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FOOD & CUISINE
SA TABI NG MALAWAKANG ILOG NG BARANGAY SOLONG, Sibalom, Antique ay madadatnan ang mumunting kubo na gawa ng kawayan, pinapalibutan ng mga maluluntiang punongkahoy, kung saan sa kalayua’y malalasap ng mata ang marilag na tanawin ng maberdeng bundok ng Poras at mga bulubundukin. Sa tapat ng kubo ay ang mga nakahilerang katauhan na may kanya-kanyang nagliliyab na karamdaman. Mayroong nag-iisa na sa bawat paghigop ng Bendong Gadas ay ang siyang pagpigil sa pagtulo ng luha, dahil sa siya’y pinagkaitan ng giliw at iniwan ng iniirog. Mayroong dalawahan na tiyak namang magkasintahan, sobrang galak at tuwa ang masasalamin sa kani-kanilanh mga mata sa bawat pagsubo sa isa’tisa. Mayroon ring magbabarkada na hanep ang pagtatawanan, mga magbabarkadang kakalabas palang sa Unibersidad ng Antique at kakatapos lang bumangga sa mga pagsusulit ay napagdesisyunang gatimpalaan ang sarili. Mayroon ring kakarating lang kung saan nagsisibabaan ang mga chikiting kasunod ng mga magulang. Kay sarap isipin na sa mumunting kubo na ito ay nagtitipon-tipon ang mga magkakapatid sa mata ng Diyos. Na kahit iba-iba man ang pinanggalingan, lahi, kulay, edad at katayuan sa buhay ay may iisang naging dahilan ng kanilang pagbubuklod --- ang Tambayan sa Binit Suba ng mag-asawang April Joy at Noel Adricula. Dalawang uri ng pagkain ang inihahain, Batchoy at Bendong Gadas. Saan mang sulok ng munisipalidad ng Sibalom ay kilala ang Batchoy, samantalang ang Bendong Gadas ay bihirang marinig sa bibig ng mga tao at hindi pa gaanong kilala ng kararami. Ang Bendong Gadas ay maihahalintulad sa Soup Number 5. Pareho ang pamamaraan ng paghanda at pagluluto ang kaibahan lamang, sa halip na ari ng baka ang sahog ay pinalitan ito ng panloob na bahagi ng baka o mas kilala aa katawagang kasudlan. Marami ang sahog kaya tiyak na ang isa’y mabubusog sa halagang “singkwenta pesos” (50 pesos). Halos dalawang oras ang nakatalanang panahon sa pagluluto nito. “Duro gahambal nga nami ang sabor ka amun raha rudya. Laban tana amun kusog, amu ra nga kung mangayo sanda ka kaldo, gamay lang natugro namun. Mahambal pa iba kara nga: Ay ja lang man gli kami makatiraw ka bendong nga amo ja kanamit hay laban ang kusog (marami ang nagsasabi na masarap ang lasa ng luto namin dito. Mas marami ang laman, kaya pag nanghihingi sila ng sabaw, kaunti lang ang binibigay namin. Sasabihin naman ng iba: dito lang pala kami makakatikim ng bendong na ganito kasarap kasi puro laman)” saad ni April Joy Adricula may ari ng resto. Ang mag-asawang namamahala ng nasabing tambayan 53
ay dati nang may Batchoyan na pinapapamahala sa iba, sa kadahilanang si Noel noon ay naglilitson ng baboy at ang asawang si April Joy naman ay nagtatarabaho bilang security guard sa Gaisano. Nagkataon naman na nagkaroon ng allergy si April Joy at medyo natagalang hindi nakapagduty, na siya namang naging dahilan para sabihin sa asawa na siya na lamang ang mamahala ng kanilang Batchoyan. Sa kalauna’y ang inihahaing pagkain ay nadagdagan ng Bendong Gadas, na naging patok sa mga Sibalomnon at mga dayo. Sa kasalukuyan, ang nakatokang magluto ng Bendong Gadas ay si Noel, samantalang ang kanilang Batchoy naman ay nakasalalay sa kamay ni April Joy. Kakaiba ang kanilang batchoy sapagkat litson ang ginagawang sahog. Ang ordinaryo ay mabibili sa sa halagang 25 pesos at ang espesyal ay 35 pesos. Mapabata man o matanda, mapaestudyante o may trabaho ay naging patok ang kanilang negosyo. Sabado at Linggo ang may nakatalang pinakamaraming pumupunta at bumibili sa kanilang Tambayan, lalo na kung kakabalik pa lamang ng mga estudyante. Dumagdag din sa kanilang pang-akit ng kostumer ang magandang tanawin ng tulay at ilog sa Solong. Maliban sa tanawin ay nakakaengganyo rin ang preskong hangin na malalanghap na tiyak namang nakakabawas sa lebel ng istres ng tao. Sinong magaakala na ang pasimpleng pagtayo ng Tambayan sa Binit Suba ay makakatulong pala sa pagninilay-nilay sa mga bagay-bagay at pagpapaliwanag o di kaya’y pananahimik ng kaisipan. Sinong mag-aakala na sa minsang pagdalaw niya Tiyak na huwaran, na pati pag-upo’y kinopya Ng mag-asawang, magandang kapalaran ang tinatangala Salamat sa pagtagpo ng magandang pwesto, Mayor Occena Minsan nang naging lugar magpaginhawa Ako ba’y magdadalawang isip pa? Sa pagtikim hindi lang ng hinahain nila Kundi ng lugar na sa tao’y makakadulot ng payapa Ikaw kailan mo balak? Baka hanggang balak lang ha? Huwag naman sana....
Bendong Gadas Sarap na Wagas SINULAT NI MARIANNE PALCAT
Paraan ng Pagluluto ng Bendong Gadas 1. Hugasan ng maiigi ang mga panloob na bahagi ng baka o kasudlan. May ibang may katamtamang init na tubig ang hinuhugas para mas maganda ang resulta. 2. Ilaga ang mga kasudlan sa kumukulong tubig na nilagyan ng sibot herb mix at lemongrass hanggang sa lumambot. Sarain ang mga kasudlan, at isantabi ang linagang tubig. 3. Palamigin ang mga kasudlan bago hiwa-hiwain. 4. Igisa ang bawang, sibuyas at luya. Ugaliing unahin ang bawang hanggang sa ito’y mamula-mula at isunod ang sibuyas at luya. 5. Isunod ang mga nahiwang kasudlan at haluin sa loob ng dalawa hanggang tatlong minuto. Pwedeng lagyan ng chopped Thai peppera kapag gustong maanghang. 6. Ilagay ang linagang tubig na itinabi kanina at maglagay ng beef broth. 7. Pagkakulo ay lagyan ng fish sauce, ground black pepper at kalamay. Pwedeng lagyan ng miksla ng conrstarch o potato starch o binukbok na tinapay at tubig para maging malagkit ang sabaw. 8. Hintaying maluto at ihain ng mainit-init.
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TRAVEL & LEISURE
EXPLORING LIBERTAD The liberating experience that reveals one’s true self WRITTEN BY FLORIETTE ANN ARNAIZ
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Traveling can be intimidating. Being alone can be scary. Combining the two is overwhelming. I believe that anyone who has gone further than their front door knows that the world is full of beauty. Slow and solo — I vicariously satiated my wanderlust as I visit one of the hidden corners of Antique. My itinerary included the northernmost town of Antique. The town of Libertad abounds with natural resources. Forty percent (40%) of the Northwest Panay Peninsula (NWPP) Natural Park — declared a natural park through Presidential Proclamation No. 186 in 2002— falls within its territory. It is a slow coastal town with a relaxed pace. In her bosom, Libertad is small with few establishments, a school, and the municipal building. Within the town’s boundaries are found number of unspoiled natural attractions, geologic features, and rare flora and fauna: extensive beaches, free-flowing streams, crystal clear rivers, majestic falls, mysterious caves, lush forests, and endemic birds and other animal species. But despite its magnificence, Libertad is a mere blip in the adventure tourism radar. Some are turned off by the concept, the idea of being alone in a foreign place evokes images of loneliness and boredom. As any seasoned solo traveler will tell you, these fears are exagerrated. Traveling alone does not mean you have to be alone the entire time – far from it actually. It is much easier to meet people when you show up alone. Sometimes, all you have to do is smile at people, and they will smile back with interest and before you know it you are having a good conversation. Just like how the Libertadnons welcomed me. During World War II, the Japanese occupied the country, not sparing the province of Antique. Libertad became the center of guerrilla activities where Colonel Cirilo Garcia and his men emerged victorious over the Japanese. The defeated Japanese warriors retaliated by burning the houses they would pass by in some villages. Americans came in 1945 and the locality was liberated from the Japanese rule, hence the name “Libertad” which means “freedom.” Libertad’s take on tourism is absolutely noble and effective, they take
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LOCALS USE BARIW IN WEAVING MATS, BAGS, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES.
pride in putting a premium to the protection and preservation of its natural resources. The LGU enacted ordinances and policies that ensure the community’s participation in its tourism program. They implemented an ingenious approach that turns farmers, craftsmen, drivers, mountain guides, and other constituents of a community into vital stakeholders for local tourism. They are given both economic opportunities and vital roles in protecting its attraction sites and other natural resources. This is a far cry from the usual method that gives the reins of tourism to private tour operators, hotels, and corporate outfitters. Libertad is a four hour ride from San Jose, Antique when you are taking public transportation. When you reach the town proper, head first to the municipal hall to register. Then see the tourism officer or staff for assistance. I rode habal-habal from a smooth cemented road to over a kilometer of rough, unpaved road. After a 30-minute hike across farmlands together with the habal-habal driver/guide, we reached our first destination. Maanghit Cave is Libertad’s flagship attraction. The most cavernous of Libertad’s cave formations, Maanghit features an upper chamber filled with unique and interesting fauna such as the tailless whip scorpion, bats and centipedes, among others. At its jaw dropping entrance, I could not help but smell the scent of unwashed armpits without deodorant. It turned out that the scent comes from the mounds of guano (bat poop) found inside the cave. In Kinaray-a,
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“maanghit” means a bad smell. It also refers to the musky scent of underarms. The stink became more pungent as I entered the cave but because it was too muddy and it was slightly raining, I have decided to take some pictures and went out because it is dangerous to go caving when it is raining. By geological standards, Maanghit Cave is not large. However, it is the home of thousands of fruit bats that take habitat in the strange stalactites, depressions, and rock formations high above its ceiling. We exited the cave and headed back to the shady jump-off point, where the chilly, mint-green water of Bungan-Bungan Spring is. The water is free-flowing and so inviting that visitors cannot help but plunge into it. It is a cluster of natural pools with crystal clear waters and is ideal for a therapeutic dip. The water that feeds the stream actually comes from the underground stream in Maanghit Cave and Nipa River. We had another short 20-minute hike into a verdant coconut grove. Beyond that grove is a lightly wooded area where “Kweba it mga Ati” (Ati Cave) hides. The cave was named so because it used to be the refuge of indigenous peoples (IPs) residing in this part of Libertad. It has a wide-mouthed opening that serves as a venue for the local banig-makers, the indigenous Ati community for weaving their product. The area surrounding the cave is so cool that Libertadnons chose this as the place conducive for weaving mats which is the town’s major industry because “bariw” or screw-pine plant is abundant in the place. Libertadnons are known to be adept at mat weaving. The process basically starts with the sun-dried “bariw.” These will be stroked with a wood and firmly rolled. Making it straight is easier when one does it in a cool surrounding, thus Kweba it mga Ati is the ideal place. (Bariw leaves easily get cracked when the air is humid and hot).
the North Western Panay Peninsula, the viewing deck offers a unique 360-degree view of the mountains and the sea that surrounds Libertad. Sibaliw Station is a research station situated in the middle of an undisturbed rain forest, Sibaliw serves as an observatory and sanctuary of birds and other endemic and rare species in the North Western Panay Peninsula. Agungon Caves are cave formations scattered over a wide area of karst-formation-dominated landscape. The cave formations range from shallow and technically easy to heavily-branched. It is believed that more than 50 cave formations constitute the Agungon Caves and that many are still unexplored. Pangitanan Falls is one of the Libertad’s best-kept secrets. The majestic waterfall is around 40 meters tall hidden in a lush verdant and undisturbed forest. Purga Falls is one of the lower-level falls that can be found on the way to Pangitanan Falls. Libertad’s community-based tourism is still in its infancy but it contributes to Antique being tagged as the rising star in Western Visayas because it offers promising tourists spots. For a solo traveler like me, it offers a more exciting adventure, a more genuine interaction with nature and local people, an escape from attractions overwhelmed with hordes of tourists. I took advantage of I was traveling alone. My solo travel in Libertad allowed me to know myself much better. This travel is truly a liberating experience.
Bato Beach is pebbly with interesting volcanic rock formations. One of my favorite feature of this beach is its crystal clear and shallow waters lined with sea grass. The night swimming was very rewarding because the moon shined brightly together with the stars. The mood was perfectly set by the cool water and the warm breeze of the wind. This amazing beach is located at Brgy. Barusbus, Libertad, Antique. Pucio Point is the northwestern most tip of the island of Panay, located at the Libertad-Buruanga (Aklan) border. A viewing deck structure juts out of the rocky land to a perfect view of the Sulu Sea sunset. It is a 13-kilometer travel distance from Libertad’s town proper via motorcycle. The way was under construction, narrow and dusty but the coastal view is very remarkable. You cannot feel the scorching heat of the sun because the place is so windy and it will satisfy your craving for fresh air. Pajo Marine Sanctuary is an accessible and relatively shallow coral reef and protected marine sanctuary. The shallow reefs are perfect for snorkeling while the gentle, slopping beach is also perfect for swimming adventures for the whole family. Tinigbas Marine Sanctuary is also one of Libetad’s protected marine sanctuary, it features huge limestone rock bed with a narrow but deep gorge that cuts through the rock (tigbas means cut). The limestone bed also falls into a cliff. This natural formation serves as a natural sanctuary for corals and serves as an attraction to large fishes and other marine creatures. San Roque Viewing Deck is situated on top of a hill in Sitio San Juan, Brgy. San Roque surrounded by the mountains compromising 57 ROCK FORMATIONS CAN BE FOUND AT MAANGHIT CAVE
The PRISM writes the other 30
LOCAL
WRITTEN BY JORIELYN MARTIZANO
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A common scene in a journalist’s life in copyreading an article is a hectic day or night, a grasp in a pen or in a pencil, and a raise of an eyebrow or a smirk on the lips while looking at one piece of paper to another. After putting the necessary copyreading symbols from the stylebook, the editor would write the number 30 at the end of the article’s last sentence. Then the editor would make a heavy exhale. It’s the end. In journalism, 30 is an editing symbol used along the symbol “#” to indicate that it is the end of the story. From a mere editing symbol, 30 had found itself used as a symbol outside copyreading. It had become a headline cliché that someone who “writes 30”, retires from the journalism career or succumbs to death. Ironically, the 30 for The PRISM is when we remember those who made life out of an idea and not those who accomplished living their own lives, is when we recall what had started and not what had just ended, and when we get inspired to continue telling stories and not to tell one last story. We temporarily halt and dive into thoughts what had transpired in the past decades as The PRISM writes its 30th year of making stories and collective voices that had endured the test of time through papers. It was around August or September 1989, Dr. Runato A. Basañes, the current Dean of College of Teacher Education(CTE), tried to recall. Prior to his editorial position as the first Managing Editor, it was an intensive discussion and brainstorming between the chosen editors and staff writers to separate the college publication from The Wheel, the high school publication. It was a long time ago that perhaps most of them, the founders and pioneers had already forgotten what were the words that came out to justify the name suggestions and the visions they shared to keep it thriving. Nevertheless, what had never forgotten are the ghostlike shadows in a particular part of the then library where the Sentro ng Wika at Kultura(SWK) stands at the present—their memory of The PRISM’s birth. People have asked, why The PRISM? Perhaps, even the newbies of the publication would ask why. The typical answers of the staff prior the retrieval of the explanation from the archives are references of a three-dimensional figure that is introduced both in physics and geometry and the “maybe because it sheds light” or rarely saying “maybe it transforms the light” that had become an overrated explanation year after year despite being “maybes”. The jubilee year of the university that took place approximately five years ago became an opportunity to the then editorial staff to see how the university publication evolved through the years in the exhibit. There was one issue in a brown paper that became a magnet to the eye of our predecessors- Volume I, Issue No. 1 covering June-September 1989 wherein page 9 provides the answer why it was named after prism. The three sides of the figure represent truth, justice, and excellence—the ideals that the publication stand for. While the publication’s name is a mere adaptation of a transparent figure with a straightforward yet visionary representation, the white light that passes through it and the hues it makes are the attached concept for The PRISM for a long time. On page 11 of Volume XI, Issue No. 1 dated JuneOctober 2001 states that the different rays of light represent the students from the different courses offered by the then Polytechnic State College of Antique (PSCA) and a line, “as a whole, PRISM serves as a light both for PSCA and the nearby communities.
The Three Ideals Through the Years Campus journalism believes in the idea of truth. Yet, campus journalism evolves while the truth does not. Truth remained as it is through summary and novelty leads, even news angles. Nonetheless, for decades, it takes
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bravery and courage for The PRISM staff to write the truth while upholding the basic principles of journalism. It takes bravery and courage to write about the absence of student government officers in fulfilling their responsibilities. It takes bravery and courage to call out the university offices whose services do not equate with the fees paid by the students. It takes bravery and courage to get involved and critical of the government policies whoever sits in the position. And it takes bravery and courage to risk in the news angles that do not sit well in the expectations of the victors. With the changes embraced by campus journalism and even the publication for the past years, the truth adopts. Truth sees no writing style and writer of The PRISM to be absorbed by its readers. To tell the truth is to give justice. The PRISM, for the past 30 years of delivering writing stories, is a watchdog of its co-equal organizations, of the systems implemented in the university, and even of the organization itself. The PRISM stands as the venue of turning the whispers and murmurs in the corners of the university and the thoughts of the students regarding the issues they face to become a loud collective voice of the student community in the university. That same voice helped create policies that promote the common good. Excellence lies in the impact of the written truth and the clamoring justice. The PRISM strived and strives more to make a spectrum in the regional and national spotlight. With the continuous thriving of The PRISM staff, the publication was recognized as a 3rd Placer in Editorial Page and Best in Filipino Page during the College Press Conference and Awards (COPRE) and produced promising writers, winners, and IWAG Awardees which both competitions are sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)- Region VI. Years later, The PRISM got to compete in the national stage through OSSEI and SPAM Inc and produced national winners. Yet, winning is not always the strength of The PRISM. There were also defeats in the process. Nevertheless, for The PRISM staff, at the end of the day it is the learning, the voice it strengthens, and the poignant memories of making a difference that really mattered. However, excellence does not reside with the group alone. There is always a room for each of The PRISM staff for individual growth. One notable achievement of one writer was when Asst. Div. Supt. Ernesto Servillon won First Place in Editorial Writing Filipino during the COPRE of AY 1994-1995. It was the first “First.” And probably one of the rarest “Firsts.” For The PRISM, there are the brighter days, and there are also the moments when the rays of light are difficult to find. Perhaps, all those series of winning and losing are turning points of each of the writer’s development. At the end of their PRISM years, they are the star players of their league: campus journalism trainers, education program specialists, multi-awarded educators, and government officials who changed the lives of Antiqueños after they have their lives transformed.
Beyond The Milestones For Dr. Jocelyn C. Morales who mothered The PRISM’s birth and served as its first adviser, the pioneering years were challenging. There were no computers. They have to make stories out of only one, dilapidated, and worn out typewriter. There was no office, only a portion of the old library where the staff writers convene during their meetings. Printing an issue back then was a long process and the layout took so long that it had to go through the stripping and cutting. During those times, tabloid was a thing, and magazine is difficult to publish.
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Despite of the existence of good and hardworking writers, Dr. Morales
recalled that there were writers that are nowhere to be found during deadlines, and there were writers who lie about not plagiarizing other works. The PRISM took big steps when it became a member of College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and ventured in publishing a magazine even there were no digital designs and graphics back then. The cover designs were made possible by skills in art of Mr. Romeo Echaverri, who was at that time, a faculty member. The publishing process was tough that it was so satisfying when it was already finished, however, the end was the beginning of the feedbacks and criticisms because of spelling and printing errors, omitted names and wrong academic titles. Around the first semester of the academic year 2012-2013, The PRISM took a big leap of making the magazine exclusive for feature articles and left news, editorials, and sports news in the newsletters. There were criticisms for the change made in the publication. Some called it a rip-off of an Avon’s brochure. But that change became normal. In the transition years of that change was also a beginning of putting up “Tagbando,” a name founded for the tabloid of The PRISM. It was also the challenging year for The PRISM staff when it risked in angling and abandoned the monotonous narrative in news writing. The editorial board decided to write about an underdog with a very interesting backstory over the champion. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the readers and is still the same taste when the same kind of angling was replicated seven years later. The past 30 years of publishing stories are the evidences that The PRISM is not a perfect organization. It has flaws too. However, it is the same 30 years that it has chosen growth every year and radiating light out of its student writers. With the last three lines of the explanation published 30 years ago that states, “for the PRISM staff, this is just the beginning. Beginners walk with uncertainty, they grope, they stumble- yet in the end, they learn. With the ideals that PRISM holds, the entire staff hopes to learn and radiate light SOON.” Perhaps, this celebration of its 30th year is a realization that 30 is about the “end,” that The PRISM makes the end of every beginning. The publication itself is the light of its own writers and it always seeks to transform them into the same PRISM that shed light as the end goal. PRISM may not be forever 30, yet it still grasps the idea that it would mark an “ending” but make that end as a continuing mission in the following years, the idea that is realized as The PRISM writes the other 30.
FRANCIS MISSION Editor in Chief
THE BIRTH OF RAFFLESIA: The story of this maiden issue
MARIANNE PALCAT Associate Editor FLORIETTE ANN ARNAIZ Managing Editor
The PRISM is a student media corps of select students of the University of Antique.
JORIELYN MARTIZANO News Editor
The corps is composed of student journalists, literary writers, and bloggers who manage the publication of its newspaper, newsletter, features magazine, literary folio, and online news site.
DAVEN LUIS ARAGON Op-Ed Editor
In the first semester of this academic year, The PRISM officially named its three major publications: the newspaper as Tagbando, the literary folio as Uni-verse, and the features magazine as Rafflesia. The publication also maintained a blogsite where various content are uploaded such as news, opinion, feature stories, photos, and videos.
REAH RICA MARIE PADRONCILLO Features Editor
This magazine is a maiden issue bearing the name Rafflesia on its nameplate. The name was adopted from the world’s biggest flower, Rafflesia, to which Sibalom has been known for. The flower became an attraction for both local and foreign tourists and a motif for the festival of the town. Its red orange color is a superimposing monument in the middle of verdant green woods in the mountains of Sibalom. Owing to the fame of Rafflesia, our magazine envisions to become a hallmark in the promotion of culture, tourism, and human resources in the province of Antique.
DIANA ROSE LAMPASA Literary Editor
LOUIE JOHN SERVANCIA Sports Editor
ALDEN JOHN TUBALE Circulation Manager BRYAN ZANDER BACONGA DARYL REGINALDO Cartoonists
SANDIE GED NICHOLAS MINAVES News and Op-Ed Staff NINA RICA BELMONTE Magazine Staff
Read this publication at issuu.com/theprismpub or scan the QR code to go directly to our profile.
We thank the following people and organizations for helping us produce this magazine.
Sibalom Fire Station • Shella Sandoy • LGU San Remigio • Cody Chan Talatala Mrs. Ana Magdalene Vegafria • Dr. Dolorosa Pajarillo • Ms. Liezel Lumogdang Mariebelle Bandoja • Mr. Heinrich Moscoso Carpio Family • Dr. Jocelyn C. Morales Marvin Kyle Rico (LGU Bugasong) • Arden Rod Condez • Catherine Montalba • Arlie B. Endonila of Haribon Foundation • Philippine Performance Archive: Cultural Performance • Mr. Galahad Garcia Head of Sumplay Libertad (Tourism Office)
KORINA AURELIO DIANA JOY DUBRIA IYEN BAUTISTA Literary Folio Staff SAMUEL CEZAR RUBIDO JR. Photojournalist
ALFONSO SAMILLANO JR The Adviser
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Rafflesia is the features magazine of The PRISM, the official student publication of University of Antique Main Campus Volume 28 Issue No. 1 August 2019 - February 2020
