Broadsheet Opener A.Y. 2022-2023

QCU launches Early Childhood Education program

BY Jericho Paqueo ADDITIONAL TEXT BY Jholo Louise Baybayon

PHOTO BY QCU CSS

The Quezon City University (QCU) opened the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECED) starting this academic year 2022 -2023 as an additional course.

Recently, QCU has been authorized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to operate the first- and second-year levels of the BECED. The permit, which was signed on March 28, 2022 by Dr. Julieta M. Paras, Director IV of the CHED-National Capital Region, was released after the inspection of the Regional Quality Assurance Team (RQAT) last February 8 and 14, 2022. The RQAT team was composed by Dr. Apollo Portez, Mr. Roland Mortes, and Dr. Belaflor Coronado.

As a CHED-recognized institution with program offerings that have government recognition, qualified applicants enjoy free tuition and other school fees by virtue

of Republic Act (RA) 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

According to the Dean of College of Education, Prof. Randel D. Estacio, PhD. BECED is a 4-year board course that aims to produce teachers who are able and qualified to teach learners from the early childhood stage, which ages between 0 to 8 years old.

Aside from teaching, they can also take care of the children from birth up until they can go to school. One of the goals in this program is for the students to become board passers and globally competent teachers.

The graduates of this program can teach children from Kindergarten to Grade 2 or 3 as a main concentration of the course. But due to holistic approach, the curriculum can cover from early childhood to adolescent age. Which means, educators who graduated in this field may teach in

4th to 6th grade if necessary.

QCU chose to open this program for the purpose of Quezon City has seen the necessity of this service based on the study. Particularly, the needs of pre-school and daycare center teachers as the main target. As usual, the objective of the local university is to have courses that are needed for the city and produce quality teachers who will also serve the area.

BECED Curriculum

In accordance with CMO-No.76-s.-2017, the BECED will cover 158 units for all 4 years.

BECED students should have no grade below 85% in their subjects that sits between 2.0-2.50. Also, they will maintain the general weighted average of at least 80%, equivalent to 2.50 in the grading system of the University.

As this is a new program exclusively taking freshmen, there is now a board resolution barring students from other schools from transferring, as well as shiftees from other program. As soon as they reach a higher year or have graduates from this program, they will soon permit transfer students and enrollment from other programs.

Campus Availability

Ideally, because of its proximity to elementary and high schools, students who enroll for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education will be assigned to the QCU Batasan Campus. However, the San Bartolome and San Francisco campuses will also be accessible when the student body grows.

Currently, QCU BECED have 191 enrollees with 4 sections. Q

WHAT’S INSIDE:

ACADEMIC YEAR 2022 - 2023

With the first semester coming into a close, QCU Times iterate the events that took place in our university in the month of August and September

PinasLakas 2022: QCU Booster Immunization Campaign

BY Jholo Louise Baybayon PHOTO BY QCU CSS

An orientation with the theme “Sa Booster Pinalakas, Sabay Tayong Babangon, Magpabooster Ngayon” was held last August 10, 2022 via Zoom Meeting and was attended by students, parents, and faculty members of Quezon City University.

Dr. Bradford Antonio C. Martinez, DBA, QCU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, made the opening remarks and encouraged everyone to get vaccinated and boosted. He stated that face-to-face interaction will be frequent, especially since QCU’s learning modality is blended learning, and he encourages everyone to get their booster shots.

The University President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza complemented Dr. Martinez opening statement with a speech and presentation. She claimed that practically all QCU faculty members and 90% or more of the university’s students had received immunizations. She spoke about the value of booster shots and the positive effects that individuals will experience from them during the orientation.

Dr. Atienza further stated, “Beyond the stats, what we need is a booster shot.” She also expressed her gratitude to the Quezon City Health Department for supporting this kind of endeavour.

Dr. Malu Elaria, the overall in charge for the vaccination activities within the Quezon City, explained what PinasLakas is. She said that it is a 100 days vaccination campaign ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos to promote safety and protection against the Covid19 Virus.

The said campaign will simultaneously happen in different parts of each city. Booster shots deployment also came to QCU Batasan Campus last August 15. Q

THE JABS DONE - The Department of Health (DOH) begins a more aggressive national booster vaccine program in reaction to COVID-19’s effects. Known as “PinasLakas,” it aims to improve the proportion of Filipinos who have had a COVID-19 booster shot in order to preserve the nation’s barrier of immunity. The Quezon City University also supports the campaign in a townhall orientation to ramp up the COVID-19 vaccination.

World Cleanup day comes to the university grounds

BY Rozi Broqueza ADDITIONAL TEXT BY Jericho Paqueo

PHOTO BY QCU CSS

In participation with the World Cleanup Day 2022, the QCU Extension Management Office conducted a QCU Cleanup Day under the Malasakit Program of QCU SMILE Extension. Despite the bad weather condition due to Habagat, student participants from different organizations carry on with the task at the university grounds.

SMILE is an overarching program of QCU Extension, an acronym for Simula, Malasakit, Iangat, Lingap, at Eksperto. The university wide Clean Up Day falls under the “Malasakit” program which is to care for the environment.

Mr. Lenard Bien, the OIC of the Extension Management Office, was very happy about the success of the said event. He added that the aim of the event is to improve the civic consciousness of the students in terms of a clean and healthy environment and increase their community engagement.

“You have a responsibility not only on your university but also on your surrounding community”, Mr. Bien

said. Moreover, he said that this is the first activity of the school patterned on an international event.

Mr. Bien also extended thanks to Dr. Therisita V. Atienza, the University President, for her support of the said event.

Students who participated in the event were very happy that they were able to participate in an event like this. Some were a bit sad for not being able to go and help in the Brgy. Bagbag where the event is supposed to take place. Yet, this doesn’t left them with regret since they were able to help the staff, as well as to maintain cleanliness in the university.

Many students showed enthusiasm despite the cold rainy weather and looked forward to more community service activities that will be held by our university. Participants also encourage their fellow students to engage and participate in the future projects of the Extension Management Office. Q

CUAI sustainability advancement

BY Jholo Louise Baybayon

BY Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovation

In the Philippines, food supply is the number 1 resource priority, and the importance of urban agriculture within the metro has been recently recognized. Due to the pandemic, which kept the majority of the population indoors for two years, many had a hard time looking for such resources and some depended on government subsidies.

Sustainability and innovative solution for improving food security is at the heart of the local government’s Sustainable Development Affairs Unit (SDAU) and Department of Agriculture - Agriculture Training Institute (DA-ATI), and to further help in achieving this goal is through the Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovation (CUAI). This center will cater the needs in advancement of urban agriculture initiatives for possible livelihood projects and conduct training and development activities,

enabling QCU to incorporate urban agriculture into its curriculum programs in the future.

In the span of two months - August and September, CUAI conducted several trainings and seminars in line with the sustainability plan. One of which is the dispersal of rabbit kits for urban farmers last August 11. Another was training on aquaponics management last September 8, where Engr. Jaylenon Asilo shares modern ways to maintain crops as well as fish in the system. Vermiculture, Vermicomposting, Management of crops and Greenhouse structure are few of those training that was led by the center.

The San Bartolome campus’ Bee Farm, one of the Center’s inventions, has five initial colonies financed by the QCU Cooperative, whose members have taken beekeeping classes. An old building in the campus was renovated and turned

into the training venue Honey House. The campus of Batasan also houses “Gulayan sa Pamantasan.”

The Center will reaffirm its commitment to the sustainability of the city’s urban agricultural initiatives, according to QCU President Dr. Theresita Atienza. “With our vast campus grounds, we aim to maximize it by incorporating programs and projects that are aligned with the development goals of the city government,” Dr. Atienza shares.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the city increased its sustainable efforts through gardens, community farms, and fish pens to help the food security program be more effective and to help provide jobs and a means of subsistence. Q

UNIVERSITY NEWS

BLeSDS,

SIGLA KA

OSY

The QCU President Dr Theresita Atienza, alongside Urban Farming NGO Representative for the City Development Council Mr Lamberto Nolasco with QCU Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovations Director Mr Romel Sevilla and Extensions Office Head Mr Lenard Bien, led the harvest turnover ceremonies of the QCU BLeSDS Project, SIGLA KA OSY.

The project was conceived through the QCU BLeSDS program, an intensive 6-month workshop of the university and funded by the USAID EDC Opportunity 2.0, which aims to give second chance opportunities to Out-of-School Youth. The Kingspoint Subdivision, through the efforts of Mr Nolasco, who himself was a QCU BLeSDS graduate, generously alloted plots of farming land to the SIGLA KA OSY. This paved the way for our OSY urban farmers to grow their produce and sell them to local entrepreneurs, one of which was Mr John Sy, who owns a samgyupsal restaurant in the subdivision.

Also present were USAID EDC Opportunity 2.0 Representative, Ms. Hazel Duya, Mr Egay Zaragosa of the Manna Group and Ms Teresita Villarama, partners and supporters of the Urban Farming NGO of the city.

12 OSYs actively participated in this project which began on July 21, 2022, growing and yielding 6 kilos of lettuce for this harvest. Q

PHOTO

“You have a responsibility not only on your university but also on your surrounding community,”

“With our vast campus grounds, we aim to maximize it by incorporating programs and projects that are aligned with the development goals of the city government,”

DR. THERESITA V. ATIENZA University President, Quezon City University

CLEANUP COLLABORATION - Academic and non-academic organizations joined to cleanup the school grounds in support of the world cleanup day. QCU CSS

FOOD SECURITY - Following the 6 months workshop of BLeSDS, QCU led yield turnover for Out-of-School (OSY) urban farmers.

PIONEERING - After the COVID-19 outbreak started, Quezon City expanded its sustainable efforts through home and community farms and fish cages to help boost food security programs and help create jobs and a means of livelihood with the aid of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovation.

QCU brings out BSMA for College of Business & Accountancy

BY Rozi Broqueza

Quezon City University offered the Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting as an additional course for its applicants last May 2022.

Under the CHED Memorandum order no. 28, Series of 2017, Article 5, Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting aims to provide general accounting education to students who want to pursue management accounting as their profession and qualifies the graduates of the said program to take certification in Management Accounting.

According to the Dean of Accountancy Department, Dr. Gerardo T. Bautista, CPA, when it comes to cross enrolling, if a student shifts from another program to BS Management Accounting after the 1st semester of 1st year, they can still catch up to become regular. Else, when the student shifts in the beginning of 1st semester in 2nd year, they will become irregular ones.

Moreover, if a student did not pass the qualifying exam of BSA and plans to shift to BSMA, they will still become regular 3rd year students. Dr. Bautista said that the program is a lighter one and the same as BS Accountancy but without a board exam.

The BS Management Accounting program has a total of 167 units for all 4 years. Compared to BS Accountancy, that has a total of 194 units, at least for QCU, because that includes the review subjects before taking a board exam and summer classes.

Currently, BSMA has 128 officially enrolled students in San Bartolome and Batasan Campus. The maintaining grade for the said program is 2.50 and has no qualifying exam to become a 3rd year student unlike the BSA.

This program is indeed an opportunity for the students who want to take Accounting in a lightweight way. Q

QCU GAD shares importance of gender sensitivity to freshmen

BY Rhea Claire Vinluan

Quezon City University

Gender and Development (QCU GAD) held an orientation for freshmen students which discussed gender and social stereotyping last September 29, 2022 in a Zoom Meeting and Facebook Live.

QCU GAD is under the umbrella of Research, Extension, Planning, and Linkages. The aforementioned webinar, which was presented by Ms. Anja Paule, a Council at Quezon City GAD, and a Gender and Development (GAD) Trainor, was attended by more than 3000 students. Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, the University President, opened the event with a message. The Chief of QCU GAD, Ms. Gracia S.

Josue gave her brief introduction.

The goals of gender sensitivity training webinar, according to Ms. Paule, are to help the students comprehend how one’s perspective on gender influences gender relations, gain awareness of fundamental ideas, and create a safe space for everyone. The discussion covered topics including sex, gender, stereotypes, harassment, and what to do for harassment victims. The effects of stereotypes and harassment on both men and women were also discussed.

There were some suggestions on how to assist a harassing victim as well. It was also reiterated

that the QCU GAD and other appropriate authorities might be called in the event of harassment. At the conclusion of the session, Ms. Rachel Jungco, the guidance counselor at QCU, assisted the audience with their questions.

In his final remarks, Dr. Bradford Antonio C. Martinez, Vice President for Academic Affairs, stressed the importance of giving everyone, regardless of gender, an equal opportunity to become a excellent learners and leaders. Q

The QCU’s 1st Acquaintance Fair

BY Jericho Paqueo

Bright lights filled the open grounds of the university on the last day of September. Acquaintance fair, the first and most anticipated event by the students. The time where first-year students should be welcomed and helped to get used to their new surroundings. It is also an opportunity for students to temporarily relax and let go of their concerns about the responsibilities of college life while still having a great time.

The event was spearheaded by QCU’s Center for Culture, Arts, and Sports Development

UNIVERSITY NEWS

(CCASD), under the supervision of Prof. Arceli Suyat, with the theme “Salindiwa: 1st University Acquaintance Fair’’ at QCU San Bartolome Campus. Together with student organizations, a variety of intermission numbers were perpetrated by the students and alumni.

Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, the University President, graced the event. She shares how the university is improving and a sign that it’s slowly going back to normal. A first event after 2 years of no activities and initiative, QCU is slowly becoming alive again.

Despite the changing weather conditions, QCians still enjoyed being at the event. Witnessing different performances from Rey Abendan & Tanghalang Manuel L. Quezon Dancers, the university’s own cheer dance team - QCU Ligers TETsquad, Toto Sorioso, Gary Silang Cruz, Mikay Bobis, the SEA Games Silver Medalist Mr. Alvin Lobreguito, DJ Drone with Chad Nico, more intermissions and open mic to all students.

Undoubtedly, it was a good way to end the last day of the month and to unwind before midterm

Quezon City University sign MoU with DOST-STARBOOK

The Science and Technology

Academic and Research-

Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station, or STARBOOKS or often known as “Library in a box,” is a program that was developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to promote science and technology (S&T) and make information more easily accessible to all Filipinos.

The DOST Starbook Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony took place on August 12, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. QCU’s Library Resources and Services Department, located on the second floor of the Metal Casting Building. The MoU was also signed by Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles, the Chief Science Research Specialist of DOST-NCR, on behalf of Dr.

Theresita V. Atienza, President of QCU; Mr. Jose B. Patalinjug III, Regional Director, DOST-NCR; and Dr. Bradford Antonio C. Martinez, VP for Academic Affairs at QCU. Engr. Tresvalles shares how the sector aims to improve student’s access to diverse literature and cultural materials, as well as raise awareness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Not to mention, resources have been heavily reliant on the internet, which puts a limitation on progress. With STARBOOK, students will have access to a wider range of academic collections.

“[STARBOOK] also contains technology demonstrations that can be used not only for our university students but also for the extended community of our region. DOST is

looking forward to more capacity activities that we can [undertake],” Engr. Tresvalles.

With a variety of learning resources from elementary to college general subjects that not only students or teachers but also the entire community can use, STARBOOKS intends to reach even those in rural regions and to generate interest in S&T among Filipino youth.

With the aid of this program, QCU students, particularly those enrolled in our university’s brandnew College of Education, can get the tools they need to develop into effective teachers who will mold the next generation’s youth. Q

PHOTO BY QCU CSS

BY Jholo Louise Baybayn

PHOTO BY QCU CSS

Students gathered

IN PHOTO: Toto Sorioso performing live at the Open grounds stage.

Nightmares occur in their sleep while their hands shake and sweat. The constant feeling of being pursued by something unseen and unexplained. Throughout his life, he has been pursued by a black figure of himself. At every turn of the year, silent screams filled the room. Hair pulling, excessive scratching, and self-injury. Mood swings and irritability on a daily basis. Refusing to leave the shambles. There are multiple eyes in every corner of the room. Avoidance of looking back on the past. The years of a person suffering from their own fear were filled with this gloom.

Different circumstances have varying effects on people’s lives. According to a press release issued by the Department of Health (DOH) on October 10, 2020, approximately 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental illnesses. “There is less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos, and many people are currently unable to access services,” said Former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. According to them, the pandemic has contributed to an increase in the number of mental illness cases, particularly among adults, healthcare providers, and people with underlying health issues.

A clinically significant mental disorder affects an individual’s cognition, emotional control, or behavior. It is usually associated with someone’s distress and mental malfunction. A mental disorder is recognized as a health disorder. There are various types of mental disorders that can be seen in someone’s behavior and recognized based on their experiences. Mental illness is a real illness that should be recognized and can also lead to death. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are some of the most well-known mental disorders. These have different causes but nearly identical effects.

Anxiety is a type of excessive and ongoing fear of someone or something. These fears cause people to avoid certain events or potential occurrences. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2019 that 301 million people suffer from anxiety, with 58 million of those being children and adolescents. There are various types of anxiety that a person may experience.

Excessive and irrational worry that exacerbates internal tension is a defining feature of generalized anxiety disorder. When your other bodily organs, like the heart, are negatively impacted by excessive

MENTAL HEALTH

fear, panic disorder results. There are also specific phobias, in which a person avoids or is scared of a certain object or circumstance. There are several ways that anxiety might appear. The dread of being abandoned by a loved one is what is referred to as separation anxiety.

Persistent melancholy or any connection that negatively affects a person’s physical and mental health are both considered symptoms of depression, a sort of mental condition. An individual’s capacity to work or complete certain tasks declines when they are depressed. In 2019, 280 million individuals worldwide will experience depression, with 23 million of them being children and teenagers. A consistently down or depressed mood, a sudden loss of interest in previously loved activities, a change in appetite, excessive or insufficient sleep, a lack of energy, trouble focusing, a feeling of guilt or worthlessness, and, worst of all, suicide thinking are all symptoms of this condition. An individual’s risk in other areas of health and wellbeing is also increased by depression. According to biochemistry, the symptoms of depression are influenced by a variety of substances in the brain. According to another theory, depression may run in families, with one set of identical twins being 70% more likely to have the condition than the other.

Extreme mood fluctuations, such as mania and hypomania as well as emotional lows like sadness, are symptoms of bipolar illness, previously known as manic depression. 40 million instances of bipolar disorder were recorded by the World Health Organization in 2019. Both mania and hypomania may make a person feel joyful, active, or excessively irritated. Mania is more severe than hypomania. At least one manic episode followed by hypomanic or significant depressive episodes define bipolar I disorder. Hypomania is less intense and less obvious than mania.

Manic and hypomanic episodes are distinguished by excessive energy, extreme self-confidence or euphoria, a reduced need for sleep, extraordinary talkativeness, poor decision-making, and distractibility. If you have three or more of these symptoms, you are termed manic or hypomanic. Major depressive episodes, on the other hand, make doing everyday duties difficult.

A severe depressive episode may develop if five or more of the symptoms are present, leading to bipolar disorder. Depression is characterized by a depressive

mood, a loss of interest in all or almost all activities, significant weight changes that are either gain or loss, changes in appetites that can be increased or decreased, insomnia or hypersomnia, slowed behavior, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, a poor ability to concentrate, indecisiveness, and suicidal ideation.

A horrific occurrence or string of events might cause someone to get post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is clear when a person experiences frequent nightmares or flashbacks to the incident, avoids thinking about the memories, engaging in similar activities, or being around those who are recalling the events. It is also clear when a person feels helpless, struggles to maintain close relationships, lacks interest in hobbies, is emotionally numb, or struggles to feel positive emotions. Being quickly alarmed, continuously on the watch for danger, engaging in self-destructive behavior, having trouble sleeping, having trouble focusing, being irritable, and feeling excessive guilt are some signs of bodily and emotional responsiveness. PTSD may affect kids as early as six years old. In addition to having terrible nightmares that may or may not include details of the traumatic incident, they often act out the horrific experience in a play. Over time, PTSD symptoms might become more or less severe. The patient often experiences symptoms of PTSD when the distressing incident is brought to mind.

Mental illness is a real disease. It, like other diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, and others, can have a negative impact on people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Mental disorders, like diseases, are widely recognized as having the potential to cause death. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, don’t be afraid to seek help. The Philippines now has a toll-free hotline where mental health patients can talk. Hopeline Philippines 2919 was established as a call hotline for Filipinos or anyone in the country who needed someone to talk to in the event of a mental breakdown. Mental illnesses and seeing a psychiatrist do not make someone less of a person. It should be recognized rather than stigmatized. These have also received appropriate medical care and psychological counseling. It is a serious matter that should not be mocked.

You are not insane; you are ill and require medical care. Q

BY Rhea Claire Vinluan

LAYOUT BY Jholo Louise Baybayon

BY Mel Chato LAYOUT BY Jholo Louise Baybayon

Late nako!, or “baon ko kulang pa ngang pamasahe”. Since many students who live far away and must now begin face-to-face classes must arrive at their 7 a.m. classes on time, one of their concerns is the increased fare and heavy traffic on the roads even at six in the morning. Most of them are constantly rushing because if they get stuck in traffic while riding, they will have to begin the class in a public vehicle.

The reopening of schools last year for face-toface instruction is a good idea for everyone, especially for students who believe that online instruction hasn’t advanced them. However, in addition to this positive development, it also poses new challenges for the students’ parents. We read, hear, and see almost daily about how the oil price is fluctuating on social media, news websites, television channels, and radio stations, that is why the question of the student majority is “how can we budget our allowance if it is all spent in our daily fare?”.

Increases in oil prices are often assumed to lead to higher inflation and slower economic growth. The price of things created with petroleum products directly relates to oil prices in terms of inflation. As was already established, the cost of heating, manufacturing, and transportation are all indirectly impacted by oil prices. Due to manufacturers’ potential to pass along production costs to consumers, the rise in these expenses may have an impact on the prices of a variety of goods and services.

How much oil is used in the manufacturing of a certain kind of article or service determines how much higher the price of consumption will be as oil prices rise. Through their impact on the supply and demand for items other than oil, oil price increases can also hinder the expansion of the economy. Because they raise the cost of production, rising oil prices can reduce the availability of other items. In terms of economics, rising oil prices can cause the supply curve for the commodities and services that use oil as an input to move upward.

Did you know that Low growth, high unemployment, and high inflation were characteristics of the two aforementioned significant oil shocks of the 1970s (also often referred to as periods of stagflation). It is understandable why fluctuating oil prices have been identified as a significant contributor to economic turbulence. Nevertheless, over the last ten years, research has refuted the common wisdom regarding the link between the economy and oil prices. The late 1990s and

early 2000s saw significant changes in oil prices, similar in size to the oil shocks of the 1970s, as noted by Blanchard and Gali (2007). However, these later oil shocks did not produce major volatility, actual GDP growth, or the unemployment rate.

Aside from the fare problem of the students they are also facing a heavy traffic that causes the supposedly 30 min. Time travel into 3 hrs and how is that? This kind of problem causes students to go to the school as early as they can for them to catch on time to their respective classes. Metro Manila was already battling a different kind of beast in 2020 before the pandemic alarm went off: urban traffic. It’s no secret that the traffic situation in the metro is one of the worst situations in the world—second worst, according to the 2020 Traffic Index published by Netherlands-based tech company TomTom. One of the most detrimental effects of traffic congestion in the Philippines is economic loss. In reality, lost opportunities due to traffic congestion alone cost the nation P3.5 billion daily. If nothing is done, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) estimates that this sum might increase to P5.4 billion.

Students also experience the numerous stresses that come with it, albeit to a lesser extent than the business owners and professionals that battle the Manila traffic every day. Once students are permitted to attend face-to-face lessons once more, the battle against traffic bottlenecks will resume. Let’s examine the negative consequences of traffic on pupils in the Philippines from this angle.

Everyone has been asking how traffic affects students really aside from being late to school? Well, To preserve good scores, students must abide by the attendance policies of their schools. But as if the demands of being a typical student weren’t stressful enough, getting stopped in traffic just makes things worse. They frequently skip class owing to tardiness, which adds up over time and has a negative impact on their motivation. They have less time to examine their courses and complete projects when they arrive home late. Or even worse, they stay up late and run

the risk of skipping a necessary nap.

Students in the Philippines must deal with the physical effects of traffic much like regular professionals who commute to work. In addition to the mental stress of the ordeal, enduring long commutes can result in fatigued muscles. Both of these factors taken together will make you feel sluggish and exhausted.

It’s also important to keep in mind that traffic in the Philippines negatively affects a person’s general health and wellbeing. Air quality suffers as a result of increasing car emissions brought on by traffic congestion. In consequence, poor air quality may contribute to or exacerbate respiratory disorders.

The national government of the Philippines has so far taken action to reduce traffic congestion. The “Build, Build, Build” initiative and accelerated infrastructure development were designated as the primary beneficiaries of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which was put into effect. Although the benefits of the TRAIN Law have been outlined, it has encountered resistance from individuals who claim that the tax reform will drive up the costs of goods and services, including transportation, in the long run.

The challenge of avoiding traffic suddenly becomes linked to minimizing transportation costs. Like how can an ordinary students face a double problem in ride fare and face heavy traffic everyday, most of the students cant be able to give a solution for the oil price hike and a heavy traffic that we already experiencing a long time ago, all they can do is adjust and go with the flow that is why most of the students are voicing for considerations because at the end of the day we all know that it’s more than “you need to study well” for it also take hardship,extra budget and patience. Q

One Tap Away: Education or Distraction

Rafaela Guada C. Guisijan BS Entrepreneurship 2 Social Media Manager

EDITORIAL

MANAGEMENT:

CONTRIBUTORS: Shalene Mae Sagucio (CSS)

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY RJ Baria

Students and staff at QCU have become considerably more dependent on technology as a result of the hybrid learning environment that the university uses, which combines online and in-person learning methods. However, in its dependency comes a cost of lower academic performance.

Unlike previous years, when using a phone in class was strictly prohibited, the rules around phones are now rather lax. Students using their phones during class to quickly do a search when the teachers pose a question is clearly becoming the standard at this point.

students’ phones while in class, are not the solution. Regarding their technology, students need to exercise greater responsibility. Students should practice coping without their phones rather than imposing compulsory regulations that won’t assist them in the long term. It could be far more difficult for students to slip a message or two into class if instructors have additional content available that is not accessible through gadgets.

Prof. Randel D. Estacio, PhD

Technical Adviser

Prof. Mel Avila Co-Adviser

Galvan (PCO) MISSION

The QCU Times is dedicated to publish quality news that benefit the University by bringing students’ issues to the forefront of QCU Community, whilst being accurate and unbiased in delivering news.The canons of responsible journalism that QCU Times follows when exercising this freedom and carrying out its assigned duties are intended to: avoid inaccuracy while articulating student opinion on many issues campus-wide and in the general populace, steer clear of indecency and attacks on personal integrity, and training members in conserving responsible journalism.

VISION

A well-informed populace, in the viewpoint of the QCU Times, serves as both the cornerstone of democracy and the forerunner of effective activism. As a result, the student publication office plays a crucial role in the health of a thriving university in a democratic society through offering a better platform for students to have a voice in the public sphere.

In reality, a lot of students work on assignments, attend lectures, and perform other course-related activities on their phones rather than in class. With the introduction of COVID-19, students’ dependence on technology has grown significantly, and with the advent of smartphones, even more work is being completed online.

Instead of studying about calculus or course basics, it is much simpler to scroll through reels on Facebook and TikTok, double tap on Instagram, or watch videos on YouTube, but by doing so, students are losing out on developing abilities that they may need in the future. Even if it is very improbable that you will need to solve for x and find y in order to determine the price of anything, the development of social skills and strengthening attention spans are just a few things that excessive phone usage may impede.

Old-fashioned approaches, such as having instructors confiscate

There has been significant progress in learning over the last year, but it does not mean that everything is perfect. Students need to learn how to put their phones down and be completely present in their surroundings, particularly in the classroom, since they are losing out on important information while they are disengaged. Students would be persuaded to put their phones down if the use of technology in the classroom was restricted and strictly enforced.

It is quite difficult to unlearn such habits after spending two or more years exclusively reliant on technology for studying, particularly for youths who have grown up with gadgets. They could continue this behavior at work, failing to give the job at hand their full focus. It is best to identify these issues as soon as possible.

QCians need to understand that the power to educate and learn is already in our hands. Unlike years before, when smartphones and tablets didn’t exist and the only source of information was books in the library. Our generation is one tap away from accessing information, yet it is also one tap away from distraction. Q

“ CONTENT: Mark Jayson Palalimpa Mel Chato John Aebrix N. Inobio

SocMed Traction

Are you one of those children who remembers playing patintero, tumbang preso, luksong baka, and piko? Those times when you play text, pogs, or holen with other kids on the street despite the heat and getting your hands filthy. You don’t mind the exhaustion or even every drop of sweaton your body since you’re having fun running around with your pals and playing hide and seek. However, as time passes and the contemporary world emerges, it appears that we are no longer capable of doing so. Today’s children are increasingly concentrated on using social media,’ as though their entire life revolves around it.

According to a survey conducted by Common Sense Media in March 2022, children today spend more of their time using social media compared to previous years. They discovered in the survey that children’s focus on screens and use of social media increased by 17 % from 2019 to 2021. Experts also claim that the primary cause of the percentage increase is the difficulty of families when it comes to education, child care and even communication during the pandemic.

Experts assert that social media has a significant beneficial impact on communication, entertainment, and even in learning particularly for children. There’s a positive effect on their relationships with others in terms of communication and friendship in just one click even if they are just staying in the four corners of their home. They can also use it to find information that will aid in children’s learning as well as for entertainment purposes like playing or watching.

On the other hand, excessive usage of social media can also be harmful. According to a professor of psychology, Larry D. Rosen, children who are using media and technology excessively are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and other health issues. Patricia Greenfield, a psychology professor, also asserts that children may struggle to interact in person because they are more focused on communicating via social media. In addition to this, experts claim that too much use of social media can result in addiction.

These issues must be addressed immediately with the help of parents. The advantages and disadvantages of social media usage may have been appropriately explained to the children. It is also better that kids spend their time playing and making friends personally while they are still young. They must understand that socializing with friends in person is more meaningful and fun than interacting online.

We are unable to stop the changes happening in our world, especially as a result of technological development. Social media and the internet have infiltrated every part of our lives. Although social media is very helpful, always bear in mind that everything in excess is dangerous. Children should not forget to play and be happy even if they are not holding their gadgets. May they still experience our traditional games and simple things that make us happy. After all, they can only be children once. Q

RUNDOWN

QCU Hybrid Learning

After 2 years of holding an in-person classroom setting, Quezon City University’s School Year 2022–2023 opened last August 15; nonetheless, the learning mode is still hybrid, with face–to–face and online classes taking turns depending on the subject professor’s given schedule.

Online and distance learning have proven to be difficult for some QCians. There are too many distractions—noise in the neighborhood, housework, television shows, social media and more—to make learning at home or online the best way to learn.

Studies revealed that the distant learning system resulted in students “learning less.” 9 out of 10 Filipino students aged 10 fail to read simple text, according to a World Bank research. Thus, many students welcomed the resumption of face-to-face education.

Although majority of the students support the reintroduction of inperson teaching, it has grown to be a crucial factor for those who are having financial difficulties. Due to the rising costs of necessities, students struggle to get to school almost every day. It is hard for a student to have an online session and a traditional class on the same day. Consider paying for lunch along with your travel expenses and cellular data all at once, that is surely painful to their pockets.

MANUMIT

Going for an extra mile

BY Jholo Louise Baybayon

Iwill never forget the first time I struggle to breathe. The constricted chest in a way it never had before. The coughing that makes breathing difficult. You can say it was a rough life for a 5-year-old asthmatic me who didn’t know what would happen to me at the time because I was too young to really comprehend what was happening nor did I have the knowledge and strength to battle that chronic condition.

The only sound I could hear whenever it turned on in the middle of the night was my asthma squeaking. Everyone in our family experienced stress and frustration as a result. All those worries and fears tormented me.

Many people would argue that asthma is only asthma, nothing more serious than cancer. Yes, it’s undoubtedly not cancer or anything like that, but being unable to breathe is dreadful; it feels like you’re drowning, you are also powerless and unable to speak up or do action.

As I grew older, my life became completely unchecked, and whenever I had an attack, the only thing that came to mind was nebulizer and inhaler. I relied on these things my entire life; they became my source of help, rescue, and relief to the point where their absence causes me to stress even more and makes me feel even sicker and worse.

But the thought of completely relying on nebulizer and inhaler is like standing on shifting sands, it’s the uncertainty lingering in

my mind, the question “will I still be breathing the next day?”

Ever since my asthma came, I realized there’s something wrong with how I approach this battle. Going back to every asthma attack I had, it’s actually not the medicine that relieves all the pain and the suffering I’ve gone through, it’s the prayer that always gets me through all the difficulty. It’s Jesus that’s been there with me through all those years, so I made it a point to always call upon Him. There’s a lot of medical journals that will give remedies for asthma, as well as the rendering of advice and professional opinion from a doctor. In other words, the answers to your questions on ‘HOW TO: Cure and Prevent’ these kinds of chronic illness and diseases, it’s all hands-out.

But for me as a Christian, I genuinely believe that there’s only one answer that encompasses all our questions. Even if you experience a lot of pain and suffering, even if your health condition is worse like cancer or less bad. God has something to do with it. In fact, God is always in control of all things.

The account of Jesus mending a man who was born blind can be found in John chapter 9. When His followers questioned Him about whether the blind man or his parents had committed sin, Jesus said in verse 3 “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (Jn. 9:3 NIV).

Additionally, there are instances where students take an online course while commuting to university because a face-to-face subject comes after immediately. With that style of education, how can the students focus solely?

In light of escalating costs, the expense of going back to in-person classes is worrisome. However, because the classroom is still the best place for students to gain knowledge and skills, the government must not look back!

According to education secretary Leonor Briones, the entire implementation of face-to-face classes will not even happen until next year. Since QCU is part of CHED and is said that it depends on the university’s discretion, Quezon City University must at least have fixed days on when to conduct limited onsite classes on all courses. When that day is for face-to-face classes, all the subjects must be onsite also, this is to avoid the burden of having online classes and then F2F on the same day.

Hoping for the next semester or academic year, the implementation of face-to-face classes in QCU must at least lessen the burdens of all the QCians. Q

Every so often God allows all the things that we never expect – the good ones and the bad ones – so that we can ask ourselves, “Is God always good?” He is good and always will be. Although the visually impaired man was unable to see Christ, Christ did. And the reason we understand anything about Christ, it is because we were first known of Him.

He is gracious, righteous, and full of compassion. (Ps. 116:5) despite all our failures and shortcomings, He has been so good to us. Personally, he changed me from the scrawny, asthmatic boy I was seven years ago. Now I can say that I find my confidence in His grace and His relentless love.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isa. 53:5 NLT)

When the road runs out of options, He sees one that we don’t. It doesn’t always make sense, but that’s what faith is for. Even when we are at our wits’ end and through every dead end, there is only one thing we may hope for: Jesus. He is the final answer to our heart’s void, the missing piece, and what we’ve been searching for. Q

GIENYLE MORENO QCU Times Managing Editor

SHALENE MAE SAGUCIO CSS LAG Contributor

MOBILIZED - ROTC being dormant for the past years being brought back as an alternative to NSTP subject.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

QCU opens ROTC Basic Course

BY Jholo Louise Baybayon

PHOTO BY QCU CSS

The Quezon City University (QCU) officially opened its Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) last September 17, 2022 for the Basic Course Military Science 1. The inhouse training was reeled off with an opening program at the open grounds of the university main campus, where the training is also set every Saturday for 15 days. A total of 358 QCU students joined the ROTC unit, 172 of which are male and 186 are female.

The ROTC basic training course is also in response to the call of University President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza last year November 2 to bolster Quezon City’s disaster resilience effort. “It is important to be able to do ROTC so that our city will have a ready reserve force of our youth from QCU and other HEIs in the city so that we are prepared to render relief and services during disaster,”Dr. Atienza shares in the virtual flag ceremony.

The guest of honor and the speaker for the program is Col. Ferdinand Rey G. Ga MNSA (ART) PA, Group Commander NCRRCDG, RESCOM PA. Q

ACQUAINTANCE GALLERY

BY CSS LAG ADDITIONAL TEXT BY Jholo Louise Baybayon

PHOTO BY QCU CSS

Maintaining a respectable appearance may benefit one in many different facets of life. Even behind our facemasks, it is remarkable how we convey ourselves to others via the way we appear and how they can tell.

What we wear sometimes depicts a message, a personality we’re having or perhaps an illusion to hide our true personality deeper into the world of fashion and arts. Clothing is both expressive and deceptive. They have the ability to carry through an illusion, accomplish camo, and plainly impart a personality.

Fashion can be inferred about a person’s character from the way they look and carry themselves. Sometimes, this is where we find our comfort zone, grasping the confidence as we wear our OOTDs and somehow, no doubt, felt that this will lead us to realize our full potential and work where we are best at or maybe felt that this will lead us to our limelight.

The adage “clothes make a man” was accurate in describing how people initially perceive one another. Whether we like it or not, a significant portion of the initial impression we get of someone is based on how you look or more specifically, how you are dressed.

We are obsessed with being aesthetically pleasing. We enjoy being current with fashion and keeping up with the newest trends. Our outfits doesn’t only reflect our self-expression, it also replicates our taste visually and match attire depending on our mood. Thinking bout it, not only we are what we wear, but we become what we wear. Q

“An acquaintance merely enjoys your company, a fair-weather companion flatters when all is well, a true friend has your best interests at heart and the pluck to tell you what you need to hear.”

Style is a way you to say who you are without having to speak.

“ RACHEL ZOE Fashion Stylist

”