“I’m just a driver, so I can’t really do anything about it. If I don’t comply, where will I get money to feed my family?”
These were the words of Edwin Copino, a jeepney driver from Tabontabon, Leyte, in an interview with The Science Net on February 25, when asked about his opinion on the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) demand to modernize traditional jeepneys.
In his 21 years as a jeepney driver, Copino has depended on the daily income he gets from driving to feed his family. However, with the DOTr’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), his earnings, which are barely enough to last the day, might become even smaller.
“Once these jeepneys get phased out, we’ll have to pay more
TABINAS AND SAMANTHA MACABIT COMMUNITY NEWS
boundary, so we’ll earn less,” he said.
On the other hand, Cipriano Garcia, 51 years as a driver, also strongly disagrees with the modernization. He said not only will the modern jeepneys be much harder to maintain than the traditional ones, but the additional boundary they need to pay will only leave them with very little
income, if any will even be left.
“I don’t like it,” he said. “If they really do proceed with the phaseout, imagine just how many drivers will be left to starve,” he added.
He also questioned why the government is pushing for modernization when their jeepneys are still usable and
in good condition. Meanwhile, Ariel Lauzon, a jeepney driver for 14 years, said modernizing the jeepneys revolves around loans that are beyond the financial capacity of jeepney operators. He also said they are at a disadvantage, as the capital could reach millions and maintenance of these modern jeepneys is costly.
Said event was one of the three competitions held for the 89th National Book Week and National Reading Month Culmination Program spearheaded by the school’s English Unit and the Book Lovers’ Club, in which students were allowed to dress as book characters of their choice.
The winners for the contest were picked based on votes collected. The students awarded were Alyssa Avorque from Batch 2029; Leira Ponferrada from Batch 2028; Dhanielle Guino-o from Batch 2027; Mary Québec and Shenna Ongbit from Batch 2026; Esmar Abobo from Batch 2025; and Rio Rañin from Batch 2024, with each person being awarded P500.
“Winning the contest made me feel accomplished because my efforts in preparing my costume were recognized,” Abobo said.
Live Museum and Newspaper Poetry tilts
The Live Museum showcased the acting prowess of several groups of Pisay EVC students, as they created their own versions
of classic children’s books and acted them out in the campus gymnasium. The stories showcased in this event were two renditions of The Little Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan, The Three Little Pigs, Beauty and the Beast, and Tangled.
The award for third place went to Batch 2027s rendition of the Three Little Pigs, the second place went to Batch 2024s version of The Little Red Riding Hood, and the first place went to Batch 2025s rendition of Peter Pan. The first placers received P5000 while the rest of the winners received consolation prizes.
“It was an interesting experience to say the least and I’m glad that we at least performed our best and won first place,” said Sebastian Ong, a member from the cast of Batch 2025s Peter Pan.
The Newspaper Poetry tilt let students write and submit haikus with the theme “Read, Reread, and Relieve”. Their outputs were then displayed at the front of the library and judged by the school librarians and the faculty of the English and the Filipino Units.
Christine Mutthan from
Batch 2027 and Lakambini Hoo from Batch 2026 won third place, Poimen Deb Agnila from Batch 2025 won second place, and Nathan Dela Torre from Batch 2024 won first place. The winners were awarded P200, P300, and P500, respectively.
“I feel honored that they chose my work,” said Nathan Dela Torre, the winner of the contest. “My work was about children being the future of the world and how we can educate children through books,” he added.
BLC Adviser Angelica Cagara, also one of the campus’ librarians, congratulated the contest winners and thanked several school organizations along with the students for participating in the event.
“A round of heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of our contests, the winners of the Newspaper Poetry Contest, Book Look and Live Museum. Your unwavering effort, creativity, and talent in bringing literary characters to life have truly elevated the essence of this celebration,” she said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted an earthquake and fire drill orientation at Philippine Science High School—Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC), November 20, 2023.
To reorient scholars about disaster preparedness, Fire Officer I Romeo Canayong and Fire Officer I Jovelyn Montes talked about fire prevention and earthquake safety at the PSHS-EVC Gymnasium.
Canayong discussed the importance of acquiring basic knowledge on the nature and behavior of fire, familiarizing the proper response and procedures, raising awareness on fire safety, as well as the anatomy of a fire extinguisher and how to use it.
“This is an important lecture that you should internalize for you can use this as long as you live,” Canayong said.
Following the talk on fire prevention, Montes spoke about earthquake response enumerating what people should know before, during, and after an earthquake.
“It is really vital to hold lectures to students, so that they will become aware,” Montes said.
Co stressed the importance of these demonstrations, noting that they instill a “healthy fear” that reinforces what students have learned.
The event concluded with an evaluation attended by PSHS-EVC faculty, Student Alliance officers, Red Cross Youth officers, and BFP Palo
Out of 17 participating countries, Pisay-EVC’s Margarette Joelly Nuñez secured the grand prize in the Science Discussion during the Japan Super Science Fair (JSSF) 2023, hosted by Ritsumeikan University - BiwakoKusatsu Campus in Kusatsu, Japan, November 3-7.
Nuñez alongside her group mates–Worachon Promchaisri, Jenelle Wong, Aoi Nagano, Karen Kurisu, and Taishi Kibe–bested participants from across the globe. Upon winning, Nuñez graciously shared credit with her group mates acknowledging their collective success.
“I am thrilled to have won such an award in an international competition. The credit for this also goes to my brilliant groupmates. Without them, I would not have succeeded,” Nuñez said.
She stressed the enriching experience of connecting with diverse individuals, particularly from Asia. The event underscored the significance of global exchange programs, fostering personal growth through cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
“The vibe of the whole event was full of enthusiasm, excitement and genuine connection between the participants, as well as the organizers,” Conde, Nuñez’s coach, said.
Further, she stressed the importance of exposing students to diverse approaches to international STEM-inclined research.
“Even though we have limitations in doing our research, we can still be proud of our output because ours is definitely at par with what we know is recognized as the best projects of students all around the world,” she added.
Ten delegates and 2 chaperones from Ritsumeikan Junior and Senior High School immersed themselves in Philippine culture during the 8th Philippines-Japanese Partnership Summit (PJPS-8) at Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus, February 1-4.
Yuki Shirai, Vice Principal of Ritsumeikan Junior and Senior High School, Ashton Dixton, English teacher, along with selected Grade 10-11 students—Miyu Umegaki, Maho Matsumara, Misaki Kimura, Kae Kutsuwa, Rio Okada, Taiki Yoshimura, Kanta Ogino, Soma Odagiri, Kenshin Sakamoto, Saku Takehara took part in this year’s PJPS.
Each of the Japanese students were accompanied by a buddy from PSHS-EVC, namely Amanda Noel of Grade 8, Danielle Anos, Ahkia Balo, Clara Canta, and Samuelle Jagonio from Grade 9, Samantha Macabit, Charles David Uy, Zachary Tan, Mylka Machica of Grade 10, and Charles Joshua Uy of Grade 12. These buddies also served as their host families.
On the first day of PJPS 8, the delegates toured around historical locations in Tacloban City and Palo, such as the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, San Juanico Bridge, Eastern Visayas Science Centrum, and Leyte Provincial Capitol. Later on, dinner was served in the Multimedia Center, where they got to meet the family members of their buddies.
On the second day, an opening program was held in the school gymnasium, in which the student body were given chances to ask the
Japanese delegates several questions about their stay in the Philippines, and House Thalette performed an intermission number of their winning cheerdance performance during SportsFest 2024.
After the opening program, they did several activities—engaging in group conversations, learning baybayin, exploring the machines and making creations out of 3-D pens in the Fabrication Laboratory, playing traditional Filipino games, and learning the song “Inday”. In the evening, a closing program was held which featured musical performances from: Rondalla, Pisayaw, and Musikanta.
“I felt a big difference between Japan and the Philippines. For example, roads, city atmosphere and economic disparities. It’s bad for Filipinos, but to be honest, Japan ranks fourth in the world in economic rankings and is rich internationally, but the Philippines is not. But everyone I met in the Philippines seemed happier than the Japanese,” Taiki Yoshimura said.
Yoshimura also said that his favorite part of the country was getting to swim in Sohoton, being challenged to speak English a lot, and getting in touch with the students at school.
“The government’s plan isn’t too bad, but they should think of how the interested parties–jeepney operators, drivers, and commuters would be affected,” he said. “We really don’t like this modernization since we’re being forced to buy these expensive modernized jeepneys. If striking was just an option, many of us would do it,” he added.
The DOTr launched in 2017, the PUVMP, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple protests across the country, the government gave jeepney operators until the end of 2023 to purchase modernized jeepneys costing 2.8 million pesos. Now that the deadline set by the DOTr has passed, jeepney drivers from all over the country are being forced to comply.
During the deliberation of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOSTs) allocated budget for 2024, Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Executive Director Lilia Habacon on September 5 said that the school can ‘no longer sustain’ its cloud-based knowledge hub — also known as KHub.
In a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview, Habacon cited KHub as a highly valuable resource for both teachers and students. She mentioned that while PSHS campuses have returned to face-to-face classes, learning materials found online are still necessary as they give different advantages to the materials given face-to-face.
Habacon also expressed her concerns regarding the unfinished infrastructures in newer PSHS campuses - specifically in Calabarzon, (Region 4A) Mimaropa (Region 4B), Soccsksargen (Region 12), Zamboanga and Caraga (Region 13) - citing the lower budget to be a burden on the completion.
Although the PSHS System initially proposed a budget of P4.214 billion
Changes in PSHS Systems in the Visayas
In the 2024 proposed budget for the Philippine Science High School System, there has been a notable decrease in funding allocated to Regional Science High Schools situated in the Visayas region.
Western Visayas has a budget cut amounting to 28 million pesos. Central Visayas has seen a more substantial decline of 47.7 million cut from their budget, and Eastern Visayas, a 14 million pesos slashed from their annual budget.
pesos for 2024, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) only approved a budget of P2.701 billion, around P300 million pesos lower than the usual allocated budget of P3 billion.
Of this approved budget, P1.472 billion was allocated for Personnel Services, P901.2 million was allocated for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, and P327.3 million was allocated for Capital Outlay.
On September 7, the DBM clarified that the P346 million slash in the PSHS budget — specifically in its ‘Capital Outlay’ portion — was due to the “low absorptive capacity” of the PSHSS ranging from 66 percent to 84 percent and the 38 ‘non-recurring and terminating locally-funded projects’ in 2023.
Based on the directives outlined in Special Order No. 341 s. 2023, each unit and division had to nominate one employee to be a part of the committee to ensure the representation of all disciplines within the institution.
Campus Director Ms. Yvonne M. Esperas determined the final composition of the committee from the pool of nominees.
The committee is composed of Mrs. Maria Lorna Garnace as the Chair and Mr. Wilfren Clutario as the Vice Chair. Also, part of the committee is Mr. Dennis Juabot, Mr. Ramene Lim, Ms. Jessa Turalba, Mr. Legaspi Ravas Jr., and Ms. Reena Becero. Miss Vilma Padul is included as the external non-scientific consultant.
Enhancing institutional research
“The REC was formed as aligned with the school’s commitment to enhance the professionalism in conducting institutional research, ensuring that research conducted by the faculty and staff strictly adhere to globally recognized ethical guidelines,” Sir Eman Patata, one
of the alternate members of the committee, said in an interview with The Science Net.
Patata added the main purpose is to review research proposals undertaken within the school and guarantee that these are carried out with diligence to safeguard the rights and welfare of its participants.
“In the PSHS system, research, especially education studies, are conducted to give additional insight into its students, providing guidance to the policies and programs implemented in the institution. Since this is the current standard in the academe, producing studies involving human participants requires adherence to ethical standards,” Patata said.
Further, he stated the committee plays a vital role by ensuring that research within the school follows global guidelines, certifying the credibility of results through verifying the employed methods.
Pillars of PSHS
“This initiative is in accordance with the three pillars of PSHS–
integrity, excellence, and service to the nation,” Patata said.
He added that it is rightful for Pisay-EVC as a science high school to have a committee, such as the REC, as it is a good initiative to promote ethical research practices for all research outputs of the institution.
The REC is currently in the process of finalizing its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which serve as the manuals of the committee operations. These detail the committee formation, review process, and other administrative procedures related to the committee.
The SOPs were initially drafted during a committee workshop held in August 2023 at the Hotel Estrella. In the event, two experts recommended by the National Research Council of the Philippines were invited to guide in reviewing and finalizing the initial SOPs.
Pisay-EVC is in the process of institutionalizing the REC and plans to fully implement it in 2024.
As a testament to the continued alignment with global management standards, Bureau Veritas S.A. granted the Philippine Science High SchoolEastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) retainment of the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) 9001:2015 certification after the completion of the second surveillance audit on December 1, 2023.
As a testament to the continued alignment with global management standards, Bureau Veritas S.A. granted the Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) retainment of the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) 9001:2015 certification after the completion of the second surveillance audit on December 1, 2023.
Adopting the ISO 9001 Quality Management System ensures improved teaching and learning standards through effective processes, in addition to continuous improvement strategies for processes relative to an institution.
Mr. Emman Patata, along with the support of the PSHS-EVC Curriculum and Instruction Division (CID), has been spearheading the school’s commitment to ISO standards, managing tasks ranging from surveillance of facilities to proper documentation and forms.
Under Mr. Patata’s guidance is the ISO committee composed
of 15 PSHS-EVC faculty and staff members, who have monitored the school’s compliance with international standards through decentralized and regular observation of different departments and units, like the clinic and faculty, among others.
“Aside from the ISO Certification being required by the government, ISO Certification results in efficiency and proper documentation for all processes, which results in an improved teaching-learning experience,” he said.
ISO operations
Meanwhile, Mrs. Marilee Gorres, the ISO committee’s lead auditor, said that they are improving to audit the results based on the external auditor’s perspective, however, the school still maintains nonconformances, which is due to transitions in the administrative staff, awareness, and adaptation to the different changes of the Quality Management System.
“Everything stipulated in the Quality Management System Manual is not meant for interpretation, it is meant for implementation,” she said.
She emphasized that the Quality Management System is bound to change regularly because it provides you a better picture of what’s effective and ineffective on the school grounds. If it’s identified as ineffective, the flexibility of the Quality Management System allows the school to get rid of it.
“This is also a good practice for you (students), you should be observant and meticulous once you go to college,” she said.
She said that the student body has to comply with requirements involving the ISO, such as the completion time of admission slips, and the accuracy of the needed papers during clearance and enrollment.
“Now I understand why your compliance is challenging. Awareness is very poor, you were just complying for the sake of
compliance, but you didn’t know why. You have to be aware of your role as external parties, since you are the center of consideration when we do our planning,” she added.
Implementation of the international standard for operation serves as an avenue to unify the processes administered in all campuses of the PSHS system, which initially did not have a mainstream system for operations since its establishment.
PSHS-EVC started conceptualizing the implementation of ISO in 2017 and began the first auditing process in 2018, following a directive from the PSHS System to enact an identical system of operations for all PSHS campuses nationwide.
Being issued the ISO 9001:2015 certification reflects the PSHS-EVC’s commitment to maintaining high standards of quality management, following standardized processes recommended by the ISO.
When asked if the Philippines has a ‘flawed democracy’, approximately 9 out of 10 students of the Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) agree, citing different instances from social media to elections.
students agree that Philippines has a
Grade 8 student Keizha Dado agreed with the flawed nature of Philippine democracy. She said that when people express their opinions, they can be judged immediately.
“Now that social media is more accessible, people can freely share their opinions and, they can be judged immediately. Nowadays also, people can fall into a bandwagon and be swayed by others’ opinions,” Dado said.
Also, Grade 10 student Ariadni Palomo stated that red-tagging, political dynasties, and vote-buying are
indicators of a flawed democracy.
“Our democracy isn’t perfect because of external factors that affect it,” Palomo said.
Further, Grade 12 student Quiara Macasa expressed that democracy in the Philippines isn’t really upheld.
“Yes, because red-tagging is existent, indicating that we Filipinos aren’t free to express our opinions. Although it is legal that we freely express our opinions because of democracy, our laws aren’t followed because oppression against us Filipinos
is now systemic,” she added.
Meanwhile, some students don’t think the Philippine democracy is flawed, saying they aren’t knowledgeable about the topic and are generally “not updated with politics.” Philippines retained its tag of “flawed democracy” in the latest Economist Intelligence Index’s Democracy Index, falling one spot to 53rd among 167 countries, with a rating of 6.66 out of 10 compared to the country’s 2022 score of 6.73.
The Guidance Counseling Unit (GCU) and the Student Services Department (SSD) of the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHSEVC) organized a two-day mental health training-seminar at the C Pavilion in San Jose, Tacloban City, Sept. 18-19.
The event featured Ms. Kay Zabala, a certified Life and Mental Health coach from the Global Institute for Coaches and Entrepreneurs in Dallas, Texas, USA, and founder of KKYZ Life Coaching Services in Tacloban City.
Key participants included the school guidance counselors, Alona Peleno and Reena Rose Bercero, SSD Chief, Dennis Juabot, Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) Chief, Leslie Cruto, and selected members of the faculty and staff.
“As an old member, it was quite a refresher to be further equipped with the skills of life coaching. It was enriching and inspiring as well because like everyone, we were all into it. Everyone was participative, sharing insights with Coach Kay,” Peleno expressed.
She added that active engagement was perceived during practical exercises, creating an
Hontiveros, Diokno grace stude elections ’23 Miting de Avance
Senator Risa Hontiveros and Atty. Chel Diokno virtually graced the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus’ (PSHS-EVC) Student Alliance General Elections (SAGE) Miting de Avance, September 8 at the school gymnasium.
Hontiveros inspired the Pisay scholars through a video message, wherein she emphasized that standing up alone in a room full of people sitting down is an act worth commending.
“If you are guided by constant reflection and discernment, by deep empathy for the most marginalized in our society, if you know you are on the right side of history, you can never be alone,” she said.
On the other hand, Diokno, Dean of the De La Salle University College of Law, stressed the importance of picking the right school leaders.
“Napakahalaga ng proseso na ating isinasagawa kasi ito ay bahagi ng demokrasya [The process we are executing is very important as it is a part of democracy],” Diokno said.
“Magagamit natin ang kaalaman na ito bilang gabay sa pagpili ng mga susunod na leader sa ating paaralan [We will be able to use the knowledge that we will gain today as basis for choosing the next leaders of the school],” he added.
SA Adviser Vesifina Ron also highlighted the significance of making our collective voice heard and choosing leaders who will guide us toward excellence.
“The leaders that will be selected today will have the opportunity to drive positive change onto school initiatives and inspire kids to meet their fullest potential,” she said.
Candidates for the SA Elections this academic year included eight students from the Purveyors of Unity in Leading for Service and Opportunities (PULSO) Party and two independent candidates running for the positions of Public Information Officer and Vice President.
environment of shared learning where participants were not just passive learners but active contributors to the discourse on mental health.
“Through the training-seminar, I had a standout realization that becoming a wellness coach does not necessitate an overly technical skill set. What is important is a heart willing to listen,” she said.
Mental Health Initiative
Juabot emphasized the significance of understanding mental health beyond surface-level knowledge. He stated the seminar delved into the intricacies of mental well-being, providing a deeper understanding of the diverse factors influencing students’ mental health.
“There are things we commonly know that describe mental health, but during the seminar, I found out that it is more than what you think and
Grade 12 students Kyle Abello, Frances Manalo, and Michel Malaqui landed first place during the Regional Pitching Phase of the 8th Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) for their startup “NEXA” via Zoom, October 10.
As the only competing team consisting of high school scholars, the three Grade 12 students, along with their mentor Jesse Estoque, represented PSHS-EVC as Team Synchronex for this year’s iteration of the event.
“My experience was great and really helped me sharpen my entrepreneurial skills. I met a lot of like-minded people that inspired me to do better in the future in terms of tech and entrepreneurship,” Abello said.
Along with taking first place, the team also won the ‘Best Video Pitch’ award.
Spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT), the Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) is a nationwide competition for Filipino students in Senior High School and College with the goal of providing budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to hone their skills and better their startup projects with professional feedback.
During the competition, teams would pitch their startups and promptly receive feedback from ICT professionals and other industry workers.
Submissions for this year followed the “Internet of Things” category.
As part of the “Love and Relationships: Different Faces of Love,” a program spearheaded by the Students Services Division (SSD) of Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHSEVC), faculty and staff shared insights about love to the students on February 14.
Jessa Turalba, Social Science Teacher, and Neil John Rabino, PEHM teacher, shared with the students of PSHS-EVC, their experiences and knowledge about love and relationships.
They emphasized that love is everywhere, and that even people with different religions or beliefs are capable of giving and receiving love.
“Kahit walang religion, may love. Bakit ‘yung mga atheists na walang God, gumagawa parin sila ng mga mabuti? Because, it is innate for a human being to love [Even those without religion are capable of love. Why do atheists, who do not believe in God, still do things that are good? Because, it is innate for a human being to love] ,” Rabino said.
As for the question, “Why do most people want to be in a relationship?,” Angelica Cagara, PSHS-EVC Librarian, emphasized the importance of self-assessment before committing to a person. She said that being sure one is already prepared for the challenges and hardships that come with the commitment is very important.
When you choose to be in a relationship, it’s a commitment, it’s a responsibility.
“When you choose to be in a relationship, it’s a commitment, it’s a responsibility. So, you assess first yourself. Kaya mo ba ‘yung responsibility, ‘yung time, ‘yung effort, ‘yung love that you will give to that person? [So you assess first yourself. Can you handle the responsibility, the time, the effort, and the love you will give to that person?],” Cagara asked the students.
Rabino and Turalba ended their talk by reminding the students to savor and enjoy life by focusing on self love, because according to them, a person cannot give love if they do not have love for themselves.
“We celebrate not just the achievements of the past, but the promises of the future.”
This was said by Acd. Prof. Dr. Alvin B. Culaba, keynote speaker, in his speech during the opening program of this year’s Science, Technology, and Mathematics (SMT) Fair with the theme “Padayon nga Paglambo [Continued development]” at Philippine Science High SchoolEastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) on April 2, 2024.
In his speech, he commended the
with the transformative journey our nation has embarked upon,” he said.
He also reminded the Pisay scholars to learn to appreciate the sciences as they serve as the foundation for future innovations.
“One of the most exciting facets of our continued growth lies in the realm of science, mathematics, and technology,” he said. “These themes serve as the backdrop upon which our aspirations for development are built,”
world for their contributions, which have shaped the world into what it is today and have opened countless doors for the future.
“Our scientists and researchers are at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries. They make way for a future where innovation knows no ends.”
Moreover, he acknowledged the efforts of scientists throughout the
EXPRESSING THOUGHTS
The SMT Fair is an annual event of PSHS-EVC meant to foster the sciences among scholars by engaging them in scientific activities while also serving as a platform to showcase their research studies.
ADuring the forum, Latoja said that sexual harassment is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, especially since, as a woman, she has experienced first hand being catcalled in supposedly safe spaces.
“It’s good to be informed that there are legislations imposed that do not tolerate this kind of behavior,” she said, while also outlining the importance of policymakers’ role to use their power to address these issues.
“The Safe Spaces Act is the first step to combating these problems; whether online, in public places, or in school, everyone has the right to safety and protection,” she added.
On the other hand, Petilla articulated his thoughts on the Safe Spaces Act, mentioning that it was a watershed moment in the long fight against discrimination and a victory driven by people who refused to be
silenced by the forces of unjust and prejudicial treatment.
“The [Safe Spaces Act] pushes safety and respect in our communities, and with it, we must take all precautions to make sure we can make a space as safe as possible,” he said.
Urging communities to fight gender inequality together, Petilla further stated, “In schools in particular, we need to do better in ensuring that all students feel safe and assure that they can freely report these incidents when faced with these predators and harassers.”
“Remember, their fight is our fight, and your fight is our fight,” he ended his speech with a reminder for students to speak up when faced with gender-based discrimination, proclaiming that the Safe Spaces Act is there to support their pursuit of justice.
Headed by Assistant City Prosecutor Atty. Marianne Hazel M. Badillo, the forum—aiming to educate school communities to cultivate proactive measures against gender-based sexual harassment— focused on the contents of the Republic Act 11313 Safe Spaces Act or Bawal Bastos Law.
...we need to do better in ensuring that all students feel safe and assure that they can freely report these incidents when faced with these predators and harassers.
In recent years, technology has been chasing the world into the ‘modern times’, forcing societies to adjust to changes brought about by their own inventions. But this hot pursuit seems to be just too fast for the world as people begin to trip over the consequences of a society so advanced— and the academic community is no exception.
One of the latest leaps in technology blazed quite a controversial trail in the education field. With just a few clicks, learners become more and more defenseless to the threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) models such as the chatbot program released by OpenAI, ChatGPT.
Although ChatGPT is a relatively new site which has only been launched in 2022, it is one of the most accessible AI tools that puts into vivid picture how far technology has advanced. As its name suggests, it is trained to converse with the user through comprehensible dialogues. It provides detailed responses to prompts concerning a large array of topics, making it capable of various functions—from explaining random theories to breaking down complex topics.
Less than 2 years postlaunch, however, people find themselves in a sea of ramifications from testing this chatbot’s boundaries.
Today, cases of academic dishonesty in schools continue to rise along with the use of ChatGPT due to the possibilities unleashed by this technology, and the situation is only made worse by the learning mode adaptations made during the pandemic. As students have been trained to write their
simply because of ChatGPT’s capability of producing collegelevel written texts with little to no grammatical errors. Essay assignments, which are given in order to equip students with the essential critical-thinking and research skills, can now be made just by typing the correct prompt into a website. With such a tempting escape from the grueling process of constructing and synthesizing ideas, a growing number of scholars choose to trudge down this “easy” path, thus urging most teachers to rely on AI detector sites as determiners of their students’ integrity.
This seemingly difficultyfree path, however, proves to be a problematic one, as the skill-honing processes that Pisay students and other learners skip for the sake of having it easy paint a horrifying future for humanity. Such heavy reliance on AI for one of the most fundamental human functions—thinking—causes some people to be worried about the kind of change the world will have to go through as it moves forward. And if AI continues to only worsen the long term inequalities in education and corrupt the classrooms of even the most distinguished institutions through its development, then the path ahead might not be ‘for
powerful learning tool—and the key lies within the willingness of the PSHS and other schools to transform their academic systems.
By navigating the ropes of ChatGPT—or similar AI programs—without preconceptions and educating others on how to use it with integrity, students may enrich their knowledge and discover learning opportunities beyond the classroom. The topics and computations that trouble them in class can be made less terrifying through the simple conversational approach of this chatbot. From straightforward (‘explain the calculation of integrals, step by step’) to humorous (‘summarize ‘Noli Me Tangere’ in the voice of RuPaul’), the encoded prompts can be tailored according to the diverse interests and learning styles of students in order to further maximize the benefits of this AI model.
Through a meticulous process of integrating AI into the system, education gaps related to unequal and ineffective learning support may even be addressed. Instead of resisting this change and viewing it as a forbidden fruit, the academic community as a whole must embrace and promote it as an opportunity to reshape education for the better. By
And if AI continues to only worsen the long term inequalities in education and corrupt the classrooms of even the most distinguished institutions through its development, then the path ahead might not be ‘for the better’ at all.
ways to hone more complex skills that may prove valuable for global development. But amidst this whirlwind of AI advancements, the indispensability of human skills become increasingly clear. After all, no AI model can craft an educational system that is resilient enough to adapt to
t is difficult to expect much from an institution that has, for generations, taught us to color inside the lines. Despite its claim as an avenue for progress and innovation, in recent years, the classroom has regressed into a backward mindset— punishing any semblance of self-expression that defies the hetero-conforming norm. There is so much emphasis for people to look and behave a certain way, perpetuating the harmful ideology that the only identities that matter are the ones that abide by a strict set of rules. These institutions champion gender and development ideals as a formality but fail to provide a safe space for students when they need it most.
In class, we marvel at the complexity of the human genome and attempt to decode the language of diverse organic molecules. We are taught that life on Earth comprises hundreds of thousands of organisms with extraordinary features and complicated biological mechanisms that do not fall into clearcut dichotomies.
Yet, once students have recognized the beauty of their own unconventional identities and gathered the courage to take pride in who they are through what they wear and how they look, they are told that their uniqueness should be concealed, not celebrated.
What difference would it make if instead of condemning individualism,
WTRUTH HURTS POIMEN DEB AGNILA
ARIANNE ENDEREZ
we encouraged it? If instead of fearing the possibility of certain aesthetics jeopardizing the image of an institution, we paid more attention to making students feel seen and represented, then the classroom could be a place where originality can thrive and empathy can grow. We could produce doctors, engineers, and lawyers imbued with respect for others’ identities and capable of serving underrepresented communities to the best of their abilities.
Little children could grow up to see that boys who wear dresses and girls who paint their nails can be successful people, too.
While it is true that rules provide
order and stability, they should not be enforced at the expense of one’s right to exist as they are. In the everchanging landscape of humanity’s journey to self-discovery, freedom and expression should take precedence over stifling tradition and outdated conventions. Nobody should be made to feel less just because of how they choose to dress.
The kind of world we want to build outside the classroom should begin inside of it.
What if, instead of teaching students to color inside the lines, we give them the freedom to paint a picture of their own?
e can find the funds to tear down sari-sari stores, small businesses, and nature in the name of wider roads, but we can’t find a way to modernize our jeepneys without bankrupting our drivers. It seems our priorities are as misaligned as the asphalt on our highways. This leads us to the question: Are we truly prioritizing modernization when the cost falls solely on the backs of hardworking jeepney operators, the very people who keep our economy moving? Shouldn’t a sustainable transportation system not only consider its environmental impact but also the financial and social well-being of workers in the transportation sector?
While the government cites concerns about traffic congestion, carbon emissions, public health, and safety risks as reasons to phase out traditional jeepneys, data paints a different picture. A 2021 study by De Torres reveals a significant imbalance—there are 25 times more private vehicles than public utility vehicles, including jeepneys, in Metro Manila alone. Furthermore, data from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in 2021 shows jeepneys contributing only 2.3% to the daily traffic volume compared to private cars at a staggering 43.75%. Adding another layer of complexity, the International Labour Organization (ILO) notes that despite their image as polluters, jeepneys offer high passenger capacity, potentially reducing traffic, fuel costs, and overall emissions. Singling out jeepneys for the entirety of the blame regarding traffic congestion, road accidents, air pollution, and carbon emissions in the country is demonstrably scapegoating, ignoring the complex interplay of various factors.
Despite being assembled locally, the exorbitant cost of modern jeepneys, ranging from ₱2.4 million to ₱2.8 million (Philippine News Agency, 2024), stems largely from their usage of
imported components, sourced from international corporations (e.g. Isuzu, Hino Motors, Mahindra, etc.), significantly inflating the overall price. The cost of operating a modern jeepney, including fuel, maintenance, and franchise fees, renders the prospect of purchasing the far more pricey, modern, and greener model seem financially insurmountable for the average operator considering their daily gross income of ₱2,500 to ₱3,000.
While the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) organized loan programs through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), that offer subsidies starting at ₱80,000 and eventually reaching ₱160,000, these meager amounts only cover a mere 5% of the total cost of a modern jeepney.
Compounding the financial difficulties, accessing the loan programs requires additional hurdles. Drivers and operators must relinquish their individual franchises, a move viewed as surrendering their livelihood lifeline, and consolidate into cooperatives registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and accredited by the Office of Cooperatives (OTC). Furthermore, only cooperatives operating at least
15 modern jeepneys on a specific route are eligible for a franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), granting them access to the loans.
The already intricate process further escalates with a multitude of additional hurdles. Cooperatives must not only secure their own garages, a significant financial burden in itself but also wait for the often-delayed development and approval of Local Public Transport Route Plans (LPTRPs) by local authorities. Adding to the financial strain, the Office of Cooperatives (OTC) imposes substantial franchise consolidation fees. These fees total ₱300,000 for consolidation, with an additional ₱20,000 per modern jeepney unit, further squeezing the already limited resources of struggling cooperatives and drivers. These stringent requirements create an unrealistic barrier for many struggling drivers and operators— strangled by the tightened noose of capitalism, suffocating in the crushing grip of systemic neglect.
Students and avid commuters will face a future of inconvenient obstacles if the PUVMP with its cumbersome guidelines is ever implemented. From higher fares due to costly modern jeepneys
As someone who has only started joining journalism press conferences this school year, I was surprised to experience firsthand the hostility among participants, and even more so towards winners. For students who claim to champion the ideals of integrity and sportsmanship, it was appalling, to say the least. If, at this level, they are unable to handle defeat professionally and resort to devaluing others’ successes just because it wasn’t theirs, what kind of journalist will they grow up to be? How does one deal with this?
While it is true that rules provide order and stability, they should not be enforced at the expense of one’s right to exist as they
to reduced availability and the uncertainty of reliable service, daily commutes could become more expensive, inconvenient, and potentially unreliable. Additionally, the program might lead to job displacements in the transportation sector and indirectly impact informal businesses, disproportionately affecting lowincome students and commuters who rely heavily on this affordable mode of transportation.
While the jeepney undoubtedly holds significant cultural and historical value, its potential phaseout necessitates a thorough examination of its financial implications within the context of our already-strained economic standing. Implementing this change with rigidity could exacerbate the financial burdens of vulnerable individuals and further jeopardize our nation’s fragile economic stability. True modernization necessitates the prioritization of individual well-being and the fostering of an inclusive environment where diverse voices actively contribute to shaping a shared vision of progress.
Modernization that sacrifices the many for the benefit of a few is not progress; it’s merely destroying perfectly fine asphalt roads only to replace them with a new problem.
These stringent requirements create an unrealistic barrier for many struggling drivers and operators— strangled by the tightened noose of capitalism, suffocating in the crushing grip of systemic neglect.
Send your messages and letters to our official socials by scanning the QR code.
Dear Washington,
Wine of striking scarlet is a staple in any adult celebration. A sip of luxury, a calm escape from the present world, a celebration of flavors in one’s mouth. It’s good to invest in buckets of wine and leave them to ferment for ages. This way, the wine will be better: in aroma, taste, and color. Everyone will surely pitch tons of money to get a taste.
Using wine for economic and political prosperity, is this what you’re doing, Washington?
Coming from a tiny town in the Philippines, I idolized the United States of America. I heard and saw amazing stories of the American dream. I watched American media every day: TV shows, movies, and books all portraying the quality of life in America, albeit sometimes fiction. I wanted to live that life, but this isn’t about my now-tainted dream. This is about you, Washington.
There are different types of scarlet liquid, so please don’t confuse wine with something priceless: blood.
I am disappointed, but not any bit shocked by your actions. I learned from school about your imperialism, colonizing different countries including the Philippines. I know of your exploitative values but have yet to see them firsthand. Now seeing your recent actions in the UN Security Council, I can now see one thing: you are no different from the monster of your past.
You’ve had three chances to support an immediate, permanent ceasefire in the Palestinian genocide. Three chances to pave the way for Palestinians to bounce back from tragedy. Instead, you used a veto to UN countries’ support of the ceasefire, switching the lights off to the 13 out of 15 member countries in the Security Council that supported the resolution.
“Demanding an immediate, unconditional ceasefire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not bring about a durable peace. Instead, it could extend the
fighting between Hamas and Israel,” your UN Security Council ambassador said as they vetoed the international consensus. But I have to agree with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun—your continued avoidance of an immediate ceasefire greenlights the ongoing slaughter in Gaza.
As you continue to prioritize “strategic” alliances and interests over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip, it becomes increasingly evident that your actions reflect your hope of economic prosperity over the sanctity of human lives. You not only disregard the overwhelming international consensus but also perpetuate the suffering of the Palestinian people by repeatedly vetoing resolutions that call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire.
I thought you knew better, but somehow you still convince yourselves that delaying action will somehow improve the situation, allowing for a more favorable outcome. However, this “strategy” fails to recognize the urgency of the crisis and the immediate needs of those affected. While negotiations may be underway, the lives of countless Palestinians hang in the balance—their suffering exacerbated by the continued bombardment and blockade.
In the face of present circumstances, you must reassess your priorities. You must demonstrate a genuine commitment to upholding the principles of justice and human rights. Otherwise, your actions will be forever tainted by complicity in the ongoing oppression and violence against the Palestinian people. You now must redefine the future of Palestinian people because it’s not only American lives that matter.
Just as one cannot put a price on human life, one should not exploit the suffering of others for economic or political gain. Scarlet liquid may indeed hold value in celebrations, but it pales
WThe Vatican had recently approved a landmark ruling allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. Although not to be confused with civil unions and weddings, this is a sign needed today that God welcomes all. With the world slowly becoming more accepting of gender diversity, the scholars were asked the following question: “What are your two cents on the Vatican’s move to bless same-sex couples?”
This is already a progressive step towards inclusivity and understanding within the Catholic church. Often, the Catholic community uses its doctrine to justify hate and prejudice, so it’s nice to see how the Vatican balances these teachings with compassion and respect to various identities and expressions of love. I hope that countries like the Philippines, with entrenched religious and conservative beliefs, embrace this change.
As a part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, this move of the Vatican to bless same-sex couples assures not only me but also my co-LGBTQ+ members that there is progress in acknowledging and supporting us, especially in church. Despite the controversy about it being against the Bible, this act proves that there could be something good done for both sides, no matter how controversial it may be.
This move acknowledges the diverse expressions of love and fosters a sense of acceptance, aligning with evolving societal norms.
when put beside the bloodshed and the lives lost in the Gaza Strip. It’s time for you, Washington, to acknowledge this reality and take action to end this decades-long genocide. Only then can we raise a glass to world peace and prosperity.
Sincerely, Kyle Andrew Abello Someone who once thought you knew better
hat happens to a nation when the people in power control the People Power?
On October 11, 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation No. 268, listing the official holidays and non-working days for 2024. While the list included traditional holidays including Chinese New Year, Black Saturday, All Souls’ Day, and Christmas Eve, one glaring exclusion stood out: the EDSA People Power Anniversary.
This absence raised eyebrows, especially considering the anniversary’s historical significance and its prior recognition as a “special non-working holiday.” Predictably, the mass media wasted no time in questioning why this annually celebrated nonworking holiday did not make it to the list for the year.
In response, the Office of the President stated, “...such was not included in the list of special nonworking days for the year 2024 as February 25 falls on a Sunday.” Additionally, the statement emphasized that declaring such a day as a special non-working holiday would have “minimal socioeconomic impact since it coincides with most workers/laborers’ rest day.”
While it is true that the EDSA People Power Anniversary fell on a Sunday, it’s worth juxtaposing that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, a non-working holiday included in Proclamation No. 268, also coincided with a Sunday. This draws attention to the inconsistencies in using “holiday economics” to justify the omission of the anniversary.
The anniversary of EDSA People Power symbolizes hope and resilience, reminding the masses of the strength of democracy and activism. We celebrate February 25 because it was when
the Philippines reclaimed its independence from the horrors of the Marcos regime. It is recognized as a holiday not for a day off work, but because it solemnly honors the indomitable courage of our fellow Filipinos who marched the streets of EDSA in peaceful protest to reclaim their homeland.
On the other hand, Senator Imee Marcos did clarify that even with the exclusion of the EDSA People Power Anniversary from Proclamation No. 268, “it [history] could not be revised because history is very clear” after criticism that the exclusion was part of their family’s plan to rewrite our history and whitewash their father’s authoritarian regime.
However, similar instances where the Marcoses have tried to repaint their family portrait have already been done even before Marcos Jr. assumed the presidency. At this point, the pattern is pretty clear. This flimsy reason for removing the EDSA People Power Anniversary from the official list of 2024’s holidays and non-working holidays begs the question of Marcos Jr.’s true motives. It implies a calculated strategy to rehabilitate their family’s reputation, and it is more than easy for him to do so now that he is president.
In their efforts to delete this chapter of our history to fit their
This flimsy reason for removing the EDSA People Power Anniversary from the official list of 2024’s holidays and non-working holidays begs the question of Marcos Jr.’s true motives.
own agenda, the Marcoses stress the urgent need to protect the memory of our struggle for freedom. Preserving the narrative of our march towards democracy is a vital legacy that we must transmit to future generations, undistorted and unrevised.
Our failure to actively acknowledge and commemorate this event risks erasing it from our collective consciousness, dimming one of the brightest chapters in Philippine history.
midst the alarming rise of repressive issues in campus journalism, it seems that educational administrations need some reminding: school publications are in place to seek and speak the truth, never a version nor a quarter of it.
Recently, the internet lit up with controversy as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) faced intense backlash not only from their students and alumni but also from various people across the country after a series of events which led to the resignation of Leo Laparan II, who is now the former adviser of TomasinoWeb.
On February 19, TomasinoWeb, a digital media organization of the university, made headlines as it was forced to take down a photo of students in their “Type B” uniforms entering a convenience store within the campus. The UST administration claimed that the post caused “public ridicule” due to the emphasis placed on the resemblance between the Type B uniform and that of the convenience store’s employees. Yet, no statement was enough to justify the disrespect felt by Laparan, who expressed in his resignation letter how the “recent turn of events has
REALITY CHECK
ZACHARY TAN
rendered my position in the student organization immaterial and insignificant moving forward.”
Not taking it lightly, Thomasians then went to pour out their frustrations right outside the gates of UST as they rallied against the university’s continuous censorship and repression.
However, these cries and calls of resistance against the curtailment of press freedom are not only heard in the big universities.
Several months back, a similar scenario unfolded as numerous journalism groups gathered together in solidarity with An Lantawan, the student publication of Leyte Normal University (LNU) in Eastern Visayas. The publication was told to refrain from publishing “critical” articles and was barred from using the An Lantawan name and logo in any of their posts until it completed a process of accreditation.
While the accreditation procedure might seem necessary and harmless on the surface, An Lantawan staffers and alumni perceived it to be one of the many disguised threats to their operations. In fact, months prior to this imposition, the publication had already observed “increased scrutiny” of their activities and members.
Piecing together these cases, a pattern emerges: repression and censorship is a continuous problem faced by student journalists even from the most prestigious academic institutions—and the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) is no exception.
The pursuit of the untarnished truth comes as a tough challenge, even for scholars of Pisay. At times, the hyphen between “studentjournalist” transforms into a scale, wherein a choice must be made between the risk of sharing the truth as a journalist or the comfort
of maintaining silence as a student. The power to write the truth is then turned into a burden by the repressive policies mandated by the school.
From the controversies with TomasinoWeb to the struggles of An Lantawan, this pattern of curtailing press freedom persists and extends to many other institutions. Repression has been embedded into the academic and extracurricular systems, pushing student-journalists to struggle with finding the balance between truth-telling and self-preservation. What school administrations fail to see, however, is the circles they will continue to be running until they realize one important thing: the solution does not rest on the pens of the publication but on the shoulders of those in administrative positions.
The Israel-Gaza war is a nuanced and complicated topic, but the Philippines’ culture of “chismis” spreads vast amounts of misinformation about it.
We all have that crazy uncle, who during family dinners or long road trips talks about the most inane of topics. Well, as of late, that uncle of mine has been going on about Israel, Palestine, and Gaza. I have no idea what his sources are because he flip flops between opinions so often and spouts the most information I have ever heard.
One day, he says that the citizens of Gaza are actually most ISIS members and the next he says that former USA president, Donald Trump, is the one calling the shots on Israel’s actions behind the scenes. It is astounding not only that people like him exist, but that some actually believe him.
Considering the ubiquity of the “crazy uncle” type and those who formulate their opinions
around what the “crazy uncle” says, disinformation about the war and disinformation in general seems to be a rampant societal issue in the Philippines. But the issue must have stemmed from something.
The issues creating the situation are readily seen in our everyday lives. Large amounts of disinformation comes from sources such as Facebook, Youtube, and Tiktok; thus the government needs to fight it at its level.
The government should improve dedicated agencies fighting against disinformation online and communicate better and more often to citizens online. Aside from the consistent quality communication, the channels from which the government conveys what it wishes must be open, free,
and easy to find to be used in order for the truth to reach as many people as possible.
The government cannot do all the work by itself though, so it must bolster trust in reputable media and experts because if people do not think that the media is out to get them, they tend to fully take in and trust what they say.
However, the people themselves are also required to play a part. A media literate populace is a more knowledgeable populace. So, media literacy must be instilled as a value from a young age. Things like “do not trust everything you read online” and “think first before you accept” seem like common sense to you and me, but to others it is not.
Finally, we have also learned
the polarization and distrust of others tends to lead into trusting untrustworthy sources. And, in this society where people do not trust the government, politicians, the media, their own family, and others, of course disinformation would run rampant.
I know this seems like a lot to deal with. In fact, it is a lot. But this is what it takes to tackle such a widespread systemic issue, and as for the war in Gaza, remember to get your news from reputable sources on the ground and use your brain.
To quote a famous captain, “Love with your heart, use your head for everything else.”
With the push for a change to the constitution, one may only help but wonder if this is all truly just about foreign investment.
President Marcos has said that the Charter Changed (Cha-Cha) of the constitution “extends to economic matters alone”. It would be nice to take the president’s word at face value, but people have good reasons to not.
The Cha-Cha supposedly aims to reduce restrictions on foreign investment, but Richard Heydarian in TIME notes that Vietnam and China also have strict restrictions on foreign investment yet are
receiving large amounts from international investors. Therefore, a Cha-Cha would not directly solve the issue of foreign investment and instead imply another agenda with the proposed solution.
If it is not just about foreign investment, what could the ChaCha be about? To understand, we must take a glimpse back through history. Former president, Marcos Sr, once was able to amend the constitution. This amendment,
however, extended term limits allowing Marcos Sr. to extend his presidency to over 20 years. This, coupled with President Marcos Jr.’s previously stated openness to political reforms, gives a sour taste to those who remember or are knowledgeable about the Martial Law era.
With all of these flashing red lights, how has the move for a Cha-Cha not been shut down? This all assumes that the act is an act
Piecing together these cases, a pattern emerges: repression and censorship is a continuous problem faced by student journalists even from the most prestigious academic institutions— and the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) is no exception. A media literate populace is a more knowledgeable populace. So, media literacy must be instilled as a value from a young age.
of malice rather than one of plain ignorance and futility, but at what position can we extend the benefit of doubt to? Governments have, in fact, made dumber decisions yet hidden agenda comes hand-in-hand with politics.
Currently, it is impossible to conclude that either is true, but when warning signs appear, it is best to remain cautious.
With all of these flashing red lights, how has the move for a Cha-Cha not been shut down?
Bayang Magiliw, perlas ng Silanganan. Alab ng puso, sa dibdib mo’y buhay.
Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.
The sins of the father are not the sins of the son. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for a Marcos propagandist-turned-outspoken critic of the administration’s crimes.
Appalled by the lies and enlightened by the Marcoses’ true motive in enforcing Martial Law, Primitivo Mijares abandoned his career as a writer for the president and instead pursued a life dedicated to exposing the skeletons in his family’s closet. Tibo, as he is fondly called, understood that going through with the betrayal as a very public persona meant putting his life on the line, however, it would eventually put his child’s life on the line, too.
It was sometime in 1977 that Tibo disappeared from his home in Project 6, Quezon City after the publication of his book, The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Not long after, his 16-year-old son, Luis Manuel, also known as Boyet, met the same fate.
May dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal
Romeo Legaspi knew what it was like to have his freedom taken away.
When Boyet’s body was found, it was barely his own. Stabbed with an ice pick 33 times with his nails pulled out, the boy’s body showed clear signs of unfathomable torture. Death came slowly and painfully for Boyet.
Their vengeance would come soon after when Romeo was abducted by armed men, on January 11, 1993, never to be seen again.
The Voice of Zambales had been silenced.
He had exposed the PNP’s Intelligence Special Operations Group (PNP-ISOG) in Olongapo in his newspaper, the Voice of Zambales, for partaking in illegal activities. The authorities involved had filed libel charges against him a year before his disappearance. Committed to the dissemination of truth, he braved the harassment and threats of the police officials whose reputations have been tarnished by his pen.
Ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim
The sun rose on Maguindanao land, revealing bodies upon bodies buried in shallow graves that evoked no trace of remorse from the perpetrators. The bright day could not turn any darker for the victims of this horrific crime.
On November 23, 2009, Maguindanao witnessed a barbarous massacre that took the precious lives of 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists.
Esmael Mangudadatu, running for governor of the Maguindanao province, found himself throatto-throat against Andal Ampatuan Jr., a member of the most powerful political clan in Mindanao. Daunted to file his candidacy alone in fear of being hunted down by his rival, he requested his family to file it on his behalf. Mangudadatu also invited a group of journalists on a convoy to the Commission of Elections for protection, believing the coverage of the media would protect his family. Yet around 5 PM that night, a gruesome scene caught them by awful shock, and they halted their journey as a hundred men got out of vehicles and started to open fire on the convoy. At least 58 were dead, with more than half being journalists. The later autopsy also reported that four women journalists were raped before being killed.
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi
Frenchie Mae Cumpio dreamed of becoming a voice for the voiceless through journalism.
To her, the press brought joy, it set her free. But the one thing she thought brought her freedom sent her behind bars instead. Frenchie is the executive director for the news site Eastern Vista, and anchor for Aksyon Radyo Tacloban. She uses her platforms to openly report on police and military misconduct, and write about pressing community issues.
On February 7, 2020, the Tacloban City native found herself accused of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Her fellow journalists believe this is an illegal arrest meant to cover up red-tagging actions.
Four years later, she is still locked up, yet hopeful to see the day where press freedom will no longer be a crime in the eyes of Philippine authority.
The last few minutes of these journalists’ lives were spent on their line of duty, pursuing the press until their last breath.
Leo Enriquez knew he was going to die.
The morning of October 10th, 1987 came just like any other. Leo walked out the front door
Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y tagumpay na nagniningning
Candelario “Jun” Cayona breathed in the darkness of his motorcycle exhaust and headed for DXLL’s office, the place he had called home as a reporter and journalist.
Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo.
Murdered inside her home and in front of her 10-year-old granddaughter, Rubylita Garcia spent her final moments in the warmth of her family’s love.
and headed for the bus stop, pondering the possible repercussions of a critical article he wrote recently, but determined to write more nonetheless.
17 of his 38 years had been dedicated to supporting the leftist agenda as a member and as a journalist; disillusioned with its actions, he decided to give up allegiance. The days following this public and drastic shift would soon be filled with death threats from the Communist New People’s Army, Leo would be advised to watch his every step. He was not careful enough.
Barely reaching the bus stop, three men came up from behind and shot Leo in the neck close-range. Unsatisfied with their fresh crime, the murderers emptied his pockets and snatched his watch, ring, wallet, and pistol. They warned the bystanders not to speak a word or else they’ll end up just like him.
Leo’s death would eventually paint the black-and-white struggle between the left and right in a dark shade of gray.
His specialty was critical commentary on the military and local authorities, having broadcasted an interview with one of the Abu Sayyaf’s leaders months prior. At 27 years old, he had lived a colorful life pursuing controversial stories about his hometown in Zamboanga City.
Candelario would suffer four gunshot wounds, a fatal one to the head, while on his motorcycle. It was an instantaneous death.
The fate she led was nothing short of tragic.
Rubylita was a known local radio talk show correspondent for the dwAD radio station in Cavite and reporter for Manila’s Remate tabloid. Member of the National Press Club of the Philippines, she was dedicated to being the voice that raised attention to the corruption happening in the country. On April 6, 2014, a peaceful evening spent with her son and granddaughter quickly turned hostile as armed men in a motorcycle ambushed their home and shot Rubylita in front of her family, leaving her dead due to multiple gunshot wounds. Attempts at finding the suspect have been made by authorities, but none of the gunmen have been captured since.
The Garcia family will continue to mourn for their matriarch’s abrupt departure, looking to the heavens for the justice they could not find on mortal land.
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.
Blood splattered on the driver’s seat as Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa was shot right inside his car on his way home from work. Percy was a radio broadcaster who had spoken openly about the Duterte and Marcos Jr. administration’s poor conduct of basic human rights. He actively condemned red-tagging and media disinformation, and also vocally questioned the previous government’s war on drugs.
Percy continued to defend every life that was discriminated against, speaking up on issues that concerned the people, until the one night he was permanently silenced.
Around 8:30 PM on October 3, 2022, two men in a motorcycle shot Percy from his vehicle as he was about to enter his subdivision. Two shots were fired by the gunman, killing him on the spot. The driver then swiftly sped away, escaping the heinous crime. Percy leaves behind his spouse and six children.
The perpetrators were found to be hired killers. After the investigation, it was discovered that Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag played an integral role in the crime, as the police believed Percy’s killing was fueled by his criticisms of Bantag in his radio show, Lapid Fire.
Percy Lapid stood up for freedom of speech. Now, he’s gunned down for the same —dying for the cause he once lived for. Despite the music of journalists becoming more suppressed than ever, they continue to defy the conductor’s baton, writing sheet music of freedom in blood-red ink.
Sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw
ZANDRA MENDOZA
Kimpampara hiza bira AH AH!
Fear not if you’ve found yourself scratching your head in confusion over the mish-mash of unfamiliar words uttered just above this paragraph. This is no hidden code or foreign speech, but none other than the alien language adopted by Drag Race Philippines Season Two finalist, M1ss Jade So. However, her fantasies and otherworldly vocabulary aren’t the only colorful things you can expect from a show like this.
If you’ve opened your X (formerly known as Twitter) application at least once this year, then you’ve probably come across clips of extravagantly dressed drag queens either gliding down runways with unrivaled personality, lip-syncing to the most iconic songs with their entire chest, sipping martinis and dishing on the latest drama, or even pointing fingers and arguing in dressed-down outfits. It’s an understatement to say that Drag Race PH has consumed everyone’s social media timelines, minds, and sense of humor. It’s hard to find one person who hasn’t had their very own M1ss Jade *tongue click* So era. With the recent conclusion of the show’s second season, it has, without a doubt, broken boundaries like never before seen in Filipino television.
Drag Race PH offers a look into queer humor and heritage that is purely and authentically Filipino, despite being an international franchise. With each mini and maxi challenge, the queens showcase charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, paired with witty pop culture references only the truest of Filipinos (or the most chronically online of gay people) could understand. With jokes that not even English subtitles could express in their entirety, piping hot tea from years of experience under the queens' belts, and a star-studded lineup of judges, it's no wonder that this show has risen to fame the way it has.
But beyond the glitz and glamor of their couture costumes, the flashing lights and loud music that overtake the main stage, and the silly antics and dramatics behind the scenes, are twelve queens who fight for one cause– better representation, and a better future for LGBTQ+ Filipinos all across the
globe.
From Arizona Brandy and Hana Beshie, who aim to represent the underdogs of the Filipino drag scene, to ØV C*nt and M1ss Jade, who continuously break the boundaries of gender expression. To Bernie and DeeDee Marie Holiday, who prove that age will never equate to passing your peak. To Matilduh and Tiny Deluxe, who showcase the abundance of talent within the community. To the winner herself–Captivating Katkat, who has stood as one of the most prominent advocates of Transgender rights on the show, and to every queen who has stood on the main stage, no matter how short their time may have been.
Despite the comedy and laughter that trademark the DRPH franchise, it has never failed to challenge norms, break stereotypes, and be the voice of the community. It’s more than just a competition– it’s a display of sisterhood, solidarity, and ultimately, unity.
But this spirit is not only one for the screens— it transcends beyond the confines of TV entertainment and into the hearts of every queer Filipino watching it. Not only has this craze introduced a new wave of Gen Z slang and humor, but it has also inspired others to step into the limelight; if EVC’s recently concluded Humanities Days 2024 event Bongkaras is anything to go by. Donning six-inch heels and glimmering outfits, three of the school’s very own drag queens channeled their inner Drag Race PH contestants as they swayed, dipped, flipped, and lip-synced for their lives.
In a school that has always been tolerant but unsupportive of nonheteronormative lifestyles, Bongkaras is a step in a new and right direction– and we have Drag Race PH to thank for that.
So if you’re looking for your next late-night show to binge-watch after exam week, something that'll leave you clutching your stomach in a fit of laughter, or haphazardly searching for the nearest tissue box after bursting into tears, look no further than both seasons of Drag Race Philippines. An unfiltered, unapologetic love letter to queer Pinoys.
Now can I get an eme up in here?
CURVYLICIOUS LIPSYNC DIVA l KYLIE PORLARES
So first of all, it's a platform for me to showcase who I really am as a person, as a “performer”. It made me feel really good that the school is willing to give space for us in the community. Plus, I hope events like these happen more often so that more people get to be represented.
8 - JASMINE'S DANCER DELUXE l NIÑO BALOYO VOICE GANDUH
I had never participated in a competition in Pisay before, also initially had a lot of difficulty practicing my performance and was rather anxious. However, when the competition finally came, my anxiety vanished since the Pisay Faculty and Students were genuinely applauding my performance, which gave me a great sense of confidence. Many thanks also to my friends and fans who encouraged me to join Bongkaras! I do intend to compete in more events in the future.
Iwas finally an angel in the city of angels!
I left the Philippines at 10:40PM on Christmas Eve, and I arrived in Los Angeles on the same day, just 4 hours before. I know, time zones are confusing. Anxious yet excited, I stepped out of the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) with a whole new world outside the confines of my homeland. Would I enjoy it here and maybe call this land my new home? With temperatures able to freeze my warm Filipino heart, streets reminiscent of the hustle and bustle of Downtown, Tacloban, and family I haven’t seen in years, my heart was shouting maybe. As a Filipino in a scene of white people, culture shocks were thrown at me from every angle. However, I had to pause my shock until then because I had to go to the address we put on all the documents we had before leaving for the US. Hello Anaheim, the only place I’d stop time and drive around for a person. My first Christmas in the US was one for the books. I met my cousins who I’ve only seen on video calls, hugged the grandparents I’ve seen only when I was smaller, and shook hands with newfound family. I bathed in the cold winter weather where whenever I let out air, it seemed I was smoking (I don’t). I knew I was with my family but I still missed my mom. It was hard without her, especially during the holidays. I couldn’t say “Ma, hain na an spaghetti?” and yet I thought that if it was hard for me, how much harder was it for my mom when she was spending Christmas alone in the festive streets of Manila? Despite the thought, I still enjoyed the night talking about what was different between the Philippines and the US with my family.
Still wondering why American restaurants don’t usually have spoons, I was brought by my family to Stanford Homes Inc., the board and care facility my family runs in Fullerton, CA. Advertised as a service beyond care, I was immediately greeted with a hi and a bright smile by one of the residents as soon as I entered the house. A diverse community of residents filled the halls. They were given fun activities such as Scrabble and dominos, mouth-watering homemade meals, and familial care. It took me a hot minute to associate their names with their faces and learn the day-to-day happenings in the facility but I eventually came to realize that it was quite similar to a big family home. Right there, I was eager to help out in the facility so I was given the task of organizing activities for the residents. I barely knew these people but I felt joy knowing that they enjoyed playing games with me. I even had the honor of teaching some of them Chinese Checkers. Despite the cold nights of January, I found warmth in the faces of these people. Although from different
each other and find a home away from home. Living like a tourist, I enjoyed their company as much as I loved strolling on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, window shopping on Rodeo Drive, and basking under the bright lights of Los Angeles.
Moving to December 31, New Year’s Eve, I was excited to see fireworks and hear the happiness that the holiday brought to people. This excitedness was cut short when I found out that fireworks were not allowed in residential areas and people couldn’t scream their lungs out like they did in the Philippines. Streets were empty like any normal night and I couldn’t even clang the pots to wish the bad spirits away. Despite the disappointment, I still looked forward to my birthday. January 7, I felt young and sweet at only seventeen. Unlike New Years, my birthday was definitely worth the excitement as I enjoyed the day eating cheesecake and watching movies with my family.
Fast forward to January 12, my first solo flight was waiting for me. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada! Despite temperatures dropping to -5°C, I was ecstatic to see jaw-dropping sights here and there like the famous Bellagio, the MGM, and the Venetian. The whole Las Vegas Strip was marvelous. Good food left and right but still no spoons - pretty crazy. Shopping was the fun part - buying clothes, books, and gifts for the people in the Philippines whom I missed dearly. I even lost my wallet on a trip to Barnes and Noble but fortunately, people were nice enough to turn it over. Unfortunately, making sins (actually hope I didn’t) in Sin City was cut to three days and yet three days was enough to make me say that Las Vegas, you are my Roman Empire.
Again, I was an unforgettable California Girl. With three days left before my flight back to the Philippines, I stayed at home to pack, leaving the family room looking like a tornado flew around it, so please excuse the mess it made. My clothes and all the necessities a balikbayan should have - chocolates, gifts, and souvenirs - were all around the place. With my friends and family in the Philippines to think about, I had to leave some of my clothes behind because 46 kilograms of luggage wasn’t enough to fit my Imelda Marcos closet. January 18 was when I said goodbye to Anaheim and my family. In the airport, I shed a tear as I said goodbye to my dad and hello to my second solo flight. With around 24 hours of flight because of delays and a stopover in Vancouver, I was exhausted when I arrived back in Tacloban. Before I left for the US, I was exceedingly nervous but now that I’ve been there, maybe the assumption as an angel in Los Angeles is not that bad. It’s been a month since I’ve descended and I say, since hellos are short and goodbyes are only half farewells, I’ll see you again
FLAER DE LEON
Dante hated Taho. He wanted nothing to do with it. He never bought it by his own volition and if someone else bought it for him, the Taho would just end up in the trash. He hated the taste of it. In his defense, it was bland and tasteless, and Dante didn’t like dull things. For his entire childhood all he wanted to do was avoid it.
Until fate decided to intervene.
Life tested him early, and by the time he was 17 he needed to start working to provide for himself and his family. In his eyes, the best way for him to do that was to sell Taho —the very thing he detested. He found good money in the business, a comfortable means to get by. He had to face his aversion, he had to befriend his foe.
Over the years, Dante developed an inevitable fondness for Taho. How can he not when he spends most of his time with it. In his time together with the delicacy, he has learned its secrets, how to take care of it, value it, improve it, and develop trust in it. In his long time with Taho, it hasn’t let him down.
Now, he’s turning 36 and still selling Taho. But what changed between now and back when he was 17 was his attitude towards his job. He now loves his work, proud of it even. In my talk with him, he kept repeating about the health benefits gained from consuming Taho, along with how he sees his job as good honest work by providing a quick and easy breakfast for Pisay students, dormers, teachers, and employees alike.
In his 19 years of work, he hasn’t wavered in his devotion to selling the beloved snack.
Every day he would wake up at 4 at his house near the San Juanico bridge then travel downtown to buy the Taho he would sell. On the weekdays, he would go all over Palo in the morning, bringing elation and fond memories to the community, and to the Pisay students who await for him. He would continue even on weekends. By selling Taho by the MacArthur park the entire day, he would provide happy moments to the families visiting there by helping enhance the park experience.
He sweetens the lives of those around him with a drizzle of Condensada and a sprinkle of passion.
Now, Dante not only loves Taho, he loves it contagiously. He has shared this love through his tireless devotion and infectious enthusiasm, touching the hearts and lives of his customers, including mine.
ZANDRA MENDOZA
The catcalls that ring through the speakers of the auditorium building and reverberate through my ears brings back memories that had been tucked away in the back of my mind. Memories of sickening grins and leering eyes, prying gazes, and uncomfortable hands. What seemed to be another mere talk to keep us locked away in the auditorium for a few hours had suddenly proven itself to be far more personal now.
From as early as mere children, it’s instilled in our minds that all compliments should be met with appreciation and a warm smile. That no matter who it may be from, or however we may feel about it, there should always be a thank you in response. It’s common courtesy. Even when there’s an uncomfortable lump forming in your throat upon hearing unwarranted words. Any form of resistance or disdain would be seen as bad behavior. It’s just a compliment, after all. Discomfort is out of the question.
But sometimes, it’s unavoidable. Sometimes, compliments turn into inappropriate comments. Sometimes, inappropriate comments turn into physical harassment. And sometimes, it takes a turn for the worst.
It was for this reason that Republic Act 11313, commonly known as the Safe Spaces Act or “Bawal Bastos Law”, was brought into force.
From harassment on the streets, in the workplace, in educational institutions, public utility vehicles, and even online, no offender is free from
punishment once reported, unless the basis for the report is unfounded.
No longer can these perpetrators hide behind the guise of “compliments”, “harmless jokes”, and other lazily strung together excuses to justify their actions.
However, as with many other laws in the system, shortcomings are unavoidable. A lack of evidence, no matter how truthful an experience may be, may lead to a dismissed case. Minors, no matter how aware of their own actions they may be, are only sentenced to disciplinary action at most.
to be able to shed light on such a taboo and rarely-acknowledged form of crime.
Despite these, there's no doubt that having laws that explicitly highlight the protection of citizens from unwarranted treatment and harassment based on gender is crucial, especially in today’s society, when gender positivity is rampant and the line between self-expression and offensiveness can oftentimes be blurred. Not only has the Safe Spaces Act continued to provide an avenue for victims to be able to seek help, but it has also opened up broader
The talk finally ends. I’d spent the past hour or two engrossed in the riveting topic, and as I leave the auditorium, a million thoughts cloud my mind. I had gained insights. Had a few complaints and unvoiced comments, here and there, but as I step out and out of the building, I recall the title page of the slideshow presentation.
True to its name, it’s one step closer to providing a safe space for everyone.
DAVID ROBERTS
Partnering with its own Center for Research in Science and Technology (CReST) , the Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence as two Grade 12 students from the campus participated in the International Collaborative Research (ICR) Fair in Japan.
Christine Ivy Joy Aniano and Abegail May Poblete, under the guidance of their advisers, Wilfren Clutario, Nichell Villarta and Ma. Brenda Gajelan-Samson, presented their study titled “Evaluation of Medicinal Properties Contained in Plant Constituents.”
The International Collaborative Research (ICR) Fair, hosted by Rits High School in Japan, stands as a global gathering attracting participants from over 9 countries. This prestigious event brings together students from 41 schools worldwide to collaborate on diverse research projects.
Among the 142 attendees, two came from PSHS-EVC and were paired with Miyu Tsutsui and Sophia Suzuki from Tokyo Tech High School for Science and Technology.
Drawing inspiration from the traditional use of plant extracts in medicine in both countries, the presenters sought to assess the effectiveness of natural remedies, which compared to synthetic medicines, based on their composition of bioactive compounds, is believed to be more favorable for the human body.
Assessing cytotoxic, hemostatic effects
The field of natural medicine remains relatively obscure, with only a small
number of plant species undergoing thorough scientific examination. As a result, there’s limited knowledge about their potential biological effects. Despite this challenge, the researchers were motivated by their determination to delve deeper into the subject, fueling their passion for the study.
The research focused on the Assessment of two medicinal plants found in the Philippines (soursop) and Japan (pawpaw) for cytotoxic and hemostatic effects on the human body, to which they divided the study on the plants native to them.
Both plants underwent a series of rigorous procedures to facilitate the study of their flavonoid composition and provide valuable insights into the bioactivity of the tested plant extracts. These procedures included maceration, filtration, rotary evaporation, sun-drying, oven-drying, and powderization. Subsequently, the extracts were subjected to testing through column chromatography, qualitative tests, and the brine shrimp lethality assay.
Additionally, the Shinoda test, a specialized chemical assay used to detect the presence of flavonoids, was employed to confirm the existence of various qualities of flavonoids isolated in the leaves. This test involves the application of specific reagents, such as concentrated
hydrochloric acid and magnesium turnings, to produce characteristic color changes indicative of the presence of flavonoids.
Various other techniques were employed for the Japanese side of the study, focusing on the pawpaw plant. Conducted online, the study encountered a myriad of challenges, including communication barriers and time constraints.
“One of the biggest limitations we had was time; we had to learn how to juggle our studies with our research,“ Aniano said. “There were instances when we’d have to reschedule meetings because of conflicting schedules. Another struggle would be the language barrier, which was resolved through constant communication,” she added.
The research stands as a cornerstone and reference for future researchers keen on delving deeper into the bioactive properties of these plants. It not only lays a solid foundation for subsequent studies on similar plants but also broadens the horizons for the exploration of natural medicine. Moreover, it serves as a powerful example of how diverse cultures and regions can collaborate, even among young scholars, to drive change and bridge knowledge gaps.
NATHANIEL DELA TORRE
Out of 30 teams that participated from all over the world, a team of three Grade 12 students from Philippine Science High School–Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) claimed a gold award in the International Young Researchers Tournament on December 28 to 29, 2023, with their project titled “RAILS: Reservation and Inventory for Laboratory Systems.”
The research team, composed of Christopher Allen Abit, Michel Angelo Malaqui, and Charles Joshua Uy, along with the guidance of their research advisers Rolex Emmanuel Padilla, Jesse Estoque, and Janeth Morata-Fuentes, developed a project with the aim of improving the overall management systems in the school’s laboratory unit.
The team developed the project after observing limitations set by the capabilities of traditional systems
being only a combination of MS Excel, Google Sheets, and emails. Consulting with the EVC laboratory unit, teachers, and student users, the team was able to innovate and develop a brand new system, RAILS.
RAILS include brand new features such as comprehensive inventory tables and database, step-by-step laboratory request forms, and a userfriendly interface.
This innovation successfully
replaced the laboratory unit’s manual methods, garnered positive feedback from the staff and the system’s users, and resulted in a more efficient and a less burdensome experience for everyone.
The International Young Researchers Tournament (IYRT) is a research tournament organized by the Organizing Center for STEM Olympiad (OCSO) that aims to produce quality research from students globally.
Results of Shinoda’s Test on Column Chromatography Functions
The Shinoda’s test for Flavonoids is a qualitative test that confirms the presence of flavonoids by the appearance of a pink hue. Flavonoids are a sought-after class of phytochemicals due to their confirmed bioactive properties, one of which is cytotoxicity-- a sought after property of anticancer drugs. In our samples, we were able to qualitatively confirm the presence of flavonoids.
Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay
Treatment: 50% Ethyl Acetate; 50% Methanol
The Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) is used as a technique to screen the cytotoxicity of a substance. In the study, the flavonoid extract had an LC50 value of 0.01 uL/mL, whereas our tea extract had an LC50 value of 2.45 uL/mL. Since the flavonoid extract had a lower LC50 value, this indicates the promising potential of the guyabano flavonoid extract to become a cytotoxic/ anticancer drug.
Scholars of the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) studied the heavy metal levels in soil and vegetation around a major commercial airport in Eastern Visayas.
For their research paper titled “A Metallic Flight: Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Soil and Vegetation around an Airport in Eastern Visayas, Philippines,” the team of Lorenne Marie Limsiaco, Nathaniel Dela Torre, and Ivory Dawn Castro received 2nd runner-up for Best Project Award and 1st runner-up for Best Presentation Award, both under the Environmental Science category, in the 7th KVIS International Science Fair in Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Thailand held January 29 to February 2, 2024.
Alongside heavy metal contamination leading to increased environmental degradation, aircraft emissions have been flagged to pollute soil and vegetation from toxic fuel combustion. The team aimed to fill the knowledge gap concerning the Philippine airports’ heavy metal levels.
Limsiaco, Dela Torre, and Castro aimed to study the extent of heavy metals namely lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) around the airport. The researchers collected soil (0-25 cm in depth) and leaf (free from nutritional and moisture stress) samples from five sampling sites averaging 172 meters of distance from each.
After using the aqua regia method for acid digestion on the soil samples and the nitric acid digestion method for the leaf samples, the team proceeded to use Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES) for heavy metal analysis. The determined values of heavy metal concentration
in the samples were then compared with the permissible limits set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
They found that the soil samples had trace amounts of heavy metals that fall within the permissible limits. However, the vegetation samples had high cadmium, lead, and nickel concentrations, exceeding the permissible limits of the WHO. Overall, zinc had the highest levels in both samples.
Based on the collected data and bioaccumulation factors (the ratio between the heavy metals in the plant and soil), the team concluded that heavy metals in plants may have been due to bioaccumulation over time, explaining the presence of heavy metals in plants where soil levels are below detectable limits.
“This raises awareness of aircraft emissions because they affect the health of humans and animals, along with the environment. The results of this study are also important in making government officials aware of the issue of heavy metals and its effects, and make policies that cater to the aircraft emissions along the apron of the airport,” said Limsiaco in an interview.
Accompanied by Mr. Nichell Villarta, Limsiaco and Dela Torre represented their research group in Thailand, where they presented their findings in a poster and an oral presentation to students from 16 countries. The duo also engaged in scientific activities such as robotics and an earthquake tower competition.
EVC alums assess Matalom mangrove diversity in published research
Eastern Visayas is rich with mangrove forests surrounding our waters. In their study published last August 2022, EVC alums Lake Therese Gonzaga, Marylen De La Cruz, and Eirene Jude Gomez, with their research adviser Ma. Brenda Gajelan-Samson, were able to assess the diversity of mangrove species between Barangays Sta. Fe and Cahagnaan, Matalom, Leyte. Using the Transect-Line-Plot method, results revealed that the mangroves in the area had a low diversity, but high regeneration potential. Moreover, one species with
NATHANIEL DELA TORRE
Team MAPA, composed of three grade 12 researchers from the Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC), streamlined canteen management by developing a mobile application named Victu, securing them a second place finish in the FLExPHD Mobile App Development Competition.
Kyle Andrew Abello, Ian Emmanuel Amante, and Crishelle Phoebe Yu, with the guidance of their research adviser, Rolex Emmanuel Padilla, developed the mobile application, Victu. Their innovation aimed to address the dietary and environmental issues that the global population face through the Planetary Health Diet (PHD), a dietary pattern that emphasizes a plant-forward diet and reducing animal-based food.
Using Flutter and Firebase, Victu includes features such as recipe and meal order management, diet-related reading materials, order reservation systems, farmer product inventory, and many more. The app
was evaluated by both vendors and consumers alike, gaining positive responses from both sides.
The team and their project managed to defy all odds by placing second against teams of professional app developers and industry experts on the FlexPHD Mobile App Development Competition, held last June 28, 2023. They were the youngest team in the competition, as well as the only high school entry among the participants that competed.
The FlexPHD: Food is Life Exemplified: Planetary Health Diet Mobile App Development Competition is a contest organized by
Tthe National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOSTPCAARRD), and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
Team MAPA was also able to participate in the Japan Super Science Fair, held from November 2 - 8, 2023 at the Ritsumeikan High School in Japan. Amante, as a representative of Team MAPA, presented Victu and their team’s project in the event’s poster exhibit.
a Near Threatened classification, S. ovata, locally known as Pedada, was found in the area. The study was published and can be found in the Aswan University Journal of Environmental Studies (AUJES).
hree PSHS-EVC students shined during the Research Fair 2024, held from February 1 to 3, 2024 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Campus, when they clinched the Top 10 spot for their research titled “On the Surface: Distribution and Polymer Characterization of Marine Plastic Litter Along the Coasts of Leyte.”
The research team, composed of Emerein Kate Malate, Jana Maisei Venigas, and Agatha Rodrigo, along with their advisers, Janeth MorataFuentes and Ma. Brenda GajelanSamson, quantified and characterized the amount of marine litter found in the coasts of two municipalities in Leyte.
They counted and collected marine litter in the coasts of Palo and Tanauan. Moreover, they used the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to characterize
the make-up of these collected macroplastics. Most importantly, the cleanliness of these coastlines was assessed using the Clean-Coast Index calculated from the gathered data. Results of the study showed that both coastal areas in Palo and Tanauan were abundant with marine litter. This was attributed to the fact that both areas are human activity hotspots (e.g., resorts, fishing areas, industrial, and recreational activities). Moreover, Palo and Tanauan were categorized as dirty and moderately dirty,
respectively. Lastly, sachets were found to be the most abundant type of plastics, followed by plastic cutlery, cigarettes, and styrofoam.
“The results of our study show the current state of our beaches here in Leyte,” said Malate in an interview with The Science Net.
“With the amount of litter we’ve collected on both coasts, more concern must be brought over to this study before it is too late,” she added.
Palo is categorized as dirty, while
as moderately dirty
Abundant passion and determination overflow the river toward enlightenment.
Ushering into a more developed society requires a better understanding of every aspect of the world: finding cures for the endless list of diseases, crafting processes for environmental preservation, and innovating new technologies to streamline different activities, among others. In this light, research—ethical and free from interference, intimidation, and misrepresentation—is integral to ensure progress in every field.
We have made tangible a more advanced world, but we have yet to achieve true development, one where the needs of both the people and the planet are fulfilled. In numbers, there are currently 8.8 million researchers according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), indicating the global commitment to amplifying research and development for a greener and more digital world.
Frightened, aristocrats safeguard their bills endangered by experiments.
Innovation can often result in increased dividends for corporations. In fact, in a study of 154 companies by MIT Sloan Management Review, the commitment to innovation and ideation, which refer to ideas by employees that are actualized, resulted in increased financial growth for these companies. Beyond the corporate scale, innovation has been found in a recent Global and Economic Value review to have a great economic impact, citing that “innovation-intensive industries created highly skilled jobs, had higher wages, were more productive, led exports, and enhanced competitiveness during the thick and thin of business cycles.”
However, it does not mean that innovation is often favored. If the innovation, for instance, challenges the status quo or threatens the degradation of existing income streams, they could be
met with resistance. Solar energy and other renewable energy sources have decreased in cost over time, but have not yet been escalated into main energy sources as these innovations are met with heavy resistance from the fossil fuel industry. Unfortunately, investments, policies, and infrastructure of the energy industry in general are skewed in favor of fossil fuels.
As scholars of science, our research skills and experience will be rendered useless if our discoveries and innovations are hidden to protect the needs of the elites.
Undeterred, prudents continue their pursuit of discovering something new.
Australian scientists, despite believing they have a role in public discussions of environmental issues, are pressured to protect political and industry interests by suppressing information about environmentally damaging policies
or ventures. Similarly, more than 300 government attempts to suppress knowledge in the United States have been documented since the 2016 national elections. Tactics range from censorship and funding cuts to destroying data, twisting studies, and removing scientists from advisory boards. This phenomenon known as science suppression is rampant around the world.
Despite instances of suppression, scientists are holding on to a glimmer of hope, as some lawmakers are on the side of science. In the United States, for example, some committee leaders in the House of Representatives are “ready to push back on federal abuses.” Additionally, in Australia, scientists are now seeing reforms in academic freedom in universities, to protect research by these institutions from suppression.
Hidden, knowledge is silenced and communication lines are askew.
It is disheartening to see professional researchers be silenced for the sake of money and greed. As scholars of science, our research skills and experience will be rendered useless if our discoveries and innovations are hidden to protect the needs of the elites. If the needs of the elites are always protected, who will be protecting the well-being of the people and planet?
Conformity to silence will be the death of a progressive society. In hopes of changing the world, researchers should continue to challenge the status quo, to communicate findings even if communication lines are blurry, and to urge change for the betterment of the world not just for the elites but also for the masses. Students treading on the path of research and development should not succumb to the curse of Cassandra. Instead, in any given opportunity, be the change they want to see in the world and use their voice to spark conversations that matter.
The travesty that is the Homonhon mining controversy is a perfect foil of the downfalls of Philippine culture and politics. With its historical, environmental, social, economic, and political factors, it comes together to encapsulate all of the Philippines’ flaws.
Homonhon of Guiuan, Samar was the first landing ground of famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan who started a long chain of events which eventually led up to the spread of Christianity throughout the archipelago, the subjugation under Spain, and a large amount of what makes the Philippines what it is today. With the government’s blatant disregard for historical preservation, it seems to show how important historical events seem to just slip past the minds of all. History seems to repeat itself as when the Spanish used Filipino labor only for themselves to grow richer, the government gave the opportunity for the Chinese to do the same, but more on that later.
As for the environmental and social, one only needs to see the photos of an inverted version of the Banaue Rice Terraces to understand. But, as we know, the island isn’t home to an upside down museum. The large muddy holes are from mining and excavation. Local government officials claim that only about 10% of the island is being used for nickel and chromite mining and that the 4000 or so residents of Homonhon are fine and dandy with the four large mining companies on their homeland. They are even apparently overjoyed with the news, as it apparently provides for large amounts of employment. However, there have been third-party reports to the contrary. With their surroundings being rapidly ravaged by a clear source, how can they not be at least mildly discontented.
This level of mining is unprecedented as compared to previous years, but it was catalyzed by the withdrawal of a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) mandate disallowing export of local natural resources. Aside from the DENR, the actions, and in this case inaction, of local and national governments have deeply affected the developing situation. And it has in turn, affected the government and the nation as whole.
With all to lose and very little to gain, Guiuan still remains dead set on forgetting the past, neglecting the environment and its people, supporting a geopolitical enemy, and developing in what can only be described as a snail’s pace. This all must be addressed at once, but in order to do so, we must first recognize our own societal and political flaws, for a doctor can only properly start treatment on a patient who has recognized their own illness. As such, we must each do our own part through stopping the perpetuation of these flaws within our society and hold our government accountable to ensure proper behavior.
JANA MAISEI VENIGAS
The cultural identity of Tacloban as a fishing village will soon be buried with soil. The residents can only watch from what used to be a coast—what used to be Cancabato Bay.
In 2022, a city resolution was passed to begin the construction of a causeway in Tacloban City: a 360-meter long bridge over Cancabato Bay, spanning from Tacloban City Hall (downtown) to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (San Jose). The P300-billion project aimed to create an alternative route that reduced travel time from the city’s downtown area to the airport, from its initial 45-minute travel down to 10 minutes. Today, a noticeable construction of what seems to be a pile of land can be observed over Cancabato Bay, and yet most residents are misinformed, barely informed, or completely in the dark of its works, and its implications to both the environment and their livelihoods.
A gravestone is being built atop Cancabato Bay, but many of its residents and city leaders seem to believe that Cancabato Bay is already dead–that a construction would not harm marine life since there is none. This is because overtime, the waters of Cancabato Bay have become shallower; the water line used to be at shoulder level, but today, it is only down to the knees. However, despite struggling fishing operations, Cancabato Bay is not a total loss. With many livelihoods relying on the very life under these waters, there is no truth to the statement until the construction of a causeway.
In as early as the first stage of the causeway’s construction, with just a pile of land jutting out of the sea, the water’s flow had already been heavily disrupted, as noted by the fishermen. Prior to the plans for a causeway, Cancabato Bay was rich in fish, shellfish and crabs. The causeway will bury Cancabato Bay under the soil, and drive both marine life and fishermen away. In an interview, Manong Junior, backed by his fellow fishermen, expressed a fear for the possible dangers of the causeway. First, Cancabato Bay is surrounded with rich biodiversity, and a construction upon it will cause severe losses. Second, as a city prone to storms, Tacloban City is at risk of intense flooding. During usual cases of inevitable rainfall, Cancabato Bay collects the rainwater, but in its blockage, this rainfall will redirect towards the city, endangering residents and city infrastructures. Finally, as the bay also keeps the city cool, the construction of a cement causeway will further intensify the heat felt in the city.
Cancabato Bay, being a Marine Protected and Fishery Reservation Area, should have been high on the city’s priorities for environmental protection. The city’s neglect for the bay that bears the childhoods of the residents, the livelihoods of the fishermen, and the picturesque views of the general public, is evident by their allocation of money that is put towards its very destruction.
In its bare intention, the causeway is a road that links downtown to the airport. This road is constructed onto a bridge that passes through Cancabato Bay, and includes a four-lane road through the city.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) argues that the construction has motorists and bikers in mind, further emphasized by the addition of bike lanes and sidewalks. What it fails to consider, however, is that the common Tacloban jeepney driver would find it inconvenient to switch routes. The original route—from downtown, through Marasbaras, and finally to San Jose—picks up more passengers. The average Tacloban resident, unequipped with a personal vehicle, would also not consider the causeway road.
In the end, the causeway could possibly pick up dust in its silence, contrasted by the bustle of the city’s unmanaged traffic. With Tacloban’s traffic still persisting, its residents will be left with a causeway that does not provide what it intends to: a quicker, safer road for the people. The construction of the causeway is hushed from the residents and the fishermen, with barely any news from radios and TV. When asked what he knows about the Tacloban causeway project, Manong Junior—a fisherman who directly relies on Cancabato Bay for income—replied, “Waray.” (Nothing.)
Just like Manong Junior, all the fishermen whose incomes depend on the Cancabato Bay live in unease at the instability of their livelihood as a result of the causeway. Even still, there is neither adequate information provided to them, nor proper outlets to voice complaints.
The origins of Tacloban City are evidently tied to fishing. The name itself was derived from “taklub”, a bamboo tray that caught crabs. Yet, in the modern day, this cultural origin is repeatedly erased, whether by the unnecessary halting of law-abiding fishermen, or by the suspension of their voices in the rightful positions to complain. It is, however, more appalling to see in a literal sense: in the blockage of the bay that once greatly supported the city’s economy, Cancabato Bay.
Urbanization, in its pure state, is not inherently bad; in fact, the fishermen and the residents are all for the betterment of Tacloban City as a whole. However, the Tacloban causeway bulldozes both the fishes and the people. It argues for an ineffective solution whilst adding multiple other problems–to the environment, to the fishermen, and to the general public. It is clear in the commencement of this project that the city leaders have future plans for flashy projects that only outshine the livelihoods of the poor.
As the past few years have been marked by alarming environmental signs—soaring temperatures, hazardous pollution, and the disastrous rising of sea levels—our planet appears to be desperately trying to tell us something. In addition, the surprising image of flowers blossoming amidst the thick Antarctic ice is a stark reminder of our proximity to potential catastrophe. However, the question is, will we passively witness the collapse of our world as flowers bloom in the coldest reaches of our planet?
A concrete example of these slow yet stark messages is that 2023 was the hottest year on record with temperatures reaching 39% above average— making it a major contributor to the melting of ice in glaciers worldwide. Antarctica’s ice has reached its lowest levels ever, Swiss glaciers have lost about 10% of their remaining mass in the past two years, and Greenland has experienced the second-highest surface melt ever recorded.
In addition to this, the extreme warming in Antarctica has led to the rare sightings of flowers. The Antarctic Pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) and the Antarctic Hair Grass (Deschampsia antarctica), plants native to the region, are thriving and have experienced a significant increase in vegetation over the past years, underscoring the rapid rate of rise in temperature. This development raises concerns for the future of the world’s oceans. Reports indicate that if global average temperatures settle at 2 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial baseline, the planet could be committed to more than 40 feet of sea-level rise.
“Many ice sheet scientists now believe that at 2°C, nearly all of Greenland, much of West Antarctica, and even vulnerable portions of East Antarctica will be triggered to very long-term, inevitable sea-level rise, even if air temperatures later decrease,” the new ICCI report says.
Amidst the number of critical challenges we face, it is important to underscore that fossil fuels and pollution remain the primary culprits behind global warming and climate change. Despite the pledge made at the UN’s Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 climate summit in Glasgow three years ago, which aimed to phase out “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies, recent reports expose a stark reality—68 countries have provided over $300 billion in subsidies to fossil fuel companies in 2021 alone. The surge in consumption subsidies, skyrocketing to an unprecedented high of $2 trillion to $7 trillion, is fueled by conflicts and the resulting spikes in energy prices. This sheds light on the inadequacy of government actions in effectively addressing the urgent need to combat climate change.
To add to this issue, reports from last year by organizations such as the World Resources Institute, Climate Action Tracker, and the Bezos Earth Fund reveal a disheartening truth—the world is off course in 41 out of 42 crucial areas. Among the highlighted indicators moving in the wrong direction, subsidies for fossil fuels stand out prominently.
For last year’s COP, which commenced last November 30, 2023, UN Chief Antonio Guterres emphasized the pivotal role of COP28 in sending a robust signal about the inevitable decline of the fossil fuel age, a crucial step towards limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2100.
Tragically, we are set to bear the consequences of our planet’s decline. Global heat-related deaths for people over 65 years old increased by 85% in the past decade. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects an additional 250,000 annual deaths due to climate change, with one in four deaths linked to preventable environmental causes. Issues such as youth displacement due to storm surges, particularly evident in the Philippines, are also made worse with 9.7 million child displacements and 2.5 million children at risk of displacement in the next 30 years.
The world is changing, and we must also change with it. Amidst the urgency, we find ourselves at a crossroads where individual actions like using renewable energy, minimizing single-use plastics, supporting ecofriendly initiatives, and making conscious choices about consumption, while crucial, must echo a larger demand for systemic change. Challenge the status quo, advocate for policies that prioritize the planet over profit, and hold corporations accountable for their hazardous environmental impact. As the most advanced race, we are expected to preserve it, but ironically, our advancements contribute to its demise. Flowers flourish in the coldest, barren lands, while trees burn for the same reason—shouldn’t these stark signs compel us to change?
House Carpho (X) showcased their skillset proficiency in Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) against House Auxo (Y), 2-1, to clinch the Sportsfest Esports Championship at the Student’s Lounge of Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) on January 25.
Stellar performances coming from Thereynz “Renz” Graciano and Sean “Shan” Navallo led the team to obliterate their opponents in gunfights and secure the victory.
“It was all about teamwork and determination that got us the victory. Even though our team didn’t prepare much due to conflicting schedules, we were able to perform at our best when it mattered the most.” Carpho player Graciano said.
For the first game, Auxo took advantage of the uneven matchup, due to Carpho’s Jian “Mikoo” Cristino disconnection before the game started, to dominate the hardpoint match, 150- 48, and take the 0-1 lead.
Carpho quickly snatched the lead with their aggressive playstyle in the search-and-destroy match, not letting the opposing team take a single round, 6-0, to tie the championship series at 1-1.
Entering the final match-up with intensity, the third game was decided in a domination firing range match where Carpho outperformed Auxo in securing the vital points and gun skirmishes to claim the first place, 2-1.
House X completed their redemption over the reigning champion House Y, racking up the much-needed points in the category for a chance for their house to become overall champions in this year’s Sportsfest edition.
“I felt very excited when I got informed that dancesport was added back again to this year’s Sportsfest since the last time I competed was back in my first year in Pisay,” Oguis stated.
The champ further said that they only had one week to practice, which was unfortunately further impeded by Sabando’s toe injury three days before the competition; nevertheless, it was ultimately the duo’s positivity that earned them the top spot.
Furthermore, Oguis said that he was clearly delighted not just because of the win but also because of the chance to dance again in front of the crowd, with Sabando as his dancing duo. He also assured that even if that was his last competition in Pisay, he would still join contests in the future.
With flame ablaze, Jasper Dadivalos led Auxo to electrify the Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) quadrangle as they ushered their way to secure the win against Carpho, 2-1 (25-16, 13-25, 15-12), in the Boys’ Volleyball Category C championship game held last January 26, 2024.
Closing in on victory, Dadivalos poured every ounce of energy into the crucial moments of the final set, delivering precise receives and powerful spikes. His efforts propelled Auxo to rack up a series of consecutive scores, clinching their resounding 2-1 triumph.
Dadivalos, hailed as the match’s MVP, chipped in 21 points and set the momentum for his team as they unleashed a torrent of powerful spikes and serves, painting the court blue in a dazzling display of dominance.
“I feel ecstatic about our win, knowing we truly deserve it given all the effort we put into playing,” Dadivalos said in an interview. “I am grateful to my teammates for trusting me as their team captain.”
Dadivalos further stated that he did not let the intimidation from the other team hinder his determination to lead and that he is thankful for the supportive crowd whose cheer both boosted their morale and motivation to win.
The first set started with
“Hit one and the win is yours.”
numerous errors from both teams, but Dadivalos quickly turned the tide with two consecutive points off his serve, catapulting his team ahead to a commanding 7-3 lead.
After a series of back-and-forth errors, Carpho gained momentum with Franze Go’s serves, earning additional points to narrow the gap and bring the score to 8-7.
However, Auxo unleashed their offensive prowess as Dadivalos secured 8 more points, sealing Auxo’s victory in the first set, 25-16.
In a bid to claim the second set, Go delivered four powerful service aces, propelling the score to 4-0, and despite Auxo’s attempts to close the gap, Delector and Gabrielle Cordeta swiftly halted their advances with powerful spikes, maintaining their 9-3 lead
Charles Uy stepped up for the team in blue, aiming to break Carpho’s momentum with his blocks, but the relentless offenses led by Delector and Go advantaged Carpho to secure the second set, 25-13.
After four Darts games for Category C, undefeated duo Quin Abalos and Rholhyn Estrada successfully took home the gold for House Auxo against House Thalette after reducing the 501 to exactly 0 at their 17th throw on the Darts Championship last January 25, 2024.
Thalette’s Jacey Dy started the game with a 23 outing, followed by Nikki Tabaranza’s score of 12. The yellow duo continued with stable double-digit outings during the early phases of the game: 53, 36, 11, and 29 to get the advantage.
Abalos threw the first three darts for Auxo, steadily reducing the 501 score with every turn to commence with a score of 5 from his first, while Estrada started strong with a 63 score in her first throw: 5, 10, and treble-16.
Kicking off the 7th shot at 337 marks away, Dy shot a treble-20, 6, and 1 to reduce their 501 to 270. The lethal Dy-Tabaranza duo stayed above 20 in their next 3 throws, with Tabaranza scoring a crucial 63 at the 10th throw: 5, 1, and treble-19 to dwindle Auxo’s lead to 40 points.
Continuing into the match with Auxo’s sixth throw, the Abalos-Estrada duo kept knocking up
bullish marks on the board, totaling a 205-score from their third to sixth shot: 24, 59, 54, 68. Estrada, in her element, shot the bullseye in her 68 score at the sixth throw: 1, 17, and 50. The duo continued the game with decreased scores compared to their strong start but managed to reduce the 501 to 116 at the 10th throw.
On the yellow side, Raysian Avila subbed Dy at the team’s 11th throw, immediately scoring a 40. The new Avila-Tabaranza duo brought their 501 down to 61 after the 13th throw, lagging behind still on Auxo by 60.
Abalos scored a 55 in Auxo’s 11th throw: 15, 20, and 20, and scored another 36 at the 13th throw with two darts at 18. Meanwhile, Estrada contributed 24 points at the 12th throw, bringing Auxo’s 501 to an indisputable score of 1. Tabaranza scored a bust in her 14th throw
with 77, pushing Thalette back to the 61 remaining. Avila and Tabaranza managed to bring down the 501 to 14 after their 16th shot but faced another bust with Avila’s 33 score in the 17th throw.
Estrada and Abalos tried to hit the remaining 1 in their 501, resulting in three consecutive busts in the team’s 14th, 15th, and 16th throws. Abalos then shot his first dart of the 17th throw to 1, bringing home the game and the championship.
Auxo’s Abalos admits he is a first-time Darts player for the Sports Fest but owns a Darts set he plays occasionally. “I feel great winning this game,” he added.
“I feel very happy winning this darts game. I started playing darts last year during Sports Fest and placed second, so this win is really nice,” Estrada said.
In the heart-pounding heat of the final set, Go, once again, fired off 3 consecutive points with his serve, but Dadivalos immediately counterattacked, narrowing the score to 3-4.
Delector and Rañin seized the momentum, propelling Carpho to a string of consecutive scores, 9-6.
Auxo swiftly halted their advances, initiating a comeback led by Dadivalos and Uy, closing the gap to 11-13.
Amidst an intense rally, both sides did not let the ball hit the ground, Dadivalos dealt the final blow with an astonishing drop, sealing Auxo’s victory, 12-15.
On the red side of the court, Alexandrei Delector anchored Carpho’s offense with 14 points.
“Just like our previous matches with Auxo, I expected the match to be intense, especially in this do-or-die situation we are all in,” Delector mentioned after the game.
There are countless stereotypes that surround us individuals deemed the best in the country. One of which is about us lugging around the heavy bags filled with half-done notebooks, a pouch stuffed with pens of every color, and a laptop loaded with endless requirements. But would you believe that many of us also carry an extra bag that is packed with sportswear?
The quality has no doubt increased over the years, and by providing unprejudiced importance to these reasons, we set them on a path to success.
A truth that often goes unnoticed past the retrospect is that we, scholars, also play actual games in sports.We defy the norm of being active in this realm by means of compliance for our classes—we are more than that. We go out there and compete in tournaments in various sporting events.
And it does not stop there. The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) system itself conducts an annual system-wide sports fest, wherein the best athletes in every campus meet and clash with one another. The event has a goal to break the stereotypes that surround us who are regarded to be gifted only with wits not grits, and brains not brawn.
There is a rhythm to life in Pisay that outsiders might overlook. Our conversations are not limited to mathematical problems or scientific theories, we discuss the latest match in UAAP, NBA, or any other sport you can think of. Our idols also are not limited to Isaac Newton or Marie Curie, we idolize Alyssa Valdez, Lebron James, and so many more.
PSHS students should not be squared out as non-athletic teenagers as we follow the pursuit to find the right balance between rigorous training and a pile of requirements. We are expected to be the cream of the crop, breaking stereotypes left and right. After all, we are well-rounded individuals whose prowess are not confined in the realms of our classrooms.
So yes, sports does have a place in a science high school like ours.
Coaching is to simply supply instruction, not to perpetuate obscene intentions.
Beyond the blood, sweat, and tears, an athlete’s story of success is often attributed to their upbringing—the people who have supported, trained, and molded them throughout the journey. For young aspiring talents, they are their tickets to greatness but past hindsight situates them to an area of mounting concern. It sets them in an avenue to become prey.
By this means of vulnerability, where do we draw the line towards the support given when we consider that this could make or break the athletes’ potential fruitful career?
How far should a coach-athlete relationship go to reach distinction? Does providing guidance equate to attaining full authority to an individual? What choice do young, unripe talents even have if not yielding to such wicked desires?
Although the answer may seem at sight or simple, it is incomprehensible to imagine the number of victims falling to these traps by such perpetrators. The motivation, the hunger to improve blinds them to overlook the horrors when they are ready to put it all on the line. In other words, they put honor over respect and dignity, which is absolutely horrifying just how much of this is abused.
The experience brings familiarity at getting what is desired, as how predators are. Regardless that it endangers the physical and mental well-
Regardless that it endangers the physical and mental well-being of an individual, these creatures have a way with words that bear fear and indoctrination.
being of an individual, these creatures have a way with words that bear fear and indoctrination. They engineer the mind to treat this abnormality as a rule, to count on that one cannot blame but themselves in this torment.
And even after the experience, the question stands—has it been overcome? Has there been closure? No one really knows the full extent of the damage aside from the victims. This then makes it harder to stand their ground considering that they are generally unheard or alone.
All things considered, this calls for an effective, viable action. The victim is never at fault. Coaches should be aware of the distance between, and should put priority only on the improvement of an athlete’s talent and skill.
To disregard obscenity is to safeguard what is in store tomorrow—that should never have been the case. We are in a generation past the shackles of power, we are with enough authority to resist these predators in action.
tanding as the premier collegiate multi-sport event in the country, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) tournament has long paved the way for young Filipino athletes to excellence. But past the recognition it provides, various issues remain prevalent in the association, particularly on the disparity in how it treats varying sporting divisions based on gender and popularity.
While basketball and volleyball may sound obvious for these reasons, I consider one thing prevailing unceasingly across the realms of UAAP–it is always business over fair treatment, as how politicians serve this country. They pay more attention to the clout, and to what provides the revenue above anything.
Fans from the participating universities also could not fail to notice this conspicuous difference, commenting online “Why is that the case? Should not everyone get the same treatment? Just because some sports have less audience does not mean they are there for business,” recently with the biased coverage at the start of volleyball this Season 86.
Tracking from the past, the organizers have had quite the history in exhibiting such contrast towards the many sports and athletes. Take for example Ateneo’s Allysa Valdez and Marck Espejo for gender, who in their collegiate years made history for their exquisite performance yet one name stands out above all. The reason you may ask? It is simply the manipulation of the media in the league. UAAP, for the people behind, is treated as a means for making money.
Priority in volleyball is focused on women while basketball predominantly lies the attention to men. For the other events, the chances of even having coverage
just depends on the toss of a coin. Imagine the effect if UAAP was situated in the absence of school publications–I couldn’t. Young athletes give their all just to be admitted to these schools, to take part in the competition. They treat sports as their life, and the UAAP as a stepping stone to their future. The quality has no doubt increased over the years, and by providing unprejudiced importance to these reasons, we set them on a path to success. A track wherein their talent and hard work is recognized. After all, sports is never about the money, it is about the glory one is hungry to achieve.
The quality has no doubt increased over the years, and by providing unprejudiced importance to these reasons, we set them on a path to success.
Holding the court in their control, Thalette capped the sports fest gold in style to secure a 38-33 victory over Carpho in the do-or-die Game 5 of the Boy’s Basketball Category C championship last January 26, 2024, at the Philippine Science High School - Eastern Visayas Campus’s (PSHS-EVC) Gymnasium.
Denying every attempt by the final minute, the stout defense of Thalette’s Reynald Ruiz and Kenji Icain closed down all doors against Carpho, thwarting their hopes to level to end the match victorious in the blue side, 38-33.
Ken Mendoza, the scoring machine of Thalette, led the charge for the yellow team’s stellar collaboration and unpredictable plays, alongside Icain to knock up the scoreboard and deliver the goods for House Z.
“When we won the game and officially secured the championship, I felt relieved and proud of my teammates and myself because we all know how hard we worked to get this victory,” Mendoza stated in an interview.
He added that their strategy was all about ‘playing safe’ because of the latter’s Cinderella run during the round-robin, initially focusing on scoring points to take a good lead over Carpho and then switching to pure defense to increase their chances of winning.
Keeping their fire burning from the Game 4 victory, Thalette crucially drew first blood by the early minutes with the drubbing offense from Mendoza and Icain, gaining a
comfortable 17-5 lead in the first quarter.
Mounting for a comeback, the gritty Carpho looked unstoppable midway through the second quarter, highlighted by an ecstatic fastbreak by Roswell Magallanes to the delight of the audience in red, 25-22.
The yellow trio of Mendoza, Icain, and Ruiz fully exemplified their defense tactic at the end of the first half, freezing the scoreboard and denying every attempt to maintain their steady three-point lead.
Aiming for the nip-and-tuck affair, Laurence Abuda showed the way for Carpho at the start of the second half, finally chipping in a bucket to level the playing field over Thalette, 33-33.
Displaying dominance by the final frame, Thalette created the necessary separation to erect a fivepoint advantage with a dwindling combination play by Mendoza and Ruiz to define the end margin, sealing the deal for blue as the concluding buzzer sounded.
“Our loss was very unfortunate, but with the winning team’s strategy, I think their win was well deserved,” said Abuda, the leading scorer of Carpho.
Dadivalos soars high to blue victory, 2-1
CLAIMING
Trust to Triumph.
Kicking off his collegiate career, world grappling champion and rookie Fierre Afan clinched victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Judo -73 kilogram division at the Marikina Sports Complex, earning gold for the University of the Philippines on December 1, 2023.
With formidable strength, Rookie of the Year Fierre Afan defeated University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Edward Figueroa in the lightweight final, captivating the crowd with his remarkable performance and taking the center stage for the Fighting Maroons.
“Sometimes, it’s not because of the difficulty of the training but because of the support,” Afan stated in an interview. “Honestly, our sports
When Oguis jives, the gold arrives.
really don’t get attention unless you provide medals, which is my goal for the next generation.”
Ending the 16-year drought, the Fighting Maroons dominated the men’s judo competitions, garnering five golds, three silvers and four bronzes.
Aside from Afan, the UP judokas Hyejun Lee (-55 kilogram,) Sean Panganiban (-60 kilogram,) Zarchie Garay (-90 kilogram) and Jayvee
Franz Oguis of House Thalette danced the gold medal away against house rivals in his last Sportsfest Dancesport tilt at the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus on January 22.
Captivating the eyes of the crowd, Oguis, along with his partner Leila Sabando, stood out with their lively and on-point cha-cha performance, earning the pair lively chants from the crowd.
In the next genre, the OguisSabando duo displayed a never-saydie attitude as they flawlessly danced to the song Havana with oozing confidence, showing no clue of giving up the crown easily. Displaying undoubted excellence
through the end, the dancing duo grandstands the rest of the competitors as they rocked to the final song, Dear Future Husband.
Oguis and Sabando of House Z claimed the top spot, while Ceslia Romero and Niño Baloyo of House X settled for second place, and Paulind Cotoner and Xander Constantino of House Y emerged as the third-place winners.
Ferrer (-81 kilogram) were also gold medalists, establishing and proving the unyielding power of Katipunan. For head coach Edgar Ordillas, he spoke from the minds of most athletes about resilience and trusting the process saying, “Those words are just what we held on to. They just instilled in each other to just be faithful in what they are doing and not stop, because ‘if you stop, that’s when you will lose.’”
