NEWSPAPER - Vol.62 No.1 - MAY-JUNE 2017

T R U T H

B E Y O N D

K N O W I N G

VOLU M E 62 N U M BE R 1 · J U N E 2017

T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T M E D I A C O R P S O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F S T. L A S A L L E

NEWS The admin plans a new system for this year’s student handbook.

Check out when, where, and how you can get yours! read on page 2

ENVIRONMENT Learn about how the paralyzing heat this summer is merely a part of a bigger picture that is climate change. read on page 2

EDITORIAL In an era of alternative facts and post-truths, be properly informed. read on page 4

SPECIAL REPORT Know about Duterte’s recent proclamation of martial law and what it really means. read on page 6

FEATURE Experience the celebration of our independence through different lenses. read on page 9

SPORTS Let us backtrack on the mostanticipated basketball game of the year, play by play! read on page 12

“Tent City for Peace”: USLS shows solidarity for Marawi CHATTER. Rev. Dr. Mike Garcia, PhD. (left) and Imam Abdulmalik Garcia (right) having a small conversation during a forum as part of the Tent City for Peace last June 30-July 1 at the University Covered Court.

BY IAN KRISTOFFER V. GA

As a call to action regarding the ongoing crisis in Marawi, Balayan Social Development Office administered the Hugyaw Lasalyano Para sa Kalinong: A Tent City for Peace

held at the University Football Field last June 30-July 1.

The tent city, participated by around 300 Lasallians, is aimed at drawing all members of the Lasallian community to take an active role in responding to the crisis.

The event was spearheaded

by Balayan in collaboration with the Office for Student Affairs, University Student Government, Institute of Lasallian Animation and TENT CITY / PAGE 6

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

De La Salle Chorale nabs grand prize in int’l competition

Lasallian bags Miss Culture World crown

BY STARLENE JOY B. PORTILLO

“Know your purpose.”

This was the advice of Rizza Paula Infante, Communications major and reigning Miss Culture World Heritage, after being crowned last June 25 at Teatrino Promenade Greenhills, San Juan.

Prior to winning in the Mister and Miss Culture World pageant, Infante was Lin-ay sang Silay 2016, and was ranked third runner-up MISS CULTURE / PAGE 6

CHAMPIONS. The De La Salle Chorale Bacolod at the 5th Vietnam International Choir

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS’ HUB – USLS

Competition in Hội An, Vietnam last June 7-11.

THREE QUEENS. (L-R) Miss Culture World Heritage Rizza Paula Infante from Philippines, Miss Culture World Tradition Tran Ngoc Tram from Vietnam, and Miss Culture World Arts Diane Razon from Canada.

—PHOTO COURTESY OF MISTER AND MISS CULTURE WORLD 2017 FACEBOOK PAGE

BY CHRISTIANA CLAUDIA G. GANCAYCO

The De La Salle Chorale Bacolod (DLSCB) brought

home gold from the 5th Vietnam International Choir Competition held in Hội An, Vietnam last June 7-11.

This is the second world

choir competition they won after their victory in the Festa Musicale International Chorale Grand Prix in CHORALE / PAGE 6

—SHARA MAE L. PELAYO E-MAIL thespectrum.usls@gmail.com · FACEBOOK facebook.com/thespectrumusls · ISSUU issuu.com/thespectrumusls

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THESPECTRUM / NEWS OBITUARY

OSA to release online student handbook

BY MARIA ANGELINE M. MAYOR

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA), along with the Discipline Office, the Assistant to Vice Chancellor of Administration for Information Technology (IT) Society, Computer Center Coordinator, and the IT department, has been eyeing the development of a software that will enable Lasallians to download a copy of the University Student Handbook online for this academic year.

The challenge of disseminating information and letting Lasallian students get access to the student handbook conveniently made OSA and the other sectors look into developing an online version.

“I think [the online handbook] will have an edge over printed copies, which sometimes students don’t bring to school. However, I’m sure all students bring their phones,” said OSA director Andre Tagamolila in an interview last June 16.

According to Tagamolila, the application was supposed to be launched over the summer, but due to the many changes and adjustments in the campus Wi-Fi connection, they are planning instead to have a soft launch of the android app before August.

He explained that he has been operating with very limited workforce as some of his staff took a special leave of absence while some had resigned from the office during summer.

Tagamolila added that the projected cost for the software application, including its development and maintenance, would be at 15 pesos per student at the

JUNE 2017

Last Irish La Salle Br. dies at 86

BY MARIA ANGELICA M. APE

most and would be much cheaper than printing the student handbook which could amount to 100 pesos per student.

However, enrolment forms up to the current academic year show that students are charged P434.35 for the Student Handbook.

“Worst case scenario, if we are not able to deliver the handbook by the end of the year, we will request business office for a full refund. But at the moment we can only push for the finalization of the application,” he added.

Since the software application contains the student handbook, it would make browsing and reviewing school policies easier, he added.

Tagamolila stated it will also enable parents and even non-Lasallians to get information about the school’s policies, course offerings, and school provisions wherein other sectors can partner with.

Regarding students who do not have an access to smartphones, Tagamolila assured that the office will provide a printed copy of the student handbook for them although it is still undecided as to who will cover the expense for the printing.

The Android version of the application, he declared, is 70% - 80% to being developed completely.

“What we only need is the collaborative meeting of the Information Technology (IT) Department and IT specialists so that we can have it running,” the OSA director said.

There will be no major changes in the content of the student handbook, besides the changes in the organizational chart and additional inputs on the history of the University.

First of the La Salle Brothers in Malaysia, Br. Felix James Donohue passed away due to long sickness after a two and a half month-long stay in Assunta Hospital, Malaysia, June 18.

Br. Felix was one of the pioneers to begin setting up schools when he first arrived in Malaysia in 1952, where he taught English and Literature

at St. Xavier’s Institution for six years.

In 1958, Br. Felix returned to Ireland to pursue a Bachelor’s degree and in 1961, he returned to St. Xavier to teach English, History, and Economics in the Sixth Form classes.

Br. Felix’s death meant that he was one of the last of the original La Salle Brothers who have journeyed across different countries to bring Lasallian education.

*BR. FELIX

PHOTO COURTESY OF SMK LA SALLE

After serving as deputy principal from 1964 until 1970, he was then elevated to headmaster.

Br. Felix was assigned to La Salle Petaling Jaya as principal where he served until his retirement in 1988.

The 86-year old Brother remained in good health, until he suffered from a fall in Singapore in 2014 where he attended and delivered a eulogy at the memorial for his colleague, Br. Kevin Byrne.

Bago LGU, URC declare first Neg. Occ. dolphin reserve

BY IAN KRISTOFFER V. GA

In partnership with the University Research Center (URC), Bago City launched the first dolphin sanctuary in Negros Occidental last Feb. 8.

Becoming one of the flagship programs undertaken by the University of St. La Salle through URC, the project’s objectives are to ensure the sustainability of Bago’s fishery resources, conserve the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins and their habitats, and promote sustainable ecotourism in the area.

Furthermore, it aims to engage local government officials, fisherfolks, students, and other stakeholders in Bago City and the Municipality of Pulupandan in collectively supporting and declaring a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

The Irrawady dolphin, locally known as “Lumbalumba”, can only be found in Palawan and Western Visayas, particularly in the coastal waters of Bago

and Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.

Their populations are generally declining due to a number of human-related threats such as: potential boat collisions, entanglement in fishing gear, domestic and industrial pollution, and climate change.

To date, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s red list considers the subpopulation of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Philippines as “critically endangered”.

According to URC Research Associate Manuel Eduardo de la Paz, the population of Irrawaddy dolphins in the MPA decreased from approximately 18-23 dolphins in 2015 to last year’s count of only less than 20 dolphins.

De la Paz said that the communities were apprehensive of having an MPA because it involved regulating their fishing grounds.

It took them more than a year to establish a common ground with the people.

“We had to do a lot of

trainings so we can educate them on the importance of MPA,” he added.

MPA management, local governance, dolphin monitoring, standing response and rescue, and environmental fora trainings were conducted with identified members of the community to eventually prepare them for the establishment of MPAs in their municipal waters.

Between Bago and Pulupandan, only the former has agreed to declare a portion of its municipal waters as part of the MPA. The URC is still continuing its efforts to lobby for a larger MPA in Pulupandan, as it has met opposition from certain stakeholders.

“Of course, the challenge is always the sustainability so that involves the active participation of the community and of the enforcement teams like Bantay Dagat,” de la Paz admitted.

He also stressed the need for the political will of the

local government units to sustain and provide budget and the members of the community to be participative of the sustainability of the MPA. Currently, URC is applying for another grant from the Commission on Higher Education to continue on the third phase of the project and hopefully, its last phase.

Looking ahead what’s next, de la Paz said that there will be training for the management board and data collection will still go on as usual.

To sustain and finish the third phase of the project, he said that “one year is not enough, maybe we need five years.”

The project is under the Protected Areas Management Enhancement Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the German Development Agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmBH.

ECO HEADLINES

The Oven is Burning

BY CHRISTIANA CLAUDIA G. GANCAYCO | ILLUSTRATED BY CEDRIC LANCE M. MILITAR

I’m sure you felt it too.

No amount of dirty ice cream, agogo, softdrinks, or whatnots could beat this year’s summer heat.

And this doesn’t rely on the fact that ours simply is a tropical country, hence the intense heat, but rather on something more pressing and alarming: global warming brought about by human-caused climate change.

Yesteryear, 2016, was officially declared by science experts to be the hottest year ever recorded in history — topping 2015 before it, and 2015 also topping 2014. In other words, 2016 was the third year in a row to be hotter than the previous years.

Research and data show that while natural disasters have contributed to the warming, man-made activities, such as the

burning of fossil fuel and the massive logging of forests, have largely impacted the scale.

The statistics may sound all too overwhelming and highfalutin for the average Juan, but the overall gist of the story is that the Earth is suffocating because of our hazardous activities and we are all to suffer the brunt of its consequences.

In the Arctic, a small village in Alaska had to relocate because their island was thawing; instead of sealskin mittens and insulated boots, they wear sneakers; the polar warmth threatens the polar bears; a house collapsed over the edge because of the melting coastline. This should not be surprising, considering that the Arctic is melting two times faster than the rest of the world. In India, the drought kept on getting worse in over the last three years, causing farmers to commit

suicide because of too much debt invested in crops that did not survive the intense heat.

Science experts explained that the 2016 global heat record was a combination of both natural and humancaused factors. The 2015-2016 El Niño, which is a natural phenomenon that warms the Pacific Ocean and in effect adds excessive heat to the atmosphere, contributed to 2016’s record-breaking temperature.

However, this was only a relatively small factor to the warming causation as opposed to the “human-caused, longterm warming trend [that] is the bigger contributor,” as explained by former director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies James Hansen to CNN. As for this year, some experts doubt that it will top 2016’s record, since there might be no occurrence of El Niño. However, that is not a

guarantee that the Earth will get less warmer.

Because as long as we continue to burn fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases, the heat that results from those emissions will get trapped in the atmosphere, which would then manifest to the environment, thus the warming. As long as this pattern continues, so will its consequences.

The heat is on — not only in Saigon, but across the entire Earth — and it will go on and on and on if we cling to our “progressive” yet environmentallyhazardous ways.

Alongside the boom of civilization could be the downfall of Earth as we know it.

The oven is burning too hot way out of hand — and as it burns, we tenants will burn with it.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

NEWS / THESPECTRUM

JUNE 2017

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Spectre, sole USLS representative IDS grad reaches in Silliman Nat’l Writers Workshop final six in NYX

BY DANIELLE EMMIE L. VILLAERA

A magazine writer for The Spectrum participated as the only Bacoleño representative in the 56th Silliman University National Writers Workshop (SUNWW) held in Dumaguete last May 8-19.

Handpicked from a pool of screened applicants, third year Liberal Arts and Commerce student Hezron Pios entered the said event under the Poetry category.

“I’m still at the beginning in the pool of poetry, but I’m really grateful that the SUNWW recognized my potential to be among the creative writers here in the Philippines,” stated Pios, who was the youngest among the 10 participating fellows.

The SUNWW was established in 1962 and is deemed to be the longestrunning creative writing workshop in Asia, catering to the categories of: poetry,

*PIOS

PHOTO COURTESY OF SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY NATIONAL WRITERS WORKSHOP FACEBOOK PAGE

fiction, and creative nonfiction.

Some panelists include creative writer and journalist Ian Rosales Casocot, literary critic Gémino Abad, and University of the Philippines Creative Writing professor Wendell Capili.

“I felt naked when my work was criticized. I took note of their criticisms and

maintained my composure at all times. Even though the feeling made me want to be sick, at the end of the discussion I felt relieved because I learned a lot of things,” he recalled.

Pios advised to be openminded to the criticisms, emphasizing that it doesn’t necessarily mean that one has to follow what the critics say.

He added that what one should do is to absorb everything and filter out what he likes and dislikes.

When asked about his journey in writing, he explained that he engaged himself more in feature writing in college when he joined The Spectrum.

Then editor-in-chief RJ Ledesma helped Pios with the theories and concepts of poetry, pushing him to open himself to other literature books especially those in the Lasalliana section of the university’s library.

Pios regretted not exposing himself earlier to Filipino writers, poets and fictionists, and so this is what drove him to explore Philippine literature.

“I hope that what I did in the workshop may resonate to the writers who are looking for a gateway to explore about themselves and their writing,” he concluded.

Bacolod Workshops pioneers recognized at first Sine Inasal Awards

PIONEERS. The Institute of Moving Images graduated its first ever batch of workshoppers last May 25 under the Bacolod Workshops 2017 curriculum.

BY KATHERINE E. CO

After weeks of grilling masterpieces and works of art, young filmmakers, artists, and production teams from the Bacolod Workshops (BW) of the Institute of the Moving Image (IMI) reaped their hard work, as they were recognized for their film outputs at the first-ever Sine Inasal Awards held at the Gallaga Theatre last May 25.

The Bacolod Workshops, previously known as Bacollywood, was in its first year of implementation as a program under the IMI in the University, running from

April 24-May 27.

“The Sine Inasal Awards was created to inspire our aspiring student filmmakers,” BW and IMI Director Manny Montelibano expressed, further saying that the ceremony is already “an addition to the Negrense list of film festivals that feature independent filmmakers.”

Best Film awardee RM. 221 raked in several other film and individual awards that night including Best Director (Starlene Joy Portillo), Best Production Design (Ronabelle Undaloc), Best Sound Design (Roem Ortiz), Best Actress (Chaela Ruth Mirano), and Best Supporting Actor (Kurt

Soberano).

Other film awardees include: Kuebiko for Best Screenplay (Gene Grace Veloso, Michaela Alvez, Joaquin Angodung) and Best Actor (Charles Ea), Ang Huling Pagsulyap for Best Supporting Actress (Pauline Bongco) and Best Make-up (Renzy Jay Losdoc, Teroy Conlu, Patse Valdez, Rikka Ramos) and Hilway for Best Editor (Moira Drew Severino, Aldwin June Juson, Jose Aaron Abinosa, Sean Philip Lewis) and Best Cinematography (Aldwin June Juson).

“Experience, for us, is the real award Sine Inasal has endowed us with,” Portillo

FACE Awards 2017

*MOCORRO

BY IDA SARENA M. GABAYA

Lasallian alumni Bea Ivanica Mocorro made it to the grand finals of the NYX FACE (Fine Artistry of Cosmetics Elites) Awards Philippines, of which the awards night was held at the Robinsons Equitable Tower on June 24.

From hundreds of submissions by aspiring makeup artists nationwide, it all boiled down to six out of 30 contestants.

“This is a votingbased competition and compared to my other competitors, I don’t have that big of a following.

Passing the two rounds and making it to the top six made me so grateful,” Mocorro said.

In order to win a free trip to Los Angeles, a cash prize of 50,000 pesos, and a one-year supply of NYX makeup, the contestants are required to upload a makeup tutorial of an artistic and original look that they have created in line with a given theme.

For the last challenge, Mocorro created a makeup look entitled “Tessellation to Royalty”, which was inspired from last year’s Lasallian Week theme “Tessellate: We Come as One”.

Besides the hard work and effort she put into producing the video, Mocorro explained

that the concept of the look was a metaphor of her supporters, who are the reasons behind her success.

After receiving her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Mocorro ventured off to Manila, wanting to practice being independent and not relying on her parents, especially when it comes to expenses.

“I don’t ask money from my family anymore and the transition to my adulthood was an added challenge, so my finances were really constricted,” Mocorro said.

She said that her love for makeup started when she enrolled herself in a Bacollywood makeup workshop for film and television under Carlos Durana.

“I realized that makeup is not something to cover up, but to empower yourself with; to enhance your beauty, and express your other dimensions,” Mocorro shared.

Before she entered the competition, she was already known for her skills in the cosmetics department when she posted makeup transformations on her social media accounts.

“It’s amazing that I’m practicing an art form that was just my hobby and eventually became my profession,” she said, the NYX FACE Awards being the beginning of her

—CHRISTIANA CLAUDIA G. GANCAYCO

stated, adding that it was the new friendships and being out of their comfort zones that counted more as their success as a team.

Also included in the awards program was Kara, a culminating ramp showcasing the works of the graduates of the Make-up for Stage, Film and Television class, while also giving an award to the chosen best among them, Shannan Gonzales.

Montelibano affirmed that there will be a next awards ceremony by the following summer workshops to come next year to continue this newfound legacy.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEA IVANICA MOCORRO’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

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THESPECTRUM / OPINION

JUNE 2017

EDITORIAL

Fake News is Real When the word “netizen” was coined, we witnessed the advent of Internet exploration and the birth of social media. The public began to look up to the computer literate and eventually, the Internet became more accessible to more diverse groups— there is no limit. Ultimately, it got into man’s head that online, he too has no limit.

As clicks skyrocketed globally, so did the spread of fake news. They disguise themselves as satire articles, edited posts, chainmail or public announcements. Poor grammar but a convincing organization and layout can fool the simplest user.

Although it may sound unthreatening, on a macro level, these small posts shared a thousand times are powerful. Technically, these fake news sites could hide spyware. They can ruin people’s reputation, be a method of propaganda or a way out from a published mistake, help in terrorists campaign in bringing mass alarm. Eventually, a lie repeated too many times becomes the truth to misinformed citizens.

Perhaps the trend of “citizen journalism” in our country has made us trustful to the things that resemble news. It could also be the lack of online literacy or our thirst for the sensational. Or perhaps it is the fact that even our own government officials are vulnerable to such posts.

Whatever may be the main source of our susceptibility to fake news, what is more imperative is that we make a collective effort to prevent its dissemination. Starting with our opinion leaders, more government and media efforts on raising awareness and educating the common folk of fake news, police trackdown on fake news sites, and awareness campaigns in schools since millennials comprise a huge chunk of social media users and ultimately, individual responsible internet use.

Worldwide, the Philippines is number one in terms of time spent on social media. One can just imagine the amount of fake news we can encounter and spread. Fake news is not something to be tolerated as mere entertainment. Keep it up and we’ll find ourselves as a country of the gullible or worse, a country who cries wolf.

THESPECTRUM FOUNDED 1956

facebook.com/thespectrumusls · thespectrum.usls@gmail.com VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017 Member Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists and Advisers and College Editors Guild of the Philippines Andrea Nicole C. Farol EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Katherine E. Co

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Robert H. Jerge III MANAGING EDITOR

Iris Denise N. Rivera

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR NEWSPAPER EDITOR Christiana Claudia G. Gancayco ASST. NEWSPAPER EDITOR Starlene Joy B. Portillo MAGAZINE EDITOR Chad Martin Z. Natividad ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR Joshua Martin P. Guanco ONLINE EDITOR David Willem L. Molenaar LITERARY EDITOR Hezron G. Pios ASST. LITERARY EDITOR Lyle John L. Balana HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Maria Angelica M. Ape ASST. HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Ian Kristoffer V. Ga PHOTOS AND VIDEOS EDITOR Nichol Francis. T. Anduyan ASST. PHOTOS AND VIDEOS EDITOR Ariana Inez L. Chua LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS EDITOR Jowan Dave G. Guides ASST. LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS EDITOR Glen Jed J. Descutido

ILLUSTRATORS

ONLINE WRITERS

Charlene Marie D. Lim Maria Angeline M. Mayor Ida Sarena M. Gabaya Danielle Emmie L. Villaera SPORTS WRITER

Stephine Paul M. Dungca VIDEOGRAPHER

Kyle Jyrax D. Sevilla

Katrina Y. Nemenzo Karen D. Panganiban Seth V. Pullona Sophia Inez A. Bilbao Cedric Lance M. Militar EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Keanu Joseph P. Rafil WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Keanu Kent B. Gargar

LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS ARTIST

Shara Mae L. Pelayo

PUBLICATION MODERATOR

Jean Lee C. Patindol

The Spectrum is the Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle. Its editorial office is located at the USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100; it can be reached through the telephone number, (034) 432-1187 local 172 and e-mail address, thespectrum.usls@gmail.com. All rights reserved. No part of The Spectrum may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Media Corps. All contributions become The Spectrum property and the Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to edit all articles for publication.

—JOWAN DAVE G. GUIDES

An Uprising for Rice If anything is to trigger a Filipino so much it can spark a social media uproar, of course, it would be rice.

It is the Filipino food staple. It is the centerpiece of every family meal. You’d expect someone who eats rice everyday at home would want to eat other cuisine when going out but no, the order is still rice. But wait, it doesn’t stop there. May I present God’s given gift: the concept of ‘unli-rice’.

After Sen. Cynthia Villar suggested to avoid offering ‘unli-rice’ in food establishments, the Internet exploded with posts and memes. Pinoy netizens fiercely defended the joy of having the freedom to eat all you want. After all, the Filipino definition of a hearty meal is to stuff himself full of the grains which his fellowmen have toiled to bring to his plate. It is ingrained in our culture to have utmost reverence and preference to rice.

Eventually, after all the ridicule she got from social media posts, Sen. Villar cleared her statement and clarified that she is not going to file a bill to ban unlimited rice offered in various restaurants. Rather, she was just expressing concern on the unhealthy intake of white rice.

As a nation of rice eaters, perhaps, yes, we do tend to not mind the health effects of the things we’ve grown to eat everyday. And because of its affordability compared to other rice types, majority of Filipinos consume white rice on a daily basis. Villar cited in her initial statement that a study showed

Jargonaut Andrea Nicole C. Farol

andreanicolefarol@gmail.com

“...the issue here is actually how Filipinos choose what to put in their diet. Only now, do we get to the point of this: do Filipinos actually have a choice?” that eating a plate of white rice daily increases the possibility of a person to develop diabetes by 11%. Several sites, however, disagree with the common belief of white rice being bad for our health. White rice contains arsenic (and so does a lot of things we are exposed to, like air pollution and alcohol, but which we don’t freak about), phytates that prevent absorption of minerals (which brown rice contains more) and nutritional value (yes, it has vitamins).

Also, other scientists disagree that white rice is to blame for causing diabetes. Diabetes UK states that “…no single type of food is directly linked or associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.”

Villar had a point, though, when she mentioned the significant difference of other countries in their promotion of a balanced diet. Japan is also a top consumer of rice. Yet, we seldom see an obese Japanese person.

According to a study by Benjamin Senauer and Masahiko Gemma, “only 3.6 percent of Japanese have a body mass index over 30, which is the international standard for obesity.” It’s a matter of consuming the right kind and amount of food.

So the issue here is actually how Filipinos choose what to put in their diet. Only now, do we get to the point of this: do Filipinos actually have a choice?

Why we have rice on our tables did not actually originate from a matter of want but of what can be provided. Unlimited rice exists not because we are gluttonous people, but rather because it is an affordable “luxury” for many. In the table of the poor Juan de la Cruz, more rice is the compensation for the shortage or lack of viand. Just soy sauce or salt plus a big bowl of rice and you could feed a family in the slums.

The point is, perhaps fighting the health dilemmas we have here in our country is not best done by being prohibitive. Rather, we must address the underlying causes of this problem: lack of discipline and poverty. The meager income of many Filipino families has made not only rice, but cheap, unnourishing food as a part of their diet.

The last thing a hungry person would have in mind is the number of calories he will be able to consume. There is more to the health issues we have than just the unhealthy effects of white rice.

Maybe instead of us focusing on specific things that could contribute, why do we not all rise (pun intended) against the things that actually, inconspicuously are the root cause?

Does Your ‘Education’ Make You Think?

For most of us here, education is what we’re paying hundreds of thousands for in a span of years. It is the lectures and tasks within and outside the four walls of the classroom. But have we ever bothered with the thought of learning, and not learning?

Have we ever questioned if the words fed to us by our professors, implicitly or explicitly, led us to ask more questions and think beyond our own grounds and spaces, or if they’d only contributed to the shrinking of our brains (a great illness of this society)? Had those hours in class opened doors and windows in the confines of our minds for us to enter and explore for ourselves, or had they made us shut those panes tight, too tight we’re left helpless and unknowing in the darkness, too afraid of seeing the light flickering on the other side of the universe? How do we exactly define education and learning in the first place?

I’ve seen people with fat brains, colorful and healthy minds, and a strong drive for life and dreams—people who are visionaries.

Some aren’t in college, and some are dropouts.

Some are shiftees on their third and fourth years, while some are young writers and artists who don’t have the privilege of degrees to brag about in their resumes. See, education includes the passing on of all those technical knowledge and practices we need to enhance our skills and understanding in our respective vocations, along with our own exchange of

Skatherin’ Around Katherine E. Co

katyuiop@gmail.com

“Education, as I believe it should, wakes you up. It should wake you up to the reality that you should lead no one else’s life but yours, and that no one should lead your life but yourself.” self-interpreted outputs. Sure, that’s a very fair point, and a very valid one at that. To avoid failing to consider context and depth, education does, truly, start at home. But there is always that boundary for all active processes in the world: there is a limit to which the system lords over its recipients just as an authority has a limit as a superior to its subordinates. Unknowingly, the great power of the system can overshadow, or worse, silence, the natural and free power each human being was gifted at birth—that power to think and explore worlds.

I’ve seen people immersed with so much schoolwork who looked and felt almost lifeless, mindless—frantically pacing

over grades, trivial things, climate change, and the end of the world. It’s either they say nothing about an issue at all, or they say too many things in a voice that sounded like it belonged to another person. No conversation or discussion would feel like a real one.

Education, as I believe it should, wakes you up. It should wake you up to the reality that you should lead no one else’s life but yours, and that no one should lead your life but yourself. Maybe it is only then when we can finally hear the rhythm of the beating of our own hearts, and follow that pace. No one’s pace is the same with anybody else’s (although some may meet halfway in the course of fate) just as no one is the same with another in capabilities, potential and mental, emotional and physical capacities. But the point is, our school curriculum makes it hard to realize this—we too often believe, for example, that one can fully absorb a full college program in four years just like how anybody else is expected to. What everyone should learn to embrace is the fact (and blessing) that our paths are all paved differently.

No system should ever silence your fire and make you doubt your worth by failing to fit seamlessly in its molds. To be fair, no man-made system is perfect as well. So whatever brings us to move our feet forward, let us accept it fully and let us lead the search ourselves.

Facing life’s dilemmas headstrong, what really matters then? In this success-driven world and in this pursuit of eternal satisfaction? What do you think?

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

OPINION / THESPECTRUM

JUNE 2017

A Wound Pried Open @ms_saigoncayco Christiana Claudia C. Gancayco ccgancayco@gmail.com

“Would you slap someone wailing from the pain of a wound, one that was reopened before it healed?”

Perhaps everyone at some point in their childhood gave in to the temptation of peeling the scab of their wound — there’s just that sense of gratification you get from doing it. The scab serves as a layer of protection, encrusting the wound and helping out during the healing process. Hence, peeling it off is prying the wound open, reviving the rawness and vulnerability. So again, the pain. Again, the tears.

The same could be said about the recent chaos that stirred up the nation: the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, per the Palace’s response to the havoc wreaked by ISIS-sympathizing terrorist group Maute.

No two words had caused so much uproar and dissension in the country than martial law — when it actually should not.

Technically, it is only ‘red alert’ for times of emergency, like the siege in Marawi. So, looking at the situation at face value, yes, it was a necessary move. Suffice it to say that it was for the greater good. Why declare all over Mindanao when only Marawi is affected? Well, should we wait for each city to be attacked before taking action? An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, as the wise adage goes. Tough times call for no less than tough measures — and this was the toughest measure the President had at his disposal during the deadly siege in Marawi.

He did not waste a moment to seize it.

Now, given the excruciating history that cursed those two words which we are painfully aware of, can we really blame those who defiantly stood against Duterte’s actions? His words did not help when he said, “To those who have experienced martial law, it would not be any different from what President [Ferdinand] Marcos did,” Duterte said. “I’ll be harsh.”

It is like telling a traumatized person to caress the dog that ravaged him. That is exactly what the situation looks like.

People resorted to rants and bashing in social media — as if the country did not

already have a bigger conflict to settle, as if the time did not need solidarity among all Filipinos. We fight, we bash, we hate. As if this world is not filled with too much of that already.

What if, instead of impulsively hurling hurtful remarks to those at the opposite side of your opinion, we look closely at where their actions stem from? Would you slap someone wailing from the pain of a wound, one that was reopened before it healed?

It is easy to call someone a Yellowtard, a Dutertard, and whatever Tard there is in the political spectrum. It is easy to malign someone whose opinion or political views do not align with yours. It is easy. So is that why we do it? But what is important is to see where the other is coming from. It is important to remember that we are fellow Filipinos, fellow strugglers wanting a better country to live in.

It is important to tend to a wound, and even more important to appease the wounded whose wound was pried open.

While we should not forget — not ever — the horrors that transpired in our country’s history, especially since it evaded the pages of our history books, we should also stay grounded in the present. Let us be vigilant. Let us be critical. Let us live the day armed with the wisdom and lessons from the past. This way, we can make sure that history would not repeat itself.

Like I Said Iris Denise N. Rivera

areviresinedsiri@gmail.com

“There’s a power in deciding a name and being able to present yourself to the world as the person you’ve truly felt you are since you were a child.” admonishments were instantaneous.

Esquire magazine recently published an article that showed their support for the new name-change but later on poked fun at it.

“But while we stand in full support of Jake Zyrus’ decision,” they wrote, “...we can’t help but feel that Charice could have picked a better name than Jake Zyrus.”

This was then followed by a few “helpful” suggestions for a new name and their “humorous” thoughts on what Jake Zyrus sounds like. After several admonishments from their followers, they published an apology for the article. But albeit significant in a time where no one wants to admit to their faults, the damage has been done.

The name, “Jake Zyrus”, has officially been turned into a laughing stock.

See, when a trans man decides on a new name for himself, it’s a fresh start. There’s

a power in deciding a name and being able to present yourself to the world as the person you’ve truly felt you are since you were a child.

Jake Zyrus’ post was one of gratitude for the people who have continually supported him and accepted him as he’s come to terms with his identity. Which is why it’s so unnerving to read people’s comments about his new name and his body.

This is a necessary conversation and if you feel uncomfortable, drop me a message anytime. These microaggressions towards someone of influence belittle the feelings and aspirations of trans youth nationwide. What was supposed to be a beacon of pride and hope has turned into a punchline for internet trolls and even well-known publications.

In a perfect world, each person could be comfortable in expressing who they are and no one would chastise them for it. But we don’t live in a perfect world. So what can we do?

We learn. When something is foreign to us, we read up on it and address the situation in a politically correct manner. We educate our friends and family, and explain to them the importance of self-expression. We refuse to laugh at the misogynistic, the racist, the homophobic, and the transphobic. We disarm the barrier between ignorance and education.

We learn until that perfect world is within reach and we continue to learn from there.

The monkey thought ‘twas all in good fun Pop!— the time for jokes is over. Jake Zyrus will not be used as a punchline. *ENGLISH NURSERY RHYME

Liceo See Liceo Do Another year begins and our halls fill with the endless chatter of tales from the summer, and friends reuniting once again to share schedules — little do they know that just as their friendships grew, so did the senior high presence. This year marks one of the toughest years in the K-12 transitioning period, leaving a fraction of the collegiate population to navigate the halls of this institution.

We’re not alone in these passageways, since the new Liceo Building is still under construction and has left Liceo with only two options for classrooms: the MM and S buildings. The first couple of weeks haven’t been pleasant in terms of college - Liceo relations, but that doesn’t mean that it will always be this way.

As someone who spends quite a bit of time navigating through hallway traffic, I’d have to say there have been instances where our senior high counterparts occupy more than their fair share of the hall (let’s not get started on the slow pace). This sharing of space on campus facilities (the Forum and the Covered Court canteen) has led to quite a few complaints, namely noise and traffic.

I understand that many of our Liceans come from different junior high schools, but that still is no excuse for them to be running a muck in our halls. Now, before this column turns into an endless rant on Liceo’s hallway misconduct, I just want to let the readers out there know that we are in a transitioning period.

Whether we like it or not, their noise and presence is and forever will be a part of the norms we have on campus. It is only a matter of time before they too will enroll in the college department. A year from now, the senior high school will be wandering this institution just as we are, going to class, meeting with friends, but they won’t see the senior high as much of a nuisance as we do, because they know that they used to be like that. This adjustment phase we are in is only temporary. Our social and cultural knowledge will diffuse into a new set of campus norms. Social osmosis says that we will adapt to the environment we are exposed to. This means that in order for us to see a better behaved Licean population, we should set the example: recreate actions we wish for them to reflect on. Their rowdiness could have been the consequence of

No Subtitles Added If this column were a K-drama plot, right now you would probably be reading about a boy and girl standing in the pouring rain, or perhaps covered in snow. Either way, it’s supposed to be chilly, but neither would seem to notice due to the heat of the moment. The girl suddenly tries to walk away, but before she can take a stride further, we zoom in on her wrist being grabbed by the boy in a motion so swift, it forces her to spin around just in time for him to swoop down and— for the lack of a better word— stick their lips together, unmoving.

Whereas his eyes are shut, hers are wide and unblinking, for the entirety of a minute or so. Shot in three different camera angles. In slow motion. With a background Original Soundtrack you find stirring, yet you cannot sing along to because you can only do so much as secondguess the lyrics.

But this is not a K-drama.

What you get instead, is a memorandum of agreement, penned last June 21 by Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones and Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin. It talks about the implementation of teaching the Korean language Hangul in 10 Metro Manila public high schools for a pilot testing which might eventually expand, starting this year under the Special Program in Foreign

Sonorus Maxima Starlene Joy B. Portillo starleneportillo@gmail.com

Jake-in-a-box *All around the mulberry bush The monkey chased the weasel When Jake Zyrus (then-Charice Pempengco) came out as a lesbian back in 2013, it was worldwide news.

He came out in an exclusive interview on The Buzz. The international star broke down crying while apologizing to his family and fans who were disappointed in his coming out.

When he was asked about his fears on Oprah, he admitted that the night before he came out, he was ready to lose his fans and his career, but he was confident he wouldn’t lose his family.

He also admitted that he thought of committing suicide. He clarified that he never pushed through with it, but that thought is enough.

When you’re a celebrity, your life is on display for the country and the world to see.

Anything you do that strays even a hair’s width away from their definition of normal can immediately put you on the hot seat. So when a young star decides to cut their hair and change the way they dress, the whole nation will refuse to let it slide easily.

For months, the story would be talked about — online trolls would turn him into a joke, belittle him, or portray the event as a publicity stunt.

A few weeks ago, Zyrus officially changed his Instagram and Twitter handle to Jake Zyrus. From Facebook rants to toxic comment sections to Twitter memes — the

5

Anonymouse Robert H. Jerge III rhjjerge3gmail com

“Whether we like it or not, their noise and presence is and forever will be a part of the norms we have on campus.” seeing some disorderly college students on campus, seeing such actions may have had an impact on their perception of campus norms. Leading by example may be one of the most passive modes of teaching the Liceans proper campus conduct, but I feel that a small civil discussion with our senior high students would be more effective. It’s a direct line of learning, and it would create a stronger line of communication between the Liceans and the college students. At this point I feel that we should create an environment the Liceans will grow into— one where they can grow and learn as well-

“The problem lies in the fact that we tend to hastily accept what is foreign, but resist what is ours.”

Language (SPFL), and offered as elective subjects to Third and Fourth Year levels. It was first implemented in 2009, offering to teach the Spanish, Japanese (Nihongo), French, German, and Chinese languages.

It cannot be denied that the main driving force behind this agreement is—as always—still work. The proposed program intends to “help Filipino students better respond to educational and employment opportunities in the Philippines and abroad.” Locally, it irons out the struggle of teaching English to immigrant Koreans who have no anchoring point to understanding even the basics of the said language. On the other hand, Filipinos venture as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to South Korea predominantly because the country formerly does not require a placement fee and an agency. Before 2017, applicants only needed to pass the Employment Permit System - Test of Proficiency in Korean Language.

Although learning Hangul in early educational stages of a Filipino primes students for diversity in the global workspace and could amount to greater competence in the Korean employment pool, it would also result to a surplus of aspirants ready to serve a country they have only come to love through the filters of small screen romance and catchy pop tunes, leaving their own land to fill in for a scarcity of what are supposedly adept workers.

And while learning Hangul will, to quote the Korean Embassy, “deepen the bilateral understanding between two nations”, it heedlessly aids in the burning of the already-rickety bridge that is the Philippine dialect.

Out of over 170 spoken vernaculars peppering a nation composed of 7,107 islands, we choose to invest our efforts primarily on propagating a language that we feel we are subjected to just because it is “the trend”. The problem lies in the fact that we tend to hastily accept what is foreign, but resist what is ours. We cannot expect patronship from other countries if we ourselves cannot learn to embrace and patronize what we are, what we can do, and what defines us as a nation. Before we begin digesting a hearty amount of foreign culture, we should first come to terms with our roots formally. This can be achieved through several ways, including learning local dialects— preferably one of the eight majors: Bikolano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilokano, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, Tagalog or Waray— in school before other secondary foreign languages are introduced, creating easier communication between regions.

The Philippines has a penchant for knowing. From the latest sari-sari store gossip to yesterday’s tabloid headlines, we want to always be in the loop. And although it may not entirely be a bad thing, we must be aware of the thin line between merely just wanting to know, and being able to understand what we know, as well. In the eventual dash to speak the same tongue as our oppas and create true-to-life K-drama stories of our own, may we remember to understand not only the language we will be trying to speak, but the implications of our neglect to our native tongue as well.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

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THESPECTRUM / FEATURE

JUNE 2017

Proclamation 216: Martial Law in Duterte’s Time

BY ANDREA NICOLE C. FAROL

After the attacks began in Marawi City last May 23, President Rodrigo Duterte, who was at an official visit in Moscow, placed Mindanao under martial law. This was in retaliation against the Maute group conflict which was seen as an act of rebellion. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that this was implemented for “the safety, the lives and property of people of Mindanao.”

WHEN BULLETS FELL The firefights began in the afternoon of the 23rd. Buildings, houses, and hospitals were set on fire while inmates escaped. The city was put into lockdown: roads blocked, power and communication lines cut.

Mass evacuations began and civilians were killed responding to emergencies or fleeing. By 10 p.m., Duterte announced Proclamation No. 216 during a press briefing while still in Russia.

The following days involved the deployment of government forces. Civilians held as human shields were rescued from different locations while the military pushed to regain control of hospitals, schools, and the city hall.

Further intelligence reports stated that foreigners who have long been here in the country were terrorists who support the Maute group. Air strikes were conducted in key positions to eliminate enemy snipers. By the 27th, most civilians have evacuated safely, mainly to Iligan City. The following days until the present involve the government and the military’s plight to rescue more trapped civilians and regain more barangays and buildings from the Maute group hold.

WHY WE’RE WARY The martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is not a simple “tyrannical rule”. Understandably, the public TENT CITY / FROM PAGE 1

Formation, and Center for Lasallian Ministries.

According to BA Director Ann Gladys Ponteras, the event is a manifestation that Lasallians are in solidarity with our Christian and Muslim brothers and sisters affected by this armed conflict.

The crisis in Marawi spurred last May 23, with members of the Maute group terrorizing the city.

As of June 30, the death toll has risen to 429 according to an Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman.

In the event’s rationale, it says that “Balayan stands on a ground that war, violence, and any form of discord are condemned because it is an advocate of harmony amidst diversity.”

After the crisis, Balayan initiated a mass in remembrance of the victims, followed by a gathering of cash donations.

During the Lasallian Youth Speaks (LSY) and inter-faith prayer, Imam Abdulmalik Gareza from the Islamic Society of Bacolod and Rev. Dr. Mike Garcia engaged themselves in a forum, putting emphasis that we are all brothers and sisters

is wary of the concept of martial law due to the horrors back in the Marcos era. The trauma brought by the accounts of survivors and victims’ family members stirred outcry as the public feared it would slip into something that will worsen the situation. But martial law would have never been included in the Constitution if it is such a bad thing. What needs to be properly implemented, though, is full understanding.

The writ of habeas corpus is defined as a court order to a person or agency holding someone in custody to deliver the imprisoned individual to the court issuing the order and to show a valid reason for that person’s detention.

According to a guidance issued by the Department of National Defense to the Armed Forces, martial law declared in Mindanao “does not suspend the Constitution, nor supplement the functioning of the Philippine judicial and legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilian where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.”

This means that the rule of law and human rights must always prevail, still, in the jurisdiction of the martial law.

Also, the state of martial law will not exceed 60 days after effectivity, unless the President himself requests its extension and the Congress approves the request.

WHERE THIS COULD POSSIBLY TAKE US Duterte has stated that he does not plan on stopping the implementation of martial law until all the conflicts have stopped. He also has initially stated last May that he may widen martial law declaration up to the Visayas and Luzon if insurgency persists.

The Marcos declaration of and should give no room for violence.

In a response from student leaders, Rotaract President Louie Raner emphasized the need to respond to the call for help of our brothers and sisters in Marawi.

“It’s time to listen to [the victims],” said Raner, expounding about giving hope to everyone affected by the crisis. “Hope is a good thing and it never dies,” he added.

Meanwhile, Balayan volunteer Christine Quilab expressed that, in behalf of the Balayan volunteers, she envisions to live in a peaceful community where people respect the differences of each other.

However, she said, “Our hearts ache every time we hear in the news that the war hasn’t stopped yet and threats of terrorism have even spread all over our country.”

“The recent attacks, not only in Marawi, have weighed us down,” she added, but brimming with hope, Quilab believes it is not the time to be hopeless, but rather a time to give light and reach out to those who are affected.

According to Balayan Volunteer Formation Program Officer Randy Saplagio, the idea of organizing such event came from a core group of volunteers

—SHARA MAE L. PELAYO

martial law was actually also a response to violence of armed groups (conflicts between Muslims and Christians) in 1971. Unfortunately, instead of ending the violence, it led to the with his supervision.

Activities such as ecumenical prayer, cultural presentations, and morning praise were also staged during the event.

Because of the rain, tents were hauled from the football field to the University Covered Court. Ponteras said that while the rain gave some constraints, what happened was like a simulation of what’s going on in evacuation centers in Marawi.

She also said that there will be other related activities such as this slated to give further solidarity to Marawi.

MISS CULTURE / FROM PAGE 1

in Miss Culture Asia, thus qualifying her for the next round.

Besting 29 other competitors, Infante has also won the Darling of the Press Award and Best in Advocacy, after her Padayon Kulturismo Campaign (PKC) which promotes Philippine cultural heritage and history through tourism.

“It is about getting to know your roots and understanding the importance of your identity as a person,” she described.

For her pageant advocacy,

consolidation of various Islamic groups. With this, extremist became more coordinated with their attacks. Peace negotiations have been done and have brought a kind of unstable peace that

is just waiting for something to blow up. Concerns have been raised on the effectivity of military pressure in suppressing terrorist group attacks and their increase in

power. In the end, what we can do is continue to be vigilant.

Awareness of the nature of martial law can be of great help in developing informed and alert citizens, which is what the

Pattaya, Thailand way back 2010.

The group bested 32 other choirs hailing from 10 countries in this year’s competition, organized

by INTERKULTUR, one of the leading organizers in international choir competitions and festivals around the world.

Out of eight categories offered, DLSCB won gold in all three they joined in, namely, Mixed Choir, Sacred Choir Music, and

Folklore.

Led by DLSCB’s conductor Serry Repique, alongside Romeo Gamilla’s art direction, DLSCB rendered three songs per category, namely, Mixed Choir: Dies Irae, We Beheld Once Again the Stars, and Daemon Irrepit Caellidus; Sacred Choir Music: Magnificat, Eli Eli, and The Conversion of Saul; Folklore: Chua-ay, Ati Ati, and Ilay Gandangan.

The DLSCB was then shortlisted to the Top 8 to compete for the Grand Prize competition, participated by

the eight selected groups who stood out in their respective categories.

Headed by USLS Artists’ Hub Director Gerard Grey, this year’s DLSCB team was composed by college and senior high school students, and also guest alumni choir members.

INTERKULTUR is a nonprofit organization based in Germany and has organized world choir events all over Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas since 1988.

Infante has done a cultural mapping at the Mangyan village of Tribu Hananuo in Mindoro and in Hda. Adela in Silay City as well as a walking tour with students from Doña Monserrat Lopez Memorial High School at the Culture Heritage Zone of Silay, where 29 ancestral houses are under the National Commission on Historical Sites. “[I want to target] the youth because millennials have the power of influencing the society and reshaping their views on culture,” Infante said.

She added that being a representative of the

Lasallian community and the country is both a privilege and a responsibility, as it becomes her duty to give honor to the nation in addition to reflecting the values of a Filipina.

PKC is set to be registered as an official organization named Padayon Pamana under the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.

Moreover, Infante has slated tours and implementation in the countries of Canada, Thailand, Mexico and Myanmar, in line with her plans to go global with the advocacy throughout her reign.

Meanwhile, fellow Philippine representative AlHakam Reggie Dimalanas has been awarded Mister Culture World Arts.

Mister and Miss Culture World pageant site Missosology stated that the three titles—Tradition, Heritage, and Arts— are of equal placements.

Currently on its third year of running, the pageant has been hosted by the Philippines from May 17-25 for the prepageant activities participated by countries such as: Thailand, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, India, Myanmar and Indonesia.

CHORALE / FROM PAGE 1

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

FEATURE / THESPECTRUM

JUNE 2017

The first Art Market in Bacolod

BY CHAD MARTIN Z. NATIVIDAD

Hidden within a nondescript alley near Bar 21 is a house you can easily find. Upon entering its quiet and vacant porch, you wouldn’t think that it would be the venue for an artfest, let alone house a painting. But push open its large rustic-style door and inside you’ll discover a lively room bustling with people moving to and fro. Along almost every wall, tables filled with an array of art items such as stickers, bookmarks, and postcards, as well as stacks of zines, notepads, wallets and shirts, each, in their own way, add to the space’s creative atmosphere. Shoppers take turns, hopping from stall to stall, only to leave with their hands carrying art merchandise made by the very individuals who sold it to them.

Described above was the very scenario that flowed during the second Syrup Artfest held last June 16 at Dojo 8 Coliving Space, located at 21st Lacson street.

“Syrup is a flea market for art to encourage the younger generation of Bacolod to collect and buy art, and for them to discover the inherent visual knowledge Bacolod artists have to offer,” stated Ginoe Ojoy, one of the event organizers. “It’s a chance for the public to discover that the locals here also possess visual knowledge.”

Besides Ojoy, the other organizers were JV Henares, Joe Solis, and Bencent Gohing, who sold art as well during the event. All of them are founders of Glucose, a Bacolod-based Xerox zine, founded to address a need of an inclusive community for young and up-andcoming creatives of Bacolod.

The contents of their zines

Local artists showcase their products to the ever growing art scene in Bacolod at Dojo 8 Coworking Spaces last June 16. - KYLE JYRAX D. SEVILLA

include a compilation of literary or visual art pieces submitted to them by their contributors that follow through with a specific theme announced beforehand. They distribute free copies of their issues to a particular quota of people who arrive early during release events. The entire zine runs wholly on the fueled support of volunteers, and donors of any amount.

“It is a space to experiment, to publish and show work without the pressure of commercial potential and/ or intellectual certainty. A platform to discover one’s creative identity in relation to the creative community at large,” Ojoy expressed.

“After the first release of the Glucose Zine, we knew we wanted to do more for the community, and we planned for Syrup Pop-up Artfest immediately. We did not anticipate the massive reception it got, and the artists who participated were really happy, too. We wanted to show that making your art is something that you can live off of, and it’s not exclusive in galleries anymore. We wanted to empower young creatives to put their work out there— that the work has value and deserves a following. I think

we succeeded in doing that,” added Ojoy.

The first Syrup was held last December. It was an idea that generated after the first issue of Glucose was released.

A few months before that, the Glucose team helped ProfBanzai, a local artist who wanted to stage his own Popup exhibition at the time. He was about to leave for Japan indefinitely and wanted to stage one last show, but the art spaces here couldn’t accommodate him because of scheduling conflicts. It was then that an idea popped up among the Glucose creatives.

Inspired by the shops of Commes des Garcons, they decided to stage a one-nightonly exhibition-slash-artfest called “ANTI” at Dojo 8 Coworking Space. The event culminated as a success, and thus led to the blueprint for the Syrup Pop-Up Artfest.

“The first Syrup was jampacked and people were really excited ‘cause it was something new! We utilized a smaller space compared to Syrup No. 2 so it got a bit too crowded. But we managed to learn our lesson and we partnered with a bigger venue for number 2. Syrup No. 2 was convenient and easier to handle, and it was also more

comfortable for the tenants and customers. I can honestly say each year, our attendance is consistently rising and the income of our tenants are improving each year, too!”

Local clothing brands like Ocicat PH, Project 26 Apparel, False Chord Apparel, Travesty Lifestyle and Sullion Skate Co. took part in the event. There were also individual artists who teamed up with other artists; these were Cymil Escaran, Allan Kristoffer Lim, Crise Ryan Gracia, Gamchawizzy The Grudious Man, Captain Spacecat, Jerica Catulay, Catalina Pineda, Ela Perolino, Hazel Marpa, Anika Loquite, Jenina Benitez, Roxanne Gonzaga, Keanu Joseph Rafil, Seth Villarosa, Dale Gugudan & RJ Ledesma of SPIT, John Paul Dominic Lescano, Christina Maravilla, Darla Mamuyac, Martini Manalo, Kimber Manday, Gabriel Bajao, Erika Mayo, Arthel Tagnipez Alexandria Mesias, organizers Ginoe Ojoy and Bencent Gohing, Jeraldine Reyes, Mon Penafiel, Aldro Dalugdog, Katrina Sagemuller, Alfonse Yanson Pelayo, Caleb Moises Ampadu, Gkie Eribaren, and Elwah Gonzales.

Anika Loquite, the artist behind anikART, expressed her thoughts on the importance of the event by mentioning its role in providing exposure for artists, as well as a time for people to support local and not just foreign art, especially with the influence of social media and with the inclination of today’s generation towards imported products.

After the event, artists and shoppers alike transferred to Bites and Booze for the release of Glucose Zine No. 4 entitled The Grind. The next Syrup artfest is scheduled to be held on December.

Panakayon: A journey and a home

BY IRIS DENISE N. RIVERA

“Home is an experience beautifully expressed in various Visayan languages,” wrote Pierce Docena of Tacloban City in his winning entry for the National Commission for Culture and Arts’ (NCCA) Lakaw Visayas Online Photo Essay Competition.

In partnership with the NCCA and the special participation of Glucose, a local zine, the Negros Museum held an awarding ceremony for Project Panakayon sa Negros Museum last June 2.

Stacky John Fernandez of Iloilo City was also awarded as the grand winner of the InstaTour Virtual Tour-guiding Competition for his tour of his hometown.

Project Panakayon is a local initiative by the NCCA to promote & preserve Visayan culture and heritage.

“We’re trying to activate this initiative because we want to set an example for millennials,” said Alfred Lucot, the social media associate of Negros Museum. “If millennials can pick it up — if they have that sense of awareness, it can become an opportunity for them to make use of the resources we have here.”

He added that, in his belief, when one learns where he or she comes from, it becomes a stepping stone in learning his or her identity.

The promotion of art and culture isn’t outdated either, which is why when Glucose reached out to them, they didn’t hesitate

to include the group of young local artists.

“Glucose is a free zine/ publication distributed every two months with a limited number of copies,” said Ginoe Ojoy, one of the founding members of the Glucose team. “This was born out of the need for an analog manifestation of local art and literature.

It was also to help young artists/creatives to put their work out in the world whilst creating an inclusive community of like-minded people.”

Both the Negros Museum and the Glucose team expressed their belief in the significance of understanding art and culture in different contexts.

“Heritage is an important part of our identity as artists because it shapes our aesthetics and tastes,” Ojoy added. “The art of the young is the voice of tomorrow. It should be given equal importance and an opportunity to be voiced out.”

“Think of it as a family thing,” Lucot said when asked how he would encourage the community to embrace their culture and heritage.

And as it is with “family things”, we find our home — whether home is in Iloilo or in Dumaguete or anywhere in Visayas.

So that we may say, as Docena would: “Diha na ko sa amoa.

Ari nako sa amon. Kauli ron ako. Nakauli na ako ha amon. I am home.”

NEGROS TOURS

Sum-ag’s orchard of glass

BY IRIS DENISE N. RIVERA

The word ‘laguerta’ is a slang term for the Spanish ‘huerta’ which means garden-market or orchard.

During the old days, it was commonplace in Sum-ag for people to share ingredients with their neighbors. Parents would send their children to a neighbor’s house asking for sugar, salt, or vegetables.

“Kuha lang didto sa laguerta (Just get some from the backyard),” the neighbor would say.

Once the meal is cooked, a serving would be spared for the neighbor in the spirit of sharing.

This sense of camaraderie is what Tomas “Tomiko” Casiano wanted to express when he put up a museum filled with vintage glasses in his own garden.

His garden in itself is a work of art with neatly-trimmed grass patches and large trees giving a back-to-nature vibe.

The walls are lined with junk art Casiano made himself.

“I have plenty of luxurious things in my life,” he said, “I want my garden to be simple.”

In the middle of the garden is a two-story brick building with a spacious platform on the second floor that Casiano said may be used by live bands for events held on the grounds.

Water trickles down from the edge of the platform towards the ground floor, providing a natural cooling system.

Past the platform, in a room manned by double doors, lies a collection of over 3,000 glass pieces that Casiano collected over the years and shipped back to the Philippines.

Casiano started working as a floral designer in American homes during the Depression Era before he founded his own flower shop which he called Tomiko. His eye for design led him to fall in love with the artistry behind glass tableware, vases, and glassware.

When he was ready to move back home with 66 boxes full of vintage glasses, the glass connoisseurs of California expressed their dissent, saying that the pieces would break in transit. Not a single one did.

Unlike other museums where viewers aren’t allowed to touch the art, Casiano opened

- PHOTOS BY ARIANA L. CHUA

one of his cabinets, took one of the bowls out and even invited us to hold them. He held a couple glass bowls against the light of the late morning and gleamed at their beauty. His favorite was a red fruit bowl that he proudly lifted up to the sun. The sunlight refracted through the intricate facets of the bowl and made it shine like a ruby.

With the number of pieces he owns, Casiano has become a sort of expert on how to tell whether a piece is authentic or not.

“The quickest way to tell if a glass piece is original is by its weight— authentic vintage

7

glass from the Depression Era is heavy,” he stated. The weight of the glass pieces is also why they have withstood all these years.

No earthquakes nor clumsy hands could break the vases, plates, fruit bowls, and candy dishes.

The place is free of admission charges and patrons are only encouraged to donate any amount they wish.

The Home of the Vintage Glasses Museum can be anyone’s neighboring house. Just give Tomiko a call, and he’ll invite you to join him in his Laguerta.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

8

THESPECTRUM / UNIVERSITY

College of Law moves to int’l. moot court quarterfinals

BY CHARLENE MARIE D. LIM

JUNE 2017

USLS holds national biology conference

BY STEPHINE PAUL M. DUNGCA

gathered students, professors and scientists all over the country who are interested about Systematic Biology and Biodiversity with speakers coming from Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.

“Our province is full of many species that are yet to be discovered, but are degrading due to climate change and global warming. Hence, we continue to inspire students to become local scientists and to continue to be curious and explore the natural world,” said de la Paz, University Research Center (URC) Research Associate.

De la Paz added that the talks were focused on encouraging biologists to work with other scientists and

With the theme “Reasserting its Relevance in Times of Societal and Environmental Challenges”, the University of St. La Salle hosted the 35th Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines Symposium and Annual Meeting last May 28-31 at MM Audi A and B. “Hosting this national conference speaks of La Salle as an institution striving to be a center of knowledge and research for biodiversity here in Negros Occidental,” said co-chairman for the local organizing committee Manuel de la Paz in an interview last June 16.

The national conference

inspiring them to go out. Some plenaries also highlighted natural museums and the suggestion to have more in the province.

Dr. Christopher E. Mendoza from Singapore gave the keynote address entitled: “Spreading the Good News and the ‘Democratization’ of Taxonomy”.

The plenaries included topics such as: “Designing a Participatory Exhibition Project: The Case of ‘Mobile Museum Boxes’ in the Philippines” by Dr. Ayumi Terada of Japan, “Who Is There? And, What Matters? Relative Roles of Environment and Geography on Biodiversity of Acidophilic Microalgae” by Dr. Allen Liu

Shao-Lun of Taiwan.

Other plenary topics were “Modified Stream Visual Assessment Protocol: A proposed tool for assessing stream ecosystem health and promoting local participation in water resources management” by Dr. Francis Magbanua from University of the Philippines Diliman, and “The Philippines Needs More Biodiversity Museums: Lessons from SEAFDEC Fish World” by Dr. Teodora Bagarinao of Museum of the Seas.

“This event served as a stepping stone for the University to create a natural museum using the specimens that are present within the school,” concluded de la Paz.

COLLEGE BEATS Last Feb. 24, approximately 2,234 votes have been casted during the General Elections for the Academic Year 2017-2018, making it a 36% voting turnout. In line with this, here are the results for your respective newly-elected officers!

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

- PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNAND CASTRO

College of Law brings home the bacon with a back-to-back win in the 21st Stetson International Environment Moot Court Competition (SIEMCC) and the Square Off debate.

The USLS College of Law secured a spot for the first time in the quarterfinals of the 21st SIEMCC last Mar. 30Apr. 1.

The team, composed of Kristianly Hazel Esclares, Whyte Roy Balicas, and Bebelan Madera and mentored by newly-appointed dean Atty. Rosanne Juliana Gonzaga, went alongside the University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD), four Indian teams and two American teams at Stetson University, Gulfort, Florida in a competition rooted on spreading environmental law awareness.

“The experience really made us grow into better students and professionals,” said Balicas when asked about their victory.

According to Balicas, he had a glimpse of what he can become if he kept pushing himself, adding that it motivated him to develop the best version of himself.

“The best preparation for moot court competitions are research and drills,” said Esclares when asked about the preparations they did, while Madera

said that devoting one’s time is essential in the competition.

Meanwhile, the USLS debate team reigned victorious over Bulacan State University (BSU) in ANC’S debate television program entitled Square Off which tackles important socio-political issues dominating the Philippines.

The team, comprised of Sharewin Sapian, Daniel Victor Zayco and Carmela Yusay - Feria, propositioned that the peace talks between the government and the NDF should be suspended amid the crisis in Marawi.

“The backbone is research. After receiving the topic, we began our research into the history of the peace talks, the agreements and frameworks made, the goals set, the latest news, and other related articles,” said Zayco.

According to Zayco, all three of them were first timers but in spite of this, he had confidence in his teammates because they were both champion debaters in college.

“They displayed their skills and expertise during the debate. We also had an experienced and supportive coach and mentor in the person of Prosecutor Fernand Castro, faculty in the College of Law, “ he concluded.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTANCY

Governor:

Governor:

Jose Marty Yanson

Patrick Millares

Vice Governor:

Vice Governor:

Christian G. Maleriado

Charlene Rio

Secretary:

Secretary:

Franczesca Demonteverde

*To be elected

Treasurer:

Treasurer:

Apple Secula

Angelica D. Moreño

5th Year Batch Rep: Kimberly O. Olivar

4th Year Batch Rep:

4th Year Batch Rep: Claudia Javellana

3rd Year Batch Rep:

*To be elected

Fredenic Chua

3rd Year Batch Rep: Jason Andrew A. Vazquez *Special Elections for the vacant positions to be held on July 28 .

COLLEGE ARTS AND SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF NURSING

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Governor:

Governor:

Governor:

Martina Julienne E. Gindap

John Joseph Medina

Anthony Gran Jr.

Vice Governor: Joevel A. Bartolome

Secretary: Keith Russell C. Guevarra

Treasurer: Gynisa T. Jaruda

Vice Governor:

Vice Governor:

John Aldwin Jamero

Kimberly Siazar

Secretary: Corrine Nathalie Lingco

Secretary: Anton Uberas

Treasurer:

Treasurer:

Cassandra Ui

Joemarie Ticar

4th Year Batch Rep:

4th Year Batch Rep:

4th Year Batch Rep:

Lyka T. Jardin

Genevieve Joy Cervantes

Davidson Pillado III

3rd Year Batch Rep:

3rd Year Batch Rep:

3rd Year Batch Rep:

Kalvin Gelbolinga

Joshua Sydney Tomas

John Philip Lumawag

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

FILIPINO / THESPECTRUM

JUNE 2017

Al Cinco de Noviembre: Kaluasan Tungod sa Kawayan NI STARLENE JOY B. PORTILLO

Halin pagka-bata, ginatudluan na kita sa tagsa-tagsa naton nga mga buluthuan sang manari-sari nga mga petsa na pilit ta gina kabisado: mapa parte man ini sa kaadlawan sang isa ka tawo nga haluson ta masampot ang pangalan, ukon sa kung san-o ginahiwat ang mga kapistahan sa bilog nga pungsod, masunson naton imitlang kag isulat ang ini nga mga numero kag hilitabo.

Pero kadumdom pa ayhan kita kung ano ang ila importansya sa aton kasaysayan, ukon husto lang naton ini matandaan kung isulat na ni ma’am kag ni sir sa pisara para aton kopyahon? Gakahawiran ta man ayhan ang mga ginapanghambal sa aton sa klase, ukon ginapalapos ta lang sa aton mga dalunggan, kay total, kung sayuron pa sang iban, “Indi ta man ni mapuslan sa aton mga kurso kag sa ubrahanay”?

Isa sa mga pinakakumon nga topiko kung historya man lang ang paga-

istoryahan ta matuon sa Adlaw sang Kaluasan, nga ginahiwat kada ika-12 sang Hunyo. Apang, antis sang pagpahayag sini sang anay nga Presidente Diosdado Macapagal sa iya Proclamation No. 28, ginaselebrar ang aton kaluasan kada ika-4 sang Hulyo, maghalin sang 1946 — kung san-o ginpahanugot sang mga Amerikano ang Pilipinas sa aton — tubtob 1962. Gapati kita nga wala ginhatag ka Estados Unidos ang aton kahilwayan, kundi gin-uli lang ini sa aton.

Suno pa sa proklamasyon ni Macapagal, ang pagtukod sang Republika sang Pilipinas sang Rebolusyonaryo nga Gobyerno sa idalom ni Aguinaldo nag-marka sang deklarasyon sang mga tawo, pati na ang ila paggamit sang ila karapatan sa pagdala sang ila kaugalingon, kahilwayan, kag kaluasan. Sa karon, yara na kita sa pagselebrar sang ika-119 nga anibersaryo sugod sang gin-deklarar ni Hen. Emilio Aguinaldo ang kaluasan sang Pilipinas halin sa Espanya sang 1898.

Ugaling, indi lamang ini ang

mga hilitabo nga dapat naton dumdumon kada mabatian ta ang tinaga nga “kaluasan”.

Bilang mga Negrosanon, dapat man naton balikan kag tandaan ang tion sang aton man kaugalingon nga pakigbatok, nga indi lamang dulot ka armas, kundi pati na sang aton pagkaisahanon sa atubangan sang peligro — ini tanan ginasaysay sang selebrasyon sang Al Cinco de Noviembre.

Kilala man sa tawag nga Negros Day ukon ang Negros Revolution, ginahiwat ang Al Cinco de Noviembre (November 5, kung sa Espanyol) agud iselebrar ang pagpasad sang indepindiente nga gobyerno sa Negros, matapos mapahalin ang mga Espanyol sa aton banwa.

Ginpasimunuan nanday Aniceto Lacson, haciendero sang Silay kag Juan Araneta sang Bago ang pag-alsa.

Sa aga sang ika-6 sa Nobiyembre, nag-abanse ang mga rebelde, nga samo sang mga mangunguma kag manggaranon, pakadto Bacolod: si Araneta kag ang iya mga ginsakupan nagtabok

sa Suba sang Mandalagan, samtang kanday Lacson naman nagabantay sa Suba sang Lupit. Bangud sa kadiotayon sang ila dala nga armas, naghimo ang mga rebolusyonaryo sang mga kanyon halin sa kawayan kag amakan, kag nagbanghay sang mga rifle halin sa kahoy kag lukay sang lubi. Tungod sa kadamuon sang armas, nagpati ang mga kontra.

Kag sa pagpangubay sang Espanyol nga si Gobernador Isidro de Castro, nagdesisyon sila nga buy-an ang kapitolyo.

Sa karon, masami magmartsa ang mga tawo kag magpasigabong sang mga kanyon sa mga dalanon sa siudad sang Bago kag Silay kada ika-5 sang Nobiyembre, bilang tanda sang kaisog kag kaalam nga ginpakita sang mga Negrense naton nga mga bayani. Kung may ara man kita sang natun-an gikan sa ila pakigbatok, ini ang pagpalabaw sang utok kaysa sa kusog sa pag-atubang sa aton mga kasumpong. Apang, ang pagkabakud gakalaya, pero ang kinaalam indi madula.

Biruan Tuwing Kalayaan NI HEZRON G. PIOS

Tuwing Araw ng Kalayaan, malayang-malaya tayong lahat mula sa muling paghahasik ng mga kuwelang pakulo ng Pinoy netizens. Pwes, diyan ka nagkakamali. Tanungin mo ‘yung mga pambansang bayaning pinagpipiyestahan sa isang Facebook page na itago na lang natin sa pangalang PH Classical Art Memes. Kamustahin mo ang kalagayan ng Twitter posts tungkol kina Kris Aquino at Biiiiiimmbb, o kina Hannah Baker at Hannah-ral Luna.

Pero real talk: nagtataka ka rin ba kung nakailang retweets at hashtags ‘yung mga balita’t ganap sa mga kapatid nating sumasabak sa gitna ng giyera?

Alam mo pa rin ba kung ano ang sinisimbolo ng kulay pula, asul, puti at dilaw? O sadyang Unli Rice at #RP612fic lang talaga ang prayoridad mo?

Pero teka lang, saan ba nagmula ang #RP612fic? At bakit ba sabog na sabog ang topiko na ‘to tuwing Araw ng Kalayaan?

Ang #RP612fic o Republic of the Philippines June 12 fiction ay isang kilusan o hashtag, na pinamunuan ni Paolo Chikiamco, manunulat at editor sa RocketKapre. com—isang digital na tagapaglathala ng mga akdang Speculative Fiction—noong 2009 sa Twitter. Nais niya

lamang pagsamahin ang mga natatanging katangian at kasaysayan ng ating kalayaan (Independence Day) at pop culture, ayon kay Rosette Adel (The Philippine Star).

“Para sa Araw ng Kalayaan, gusto kong makasaksi ng mga alternatibo na kwentong pangkasaysayan,” giit ni Chikiamco sa RocketKapre. com.

Ilan sa mga patok na tweets ay mga larawan ng mga pambansang bayaning sina Jose Rizal at Apolinario Mabini na sumasayaw ng Watch Me Whip/Nae Nae, ‘yung nerf gun ni Georgia (Ryza Cenon, Ika-6 na Utos) bilang buntis na Katipunera, ‘yung babaeng “Palaban” pero ‘di “Ipinaglaban”, ‘yung dugu’at sugatang likuran ni Heneral Luna na may kasama pang lyrics na Band aids don’t fix bullet holes ni Taylor Swift, ‘yung 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 sabay pikit ni Megastar Sharon Cuneta (The Voice), ‘yung GrabKarwahe na literal na karwahe, ‘yung sinaunang tribal dance na ang tawag ay Budots at ang pagkaladkad ni Alex (Angel Locsin) sa karakter ni Mocha Uson sa isang eksena mula sa pelikulang Four Sisters and a Wedding—na siyang naturingang makabayan at makabagong pagsasalin ng Spolarium ni Juan Luna.

Bukod dito, ‘di lamang limitado sa mga larawan ang paglaganap ng mga memes.

Pwede rin itong maging isang salita o parirala, video, hyperlink, website at bukod sa lahat, hashtag. Kaya karamihan ng mga posts noong Hunyo 12—ang araw na sana’y para sa ika-119 na taon ng ating kalayaan—ay sandamakmak na mga memes lamang.

“Sang-ayon naman ako sa mga memes na ginawa nila kasi ginawang medyo nakakatuwa, parang light lang at galing ‘yung mga ‘yon sa sarili nating kasaysayan. Pero hindi ko rin naman kinokonsinte ang mga ‘di na nakakatawa, ‘yung parang bastos na ‘yung dating lalo na kung si Apolinario Mabini, ang ating dakilang lumpo, na ang pinag-uusapan.

Halimbawa na lang ‘yung linyang ‘Sa’n ang lakad mo?’ tapos si Mabini pa ‘yung nasa picture. ‘Wag naman nating biruin ‘yung mga bayani nang basta-basta na lang,” sabi ni Rem Batayola, BSPS3A. Sa iba, ‘di bale na walang kabayanihan, katapangan, hustisya’t karunungan na makukuha mula sa kapwa Pilipino, basta may meme, basta mayroong agwat na siyang maglalayo satin sa mga topiko ng droga, krimen, pagkabalisa sa terorismo, katiwalian, kahirapan at kahit na suliraning pangkalusugan.

Sa pag-iisip na ‘to, nawawalan ng saysay ang pagdiwang ng nasabing okasyon.

“Hindi kami bookworms!

Kaya sa palagay ko, matalinong

paraan ito: ‘yung paggamit ng media upang turuan ang kabataan [ng kasaysayan].

Sasabihin ng iba, ginagawa na lang katatawanan ang nakalipas na, pero hindi naman talaga ‘yon magbabago o makakaapekto sa kung ano ang nakaraan,” sabi ni Aaron Abinosa, ABCO3A. Nagiging normal at katanggap-tanggap na ang mga ganitong uri ng paksa sa social media dahil na rin sa pag-usbong ng “Digital Age” na siyang anak ng teknolohiya, ayon na rin sa ilang eksperto. “Ang mga memes ang nagpapasimple sa isang komplikadong ideya bilang isang kaakit-akit na biswal. Ang mga memes ay lengguwahe na ng kampanya ngayong araw,” ika ni Paulynn Sicam (The Philippine Star).

Sabihin na nating nahahamon nga ang pagkamalikhain at pagiging nakakatawa ng ilang Pilipino, lalo na ang mga millennials, tuwing Araw ng Kalayaan.

Ngunit hinding-hindi maikakaila ang halaga’t importansya na siyang dapat ialay nang lubusan ng bawat Pilipino.

Malayo na ang narating ng Pilipinas mula sa pagkabihag sa Espanya. Mas malayo pa ang mararating nito kung bibitawan ang biruan, titingnan at paguusapan ang kasalukuyan nang masinsinan—pero pwede pa ring may hashtag paminsanminsan.

9

Ang Araw ng Ipinaglalabang Kalayaan NI LYLE JOHN L. BALANA

Ang paggugunita ng Araw ng Kalayaan sa Pilipinas ay isang karapatang dapat bantayan ng kanyang mga mamamayan.

Ito’y isang karapatang ipinaglaban ng mga lumipas na kilusan, binayaran gamit ang tiba-tibang dugo’t pawis upang mapawi ang uhaw para sa kasarinlan. Ito ay isang importanteng bagay na hindi dapat makalimutan at hindi dapat ipagkubli sa takot at pighati.

Ang paggunita ng Araw ng Kalayaan sa lungsod ng Marawi ay isang masakit na okasyon. Ang giyerang dinala ng mga teroristang Maute ay bumahid sa maaliwalas na buhay na laganap noon sa siyudad. Ang mga gusali’y nadagdagan ng mga butas na nagpaguho sa kanilang mga dingding. Ang mga daan ay nabaon sa ilalim ng mga bitak mula sa bombang pinauulan ng mga eroplano ng gobyerno sa mga natitirang bulwarte ng mga rebelde. Ang mga baril na pinapaputok ng mga katunggali ay walang kaakibat na moralidad; sila’y sumisira ng kabuhayan at kumikitil ng mga buhay, at sila’y pwedeng maligaw ng tinitira upang tamaan ang mga inosenteng sibilyang nagtatago mula sa bakbakan. Ito na ang naging buhay sa Marawi malapit na sa isang buwan ang nakalipas.

Sa mga pangyayaring ito, mahirap sabihin na makakapugay pa ang mga taong nakapirme sa siyudad na lamat na sa labanan sa konsepto ng kalayaan. Ang buong lugar ay balot sa takot, sa pwersang kumikitil sa karapatang makapiling ang kapayapaan.

Ang panaghoy ng makinaryang ginawa lamang upang makasakit ay napaloob na sa pagkakakilanlan ng kapaligiran.

Parang mahirap nang isipin na mabibigyan ng kahulugan ang paggunita ng napakahalagang araw sa Hunyo roon. Totoo ito

para sa ibang lugar sa bansa, pero sa Marawi, na hindi pa rin maagaw ng militar mula sa mga kamay ng mga manguusig, parang kailangan itong isuspindi.

Ngunit walang balak sumuko ang mga Pilipinong nagpaiwan sa labanan na bigyan ng panalo ang ideyolohiyang terorismong naghahasik ng gulo sa Marawi. Ang makulay na bandila ng bansa’y pinalipad sa sentro ng Lanao del Sur habang kumakanta ang mga nakatipong mga pulis, mga sundalo, mga alagad ng gobyerno, at mga sibilyan, lahat na lumalaban para sa paglaya ng Marawi.

Maraming naiyak habang itinataas na ang watawat, mapasundalo man o mapasibilyan.

Ang mga itim na bandila ng Maute ay pinalitan ng maliliit na replika ng bandila ng Pilipinas.

Ang pinakamalaking pagdiwang ng kalayaan sa Marawi ay hindi lang nagtatapos sa pagwagayway ng watawat, kundi ang lakas ng mga taong pumiling lumaban para sa bayan. Hindi lamang baril at bomba ang makakagapi sa problema sa Marawi. Kung nasira man ang morale ng mga mamamayan ng siyudad, para naring nanalo ang ideyang terorismo bilang paraan upang mapaluhod ang isang bansa para mapwersang isangla ang kasarinlan. Pero hindi nagapi ang mga tagaMarawi. Binigyan nila ng katuturan ang sakripisyo ng mga sundalo at pulis na lumaban nang harapan sa mga terorista, ang sakripisyo ng mga ninunong nagpadanak ng dugo ng mananakop sa malayang lupain ng Mindanao, ang sakripisyo ng libu-libong Pilipino upang mabigyan ng kahalagahan ang pangalan ng bansa.

Sila’y mga bayaning nagbigay kulay sa Araw ng Kalayaan.

Sila’y nagpaunlak ng isang tunay na paggunita ng alaala ng pagsilang sa isang bagong bansa.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

10

THESPECTRUM / REVIEWS ALBUM REVIEW

JUNE 2017 MOVIE REVIEW

Wonder Woman

Harry Styles

BY IDA SARENA M. GABAYA

BY MARIA ANGELICA M. APE

For a former boyband member to transition as a solo act, a lot of people would not expect to hear throwback rock referential tracks on Harry Styles’ selftitled debut album. Since One Direction’s hiatus in March 2015, every fan who did not hope for them to reunite, were excited to hear the outcome of their vocals individually through solo music.

The 23-year-old former One Direction crooner proved to both fans and skeptics that he, too, can grow out of his cutesyboyband stereotype. The album composed of 10 well-produced tracks having Sign of The Times as his first single.

When Sign of The Times was released, listeners automatically knew the track was a homage to Prince’s album of the same name, David Bowie, Coldplay, and The Beatles. However, this is not new to Styles’ songwriting experience. He once wrote a One Direction track called Hey Angel, which has tones from The Verve’s classic Bittersweet Symphony. Track five Sweet Creature’s, guitar riffs at the beginning of the song, sound similar to The Beatles’ Blackbird.

Die-hard Harry Styles fans would also notice that there is also a resemblance between Two Ghosts lyric: “We’re just two ghosts swimming in a glass half empty” and Pink Floyd’s “We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl” in Wish You Were Here, considering that Styles had Pink Floyd’s infamous triangular prism tattooed on his arm during his early boyband days.

The album has recurring lines that tells the audience that Styles was not able to communicate well with his partner. In Meet Me in the Hallway he mentions “We don’t talk about it, it’s something we don’t do,” while in From the Dining Table Styles asks “Why won’t you ever say what you wanna say?” and in the album

single Sign of the Times he belts out “We don’t talk enough, we should open up, before it’s all too much.”

Although rebranding a boyband into individual artists can make or break their careers, the tracks Two Ghosts and Carolina feel like they could pass off as One Direction hits.

Nevertheless, Styles is still in transition.

Styles released his album on May 12th this year alongside former Disney Pop Princess Miley Cyrus, both with reinvented personas and reinvented music styles.

A positive result of Styles’ evolution from a pop group member to a 70s rock-inspired solo act is that despite the different direction he took with his music, he still appreciates his younger fan base, and in fact, begins to transition them as well.

During an interview with Rolling Stone, Harry Styles defended his younger fans’ taste in music saying, “How can you say young girls don’t get it [music]? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans — they don’t lie. If they like you, they’re there. They don’t act ‘too cool’.

They like you, and they tell you.

Which is sick.”

What’s next for the buoyant fan favorite? There’s no stopping Harry Styles from conquering the tour scene once again with a world tour already in the works!

Meanwhile, Dunkirk, a war film directed by Christopher Nolan, will be shown in theaters this July, where Styles will be playing a supporting role. Endless opportunities are being served on a silver platter to Harry Styles every single day. But whatever he chooses to do next, it’s bold, and it’s brave and leaves everybody wanting more of him.

Finally, over 70 years after Charles Moulton brought Wonder Woman to the DC comic book world comes her own debut film. Diana (Gal Gadot), Princess of the Amazons, was molded from clay by Queen Hippolyta and brought to life

by Zeus. She has lived her entire life in the hidden paradise island of Themyscira with her fellow female warriors training for combat in preparation for defeating the great god of war Ares.

The film shows Director Patty Jenkins’ vision on what it truly means to be a hero and how Diana Prince came to be before she was known fighting side by side with Batman and Superman as Wonder Woman in the movie’s predecessor, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Superhero movies tend to become predictable over the years. However, Jenkins focused more on character development rather than favoring the narrative. She achieved doing so through introducing Diana as someone fierce but also naive in having little knowledge of the outside world and modern civilization.

When Steve Trevor (Chris Pine),

a double agent for the British Intelligence happened to crash his plane in the ocean fronting Themyscira, Diana comes to the rescue. The scenario indicates a reverse damsel-in-distress situation. Trevor being the first male species Diana has laid her eyes on, does not only serve as a love interest for Diana, but also as an excuse for her to leave the island and fulfill her prophecy as an Amazonian warrior — especially after hearing the outsider’s stories of bloodshed and millions of deaths caused by the Great War which she believes Ares is responsible for.

Gal Gadot’s breakthrough performance undoubtedly leaves the audience to understand that Wonder

Woman is the bright beacon of hope left for humanity. She may possess unbelievable strength and dodge bullets from a mile away, but her emotions are what make her admirable and human.

She is passionate and goodhearted by nature; her genuine intention in helping the ones who can’t save themselves is exactly how Moulton presented Wonder Woman in the original comic book — a woman leader that advocates love, courage, and justice. Her eagerness pushes her to set sail with Trevor back to his homeland. She stands strong for what she believes in and does not allow other people to dictate her actions.

Although both are set on ending the war, Diana and Trevor have shared moments that add up to their natural chemistry. The two make quite the pair — Chris Pine’s character further highlights Diana’s innocence and naivety to the things around her such as modern civilization and men.

Being exposed to a completely new environment for the first time triggered her curiosity more.

Diana becomes accustomed to the London people’s ways and how they dress up, which is far different compared to the land she grew up in. The film was set in 1918, where women

wear corset dresses under their cloaks instead of golden armored dresses with matching bullet-proof bracelets. It’s all thanks to costume designer Lindy Hemming, who stayed true to the original Wonder Woman outfit while also making it practical for the battlefield.

As for Diana’s evil archnemeses, German general Erich Ludendorff (Danny Huston) and his right-hand scientist Doctor Poison (Elena Anaya) have no plans on ending the war. Diana realizes the many flaws of mankind after having encountered aristocratic generals that have no concern for the less-privileged victims of the war. This gives Jenkins a chance to send a subtle feminist message to the viewers about the difficulty for women to speak up their minds and empower themselves during the 19th century.

DC made it right this time with Wonder Woman. It has already hit 600 million USD in the box office, by far making it the highest-grossing female superhero film made by a female director. Patty Jenkins saves the day! Or in this case, the testosterone-filled filmmaking industry. Wonder Woman did not only fight bad guys but also gender stereotypes and casual sexism.

TV REVIEW

Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD Season 4

BY GLEN JED J. DESCUTIDO

Currently on its fourth season, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. seems to have a lot up its sleeve.

With the aftermath of the last season ending with Agent Daisy Johnson going rogue, the team has been assigned under a

new director and crosses paths with a comic book-favorite character.

Marvel Television, ABC Studios and Mutant Enemy Productions, who also produced some fan favorites such as How to Get Away with Murder and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, showed off its massive production. The newest season, which ups its ante on presentation and its CGI, can definitely spell out the word promising. During the 2017 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, one of the show’s co-creators, Jed Whedon, revealed that the latest season will have three story arcs instead of the usual two.

With a handful of elements, this action/espionage series does not hold back. It continues to cultivate its story without any hesitation of taking a darker tone accompanied with a hint of humor and heart. The

show is consistent with its smart storytelling that enables watching the series to actually feel like you’re in a mission.

Although some revelations are very predictable, the show still finds its way to balance it with something the audiences won’t see coming.

The season was steadily strong all throughout. Out of the three arcs, the second one, which is about the LMDs (Life Model Decoys), would be the strongest, giving off the season an Episode 15 that felt like a season finale. Its attempt on setting up an unsettling vibe by tackling the issue of trust was successful. Being confused with who deserves it and who does not, after knowing that one of the Agents seemed different than the others, proved to be a storyline worth telling.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has a way with its characters.

Despite the show being about spies and superheroes, the

characters have shown frailty and brokenness above all of its testosterone-driven action and bravery. It continues to showcase conflicts that reveal humanity even with its villains. Ming-Na Wen deserves two thumbs up for effectively portraying a conflicted Agent May who shows a hint of morality despite an impending twist on her character. As the story intensifies, some characters are worth looking out for such as Leopold Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and AIDA (Mallory Jansen).

This show has grown a lot in terms of character build-up and pacing. Since the second half of Season 2, it has effortlessly found its way back on its track through consistently showing audiences twist after twist, action after action, leaving them wanting for more.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. may just be that underdog you were always rooting for.

BOOK REVIEW

Toto.O by Charmaine Lasar

BY LYLE JOHN L. BALANA

Ang librong Toto O. ay isang librong nagpapakita ng buhay na nalimitahan ng kakungalan sa sapat na kamalayan, at kung siya ba ay isang pwersang magagamit ang kanyang natutunan sa buhay upang gumawa ng sariling tinahak na kinabukasan. Ang istorya ay nagsimula sa isang batang napangalanang Toto. Siya ay pilyong pilyo, makulit, at

parang walang direksyon ang buhay. Pero nagbago ang lahat para sa kanya nang siya’y ipinadala sa kanyang tiya sa ibang lugar para makitira dahil na rin sa pagkagipit ng kanyang Lola Sida.

Ang istoryang sumunod ay madaling intindihin ang istruktura ngunit malaman sa pagbibigay-buhay sa mga karakter. Makikita mo talaga ang daang tinahak ng buhay ni Toto, na ngayo’y tinatawag nang Toto O. ng mga bagong taong nakilala niya, habang siya’y nakakaranas ng mga emosyon

at pangyayaring huhulma sa kanya para palitan niya ang pagtingin niya sa buhay. Siya’y makakaranas ng sakit, pighati, at ligaya, at mararamdaman din ng magbabasa ang mga damdaming ito.

Mabagal sa umpisa ang simula ng libro, ngunit ito’y bibilis pagkatapos magbago ng pinangyayarihan ang istorya. Ang mga karakter ay mapapaniwalaan at makakapukaw sa pag-iisip ng tagabasa, pero parang masyadong marami ang mga karakter sa gitna ng libro

na nagbigay ng maraming detalyeng pwede namang idaan sa ibang paraan ng pagpresenta ng pangungusap.

Ang kwento ay nagbibigay halaga sa konsepto ng katotohanan. Halos lahat ng resolusyon sa istorya ay nakasentro dito; ang kahalagahan ng katotohanan ang nagpapalakas sa tao, ngunit ito rin ang nagpapasakit sa pait na mararamdaman at sa sayang matatamasa. Tinignan ng libro, sa mga mata ni Toto O., kung paano makakaudyok ang

katotohanan sa pagbabago, at kung paano ito makakaapekto sa mga taong nagtatago o nagbibigay nito.

Ang Toto O., na nagwagi sa Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, ay hindi isang librong makapag-uudyok ng malaking reaksyon, datapwa’y makakapagpapaisip ito ng masinsinan sa likas na katotohanang nakabalot sa tinatawag nating totoo. Ang pagkagalak sa libro’y nakadepende kung nagustuhan mo ba ang sagot ng manunulat o hindi.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

UNIVERSITY / THESPECTRUM

JUNE 2017 “A TRIP TO HEAVEN”

11

CROSSWORD PUZZLE #7

—SOPHIA INEZ BILBAO

Test your knowledge about our country’s declaration of independence with this crossword puzzle.

“ESSAY”

—KATRINA Y. NEMENZO

ACROSS

“HI CRUSH!”

—KAREN A. PANGANIBAN

3. The composer of ‘Lupang Hinirang’ 5. The very first national anthem was titled ‘Marangal na Dalit ng ___________’ 7. The Philippines was sold to the Americans via the treaty of _____.

9. The flag was original hoisted at _____, Cavite.

DOWN 1. The number of days Agoncillo and her assistants finished weaving the flag.

2. President _________ moved the celebration of Independence Day from July ** to June 12.

3. Independence Day was celebrated during July ______ during the American colonial period.

4. Originally, the three stars of the flag represented Luzon, _____, and Mindanao.

6. The red, blue and white on the Philippine flag is a salute to this country.

8. President Marcos initially changed the color of the top part of the flag from navy blue to ___ blue.

SUDOKU #7 “SANIB”

SOLUTION FOR CROSSWORD #6:

—SETH V. PULLONA

SOLUTION FOR SUDOKU #6:

Stop mid-sentence! Did you know that these words you used day-today are influenced by the Spaniards?

PREPARED BY JOSHUA MARTIN P. GUANCO ILLUSTRATED BY SOPHIA INEZ A. BILBAO

TORPE- SLOW, DULL OR STUPID

BURADOR- KITE

LIBRE- FREE

DIMALAS- UNLUCKY, UNFORTUNATE

FUERTE- STRENGTH

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOLUME 62 NUMBER 1 · JUNE 2017

T R U T H

B E Y O N D

K N O W I N G

VOLU M E 62 N U M BE R 1 · J U N E 2017

CHASE. La Salle College Women’s Football Team players Vhyan Caban and Hannah Manzani during a one-on-one drill at the University of St. La Salle Football Field last June 27.

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

NBA 2017: Unrepeated history and the missing piece

for them to repeat their 2016 3-1 come-from-behind run. The Warriors, declared new champs, was in possession with 14.2 seconds remaining, and started jumping in victory as yellow and blue confetti poured down the Oracle Arena, June 12.

The nightmare of blowing a

3-1 lead last 2016 did not happen again for the Warriors and this was expected from them since the very beginning. It was specifically on July of 2016 when six-time All-NBA Selection, four-time scoring single-season scoring leader and League Most Valuable Player in 201314, free-agent forward Kevin Durant, signed the contract with the Golden State Warriors and became the missing puzzle piece the gold and blue needed.

Controversy followed afterwards, not only for Durant but also for the National Basketball Association (NBA), as they received negative reactions from fans. People started questioning why a man would transfer to the team that blew his previous team’s one-more-win chance to be in the NBA finals last 2016. But for Kevin, it was

not only joining a team which blew a 3-1 lead and was a game away for two consecutive titles.

It was that he wanted a change of environment and admitted that he wanted better chances of carrying the Larry O’Brien NBA championship trophy.

It was also not a desperate move for the Warriors to take vengeance against their trilogy rivals using a super team since they knew they have beaten LeBron James already without Durant last NBA 2015.

Momentum just left the Warriors in the seventh game of last year’s finals as the trailing Cavs took advantage and were just at high speed to a win.

In an article written by Shaun Powell, Kevin Durant exclaimed, “I heard about how I was hopping on bandwagons, I was letting

everybody else do the work, but that was far from the truth.

I came in and tried to help my team. I found the camaraderie, the togetherness of the whole organization.”

No one would expect an averaging-32-points per game scorer to just stand there and let team stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green do the job and he literally lived up to that with 39 points on 14-of-20 shooting and being named as the Finals MVP. Nevertheless, the Cleveland Cavaliers were still one of the favorites to defend their title amidst an excruciating 33-pointdeficit Game 2 defeat. But momentum slowly deteriorated for the reigning champs after losing Game 3 at home court which they could have

the varsity program with relative ease. You went on to become the nation’s Number 1 player and you got to represent your club and country in various international events, bagging medals and awards in the process. You can now retire happy, knowing that you’ve achieved what some can only dream of. What else can you do?

For University of St. La Salle’s (USLS) Table Tennis Head Coach Marell Lagunday, the idea was to teach the young bloods and that is exactly what she did.

After discovering table tennis, she honed her skills and got into the Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School’s (DHSBNHS) varsity program.

Under DHSBNHS’s flag, she rose to new levels, representing the school in various tournaments across the country. Her Palarong Pambansa win was the jewel of her crown.

“When I was eight years old, my dad bought me a racket, a net,

and some balls to play ping-pong,” said the coach. “I just loved it. It was as if I was designed for it,” she added.

She decided to pursue a course in education so after high school, she became a Physical Education Major at the University. Her passion for table tennis however, kept burning, which led her to join the USLS Table Tennis Team.

During her time in La Salle, she became a better player; dedication, hard work, all the training and sleepless nights bore fruit as games and wins followed suit. So much so that the team caught the eye of then-chairman Leonito Lopue, the patron of table tennis, who was also the president and founder of the Lopue’s Table Tennis Association (LOPTTA). He opened new doors for them, granting them opportunity to compete across the country. He welcomed them into his club as well.

With LOPTTA, an organization she’s affiliated

with up to this date, her training ground got even larger.

Eventually, she rocketed into the Philippines’ rankings, ultimately landing the Women’s Table Tennis’ top spot.

She has competed in the 2012 Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Hong Kong, the Table Tennis World Championships in Jeju, the South-East Asian Table Tennis Association Championships in Jakarta, and the International Veterans Table Tennis Championships, where she won bronze.

With that much experience, she breezed past various domestic competitions. Recently, she brought home gold in the Jawad Cup, the longest-running table tennis tournament in the country, which was held in Cebu City.

Naturally, she became one of LOPTTA’s coaches, endlessly feeding wisdom into the minds of her students as well as guiding them every step of the way.

She took over the reins of

the USLS Table Tennis Team in June last year. Months later, her team won gold at the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) Men’s Single Table Tennis, silver in the Women’s competition, silver in the Men’s team event, and bronze in the Women’s team event.

According to her, LOPTTA’s doors are always open for her team. “We’re like a family, with Sir Diutay [Lopue],” she said.

For her, the best part is that they get to motivate the kids not only to get better at table tennis, but also in classes and at being a member of society.

She tells her players that table tennis is supposed to be a stepping stone and that as a scholar and an athlete, studies and table tennis should be balanced.

“If all I did was play pingpong and leave my studies, I’d be nothing,” she said. “Your course is a fallback for when the time comes when you stop playing.”

—JOWAN DAVE G. GUIDES

BY STEPHINE PAUL M. DUNGCA

With 15 seconds remaining in the last quarter, Cleveland Cavalier’s Kyrie Irving pulled up a three-pointer with the hope of covering up a 117-129 Golden State Warriors lead, last June 12. However, it was not enough

TIMEOUT

By Design Name: Marell V. Lagunday Age: 36 years old Head Coach Table Tennis

—PHOTO COURTESY OF MARELL LAGUNDAY

BY GIAN VON J. CABERTE

As a child, your dad introduced you to a sport and it sparked something inside you, so you started playing.

You fell in love with it so you decided to get better at it and eventually, you did; in fact, you got better than others. You got the gold at the Palarong Pambansa when you were in High School, then came college where you got into

supposedly won leaving Irving’s 38-point effort to futility, 118-113.

The Cavaliers stood straight and stayed alive after dominating Game 4 at 137-136 with LeBron leading the charge with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Since giving the Warriors their first defeat in the entire season, the Cavaliers were much expected to repeat history this time.

For a team that lost one game in the playoffs to take down a perfect-playoff-record team on the opposite conference, the expectations were still monotonous. But the only game changer that could take on the Cavaliers’ Big Three (Kevin Love, LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving) was the missing puzzle piece of the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant, who finally tasted the sweet flavor of a victory.