The Spectrum September-October 2017 Newspaper

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B E Y O N D

K N O W I N G

VOLU M E 62 N U M BE R 4 · SE P T E M BE R T O O C T OBE R 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

ECO HEADLINES When advocacies and tradition clash, where do we stand? read on page 3

EDITORIAL The past series of transport strikes was not just for show, it’s a cry to be heard. read on page 4

SPECIAL REPORT With the recent liberation of Marawi City, look back at the losses and victories of what is known to be the longest urban battle in modern Philippine history. read on page 9

New metal detectors were acquired this semester. But has it made the security better? read on page 8

L-WEEK Revisit the fun during this year’s Lasallian Week! read on page 6

BCPO, USLS-GSO impose stricter measures ON GUARD. Three police officers from the Philippine National Police PRO 6 monitor the vicinity of the La Salle Avenue.

BY ADRIENNE CARL S. CALVO AND IAN KRISTOFFER V. GA

A report made by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) showed that there have already been 58 robbery hold-up cases in Bacolod city, prompting the local government and University of St. La Salle Bacolod - General Services Office (USLS-GSO) to enforce stricter measures in ensuring the security of the people.

BCPO ON RISING HOLD-UP CASES The 58 reported cases are comprised of 10 unarmed and 48 armed robbery hold-ups either with a gun or a sharp object. This has then sparked online buzz questioning the safety of the city.

In response to unsafe Bacolod claims and the hashtag “BacolodIsNotSafeAnymore” making rounds on social media in the past three months, BCPO Public Information Officer Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas firmly believes that people, especially Bacolodnons, should not subject the city to a negative light.

“Let us not market our city as unsafe because it is us who will be affected at the end of the day. On our end, we make sure to secure and protect the public against the criminal elements,” Vargas said.

In an interview by Sunstar with Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, acting director of BCPO, the office requested

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

600 policemen from the Police Regional Office - Western Visayas to add to their existing 673-police personnel to aid not only in ensuring the peace and security during the month-long Masskara Festival, but as well as in keeping Bacolodnons’ apprehension about the hold-up cases at bay.

The police were deployed in places of convergence such as terminals, malls, ports, and schools.

They also set up police assistance desks to accommodate the tourists’ directional needs.

Consequently, she claimed that with this course of action, fear of crime was reduced and peace and security were achieved during the Masskara Festival.

She added that if the city’s crime rate is compared with other

metro cities, it can be inferred that they are just on the same level. The problem, according to her, was that the cases were sensationalized in social media.

However, her office did not take it negatively.

“It became a check mechanism for us as to how the people feel about security,” she said.

USLS - GSO ON LASALLIANS’ SECURITY Due to the recent reports of robbery hold-ups, USLS Head of Security Engr. Jerry Uy has proposed a rotation schedule for the eight new perimeter guards to be stationed outside of the campus.

Four civilian guards will permanently be stationed along La Salle and C.L. Montelibano

Robredo, USLS launch Istorya ng Pag-asa in Bacolod “Our only weapon against fear is the ray of hope we can only find in each one of us.”

Vice President Leni Robredo penned a partnership alongside the University of St. La Salle (USLS) to launch the Bacolod leg of the Istorya ng Pag-asa (InP) series last Oct. 19 at Santuario de La Salle.

“The challenge is to find stories in our communities that will unify, inspire, and empower the community to step up in the fight against negativity through optimism, misinformation with truth,and accurate information and hopelessness with hope,” said former city councilor Carl Lopez, who is the project’s coordinator for

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

BY CHRISTIANA CLAUDIA G. GANCAYCO AND STARLENE B. PORTILLO

LEGACY OF HOPE. Vice President Leni Robredo delivers her speech during the launch of “Istorya ng Pag-asa”, at Santuario de La Salle.

Bacolod.

USLS President and Chancellor Br. Joaquin Martinez FSC, D. Min., along with other institutional heads, signed the memorandum of

agreement to officialize USLS as the Bacolod-based partner.

“This is a values education and promotion program that strengthens the possibility that, in these times when there

are many things happening, we can be proactive by being hopeful, hope-filled, and promoters of hope in our own different way. So, it synergizes with our formation for Lasallian values,” said Martinez, explaining why he felt the partnership was necessary.

Furthermore, Martinez urged everyone to come together and fight the common problems in society.

Initially a movement by Quezon City under the name “Istorya ng Pagbasa, Istorya ng Pag-asa”, InP was later on absorbed by the Office of the Vice President after Robredo herself was featured at their Ayala Museum exhibit in 2016, wherein she came to know

Avenue from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. while another set of guards will take the 12-10 p.m. shift. With this schedule, Uy assured that there would be an overlap during the peak hours from 12-4 p.m. (lunch to dismissal period of the Integrated School students) with all eight guards roving the avenues.

The university is

currently coordinating with Brgy. Villamonte to include the university vicinity as one of the roving routes of their watchmen to provide more security at night.

“We should remain vigilant even inside the campus because each and every one of us has an obligation not only to ourselves, but also to others,” Uy said as a message to Lasallians.

SPECIAL REPORT

USG prexy clears suspension case

BY CHRISTIANA CLAUDIA G. GANCAYCO AND STARLENE B. PORTILLO

University Student Government (USG) President Adrian Olaran has been suspended early in the first semester due to his consequent delays as former Executive Treasurer in the submission of both Liquidation (LR) and Financial Reports (FR) for the Academic Year (A.Y.) 2016-2017.

Under the ruling of the Legislative Branch via an off-court settlement, Olaran has been given a suspension until he finished liquidating the Club Fair 2017 held on the last week of July.

THE SPILL-OVER Olaran’s first LR was due on April 2016, which led to the piling up of unsubmitted LRs, according to former Blue Ribbon (BR) Committee Chairperson Patrick Puey. The BR is in charge of the accountability and transparency of all student body officers, both elected and appointed.

“Some operations of budget preparation, auditing and report of the particular A.Y. in relation to the budget of USG has been delayed. That was the main reason why BR decided to look into that case and apply appropriate sanctions based on the constitutional bias of the students,” stated Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Andre Tagamolila.

On January, former Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Arvin dela Cruz approached him regarding the treasurer’s failure to submit.

“By the end of the month, Olaran complied with a large number of LRs but had several unfinished ones,” Puey said, adding that in May, the BR issued a letter of demands to the treasurer and met with him.

Seeing as Olaran has partially complied with the terms set by the BR’s ultimatum, the committee decided not to let the issue reach the Student Board and instead imposed a community

ROBREDO / PAGE 9

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USG / PAGE 10

THESPECTRUM / NEWS

NEWS FEAT URE

PolSci Society pioneers Model UN

BY VICTORIA MARIAN B. BELMIS

In promotion of nationalism and unity, the University of St. La Salle (USLS) Political Science (PolSci) Society held their first Model United Nations (MUN) simulation last Oct. 14 at the Moot Court.

Sixty-nine student delegates gathered to discuss and tackle solutions to the Mediterranean refugee crisis and the war on drugs in the Philippines.

The delegates were composed of third year International Relations, fourth year Public International Law, and College of Business and Accountancy students from USLS as well as students from University of San Agustin (USA)- Iloilo.

“The main purpose [of the Model United Nations] is for Political Science students to be exposed in international law,” stated PolSci Society Senior Executive Vice President Sonny Ramos Jr., who acted as the Secretary General during the MUN. The MUN is a simulation activity wherein students act as delegates of certain countries and learn about diplomacy and the parliamentary procedures done in an assembly just like the United Nations.

“Here in USLS Model United Nations, one is expected — in the spirit of faith, loyalty, service, and truth, the PolSci spirit—to broaden his horizons, do some critical thinking, and become well-versed in the international issues of our time,” PolSci Society President Gaby Lacson said.

The event was composed of two sessions and culminated with an awarding ceremony of the Top 10 Best Delegates and Best Position Papers.

USLS commemorates 45th anniv of Martial Law Declaration

BY IDA SARENA M. GABAYA AND RIESA T. RODILLADO

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

GATHERING. USLS PolSci Society members in action during a court session in the first-ever Model United Nations.

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

“I enjoy the ability of everyone to be able to interact with one another, to be able to share their ideas and question one another’s ideas which makes everyone learn from one another,” said Cayabyab, expressing that the event was great and it was a fun learning experience overall.

The Top 10 Best Delegates, in no particular order, were Kurt Andrei Palabrica (Syria), George Ampil (France), Sarah Sagemuller (Philippines), Ernalin Constiniano (Philippines), Erinn Flores (Nauro), and Jose Kim Hirro (Burma) from USLS and also Chole Cayabyab (Russia), Allaine Emnacen (Canada), Clyde Allen Sollesta (Brunei), and Justin Ray Suela (Peru) from USA-Iloilo.

Moreover, USLS’ Mark Leonar (Latvia), Angelie Alayon (Bahrain), RJ Rose Torres (Mauritius), DC May Leeping (Lithuania), George Ampil (France), Rey Niño Clarin (Qatar), Ernalin Costiniano (Philippines), and Jesus Lorenzo Paglumotan (USA) were awarded as Best Position Papers together with Allain Emnacen (Canada) and Chloe Cayabyab (Russia) from USA-Iloilo.

“It has been one of the most unique and amazing experiences I have ever had in my college life to be Vice Chair of this first and historic USLS Model United Nations.

Although a little bit of work needs to be done on the procedure, so far, content-wise, we have produced a high quality output,” Lacson stated.

Ramos and Lacson guaranteed that the Political Science Society is planning to make the MUN a yearly event.

“The history is a history of abuse and exploitation. We cannot allow it to be repeated.

In fact, it’s already happening again in our current government—the extrajudicial killings are already a return of the vestiges of Martial Law,” said University President and Chancellor Br. Joaquin Severino Martinez FSC, D.Min. The Museo Negrense de La Salle and Balayan Social Development Office, in partnership with Von Maungca and Chaela Mirano from Kolektib youth group, honed activities to commemorate the 45th Martial Law declaration anniversary last Sept. 19.

The commemoration was held earlier because Sept. 21, the actual date of the declaration, was initially declared a non-working holiday but was renounced by President Duterte as a “national day of protest.”

In line with the Human Rights week, Martial Law survivors Edwin Marthine Lopez, Vilma Omoso, and Julie Dojillo discussed their experiences during the former President Ferdinand Marcos’ regime at the USLS Room 10.

“I hope and I wish you won’t

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

2

A LOOK BACK. Students look around and take pictures of different exhibits that were reminiscent of the Martial Law era at the Museo Negrense de La Salle.

undergo what we underwent. If ever it will happen again, I hope we won’t just keep silent about it,” stated Lopez, who claimed to be a victim of heavy torture and solitary confinement during the dictator’s regime.

Arrested on Feb. 26, 1982 and released on June 6, 1985, he recounted the struggles under Marcos’ nine-year dictatorship from injustices, to people’s resistance, and its economic effects. He presented statistical data showing that 70,000 were arrested, 35,000 were tortured, 737 disappeared, and 2,520 were killed.

Moreover, former church member Omoso shared the same sentiment, as she was allegedly arrested and tortured, which according to her forced her to admit a crime she did not commit and almost killing her in the process.

“If a dictator leads our government, our lives would really be destroyed,” Dojillo stated.

Dojillo was a 19-year old Commerce student from La Consolacion College-Bacolod, who joined an organization and became active in rallies and discussion groups as her political awareness raised, who was soon captured and confined for three months. Her detention, however, did not stop her from fighting.

“Strong conviction—it’s what I had and is now needed by the millennials,” she expressed.

One of the Martial Law activists that were featured during the exhibit was Maria Elena Ang, a 23-year-old journalist from University of the Philippines who was arrested, beaten, and sexually violated while being detained. Another one was Boyet Mijares, the 16-year-old son of

whistleblower and writer Primitivo Mijares, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds and various parts of his body mutilated.

The exhibit consisted of stands, photos, and infographics that showed the stories and the atrocities that happened during the Martial Law era.

One corner of the exhibit was an actual setting of the jail cell with an electric chair with a bloodied dummy placed as a victim.

“We have to remember what happened during the time of Martial Law, and why we should not repeat history, especially since human rights violation is [still] a problem now at the present,” said Erinn Flores, one of the silent protestors.

Several volunteers had their mouth taped in black for the Silent Protest as they held out placards with stories of martial law victims written on it for passersby to read.

“Martial law is an issue that still affects us up to now.

It is important for everyone, especially the youth, to be part in raising awareness because looking back would always affect the way we see this certain issue,” said Mira Maestrecampo, a volunteer for the Silent Protest.

USLS spearheads 1st PAP Convention in Negros

BY JOSHUA MARTIN P. GUANCO

With the theme “Psychology in the Changing Times”, the University of St. La Salle (USLS) hosted the 54th Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) Convention at the SMX Convention Center held last Sept. 20–22.

The convention gathered around 1,900 members of its population from all over the country comprising of psychologists, psychometricians, guidance counselors, and other professionals from related disciplines, housing the most number of participants ever recorded in its entire history.

“It was in 2016 where the convention was held in Cebu that the PAP repeatedly sounded off their interest in holding the convention

here in Bacolod with USLS particularly as the host school,” explained Convention Co-Chair and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Rowena Bañes PhD, RPsy. Though hosting the national convention was only designated to one school, Bañes reached out to other institutions in handling the event as she saw it as “an opportunity for USLS to strengthen its collaboration and partnership with the involved schools.”

With the convention’s theme inspired by and anchored on the issues of our society today, the lectures delved on topics such as extrajudicial killings as well as social issues like what is happening to families who have members who are into drugs and its psychological implications, mental health wellness, and the current state of the Philippine

LGBT communities.

On the last day of the event, the convention moved to the University wherein 11 learning workshops were held all throughout the campus.

In his talk “Suicide Risk in Psychotherapy: A Workshop on Assessment”, Dr. Arsenio Szu Aliaman Jr. shared his views on the “underreporting” of suicide cases in the country as he believes that some suicide case statistics are “changed” by families of the victims that do not want to report about the incident. Furthermore, he also emphasized the importance of psychologists and therapists in preventing their client from committing suicide.

“One suicide is one too many.

If we can save lives, then let’s do what we can,” Aliaman said.

The USLS Psychological Society also helped in organizing the convention, with some of its senior members helping and facilitating in various committees.

“The [Lasallian] volunteers weren’t exactly there to attend or engage in the convention’s agenda, but without them, the convention wouldn’t have worked,” said Jean Paul Amit, Vice President for External Affairs of the said school organization.

As for Dr. Bañes, she shared that the biggest benefit USLS got from leading the convention was not getting the honor as the Negrense school who hosted the event but the opportunity to serve the community through delivering a successful convention.

The 55th PAP Convention will be hosted by De La Salle University - Manila next year.

U-Splash contradicts environmental advocacy?

The College Wars or U-Splash has been a long-standing tradition of the University Student Government (USG) every Lasallian Week, wherein the ammunitions used for the game is a mix of water and food coloring wrapped in one-use plastics.

In this year’s U-Splash, the required ammunitions for each group were 1,800 (to be divided for the three rounds of the game) plus 300 more for contingency. Multiplied by seven groups, that would be more than 14,000 plastic waste to be accumulated.

Incidentally, this year’s Lasallian Icon advocacy pageant under USG required the participants’ advocacies to be related to the environment and conduct related activities for the duration of the pageant to raise awareness about their chosen advocacy.

With the conflicting principles of the two events, this called to question the integrity of our student leaders in regards to the advocacy they launched.

ICONS’ ADVOCACIES VS. U-SPLASH The Lasallian Icon representatives of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Astrolave Vista and Katrina Nemenzo, chose plastic reduction as their advocacy.

Vista, who at first wanted to participate in the event, realized later on that doing so would contradict his advocacy. With this realization, he approached the CAS Council and proposed for the college to withdraw participation.

“I was thinking that it would send a powerful message,” said Vista regarding his suggestion to boycott the event. However, despite his desire to drive a point, he further explained

that there were other factors that needed to be considered as well. “[The] College Wars has been a big event for years already, maybe they just didn’t want to break the tradition. It would’ve been nice if a compromise was made for it though,” expressed this year’s Ms. Lasallian Icon, on the other hand.

As CAS would be disqualified if they did not join nor prepare ammunitions, Nemenzo suggested to use water guns, as she feels it would be less wasteful since they’re reusable. However, it was not permitted.

After talking among themselves and agreeing that the event goes against their advocacy, the CAS Council initiated dialogue with USG’s Department of Advocacy Program (DAP), which is the committee in-charge of U-Splash.

At first, the only option given to CAS was they could either join, with the plastic ammunitions required, or be disqualified. However, CAS was still discouraged by the organizers to take the latter option, as the non-participation might “reflect badly against USG and the school”, as explained by CAS Governor Martina Gindap.

After further negotiation between the two parties, a middle ground was met. Since the organizers would not permit CAS to join without ammunitions, the organizers allowed CAS to minimize their ammunitions instead.

“This time, winning wasn’t our main priority, but rather to be able to make a statement about our advocacy,” said CAS Secretary Keith Guevarra.

MEETING HALFWAY “If CAS didn’t join, it would seem that U-Splash is

promoting plastics, which isn’t the case. [Rather], it is geared toward an advocacy, which is CLAYGO (Clean As You Go project),” USG President Adrian Olaran said in USG’s defense.

Meanwhile, DAP Head Aviry Sarrosa expressed that regardless of the conflict in the CAS Icons’ advocacy, he

personally wanted CAS to join since he knows that students look forward to it.

“We can’t compromise the activity for [CAS’] concern because it forfeits the purpose of the game,” he said, adding that they could not find an alternative for one-use plastics U-SPLASH / PAGE 6

—NICCI BERNELLE D. AGUILAR

BY CHRISTIANA CLAUDIA G. GANCAYCO

ATYPICAL WAR. Students from different colleges exchange shots during the U-Splash during the first day of Lasallian Week 2017 at the USLS Football Field last September 12.

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

NEWS / THESPECTRUM

USLS conducts 3rd Lasallian Help International Autism lecturer Raun Kaufman tied up with University of St. La Salle (USLS) for an Autism lecture for the third Lasallian Help last Oct. 11 at Sugarland Hotel.

Kaufman, former Chief Executive Officer of The Autism Treatment Center of America, shared his personal history of recovery from severe autism due to the said program.

The lecture aimed to discuss the Son-Rise Program and the key strategies and practices done by the parents of children with Autism around the world.

The Son-Rise Program is a child-centered program that teaches specific and comprehensive treatment and education to help the families of children challenged by autism. This program is an alternative autism treatment based upon the idea that children shows their parents or guardians the way in and then, they show them the way.

The event was organized for parents, professionals and caregivers of all ages challenged

by Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and other related

—COURTESY OF BLESSEL JUNSAY JARUDA

BY STARLENE JOY B. PORTILLO

GOODNESS. Early Childhood Education students from the University attend the Third La Salle Exchange Autism Help by Raun Kaufman last Oct. 11 at the Sugarland Hotel, Bacolod City.

development difficulties.

“It is like crossing a bridge from your world to your child’s, eventually creating a relationship with him and finally helping your child cross the bridge back to your world,” said Kaufman.

His lecture focused on The Son-Rise Program and its practices of effective methods of autism treatment as well as tips that can be used for immediate treatment of autism. “We are going to teach you with pieces that will help you train up the child. We are actually going to show you how to join in like literally doing the behavior with your child and while doing that create

a relationship with your child,” he stressed.

Autism Hearts Foundation President Erlinda Borromeo said that one in 68 children around the world suffers from autism, whereas the estimated cases in the Philippines has risen from 500,000 in 2008 to 1M as of 2014 and continues to rise in the present.

In an interview with Dr. Steven Seno on the television show My Health, Kaufman was asked about his lecture experience in the Philippines.

According to Kaufman, it was something special to witness how dedicated the Filipino parents are

to help their child, their students, and those who are in need of their help.

“I know what your child is capable of, but I would just say this; you do not have to apologize for hoping and believing in your child. That’s the best gift you can give your child. The biggest determent of our children is not parents like you pointing at them, but the false pessimism of the people,” Kaufman said.

“I’ve heard of so many effective strategies in dealing with children with autism, and they usually come from teachers and books. Watching documentaries about the program was nothing compared to hearing from Mr. Raun Kaufman himself. It was such an honor meeting him and listening to his talk. As a future special education (SPED) teacher, I will be able to apply some of the program’s strategies in the future,” said fourth year SPED major Angelica Tupas on her realizations during the talk.

Aside from Bacolod, Kaufman also held interactive lectures and coast-to-coast seminars in Makati City, Brgy. Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and Cebu City.

Kaufman and Son-Rise Program will also set foot on Singapore at the end of the year.

Lasallian grad reaches Top 16 of nat’l singing tilt

BY KATHERINE E. CO

A fresh graduate of the University with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health crooned his way to the Top 16 of WISHcovery, Manilabased radio station Wish 107.5’s new online singing competition that premiered last Sept. 9 on its official Youtube channel.

“My journey in WISHcovery is very unexpected,” said Chris Noel Bernalde. He was just going to watch a movie at SM City Bacolod when he decided on the spot to join the Wish auditions held at the same place.

Bernalde said that from more than a thousand who auditioned, a hundred hopefuls were chosen to compete in the pre-qualifying round, and were then screened out to only 20 “Wishfuls” who will

continue in the contest proper.

Wish’s nationwide talent search for aspiring singers airs its episodes on Youtube every week, with Wishfuls performing in the signature Wish 107.5 Bus. Thirty percent of their scores would come from the number of views on their performance videos also posted on the official channel, and the rest from the ratings of judge-reactors Jungee Marcelo, The CompanY’s Annie Quintos, and Jay R. One Wishful is eliminated from the competition in every episode.

It is also presenting P2 million worth of cash and contract, a house and lot, and a brand-new car to its grand champion.

Bernalde was taking the Licensure Examination for Teachers during the same time the competition was ongoing,

which made him confused where to focus, he recalled.

He also said getting views online was a great challenge, since not all are well-acquainted with the online platform, and that the Wishfuls are just given about six days for “power-viewing”.

He further shared how difficult it was to choose a song that the viewers and listeners of Wish would like, which are mostly millennials.

“The good thing is we are encouraging the youngsters to listen to OPM because we sing mostly OPM songs in the Wish Bus,” he expressed.

“To be in the Top 5 would already mean lots of opportunities… you don’t necessarily have to win. Winning would just be an add-on,” he said.

Being part of the 20 Wishfuls already feels like a win, he added,

as they were handpicked by big names in the music industry.

“Always embrace, trust, and develop your uniqueness, because it will give you an identity that will surely be remembered by the people,” Bernalde said, when asked what he would like to say to those also aspiring for their dreams, especially those who also wish to be musicians.

With this, Bernalde is asking fellow Lasallians and Bacolodnons to support him in the competition through watching his performances on Wish 107.5’s official Youtube channel.

WISHcovery episodes air every Saturday, 9 p.m., and performance videos are uploaded every Sunday at 9 p.m., signalling the start of the power-viewing, which then ends at Friday noon.

As of now, there is still no plotted date for the finals.

302 Volunteers join forces for ocean health

BY VICTORIA MARIAN B. BELMIS

—COURTESY OF FRANZ MARVIN DUHAYLUNGSOD

In observance of the 32nd International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), 302 volunteers, led by Balayan Social Development Office of the University of St. La Salle (USLS), joined forces in promoting ocean health awareness last Sept. 23.

The coastal cleanup, with the theme “Together for our Ocean”, was conducted simultaneously at five locations in Negros Occidental, namely Brgy.

Calumangan, Sampinit and Taloc in Bago City, Brgy. Balaring in Silay City, and Brgy. Tomongtong in E.B. Magalona.

Volunteers from Balayan, various USLS clubs and National Service Training Program classes, private sectors, residents, and local government units of Bago City, Municipality of E.B. Magalona and Silay City participated in the said cleanup.

A total of 82 sacks amounting to 590 kilograms of waste were collected in the 2.28 km estimated coastal distance cleaned.

“It [ICC] is almost a tradition for me personally to participate in this activity and it always breaks my heart to witness some coastal areas which are lined up with different kinds of wastes,” Balayan volunteer Lovelie

FOR MOTHER EARTH. Volunteers from the University of St. La Salle clear garbage on the coast of Purok Batad, Brgy. Sampinit, Bago City in lieu of the celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup last Sept. 23.

Bedayo said.

The volunteers mainly collected 2,204 pieces of plastic bags, 1,934 plastic food wrappers, 792 small plastic pieces, 395 plastic bottles, lids, and caps, and 438 plastic utensils.

“I’ve been joining this since I was in high school but the wastes never diminish. Every year, it seems that it keeps on doubling and spreading,” added Angelica Moreño, also a Balayan volunteer, expressing it was not fun at all seeing the enormity of trashes in the coasts.

Despite the heavy rain and flood the day prior to the coastal cleanup, volunteers still participated in the yearly event.

“We didn’t meet our expected number of volunteers in our pre-registration because of the unexpected flood in some areas of the city the night before our cleanup. But nevertheless, the commitment of our students, staff , and faculty volunteers was very evident. Added to it was the participation and involvement of our partner LGU,” Balayan Program Officer and ICC Coordinator Jhun Ivor Jimera stated.

Jimera added that the cleanup was indeed successful for its main

objective, which is to raise awareness especially to the locals.

“I had a lot of fun and great experiences in this year’s ICC, even if the weather was bad. It was exciting monitoring the number of wastes and minimizing the trash,” Moreño expressed.

Bedayo added that the ICC has been a significant event for her and it made her realize the importance and role of mankind, as stewards of nature, in preserving the ocean and seas.

In addition, Moreño pointed out that we should be mindful and responsible of the wastes that we leave and throw because it causes inevitable changes in the environment.

“We can never know, maybe one day it might come back to us.

Even just a simple CLAYGO must be observed,” she added.

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, having the vision of a balanced and healthy ocean that is free from trash and pollution, is the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health according to American Recycle Newspaper and is celebrated every third Saturday of September.

3

PIA-6, PCOO hold ASEAN multi-sectoral forum

—MARIANO O. JAVIER

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

SUMMIT. Various students and journalists attend the ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Forum with the theme “Partnering For Change, Engaging The World.” held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol last Sept. 5.

BY ADRIENNE CARL S. CALVO

In line with our country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017 themed “Partnering For Change, Engaging The World,” the Philippine Information Agency Region VI (PIA6) in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) led a multi-sectoral forum for private and public sectors of the province last Sept. 5 at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol.

PIA6 Asst.

Regional Director and Operations Head Jaime Cabag Jr. and Bacolod City Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang welcomed the representatives from over 14 sectors who both shared about PIA’s and the city’s efforts on conducting infodrives, forums, and exhibits in line with our country’s hosting of ASEAN 2017.

“I know that there will be challenges as well as opportunities that the ASEAN integration will bring and I assure everyone that our people will not be left behind.

Not in the process of integration and certainly not in ensuring that we get a fair share of the opportunities as well,” said Councilor LegaspiAng in behalf of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

The National Economic and Development Authority’s

(NEDA) elicited collection of long-term visions from respondents and citizens of the country through surveys, public consultations during focus group discussions, and technical studies has formed the latest developmental plan called AmBisyon Natin 2040.

Marian Therese Pamonag of NEDA6’s Research Division explained that the program represents the Filipino people’s vision and aspirations for the country and for themselves over the next 25 years.

During the open forum after the talks, Edfel Balidbadlan of the Police and Criminal Investigation’s Police Community Affairs Unit answered questions concerning the administration’s war on drugs campaign.

According to Balidbadlan, if people subject to police operations persist about their drug involvement, an arrest is done with due process while those who surrender are given the benefit of rehabilitation and home visits.

Moreover, the Philippine National Police presented a report on arrests made during the campaign and was asked why the report only showed arrest of drug users and pushers but no suppliers.

Balidbadlan explained that this is because there are no suppliers in Negros and that there were no drug production laboratories in the province.

Rotaract holds ThisAbility project

BY MARIA ANGELICA M. APE

As University of St. La Salle (USLS) Rotaract Club’s annual activity, student volunteers toured 55 visually and mentally-impaired students of Bacolod Special Education Center last Sept. 11.

The ThisAbility Project aims to emphasize that disability is never a hindrance for a person to communicate, connect, and be happy.

“Its goal is also to show to other people that if these special kids can smile and live their respective lives to the fullest despite their disability, how much more it is for us?”

USLS Chapter President Louie Raner said.

Raner also said that the event is one of the most anticipated activities not just by the members but by the volunteers as well.

“Aside from the tour, we also had an activity where there was an interaction between the kid and their volunteer. The kids also

prepared several performances for us which for me, was a heartwarming experience,” Raner added.

The students were toured around the campus and were brought to different exhibits by their designated volunteers.

Special Education Major and volunteer Danielle Villaera said that the experience is priceless and that the event could not only help the children but also educate the whole Lasallian community.

“The ThisAbility experience for me was better this time around since the first time I joined, I didn’t know how to sign very well. This year, I was able to be more adept in sign which was really beneficial because through that I was able to cross the bridge from the hearing world to the non-hearing world. It was also surreal to witness the kids with smiling faces where they had excitement brimming out and it was all such a heartwarming experience,” Villaera said.

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

4

THESPECTRUM / OPINION

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

EDITORIAL

Reviewing the Revamp The recent string of transport strikes nationwide received mixed views from the public, what with classes (and therefore, semestral breaks) postponed and daily commuters calling it a hassle. The most discernable voices, however, came from those who orchestrated the strikes and those who have a lot to say about the matter at hand: our public utility drivers. Unfortunately, they seem to be met with deaf ears.

Transport groups organized nationwide strikes, summing up to three this year, against the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program which was launched last June. One major part of the program is the phaseout aiming to replace PUVs that are 15 years or older with vehicles (yes, not just jeepneys) powered by Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines by 2020. Hinted since 2016, it only fleshed out this year.

If one looks at it from a certain point of view, the benefits are definitely promising. Commuters will be able to access public transport easily due to an expanded network that connects different optimized routes and establishments, also resulting to faster travel times. Vehicles will be more comfortable, spacious, environmentally-friendly, and safe. Drivers will have the security of monthly salary, benefits, and reduce working hours. Traffic congestion is expected to be reduced while ridership increases.

However, the problem is, that view is from the privileged perspective. Our country is far from a developed status.

The government requires more research and consideration of different sectors and factors (geography, social classes, etc.) for this to hit off successfully. Even the general public shows lack of immediate concern to change the unsafe transport system resulting to a need for strikes. With the sensationalized news about the jeepney phaseout, Filipinos are in the dark of what more the modernization entails. The plan lacks sufficient information dissemination to everyone, even driver-operator groups are excluded from the technical working group meetings. No wonder, they feel like they are getting the short end of the stick.

Plus, local government units will be part of leading the implementation, leaving one to wonder how politicking and corruption will come into play. Without a clear plan for a mass transport solution, the government should not burden the small drivers and operators with expensive alternatives and financing schemes.

This is not only a problem on transportation but also a matter of employment and the displacement of poor Filipino families that rely on this as livelihood. We have limited options and small steps will work better for a nation like ours.

Is it really worth it to sacrifice the stability of many Filipino families for a plan that in itself is not certain and carefully laid out yet?

THESPECTRUM FOUNDED 1956

facebook.com/thespectrumusls · thespectrum.usls@gmail.com VOLUME 62 NUMBER 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 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

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 LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR Jowan Dave G. Guides ASST. LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR Glen Jed J. Descutido PHOTOJOURNALISTS

NEWSPAPER WRITER MAGAZINE WRITER

Riesa T. Rodillado

Nicci Bernelle D. Aguilar Martini M. Falco Mariano O. Javier VIDEOGRAPHER

ONLINE WRITERS

Ida Sarena M. Gabaya Charlene Marie D. Lim Maria Angeline M. Mayor

Kyle Jyrax D. Sevilla LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS ARTIST

Shara Mae L. Pelayo ILLUSTRATORS

SPORTS WRITER

Stephine Paul M. Dungca FILIPINO WRITERS

Victoria Marian B. Belmis Jyan Martella G. Opena LITERARY WRITER

Cedric Lance M. Militar Katrina Y. Nemenzo Karen D. Panganiban Seth V. Pullona WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Keanu Kent B. Gargar

Alvin Brian S. Legario

The Woke Juans It’s a ‘woke’* world after all.

When centenarian Apo Whang Od, who is considered as the last mambabatok (handtapped tattoo artist) from Buscalan, Kalinga, was flown into the bustling metropolis to showcase indigenous people’s culture in Manila FAME (Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers’ Exchange), people were happy. But the moment a photo of a seemingly exhausted sleeping Whang Od surfaced, netizens were quick to jump on the debate it sparked on her possible exploitation.

According to the viral post by blogger Winky Scott, the organizers charged P2,500 for a tattoo, P500 for a signature which is composed of three tattoo dots, and P700 for a chance to see the artist. Together with her two assistants, Whang Od did about 300 live tattoo sessions. In an interview by Rappler to Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild (Philtag) President Ricky Sta. Ana, he talked with the Buscalan village leaders who said that the tattoo sessions were not part of the initial agreement and that the artist was looking forward to retirement. People were furious on the said “commodification” of Whang Od and expressed doubts on where the profits gained would truly go. Scott’s post has now reached more than 39k worth of shares and the comments keep coming.

In contrast to that, according to the artist’s relatives, the contract signed included two days of live-tattooing in the event. Feedback from her relatives spoke of Whang Od enjoying the chance to visit Manila. However, despite enjoying their stay, her nephew Jayvee Franz Paclay Sabawil would have wanted her to perform her tattoo sessions in private and not on display to preserve her energy. One hour of tattoo session could easily wear down

Jargonaut Andrea Nicole C. Farol

andreanicolefarol@gmail.com

After all, we don’t always see the common Juan losing his composure on the plight of our cultural elements. the artist, according to Sabawil, but seeing the long queue, Whang Od decided to continue because she pitied those who stood in line to wait for their turn. Manila FAME organizers have also denied the allegations of exploitation, saying all the proceeds plus honorarium were given to Whang Od and her companions in whole. Also, that it was the artist’s choice to conduct live tattoo sessions and all they wanted was to promote her and her art. Part of the reason Whang Od was flown to Manila was also to receive her nomination for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) award. As to her viral photo, Sabawil explained that she slept because she apparently got bored of the questions and did not like the cameras flashing.

This leaves still a lot of eyebrows raised.

After all, there is no excuse for taking a cultural icon or art and reducing it into a means to extract profit, if what the viral photo suggested were true. This column would’ve been more of a flurry of hate on greed. This column would’ve slammed the lights out of Manila FAME’s intentions and the Filipino mindset as a whole. But with the explanations and the assurance of Whang Od and her representatives that it was not a case of exploitation, this

column takes a turn into something more positive to say about this nation.

For centuries, we have let ourselves succumb to submissiveness to the point that it bore a child called colonialism. In line with that, many grow to be afraid to resist the more powerful and corrupt elements of our society.

Corruption runs so deep in our system, greed has managed to lodge itself in our mindsets and this is greed that knows no reputation, no human life, and no tradition. To make matters worse, our nation is guilty of how its people uphold ignorance for the sake of a bliss life.

So seeing that one small possibility of a cultural icon exploited could spark a massive public outcry against a big organization tells you how we ,as a people, are moving forward against the celebrated lack of awareness that our culture seems to enjoy. The fierce backlash against the idea of our ancestors’ legacy being sold as a commodity is amazing against the backdrop of socio-political unrest in our country. After all, we don’t always see the common Juan losing his composure on the plight of our cultural elements. Maybe the debate on Whang Od just screams negativity but looking at it in the different light, I feel relieved that many turn their heads to look back on our traditions and the move to preserve them. It is an assuring thought to see that many people are awake in issues that don’t normally get the limelight.

One thing I hope, though, is that this does not stop at the well-known parts of our culture. Rather, may we also express our concern to get to know more and move to promote it. After all, the progress we want in addressing national issues lies on the collective voice of well-informed people.

Maybe, just maybe, when everyone is woke, it’s not so much of a tough love for our nation. *woke - an urban slang that is used to denote social awareness

We, the Ambitious but Tired Generation

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Adrienne Carl S. Calvo

—KAREN D. PANGANIBAN

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Keanu Joseph P. Rafil 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.

It is these times I question again why I go to school.

Is it because I feel like my education isn’t great? No. Not in that sense. But it might be that I feel like it’s not exactly worth it in the end.

I’ve been an honor student since preschool, a valedictorian three times in my life, to be exact. I never want to let my parents, my teachers, and my education, down. But now that I am in my third year of college, I realize I am not who I wanted to be. Not that I don’t have more well-refined skills and a broader knowledge in my field, but I am regrettably and immensely tired. And it’s not just me.

When I say “tired”, I’m referring to the kind you can’t cure with 10 hours of sleep for three consecutive days. I am talking about a kind of burnout caused by chronic stress. And no, I no longer agree it’s a term only the older generations can use. To illustrate the usual situation of diligence, from the moment we wake up, we think of school work, then we do school work, and till we go to bed (if we ever get to), we’re still doing school work. It’s a life-consuming commitment to comply what we need to comply. It has come to a point where I have rationalized that to be able to do everything required of me within due time is practically impossible.

So we sacrifice sleep. “Sleep is for the weak,” they’d say. But then we have to face the reality the next day that a sleepless, not functioning state we would find ourselves in is not the kind of state the school expects its students to be in. So we have to force ourselves to function more and better, even if we are hindered by not only our physical limitations caused by lack of rest, but also by our heavy emotional

Skatherin’ Around Katherine E. Co

katyuiop@gmail.com

It has come to a point where I have rationalized that to be able to do everything required of me within due time is practically impossible. So we sacrifice sleep. baggages and the gradually-deteriorating gray matter sitting in our skulls. But a kind of naivety sickens me. Why does it seem that almost every teacher thinks we are only taking his/her one class, when we have about eight other classes to worry about? Why can’t they really seem to see the whole picture? But one may ask: Why comply with everything, then? Because if we want to be “excellent” students who pass everything on time and in good quality, we have no choice. But also, maybe it’s because we just want to have good education by being good students, to put our parents’ hard-earned money to good use, to get good jobs in the future, and be of good use to society someday. So from there, the ride goes on, the experiences happen, lessons are learned, and then an awakening comes one day, saying, “I’ve been exhausted.” Not just my energy, my resources, and my spirit, but myself.

According to research, stress is healthy to the point where it allows you to have more energy and focus. But continuous strings of it will affect your brain—structure, size, and function. And that’s exactly what people might

tend to miss out—that although we can still be capable of doing work (both moderate and extreme), our overall capacity is reduced. To top it off, chronic stress increases the risk of depression if one isn’t coping with it well. And it took me years to realize I am not as functional and healthy as I was before. In addition to this, global services network PwC’s latest report on people management shows thatnot only do millennials strive hard in achieving their goals, have a high regard for good work-life balance, and find purpose in their work, they are also quite optimistic. And that’s still what we are. But despite the optimism, for the overworked, we’re undeniably a bit damaged than we were before.

Shouldn’t education be holistic? Why does it seem like nobody seems to understand why students fall short, nor see how we don’t want to fall short? Why do teachers have metaphorical eyeglasses that only see “academics” in supposedly human beings that have differing mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of their lives? Why do I have to raise my voice and break down in front of my mother to make her understand why I can’t seem to spare enough time for our family, and that I never wanted to, but I just have to? Why do I now feel like I’ve destroyed my life instead of having built it for bigger things? All these years, did I just fail to “manage my time well”?

To see people everyday who manifest the same kind of lowly, heavy, lingering kind of tiredness that I am all too familiar with, as well as those I personally know who go through the same difficulties I do, I’m brought to a thought: We are tired.

We are young and ambitious about the future, but we’re tired.

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

OPINION / THESPECTRUM

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

God is Dead, We Have Killed Him Anonymouse Robert H. Jerge III rhjjerge3@gmail.com

Morals in a postmodern sense is more nihilist in that there is no unifying moral code, and that all morals are relative.

Friedrich Nietzsche foresaw the fall of the modern understanding of religion and the rise of leftist thinking in his prediction that “God is dead”. This fall gave rise to the postmodern way of thinking, one that ultimately “killed” God and saw that any theology that would suggest a unifying understanding of morality would be met with harsh skepticism. Postmodernity has more prevalence today than it has in any period in the past because of its simple ethos: all things are relative across individuals. This isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Millennials have, for a while, moved away from any connection with religion. “Some are avowed atheists. Others are agnostic. And many more simply don’t care to state a preference.

Organized around skepticism toward organizations and united by a common belief that they do not believe, nones as a group are just as internally complex as many religions,” says Gabe

Bullard in his National Geographic article “The World’s Newest Major Religion: No Religion”.

This religious abandonment would create a universal moral void, one which Nietzsche predicted long ago.

Another problem with postmodernism is the apparent relativism of morality.

Morals in a postmodern sense is more nihilist in that there is no unifying moral code, and that all morals are relative. In my opinion, it is this concept of postmodern morality that gave rise to Duterte’s relativistic justification for his war on drugs. His methods of drug control pays little or no mind to the individual human rights the drug users have as a gift from God. In the void of a universal moral code, like the one given to us by theology, “thou shalt not kill”would be replaced by the groundwork for shallow reasoning to support a leftist narrative. One of these narratives was referenced in Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s The Gulag Archipelago where he says, “Ideology – that is what gives evildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the necessary steadfastness and determination. That is the social theory which helps to make his acts seem good instead of bad in his own and others’ eyes.”

Postmodernism’s effect has been prevalent even before its rise in popularity. Christopher Columbus would have to be a victim of postmodernism’s relativistic view of history.

Postmodernists view history in a way that undermines the development his expedition had on western civilization, calling it

genocide, and some calling the accidental spread of smallpox, a form of biological warfare. In the Philippines, Former President Marcos’s sudden “heroic” status by President Rodrigo Duterte and some citizens is evidence of the influence postmodernism has on people and their perception of history. Calling him a hero based solely on a relative definition on what makes a hero, instead of looking to how theology has defined a hero such as in Romans 15:1-2: “one who helps those in need, buttresses the weaknesses of others with our strengths and vice versa, and contributes to the welfare of our neighbors”.

The problem with postmodernism is that we reevaluate our conceptions of the individual and it leads us to perceive each other in our divisive states by means of our gender, ethnicity, or disability. This breakdown of individuals would create an endless cycle of oppressor-against-oppressed in a neo-marxist (the redistribution of wealth or privilege based off of an underlying factor) fashion where people aren’t individuals, and are put into a hierarchy based on that person’s level of oppression and are given more or less privileges. But this apparent ‘oppression’ and relative skepticism can be sorted out through a unifying moral code, one we can all fall back on: God. God, not the creator, but the Word: logos.

I was never too fond of theology per se, but the message it gives humanity culturally and morally is something we shouldn’t take lightly. Its influences in culture and the development of society would be lost in the wake of postmodernism.

Hypocrytical foot forward?

Being asked to “put your best foot forward”, or in layman’s terms to “give it your best”, is a good thing. Unless when it is for hypocrisy’s sake, then I beg to differ.

Perhaps all of us here at one point in our student lives have had our schools be examined for the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

And I bet most, if not all, have had a similar experience: being given one strict instruction after the other. Only speak in English. Straighten your back when you recite. I’ve had teachers coach the class a script of how the class discussion should go for when a PAASCU accreditor comes in—we would even practice standing up uniformly and greeting our visitor in a friendly intonation for several times. I have had teachers become stricter with the class attendance to the point of instructing students to no longer come inside if they are late for class. Another thing though: absence during PAASCU day is to be counted double for said teacher’s class.

All of what I cited above are apparently for making a good impression to the PAASCU accreditors—understandably so, since we would surely want to put our best foot forward for the sake of a good impression. Who does not do that, right? However, the fact is that this is nothing but pretense—which is definitely not what the accreditors are here for. Rather, they’re here to observe the school on its day-to-day performance and rate it as they see fit. For the integrity

@ms_saigoncayco Christiana Claudia G. Gancayco ccgancayco@gmail.com

My case here is that it is saddening and disappointing how we have to be driven by an ulterior motive and an external factor for us to aim for excellence. of the accreditation given, I think prepping for and choreographing this are no different from cheating. Why? Only because that is not how we are everyday. That is not how we perform everyday. The reality of it is that, students and even teachers sometimes arrive late to class for valid reasons. Emergencies happen and people need—and should be permitted—to be absent. We speak the vernacular because it is our mother tongue and must therefore come natural over the English language. I think that should be a good thing.

My case here is that it is saddening and disappointing how we have to be driven by

an ulterior motive and an external factor for us to aim for excellence. And what is more disappointing is that it only lasts for a day—hours, even. It’s as if the accreditors are the ones bringing the spirit of excellence; when they leave, so does the excellence.

This is not a complaint about my teachers and their instructions. If anything, I respect them to carry out their duty and will happily obey them, as long as it is something nourishing for students. This is, however, a complaint on our hypocrisy in the face of accreditors. Don’t get me wrong, I would not be complaining if what we show the PAASCU accreditors is actually how we are on a daily basis. I will be happy, if that is the case. But it is not. Hence, this article.

I feel like for the longest time this has always been the “elephant in the room’”or in layman’s terms an issue we all know exists but do not talk about. And yes, I feel like it really is an issue that needs to be acknowledged. An issue about hypocrisy, about lack of integrity, about being show-off.

I am not bashing anyone. If anything, this is a call for all of us to even better our performance.

The PAASCU’s observation day only proves that we are capable of having more discipline and a bigger room for excellence. I only hope that it would no longer need a visitor, an accreditor, or anything else to bring that out in us. And when it no longer does, then there wouldn’t be a need for hypocrisy every PAASCU visit.

Mema column lang mema /mɛma/ noun, verb.

1) To say out one’s thoughts out for the sake of having something to say, for whatever personal intent or purpose.

[Origin: Colloquial Tagalog for ‘may masabi’ (just have something to say); can be used as an abbreviation of ‘may ma’ itself] Virtual space, as we know it, can be parsed by two words: for and against. Each individual post and every online discourse is a briefing of one’s personal stand. It defines both the person and their sensitivities, whether they support or denounce something regardless of how minute or immense the subject matter can be.

Like any other storyline, however, this condition has grey areas, again parsed in (but not limited to) two—the careful and the careless—neither of which can help advance an argument through awareness, information, nor in provoking thought. Some netizens (carefuls) are conscious but choose not to speak up, thinking that the notion of “less talk, less war” advocates peace, but not realizing that neutrality helps the oppressor. Despite neutrality and apathy in social media being prodded at

present, an untouched area remains.

One reason why viral posts become viral on various social media platforms is through mindless sharing, commenting, and posting.

This case is a tad different from your average fake news victim in a sense that these people (the careless) have no prior information to the problems presented, yet instead of gathering knowledge about the said matter, they resort to what apparently is easier done than thinking: typing. This is what I would like to refer to as the “mema mentality”.

Netizens who are “mema lang” are often crippled. And by crippled, I mean that they have no leg to stand on. And by no leg, I mean that they have no formulated opinion of their own. To an extent, having no opinion may seem harmless. However, when positioned next to impulse and a lack of filter (both from the person and the contents presented by his/her chosen online medium), mema people blurt out whatever seems right from their lens regardless of veracity: from snide remarks to baseless facts.

Without proper research and level-headed thinking, this mentality becomes a breeding ground for the atrocities we already face today such as media hoax and cyberbullying. Memas are often prey to clickbait because of their brash nature which

Sonorus Maxima Starlene Joy B. Portillo

starleneportillo@gmail.com

Beliefs do not become beliefs if you cannot fight for it, let alone explain it constructively. they pass off as quick and witty thinking. On the other hand, they too are predators to anything and anyone they can insult. Again, this is passed off as quick and witty thinking, as affirmed by the sheer amount of likes a harsh comment can attract, or the viewership a propaganda video can produce.

In a way, being mema also encourages what we call as “the bandwagon behavior”, or the act of joining a fad because of the size of its following. Jumping on a bandwagon is not frowned upon per se, but rather, what follows in consequence when one makes an uninformed decision and develops no stance in any matter.

5

For Heaven and the rest of us still afraid Ten years ago, Tarana Burke, founder of Just Be Inc., wrote about the story of a young black girl named Heaven who was sexually assaulted by her stepfather. Heaven’s story and the way she went back out to the world “like she was all alone” resonated with Burke. She found that she couldn’t even say “me, too.”

Last Oct. 15, actress Alyssa Milano posted a tweet that turned Burke’s sentiments into a movement. Milano asked people who have been sexually assaulted and/or harassed to reply with the words, “me, too”. After a few hours, the tweet blew up with over 68,000 people sharing their stories and using the hashtag #MeToo. The reactions weren’t limited to the U.S., as women from all over the world tweeted and posted about the hashtag and other renditions of it: Spain echoed #YoTambien; ‫نامك_انأو‬# and

Like I Said Iris Denise N. Rivera

areviresinedsiri@gmail.com

Don’t get me wrong, I have tried.

Even this column is me trying. ‫اضيا_اناو‏‬# were predominant in Arab countries; while #balancetonporc came from the French.

This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg. For every person who tweeted about their story, it is highly likely that there was an equal number of people who did not. Myself included.

When I checked Twitter on Oct. 16, I saw friends, friends of friends, celebrities, and strangers alike tweet about their stories.

Their bravery was almost infectious. I wanted to speak up about my own assault. The draft was ready and it started with “When I was 14…”. I couldn’t bear to type the rest.

Don’t get me wrong, I have tried. Even this column is me trying. I tried every form I was acquainted with from a “Tell a story from your high school years” essay, to spoken word, to nonfiction pieces, to straight-up conversations over drinks. I’ve desensitized myself from telling the story until the hashtag came up. Then, I couldn’t. Even five years after the incident, it was still too difficult to talk about on such a public platform.

And that’s okay. I do not owe anyone my story. If you’re someone who still can’t handle speaking about your truth as boldly as these other victims, that’s okay, too. Take your time.

Your experiences are as valid and as real within your silence.

You do not owe anyone your story, either.

Neither do these brave souls who are sharing their truths but they do so despite the fear and shame we’ve all felt. They speak up even in the face of people like Michael Knowles, a right-wing columnist for The Daily Wire.

He wrote an article regarding the campaign and called it a slacktivist movement meaning that tweeters use it to “receive the benefit of virtue performance without the tedious burden of productive reform.” Which is apparently his long-ass way of saying “egotistic and lazy”.

But the thing about the #MeToo movement is that it isn’t another form of passive social media activism that starts with a hashtag, a call to action, or a campaign that ends with victims taking to the streets out of protest.

In Knowles’ article, he compared the hashtag to that of #Kony2012 and #BringBackOurGirls, saying that the two did nothing to hasten the arrest of Ugandan cult leader Joseph Kony or secure the safe return of Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists. These were external affairs that were supposed to stir uproar and move world leaders to take a stand.

Calls to action, if I may call them.

In this case, and as Milano put it, the movement is to provide a clear picture of “the magnitude of the problem”. Although technically true that the movement will not bring the perpetrators to justice, #MeToo is simply a means to encapsulate the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in society.

It was started by women who have been assaulted or harassed at some point in their lives, and people the likes of Knowles do not get to decide what we should do with our truths.

The power in seeing something that women and men usually keep under wraps and pressed lips transform into a movement cannot be underestimated.

If Facebook and Twitter are the platforms in which we can hear each other’s stories, then so be it. There was no clear concept of everyday sexism until women started having these conversations and realizing that their experiences were not, in fact, isolated cases. And the sheer number of people opening up about their stories evidences that fact.

It’s proof that there are women and men who have experienced what we have, and we do not have to suffer through it alone. There are women and men who are trying to make a difference so that when the time comes where we are ready to speak our truths, we can say it: “Me, too.”

Often, we are told that everyone is entitled to their own (or lack of) opinion. But in a way, everyone’s entitlement is only restricted to what they can vouch for. Beliefs do not become beliefs if you cannot fight for it, let alone explain it constructively.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but never their own facts. With self-expression comes self-regulation, especially on such public platforms. The privilege stops where one’s sense of responsibility over people’s sensitivities, the value of research, and room for healthy discourse also ends. And so, do not only know what you say, but also say what you know because in the end, you can only be as strong as what you can understand.

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

Reliving USLS’ 29th Lasallian Week

BY CHARLENE MARIE D. LIM

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) celebrated its 29th Lasallian Week with the theme “Coalescence: Palettes of Diversity,” meaning ‘to grow as one’, last Sept. 11-15.

The week-long celebration culminated with the Lasallian Icon pageant night themed “Amaranthine: Man and Woman of Earth,” with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) representatives Astrolave Vista and Katrina Nemenzo prevailing as victors last Sept. 15 at the University Coliseum.

Both Nemenzo and Vista advocated about plastic reduction. “My partner and I decided

on plastic reduction as our advocacy since one of the many problems the environment is experiencing is the overuse of plastic,” Vista said, adding that as Lasallian Icons they had to make a platform in order to spread awareness.

“It was a competition about who believed in their advocacy most. It was a battle of intelligence, compassion and perseverance,” said Nemenzo.

According to Nemenzo, she chose plastic reduction to save animals, a fight she has been advocating since she was a kid.

“The victory was good but the battle was great, and the people who supported us were even greater,” she added.

Additionally, fellow CAS

Icon Vista shared his sentiments on their victory, saying, “It felt awesome being coronated in front of the Lasallian community knowing that I made a statement and that I made my college proud,” adding that seeing his college and loved ones celebrating with and for him made the whole experience even better.

Ric Mijares of the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) and May Canellada of the College of Education (CEd) both bagged first runner-up while Miguel Sarabia and Corrine Lingco of the College of Nursing (BSN) claimed second runner-up.

Pageant awards are as follows: Stewards of the Earth

- CBA (female) and CAS (male), Nights of Grandeur - both from CAS, and The Ethereals - CEd (female) and CAS (male).

Other minor awards include Ms. People’s Choice Award CAS, Mr. People’s Choice Award - CBA, Fitness Ambassadress - CBA, Fitness Ambassador BSN, Identity Challenge - CET, Three-day Challenge: BSN and Ephemeris Icon - CAS, while both icons from CBA grabbed this year’s Mr. and Ms. Photogenic awards.

Furthermore, the University Student Government (USG) held thefirst Pelikulang Lasalyano, a film festival to showcase the talents of Lasallians in the field of the film industry,

with CEd bringing home the bacon. Furthermore, CEd also emerged victorious in the annual Animo Quiz Bowl.

Meanwhile, on its 15th year, Golden Voice champions gathered as one in “Golden Voice: A Concert of Champions,” for the benefit of the St. Mutien Marie Scholarship Grant for Student Arts and Bahay Pag-asa.

On Sept. 12, the annual U-league took place in the University Coliseum in which the Marketers’ Union defeated Amity Youth on a battle for third place with a 85-80 finish.

Whereas, defending champion Rotaract toppled over Lasallian Society of Hospitality Managers (LSHM) with a 10-point deficit leading to a

73-63. Ramon Isaac De la Torre of Rotaract was awarded as the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

On the other hand, CEd’s Bruno Mars impersonation bagged this year’s trophy for Millenia: Battle of the Greats while CAS and CBA finished as first and second runners-up, respectively.

On Sept. 13, La Salle A for Women’s Category brought home this year’s championship title for Interbarkada Football against Hot Shots with a score of 3-2. Meanwhile, Alumni FC amassed a score of 3-0 against Krueles for Men’s Category held at the University Football Field. Rianna Corteza and Daniel Ramos were hailed MVP’s for the event.

PHOTOS BY MARIANO O. JAVIER, MARTINI M. FALCO, NICCI BERNELLE D. AGUILAR AND NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN, ARIANA INEZ CHUA, NICCI BERNELLE D. AGUILAR, MARTINI M. FALCO, MARIANO O. JAVIER

8

THESPECTRUM / SPECIAL REPORT

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

How useful are the security metal detectors?

A closer look at the implementation methods of La Salle’s security with the newly-installed metal detectors

HOW THE SYSTEM IS RIGHT NOW Uy explained that as for now, they are being strict mostly only to outsiders when the machines alarm, and not necessarily to students, faculty, and other school employees, especially those the

noted that their sensors are functioning well and are reliably accurate. He also added how they are very strict in checking bags of outsiders, especially during instances when the metal detectors alarm.

WHO PAYS FOR THE MACHINES With regards to acquiring the machines, Uy explained that it is one of the provisions of the Commander Security Agency (CSA), the external agency that the school is working with, both bounded together by a contract.

Therefore, the university did not finance its cost. CSA provides the other security devices of the school such as hand-held radios, transport vehicles, and the like, all listed in a bid proposal presented during the stages of making the new contract between them and the school.

STUDENT FEEDBACK Nevertheless, some students are not satisfied with the addition of the new security machines.

“I don’t feel any safer since the metal detectors were installed.

From what I’ve observed, whether it detects metal or not, it doesn’t affect the way the guards approach the person walking in,” said Liceo student Stef Ledesma, further expressing how he thinks

Liceo Speaks: SHS pleads equality in L-Week

BY MARIA ANGELINE M. MAYOR

Garnering a total of 749 shares, 1,290 reacts, and 461 comments on Facebook, an open letter to the University administration last Sept. 9 caught the attention of the online Lasallian community.

Written by an anonymous Liceo student through a Facebook page called Liceo – De La Salle Confessions, the post sparked different reactions from both Lasallian students and alumni alike.

The writer, who introduced himself/herself from the strand of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) -12, expressed his/her indignation about the University not giving the Liceo students a “fair treatment” during the celebration of the annual Lasallian Week (L-Week).

According to the writer, he/ she feels as if the Liceo students are not part of the Lasallian community because their classes have not been suspended during the week-long celebration from Sept. 11 to 15, unlike other schools that suspend their classes from kindergarten to college.

The writer however clarified that he/she has nothing against the college students, but only wanted to feel involved in their activities.

“Wala kami ya gutgut gid sa college or sa sino man da. Ang akon lang ya, tani sakpon niyo man kami.

(We don’t hold any resentment against the college students or anyone. My point is, I hope you include us as well),” the writer expressed.

On the other hand, Office for Lasallian Animation and Formation Director Br. Antolin Alcudia III, FSC was aware of the open letter and stated that reading the letter line by line “does not speak of service to the writer’s community, which is

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

The university’s security office installed three security machines earlier the first semester, located at Gates 1, 2, and 9. The walk-through metal detectors are designed to aid the school’s security officers in locating firearms, explosives, and other possibly dangerous weapons.

However, a common observation surfaced among Lasallians, questioning the implementation of new security measures in relation to the machines’ usefulness.

Despite the machines beeping (which signals the detection of metal), most students and school employees still simply pass by the metal detectors without their bags being checked, which defeats its whole purpose. The guards are then supposed to observe the passersby and judge if they look “suspicious” or not, said Engineering Services Director and General Services Officer-inCharge Engr. Ronaldo Uy.

guards are already familiar with.

Another reason why each student’s bag is not being inspected all the time is because the machines are detecting their cellphones, explained Uy. Uy further expounded that the guards could rely on their discernment, reiterating how one can naturally know whether someone seems to have bad intentions or not. “Sometimes they would look nervous, scared to go inside, or doubtful,” said Uy. Regarding the security measures associated with the use of the metal detectors, Security Guard Armando Larayos, stationed at Gate 2, said there hasn’t been a command to really check the things of the students and the employees within the Lasallian community. However, he believes everyone’s things should be checked.

“It’s better that everyone [should be inspected] because we cannot be so sure,” said Larayos.

The thing with the metal detectors, he said, is that small things like phones, belts, and even some buttons already cause the machines to alarm. “[Because of that], when [metal detectors] alarm, it doesn’t automatically mean there are deadly weapons or anything of the sort,” he added. Discussing the machines’ performance, Larayos

SECURE. Student passes by the metal detector at the second gate of the university last Oct. 28.

the machines are “just for show”.

“With or without metal detectors, a person carrying a lethal weapon can easily get inside the campus, as long as that person has a school ID and an unsuspicious appearance,” Ledesma concluded.

Similarly, MarketingEconomics student Jane Marie Tugaff said that she also “does not feel any safer” since the installation of the machines. “I

was actually amazed the first time I saw a metal detector in school because they’re usually found in malls, but […] it’s like nothing really changed and from what I saw, it’s use is only to count how many people enter the school,” she said, referring to the feature of the machines that displays the number of people who passed through them, and also how many times it detected

FLOODED. Water level reaches beyond waistline along the roads of Araneta Avenue last Sept. 22.

BY MARIA ANGELINE M. MAYOR AND HEZRON G. PIOS

contrary to what a true Lasallian should be.”

“A Lasallian would always think of others first before himself or herself. The best expression of faith is service in the community,” Alcudia said, adding that an individual’s identity of being Lasallian does not diminish if he/she misses out on the L-Week.

He said being a Lasallian is defined by what they do and say, not by the events they should not miss and enjoy.

Nonetheless, Alcudia said that he chose to extend his understanding of the letter’s sender because he presumed that the writer may not previously be from a La Salle institution such as the University’s Integrated School (IS) or St. Joseph School.

“An open letter should bear your name. After all, it’s a valid concern. But instead of Facebook, send it to the right offices concerned,” Alcudia advised, adding that posting it on social media would only make the issue sensationalized and magnified.

Alcudia believes that there was no need for any formal response from the University because the administration is fully aware of the Schedule of Activities for all Learning Communities and what policies to be conscious of vis-a-vis the Department of Education’s guidelines on the number of school days.

According to Liceo Principal Dr. Mario Loredo, the Student Activities Council officers, and the Liceo administration discussed the topic with President and Chancellor Br. Joaquin Martinez FSC, D.Min after the open letter had circulated online.

Martinez was clear with the Liceo students and the administration that his priority is

academics.

“We gave the Liceo students two days to enjoy L-Week. Our student government had initiated activities that were also in line with L-Week during Thursday and Friday [Sept. 14 and 15]. But for the rest of the week, we had classes,” Loredo said.

Humanities and Social Sciences Governor Jon Oliver Villavert disagrees with the student’s concern and believes that students should focus more on learning.

“At first, I was actually not surprised that someone would actually rant about that issue, but it was certainly not something I support,” Villavert said.

Villavert stated that he actually heard the opposite from his friends and classmates who had negative feelings on the open letter as well.

“Most of them said it [L-Week] was boring, because some of our teachers decided not to have our classes. Most of them actually just wanted to get on with class than spend the whole day on campus roaming around,” he said.

On the other hand, Lucy* (not her real name) agrees with the writer’s concern that Liceo students are being treated unfairly not only during the L-Week but also during their other activities as well, such as their last Liceolympics.

“Of course the IS will not complain about it because the celebration nor the booths are not close to their classrooms. It just seems like a joke when there are random people lurking in the hallways while we are having our classes inside,” she expressed.

“Some of our teachers did not have their classes because they themselves wanted to rest for a while and for us to enjoy L-Week as well. But past is past, we’ll graduate anyway from Liceo

metals.

On the other hand, there are also people who felt more secure since the installation of the machines in the campus.

For Interdisciplinary Studies student Rafael Bunal, the “seemingly added security” made him feel safer, though he is also inviting the university’s security officers to be more open to better precautionary measures.

“Although I feel safer, it is still important for guards to remain vigilant, as metal detectors or technology can only do so much for us at this point in time,” he expressed.

Asked if the current system could be stricter when it comes to inspecting things of students and other Lasallians, Uy said: “Hopefully, sooner or later. But actually, our concentration as of now is mostly on how to secure the campus from outsiders.”

There is still a fourth metal detector to be installed at Gate 5.

Monsoon hits 2,133 families in Bacolod

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) reported an estimate of 2,133 families, 8,946 individuals, 14 barangays, 101 totally-damaged houses, and 180 partially-damaged ones in Bacolod that were affected due to the heavy flood last Sept. 22.

DRRMO Administrative Officer II Bernadeth Montelibano explained that the massive flooding in the city was brought about by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

Montelibano said that there were also affected citizens who did not report to their local barangays.

There were no death tolls recorded and there were only a few who reportedly acquired very minor injuries, she added.

Aside from physical properties, pets and domestic livestock such as pigs were affected and had to be rescued by their owners from the flood.

According to Montelibano, the areas near the riverbanks of Magsungay and Lupit rivers were the most affected places wherein the flood level had almost reached around four feet.

She said that Brgy. Banago, which is usually at high risk during heavy rains, was not as severely affected compared to those areas near the said rivers during that time.

“We did a research and found out that the massive flooding was due to the heavy downpour in the high-lying areas such as Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto,” said Montelibano.

Meanwhile, Brgy. Mandalagan Focal Point Officer Regina Monte noted that aside from the poor drainage system in their area, inapt solid waste management of the residents, which is mostly from informal settlers, causes flood.

“Their lifestyle is just throwing their garbage into the river,” shared Montelibano, further stressing that despite the programs and tools given by the barangay to the residents, there are others who still do not observe proper waste soon,” Lucy said.

Student Activities Council President John Ray Dionisio believes that the L-Week was still inclusive as it did not neglect the Senior High School community.

Dionisio said that they also had their own activities in line with the L-Week such as the STEM Carnival, Project Liceo Social Media Advocacy (LSMA), Sagip Dagat, and their first-ever

—COURTESY OF AKSYON RADYO BACOLOD FACEBOOK PAGE

BY KATHERINE E. CO AND CHRISTIANA CLAUDIA G. GANCAYCO

segregation and management.

As the downpour continued until evening, Mayor Evelio Leonardia immediately called for a forced evacuation in high-risk areas including Gaisano City, Purok Mars in Brgy.

Singcang- Airport, and quick emergency response in flooded areas.

Similarly, Congressman. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran led the distribution of relief goods while barangay captains Dante Danoy of Brgy. 39, Leonilo Colegado of Brgy.41, Rosinie Distrito of Singcang-Airport, and Kagawad Elon Sugon of Brgy. 40 helped with facilitating.

Additionally, 10 dump trucks from IPM Construction and Development Corporation (IPM CDC) were deployed to transport stranded passengers and assisted in the evacuation of affected families, reported DRRMO. DRRMO also received volunteer helps from rescue groups such as the Philippine Red Cross Bacolod City-Neg. Occidental Chapter, Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade, DYA-Bacolod (Asociacion Ayuda En Carretera), Community Relation of Professional Expertise and Rescue-Brgy.

Mansilingan, Adventist Emergency Rescue Unit, Kabalikat Civicom Association IncorporatedMetro Bacolod 500 Chapter, and IPM CDC. While barangay gymnasiums, multi-purpose halls, and schools were used as evacuation areas, other church-based structures and chapels also opened their doors to other evacuees.

Moreover, the cities of La Carlota, Bago, Sipalay, Talisay, and Silay, and the towns Pontevedra, San Enrique, Binalbagan, and Valladolid were also affected according to Melvin Fierro Sr. of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division in an interview with The Visayan Daily Star.

Meanwhile in USLS, four teachers from Tangub were stranded and were forced to stay in the school overnight, reported General Services Office Chiefin-Charge Jose Tuason.

“It was risky for us to go home because the areas such as Alijis and Greenplains [...] were not passable,” recounted College of Business and Accountancy faculty Liza Mae Nismal.

Meanwhile, Kiah Marie Sevilleno of COMT3G also recounted how she was supposed to attend the last day of his uncle’s wake in Talisay but due to heavy rains that went on for hours, no single jeepney was available and so decided to stay at her friend’s dormitory near Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod.

Nonetheless, Office for Lasallian Animation and Formation Director Br. Antolin Alcudia III, FSC said that the campus is always open to everyone in times of calamities.

Club Fair.

“To me, it does not matter if we have classes or not during the entire week. What’s important is how we take pride of our individuality and be in communion with the Lasallian mission”, he added.

On his views about social networking sites, Office of the Student Affairs Director Andre Tagamolila said that they are all platforms for communication

and venues for information dissemination.

“Our role is to educate our students to be more responsible, considerate, decent, and values-centered in their use of these media. Additionally, the students should be able to determine whether or not their concerns can be properly resolved through social media,” he concluded. *not her real name

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

SPECIAL REPORT / THESPECTRUM

9

PNP suspends anti-drug operations after public outcry

BY IRIS DENISE N. RIVERA

The Philippine National Police (PNP) suspended all anti-drug related operations including the controversial “Oplan Tokhang” and “Project Double Barrel” last Oct. 12, two days after President Rodrigo Duterte released a memorandum regarding the implementation of Republic Act 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”.

Duterte identified the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as the “sole agency” in charge of the war on drugs in the face of declining trust and satisfaction ratings attributed to police abuses.

According to the memo

dated Oct. 10, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, which is the lead unit in all anti-drug operations, is to surrender all drug-related intelligence reports and/or information to the PDEA. DUTERTE’S PROMISE Ending crime and the illegal drug trade in the country within three to six months was one of Duterte’s campaign promises last year, mentioning a comprehensive plan and strategy against illegal drugs.

He maintained that law-abiding citizens need not fear his strong convictions against criminality, as he will only be going after drug syndicates and corrupt officials.

P1K: CHR’s fight against budget cut

BY ANDREA NICOLE C. FAROL & ROBERT H. JERGE III

Last Sept. 13, the public was astounded by the proposed budget slash of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) into a mere P1,000 via the vote of the House of Representatives.

Acting on a motion by Social Amelioration & Genuine Intervention on Poverty (SAGIP) Representative Rodante Marcoleta, 119 voted in favor versus 32 against it.

THE BUILD-UP Abolishing the CHR was a suggestion made by President Rodrigo Duterte in his State of the Nation Address last July, but removing the commission would only be possible through revisioning the 1987 Constitution. The Speaker of the House, Pantaleon Alvarez, first threatened a “zero budget” to reflect the Commission’s performance in “not doing their job to protect the rights of all Filipinos”, Alvarez states.

The allegations of the CHR’s inability to do its job came from Alvarez in an interview where he said that the CHR “criticizes the state, which protects the rights of victims. But you, what do you do, protect criminals?” He further called for CHR’s Chairperson Chito Gascon to resign if the institution wants to see an increase in their budget for the next fiscal year.

Duterte has also commented on Gascon’s performance as CHR Chairperson, saying that he is overstepping his bounds by investigating violations in Duterte’s War on Drugs, “When you are an investigating agency, and you are empowered to investigate... itong gagong Gascon na ito, nakikialam pa doon sa during the incident. Huwag kang pumasok diyan!” (this stupid Gascon, he keeps meddling during the incidents.

Stop meddling!)”.

The mere P 1,000 CHR budget was brought up in the House by Marcoleta in a deliberation on the institution’s budget for 2018. The debate session on the CHR budget led to a viva voce (voice vote) and was initially decided based off of the House Speaker’s judgment. This was followed by the motion to have those for the 1,000 peso budget to stand, followed by those against.

“This decision is like abolishing the CHR. It indicates loss of respect for the Constitution and for human rights – a threat to our democracy,” said Vice President Leni Robredo.

WHAT FOLLOWS This is not final, though. The Senate has vowed to restore CHR’s budget to the proposed P678 million as it has its own version of the proposed General Appropriations Act. The amount is lower than this year’s P749.3 million appropriation, but compared to the measly budget of a thousand pesos, it is significantly higher and better.

After all, a budget of P1,000 could indeed shut down the CHR, unless it is allowed to get funding from external sources. It effectively abolishes the agency and violates the Constitution since CHR serves as “check and balance” to the government. With the spate of extrajudicial killings in the government’s drug war, the commission shall require more funds to utilize.

On a larger scale, CHR’s abolishment would give the International Criminal Court (ICC) reason to act on a complaint filed against President Duterte for crimes against humanity with his connection to the war on drugs. It is stated that the ICC can only intervene if “a state is unable or unwilling to stop the systematic violation of human rights”, when legal avenues for addressing such violations in a country have failed.

THROUGH DIFFERENT LENS Netizens took to social media to express their opinion on the matter.

Many voiced out their concerns as to how the Congress viewed human rights, saying that it was a political message to all of Duterte’s opponents.

On the other hand, some supported the decision, pointing out that CHR’s Gascon has been using the commission in politicking. Some also criticized the efficiency of CHR regarding their action to crimes.

Contrary to that belief, however, CHR’s function is to be the government’s conscience. Their mandate only involves protecting and upholding the citizen’s rights against abuse or negligence by the state or government. Crimes committed by civilians or private persons are handled by the police.

The commission was created under Article 13, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution with its powers and functions granted under Sec. 18.

Despite its long history, public misconceptions continue to pervade.

In a statement, Gascon said that the commission shall continue its campaign for their needed budget.

When his self-imposed deadline lapsed, he asked for another six-month extension.

“That self-imposed time of three to six months, well, I did not realize how severe and how serious the problem of drug menace [is] in this Republic until I became President,” he admitted during a media presentation in Davao City.

Duterte then asked for another extension, saying that his war on drugs would extend until the last day of his term in 2022.

CRITICS AND CONTROVERSIES Fifteen months into the drug war, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports that the death toll has risen to over 7,000 Filipinos with at least 2,555 being attributed to the PNP. The HRW also has a 117-page report showing the police are falsifying evidence to justify the summary killings. The report relied heavily on interviews with witnesses and families of victims within the Metro Manila area, as well as journalists and human rights activists.

Vice President Leni Robredo spoke up about the war on drugs during the 60th annual meeting of the United Nations

Commission on Narcotic Drugs via a video message. She detailed lesser-known abuses that occur beyond what is shown on mainstream media, such as people being beaten when requesting for a search warrant, and the police detaining relatives in lieu of the target.

Just a day before the suspension, the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) filed a petition against the war on drugs before the Supreme Court, believing the campaign to be unconstitutional.

FLAG Chair Jose Manuel Diokno said that the war on drugs permits the police to kill alleged drug personalities in the guise of “neutralizing” and “negating”.

FLAG said that Duterte’s war on drugs is all about short-cutting the justice system “by dispensing justice from the barrels of guns instead of the gavels of judges.”

NOT THE FIRST TIME This is the second suspension of the war on drugs, with the first being in January of this year when South Korean Jee Ick Joo was slain inside the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, with cops being accused of the crime.

Jee’s case was one of the largest controversies to hit the PNP

since it started the bloody war on drugs. He was abducted from his home in Angeles City on Oct. 18, 2016 and brought into Camp Crame the same day. According to a Senate press release last March, Jee was strangled to death allegedly by police assigned to the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

When the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) took the case, they had conflicting preliminary results with the PNP’s own investigations. While the PNP was convinced one of their own SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel was the principal suspect of the crime, the NBI believed he was just a fall guy.

When Duterte found out about the case, he immediately directed the PNP to stand down from their lead role in the drug war.

Congressman Edcel Lagman, one of Duterte’s critics, questioned why it took the death of a foreign businessman for Duterte to act.

“More than a single foreigner, 7,000 Filipinos had already been sacrificed in extrajudicial killings in this deadly campaign against the drug menace,” he said after the first suspension.

CONTINUOUS SUPPORT The satisfaction ratings of the administration, especially pertaining to the war on drugs, experienced a 13-point drop since Sept. 2016 according to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) this Sept. 2017.

Despite this, 77% of the 1,500 Filipinos interviewed said that they remain satisfied of the PNP-led war on drugs regardless of apprehension towards the alleged summary killings.

SWS Deputy Director Vladymir Licudine said that the public support for the campaign against drugs relies heavily on the perception of the people that it follows through on the promise to end illegal drug trade and abuse.

In fact, according to another SWS survey, Filipinos believe that there has been a reduction of drug suspects in their specific municipalities.

This is backed by the Philippine Information Agency website’s official tally, #RealNumbersPH, showing that the drug war has led to the arrest of 113,900 drug suspects, and the seizure of 2,506 kilograms of shabu or methamphetamine worth P18.84 billion.

Marawi Siege ends after 5 months

BY IRIS DENISE N. RIVERA

“I hereby declare Marawi City liberated from the terrorist influence that marks the beginning of rehabilitation of Marawi.”

President Rodrigo Duterte stated in a visit to Marawi last Oct. 17, following the deaths of Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon, leaders of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups, respectively.

However, fighting continued for about a week despite the declaration of liberation, as the military attempted to finish off “stragglers”, or remnants of the Abu Sayyaf and Maute Group still in the city. The military officially announced the end of the fighting on Oct. 23, exactly five months after the start of the battle.

The Battle of Marawi or the Marawi Siege is the armed conflict between the Philippine government security forces, against the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups, and has become the longest urban battle in the modern history of the Philippines.

TIMELINE OF THE BATTLE The Battle of Marawi began with an offensive strategy to capture Hapilon after receiving reports that he was in Marawi last May 23 at about 2:00 p.m.

Hapilon’s forces opened fire at the combined government forces and called for reinforcements from the Maute Group.

The two groups are affiliated with or sympathetic to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a globally-prominent Salafi jihadist militant group and an ROBREDO / FROM PAGE 1

about the said project.

The program aims to quell negativity in national conversations, especially in social media, Robredo said in her speech. She further emphasized the importance of highlighting hope amid the political chaos happening in the country lately.

“The story of every Istorya ng Pag-asa champion is proof that we are not completely wrapped in darkness; we

unrecognized proto-state.

The gun battles turned into a virtual siege of Marawi City, with the Maute group taking over several facilities including parts of the Mindanao State University campus, a government hospital, the city hall, and the city jail, which prompted Duterte to declare Proclamation No. 216 or the proclamation of martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in all of Mindanao on the same day at 10:00 p.m.

In late May, ABS-CBN reported that military airstrikes have destroyed at least four houses and caused civilian casualties. Their sources state that the houses were targeted for allegedly housing Maute snipers.

Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), however concurred saying that no civilians were reportedly killed during the airstrike.

“Limited payload rockets were used to neutralize sniper positions. All strikes were all observed,” Galvez said.

The Philippine government and ISIL-affiliated fighters in Marawi reached a ceasefire agreement in June 4, which was to last for four hours starting at 8:00 in the morning. The humanitarian pause was created in order to allow humanitarian volunteers from local government units, non-government organizations, and civil society organization to enter the area.

“It was a highly tense half-day until we got some trapped civilians out and our Moro Islamic

Liberation Front (MILF) rescue teams returned. No mishaps, thank God. The peace corridor enabled 134 people to come out safely,” wrote Government Peace Panel Chair Irene Santiago on her Facebook page. Malacañang corrected the previous number of rescued hostages to a total of 179 the following day.

In spite of the pause, terrorists were reported to have wounded two of the soldiers escorting the volunteers. AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla noted that there was never a “100% guarantee” that the militants would respect the pause.

The Philippine military declared another ceasefire, this time lasting for eight hours, that was to be put into effect at 6:00 a.m. of June 25 in observance of Eid Al-Fitr or the end of the Holy month of Ramadan. They maintained that the ceasefire would be lifted if the militants opened fire at government forces or civilians.

Last July 22, 16 senators and 261 congressmen voted for the extension of Proclamation Order No. 216 in a joint session of the Congress of the Philippines between the House of Representatives and the Senate in favor of the President’s request. The extension is valid until Dec. 31 of this year.

In the consequent months, government forces recaptured facilities previously taken over by the militant groups such as the Marawi City Police Station, the Grand Mosque, St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, and the Amaitul Islamiya Marawi Foundation

building which was used as the control center of ISIL-affiliated militants during a five-hour gunfight.

By Oct. 16, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the deaths of both Hapilon and Maute during a hostage rescue operation, while Galvez assessed that at least 100 enemy fighters still remained in the battle area.

just have to open our eyes,” Robredo added.

Featured during the program were the stories of Bacolodnons Michael Sta. Ana—a jeepney barker with no arms who aims to be a singer, John Benedict Villanueva—a teacher in Bahay Pag-asa formerly a child in conflict with the law who now volunteers at the youth center to give back, and Vejiel Velez— an Ata tribe member from Don Salvador Benedicto who graduated cum laude at USLS.

“Ma’am Leni’s program is beneficial because it showcases talents of people at the bottom of the heap and helps propel them upward,” Sta. Ana commented.

“Inspiring,” expressed Resi Sitjar, Vice President of the Federation of Urban Poor.

“Each of their stories inspire us, giving hope that even if we’re poor, we still have a chance to a better life,” she added in vernacular.

An initiative under Robredo’s anti-poverty

framework Angat Buhay, InP is a project of the Office of the Vice President that compiles inspiring stories of the Filipino people in various localities to be showcased in various mediums such as social media, print, and photo exhibits.

“Times are difficult but let us not give up on the goodness of every Filipino,” Robredo concluded.

The series was also launched in Quezon City, Cebu, Baguio, Dumaguete, Naga, and Cagayan de Oro, respectively.

CASUALTIES OF THE WAR As of Oct. 24, The Manila Times reported 962 terrorists and 165 government forces were reportedly killed in the Battle of Marawi. Over 1,400 government forces have been wounded during battle while one marine remains missing. 47 civilian casualties were also reported, at least 19 of which were from the evacuation centers.

Besides the casualties, Marawi City itself has been devastated by what is to be called the heaviest urban battle in the Philippines since World War II. The national government estimates that rehabilitation and reconstruction will cost around $1.1 billion.

Task Force Bangon Marawi has been established in order to evaluate aid pledges from multilateral sectors following the policy against accepting conditional financial aid that supposedly violates Philippine sovereignty.

The Philippines has received aid pledges from the European Union, United States Agency for International Development, Asian Development Bank, and World Bank, to name a few.

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

10

THESPECTRUM / UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTANCY

BY RIESA T. RODILLADO

Flapping their wings before taking off, the Yellow Eagles allotted the whole month of October in preparation for their vied 12th Animolympics title.

The College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) Council and its Sports Committee recruited yellow-shaded athletes for their Twelvolution journey by scheduling tryouts for various sports through sign-up boards located near the iCafe lobby.

“We are preparing as early as now for the Animolympics because we need to finalize and see that everything is set, considering the number of students and active participants that we have,” said CBA Vice Governor Charlene Rio. The college’s swimming team, CBA Sharks, started their tryouts last Oct. 13 while the volleyball team and the badminton team had their own tryouts last Oct. 14 and 24, respectively.

“I believe that with proper preparation, we can achieve our twelfth year championship, fulfilling our Twelvolution. With everybody’s support and participation, nothing is impossible,” said Rio. For the month of September, CBA gave support during the Lasallian Week through contributing to the success of Millenia, the Lasallian Icons, and other mini events by the University Student Government. Furthermore, CBA Icon, Ric Christian Mijares, bagged first runner-up for the Male Lasallian Icon Category.

“I believe that the months of September and October were a huge stepping stone for our Yellow Eagles. We aspire for student participation as we revolutionize together for our 12th championship. CBA Twelvolution!” said CBA Governor Patrick Millares.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

BY RIESA T. RODILLADO

Actively participating in the Lasallian Week activities, CEd emerged as the champions for both the Animo Quiz Bowl and Millenia: Battle of the Greats- Lip Sync Battle, and bagged silver in U-Splash.

Anton Uberas landed as the first runner-up in the Celebrity Challenge whereas CEd Lasallian Icon female bet May Canellada won first runner-up and received a minor award “The Ethereals”.

CEd won five awards in Pelikulang Lasalyano, namely: Best Film, Best Movie Poster, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Symbolism.

“As future Social Science teachers, it is our duty to spread awareness on the importance of Filipino culture, so we initiated an exhibit in celebration of Indigenous People’s Month,” stated Vice Governor Kimberly Siazar on their five-day exhibit at the USLS-IS building.

Furthermore, CEd sent 14 third year students as participants for the Future Educators’ Confederation of Negros (FECON) 1st Summit at Brgy. Patag, Silay City last Sept. 29-30.

USG / FROM PAGE 1

service penalty after an appeal from the treasurer.

“However, he did not complete [the rest of his] LRs until the summer: after the end of his term as Executive Treasurer [...] The problem had spilled over into the next Academic Year,” Puey stated.

Current COA Chairperson Ysabel Agudelo said that it was only on the third week of May that Olaran submitted FRs for both the first and second semester simultaneously with the six required LRs yet to be audited by COA. “The FR is a summary of audited LRs. Ideally, when you pass it, all of your LRs should have been audited already,” Agudelo further explained.

Four out of the six LRs passed were erroneous, which was processed further by then Executive Treasurer Joshua Feliciano before he migrated to Canada shortly after the first semester began.

As a result of the late FRs, Olaran has failed to conduct a single transparency meeting—a requirement from all USG offices and clubs every end of the semester. Filling in for Feliciano’s vacancy was Andrea Espina, who took charge of holding the meetings for both semesters, as well as posting the audited LRs in the USG Bulletin Board.

THE AFTERMATH Current BR Chairperson Messy Muñoz quoted Section 6, Article 14 of the Student Organization Constitution of 2012: “The Executive President, Executive Vice President, Executive Treasurer, Members of the Student Court, and the members of the Constitutional Commission may be removed from office through vote of no confidence by the Student Board for gross and culpable violation of this constitution, \ of funds, abuse of authority and/or betrayal of student trust.”

“If the case has been ruled by the Judiciary, the ruling would have been impeachment, but since it was the off-court settlement of an isolated case, [Olaran] was given a choice of suspension,” Muñoz continued.

Due to his piling offenses after being given warnings from the BR, Olaran was given two options: resignation or suspension with a 25% budget cut for the Executive Branch.

The budget encompasses the Senate, Council, the different USG offices, and the five college councils, as well as for the activities honed under the Exec. such as Pelikulang Lasalyano, Tula ng mga Tala, Lasallian You Deserve It, Club Fair, and the U-League.

“Personally, I was actually considering resignation because I did not want the budget to be affected due to my lapse. But upon consulting the OSA as well as my officers in the Exec., they enlightened me,” Olaran recounted, adding that choosing the latter would not affect the amount allocated for the students.

Although Agudelo stated that this meant the Exec. should spend double time in budgeting, they have not needed reimbursement for expenses beyond their budget. She added that this year, the Exec. reduced allocation of the Lasallian Week (L-Week) budget among the college councils.

COLLEGE BEATS Joemarie Ticar, a FECON representative, explained that the summit is important in order to ‘mold responsible and responsive Negrense youth to the society’.

Social Studies major students facilitated an off-campus Human Rights Caravan together with the Alliance of Synergized Secondary Education Teachers Club and the CEd Student Council at five selected high schools in Bacolod City.

On Oct. 16, Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health majors spearheaded a vocal solo competition and Animove: Inter-School Dance Competition with the theme “Scintillate: Igniting the Millennial Spirit” at 888 Chinatown Square Premier Event Center.

During the semestral break, the CEd council kicked off Journalism Writing Workshop, the Schooloring Project, and donation of Educational DVDs to their adopted community, Luisa Medel National High School.

For the second semester starter, Educ Chillout is anticipated and as well as Educolympics in preparation for the Animolympics on January. Additionally, a comeback of Eskwela Sa Kalsada and more outreaches are to look forward to.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

BY MARIA ANGELINE E. MAYOR

The month of September has been fruitful for the College of Engineering and Technology (CET) as they clinched several awards during the Lasallian Week 2017.

It was a two-peat victory for the orange college after dominating the U-Splash held last Sept. 11 at the University Football Field.

CET representative Roi Angelo Borcillo emerged victorious during the Celebrity Challenge last Sept. 13 at the University Coliseum Lobby while Francis Lim finished off as one of the top four in the game.

Moreover, Messy Muñoz, Kathleen Jarder, and Margaret Tajonera of CET placed second in the Animo Quiz Bowl last Sept. 15 at the University Forum.

Meanwhile, Team Kamagong of the Electrical and Computer Engineering fifth year students emerged as champions in the Tigers’ League Interbarkada Basketball last Oct. 7 at the University Integrated School’s Covered Court.

Furthermore, CET organized a talk about Personal Hygiene to the parents and other residents of Sitio Abkasa, Brgy. Mandalagan last Sept. 3.

The college is now focusing on the preparation for the upcoming Animolympics and other upcoming events such as their E-sports tournament and the release of their official news magazine entitled Roar on Nov. 6.

“We never feel the budget cut at present, because there is a pre-approved budget,” said Olaran.

Other than the General Appropriations Act (GAA) budget, Agudelo thinks that the Summer Splash inflow and Lasallian Week (L-Week) budget helped ease the situation.

“At first, I was devastated with everything because not only the suspension of our President happened but also the resignation of [Feliciano as treasurer] was announced. Literally, I was alone as elected leader of the Executive branch during those times,” shared Exec. Vice President Mycka Navarro.

She added that despite the challenge, she was thankful for her officers who had initiative to do what they can to continue serving the student body with their annual activities, including Handumanan Week and the Club Fair.

“I needed to step up for my cabinet members to feel secured [with me] as their ‘Big 3 in 1’ as they called me before,” Navarro joked.

IN OLARAN’S DEFENSE Olaran stated that the only condition imposed upon him while running for Exec. President this A.Y. was to finish the required LRs and FRs as Exec. Treasurer, supplying that “Even after the elections, the Exec. branch of the previous year still had activities. So by then, I was acting as both treasurer and president.”

However, Olaran admits to “incompetence and inefficiency” on his end. He also presented external factors, such as the unavailability of parties involved for signatures needed on acknowledgement forms, and the changing of documents needed by the Business Office (BO) due to the transition year. Olaran assures, however, that he keeps both BO and COA informed of his difficulties.

“If you were to ask me what would be the hardest position in any office, it would be the position of treasurer because you would be handling money that is not yours, and so you have to be very careful and make sure every peso goes to relevant activities that would be beneficial to the students,” Olaran stated. “Admittedly, if this is the consequence of my actions, I have to show it to people [because] I decided to run for the students,” he added.

Total audited LRs already amount to P146,000 for the first semester, and different events of the USG have been tabulated successfully, mentioned Olaran during his State of the Organization Address last Sept. 22 at the University Forum. Additionally, P331,125 has been allocated to the different USG offices, departments, and the Council.

“There have been happenings that have challenged us, and happenings that have given us good things [...] But just stay with us on this journey because we believe that just like in our platform ‘One for La Salle’, we can do so much more. We’re really back on track, headstrong, and focused on giving more activities,” Olaran concluded.

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

BY IDA SARENA M. GABAYA

The College of Arts and Science (CAS) geared up for Lasallian Week 2017 where different clubs showcased their booths from IDS’ Hugot Comedy Bar to Communication’s Horror room; Lunok.

CAS representatives Astrolave Vista and Katrina Nemenzo nabbed the crown in this year’s Lasallian Icon pageant themed “Amaranthine: Man and Woman of Earth”, held last Sept. 15.

Other than the struggle with budget and complications with the schedules, one of the problems encountered by the CAS Council was the conflict between the advocacy of the Icons, which is plastic reduction and USG’s U-Splash which ended with a compromise to reduce their ammunition.

Apart from spreading awareness in lessening the use of plastics, the Council also collaborated with St. Joseph School-La Salle alumni in organizing an outreach for the juvenile delinquents of Social Development Center of Bacolod.

For the next semester, the Council is preparing for the CAS Christmas Carol musical show which will be held this December at the USLS Coliseum. They are also planning for Artians Month on February and the Artians Awards night to recognize students that represented the college. In addition, there will be an Artian Associates Camp wherein students are given the chance to implement their own advocacy.

COLLEGE OF NURSING

BY VICTORIA MARIAN B. BELMIS

BSN kicked off September with a career orientation together with Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strands from Liceo De La Salle Senior High last Sept. 4-5 at the University Coliseum.

The College garnered second runner-up in both the Animo Quiz Bowl and Celebrity Challenge with Joshua Jamero as representative and participated in other Lasallian Week activities.

Furthermore, BSN conducted its annual bloodletting activity, which aims to cater those in need of blood and build up the capacity of Lasallians to help in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, with over 80 donors.

Another nation-building activity which BSN participated in is “Protect the SOLE’s to protect the SOUL” which is an outreach activity where BSN students donated shoes to a community in Bago City.

“Protect the SOLE’s to protect the SOUL is a hygiene awareness activity wherein we wanted the community and the kids to know more about good foot care through health-teaching and donating rubber shoes for the kids to wear,” said BSN Secretary Corrine Lingco.

In line with the Suicide Prevention Month, BSN conducted a health-teaching around campus as well as a freedom wall for the students to voice out their insights.

Recently this October, BSN also staged a fun run to not only raise awareness but also build up funds for mothers who cannot afford it in health centers.

U-SPLASH / FROM PAGE 1

but made it clear to the participants that they should be responsible for their waste afterwards.

Olaran also explained that although the conflict was a point of concern among them, preparations were already done and it was only a week before the event.

“I think we all have a different venue to actually voice out our different advocacies,” he concluded.

PLASTIC WASTE ACCUMULATED Putting aside the intentions of hoping to raise awareness about an advocacy, the fact still remains that the event contributes several thousands of one-use plastics, adding to the millions of non-recycled and non-biodegradable waste.

Sarrosa, who was the DAP Undersecretary last year, said that comparatively, this year’s U-Splash was “better” than the previous in terms of participants’ orientation, college council’s coordination, and cleaning up after the event, as some participants did not practice CLAYGO last year.

“It was us organizers who cleaned up afterwards. I did not want that to happen again for this year, so we included the clean-up in the mechanics of the game, giving a corresponding deduction for the college who would not clean up, said Sarrosa.

Furthermore, DAP also trimmed down the required plastic ammunitions from last

year’s required 5,500 per team to 2,100 this year, with exemption to CAS, who only used 500.

Multiplied into seven teams, that is around 38,000 from last year slashed to 13,100 this year.

DISCONTINUE, REPLACE U-SPLASH? Factoring in the environmental advocacies of the student leaders as well as La Salle’s green campaign, the real question is whether or not U-Splash should still continue despite its hazardous consequences to the environment.

“Personally, I don’t want this to continue, but I understand if it will since it’s not just up to me,” expressed Nemenzo.

Vista voiced out similar sentiments, suggesting as well that it could be replaced by a better activity. However, extending his respect to the tradition, Vista appeals to the organizers to lessen the ammunitions to 500 per team instead.

Meanwhile, Olaran showed hesitation regarding the matter, pointing out that the essence of the activity is about the experience it gives to the students.

“I think it goes beyond just student government,” Olaran said, adding that plastic reduction in the university can have administrative intervention.

“It can be a big message and that message can actually fire into something. But I think the challenge will be for the next administration. And with this concern coming up, it will surely be considered for the next academic year,” he emphasized.

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE / THESPECTRUM

SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

11

Legal Watch Behind the Street Food Business

BY CHARLENE MARIE D. LIM AND IAN KRISTOFFER V. GA

Street foods are almost everywhere—so common that it has already blended in the urban scene. At a cheap price, one can already satiate his or her hunger pangs with ready-to-eat, bitesized, often cholesterol-laden snacks in the form of street foods.

Street foods encompass foods and drinks readily made available in public places, and as the name suggests, usually in streets.

To name a few, certain favorites are kwek-kwek (made of quail eggs covered in orange dough and deep fried), isaw (chicken intestine put on a stick and grilled),

and fish balls (minced fish rolled into balls) matched with buko juice (coconut juice that can be drunk directly from the buko itself), iskrambol (a simple shake with artificial flavors), or sago and gulaman (a refreshingly cold drink made out of tapioca and jelly) for a complete food treat.

Surely, Juan will make it through that hunger pang.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, some 2.5 billion people around the world are eating street foods every day.

Economics journalist Ian Steele explains that the street food industry is proliferating, particularly in Asia, because many

people lack proper housing and cooking facilities.

“With increasing costs and the difficulty of procuring fuel, the only immediate alternative is to turn to street foods. As more women work outside the home, there is less time for cooking,” he added.

Here in the Philippines, street foods are more than just a convenient source of nourishment, it has basically become a part of the landscape and culture. Undeniably, street foods are a delight to the eyes, but what should hit the most is if they are also a delight to the stomachs as they can also cause diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, and food

poisoning if not properly prepared and served. So before these cheap delights on wheeled food carts hit and queue the bustling streets of Bacolod, here’s what they need to comply first.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) Ambulant vendors, or more popularly known as street food vendors, need to undergo a series of steps in order to be issued with the sanitary certificate by the Environmental Sanitary Division of Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) which includes x-ray examination, deworming, and stool examination.

Stop Romanticizing Suicide!!!

This has been reiterated so many times already, but it seems as if it’s been passing right through people’s ears.

While October has been considered as Mental Health Awareness Month, what we see on television and film has been exactly the opposite of the awareness mental health advocates want to bring out.

On October 5th, television veteran Joey De Leon was ridiculed online because of what he said about depression. “Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila.” For people who are struggling with depression, or any other mental illness, it came out as an insult,TV shows to say the least. A disgusting comment from someone influential to the Filipino masses proves that mental health is still not being taken seriously in the country. While Maine Mendoza responded that depression is not a laughing matter and that it’s not a joke since a lot of people have been openly coming out about having a type of mental illness, there’s still a stigma about mental health.

A few weeks before, a movie starring two of the most marketable celebrities premiered. The movie? Yes, it’s about suicide and yes, it’s also romanticizing the act.

A few months back, the Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why, was already criticized similarly for the same reasons.

As much as facts and figures fail to alarm the majority, it’s sad that a lot more people think that mental health is still a such a petty issue. Depression isn’t meant to be romanticized. Depression isn’t a game of some sort, it’s real.

Mental illness is a scary topic and there are a lot of people suffering from it. While some people are still keeping quiet, afraid to be judged by uneducated people, it’s the people who take advantage of an illness and try to turn something so sad and serious

Miswa for the soul Maria Angelica M. Ape

mangelicaape@gmail.com

The words anxiety and depressed are repeatedly used that they become adjectives instead of an illness and that it has seemingly become more of an aesthetic than anything else. into a romanticized version of something it’s not that makes my blood boil.

A possible reason for society romanticizing depression is that depression is one of the most unexpressed and one of the most deeply negative emotions. Also, each and everyone of us has experienced some level of sadness at one or many points in our lives; therefore, many, if not all of us, can relate. By romanticizing it, it simply means that society has created this distorted image of depression as something beautiful, something fragile, and at times, poetic, instead of being something dark, heavy, and overwhelming.

A contributor for The Mighty, Erica Chau, has also described how media has depicted depression, writing: “Girl is sad.

Girl meets boy. Girl is sick. Her depression kicks in and has panic attacks and lashes out and the confused boy leaves, confirming her anxious thoughts that “she isn’t good enough” and that “everybody leaves.” But by some miracle, Boy realizes what it is. Boy finds Girl. Boy tells

Girl he loves her and suddenly, she’s happy and cured. The power of love!” And this is what people ranging from their early preteens to their mid-30s are being exposed to in young adult novels, films, and TV shows, even music.

On social media, there would be random tweets or Instagram posts captioned, “I’m so sad,” “I have such horrible anxiety,” “I’m so depressed.” The words anxiety and depressed are repeatedly used that they become adjectives instead of an illness and that it has seemingly become more of an aesthetic than anything else. It’s insulting to those who actually have a genuine condition, when people who have been exposed to the slightest bit of sadness, or having to experience something uncomfortable who whine and act like life’s so tough for them.

I feel sorry for people who’re genuinely experiencing the medically-defined condition of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder to name a few, because honestly the word is so overused that it has become meaningless - everybody is “depressed”. Depression without help is a death sentence. While there are people who reach out to seek for help, there are a lot more who just don’t know how or where to ask for guidance.

The people who romanticize depression often haven’t experienced it themselves or are uneducated about how serious mental health is. In reality there is nothing glamorous about depression or anxiety. Depression is a serious mental illness that affects millions of people and it’s not something the “perfect man/ woman” can fix by holding your hand or kissing your scars. Romanticizing mental illnesses does not create awareness but further feeds the stigma. A stepping stone is to look at mental illnesses as what these really are and to look at the people who have them for who they are.

Last of which is the Basic Food Handling Seminar conducted by the CHO sanitary inspectors every Tuesdays and Thursdays, two sessions for the morning and the afternoon.

According to CHO Sanitary Inspector VI Lolamae Gebusion, the team can accommodate at least 70 vendors per session. As a means to validate if the vendors really have learned from the seminar, sanitary inspectors visit them while on field, especially checking the nails and wearing of hairnets.

She added that the seminar is primarily about basic food safety practices and personal hygiene.

The seminar is anchored on the Republic Act (R.A.) 10611 , entitled “Food Safety Act of 2013”, which aims to strengthen the food safety and regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health, facilitate market access of local foods and food products and for other purposes. Bacolod City even adopted it through the City Ordinance No. 08-15-756.

One of its provision reads: “To access and maximize the roles of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health which shall capacitate the Local Government Units and provide necessary technical assistance in the implementation of their food safety functions under the jurisdiction by providing training to the City and shall periodically assess the effectiveness of these training programs in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government.”

The seminar is conducted once every three years as it is subject for updates from the DOH. According to Gebusion, approximately 20,000 ambulant vendors have attended the seminar since October 2016. This was in response to the declaration of a “food and waterborne diseases outbreak” in Barangay Handumanan on the same date, where pupils from Handumanan Elementary School-I were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning.

She said that for this year, their team has already finished ensuring the compliance of the school canteens and inspecting

the health cards and products of ambulant vendors from 130 public schools and 62 private schools within the city.

PROVISIONS OF CITY ORDINANCE 08-15-756 City Councilor Em Ang, chairman of City Ordinance 08-15-756, says that the purpose of implementing such ordinance is to strengthen the food safety regulations in the city of Bacolod Furthermore, it ensures the observance of food safety standards in the city of Bacolod and providing funds therefore as mandated by R.A. No. 10611 or “an act to strengthen the food safety regulatory system to protect the public from foodborne and waterborne illnesses and unsanitary, unwholesome, misbranded or adulterated foods and to enhance industry and consumer confidence in the food regulatory system. To protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products and for other purposes.”

It provides trainings regarding safety food processing and preparations. Moreover, it sets guidelines and standards for food safety in order to have best practices among food-related businesses. It also promotes the food safety standards in the city.

On the other hand, a proposed ordinance is on the works requiring all ambulant food vendors in the city of Bacolod to secure health cards from the CHO and providing penalties in violation thereof. It benefits the public in general, specifically the constituents of Bacolod.

Also, it protects the ambulant vendors for they are mandated to submit for medical examinations in order to have a health card which is required to be worn at all times while doing business. It promotes health awareness to the residents of Bacolod City, especially the ambulant vendors. Also, it provides the consumers confidence in buying food products from ambulant vendors.

So before you go about hunting street foods somewhere during your vacant hours or in-between classes breaks, you might want to check the vendor’s sanitary certificate - remember, it is in yellow for the food handlers.

Popularizing Unpopular Opinions I’ve never watched any Harry Potter film nor any Game of Thrones episode, and I don’t have the zeal in changing that. I think they are overrated.

Filipino time is horrible and I don’t see the point why people just tolerate and shrug it off, even leniently schedule an appointment or call-time to an hour earlier than what should supposedly be because you know...Filipino time. 8 A.M. sharp is 8 A.M. sharp. To me, it appeals that they are just but giving a room to the thought of Filipino time just by doing so. I am more fascinated by classic Filipino films than the modern ones. It is my great pleasure catching them on Cinema One on Sundays. There’s this depth and substance to them as compared to the present movie landscape in the Philippines. I can’t stand being in a loud atmosphere as I cannot function well where people try so hard filling that void of silence as if they owe it to the world.

These are just but some of the unpopular opinions I hold. For a twenty-year-old, people might lash out on me and say that I could hold better opinions than those. But then, I would not bat an eye anyway.

We all have unpopular opinions. Recently, my friend and I bickered on which is funnier and better TV series: Friends or How I Met Your Mother. I would defend it by saying that “a Friends episode a day keeps the doctor (and blues) away.”

It has been my go-to stress reliever. She was petrified how on earth do I settle to just devoting

Sober-lesque Ian Kristoffer V. Ga

iankristofferga@gmail.com

We live our lives with certain assumptions and biases based on experiences. myself to a twenty-minute episode when I could have spent it on something else more worthwhile — like hanging out with friends or watching that newly released movie in town.

My feelings got bruised from such a “petty” thing as that (but we’re still good friends until now come what may). However, I realized that I am not defined by people and I should not put too much pressure in myself just to be a cookiecut of this world we live in.

I’ve found in recently that having an unpopular opinion is getting harder and harder, considering, some people make stellar careers from gushing out unpopular opinions.

To name a few, there’s LaVar Ball and Donald Trump who did not care being outrageous and as soon as they earned the ire of the public,

ironically, they soared just as those who hold the opinions of the majority. The question goes this way then, “What if you do not intend to be annoying and offensive in airing your unpopular beliefs?”

I am a kind of person who goes the extra mile just to not offend someone straight to their faces. I also try to deal with things out with such diplomacy but sometimes, we have difference in views. And that being said, you have to stand by your unpopular opinions sometimes. I stand by my choice in the movies I do (and do not) watch.

And I stand by how I want my Friday nights to be, even if I would intently view Instagram stories of some friends doing it their own ways. Lately, I see unpopular opinions fall into shambles being beaten down by the majority and it saddens me.

The majority attack those that have unpopular opinions putting which is right or wrong aside. So, I say stand up to that. Stand up for your opinions.

Know that there is no such thing as unanimous opinion. You are either for or against someone or something.

Holding unpopular opinions also makes you even more unique than you are. Celebrate and embrace that uniqueness and appreciate as to why and how you were not swayed by this tempting world, where the majority’s opinions have greater weight over yours. However, be humble in holding your opinions as well. We live our lives with certain assumptions and biases based on

experiences. These may either lead us to certain truths debunking either our opinions or that of someone, but sometimes it leads us astray.

Be emboldened in presenting your arguments and case. The world is a massive trial court. You are judged (when in fact, you should not be) by many. Earn that right to air your unpopular opinions.

Lastly, bear in mind that your being human does not need validation from other people.

Maybe what you do or what you are is not eyecandy and ideal for them, but just let them be.

You were born to make a difference, not to fit in as someone’s cookie-cut. The adage, “If you cannot beat them, join them”, does not apply all the time.

But don’t close your eyes and ears to the other side of the coin. Sometimes, we find out that ours is not what it seems after all. This semestral break, I found time watching How I Met Your Mother during my idle time. And it’s not bad after all. So let us see how this one progresses because I saw it in the same light my friend and others consider it to be very appealing.

Always remember, don’t settle on what is being fed to you in great heaps just because they are popular to many. Don’t follow a flock you are unfamiliar with. Maybe, being a black sheep is not always rebellious. There’s a high time to go with the flow. Don’t resort into mediocrity and dissatisfaction just by living your life based solely on popular opinion.

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 4 · SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2017

VOLUM E 62 N UM BE R 4

SEP T E M BE R TO OCTOBE R 2017

BY STEPHINE PAUL M. DUNGCA

The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) “On Tour” hit Bacolod City with teams like Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors, BanKo Perlas Spikers, AirForce Lady Jet Spikers, and Creamline Cool Smashers (led by National Team hitter Alyssa “Phenom” Valdez) taking centerstage to give local volleyball fans a treat at the University Coliseum last Oct. 18.

The Cool Smashers thrashed PVL Reinforced Conference champions, Lady Warriors, in four sets with down-the-line and crosscourt power hits from former threetime University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez, 25-14, 23-25, 25-15, and 25-16.

“As a huge fan of the Phenom, I’m very happy to see her play on our University’s court. I was so starstruck and amazed by her and the way she soars and scores ,” said fan and spectator Lindzy Ann De los Reyes.

Furthermore, the Perlas Spikers, led by former Lady Eagles like Amy Ahomiro, Jorella “Ella” de Jesus, Angeline “Dzi” Gervacio, and three-time UAAP Best Setter Jamenea Ferrer, avenged their first set defeat against the Jet Spikers in the second game of the tour, 20-25, 25-11, 25-16 and 25-14.

“We were very excited during the whole game because we got to see our volleyball idols. The crowd was super organized and the whole experience made our love for

the sport even stronger,” said fan and spectator Francis John Exequel Dejongoy Meanwhile, Bacolod Taytung High School’s Thunderbolts shut the University of St. La Salle’s Lady Stingers at home court in three sets, 25-13, 25-8 and 25-10, during the preliminary match earlier that day.

“The whole game was thrilling. And we can really see that everyone was enjoying the spikes, the digs, the blocks and the mild staredowns,” said De los Reyes.

An article written by Henry G. Doble for SunStar stated that Bea Tan, lead organizer of PVL, said that the proceeds of the said event will go to the University of St. La Salle’s programs such as scholarships of student-athletes.

—MARTINI D. FALCO

PVL spikers take on Bacolod grounds

SMASHED. Alyssa “The Phenom” Valdez of Creamline Cool Smashers digging a drop-ball attempt with an underhand pass during the Premiere Volleyball League Tour held at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum last October 18.

Rotaract defends U-League title

—NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN

BY STEPHINE PAUL M. DUNGCA

DRIVE. Rotaract player penetrates into the LSHM’s defense during the Championship Game of University League last Sept.12 held at the USLS Coliseum.

Bombing three-pointers, rebounds, and steals in the last five minutes to upset the opponent’s accelerating leadsteal attempt, Rotaract sealed their back-to-back Basketball University League title after advancing by 10 points against the Lasallian Society of Hospitality Managers (LSHM), 73-63, during the championship match at the University Coliseum last Sept. 12.

LSHM threw a couple of steals and three-point shots to slow down Rotaract’s domination since the first quarter resulting to a 4-point deficit during the third quarter

courtesy of Adelantar, but the Maroon shirts fired a couple of their own fadeaways and assists to further push their lead commencing the last quarter with a 60-48 advantage.

“In our preparation, our key is our mindset. We thought to ourselves that we will win and be back-to-back champions. It’s as if all the sacrifices and challenges that we faced should be covered by our hard work and also by playing smart in the basketball court,” said the Finals’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ramon Isaac De La Torre.

Meanwhile, the Hospitality Managers proved that they’re

TIMEOUT

COURTESY OF CATHERINE T. SAMSON

Two sides of the paddle

Name: Catherine T. Samson Age: 18 years old Sport: Table Tennis Course: BS Chemical Engineering

BY VICTORIA MARIAN B. BELMIS

“When everything you’ve planned doesn’t go the way you wanted, what do you do? You simply adapt. To adapt is to overcome and to overcome is to win.”

SHE NEVER EXPECTED EVERYTHING. “This wasn’t the school I wanted, nor the course. I didn’t even want to be in the varsity [team]. I just wanted to be a regular college student, but the complete

opposite happened. I became a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholar, went to University of St. La Salle (USLS), took up Chemical Engineering, and became a varsity athlete in table tennis,” said Catherine “Cath” Torrendon Samson, looking back at the sudden changes in her life two years ago.

Catherine’s passion for table tennis started when she was in fifth grade after her older sister persuaded her to play. She was never interested to learn nor play the sport at first because it seemed hard, not until she had a grip of the paddle and tried to hit the ball. “You’ll never really know unless you try,” said Samson, now loving the sport she played ever since.

Her rollercoaster ride, as Cath calls it, began when she received the letter from DOST that she was one of the 5,303 high school students, from all around the country, who passed the country’s premier science scholarship program last 2015. Cath wanted to take up Medical Technology in the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos; however, because of the scholarship, the only choice she had left was to either take up BS in Computer Engineering or

BS in Chemical Engineering in USLS, where she chose the latter. It was during her Summer Orientation and Enrichment Program for her DOST Scholarship when she got a call and an opportunity to try out for the varsity team.

Catherine grabbed the opportunity, thinking that it can be additional help to her parents especially that the varsity also offers a scholarship.

When asked about the struggle of being a DOST scholar and a varsity athlete, the third year chemical engineering student replied,“It’s my load as a student. DOST required me to have a full regular load but as a varsity athlete, it is required of me to lessen my load so that I have time for practice and my academics. Anyways, I chose to have a full load. ” Despite the tough choice, Catherine juggles being a regular Chemical Engineering student and an athlete. “I just push myself to the limits. As long as I have strength, I just keep going,” Samson said when asked about how she survives it all. According to her, one of the hardest part of being a student-athlete is coping up with missed classes especially during tournaments. Samson shared that there are times

that she will be absent for a week and be back with a lot of quizzes from her major subjects.

Catherine never expected all of these to happen. She had a different plan. But after all the hardships she went through, lessons she learned both in the classroom and life, and the anxiety and fear of not being able to manage being a scholar and an athlete, she realized, “It is not worth it if everything will just go as you planned. No matter how good your plan for your life is, still, God has the best plan.”

In her two years being a table tennis varsity athlete, Samson snatched, to name a few: three Silvers from Jawad Cup (Cebu) and NOPSSCEA 2015 and 2016, as well as a Bronze in this year’s Unigames.

Catherine is working hard to finish her course as well as to be the best table tennis player that she can be. All she ever wanted was to help her parents and inspire her fellow students and athletes. ”Even though you’re on your knees just keep on moving forward towards your goal,” she concluded.

championship-worthy opponents after cutting Rotaract’s lead to five points two minutes before the second half ended. But with five fouls against Rotaract’s one, LSHM lost their grip after a series of turnovers as the Rotaractors started celebrating 28 seconds before the match ended.

“We’re proud of what we’ve put up against the defending champions. They’re hard to beat but we believe we have made our whole department proud of us,” said LSHM President David Jason Calizar.

Besting 20 teams in the league, Rotaract trampled the Decision Makers’ Incorporated (DMI) during the quarterfinals and advanced to thrash Amity in

the semifinals while LSHM dethroned last year’s first runner-up, Marketer’s Union, in the semis to make it to their first finals appearance.

“LSHM played all heart and gave us a great battle knowing that they got nothing to lose in the hardwood. I can say that they’re a very tough and talented team,” said De la Torre.

De la Torre dedicated his MVP award to God, his parents and friends, and to his fellow Rotaractors. “I am greatly honored by receiving this award knowing that through all the sacrifices made, it finally paid off. I couldn’t have made it without my teammates and the Rotaract club members showing their all out support,” he concluded.

Barkadas clash during L-Week

BY STEPHINE PAUL M. DUNGCA

The University Student Government’s Department of Sports Affairs (DSA) kicked off with the Interbarkada Football and Frisbee last Sept. 13 and 14, respectively, at the University Football Field during the Lasallian Week Celebration.

La Salle A bagged the Football Women’s Category championship after a hard-fought match against Hot Shots, 3-2, with Rianna Corteza bagging the Most Valuable Player Award.

“As we joined the Interbarkada tournament, we learned that teamwork is very essential in winning the game.

Communication is also needed so that we would understand each other in playing the game and to have more chemistry in our team,” said Corteza.

Alumni Football Club (FC) dominated the pitch over Krueles to seal the Men’s Category trophy with a 3-0 finish as Daniel Ramos III clutched the MVP award.

Furthermore, Pirates skied and speeded over LAB.U with a 13-10 advantage to bag the Interbarkada Frisbee title among 12 competing teams with Carl Nayon being hailed

as this year’s MVP. Meanwhile, Mascobados forwarded with a 9-8 third-place finish over Centurions.

“It was a great experience for me due to the fact that I, together with my team, competed against extraordinary players. But besides the tension during the games, everyone showed true sportsmanship and good spirit, and that’s the best part about ultimate [frisbee],” said Sheilabelle Torralba of Mascobados.

The participating barkadas were not only from the college students as Liceo, Integrated School, Alumni and non-Lasallians registered also for the games.

“I’m very thankful that these leagues pushed through and that they were all successful. These leagues were already present during the past years and a lot of athletes and students are still participating,” said DSA Secretary Nicole Javelona.

Interbarkada Football and Frisbee tournaments are annual events that occur concurrently with the Lasallian Week celebration, aiming to become a venue for students to showcase their skills in their respective sport aside from sportsfest.