The Squire Publication Intramurals Supermagazine 2019 by The Squire Publication

EDITORIAL

Dayuhan sa sariling bayan

COLUMN

Influencers (whose influencers shouldn’t be influencing anyone)

Editorial Board

COLUMN

Making of millenials

F E AT U R E

XUSHS’ New Rules: Unseen But Felt

F E AT U R E

Weaving the seams of student empowerment

13 11 09

Meraki - the ofﬁcial literary folio of The Squire Publication

07 05 04

03 02 01

PROMOTION

S TA F F W R I T E R S Jarrah Francine Zaballero

Evan Rey B. Aceret

Maea Kaye Carriedo

Vea Crystine Anne L. Gawingan

E D I T O R - I N - C H I E F Maria Victoria P. Tenido

Queenie Heart Lozada

Ellah Therese Maglangit

A S S O C I A T E E D I T O R Maria Alessandra R. Talja

Levina Eunice Palarca

Hyacinth L. Premacio

M A N A G I N G E D I T O R Amanda Marie B. Hora

Jeri Marie P. Tabiliran

A.Y 2018-2019

N E W S E D I T O R Earl Joy B. Lopina F E A T U R E S E D I T O R Alyssa Kaye B. Oche

FREEHAND ARTISTS

L I T E R A R Y E D I T O R Arvin Jay C. Gadian

Jeanny Pearl Jungoy

Jasmin Jane Pong

P H O T O G R A P H Y E D I T O R Caryll M. Apostol

Mary Lawrence Saldua

Melanier John Viado

F R E E H A N D E D I T O R Audrey Louisse M. Castañares

William Jr. Galleros

D E S I G N E D I T O R Eric Noel B. Jabagat L A Y O U T E D I T O R Jorge Jesus S. Balbon O F F I C E M A N A G E R Francis Elijah M. Tutanes C I R C U L A T I O N S M A N A G E R Kyle Angela B. Daroy H U M A N R E S O U R C E M A N A G E R Rachel Ann F. Alvarez O N L I N E A C C O U N T S M A N A G E R Dominic Joaquin Dublado C O M M U N I C A T I O N S M A N A G E R Ed Alison D. Pairat

PHOTOJOURNALISTS Murielle Desiree Cocjin

Annika Julia Encarnacion

Christinine Joy Baleta

Christianne Cabrera

Mary Nyn Heruela

Theresa Veronica Sanchez

L AY O U T A R T I S T S

Kevin Matthew N. Pacana Elton Lloyd C. Yu

C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M S M A N A G E R Dan Khalil T. Bantuas C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M S M A N A G E R Thobie Josh A. Capinig F I N A N C E M A N A G E R Kaye Arabela C. Ebuña

M O D E R AT O R

Ms. Candy Grace M. Castañares

SPORTS

Fuerte reign over Habil, 5 49; Alke reig as Kings of t Court, 47-45

SPORTS

Fuerte, Hab arise as G11 volleyball victors; Chim bags Grade volleyball go

SPORTS

Fuerte shove Habil aside, 3-1; Krates settles score Cerastes, 2-

ves ,

es vs -0

SPORTS

Alke girls, Fortis boys triumph in softball

SPORTS

Habil out-kicks Valiente, 3-1; Cerastes slithers past Polemos, 2-1

SPORTS

Swimming

SPORTS

Athletics

SPORTS

Badminton

29 28 27

mera e 12 olds

Fuerte: the Dauntless Reign

26 25 24 23

bil 1

21 19 17 15

ns 57gns the 5

COVER STORY

F E AT U R E

Chimera drives trophy home in hiphop competition

HIGHLIGHTS

The #AGames

COMICS

Skwidbols

SPORTS

Chess

Fuerte emerges as Grade 11 Ultimate champions, 152; Krates pierces Polemos, 15-13

TA B L E O F CONTENTS

ABOUT THE COVER

Conﬁdence. Persistence. Power. Fuerte ascended to the throne as overall champion of the week-long Intramurals 2018 held at XU Main Campus and Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre last October 15-19. After honing their skills and setting their minds on winning the games, Fuerte’s effort and hard work had paid off. Through a series of wins in most categories, the joy of the team is extravagant as they gambol in their victory in The Ateneo Games the theme, “Dare to Storm Through”. Fuerte prevails despite the downpour of skilfulness of their opponents, triumphantly reaching the summit of the #TheAGames2018. written by VEA CRYSTINE ANNE L. GAWINGAN captured by THERESA VERONICA SANCHEZ

Let your vulnerability come into view as you unravel the very essence of your bliss. Euphoria, emergence and eureka constitute this year’s theme. Recall the details, be it melancholic or glorious, of your self-discovery journey.

Art by Eric Noel B. Jabagat

Discover something anew within you. Ergo Sum (therefore I am) is theSQUIRE Publication’s theme in this year’s literary portfolio, Meraki. Entries range from poetry, essays, shorts stories to photographs and artwork, whether digital and traditional, within the Senior High School community. Submission of entries will start on the 2nd week of December and can be submitted personally at The Squire Publication office located at the Commerce Building C601. Online submissions will also be accepted through emails to thesquirepublication@gmail.com. Let heSQUIRE Publication illuminate experiences to the school community.

your

For more information, visit facebook.com/ thesquirepublication or twitter.com/squirepub.

Dayuhan sa sariling bayan banyaga, kagaya ng Ingles, kumpara sa wikang Filipino. Paano ba kasi ay mas maraming asignatura ang gumagamit ng wikang Ingles kung ihahambing sa mga asignaturang gumagamit ng Filipino. Ang mas nakakalungkot isipin, mas tinitingala at kinikilalalng matalino ang isang tao kapag marunong magsalita ng Ingles. Upang pabulaanan ang nasabing punto, maaaring sabihin ng iba na maraming kurso sa kolehiyo ang hindi na nangangailangan ng wikang Filipino. Pwede nating marinig ang mga katagang, “Computer Science naman ang kurso ko, bakit pa kailangan ng Filipino?”. Taliwas sa pangangatwirang ito, nararapat pa ring pagkatandaan na ang wikang Filipino ay isang paraan ng pagpapayaman ng kaalaman ng isang Filipino, pagkakaunawaan at pagbubuklod ng pulutong ng mga mamamayan mula sa iba’t ibang sulok ng bansa. Maaaring kaunti lamang ang nakakapansin na sa tuwing may nagsasalita sa wikang Filipino at marami itong sablay, walang nag-aabalang pumuna, ngunit kapag nagsasalita sa Ingles at may kaunting sablay, maaari nang pagtawanan ang nagsasalita nito. Ang ganitong mga pangyayari ay isang patunay na unti-unti nang nilalamon at nabubura ang pagpapahalaga sa wikang Filipino. Sa pangkalahatan, hindi masamang matuto ng ibang wika. Ang hindi maganda, kapag umabot na sa puntong tuluyan na nating makalimutan ang sariling atin. Kung isasaalang-alang natin ang katotohanang marami pang kabataan ang hindi nakikita ang tunay na halaga ng pag-aaral sa asignaturang Filipino at ang mismong wika, ano na ang mangyayari kung tatanggalin na ito sa mga asignaturang kailangang pag-aralan sa kolehiyo? Tanungin mo ang iyong sarili. Isa ka rin ba sa mga dayuhan sa sariling bansa?

Illustrated by William Jr. Galleros

Nagsulputan ang iba’t ibang mga pambabatikos mula sa publiko at mga awtoridad matapos isinapubliko ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ang kanilang CHED Memorandum Order 20 na nagsasaad ng pagtanggal ng Wikang Filipino bilang asignatura sa kolehiyo. Nabanggit sa isang online news article na isinulat ni Amanda Fernandez ang mungkahi ni CHED executive director Atty. Julito Vitriolo na hindi tuluyang aalisin ang asignaturang Filipino dahil inililipat lamang ito sa Senior High School. Dagdag pa sa kanyang pangngatwiran, maaaring lumipat ang ilang guro sa Senior High School upang doon magturo. Iginiit ni Vitriolo na kapag may sapat na pundasyon sa wikang Filipino sa Senior High School pa lamang, madadala na ito ng mag-aaral hanggang sa kanyang paglaki. Binigyang-diin din niya na maaari pang mabago ang utos kapag narinig na ang panig ng mga tutol dito. Sa kabilang dako, mahigpit na tumutol ang isang propesor sa Filipino Department ng De La Salle University sa pahayag ni Vitriolo. Ayon sa kanya, hindi isang epektibong solusyon ang paglipat ng mga guro sa Senior High School dahil sa posibilidad na mababa ang sahod na kanilang matatanggap kumpara sa natatanggap nila mula sa pagtuturo sa kolehiyo. Gayunpaman, subukan nating isantabi ang isyu tungkol sa sahod ng mga guro. Nakakatawang isipin na sa dami ng problema sa aspetong edukasyon na nangangailangan ng tugon, mas pinagtatalunan ng isang bansa kung pananatilihin ba o tatanggalin ang pagturo at paglinang ng kanyang sariling pambansang wika. Isipin na lamang natin ang karaniwang nangyayari ngayon sa mga mag-aaral mula sa iba’t ibang paaralan sa bansang Pilipinas. Kung mapapansin ng nakararami, mas bihasa na ang mga mag-aaral sa pagsasalita ng wikang

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

INFLUENCERS

(WHOSE INFLUENCERS SHOULDN’T BE INFLUENCING ANYONE)

by MARIA VICTORIA P. TENIDO

race yourself, because at the end of this column I will have used a word and its variations so much that they’ll wear out— much like the fame (or should I say infamy?) of the people I’m going to be talking about. In a time in which social media provides more than just a virtual place for hanging out, wasting time, and occasionally humble bragging, it has become significantly easier to gain popularity. Almost anyone and everyone can proclaim themselves as an ‘influencer’—a term so overused I don’t think it means what others think it means. Then again, I suppose they have a point. After all, all it takes are 3P’s—popularity, patrons, platform—in order for online algorithm to favor your posts so they can reach an even wider audience, hence making the breadth of your influence exponentially bigger over time. Should there be a problem with this? No, not really. Not until we realize that monkey see, monkey do—that these ‘influencers’ have an influence on their followers. Not until we realize that this influence affects their consumers’ own thoughts and actions, because there are so many people who would drag their words and deeds, no matter how absurd, down their

throats like some sort of holy grail. This is something that demands urgent discussion right now, especially since there seems to be a recent rise in posts promoting senatorial (and crematorial) bet Juan Ponce Enrile’s memoir. I don’t know what’s worse: that these ‘influencers’ are promoting a book (from 2012 at that!) in which Enrile blatantly glorifies himself; that he’s paying people to give him promotion and clean his grimy record; that these posts seem to follow the same shoddy copy-paste-revise (para dili mapangka) formula; that there are people willing to sell their integrity for a couple thousand pesos; or that this influence is something that could actually make people fall for the pseudo-inspirational advertisement, giving Enrile a bigger chance of rising up in the 2019 elections. Enrile isn’t the only one to look out for though. There are many others who are also subliminally pushing their agendas under the guise of harmless Instagram or Twitter posts, even well outside of campaign period. Are we really going to keep letting these ‘influencers’ influence us, now that we know who’s influencing them? S

Captured by Caryll M. Apostol

OPINION

MAKING OF MILLENIALS by MARIA ALESSANDRA R. TALJA

born beyond 1996 are part of Generation Z because of its preceding age group, Generation Y—a term first coined by Ad Age, a marketing and news magazine. Okay, so both the oldies and the younglings were wrong about that technical part. Putting technicalities aside, the word has built up a common meaning for the people. Instead of being an objective term for generational brackets, ‘Millennial’ has become a label for both the youth’s expectations and disappointments. My relatives weren’t just making small talk off the top of their heads. Those were actual observations, and they saw their children play the part. Though some of us have mothers or aunts who frequent Facebook as much as we do— maybe even more often than you yourself, they aren’t who I’m flashing the spotlight at. Take a deeper look into yourself. Are you a “kodaker” or “reporter” like what my relatives described? There’s no harm if you are, as long as you’re being yourself without forcibly trying to fit into the overused Millennial stereotype. Just be yourself, and don’t let the word define you. Rather, it should be you who will fill the word with meaning with what you do, and simply ask yourself. What kind of a Millennial are you? S

Captured by Caryll M. Apostol

hile I was in a family reunion, I overheard some of my relatives talking among themselves about the new generation that is, the one I’m part of. The one we’re a part of. They described us as “technological”, always scrolling on and getting lost in our own digital world. They also called us “kodak-ers” and “reporters”, ready to take photos of anyone and anything every minute or so, even to the point where we prioritize the visual impact of food instead of how it actually tastes. But above all the lines that have been mentioned, the most striking of them all was this: “Ingana na man gyud ang mga batan-on karon. Alangan, mga Millennials gud.” Millennials. The word rolled of their tongue like it was some disgrace. It made me think. Who even came up with the word? Turns out there really isn’t a definite point of who or where the word first emerged. All I know is that it’s still in use, even among fellow senior high school students who took pride in being a part of the so-called technological generation. However, Pew Research Center—an organization with an open online hub for research articles—stated that Millennials are individuals born between 1981 and 1996. Individuals

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

by EARL JOY B. LOPINA, JERI MARIE TABILIRAN and EVAN REY ACERET

hat seems to be an endless list of

“That’s why we took charge, we took our

FEATURE

Rudinas further highlighted that the XUSHS

best lugar, to inform as many as possible katong

ﬁlls the Prefect of Students’ bulletin

mga recent developments sa handbook,” Rudinas

faculty “are not really using that [handbook] as a

board every week. Feeling obliged to comply with

stated. He also emphasized that they were banking

ground and it tells us nga naa ni siya [rules].”

the rules, countless complaints from students due

on the student volunteers during OrSem to help in

to doubled CS hours and the absence of the latest

circulating the policies while the handbook is still

handbook buzzed throughout the entire Xavier

in progress. To reiterate the changes in the school

On the other hand, the number of student

University Senior High School (XUSHS) community.

rules, the PS Ofﬁce further presented the new

violators have drastically increased over the past

policies at the Parents’ Orientation.

months. On average, about 1,000 absent and late

violators with Community Service (CS)

Behind the Delay Almost every student must have asked,

“Kanus-a diay ihatag ang handbook? Sa March

na?” Initially, the students’ handbook is seen as a

weapon. We use that to keep ourselves on the

CS Squad

Moreover, Rudinas clariﬁed the misconception

cases are recorded every week which also involve

of the signiﬁcance of the contract attached to

about 1,000 students. This resulted to more than

the student handbook. He mentioned that,

1,200 names listed on the PS bulletin board every

“Signing the contract doesn’t mean nga ayha

month for community service.

‘starter pack’ for XU students. Within its contents

pa ta magsugod sa atong mga deal. Because it’s

are the University’s mission and vision statement,

not a deal […] It’s more like giving everybody the

a map of the campus, a list of rules to be

make Xavier? Xavier is a factory of cutting and mga

assurance that you’ve read the handbook.”

truant students? Xavier is a factory of mga iPlay*

followed along with violations and its respective consequences, the grading system, and even

“If we turn a blind eye on that, what does that

students? We cannot tolerate that. There has to be some sort of discipline,” Rudinas remarked.

Addition to the Pages

the grade range for honor student qualiﬁcations.

With new concerns emerging every month, the

As observed last year, a bracket system

However, students point out that without its

PS Ofﬁce aims to address each case in accordance

was followed which indicated that a student

physical copy for the present school year, the

with the rules indicated in the handbook. The

shall render CS depending on the number of

validity of these policies are questionable.

improvements made on the 2018 handbook were

violations the student committed. But because it

more focused on specifying rules and situations to

was deemed unfair and taken for granted, the PS

be considered.

Ofﬁce has introduced a new system for rendering

Supposedly, handbooks are released within the ﬁrst few months of the school year. But because of the major changes added to the 2018

“Gisulod

nato

balik

ang

cheating,

community services for student violators. In this

handbook, the revision and editing process has

integrated

one

year’s setting, the number of hours to be rendered

resulted to the delay of the materials. Prefect

document, […] we kind of revised the Code of

per violation was equated to the number of hours

of Students Eric Jose Rudinas explained that, “Kinahanglan basahon gyud namo nga word for

word […] It’s not just me who is proofreading here. I’m proofreading the content, and somebody else is going to proofread the format.”

the

attendance

policies

Discipline […] gisulod nato ang guidelines for the

awards sa academics, modiﬁcations pertaining to the policy on delayed examinations, and then gi-

include na nato ang student organizations, policies in student organizations,” Rudinas said.

the University allots per subject. For offenses like absences, late, and cutting classes, including minor offenses like dress code violation, the student receives an equivalent of one hour and 30 minutes per subject.

According to Rudinas, the editing process

Another major rule that was speciﬁed was the

During the ﬁrst months of the academic

takes a few days as the draft is passed from one

policy on excused absences as it was changed

year, Rudinas revealed that the PS Ofﬁce initially

ofﬁce to the other. He mentioned that the new

from case-to-case basis and now narrowed-down

implemented that the CS hours for latecomers

handbook will look like the 2017 version, but

to only ﬁve categories: sickness; death of a family

were only counted as half an hour per subject,

about 40 percent of the content has been altered

member or relative; accidents; observance of a

but absences and cutting classes were still equal

and reﬁned. These alterations include rules that

religious activity; and when the student is sent

to an hour and a half. “We experimented with

were not speciﬁed last year, along with the Child

off by the school because of ofﬁcial activities

SG, […] and I gave that proposal a chance to

Protection Policy.

such as academic programs, contests, and varsity tournaments.

(In)Validity

In last year’s ruling, various situations were

work for two months. pero we saw a very sudden

spike,” Rudinas declared, stating that the number of tardiness cases were already levelling to the

Regarding the plea wherein certain policies

considered as excused absences depending on

must be invalidated due to the absence of

each case, provided that the student gives an

Meanwhile, CS hours for major offenses vary,

the handbook, Rudinas added that selective

excuse letter with the parent’s mobile number.

with a minimum of one day suspension and no

invalidation will not be fair and practical. “If we

However, Rudinas mentioned that in the new

longer a verbal warning as implemented last year.

invalidate [some policies], that means we have to

version, only ﬁve are considered – excluding

During the suspension, the student is expected to

invalidate everything, and that produces another

the most abused excuse: travelling with family

serve a whole day of CS. Rudinas defended that,

problem,” he pointed out.

members. He said that, “Travels are not excusable.

“The PS Ofﬁce becomes the tough guy. But we

If it’s a family reunion, a party, a debut, beauty

have to do it somehow because we don’t want you

Since the policies stipulated in the handbook have been approved by the Principal, the Principal’s Council, and by the University President, Rudinas

contest, wala na siya.”

number of absences.

to embarrass yourself once you come out.”

Aside from that, the Child Protection Policy

considers it best to apply the same rules together

has also been added to the new handbook with

***

with the added policies in the 2018 handbook.

rules that apply to every student in the XUSHS

Despite the complaints added with thousands

With the lack of its physical copy, the PS Ofﬁce

community despite their age. While waiting

of cases to be settled each week, the Ofﬁce of

made the efforts of disseminating the information

for the actual copies of the handbook, Rudinas

the Prefect of Students lives up to the University’s

about the changes of the school policies to the

announced the circulation of the soft copies of the

promise of providing excellence and continues

XUSHS community during this year’s Orientation

handbook to the class moderators last November

to make efforts into molding XUSHS into a

Seminar (OrSem) and in the ﬁrst week of classes

19 for references and clariﬁcations on certain

community that shows discipline and respect for

through the class moderators.

policies.

authority.

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

by JARRAH FRANCINE C. ZABALLERO and MAEA KAYE M. CARRIEDO

et’s support the Magna Carta,” is a phrase we often hear from the people in favor of its approval. In spite of the benefits that the Magna Carta may bring, there are still people who disapprove of its implementation due to reasons such as the limitations brought by the system that Xavier University Senior High School (XUSHS) is following. On the other hand, some students simply don’t care. The fight for its authorization has been going on for three years and people are now asking, “ A s a

naman ang Magna Carta?” Despite its formalization being a hot issue, many are still at a loss on what Magna Carta truly is and more importantly, if their thoughts and opinions are with or against it. As of today, the XUSHS community continues to weigh its scope and its advantages—evaluating if the Magna Carta will truly fit into the XUSHS system. Delving deeper The Magna Carta—which is under the Student’s Rights, Responsibilities and Welfare (STRAW) Department—highlights the importance and basis of students’ rights. However, it does not only contain the rights of the XUSHS students, but also their responsibilities towards these rights to prevent its abuse. Specifically, the Magna Carta provides the following: Academic Rights, Academic Responsibilities, Rights to organize, Sectoral rights and responsibilities, Right to access of information, Right to participate in policy making, Right to free expression, Right to security, and Right to due process. “The Magna Carta is under the XUSHS-SG Constitution,”

remarked Jham White Perral, XUSHSG Vice President. In the present, questions are emerging among the XUSHSG officers as to how this constitution was approved yet excluding the acceptance of the Magna Carta. This indicates that the Magna Carta was supposedly approved along with the XUSHS-SG Constitution, but the administration specifically refused its implementation in the education system of the XUSHS. Perral acknowledged the cause of the continued rejection of the Magna Carta by saying “For me, siguro what the past SG administration has failed to do is look at the details.” Perral explained, expounding that there were some rights in the Tertiarybased Magna Carta that were not tailored to address the needs of the SHS students. Though Perral assured that they have adjusted it to be more suitable to the K to 12 System and, at the same time, in line with the policies of DepEd and the PS Office, it has undergone deliberations in session halls and has received scrutiny and various revamps to achieve the best version of the Magna Carta that is appropriate for the system.

A contrasting angle The current STRAW shared a different perspective with regards to the approval of the Magna Carta. STRAW Head Commissioner Dominique Czirelle Papa stated that “For me, generally, the Magna Carta is a document wherein a particular party is limiting the power of the stronger one.” He further explained that through the acceptance of Magna Carta, there will be a risk in the abuse of rights and privileges since the student body will be given more power that may eventually equal the capabilities of the school’s administration. “It may not happen now, but it is not impossible that there will come a time when someone will strive to equate the power of the two parties by using the strength of the Magna Carta,” said Papa. He elaborated that in balancing the power of both the student body and the administration, this may lead to complications such as the students making abusive demands of the administration as they will be assured and supported by the legal capabilities provided by the Magna Carta itself. Papa also stressed that he is not against the Magna Carta. In contrary to having the Magna Carta under the STRAW department, Papa hesitates to give his full support to the XUSHSG because of the danger that lies “between the lines” that may direct to the misuse of power within the SHS community. “I believe that it [Magna Carta] really is not feasible as of the moment,” added Papa. He emphasized that the Principal’s Council

believes that the students of XUSHS is already protected and supported with enough rights since we follow the educational system under the Basic Education Program. Furthermore, Papa revealed that despite tucking away the Magna Carta as a feasible project, “Dili ko gusto na defenseless ang students.” With this, Papa proposes that if it is just concrete guidelines that the student body is looking for, then passing a Bill of Rights will provide just that. He also reasoned out that the Bill of Rights does not limit the power of the administration the same way that Magna Carta does, but also establishes rights that will appropriately serve as an advantage to the students. … The acceptance of the Magna Carta within the XUSHS community will serve as a major step forward for student empowerment, and will stand as an accomplishment of the XUSHSG’s longstanding goal after years of continuous rejection. However, despite the opposing perspectives with regards to the Magna Carta, the question stands: Will the benefits that the Magna Carta brings to all the XUSHS community win the approval of many, or will the limitations of the current education system prevent the community in supporting its implementation?

Looking back The fight for Magna Carta did not start out of nowhere. The previous XUSHSG and STRAW did their best by collaborating, pushing through in spite of the Administration’s disapproval. Early workings of the document began before SY 2017-2018 even started. However, their request for approval had come to a standstill once their efforts were dismissed. Unwavering, a petition signing with the goal of collecting 2000 signatures from the students was held by STRAW.

At that time, students were busy with their Entrepreneurship P r o d u c t Launching, Career Talk, and Earth Beat (STEM month assembly) so the organizers were surprised when people were approaching them before they had even set up their booth. Regardless of the fact that the petition signing was not officially recognized, it really showed the support of students and their desire for the Magna Carta regardless of the conflicting ideas of the administration and the students.

By the students, for the students The XUSHS system is still flawed on several aspects and is still on its way to perfection. So created to face possible injustices or lapses that are seen, XUSHSG claims that the Magna Carta was made for the students and by the students to right the wrong and as a reference, in case their rights are violated. “The Handbook is not bad, but basically it’s from the Administration’s point of view,” said Perral. “We do not have our own point of view and the handbook is made more like [sic] for us to follow it.” The student handbook only contains seven stipulated statements on the rights of students. With the Magna Carta, students’ rights will be fortified in a 21page document containing detailed rights of the students. “As both student and student-legislator, it would be very beneficial for both parties if we will have the Magna Carta,” said Pamela Emano, HUMSS Director. “It may be student-focused but we don’t want to impose something that does not get along well with the administration,” she added.

FEATURE

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

”

Fuerte reigns over Habil, 57-49 by ALYSSA KAYE OCHE

he green-shirted warriors of Fuerte live up to the stronghold of their name as they take the win against the ball

players of Team Habil, 57-49, in the final match between the Grade 11 Boys’ Basketball at Xavier University Ateneo Sports Centre on October 17. Despite the eight-point gap between the fierce clusters, both teams started off strong. The court

Captured by Mary Nyn Heruela and Ateneo Camera Club & Designed by Kevin Matthew N. Pacana

was filled with the mad dash between the two competing troops neither letting up nor giving the other a chance to steal the ball. Habil took the first shot and along with it the lead during the first few minutes of the first quarter. A terse moment followed where in it seemed that both teams could only even out the score between them, but Fuerte was relentless in their pursuit of victory. “When we lost in the first game by only one point, we were determined to win the next three games in order for us to reach the finals and possibly become the champions,”claimed Fuerte’s top scorer, Miguel Pacana, whose three-pointers

THEY [FUERTE MEMBERS] WERE THE ONES WHO SUPPORTED ME, GAVE ME THE COURAGE TO GIVE MY ALL WHENEVER I PLAYED. THEY ALSO MOTIVATED ME WHENEVER I LOSE [SIC] MY COMPOSURE. WITHOUT THEM, WE WOULD NOT GO FAR IN THIS YEAR’S INTRAMURALS,

shots in the fourth quarter with only three minutes left in the clock. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to deter the strong will of Fuerte who matched their opponents’ passion by tenfold, eventually declaring them the winners with the loud blares of the final horn shrilling in the air. With passion, hard work and a great thirst for victory, Fuerte took home the finals’ gold. They may not have left the court unscathed, but they won grinning as family.

PERSEVERANCE

boosted Fuerte’s pursuit for the championship title.

Throughout the second and third quarter, Fuerte retained their lead over Habil, as their score gap only continued to increase. That, however, did not stop Habil’s determination who fought just as hard by matching the dribbles of Fuerte’s spirited fighters, eventually leading to a series of successful

Blue blood: Alke reigns as King of the Court, 47-45

espite losing the first quarter and having

of the game, “and I performed well because of the

one of their players fall in an unfortunate

encouraging words and support given to me by

accident

cluster,” continued Icong as he revealed the secret

mid-game,

the

blue-cloaked

warriors of Alke turn the court on their opponents,

to his impressive display of hoop skills.

47-45, as they claim hoop dominance over Chimera

The final stand between the two clusters proved

in their fated match-up in the Grade 12 Boys’

to be a clincher for both spectators and players. As

Championship match on October 17 held at Xavier

Chimera and Alke went back and forth to the ends

Ateneo Sports Centre.

of the court, neither had left the other behind for

”

The court sizzled with energy, and as both

more than a few seconds as players scrambled to

teams fought ardently on equal footing. It was clear

one-up each other. With only 11 seconds left on the

that both clusters were almost at equal prowess,

clock, both sides were once again at a standstill,

pushing at each other’s scores back and forth and

45-45.

never faring too far from each other. However, the pink-vested Chimeras overpowered Alke by two points at the end of the first quarter. Playing along with a string of bad luck, Alke’s #4 falls in the middle of a blazing fight in the second quarter, losing by eight points, 26-18. However, Alke proved that it wasn’t purely that got them to the championship. As they steadily closed in, the gap blinked nonexistent on the scoreboard as the azure-bathed players evened out the points by the end of the third quarter, 3232. “I was confident to take the shots,” shared Doroteo Jericho Icong Jr., Alke’s top scorer whose three-pointer shots became one of the highlights

THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, I WOULDN’T HAVE THE URGE TO WIN THE GAMES. THEY WERE ALSO TRYING THEIR BEST TO PLAY FAIRLY AND THEY WERE ALSO PATIENT IN ATTAINING OUR GOAL

The air was thick with tension and anticipation as the final seconds tick down to zero but Alke is

STRENGTH

end of the fight, Alke took back the quarter with a shot that propelled their banner to victory, 47-45. Truly, no war is won alone, as Alke’s thrilling victory gives credit to its players’ bond as a team, Bruised and battered after an

intensely close

match, Alke proves that no path to victory is ever

determined, more than ever, to rise to the top. And

so smooth, for it can be trekked when equipped

moments before the horn blares, calling out for the

with passion and determination.

All hail the Queens by HYACINTH L. PREMACIO

aliente Lions sneak up from behind, snatching the crown against Fortis Knights, after a tension filled match on October 17

at the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre, 22-20. Despite the

miscommunications

regarding

the

match

schedule, the Lions struck early in the first with Tan leading the charge.

”

I WAS REALLY NERVOUS BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL BIG, WE WEREN’T PREPARED SINCE WE THOUGHT THE GAME WAS MOVED ON THE NEXT DAY. However, the girls of Fortis did not cow so easily. With vengeance running in their blood, they overtook Valiente in the second quarter and continued to exploit the gaps in the defense of the Lions, further extending their lead with a 10-0 run to end the first half. All hope seemed lost for the Lions as the Knights continued their domination in the second half. ”I was frustrated at first but then I know [sic] that me and my players can catch up to them,” Tan shared as she remembered the moment tides turned against the Lions. Tan entered the court together with star point guard Austine Angeline

TEAMWORK

Paraiso, eyes alight with fire and fueled with firm

SPORTS

the lead. As if doused with cold water, the Lions slowly but surely cut down the Knights’ lead. After being locked down by Fortis’ defense in the second, Paraiso bounced back in the fourth, firing shot after shot to tie the game just as the fourth quarter ended. Winded and tired, both teams were left running on adrenaline, still eager to win the game. They proved themselves as championship contenders by stretching the game into two overtimes. Halfway through the second overtime, the Lions clawed past the Knights’ defense to score their game-winning shot. Nerves rattled Fortis who were unable to score despite numerous trips to the free throw line. Since then, the Knights have been looking to give the Lions a taste of the dust after losing to them. However, the Lions did not want to lose with the crown just an arm within reach. With faith and teamwork, Valiente Lions emerged from the fight with their undefeated record unscathed and took home a hard-fought crown.

determination to rise against the tide and take back

Orange is the new gold: Cerastes reigns supreme, 32-28 but the girls in orange did not topple so easily as Cerastes ended the round robin matches with four wins and no defeats.

I TOLD MY TEAMMATES TO BELIEVE IN THEIR SELVES, HAVE FUN AND STAY POSITIVE THAT WERE [SIC] ABLE TO GET THE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE WE WANTED,

lmost was never enough as Alke bent the

Cerastes team captain Hannie Aingeal Gianine

knee to Cerastes who virtually had one

Deligero shared when asked about the team’s

hand on the crown, 32-28, after a thrilling

mindset coming into the ball game.

championship match in Girls’ Basketball on October 17 at the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre.

Alke showed off their thirst for gold as they limited Cerastes to scoring only two points in the

Tension was in the air in the last match for the

first quarter. Monique Mae Nudalo shares what

losing team in their senior high school journey. Alke

went down during Cerastes’ huddle before the

had lost earlier to Cerastes in their round robin

start of the second quarter, “Gi-cheer up namo ang

team nga dili pa to ang end sa game.” Her pep

talk worked as Cerastes set the stage for an epic comeback. Tension rose as Cerastes caught up to Alke approaching halftime. The court sizzled as the players ran back and forth, vying for the lead, ending with both teams tied at 14-all. Due to a lack of players, Cerastes started the third quarter with a four-man team against Alke’s five. With Cerastes at a disadvantage, Alke seized the lead and maintained it until the end of the third quarter. Team captain Deligero is not one to give up easily. She lead Cerastes as they made their ultimate comeback against the blue-clad Alke. Despite their best efforts, Alke was unable to hold back Cerastes’ star shooter, Hannie Deligero. Cerastes snatched the victory and emerged as champions of the Grade 12 Basketball Girls Division after their epic comeback, thanks to their adaptive teamwork and iron-clad trust in each other.

”

match-up and were rearing to get back at the latter,

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

by QUEENIE HEART R. LOZADA and JERI MARIE P. TABILIRAN

s XUSHS students rage on with utmost vigor and concentration in the Ateneo Games 2018, the volleyball players from all clusters trudge on with endless energy as they advance with sheer willpower and skill towards victory in their respective games

ultimately bringing the game to Chimera’s favor, 27-25. The third match proved to be just as intense, as Krates gave their all for the last shot against the winning streak. Krates retaliated with blow for blow strikes and evened the score with a stalwart

During the third day of the Intramurals, the

smash, sending Chimera staggering against their

clash of the Grade 12 clusters rolled into action.

ultimate hit. Despite all odds, Chimera refused to

Despite the overflowing power of each cluster,

stand down and flared with unceasing force and

it was Chimera who emerged victorious against

engraved their victory by seizing the three sets

Krates in the boys’ category, while Chimera

standing against their garnered Championship title.

overpowered Polemos in the girls’ category. A Back-to-Back Win, 2-1 Subsequently after the extreme feat in the boys’

Pink rises above Black, sets 3-0 Bagging three sets to nil, Chimera trounces

category, the pink fighters from Grade 12 STEM

Krates in the Grade 12 Boys’ volleyball

B were declared champions in girls’ volleyball by

championship game, 3-0.

taking two sets over Polemos, 2-1.

The STEM players as Chimera of STEM B

The first set donned an irrefutable visage as

and Krates of STEM A rolled up for a grand

the clusters clashed head on with the will towards

showdown.

same

glory. The pink-garbed fighters waged war as

opponent during the 18th match, the shadow-

they steamed off with fusillade of hits and strikes,

garbed

once

gaining a transient upper hand as the score wheeled

more against the ravaging Chimera in the

towards 13-11. Chimera eventually snatched the

championship games.

winning strike in the first match.

Previously

Krates

went

fighting

the

head-to-head

Chimera took the first rank in the round robin

Polemos rebuffed a deficit loss and fought back

match with an undefeated streak, while Krates

in the second set, finally setting the ground even as

ranked second with few dents to their record.

they tied the score to 15. With Chimera snapping

The whistle of the referee cued the start of

at their tails and hoisting the game to an intense

the game, both clusters bringing down strike

match, Polemos made to score the advantage

after strike against each other. Chimera fired

once more and tied the score to their favor, finally

with a salvo of a strike, earning the first point of

winning the second set.

the game. However, within minutes, Krates took

In the third set, Chimera upped the game and

the lead again with five points against Chimera’s

soared higher against the flaming Polemos. As the

first bite. Krates immediately took the lead in the

scores oscillated towards each of the clusters’ favor,

first match.

the game floor escalated instantaneously.

The game seethed with excitement as Krates

In the end, Chimera snatched the gold as

advanced with a four-point advantage, pinning

they made their winning feat and set the terms to

Chimera to a tight spot at three points. But

stone. The pink fighters from Grade 12 STEM B

the flushed fire-breathers refused to be taken

were declared champions in volleyball girls with a

down without a fight, turning the tables with

splendid winning streak. With the boys of their cluster winning the finals

a comeback with a slamming 13-10 in favor of

as well, it was a double win for the unscathed

Chimera. Despite the growing odds, Krates tied the game once more to 14, leaving the audience

Chimera and the cluster members especially the players couldn’t be more overjoyed. Truly, all of the clusters manifested enough

at the edge of their seats. In the end, Chimera owned the first set, 25-22. The second match fired up just as quickly

strength and tenacity despite the persistence of

every

opponent.

This,

along

with

their

as the first, with Krates hungry for a comeback.

determination, stood out as the raging qualities

With a heart-stopping series of rallies and strikes,

of sports-minded and competent blue-blooded

Krates finally tied the score to 24. Chimera

Ateneans.

answered back by turning up a powerful notch.

Their attempts for an extra-point gave the team the perfect opportunity to take the lead,

Captured by Caryll Apostol & Designed by Jorge Jesus Balbon

SPORTS

ZADA RT R. LO N IE H E A AN IR IL B by QUEE TA A R IE P. M I R E J and

As the tally of 2-2 made the audience restless

as the Fuerte cluster of STEM B

and on the edge of their seats, the game pounded

geared up against Habil of ABM

on with inextinguishable heat as both of the clusters

With Fuerte undefeated and Habil’s winning streak

and Valiente of STEM A in the

vied for the final and ultimate glory. In the end of a

only dented by the cluster, the match was indeed a

ultimate face-off on the boys’ and girls’ volleyball finals.

heart-stopping battle, Fuerte finally emerged victorious

rigid competition as both of the teams warmed up to

With the air tensing in sparking electricity, two courts

and won the fifth and final set. After an intense five-set

prepare for the concluding match.

were occupied by inexorable players as the audience

game against Valiente, Fuerte won by two points in the

supported each of their respective clusters.

last set, 18-16.

volleyball roster for a sure pass towards the finals.

The first set opened a sheer battle against the greats as both teams rallied successive thwarts and

One of the arresting occurrence that night was how

“The fact that we came from two consecutive losses

attacks. Habil gained the first advantage, with the score

the Fuerte cluster who supported their players cheered

and winning the championship is probably the highlight

soaring to 11-10 and eventually emerging victorious in

in the middle of the two courts to equally accommodate

of the team.” said open spiker and team captain John

the first set.

the boys and girls cluster on both sides.

Windale B. Ibarra.

The verdure of Fuerte clashed against the inflamed prowess of Valiente as they set off to prove each other’s might during the third day of the Ateneo Games 2018, October 17.

namesake across their chests and pressed on, unwilling

preparing for the Ateneo Games in September. They

to have their glory filched and finally made a brief

trained for 3 hours a day, moreover, it added up to 7

vantage of 14-13. The second set was a heated battle,

hours a day when the intramurals was approaching.

but Habil persisted as the victors once again.

“In the end, I believe that our success was the

Fuerte resisted an inept loss and fought back

product of everyone stepping up to their game. It was

aggressively in the third match, almost closing in towards victory. Finally, Habil reaped glory once more.

”

The first set proved to be an instant blow to Valiente

the product of battling our nerves and fear. Most of all,

as each side advanced with grit. Fuerte instantly took

it was a battle won not only for ourselves, but for the

the lead in the first minutes with the scores ricocheting,

people who believed in us,” Ibarra concluded.

8-2. Valiente refused to trample and reprised with blow after blow. Subsequently after an intensive fight, Fuerte triumphed in the first set, 25-16. Valiente did not let the first loss trample them. In the second set, Valiente seized Fuerte’s one-point advantage, tying the game to 10. Valiente endured, snatching the victory in the second set, 25-21. With the innumerable ties and overtakes, Valiente persisted with flaming brawn as Fuerte fought back with intensity. Fuerte eventually prevailed and won the third set, 2520. With Fuerte having the upper hand of the game with their two victories, Valiente roared back with a grand onslaught against the raging greens. Despite the prior setback, the maroon fighters served a series of scores, snatching the glory of the fourth set.

IN THE END, I BELIEVE THAT OUR SUCCESS WAS THE PRODUCT OF EVERYONE STEPPING UP TO THEIR GAME. Skill Defeats Strength

Undaunted by the irreducible strength of both the clusters, skillful Habil and strong Fuerte clawed their

Habil had won three straight sets against Fuerte in the volleyball girls championship match. According to team captain Rebecca Kaye R. Lozada, it was every member’s contribution which caused their team to win. The winning team dedicated four Saturdays for their training with the imminent Intramurals. Despite the scholastic affairs and requirements, the cluster still pursued in their training and practiced tirelessly. “It felt very fulfilling since during our first game, they beat us at 3-0. The game was very intense and heartstopping, as well. After the last set, we all screamed and hugged each other. We really prayed and thanked God for our win,” added Reina T. Villamor. Even champions experience failure at some point, as shown by both Habil and Fuerte. However, the two teams remained undeterred and proved their excellence.

Battle of Strength and Courage

The sigil of the verdant conquerors etched their

Fuerte, composed of players from STEM B, started

Captured by Antonette Jane Gadrinab and Samantha Kyle Pabua of the Ateneo Camera Club - SHS & Designed by Jorge Jesus Balbon

ways up the skyscraping top, claiming two spots on the

wilight does serve the best dramas

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

Captured by Caryll M. Apostol & Designed by Lloyd Elton C. Yu

AH by ELL

SE THERE

uerte players were ferocious in their uphill battle to victory as they snatched the winning title from Habil during the football championship games on October 16 at the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre. Evenly matched at the beginning of the game and unable to break past the other’s iron-clad defense, both teams were locked in a tie of 0-0 at the end of the game which ultimately warranted the need for a penalty shootout. Desperate to secure a victory, Fuerte put their best players forward and stepped over Habil’s remains as they outkicked them, emerging champions at 3-1. Everything rode on the championship games, and neither teams were ready to give up the glory without a long, bloody fight. As soon as the first half began, both teams burst into action and battled to get to the ball, eager to sink it into the opponent’s net for that one extra step towards the crown. Habil’s Abdul Masbud immediately redirected the ball from an uncomfortably close call to their goal, sending it sailing over the player’s heads to the opposite end of the field where it was received by fellow Habil players. Sensing the impending doom of a disadvantageous score, Fuerte’s Rex Cascara immediately moved in to successfully block the ball from hitting home. All attempts to score were futile, and the first half ended at a tied score of 0-0. The commencement of the second half kick-started the renewed force of both clusters’ desperate attempts to steal away the ball and the advantage. Tenacious attempts were made on Fuerte’s side to score, with players Jade Lagua and Cascara employing tactics relying heavily on efficient teamwork, bringing up a strong offence to try and overwhelm the Habil numbers – but their

GL T. M A

ANGI

offense was met by an equally strong Habil defense, almost impenetrable in its strength. With barely a minute left on the clock, both teams tripled their efforts to inch closer to success, turning the football field into a war zone – only to be called to a stop as the timer reached zero. The second half ended with Habil and Fuerte on equal footing, at a tied score of 0-0. With the score and the game at a standstill, the need for a penalty shootout was apparent. Karl Honculada, Dylan Dayak, Cascara, and Lagua were chosen as Fuerte’s strikers, while Habil opted for Masbud, Jonas Villanoy, Naveen Bangamu, and Denn Castro. Starting weak but finishing strong, Fuerte was able to catch up and surpass the lead that Habil held during the penalty shootout. After Habil’s Villanoy scored and Fuerte’s Honculada missed, the latter team geared up and completely turned the match around in their favour, proceeding to methodically decimate their opponents. Three of their four strikers scored and left Habil devastated – and with only one of Habil’s strikers managing to land a goal, a spot on the throne was guaranteed for the greenclad victors. The match concluded at 3-1 with Habil dismantled, paving a clear path for Fuerte to rise up and take the gold. With the crown firmly placed on their heads, the Fuerte team celebrated as newly named overall football champions.

SPORTS

by MARIA ALESSANDRA R. TALJA

between other clusters.

Captured by Caryll M. Apostol & Designed by Lloyd Elton C. Yu

With the game ending in the opponent’s favor, Cerastes was left taking second place. “[It was a] missed opportunity,” commented one of the players, Adrian Yulo. Krates had been one of their opponents in the elimination matches, making the championship game their second faceoff on the field. The elimination match was also the sole loss of Krates. “We won,” said Yulo, “but since the finals involved the top two teams, we encountered them again.” For Krates, the road to the final game was strengthened with every match before the final one. Jitters crawled all over them in their first game, but in the following matches they gained more confidence in themselves. They also learned to accept their loss against Cerastes. In the words of Tan, “We were a bit disappointed about the loss but we couldn’t deny that it was a good game and they deserve [sic] the win.” Krates also held practice matches that honed the instincts of each player. “Fortunately, the football team of Chimera was more than willing to have mock matches with us,” Tan acknowledged. It taught them to recognize their individual strengths, the team’s optimum formation and most of all—to trust each other’s backs. From being strangers in the same sport, they turned into teammates with different levels of experience but with the same amount of passion. However, their most valuable gain was not the victory itself. “Friendship,” Tan remarked. “Winning the game and earning the medal was worth it, [but] friendship is priceless.” He also shared that playing football forged bonds not only between their teammates, but also

fter a long-ensuing rally, Krates strikes a win from scoring points in a shootout against Cerastes during the G12 Championship Game last October 16 in the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre, 2-0. Players constantly tagged the ball on both sides of the field, barraging each other’s defenses with a drive to win the first point. By the end of the first half no point had reached the board, but this did not damage the morale of either team. Krates pushed their offenses as Cerastes hardened their defenses who in return counterattacked every time the ball was in their possession. “They [Cerastes players] are slippery and they strike fast just like a snake as they weave through obstacles and strike to the place we least expect,” described Narrylm Tan, a forward player of Krates. The tug-of-war for gold and glory furthered into the second half, proving Krates and Cerastes to be equally-matched in skill and determination. The worthy competitors for the championship title kept a steady momentum, occasionally bursting into action with attempted shots to the goal. However at the end of the second half, the scores were tied at 0-0, boiling down to a shootout where the first and last points by Krates entered the board, 2-0. Krates emerged from the game as the football champion among seniors. Spectators and fellow members of their cluster charged into the field, joining the victory huddle with thrilled cheers at another victory under the cluster’s black banner.

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

by HYACINTH L. PREMACIO, ALYSSA KAYE B. OCHE and QUEENIE HEART R. LOZADA

arbed in the dazzling hue of emerald green, the ﬁghters of Fuerte had all eyes on the prize as they wove through the raging tide of the Ateneo Games 2018. The vehement greens gave their all and slammed with determination—a cut above glory in the different sports consolidated with this year’s Senior High School Intramurals. The Grade 11 STEM B powerhouse of the sections Kircher, Kugler, Ricci, Secchi, Tacquet, and Viñes proved astonishingly that freshmen were capable of tussling against seniors and winning the gold. Armed with the cluster’s faith within the team and their enterprise, Fuerte was declared as overall champion.

Captured by Theresa Veronica Sanchez & Designed by Eric Noel B. Jabagat

COVER STORY

Chromatic storm Five days saw the culmination of all the blood, sweat, tears and efforts the students had put into the Ateneo Games. Players lined up in their courts, balls were tossed, kicked and smashed to the ground as jerseys bearing the proud sigils of their cluster were paraded with pride. The A-Games bore witness to

the unfortunate falls of the heartiest players and the glorious rise of warriors who had persevered. Throughout the clamor of the games and the dizzying buzz of the crowds, Fuerte did not merely stand by unnoticed as they prove time and time again—game after game—that they were a force to be reckoned with. Playing with more than winning in mind, the jaded players gave it their all, earning wins left and right. “At ﬁrst, we didn’t expect to win it. But after some games from Day 1, we think [sic] already that we would be the overall champion because of the positive results. Honestly speaking, we were all hoping for it,” shared Jeffrey Tyrone Amper, one of Fuerte’s most notable players who had played three games during the Intramurals and had won in all the games he participated in.

”

IF WE LOSE THEN WE WILL CONTINUE GOING STRONG BECAUSE WE SHOULD ALWAYS FINISH STRONG.

Ultimate frisbee, basketball, chess, volleyball and soccer were just some of the games that had hailed Fuerte as winners. Fuerte’s accomplishments only proved that issues that may arise in the process and that being inexperienced doesn’t hinder anyone. As long as you remained determined and worked harder, anybody could vouch for the gold. Though there were times when the players felt hopeless, that didn’t stop the cluster from pushing themselves to their limits. “What pushed our cluster to remain determined throughout the games was that [sic] to think positive always, if we lose then we will continue going strong because we should always ﬁnish strong,” added Maghirang who shared his cluster’s boost of willpower when the trying times hit the players midgame. Fuerte stood by their moniker as they played strong in the games and ended with becoming more than a storm not to be triﬂed with. Glorious in green Fuerte faced numerous adversities on the climb up the mountain where the ultimate

prize awaited the bone-tired emerald warriors. However trying challenges may have been, Fuerte refused to be swallowed and spat out by those beasts. These battle-hardened warriors knew deep down it was their time to prove their mettle and reach for the coveted crown. As they raised their trophy overhead, euphoria was clearly written in every curve and detail of all their faces. One would think of the Roman legionnaires if they were to describe Fuerte. Like the legion, their unity and trust made them stronger as they brave their enemies through the raging storm. Being united and single-minded were all it took to bring home the bacon, each of the members truly living up to their cluster’s namesake as they engraved their monikers on each slate they treaded upon. Despite the constant and unremitting jitters before the games that almost always frayed their prowess, they cropped up their stand and flagged down with a champions’ visage. The astounding amalgamation of the cluster wrought to their slates what it took to be green and glorious. Despite their weaknesses and shortcomings, Fuerte never ceased to imbibe in themselves the true value of being Ateneans. And as the meaning of their cluster implies, Fuerte remained strong in waging against the clusters, at the same time observing sportsmanship in the games. Even if at first glance they’re wet behind the ears, the strife of the emerald warriors was an incursion of the collective esteem. Case in point, the refulgence of the cluster was a congealment of how they worked through the usual impediments of the team. According to Jeri Aubrey Lim, a volleyball player of the cluster, they owe their victory to God and their ever-supportive cluster’s cheers. “Every start and end of the game, we take time to pray and give thanks to the Lord. God was our motivator.” Indeed, Fuerte has been donned with a glorious verdant armour of unity and determination despite the parallax of circumstances that impeded some of their games. The Ateneo Games was overall a tumultuous storm, explosive and unpredictable. It swept up all the clusters for an unforgettable experience, and higher and higher they go, beating all others to be crowned as the ultimate victors, yet unable to find their footing and losing several battles against other warriors. As the storm subsided, a weary warrior clad in beautiful emerald, stood above the beaten forms of his enemies, triumphant with the bloodied crown on his head.

Verdant plays the waiting game Timing proved to be quite the formidable enemy to the viridian players as they geared up for their chance at bringing back gold. With the Ateneo Games nestled between ﬁnal exams and upcoming Performance Task week, it seemed that academics refused to budge an inch and give the players the leeway they desperately wanted for more preparation. “To be honest, there were no big preparations made for our cluster due to the shortage of players and the limited time practice,” conﬁded Paulo Maghirang, the overall champion’s cluster head, “Some events had short notice to [sic] meetups to talk, do some drills and do some team play, but there was [sic] no big preparations for the cluster,” continued Maghirang, who despite their hardships in tackling the issues around their preparatory period had remained assured that whether they win or lose, the important thing was that they played and had enjoyed themselves. Little did he know, they would be getting the best of both worlds. But the off-timing, it would seem, was not the only thing the cluster had to think about. Even before the games, Fuerte, like many other clusters, were facing issues. Such was the case when huge, week-long events were held. Despite their number, the greens found themselves with games in which they were one player short. “As cluster beadle, I thought we would have too much [sic] players but later then showed that it was not overpopulation I had to solve, it was shortage of players. No one would want to play basketball girls [and] softball.” The cluster head admitted that it was probably their faulty recruiting system that caused the lack of able-bodied players. However, no measly problem would bring down the team as they plowed through the obstacles and found a way to supply their rosters with the right amount of players. They might not have recruited experienced and hardened players, but to a team who cared more for the bond of the cluster, as long as the names on their roster were committed and passionate, they were more than daring to storm through the games.

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

by JARRAH FRANCINE C. ZABALLERO and LEVINA EUNICE PALARCA

Alke dominates overall championship battle against Fortis in softball girls, 11-5 With both clusters hungry to secure the spot for overall champion, Alke (G12 Champion) and Fortis (G11 Champion) battled it out to see the fittest at the XU Soccer Field. It was the amazons of Alke that had shone through the game, giving their all throughout the third inning of the game and clinching the title. Reigning with a 6-point lead, Alke left Fortis in the dust with a score of 11-5 last October 18. Beginning the game with Alke girls as batters, Fortis served as a threat as they fired clean, strong pitches. The top half of the first inning was cut short as Fortis acted fast in eliminating the Alke players. Fortunately, Alke was quick in completing four diamonds within the first inning putting them in the lead with Fortis on their tail gathering two points of their own. Seeing that Alke

was in the lead, Fortis heightened their defense resulting to a scoreless Alke during the second inning. On the Alke girls’ defense, Fortis continued to barge through, threatening the Alke players as Rhane Sanchel and Dianne Cahoy of Fortis were able to steal their way home. Fortis caught up putting the score at a draw of four points at each side. Both were at each other’s necks but Alke stepped up their game, determined to claim the crown as Christine Cabrejas completed the ﬁrst homerun of the game. By regaining their lead, Alke stopped at nothing to increase the gap between their score and their opponent’s. Alke brought home the glory as they concluded the match at 11-5. Mhargo Paderog, Alke team captain describes their win as “overwhelming”. She emphasized that the team’s experience in softball during the previous year served as their upper hand in the match. They made mistakes during the game, but they learned and from it they became the stronger team. Fortis overpowers Chimera within an arms strength in softball boys, 1-0 No team could nearly surpass each other’s skill and mastery as clusters Chimera and Fortis score 0 in every inning until Fortis scored a mighty hit and grabbed the title of overall champion with a 1-0 lead. Tension overwhelmed the cheering crowd while Fortis stood as offense, every strike unpredictable.

The game kicked off with Chimera on offense, every strike from the batter carefully calculated but their skill equally matched by Fortis playing their part as defense, keeping the offense team from scoring a point on the first inning. As the team clad in dark blue switch to offense, both teams continue clash each other with equivalent strength and ability. None of the teams scored a point, ending the first inning with 0-0. The game’s pace remained the same as it moved on to the second inning. Chimera, as offense, played good and hard but not as much as to score a point against Fortis who also remained non-scoring in the second inning, but grew rather cunning as they played defense. With a wavering 0-0 on the scoreboard, the two clusters call time out for an opportunity to tweak their strategies into something more effective. By the third inning, the pink sportsmen nearly lost hope when they switched from offense to defense without scoring a point. Reversibly, all hope had filled the other team, Fortis. With newfound inspiration and determination, Fortis was ready to strike no more than two strikes to hit a ball square. The runner in white and dark blue waited patiently on the third base, ready to run home as soon as their batter strikes his winning hit. After a battle of a tug-of-war of equal forces, Fortis finally tightened their grip on the rope and with a boost of strength pulled Chimera completely, for they were not called Fortis without reason. S

Captured by James Bryan Colanse and Samantha Kyle F. Pabua of the Ateneo Camera Club - SHS & Designed by Eric Noel B. Jabagat

fter three long days of continuous matches, it was the Fortis girls and boys that secured the Grade 11 Championship title, with Alke girls and Chimera boys for the Grade 12 Championship title. Following the point system, it was these clusters that were able to garner the highest number of wins against their opponents from their designated category and grade level, with Alke accumulating a total of 3 wins as Fortis gathered 4 wins, while Chimera boys snatched 3 and Fortis boys claimed 4.

SPORTS

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

Cerastes slithers past Polemos to claim Championship, 2-1 by ELLAH THERESE T. MAGLANGIT

ections Masterson, Richard, Nicholson,Bidermann, Campion, and Ballecer united under the name Cerastes and relentlessly forced their way past raised spears and sank their fangs into the defense of Polemos’ Kostka, Aimerich, Boyle, Barcelon, antd Bouvet during the Grade 12 Futsal Championship Game on October 19 at the XU Covered Courts. After a gruelling first half that ended with a level playing field and both clusters fighting to gain the lead, Cerastes forged a path to victory, ultimately decimating their opposing team and securing their hold on the winning title, 2-1. Starting strong and finishing strong, Cerastes kept their cool and wasted no time in gaining the advantage. At the start of the first half, Grace Rubio scored using a series of aggressive, speedy passes—a technique perfected after weeks of preparation with her teammates. Their teamwork was effective and brutal as they mowed down Polemos players left and right, raising the bar at 1-0. However, Polemos’ Ria Soliva stopped what would have been a streak to the second goal by consistently blocking the ball, earning her a yellow card for her successful yet aggressive efforts. The first half seemed to drag on for Polemos as Cerastes continued to hold the lead, but an opportunity presented itself in a penalty kick after an accidental Cerastes handball. It was, however, a missed opportunity and Cerastes continued to lead, 1-0. With the first half of the game quickly

coming to an end, Polemos players upped their game, egged on by the constant cheering from the crowd: “Pula nga polka dots, Polemos!” Desperate to stand on equal footing with their opponents, Polemos’ Carmela Velasco levelled the playing field by shooting the ball into the net and ending the first half along with the Cerastes’ advantage at 1-1.

”

POLEMOS WON DURING OUR FIRST MATCH, BUT I CALMED MYSELF AND ASKED FOR GOD’S STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE DURING THE GAME. “I felt the feeling of excitement but at the same time [felt] nervous,” Danica Peusca, Cerastes’ defender recalled, “Polemos won during our first match, but I calmed myself and asked for God’s strength and guidance during the game.” Standing as equals once again, Cerastes and Polemos players wearily circled each other, but immediately bursted into action once the ball was dropped.

Cerastes players coordinated with each other and made quick work of the ball, bulldozing past opponents to get to the other end of the field. To disrupt their strategy, Polemos defender Samantha Emata dove in between two Cerastes players, sending the ball straight into the air and back down into a mass of players— each one of them fighting for the chance to be labelled overall futsal champs. The near-deafening cheers from the crowd reached a climax when Cerastes’ Norhidaya Molok scored the goal that propelled her team to victory, ending the second half in Cerastes’ favor with a score of 2-1. Proud of her team’s accomplishments despite their loss, Julia Hernandez, Polemos’ keeper, remarked, “Making it to the championships felt like such a triumph—there’s nothing like adrenaline pumping through your veins, or the rush that you get from playing with such dedicated and talented women.” At the end of the game, elated Cerastes members from the audience surged the courts, participating in the celebratory group huddle their futsal team had formed. Grinning, the Cerastes team walked off, holding up the glory, the crown, and the title to overall futsal champions.

Captured by James Bryan Colanse & Designed by E

SPORTS

Habil out-kicks Valiente in shootout, bagging gold, 3-1 devastatingly

strikes

determination, to

Valiente

the

Grade

triumph, 11

powerful

“What I keep in my mind are the important things

by practicing until the evening where they used

great

to do in this game [because] this victory is for our

flashlights to light up the field to be able to practice.

rose

cluster,” Habil’s best player Andrea Rut stated. She

outlasting

added that they sacrificed a lot of time and effort

and

futsal

Habil

championship

match at the XU Covered Courts last October 19.

Tremendous efforts were displayed by Habil of the Accounting, Business and Management (ABM) strand especially in the penalty shootout where they successfully produced three consecutive goals against Valiente of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to seal their victory after no scores in the first and second half of the match, 3-1.

e of the Ateneo Camera Club - SHS Elton Lloyd C. Yu

”

WHAT I KEEP IN MY MIND ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO IN THIS GAME [BECAUSE] THIS VICTORY IS FOR OUR CLUSTER.

With the battle for greatness about to begin, both squads were determined to win, entering the court early to execute their warm-ups and strategize for the game. In the first half, both squads started aggressively by tightening up their defenses and refusing each other’s efforts to score. Habil striker Izee Flores lost the opportunity to win a goal in a crucial penalty kick, missing the chance to seize a huge advantage in the match. They continued their superb strategy, showing a magnificent clash before hundreds of spectators, intensifying the ambiance in the first half, 0-0.

The second half showcased ironclad defenses of both teams, preventing either cluster from scoring a single point. They had numerous shots on target, but goalkeepers retaliated with their stone-hard blocks. The tally remained at a standstill even after the whistle was blown, resulting into a penalty shootout.

As the five players entered from both sides to face the nerve-wracking shootout, the crowd frenzied with excitement to show support for their cluster. Valiente’s goalkeeper made for a first attempt but unluckily did not create the goal, raising the chances for Habil. From that moment, Habil’s cluster immediately went on a spree and unleashed a series of furious strikes, not letting the opposing team establish a comeback. They walked home victorious, waving high the banner of Habil over the other contenders, 3-1.

“We had [a] disadvantage coming in this game for some of our star players were injured,” Angela Bolos of Valiente remarked. Bolos added that they were also bothered by their nervousness because Habil defeated them once in the elimination matches.

Habil Champions the

advanced

undefeated,

rampaging

Chimera

the but of

Battle fell

short

Grade

12,

the

against

2-1.

ith

by EVAN REY ACERET

Captured by Ateneo Camera Club & Designed by Kevin Matthew N. Pacana

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

FRISBEE Fuerte emerges as Grade 11 ultimate champions, 15-2 by MAEA KAYE CARRIEDO

osing in their first matchup, Fuerte once again meets Habil in the field as they battle it out for the gold at the XU soccer field. The game started with Fuerte having first possession of the disc. Five minutes into the game, they were able to snag a point despite Habil’s efforts in defense. Fuerte was able to maintain their lead as they scored one after the other until Habil was pushed to ask for a timeout, 4-0. Habil stepped into the field with more vigor than the last, but they were still unable to stop Fuerte’s momentum in scoring point after point. In the midst of an intense back and forth between the two teams, Habil’s #24 Jay Jao-Jao went down injured and had to be subbed out. It wasn’t until the score reached 9-0, after a series of turnovers, that Joriz Echem of Habil acquired a point for his team after he dived to receive a long pass, 9-1.

The team in gray tried to close the gap by scoring another point, but Fuerte was steadfast in their defense as they once again brought the scores to an eight-point difference, 10-2. The match continued to intensify as Jao-Jao was subbed back in, giving Fuerte a hard time scoring, resulting in various turnovers occurring.

“We were nervous since we lost in the first game [...] The fighting spirit of the other team were [sic] great even if the gap kept increasing,” said Matthew Escobar, team captain of Fuerte, as he talked about how he was wary of not just Jao-Jao, Echem, and Ernest Gulay’s combination plays but also Habil’s chemistry as a team.

The match went on for two hours and 30 seconds as the players grew relentless in their turnovers from offense to defense. The whistle was blown after Fuerte became the first team to gain 15 points, ending the game with a score 15-2.

Escobar shared that they were preparing for the Ateneo Games a month prior to the event and practiced twice a week to establish their chemistry.

”

THE GAME WAS VERY TIRING AND MANY OF US WERE INJURED BUT ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A GOOD GAME.

Despite the fails in their first match-up, Fuerte proved that they can turn the odds in their favor as they stepped off the court with victorious smiles and the embrace of their cluster greeting them. Having the Grade 11 ultimate championship under their belt further increased the fighting spirit of the team in green as they chanted

out loud with more energy than ever.

Krates pierces Polemos for Ultimate frisbee title, 15-13 by MARIA VICTORIA P. TENIDO

n a gripping arms race, onlookers bore witness to Polemos crumbling under Krates’ clasp in the ultimate championship game held at the XU Soccer Field on October 19. The ebony-crimson storm brewed to favor Krates who held a four-point lead at the beginning of the match. Polemos refused to be washed away and notched a point to end Krates’ scoring streak, bringing the scoreboard to 4-1. Not too long after first blood, Krates scored again to pull the lead back to four. After scoreless exchanges that left the boards at a long standstill, Polemos finally snagged a point and another immediately after, narrowing the lead for the first time, 5-3 still in their opponents’ favor. This prompted Krates to push harder and reclaim possession of the game with two consecutive points, Polemos now four points behind once more, 7-3.

snatching a series of three and Polemos catching up thereafter, tying the scores for the second time, 11 all. The match froze for the nth time as another Krates player went down. Just as the match was reaching a heated peak, the rivalry briefly fizzled away as players smiled for cameras in the midst of the break. The line between friend and foe blurred as they joked around and flashed grins at event documenters, exuding a contagiously uplifting air of sportsmanship and camaraderie. The game resumed with another lasting gridlock. Polemos grabbed hold of the lead with a score, only for the playing field to be evened out again as Krates scored shortly after. All hope seemed lost when Krates powered on with only a point short of victory, 14-12. Polemos was not to give

up without a fight and managed to drive one home, making the crowd erupt as the scores reached 14-13. Unfortunately, Polemos’ efforts to flip the coin over proved insufficient when Krates thundered down for the kill, ending the grueling three-hour game as victors, 15-13. The gold was no piece of cake for Krates, not only because of the fight that Polemos put up, but also because of the numerous injuries that their players suffered. To boot, CJ Celo and Kathleen Interone had to deal with cramps, Kenji Gatus had an asthma attack, Louie Santos had an ankle problem, and Lans Tagab was forced to join in on the skirmish despite initially having to sit the game out due to a knee injury the day prior.

Neither team wanted the other to get close to even a sliver of glory. Both engaged to fortify their offenses and defenses, and the match finally got a taste of the tension that remained throughout as the fighters began to score alternately. Polemos eventually sealed the gap they’ve been struggling to catch up to with a 5-1 run, bringing the scores to a tie, 8 all.

As if the first leg of the game hadn’t been thrilling enough, the platoons kept tackling each other head-on, unrelenting and keeping the game at neck-and-neck. The teams took turns scoring, with Krates

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

Fuerte boys, Valiente girls dive into pool of triumph by EVAN REY ACERET Fuerte bags four golds, Alkimos rises up in back and

Captured by Mary Nyn L. Heruela & Designed by Eric Noel B. Jabagat

breast strokes

3:01:63 and 1:59:32, respectively.

Jean Crystal Maderal and Christianne San

On the other hand, Alkimos’ contenders seized

Jose garnered the two gold medals for Valiente in

Conquering the strong strikes of the waves,

the gold medals in 50m back and breast strokes.

the individual events. Maderal tallied the quickest

STEM B’s Fuerte was able to seize their Herculean

Alexiouz Decano ﬁnished the race with a 44.31

time in the 50m backstroke with 57.03 seconds,

triumph, dominating almost all of the categories;

seconds record in breaststroke, just almost six

ten seconds away from the runner-up. San Jose

50m butterﬂy, 50m freestyle, 4x50 freestyle relay

seconds earlier from the second placer. Rheymhar

notched 51.31 seconds, leading all the contenders

and 4x25 shirt relay to secure their lead in the

Pader concluded the race leading all his opponents

in the 50m breaststroke. San Jose also got a gold

medal tally in the swimming competition held at

with a 51.85-second time.

in the 50m freestyle with a 39.93-seconds time tally.

Xavier Ateneo Sports Center last October 16, 2018.

As the quest for the glory ended, Fuerte sacked

With methodically executed techniques and

4 golds-2 silvers-1 bronze, Alkimos with 2 golds-2

styles of strokes, Fuerte’s Malcolm Tan and Azur

silvers- 2 bronzes and lastly Valiente with one silver

Agripo piled two gold medals in the individual

and a bronze in the medal count.

They showed their tremendous works in the team events and outlasted all their opponents. Meanwhile, Habil’s Age Godmalin ruled over in the 50m butterﬂy, stealing away the gold from

events. Tan nailed the clock with 58.14 seconds in

Valiente after she clocked in with 58.35 seconds,

the 50m butterﬂy followed by the swimmers from

Valiente dominates in the women category, Habil

leading eight seconds away from her foe. Their

Alkimos and Fuerte. Agripo accelerated in the 50m

steals 50m butterfly

cluster also got a silver medal in 50m breaststroke.

freestyle and hit the fastest time of 38.77 seconds,

Displaying their toughness against the waves,

The road for greatness concluded with Valiente

being the only player to record a time less than 40

STEM A’s Valiente completed their domination,

leading the charge with ﬁve golds, one silver and

seconds. Teamwork was also showcased in their

bringing home four golds, one silver and one

bronze. Followed by Habil with one gold and silver,

sides as they completed to collect the four golds in

bronze. They reigned as the queens of 50m freestyle

Fuerte with two silvers and Fortis with two bronze

the 4x50 freestyle and 4x25 shirt relay with times of

and backstoke, 4x50 freestyle and 4x25 shirt relays.

medals.

Krates boys, Cerastes girls rise above the tides in swimming event by LEVINA EUNICE PALARCA Krates boys pile gold on gold in individual, Chimera dominates relay On October 16, massive applause resonated

throughout the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre’s swimming grounds after a swift blur of black reached the winning point far beyond the rest,

earning Krates their fourth gold. The cluster prevailed with winning all individual swimming

events: 50m freestyle; 50m butterﬂy; 50m backstroke; and 50m breaststroke.

Fighting through the grand waters with their

dexterous strokes, star swimmers Johnny Rimando and Nicolai Chiong snatched golds together in the individual events. Rimando showed

exemplary speeds in freestyle and breaststroke with up to 35.53s and 43.46s speeds. Chiong also exceeded in the butterﬂy and backstroke

events

with

incredible speed of

32.12s in the 50m backstroke and 29.48s in the 50m butterﬂy, each of them hitting two golds with one astounding skill.

breaststroke—gold places harvested by Cerastes key player, Gillian Villanueva.

Villanueva swept through the waters with

Meanwhile, the evident teamwork between

unbeatable speeds of 55.76s in 50m butterﬂy and

4x25 shirt relay and 4x50 freestyle relay. Led

50m breaststroke bet, Iana Mañus, struck an

Chimera’s spirit swept the pool back and forth,

seconds short of a tie. After the tensioning race,

seconds away from their winning time. Chimera’s

one they garnered in the competition.

the individual games.

bronze, Alke girls came close behind Cerastes

one silver and three bronzes, Alke with a silver

team. Just ahead of Cerastes, Alke swimming

bringing in a bronze.

gold in the 50m freestyle event, whereas the

After close competition with Alke, Cerastes girls

relay.

the Chimera swimmers won them golds in both

52.03s in 50m breaststroke. Meanwhile, Chimera’s

by Apollo Arroyo and Jethro Yañez, ripples of

almost-win against Villanueva, falling only 1.56

winning them the race and leaving Cerastes 11

Chimera wound up with a silver medal as the only

swimming team also garnered four silvers from

Prospering with two golds, a silver, and a

With tough competition, Cerastes gathered

making them close competition to the leading

and a bronze in both hands and Polemos only

athlete, Christinine Baleta, snatched their ﬁrst

other gold was won as a team in the 4x25m shirt While Cerastes and Alke took over the

take the lead Cerastes carried the day after reaping three

scoreboards in swimming, Polemos girls made

event. The swimming team was victorious

won by Kaye Ricacho. The team also scored two

golds and two silvers during the Girls’ Swimming

headway for gold in 50m backstroke, gold medal

in 4x50 freestyle relay and in

more bronze medals. Krates also gathered two

individual

events

butterﬂy

50m

and

5 0 m

silvers after racing against challenging opponents. *** In this daring race of swimmers born for the tides, slicing the waters with master skill, grade 12 swimming athletes play with as much as ability as they have passion for the sport.

SPORTS

Speed for Glory by AMANDA MARIE B. HORA

Fueled from the Start Not minding the heat and the pressure of the race, feet in the blocks, athletes from different clusters of Grade 11 showed how fast they could get past each other. For the boys’ category, Habil victoriously claimed the championship title in the 200m dash category and also skillfully stepped first on the finish line for the first batch of 100m dash category. On the other hand, with extreme strength, Fuerte claimed the first place during the second batch of 100m dash. For the girls category, Valiente gained first place for 100m dash in the first batch as Habil got the title for the second. Alkimos also bravely sped up against its rivals, snatching the first place in 4 by 100 relay. For the 4 by 400 relay, Fortis powerfully grabbed first place with flaming strides. The runners showed no mercy even among Grade 12 athletes. In the boys’ 400 m dash, Fortis came at full strength in a close race, winning as champion against Polemos. However, Fuerte came first in passing the baton, grabbing the championship title against Chimera in the 4 by 400 relay category. Fuerte’s domination in the game did not just end there, as they also snatched the championship title in the 4 by 100 category by making a great lead against Chimera during the race. “A champion is not just about the skill, strength and speed,” said Derek Densing, an athlete from Fuerte, “it takes really hard work, some serious determination and a lot of sacrifice.” Saving the Best for Last Making the most out of their last year as participants in The A Games, Grade

12 students fearlessly poured out their skills and proved their unrivaled speed in the competition. In the boys’ category, Polemos declared victory by soaring above the heat of the competition for 400m dash. In the 100m and 200m dash, Krates overpowered other clusters, gaining the first place with back-to-back wins. Chimera also vanquished other clusters in the 4 by 100 relay category. For the girls’ category, Krates won with a fistful of first place titles in the 4 by 100 relay category, 400m sprint and 100m dash. Polemos also emerged victorious by claiming first place in 200m dash. Chimera, in another category, also won in the 4 by 100 relay. Grade 12 athletes dominated the field of athletics by claiming multiple winnings against the Grade 11. For the girls’ category, Krates snatched the gold against Alkimos in the 400m dash category. Polemos also triumphantly defeated Alkimos in the championship of 200m dash category and dominated the race against Valiente, leading to another championship title in the 100m dash category. Chimera also paved its way to victory against Alkimos in the 4 by 100 relay category. Lastly, Krates used its full power to snatch a victory against Fortis in the 4 by 400 relay category. An athlete from Krates, Jay Ann R. Cabradilla shared her team’s sentiments. “Our biggest inspiration was to beat our limits as amateur runners and the thought of fighting until the end as a team no matter what.” *** The game truly built a healthy competition of strength, power, and speed among various clusters of XUSHS community. Nevertheless, it served as an avenue for the athletes to bring the best out of their skills in front of one another by breaking the boundary between grade levels. Indeed, the race was a great manifestation of speedy competitions for glory–to the athletes, the XUSHS community, and to God.

The oval track of Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre during the Intramurals 2018 was burning hot like the inextinguishable desire for glory within every athletics player hungry to win the race. The sport was ﬁrst divided by Grade 11 and Grade 12 category. Each grade level was then separated by boys and girls and into ﬁve different subcategories: 4 by 100 relay, 4 by 400 relay, 100m dash, 200m dash, and 400m dash.

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

Fuerte : Unmatched dominance in Badminton +++

by EARL JOY B. LOPINA Executing dauntless attacks of a true champion, Fuerte emerged victorious amongst the five Grade 11 clusters during the badminton games on October17-18 at the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre Badminton Courts. The team clad in green proved their strength as they maintained conspicuous attacks from the start— opponent

the men and women’s division.

stated, recalling the difficulties they had as a

Starting strong

team in their match against their toughest foe.

During the final games, Fuerte played against

Being former varsity players in their respective

Fuerte had another chance at redemption as they

Habil as both teams tried to outsmash the other. In

junior high schools, the lineup of Fuerte’s players

battled for the second singles with Kugi Orais playing

the first singles, Fuerte—represented by Dan Adane—

for the men’s division were very hopeful in claiming

for the team. The odds were in favor of Fuerte as

managed to gain confidence while ending the rallies

the title. The team managed to apply the skills they

they snatched succeeding wins in the decider game,

with unbeatable smashes, leading in the first two sets

learned from their previous schools and snatched the

resulting to 21-10, 21-10 in two sets.

with 21-9, 21-11.

highest rank albeit not having proper trainings and preparations prior to the competition.

all

clusters,”

Gramata

whole].”

The players of Fuerte, including Kim Dalaguit,

Despite losing in the first match, Habil tried to get

proved their unmatched skills during the final game—

hold of the crown, but the duo Cabrera and Andre

believing that trust and teamwork are the best values

Gatchalian stepped up for Fuerte. Inspired to remain in

honest, we didn’t prepare any game plans for the

that should be learned in badminton.

power, Fuerte displayed unstoppable attacks which led

tournament because we relied heavily on our lineup

Finishing first

them to a sure win in doubles, ending with scores 22-

Team captain Jed Gramata mentioned, “To be

Captured by Christianne D. Cabrera & Designed by Jorge Jesus S. Balbon

among

one motivation that we all had was our cluster [as a

frustrating their opponents at the battle field in both

Also waving the green banner, the female players

and on our performance.”

18 and 23-21 in the first and second sets respectively.

Facing Valiente in the final match, Gramata of

of Fuerte finished first despite the constant ties with

The female players of Fuerte, with Cyreene

Fuerte started strong as he performed consecutive

Habil. With all eyes on the gold, they made sure to

Bobadilla and Alexa Dumanon, were able to dominate

dropshots which resulted to a smooth win in the first

have proper trainings before the games—climbing

the courts—displaying virtues and techniques of true

singles, having scores of 21-18 in both the first and

their way on top with their striking returns and service

victors from the start. “Teamwork and respect. I think

second sets respectively.

aces.

that’s what we got out of all the games that we had,

The doubles category, played by Jeffrey Amper

Mentioning their inspirations for the competition,

and Joshua Madroño, gave way for Valiente to take-

team captain Christianne Cabrera said that, “As a

over. “Valiente, or the STEM A cluster, stood out as an

team, we had each other as motivation in playing, but

especially during the championships,” said Cabrera.

Krates, Cerastes earn golds in G12 Badminton tilt by EARL JOY B. LOPINA Proving their strength and prowess, Krates and

cluster pushed forward with stronger determination.

and support towards their teammates. But before

Cerastes unleashed striking attacks against other

Krates seized the perfect moment to establish their

claiming

Grade 12 clusters during the Ateneo Games 2018

dominant smashes which caught Polemos off-guard,

equally competent cluster—Polemos.

as they claimed the top spot for Badminton in the

ending with the third set score of 21-13.

victory, the team had to overpower an

In the singles, Cerastes started strong against their

men and women’s category, respectively. It may have

The hype between the two clusters continued with

foe as team captain Miah Kaye Daroy launched elusive

seemed like a swift win for the teams in the final

Krates aiming to maintain their victory and Polemos

dropshots, ending with the first set score 21-13. Rallies

games, however, dedication, trust, and practices were

wanting to regain their previous win. Krates was already

ensued in the second set but the Cerastes took control

necessary for them to grab the gold.

prepared to take the match into the next level with

of the game and outplayed their rivals, resulting to

Victory in unity

their solid droppings as shuttlers Milky Cadusale and

scores 21-7.

Even at the initial part of the elimination games,

Feb Zandy Cagampang of Krates established winning

Continuing the match for greatness, Cerastes

Krates had established a strong lineup for the team—

combinations that made it hard for their opponents to

had Lara Fe Fabria and Monique Nudalo playing

winning their way to the final match against Polemos in

outsmash them in the first and second sets with scores

for

the men’s Badminton division. Despite having injuries

21-14 and 21-12, respectively.

their offenses but the Cerastes duo had the perfect mix

doubles in the finals. Polemos tried to block

For Krates, earning glory was more than just

for winning the games. Although Polemos executed

winning – it was also about showing everyone that

massive efforts in keeping the scores in tight gaps,

their passion is not just a mere event. As they aimed

the team in orange performed backhand attacks and

and

for the championships, Tac-an said that, “We wanted

dominant strikes that sealed their victory in the first and

powerful strikes in the first set that ended in 21-11 in

to make our cluster proud. We wanna show people that

second sets of the game, leaving their opponents with

favor of their cluster. With an attempt to overthrow the

badminton shouldn’t be taken as minor sport lang.”

21-10 and 21-9.

opponent, Polemos responded with witty attacks and

Eyes on gold

during the games, they were still able to regain control in the championship battle. In the final games, Krates—represented by team captain

James

Tac-an—showed

dominance

service aces in the second set, stealing the throne with

Cerastes believes that, “We need to have trust in

In the women’s division, Cerastes made it clear

each other for us to function or play well,” emphasizing

that their focus was on the gold. Even though they

that it was also necessary to share tips and strategies

In the third game’s momentum, both teams gave

weren’t able to train enough for the games, these

with your teammates to have the best results in every

their best to outscore the other but the STEM A’s

roster of players never failed to show sportsmanship

game.

21-18.

VOL. 2 NO. 1 NOVEMBER 2018

SPORTS

Fuerte boys, Valiente girls reign supreme in chess ompelled to have a tight grip on the

The bandits of Fuerte were all former varsity

title, the Grade 11 have manifested their

players who came from different schools. “Our

During the final round of the game which

respective monikers’ value in a clever

greatest asset is [sic] our experience,” disclosed

determined who will proceed to the championship,

game of Chess. As each team brought out their

Fuerte’s team captain, Honculada, when asked

Valiente effortlessly penetrated past Alkimos’ best

prime strategies, Fuerte and Valiente succeeded in

about the team’s advantage. Solidifying the

defenses by checkmating all their foes with a score

unseating their opponents, securing their spots in

claim was Honculada’s Milo National Olympics

of 4-0.

the championship game and emerging as victors.

experience held at Cebu City in 2013 wherein he

During the championship game proper, after

More polished, more solid

was with Logroño. Both represented and lavished

experiencing defeat in the fourth board at the

Members of the Fuerte lineup—Karl Francis

Mindanao with pride as they brought home the

hands of Krates’ female warriors, Boards one to

bacon.

three successively checkmated their rivals and

by ARVIN JAY GADIAN

Logroño, Noel Francis Labis, and Arvie Dacalos—

Unshaken by the pressure, the team took a leap

emerged victorious, 3- 1. In less than a minute or

earned their win by stacking up 8 points in the G11

of faith and trusted their own skills and experience

two, Valiente was hailed as the over-all champion

boys’ chess category.

to take down any opponent. Honculada even

with a collective score of 6 points.

The game was divided into four boards. During

added, “We were very confident that we could

“I’m happy kay naka-experience ko na ma-

the championship game against Krates, Honculada

win.” Mentioning the importance of ‘think before

challenge bitaw, bahalag difficult siya pero I’m still

guarded the fourth board and was the first one to

you move’, he further gave a brief yet meaningful

determined to play,” uttered Badal who was the

finish as he checkmated his opponent. Logroño’s

piece of advice to chess enthusiasts because every

team captain. She even asserted that every game

oppressor resigned while Labis’s made a draw with

move mattered to their triumph.

was challenging but the pressure upped when they

his. Bebelone sealed his enemy’s fate by winning

Who run the world?

went head-to-head with the Habil team. “Just think

the last board, accumulating 3.5 – 0.5 for his team.

Ascending from the Valiente cluster, four

deeply and come up with your best moves to avoid

After a tally was made, they were declared as the

Grade 11 players were crowned as queens in the

overall champion with a cumulative score of 8

game of chess under the Female category with an

points. Coming in at 2nd place was Valiente with

accumulated 6 points.

7 points while Alkimos bagged the 3rd place with a score of 5.

Members of the Valiente lineup include: Julie

making blunders,” affirmed Badal. Finishing at 2nd place was Fuerte and 3rd was Habil with 4 points each in the Grade 11 category. S

Ann Badal, Brean Mei Walag, Rodmary Torculas,

Krates sweeps all titles in Grade 12 chess by VEA CRYSTINE ANNE L. GAWINGAN

Krates boys stuns opponents, climbs in the championship title

In a game of strategies and focused minds,

With pawns engaging and officials guarding,

Krates chess players fought for the honor of their

Krates went head-to-head with the burning passion

Fueled with the determination to win their

team and delivered plans to protect the king and

and efforts exerted by the players as they fight for

matches, Krates conquered other clusters with their

defeat the enemy. “In order to win,” said Christian

the title of Grade 12 chess champion in the girls’

victory in all categories of the game.

Jay Arrabis, the team captain of Krates’ team, “I

category. Krates’ players Catherine Kate Villarin,

Among the Grade 12 clusters battling for

always anticipate the opponent’s plans and moves,

Maria Cecilia Datu, Carylle Del Rosario, and Miles

the title of chess champion in the Grade 12 Boys

to stop my opponent’s threats and keeps risk [sic]

Navales climbed their way to the top as they won

category, Krates with Christian Jay Arrabis, Nestor

to a minimum,” he mentioned, describing his

with 6 points, followed by Team Alke and Team

Cipriano, Rexyl Madrona, Shack Gil Estrada, Ian

technique for the matches.

Cerastes each with 5 points.

Gomez as team players garnered 6 points, holding

Krates confidently stood at the top as they

“As a team captain, I felt so proud with [sic]

the Championship title for their cluster after their

receive the honor of their title. “It was not an easy

our team since we really did not practice or even

matches. Krates went face-to-face with Chimera for

fight. But through perseverance, we’ve conquered

play beforehand,” Catherine Kate Villarin, the

the championship title, putting Chimera on

all the challenges to have this great achievement. It

team captain of Krates expressed. “We even had

is very fulfilling,” Arrabis emphasized.

a difficulty in choosing our players because only

the second spot with a one-point lead, and Alke on the

The Krates team captain also left some

few girls play chess and some were too hesitant

third spot with 4

advice for chess players who aspire to become

and scared they might disappoint our cluster.”

champions: “Always remember that every game’s a

she added. Villarin also emphasized that chess is

championship game,” implying that players should

definitely not easy, even if it isn’t physical sport.

points.

go all-out with every match. Lady Krates rules grade 12 chess with a one-point lead

“That’s why when we knew we were the champions, we felt thankful and grateful to God.” With the difficulties and circumstances stated, Krates players still managed to represent their team and even rise to the top. “It was a victory filled with trust, courage, and determination that altogether made it possible for our team to win,” said Villarin. S

Captured byAnnika Encarnacion & Designed by Kevin Matthew N. Pacana

Honculada, Kem Ryan Bebelone, Brylle Joshua

and Arrantxa Ibale.

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

CHIMERA drives hiphop

competitionhome by MARIA VICTORIA P. TENIDO

Captured by Christinine Joy Baleta & Designed by Maria Victoria P. Tenido

himera buzzes full throttle with a spiced-up performance, bagging the title as champions of the intramurals hiphop competition held at the XU Covered Courts on October 19. The 24-piece crew, clad in maroon bomber jackets, rang in to the sound of their teammates booming the cluster chant from the top of their lungs. Their entertaining Jollibee-themed performance involved a skit incorporated between their hair-raising and crowd-stirring routine. The roaring Chimera ended their piece by raising a placard proudly proclaiming themselves as champs. When asked how they came up with their concept, crew leader Matt Daniel Seno of 12 – Kochanski mentioned that they took inspiration from how their cluster was composed of students from STEM B, with the letter “B” reminding them of the Philippines’ favorite red-and-yellow bee. Seno adds, “Since performing is like “serving” the audience or oneself, the decision of picking Jollibee as a concept is [sic] strengthened and then ﬁnalized.” Of course, they wouldn’t have been able to serve a satisfying meal without rigorous preparation. The dancers started meeting as early as the start of October. Since then, they would meet daily to practice during lunch break and after classes, with rehearsal hours extending up to late at

night. Even during ﬁnals week, they made sure to be able to practice for at least an hour. Seno strongly believes that “progress is progress no matter how small,” and as a result they were able to rise to the top. “We started it right because we want [sic] to end it strong—which we humbly did,” afﬁrms Seno. No one was left behind in showing off their prowess as this year’s dance-off

”

WE STARTED IT STRONG BECAUSE WE WANT [SIC] TO END IT STRONG—WHICH WE HUMBLY DID. stage saw a perfect attendance from all the clusters. Fortis wowed the crowd with a death drop ﬁnish, while Fuerte’s

bandits in emerald took to the stage with a femme fatale start. Valiente didn’t let down, pushing forward with hardhitting moves and swagger, with Alkimos grooving with energy vibrant like their yellow flash. Habil executed a variety of dance styles and played with flashlights to set the night aglow. Krates in all black then took over with a sizzling hot performance. Alke paralleled Krates’ vibe with their loudly colored tracksuits and fun choreography. Polemos kept the ball rolling with their signature chant that had the entire covered courts cheering along and busted equally powerful moves. To end the competition, Cerastes flexed their skills and proved that their simple attire didn’t mean that they were to be underestimated. In the end, Grade 12 clusters swept all of the podium finishes: Chimera tasting sweet victory in gold, Polemos following as 1st runners-up, and Alke trailing behind as 2nd runners-up.

Captured by Caryll M. Apostol, Mary Nyn Heruela, Christinine Joy Baleta, Murielle Desiree V. Cocjin & Therese Veronica Sanchez

28 SPORTS

VOL. 2 NO. 1 JANUARY 2019

prophecy BY engchi

FReEDOM WAlL BY LAWXRY

XU DAYS SPIRIT BY LAWXRY

during intrams BY engchi

SKWIDBOLS

grado BY wilLiam jr galLeros

Introducing Skwidbols new weekend series:

#Sonder: Every story is worth telling Each artist presents their own comic series every Friday and Saturday to showcase their talents in art and story-telling