The Torch Publications Tomo LXXIV Blg 2

ISYU LXXIV BLG. 2 DISYEMBRE 2020

Ang Opisyal na Pahayagang Pangmag-aaral ng Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas

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KASAPI: College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Progresibong Lupon ng mga Manunulat (PLUMA-PNU)

EDITORYAL

Hamon ng bagong taon Sa bawat pagpilas ng buwan sa kalendaryo ay siya namang pagkalagas ng libo-libong buhay hindi lamang dahil sa delubyong dala ng pandemya kundi lalo’t higit sa pananalasa ng isang estadong pasista at mapagsamantala.

Binalot ng takot at pangamba ang taong 2020, mula sa mga nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa ilang buwan na pagpapailalim sa lockdown hanggang sa patuloy na lumolobong kaso ng mga nagpositibo sa sakit na COVID-19 –lahat nang ito ay bunga ng kapalpakan ng estado na makapaglatag ng agaran at konkretong solusyong pangkalusugan.

Kaya naman, hindi na kataka-kataka na humigit kumulang 62% ng mga Pilipino ang nagsabing mas malala ang sitwasyon nila ngayon ayon sa Fourth Quarter Survey ng Social Weather Stations (SWS). Patunay na bigo ang admistrasyon na tugunan ang batayang karapatan ng mamamayan sa gitna ng krisis na dala ng pandemya.

Mas tumindi rin ang sunod-sunod na brutalidad, iligal na pag-aresto at pagpatay ng mga militar at kapulisan na kung hindi inendorso ay suportado naman ng estado. Matatandaang lantarang pinatay ang mag-inang sina Sonya at Frank Gregorio ng pulis na si Cpl. Jonel Nuezca sa Paniqui, Tarlac dahil lamang sa simpleng away magkapitbahay. Habang siyam na lider ng katutubong grupo ng mga Tumandok sa Panay ang pinatay kasabay paggunita ng Ika-124 Araw ni Jose Rizal – patunay na walang pinipiling panahon ang karahasan ng estado.

Malinaw na ang kultura ng karahasan at pagpatay ang pinalalaganap ng rehimeng Duterte kung saan ang pinakabulnerable ay ang mamamayang Pilipino. Gaya ng mga naunang taon ng administrasyon ni Duterte, kaliwa’t kanang pagpaslang at atake ang naranasan ng iba’t ibang sektor. Pangunahin dito ang 274 pesanteng napatay simula nang maupo sa pwesto si Duterte, 84 sa mga ito ay nangyari sa kasagsagan ng pandemya ayon sa Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), habang 46 aktibista at unyunista naman ang pinaslang ayon sa Human Rights Watch. Samantala, umabot na sa 400 ang mga bilanggong politikal, 130 sa mga ito ay pawang mga kababaihan, matatanda at may iniindang mga sakit, ayon sa grupong KARAPATAN. Pinakahuling biktima ng iligal na pag-aresto at gawagawa kaso ang pagkakadakip sa pitong oragisador at mamamahayag noong kasagsagan ng pagkilos para sa pandaigdigang araw ng kaparapatang pantao.

upang tutulan ang nagaganap na pagsasasamantala at pamamaslang.

Subalit, ang pagtatapos ng taon ay hindi kailaman mangangahulugan ng pagtatapos ng pakikibaka. Ang mga inhustisya at karahasang nangyari ngayong taon ay hamon sa mamamayan sa pagsapit ng susunod na taon upang mas maging militante sa pagtataguyod ng mga panawagan at mga pagkilos upang ipaglaban ang karapatan at kabuhayan ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Sa patuloy na pagpaslang na kinasasangkutan ng estado dahil sa pag-aakalang nababawasan at natitinag nito ang mga kritiko, patutunayan ng sambayanan na mas lalo lamang lumalawak ang hanay ng mga Pilipinong handang bumalikwas upang punahin, tutulan, at wakasan ang bulok na pamamalakad ng gobyerno upang makamit ang lipunang ligtas sa pandemya, maunlad, malaya at mapayapa.

Ang mga inhustisya at karahasang nangyari ngayong taon ay hamon sa mamamayan sa pagsapit ng susunod na taon upang mas maging militante sa pagtataguyod ng mga panawagan at mga pagkilos upang ipaglaban ang karapatan at kabuhayan ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Patunay na walang pinipiling araw at oras ang pasismo ng estado at hindi kailanman nakinig sa mga hinaing ng nasasakupan nito. Tanging kamay na bakal lamang ang pinaiiral nito upang kontrolin at patahimikin ang sambayanang lumalaban

GRAPHICS ● LEKJEK LAYOUT ● CARMELLA LARGUIZA

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NEWS

FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS: The gaps between the student demands and admin’s version of Academic Ease Andrea Crisologo

A.Y. 2020-2021 Kyril Jon Velasquez PUNONG PATNUGOT Jersey Cacalda KAWAKSING PATNUGOT SA FILIPINO Dominic Kean Calavia KAWAKSING PATNUGOT SA INGLES Ma. Nathalie Avendaño PATNUGOT SA PAMAMAHALA Justine Patricio PATNUGOT SA BALITA Alizsa Joy Martinez PATNUGOT SA LATHALAIN Micarl Abrantes PATNUGOT SA PANITIKAN Shaine Christian Ocampo PATNUGOT SA PANANALIKSIK Allyssa Marie Salvacion PUNO NG ARTS AND MEDIA TEAM Pauline Aguilar Art John Arguelles Sheena Mae Balonzo Jhun William Cabrezos Jose Franco Castillo Adrian Paul Cortez Andrea Crisologo Geline Despabiladeras Eric John Carlos Dimasakat Erica Mae Gozo Lois Laine Lua Theodora Malvar John Mark Mampusti Faith Frances Miranda Wayne Abcde Nasayao Ariana Sofia Nedic Joseph Eli Occeño Nicole Lindsay Ramos Dominick Silverio Gabrielle Sulit Abby Gail Tabernilla Tresia Traqueña ISTAP Marie Aniza Adier Joseph Robin Aguinaldo Tracylyn Cadangin Bea Sophia Caratay Maria Angelika Castañeda Monica De Vera Jonalyn Domdom Dwight Lorenz Fernandez Kristine Rose Anne Garcia Amiel Clark Laquindanum Cereleane Jeune Leviste Shereigne Leyson Eivan Magdua Beatrice Namit Nicole Navaritte Jacob Edwin Olaño Everlinda Olid Jenny Pabayos Jhigo Pascual Katherine Rabino Kirk Cyril Ramos Angelica Rago Janina Rae Raymundo Hueycendee Reboya Catrina Shaina Marie Sacares Abbie Joy Salon Mark Justin Santos Dan Laurenz Sipalay Angela Joy Talavera Mark Joseph Tan Rhegine Valconcha KORESPONDENT Elvia Nicole Aguacito Quenie Asilo Ezra Galauran Carmella Larguiza Eric Dela Peña Jr. ARTS AND MEDIA TEAM Prop. Joel Costa Malabanan KRITIKO SA FILIPINO AT TAGAPAYONG TEKNIKAL ■ ■ ■ KASAPI College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Progresibong Lupon ng mga Manunulat (PLUMA-PNU) ■ ■ ■ OPISINA Rm. 304-4, Main Bldg., Philippine Normal University

After the Philippine Normal University (PNU) student organizations raised their six-point demands for Academic Ease, the PNU administration responded with the implementation of an academic ease that actualizes only a few from the call of the student body.

In the University Memorandum No. 237 released on December 1, guidelines during synchronous and asynchronous sessions are enumerated to adhere to the academic ease until December 19, the last day of term 1. However, there are gaps between the demands of the student body and the response of the university.

In the six-point demands posted by Alliance of Concerned TeachersEducation Students PNU (ACT-ES), the disregarded points outweigh the substantiated demands.

Granted demands The call to simplify tasks by removing assignments like individual video making that require large internet bandwidths, equipment, and stretching the deadlines of tasks and exams – which are the 2nd and 3rd points of the student demands – were granted.

However, students continued to air their frustrations online over professors who do not follow the guidelines for less tedious requirements. Meanwhile, other professors refused to extend the deadline despite the admin’s instruction to extend it until January 15, 2021. Along with this is the adjustment of the schedule for the encoding of grades set on February 1-5 of the same year.

In a collective statement, 27 student organizations said, “One PNUan left behind is one too many” as they raise their six-point demands after the admin rejected the request to lengthen the wellness break.

The 4th point was raised to strengthen the guidelines for synchronous classes. The memo also included mandatory recording, limiting it to 1 hour, and making it available for later access. It can be remembered, however, that this is a reiteration of the earlier guideline released during the opening of the academic year. Still, many professors failed to adhere to this, citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012, without further explanation.

Dr. Jocson and Office of Student Affairs and Student Services (OSASS) Dean Jose Ocampo responded by urging the students to report faculty members who are not following the guidelines stipulated in several University memoranda to address the concerns. Ocampo guaranteed the confidentiality of the reports.

In consideration to students who could not keep up with the distance learning, the 5th point proposed a no fail policy.

“Kailangang ipamalas ang inklusibo at makataong edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng pag-abot ng konsiderasyon at pagkalinga sa mga mag-aaral upang matugunan ang kung ano mang humahadlang Meanwhile, the USC also launched sa kanilang pag-aaral,’’ the its grievance form where students organizations said. could file their complaints so that For the VPA, she thought that the proper actions can be taken. students wanted the learning to be flexible in all aspects and not Disregarded Demands necessarily a no-fail policy.

On November 14, the PNU University Student Council Moreover, the conduct of student(USC), through a Facebook post, initiated donation brigades was also announced that the students’ plea raised because the organizations to the Office of Vice President believed that humanity should be for Academics (OVPA) for an prioritized given the poor situations extension of the wellness break faced by many of the students— could no longer be accommodated loss of livelihood, inability to push in consideration of the academic through with schooling, the rise of calendar. the suicide rate among students, homelessness, and loss of loved While other universities were ones. extending their breaks to give way for the typhoon-stricken students, The VPA supported the last point, PNU pushed through with the but remains firm that the University continuation of classes after its could not grant the request if four-day wellness break on Nov. academic ease would mean 18-24 that included Wednesday halting of classes to extend help in and Saturday, making it a two-day calamity-stricken communities. break in actuality. Earlier to this, a survey conducted by the USC to Jocson then cited the University’s which students voted for a 5-day effort of extending aid within and long break did not materialize outside the PNU Community as a as well, and was further delayed response. to a later date by the admin. The request to extend the wellness break could have permitted the students and faculty to rest, attend to their needs, and help the ones in need, according to the student organizations’ statement.

However, Dr. Jocson responded that limitations in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), including the need to consider the trimestral setup, hinder PNU from moving its academic calendar.

After the break, the admin released Memorandum No. 234, s. 2020, which allotted November 28, December 5, and 12 for makeup classes at the undergraduate level to cover unexpected class suspensions in October and November. The announcement garnered negative reactions online from the students. Mark Justin Rementilla Santos compared the 3-day make up classes to the mere 2-day long wellness break. ‘’Buti pa make up classes 3 days. Yung wellness break namin dalawa lang eh, ay apat ba?’’ He commented.

“It’s always for the country,” she reiterated as she affirmed the students’ efforts to serve their countrymen, but she argued that continuing education also means service to the country.

It is clear that the disregarded points on the call for Academic ease weigh more than the ones that the admin granted. The student body continues to conduct initiatives that uphold the student welfare. The responses that they are receiving, however, fail to fully address and reconcile with the details being put forward.

Addressing these student appeals should go beyond the shallowness of having the same title. The student body’s concerns must be heeded especially at a time when a pandemic has impacted the lives of every student and put varying burdens on their shoulders.

FE A T UR E S

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HINDSIGHT: RUNDOWN OF 2020’S MOST NOTABLE STORIES Kyril Jon Velasquez

Never did we imagine that 2020 would become one of the most historic years our generation had ever seen. A series of catastrophic, chaotic, and staggering events have plagued the year from the beginning up to its very last day. Although many felt that the previous years had been paving the way for such economic, socio-political, and environmental turmoil, 2020 capped off the decade with such a haunting tail end. Here are the country’s biggest stories in 2020: PHOTOS ● ESQUIRE PH

a couple of dozens of people.

The storms ravaged multi-billion worth of properties, livelihood, and economic produce, worsened by the government’s incompetent response.

The government’s incapacity pushed individuals, groups, and communities to fill in the gaps of the government by initiating donation efforts and relief drives.

Aside from the inept response, the government also failed to prevent such disasters from affecting more people as it railroads projects that are disruptive to communities and the environment like the Kaliwa Dam project. Instead of protecting the environment, the government spearheads its plunder by bringing populism in its environmental projects, which is evident in the infamous Manila Bay dolomite sand.

Dreadful as it is, these experiences have fostered strengthened movements for climate justice.

Eruptions, typhoons, and the worsening environmental plunder Simultaneous with the eruption of the US-Iran conflict in the Persian Gulf in January, Taal Volcano kicked off the year for the Philippines with a massive phreatic eruption, affecting thousands of families and disrupting people’s livelihood and businesses.

In February, Benguet experienced a massive forest fire scaling larger than San Juan City or an estimated 900-hectare area. Several millions of damage were recorded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), mostly from Pine forests and other crops.

No one can forget the devastating effects of consecutive typhoons that beset the country in 2020.

Supertyphoon Rolly and tropical

COVID-19 pandemic, economic recession, and corruption The global health crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic is no doubt the highlight of 2020 around the globe. According to the latest tally of cases in the Philippines, there are about 472, 000 cases recorded as of the last day of the year. Over 9, 000 individuals succumbed to the disease on the eve of the new year.

Militarized lockdowns, strict protocols, and arrests were done to curb the spread of the virus. As the state resorted to repression, it shamelessly ignored scientific and medical solutions like the people’s call for free mass testing and contact tracing. The pandemic became the state’s gateway to legitimize its suppression of free speech and dissent. Authorities nabbed an estimated over 400, 000 or 2 000 quarantine violators a day; more than 100, 000 of them were arrested. Despite the strict and forceful implementation of protocols, the Philippines remains one of the countries with most cases in the world.

PHOTO ● THE STRAIT TIMES

PHOTO ● LABOR NOTES

cyclone Ulysses thrashed Luzon, drowning communities and killing

The pandemic pushed the world to shift online, including the conduct of classes that caused a large set of new educational problems like the sector’s limited resources in terms of internet connectivity and devices needed for distance learning.

Back in August, the country recorded its first and worst economic recession in 29 years, with a 16.5% decrease within the initial months of the pandemic, according to Reuters. This massive recession was sustained until the second quarter of the year, which eventually improved by the end of 2020. The improvement, however, does not outweigh the number of the labor force and businesses affected.

Based on the study of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in August, 1.5 million people are on the brink of plunging into poverty because of the pandemic.

Amid the economic downfall, corruption scandals involving the highest officials in the government departments continue to surface. The widespread corruption, specifically in health-related institutions like PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DOH), aggravated the situation of the most vulnerable Filipinos in need of health and medical support during the pandemic.

The people’s relentless collective struggle will inevitably afflict those who have been feeding on the masses’ blood and sweat, sooner or later.

Media shutdown, crackdown on activists, and police brutality The largest media network in the country went off-air after Congress denied it a new franchise, citing violations of the Constitution and their contract. Press freedom advocates and media groups decry the shutdown since many consider it as a blatant attempt to zip the press on the administration’s critics and dissenters. The shutdown affected the information flow and ecosystem, especially during disasters, which led to the mobilization of thousands of supporters calling ABS-CBN’s comeback.

The administration’s crackdown on activists, rights defenders, and advocates intensified exponentially, following the passage of the AntiTerrorism Act of 2020. These attacks include the illegal arrest of PRIDE 20,

Tacloban 5, and IHD 7, among many others. Intensified killings victimized numerous sectoral leaders like Randy Malayao, Randall Echanis, and Zara Alvarez. Harmless women and children are the state’s most frequent victims. The imprisonment of Reina Mae Nasino and the ensuing death of her infant daughter, Baby River, has proven how the government lacks basic empathy towards its people. Despite the rage people showed over the death of an infant, another mother and a baby fell victim to the administration’s ceaseless war against dissenters. Amanda Echanis, a peasant organizer, was illegally arrested and was brought to detention with her 1-month-old child shortly after the country agonized together with Nasino.

The old cases of military and police brutality heighten as Duterte himself encourages such violence. The series of killings involving armed authorities, both politically-motivated or accidental, has brought down the people’s confidence towards the agents of the institutions that are supposed to protect the people. Slain victims that shaped the headlines in 2020 were that of retired military Winston Ragos and the double murder of Gregorio’s mother and son by a cop, both captured in a video. Just a day before the year ends, elements of the military were reported to have killed at least nine indigenous Tumandok leaders and arrested around 17 other community members in Panay.

There is no doubt that 2020 will go down in history as one of the most devastating years in many respects.

Nevertheless, these unfortunate events have also ignited many wins for people all over the world. Stories of hope and solidarity have rekindled the resistance of people against injustices. The people’s relentless collective struggle will inevitably afflict those who have been feeding on the masses’ blood and sweat, sooner or later. c

PHOTO ● COSMO PH

PHOTO ● RED CROSS

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FEATURES

BLINDING JUSTICE WITH TERROR-TAGGING: The recent victims of illegal arrests in PH Jose Franco Castillo

“When forces of oppression come to maintain themselves in power against established law, peace is considered already broken,” Che Guevara, Argentine Marxist Revolutionary The Duterte administration is bringing out its full arsenal of terror-tagging and state violence against rights advocates who sought nothing but their fellowmen’s sake. The harmless civil individuals are named state enemies through the rampant alibi of red-tagging. This action does not only deprive them of their rights but also leaves their families shattered and disarrayed. The government’s cherry-picking of these people raises a question: Before their shared politically motivated arrest, what narrative did they live by?

A terrorist tagged mother A peasant organizer and daughter of slain activist Randy Echanis, Amanda was with her 1-month-old son when she was arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

According to Anakpawis Cagayan Valley Chair Isabelo “Buting” Adviento, Amanda was arrested through “planted evidence,” a usual scheme charged against activists.

Numerous progressive groups such as Alyansa ng mga Ibarang para sa Mapagpalayang Sining from the Philippine High School of the Arts condemned this illegal arrest as “harassment and debasement.”

“Whether activist, artist, journalist, representative, senator, or chief justice, no woman, young or old, is spared from the culture of misogyny that has become the hallmark of the Rodrigo Duterte administration,” the group emphasized.

People who know Amanda did not hesitate to come to her aid despite the dangers that come with expressing dissent against the government.

“As her former classmates, we can attest to Amanda’s character. She is thoughtful, honest, talented, and has always stood up

for what she believes in. She has dedicated her life in service of the Filipino people, with her meaningful work assisting oppressed groups,” said Jas Malvar, one of Amanda’s former classmates.

Jobs that advocated several high-profile labor issues involving workers of Jollibee, PLDT, and TNVS drivers. Prior to his recent arrest, Dennise was coordinating with relief efforts in the city of Marikina with which he used the profit from his own coffee business Malvar further described Amanda as to aid the struggling victims of the recent thoughtful, honest, talented, and has always typhoons. stood up for what she believes in. “We cannot stand idly by as Amanda falls victim to the “Dennise is known for his sense of humor persistent unjust suppression and abuse of that he often uses every time we discuss this government towards voices of legitimate politics. His views on the politics of the dissent,” he urged. day are always insightful and practical. His grasp of Marxist theory and its application to Shared atrocities various particularities is impressive. We have Arrested for the same benefited from his sharp intellect in identifying reason as Amanda, the unfolding political situation and what Lady Ann Salem needs to be done in seizing the moment,” is an editor at said Raymond “Mong” Palatino, former the Manila Today Kabataan Partylist English-language Representative. news website. She is also a member Another case of the progressive akin to Dennisse group of journalists is that of Joel like the National Demate and Union of Journalists Rodrigo Esperago. of the Philippines The former is (NUJP).

Additionally, a veteran she also serves as a communications officer activist and in the International Association of Women in trade union Radio and Television, a network of advocacy organizer groups driven on enhancing women’s roles deemed as one of the founders of the and participation in media.

Solidarity of Labor for Rights and Welfare (SOLAR) that led the labor disputes in Pepsi.

In her youth, Lady Ann Salem was called Icy They are also active in the campaigns against and was described by her peers as a diligent massive worker termination in companies student, a committed leader, a skilled athlete, such as Advan, Triumph, and others. On an intricate writer, and most of all, a loving the other hand, the friend. This is a far cry from what the police latter shares a describe as a terrorist and a disruptor of similar narrative national peace. as he is an Organizer of The National Union of Journalists of the contractual Philippines (NUJP) released a statement and casual classifying Salem’s arrest as a “proof that this w o r k e r s administration is hellbent on silencing the under the independent and critical Philippine media so S a n d i g a n g it can manipulate the flow of information to Manggagawa the detriment of our people and of our ng Quezon democracy.”

City (SMQC).

A d d i t i o n a l l y, Another victim of the Esperago was atrocities, Dennise also a student activist from the Velasco is an activist, League of Filipino Students - UE Caloocan. labor organizer, Both aided workers’ unions, organizations, and human rights and associations as they ensure prodefender prior to workers results through collective bargaining his arrest. He also agreements between unions. participated in Defend

FE A T UR E S 5

More narratives of inverted killings are evident because of Mark Ryan Cruz, Romina Raiselle Astudillo, and Jaymie Gregorio’s unfolded cases. While they share a story of serving the masses, all are deemed by the current administration as subversive.

Innocence as the trigger Killings and abuse of human rights like rampant red-tagging are not new to this administration. As the government aggrieves the masses because of their incompetence and shortcomings, more innocent lives are in vain. More and more of these bright, young, and skilled activists are being threatened into complete silence. These struggles only urge the outcry of the oppressed to become louder and more disruptive against the gunminded authorities.

When forces of oppression come to maintain themselves in power against established law, peace is considered already broken.

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N E W S F E A TU RE PHOTO ● ONE NEWS PH

PNUans among the victims of consecutive typhoons, lack of media coverage Lois Laine Lua | Nicole Lindsay Ramos Residents of Cagayan Valley expressed their call for help on social media as Isabela and Cagayan experienced a massive flood after Magat Dam released water upon reaching its critical point of 193-meter spilling level (MSL).

Netizens used #CagayanNeedsHelp on different social media platforms to get the attention of the media and authorities.

Among those affected are Cliford Maglelong from Ilagan, Isabela; Jessica Barbuco and Mary Joy Delos Santos from Cagayan Valley, students from Philippine Normal University (PNU) – Manila.

Left to stagger Being away from his family in Isabela made Cliford feel helpless as the only thing he could do was contact the emergency hotline of their city. “…flood level was still increasing, there were no rescue teams,” Cliford recalls.

He was also shocked to find out that the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Iligan, had no idea about the flood occurring in their barangay. He stressed that enough media coverage could have helped in disaster preparedness and response.

He considered the damaged soon-toharvest crops as the biggest problem that his family and most people in their barangay must deal with after the typhoon.

Back in November 16, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the typhoon had affected 73,000 farmers and fisherfolk and their commodities in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Bicol.

Similarly, Jessica’s family lost some of their backyard crops and shared her sentiments on lack of media coverage.

“Meron kami dati TV Patrol Cagayan Valley, ‘pag may bagyo dun talaga kami dati nakatutok kaso nga ‘di ba sadly nawala na,” Jessica explained.

According to her, insufficient details made people complacent. Aside from power interruptions, her family had difficulty buying their essential needs like food and water because most of the stores were closed.

Bayanihan among PNUans Meanwhile, PNUans initiated donation drives for their fellow students whose families were affected by recent typhoons.

Cliford and the class of III-3 launched ‘Among Us for A Cause’ for the affected families in their barangay. The live stream of III-3 helped in collecting more donations for the people in Ilagan.

“As of now, we have raised 23,000 pesos. Thanks to my classmates for the initiative in opening a donation drive for my family and my community,” Cliford expressed.

He also hoped that the University would extend the academic break at that time to help those who are affected to recover, but it did not due to the academic calendar.

Prevention over resiliency Joy shared that their region, especially the low-lying areas, is prone to flooding.

Yet, this is the first time that other regions reached out to help them.

She explained that it is an unwritten rule for every household to have disaster supplies, medical kits, and

even generators.

Despite their preparedness, they did not expect the intensity of the flooding this time, which she thought was caused by decades of illegal logging and mining she witnessed herself growing up.

She mentioned that the cases of illegal logging and mining in the region persist despite the existence of ordinances that aim to prevent such acts of environmental plunder.

However, as recent events show, it is the ordinary people that suffer from the consequences brought by the selfserving interest of large mining and logging corporations, she said.

PHOTO ● CBCP NEWS

PHOTO ● THE SUMMIT EXPRESS

“It is important to be proactive… being resilient is not a valid reason to take a blind eye to what is really happening in the country,” she further explained.

Meanwhile, ACT Education Students - PNU (ACT-ES PNU) stated that while we help affected people, it is also just to #DemandAccountability.

“I-defund ang pondo ng NTF-ELCAC, itigil at huwag pahintulutan ang Kaliwa Dam! Maglaan ng pondo para sa Disaster and Risk Reduction Management, mga pananaliksik, pagayos ng drainage system sa Pilipinas, at ibalik ang pagbibigay ng pondo sa Project NOAH!,” they wrote, as a call for #ClimateJusticeNow. The consecutive typhoons that resulted in massive flooding placed Cagayan and numerous regions in the country under a state of calamity. However, the flood that kills people and livelihood is just a byproduct of the capitalists’ rampant exploitation of the environment.

The government must prioritize the protection of the environment to which we all depend to, otherwise, people will continue to suffer.

PHOTO ● ONE NEWS PH

PHOTO ● SUNSTAR

SPOR T S

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New Meta for PNU Varsity Joseph Eli Occeño

The PNU Varsity Club and the Center for Culture and Sports Development (CCSD) dive into the fog of war as they reveal their intent in forming their own official eSports team to compete in various gaming titles, November 28.

A New Frontier In the Philippines, even if you are not a patron of the eSports industry, you may have heard that we had brought home three gold medals from last year’s SEA Games in the eSports events, winning in DOTA 2, Starcraft II, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Suffice it to say, eSports have started to gather serious momentum and is well on its way to become a nationally recognized sport. In fact, many universities have already begun the process of forming their own e-sports teams such as University of Sto. Tomas and University of the Philippines-Diliman, and with the instinctive vision of the Varsity Club and the CCSD, the official eSports team, PNUSULO, was created.

Athletes of the new normal According to Matthew Lansangan, President of the Varsity Club, they noticed that mobile games are among our favorite pastimes during the pandemic and immediately saw the potential of forming teams in different gaming titles.

Through an alliance with AcadArena, a national campus eSports program in the Philippines, PNU-SULO will compete in different gaming titles such as League of Legends, Valorant, LoL: Wild Rift, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), DOTA II, and Hearthstone.

PHOTO ● DOT ESPORTS

PHOTO ● RIOT GAMES

PHOTO ● IGN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Lansangan has also voiced that they expect to have some problems with the number of participants and viewership as eSports is new or fresh for some students. “One of the best answers for this is education. We will run various programs that will inform, educate and train students about eSports instead of directly asking them to play,” he stated.

PHOTO ● WEPLAY ESPORTS

PHOTO ● VULCAN POST

As it stands in the present, we will have to wait a bit longer to see PNU-SULO compete in the collegiate league as there are no eSports events in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) just yet. However, eSports’ potential to flourish in the time of pandemic is evident and it is undeniable that t h e industry will only grow from here on as its popularity continues to soar.

Presently, the Varsity Club plans to hold community-based tournaments with different gaming titles every month open to all eSports teams in PNU. “For the month of January and February, we will have LoL, Valorant and MLBB Tournaments since these are the most requested games in the previous survey,” Lansangan stated. Furthermore, they plan to hold a competition for the selection of the official roster who will represent PNU-SULO in AcadArena’s events.

Aside from competitive gaming events, the Varsity Club will also focus on eSports Education by conducting seminars and training about eSports which will center on different eSports development tracks or career pathways such as eSports Design, eSports Broadcasting, eSports Organization, and eSports Education.

Professor Romeo Rioflorido, Director of the CCSD, expressed his enthusiasm with the project stating that our students have the capacity to take on this new endeavor and believed that they can even become the pioneers in educating 21st century learners about eSports.

PHOTO ● GEMATSU

such as cool graphics, glowing keyboards, and tricked out lights.

Stepping up to the challenge The CCSD has expressed their desire to invest in equipment and facilities for the eSports department which would include powerful computers wired to avoid latency, and ergonomic furniture for gaming. It is important to keep in mind that these gaming facilities should look presentable as students interested in eSports usually look towards the aesthetics

One of the best answers for this is education. We will run various programs that will inform, educate and train students about eSports instead of directly asking them to play.

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K U LT U R A