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Photograph by Angelo Nico Daroy
PRESIDENT DUTERTE DELIVERS FIRST SONA Laura Posadas
Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 16th president of the Republic of the Philippines, delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25, 2016, Monday at Batasang Pambansa. As a constitutional obligation, Duterte addressed issues regarding his all-out war on drugs and criminality, peace in Mindanao, economic development and government service improvement. He also outlined his plans and promises for his six-year administration.
fire with the CPP-NPA-NDF effective immediately.
Duterte’s first agenda on the SONA was his campaign against drugs. ”The fight against criminality and illegal drugs and corruption will be relentless and sustained.” He encouraged police and other officials to double and triple their efforts, but warned that if they abused their power, there would be hell to pay. He mentioned creating an Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs to give priority to rehabilitation for drug users and establishing residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all regions of the country.
On taxation, he stated that his administration will pursue tax reforms which include lowering personal and corporate income tax rates. Moreover, Duterte will prioritise traffic decongestion by pursuing rail projects in Metro Manila and major key points in the country. He will increase the capacity of the train systems in the capital, extend operating hours of the LRT, and make them run faster to accommodate more commuters.
On the issue of the West Philippine Sea dispute, Duterte strongly affirmed his respect for the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration. He accounts this as an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to pursue the peaceful resolution and management of the disputes. He also called for the country’s Muslim brothers, the Moro people, and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to immediately stop violence on their grounds. To address this, he declared a unilateral cease-
With regards to macroeconomic management, Duterte stated that there will be a continuation and maintenance of current macroeconomic policies. However, he vowed to do even better. Furthermore, he promised to develop labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.
Duterte pledged to improve basic government services like processing time in issuing permits and licenses which shall be reduced to the barest minimum. Also, the effectiveness of driver’s licenses will be extended from the current three-year period to five years. His other promises include the amendment of the 1996 Passport Law to lengthen the validity of the passports from the current five years to ten years, and wi-fi access to be provided at no charge in selected public places. TC
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NEWS FEATURE
AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2
Infographics by Franz Palanca
Waste Management Meeting Seeks to Answer Pollution Problem in USC Cesar Carlos Heyrosa A waste management meeting was organized by Engr. Victoria Napisa, pollution control officer of the Downtown Campus, last Aug. 13 to discuss and improve USC’s current pollution control officers and how to improve them to canteen concessionaires and representatives of the SSC. According to Engr. Napisa, the strict implementation of waste control measures is an answer to the country’s environmental laws. However, despite these regulations, USC has still failed in certain aspects of these laws. For example, the waste content of the two septic tanks near the swimming pool, and Kolk’s Nook and the USC Inn are still higher than the standards prescribed by R.A. 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act). Additionally, USC reportedly generates large amounts of oil and tallow from the canteen, which is against provisions in R.A. 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous
and Nuclear Waste Control Act). Engr. Napisa also presented large amounts of waste left undisposed by students in Kolk’s Nook. To answer the problems regarding wastewater, Engr. Napisa presented the opening of a wastewater treatment facility in the Downtown Campus. Additionally, concessionaires were asked to minimize water usage. Also, disposal of wastes generated from oil are to be placed in containers instead of being drained along with water. Laundry services within the campus are also to be minimized substantially. For solid and food waste problems, Hon. Jamil Adiong and Hon. Norch Honoridez of the SSC volunteered to help through the SSC Clean as You Go (CLAY Go) Resolution, wherein students will be encouraged to properly segregate solid waste. Moreover, canteen concessionaires
agreed to give students discounts when they bring their own plates and silverware to minimize waste generated from paper plates, Styrofoam™ containers and plastic spoons. Garbage bins will also be revamped to have more emphasized labels and will be cleaned more regularly to avoid overfilling. Students are now responsible to dispose their waste properly, with officers from the SSC stationed in canteens to check this. Also, concessionaires agreed to minimize cooking and to stop service not later than 6:00 p.m. and have Kolk’s Nook completely closed by 7:00 p.m. to prevent students from leaving their garbage in the area after service hours. Engr. Napisa suggested to make the Downtown Campus a model for these implementations. Also, she will report the results of the meeting to Fr. Eleno Bucia, SVD to make them official. TC
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PTC Accredits School of Engineering Jeanne Paulie Yap
Photograph by Erica Nicole Jabel
DepEd Opens Mandatory Drug Testing for Students Jet Mangubat
In light of President Duterte’s war on drugs, the Department of Education has considered conducting mandatory drug testing for all students in both public and private institutions nationwide. This has prompted suggestions for the department to beef up its drug use prevention and subject students to drug tests.
line with the president’s vow to rid the country of illegal drugs.
DepEd assistant secretary Jesus Mateo noted that the implementation of mandatory drug testing would need a lot of funding, which they do not have at the moment. Mandatory testing for all students entails a huge budget, Mateo said. He added that random drug tests, coupled with the continuous anti-drug abuse education at schools, would be a good measure to keep students away from the drug menace, as well.
Briones said subjecting students to a drug test is a sensitive matter, which is why she suggests that this must be done only to a select portion of the student population.
Before any random drug test on students can be done, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said there must be parents’ consent as the protection of the youth should also be considered. Briones recalled that DepEd in 2004 subjected students to a drug test. She said this could be done again, in
“Iyong mga ganoon, ang kailangan sampling lang. Sa present regulation, kailangang may consent ng parent,” Briones said.
‘”We have to be very careful sa pag-treat ng mga bata because they might think they are being suspected of something. Kailangang pumayag ang parent at sampling iyan, ‘di mo gagawin sa lahat ng mga estudyante,” she added. Briones also said she is also working on improving DepEd’s drug abuse prevention program. The Commission on Higher Education is also expected to implement drug testing among college students. TC
CESAFI 2016 Kicks Off with Miss CESAFI, USC Wins Second Runner Up Jet Mangubat The 16th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) was held last Aug. 6 at the Cebu Coliseum. This was the opening ceremony of this year’s CESAFI season. USC president Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD welcomed the audience to the event, and Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez gave an inspirational message to the participants. A special award was given to Samantha Limos, who won bronze medal in the girls 100m dash during the 6th Children of Asia International Games in Yukutsk, Russia. Victor Rabat, team captain of the defending CESAFI champions USC Warriors led the oath of sportsmanship while Fr. Miranda formally declared the tournament open. The second part of the event – the search for Miss CESAFI – then took place. There were eight candidates from the high school division and eight candidates from the college division.At the end of the opening ceremony, the winner of Miss CESAFI 2016 were crowned. USC’s representative Luzenne Jones won second runner up. Jones is a first-
year Psychology student of the university. The winners for Ms. Smart and Ms. CESAFI 2016 were Jozelle Bondesto from Southwestern University for the high school division and Gazini Ewamer from University of San Jose - Recoletos for the college division. TC
Philippine Technological Council (PTC) has granted accreditation to all seven departments in the School of Engineering for academic years 2015 to 2016 and 2016 to 2017. These are the Departments of Civil Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Computer Engineering; Electronics and Electrical Engineering; Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; and Chemical Engineering. PTC is the umbrella organization recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for all the professional engineering organizations in the Philippines. It is the sole signatoryapplicant and representative of the country to the Washington Accord. The Washington Accord is an international accreditation wherein the recognized members would work together in pushing global competitiveness between engineers around the world. Some members of this accord are the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Graduating from a university which is recognized by the Washington Accord would mean acquiring a higher salary in the member countries and not having to study for another two to seven years, therefore allowing the graduate to be in sync with the global competition between professionals. So far, the Philippines is still a provisional member of the Washington Accord. Last 2014 and 2015, PTC visited the University of San Carlos and conducted their preliminary inspections. There were a series of assessments done in the different departments. PTC also held open forums with the engineering students wherein they asked a series of questions that would determine each department’s competency, highlighting the Outcome Based Education (OBE) Program. This coming November, PTC will visit the campus again to assess the accreditation for AY 2017 to 2018. TC
USC – DHM Wins Overall Champions for Cebu Goes Culinary 2016 Zarah Majam The Department of Hospitality Management participated in this year’s Cebu Goes Culinary which was held on July 22 to 27 at Robinson’s Galleria. Cebu Goes Culinary is the 12th and biggest event held in the history of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRAC). With this year’s theme “Fruits of the Earth”, participants from Cebu, Dumaguete and Iloilo showcased their skills in competitions such as speed cooking,
table setting, quiz bowl and flair bartending, to name a few. This year, USC claimed their fourth consecutive win during the quiz bowl competition. Four schools participated in this category: the University of Cebu, University of the Visayas, University of Southern Philippines – Foundation, and the University of San Carlos. Representing USC were
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Miyuki Saito, Graciella Palima, and Charene Borres, who brought home the winning title along with their coach Mr. Demetrio Anticuando. Aside from that, USC won a gold medal in the Table Show Piece competition. The students who participated were Christian Patrimonio, Mae Mangubat, Ysabella Remoroza, Jessica Homecillo, Kristy Escuanela, Axelle Sayson, Patrick Obod, Queenie Leria, Danica Ortega, Nell Mosende, Coleen Colita, Dennis Alejandro, and Joselle Oclarit. Lead by their coaches Dr. Junix Salinas and Mr. Nelson Collamar, the HRM department stood out in the competition and garnered a perfect score. USC also acquired a bronze medal for the Health and Wellness competition which specifically required the participants to cook meals that did not contain any trans fat. The team members were Robert Lim, Crisfel Velasco, and Kristine Vidal who were also lead by Dr. Salinas and Ms. Marissa Belarmino. TC
Numbers of killings rise, still counting Kaye Diamos Numbers of killed drug suspects continue to increase, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP), since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed to power last June 30, 2016. Police reports said that 316 suspected drug dealers were killed from July 1 to 27, and 195 of this number were vigilante killings. Yet, there are still other killings which have not been reported. As of August 1, there had been 465 killings since June 30. The PNP also reported that there has been a decrease in the crime volume over the last six months through Oplan Lambat Sibat and Project Double Barrel, which both aimed to lessen crime. From 52,950 reported cases in January 2016, it went down to only 46,060 reported cases in June 2016. However, different sectors are alarmed to the extent and manner of killings either done by the police or vigilantes. Bodies of the drug suspects litter the streets with placards saying “Pusher ako” (I am a drug pusher) or other related statements. President Duterte has claimed full responsibility over the killings, answering to criticisms from groups like the Commission of Human Rights and human rights experts from the United Nations.
NEWS
USC-JPIA Triumphs in CF Accountancy Week Theresa Kate Palompon “Dasig CF JPIA: Advocating Excellence, Surpassing Barriers”. These were the words that shaped this year’s Cebu Federation Accountancy Week, celebrated by the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) last July 16 to 23. Graced by the presence of members from across the province, the annual affair was held to serve as an avenue for accountancy students to participate in different competitions which would serve as a foundation for their growth as individuals. In accordance with the week-long celebration, CF JPIA hosted academic and non-academic matches from which Carolinian JPIANs emerged as the victors, one of which was the Visayas Hub of the 9th National Accounting Quiz Showdown with Maaku Saito reaping the title as first runnerup, representing Region 7. Carolinians also won back-to-back in the Accounting Quiz Bowl held in Ayala Center Cebu last July 20 with Diether Cala and Kirk Saromines as Level 1 champions. Jessa Bermudo, Marianito del Rio,
Vianca Amores, Miggy Taveros and Irish Kabingue won first place in Level 2. Academic events also included Exam Challenges on PAS/PFRS, PSA, Business Law and Taxation, conducted in USJR’s Main Campus. All of these were won by participants from the USC. As for the creative challenges, Good Vibez conquered first place in the Dance Palabas competition. Mr. and Ms. CF-JPIA 2016, Kent Astorga and Patricia Amores, took first place and second runner up, respectively. USC was also able to secure places in poster making, extemporaneous speaking and spoken poetry. With the aforementioned sweepstakes triumphed by USC-JPIA, they were declared as the overall champion for CF Accountancy Week 2016. “We are so blessed to have continued the legacy as overall champion. Through our collaborative efforts, we have made it again to the top,” Rhea Branzuela, USC JPIA president, said on her thoughts on their chapter’s victory. TC
Local Government Processes Cebu-Cordova Bridge Project Sofia Isabel Tajos The deal for the Cebu-Cordova Bridge Project was signed by Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) President Rodrigo Franco, former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, and Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy last April 14, 2016.
the construction is within the path of the planes that will be leaving and landing at the Mactan Cebu International Airport, and the approval from the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for the P50 and P70 fee that they plan to collect.
One of the requirements of the project which was the approval of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) was secured after one day.
The MPTDC also requires approval from the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the Coast Guard, and the Philippine Ports Authority.
The next step of the MPTDC is to comply with the remaining requirements needed for the contract to take effect. These requirements include: an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, since
It is believed that the construction of the 8.35-kilometer bridge will help improve the traffic flow in Cebu.
On the night of July 23 in Manila, six were killed, including Michael Siaron, who was shot by unidentified motorcycle riders. A photo went viral when his partner, Jennelyn Olaires cradled his lifeless body on the street resembling Michelangelo’s Pieta, where the Virgin Mary is holding the body of Jesus Christ. President Duterte called it melodramatic. As the anti-drug campaign of President Duterte progresses, it is expected that more killings would happen through police operations or vigilante groups. TC
AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2
Photograph by Carmelle Gacasan
The construction of the P27.9-billion project is expected to start either in late 2017 or early 2018, and is expected to end at some time in 2020. TC
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THE CLAMOR OF THE SILENT MINORITY
Illustration by Zachary Borromeo The Philippine government, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has worked on solving the issues concerning the environment. Under the new leadership of Sec. Gina Lopez, the department has promised to shift “from a regulatory to a development role” in managing its operations. The DENR, in coordination with the Department of Energy, plans to implement the sole usage of renewable energy in key places in the country. The DENR has also suspended the operations of 10 mining companies because of noncompliance with environmental regulations. However, in one of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches in his first few months as the nation’s leader, he said that he would not honor the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, in which 175 countries agreed to keep the global temperature rise this century to below two degrees Celsius. The Philippines, in the agreement, has promised to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. Pres. Duterte believes that this will limit the country’s economic development. What about us? The youth, it seems, have little interest in environmental issues. In a public opinion study released by the American Enterprise Institute last year, only 32 percent of millennials would rate themselves 8 to 10 when describing themselves as an environmentalist. Additionally, the study shows that Americans are concerned in exerting efforts to protect the environment, but does not consider its issues like global warming and climate change as their top priority. It is alarming because it seems that the effects of environmental problems are hard to see. There has been an annual 3.2-millimeter rise in global sea level for the past 20 years, according to National Geographic. More and more animals are declared to be endangered by World Wildlife Fund, including the common ones like the tiger and the whale.
Just to give more relevant examples, stomachs will keep grumbling with the reccuring droughts that have, incidentally, contributed to the Kidapawan massacre. Severe storms continue to make landfall; Typhoon Yolanda was said to be an effect of the changing climate. “To USC we swim…” will continue to resonate among Carolinians amid the floods that happen during rainy weather. There is a pattern, isn’t there? Some issues that are part of our conversations are, in one way or another, connected to the issues concerning the environment. Now what makes this worse? While all of these issues do not cease to make noise, there is only a lingering silence among us. In our words, there is a lack of social media posts tackling the pressing issues of the environment. In our actions, there is a lack of practice to preserve it. In public areas, discarded trash sprinkles barren ground. In the heavy traffic we all complain about, there are belches of smoke from uncaring vehicles. In grandiose events, dozens of balloons are released into the air, without considering that they have to land somewhere, and that that “somewhere” could be our oceans. The solutions are already given, and they have already been given countless times. It is time to act. However, what we should further work on is our awareness of the problem. A little searching online will surprise us with a lot of information on it. After that, let us speak out. What is sadder than us being passionate about a multitude of matters but apathetic about the very place we live in...the very place we do literally everything? The environment does not only speak — it screams. Why don’t we listen and reply? TC
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OPINION
AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2
Maligayang Buwan ng Wika (O Maligayang Pagtatakwil sa Sariling Wika)
Miriam Burlaos
Nabubuhay tayo sa panahong kinain na nang buo ng kolonyalismo ang ideya natin ng katalinuhan at kamangmangan. Hindi lahat, pero may iilan sa atin na ang basehan ng husay ay kung paano magsalita ang isang tao sa wikang Ingles. Kapag magaling ka, ang ibig sabihin ay matalino ka pero kung sablay ang paggamit o pagsasalita mo sa Ingles ay bobo ka. Tanga. Walang alam. Jeje. Hindi dapat mag-exist sa mundo. Ang mas masaklap, pagtatawanan ka at magiging tampulan pa ng tukso dahil lang hindi ka sanay sa wikang dayuhan.
Sa isang iglap, ang basehan natin ng isang katanggaptanggap na intelektwal ay malalaman sa antas ng Ingles na alam niya. May pagdadalawang isip tayo sa kung aling wika ang gagamitin, ang dayuhan ba o ang sarili? May mga pagkakataong pinipili nating ipagmalaki ang husay natin sa Ingles habang lihim na itinatakwil ang Filipino. Maging ang sistema ng edukasyon ay pinupwersa tayo para yakapin nang buo ang wikang hindi atin, at unti-unting kalimutan ang lenggwaheng likas at sarili. Pero marahil, wala tayong kasalanan. Marahil, kagaya ng kriminalidad at droga,
pwede nating sisihin ang sistema, kahirapan, gobyerno, mga dayuhang Amerikano, kapitalismo, si Arroyo, o kaya si Mocha Uson. Sige, sisihin na rin natin ang internet. Pero paano kung may kasalanan din tayo? Paano kung nahihirapan lang tayong aminin na mas gusto nating tanggapin ang mga ideyang kanluranin kaysa sa ideyang lokal at maka-Pilipino? Sa halip na kilalanin ang atin, narito tayo, maluwag sa loob na naglalakad nang salungat sa tunay nating pinagmulan. TC
When the Government Parties While different parties emerge because of their different visions and platforms, conflicts between elected officials from opposing groups often impede the implementation of projects proposed for the people. Sometimes, our leaders cannot help bringing their political demons with them when they take office.
Mikhailah Ranada
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is one of the many officials believed to be the deliberate bearer of hard times to the supporters of Team Rama. The recent recall of the mini-buses and ambulances of the remote barangays Asungot, Babag and Cambinocot has led many people to think that Mayor Tommy’s “inventory and inspection” excuse was just given to cover
the fact that he is purposely making service hard for the Rama supporters. The baragay captains of the aforementioned were all under Rama during the elections. There is also the undeniable conflict between Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Mayor Osmeña regarding certain matters, including the former’s support of Mega Cebu and the latter’s expression of it being a waste of time. Even the iron fist himself President Rodrigo Duterte is not immune from such political biases. His hesitation to give Leni Robredo a position in his cabinet was made clear when he said he did not want to offend the Marcoses because Bongbong Marcos and he are friends.
Our officials’ biases exist because people are more comfortable working with those they know best. Projects are easier to implement when superiors and subordinates share the same ideals. In a perfect world, that may be possible. In democracy, however, we cannot help but go through the frustrations of having to work with our foes — whether in politics or not — and their supporters. Leaders are there to serve. If from the very beginning, service was the ultimate endeavor then government officials would work for the good of society — even if it means approving proposals that come from the hands of the rival. TC
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Highway 69 Sex is two kinds of “good” – the first is the kind that makes it such a pleasure to write about, or do, while the second one is all about its unappealing, often uncomfortably messy but nonetheless important role in growth and maturity. In a nutshell, premarital consensual sex, along with many other needless labels for the act, is “good”.
Kyn Noel Pestaño
The first “good” is the crux, the centerwheel, the holy grail of everything holy and unholy about sex. It is, simply put, pleasure or satisfaction. It is instinct to serve first, yourself, but as the intelligent, morally sound, more than animals that we claim to be, this notion of self-servitude is wrong. Hence, consensual sex is one of the most famous
recreational activities there is. It’s a way of fulfilling a primal instinct without transgressing morality, because no one’s violating anyone if both sides readily agree. So why is there such a stigma around it? The answer is in sex’s latter kind of “good”, or the lack thereof. Many people forget that as much as it is a physical process, sex is also very much an emotional and mental one, and like every other process, familiarization is best achieved through hands-on experience. As teenagers who have just transgressed into our body’s reproductive peak, it is unreasonable to expect us to not be curious.
Unfortunately , our cultural view of premarital sex as a morally tainted act narrows down our options of open conversation to each other. This in turn creates more naive romantics ready to further solidify the aforementioned stigma. Sure, we have to be careful; use protection in the form of wrappers and non-flavored biogesics. However, if your lover places his/ her hand up your thighs ready for the big unraveling, and you think that you are prepared to give the green light, then all aboard the bus to highway 69. Remember, your moral compass is not found between your legs. TC
Failure of the Red Spectre North Korea is not true communism. The People’s Republic of China is not true Communism. The New People’s Army is not true communism. A good fraction of every single country and organization that has tried to establish the communist state has led to dictatorship where countless lives were lost. For around a century, communism has been tested repeatedly in many countries. Almost each time, the state has collapsed or descended into anarchy. Communism has failed to create a free, fair and prosperous society where power lay in the hands of the populace, not in those of shadowy bankers and plutocrats.
Ynaro San Juan
What this probably means is that we should probably try harder in implementing communism, right? Wrong. The truth of the matter is that communism is too idealistic to exist in the real world on a national level. First we’d need to have an altruistic, collectiveminded people — eager to give up all material possessions for the “greater good”. Next, we’d need to have an honest government, led by a single party of selfsacrificing individuals whom the people can trust not to extort, the population as other governments do. This is the perfect model of the communist state. Of course, with humans being humans, the probability of either prerequisites being met by today’s society is
next to nothing. Looking at the state of communism today, one needs to look as far as at today’s communists: military dictatorships or pseudototalitarian oligarchies, misguided terrorists sporting the brand of revolutionaries, contrarian hipsters who think that “seizing the means of production” is the new cool, middle-class champagne socialists tweeting about the “evils of capitalism” on their shiny iPhones. Karl Marx would not be proud. While capitalism is by no means the path towards a golden age, it is still preferable in comparison to the train-wreck that communism has become. TC
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FEATURE
AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2
TELLING TIME Frederick Head
Every day, we go through our present lives haunted by the past and hoping for that one better future among many possibilities. As such, it is every day that we deal with one of the most abstract concepts in our universe: time.
no way we can return it to its original state. The second law then further dictates that time flows toward increasing entropy, with everything eventually arriving at a state where there is total chaos and destruction. Here arises the thermodynamic arrow of time.
Though we do not have any tangible perception of time, the psychological arrow of time lets us perceive time as a sequence of events. Simply put, our brains are hotwired to put past events into our memory, and we are only limited to expect the future.
Recent advancements in theoretical physics show that the psychological and the thermodynamic arrows of time are actually pointing at the same direction. This is where the tricky part comes in. Is it possible, then, that the disorder in the universe is actually decreasing, but our perception of time merely tells us that it is not?
From here, we develop clocks — as simple as the sundial or as complex as the atomic clock — to have some degree of order in how we perceive this arrow of time. Ironically, however, our perception of time arises from the amount of entropy — or disorder — in the universe. Hence, let us look into the second law of thermodynamics, which states that for a closed system, like our universe as a whole, entropy will either stay constant or increase. To illustrate, let us take a vase in its ordered, unbroken state. Once we break it — that is, push it to a state of more disorder — there is
The answer is, against all of common sense, yes. According to Stephen Hawking in his popular book A Brief History of Time, this possibility effects us remembering the future instead of the past and us plunging into the past instead of the future. Who knows? The universe may in fact be shrinking as opposed to what we perceive. What can we take from this complexity then? It is that ultimately, the second law of thermodynamics limits our faculties of
perception to only one sequence of events in a single direction, and in where we are currently, there is no way we can reverse this. Therefore, the fleeting emotions of a singular moment will only be confined to our memory when it is done, and we are bound to face a future whose only certainty is doom. As such, does the concept of time ultimately answer the question to life, the universe and everything with a form of existential nihilism? Perhaps it does. Yet, perhaps, this ephemeral nature of everything — from a flower blooming in spring to life emerging in a planet, from a baby exiting the womb to dust clouds giving birth to a star, from a friend meeting a friend for the first time to galaxies colliding in spectacular fashion — gives this meaninglessness some form of meaning. Who knows? TC
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FEATURE
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THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT VS. THE RED DRAGON Reanne Go and Janzyl Go
Illustration by Jon Ahmed Durano
A pearl once sat upon a land on which a dragon had previously laid claim. The land didn’t seem like much at first, made of mostly rocks, sandbanks and reefs. The dragon had mostly dismissed it, until the discovery of rich resources around it, such as oil, natural gas, minerals and marine life. This sparked the conflict between our very own Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines, and Asia’s Red Dragon, China. China’s claims to Scarborough Shoal are based on historical discovery. Records show a Chinese astronomer surveying an island, one of the many territories within the nine-dash line that appears on Chinese maps that detail its territorial claims, in 1279. The problem with this argument is that these maps include neither coordinates nor specifics on whether their claims were on land territory only or territorial waters as well. On the other hand, our country claims that we have been utilizing the shoal and applying our laws over it, essentially treating it as if it was already one of our territories. On September 12, 1784, a British cargo ship — the HMS Scarborough — became stranded on the shoal
and officials from Manila conducted rescue operations. We have exercised government powers over the shoal since then, even after the Philippines and its territories were signed over to the US in 1898. In 1995, our two countries signed a code of conduct pledging to reach a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Despite that, tension has always been present between the two forces, and recent Chinese activities that threaten precious marine life have caused it to skyrocket. On April 8, 2012, a Philippine Navy surveillance plane saw eight Chinese fishing boats parked in the waters of the Scarborough Shoal. On April 10, a ship — the BRP Gregorio del Pilar — was sent to inspect the catch of the fishing vessels, only to find illegally collected corals, giant clams, and live sharks. The crew of BRP Gregorio del Pilar attempted to arrest the Chinese fishermen, but was unfortunately blocked by two Chinese surveillance ships. Our two states were in a standoff for nearly two months. As of January 2013, the Philippines used the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
in order for the nation to achieve international mediation with China through the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) unanimously sided with the Philippines and rejected China’s claims to economic rights across large parts of the South China Sea. According to the court, China had no legal basis for its historical rights to resources within areas of the sea that fell under the supposed “nine-dash line”. The history might matter, but historical claims and ancient conquests have no weight in claiming territories. However, celebrating over this victory might be a little premature. China does not agree with the court — calling it biased — and has banned Filipino fishermen from approaching the area. When an immovable object and an unstoppable force collide, who will emerge victorious? This is President Duterte’s conundrum, and he has taken the route of diplomacy. It seems that the unstoppable force might just ask the immovable object to kindly step aside. The outcome is still anyone’s guess. TC
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FEATURE
AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2
Gotta catch ‘em all! Cesar Carlos Heyrosa
“Every challenge along the way, with courage I will face!” Niantic, Inc.’s Pokémon GO now boasts 100 million downloads, taking a mere 19 days to reach its 50 millionth download. The game boasts 20 million daily users in the USA alone and generates a revenue of about 10 million USD daily from microtransactions. Taking a 20-year legacy to become this much of a sensation, and like Team Rocket taking over Silph Co., Pokémon GO has truly taken the world by storm. “I will battle every day to claim my rightful place!” Whether we got immersed in the Pokémon world for the first time by answering Professor Oak’s absurd questions or by jumping into the bandwagon of Pokémon GO, a world of dreams and adventures with Pokémon still awaits. Pokémon GO has given members of the Pokémon community — old and new alike — an avenue to come together to catch the strange creatures with lure modules or to battle gyms in Pokéstops and gyms scattered all around. “Come with me, the time is right; there’s no better team!” Beneath the fun of battling and catching Pokémon, however, walking and riding a bicycle has always been an essential part of the original Pokémon games. This has been carried on to Pokémon GO, where players have to walk around to catch their favorite Pokémon and hatch their eggs. This is expected to benefit players with weight problems. Pokémon GO has also been reportedly helpful for those who are suffering from mental health issues, with many users claiming that the game has helped them cope against anxiety and depression. Communities have also come together to clean areas designated as Pokéstops
and gyms in different countries, making Pokémon GO not only beneficial to its players but also to the environment. Such areas have also become avenues where people get to meet. These show that the game is already becoming a link to overall wellbeing. “Arm in arm, we’ll win the fight. It’s always been our dream!” In Cebu, places designated as Pokéstops, such as the Rosedale marker, several areas in Ayala Center Cebu and ang banga sa Banilad nga gi-display¬ kay karaan siguro, are beginning to attract more people by the day. It will only take a little more time that the benefits brought about by Pokémon GO in other countries will be observed in our locale.
“It’s you and me. I know it’s my destiny. Pokémon, oh you’re my best friend, In a world we must defend. A heart so true, Our courage will pull us through. You teach me, and I teach you. Pokémon, gotta catch’em all!”
—John Siegler and John Loeffler, Pokémon Theme Warning to those using third-party apps to catch Pokémon in Pokémon GO: Niantic Inc. has begun permanently banning members caught using third-party apps. As said, traveling has always been part of the Pokémon journey. Don’t let Niantic Inc. ban you; don’t miss out on traveling to catch the elusive Chansey or the rare Arcanine. Get the full Pokémon experience. TC
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FEATURE
Today’s CAROLINIAN
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Photo Source: http://conceptnewscentral.com/index.php/2016/08/08/3-pinoys-bow-rio-games/
Filipinos in Rio Olympics Joen Jacob Ramas & Von Daniel Plasencia
Despite the controversies endured by the host city of Rio de Janeiro over the past year — the outbreak of Zika virus and the political instability and economic crisis in Brazil, among others — the 2016 Summer Olympics was definitely a go. Even with this, the squabble and the withdrawal of other participating nations, the Philippines is determined to bring heaps of medals back home. This year, 12 hopeful Filipino delegates were sent to Brazil in seven different sports activities. Representing the nation in the women’s singles table tennis event is Ian Lariba. Born in Cagayan de Oro, Lariba started taking interest in the sport at the age of 9. She became a varsity for De La Salle University, winning numerous
awards, such as the Rookie of the Year in UAAP Season 74. Lariba was chosen to represent the country after a qualification tournament held in Hong Kong. On top of that, she was also chosen as the country’s flagbearer. Jessie Lacuna and Jasmine Alkhaldi — competing for the men’s 200-meter butterfly and women’s 100-meter freestyle, respectively — may catch the eyes of the Filipino fans of the dance between the swimmer and the pool. Lacuna is a native of Bulacan and has bagged 13 gold medals and was awarded Most Valuable Player during the Second Philippine Olympic Festival. This is Lacuna’s second appearance in the roster of Filipino Olympians. Meanwhile, Alkhaldi is a swimmer of Saudi Arabian
descent. Although settling in Hawaii, Alkhaldi represented the Philippines during the 2012 Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the 100-meter butterfly competition. Her other achievements also include gaining bronze medals during the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. Nestor Colonia and Hidilyn Diaz are set to compete in the men’s 56-kg and women’s 53-kg respectively. After placing third in the 2015 and 2016 World Championships, Colonia qualified as representative for the Rio Olympics. Meanwhile, prior to this year’s Olympics, Diaz entered into different competitions, including the Philippine National Games where she bagged first place. She also joined the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
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Today’s CAROLINIAN
Diaz finally got her silver medal in the 2016 Olympics. Interestingly, both Colonia and Diaz are Airmen Second Class for the Philippine Air Force weightlifting team. Moreover, as the only qualified Filipino taekwondo jin to compete in the Rio Olympics, Kirstie Elaine Alora paved her way through after coming in as the first runner-up in the Asian Qualifying Tournament in Pasay City. Alora finished second in the field of five competitors in the Seniors Female A +67 kg category, getting past Nepal’s Nisha Rawal and Iran’s Akram Khodabandeh. Only the champion and the first runner-up of the said tournament are qualified to contend in the Olympic games. This is the first time in eight years that the Philippines sent a taekwondo representative for the Philippine Olympic team. Representing the Philippines in golf was Miguel Luis Tabuena, a professional golfer who won several championships including a silver medal in the 2010 Asian Games, and his first win during the 2015 Philippine Open. Tabuena, a professional since 2011, was also chosen as the 2016 Sportsman of the
FEATURE
Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association, an award he currently shares with Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes. For fans of running, Eric Shauwn Cray, Mary Joy Tabal and Marestella TorresSunang may come as an inspiration. The three are competing for the men’s 400-meter hurdles, women’s marathon and women’s long jump competitions, respectively. Cray, a Filipino-American, has bagged several awards for the country, including gold medals during the 2013 and 2015 Southeast Asian Games. Currently, he is the national record-holder of the 400-meter and 100-meter hurdles. Meanwhile, Tabal is the first Filipina to enter the women’s marathon competition. As Cebu’s pride in marathon, she is a holder of several medals such as the silver medal in the 2015 SEA Games. She qualified for the Olympics by hitting two hours, 43 minutes and 29 seconds in the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon in Canada last May, almost two minutes away from the two-hour, 45-minute mark. TorresSunang was selected as the contender for the women’s long jump competition because of her consistent winning
AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2
streaks in the Asian Championships and the SEA Games. Her personal best of 6.71-meter long jump in the 2011 SEA Games won her a gold medal. This is her third time joining the Olympics. Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez have qualified in the games for the boxing events. From Negros Occidental, Ladon is the first Filipino fighter to clinch a 2016 Olympic berth in the light flyweight boxing competition. He gained his spot by winning a silver medal in the Asia and Oceania Boxing Olympic Qualifying Tournament along with Suarez. He won in the semifinal match through unanimous decision however was unfortunate in grabbing the gold medal in the finals. Meanwhile, Suarez also came close in the Asia and Oceania Boxing Qualifying Tournament. Suarez also achieved gold-medal wins in the 2009 and 2011 Southeast Asian Games and is planning to add an Olympic medal to his resume. Suarez is the lightweight contender in the 2016 Olympics boxing competition. TC
Photo source: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/08/08/1611318/filipina-lifter-hidilyn-diaz-ends-countrys-20-year-olympic-medal-drought
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LITERARY
WHEN PEOPLE DON’T T H I N K Paolo Louis Manghihilot
When people don’t think, they use their mouths to rant stink they search up the web, take a line of any sort without link just so you know they don’t even think relying on what’s on the link claiming it’s from their ink of all, they’ve got a mind shallow and shrink When people don’t think, they choose their minds not to think they use their emotions, finding where could they synch and get a cup of sarcasm taking a good amount of drink they don’t mind of what may others think they just know they’re on a boat a boat that could eventually sink When people don’t think, you’re forced to tolerate how they process and think just so you can’t force them the way you want them to think they’re good as gullible all they do is go mumble shaming those who use their brains just please don’t go out when it rains
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FACELESS Jeanne Paulie Yap
You could have given me the chance to call my mom Tell her that I love her - for the last time Then, she could’ve wept with a sense of clarity If that was even possible You could have at least, the very least, let me call my dad Tell him that it wasn’t his fault The traffic was too much, and I knew that he had to work late So I decided to walk home, mundane as it is But you see, I never reached home You cut my trip short with your blades of malevolence And piece by piece, it wasn’t just my trip that was cut You also chose to break me down - in a swift amount of minutes I didn’t want my parents to see me like this Their “gold daughter”, tarnished You could have taken me piece by piece like a normal human Not let them see me used, discarded But before I rot here, underneath the roots of the ground I’d just like to ask you, why? Why did you do it? I had so much going for me, and you didn’t even know that How could you? You were just a stranger There it is: just a stranger. Apparently, you got too close for a stranger I think it was obvious in my eyes that you had looked straight into How they held so much wonder and innocence Yet, you have managed to con-
sume every last bit left Leaving nothing but pits of emptiness The last scent I remembered was yours. Dark and musky, as if the mischief was already behind it. Wafting through the air, Consuming my final breaths. And with the weight of your merciless hands, Gasping for air was of no use any more. At that point, you have won. You have ruined me. And the last face I saw held nothing No trace of emotion or compassion evident Just a remembrance of someone who used to be. Nothing but a faceless mask. Take it off, I dare you.
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COMICS
Today’s CAROLINIAN
AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2
MEAN, MEDIAN, RAGE ni Zach CONNECT THE DOTS
a. Connect the dots from START to END. b. Color it! c. Fill the blanks below with letters that corresponds to the numbers assigned on the right.
d.
Share this with your friends (if you care).
HOROSCOPE ARIES
CANCER
LIBRA
CAPRICORN
a
Permi ra ka maghuna-huna about sa imong crush. Naa kay plans na, for example, magabot mo, biyaan kunuhay mo sa inyong friends para makaholding hands mo. OH MY GOD WAKE UP! Little by little, dili jud maging kamo!
d
Ikaw siguro ang pinakaswerte sa tanan! Way char! Yes, seriously! Swerte ka talaga! I promise you, teh I’m getting very speechless! Woohoo! Pero bitaw, wala ko kahibaw. Wala ko’y makita nga something good nimo. So shut up ka na lang.
g
You feel so confident right now. Daghan kang jokes to tell pero bes, corny imong jokes. Sorry bes. Kaon na lang og Mais con Yelo sa Rosedale human hilak maka walo. Ingani-a ay, “Ajujuju”. Makatawa jud ang mga tao. Ingana na lang bes, dili bitaw corny.
Color: Gummy Smile Pink Coated
Color: Sun-fried Pug Brown
Color: Lumot Green
Suko jud ka karong adlawa kay wala na ka’y squad. Dili ka puwede mamusdak og mga butang-butang. Kay ngano? Ehem. Kinsa diay nakasala ninyo, diba ikaw man? Lucky Color: Washmeneyney Blue
j
TAURUS
LEO
SCORPIO
AQUARIUS
b
Mahinganlan jud ka nga the “Most Popular Student of USC”. Gwapa kay ka bes. Asa diay ka nagpa-footspa?
e
Wala jud maganahan nimo kay bati imong car. Kana rang mga pabebe ang ma-ibog nimo kay imong car ra ang gi-apas. So start sharping your nails to scratch the pabebes away! Good luck!
h
Bes, naa jud ko’y feeling nga i-notice na jud ka sa imong crush. Pamulbos lang og makadaghan until mahimo ka adtong babayi sa The Grudge. HAHAHAHA HALA DZAE ASA ANG FOUNDATION DAY?
Color: Atoli Honey Gold
Color: Espasol White
Curious kaayo ka karon sa shower! Nagwonder ka nganong tag lima-singko ang bond papers sa Café+ ug nagwonder sad ka nganong gibuwagan ka. Pag-shampoo lang nga naa’y damage repair. Ay. . . buhok ra diay nimo ang ma repair, dili imong love life! Pak ganern!
Color: Nadamage na Kuko Plum Purple
k
Color: Guba nga Projector Yellow
GEMINI
VIRGO
SAGITTARIUS
PISCES
Blooming ka dae kay winner jud ka sa mga debate. Pero naka-realize ka nga usa ra diay ka sa mga keyboard warriors. Luh dae, pagpuyo. Subjective much kaayo ka.
c
Dili ka tagdon ni crush kay dili ka meant to be magka love life! Mas maayo pa imong mga friends kay tagdon jud ka perme kay baon ka sa utang! Bayad na oi!
i
Ayaw sige’g maoy kay dili na siya worth sa imong time and life. Believe na lang in the saying na “There are plenty more fishes in the sea.” Wait! wait! Ayaw! Ayaw og adto sa Carbon—too late. Huhu. Pak!
Color: Medyo Green na Aqua
f
Hangout with your squad. Kaon-kaon mo, Timezone mo! OMG magka bonding jud mo na squad. Pero sa totoo lang, joiner lang jud ka sa mga squad! So shoo, shoo!
Lucky Color: Imo Future Black
Color: Pirena Red
l
Color: Hipon Orange
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Photograph by Christen Cacanog
“The innocence of a child is what makes them stand out as a shining example to the rest of Mankind.” - Kurt Chambers
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AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 4 No. 2