UMPIRE - Issue 01 by UM PRIMUM

COVER STORY Fillennials: Celebrating the Me Generation

editorial board

ABOUT THE COVER

S.Y 2016-2017

The cover depicts the modern Filipino millennials. Despite being accused of losing our originality and Pinoy brand, it can’t be denied that we are the most proactive and most creative generation - setting global trends and making global impact with our bare hands. It also shows how innovative we can be with our fashion statements.

photography Christian Kit Fancuvilla hair and styling Joseph Daniel Malabar make-up RJ Emil Orias Kristy Marie Lagamon models Filnick Aguillon Gene Terri Satinitigan

@umprimum

p rimumsocialmedia@gmail.com

we c hose ‘ u mp ire’ to be the name of our official ma gazine b e c ause j u s t a s t h e name suggests, we want to be the me diators b e t ween t he s t u d e nt body and the school administration. We wa n t t o b e t he voice that will help the students say wh at they wa n t t o s ay t o t he administration and vice-versa. We also wa n t t o b e c ome t he bridge that the whole studentry of UM will u s e t o g o a c r o s s the vast sea of distractions and into learning.

Lorde Kate Angelica Defensor Vince Bation Praisah Marjorey Picot

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR

Yvette Mariz Balayon Kristy Marie Lagamon Jamie Louise Cayabyab Zoida Clara Yamba

NEWS EDITOR FEATURE EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR LITERARY EDITOR

Janna Pauline Pueblas Patrick Jan Antes Benjie Alf Memeje Rhona Mae Muisha Buendia

LAYOUT ARTIST GRAPHIC ARTIST CARTOONIST ILLUSTRATOR

Joseph Daniel Malabar Jomari Lloyd Valdez Robert Lee Bawiga Yasmin Aninon Jupher Dave Herda Anie Digal Mohammad Al-Farouk Unga John Joshua Deocariza Larry James Arenga Candice Faye Kristen Lleses Philip Joshua Aristoteles Arielle Kate Estabillo Hannia Ebno Mariano Maraat

WRITERS & STAFF

Sabrina Pilones

ADVISER

Deborah Diamante

MODERATOR

The Students of University of Mindanao

PUBLISHERS

read the digital version of this issue on

www.issuu.com/umprimum

PRIMUM is the official Student Publication of the University of Mindanao. For contributions, comments and suggestions,please visit our Publication Office at the Ground Floor, Gym Building, University of Mindanao - Matina Campus, Davao City, Phiippines 8000

contents 19

FOOD Savoring the Taste of Reflection

TRAVEL Chasing Waterfalls: Breaking South Cotabato’s Stigma

FEATURE

ESSAY

FEATURE

PROFILE

32 34

FEATURE

PROFILE

SHORT STORY

FEATURE Patenting One’s Identity

Skeletons in our Closet Where is She? The House that Built Me A Manifesto on Misogyny Dance Floor Masters Of Flowers and Sugarcanes FEATURE

Call Me Beautiful

On Brawns, Blood, and Sweat Goodbye and Hello

HIGHLIGHT Chronicles of Davao Streets

SCI-TECH Limiting the Possible

40 U-SPEAK

42 STAFF PICKS

COMICS

PROFILE The Lady in Waiting

editor’s note

It’s a common struggle we all have – to identify and place ourselves where we belong. Growing up, I have always questioned myself: “Why am I here?”, “Who am I?”, “Will I ever fit in?” Looking around, I know my friends and even my siblings have been there and have asked themselves the same questions, too. Being human, there’ll always be that hollow void inside us we want to fill – a space that asks us who we really are. I’ve been taught to follow the norms of society ever since I was a child. I mean, we all were, and that has hindered our ability to discover who we are and what we really want to do with our lives. Society also sets these standards that are too high to reach yet we all want to get there, even if it means losing ourselves. Labels became rampant in order to group certain people with similar traits – boys, girls, gays, queers, weirdoes, nerds – but these are not enough to define a person. Words such as these are never enough to tell you what you really are because each one of us is unique. Who you are and how you identify yourself will and should always be up to you to discover, nurture and embrace despite all these societal dictations because at the end of the day, the only one left after the party is your own self. PRIMUM’s Umpire delvs into the majestic world of identity of people, society, sexuality, and religion. Discussed inside these pages are different forms of identity which we usually just ignore in order to keep up with our environment’s expectations. Our cover story, Fillennials: Celebrating the Me Generation, talks about the image of Filipino Millennials and the role they play in the world today. Inside these pages, we will also take you to some of the most iconic streets of Davao City as we try to unravel Davao’s history and how these streets came to be.

On page 32, we tackled the differences between the way a woman and a man thinks (based on statistics and research) in our article Of flowers and Sugarcanes. We will also bring you out on a journey to the beautiful province of South Cotabato where we will break the stigma surrounding the name and take you to some magnificient spots around the area. We also interviewed some people in our University and gave them a way to open up themselves and reveal who they are in hopes of letting you, our reader, relate and hopefully gain some insights from their lives. Allow us to open your eyes to the struggles and sufferings brought upon one’s self because of not abiding the rules set by the community. Let us give you a little bit of a hint on how to keep your faith in yourself. In his novel A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin said, “Never forget who you are for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then, it can never be your weakness.” We hope that as you read the contents of our maiden issue, you will gain insights as to who you are. As you go through the pages and share a little bit of your time with us, hopefully, you’ll also find bits of yourself. Thank you!

Lorde Kate Angelica G. Defensor Editor-in-Chief

identity

4 sci-tech

limiting the possible Emerging technology drives the future and drags our identity along. To which extent shall we allow it to run loose? story by ZOIDA CLARA YAMBA art by JOSEPH DANIEL MALABAR

sci-tech 5

NVISION THE WORLD OF THE future. You are flying your car along atmospheric highway. You go to school where ID is no longer needed. Face recognition can match your record as currently enrolled. When you call a friend, you converse telekinetically via wireless brain to brain interface instead of phones. When extraterrestrials invade your school, your mom can track you down using real-time surveillance. The whole futuristic stuff appears unreal, almost impossible as if it can happen only in books like Star Wars, Neuromancer and Ender’s Game .What we might not know is that the future is underway. Through emerging technology, science fiction becomes a reality in transition. Emerging technology is the development of a solution to a particular need. It is a scientific application of something that will ultimately come into maturity. Nayef Al-Rodhan, a philosopher, neuroscientist, geostrategist, author, and an Honorary Fellow at Oxford University, wrote the notion of emerging technology on World Economic Forum online. He defined that ‘emerging’ technologies are those that are transitioning to a new phase and are being integrated in consumer goods. Such technologies like fuel-cell vehicle, artificial intelligence, digital genome, additive manufacturing methods are not necessarily new or revolutionary. However, these technologies will soon conquer more areas of the society. We live in a time when technology moves dynamically and is indeed gaining more ground. Along with the dynamism, our lives are also changing. Going with the flow of technology drifts us into unknown, risky possibilities. Emerging technologies, though often created to improve the quality of life, are sometimes controversial. The possible after effects of their implementation shades some gray areas where risks might not have been premeditated. These scientific ambiguities plus underdeveloped ethical regulations contribute to the threat on our human identity. Human identity defines who we are from the surface to the bottom. It talks about the most basic fact about us like our height, weight, name, age, address and birth date. Beyond personal information and genetic makeup, identity goes deeper into the core of our beings - our values, interest, our perceptions, dreams, aspirations, characters, personality types. It encompasses the wholeness of our individuality. Jim Taylor, a psychology professor

Technology is not an evil thing. It is a proof of our genius, our creative identity as human beings. Because of this creativity, we are making things possible. at University of San Francisco, discussed the possibility of technology stealing our self-identity in Psychology Today. Emerging technologies (cyber world and social media) are shifting self-identities from being internally-derived to externallydriven. He noted two unintended consequences of emerging technologies. The first consequence is the dramatic changes occurring inside most people without them being conscious of the change. Second the shift from internal to external is not beneficial for the society. Aside from cyber world and social media, emerging technologies affecting our identity include those covering variety of important applications. World Economic Forum’s Meta-Council on Emerging Technologies included in their toplist internet of nanothings and open Artificial Intelligence systems as they are widely used in consumer goods. Nanosensors and Artificial Intelligence systems is dominating mass markets with their integration in automation of processes in sectors like health, education, commerce and agriculture. Nanosensors and the Internet of Nanothings Technology advances but it shrinks. The smaller it is, the better. The nanotechnology application in the internet of things allows nanosensors to gather amounts of real-time information and broadcast it up to the cloud (web). Nanosensors are often used as biocomputers. For example, in modification of bacteria, they are set to recognize chemical targets, store information and send a signal. However, this technology is challenged with issues of privacy and security. Personal information harvested can be easily shared and hacked in the internet. Nanodevices,when insertedin human body, can provoke immune reactions. They also enable unwelcome surveillance of a person. Furthermore, the injection of sensors (like RFID chip) are setting trend as replacement of employment card/bank card. This generates an issue for human rights and prolife groups. Some Christian churches clamour for freedom of religious practice because injection of active sensors is considered a mark violating human will and dignity.

Open AI Ecosystem From Artificial To Contextual Intelligence Familiar with Cortana, Siri and OK Google? They are just an example of artificial intelligence. However these systems are proprietary, making it hard for others to extend features. As the desire for innovation still burns, more and more inventors, hobbyists and developers push for open source system where codes are shared as Creative Commons. Open Ecosystem for AIs act as personal assistants that can set schedules and manage tasks. AI as PAs raises trust questions, however. Human as we are, we value loyalty and discretion. Moreover, the preferences we send via AIs can be preyed upon by vendors and influencing our market choices. Whenever we use such technologies cited above, we leave an imprint of our identity behind. Cookies on the web, for instance, let commercial sectors keep track of a person’s interests. They use the information in the market through ads and suggestions in your social media accounts. Our imprints might also be used by criminals. To paraphrase Bill Nelson, if our privacy is not safeguarded, we are in high risk of identity theft. Limit the Possible Innovation is this generation’s driving force. Technology is not an evil thing. It is a proof of our genius, our creative identity as human beings. Because of this creativity, we are making things possible. Yet, we have to keep our feet grounded on the fact that whatever we create, we affect the community we live in. Where do we put the line and set the boundary? We are not going back to the Stone Age. As always we must embrace the change. We must welcome technology and remember the prime purpose for which it was established - to provide solution to human problems. As the dynamics continues, let us take into account our humanity. Risks examinations and ethical considerations are our navigators as we explore more. With intelligence and free will, we have the power to limit the possible.

art

art by REYMART LIBUIT

fe a t u r e

skeletons in our closet From the deepest, darkest, depths of our personal world, are secrets we protect wholly with our hearts–sometimes up to the point of ruining relationships just to keep them away from the surface. So, why? story CANDICE FAYE KRISTEN LLESES

IKE THE PEOPLE WHO WIELD THEM, SECRETS come in all shapes and sizes. There are small ones, of course, like the 20 pesos you stole from your mother this morning when she wasn’t looking, the shirt you “borrowed” from your sister without her knowing, the time when you accidentally peed on your best friend’s bed, the crush you have on the nice girl in your English class, your embarrassing internet history, the little white lies we tell as to not hurt other people’s feelings and so on. Then there are the big ones, the secrets that are too big to even talk about, the secrets that come in the form of our very own brokenness and fragilities and disappointments, our deepest, darkest fears and even our own fetishes, our infidelities, our family history, or maybe even our own sexuality. Inside all our closets – our metaphorical selves – are skeletons, secrets that we cannot show, or tell, in fear of judgment from others. Even some experts have deduced that it is not death, nor suffering, that ranks first in people’s worst fears – but humiliation and embarrassment that occurs in the aftermath of the exposition of a secret. We put up walls to guard our secrets and make up lies to protect them, and ourselves, from being judged. Some people deal with their secrets just fine. In fact, some people even find keeping secrets exciting. But then there are some who are haunted by it and perhaps, as some people claim, there is no secret as painful to hole up in our closets as our own sexuality. Society has shaped our generation to put a duct tape over talking about sex, our very own sexualities or sexual orientation. We are encouraged to keep certain urges to ourselves and not talk about it. It sometimes pops up in casual conversations, but it is always talked about in a way that is disguised in humor or green jokes. This only goes to reflect our perspectives on sexuality and secrets, as Michael Ventura in the website Psychotherapy Networker says, sexuality is scary since it is a “force in itself” and a realm wherein the “rational and measured are overwhelmed and subsumed”. Hiding our own sexuality – or “hiding in the closet”, as the cliché goes – has been found to be especially unhealthy for men as studies show that bisexual men who keep their sexualities a secret have higher chances of

depression and anxiety. On the other hand, in the modern Filipino society, women who are open about their sexuality are often frowned upon, sometimes to the extent of being called “sluts” or “whores” and other degrading labels. Even in the 21st century, it seems our society is still stuck in the 1800s when it comes to the ideals of what women should be. Women are trained and molded to become like Jose Rizal’s Maria Clara: shy, demure, virtuous, and “innocent” about sex and all the other things that are supposed to be done in secret. In addition to that, the burden of unfair expectations also fall upon us. We are expected not to drink, or smoke,or have sex before marriage, while it seems okay for men to do the exact opposite. On the other side of the coin, men, too, are burdened with secrets because of the expectations put upon them by society. Men are expected to be dominant, while women are expected to be submissive. They are expected not to cry and as a result, most of them suffer in secret. We are caught in false dichotomy. For the majority of our lives, we are told again and again to achieve absurd double-standards, and so we end up making fake identities for ourselves and build a wall of secrets to protect who we truly are. In my research about secrets, I came upon an interesting insight from an article by Cathy Eck, a psychologist. She claims that the “only way to please everyone is to keep secrets about the rules we break so people think we follow their rules and don’t judge us, because we fear judgement so much that we allow it to take our power, authenticity, and our freedom. But it takes courage to stop allowing people to define what’s best for us because they tend to get brutal when we follow our hearts and not them.” I don’t have the authority to tell people to just go out and bare themselves naked for everyone to see. All I’m saying is that we are often scared of being judged, and so we hide to protect ourselves. But maybe it’s time to provide an accepting environment for people that have been carrying their secret burden for years. Maybe, in our own time, we will finally be able to clean up our closets and set the skeletons inside free.

We put up walls to guard our secrets and make up lies to protect them, and ourselves, from being judged.

what we hide and why we hide them

essay

where is she? She is everybody’s sister. We all have this love-hate relationship with her. story and photography by JOSEPH DANIEL MALABAR

HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR HER ALL DAY. I HAVEN’T seen her in our bedroom or even at school. I have been looking for my twin. We are so much alike, identical almost. We share the same room and the same stories. We played with the same rattles and blocks when we were younger. A love-hate relationship between us filled every room we’re in. But I still love her even if she gets nosy sometimes. We are inseparable. Or so I thought. Until today. She has mysteriously vanished without saying a thing. She left a note on our vanity quoting Bird Set Free which made me confused all the more. I miss her so much as if our skin didn’t touch last night when we were sitting in front of the dinner table; I want to look for her. Could you help me? If you happen to see a fine young lady with scars on her wrist – gotten from all those times she felt unwanted and scratched so much of herself, creating a bloody mess – as if she’ll find answers inside the wounds. Pale skin covered her frail rib cage, bearing flowers so pretty. She even planted some into my lungs, causing me to faint. She’s always nauseous when travelling, too. She pukes so much, always surprised by life’s movement. My twin is something even she doesn’t lnoe what. She is beautiful. Yet she does not recognize that enviable beauty of hers. She has such captivating and piercing eyes, which I always love to watch. She makes me feel inferior every time she’d catch me looking at her. With just a glimpse from her I turn into stone. Her

essay

movements are very well calculated. You can’t mess her up, she has her own timing. Thinking was her main hobby. She had this sort of degree in asking questions that could only be answered by her. Her things were always disorganized but she would tell me it’s all about “creativity”. She was quiet, the type of girl who would keep everything inside. My mom would jokingly call her a ticking time bomb. It must be true for some reason. Her way of doing things are usually so unexplainable and unpredictable it makes me choke on air. My sister also loved the small things about life. In our garden, she would stop and pick the most beautiful flowers I had so carefully planted. Her tales of horrors and creep would always keep me awake at night, looking from left to right just to make sure I’m all alone. She also has this habit of calling out my name with a soft whisper like, Joseph, Joseph, which scares the bajeezus out of me. Yeah, she makes me hyperventilate sometimes. We both got matching tattoos of an eye. She said it was supposed to help us see into the world of the unknown, creepy isn’t it? I become oblivious at night when she starts chanting her daily rituals of selfdoubts and unmade decisions. And then she’d make me over-think things as well. This characteristic of hers is very infectious. She loved staying up all night, thinking about things ‘til the sun kisses her pale cheeks and her name is called by those little black sparrows flying outside our window, the ones she calls her

She loved to paint deep strokes into her arms and thighs. She was dangerous. friends. She constantly looked for the buzzing and the pain that comes with tattooing, saying it gives her pleasure. Well, I have done it – again – influenced by her actions. I keep away the sharp blades from her, because she loved to paint deep strokes into her arms and thighs. She was dangerous, but she’s so beautiful and I hope she comes back. I’m looking for her. Have you seen her anywhere here in school? “Maybe she is at the quiet library,” people say. “Try to look for her in one of those dusty rooms in the last building.” I am exhaling the exhaustion and the worries of her leaving me. She made me who I am today. Without her I’m incomplete, I couldn’t be a single twin. There is no such thing. I need her and she needs me. Together, we shall embrace each other, fighting against the norms of society. Please help me look for her, I’m desperate. She is the only person who understands me. Help me look for her. Her name is Anxiety.

chronicles of highlight

feature 7

davao streets “Let’s have a long walk and talk about how Davao City streets speak their value at the same time be allured to know this fine tale.”

story by PRAISAH MARJOREY PICOT photography by JOMARI LLOYD VALDEZ

LONG THE BUSY ROAD INTERSECTIONS AND corners of the city sidewalks lie the wide spectrum of repositories of Davao City. Certainly through ages these elements have their ties to the past, which gave a blended mixture of a unique character. And nothing far better mirror the City’s exquisite image than the City’s streets themselves. Streetwise, one should know how to commute around the city, especially in downtown area. That is because many of the thoroughfares are one-way streets. In here, jeepneys ply the same thoroughfare to and fro. And this may bring a bit of culture shock to tourists. But on the plus side, you get to be more acquainted with its urban geography. Apart from that, another treat our streets could offer is figuring the old and new name of a certain section. Meanwhile, some of the old street identification were

surnames of Spanish conquerors who had direct historical impact in Davao. But then amendments were made during the 1935 Constitutional Convention as pundits dishonored the Spaniards role during the days of colonization. Thus, you have to familiarize yourself with the old and updated street names. Also, have a quick get to know of its nostalgic features, because it shares a part of Davao’s soul that waits to be discovered. San Pedro Street is one of the oldest streets in Davao City. According to historians the old, historic San Pedro Street was born when the Spanish conqueror and merchant Don Uyanguren led the very first Catholic mass. It took place in a small chapel on the exact spot where the present San Pedro Cathedral now is situated to give appreciations to St Peter for helping them conquer Davao on June 29, 1848. This explicates why every June 29, this city celebrate its

h i g h l i g h t 11

“Feast of St. Peter”. And up to present the old altar is still preserved at the right wing of the cathedral. Meanwhile, as years passed improvements came and infrastructures were established such as the illustrious landmarks which include the Legislative Building and the City Hall. Claro M. Recto Avenue (formerly Claveria Street) before it was renamed, this street is named after a Spanish army officer Narciso Claveria y Zaldua who was linked to three historical events in this city. Not long then, after the Spanish era it became a leisure destination having Ideal Theater and the Puericulture Center of the Davao Women’s Club. Pioneers of Davao City saw how this city’s main street has deteriorated over the years. Now at present this street has gone from a cycle of metamorphosis as it clearly features that the days of slumber is already over and the scent of a huge booming market fills the air. Moreover, it has become a popular parade ground for the city’s famous festivals, such as the Kadayawan and the Araw ng Davao.

Along the San Pedro stree are the busy sidewalks filled with stalls

highlight

A.Pichon Street (formerly Magallanes Street) is a one-way street which houses some well-known establishments which include the Grand Men Seng Hotel, and the Davao City Library. Apart from that another eminent spot is the Davao Museum which holds many portals and corridors of the arts. Certainly, this place is a perfect venue for a tell-tale of this city’s heritage. In here the galleries would take you back to 19th-century and early 20th-century of Davao. Moreover, mounted here are old photographs of Davao’s landmarks, contemporary works and excerpts from the documentations of Davao historians Ernesto Corcino and Macario Tiu. Indeed this city’s museum has a number of artifacts where every person can get the chance to better understand and appreciate the stories behind every picture of the unmarked streets, and abodes of indigenous tribes. Hence, every piece inside it holds a memory to be unlocked.

Ilustre Street is one of the busier inner streets in Davao. And little do people know about the secret of the “20 seconds of darkness” shortcut. During the past decades, Ilustre was considered the heart of the city. If you were coming from the southern part of the city via public transport, the fastest way to Ilustre was through a narrow alley between Magallanes Street near the Bankerohan market exit and San Pedro Street exit beside the old Games & Garments store. In a matter of 20 seconds through this dark pathway, you could get to Ilustre in no time. Now in the present civilization it continues to upsurge shopping malls that are continually sprouting everywhere. Consequently it is a perfect destination to relish mall hopping and at the same time enjoy a Davaeno way of food trip. Ramon Magsaysay Avenue (formerly Uyanguren Street) is monickered as the Chinatown of Davao

/left/ the infamous paifang that serves as the gateway to Uyanguren. /above/ the popular spot along R. Magsaysay that are a must-go for Durian-lover tourist.

h i g h l i g h t 13

City. It is home to many Chinese merchants and businesses. Davao’s Chinatown is more “industrial” in character. What you’ll observe here are rows of retail spaces and warehouses of numerous goods, which makes sense considering the inclination for trade among the Filipino-Chinese community. From then and now it comes to be the center of commerce since it intersects a lot of streets and mainly it joints the C.M. Recto Avenue and J.P. Laurel and connects all the way to the Magsasay Park on the other end. Well, it has become one of the pumping veins of marketplaces in the city. Roxas Avenue is an evening limelight for all seasons. And did you know that this avenue is known to have an open drainage canal that runs from the Freedom Park towards the Quezon Boulevard junction. Along the canal banks Neem, Mahogany trees and Hibiscus shrubs are found which provide shade and splendour to the avenue. Because of its magnificent features, plans were made during the 1990’s to establish an evening promenade for tourists in the avenue with night market and sidewalk cafes. Not long then the said plan was put into reality. And it was in 2013 when the City Council of Davao approved the night market ordinance. Now it has become a popular street in Davao City that turns into a vibrant spot at night time. Well, there are more things and streets to discover and as well as plenty of land to explore, sights to behold, tribal art to venerate and multicultural people to meet and Davao is just waiting for you to discover its chronicles. With this, it’s for sure that you would find time in appreciating such a good city even better and why Davao City is proud to say that life is here.

Ayaw sig charchar diha na side.. Ayaw sig charchar diha na side. Ayaw sig charchar diha na side.

Ayaw sig charchar diha na side.. Ayaw sig charchar diha na side. Ayaw sig The delicious foods you’ll charchar diha na side. find in Roxas Night Market.

plenty of land to explore, sights to behold, tribal art to venerate and [...] Davao is just waiting for you to discover its chronicles.

art

art by JOSHUA MARI VILLALUNA

e s s a y 15

I can say that my belief was mainly altered by the desires to find stable answers.

story ROBERT LEE BAWIGA

“spanking and reward system”. It’s where a child gets punished by the wrong things committed or be rewarded by the good things one has made. By this, I learned to submit to my parent’s authority, in fear of the whip. I accepted and lived the ways my family taught me. An ideology I thought would define me as a person today. But I was wrong. As I grew up in a community of various beliefs, perspectives and outlooks, I frequently confuse myself to what and where should I believe in. I resort to asking questions about it and eventually seek answers for it. I learned to set aside my unlabeled faith and seek better information to understand other people’s perspective and learn to accept other peoples’ view towards religion. Growing up in the 21st century where computers are as many as human beings and internet is accessible as ever, I often find myself surfing the internet for reliable sources of information and healthy discussions about religious things just to answer my innermost questions and clarify the things that has always been obscure for me, all to satisfy my thirst for the Truth. This led me to probe on things from my previous beliefs and because I have never been satisfied with the given answers, I resort to be non-aligned and unfaithful. I can say that my belief was mainly altered by the desire to find stable answers. I was back then a 16-year old college student when I decided to unfollow the belief I was introduced to as a kid. Now I am far from the brittle and gullible self I once was and my decisions are not based merely on trends and the desire of the society I was instructed to believe.It is based on my own understanding of things as my central processing unit of decision making. Perhaps what led me to change my beliefs were unanswered queries and unclear things that still longed for answers. It is my desire and thirst for something that steered me to become the person I am today. I cease to believe that Satan or his demons or any diabolic force alike shall define one’s thoughts in quest for Truth.Because standing up for my own path, regardless if people agrees or not, doesn’t make me less of a human. The house where I grew up with will never define me.

the house that built me

HERE IS NOTHING MORE ALARMING THAN being called a follower of Satan. When school is requiring me to lead the prayer inside the class before it starts, I often resist the urge to say “I am sorry, I don’t pray”. Instead I utter words of prayer I can still recall from my earliest memory. I resort to act like I do pray but my desire to tell everyone that I am an unbeliever battles my fear of being called a follower of Satan. It was a terrible thought that once in my life I was called a follower of Satan just for professing that I am an unbeliever of the Christian faith and the religion I grew upon. I was in the middle of a bible discussion when I declared that I am an unbeliever. The student who is in the middle of his preaching turned to me and said things I never thought he would say. Clearing his throat first, he uttered that my thoughts are of Satan’s and about worldly dominion. He rebuked as if the words that came out of my mouth were of the devils’ and not mine. Saying that my thoughts and words were ‘satanic’ because I refuse to live a Christian life doesn’t automatically make me a worshipper of Satan and the eminent Illuminati. Yet I remained voiceless. I responded by nodding to show respect, silently wishing this would all come to end. From that moment on, I was left with no choice but to accept the thought that maybe I am a follower of Satan. As in the words of that student-preacher, a confused and skeptical disciple whose perplexed with the ways how the faithful call themselves holy and beloved before commonmen. Maybe I am a follower of Satan who never said “No” to people’s desires to spend the longest five minutes of my life listening to their preaches inside the school campus. A follower of Satan who never judged homosexuals thinking they will burn in hell after they die. A follower of Satan who has lived most of his existence cuddling the beliefs of his family. A short background, I grew up in a Christian family. A family who, as regarded by many, has always incurred good values and principles. A family who taught me to pray before we start the day; be it eat, sleep, or head to school or work. A family who taught me of biblical things while growing up. My mother would recite verses and parables from the bible like how a parent reads a bedtime story to his child. I was deeply fascinated by these bible stories that strengthened my mother’s faith. I still remember a parable from Christ or a story like Moses, The Prince of Egypt or Solomon the Wise King. Growing up as a Christian, I often find myself waking up early every Sunday to prepare myself before going to church. I sat quietly on pews, hands on my lap, listening to verses from bible and often times quoting them on my notebook. Ironically, there came a point when the bible became my growing buddy. I was taught to read it every single day. I often find myself memorizing every precious verse that taught me of wisdom. All these became my daily ritual. Growing up in a Christian family, I was taught discipline and obedience by the traditional

travel

chasing

Despite the bloody mess Cotabato was known for, it is still the rainbowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end hitting you with a pot of gold.

waterfalls

story and photography by YVETTE MARIZ BALAYON

GROUP OF FRIENDS, ALL SIMILARLY IN their teenage years, planned a vacation trip to one of the provinces of Cotabato. They started saving money for expenses and read online reviews about their destination. They were ready and excited when one of their friends backed out on their plan because her family would not allow her to join the trip, saying that Cotabato is allegedly not a safe place. Cotabato has always been tagged as a warzone in the Philippines with all the bombings, hostages, and massacres from terrorists because these are what we see in the Internet and TV. While it is true for circumstances like these to occur, Cotabato has so much more to offer despite all this stigma. Seated at the southern part of Mindanao, Cotabato province is called the Land of Dreamweavers. A quiet place of rolling hills, mountains, numerous lakes and rivers. Here, dreams exist beyond sleep â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and its people sere as the bridges between that world and this. Cotabato is indeed blessed with majestic places, unique culture, and heartwarming people.

Wonders of Nature. Tranquility and serenity can be felt throughout the lake.

photo courtesy of T’boli Tourism Office

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The real story must be told to educate people that the locality is as peaceful as the jewels of its lake. Sites for Sights South Cotabato is beyond blessed with places perfectly molded by the hands of Almighty Creator. It has lots of destinations that can amaze people and change the stigma given to the province. One of its most popular destinations is the municipality of Lake Sebu. It serves as the summer and eco-cultural center of South Cotabato which is blessed with marvelous natural scenic spots and wildlife reserves. It is also the major producer of tilapia, forest products and abaca handicraft renowned as T’nalak. The Lake Sebu, one of the top ten Philippine Gems, is a 356-hectare body of water, with an immesurable depth. One of the most captivating things about the lake is the ethereal harmony of opal and jade lotus foliage. Traditional boats can be rented to row around so people can seize the moment of escaping reality. The tranquility of the picturesque Lake Sebu can make one oblivious to another magnificent spot around the lake – the source of its still waters – the rapturous rapids from seven cliffs collectively called ‘the thunder of the seven falls’. People can opt to trek their way up to the 7th waterfalls but the best way to see all of these is to ride the highest zipline in Southeast Asia that suspended 600 feet above the ground with 700 and 400 meter distance. Surely, you will scream out of different emotions while flying in the midst of forestry surrounded by seven waterfalls. For the adrenaline junkies, if you are not yet

satisfied with the zipline, Lake Sebu also offers paragliding and white water tubing. These activities will surely bring you to cloud nine and forget stress in life. Talking about challenging activities, Mt. Parker awaits those who came for extreme adventures. Located in T’boli, South Cotabato, it towers over the town with its peak at 1,750 meters. A dormant stratovolcano harboring a crater named Lake Holon which was formed after an eruption in year 1641. Peace, beauty, and magic are the three words that can really describe Lake Holon. It is a dream-like experience to witness the lake’s emerald waters as if you’re entering a fantasy realm. Discovering hidden jewels like this would definitely be an experience to treasure for a lifetime and the stories you collect will be worth telling your children and grandchildren in the future. Truly, Lake Holon is deserving of its title as crown jewel of the South. Aside from the above mentioned destinations, every South Cotabato’s municipality has its own version of mustsee places. They have Mt. Matutum in Polomolok, tarsier sanctuary in Tupi, pottery making in Tantangan, cold springs of Banga, unsung waterfalls of Norala, a perfectly breast shaped mountain of Tampakan, native statues of Surallah, mini-Sinulog festival of Sto. Nińo, and the progressive city of Koronadal or famously known as Marbel. Delighted Dreamweavers Along your journey in discovering the jewels of the South, you will also meet the people living and preserving the sceneries who warmly welcome both the locals and tourists.

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In Lake Sebu, you will meet the well-known T’boli dreamweavers. They believe the goddess of abaca, Fu Dalu, visits them in their dreams. In these dreams, Fu Dalu is said to speak and guide them on how to create patterns and designs on the abaca such as the bankiring (hair bangs), bulinglangit (clouds), and the kabangi (butterfly). Thus, the famous t’nalak cloth is created. Dreamweavers are highly dexterous, quickly weaving and tying the abaca fiber into their desired design. They also have a high stamina for the work they do, spending hours and weeks on end to complete the entire process of weaving, tying, and dyeing, to make just one t’nalak cloth. The late National Treasure Lang Dulay, a strong advocate of the t’nalak in her time, passionately taught students about the traditions and techniques of weaving at her School of Living Traditions. Despite of Lang Dulay’s absence, her ideas and visions continue to live in the t’nalak cloth she has created or inspired, and in teachings she has passed on to the younger generations. Vibrant T’nalak and its Festival The T’nalak is an intricately woven tapestry of intense and striking colors. The hues of intertwined abaca fabric depict the vivid spirit of the people whom this unique and artistic weaving has invariably come to

represent. This symbol of woven dreams is a fundamental part of South Cotabato’s culture, a culture steeped in mystique. The T’nalak Festival is an annual celebration that commemorates the founding anniversary of the dynamic South Cotabato province amidst the dual presence of tradition and progress. Every 18th of July, the people of the province are celebrating and enjoying the feast. Much like the choreographed contrast of this unique tapestry, the T’nalak Festival is a mix of varied events that likewise characterize the South Cotabato people and their vibrant spirit, a people, whose distinct culture and multi-ethnicity contribute to the image of this emerging province – a province that is steadfast in weaving its wealth towards advancement, and a province undoubtedly beyond compare. From chromatic street dancing, pulsation street parties, and innovative trade expos, the T’nalak Festival has it all. South Cotabato’s Dilemma Despite the beautiful places and increased tourist visits, we still see critical challenges that need to be hurdled to allow South Cotabato reach its full potential. Just to set some things straight. No bombings can be heard in South Cotabato, no insurgencies – and it is one of those territories in the South which does not wish and would not join territories that may governed separately under the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Have you ever considered knowing what it is really like in the eyes of the locals? South Cotabato is their safe haven, it is beyond blessed with most of the natural resources and breath-taking destinations in the Philippines that are fortunately unobstructed. The real story must be told to educate people that the locality is as peaceful and calm as the jewels of its lake. “Don’t go chasing waterfalls” is a phrase people say when they are not really sure what’s on the other side and so sticking only with what they know because it’s safe. To all the people who question the safety of South Cotabato, let go of your doubts and start your pilgrimage to the precious jewels of South, only then will you realize its beauty. The sound of the thunder of the seven falls is saying, “Don’t be afraid and go chase the waterfalls”.

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cheap thrills:

delicious food for less Our team took to the streets and found all these cheap, delicious thrills that will not only save you from stress but satisfy your churning stomachs, too. (without hurting your wallet!)

story by PHILIP JOSHUA ARISTOTELES JOHN JOSHUA DEOCARIZA photography by JOMARI LLOYD VALDEZ

food

FTER THAT BUZZER-BEATING QUIZ IN YOUR MAJOR CLASS, FOR SURE YOU URGENTLY GRABBED YOUR PHONE AND answered Facebook’s not so popular question for all--what’s on your mind? Right away you vented your heart’s content. Seconds later, the whole world already knew that you are feeling drained. But letting out your feelings wasn’t enough. You needed something more that could fill that hollow void in your stomach that stress has left in its wake. Now as you walk down the stairs with your hair undone, you wonder where to go and spend time to enjoy your personal break. Surely there are a lot of places around the University but we all know that only food can save our mood. For students like us, it’s a fact that food has been our scapegoat when we’re feeling down. So, join us as we take a tour around the stalls in UM and find scrumptious meals that will surely cure your stress.

RICE TOPPINGS It’s hard to resist buying this satisfying meal. Filled with deep-fried nuggets of chicken or fish meat and a garnish of its savory sauce, this tasty indulgence is definitely one of our top choices whether just to fill our stomachs with food or when we want to stress-eat. It is also a delightful flavor to represent your personality. And since rice has been the staple food of the Filipino cuisine, there’s no doubt liking it gives a clue about your identity. Meanwhile, this good-to-go meal simply displays your smooth sailing viewpoint with a hint of optimism as a side dish in life.

WHERE TO BUY: UM FOODCOURT SPARE: PHP 35.00-45.00

LUGAW

WHERE TO BUY: UM FOODCOURT SPARE: PHP 20.00-30.00

This campus’ all-time favorite is served searing hot and flavorful; mix up with diced tofu and pork (tokwa’t baboy), or with egg or chicken. Whether for snack or meal, rice porridge is definitely indulging. To achieve your desired taste of rendition, you should add it with the right amount of salt and pepper and a squeeze of calamansi. Seemingly, the rightness and exactness of seasonings depict a picture of your likes or even your dislikes be it in the environment or the persons around you. Perhaps, you seek belongingness wherein you wanted to have the same goals to be achieved. Indeed you are goal driven; precision and accuracy is what you aim for.

BINIGNIT The authentic part of this delicacy is the magic of aroma that travels us to a pure sense of home. The mix of different fruits such as banana, jackfruit, sweet potatoes, and others makes it damn good. What makes it more appetizing is the presence of coconut milk. Aside from those, other ingredients include sticky rice (malagkit) and sago balls to name a few. More than the blow of remarkable taste and colorful treat in our stomach, relishing the treat gives a nostalgic feeling that brings back memories of our childhood. Undeniably, you might be that person who seeks the comfort of home where the rainbows and sweetness of yesteryears are.

WHERE TO BUY: UM FOODCOURT SPARE: PHP 20.00-30.00

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HOTDOG SANDWICH Munching that hotdog sandwich at the food court speaks a real deal of joy. The juicy and tender sausage wrapped in a bun topped with a red glaze of tasty ketchup or hot sauce (if you like them hot!) will surely take your stress away. Its burst of a flavorful sensation inside your mouth will definitely take your problems to another dimension. This meal’s presentation may come to you as very simple yet it’s taste will leave you craving for more. This should also give us an insight in choosing which friends to keep - not because of their appearance but by their substance.

WHERE TO BUY: UM FOODCOURT SPARE: PHP 25.00-30.00

KWEK-KWEK The moment you eat kwek-kwek, there are a lot of choices to choose from and these choices bear traits to integrate. When you prefer to eat it with the additives of vinegar, salt, seaweeds, and cucumber – you are kind WHERE TO BUY: of a simple type of person. You are living a life only to GRAVAHAN FOOD satisfy contentment. Another one is eating it with the STALLS additive of spices. The higher the content of spices you SPARE: put; the more explosive the flavor as you taste. If this PHP 12.00-15.00 describes you, you could be the kind of person who does not want normative routines. You probably crave for excitement and a tickle of adventure and happiness in the most unique and uncertain ways of unraveling the mystery of the day.

MARUYA With its mixture of sweet and a bit of bitter taste, Maruya is a reflection of fierce but calm personality. The sweet taste depicts some kind of light and optimistic point of view in life, happiness and calmness of the soul. Bitter taste, on the other hand, somehow reflects of strong and firm traits. The hint of it in the food is a complement of positive and fierce character because somehow, we can find greatness in overcoming every problem we encounter. It’s a good indication that we are always free to create changes in our lives.

WHERE TO BUY: GRAVAHAN FOOD STALLS SPARE: PHP 5.00-7.00

Upon showing you the creativity of every dish; the soul of its own stories crafted from the aroma of love and inspiration gives a savory taste of it. And a personal touch of the various flavors and spices which reflects our individual personalities takes a catch on realizing that there’s more to food than digesting it.

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LUIGGI ART

fillennials:

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celebrating the “me” generation We’re just so tired of all the badmouthing millennials are faced with. We think it’s about time we toot our own horns and celebrate our lives as millennials. story by LORDE KATE ANGELICA DEFENSOR photography by CHRISTIAN KIT FANCUVILLA

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HINK BACK AS FAR AS YOU CAN. HAVE YOU EVER heard one of the elders in your family say, “Ana na jud ang mga batan-on ‘ron,” And then they’d look at you fondly as if you’re still a small child who has no idea how the world should work. Surely you’ve experienced this once or twice. Such a phrase has been a constant favorite of my parents. They would always say, “‘tong bata pa mi,” followed by an account of their misadventures. This used to fascinate me a lot because growing up, I’ve opened my eyes to technology and I haven’t really spent much time outside our house, feeling the sun on my face just like my parents did. As millennials (people born from 1980’s to 2000), we were raised up in a society filled with instant opportunities and the world in our hands – quite literally – due to the success of technological discoveries in our time. We are the love-child of science and technology and contemporary art – dreamers and achievers. But as I started to gain understanding about my life and people around me, I learned that there’s this stigma surrounding our generation. While we were brought up to believe that we’re this group of goal-oriented, persuasive individuals, people from the older generation would think otherwise. Instead, we are being characterized as kids who fear growing up. That we’re just a bunch of entitled, selfish narcissists who know nothing but whining about how hard life is. In fact, according to Google autocomplete, as populated by search terms and keywords, Millennials are proud, lazy idiots who kill industries and traditions they no longer deem important. We are also accused of fearing responsibilities and commitments, opting to receive dole-outs from our

parents instead of working hard to get them on our own and that the reason we wish to never grow up is that we want to live long enough to fulfill all those #TravelGoals and #LifeGoals. In an interview, Simon Sinek, a motivational speaker and consultant who studies millennials, said that millennials always failed to realize that things like job satisfaction and strength in relationship takes time because we’re too used to getting things instantly since we were young. He went on to emphasize how good we are at filtering images in our social media accounts to make our lives look good, even when it’s not. As Filipinos, our culture and traditions have been shaped and toughened by all those colonization that our country has been through over the centuries. It is without no doubt that the way we speak and think are modeled after all these colonizers. Safe to say (thanks to technology for paving a way for us to be updated about what’s new all over the world), we, as Filipino millennials have become so accustomed to following foreign youth cultures and are said to have lost our own brand and originality. But, is that such a bad thing? Should we be fazed about these negativities that are hurled towards just because we’re young? I don’t think so. We shouldn’t really let ourselves dwell in all these badmouthing our generation is receiving because I think millennials are doing a really good job. In fact, we’re killing it. Given that we’re the future of this country, I think it’s about time we set things straight. Not to toot our own horns here too much but I think we’re the best generation ever. Why? Let me tell you. First off, we millennials are so fetched to achieve our goals even if it means setting aside marriage and

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FILNICK AGUILLON, BS Civil Engineering GENE TERRI SATINITIGAN, BS Ed - BioSci

c o v e r s t o r y 27

We shouldn’t really let ourselves dwell in all these badmouthing our generation is receiving because I think millennials are doing a really good job.

happy-ever-afters in love and relationships just to pursue our deams. In a survey conducted by Rappler on the 3rd quarter of 2016, millennials were asked how they’d define success and majority of the votes says, success means following your passion. We’re also labeled lazy but I don’t think that’s the case, at all. Yes, we might find it quite stressful and challenging to work for others but a lot of young people today are starting their own business as a way of expressing their creativity and gaining profit out of it. Because of our high literacy when it comes to technology, we are finding more and more ways to start up our own brands and marketing them without even leaving our houses. According to a study from Bentley University tells us that 67% of their respondents hope to start their own businesses while 13% says they plan to climb up the corporate ladder and become CEO’s one day. This means that not only are we hardworking but also ambitious in a good way. I also don’t believe that technology has become the evil that takes us away from learning because if anything else, technology has been a way for us to become informed of the global societal conflicts and to engage in discussions with people from all over the world regarding the problems we’re all facing. It also helped us to become wiser consumers in a way that whenever we plan to buy something we’re not sure of yet, we can just hit our phones up and read reviews and product descriptions. Also, according to a research from Pew Research Center, Millenials are the most educated generation to date, with a 20% increase in graduation rates compared to Generation X (1964-1980) and Baby Boomers (19461964). This only comes to mean that we not only value our passions and aspirations but that we truly support

learning, too. In the Philippines, we have millennials on the frontlines of the battle against discrimination of the LGBTQ community and even women’s rights. Different student organizations are taking part in ending the inequality between genders and are raising awareness about problems that our country faces. People, especially the elders, might be skeptical about the youth poking their noses on politics and civic rights but doesn’t this only show how aware we are of our environment and what’s happening around us? Didn’t doctor Jose Rizal say, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”? When millennials are being involved in these advocacies, it just shows how much we care about our motherland and how we strive to create a better future for the next generation. While it is true that technology had gotten a hold of us, it is also a fact that technology had allow us, Filipinos, to tap into people’s lives no matter how far they are. And I must say this has empowered us all in ways our ancestors didn’t ever imagine. Moving on to the future will require us to let go of traditions that we deem no longer useful for our day-today lives. But I hope that as we move on to the future, our actions would still be rooted in the values planted within us by our ancestors. As a millennial myself, I know we have our shortcomings since we’re still humans, but I think the good side outweighs the bad and being a part of this generation is something we should celebrate. I hope the generations before us should stop setting an unreachable standard and appreciate what we can offer to the world. After all, handling millennials (or other generations in their beginnings) is new to us all – an unchartered sea we all must sail through to reach a new shore filled with hope and a better life.

fe a t u r e

a manifesto on misogyny Society gave us the definition of Mysogyny as (menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) hatred of women. But what happens when women hating fellow women becomes the new normal? story by KRISTY MARIE LAGAMON art by DANIELLE ALVAREZ

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HIS IS A CONVERSATION WE OUGHT TO HAVE HAD A long time ago. I was walking past a group of boys playing when I overheard one guy calling out to the other, “You throw like a girl!” A girl friend from a date confided in me, beaming as she says how romantic the way the guy tells her, “You are not like most girls”. A random female I encountered in the women’s comfort room faces the mirror while telling her friend, “I prefer being friends with boys than girls –too much drama and backstabbing.” I can still picture these shame-soaked memories like bad dreams I’d never want to tell anyone ever again. I remember those times all I did was pause like a frozen puppet. Is using the word ‘girl’ the worst thing you can define a person? How has “not like most girls” become a compliment when those ‘girls’ you refer to are our sisters, mothers, friends – the very people we run to when life seems unbearable? Finally, is inadvertently stereotyping ‘other women’ as “all drama” synonymous to forging better friendships with men? So come once upon a time, I’ve had enough. This is my ode to girl-hate. While misogyny refers to prejudice against women or girls, the belief that women secretly hate one another is nothing new. Thanks to the brains behind faster internet, access to womenhating is all over the world wide web. We are living with it every day. Females bashing other women even made it to the primetime news. Who could forget the girl dubbed Amalayer whose video made rounds online? Did you cringe too when Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart drew a lot of criticism after a video of her controversial statements about pageant winner Katherin Espin of Ecuador? How about 16-year old Bianca Umali who caught thousands of hateful comments with her ‘no-makeup look’ Facebook status? What about Miss Philippines Maxine Medina’s overly anticipated answer at the recently concluded Miss Universe 2017 or the famed 17-year old Janina San Miguel’s Q&A performance years ago for Binibining Pilipinas? Need I mention every local female celebrity being publicly shamed for leaked nude photos or videos online? Ultimately, has any of us realized trivial situations like gossips in the female bathroom stalls or males’ locker room where easy-to-hear tale of who’s prettier than whom could also fit this puzzle? Clearly, there is no stopping this social disease. The idea of women hating women has become an accepted form of today’s digital setting as some women claims it as “ingrained in our culture”. Perhaps we can take a cue on the animated films we grew up watching as we are the Disney generation. To rephrase Natalia Borecka, editor-in-chief and publisher of Lone Wolf Magazine, have you considered the thought why Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White, to name a few, never had a female friend? In fact, if there were other women present in the movie, they were portrayed as villains, rivals or some monstrous beauty (yes, I’m talking about the unapologetically beautiful Ursula). Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter, had her way of putting up a unique perspective linking its connection to girl-hate. She says princesses may confide in a sympathetic mouse or teacup, but they do not have girlfriends and thus princesses avoid female bonding. Somehow Disney princesses’ goals are plain easy – be saved by a prince, get married, and be taken care of for the rest of their lives. Now imagine introducing such way of thinking to our girls at an early age. Even from a long time ago, society teaches girls that the

Our hearts may be bruised but like a phoenix rising, we’re going to need the courage to realize each other’s access so our voices be made loud and clear. greatest thing they have to offer the world is their sexuality. Hence if the value as a human being is measured by where one falls on the physical scale, insecurity is going to overshadow any possibility of friendship or compassion towards another person. Blogger Toni Nagy has so openly said that women exhibit vindictive behavior towards samesex peers because there is a feel of threat by people who are mostly like themselves. “That is, we feel better about ourselves when we feel better than other people”. So, is that it? Now is the time to view feminism as a collective effort of empowerment. Until we can figure out how to think of ourselves as more than a collection of body parts in varying degrees of authenticity, girl-hate will exist. In a society where forms of subtle sexism continue, celebrating femininity will be more than just a patch to our mistakes. You ask, how do we end girl-hate and start spreading girl-love and compassion to our women and the rest of humanity? Or better yet, how do we even battle this habit, this long accepted norm? To fellow woman and feminist Nikki Luna, the key is proactivity; it is taking action when no one sees that injustice or inequity is there. If there’s a cause that stirs the hungry flames of your ruby spirit to overcome what has been laid out as ordinary, then join us. Let us shatter the walls and free all these trapped, weak, voiceless, invisible, broken women that we have let our souls become. Long gone are the Cinderellas and Auroras who depend on others to get them out of their mess. We are now the modern Meridas, Mulans, Tianas, Elsas (or our very own self-titled warrior) who can empower one another, fight our own battles, and recognize the power of our choices. I once had the mindset of thinking less of the female gender but today I am taking a stand. We are infinitely more magical than the sum total of events or mistakes that happened to us. This is not to say that feminism is therefore about hating masculinity and disregarding all the rest of the realized gender. Consider this an open invitation to everyone. Our hearts may be bruised but like a phoenix rising, we’re going to need the courage to realize each other’s access so our voices be made loud and clear. Because my dear comrades in humanity, we are so much better than this.

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T Although we’ve seen a lot of their fancy dance moves during school festivals and programs, we’ve never really got a chance to know how this group copes with life’s rhythm.

story by PRAISAH MARJOREY PICOT & ZOIDA CLARA YAMBA photography by JOMARI LLOYD VALDEZ

HEY SAY PASSION CAN TAKE YOU PLACES, and Makabayan undeniably proves us that. For years now they continually blaze their way to various dance floors and shows us that more than their presence they can groove and sway with burning passion. Behind their successes is the identity they keep as legacy. Makabayan Dance Group introduces itself with their initials MKF which stands for MaKabayan Family. Makabayan is popular in performing Philippine folk dances and cultural dances of the various tribes here in the Philippines. Though they have become renown because of their glamorous costumes and props, but mostly it is their graceful executions of the different kinds of dances that have made them well-known. Consequently, they captured the spotlight of socio-cultural field of the arts in dancing. The Makabayan Family gathers several talented students who strive hard in their academics and at the same time pursue their passion in dancing. With bone-breaking

auditions, the MKF were able to draw set of dedicated students who were willing to be trained and disciplined. The first members of the team were inclined to cultural dances but as members come and go transitions happen. Different members mean variety of dance genre.At present, apart from the Philippine dances where they still continue to perform in certain events, the group now ventures on other dances like Hip-hop. The transition is not a very welcome thing among some members. For some, the name Makabayan implies the love for Filipino dances. Thus, the group must reflect the Filipino spirit of dancing and mainstream dances must not be preferred over Philippine cultural dances. Despite these realities, the group strives hard to prove that dances come in various styles and performing those don’t diminish their Makabayan spirit. They showcase the fighting Filipino spirit by joining various competitions. With burning determination they make sure that they always land on the first three spots in every

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competition. In fact, in performing Hiphop, they ruled the Crissa Dance Synergy 2 and bagged P150, 000 as the grand prize. Giving their best shot is always found in the core of their hearts. Thus, it is taken as a point that with every up-beat of music a synchronized and simultaneous dance movement would be kicked-off with 100 percent of their effort and that makes the perfect equation of the Makabayan way. This dedication enables the group to whizz forward when results are not in their favour. Failed goals would serve as a doze of lesson to improve. Frustration is never found in the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dictionary for they believe that it can be turned into dedication to achieve recognition. As years bring changes, the Makabayan strives to keep its identity as a legacy to next batch of members. Every year, Makabayan opens its doors to UMians. For anyone who has the willingness to be trained with everything from routinary movements to proper execution, they are welcome. As

early as the training starts, neophytes are introduced on the discipline for excellence that Makabayan group lives in. Their discipline requires every member to regularly attend their practices during weekdays. At times, if they have something to finish with for an upcoming event or competition they would extend it on Saturdays. And failure to come on time would mean a punishment like push-ups and sit-ups. Yet, even punishment is not a punishment for them, because they take it as a part of their core and cardiovascular exercise. Jester Neil Grenien, one of the leads, highlighted that maturity, dedication and passion to the chosen craft is what a member should have. After all, what does it take to be a Makabayan? Makabayan connotes passion and this passion for dancing is an identity interlaced with years of legacy.

Frustration is never found in the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dictionary for they believe that it can be turned into dedication to achieve recognition.

of flowers and sugarcanes fe a t u r e

The difference between men and women is definitely amusing because, let’s face it, sameness is quite boring – don’t you think? story by JAMIE LOUISE CAYABYAB art by KENT LOUIE MEDENILLA

T IS NO SECRET THAT MEN AND WOMEN ARE TWO DIFFERENT individuals who think differently – men are single-minded, women are flexible; men think in pictures, women think in words; men have internal navigators, women rely on landmarks; men are logical, women are intuitive. The list goes on and on. Nevertheless, these differences are the reasons why both sexes have difficulties in understanding each other. The immense difference may seem hard to decipher because aside from the fact that we can’t read minds, the complexity of understanding the opposite sex is, more often than not, frustrating. It frustrates us that sometimes no amount of explanation can make us get the picture why the opposite sex acts or thinks in a certain way. Hence, the root cause of misunderstanding – the most common reason why, ehem, relationships end. However if we try to break them down it’ll be easier for us to understand what it will be like in a man or woman’s shoes. Here are some points to see the difference between how men and women behave in certain facets of life. Chivalry is Dead Years before, some women believe that, indeed, chivalry is dead. Not because they gave up on the hope of finding the perfect prince and ending up loving one, but because they started to seek for equality where feminism stemmed from. On the other hand, there are still women who believes in chivalry. Because, seriously, who doesn’t appreciate being taken cared of? What girl wouldn’t be happy upon receiving letters and flowers? Or the simple but sweet gestures of men opening doors for them, right? Then again women understand that it is not what it once was for the practiced culture today changed the concept of chivalry into a whole different level. Alternatively, majority of men also say that chivalry is dead and it’s all because of the cyber culture. However, some men disagree and believe that it is still there. It’s the matter of how men were brought up as individuals – instilling in them the values and manners in treating women. But it’s only a matter of perspective knowing chivalry is only applied to those who they know for society judges them by giving negative impressions for their actions as a means to an end. Thy Romance It is without a doubt that women need romance. An unknown portion of this romantic need is probably related to genetic influences implemented by the hypothalamus region in the brain. Also the upbringing of the girl plays a vital role on how she perceives romance. In our society, the introduction of romance started in the early years of our childhood. We, women, were introduced to watching princess fairytales capturing hearts of princes and playing house with Barbie dolls, while boys were taught how to dribble balls and appreciate cars. As a result, women tend to fantasize more about love than men. Consequently, romance isn’t just about daydreaming and making

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different scenarios in a woman’s mind. It’s like eating the last slice of pizza, feeling elated while savoring the different flavors at once and you feel contented with what you have. They desire for intimate relationships rather than one night stands and flings. The downside of this is women tend to romanticize romance and set standards that are too idealistic which is sometimes self-destructive and they end up getting hurt and hurting others as well. Men, however, have different views about romance. As a matter of fact men crave for romance. Though, they don’t say it, men show their affection towards women through their actions rather than words. Though, some of them try to avoid too much intimacy due to the fear of people leaving them behind. Additionally, statistics say 48% of men fall in love faster than women do. And guess who, according to statistics, say the infamous three words first? Yes, it’s the guys. Though most of them say it with pure intentions, some however say it just for the heck of it. Like, seriously right? The definition of romance is undoubtedly different for each sex. It varies upon how they were brought up to the experiences they acquired from the journey of growing up. It is unfathomable to define romance; one can’t say that the definition of romance for the girl and the boy is absolute. Emotions in Motion The evident difference between men and women is the way the two handle emotions. Women tend to be emotional than men while men tend to solve their problems on their own. When it comes to expression of one’s feelings, the female beings of earth are more prone to express about what they are feeling either by crying or just mere talking to a best friend. This lets them vent out their frustration about something or someone for they feel that they are able to figure out why they are feeling such emotions. In contrast, men handle their emotions differently. Unfortunately, society played a big role why society accepts it when it’s the women who voice out their emotions but if men do the same, the social construct that men who cry are weak arises. Thus, they would rather choose to hide their feelings and put it in the back of their minds. As a result, they try to figure out it on their own on the inside which why most cases of heart attacks are from the men department. Though some men look for an outlet to express their emotions be it listening to music or playing sports needless to say it’s understandable if they would let it out in the open. Without a doubt, there are differences between genders – no matter what aspect that is. Awareness of how both sexes are different is one way to understand each other rather than getting frustrated about it. These differences makes the world an amusing place to live in. Think about it, what if men and women are just the same? Or what if there are only men and no women or vice versa? Where’s the fun in that?

Think about it. What if men and women are just the same?

essay

call me

beautiful Make-up, just like everything else, is also evolving - undergoing innovation on a day-to-day basis. Delve into the mystery of why some girls are addicted (in a good way) to putting colors to their faces. story by ARIELLE KATE ESTABILLO art by RHONA MAE MUISHA BUENDIA

DEAR PEOPLE, I DON’T WEAR MAKEUP FOR YOU. Some people wonder why I wear makeup as if it’s some kind of mystery that hasn’t yet been solved. Oftentimes, I would hear people say “Why do they waste their time?’ in a tone that does not sound baffled at all but does obviously ricochet as condescending. “Well, they want to look beautiful, of course. So they could impress others,” would be the likely response. Hearing an argument that implies if you wear makeup, you’re not confident enough in your own skin just exhausts me. Fine, they don’t get it, but those baseless misconceptions have been getting on my nerves. I guess she looks ugly without it or she’s trying to flirt with guys. Maybe she thinks she’s so much prettier than others. Maybe she just wants to be called beautiful.

So why do girls like me spend an hour (or more) on eyebrows so it would look on fleek, slather a bit of blush for rosy cheeks, put some gorgeous shade of a fiery red lipstick on, or make sure my Adele-inspired cat eye looks smooth on both sides even if it takes time? The rationale behind wearing makeup is simple: people want to look and feel good. And feeling and looking great is the surest way to achieve self-confidence. Let’s face it, subtle touches of pigment and shades can really make a huge difference since it helps mask physical imperfections and highlight stronger facial features. This is not to say that makeup has become the sole provider of self confidence until today. Looking back, archaeological evidence shows Egyptian ladies wore makeup

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as early as 4000 BC. Ancient Egyptians were the first women to wear makeup but for the record, they weren’t trying to catch the eyes of construction men working on the pyramids or some hot pharaohs. They had a greater purpose – to impress the gods. After all, these women felt their appearance was directly related to their spiritual worth. There’s no denying that there are days when I don’t feel pretty until I throw on some makeup. But most of the time I do it because I want to see a better, beautiful version of me smiling back when I face the mirror (not in the Narcissus-falling-forhimself kind of way, please). Contrary to the infamous belief, I don’t revel in the idea that everyone will find me attractive. Truth is, I’m just trying to look my best. I do not hope that I would be ogled because I think I’m so pretty. Nor do I wear makeup because I’m trying to get some guy to like me. Even Cleopatra’s heavy eye makeup was not just for looks (researchers at the Louvre museum in Paris believe it was originally for protection from eye disease). Like Cleopatra, my makeup is up for a greater purpose. Faces, I believe are works of art. We are our own kind of masterpiece; some of us may find a barefaced beauty more preferable, but it’s equally fine to be just as creative and expressive. Besides, it can be totally fun. Experimenting with different cosmetic products unleashes brand new techniques to learn and master, definitely not a waste of time. There is no end to the possibilities with makeup and I see no wrong in feeling more confident and highlighting one woman’s features with the aid of some brush or a mascara wand. Think of it this way: painters turn a blank canvas into something people admire through the expression of colors, forms, and emotions. Writers fill empty sheets of paper with words that become stories people love to

tell. Like painting and writing, wearing makeup is a form of art, too. It is a way of defining one’s own style uniquely; be it a natural or innocent look, a more dramatic or sultry one, when the right amount of foundation and eye shadow are blended, the difference is visible. Though some may still view it as a sign of superficiality, to girls like me and girls who don’t wear makeup, it’s perfectly okay to admire one’s work while being ourselves. Makeup doesn’t have to be seen as a way to shame and hide our face. Women wear makeup, much like people wear clothing, for themselves. I certainly had enough of the stigma that has been created in recent years that girls who wear makeup are just fake and shallow. The idea that we only feel beautiful, confident, and limitless whenever we wear makeup seems a cry for validation, a pit for deep-rooted selfesteem issues. Until then, call me anything but beautiful. In fact, beautiful is an understatement. Show me a mirror and I will tell you myself (with or without the wonders of makeup) how flawed, reckless, awkward, kind, complex, funny, compassionate, empowered, wonderful, free I believe I am. Because there is so much beauty to be seen in ourselves if only we let our eyes open to it. Makeup doesn’t make my self image less than any of my makeup-free counterparts. So hear me as I say this to you; dear people, I am wearing makeup for no one else but me.

We are our own kind of masterpiece; some of us may find a barefaced beauty morepreferable, but it’s equally fine to be just as creative and expressive.

fe a t u r e

patenting one’s identity

We all have certain roles to play in life - chores to do, lessons to study and even people to marry - most of which are gained from our society’s dictation. So how, then, can we tell who we really are? story by VINCE BATION art by RHONA MAE MUISHA BUENDIA

ACT: THE HUMAN BODY IS MADE UP of about 20,000 to 25,000 genes that influence what we look on the outside and how we work inside. Genes are DNA molecules linked together that are contained inside the chromosomes. Along with DNAs, chromosomes contain structural proteins that build these micro particles responsible for one’s biological makeup, gender, traits, and physical features. How one crafts his own identity is however a different narrative. Peter Weinreich describes a person’s identity as the totality of one’s self-construal: that how one expresses himself in the present is a continuity of how one was in the past and how he aspires to be in the future.This sense of continuity is known as the self. This self is basically made up of two faces. One is how the self identifies itself and how it is actually made up; its personal idiosyncrasies that set it apart from other selves, called personal identity. The other is how other selves view it; the collection of social roles that one is known to play in the social strata, called social identity. Thomas Hobbes argues that all human experience is a byproduct of biological processes of the body. Emotions, such as love and grief, and how we experience the world are all in our minds. This goes to show that the body is one with the mind. Rene Descartes, on the other hand, posits in response to Hobbes the duality of a person, that there is a divisible, mechanical body separate from an invisible, immaterial mind/ soul. Like a chariot and a charioteer where the mind (charioteer) is responsible for the consciousness of what the body (chariot) perceives. The mind controls the body but the body, as a separate entity, could also affect the ways of the rational mind. The point where these two interacts, according to Descartes, is at the pineal gland of the brain. The acceptable social construct has conditioned our minds that one is only either good or bad. That a goody two shoes lady cannot be sexually aggressive for it will break the bubble where we put good girls into. Good girls are supposed to be prim and proper and must therefore wait until marriage to participate in carnal acts. The lady then commits what must be a breach in identity negotiation to which the society agreed upon. Identity negotiation, in psychology, is the process where people reach an agreement on determining who is who. Upon when the agreement is reached, each party is expected to remain faithful to the identity they chose to assume. This concept is represented well in R. L. Stevenson’s novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Prominent doctor Henry Jekyll is aware about the evil that is within him.Soon after falling victim to his impulses, Dr. Jekyll is bound by his

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desires and by social principles of the Victorian society which prided itself on refinement and goodness. Having a difficult time juggling the possible outcomes of his actions, Dr. Jekyll came upon a mysterious concoction, that is similar to alcohol, that unleashes the evil entity within him in the form of the grotesque and deformed Mr. Edward Hyde. Dr. Jekyll’s success made him experience the pleasure of being both the good-mannered person that he is and of having Mr. Hyde as the evil within him without jeopardizing the two entities’ demands. But soon after Mr. Hyde discovered that his existence depended on Dr. Jekyll and because of his taking pleasure in violence, his actions led to his own destruction. Stevenson succeeded in portraying man’s rational self in Dr. Jekyll, constantly bombarded by the norms of society, and the part man that seeks instant gratification in Mr. Hyde. That both can coexist as two equipotent and opposing components in one individual. In the words of Dr. Jekyll after he recognized the duality of an individual, man is not one but truly two. That if one could rightly be said to be either, it is because one is radically both. By assuming the singularity of being, that one is either honorably good or awfully bad, we fail to recognize that one can be both. That a pretty face is not parallel to a good attitude. We so much put emphasis on the pretty face. We get accustomed with the norms we create, these tiny boxes to categorize people. Because it is easier that way. For, true enough, the easiest way to describe someone to another person is by pointing out their physical attributes – remember that chubby girl, Which one? That one who looks like Liza Soberano, Oh yeah, that one. We mostly attribute identity on the physical to make it easier for us to recognize things. But by doing so, we limit the individual’s existence. In Rene Magritte’s famous painting of the pipe called The Treachery of Images (La Trahison des Images, 1948), he presented two opposing things. Written under the image of a pipe are the words this is not a pipe. This draws controversy for, clearly, the painting is of a pipe only that within the painting are words contradicting it. Now because of what the title suggest, one would think that perhaps this is a sham. True enough, even Magritte himself, after being reproached by people, admits that while the “pipe” looks like an actual pipe, it couldn’t be smoked thus it loses the essence of being “an actual pipe”. People disregard the fact that the image of the pipe could coexist as a separate entity to the phrase. Say a man, after a horrible accident, dental-records accident,

undergoes surgery and becomes barely recognizable; will he continue to be the same person? If this man forgets the things that are essential to his being, his defining “moments”, the core of his childhood, will he still be the same person? Philosophers may answer these questions by pointing out one’s essential properties – the things that are necessary for a thing to be what it is. A triangle’s essential properties are its three sides. If it happens to gain or lose one side it will become a quadrilateral or an angle and is no longer a triangle. Deciding what are essential to humans however is arguable and not clear. The concept of reincarnation presents that one can live another life after death. But death of the body is death of the soul, or is it the other way around? That the body may die but the soul wouldn’t? This would make it possible for people to claim they are trapped inside someone else’s body, mostly of the opposite gender. How does one construe this when all he is known to have is the same body he occupies? Say a soul lives anew after death inside another body, will the soul be the same? How will you know it’s you when all you have is the soul that claims it’s on a different body? If the concept of reincarnation is true then, how will you know it’s you and claim that you have actually lived again when all you have are fragments of the past? Aren’t you supposed to have the same body and soul to claim that it’s you? Who, then, dictates who we truly are? Perhaps there is no defining word to identify you for how will you contain a multitude of things into such minute, human-sized speck? Gone are the days of Victorian pretences, where people are bounded by the society’s standards. Be curious, little fox. Identify yourself.

Perhaps there is no defining word to identify you for how will you contain a multitude of things into such minute, humansized speck?

on brawns, blood, and sweat p ro f i l e

Being a team captain of the university’s sports teams is a feat that not everyone has the privilege to savor. Chances are, we might see these people every day yet we’re not even aware of the prestige they bring the school.

interview by JUPHER DAVE HERDA

Rolly Aljas Suaybaguio Team Captain, Volleyball 23 BS HRM Talaingod, Davao del Norte

As a team captain, Rolly prioritizes his responsibility to guide his teammates through practice or in an actual game and to ensure it is served with a cupful of sportsmanship. He states that, of course, all of these are possible through collective hardwork, teamwork, and the openness to experiences, good or bad may it be. Giving honour to both the school and to his team is something he always aims for more than other things. He said, “The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.”

Gerald Mohammad

24 BS Criminology Magnaga, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Staying calm and collected is what Gerald holds on to whenever he’s on swimming events. He always keeps himself in “the zone” to have a clear vision of what he really is aiming for. He says he always tries improving and being a better athlete and he does this by constantly trying to beat his recent performance. He strongly believes that with all his teammates doing their parts in training hard, together they will surely rule the pool.

John Philip Delos Santos 21 BS Criminology Davao City

On his fourth year in the BS - Criminology program, John Philip is arguably on the top of his game being the team captain of the University’s soccer team. His deep passion towards soccer brought him to where he is right now. He said that it’s the thought of his family that motivates him to push himself harder, knowing that they are proud of him and what he has become in this microcosm of sports.

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Mariane A. Mahilum

19 BSEd - English Davao City

This pretty 19-year old is captain of the University’s softball team and is also a third year BS Ed-English student. She humbly said that she puts more emphasis on the enjoyment a match can give to her but at the same time maintaining the will to come up on top. Still, the prospect of actually winning and proudly bringing a trophy for the university is a feat that she highly regards. She packs it all up by her saying “Play the game that you love and love the game that you play.”

Norie Lyn G. Calope 20 BSBA - Finance Management Davao City

Taught by her older brother to play basketball when she was only 8 years old, got good at it, loved it, and decided to become a varsity player at the age of 13. Norie Lyn’s passion towards basketball is so intense that she feels like her body’s always craving that feeling while playing basketball gives her. “Well, ball is life” she emphasized. Norie Lyn gets motivated by the thought that by playing basketball, she’ll have the chance to help and inspire others as well as giving back to those people who trusted her and helped her to become who she is now.

Edgardo Baniog

21 BS Criminology Davao City

Just like any other athlete, Edgardo believes that in order to achieve his team’s goal, constant work and serious practice towards improvement should be done. They develop a sense of camaraderie by teaching and pointing out their teammate’s weaknesses and helping them sharpen their core strengths. As an individual, he gets stuck in every game or practice with pure determination, discipline, and confidence.

ALEXANDER WEIS, 22

u-speak

AB Political Science, 3rd

“I am a very simple man with a very simple taste. My ideologies are based on what I see in the world and at the same time the values that were taught to me as well. That is how I identify myself. I stand out from the crowd by being myself. I do not usually want to jump on the bandwagon because sometimes when the bandwagon is full and everybody is pushing elbow to elbow, you’ll eventually fall off and you’ll be the one left out. So I just prefer to stand on my own two feet as simple as I can be.”

WHO JOSEPH MARC AQUINO, 19 BA Fine Arts , 4th

APPLE MIE TAMAYO, 20

“I’m a liberal socialist. I don’t identify with any specific group. Just as long as you’re doing what you love and you’re happy and you are doing it for other people, too. People say, I’m to aloof for my own good.”

BS Chemical Engineering ,4th

“I am an Alice in this world full of wonders and mishaps. There may be times when I fall down and feel small, but a dose of my family and friends could always lift my spirits up. I may be lost right now in my place of escape, but in the journey of finding my way out, I’m hoping that I could also find myself.”

JONNATHAN DAVID VALDEZ, 21 AB Multimedia Arts, 3rd

“I am a man that has passion for music because I am a drummer and a music producer. I have talent in designing. I can also define myself as a minimalistic person. Aside from being passionate with music, I’m also passionate with God. I’m a Christian, I’m involved in campus ministry.”

XANDREDG SUMPT LATOG , 19 AB-Political Science, 3rd

“I don’t tend to have any ideological inclinations. I tend to be a pragmatist. People call me an idealistic, being a pessimist. But in the truth I take advantage of the current situation and act accordingly on the potential outcomes that would be for my profit of for my prosperity. So when I identify myself, I am a pretty singular or unique type of person because I tend to be very individualistic and selfish as you would call it but yes, individualistic is how I identify myself.”

KIVLAN JAY USMAN, 21

BS Civil Engineering, 4th

“I am a wanderer. So as a wanderer, I explore a lot of things, not just by the pysical means but also in spiritual and mental exploration. I love to find new things and discover new places.”

JOHN MIGUEL PANGAN, 19 BS Architecture , 2nd

“I think I’m an old soul trapped in younger person’s body. I like lots of things that none of my peers can relate to. I think that’s what makes me creative because I like a lot of things all at the same time. And I’m also fascinated with film & music.”

JAELENE SILBOR, 19

AB Multimedia Arts , 2nd

“I am someone who likes to listen to people instead of talking more. I like to observe what other people do. I guess my unique trait is whenever I do something, it’s usually spot on. My friends know that if I’m tasked to do anything.I just do my best.”

YOU? ALVARO LUIS MADRAZO, 20 BS Psychology, 4th

“I’m a perfectionist. It basically covers most of my identity. This is because I want to give the best of what I can give. I don’t want to settle for less. Because if isn’t the best that I can give, it bothers me to the point that I can’t sleep until that thing is resolve. But being a perfectionist doesn’t mean that I cannot get along with other people. With that, it’s still difficult to identify the self because for me the self is more of a feeling than it’s an experience for it’s something that you can never put into words, it’s more of something that one must feel.”

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staff picks

MOVIE

ALBUM

JOANNE by Lady Gaga, 2016

LARRY JAMES ARENGA

Writer

You may have heard “Perfect Illusion” on the radio and hated it because of its distinct electric guitar sounds. But the more you hear the lead single of Lady Gaga’s fifth album, Joanne, the more it sticks on your head and the next thing you know, you are screaming “It wasn’t love!” at the top of your lungs. Clearly, this is what Mother Monster had intended for this record. Instead of dwelling to the usual pop/electronic music that we’ve grown accustomed to in her previous albums (with the exception of collaboration with jazz legend Tony Bennett in Cheek To Cheek), Gaga has shed all the craziness and over-the-top visual aesthetics and opted for a country-inspired and organic sound, and the results are surprisingly refreshing. The rest of the tracks are more somber; the title track itself is dedicated to her late aunt, and “Million Reasons” is her most heart-wrenching song so far. The most amazing thing in Joanne, though, is how different it is from other recent music releases. It is not as catchy as “Just Dance” or “Poker Face” or classic as “Bad Romance.” It may not be as commercially successful as to her prior releases but it is clearly a Gaga trademark, and listening to Gaga has never been so enjoyable, no matter how gaga it is.

BLOG SITE

JAMIE LOUISE CAYABYAB Sports Editor

There is something appealing in movies that make you feel different emotions – either it’ll make your eyes rain bucket of tears or hurt your stomach for laughing too much. But there is also something special in movies that make you reflect about life. Such is the case in James Ponsoldt’s “The Spectacular Now”, a coming of age story about Sutter Kelly (Miles Teller), an alcoholic high school teenager who has no plans for the future and is stuck in the present. Insert Aimee Finicky (Shailene Woodley), the innocent girl who found him lying on their lawn, Sutter realizes that he’s missing out many things in life. As the two struggled in life and love, both found peace in each other’s company. Teller’s performance was exemplary as he makes you feel the pain and suffering he’s experiencing for he struggles to find the right path in knowing who he truly is – a good for nothing guy or someone who wants to change for the better. The film is not just another coming out of age movie as it displays emotions that are raw and rare which will make you wonder about the things you did during the early years of your life. The rawness of the film gives off this exhilarating feeling that excites you and scares you of what might happen next.

THE SPECTACULAR NOW by James Ponsoldt, 2013

ESTERA LAZOWSKA by Estera Lazowska wwwesteralazowska.com

PHILIP ARISTOTELES

Writer

In her psychedelic artworks, Estera Lazowska’s art interpretation speaks of the mental state of human beings, having vivid colors and bizarre patterns that seem like a depiction of despair and psychosis. The blogger visualizes hallucination as a form of art and illustrates it as a representation of reality. Forces that drives this kind of aesthetics has moved greatly in terms of portrayal of psychological symbolisms. Estera gives emphasis on colors and hue that portrays some kind of apparent personality or dominant characteristics. This blog, for me, somehow represents diversity and an artistic perception of the world. We could somehow say that the color choices of prismatic illumination might embody the LGBTQ community. While the vibrancy of colors used in each artwork might reflect the vastness of lighter essence in life and it deeply explains the purpose of art. Artists can gain plenty of concepts and ideas in putting their masterpieces into reality. We are all artistic in our different ways, and I think that this blog is one good example of that. You will not only view art as pleasing to the eyes but perceive it as a reflection of reality.

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“All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy,” as the saying goes. We know it’s very trying to be facing your books all day, poring over your lessons and learning things that’ll help you achieve a brighter future. Worry no more! Our staff went out of their ways to give you some recommendations which you can try and check out during your break time. Read along, and enjoy!

YOUTUBE CHANNEL LORDE KATE DEFENSOR Editor-in-Chief

One minute you’re watching a tutorial on how to solve your homework and then on the next, you find yourself watching interviews with Kendall Jenner on Ellen. We get it. Sometimes, despite all these endless entertainment and learning Youtube gives us, it all just gets boring. But fear not! We understand your thirst for learning but we also don’t want to discredit the fact that videos that are too long are just plain boring. Hence, we present you, the ASAP Channel! Run by college classmates Gregory Brown and Mitchell Moffit, who are both graduates of BS in Biological Science in the University of Guelph in Canada, this channel is sure to make learning entertaining for people of all ages. The ASAP Channel has two sub-channels, one of which is ASAP Science and the other one ASAP Thought. In ASAP Science, you’ll see a “burning” question answered via colorful doodles and a very animate voice-over usually done by Mitch. They answer the most mundane question to the most complicated ones like, “What will happen if you stop drinking water?” to “What is love?” all with scientific basis and in just under 4 minutes! Cool, right? ASAP Thought, on the other hand, tackles some societal issues and bust out some myths pertaining to almost anything under the sun which are not so… scientific. This channel will also let you see the faces of the handsome founders of the channel as they discuss different topics every week. This channel is a must-visit for those who crave learning but don’t really appreciate watching those super long discussions. And, if you got a burning you want answered, you can just go comment in their comments section and Greg and Mitchell will be sure to check it out.

ASAP SCIENCE / ASAP THOUGHT

by Gregory Brown and Mitchell Moffit

SERIES

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS by Niel Patrick Harris, 2017

JOSEPH DANIEL MALABAR

Writer

WARNING: Spoiler alert! This series may look Burtonesque (Tim Burton’s aesthetics) and give you that stage play type of feel. This series is highly recommended for spectators who are interested in a dark, comedic, and gothic type of storyline. The Series of Unfortunate Events, a Netflix original that really lives up to its title, is based on Lemony Snicket’s novel. With the first season showing how the Baudelaire Orphans, Violet, Klaus and Sunny, got whisked off to a peculiar boarding school after the death of their parents caused by fire leaving them in the hands of an unfit guardian dubbed as Count Olaf, played by the stage actor, Neil Patrick Harris. A good laugh is all it takes to make a villain remarkable. In this series Harris brought life to an eerie character, taking it to the next level with the aid of some good prosthetics and multiple costume change. When misery strikes the lead cast, another character breaks the intensity as he gate crashes the scene and apologizes for the misery – he is the extremely funny, Patrick Warburton. This television series will give you a few cringe moments as it shows a slight gory side to it, but most of the times it keeps you anxious and waiting for the next things to happen. This series inflicts that maturity isn’t measureable with age, that kids make sense as well. It may kinda look like an Alice in wonderland made into a series. For all those people wanting to spend their lousy weekend on binge watching a bunch of Tv series, this one’s for you!

BOOK ROBERT LEE BAWIGA Writer

“Who am I?” If this question invades your thoughts every now and then, Michael Dorris’ bestselling novel of late 1980’s ‘The Yellow Raft in the Blue Waters’ should be a must-read for you. A saga of love, kinship, betrayal, secrets, identity and sacrifice that will make you crave for more. The Yellow Raft in the Blue Waters is a marvelous story written in the voices of three Indian women of different generation: Rayona, a teenager trying to find her identity; her mother, Christine, whose love and care for those she loves made her change her life and make huge sacrifices; and Ida, a grandmother and a mother whose secrets, betrayals and sacrifices haunts her through the years. The novel starts from the present and moves back in time to unravel the consequences of the characters’ actions. This novel will teach you understanding towards the sacrifices people around us make but often goes unnoticed. It will show you how the past molds us to be who we are today, and how our past will always be interlaced with our future. This journey of life in a realistic setting will be a teacher which will tell you the real essence of sacrifices.

A YELLOW RAFT IN BLUE WATERS by Michael Dorris, 1987

p ro f i l e

interview by YASMIN ANINON photography by CHARLES AVILA

the lady in waiting This 20-year-old, BA in Fine Arts girl will take you to a tour around her world, her beliefs, and share her insights about life and how to cope with it like a boss.

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For some reason, I think I am a person whose healing is still in progress. Tell us something about you. Who is Vyankka from your own perspective? Vyankka is a small girl with gigantic dreams. She listens to childish emo bands like Alesana and My Chemical Romance and does fangirl about them a lot. (Kidding, they’re awesome.) What is something that separates your artworks from others? Most of my paintings are unfinished. Haha! Or I don’t even bother finishing them. For some reasons, I think I am still a person whose healing is still in progress. In that case, I think that makes my works different from them. They say that artists have their trademark, that sort of signature on their art pieces, what is it for you? And the meaning it beholds. If none, why? I usually put flowers on my works. It’s beautiful. It makes me happy when I see one because I am hoping that someday I would grow my own flower inside me as well. You’re graduating this year. After graduation day, how do you think are you going to spend the first day as a real adult? Right after graduation, I’ll probably just play Counter Strike with friends. Relax. Chill muna. Spend time with them. Spend time with myself because I deserve to release all the stress that I received to get a degree. Do these for a month or so... Then, paint again. In reality, finding your dream job takes time. So we should not be disappointed if ever we don’t become who we want to be immediately. It will come in the right time. And there’s this ad that asks the question, “para kanino ka bumabangon”, ikaw para kanino ka gumagawa ng art? Bumabangon ako para sa sarili ko. That’s the first thing that I should always remember. I tell myself “its going to be alright” every single day. If I want to change the world, then it should start with myself. I was born in this world for a reason. I was given these talents. I create art for myself to find inner peace. After I find this peace inside me, only then will I be able to say bumabangon ako para sa pamilya ko at sa bansa. Is there an art form that you are most comfortable doing? What is it and why? Yes, that would be Painting [traditionally]. Painting enables me to explore with different techniques and allows me to express my thoughts more dramatically through brush strokes and colors. How do you go about your creative process? Do you fix everything inside your head first or do you delve into it immediately and figure stuff out as you go along? To be honest, I procrastinate a lot! I set those things aside and do something else that doesn’t have to do anything about the project. Until such time that a random idea pops into my mind. I write down the ideas in a paper and that’s the time when I do some research (if necessary) and do some visual studies. I believe that my mind has to be calm first before being creative.

When it comes to your personal work is there anything you are particularly drawn to? Any themes that you are passionate in pursuing? I do paint about myself, A LOT. Years ago, I didn’t know why I had this urge to do art about myself. I just feel like I needed to express myself. Until I discovered there was something that I needed to fix within myself. I do believe that after resolving these issues, I will pursue doing art with the themes about war and family. What message does your artworks convey when people look at your art? What do you want them to feel whenever they see something you created? I want them to feel emotionally attached to my works. I want them to listen to my works and hear me saying “Hey! This is a girl who’s drowning from her own thoughts. I want to let you know that... YOU ARE NOT ALONE.” When a person is a fine arts student, he is said to be a born artist, would you attest to it? Or do you somehow believe that an artist is made rather than born? I believe that we are all born artists. It’s just that some people do excel in different branches of art (like music, visual, performance, etc.) and people do have a choice whether to enhance their God-given skills or to focus on different things. Taking up fine arts means competing or surrounding yourself with a lot of good artists, how has this situation worked to your advantage? Knowing a lot of good artists motivates me to keep moving forward. I have seen them touch the hearts of the people through their art; and it is something that I also wanted to do. I admire them, but not to the point of competing with them because we all have strengths and weaknesses in different aspects. In this field, with all these good artists around you, how do you keep your originality? Respect each other’s ideas. Was there a piece you created that you were most excited about? Why were you excited about it? Or what about it makes the piece so enjoyable to you? Yes! It was titled “From Weakness to Strength”. This is my favorite work because it talks honestly about myself. I am a crumpled person waiting for the right time to bloom. To witness my full potential. To be healed. If you’d be given the chance to display your artworks in a museum anywhere in the world, which museum would it be and why? I want to bring my art to a museum with the works of great artists. So, that would definitely be in the... Museum of Modern Art! We’ve known Vyankka for being an artist, on days when you’re not doing art, what are you like? A potato. *laughs 9gagly* But seriously, I am just like everyone else. I hangout with best friends, listen to music, emote-emote, laughing at memes that I see on Facebook and 9gag, etc.

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Have you ever thought, “If not arts, I would be doing...” what is it and why? If I didn’t choose the art path, I would be serving in the military right now to secure the Philippine territories and ensure the peace and order in my land. But hey! Who knows? I could probably do both in the future, right? Let’s say someone gives you a grant and lets you do an art campaign about something, what would you create and for what advocacy? I would encourage and teach the children of soldiers about art. I believe art will help them cope with the tough schedules of their parent/s serving in the military. It will also help them ease their grief if they lose their loved ones in battle. Sometimes, we give more attention to other problems of the country that we often forget about them. They need our love and support, too. Artworks came from emotions and at times a product of our thoughts, what experiences or where does Vyankka’s mind wander for doing her art? In the past! What do you think is the endpoint for you? Where do you want your art to take you? I want my art to take me to different film festivals and museums around the world. I won’t stop making art until my last breath. At the end of the day, after all these experiences you’ve got, what do you think is the most important lesson you learned? The most important lesson that I learned is that you should do whatever makes you happy. You should never let anybody stop you from doing these things kasi that’s who you are. Don’t let anybody take your identity from you. Winning all the awards, what do you think did it contribute to your life as an artist? It took me to different places. Literally. I was able to meet new people and I learned new things from them. It opened my eyes to the art scene outside my city which motivated me to be a better art student. Most importantly, it made me realize that someone appreciates my work - that someone believes in my ability.

AWARDS PEKLAT NG DIGMAAN SA MINDANAO Semi-Finalist 2016 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Painting Recognition Program (Oil/Acrylic on Canvas Category) PARA SA’YO, KAIBIGAN Grand Prize Winner Video Making Category 15th Vision Petron National Student Art Competition (2015) RESEMBLANCE 3rd Place Digital Short Film Category 48th Shell National Students Art Competition (2015) FROM WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH Finalist Oil/Acrylic Category 48th Shell National Students Art Competition (2015) ANG AKING GABAY Best Promotional Video Best Director Best Editor 4th University of Mindanao Film Festival (2015) PARA SA’YO, INAY Grand Prize Winner (together with Haysonne Garol) Video Making Category 14th Vision Petron National Students Art Competition (2014)

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Nymph photography

From Weakness To Strength oil on canvas 36x36”

I don’t know why I had this urge to do art about myself. I just felt like I needed to express myself. Until I discovered there was something that I needed to fix within myself.

PTSD acrylic on paper 4”x6”

see more of Vyankka’s works at vyankkapinkrock14.deviantart.com connect with her through vyankkabalasabas@gmail.com

Distinct photography

short story

it’s a new day story by MOHAMMAD AL-FAROUK UNGA

T’S SUNDAY. THE RAYS OF SUNLIGHT ARE percolating through the windows. It’s already ten in the morning and the whole neighborhood seems to be unusually quiet. No babies crying, no dogs barking, and, especially, no old songs playing. It’s an immaculately peaceful day. But in spite of that, inside a room somewhere, there’s a war. A battle someone needs to conquer – A fight that some of us might be able to relate. Al-Zhamiyr stares at the wall of his four-cornered room. An array of medals, certificates, and trophies is on display. They are his achievements. Whenever they’d have acquaintances around, his Inah will brag about it while his Amah will claim how his son inherited his brains from him, to which Inah disapproved. They’ll eventually have petty arguments and then laugh. He’s happy seeing his parents like that – Like they used to. But after all the validations he has, he feels empty. This isn’t him. As he continues to stare, he sees an old photograph of him and his older brother. Al-Ahmed, his older brother, was six years older and was the pride of the Ibrahims. When Al-Ahmed was born, it seemed that Allah chose that very moment to pour down His blessings and Al-Ahmed got soaked. He’s perfect. As the two grew up in their family’s residence in Zamboanga City, Al-Ahmed turned to be the man his parents want. He always aced his test and won every competition he joined. He was the apple of the eye in school. On the other hand, Al-Zhamiyr was overshadowed by his brother’s achievements. No matter how hard he tried, no one noticed him. But even if circumstances were like that, he never felt jealousy towards his older brother. In fact, AlZhamiyr looked after Al-Ahmed. Zakir and Ahmeera raised their sons very well. Their family was the picture of a perfect family. Until one unfortunate event happened. Al-Ahmed dies. Everyone is devastated with the unexpected loss. His Inah and Amah are depressed and can’t accept the death of their eldest. Zakir’s boss gives him a vacation and Ahmeera iss always crying over AlAhmed’s pictures. The young Al-Zhamiyr knew he needs to do something. He needs to bring back the joy in his family. He tries everything he can think of but nothing works. Then one day, he decides to do something that he knew he might regret. He starts pretending to be AlAhmed. He copies everything from the hair, the clothes, and even the mannerisms. When he starts doing so,

Al-Zhamiyr is gone. It works. Little by little, Zakir and Ahmeera becomes okay and are back to their daily lives. Al-Zhamiyr is happy, too. What he didn’t know is, because of this, his life will be worst. Every time he does something that his brother doesn’t do, his parents get mad. Just like that one time they were having dinner, Inah brought a watermelon for dessert. Al-Ahmed’s favorite. She gave the bigger slice to Al-Zhamiyr but he doesn’t like watermelon. He refused to have it but Ahmeera forced him to eat. Another situation was he place second in a competition and his Amah didn’t like it so, he was punished by doing one hundred push-ups. Al-Zhamiyr hated push-ups but he couldn’t complain because in the first place, he wanted this and he knew in the first place that those things could happen. As the years went by, he finally became like his older brother, more like identical. He became a fine and well-respected man, like Al-Ahmed. Every time he aced whatever he did, he would see the look of pride in his parents’ eyes, the same look that once held pride because of his brother. He could finally say he replaced him. But despite all he achieved, he missed his old self. Al-Zhakiyr looked at the mirror next to him. He looked very different from his old self. He convinces himself that he didn’t mind as long as his parents were happy. Someone knocked on his door. He opened it and saw his Inah, telling him breakfast is ready. He smiles back and fixed himself before going. Al-Zhamiyr makes his way to the dining table; it’s cool, familiar tiles welcoming his bare feet. Amah is already there, his steaming mug of coffee by his elbow. Inah enters the dining room, carrying in a plate of sunny-side-up eggs. Inah kisses Amah on the forehead and her son before sitting. She notices her son is ignoring the egg. Well, Al-Zhamiyr likes his Inah’s sunny-side-up egg but AlAhmed doesn’t, so he pretends to dislike it. Inah goes near her son and ruffles his hair. She pinches his son’s cheeks after. Al-Zhamiyr is puzzled. His Amah holds Inah’s hand. “It’s okay now. You can stop – Al-Zhamiyr.” Wordlessly, Al-Zhamiyr eats the egg in his plate well. Dutifully, he cleans the table, thanks Amah, kisses Inah, and makes his way to his room. He can finally breathe. He no longer needs to pretend. He laughs and cries at the same time, relieved. He can now finally be himself. He can hear the chirping of the birds. He’s happy.

art by RHONA MAE MUISHA BUENDIA

words from safeasmilk.tumblr.com

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comics

Wizards of UM by BENJIE ALF MEMEJE

we, your kawaii friends

The p e o p le behind every single issue of PRIMUM. The ones who cry buckets of tears and drain their brain cells out just t o b r i n g you honest-to-goodness articles and to keep you informed and updated about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening around you.

a c k no wled g emen t We woul d like to express our endless gratitude t o all the people who helped us realize this magazine issue for PRIMUM. The past s chool year has been filled with such an immense amount of tears and hardships but not without fun. Thank you so much t o Alvaro Madrazo, Benjie “Gabby” Mar tinez, Jessa (from senior high SCRIBA), and Richard Lopez for lending us y our stuff for our shoots. Our contributing a rtists, Joshua Villaluna, Chloie Anne Baguio, Jeffrey Taganas, Danielle A l v ar e z , Reymart Libuit, and Kent Louie Meden illa, thank you for creating artworks for us on such a short notice. Our cont r i b u t i n g photographers, Christian Kit Fancuvilla and Charles Avila, thank you so much. We couldn’t have done i t wi t h o u t y ou guys. To Wensor Plaza, for helping us run our errands without complaints. To Gene Satinitigan and Filnick A gui l l o n , t hank you for letting yourselves be our faces. RJ Orias, for making our models pretty-pretty. We love you, bhe. A l s o t o o u r office neighbors, Vinta people, you guys are the real definition of “love your neighbors as you love yourself.” To t he O S A staff, Ma’am Jellie, Ma’am Ann, M a’am Hancel and the STAs, thank you so much for enduring “kulit” and o u r f requent requests. To Ma’am Sab, thank you because despite your busy schedule you still always reach out to us. A nd t o Ma’am Debbie for always keeping us on our toes, and for keeping our values in check. Lastly, the students of t he University of Mindanao for reading our releases, you guys are the real champs. We wouldn’t know who we t r ul y ar e as an organization without your help . We lift our hats to you awesome people. To everyone, thank you.

concept & words by VINCE BATION art by RHONA MAE MUISHA BUENDIA calligraphy by CHLOIE ANNE BAGUIO

umpire is the magazine issue of PRIMUM , the Official Student Publication of the University of Mindanao. Its editorial office is located at the Gym Building, University of Mindanao - Matina Campus, Davao City, Philippines 8000 (082) 300-5456 local 142