Vital Signs Online Newsletter 2018

LIFE AWAY FROM BOOKS. The medical students traded their books to perform on stage the nostalgic ‘The Lion King’ movie lipsynchronization competition during Literary-Musical event. Photo by Marian Jeanine C. Valdez

Au tops PLE 2018; WVSU-COM ranks 7th

by Crishel C. Lim

Ninety-one out of 94 examinees from West Visayas State University – College of Medicine passed the September-October 2018 Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) with a passing rate 96.81% sealing the 7th spot among 52 medicals schools in the country. Dr. Jill Therese U. Au, from Batch Excelsior, ranked tenth place (rating of 89.58%).

Garnering first place among schools is Cebu Institute of Medicine with a passing rate of 99.33% followed by the University of Santo Tomas (98.71%) and the University of the Philippines

– Manila (98.59%) ranking second and third, respectively.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with a rating of 98.37% ranked fourth; St. Luke’s Medical Center – College of Medicine, 97.87% at fifth place; Davao Medical School Foundation, 96.91% at sixth; Ateneo De Manila University – School of Medicine and Public Health, 95.80% at eight; Silliman University, 94.74% at ninth; and Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, 94.01% at tenth place completed the list of the top performing schools. cont. on page 3

DR. JILL THERESE UY AU TOP 7, PHYSICIAN LICENSURE EXAM

Taga-West Med bags home awards in What’s inside regional health research conference

by Rocill Jhen G. Caspillo WVSU COM students grabbed awards in the Research Competition of the recently concluded 3rd Western Visayas Health Research Conference held in Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City, November 6-7, with the theme: “Improved Health Outcomes through Health Research and Innovation”.

Jamela N. Ayongao of Level RESEARCH IS FUN! The delegates of the IV landed on the 3rd spot for College participates in the WVHRC. Photo

by Rocill Jhen G. Caspillo

cont. on page 3

NEWS

VS spearheads photography and filmmaking contests page 3

EDITORIAL

‘Healthcare-for-all’ would be our country’s best investment page 4

FEATURE

The Legacy of Stan page 6

FILIPINO

Mahal Kita page 7

SPORTS

DVS swings to victory in men’s softball championship page 8

2 COM applies drill on recent earthquake

News

by Lesley Anne L. Erum

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Iloilo and nearby areas at approximately 10:54 AM on November 5, 2018. The tremor affected the infrastructures within West Visayas State University, including Roxas Hall, while classes were ongoing.

The aforementioned earthquake, originating from Guimbal, Iloilo, was the strongest out of the series of light earthquakes that had been felt that day, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The first quake of 4.7 magnitude hit land at 7:45 in the morning, with its epicentre located at San Jose, Antique. The second quake of 4.0 magnitude, on the other hand, originated from Sibunag, Guimaras and caused the tremor just a minute following the second quake.

Serendipitously, the College of Medicine had conducted an emergency fire and earthquake drills on October 18, just a few weeks before the series of earthquakes had hit Roxas Hall. Bureau of Fire Protection and the City Disaster Risk Management Office staged the preparedness drill to simulate the real scenario in cases of such phenomena. As such, the students were able to put into practice what they had learned during the drill, incorporating the “duck, cover, and hold” principle.

The orderly fashion in which the students and staff had handled the incident prevented panic and other unwanted outcomes from occurring.

In addition, the drill gave emphasis to finding open spaces to avoid any falling debris for the avoidance of injuries. At the end of the earthquake, the medical students were seen standing on the football field of the campus.

Furthermore, no casualties or damages were reported due to the incident. The College is looking forward to stage more preparedness drills to better quip its students in case of emergence of such phenomena in the future.

SING OUT LOUD. The medical students from Class 2022 showed their singing prowess in the Vocal Duet during Literary-Musical event. Photo by Mark Anthony P. Celestial

Medstudents take the center stage

by Nizza Ann E. Regalado

Who says medical school is only about studying?

Taga-West medical students traded in their stethoscopes for microphones as they commanded the stage of the College Assurance Plan (CAP) Auditorium on November 9, Friday, for the West Visayas State UniversityCollege of Medicine’s annual Literary Musical (LitMus) Competition.

Themed “Medicine: Healing Beyond Cure”, the event kicked off in the morning with the individual literary events, namely: Extemporaneous Speaking; Binalaybay; English, Filipino, and Hiligaynon Declamation; and Character Interpretation, featuring original works written and performed by members of Batch Advocatus

Gloriam Salutem (Class 2022), Batch Dum Vivimus Servimus (Class 2021), and Batch Claritas, Consano et Concordia (Class 2020).

In the afternoon, the medicalstudents-turned-artists showed off their singing prowess and dancing skills through the individual and group musical events, namely: Vocal Solo (Classical), Vocal Solo (Pop), Vocal Duet, Chorale, Disco Derby, and Lip Synchronization.

The LitMus competition, along with the different sports events, is one of the anticipated events of Roxas Hall’s annual Hinampang.

The results of the competition will be announced on November 24 at Medicine Night, the Hinampang culminating event.

CCetC hurdles Hinampang Quiz Bee event

by Archieval S. Guitche

Class 2020 - Batch Claritas, Consano et Concordia (CCetC) outwitted their rivals in the recent Quiz Bowl event held at Roxas Hall, Room 102, around 8 in the morning.

The said event was sponsored by the Order of Asclepius (OA) as part of the annual College Hinampang.

Three teams should represent each batch with 3 members each. The contest followed the typical quiz bee format composed of 15 questions each round with specific points allotted, as follows: 1 for Easy; 3 for Average; and 5 for Difficult. Questions vary from simple recall to most bizarre in multiple choices or identification.

Among the categories are General Knowledge, Math, Science, History,

and Current Events. Each team was given time to brainstorm their answers before the bell rung.

The individual teams from CCetC were able to bag the first and second places, while one from the sophomores placed third. The OA applied the last year’s guidelines of summing the ranks per year level making CCetC as the overall champion of the brain-wracking contest. Batch Dum Vivimus Servimus (Class 2021) and Batch Advocatus Gloriam Salutem (Class 2022) placed second and third place, respectively.

The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to the judges.

Awarding of the contest winners is on November 24 at Medicine Night.

News

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VS spearheads photography and filmmaking contests Despite the countless lecture notes to read and the throng of exams, medical students of the West Visayas State University-College of Medicine has not allowed anything to get in the way of them having fun.

This year, Vital Signs Publication officially accepted entries for the MedScenes and Medi-Cine that would showcase the potentials of medical students of Roxas Hall in photography and filmmaking, respectively. For the second time around, the events will be held and judged at Cinematheque Centre Iloilo on November 17, 2018 at 1-5 PM. Meanhile, Medi-Cine official entries were already posted in the Vital Signs’ facebook page flashing its enticing posters and teasers. Three entries from Batch Claritas, Consano et Concordia (Class 2020) were able to make on the list. Among the entries are: ‘Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa’yo’, a politicaldrama that entails a story of crooked politics, idealism, selfless service, and poor healthcare system; ‘Sirom’, a Hiligaynon word for ‘dusk’, is a drama anthology focusing on unconditional Au tops... from page 1

The mentors and faculty of the College of Medicine were elated by the college’s streak in the PLE for the past years. “We have a very competitive screening process here in the college and that is why we are getting quality students,” Dr. Jose Nemesio A. Granada, Dean of the College of Medicine stated.

A total of 3,717 examinees out of 4,542 (81.84%) passed the PLE. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced the results on November 6, 2018, five working days after the third and fourth days of examination (October 27 and 28).

The examination was originally scheduled on September 8, 9, 15 and 16 but the last 2 days were postponed and rescheduled due to the onslaught of typhoon “Ompong”.

by Mark Anthony P. Celestial

love, familial sacrifice, and the challenges to face in the midst of an incurable disease; and ‘Barrio’, a suspense-thriller film that provides an insight on the traditional practices and gives light to the mysterious reality creeping in on remote areas in the country. In addition, Batch Dum Vivimus Servimus (Class 2021) proudly sent their sole entry, ‘Never Say Never’, which gives us hope that love conquers all.

MedScenes was created with an aim to give light to advocacies of the college of medicine and for medical students to express with liberty all their emotions through photos. Medi-Cine on the other hand has led med students to practice

their skills in videography, film-editing as well as acting and scriptwriting.

Each year the Medi-Cine competition produces quality short-films with unique stories that tackle the different issues revolving in healthcare and tell stories of love, faith, and friendship. This evolves in the premise that the potentials for this kind of craft can be pushed to dormancy by medical school and its constant demand for attention.

The events are annually held as part of the Hinampang and LitMus events spearheaded by the Medicine Student Council (MSC). Winners of the said events will be announced in the Medicine Night on November 24, 2018.

Taga-West Med bags... from page 1

and “Effect of Crude Aqueous and Methanolic Guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) Leaf Extracts on the Phagocytic Activity of Human Neutrophils Against Wild-Type Staphyloccus aureus”, respectively, made it to the final judging together with Murillo’s.

Awardees received certificates and cash prizes for their feat.

Western Visayas Health Research Conference is a biennial event sponsored by the Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium in partnership with DOST Regional Office VI, DOH Regional Office VI, and Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).

It aims to present countless opportunities to strengthen mechanisms in health research capabilities, promote the dissemination and utilization of quality health researches in the region, and encourage resource-sharing among partner institutions.

her group’s research entitled, “Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Women in Passi City, Iloilo” in the Graduate Oral Competition Category.

Acing the 2nd place in the Graduate Poster Competition Category is Gilbert Guy Murillo of Level IV with his group’s entry entitled, “Maternal Healthseeking Behaviors and Pregnancy Outcomes of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Members and Non-members in Iloilo City”.

Meanwhile, Level III presenters Arthur James G. Rendon and Roendel B. Bustillo were finalists in the Graduate Poster Competition Category after their respective group’s Pharmacology research entries, “Phytochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activities of Crude Methanolic and Dichloromethane Fire Tree (Delonix regia) Bark Extracts Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa”

4 EDITORIAL

opinion

‘Healthcare-for-all’ would be our country’s best investment

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate ha made the Universal Health Care (UHC) bill to their priority in the 17th Congress, aiming to finalize its draft as soon as possible. A consolidated bill has been formulated in the lower house while the Senate has approved their counterpart bill.

At a glance, this bill seeks to ensure that all Filipinos would be entitled to healthy living, working and schooling conditions, and access to a comprehensive set of health services without financial hardship exemplified with no balance billing for non-contributory group members or ward admissions and a fixed co-payment system for contributory members or private room accommodation.

This would also change PhilHealth, currently known as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, into the Philippine Health Security Corporation in acknowledgement that the UHC is more than just insurance coverage but instead would institutionalize the updated health financing strategy of the Department of Health (DOH).

This bill has been positively welcomed by Filipinos as the looming inflation continues to subdue the whole country, where even the healthcare system has become a victim. There still exists a discrepancy in the total health profile of the average Filipino, where majority of the middle-to-low income

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editors

Associate Editors

Circulation Officer News Editors

Opinion Editors

Feature Editors

Filipino Editors

Sports Editors

Literary Editors

Contributing Editor Photojournalist Cartoonist Adviser

DeaN

ARCHIEVAL S. GUITCHE IAN LEOJ M. GUMBAN MARK ANTHONY P. CELESTIAL ARIELLE ANGELIQUE S. CRUZ JIREH MARIELLE C. ZARAGOZA MARIA INEZ S. BENEDICTO ROCILL JHEN G. CASPILLO LESLEY ANNE L. ERUM NOR-AIN L. BARANI NIZZA ANN E. REGALADO CRISHEL C. LIM ALEXA GIANNE L. MORGA KHRYSTI LOU D. SULLEZA MAYETH WYNE F. PALAY CHRISTINE MARIE G. TATUD SOLON L. GOTICO JULINCHEL H. LICAYAN AIREL JAYE M. GUILLAMAS MA. SONIFE A. PARPA LEODEL T. BARRIO KARL ELSON A. YCON IRVIN ALLAMAR C. LLEVADO MELANIE JANE A. TENDENCIA, M.D., MPA, FPSMID, FPASMAP JOSE NEMESIO A. GRANADA, M.D., FPCS, FPSGS, FPSCRS, FPALES Vice President for MedicaL MARCOS D. BITO-ONON, MD, and Allied Sciences DPBA, DPBPM President LUIS M. SOROLLA, JR., Ph.D., CSEE email: vitalsignspublication@gmail.com

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earners rarely achieve total healthcare coverage not only because it is expensive but also due to the lack of suitable facilities and, even worse, the lack of healthcare practitioners in the country.

The DOH, through Health Secretary Francisco Duque III lamented the budget cut for the department from its ₱30.26 billion budget in 2018 to the ₱50 million budget proposal allocated for 2019. He stressed that the department still needs ₱16.7 billion for its Health Facilities Enhancement Program that is crucial in ensuring health services in communities.

There are at least 1,000 nearly-completed health facilities nationwide where this budget would be allocated.

The monstrous budget cut was given by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) due to the poor utilization of the program’s funds. Sec. Duque further stated that this failure is due to the mismanagement on the part of former Health Secretary Janet Garin under the previous administration. But instead of pointing fingers, our government officials should instead lead their eyes to the true situation of the healthcare system in the country. Whatever laws or policies the lawmakers and departments would come up to satisfy their perceived purpose, it would be a defeat if the ordinary Filipino is never seen in their actions.

It is estimated that if approved, the UHC bill would entail ₱257 billion for its first year of implementation, which is severely high in contrast with the current ₱30 million budget of the DOH. However, it must be emphasized that any policy that would provide better health services to the nation would mean good news to everyone. Good health means productivity that would eventually lead to success.

World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative Gundo Weiler has urged the Philippine government to ensure funding for the implementation of UHC stating that this would be a real investment that needs to happen.

Healthcare-for-all is still a dream but it is never farfetched. It’s now or never. We need Universal Health Care now.

Living a Life of Irregularities Being someone who has never had a permanent batch in my medical journey, I could attest that I see myself as a discontinuity. I even went as far as questioning if it was right for the college to accept me. It was plain since the beginning: I have been living a life of irregularities for years.

After graduating high school, I never experience a regular academic life. My undergraduate life was full of wrong decisions and dilemma. It was so chaotic that I needed to move schools.

Thus, I extended my stay, finishing in seven years. I applied to this

SPECERE

crishel lim ni Ianby Leoj M. Gumban

college with hopes and prayers.

Grace alone gave me the chance to stay.

But I would never forget the disappointed faces of my batchmates when they saw my name on that announcement that I was accepted. I will always

OPINION Behind the Whitecoat

BORDERLINE

by crishel

by Archieval S. lim Guitche

Mental health is really underrated in this country.

People will use their fame, money, power, even their level of education to humiliate others.

Doctors, even us, medical students, are not exempted in this kind of harassment. Working in a hostile environment deteriorates trust and unity among health workers. Indeed, the physicianpatient relationship is the life of the healthcare. Yet, we often forget that a genuine doctor-todoctor relationship is what brings life in the dying and suffocating hospital culture.

I am writing this to not put the medical professionals in the bad light, but to raise awareness that we are all humans who are embodied with feelings and emotions. The indignity of being publicly humiliated is not a stain that can easily washed away. The glass of this profession is full of remember that bittersweet moment, where I should have been totally rejoicing in my acceptance, I was concerned of what those people thought.

I initially made that as an encouragement to try my best and erase all those memories of their frowns and stares. Unfortunately, it did not help and, again, as if it was unsurprising, I totally failed again. It was inevitable that if the college would allow it, I will be staying longer, too, just like what I did for my bachelor’s degree.

It is everyone’s opinion that I did not give my best, thus, the failure that I endured. I admit, I did expect a bit of sympathy from others. Yes, I did have a little push from friends but in the bigger picture, I felt less and less people interacting with me. I felt like I was someone with leprosy that people resent being near me. My failure is a disease here in medical school.

vulnerable and fragile egos ready to be shattered anytime. A piece of advice? Play the cards well or else, you’ll lose big time in this emotional gamble.

Difficult people are harbringer of bad situations. Everytime you lose, you keep on betting. You gamble your fragile ego until the shattered pieces hurt you.

The pain you are experiencing is a product of your tolerance.

We are so tolerant that we endure everything because our future is in their hands.

Everytime you speak out, it will take against you ̶ rude and insubordinate. Worst, you will be blackballed throughout your career. No wonder, this is the most intoxicating culture of most of the Filipinos ̶ sense of entitlement.

5

and to clear uncertainties in patient management, in time, we can produce competent and respectful clinicians.

On the other hand, intimidation could create more mishaps as they would hide mistakes in the performance of care, hold back essential questions for afraid to be bashed, and settle to perform the most basic of care to their patients.

These compromise the quality of care the patients deserve.

Superiority Complex This intimidation is no different from people who stereotype other medical specializations.

Everyone has their role to play, be it a cardiologist, a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, a family physician or a general practitioner. You are not always the great guy in the field, accept that. You need others to thrive. Regardless of

those long professional titles sticking after your name, every single doctor complements each other. Everyone contributes to the life support machine that is capable of sustaining life to the patient. And when one part is missing, everything collapses.

The expertise of others are all equally important to safeguard the best interest of our patients.

We often excuse doctors who are bullies because they are ‘great with patients’, ‘brilliant clinicians’, or ‘gifted doctors’. Little do you know how those acts gravely affect the current situation of the medical profession? There is no ounce of justification or bouts of excuse to this kind of harassment in the workplace. Senior doctors believed that bullying and condescension are better ways of training young minds to the harrowing environment. In the first place, who created this ‘harsh environment’?

Fostering openness and honesty can save lives. If newly-minted doctors are to be given an opportunity to learn in a non-intimidating way, reprimand privately and appropriately for inaccuracy, and encourage to ask questions

Throughout all my failures, I admit that I had experienced disheartenment. I could never count the times that I wanted to give up, to throw everything down the drain. The hearth inside me has been weakening from time to time and sometimes you just do not want to keep it burning.

Family and friends has always been so encouraging but negative thought would still seep in. It is never too hard to be a pessimist and my recurrent failures would always lead me back to zero.

What is wrong with me? Am I really fit to be here? Or am I better off away from here?

I have always struggled on my situation, especially in subjects where I never expected to fail. I would sometimes feel betrayed by the college. I would never fully understand this since I may have been in a wrong state of mind.

But for all the discouragement, I am very thankful for being a

worship leader a church and being raised in a pastor’s family.

When the coal is nearly out of heat, Sunday mornings would rekindle the passion. I just recently realized that my failures are just but a part of the whole human condition.

In my Christian faith, I have been taught that man is unable to save himself from misery because he is unable to do so himself. Many would find this as preachy but I do think that it applies to all mankind.

Humans alone are nothing more than ordinary living things.

We are depraved from all the knowledge and beauty of nature unless we ourselves find ways to embrace it.

One’s salvation is a relative idea. It would mean redemption and exemption from the torments of hell but it may also be the redemption of one’s mind from ignorance or misinformation.

Total depravity means that God alone can lead us to redemption.

Yet, we are not merely robots in this sense. We, too, must respond.

And in the redemption of the mind, despite the many failures that we face, as long as we try our best to do what we must, we will see a better future.

My irregular life has taught me things that I would have never imagined if I was always successful. It made me humble, made me trust God more, and made me a better person. I do not know if I will never experience another failure in the coming years but I will always remember that the process might be painful.

My reasons of being here are sometimes hidden by my struggles. But I would always seek for my purpose: the people that I want to serve and the God that I want to glorify. So, this irregular life is not just a hurdled one. It is a challenge that I should endure.

Life’s Physics I am starting to quip a full battle gear as early as now. And I am expecting more verbal abuse and harsh criticisms in the next years.

But let me tell you, there is a clear distinction between shaming and constructive criticism. Speaking ill to your colleagues and soonto-be colleagues won’t make you promising. Like Newton’s third law of motion, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And that is a reflection of your character and ideals in life. For bullies are cowards.

This cycle of bullying has to end and let you be the start of the noble in this “noblest” profession.

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Feature

AN INTRODUCTION TO

Online Shopping

Since the dawn of man, the human has dreamed up countless perplexing ideas all in the name of achieving maximum convenience. While concepts such as interplanetary travel and infallible world peace are still in the works, present day human beings are enjoying an ever growing expanse of data accessible to any individual in any part of the world. Of course, this has made the timeless practice of exchanging goods more extensive than men of ancient times could have ever perceived.

Indeed, online shopping has come a long way. From its humble beginnings even prior to the commercialization of the internet to the various websites (including social media sites) providing the option for business transactions, no one is spared from seeing various ads and promotions of online stores and e-commerce platforms.

On that note, with data brokers vigorously selling individuals’ internet activity and the increasing average daily screen time worldwide, shopping online is becoming more enticing than otherwise. “One of the advantages I find in online shopping is the fact that I can conveniently shop from the comforts of my home without having to deal with (sometimes annoying) salesladies,” said Kara Angelica Gadong, a third year medical student. “I don’t have to spend time in line when having to pay for my product especially when there’s a sale. Lastly, it gets delivered right to my house which is super hassle-free,” she added.

“Online shopping is more convenient for me especially when you have a busy schedule and you don’t have time to go to a physical store. It also saves times and it’s just one click away,” said Sharlene Quiliquili. Another advantage of shopping online is the perks one wouldn’t get otherwise. “It’s easier to get discounts especially if you buy directly from the manufacturer...and also when you bulk buy,” commented PGI Besares.

by Arielle Angelique S. Cruz

When it comes to the topic of superheroes, it is nearly impossible not to bring up the name of Stan Lee. The man’s legendary contribution to the world of comics and heroes cannot be ignored or forgotten. His works have shaped everyone’s understanding of what a superhero should be and has inspired so many due to his gripping stories, realistic portrayals of characters, and inspiring quotes.

Stanley Martin Lieber, better known as Stan Lee had been in the comic business since he was in his teens back in 1939 and had since then, risen to become the creator of several iconic Marvel superheroes, such as the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, X-men and Hulk as

by Jireh Marielle C. Zaragoza

Despite its promise of variety and supposed ease, shopping online can cause more difficulties that may discourage customers. For instance, another medical student, Roendel Bustillo, mentions his experience with shipping issues. “It happened to me twice where I had to personally pick my purchased item directly from the courier (one time it was in the Iloilo International Airport, a 45-minute drive) due to the couriers own negligence,” he said. “Delays in delivery are inevitable. It is also hard to check if the quality of the product you’re buying is good. Some online sellers respond late and some may not be legit sellers so we should choose online stores wisely,” Sharlene observed.

Another common problem arises when ordering apparel, as Kara noted when browsing shopping sites. “I’d rather buy in physical store than buy clothes online because I want to be able to see how it looks on me(if the fit and cut is just right for my body).” It is a noteworthy problem since clothing ads can be misleading; there is no way of knowing the product’s material, or even a way to guarantee if it fits the customer just right.

As the online shopping experience continues evolving, so will society’s perception of it. So far, in the Philippines, the market is still gradually expanding as people are more and more become dependent on the internet and their phones to get tasks done. The pervasive nature of consumerism breeding retail therapy (or the other way around) seems only all the more notable placed every day. But then again, one can always count on free shipping. well becoming the figure head and chairman for Marvel comics.

Lee revolutionized the way superheroes were previously portrayed back in the early years of comic books. He gave readers more relatable and realistic personalities and situations which allowed for more mature concepts and discussions of heavy issues. He depicted the struggles of racism as represented by ostracized mutant X-men and the terror of nuclear warfare through the Hulk. He wrote the now iconic line “With great power comes must also come great responsibility,” taken from his work on Spiderman which has been quoted by many in various speeches.

Years later, Lee’s creations gained even more fame as they transitioned into mainstream media through television shows and blockbuster movies. He had become a recognizable face even to casual fans due to his well-loved comedic cameos in the Marvel films.

Outside of his comic book contributions, Stan Lee was also the

author of several books and an avid advocate of reading and writing. He created the Stan Lee Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to provide access to resources for literary, culture, and the arts to underprivileged communities.

Stan Lee was passionate about all his projects and put much heart and thought into them. He did not write for profit but for himself and his readers. He once said that he considered retirement as “punishment.”

On November 12, 2018, Stan Lee died after being rushed to CedarsSinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California for a medical emergency.

He was 95 years old.

Despite the loss of this great and talented man, his legacy will not be forgotten. The company he helped remains as big as ever and his words and characters continue to inspire fans young and old through all forms of media. Lee’s influence will not end anytime soon, and only go “ever upward” just like he would always say as he signed off from his written column and shows. “Excelsior!”

7

Filipino

ni Christine Marie G. Tatud

Pareho man ang ibig sabihin kung isalin sa ibang wika ay mas tagos pa din ang dalawang salitang ito. Hindi ba’t sadyang mas ramdam mo? Mukhang mas totoo?

Hindi ba’t mas matamis pakinggan?

Hindi lamang dahil sa kahulugan ng mga salita kundi dahil ang wika ay parte ng ating pagkatao, bagkus ay lubos itong tinatanggap at naiintindihan ng puso.

Ang mga dayuhang mananakop ay malaking parte ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Habang patuloy na nanindigan at lumaban ang ating mga ninuno upang mapaalis ang mga dayuhan, ay nanatiling nakaukit sa bawat salita ang nakaraan at ang mga dala nilang impluwensya. Ang Tagalog na naging basehan ng Filipino, kahit hindi pa lubusang alam kung saan mismo nagmula, ay bunga ng mga wikang Malay, Java, Sanskrit, at Espanyol.

Sa taong 1987, ay ginawang Pambansang Wika ng Republika ng Pilipinas ang Filipino. Hindi lamang ito naging

simbolo ng ating pagkakakilanlan, kundi ito ay nagsilbing instrumento ng ating pagbubuklod. Kahit saan man sa mundo mapadpad ang mga pinoy, ay mahahanap at makikilala nila ang isa’t isa bagama’t iisa ang kanilang salita. Naging bahagi ito ng tahanang Pilipino, kaya’t siyang naging pampawi sa lungkot at pangungulila. Ngunit gaya ng ibang mga bagay na nakasanayan na, ang halaga nito ay unti-unting naglaho sa mata ng pamilyaridad at pagpapalagayang loob.

Ngunit isang siglo man ang lumipas ay mukhang patuloy ang pananakop. Walang digmaang nagaganap ngunit bakit may biktima? Unti-unting namamatay ang wikang Filipino? Ang tanging ipinagkaiba ay hindi na kailangang ipilit ng mga banyaga ang kanilang mga sarili. Tayo mismo ang siyang tumatangkilik sa kanila kaysa sa sariling atin. Nahuhumaling tayo at masigasig sa pagtuto ngunit hindi ng ating wika. Ang mga batang henerasyon

ay halos lumalaki na ang gamit ay wikang banyaga, at na ang tingin ay mas lamang ang banyagang kultura. Mas pulido pang nakakanta ang mga koreanong salita kesa sa sariling pambansang awit. Hindi ba’t minsan ang kailangan lamang ng mga tao ay ang patuloy na pagpapaalala?

Ngunit, sa pagsasantabi ng pagtuturo ng araling Filipino at Panitikan sa kolehiyo ay mukhang naglalaho na din ang pagasang ito.

Ganito nalang ba tayo lagi?

Kombinasyon ng iba’t ibang mga lahi?

Kailan tayo magpapaka-Pilipino?

Maari nating simulan sa mga simpleng pagkakataon: sa paglalahad ng damdamin; at sa pagpapahayag ng pagmamahal nang mas maramdamang tunay ang mga salitang binibitawan, na kahit sa dalawang salita lamang ay muling mapag-iisa ang natural na katangiang Pilipino: mapagmahal sa wikang galing sa puso.

Mahiya Naman Kayo Diskurso

ni Mayeth Wyne F. by crishel limPalay

Ipinanganak na Pilipino, rehistradong botante, marunong magbasa at sumulat, hindi bababa sa 35 taong gulang sa araw ng eleksyon, nanirahan sa Pilipinas ng higit sa dalawang taon bago ang eleksyon - ito ang mga kwalipikasyon para sa pagka-senador. Marahil sadyang ito lamang ang itinakda ng ating Konstitusyon nang sa gayon, maging ang pinaka-ordinaryong Pilipino ay maaring magkaroon ng opurtunidad upang makatakbo at mahalal. Sa panahon ngayon kung saan higit nating

kailangan ng edukado at maaashang mamumuno, tila ankop lamang na itaas na natin ang ating pamantayan.

Marahil iyo naring napuna na tila ba mas marami at matataas pa ang kwalipikasyon para sa ibang trabaho kumpara sa pagiging senador.

May tatlong taon na ang nakalilipas, maraming kilalang pulitiko ang naharap sa kasong graft and plunder matapos madawit sa Pork Barrel Scam. Sa kasalukuyan, dalawa sa mga ito ang nakapiit samantalang ang isa ay pinayagang makapagpiyansa dahil sa kanyang katandaan.

Ngunit nito lamang Oktubre, tila walang pag-iimbot na nagsumite ang mga naturang pulitiko ng kanilang Certificate of Candidacy (COC) sa pagkasenador na siya namang

inaprubahan ng Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

Ilang politiko na ba ang naihalal, napatunayang nagnakaw, nakasuhan, nakalaya, tumakbo at nanalong muli sa eleksyon? Kung susuriing mabuti, hindi lamang sa sistemang ating kinamulatan ang may mali kundi marahil, maging sa atin din mismong mga sarili. Sa huli, ang kapalaran ng kumakandidatong politiko ay nasa ating mga kamay pagkat tayo ang may kapangyarihang magluklok sa kanila.

Kung may nagawa mang mabuti itong mga politiko, hindi natin iyon utang na loob sa kanila dahil responsibilidad nila iyon.

Dapat lamang na gampanan nila ang kanilang tungkulin dahil pinagkakatiwalaan at sinuswelduhan sila ng taumbayan. Marahil, hindi

kailanman magtatakda ang ating Konstitusyon ng mas mataas na kwalipikasyon para sa pagiging lingkod-bayan ngunit tayo bilang mga botante, maaari tayong magtakda ng sarili nating pamantayan na gagabay sa ating pagboto.

Maging matalino at kritikal tayo sa pagpili ng ating mga lider dahil ang mga ito ang huhulma sa ating bansa. Hindi lamang popularidad ang ating maging basehan kundi karakter at husay.

Bantayan natin ang kanilang mga galaw, tulungan natin ang kanilang mga mabubuting layunin at huwag tayong mga bulag at mangmang sa kanilang kamalian. Itigil na natin ang pagiging maka-dilaw o maka-pula kundi simulan natin ang pagiging isang tunay na maka-Pilipinas.

8

Sports

HOME RUN. John Toledo of DVS (Left) trying to secure a point before Karl Elson Ycon of CCetC (Mid) catches the ball. The deadlocked Game 5 of softball event ended in favor of DVS. Photo by Julinchel H. Licayan

DVS swings to victory in men’s softball championship

by Julinchel H. Licayan

The drawn out of Dum Vivimus Servimus (DVS) versus Claritas Consano et Concordia (CCetC) softball men’s Hinampang showdown finally came into a teetering conclusion last Sunday, November 11, 2018, at the WVSU football field, lasting into a 6th inning of game 2 and DVS emerging triumphant with a precarious 13-12.

DVS’ men and women’s team had both made use of their twiceto-beat status as both teams lost to CCetC and AGS, respectively on October 28. The women’s team settled the score before the men’s game and DVS finally surrendered to AGS in a reluctant, 20-19.

With their counterparts loss, the men’s team came in determined, winning 2-0 on the 1st inning, directly triple playing the first three batters of CCetC while they were on the defense.

The 2nd inning was a tie, 3-3, resulting to multiple injuries for DVS while on the defense - shortstop Marco Fermindoza dislocated his pinky after fumbling a catch, and first baseman Jan Riz Toledo blacked-out

after a head-on collision with batter runner of CCetC. As if a repeat of the first inning, DVS once again blanked out CCetC with a triple play on the 3rd inning, scoring 3-0 while their second batter, Jan Matthew Ruba was awarded a hit by pitch after being hit on the head while on the offense.

CCetC came for revenge on the fourth inning, taking a page out of DVS’ playbook, striking out DVS’ first three batters in succession and winning the inning with 7-0, effectively closing the accumulated gap of the previous innings and advancing by 2 points over DVS in a total of 10-8.

At the supposed deciding round, the 5th inning, CCetC’s pitcher Fortum Palmes was rendered incapable of play by severe muscle cramps and was carried out of the field by a classmate, calling for 3rd baseman Alexis Penetrante as sub after awarding DVS’ Ruba an intentional base on balls.

DVS only allowed CCetC a single point on the 5th inning while

they caught up with three, resulting to a tie-game of 11-11, necessitating a 6th inning.

Both sides now back to zero, as the first team on offense, DVS scored only two points, their last point run by Sean Mueda who had coincidentally made the team’s first point at the beginning of the game.

On the offense, CCetC’s Fortum Palmes stood at the home plate, bearing a strong possibility of winning the game with a single hit of wellswung bat, with their bases loaded, CCetC can easily overtake the two home runs by DVS with a grand slam.

The badly needed hit was executed by CCetC without fail and all base runners were all in motion, however, their momentum was halted when the umpire made an unmovable safety violation call after CCetC batter tossed the bat while on the run, the same call was given by the umpire to CCetC’s second out of the inning, Alexis Ray Penetrante.

This call ended the game in a safe and an anticlimactic 13-12, in favor of the DVS.