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The Official University Student Newsletter of the West Visayas State University
EDITORIAL | 06
PH’s flexible learning: Sailing but failing
August 2021 - November 2021 Volume LXXXII No. 1
‘STOP THE ATTACKS’. Student activists from progressive organizations stage a picket outside the WVSU Main Campus against red-tagging and military deployment in the College of Agriculture and Forestry, August 23, 2019. MARIE ANDREA PEFIANCO
‘REJECT NTF-ELCAC IN OUR CAMPUSES’ USC urges students in Panay to bar task force’s entry for talks on “subversive” books removal Eric D. Morguia, Jr. and Rjay Z. Castor
Amidst the mounting opposition on the removal of the supposedly “subversive” books from libraries, the University Student Council (USC) did not mince its words against the government’s antiinsurgency task force as it urged other student bodies in Panay Island to also oppose its entry into their campuses. In the past weeks, administrators of Aklan State University, University of Antique, and University of the Philippines — Visayas met with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) officials in Western Visayas to discuss the issue. “As the highest governing student body in West Visayas State University (WVSU), we do not welcome these actions in the education landscape here in the region,” the USC said in a statement on Thursday, November 11. Read more on Page 8
Landslide victory: SAMASA continues win streak in USC elections for the third time Keven Rizzo C. Sitjar and Zynnie Rose C. Zaragosa
The Sandigan ng Magaaral para sa Sambayanan of West Visayas State University (SAMASA-WVSU) once again dominated this year’s University Student Council (USC) elections with its standard-bearer, Hershey Geline Sumpay, continuing the party’s win streak for the third time as the new USC chairperson. With a total of 6,033 tagaWest electors who voted, Sumpay gained half the favor, securing 3,001 votes and surpassing University Students’ Alliance’s (USA) Sal Molinos III, who fell NEWS 05 NEWS FEATURE FEATURE || 05
Politicking amid pandemic?
FEATURE | 08 Bullets to the head: When will it sink in?
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short at 2,813 votes for the chairperson post. SAMASA-WVSU’s unopposed vice chairperson candidate Louela Marie Prado maintained the highest turnout, garnering 82% or 4,943 total votes. All candidates from SAMASAWVSU’s 11-councilor slate secured a seat. Meanwhile, five candidates from the USA and two from Lakas Youth Organization (LYO) completed the 18 USC councilor posts.
University Students' Alliance Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan Lakas Youth Organization
Total Number of Electorates: 9,107 Total Number of Electorates Who Voted: 6,033 Voter Turnout: 66%
Read more on Page 8
WVSU finds out unauthorized uploads of learning materials Richard D. Olano, Jr. and Eric D. Morguia, Jr. to ‘Course Hero’ website The University discovered students’ unauthorized uploads of instructional materials online, particularly on the Course Hero website, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Maria Asuncion Christine Dequilla confirmed to The Forum Wednesday, October 13. Dr. Dequilla said that the concern “came after the faculty reported that their materials were uploaded on a platform outside Google Classroom without their consent or knowledge.” The Office of the VPAA is currently “checking all angles and studying how [it can] address [the] situation.” Course Hero “is an online learning platform for students
to access course-specific study resources,” its website said. The platform offers two types of membership: no-cost basic membership and paid premium membership. Compared to premium members who enjoy “unlimited access to [...] textbook solutions,” basic members can only “gain free access to Course Hero when [they] share [their] own resources” on the platform, according to its website. While Dr. Dequilla acknowledged that some students may be unaware that “they leave a digital footprint,” she emphasized the need for awareness on what is “proper, right, and just.” “It (cyberspace) is a different plane, but we may be going beyond
and tampering with the rights of others without our knowledge,” the VPAA said. “How you behave in a physical world — doing what is good and conforming to what is legal, just, and right — is very much similar in cyberspace,” she added. In May this year, a similar scenario happened to College of Arts and Sciences professor Joyce Christine Colon after one of her instructional materials for the course Readings in Philippine History was uploaded to the same website without her permission. Prof. Colon, in a Facebook status, crowdsourced for ways to report the unauthorized upload. Read more on Page 8
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02 | NEWS
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
WVSU admin intensif ies vax roll-out for limited in-person classes
John Lyod B. Pachejo and Jomer J. Ruego
An estimated 55 to 85 percent of the University’s population has already been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences Dr. Celina Gellada said during the October 19 virtual orientation for the eventual conduct of limited in-person classes. In line with the University’s efforts to inoculate all its stakeholders, prior to the orientation, a vaccination rollout was conducted on October 15 at the SM City Iloilo Southpoint, where 56 students received the COVID-19 shot out of the 200 available slots allocated by the Iloilo City Government. Another vaccination roll-out was conducted on October 21 at the same vaccination site. While the University was offered 295 slots, only 127 students received the COVID-19 shot.
Gerlyn Joy P. Rojo
INTENSIFYING VAX ROLL-OUT. A minor receives COVID-19 shot at the University Cultural Center, November 8. Photo Courtesy: University Management Information System
“We would like to thank Mayor Jerry Treñas for allocating vaccination slots for us, TagaWest, and our University President, Dr. Joselito Villaruz, for taking the initiative to reach out to us, as we prepare for the possible safe reopening of face-to-face classes,” University Student Council Chairperson Hershey Geline Sumpay told The Forum. With the Commission on Higher Education’s approval to conduct
limited face-to-face classes for level IV College of Nursing students, President Joselito Villaruz, in a memorandum released October 25, called for the strengthening of the University’s “vaccination roll-out across all campuses.” Furthermore, the University, in cooperation with the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, has already begun vaccinating children ages 12 to 17 last November 8 at the University Cultural Center.
CHED mulls limited in-person classes for all degree programs Rjay Z. Castor
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is carefully considering the possibility of opening limited face-to-face classes for all degree programs in colleges and universities under low-risk areas and with high coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination rates. CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III at the Malacañang press briefing on October 11 said the government is already studying the measure, considering that the ongoing limited face-to-face classes of several higher education institutions (HEIs) are going well.
“Ang susunod naming pinagaaralan na ay, in addition to limited face-to-face classes, by degree program. Pinag-aaralan na namin kung pwedeng payagan ang mga eskwelahan na mag-limited faceto-face in all degree programs in areas that have very low COVID-19 prevalence and also very high vaccination rate,” De Vera said. He added that the expansion “by degree program and possibly by geographical area” may happen in the “next couple of months.” Approved by President Rodrigo Duterte in late September, inperson classes are currently
allowed for degree programs that require hands-on experience in HEIs under modified general community quarantine: medicine and health-allied, engineering, hospitality or hotel and restaurant management, tourism or travel management, marine engineering, and marine transportation. Only HEIs that have the gosignal from the local government unit and have retrofitted their facilities following the standards set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases can hold inperson classes.
COM grad tops Sept. 2021 PLE; WVSU is 4th top performing school Julie Anne L. Collado
BENEDICTO Photo Courtesy: Maria Inez Benedicto
West posts 21% passing rate for freshman applicants
Maria Inez Sellado Benedicto, a graduate of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Medicine, emerged as one of the topnotchers of the September 2021 Physician Licensure Examination. Benedicto shared the top spot with Jude Philip Cebrecus of the Cebu Institute of medicine with a rating of 87.83%, according to the results released by the Professional Regulation Commission on September 24. “I was sure that not the best version of myself will be entering that exam room. My goal is just to pass. I don’t want to put an extra pressure on myself on topping the exam,” she told The Forum. Prior to medical school, Benedicto took up Bachelor of
Science in Medical Technology at the University of Negros Occidedental – Recoletos where she graduated magna cum laude. In 2015, she took the Medical Technologist Licensure Examination and landed in 7th spot. “After evaluating my life, I decided to enter med school, and I only applied [to] WVSU. I was grateful that the WVSU’s curriculum really suited me,” she said. Aside from this success, WVSU takes pride in being the 4th top performing school in the said PLE with 72 passers out of 80 examinees or 90% passing rate. Benedicto plans on taking a break for a year to reflect about pursuing residency training in internal medicine.
In his opening message during the University Orientation, which streamed in the University Student Council (USC) Facebook page on September 10, President Joselito Villaruz revealed that the University only accepted 21% of all freshman applicants for the academic year 2021-2022. Villaruz highlighted that the applicants have undergone a highly selective screening process which tested their wits and capabilities. “In the Main Campus, out of 7823 freshman applicants, only 1645 were accepted, which is roughly around 20%,” he said. The College of Nursing had the lowest passing rate of only 3% due to its high number of applicants. “Hold your breath,” Dr. Villaruz shared, “out of 2875 applicants, only 3% or 132 are now enrolled in the College of Nursing.” Meanwhile, for the newly established College of Dentistry, only 40 out of more than a hundred applicants were accepted. “From the College of Arts and Sciences, out of the 1339 applicants, only 220 were accepted,” Dr. Villaruz added. Moreover, he also said that for the College of Business and Management, only 254 out of 1491 applicants were accepted. In the College of Education, about 35% of all applicants were accepted, while for the College of Communication, only 123 applicants were accepted. On the other hand, in the College of Information and Communications Technology and in the College of PESCAR, only half of all applicants were accepted. “Congratulations because you not only made it this far but because you are recipients of the government’s Free Higher Education,” Dr. Villaruz told first year students. Dr. Villaruz also expressed that these figures display the quality standard that the West Visayas State University offers to learners in the region and across the country.
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NEWS | 03
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
COE-GS offers new master’s in TCA Ron Eliezer G. Duhina and Nove Joy S. Losbañes
TABAY
Photo Courtesy: Nursing Times
CON alum is 1st Filipino nursing director in UK Clint M. Bellosillo
An alumnus of the University’s College of Nursing became the first Filipino nurse to acquire a ‘very senior manager’ position after his appointment as director of nursing at the University Hospitals Sussex National Health Service Foundation Trust, September 1. Edmund Tabay, a native of Tubungan, Iloilo, graduated with a nursing degree from the West Visayas State University College of Nursing in 1996. “I want people to be given the opportunity and to believe that, although we did not train in this country (United Kingdom), we have those opportunities (being appointed director o f n u r s i n g ) a s w e l l , ” Ta b ay said. According to him, he wants to be an inspiration in nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions because his new role has internal accountability and the autonomy to lead, drive, and coordinate programs to improve patient outcomes and patient care, Nursing Times reported. Before his appointment, Tabay was a deputy chief nurse who championed the promotion of equality and diversity within the workplace and across the system at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn National Health Service Foundation Trust. “There were very difficult times when I first moved to the UK (United Kingdom) in 2001 and I thought I would not be given a chance. But it’s that opportunity and that encouragement which motivated me and I think that is very important,” Tabay said . In 2018, the Nursing Times featured Tabay as the highest-ranking Filipino nurse in the UK after being appointed the deputy chief nurse position in the Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust.
The College of Education – Graduate School (COE-GS) of West Visayas State University (WVSU) launched the new Master of Arts in Education Teaching in Challenged Areas (MAEd-TCA) as one of its offered degrees for the current academic year. With a pioneering batch of eight students, WVSU is one of the first five universities to offer the said program in the country. The program was certified and approved through the Board of Regents Resolution No. 28-2021, referencing the CHED Memorandum Order No. 15, Series of 2019. It aims to be a “concerted and systemic means of more advanced teacher training” where its students are trained to be equipped with both academic and field experience needed to teach in challenged areas. “Teachers who are better equipped to handle the peculiarities of teaching in challenged areas will definitely produce better learners and therefore, citizens who can
‘FOR LOVE OF TEACHING’. Two public elementary school teachers ride a bamboo raft to reach the remote barangay of Taganghin in Tapaz, Capiz where they teach children. PANAY NEWS/ IAN PAUL CORDERO
contribute much to nationbuilding,” said Dr. Hazel Villa, WVSU-COE professor and one of the eight module writers of the program. The said project was formulated through the Project FORTH or Formation of Teachers in Challenged Areas, co-funded by the Erasmus Programme of the European Union (EU). After seeing the need to provide opportunities for children last 2015, six young teachers in an EU youth project responded to the teaching demands for a special training program in marginalized areas.
The MAEd-TCA curriculum has at least a 24-unit coursework and requires its students to complete six units of thesis as well as the fulfillment of three major requirements: comprehensive exam, thesis, and peerreviewed journal or a qualified teaching material. As a MAEd degree (Academic Track), the program requires a bachelor’s degree as the minimum requirement for admission. The degree can be finished in three to four years.
WVSU-ILS director passes away; COE hosts necrological service Nicole Anne A. Moscoso and Keminova B. Acepcion
Former Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) Director Dr. Emellie Palomo died on September 12 after suffering from multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. She was 64 years old. Dr. Palomo joined the College of Education (COE) faculty in 1994. She was an educator in the University for more than 27 years, and served as the ILS Director for 11 years.
The COE Circle of Mathematicians (COM) referred to her as “one of the giants of every mathematics educator COE has produced.” In a Facebook post, the COM expressed their sorrow upon hearing of Dr. Pamolo’s demise. “We are saddened by your passing but we pray that you found eternal peace in heaven with God,” the post read.
Furthermore, the college hosted a necrological service last September 18 at 4 p.m. via Zoom platform and was streamed live on its Facebook page. A virtual obituary entitled ‘A Walk To Remember’ was prepared by the ILS, Mathematics Education Division, COM, friends, and students in honor of the late director.
Taga-West freshmen to receive tablets as 2nd year of issuance starts November 4th Sarah Rose M. Linas and Jomer J. Ruego
The West Visayas State University will once again have its distribution of learning resource packets (LRPs) or educational tablets to first-year students residing in Iloilo City and the nearby provinces for this academic year 2021–2022. Both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Communication have released advisories on their respective Facebook pages, stating that the first batch of the tablet distribution will begin on October 26–29 and November 3 at the University’s Cultural Center. For students to claim their tablets, they are to set an appointment online through Ticketon, the University’s online ticketing system. The reservation of appointments started last Wednesday, October 20.
MAKING EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE. Taga-West students and representatives from the College of Communication gather at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City for the distribution of educational tablets in Capiz, December 21, 2020. NICKSON DE GUZMAN
On the day of the distribution, firstyear students are required to bring a duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking, original and photocopy of Certificate of Registration (COR), and one valid identification card (ID). For parents or guardians who will claim the units on behalf of the student, they are also obliged to bring a duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking,
one valid ID of the student, original and photocopy of COR of the student, one valid ID of parent or guardian, and authorization letter or Special Power of Attorney of the student. This is the second year of the University’s provision of LRPs to students as a response to the new learning setup and also aid the students’ needs for distance learning.
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04 | NEWS WVSU to conduct wellness break on Oct 18-27 Rjay Z. Castor
The West Visayas State University (WVSU) announced a wellness break for all undergraduate students in the main and external campuses from October 18–23. “Course facilitators will not meet asynchronously with their classes to allow students to have a break from mental work,” read the memorandum issued by the Office of the President on Wednesday, October 13. The memo underscored that “no tasks or assignments, neither required submissions, will be given within the week; and topics allotted for the week will be left to students for independent study.” Villaruz said that the measure is purposely for the intent to have a “happier, more productive, and committed to excellence "Taga-West."
Virtual confab calls for cultural preservation Jonar B. Dorado
“The youth is the future and the champion of indigenous heritage.” This sums up the very message of the webinar “Ipagbayaw: Panay Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Cultural Preservation” held last October 30 via Zoom. The said virtual conference was conducted in line with the Indigenous Month celebration in October, which was initiated by the University Students’ Alliance (USA). Voltaire Jacinto, University professor and USA adviser, urged the Filipino youth to “promote further the knowledge about cultural heritage and of the indigenous people, especially in Panay.” “We represent one nation and it is important to understand, value, and appreciate the uniqueness that was given to us by God,” Prof. Jacinto added. Meanwhile, anthropologist Alicia Magos, one of the speakers, talked about “Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices and the Suguidanon”. “We should really be proud of them. Who else if not we, Filipinos; if not we from Western Visayas,” she said. Among the speakers of the said webinar were Anna Razel Ramirez, overall project coordinator of Panay Epics, Rennel Levilla of Panay Bukidnon Indigenous Youth, ethnomusicologist Jose Taton, Jr., and Jesus Insilada, Division Indigenous Peoples Education Focal Person for the Schools Division of Iloilo.
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
WVSU community demands justice for slain education alumna Nove Joy S. Losbañes and Eric D. Morguia, Jr.
The West Visayas State University (WVSU) community called for justice over the killing of its alumna who was found dead inside her sports utility vehicle in Santa Barbara, Iloilo on October 26. Claire Diergos, believed to be killed inside her home in Pavia, Iloilo based on Santa Barbara police investigation, is a WVSU graduate. She finished her Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Major in Mathematics degree in 2006. Her murder case sparked calls for justice among Ilonggos, especially to the taga-West student organizations, faculty, and alumni on social media. In a Facebook post on Thursday, October 28, the University Students’ Alliance called for a “fast, transparent, and truthful investigation on this case!” Meanwhile, the Circle of Mathematicians (COM), an organization composed of BSED Mathematics students, condemned the “senseless” and “brutal killing” of its alumna in a statement sent to The Forum. “There is no possible justification for anyone to take away a person's life,” the COM said.
MURDERED. Wrapped in a blanket, Claire Diergos was found dead by police officers inside her car in Santa Barbara, Iloilo on October 26. DAILY GUARDIAN WEBSITE
In an online message to The Forum, College of Education dean Dr. Ricky Magno, on the other hand, expressed his condolence to the loved ones of Diergos, hoping “justice will be served the soonest”. Diergos’ batchmates in WVSU also decried her murder. "Whatever the reason why they did that to her, she doesn't deserve it," Mrs. Rhesa Mar Pones, principal of the Mary Immaculate Academy in Calinog, Iloilo and Claire’s former classmate, told The Forum.
"I call for justice. I pray for those who are working for the case to tell the truth, especially right now that the media is telling us so many things,” Pones added. Police investigators are looking into revenge, jealousy, and robbery as possible motives behind the killing of Diergos, local newspaper Daily Guardian reported. The 36-year-old victim and single mother was laid to rest in her hometown of Buenavista, Guimaras on Sunday, November 7.
USEC refutes SAMASA’s statement on election issues Richard D. Olano, Jr.
The University Student Electoral Committee (USEC) has issued its official response, September 12, to the Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan of West Visayas State University (SAMASA-WVSU), refuting the ruling party’s statement on various election issues. Following the Forum-Dimensions’ (FD) report on SAMASA’s campaign violations posted last September 11, the party issued a statement on the same day, regarding their virtual room-to-room (R2R) campaign, USEC’s “incompetence,” “alleged” alumni intervention, Electoral Code “nullification,” and FD’s “story structure.” In a Facebook post, USEC said “SAMASA-WVSU, during their claimed room-to-room campaign, has failed to comply with the said necessary requirements,” one of which is giving notice to the SEC unit assigned in conducting virtual campaign activities. “Furthermore, SAMASA-WVSU’s justification of the R2R campaign is contrary to what it should be since students in attendance came from various year levels and programs. Thus, it can no longer be considered as a mere R2R campaign,” the committee added. The party has previously argued that calling “a simple, room-to-room campaign as a ‘rally’ when there were obviously no invitations sent to the CSEC or the USEC is therefore, unconstitutional.” After being called out by SAMASAWVSU for their “incompetence” for not setting a meeting with the party before giving a statement to FD, USEC admitted that “it has never sent the party a formal letter in light of the [...] violations.”
Facebook/SAMASA-WVSU
However, the committee said it has been “responsive to the party’s concerns through informal responses” via Messenger. Contrary to SAMASA-WVSU’s claims, USEC said that it only received one and not “countless” invitations for dialogue from the former. “The invitation was made in lieu of the party’s concerns regarding the guidelines most specifically on the prohibition on the involvement of outside individuals and on the committee’s rejection of the appeal for reconsideration of one of their applicant and has been made more apparent upon their publishing of a public statement condemning our acts as prejudiced, wherein for it was made for the continuity and security of the university-wide elections,” USEC said. According to USEC, a private response dated September 4 was sent to SAMASA-WVSU “in the hopes to
reconcile with them and to make clear to them [USEC’s side],” but “no followup from [SAMASA-WVSU] since then has been made with regards to any dialogue.” The statement also included USEC Chairperson Nathaniel Belarmino’s dismissal of the “alleged alumni intervention” in one of the virtual rallies conducted by SAMASA-WVSU even though it is reported that the mentioned outsider has interacted in the virtual campaign through a comment that showed support to the party. USEC said the decision was made “in recognition of the impossibility of the concerned party to control whoever wants to join the said virtual campaign”. Despite the “alleged” violations, USEC clarified that “no judgment has been issued, made and released” yet regarding the issues involving SAMASA-WVSU as investigation is still ongoing. Moreover, SAMASA-WVSU’s call to nullify the Election Code was dismissed by USEC, citing constitutionality and its separability clause. USEC also called FD’s article “needless” as it puts the committee at an “undue disadvantage”. In an official statement on September 12, the publication said that it “firmly stands by its election update as an unbiased report which followed the proper protocol of obtaining facts and statements from all the parties involved.” The committee, in the latter part of its statement, said that it will “exhaust all means to settle with both parties concerned,” SAMASA-WVSU and FD.
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NEWS | 05
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
NEWS FEATURE
Politicking amid pandemic? ‘Spare frontliners from politics, release supplemental budget’ say RMPH employees Richard D. Olano, Jr.
“The blood of the Capizeños will be now in their hands.” This is a line from a poem posted in Save RMPH, a Facebook page created by employees of the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH) to call for the swift release of the supplemental budget they requested amid rising cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Capiz province. On September 22, hospital employees staged a candlelight protest outside the RMPH and asked local leaders that they be spared from political issues. On the brink of collapse With resources becoming scarce and the hospital no longer able to afford the purchase of medical and safety supplies, the RMPH is now asking COVID-19 positive patients to bring their own oxygen tanks upon admission. A status posted on the Save RMPH page said that “health workers are tired and have been unpaid for two months,” underscoring the significant number of health care workers who have already quit their jobs. According to the Capiz Provincial Budget Office, the RMPH only has Php12,489.36 allocated for “other professional services” and Php1,183,665.75 for “other general services” as of September 23. Out of the 224 contracts of service and professional job orders for RMPH employees, a total of 203 frontliners have not received their salaries since August.
Zynnie Rose C. Zaragosa
‘BUDGET IS DEAD’. RMPH employees stage a candlelight protest to call for the release of the supplemental budget as it faces an impending healthcare system collapse. FACEBOOK/SAVE RMPH
Where is the budget?
No compliance, no budget
As early as July 13, the hospital has already filed a request for a supplemental budget amounting to Php94,526,432.54 to the Provincial Budget Office. In a revised request submitted July 22, this was reduced to Php47.5 million. The first and second budget hearings were conducted on August 27 and September 8 respectively. In both hearings, the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) of Capiz requested additional supporting documents from the RMPH. However, according to Capiz Provincial Board Member Jonathan Besa, the RMPH administration has been uncooperative with these requests. Furthermore, the invited resource persons from the hospital were not allowed to attend hearings by virtue of a letter issued by the office of Governor Esteban Evan Contreras II, Bombo Radyo Roxas reported. Contreras, on the other hand, considered the delay in the approval of the supplemental budget request politically motivated.
In a report by Baskog Radyo, Besa said the committee will make recommendations of the request to the Commission on Audit and the Office of the Ombudsman. The committee also recommended the denial of the supplemental budget request for the RMPH’s medical and dental supply, and drugs and medicine because of the failure to submit supporting documents to account for the Php11 million and Php23.5 million allocations respectively. As of writing, the SP has approved the release of only Php17 million from the total Php47.5 million request. This will be allocated for the salaries of frontliners. Meanwhile, Contreras has requested the province’s local finance committee to look for funds to provide the RMPH with the lacking Php30 million, Bombo Radyo Roxas reported.
Taga-West graduate triumphs in int’l public speaking contest Maria Kayla T. Tingzon and Reesa T. Azarraga
SILVERIO
Photo courtesy of Sandro Silverio
A College of Education (COE) alumnus was hailed champion in the 2021 Junior Chamber International (JCI) Asia Pacific Public Speaking Championship. Sandro Silverio, who completed his Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics degree in 2019
Univ to shift from Google Classroom to Brightspace
as Summa Cum Laude, represented the country during the 2021 JCI Asia-Pacific Conference virtually held in Taichung, Taiwan on August 20-21. Silverio was chosen by JCI Regatta - Western Visayas Chapter as their participant in the Area Conference on November 20 last year. After winning, he proceeded to compete for the whole Visayas Chapter, where he also emerged as the champion that led him to participate in the international level. The pieces he prepared for the preliminaries tackled “JCI as a global network of transformative leaders and its relevance to the now," while he underscored the importance of mental health support in the workplace for the final round. Eight countries from the Asia-Pacific community, such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mongolia, and Malaysia, battled for the title. Philippines, Mongolia, and Malaysia advanced to the final round as the event drew to its close.
The JCI is a "world-wide personal development organization for young professionals and entrepreneurs" with the purpose of providing opportunities that will lead to the empowerment of individuals as they become instruments in creating positive change in their respective fields and communities. Recently, Silverio has been invited to the “TEDxYouth @ PAREFWestbridge” with the theme “Career and Passion: Pursuing Your Tomorrow with a Smile” on October 16, wherein he talked about how he was able to overcome the hardships in life and the way he made these as an inspiration to get to where he is now. The program was made possible by the collaboration of PAREF Westbridge School, Inc. and TEDx with the aim to "convey a message of hope and resilience" as the institution celebrated its 30th founding anniversary.
West Visayas State University purchased Brightspace as the new Learning Management System (LMS) in lieu of Google Classroom to cater the online learning amid the pandemic. This new LMS is expected to be fully integrated to the online modality in the second semester of 2021-2022. Now on its early stage of onboarding with the administrators, Brightspace was chosen among other LMS such as Canvas, Schoology, Blackboard and NEO after a series of checking, rechecking, and presentations between the service providers and the University, which started in June 2020. “With the proprietary LMS, there are so many things it could provide so we had an early procurement in a way. But with government (processes) it takes time and we have to have the right kind of tools,” said Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla, Vice President for Academic Affairs, in an interview with The Forum, November 8. Brightspace was acquired for Php4.6 million for one year subscription after meeting the technical specifications and budgetary constraints considered by the University. “We are looking at what best we can afford and what we need but of course it was overtaken by the tablet so we have to pay attention to procurement of tablets to be used by the students,” added Dr. Dequilla. The University has appointed a committee to take charge of the survey and needs assessment on the new LMS headed by Dr. Ma. Beth Concepcion and a technical working group was also identified which composed of various representatives from different colleges of the University. The training for eight local LMS administrators headed by the Management Information System director Louie Cervantes and Dr. Concepcion with some “tech-savvy” faculty members and staff took place in the first week of Nov. 2021. A training to all faculty members and orientation to students will follow soon after the training of the trainers has concluded as part of the cascading process. With the direction of the University headed into the blended instruction, Brightspace will also be used as the LMS of students and course facilitators for the next academic years if a mixture of faceto-face and online asynchronous classes will be adopted.
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06 | OPINION
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
The Forum THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER OF THE WEST VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY
ISSN: 2423-2769 | Member of the College Editors Guild of the Phil. Under the Banner of West Visayas State University Forum-Dimensions Publications, Inc.
GERLYN JOY P. ROJO ZYNNIE ROSE C. ZARAGOSA Editors-in-Chief JULIE ANNE L. COLLADO Managing Editor ERIC D. MORGUIA, JR. NICOLE ANNE A. MOSCOSO Associate Editors RICHARD D. OLANO, JR. KEVEN RIZZO C. SITJAR News and Special Reports Editors RON ELIEZER G. DUHINA REYNOLD L. SUMIDO, JR. Features Editors JONAR B. DORADO Filipino and Hiligaynon Editor JOSHUA A. CELESTIAL & JOHN LYOD B. PACHEJO
MARIA KAYLA T. TINGZON Literary Editor
EDITORIAL
JOHN AUBREY J. JAMERO Sports Editor ELLA HYACINTH R. GOLEZ JOHN GLEN L. TEORIMA Online Editors JADE DANIELLE T. ISIDRO Creative Director REESA T. AZARRAGA CLINT M. BELLOSILLO JOHN LYOD B. PACHEJO Senior Staff ANGELINE S. ACANTILADO KEMINOVA B. ACEPCION AMETHYST A. ALUMBRO RJAY Z. CASTOR JOSHUA A. CELESTIAL JOHN PAUL A. DAQUIN FRANZ CHRYSLER MARIE C. DELGADO SARAH ROSE M. LINAS NOVE JOY S. LOSBAÑES KARLA R. PORRAS JUSTIN KYLE G. QUINESIO JOMER J. RUEGO GWENNETH MEG D. SONISO Editorial Assistants DR. BONNA S. PALMA Publication Adviser DR. NANCY S. SURMIEDA Dean, Office of Student Affairs DR. JOSELITO F. VILLARUZ University President Letters, comments, suggestions, and contributions are welcome in the Forum-Dimensions. Contributions must be sent to the Forum-Dimensions Office, Quezon Hall, West Visayas State University, La Paz, Iloilo City EMAIL: fd@wvsu.edu.ph TEL NO.: (033) 320-0870 Loc. 1610 WVSU.Forum.Dimensions @forumdimensions @forumdimensions
PH’s Flexible Learning:
sailing but failing
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lmost two years of pandemic education, let us now be realistic: the boat of quality learning is sinking. This is even more alarming as Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero de Vera III announced in May that flexible learning will be the “new norm” and “is here to stay” even postcoronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, stumbling into the virtual spaces of online learning, the socio-economic, digital, and learning divide still continue to slump the Filipino students of today. The government’s pandemic response to education broadened the disparity in resources and opportunities for every Filipino learner. The prolonged shutdown of schools has forced the educational system to be left behind with nearly 10.5 million families suffering from poverty in the recent report by the Social Weather Stations. The rage towards the system is, therefore, valid where the privileged ones are given the opportunity to effective learning.
Moreover, a survey conducted by the Safe, Equitable, Quality, and Relevant Education Movement showed that the majority of teacher-respondents reported that four to six out of every 10 of their students were falling behind in their studies in terms of overall attendance to online classes and submission of modules and other requirements. Factors attributing to this educational gap are access to tools such as gadgets and internet connection, and learning environments. In a study conducted by the University of the Philippines - Open University, of the 15 respondents, one student “strongly agreed” and nine students “agreed” that they had internet connection and other resources for online learning. However, the assessment of students is now solely based on their access to resources rather than their own human capital, which are skills and knowledge. It also indicates that most students do not give that much effort in terms of submitting quality scholarly works since compliance weighs heavier than learning. Students
are also exposed to different learning environments, which is tantamount to how they could cope up with their studies while away from a learning institution. Nonetheless, some surveys have shown positive feedback on online education since it also promotes self-paced learning and safety against COVID-19. However, this just simply highlights the line between the experiences of the privileged and marginalized in these critical times. If the goal is to uphold quality education, it is critical that our institutions must be learner-centered, and that students from all backgrounds will be given the opportunity to keep up with such a transition. While continuous learning is pivotal especially among college students, health and safety should not be compromised. Hence, the call for on-site, ligtas na balik eskwela should be amplified now more than ever. On top of that is the emphasis for compassion amidst these difficult times since it is crucial to understand that all of us are struggling under the same storm but not on the same boat.
TheForum
OPINION | 07
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
WE ARE NOT LAZY Zynnie Rose C. Zaragosa zynnierose.zaragosa@wvsu.edu.ph
KUNGFAUX FIGHTER
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What will happen if we rush artists and poets to create their masterpieces?
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or the longest time, finding a remedy against the only thing preventing me from being organized and prompt has been futile. My procrastination is malignant and a doctor’s prescription is of no value to this. More than a year in this remote-learning set-up wherein I can manage my own time and tasks, my nights are always chasing after deadlines and catching up with org works. Yet, I still make time engaging with my friend’s reto, or just watching Youtube or Netflix. Some people would find this routine feeble. In my defense, I seem to be the ‘pro’ in procrastination. Putting off tasks until tomorrow is not for the faint of heart.
There is nothing more frustrating than sitting in front of my desk trying to get work done but no avail. It is detrimental to force myself when I cannot feel a hint of productivity in my system. Procrastinating taught me to strategize my workload while being conscious of the time I have left. Best ideas come from passionately doing our work right. This transcends deadlines and the idea of immediately getting the work done. We should not be easily labeled as lazy because people who crave perfection need time to think. Now that I have better self-awareness, I believe that getting my write-ups done two hours before the deadline and having an equal
amount of time to watch Dynasty is a skill not many people have. There is perfection in reflection. What will happen if we rush artists and poets to create their masterpieces? There is no shame in procrastinating for as long as you know when to get back on your feet. Once you do, you will definitely leave a mark.
Zynnie Rose C. Zaragosa, 21, is a 3rd year Bachelor of Arts in Political Science student and an advocate of mental health and wellness. She works better under pressure but best with a cup of coffee.
FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS, GET VAXXED Gerlyn Joy P. Rojo
gerlynjoy.rojo@wvsu.edu.ph
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lmost two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started, I became hopeful again that we would soon be able to go back to normal, or some forms of it. This hike in my optimism came after seeing the events following the mass vaccination programs in Iloilo City and surrounding provinces. However, as COVID-19 vaccination kicked off earlier this year, social media posts and videos flooded containing conspiracy theories and misinformation about the vaccines — far from science-based information. Truly, misinformation could really mean life or death as vaccine hesitancy became widespread. Thankfully, as medical frontliners and people who decided to become
an example to their loved ones got jabbed, many were encouraged to get themselves vaccinated. Currently, 36.7% of the Philippine population has been fully vaccinated; this is equal to 40.2 million people. Vaccination is the only way to decongest COVID-19 wards and ICUs. This would give a much-needed break to the health professionals who have been at the frontlines for more than a year. Many of the vaccine brands available now also have high efficacy rates towards preventing even symptomatic illness. The highlight of my year was the time my family and I became fully vaccinated. It gave me a sense of security and eliminated the worry I was unconsciously carrying, afraid
that a loved one would get infected. If you are healthy enough to get the vaccine, and it is available to you, it is time to get vaxxed to protect yourself and the people around you. Let us remember that before we got this lifeline, many lives were taken and our economy has been disrupted due to lockdowns causing people to lose jobs. It is high time that we bounce back and reclaim our lives from this disease. Gerlyn Joy P. Rojo, 22, is a 4th year Medical Biology student and DOST scholar who advocates for environmental preservation and would someday like to work in the health sector.
SPECTATOR
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It is high time that we bounce back and reclaim our lives from this disease.
DOWN THE LAST ROAD Julie Anne L. Collado julieann.collado@wvsu.edu.ph
CLEMENTINE
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When you are down the last road, hope is the only thing that keeps you going.
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raduating next year feels a lot like having drawn the short straw. It is kind of like watching a film that has been left on a cliffhanger with no promise of a sequel or follow up. Three years ago, I entered West Visayas State University as part of the Class of 2022, and now the year I both dreaded and anticipated is fast approaching. However, the coronavirus disease pandemic was a real game changer. I belong to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Financial Management – 4A class. As a 4th year student, I found myself dealing with another educational transition, trying to adapt to this online-learning setup,
and trying to stay sane by holding on to the slightest hope of having limited face-to-face classes or atleast a faceto-face on-the-job training before this school year ends. It did seem miserable to not be able to study and do normal things in the University like we did before, plus the fact that learning online is much harder than we thought. No one could deny the difficulty of most students to have a stable internet connection and maintain enthusiasm in studying, especially on subjects that require extra attention and effort. But despite all of that, being in the senior year made me more hopeful. I guess, when you are down the last road, hope is the only
thing that keeps you going, and so I am holding on to the passage: “Per aspera ad astra” (to the stars through adversity). While it does not make going through tough times any easier, this idea does give me hope that through it all, I can rise higher than where I started – even if it means graduating during a pandemic. Julie Anne L. Collado, 22, is a 4th yr Business Administration - Major in Financial Management student, a self-published author, a youth volunteer, and a Christian. She likes to read and lives to look upon life.
TheForum
08 | OPINION
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
BY DESTROYING, WE SAVE OURSELVES Nicole Anne A. Moscoso nicoleanne.moscoso@wvsu.edu.ph
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s we get preoccupied with saving ourselves from the invisible turned invincible foe, we tend to overlook a myriad of realizations exposing the untold collateral damage brought by the extensive use and improper disposal of millions of plasticbased face masks from our dayto-day consumption of personal protective equipment. While writing the introduction part of our thesis paper about the reuse, extended use, and reprocessing of medical-grade face masks, which are supposed to be the prime factor for the survival of life during the pandemic, a realization came to me that each time we choose to protect ourselves
by putting on these face masks is a gesture equivalent to the cumulative destruction of the environment . As of today, the world has collectively generated millions of tons of plastic waste from face masks, which are made of petroleum-based non-renewable polymers that are non-biodegradable, hazardous and create health issues. These solid waste products accumulate in landfills as well as in the marine environment where most of them often end up, thus affecting the flora and fauna of the marine ecosystem. There are various sustainable approaches that are being studied in order to respond to this growing environmental crisis, such as the fabrication of plant-based face masks and reusable face masks
without decreased functionality. These efforts, however, cannot fully serve their purpose if we lack strict observance to proper waste disposal. Choosing to save ourselves from the virus may entail consequences, but these man-made biological dilemmas should not always take a toll on the environment - the bigger picture that humanity has constantly overlooked.
"We call towards other [student bodies] in the West Visayas State University and in Iloilo to bar the National Task Force to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict's entry in our academic spaces,” it added. The student council stressed that NTF-ELCAC’s entry into academic institutions is a “blatant attack” on academic freedom, which they “promote and defend” as stated in their 1996 Constitution. In September, Kalinga State University, Isabela State University, and Aklan State University removed books related to the communist movement and peace negotiations in the country from their libraries. The state universities turned over the materials to the police and military officials who coordinate with or are part of the NTF-ELCAC after their dialogues. However, according to Western Visayas task force Spokesperson Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, it is wrong to say that the turnover of the said books restricts academic freedom.
“Mali po ‘yon because academic freedom is already subjected to control and regulation by the state when the welfare of the people [or] overriding public welfare calls for it,” Gonzales said in a turnover ceremony, according to a news report by Aklan State University’s student paper Eamigas Publication.
The USC also noted that the task force has “consistently disseminated black propaganda campaigns targeting student councils and organizations that [advocate] for education and human rights” among others. “Their actions have taken advantage of [the] vulnerability of the students to attacks that [endanger] their lives as they are ambushed with baseless accusations,” it added.
Since books are sources of information and ideas used as materials for healthy discussions in the academe, WVSU President Joselito Villaruz believes that there is no reason for supposed "subversive" materials to be surrendered. "I don’t see any reason why they have to be surrendered if the only purpose is for academic pursuits. Many of our past and present leaders have been educated and informed by most library materials available in higher education institutions," he told The Forum.
Villaruz underscored that these books have helped leaders to have knowledge to help in nationbuilding and advance national development initiatives. As per his instructions to the University Librarian, Villaruz added that he has yet to see the inventory of books and library materials that might fit the criteria of “subversive materials”. Meanwhile, the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), in an official statement, has also condemned the NTF-ELCAC’s move. “To remove literature which explicitly accounts for Philippine radical thought, and other similar books, will raise a future generation that is ignorant and subservient.” “When we ban certain books, we teach our young to retreat silence when they need to speak. We push them to close their ears from fear when they need to listen. And we let them grow blind to what they should see,” the BDAP added. As of writing, the NTF-ELCAC in the Western Visayas region has yet to respond to The Forum’s request for an interview about this issue.
WVSU f inds out... (f rom page 1)
Landslide victory... (f rom page 1)
Colon immediately filed a report to have the materials taken down. According to the professor, she did not have any idea who could have possibly done that. “I told them that I am the author and the owner of those materials. They told me they will take it down and inform the person who uploaded it,” Colon told The Forum. “CourseHero should also have a mechanism wherein if the owner/author files a report about it, they should not accept the submission of such materials/ books anymore,” she added. The University has been under a remote learning setup since the coronavirus disease outbreak in March 2020.
SAMASA-WVSU’s unopposed vice chairperson candidate Louela Marie Prado maintained the highest turnout, garnering 82% or 4,943 total votes. All candidates from SAMASAWVSU’s 11-councilor slate secured a seat. Five candidates from the USA and two from Lakas Youth Organization (LYO) completed the 18 USC councilor posts. From SAMASA-WVSU, Ronald Sarmiento II ranked first with 3,678 votes; followed by John Christopher Catedrilla in the second spot with 3,260 votes, while Jelyn Cordero came in third with 2,970 votes.
In fourth place is Althea Dawn Sucgang with 2,873 votes; Arvin Vanne Ryan Alayon in fifth place with 2842 votes; Anton Miguel Perucho at sixth with 2823 votes; Joshua Dulleguez at seventh with 2,741 votes; Alexandra Leigh Cervantes is in eighth place with 2,647 votes; Arlie Bosque is in 11th place with 2,620 votes; Dana Tiara Hernaez ranked 13th, while Camille Marie Puerto took the 16th spot with 2,443 and 2,181 votes respectively. On the USA’s side, Lucas Gerard Arañador garnered 2,643 votes, taking the ninth seat;
Ronald Kim Pinuela in tenth with 2,633 votes; Hannah Chelsea Fellese Binarao in 12th place with 2,482 votes; Heart Mellizo in 14th place with 2,321 votes, and Mikayla Yssabel Valencia in 18th place with 2101 votes. Meanwhile, LYO’s two councilor candidates also secured seats. Reymar Jerson Espinosa garnered 2,306 votes and Sophia Margarette Alonday made it through with 2,177 votes. They landed on the 15th and 17th spots respectively. The University Student Electoral Committee reported 66% voters’ turnout out of 9,107 total number of electorates.
VERITAS
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Man-made biological dilemmas should not always take a toll on the environment.
Nicole Anne A. Moscoso is a 3rd year Medical Biology student and a pre-med student journalist who often writes about topics on science and development. Her life’s core revolves around doing what excites.
Reject NTF-ELCAC... (from page 1)
'Never forget' The USC cried foul and said the blatant red-tagging of the government's anti-terrorism body to the University in December last year is unforgivable. A WVSU alumnus and NTF-ELCAC asset has previously claimed without evidence that the University is a breeding ground for recruitment of the Communist Party of the Philippines— New People’s Army, which the administration denied as an “utterly baseless allegation". “They have not apologized. Thus, we will never forgive and forget this allegation that tarnished our University’s excellence,” the student council said.
Is it wrong to read ‘subversive’ books?
TheForum
FEATURES | 09
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
BULLETS TO THE HEAD When will it sink in? Sarah Rose M. Linas and Nicole Anne A. Moscoso Artwork by Joshua A. Celestial
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t was 1985 when she was just on her way to work, unaware with no suspicions of what was going to happen in the next minute or so. The next moment, she was bleeding on a canal somewhere in Northern Mindanao with a bullet to the head.
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May those who idolize the same individuals who ordered the bullets that took Picardal’s and Delos Santos’ lives need not experience the same misery just for a change of heart.
It was 2017 when he was walking down the streets of Manila, doing his usual routine, while hoping to live the night so he could take his exam the next day. The next moment, he was
lying on the cold ground with, yet again, more than enough bullets to the head to cut his youthful life short. Nicole Legaspi Picardal only wanted to go to work, and like any mother would hope for, to see her children grow up. But as these chances were diminished, her death was only labeled as “God’s will.” Kian Delos Santos only wanted to become a policeman, and never had he imagined that the very same people he wanted to become would be the same individuals who would deprive him of the chances to achieve his dreams. Years later, laid in front of us is a battalion of soldiers marching on to a panorama of battlefields, standing for a belief that expresses how history has negated their idols. Nonetheless, with stories of life taken away under the hands of their icons, how could anyone even believe that infrastructures and achievements are enough as compensation for the lives lost? With aggressive cries in ad hominem and erroneous news resonating in the heated political climate in the Philippines, the answer to this plight is not to silence them. Cognitive dissonance or the discomfort one feels when he or she experiences conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviors, is one of the primary reasons why certain people resort to aggressive measures in defending their notions.
In these times wherein the battlefield is scarce on the streets but prevalent in the virtual world, there are posts that continue to invade our feeds with fallacious, confrontational messages that do not only shame other political candidates but also promotes historical revisionism and idolization of people who took thousands of lives for their personal gain. Truly, this is a matter that manifested from what we are spoon-fed with since our childhood. As we were also taught in stories and myths that those who became renowned throughout history are those who went out of their ways and were considered heinous during their time, we now have this innate motivation to pursue actions that could defend our views, despite what others would say and believe in. Even if this meant disregarding the 3,257 murder victims, 35,000 tortured and some 70,000 arrested in a span of the 20 year-rule that caused us to pay for every penny that they stole even up to this day. The deaths of Picardal and Delos Santos are not insignificant figures and stories for these lives are not just numbers to just be merely mentioned.
They are to be considered as the primary reason not to put into office the very same progeny of the dictators who benefited in these acts of slaughter, corruption and negligence. The Philippines’ War on Drugs under current President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine Martial Law, a 20-year one-man rule under former President Ferdinand Marcos have turned a respected institution into a den, riddled with crime, and masked under the protective barriers of power and authority. For as long as these kinds of political leaders occupy the highest seats in the country’s executive body, they cannot be indicted and their crimes will be forfeited. And it is us, the Filipino people, who continue to grant them enough power and entitlement to the point that killings and criminal injustices are not dealt seriously. May those who idolize the same individuals who ordered the bullets that took Picardal’s and Delos Santos’ lives need not to experience the same misery just for a change of heart.
TheForum
FEATURES | 10
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
Survival of the Fittest: Dealing with Pandemic Burnout
Angeline S. Acantilado anad Clint M. Bellosillo
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o you easily get tired from your academic activities? Do you have no motivation to accomplish your truckloads of school work? Does online learnin g stress you out? If all of your answers are yes, then you are experiencing a pandemic - phenomenon called a burnout a chronic exhaustion syndrome from academics and work that demand continuous, longterm physical, cognitive, or emotional effort. Undeniably, the sheer length of the pandemic and the yo-yo effect of good news and bad news are stressors that have worn people down. Althoug h the continuous rollout of vaccines has generated much hope, there are still arising concerns and questions. Just as people have seen the emergence of new variants of the virus, one can also see new variants of burnout.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout has different symptoms which are physical and emotional. This includes feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from and feelings of negativity or cynicism towards one’s job, and a reduced ability to do one’s work. These indicators of the syndrome have risen sharply in some highereducation institutions (HEIs) over the past year, as what surveys in the United States and Europe affirm. In addition, around eight out of ten women indicated that their workload had increased as a result of the pandemic, while seven out of ten men reported the same. Moreover, according to Gallups’ “ The Well-being Engagement Paradox of 2020”, engagement, productivity, and growth are never sustainable without wellbeing. A student’s engagement
and well-being are directly proportional: a higher level of engagement leads to an increase in productivity and well-being, while lesser engagement would lead to a burnout. On the other hand, the lack of well-being would mean short-lived engagements among students, and such is evident in the past year. Like a candle slowly succumbing to the heat, melting into a pool of wax, students are continuously being drained and dissipated by the pressure and uncertainties brought by the pandemic. For the past year, students typically say that they are tired and in need of rest, but beyond that, the burnout has also manifested itself in many ways. Amidst a raging phenomenon that has put people’s health and safety at risk, they also had to grapple with personal issues, social concerns, and individual pursuit. The inevitability of
Photo courtesy: Kenneth Gohel
losing hold of everything is always there - lurking in the dark, waiting to burn one’s lights out. A s we t r e a d t h e p a t h f o g g e d b y t h e p a n d e m i c , m ay our f lames continue to spark and survive, even in the darkest of times.
Priceless Paradise: The Cost of Boracay's Beauty and the Locals' Fight for Its Protection John Paul A. Daquin and John Aubrey J. Jamero
Photo courtesy: John Aubrey J. Jamero
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he people of Aklan, particularly those from the Municipality of Malay and Boracay island, and their local government authorities are now hand-in-hand in opposing the Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA). This is to assert autonomy in this crown jewel of the province amid the proposition of making the
Photo courtesy: John Aubrey J. Jamero
island a government-ownedand-controlled corporation (GOCC). The Philippine House of Representatives, approved the BIDA Bill authored by Davao Congressman Paolo Duterte. Out of the 307 members of the House of Representatives, 192 voted in favor while only seven are part of the opposition. However, the locals believe that the bill is a way of the present administration to put up casinos on the island, which raises concerns of exacerbating social issues such as prostitution, money laundering, and other criminality - similar to the issues that have plagued Philippine Overseas Gaming Operations (POGOs). “Basta iyong aming inooppose na huwag ituloy ang casino sa isla at i-maintain
sana ito bilang isang family destination dahil diyan tayo nakilala sa buong mundo at h i n d i s a p a g s u s u g a l ,” s a i d R e v. Fa t h e r J o e R e l e n t e , p r i e s t a t t h e Ho l y R o s a r y P a r i s h i n B o r a c a y. Akeanons also took a stand as 17 multi-sectoral groups of nearly 20,000 members, along wi th the chief executives of the Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak in Malay, showing that the province is one in their strong opposi tion against BIDA as GOCC. The people are in “ardent opposition” towards the proposed bill “with powers and functions which encroach and divest on local government units (LGU’s) of their constitutionally granted local autonomy and law-mandated powers and functions, rig hts and prerogatives,” as bestowed
Photo courtesy: Facebook/One Boracay Movement
under Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). Today, Boracay, the hope of Aklan, is slowly regaining what it had lost because of the pandemic, thus serving as fervent hope for Akeanons as they continue the fight against passing the bill into effect. With this cause comes a democracy which is vital and ever important, even in these uncertain times and alarming situations as it weighs foundational freedoms, norms, and expectations of a democratic citizenry.
TheForum
FEATURES | 11
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
Fulfilling a
Weeb’s Dream Keminova B. Acepcion and Reesa T. Azarraga
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he animated and vivid blue skies, puffy white clouds, bright yellow rays, and rich green plants would leave one in awe as West Visayas State University’s (WVSU) infrastructure and iconic spots were turned into gleaming and stylish digital arts. After going viral for months, the artist believes that with the right tools and skills, every scene can be recreated as an anime ─ and one can do so with a change of perspective. Marion Carlet Pascasio, a 20-year old resident of San Joaquin, Iloilo, and an alumnus of WVSU senior high school never thought her hobby of sketching would bring nostalgia among Taga-West students with her anime recreation of the university. Inspired by a detailed tutorial on transforming real-life into anime-like backgrounds, she decided to test out her skills using her digital tools on the beautiful scenery of a Taga-West’s warm home. ANIME AESTHETIC Anime, a Japanese cartoon based on mangas or Japanese comics and graphic novels, has undoubtedly captured the hearts of both young and old individuals. Aside from its story,
character illustrations, and voice acting that the fans or ‘weebs’ are proud of, these are also filled with jaw-dropping, artistic scenarios that make up the anime world. It is quite common for anime to be praised for its sketch and backgrounds, and fans often dream of lying on a grass-filled meadow under the pretty skies ─ just like in an anime scene. BRINGING DREAMS TO LIFE During an interview, Marion reminisced about her happy memories in every area of the fresh, wide campus wherein she was able to discover herself. At first, she shared that “I don’t really have a message to convey in mind when I was working on the series.” But she confessed that she felt an insane amount of pressure while transitioning WVSU from a realistic institution to an animated university. With the cooperation of her fingers with every stroke, she tapped and scratched on the screen of her smartphone to fulfill her perfect dream. From tiny and barely noticeable details,
to large, nicely-drawn contents, the increasing level of difficulty challenged her creativity. And with the help of Ibis Paint X and Adobe Lightroom, she was able to finish the editing process in a month. “You are the only person who can write your own story and see the world in a brighter light. I hope that Taga-West students will realize that once they take a step into WVSU, they are able to write their own (animelike) stories and live through all their wonderful experiences to the fullest,” Marion added. With detailed landscapes to spectacular scenery, Pascasio has certainly brought joyful tears to her fellow weebs by turning one of their dreams into reality.
Artworks by Marion Carlet Pascasio
BOOKWORMS TAKE SHELFIES
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n the midst of a raging pandemic and an age where information is at our fingertips, will books of great works be totally considered archaic, destined to join the antiques at the farthest back of the cabinet? In its flagship program “The Book Nook”, the National Book Development Board (NBDB),
Julie Anne L. Collado and Rjay Z. Castor
brings in safe and friendly reading spaces among indigenous and vulnerable communities in the country. In its 26th year, Executive Director Charisse AquinoTugade said the agency will go full throttle with their projects, focusing on Filipino creatives by creating a hub for local publishers. Although 70% of the books are for children and teens, 30% are dedicated to adults. The Book Nook knows no age because it is for kids and kids-at-heart. Where the mountains meet the sea San Jose, the province of Antique’s premier capital – one of the 52 sites for the project, is making this dream a reality. The local government under Mayor Elmer Untaran provided a space in the municipal hall to serve as the hub for this project. Meanwhile, t h e Rotary Club of Antique,
with Mrs. Carolyn May Deslate as its President, will help begin the library during its first months of operation. Moreover, while waiting for the arrival of around 1,500 books during the month of November, Anna Cecilia “Ceci” R. Pefianco, a community storyteller and a volunteer at The Book Nook in San Jose, organized storytelling activities to inform the locals – more so, to spark interest in reading among the children. With the rise of digital media, which poses a threat of abandonment to local languages and cultures, Ceci believes that The Book Nook provides a venue for the communities to experience the literature of other regions, and together, find a safe space to share their own stories with one another. “I am a cultural worker, to start with. As a Kinaray-a writer, my advocacy is to promote the use of the Kinaray-a language in literature and in other intellectual pursuits... I knew
Photo Courtesy: Anna Cecilia R. Pefianco
that storytelling is one way to promote our culture, history and language,” Ceci shared. In what seems to be a ray of hope, Ceci also revealed that whenever she went to the barangays for storytelling sessions, children would come over, full of pure curiosity and enthusiasm. A refuge in dark times For Ceci, organizing storytelling activities together with other volunteers, has helped her find a source of solace in these extremely challenging times. “It (has) helped me continue living a productive and meaningful life. I felt that I was contributing something in making the world a better place. Yes, it did help me cope with this global health crisis,” she remarked. The internet is indeed an indispensable and irreplaceable tool for modern living. But the ability of books to immerse us in magical worlds, while giving us time and space to fuel our imaginations, bring forth ideas and help make us better than what we were before.
TheForum
12 | MULTILINGUAL
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
Pagkilala kay Maria Ressa Daluyan ng Katotohanan at Tapat na Pamamahayag Sarah Rose M. Linas at Dibuho ni Joshua A. Celestial
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Sa kabila ng samutsaring pambabatikos at isyung kinakabit sa kaniyang pangalan, hindi maipagkakaila ang kaniyang ambag sa larangan ng pamamahayag.
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a gitna ng administrasyong pilit na kumikitil sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag, pagmamaliit sa kakayahan ng kababaihan at hindi makataong pagtrato nang mga nasa laylayan, umusbong ang isang taong hindi matatawaran ang tapang at husay sa pangangalaga sa karapatan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino. Sa loob ng tatlumpu’t limang taon ng kanyang pagserbisyo sa larangan ng pamamahayag sa Asya, hindi niya lamang pinatunayan na kaya ng isang Pilipina na magbigay dangal sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagkamit ng mga parangal tulad ng Nobel Prize, kung hindi pati na rin sa patuloy na pangangalaga sa karapatan sa malayang pamamahayag na nagpapayaman ng ating demokrasya at kapayapaan. Halos hindi na mabilang kung ilang beses sa loob ng anim na taon ang sinubukan ang pagiging mamamahayag ni Maria A. Ressa bilang co-founder ng Rappler, isa sa mga namamayagpag na digital only news platform sa Pilipinas sa kasalukuyan. Mula sa mga kasong kaniyang kinakaharap, hanggang sa mga lantarang pagbabanta ng mga malalaking tao sa pulitika, ilang beses siyang sinubukang patahimikin dahil lamang sa mariing pagsusuri sa administrasyon. Siya ay naaresto na ng dalawang beses at nakapagpiyansa ng walong beses noong 2020. Ressa, Ressa, pa’no ka ginawa? Nakapagtapos sa mga prehisteryosong unibersidad tulad ng Princeton University, naging susi ni Ressa ang kaniyang mataas na pinag-aralan at karanasan upang magbigay serbisyo sa mga taumbayan ng bukal sa loob at may dangal. Kaya’t sa paglunsad ng isyu ng extra-judicial killings sa Pilipinas, ang pagbabalita ng Rappler ang siyang
ng pamamahayag na kumuha ng loob ng mga ekspertong banyaga na bumubuo ng komite sa Nobel Peace Prize. Kabilang si Ressa sa mga taong tinatanaw na mababa sa lipunang pinangungunahan ng mga lalaki. Bilang isang babae na miyembro ng LGBTQ, isang mamamahayag sa itinuturing na pinakadelikadong bansa para sa mga mamamahayag, at isang malakas na boses laban sa administrasyong pilit na humahamon sa demokratikong sistema, siya ay nagsilbing pamulat sa mga taong pikit-matang sumusuaporta sa mga kabulastugang nangyayari sa bansa. 1980s pa lamang ay nanindigan na si Reesa na ang kaniyang trabaho ay para sa bayan at hindi sa mga pulitiko na mapapatunayan nang magtrabaho siya noon upang ipabagsak ang administrasyong Marcos na halos piitin ang kalayaan ng pamamahayag na masasalamin pa rin sa kasulukayang panahon. Mariin din niyang inihayag na ang kasalukuyang pagsiil sa press freedom ay isa na sa mga paraan dahilan kung bakit nakalikom ng upang maweaponize ang batas sa lebel na hindi pa atensyon ang usaping ito sa mga press freedom nasaksihan mula noong panahon ni Marcos. groups at global human rights lawyers gaya nila Amal Clooney. Ang kakayahan ni Ressa na maging Bakit nga ba, Ressa? kritikal at gamitin ang kanyang plataporma at mga Sa gitna ng administrasyong sumisiil sa koneksyon para sa bayang ngayong inaalipusta ng malayang pamamahayag, pagmamaliit sa karahasan at korapsyon ay siyang repleksyon kung kakayahan ng kababaihan at pagbabalewala gaano siya kahalaga bilang isang mamamahayag sa sa karapatang pantao ng mga nasa laylayan ay panahon ngayon. umusbong si Ressa, isang mamamahayag na may pusong Pinoy na hindi tumitigil sa pagserbisyo Salamin ng makabagong pinay hangga’t di mararating ang araw na malaya Sa kabila ng samut-saring pambabatikos at ng nabubuksan ang pag-uusap sa maayos na isyung kinakabit sa kaniyang pangalan, hindi pamamahala at pamamahayag na hindi sinasala maipagkakaila ang kaniyang ambag sa larangan ng sinumang may kapwangyarihan.
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MULTILINGUAL | 13
AUGUST 2021- NOVEMBER 2021
Sa mata sang biktima Dibuho ni Amethyst A. Alumbro
Paglikaw ni Wenceslao Mateo Jr. sa hilaw nga kamatayon sang Marcos Martial Law Clint M. Bellosillo kag Keminova B. Acepcion
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adlong kag matinlo nga sosyodad ang ginpromisa sang anay presidente Ferdinand Marcos Sr. sa pag-umpisa sang iya nga administrasyon. Apang, nangin anggid sa bukal nga madasig madula ang ini nga mga tinaga sang nagdeklara siya sang Martial Law. Sang Setyembre 21, 1972, gindeklarar ni Pres. Marcos ang ini nga layi sa pagpanguna sang pwersa sang military para tapnaon ang padayon nga pagpanglapas sa gobyerno kag mga rally sa pungsod batok sa pagkadimatarung sa mga Filipino. Tungod sini, indi mabayluhan ang kasakit kag kahadlok nga nabatyagan sang mga pumuluyo ilabi na gid diri sa syudad sang Iloilo. Indi matago sang isa ka Ilonggo ang iya naagyan nga kasakit kag kapintas sa panahon sang Martial Law. Kung si Wenceslao E. Mateo Jr ang pamangkuton “ningas cogon kag pakulahaw man lang gali ang iya (Pres. Marcos) mga pangako.” Kilala sa tawag nga ‘Matt’, isa si Wenceslao sa nakalikaw sa hilaw nga kamatayon sa idalom sang batas militar bangud sa pagsapi niya sa UNIDO, partido ni Doy Laurel nga nagasuporta kay Cory Aquino nga mangin presidente. Kaagahon sang Mayo 26, 1983, gin-ambush
sang mga suldado ni Marcos ang ila Iloilo chairman kag Board Member nga si Edwin Baldago upod sang duha niya ka alalay. “Ginkuha ako ni Edwin bilang personal secretary niya tungod sang akon trabaho sa media. Sa masami ginadala niya ako sa kon diin sia maglakat. Apang, sadtong banda alas otso sa gab-i, nagsakit ang akon ulo kag naglisensya nga indi ako maka-upod. Nagsugot siya, kag amo na ato ang natabo kay Edwin sa kamot sang isa ka platoon sang suldado,” sulat ni Matt. Dugang pa sini, indi gid masikway nga ang kaimolon mas naglala sang panahon sang Martial Law. Sa matuod, ang istastika nagasiling nga diyes porsyento (10%) lang ang nagapanag-iya sang manggad sang pungsod samtang ang nobenta nga porsyento (90%) wala sing matalauma nga ila kaugalingon, wala mabugsukan sing puluy-an, kag mataas ang “unemployment” ukon ang wala ubra. Pati ang Kongreso, ginsakpan man sang mga politiko nga naghalin sa manggaranon kag poderoso nga mga pamilya. Makita diri nga kon ang isa ka pumuluyo nga wala-wala na gid, makaluluoy gid ini bangud wala sia balay, pagkaon, o bayo
nga makuha sa mga politiko o suldado. Sa pihak nga bahin, kon manggaranon naman ang isa ka tawo, madamo sing benipisyo ang makuha niya bangud may ikasarang sia bisan napaidalom sa Martial Law ang Pilipinas. “Nagsiling si Marcos nga ibalik niya ang demokrasya paagi sa matarung nga eleksyon. Apang gin-alegar nga manipulado niya ang resulta sang eleksyon nga nagpadaug sing landslide sa iya mga bata-bata. Agud maghuyang pa ang oposisyon, pinalagas ini sila tanan, ginpapriso, ukon napilitan sa pagpalagyo sa luas sang pungsod,” dugang ni Matt. Madamo sang natabo sa panahon nga na-eksperyensya ni Wenceslao E. Mateo Jr. nga natawag na Martial Law. Suno sa kay Matt, madamo ang mga bayolasyon sa kinamatarong sang katawhan ang siam ka tuig nga ginagamhan ni Presidente Marcos. May mga pamilya nga gahunahuna kon diin na ang ila mga paryente, pareho sang natabo kay Edwin nga malapit na abyan ni Matt. Gintapos ni Matt ang iya pagsugilanon sa pagpasalamat sa iya nga manluluwas nga si edwin sa paglikaw sa iya sa hilaw nga
kamatayon sang “nagsugot (siya) nga indi anay (si Matt) magupod sa (iya) sadtong tion.” Ang panaysayon ni Matt isa lamang ka bahin sa aton kasaysayan nga masami wala ginahatagan igtalupangod tungod sa mga malain apang matuod-tuod nga hitabo - isa ka masubo nga realidad nga dapat lamang maislan husto kag nagakaangot nga kabangdanan.
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Indi gid masikway nga ang kaimulon mas naglala sang panahon sang Martial Law.
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A WALK IN AN OLYMPIC UMPIRE’S LIFE Keven Rizzo C. Sitjar and Ron Eliezer G. Duhina
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espite the absence of a jam-packed crowd which adds to the spirit of Olympics and the risk of travelling during the pandemic’s onslaught, she, with a brave heart, chose to fulfill what umpires are supposed to do – keep the game’s integrity. Braving the Odds When Dr. Ma. Janelyn T. Fundal, an alumna of the University and now the Provincial Government Department Head of Iloilo Sports Management and Development Office, joined the roster of four female Asian umpires in the badminton games during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, last July 23 – August 8, recounting the experiences she had in this prestigious event was more than enough pride she can flaunt. She admitted being skeptical about going to Tokyo, Japan prior to the event considering the situation amid the pandemic. Eventually, she made up her mind and accepted the challenge of officiating the game. Her visit to Japan was not a walk in the park. Compared to the pre-Olympic tournament she attended last 2019 where they were able to explore what the country has to offer, her 2020 visit had so many restrictions. Prior to her flight, she had to undergo two RT-PCR tests. Upon arrival at Japan’s airport, she had to be tested again and from then on, COVID-19 testing became part of her daily routine in Tokyo together with everyone who was part of the event. Dr. Fundal shared that she was alone in her hotel room which had the capacity to accommodate five people. Like any other facilities during the height of the pandemic, so many restrictions put their leisure and spontaneous travels on hold. The only time they can use the scheduled bus for travel is
when they have an event to attend and they are also required to go home as soon as it ends. Despite these strict protocols implemented by Japan, she salutes them, saying that “they did a great job. No one from badminton has been tested positive.” Moderating a set The struggles she faced as an umpire were no longer new to her, having been in the field of officiating badminton games for several years. Unlike players who worry about winning the match, Dr. Fundal worries about controlling the match which she remarked was “a gentleman’s game”. “Once I’m in the umpire’s chair, I keep on praying...I pray na wala untoward incidents na matabo and I do not know and I will not know what to decide sa mga situations nga gakatabo because you are dealing with top-notch players of the world,” Dr. Fundal said. Even from the simple yet crucial work of tossing the coin, Dr. Fundal expressed her concern of making sure that the coin doesn’t fall off her hand and roll down to the ground in front of the players, live audience, and the people who may watch the telecast all over the world. According to her, there’s also an added pressure that she’s dealing with professional athletes, not local ones from the grassroots. Dr. Fundal shared that in badminton, “a player can never argue with the umpire” but only raise concerns in a civilized manner. However, there were instances when swhe had to put her foot down and be firm inside the court. Commencing a global career Among her indelible momwents was during the Badminton World Federation (BWF) accreditation where she had to perform well in
GAME OUTSIDE THE COURT. WVSU alumna Dr. Ma. Janelyn T. Fundal umpires during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Photo courtesy : TV 5 network
front of several assessors and the BWF president. It was unfortunate, according to her, that one of the coaches participating in the game was a “notorious one,” who kept yelling and complaining at the center of the court during the match. This was Dr. Fundal’s ultimate test. “Grabe ang kulba ko eh. Hambal ko Lord, tapusa nalang ni hampang, tapusa na ini kay grabe na nerbyos ko bala,” Dr. Fundal recalled. But by collecting her courage and with utmost conviction, she was able to overcome the dilemma and reprimanded the said coach, and fortunately, was able to pass the said accreditation. A “make or unmake” moment of her life. In the world of sports, the players are always at the limelight with little focus on those who make sure the games carry on. People like Dr. Fundal are the reason why games are possible and why players are made champions. Hence, like any other athletes’, an umpire’s story rings of perseverance, passion, and ambition.
West Esports, pinatatag ng student-gamers John Paul A. Daquin at Ron Eliezer G. Duhina
Sumailalim sa proseso ng re-branding ang West Esports, samahan ng student-gamers mula sa West Visayas State University (WVSU) upang isulong ang makabuluhang paggamit ng teknolohiya sa mga electronic sports. Bilang pagsang-ayon ng grupo sa kanilang pinakalayunin na magkaisa ang mga estudyante ng Unibersidad sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng electronic sports at teknolohiya, nagbagong-bihis ang samahan mula sa dating pangalang WVSU Esports Hindi lamang paglalaro at pakikipagkompetensya ang pokus ng samahan kung hindi ang magsilbing daan sa pagbubuklod ng mag-aaral at pagbubuo ng mga koponan na sasabak sa mga patimpalak upang magbigay karangalan sa unibersidad sa larangan ng esports. Kasama sa proseso ng pagsasanay ang pagpapatakbo ng mga koponan, at paghubog ng gaming skills at IQ ng bawat miyembro sa iba’t ibang uri ng online games tulad ng Call KASANAYAN SA HARAP NG ISKRIN. Upang masungkit ang pinakaof Duty Mobile (CODM), League of inaasam na kampyonato, nagsitagisan ang mga estudyanteng manlalaro gamit ang kanilang pambatikang kakayahan sa iba’t-ibang Esports games. Legends (LOL), Mobile Legends (ML), Valorant at Wild Rift. Larawan mula sa West Esports Facebook page
“Esports is not just about gaming but it has actually a lot of career developments and other fields related to electronics, opportunities to learn, and wmanage,” ayon kay Ma. Beatriz Niña Barranco, miyembro ng West Esports. “We will continue on building or creating tournaments so that students would be engaged, and together with the other newly elected officers we will continue to bring honor and pride to the University by participating and organizing more esports events. And we will continue to empower and advocate the student body through campus gaming,” ayon kay Santie Magcalas, presidente ng West Esports. Ilan lamang sa mga naiuwing parangal ng West Esports para sa unibersidad ay ang pagsungkit ng kampeonato sa larong Wildrift sa ginanap na Ilonggo Interschool Invitational - Collegiate Esports Tournament noong nakaraang taon. Kaakibat ng organisasyon ang Esports AcadArena - ang nangunguna at kilalang esports organization hindi lamang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong Timog Silangang Asya, na siyang isa sa mga gumagawa ng programa at patimpalak sa nasabing larangan.