The Flame Vol. 56 Issue No. 2

THE

FLAME Vol. 56, Issue no. 2

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UST FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

MOVING FORWARD amid the pandemic

A hopeful spin on today's health crisis

THE

FLAME

FOUNDED OCTOBER 16, 1964 EDITORIAL STAFF 2020 - 2021

Peach Arianna P. Manos Editor-in-chief Isabell Andrea M. Pine Associate Editor Maria Cecilia O. Pagdanganan Managing Editor, Faces Editor Kristine Erika L. Agustin Scenes Editor Siegfred Aldous D. Lacerna Issues Editor Theriz Lizel R. Silvano Culture Editor Maria Pamela S. Reyes Letters Editor Frances Marie G. Ignalaga Photograpy Editor Janis Joplin G. Moises Scenes Jhona Seehiah R. Vitor, Hannah Beatrisse L. Oledan Issues Mary Nicole P. Miranda, Patrick V. Miguel Faces Christine Janine T. Cortez, John Patrick A. Magno Ranara, Thea Andrea C. Magueriano Culture Patrick V. Miguel Letters Marlou Joseph B. Bon-ao, Elijah John M. Encinas Photographers Ella Marie M. Mercado, Tcheky Nicole D. Cabrera, Jeanne Pauline G. Tecson, Leanne Marion T. Vilog Arts Leo O. Laparan II., M.A. Adviser Prof. Marilu Ranosa-Madrunio, Ph. D. Dean The Flame, the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters, aims to promote a scholarly attitude among Artlets and Thomasians in the analysis of the implications of current relevant issues to their lives and society at large, to serve as a forum not only between Artlets and the administration but most importantly, among Artlets themselves, and to provide a vehicle for the publication of in-depth articles on the concerns and interests of the Faculty. Nothing appearing in The Flame may be reprinted either in whole or in part without written permission addressed to the Editor in Chief of The Flame, G/F St. Raymund’s Bldg., University of Santo Tomas, Manila or to editorialboard@abtheflame.net.

Visit our official website: abtheflame.net

© 2021 by the Flame. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Cover photo by

AIMEE YEO

Spread photo by

MARLOU JOSEPH B. BON-AO

Editor’s Note Moving on is already hard as it is—in order to do so, healing and having a positive outlook for a better future than what once was are needed. But how can one move on from something that is still uncertain? How do we move on from something that is still haunting us until today, with no possible answers as to when it is going to end?

It has been almost a year of adjusting, isolation, and loneliness. Not to count the disasters that also happened last year, Filipinos have already gone through various kinds of pressure not only to those who strive hard even amid a deadly pandemic just to put food on the table and frontliners who risk their lives every day in battling the virus, but also to the teachers and students who spend hours in front of a computer, both trying their best to understand each other and adjust to the current circumstances.

With the preparation of the arrival of the vaccines, everyone is hopeful for the next step of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken thousands of lives. The anniversary of the first reported case of this is approaching, and so we find ourselves wondering—what is next for us? We cannot go through another year of isolation and online gatherings anymore, especially after seeing people in other countries getting back to their normal lives.

Everyone has adapted to the “new normal,” and now, it is time to demand for a change.

Everyone has done their part in battling this pandemic—the government has the biggest responsibility of it all. Other countries have already conducted different vaccine phases and are moving on slowly but surely. Until when will the Philippines have to wait?

Are we moving toward a better future? This is the big question The Flame hopes to answer through this issue.

PEACH MANOS

Editor-in-chief '20 - '21

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WHAT'S INSIDE?

SCENES

The St. Raymund de Peñafort Building Photo by FRANCES MARIE IGNALAGA

AB resumes online classes for 2nd sem

by ARTHUR FLORENCE JEAN N. APOSTOL and MATTHEW DAVE A. JUCOM

T

HE FACULTY of Arts and Letters pushed through in conducting online classes for the second semester, according to AB Dean Marilu Madrunio.

The Office of the Secretary-General also announced last Dec. 17 that the second term for the school year 2020-2021 would still be held online.

“For the Second Term AY 20202021, the University of Santo Tomas will continue to implement the Enriched Virtual Mode (EVM) of instruction, mainly delivered through the UST Cloud Campus,” the advisory said.

“I think we need more details from the Main Building [University administrators]. Let us wait for their advice,” Asst. Dean Alejandro Bernardo told The Flame regarding the plans for the possibility of the resumption of physical classes.

The protocols for the resumption of limited face-to-face classes would be released once government regulations have been declared, the University said.

RISKS OF FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES Resuming physical classes may affect the students' health and security, considering the demographic location of the university, Artlets Student Council (ABSC) Interim President Paolo Jericho Manuel said on the problem with physical classes.

“Nasa Sampaloc ‘yung UST, and Sampaloc is one of the hotspots of COVID-19. That, in itself, is very concerning kasi hindi lang naman sa UST mag-s-stay ang mga students.

Ano gagawin nila 'pag kakain sila? Siyempre lalabas sila sa University,” Manuel explained.

He also mentioned that the mobility protocols of various provinces are other factors to consider.

“Paanona‘yungmgastudentsnamanggagaling sa probinsya? We must also remember na may travelrestrictionssaiilangmgaprobinsya,”headded.

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Guidelines for the resumption of limited face-to-face classes were also completed. This, however, will only be applicable in areas with low transmission of the virus, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chairman J. Prospero de Vera III said.

“We have completed the guidelines for possible limited face-to-face classes in low-risk [modified general community quarantine] areas starting January. The guidelines have been completed in consultation with local governments, in consultation with public and private universities,” De Vera said as reported

by News 5 last Sept. 16.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health noted that mental health problems may occur due to challenges that go with online classes.

“Students may experience health concerns related to increased screen time such as fatigue, headache, lack of motivation, avoidance and procrastination, among others,” the health department noted.

ARTLETS' ONLINE LEARNING ISSUES Constant communication with the AB administration eased the issues for this term according to Manuel.

“Largely the same ‘yung mga naging issues [internet connectivity and miscommunication with professors] noong August, [they] have been persistent all throughout the semester,” he said.

"We are in constant communication with the class presidents and the AB administrators, so kung may concern ang mga students, madali siyang nadadala sa mga administrators natin [at] madaling nakakausap ‘yung professor na nagiging point of concern ng mga students," he added.

Manuel also mentioned that the University’s shift to Zoom Meeting subscription from Blackboard Collaborate, as students experienced connectivity issues during synchronous classes, proved that the administrators were listening.

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“Thankfully, nakikinig naman ‘yung mga administrators natin pagdating sa concerns ng mga students. Basta they should continue [responding to the concerns] for the following semester,” the ABSC President told The Flame.

EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE CLASSES “The COVID-19 pandemic has come up with challenges never imagined before, and the international interactions and collaborations with the education sector are at challenge and the growth has come to a stalemate which is quite visible,” a study by International Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Research stated.

There have also been reports in the country about students reaching the point of severe depression and eventually leading to suicide due to online classes.

Most reports involve low-income families who cannot afford shifting to the online platform, while other reports revolve around the deteriorating state of students’ mental health.

The effectiveness of online classes is still up for debate, but an academic journal argued that most incidents showed inefficiency and impracticality when it comes to learning.

Academic institutions in the country conducted certain measures to ease the students’ online learning.

Ateneo de Davao University gave free tablets and pocket internet connections to some of their students last April to help them with online learning.

Universities in Metro Manila imposed “no-fail” policies in their institutions to ease the requirements for students last academic year. The University of the Philippines also continued this policy last semester.

Last July 10, CHEd also mandated the utilization of online learning for the current academic year while the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. F

CASA, JRN to move in BGPOP when physical classes resume

by JANIS JOPLIN G. MOISES and JENNA KAYE M. PANDANAN

T

HE DEPARTMENT of Communication and Media Studies will be transferring its programs, Communication Arts and Journalism, to the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P Building (BGPOP) when the resumption of face-to-face classes is permitted.

Journalism coordinator Felipe Salvosa II said that the building is ready, but the relocation remains on hold, in compliance with the government’s regulations on holding of classes.

GROWTH OF MEDIA STUDENTS Department of Communication and Media Studies Chair Jose Arsenio Salandanan told The Flame that the reason behind transferring the department to BGPOP was “purely to decongest” the St. Raymund de Peñafort building.

Salvosa also said that the department holds two of the most populated programs in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, with 953 students. Being the most populated department in the faculty has caused complications in the allocation of classrooms at St. Raymund’s.

He added that the administration decided to allot the 11th floor of the BGPOP to the department to alleviate the problem in classroom allocation.

This became possible because of the transfer of senior high school (SHS) students to the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassatti building, the new 22-storey building located on España Boulevard across the UST’s main campus.

Salandanan said that he would be working closely with Salvosa in

planning the schedule of classes to guarantee that there will be no overlapping of classrooms.

“What we can say is that the classroom allocation has been studied and based on our projections, this is adequate, so there will be a total of nine classrooms,” Salvosa said.

Salvosa and Salandanan ensured that the current allocation of classrooms is sufficient for the students who will be transferred to BGPOP. Per regular schedule, first and second year students will occupy the said classrooms and the remaining rooms will be used by the higheryear-level students.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The BGPOP, otherwise known as the Thomasian Alumni Center, stood as a 12-storey building located at the site of the old University gymnasium, which was meant to preserve its historical value, according to The Varsitarian.

The building was given its official name to honor the late UST professor and Dominican Master General Buenaventura García de Paredes.

The construction of the building began in 2010 and it opened its doors in August 2014 to serve as a place for alumni gatherings and as the former SHS building. The foundation comprised $1 million which was funded by donations from alumni patrons and the US-based UST Medical Alumni Association Foundation, The Varsitarian said.

The building consists of a grand lobby, ballrooms, and function rooms

for alumni gatherings and events, as well as multi-purpose rooms and lodging facilities for alumni and University guests.

In January 2016, BGPOP welcomed room stays on its fifth floor by officially opening “Hotel 1611” to its guests. The hotel includes facilities such as a fitness area, reception counter, administration office, housekeeping room, health bar or café, and a business center, where guests will be ushered in by the Tourism and Hospitality Management students undergoing job training.

RESUMPTION OF FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES As the pandemic has been affecting everyone’s way of living for months on end, schools and universities are still mandated to comply with online learning arrangements set out by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

With the new variant of coronavirus, President Rodrigo Duterte has cancelled the pilot testing of face-to-face classes in select schools, which was supposed to be held last Jan.11 to Jan. 23.

In a statement issued on Nov. 17, the UST Office of the SecretaryGeneral said that the University will continue to implement the “Enriched Virtual Mode” until the second term of academic year 2020-2021. Both offline and online learning strategies will be utilized by instructors.

Instructions on limited face-to-face classes have also yet to be announced. F

AB Guidance sets programs to aid students’ mental health

by JANIS JOPLIN G. MOISES and KAREN RENEE NOGOY

V

IRTUAL LEARNING arrangements have affected students’ mental and physical health negatively, Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) guidance counselor Khrystine Cristobal told The Flame.

“Aside from all the technical issues, an academic break would really ease up the students’ mental health. So as a counselor, if looking at it from the perspective of mental health for the students, I would say that it’s a good move to have an academic break,” Cristobal said.

Cristobal said that virtual classes are not for everyone as there are some who cannot cope with this mode of learning, as shown by the increase in the number of students requesting a leave of absence.

Several students called for an academic break as the country recovered from the three-week series of disasters last November, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Typhoon Ulysses caused massive floods in affected areas, leading to a death toll of 73, according to Rappler. The typhoon also caused water and electricity interruptions that affected work from home setups and virtual classes.

Despite the typhoon’s devastating aftermath, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) rejected the call for a unilateral academic break on Nov. 17.

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Teachers and professors argued that continuing the semester would cause students to procrastinate finishing their requirements on time, yet CHED chairman J. Prospero de Vera III opposed and suggested that schools and universities could extend the semester until January 2021.

“I cannot support the reduction in the number of weeks of the semester because our teachers and students will be burdened by this. They would need to achieve the same learning requirements, but you’re compressing it in a shorter period,” De Vera said.

“Well to be honest, these sectors are responsible to think 10 steps ahead in making decisions. So I understand where they are coming from because they are thinking five steps, 10 steps ahead, so they don’t want the academic break,” Cristobal said.

She explained that imposing a unilateral academic break for one term would disrupt the flow of “demand and supply” when it comes to professionals in the country which would affect the economy.

“Meron isang term diyan, isang moment in time na wala tayong graduates, wala tayong professionals, and the Filipinos’ need, ‘yung need kasi natin consistent ‘yan regardless kung nagkaroon ng academic break,” she said.

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The education sector is reluctant to impose an academic break not because they are negligent on mental health, but because they must look at the bigger picture of the situation, according to Cristobal.

In a televised press briefing, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that the government was in favor of extending classes instead of allowing an academic break, despite recent disasters that hit the country amid the pandemic.

“They are not that affected very much because there are no [physical] classes in our schools,” Roque said, referring to educators and students.

Despite the government’s opposition, some universities, including the Ateneo de Manila University, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas, suspended synchronous and asynchronous classes from Nov. 16 to 21 to allow students and teachers to recover from the impact of the typhoon.

Cristobal said that occasional breaks would suffice, but disagrees with unilateral academic breaks.

“Giving the universities the autonomy to decide for their own, kasi magkakaiba naman ‘yung universities, they have different sets of resources, different sets of students, and vision, mission, and all the [likes], so if they have provided the autonomy for those universities, then I think that would be better,” she added.

AB COUNSELING PROGRAMS In response to the new normal, the AB G u id a n c e a nd Counsel i ng Depa rt me n t continues to provide assistance to students in coping with the existing challenges through various online programs.

One of the programs is the Capacity Enhancement Training Program for peer facilitators. This trains students to be well-equipped in helping their costudents handle emotional concerns.

“So when you have concerns na ayaw mo pa [sabihin] sa counselor, too much pa ‘yung counselor, so you go to peer facilitators,” Cristobal said.

Another is the preventive program that centers on self-care consisting of subjects such as emotional first aid and self-awareness, and conducting telecounseling and therapy.

They also offer psychology education that helps students handle their own stressors better. Meanwhile, they have also been conducting webinars via Zoom that target the needs of the students.

AB guidance counselors have also used informal methods such as constantly messaging the group chats (GCs) of each AB section.

“On Facebook, we have separate GCs for each section, so we try to extend our help and our concerns by messaging sa GC from time to time,” Cristobal said.

Even though they try to respond to every concern of students, Cristobal mentioned that they could only do so during office hours, which is from 8 a.m to 5 p.m, especially if the concerns are not urgent.

“Kunwari may nag-message alas tres ng madaling araw, so ‘yun ‘yung mga problems kasi with online counseling. Some people, they feel that their counselors are hotlines, [but] we’re not,” Cristobal said.

The guidance counselors are pleased to receive positive feedback from students regarding their programs.

Cristobal said, however, that conducting therapies online is more difficult.

“It’s more difficult than face-to-face kasi ‘yung iba gusto chat lang, you can’t really see emotions, you can’t hear the tone, and nandun kasi yung mga sincerity part and ‘yung intention...,” she explained.

Students who need assistance may access AB Guidance’s online services by emailing their designated guidance counselors to make an appointment. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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Resiliency should come with

concrete plans

— soc i o profs

by MARIE CLAIRE S. LAGRISOLA and JENNA KAYE M. PANDANAN

F

ILIPINO RESILIENCY is not enough and must be accompanied by responsive action and concrete plans from the government to address and prevent the existing problems of the country, according to Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) sociology professors.

Asst. Prof. Milrose Llenas emphasized that while resiliency is a psychological strength and an effective coping mechanism, it cannot be the sole solution to the country’s various issues.

“Kailangan lang ba para tayong rubber band na elastic na we move back and forth? It's not all about resiliency alone; we need to be resilient, and the kind of resiliency must be coupled with consistent action to survive,” Llenas said.

“When we say politicians are capitalizing on our resiliency, I believe, [to] a certain extent, they are if they are not responding to [natural calamity disasters and the global pandemic] swiftly and comprehensively,” she added.

Llenas pointed out that every year, the image of Philippine typhoons, floods, and their casualties have been looking the same. Hence, she believed that this has been a vicious cycle of displacement of human lives and properties. This, according to the professor, was emphasized during Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons in history.

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“Kung paulit-ulit na lang ‘yung vicious cycle na ito, kailan na ‘to matatapos? We could not wait for a superhero to rescue Filipinos from continuous suffering,” she said.

Llenas also mentioned that actions could have been taken during natural disasters, such as the typhoon that the Philippines experienced over the last few months.

“Marami pa sanang nagawa pagdating doon sa coordinated instructions of release of dams, those things. It's not just a question of urgency, pero paano sana na-prevent with so much urgency ‘yung ganitong klaseng disasters,” she said.

Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Frederick Rey said Filipino resiliency has been romanticized for too long — and it is because the government is giving so little that Filipinos have no choice but to adapt to survive.

"Resiliency is just a coping mechanism for survival.

What we need is control and power over any threats to the nation or to our people," Rey told The Flame.

He said that to make communities disasterresistant, it involves planning and exploitation of lessons from the past experience.

He also suggested that proactive and anticipatory forms of disaster preparedness must be prioritized over constant adaptations and adjustments.

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

Resilient and responsive governance is no longer the ideal frame of administration. Public administration should not only be responsive, but more so anticipatory, according to Rey. “Anticipatory and responsive public administration requires the government to not only respond efficiently and effectively to people’s real needs (United Nations Responsive and Accountable Public Governance Report, 2015), but most importantly to formulate [a] plan, develop strategies, allocate resources, and implement policies, programs, and activities that enhance human capital and social infrastructures before the disaster strikes,” he said.

"

What we need is control and power over any threats to the nation or to our people.

"

RESILIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY Llenas urged Filipinos to be sustainably resilient.

This would entail engaging in environmental action.

As typhoon Ulysses hit last November, Vice President Leni Robredo received much praise from netizens for her rehabilitation programs.

Llenas said that Robredo served as the mediator between private sectors and the victims as they felt the presence of the government through the Vice President’s response.

“In the midst of calamities and natural disasters, any help given must be appreciated and must not be seen as a threat because we are talking about human

lives, responses to calamities in the midst of a global pandemic. And [Robredo] provided the light we needed in that moment of darkness,” Llenas said.

Rey believed that the initiative for Roberdo’s actions was natural since she was elected official.

He also noted that Robredo may be considered a threat to the current social order.

Rey believes that since Robredo had economic multilateral cooperation with the neighboring states and LGUs before the crisis, she has also established connections with various networks before, during, and after the typhoon.

Rey and Llenas both believe that AB professors — or every educator for that matter — should be “illuminators of truth” in both students and the people around them.

“We need to shed light, we need to illuminate.

We have to make sure that when we talk about this kind of social issue, we try not to involve our political biases. Otherwise, we will not be able to show the truth, we will not be able to show [a] clear picture.

Educate people on what is true,” Llenas explained.

Meanwhile, Rey believes that professors should try their best to be “politicized” and that the government should produce scholars and critical thinkers to help solve the social issues that Filipinos face today.

“It appears that the primary reason why governments fail in [their] efforts to cure social ills is, on one hand, the inability of our politicians to achieve scholarship and on the other hand, the resistance of our academics from being politicized.

Consequently, politicians act without knowledge and foresight while scholars are trapped in their own monologues,” he said.

“For students, they should not fear politics. Early on, they have to realize that to change the system, they have to become the system,” he added.

Llenas then urged the youth to vote in the coming 2022 elections.

“I would go back to what Jose Rizal said, although it is cliche. [...] The youth is the hope of our motherland.

Kayo talaga. More than half of the voter's population this 2022 will come from the youth sector. ‘Yung boto niyo ay magdidikta sa ano mangyayari sa atin sa susunod na anim na taon,” she said. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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The man drives a boat to shore Photo by RAINIEL ANGELYN FIGUEROA

ISSUES

A woman prays in front of a statue of Mary Photo by ELIJAH JOHN ENCINAS

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N MARCH 12, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila on lockdown that took effect on March 15 and lasted for at least 30 days. Two days later, it was expanded to mainland Luzon. One month later, Visayas and Mindanao were put into enhanced community quarantine.

2020 is over, yet several parts of the country are still at high risk for COVID-19. Several quarantine classifications are still in effect, holding people up into an ongoing new normal and restricting movements.

As the nation lives through the nowtouted “longest coronavirus lockdown in the world,” The Flame asked Artlets: What is your definition of the “new normal” after months of experiencing the pandemic?

Wilson Barrientos, AB Economics The new normal is a huge reminder of the consequences of electing the leaders of our country. This pandemic has revealed the incompetence and shamelessness of the current administration with its monthly counts of corruption, injustice, and atrocities. May this pandemic represent that we, the citizens, have the power to choose our new normal [by] electing competent leaders.

Reginald Hidalgo, AB Political Science I'd say the "new normal" is lonelier than I'm more used to. Since I'm more accustomed to waking up and leaving on schedule hoping to meet up with my friends, getting tired was really fulfilling, but now since my PC is my classroom, I feel like I lost a part of my everyday life.

Ierathel F. Tabuno, AB Legal Management The new normal, frankly, isn't the best thing it could be for us yet.

We're moving so slow, even the wires connecting us must be bored by it – frustrated even. What could've been a journey to go back to the normal days with just the inclusion of a few health protocols here and there has turned into a tragic positivity-cloaked reality called "new normal."

Nonetheless, we're here now. [It’s] a waste of time to cry over spilled milk and so, better we use it to our advantage.

The definition, to turn it into a jollier note, is the highway for indefinite connections being that we are moving more into the digital world.

To speak that the transcendence of space and time today is greater than yesterday would be an understatement, it simply is the greatest it has been.

The arena has turned into the wide dimensions of the internet and everyone has now a voice louder than ever.

Everything going on [in] a single space, everything going on at such an accessible reach. We simply cannot deny its potential to drive the world into the awakening it can bring into existence. That alone, I think, would be the single greatest thing the new normal could provide.

Ma. Cecilia A. Foja, AB Legal Management The new normal for me is being able to do everything you were able to even before the pandemic, but with certain limitations and barriers to be mindful of due to the existing safety protocols that we must comply [with]. We can’t go out just for leisure. Even then, we should wear a face mask and a face shield, and bring a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Interacting with other people should also be restricted and limited.

Before, we used to do handshakes and other ways of making acquaintances, but now, it’s not allowed for safety precautions. This is now what we call the new normal.

It’s still alright to meet up personally with other people, but we are restricted from close interactions. This is the new normal for me – doing what we were used to, but with strict limitations.

Anthea Canasa, AB Political Science After eight months of the pandemic, I would describe the "new normal" as a circus of unparalleled measures. Perhaps, the constant bouts of cabin fever and the overwhelming waves of confusion and disorder [bring] about a feverish feeling of anxiousness as we tread down a path of uncertainty.

Emman Velasquez, AB History This pandemic became much more comparable to the Spanish Flu of 1918 as its mortality rate became lethal.

Infection rates were high, thousands recorded dead worldwide, and countries went into lockdowns. When COVID-19, struck the Philippines, we often heard the term “new normal” in the news. In which all sorts of daily living ranging

from economic activities to social gatherings. Furthermore we were regularly advised to practice precaution.

From time to time, we are reminded to remain at home, be vigilant, and protect ourselves. For ten months, we remain indoors yet day by day, cases increase at an astounding rate with no end in sight. On top of that, many Filipinos are managing to make ends meet. In a political hindsight, this new normal also became an opportunity for the government – both the National Government and Local Government Unit – to assert authoritarian rule and showcase their power as we saw in the past few months. And as coronavirus vaccine rollout is tainted with uncertainty, let us expect that this new normal will continue and a “new future” looms far.

Kim Czaccei Dacanay, AB History The “new normal,” for me, is attending classes in my pajamas. The online classes pushed me to create new systems in order to cope with studying in my pajamas. I now keep planners and lists to make sure I’m keeping up with everything. To make up for the lack of social interactions, I also turned to social media as an outlet. I started picking up hobbies, too, like candle-making and reading. Every day has been a conscious effort to feel normal in the most unnormal time in the 19 years of my life.

Wednesday Abbey Pascual, AB Political Science

If there’s one thing I’ve said over and over again in this quarantine, it’s the phrase “see you soon.” It basically summarizes my whole definition of the new normal – uncertain but still full of hope. The pandemic has brought upon a number of challenges to me and to our country. Having being under lockdown for months now feels so dreadful and dragging, but it has also put me in a place of gratitude with a sense of urgency.

I don’t think anyone really knows how and when this current pandemic will end. But the challenge I’ve come to see is more fundamental than that: one has to decide whether one’s fears or one’s hopes are what should matter most. Till then, I will continue to tell my friends “see you soon” despite not knowing when that will be because it’s what keeps me going. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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W

ITH THE start of the new year, the nation is now a little over a year away from casting votes to elect new officials on the local and national levels.

The 2022 national elections are fastapproaching, prompting the Commission on Elections to relaunch its iRehistro program, an electronic application of voter registration despite several Filipinos pushing for its postponement.

In the 2019 midterm election, nearly 31 percent of 61,843,750 registered voters in the country were from the youth sector.

The Artlet community is pivotal in sparking fellow youth and countrymen’s intellectual senses concerning electoral participation. Political science sophomore Czaira Villamayor said that participating in the elections contributes to the country’s general welfare.

“As an Artlet who has the capability to study political issues that broadens my political views, I believe that this capability can be applied as a functional role to influence others not only as an Artlet, but also as a Filipino citizen,” Villamayor told The Flame.

She pointed out that although there are faults in the electoral system, voting is still an obligation.

On the other hand, Asst. Prof.

Zenaida de Luna of the UST history department stressed that every vote matters.

“Just like the ordinary citizens voting, the youth sector’s participation in any election is essential for their choices and decision is counted in the ballot that they will cast, especially in the Philippines, where one man [is equal to] one vote,” she said.

CHANGING POWER Asst. Prof. Ronald Castillo of the UST political science department underscored the importance of votes in implementing national policies.

“If [the youth] does not vote, then you cannot influence elections, you cannot influence policy,” Castillo said.

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He viewed the masses' violations of COVID-19 health protocols as similar to their future voting behavior, likening it to the flocking of people in Divisoria.

“If people are in a pandemic and they’re not even learning, how would it be that they would change their votes to vote for better people next election?" he said.

Election and Artlets

PURSUING THE WELFARE OF PEOPLE words by EDUARDO G. FAJERMO JR.

Castillo also explained how voters’ decreasing loyalties to political dynasties in past elections proved that they were learning from past mistakes.

“I hope that there would be a power of vote based on the crisis, but realistically, I don’t see it yet,” he said.

Gia Karla Martin, a political science sophomore, said that electoral participation could help incite change, especially on the government's failure to deliver essential services. “[A]s someone who’s powerless and remains part of the common citizenry, [voting] is frankly still the only thing that can start to affect structural change,” Martin added.

Jasmine Alarde, also a political science sophomore, regarded the government leaders’ response during the health crisis to impact the electorate's decision as they would favor the politicians who have taken actions.

Alarde also expressed her dismay and warned that some political leaders are politicking and taking this as an opportunity for their interests.

“However, it’s sad that some politicians use the disasters as an excuse para mapabango and makapaglow-key pangampanya, like nagpapamigay ng mga relief goods na may labels ng pangalan nila,” Alarde expressed.

Danielle de Guzman, a behavioral science junior, expressed belief that the incumbent administration's supporters would change their minds because of the mismanagement of the health crisis.

“Those who were once supporters of the current administration will probably change their minds since it’s not just the health crisis that hasn’t been handled well. This year is probably the last straw for most Filipinos,” De Guzman said.

Karl Andrew Ramos, a philosophy sophomore, acknowledged the importance of social media in voter education, saying, “In the ‘new normal,’ people have maximized the online platform’s utilization, in which voter education can be possibly employed.”

art by JEANNE PAULINE TECSON

INTENSIFYING THE POWER For Martin, Artlets must educate themselves on how the government operates so they could start a conversation, even in their immediate circles.

“This discussion must not be imposing but rather, achieve a middle ground by accepting the preferences of others but also offering a constructive debate on those that may have logical leaps,” she said.

Villamayor recognized the importance of social media as an avenue to educate fellow countrymen.

She noted, however, that one must be vigilant of online information.

“Extensive research should be done to determine their credibility and not be blinded by the image they establish in the media,” she added.

De Luna advised the Artlet community to cast their votes wisely, stressing that the Artlets must not only know the societal issues, but also be engaged in its discussions.

Castillo gave a caveat to Filipinos who do not exercise their right to vote: “When we do not exercise our right to vote, we are allowing the evil to triumph because the evil will always do their responsibility to vote because they want to be in power.”

He also asserted that to effectively educate the masses, one must step down from their ivory tower, saying, “[L] et's try to do our best to preach. If not preach, to shepherd our fellow Filipinos.”

Castillo reminded the Artlet community not to use highfalutin jargons to sound intelligent because it only creates noise in social media, and most of all, it does not inform people who need to learn.

Application for voter registration is until September 2021. Register now and use your power, Artlets! F @abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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STRUGGLE IS REAL Artlets beyond boundaries words by BLESS

AUBREY OGERIO

art by ELLA

MARIE MERCADO

T

HE GEOGRAPHICAL disparity remains prevalent in schools and universities nationwide.

Fo llo win g t he Luzon-wide quarantine imposed in March 2020, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) shifted its classes to enriched virtual mode for Academic Year 2020-2021.

As the school system continues to struggle with the new normal, several teachers and students have come to grips with the current situation. This has caused them to lose full command of the new academic setting.

Although school administrators and government leaders had the time to prepare for online learning, the question is how Thomasians in the province cope with the new setup.

ADAPTING TO ONLINE CLASSES For Samantha Argonza, a secondyear communication arts student from Basco, Batanes, it is a struggle to transition to online distance learning.

“UST’s learning setup is considerate in my experience through the two semesters in the online setting. What makes it hard is that you study alone, feeding your mind in front of the screen,” Argonza told The Flame.

The sophomore said that the learning experience was far different in the physical classroom setting from the one in online classes.

“[At] a rating of 1 to 10, I can say 7. [Online classes] are effective in learning how to manage time, but there is still a great factor when there is a social presence,” she said.

Argonza also noted that the requirements given are not always in sync with the timing of deadlines.

“The resources from the instructors are already available ahead of time, but at times, they become lenient in managing the time for the synchronous sessions,” she said.

Despite the hurdles she encounters in online learning accessibility, she is grateful that the University is providing learning resources.

“I can say that the online library was the most helpful for me. Zoom and Google Meet are convenient, as well,” she said.

Argonza expects the University to continue conducting surveys and interviews, and that instructors and students can communicate effectively.

On the other hand, online learning in other remote regions is far more challenging than those in other areas with stronger internet connectivity.

Er i n K r aft , a fi r s t - year communication arts student from Calbayog, Samar, believes that not all students are on equal footing, as some are more privileged than others.

“Just like most of the students who enrolled for this school year,

I feel drained out and exhausted.

It feels so wrong to be able to study while thinking that not ever yone wh o en r o l l e d th i s school year has equal privilege as I am,” Kraft explained.

“Di ko naa-absorb nang maayos ang lessons kasi hindi conducive ang environment ko and super unstable ng internet connection.

Nawawala-wala ako sa sessions,” she added.

Kraft admitted that the recent calamities, along with the pandemic, are her biggest worries.

Even though online learning has been challenging for her, she is thankful that her professors have offered her learning resources.

“Most of my professors were considerate and were doing their best to help us learn in this setting. I appreciate that so much,” she said, as she suggested that the University consider lessening the academic workload.

TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE Even professors bear the burden of online classes.

Marlon Villarin, an instructor from the UST political science d epar t ment who h a i l s f r o m Cau ayan, I s abel a, to l d T h e F l ame abou t onl i n e c l a sse s struggles brought about by connect i vi t y pr ob l e m s a n d natural disturbances.

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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"Ang difficulties namin [sa Isabela] is connectivity infrastructure. Every time na malakas ang ulan, bumabagal ang internet [at] 'pag lumakas na ang hangin, nagba-brownout," he said in an interview.

Villarin lamented that alternatives such as the use of generators could also be ineffective solutions, as power outrages typically result in poor telecommunications services.

Notwithstanding these roadblocks, the instructor said blended learning remains bearable.

"I don't see it detrimental to the intellectual growth and development of the student," he said, "[Pero] siguro ang hindi natin measured dito is ‘yung mental hygiene that can cause mental stress.”

Villarin is thankful that the University was able to satisfy and deliver technical support even to students and faculty members living in remote areas.

Through the use of the internet, email, and Blackboard, the University’s virtual learning platform, he can connect with his students and co-faculty.

“The primary purpose is that I am producing all the necessary platforms where I can provide accessible information to the student,” he stated.

Villarin asserted that as long as the teacher has contact with their students, they can still deliver.

“Kapag nawalan na ng signal siguro ‘yung cellphone, siguro checkmate ‘yun,” he said.

The political science professor pointed out that the University must prioritize how students can adjust to online classes and how they can supplement their learning.

“I don’t want people to be fixated with the word ‘online learning.’ The

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UST is actually promoting blended learning [and] let us not arrest other possibilities to make learning possible and bearable,” he said.

HEEDING THE CALL FOR COMPASSION The Faculty of Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC) has taken action to assist Artlets. ABSC President Paolo Jericho Manuel said that they are doing their best to be effective communicators to adapt to the demands of the online setup.

“The [Executive Board] has been active, not only in joining meetings, but also in initiating online meetings [...] in order to ensure that the voice of the student body is heard,” Manuel told The Flame.

He said that they have focused on resolving the grievances and answering the inquiries of their constituents to ensure that no student will be left behind. “[ABSC] has been highly active in calling for pro-student policies, such as the release of refunds, the academic break, and the suspension of classes after the typhoons,” he added.

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

In November 2020, numerous typhoons caused widespread destruction across the country.

Several Thomasians experienced power interruptions and intermittent internet connection, which prompted the ABSC to take action.

“We held an online campaign that was highly popular, which only proved that the majority of students wanted that policy [...] Hopefully, our action is enough to ensure that no one was left behind,” Manuel said.

The online campaign was conducted to urge the administration to suspend both synchronous and asynchronous activities.

ABSC’s advocacy of the policy helped students in the provinces to have ample time to recover, yet Manuel said that this is only one of their many courses of action.

As for the effectiveness of the grievance system, Manuel assured that the student council is constantly attentive to the students’ concerns.

“So far, we have been receiving plenty of positive feedback from students, which uplifts the morale of my team [...] If they have constructive criticisms, I'd be happy to hear them so that we can improve,” he said.

Aside from the student representation and advocating prostudent policies, Manuel is willing to improve ABSC’s event organizing, especially online.

“We only held a few events this semester. I know that we can do a lot better next semester, and we are already working on it,” he said.

M anu el as s u r ed th a t th e ABSC is working to improve its response to the online setup by coordinating with students and reaching a compromise with the University’s administrators. F

Church custodians sanitize the local parish after a service

Photo by ANDREI JOSEPH DURAN

A close up of a leaf after the rain (1) Photo by FRANCES MARIE IGNALAGA

B AYAN I H A N

SPIRIT

Artlets lend a helping hand words by HANNAH

BEATRISSE OLEDAN

T

YPHOON ULYSSES was the third in a succession of tropical storms to hit the country that targeted most of Luzon, soaking Marikina City in Metro Manila, Rizal, Isabela, and Cagayan, particularly Tuguegarao, forcing thousands to evacuate.

Despite being under safety protocols due to the rising cases of COVID-19, Artlets were quick to respond to the typhoon’s onslaught.

Hailing from Isabela, Santos said her family’s business was mainly dependent on agriculture.

She added that she felt sad after the typhoon destroyed rice fields and cornfields in their town.

Because of this, beneficiaries of their donation drive were mainly victims of typhoons, particularly their local farmers.

“Growing up, [my sisters and I] have always been close to farmers,” Santos said, as she recalled how farmers always visited their house when FOR THE FARMERS they were younger.

Alyssa Santos, a third-year legal management What started as a two-person initiative became student, discussed her plans with her sister to join a huge drive after various organizations and other For Our Farmers PH Inc.'s Project Sagip for the prominent people started reaching out two days victims of the typhoon. after it was launched. @abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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From P1,500, the fund drive was able to collect P311,443, according to Santos.

countrymen, and that was when Agapay Foundation was founded along with two more friends.

“Many people are dying, and thinking that I am not doing anything to at least save lives in my own little way is, for me, an act of insensitivity and selfishness,” she said.

For Yap, though she is not from the areas affected by the typhoon, she felt that it was her responsibility to serve the people and create a safe environment, especially given the government’s lacklustre response.

Similar to what Santos did, Yap also posted realtime updates accompanied by photos sent by the locals to show where the cash donations went.

NOT A RESPONSIBILITY While she decided to help, Santos emphasized that helping others is not a responsibility, but rather a moral duty.

She said that she is willing to do a donation drive again, but agreeing to this means anticipating another disaster.

“But if ever something bad like this [happens], I am more than willing to do everything again. Lahat ng pagod worth it kapag alam mong makakapag-abot ka ng tulong," she added.

Every day, Santos would post pictures on her WHAT’S NEXT FOR AGAPAY? Facebook account to keep donors posted. She told Agapay Foundation plans to continue its service The Flame that during the last day of their donation during natural calamities, according to Yap. drive, a summary of expenditures was released for “Our foundation, Agapay Foundation, is a lifetime transparency and accountability purposes. foundation that will aid victims of catastrophic events and natural calamities,” she said.

A SAFER ENVIRONMENT She also noted that although they did not have Jade Veronique Yap, a third-year journalism plans for Christmas, they are planning to make a student, also initiated a small donation drive on #BalikEskwela initiative once everything goes Twitter for a friend living in Marikina, who was back to normal. badly affected by the typhoon.

The donation drive was a success. After hearing SMALL STORE’S BIG INITIATIVE the news about Mark Ernest Villeza and Gwyneth Cagayan Valley, Luga, third-year journalism however, Yap felt students and founders l i k e sh e n eed ed of Art Closet Manila, to do more for her a T-shirt printing

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@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

store, started #ProjectCagayan a day after they heard about the news.

Luga’s family hails from Bagabag, Isabela.

She said that during the typhoon, she could not stop worrying, saying, “Agriculture had such an important role in that region, and my heart broke at the many devastating losses.”

Even though Villeza lives in Marikina, he was concerned for his foster parents living in Tuguegarao. To return their hospitality to him, he decided to launch a fundraising drive.

Both Luga and Villeza thought that it is their responsibility to help their fellowmen, saying that it felt like Filipinos were left alone by the government.

Villeza said that Art Closet Manila made financial reports to show transparency in donations.

“It's important for us to let others know where their money is going,” Luga added.

While they have yet to deliberate with other staff members, Luga and Villeza said that they might do this again in the future if there is a need to.

For Luga, creating an initiative is a challenge.

She also reminded others that although this is one way of being recognized, one should not let this get into their heads.

“We do this because we help our own and that we don't leave people behind,” she said.

The same goes for Villeza, who said that it is important to reach out to people in need and help, no matter how big or small.

ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE Ana Gabrielle Ceguera, a third-year history student, spoke on behalf of Kaagapayan - Kaagapay ng Cagayan—a block initiative to help one of their classmates living in the province’s Gattaran town.

After one of their blockmates reached out to their president, they immediately talked to their class officers about the initiative. This soon expanded as they began to reach out to the lower batches of the history course.

“My blockmates didn’t even hesitate to help out, and we all worked together to use whatever resources we had to reach out to people,” Ceguera said.

Their initiative went on for a week and expanded to doing in-kind donations. Ceguera noted that for transparency, the team posted updates every night during the whole week, with photos sent to them through publicity materials.

Ceguera also said that cash donations were sent to their contacts in Cagayan. For in-kind donations, their team went around Metro Manila to pick up and drop them off at the Office of the Vice President.

“We started this donation drive with no expectations, but we ended up raising much more than we expected,” she said.

She also expressed hope that Artlets will find goodhearted people who share the same advocacy and passion to help those who are in need.

Limitations due to the threat of COVID-19 notwithstanding, Artlets have proven that they can manage to show compassion during trying times—one of the core values of a true-blooded Thomasian. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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F

OLLOWING THE wreckage brought about

by Typhoon Ulysses, the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) announced that synchronous and asynchronous classes would resume on the succeeding Monday, Nov. 16. The move, however, was immediately criticized by students and faculty, as it would not give Artlets ample time to recover from the typhoon.

The University eventually declared a weeklong suspension of classes and submissions from Nov. 16 to 21— but was it enough?

ABSC-BOM COORDINATION Before the University-wide class suspension, Artlets Student Council (ABSC) President Paolo Jericho Manuel had opposed the idea of the resumption of classes. Manuel said that the ABSC immediately requested for the suspension of classes, after receiving sharp criticism from class presidents, while also simultaneously holding a social media campaign.

“We even held a meeting with the UST admins on a Sunday, which proves that our administrators are truly dedicated [to] ensuring the welfare of their students,” he added.

Their campaign was highly popular among students, as it reflected the sentiment of the student body, according to Manuel.

He said that the ABSC was in constant coordination with both the Board of Majors (BOM) and class presidents throughout the onslaught of the typhoon.

He explained that this coordination is important as it allowed them to quickly write their appeal to administrators to request for the immediate suspension of classes. They had also created a detailed list of all students who needed rescue and/or supplies and quickly coordinated with their respective local government units.

BOM Speaker Lorenz Layao affirmed that the ABSC and BOM had a clear line of communication and coordination. A petition for an academic break was pushed through via a formal letter because of the efforts made by both parties. Block presidents also spearheaded data-gathering on the current conditions of Artlets.

Call for Compassion AB response to typhoonstricken students, faculty words by JAN

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CARLO ZAMORA art by TCHEKY NICOLE CABRERA

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

"These past few months have been very hard for each one of us, but thankfully we were able to learn and adapt in this first full semester that was held online,” Layao said.

“They could still do better on improving the line of communication of both parties and how they can respond quickly to anticipated student body issues within the faculty,” he added.

Under extreme cases like calamities, however, the administration gives considerations on a caseto-case basis. This would include adjusting and extending deadlines for requirements.

Meanwhile, AB Community Development coordinator Asst. Prof. Ronald Castillo said that what concerned him was that students were supposed to enter the preliminary exam period and that even professors have to finish the student's EDUCATORS’ SENTIMENTS grades before a deadline, but were all moved due to Several faculty members had also voiced their the suspension of classes. thoughts regarding the matter.

An AB professor pointed out that the suspension EFFICIENT RESPONSE of classes within a city, town, or learning institution Going back, Manuel rated their disaster would depend on the validity of reasons or causes. response as a 10 out of 10. He said that he is In this case, the UST Administration decided to very proud of how he and his fellow officers suspend classes for the benefit of students, faculty, were able to help out the Artlet student body. and non-teaching personnel, as they recovered Layao also said that the ABSC performed from the typhoon. their tasks efficiently, despite limitations.

Another professor added that as teachers, He even said that they were really “the voice they have to go on their duty under normal of the student body” as they stood firm in circumstances; otherwise, the administration requesting for an academic break from the would mark them absent and deduct their salary. AB administration. F

A young girl frustrated with online classes Photo by ARIS JOHN GALANG

PERSPECTIVES

A swing rests at the shore of a beach Photo by RAINIEL ANGELYN FIGUEROA

EDITORIAL Counting what is left art by LEANNE

T

HE COUNTRY has been suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year already, yet the government’s response to control and eliminate the crisis seems inadequate.

Being hit by the pandemic is already a challenge, but being able to heal from all the damage is another issue. Filipinos will continue to struggle even after the pandemic if the government continues to do the same strategy as before and not prioritize the lives of the people.

With the longest lockdown and the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia affecting various sectors such as the economy and public health, it is almost impossible for the country to recover from the devastation brought not only by the pandemic, but also by the government’s lack of effective plans.

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MARION VILOG

The Philippines’ response to COVID-19 has been reactive.

The administration was reluctant to implement travel bans and conduct mass testing –– key actions to prevent the further spread of the virus. This eventually led to a continuous increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The country’s healthcare system has been weak even before the pandemic –– reason why preemptive measures against the coronavirus spread needs to be established. Despite failing to contain the disease, however, the government still chose to adhere to a militaristic approach rather than strengthening health services and resources.

Deploying military personnel to enforce quarantine protocols did not help alleviate the impact of the pandemic; it only brought fear as threats of violence and abuse of power became more rampant.

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

The community lockdowns have forced the people to stay in their homes with the idea of suffering not because of the virus, but of poverty and hunger, as families lose their sources of income. But instead of releasing financial support, the administration insists on making them look like undisciplined citizens who are responsible for aggravating the health crisis.

The country will remain living in uncertainty unless the government provides concrete plans to address the pandemic and prevent the same situation from happening again, especially with the new variants of the coronavirus.

The Philippine government seems to be having an issue on what to prioritize in the duration of the lockdown.

The President gives updates on the government’s initiatives against the virus during wee hours of the morning, often using brash language, personal attacks on his critics, senseless red-baiting, and name-calling.

One instance was when he referred to the Red Cross as “mukhang pera” pera” just because the institution demanded the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to pay its debts to sustain COVID-19 testing.

Many critics also believe that the President’s State of the Nation Address was a complete miss on his chance to discuss the roadmap of recovery from the pandemic.

Instead of emphasizing the health crisis, he started off his speech by attacking Sen. Franklin Drilon and ABS-CBN. When local cases were recorded in the country, many people, including Sen. Risa Hontiveros, urged the government to do mass testing for those who needed it the most. The government dismissed this, only for the President to realize nine months later that testing is importing.

Another controversy was when Sen. Panfilo Lacson revealed that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III was not able to process the papers needed to acquire the Pfizer vaccine that could have been delivered to the country by January 2021.

These are instances when the government either became defensive about its own strategies or deaf on other people’s suggestions.

To add to those, authorities have imposed long lockdowns without preemptive measures, which had a big impact on people, especially on the economy.

During the first few months of the pandemic, many establishments were shut down, forcing thousands of businesses to close indefinitely. Several jeepney drivers went to the streets to ask for alms, as the country recorded a high unemployment rate, especially in April last year. Even though it gradually decreased, the number of underemployed and discouraged workers still remains high.

Failure to align the country’s action plan to the main problem makes it more difficult for the Filipinos to recover.

Even when the pandemic comes to a halt, many would still suffer because of the broken system that is continuously being ignored.

Because of the delayed actions and negligence of those in power, not only does the state of the country’s public health remain at stake, but also the future of all Filipinos.

And with the new variant of the coronavirus lurking around, the Philippine government can continue being reactionary as if the lessons given by COVID-19 last year can be easily left behind. If this inefficiency goes on, the country’s first scratch of 2021 might just as well be crumpled. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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I

Splendent

Food for Thought

PEACH ARIANNA MANOS

ISABELL ANDREA M. PINE

Undead

MISS the smell of fresh air, the busy streets, the street lights gradually fading as I’m inside the car listening to songs and thinking about life, and the feeling of actually being alive and thankful. I miss everything I took for granted back when the world was different—I miss being alive.

I am not dead. I am not a soul haunting everyone who has ever hurt me, not even a particle that is wandering the universe in search of answers. I am still here, watching helplessly how this virus robbed me of my life. In a year, I could have met new people, discovered wonderful views from places I have never gone to before, or just enjoyed more of the many good days that come to your life when you’re living the best one.

But the problem is, the fact that we still do not have a clear picture of when we are going back to normal makes me stray further away from the reality of life. My hopeful thoughts for when I am going to get my life back and enjoy the feeling of good days are now slowly fading away.

The fact that I can’t think of this pandemic as something that took all the fun in the world because it is so selfish infuriates me. A lot of people actually died, and miserable as I may be, I’m still thankful that I’m alive and well, and I’m still able to wait for better days.

As someone whose mind wanders at night, full of random thoughts and whatnot, I can’t stop thinking about what would happen in the future and if this lockdown really made a huge impact on me at all, or if I was just desperate for the fact that I did not waste my time watching anime and self-loathing all the time I isolated myself from everyone. I want to feel again. I want to giddy up, and be excited for a night-out, or cry because I’m too happy. I’ve lost it all now and I don’t know why.

Now, all I feel is the constant pressure from myself because I do not feel like being someone or something at all. I used to be motivated and inspired, eager to be someone better, but now I’m content to just wing it or be mediocre in all of the things I do.

I wish it’s just the pandemic. I wish this is all just because I’ve been alone for too long. Maybe I’ll feel it again—the urge to be alive and happy. F

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Perils of Academic Burnout

I

N ALL honesty, I knew this school year wouldn’t be easy from the start. With the pandemic forcing everyone to do distance learning, the online setup was something I needed to adjust to. It did not cease my anticipation of the first semester, though.

Since high school, the first semester of the school year has been my favorite. It’s like a new beginning, and I have always had a happy memory attached to it, even when there are moments of stress due to academic requirements.

I also usually have a sense of relief and serenity whenever a semester closes, most especially in the first semester since it sets my benchmark for the second.

Unfortunately, that same feeling did not emerge.

From Oct. 28 to Nov. 6 last year, Super Typhoon Rolly devastated the Philippines. Many schools and universities needed to suspend classes due to the damage it caused in many areas across the country, especially in the Bicol Region.

UST was among the universities that had long suspensions, as many teachers were forced to stop classes due to technical difficulties, both on their side and their students’.

At that time, my fear of requirements piling up began to grow. I did not think much of it though because I was used to the hectic workload the university brings whenever there were long class suspensions.

When we all thought the worst had passed us, Typhoon Ulysses arrived, and the damage it brought was even more catastrophic. This brought about a longer class suspension, as no one was in the right state of mind and well-being to resume classes, even though some areas have somewhat recovered.

With practically the whole month of November having no classes, my expectation was that the University would decide to extend the semester to at least January.

In my perspective, by not extending the semester, the quality of learning of the students will be compromised as the tight schedule would further impact the student’s mental health and the quality of work they will be submitting.

Add the mental and physical strain that the recent calamities have brought to both teachers and students, I doubted that anyone would be able to cope with the hectic deadlines.

But in the end, the original schedule for the semester proceeded as planned and another bout of hell weeks broke loose.

I can say with confidence and certainty that last semester was the worst case of academic burnout I have ever experienced.

I know, since I am still suffering from its aftermath.

Now, I could not bring myself to open my laptop to edit articles, and I avoided the internet like a plague. Even sleep could not soothe me, as I sometimes lie awake at night ruminating all the things that I could have done better.

My only hope for this second semester is that the university would put into consideration the circumstantial struggles that both teachers and students have faced and made them become more flexible to cater to it.

Adjusting schedules would not only ensure that students could learn and meet deadlines, but also spare them from the effects of mental exhaustion.

Overall, I’m not optimistic about the second semester, but I will try to be. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

I

Candidly Speaking

Envisage

MARIA CECILIA O. PAGDANGANAN

THERIZ LIZEL R. SILVANO

Here’s to the little things

HAVE always been a meticulous planner. In fact, my plans for 2020 included (hopefully) maintaining my grades, snagging a summer internship, and in the latter part of the year, applying for a semester to study abroad. My plans were laid out on my mind, like strategically stacked jenga blocks –– invulnerable to crumbling down.

So you can imagine the pain and frustration I felt when 2020 had not exactly gone according to plan. It was as if an unseen force took just one block out and toppled over my carefully constructed building. Just like that, everything came to a screeching halt.

I had grown accustomed to living my life on a constant fast forward, ticking off life events as if they were mere errands on a to-do list. For a while, I thought it made me work more efficiently. So when the pandemic halted all plans, I was unnerved and even unsettled with the notion of slowing down.

Almost a year of being under community quarantine, however, has taught me the beauty of slowing down. To simply sit still and try to find beauty in an admittedly ugly view. It has taught me that perhaps hitting the pause button was necessary for me to stop and appreciate the little joys of life –– pre-pandemic and mid-pandemic.

The pandemic has forced me to realize how much of my daily routine has been taken for granted. The long months of lockdown had me feeling nostalgic for the warmth I felt while greeting my dad with a hug and a kiss after his long day working in a hospital; the literal and metaphorical sugar rush of buying milk tea with my best friends; the high of loudly singing along to live music, without caring if I butchered the lyrics.

Things that once felt so natural were suddenly taken away, and I found myself longing for a simpler, more intimate time.

But apart from wishing for the old normal, I learned to appreciate the little things in life. Perhaps, it has been my coping mechanism with the literal hellscape that is living through a pandemic. Gratitude has become my go-to attitude, as it made me see the world with new lenses, to bring back color to a gray and desolate view.

Although it is easier for me to hold onto my sadness and frustration, I try to grasp onto whatever little joys I can find: from my mom’s piping hot home-cooked dinners, to the cheeky edits my friend made of me looking bored mid-online class, to the rare occasion that a professor would decrease the word count for a paper. I would hold these small moments close to my heart, using them as fuel to get through the daily grind and gruel of the new normal.

I am not going to lie –– it is much easier said than done. There are times I feel that we are only falling deeper and deeper into a dark hole, without hope of ever getting out of it.

So I hold onto my little joys, and I encourage you to do the same. Perhaps, they could give us the grit to not only hold on a little tighter, but also the motivation to climb ourselves out. F

Comfortable and Convenient

I

WILL write this with no struggle—without the use of a dictionary, and sugar coating the truth.

Whatever word that comes to mind will be used.

I aspire to live in a real and truthful environment where people can freely express themselves without judgment from society. Unfortunately, despite how much progress gender activists, feminists, and social advocates have made, we still cannot do that in this time and age.

In 2020, I realized that we all desire a comfortable and convenient life. But this is just a dream for the impoverished because the current administration does its very best to focus on unnecessary issues and not the crucial ones. This led me to believe that no one can achieve a comfortable and convenient life without being sympathetic and smart.

An example of this is the Duterte administration. We all know that President Duterte used sexist jokes during a typhoon briefing, made sure that one of the biggest media conglomerates in the country would be shut down, and prioritized a “militaristic” response to the pandemic.

Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas also discouraged the public from taking photos and videos of violent incidents, saying it could harm them. Senator Manny Pacquiao, a boxing icon, has also taken over the leadership of Duterte's political party.

To me, these are just examples of the impolitic performances of the administration.

We must know and reflect on why these “leaders” have such an impact on the way we want to live our lives. Remember that they are in charge of and responsible for the price hike of food and oil, unlawful killings by the police and military, graft and corruption in various government agencies, and, especially amid this pandemic, in keeping us safe from the coronavirus disease.

I had said earlier that if we want to live a comfortable and convenient life, we should be sympathetic and smart.

Our leaders never exemplified these qualities and if even if they did, I would still doubt it.

So I shall say that it is up to us if we want our country to change its harmful and oppressive system.

It is up to us to make choices, vote, act, and speak our truth. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

FLAME | 33

Dangerous Narratives

Purview

SIEGFRED ALDOUS D. LACERNA

KRISTINE ERIKA L. AGUSTIN

The Right Thomasian is Wrong

T

HERE IS nothing wrong if people identify themselves as part of the right wing, which goes the same for those who identify themselves as leftists. Something is not right, however, if one resorts to malicious insinuations, which are meant to character assassinate people—like red-baiting.

On Dec. 28 last year, Prof. Felipe Salvosa, the UST journalism program coordinator, turned to Twitter to defend himself against a blind item posted by the rightwing Facebook page called “The Right Thomasian,” as it claimed that a certain journalism professor allegedly introduced a communist recruiter to a former student who almost joined the armed rebellion.

Prof. Salvosa challenged the page administrators to show their evidence that he recruited for the armed rebellion. In response, The Right Thomasian simply said it could be anyone, insinuating that there is a possibility that they were making it up.

But the thing is, why would anyone post made-up blind items meant to red-bait people when our political atmosphere is reeking with paranoia toward leftists?

It is not just wrong, it is also utterly dangerous. The blind item wasn’t an isolated incident. In many instances, “The Right Thomasian” red-baited students who are part of progressive groups, and worst, several were namedropped.

Red-baiting people without any basis could be sinister for them, especially in these times when we often hear the chief executive associate communism with terrorism just because he said so. We see the military redbait celebrities, media personalities, and even legitimate party-lists of the Congress elected by the people.

If influential people are not spared from harassment of red-baiters, one can only imagine how it feels when ordinary Filipinos are loosely associated with the Reds.

Most importantly, red-baiting becomes more dangerous with the effectivity of draconian anti-terrorism law because it is widely believed to stifle dissent.

The Right Thomasian is wrong for senselessly redbaiting people every time it has an opportunity just because the ones behind it can hide in anonymity.

The Right Thomasian is wrong for thinking that it holds the ideals and principles of the University by tarnishing the reputation of students and professors over baseless claims.

The Right Thomasian is wrong for red-baiting people instead of sparking dialogue with those that are on the other side of the political spectrum.

At this point where it is so easy to red-bait people, I hope we all learn to denounce that kind of doing not just because we don’t want to be associated with political ideologies we do not really adhere to, but also because it does not do any good. It reduces people to dangerous stereotypes, it discourages dialogue, and most important, it incites violence toward others. F

FLAME | 34

A

Fear of Truth

NOTHER CHALLENGING phase came upon the media as the coronavirus outbreak hit the country.

Journalism is one of the many sectors that have been struggling due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other media outlets, mostly community papers, were forced to lay off workers and cease operations due to financial constraints despite their significant role amid this public health crisis.

While the people are in desperate need of information and updates as no one ever expected how devastating the pandemic would be, still, the authorities took this crisis as an opportunity to further restrict the press.

As a journalism student, I am aware of the state of the country’s press freedom and how it has been under attack for many years, especially during the current administration. I have never imagined, however, that government officials would focus on curtailing criticisms while everyone is suffering from the pandemic.

Instead of supporting the healthcare sector and helping revive the economy, the government prioritized shutting down the country’s biggest media network, ABS-CBN Corporation, leaving almost 11,000 Filipinos jobless amid the pandemic.

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act also includes a clause allowing to penalize individuals who spread false information during the pandemic, which alarmed many as it may suppress freedom of speech. A radio station in our province, Nueva Ecija, has been sued by its very own municipal mayor for violating the said law, over their report on the supposed "pending" status of the municipality's P25million coronavirus grant.

These incidents are just two of the many cases where government authorities chose to manifest their superiority and intimidate watchdogs and truth-bearers. How ironic it is that they act and decide so fast when it comes to silencing dissent, but take so much time in creating concrete plans to address other issues that need more urgency.

I decided to take the journalism program despite knowing that every day would be a challenge. Regardless of what others say, I always try to view things positively. As I read and hear about this kind of news, however, I start feeling afraid of what might happen if this culture continues.

But the fear within me is now beyond the profession itself or my future as an aspiring journalist. I am now more concerned with the people who would be deprived of the truth and the right to be informed, especially during emergencies and critical situations.

Journalists have been branded and insulted with so many names, but we cannot deny the vital role they play in the society, regardless of the platform. Indeed, journalism should fear nothing as long as it adheres to its social responsibility, and this must be why those in power are aching to discredit journalists— because they can hold them accountable. They are afraid to let people know about the truth.

I had a little hope that the administration would listen to these voices at the very least, but Filipinos have been betrayed once again. The public officials' actions show that they wanted to triumph over their critics—not the health crisis or other existing problems that the country is facing.

The constant intimidation and restriction of certain individuals make journalism a dangerous profession, but a country without journalism would be even more unsafe. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

I

Ocurrencia

The Thinking Corner

MARIA PAMELA S. REYES

FRANCES MARIE G. IGNALAGA

Thanatophobia

CANNOT exactly pinpoint the time in my life when I realized that one day, everyone around me will cease to exist. Much like my ancestors whom I do not know, I, too, someday will be buried in the ground. A fertilizer to the growing trees, lost and forgotten.

The idea of death, when I was younger, was mere fiction.

Back then, I had this feeling that I was invincible, and that my parents were invincible. To my past self, everyone that I held dear to me was going to live a long life.

Obviously, I was wrong.

No one has found the fountain of youth and well, Enrile still has not revealed his secrets. Whether we like it or not, we all know death is inevitable.

So, no matter how hard I try to stir my thoughts away from living with the knowledge that someday I would disappear, I cannot.

It began when I lost my paternal grandfather in 2019. It was a huge blow to the whole family since no one expected it. One day, he was just gone.

My nights after that became awry, sleeping became a chore. It was just my luck that I lived in Manila, hours away from my hometown. At least, I could get away from the feeling that death took my grandfather so swiftly and from the idea that anyone could be next.

But death came knocking once again, a year later.

In the middle of the pandemic, I held my maternal grandfather’s cold hand in mine. I can still remember my sister on the verge of crying, and my grandmother frantic, while my parents raced home. I knew I was going to experience it again.

This time, it was worse.

There were nights when I was deep into my slumber when my body would jolt awake. It would pull me into a suffocating abyss. It was unrelenting, I would hear my heartbeat drum against my ears, and I would be terrified, leaving me awake till sunrise.

Online classes barely kept me distracted. The incessant reminder that every ticking second is a second closer to my grave. I was scared that I would lose my life locked in my room. Leaving this world without an inch of legacy.

Maybe, real fear comes from the desire to be known for something you are passionate about. It could also be the fear that death is that visitor that comes unannounced. It takes everything and leaves nothing but bitter memories and tearful regrets.

I cannot guarantee that this fear has completely left my mind. There are nights when I wake up with cold sweat, terrified that it would be my last day. But there are also nights when I am glad I am still alive –– nights when I look forward to the next day, and the day after that.

Death is inherent, the mere thought of it — the unknown –– is enough to keep one’s mind awake till dusk.

Nevertheless, I push on. Although I still question the cycle of life and what comes after, I know I must go on. F

Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?

A

S A political science student, it frustrates me every time I open my phone to check the news. There is always some controversy that further reveals the incompetence of the current administration.

From the increasing number of cases, the constant reclassification of community quarantine, to the president’s statements and the vaccine controversies, there seems to be no visible end to this pandemic.

While the Philippines is approaching its first year into being under community quarantine, other countries have slowly been transitioning back to normal for quite some time and have even started rolling out vaccination.

Wearing masks and face shields and regular disinfection and other health protocols have become part of our daily lives ever since the lockdown started. Part of the establishments’ standard operating procedures are temperature checks, filling out contact tracing forms, and allowing only those with masks and face shields to enter premises.

Despite all these efforts, however, why are we still in a community lockdown, without a visible end to the pandemic?

Right from the start of this health crisis and even before that, the government’s response to COVID-19 has been nothing short of a disappointment. Because they have failed to properly act in the preliminary stages until now, they have done a disservice to their countrymen.

President Duterte has mentioned that he would call on the police and military to help ensure that health protocols are being observed. In addition, generals, who are not experts in public health, were placed in charge of the pandemic response.

The police and the military have been prominent figures in the government’s response to the pandemic. Their presence was immediately felt from the early days of the community quarantine, as they roamed the streets and made sure health protocols were being observed.

But they were also involved in several controversies, including being caught violating community quarantine protocols, like attending mass gatherings, and human rights abuses.

This type of approach to the pandemic, which uses brute force and military power, to solve a public health problem only exposes the government’s incompetence.

Using the military to solve a public health problem, such as a pandemic, is like using a fork, instead of a spoon to eat soup. In other words, the country would not be going through nearly a year of community quarantine had the government placed the right people in charge.

The rationale behind using military force is to instill discipline in the people and make sure that they strictly follow health protocols. As the military and police are seen carrying arms, they are meant to instill public fear.

The government needs to perform its responsibility for this pandemic with more urgency and to learn how to put more competent people in charge. If the current administration continues to show signs of incompetency, it might be long before we go back to the old “normal” and see the light of this long, dark tunnel. F @abtheflame | abtheflame.net

FLAME | 35

A typical scene infront of the Main Building (taken before the pandemic) Photo by MARLOU JOSEPH B. BON-AO

FACES

Two women fit clothes at a bazaar (taken before the pandemic) Photo by ANDREI JOSEPH DURAN

Angelika Suzette •••• Sullano •••• BEARER OF HOPE

by PATRICK V. MIGUEL

photo grabbed from FACEBOOK

icons by VITALY GORBACHEV

T

HIS PANDEMIC has restricted all students from stepping foot on campus. Now, everyone is at home as they take their classes in front of computer screens. Nevertheless, Angelika Suzette Sullano virtually enters college with a bright smile.

She may not have entered the Arch of the Centuries with her brand new AB uniform, but she has still established herself as a true Artlet: determined, socially aware, and altruistic.

An attestation to this is her launch of the Paglaum Benefit Drive that offers a hand to those in need.

Inspired by her social science classes in senior high school, Angelika decided to take up sociology in college. She wants to become a social analyst and an advocate for the marginalized. She plans to pursue this path to becoming a lawyer.

In an online interview, Angelika was asked what keeps her going in these trying times. With a firm voice, the first-year sociology major says, “‘Yung nangyayari sa paligid… 'yung mga problems na nag-a-arise, iyon yung [tumutulak sa ’kin] to do more and to do good.”

NATURAL LEADER Ever since she was still a child, Angelika was fond of helping people -- opening up the possibilities of helping others. Despite her young age, she readily lends a helping hand.

“I can help other people kung ano ang mayroon ako,” she says.

People have always perceived Angelika as a natural leader with a gogetter attitude. “[People trusted me], and doon ko nasimulang isipin ang sarili ko na isang leader. [...] Parang iyon 'yung nag-drive sa 'kin na tingnan 'yung ibang bagay na puwede ko pang gawin … iyon 'yung nakapagpalakas sa 'kin, [at] 'yon din yung nagbigay sa akin ng motivation to inspire other people,” she shares.

Without a doubt in student voters’ minds, Angelika was elected as

student body president in 10th grade, and from there, she was challenged to overcome obstacles as a leader.

“Since 'yung school ko, [Ramon Magsaysay High School (Cubao)], is public… [we did not] have [enough] resources… to sustain yung [mga] kailangan ng school [and ng students],” she notes.

Nevertheless, she was able to surpass those challenges. Looking back, Angelika shares: “From that experience, I learned how to engage myself with other people... Nasa sa 'yo na 'yan… kahit anong problema ang ibibigay sa 'yo, magagawan mo ng paraan.”

HELPING FOR A CAUSE Even before becoming a student body president, Angelika has opened donation drives.

Just recently, Fhelip dela Peña, a fellow student leader, reached out to send her devastating news. Finding out that the employees from their previous school were not being given salaries due to the pandemic, Angelika was alarmed.

From there, they gathered the student councils from different batches and they initiated a benefit drive. It was at that moment when the Paglaum Benefit Drive emerged, which would soon offer to help those in need.

At first, Paglaum Benefit Drive started small by hosting Mobile Legends Tournaments. As expected, struggles came with the job.

“Nahirapan… kami when it comes to spreading the word… [and] 'yung problema [pa] is how to find sponsors… na willing tumulong talaga,” Angelika says.

It did not take long until the benefit drive started reaching a wider range. More benefactors started reaching out, helping the rise of Paglaum Benefit Drive.

Among those that joined was Bicol University College of Medicine’s Bangon Oragon Benefit Drive.

“It was a success,” Angelika describes, as she takes pride in

helping many people in need.

Since then, not only did the benefit drive help the employees of Ramon Magsaysay High School (Cubao), but it also went on to help those affected by the recent typhoons.

In the end, Paglaum Benefit Drive lived up to its name: hope.

With a smile, Angelika reflects: “Iyon siguro 'yung accomplishment na pinaka-proud ako. Doon na nagbunga lahat ng efforts [at]... frustrations [namin]. [...] It really felt good na nakatulong kami… Pero naisip ko, hindi dapat doon titigil ang goals namin kasi [may] problems [pa] na kailangang tutukan. We still think that we can do more in the future.”

FOR FUTURE LEADERS D es pi t e her ach i e v e m e n ts, Angelika admits that she wants more in life. Refusing to settle on her achievements, Angelika wishes to climb higher mountains than the ones she had already ascended.

A force of nature she already is, Angelika wants to help and inspire more people.

“I want others to be inspired and be more motivated, [and] turn those problems into motivations,” she says.

“I want my fellow [Artlets] to know [that]... whatever struggles na mayroon tayo… we need to be strong. [Your] feelings are valid and it’s okay to rest. Sa pagiging leader, natutunan ko [that] it’s okay to… recharge yourself for incoming responsibilities,” she adds, without dismissing others’ struggles with too much positivity.

Rizal once said, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,” and Angelika embodies this most in times of crisis.

“As future leaders in our country, we have to mold ourselves na maging open sa mga critical issues sa society,” she says with full conviction.

Angelika smiles once again, knowing that she shows great promise to the society. F

R

SE

B A R R O G A

de fie s

nightfall

by MARY NICOLE MIRANDA photos grabbed from FACEBOOK

J

UST LIKE how safety protocols are strictly observed during the pandemic, so does the news. Media practitioners in the country act as essential workers and play a huge role in disseminating information and keeping the masses updated on the truth.

As the House denied broadcast giant ABS-CBN of its franchise renewal, it endangered the livelihoods of 11,000 employees, including Rose Barroga.

Despite this, she still tries to make the most out of everything and strives to continue her passion and purpose.

KAPAMILYA AT HEART Rose Barroga is a former writer and segment producer for ABS-CBN News Channel or ANC. During her college years at UST, where she grew accustomed to writing feature articles, broadcasting had been the challenge she decided to take on after graduation. Rose eventually grew to love and embrace her new working environment.

“I did it in the morning show, the daily grind adrenaline na takbo-takbo sa controller room, I did all of that, but personally 'yung heart ko nasa feature, so I enjoyed being a segment producer more, so I went out in the field. I have produced three segments, but my baby is the last one called ‘Think Possible’ where we feature changemakers. 'Yun talaga mamimiss ko, like going out in the field and meeting interesting people.

Everything I know about broadcasting, I learned first-hand in ANC. In that way, [I really owe everything to ANC],” Rose shares as she reminisces about her stepping stones in the news channel.

ABS-CBN and ANC had been her home for three years. The sudden shutdown was one of the hardest things Rose needed to adjust to. Seeing her workmates and people grieve over what happened while witnessing the public outrage on social media, Rose admits that she needed time to manage her emotions.

“For some reasons, mas ginanahan akong gawin 'yung job ko kasi nga nawala ang ABS-CBN and we stayed. Even if we felt guilty about it, I felt more appreciative of where I am na, ‘Wow this is a privilege na I still get to do reporting...,’” she says.

Regardless of what happened, she realizes how she is still fortunate enough to continuously work in the network despite the lay-offs and job uncertainties. Rose may have faced lots of adjustment and changes throughout 2020, but there is one thing that will never change within her: her passion to tell stories.

PROJECT NIGHTFALL When the news about the franchise denial was still hot off the press, Rose shares

that to help all the employees who might lose their jobs soon, they had a Facebook group that posts various job openings.

This was also where she found her current work under Project Nightfall, which produces entertaining, informative, and inspiring videos about current events around the world.

Rose applied because of her love for feature writing. Luckily, she was accepted and is now working there as a scriptwriter.

“Ang content namin medyo malawak.

So I think that’s the very difference that when something big happens if I am still in the newsroom, I would cover it as it is. But with Project Nightfall, we can speak about it, we can be more open and say how we feel about it, and call on the government. We can be more direct and mas may punch ('yung writing),” she says as she describes her work in the company.

Craving a platform where she can speak out and be more vocal, she knows she is suited for the job. She knows that through writing stories for Project Nightfall, she can make an impact on the world.

INSPIRED TO INSPIRE Being a journalist, Rose reminds herself every time of her profession's purpose.

As a storyteller, she gained life lessons while making her documentaries that she still treasures until now. Especially in today’s challenging times, she remains inspired and positive about things.

“Mahilig kasi ako sa TED Talks, so lahat about self-help parang na-consume ko na kapag may challenge, excited ako na i-apply ‘yung mga natutunan ko. Medyo resilient naman ako although... [m]ay anxiety. Hindi naman nawala ‘yun for everyone,” she says.

The year 2020 was a remarkable yet restless year for all. In Rose’s case, the shutdown of her home network may have brought her confusion and unpredictable results, but even that did not stop her from continuing what she loves doing.

To encourage everyone dealing with the pandemic, she advises, “Continue to set goals for yourself and look at things you can control.” F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

FLAME | 41

Faces behind screens • • • •

by EDUELLE JAN T. MACABABBAD and ERNEST MARTIN TUAZON

G

ABRIELE ANNE Nicolas was walking with sheer nervousness. What would her life be like at a university with a population as big as a small municipality? Shocked by the student population, she was pleasantly surprised by the courteousness and supportiveness of her classmates.

That was back in 2018.

Two years after entering UST for senior high school, Gabriele is sailing through uncharted waters again. This time, however, despite having already adapted to the University’s culture, she has yet to fully adjust to online learning.

“I did find it hard,” she says. “I think the main problem with this arrangement is that it is not applicable to everyone.”

Gabriele is not alone in struggling with online classes. Students nationwide have been forced to adjust to blended learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, unstable internet connection, and poverty.

The Flame reached out to four freshmen who shared their stories of struggles and hope during these trying times. One would say that their stories are banal and repetitive, but each has his or her reason why he or she continues to study and persevere, despite the hurdles.

icons from BELCRIS, KIRANSHASTRY

The country, however, is under extraordinary circumstances, and certain health protocols prohibit students from exchanging pleasantries and fostering friendships physically.

This is the reason why some student councils and class officers initiated to meet their peers via video sharing platforms before the opening of academic year 2020-2021 on Aug. 17 last year.

“Ang nangyari sa classes namin, before pa nag-start ang klase, may group chat na ng entire course,” Patricia Fatima Pilares, a behavioral science freshman, tells The Flame. “With that, we built a circle of friends, kahit na ’di ko kaklase. Of course, when I met my classmates [for the first time], it was sort of awkward.”

It is challenging for some to interact online, given that students have different personalities, traits, and backgrounds. Patricia, who came from an all-girls high school, said that the current setup made it trickier to socialize with new people, especially now that she’s trying to engage with male blockmates. She shares the same sentiments with Lance Amiel Ng, a philosophy freshman, who came from an all-boys high school, although the latter said that the BUILDING VIRTUAL FRIENDSHIPS situation is relatively “manageable.”

Under normal circumstances, students shake hands, chit“Hindi naman malaking issue ang mag-adapt [with girl chat, and laugh at each other over jokes and anecdotes. Building blockmates]. You just don’t know how to interact online, for me. new friendships with strangers is not that difficult.

Pero, manageable pa naman,” Lance says.

OF STRUGGLES

AND HOPE v

COPING WITH HARSH REALITIES The harsh realities of online classes could not be any clearer.

“Starting this school year virtually hasn’t been kind to anyone,” UST-SHS graduate and journalism freshman Zofia Tadeo says.

Intermittent internet connection. Mentally draining classes.

Altered study habits. Personal pressure. These are just a few of the hardships that these four freshmen are experiencing. No matter how much they try to embrace online classes wholeheartedly, they just cannot.

“Kunwari, ’pag nag-aaral ka para sa quiz, mahirap siyang i-absorb,” Patricia says. “It’s very heavy emotionally, that this is our setup now.”

During the second half of the first semester, parts of the country were devastated by consecutive typhoons: Quinta, Rolly, Siony, and Ulysses. UST suspended both synchronous and asynchronous classes for most of the month of November due to the aftermath of Ulysses. This only further compressed an already tight academic schedule.

Lance says that while he learned quite substantially during the first half of the semester, the turn of events in the second half muddled the phasing of lessons. “‘Nung first half, there’s enough allotted time to do tasks. Pero ngayon, nagkaroon ng some obstructions along the way, some students na until now 'di pa naco-contact. Mahirap lang this half dahil biglaan ‘yung lessons ngayon at maghahabol for the finals,” he adds.

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM For Gabriele, Patricia and Zofia, coming back to the campus for face-to-face classes – should the government permit it next academic year – is a hard sell, because of the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

“I prefer face-to-face classes, but I do not think it is best to go back to school with these many COVID cases. There needs to be a vaccine that's accessible to everyone before I will ever feel that it is safe enough to go back to school,” Gabriele says.

Among the interviewed freshmen, Lance is the only one who says he was willing to go to school if physical classes are permitted.

He says he truly misses the aura of a classroom, which is conducive for studying and learning. “So far, magastos talaga ang online classes kahit sabihin natin na convenient. ’Di lahat kayang gumastos tulad ng sa atin right now. Assumption lang ’yun, pero mahirap sabihin na OK siya,” he says. “'Yung learning na nakukuha ko, mas effective ’pag nasa university.”

Regardless of their status, the only thing that they desire right now is to return to normalcy.

“I look forward to seeing my friends and being able to go back to my life before COVID-19,” Zofia says.

As they wait for the dust to settle, however, Gabriele reminds her fellow freshmen to stay motivated amid the recent challenges.

“Remember why you are studying and for whom.

Let your goals motivate you,” she says. F

Leave

A child paints on glass Photo by RAINIEL ANGELYN FIGUEROA

CULTURE

A parked jeepney Photo by ANDREI JOSEPH DURAN

Keeping at-home anthems alive

by SAMANTHA ARGONZA

photos from SPOTIFY

W

HEN LIFE shuffles through the crazy, the troubling, and the calm, music is always present. Its constant presence not only acts as a safety net for listeners who are going through tough times, but it also allows them to reflect on their own experiences.

Like a companion, music reminds us that no one is alone in our woes and burdens.

This is most evident during the uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic as it has led people to redefine the echoing role of music. Amid isolation, music has become a companion, a home, and a voyage. It also connects with Artlets beyond distance, context, and time.

Indeed, music plays without boundaries as it relates to various sides of lives and purposes as if it is predestined.

Artlets from several majors and from music organizations louden their 2020 playlists as a process of recovery throughout the pandemic that braved their inner beings, experiences, and pursuits. As a momentary escape route to cure cabin fever, a few Artlets expressed their process of healing and being.

The Flame had a short virtual talk with MusiCASA head Leo Masa, AB Chorale’s assistant conductor Agee Mendoza, sociology student Jean Irvin Mojica, legal management student Kathleen Dumlao, and Asian studies major Lyssandra Jayne Mendoza, as they reveal music’s powers and its role in keeping them company while in quarantine.

Here are some songs that they listened to while in quarantine: If you need a variety of tempo and tones, as suggested by L. Mendoza, listen to the Get In The Zone album by SB19.

“It has inspirational songs like Go Up that talks about reaching your dreams... The songs have different stories to it,” she said. She also mentioned Ikako, a song dedicated to frontliners. It also sends out a message of hope to its listeners.

L. Mendoza also recommended the Lovesound album

by Jason Dhakal, which incorporates the central bass sound. The album playfully utilizes various instruments and experimental harmonies, which evoke a relaxed and feel-good vibe among listeners.

Maybe by Jensen Gomez and Reese Lansangan, which are Dumlao’s playlist recommendations, lets you ride the pain through the guitar strums and their gentle vocal balance.

“It made me switch gears and stop overthinking and having so many worries in life,” Dumlao said.

She also included Rivermaya’s You’ll Be Safe Here in the list. The song at first has moderate sounds of instruments until a violin is highlighted then it fades out.

The instruments slowly return as they add flavor to the whole song with warm tones.

If you prefer funky rhythm, All I Need by Jacob Collier with Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign has a fun slow dance beat with moving notes. Masa's song recommendation presents a skillful arrangement of modulations. The chord tones are highly fused in the composition, which escalates excitement among listeners.

Masa also suggested Joe Hisaishi’s Studio Ghibli Experience, for long, arduous study sessions. It is filled with orchestral compositions that stir a sense of tranquility, perfect to listen to while you feed your mind.

If you need a drive toward the acknowledgment you commit to yourself, the album LIMASAWA STREET

by Ben&Ben is there to fulfill that. Tagged by Mojica, it buckles you up with the dynamics of its sound and the richness of its musical arrangements.

“LIMASAWA STREET by Ben&Ben is my go-to album whenever I need to vent out or be assured as a person,” Mojica said.

He also enumerated Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi. It embodies deep emotions and strong will as it is balanced with the soft accompaniment of a piano.

Another recommendation is Nararahuyo by Matthaios and Dudut, which evokes a sweet and calming mood. The song carries the theme of deep admiration through its subtle melody.

When music enthusiasts desperately need an optimistic outlook on life, A. Mendoza salutes Heavy by Birdtalker.

It welcomes listeners with booming drums, quickly followed by a calming acoustic guitar and a serenading melody in duet.

Completing the record, A. Mendoza also favored Tahanan by Munimuni. It integrates crisp guitar plucking with an array of booming instruments throughout the song. It gives a powerful atmosphere through its gradual increase in volume.

“Heavy is like this cool aunt or uncle who’s really good at giving advice and is one who will take you by the hand to guide you through all the scary moments of your life. Meanwhile, Tahanan is like your best friend or parent who magically appears behind your back whenever you are in tears,” A. Mendoza said.

Besides music being the emergency exit from the overpowering and draining endeavors and routines, it also leads people toward an open horizon. It also unearths the realities of human emotions and true identities.

As A. Mendoza recounted: “Fortunately, music serves as a lighthouse whenever we are lost in the vastness of the ocean during the darkest hours. It enables us to find our way back to safe shores and escape the devouring waters.” F

Google Arts & Culture A world undiscovered words and screenshots by CHRISTINE JANINE T. CORTEZ

F

ROM A touch away, Google Arts and Culture is an online platform and mobile application customdesigned to allow worldwide users unlimited and free access to art, culture, and historical collections.

Name any artwork, artist, museum, historical artifact and they have them all. But unlike in-demand social media sites such as Instagram and Pinterest where one can just scroll aimlessly through a myriad of photos, Google Arts and Culture offers its users an actual interactive experience that a lot of people would not want to miss out on.

Although the site offers a vibrant art spectrum, Google Arts and Culture has not been getting the traction it deserves due to a lack of advertising.

If that is the case, this may be the right time to make noise about it. After all, Google Arts and Culture is a nonprofit initiative that uses arts to break down borders and brings together a community of art enthusiasts in all parts of the world.

In just one click, users can travel to places, explore a virtual gallery, turn pictures into artworks, get to meet a giant Pangolin in augmented reality, knows what it's like to be Van Gogh, complete a visual crossword, discover over 3,000 species in 360 degrees, and that doesn't even cover the half of everything.

The application includes five distinct features with special functions tailored to match the various needs of its users. By logging into your Google account, you can personalize the site and even turn anyone into digital art collectors.

MUSEUM TOUR If Google has made it possible to navigate streets and cities around the globe easily via its highly conventional 3D maps, it comes as no surprise when it upped its game by giving users a free pass inside the most renowned museums in history. Not only is it cheap and practical, but it has also paved the way for physically challenged people to personally experience for themselves how it feels to be surrounded by art.

POCKET GALLERY From the color palette that displays about 10,000 available colors, users are allowed to choose one that will instantly show a collection of artworks that uses the chosen color. The plethora of virtual spaces is all a tap away. One can walk through online exhibitions, learn about artworks, get to know the lives of legendary artists, watch optical illusions, or view tutorial videos related to art. Next to its seamless efforts to make anyone closer to art, the learnings anyone can get from it are endless.

SELFIES TRANSFORMED By allowing the application access to a mobile camera, users can turn themselves into artworks through Art Transfer. Once a picture is taken, they can modify it through whichever painting style among the range of famous painters’s distinct styles available.

DECODING MYSTERIES In case anyone ever aspired to become a living Sherlock Holmes or is just intrigued to decipher signs and symbols hidden on artworks, Google Arts & Culture is filled with an assortment of super-high-resolution Art Camera reproduction of history's most mysterious artworks. Using just a computer or a phone, its zooming feature lets users view even the tiniest detail of an artwork.

EXHIBITION CURATOR This feature is a dream come true for aspiring art curators. With the help of Art Projector, users may hang as many artworks whenever and wherever they are. To experience this augmented reality, simply point the camera to a flat surface, and voila! Users may have a chance to view the paintings as if they are there or better yet, take a picture with the actual painting.

With a good deal of activities to engage in, Google Arts and Culture introduces everyone to a new and limitless perspective on artworks from around the globe. While it offers wide opportunities and lots of room for creativity, a time spent wandering the application can easily educate anyone on the world of art.

Not only does it prove the natural ability of arts to go beyond boundaries, it has also created custom-built art for digital museums, and an exclusive space for the harmony of culture and history with a rapidly changing modern environment. So much has yet to be seen, and this is a prime place to start. F

Chill's HOME-BAKED

GOODIES A bundle of assorted delights words and photos by JOHN PATRICK A. MAGNO RANARA

A

MOTHER can bestow many gifts, values, and life lessons to her bundles of joy. For some, it is her unconditional love and support even in times of confusion; for others, it is her guiding wisdom as one traverses through the complex labyrinth called life.

But for Brianne Leigh Cabalonga, it is the inspiration to start her own business.

Chill’s Home-Baked Goodies is a fresh bakery that bloomed in Cainta, Rizal in May last year and specializes in cheesecakes, revel bars, brownies, and cakes.

Both the owner and cook, Cabalonga uses the skills that she learned from her mother to run her own bakery.

“A few years ago, my mom started a small bakeshop. My sister and I used to help her in the kitchen after our class.

When my mom needed to go back to work, we eventually stopped with the business. With that experience in hand, I have decided to put up an online business this year," Cabalonga said in an online interview.

The highlight of their wide array of confections is their baked cheesecakes, which are more than enough to tempt one’s sweet tooth into craving more. Cabalonga, however, offers not just one, but nine different flavors in a single box.

Aiming to satisfy their customers’ sweet tooth cravings, the young baker said that they use only the highest-quality ingredients, such as imported cream cheese to heighten the flavor of their colorful menu.

CLASSIC BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE Perhaps, the best one out of the whole bunch, this sweet dessert is composed of classic cheesecake batter, topped with luscious blueberry compote, and is grounded on a thin layer of crushed graham. So soft and delectably chewy, one may feel like biting into melted blueberries as the subtle tanginess of the cream cheese delights the tongue.

The cold texture of the batter washes one with a gratifying sensation as it leaves traces of the blueberry flavor lingering around the walls of one’s mouth.

OREO CHEESECAKE An all-time favorite, this cookie-covered treat will perhaps never die out from sweet addicts' dessert menu. Topped with crushed Oreos, the creamy texture of the cheesecake leaves behind a sweetly sour taste and is enhanced by the thin layer of Oreo crumbs. This sweet course proves that a balance of softness and crunchiness is truly a gastronomical delight.

Dessert enthusiasts will find that this cookie-sprinkled course is a flavor that may be common, but will never go out of style.

BIBINGKA CHEESECAKE Though cheesecakes are popular desserts that originated from as far as ancient Greece, there is no reason not to incorporate the ever unique and fascinating charm of Filipino culture into the mix. That is exactly what Cabalonga achieved in this special treat.

With this little delight, one may relish in the familiar taste of bibingka.

The cheesecake is composed of classic cheesecake batter with salted egg, topped with grated cheese, and desiccated coconut flakes. The sweet, nutty taste of the coconut flakes is instantly felt in the first bite, mixing well with the sour thickness of the cake.

This Filipino-inspired treat will surely have a special place in the hearts of dessert lovers, especially during the holidays.

CLASSIC STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE Much like its blueberry companion, this gorgeously red dessert is made with thick strawberry syrup lathered over a classic cheesecake base. As one bites into the cheesecake, the fresh strawberry compote softens even more between the teeth. This delightful touch serves as the cherry on top that completes this sugary treat.

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE This crimson confection takes the highest tier in the sourness rank. A single bite into the buttery chocolate surface, along with the kicking zest of the Greek yogurt, will fill one's mouth.

Although the more mellow sweetness of the crumbled chocolate sprinkled on top slightly balances the flavor, one may still be taken aback by the sour punch that the cheesecake brings.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic still raging and trampling on many businesses, it has not stopped Cabalonga from continuing her love for baking. This is because her family and friends have all played a big part in helping her venture flourish.

“We are fortunate enough to have friends and family who supported us despite the pandemic.

They would always order from us and give it to their friends or colleagues as a gift. Our friends and family had helped us promote our business amid the pandemic,” she said.

Because of the pandemic, however, many minds have taken time to ignite their passions, reach for their dreams, or in Cabalonga's case, follow in her mother’s confectionery footsteps. F

and

P O P Kby words

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photo

ERIE EVENTS fuel artistic movements.

From a fashion and psychedelic art, which also rejected the conventional society, the flower power in the 1960s turned into a "hippie" style and projects a movement.

Likewise, with the harsh impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean pop, or more commonly known as K-pop, is what Artlets can lean on as they cope with the stress of online learning. Besides, it has also helped them cultivate their craft while in isolation.

The pandemic may have canceled physical concerts and events, but that

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did not stop them from using social media platforms to connect with fans and release new songs. Multiple dance practice videos have also been posted on social media platforms, together with upbeat music that helped in motivating dancers.

Journalism junior Ariel Jack Tejado II, who updates his Instagram story with K-pop dance covers, says that it has helped him cope with his daily physical stress.

"Working in the library as a scholar requires us to wake up early and to come to work on time. So sometimes, papasok ka na lang kahit sobrang inaantok ka pa. We may not be able to play loud music in the library, but I entertain myself by dancing my tardiness away," Tejado, who is a

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scholar, shares.

"Music can cross a person's soul, and no language barrier can hinder the talent that a person or a group [has],” he adds, pushing away the notion that listening to Korean songs means not understanding anything at all.

Art, according to Tejado, is not just a sensory representation, but also an expression; it should be felt for it to be understood.

He says that he has also been trying to cultivate his rapping skills, trying songlines of Soyeon, the main rapper of G-idle, who came back with their song "DumdiDumdi" with a summer theme.

This comeback moved away from their heavy concepts.

The journalism major also attempts to reach the pitch level of Jihyo, the main vocalist of the girl group Twice, who released "I Can't Stop Me" on Oct. 26 last year.

Meanwhile, Joshua dela Cruz, a member of UST Ronins, usually destresses and connects with his family members by grooving to K-pop.

Dela Cruz and his siblings usually dance to Blackpink, who wore their broken hearts on their sleeves in their latest comeback, “Lovesick Girls.” They also enjoy JYP Entertainment's latest girl group ITZY, who released their new song "Not Shy" on Aug. 17 last year.

They are also entertained

by Twice's m u s i c , w h i c h debuted u n d e r the same

company as that of ITZY. Dela Cruz harks back to the stereotype that listening to K-pop is synonymous with being feminine.

"I remember K-pop not receiving this kind of hype before. I wasn’t a big fan of their music back when I was in high school because there was this stereotype that listening to Korean boybands or K-pop is perceived as gay and not really for the typical man.

I think it’s great how times have changed, where it is normal now for a cisgender man to listen to TWICE, Blackpink, or ITZY and be vocal about them being a fan [...] [F]or me, that helps in accepting the complexity of gender expression,” he says.

K-pop has not only helped students fall more in love with their craft, but also blurs stressors. Journalism junior Jade Veronique Yap, a veteran fan, shares that K-pop has helped her cope with stress.

"Stress reliever ko siya. Sobrang stressful sa bahay at sa school, and ang only escape ko sa mga stressors ko ay K-pop music,” Yap says.

She also has met a community with the same affection for the music, saying, "I have a Twitter stan account for three years; at first, I made it para mag-release lang ng feels about K-pop na nahihiya ako gawin sa personal account ko. [...] Nakakatuwa kasi I’ve met people I share same interests with and

eventually naging friends ko sila.”

Annyeong Tomasino (AT) Director for Logistics Aira Olivar says that she found a new Thomasian community because of their shared love for K-pop.

"I've been a part of Annyeong Tomasino since I was a freshie, and in a way, it helped me have a sense of belongingness.

Liking Korean pop is something that is only gaining trajectory nowadays, but for some of us in the organization, it has already influenced our lives way before it became popular in the Philippines... To me, AT appears as a safe space to express how much I love K-pop," Olivar shares.

Having a community that continually seeks and waits for new music and enjoys it together is a breather for Olivar.

Art is essential, unlike how it is typically generalized. It fuels great minds and pushes people to go on living. It also encapsulates the beauty that our minds could produce. Fans have used their love for the genre as a creative outlet as well as a source of destressing.

K-pop has shimmied its way on a clean slate and painted its encouragement on the growth of a newfound craft, a sound mind, and a universal community. It is not only a place for trends and artistry, but also a way to voice cultural individuality and get through life’s challenges despite being in isolation. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

FLAME | 53

Choco Butternut Loaf The loaf of your life words and photos by THERIZ LIZEL R. SILVANO

C

HOCOLATE C H I P cookies, nutty brownies, and soft cupcakes with towering frostings are just some of the regular sweet delicacies Filipinos love to bake and eat. Of course, the traditional kakanin such as puto, sapin-sapin, and bibingka will always have a special place in Filipinos’ hearts.

These Filipino specialties opened doors for food and dessert enthusiasts to not only discover a variety of local ingredients, but also learn the country’s culture and history.

FLAME | 54

But as society changes, diverse cultures and interests overshadow the fine taste and heritage of Filipino gastronomy. Modernizing traditional dishes has since become the new standard in the cooking industry.

Realizing this may bring a despairing impression to many, but they may not notice that there is that Filipino touch in every meal they eat.

This is how one of the online food businesses in the metro have transformed a familiar donut flavor that Filipinos love – the choco butternut.

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

Philippine donut shops have been selling this beloved flavor for years.

It has left a mark in young Filipino’s childhoods, associating it with their sweet and satisfying cravings.

An online dessert shop in Marikina, however, has given an exciting new twist to choco butternut: turning it into a loaf.

At Your Own Whisk has a wide array of loaves with various flavors, ranging from matcha, lemon, carrot, dark chocolate, banana, apple cinnamon, and of course, its bestselling choco butternut.

Covered with a thick coat of striking orange butternut, the bestseller loaf is surprisingly large, but choco butternut lovers may consume it in less than half an hour.

The choco butternut loaf is more than a sweet satisfaction, as it turns a common donut flavor into something more than just a munchkin. Its soft and chocolatey loaf delivers a subtly sweet flavor that both children and adults will love.

It seems impossible, but for those who loathe chocolate for its predictable taste, At Your Own Whisk also offers another loaf that will turn even the harshest critics into dessert fanatics.

Similar to its choco butternut loaf, At Your Own Whisk’s lemon loaf is also a must-try. Its lemon glaze leaves behind a smooth, shiny coating that one will promptly notice once he/she opens the box.

The zesty and sour taste will leave one’s palate delighted long after taking the last bite of this delicious lemon loaf.

Ron Zarate, the son of the owner of At Your Own Whisk, shares how he and his sister decided to turn choco butternut munchkins into loaves.

"We turned it into a loaf kasi for me, as an avid fan of choco butternut, bitin for me 'yung donut-size so [we made it into loaves] para at least, you can enjoy it not only by yourself, but you can

also share it with your loved ones," Ron writes in an online interview.

For the sweet-toothed, a small piece of a simple dessert can never be enough.

In that regard, the siblings were bold enough to recreate choco butternut donuts into loaves.

Ron did not expect that their business would be a hit for customers when they started in July last year.

"We didn't expect that many people will buy our loaves [...] since we are still trying to decide how this thing will go, and luckily, there was a time [...] when we reached the maximum [number of] orders.

At present, there are still other people who want to try and check out our special homemade loaves," he shares.

Asked about the distinctiveness of their business from others, Ron says t h a t

their desserts are “budget-friendly.”

"We knew that there are a lot of online shops that sell a variety of choco butternut, but I think what differs us from them is that we are selling it at a good price. [It is] budget-friendly, since we want everyone to try a piece of our choco butternut loaf," he beams with pride.

As of writing, At Your Own Whisk’s choco butternut loaf costs P220, while the lemon loaf costs P230. Other flavors are listed on the dessert shop’s menu posted on its social media pages.

Loaves do not seem to interest Filipinos for their great size, but At Your Own Whisk proves how loaves can be more delightful than bite-sized goods.

Even so, everyone has his/her own dessert preferences, but simply trying various pastries and flavors will not hurt anyone. Everyone has favorite desserts, and, for some, a loaf from At Your Own Whisk may just be the loaf of their lives.

At Your Own Whisk is based in Marikina City. Visit its Facebook page (At Your Own Whisk) and Instagram page (@atyourownwhisk). F

A close up of a leaf after the rain (2) Photo by FRANCES MARIE IGNALAGA

LETTERS

Silhouettes of two Lego figurines Photo by ELIJAH JOHN ENCINAS

Pagpikit, mabibigyang-buhay ang imahe ng mapanglaw na silid.

Sumasayaw ang kurtina, iimbita sa sinag ng araw, dadapo sa makikitid na kama, hahaplos sa munting mga mukha— uhaw pa rin sa liwanag.

Tatahak ang alimusom mula sa abalang kusina.

Sasakupin ang silid, halimuyak ng bawat putahe, hanap-hanap ng kumakalam na mga tiyan, maskara ng nakasanayang sangsang— umaalingasaw mula sa mga gawi.

Subalit matabang nang ihain liban sa nangibabaw na pait.

Katiting na lasa sa hapag, ngunit hindi sa naging buhay, siguradong hindi sa dinanas noon, lalong hindi sa pait ng bahay-ampunan— bahay na walang buhay.

Tutunog pa ang hudyat: banayad na padyak sa sahig.

Sunod, malumanay na tinig, maririnig ang himig na naglilihim, tinatago ang sindak na patalim, asintado ang matatalas na salita— tagos sa isip.

Tahanan isinulat ni FATIMA B. BADURIA dibuho ni TCHEKY NICOLE CABRERA

Manunumbalik ang mga kamay na walang kalinga, walang awa.

Mabigat kung bumagsak, hampas na hatol sa walang-malay, hagupit na tumutulak sa mga luha, hapdi na gumagapang sa puso— lingid sa mata ang sugat.

Bawat pagpikit ay paglalakbay ng noon patungo sa ngayon, nagmumultong mga sandali na tumatahak sa isip hanggang makarating sa pakiramdam, magpapanggap na makatotohanan, maglalarong tila kasalukuyan, ngunit patay na! Hindi mabubuhay, Hindi makababalik.

Makadidilat na muli, Bubungad ang liwanag na bumabalot sa tahanan, maging sa mga mukha.

Maaamoy ang luto ni inay, nagtatawag at pagdampi sa dila, matamis at katulad ng kanyang tinig, malambing at maalaga sa bawat haplos— dito sa tahanan. F

To the Insomaniac words by ABIGAIL ADRIATICO art by ELLA MARIE MERCADO

Everything feels cold, you say.

As if the dreary night has snuffed the warmth of the world While you lie awake, restless, and unable to sleep.

How many hours have you spent stuck within the confines of this prison you built, Bequeathing the present as you wallow in gloom, Hoping and praying for that peaceful break, A sequential reward that you never allowed yourself to take, All because of the past that clutches you, A past that you can never bear to let go.

A yesterday that you refuse to leave behind, A time long gone that holds your severed state of mind, A reality that no longer exists but persists to keep you within its grasps, Enveloping you in this sad state of being, not wanting to let you leave.

I know you can feel it beckoning you to stay, as your heart grows heavier With every second, with every minute, with every hour of every day.

Surely, you must be tired.

Tell me, when was the last time you submitted yourself to the warm clutches of sleep, Immersed in dreams you will not remember, At peace with the silence of your intrepid soul, Without having to feel direly unwhole?

It has been long, has it not?

I can imagine this cage you built for your mind; Bitterness and regret keeping you inside.

Your thoughts only revolve on the events of that day, The picturesque morning of a dreadful past.

A barrage of possibilities fills you To the brim as you continue to think of choices, Choices that might have made the difference.

Choices that must have meant life over death.

At least, that’s what you think.

In the end, these were the choices you never made.

But if what you chose truly was different, What would have changed?

No one has the answer.

Not you. Not me.

Not even those distressing thoughts of yours you desperately believe.

For how long would you subject yourself to this torture?

How much more would you let these woeful memories, Filled with the fruits of bitter musings, Hold you back from a promising future?

There is no use for heeding the whispers that beckon you, Urging you to chase for something lost in the void of time.

There never was.

There never will be.

As you shed tears for the past that can never return, I can only hope you will see That despite the pain that has crept into your heart, The pain as cold as the night, There is still something left in this world to look forward to.

Look out of your window for the radiant sun is here again, With its majestic glow and seraphic warmth Slowly emerging from the horizon, Sending away the frigid night as it brings with it a new day, A new beginning.

I hope this time you finally rise with it, too. F

I

do not want to belittle the benefits of my house. A roof is still provided above my head, there is clean water to drink, and food on the table. It is just not an exemplary hotspot for learning.

Floorboards creak and mice skitter through the crevices on the walls. To study at home is to become compliant with discord. Libraries took troubled students inside their walls like refugees. I could have opted for that, but they were scarce. Coffee shops were abundant, so I studied there instead.

I majored in accounting at the start of university. Not because I was good at it, more so that money was getting harder to come by. To be an accountant means generating huge sums of wealth in the future — or at least, in theory.

However, my grades suffered, and studying in coffee shops alone could only go so far. Desperately, I asked my friends for help.

Rovi, Kristine, and Andriene agreed to tutor me at Starbucks Dapitan. Fritz lived near me, so she synchronized her study sessions with mine at a coffee shop along Roxas Boulevard. Next to them, who cheekchewed their calculators and solved quicker than they breathed, I was miniscule.

My friends were amazing, yet I was nothing like them. Their dedication to the discipline surprised me — they were among the few who took accounting because they earnestly enjoyed it.

Meanwhile, I was going through all this trouble for the money. The longer I witnessed their enthusiasm, the more I felt a dreaded course through me. I was an imposter.

Passing all subjects during my first year was a hollow victory.

My friends beamed and took me in their arms in my times of struggle. Still, I knew that they would not always be there to assist. After all, they were humans first before being accounting students. I shared their smiles through gritted teeth knowing that, at some point, I had to stop asking for their help.

More of accounting's dread came in sophomore year and tested my limits. I strived to prove that I could win this battle on my own — this time without friends who were in the same field. In every possible opportunity, I invited either Phil or Licca, an information technology major and a literature student, respectively. However, I could not focus on their presence.

I was not used to seeing fervor overflow out of people who passionately breathed in every bit of what they studied. IT was almost as demanding as accounting, but Phil smiled while coding. Literature was a program I have always wanted, but I could never imagine what job I would land on after graduating.

This did not bother Licca, with her book reports and her coffeestained poems. She and Phil loved what they studied, and the more I watched them, the more my chest ached.

Before the semester ended, I invited Cristina to a study date. She was a behavioral science student whom I met in

e c e I c I n OOn p i p i h h W NNoo W words by TAFFY ARELLA BERNALES and JUSTIN ANDREW CRUZANA art by TCHEKY NICOLE CABRERA

accounting before she shifted. Back then, she fainted inside an LRT because she stopped sleeping and relied on caffeine.

Fast-forward to our meeting and not a trace of accounting was in her. She smiled as her skin glowed, and she bloomed so much she almost smelled like flowers. Cristina looked happier, and it pained me that I could have looked the same if I had only left.

The sugar from all the caffeine I consumed manifested into acne and dark circles surrounded my eyes like morbid halos. At the sight of me, her eyes widened. The moment she asked how I was doing, I burst into tears.

I do not know why I cried; maybe it is because I was drunk on espresso and had not slept well. Maybe it was how she looked happier after shifting, and how I yearned for the same.

She did not ask why. Instead, she placed a hand on my back. Behavioral science did not promise wealth, too, she

told me, but there are no calculators either. No equations, only words — and grit. Cristina ordered matcha, on ice. No more caffeine, she promised. No more sleepless nights.

I called my friends and family about me shifting.

I expected disapproval, but received encouragement instead. They promised me a hug, not to mourn, but to celebrate bravery.

Today, I am finally a literature student. People have told me that there was no money to be made here. However, where wealth is lacking, self-fulfillment is abundant.

The coffee shop I go to on Roxas Boulevard is now closed.

What was once a Starbucks is now a Chinese grocery store I see when passing by the area. Sometimes, I stop to look at it and reminisce. No macchiatos here, just an ache of regret for how long it took me to decide my happiness.

Besides, I cannot remember the last time I drank coffee. I just do not need it anymore. F

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

FLAME | 61

How to Proceed Trigger warning: death, trauma, gun violence, blood

I

stare blankly into the man’s chest; fathoming the familiarity of the wound. Have I operated on a similar physical trauma like this before?

“The bullet is near his aorta,” I calmly mutter under the mask with my hands inside a man’s chest cavity. “Put him on bypass and prepare more units of blood.”

“How do we proceed, doctor?” the muffled voice of my surgical resident asks behind her mask.

I raise my left hand, directing it to the scrub nurse.

“Clamp,” I ask.

With the nurse handing me the clamp, it slips into my hands. The sound—the clank of metal against the floor— like lightning, memories strike upon me.

FLAME | 62

@abtheflame | abtheflame.net

words by PATRICK V. MIGUEL art by JEANNE PAULINE TECSON

As my body freezes before the OR table, everything around me disappears. The nurses. My resident. The anesthesiologist. The machines. All of it gone –– just me and the patient in the room.

From looking at the chest cavity, I turn to see the face of the patient. Suddenly, my body trembles.

Lying on the table, the familiar man’s face is pale with glassy eyes staring at me, similar to the last time I saw him. It is the same face I’ve seen from fading photos in old albums.

“What’s the matter, Anak?

Anak?”” a familiar voice echoes.

I swallow with the struggle of having my tongue remember to say the word again after a long time. “Tatay?”

“How do you proceed, Anak?”

Tears slide over my cheeks; my lips trembling. “Hin–– Hindi ko alam.”

Once again, I hear the bullet shells dropping onto our living room floor with a loud clank. I remember vividly the oozing blood staining the rugs. On the floor, I see bullet shells and blood— And my father.

I freeze, seeing men in uniform point their guns at me.

No tears and no screaming, I tell myself. It is the ’70s all over again, when blood usually streams by the gutters and cries fill the dead silence of the night.

I once saw Tatay fighting dissent by speaking out in rallies. He was fierce and full of rage––full of life. But seeing my father pooling blood in our living room, I see his life vanish through his eyes. Through his eyes, I see the fierce man he once was become a phantom.

Suddenly, I feel his cold body hugging me from the back; nowhere lying on the table. He whispers into my ear, “Huwag “Huwag po.”” Upon uttering his last words, his warm blood flows on po. my back until it reaches my shoes; finally seeing blood all over the floor, again.

“How do you proceed, Anak?”

“Hindi. Ko. Alam!” My voice finally cracks as I scream my lungs out into the darkness of the room.

Out of nowhere, a light casts over the corner and I see Nanay, who is 27 years younger. With her knees on the floor, she hugs herself with nails digging into her arms, carrying the biggest sorrow in this world.

“Sana nandito ka pa rin, Tatay.”

Tatay places his hand on my chest. “Tatay “Tatay will always be here,” he assures.

I close my eyes, wishing that Tatay’s hug will remain. I hug him back, only to feel his body gradually turning into dust; blown away into the dark emptiness of the room.

“Mahal na mahal kita, Anak,” his voice echoes until finally hearing nothing but dead silence.

Silence, after all, is as loud as thoughts are.

Hoping that the tears will stop, I open my eyes to see the present chaos in the OR. I am hearing the machines now and the nurses behind. On the opposite side, I see my resident, and in between us, a man lies with his chest open.

“How do we proceed, doctor?”

I breathe deeply behind my mask, and as I exhale, I reach my hand out for another clamp. This time, with full power.

We proceed with the forceps until dropping the bullet on the pan; hearing the clank of metal against metal.

Without noticing the time while mending the shredded muscles and arteries, the moment of truth arrives. “Take him off bypass,” I finally say. With the monitor on flatline, everyone silently stares at the man’s heart; hoping for the sign of life to come through each beat.

“Ready the paddles,” I say as my forehead sweats.

Live, I whisper. Just live.

Finally, the heart beats; claiming its second chance in life. With only having to close the chest now, everyone in the room applauds. An array of congratulations comes, and even with masks, I can imagine their smiles.

As I look up to exchange my gratitude, I see my father standing behind the nurses. I see him applauding me with a big grin; remembering vivid memories of his smiles from family pictures.

He nods at me, approving of the person that I have become.

I nod back at him and whisper, “Para sa ’yo, Tatay.”

Eventually, he walks by the door. As he opens the door, he looks at me one last time. With a smile, he goes through, finally disappearing into the lights of the hallway. F

Pagdilim ng Ningning isinulat ni RAMON CHRISTIAN PLACIDO dibuho ni ELLA MARIE MERCADO

N

agliliyab ang sikat ng araw nang papunta si Kris kasama ang kaniyang nanay sa isang awdisyon. Malakas ang pintig ng puso dahil papalapit nang papalapit ang kaniyang pangarap.

“Hindi na ako makapaghintay maging bida, Nay,” sambit ni Kris habang tumatalon sa upuan.

“Kalma lang, baka mamaya maumpog ka riyan,” bilin ng kaniyang nanay.

Nang pumreno bigla ang sasakyan, may napansin siya sa kalsada na kakaiba sa kaniya. Nabubulabog siya sa batang kasing-edad niya na nagbebenta ng mga sari-saring paninda.

Kulot ang kaniyang buhok na may panaklob lamang sa kaniyang pambaba.

“Ma, ba’t ganyan ang suot niya?” pagtataka ni Kris.

“Mga Igorot ‘yan. Hindi na nakakapag-aral, kaya ’yan, nagbebenta o di kaya namamalimos sa kalsada. Huwag mo gayahin iyan, ah!” sermon ng kaniyang nanay.

Nanlilisik ang tingin niya sa bata sa kaniyang pagdungaw sa bintana. Pagkauwi niya sa kanilang bahay pagkatapos ng kaniyang awdisyon, dali-dali siyang pumunta sa kanilang nagiisang kompyuter.

Bumabalot sa kaniyang puso ang kamuhiang nasabi ng kaniyang nanay. Kaya binuksan niya ang kaniyang Twitter at inilahad ang kaniyang nagbabagang saloobin sa nakita niyang katutubo: “Bahag-bahag pa parang mga jokla 2010 na huy magbihis kayo.”

Gumaan ang kaniyang puso dahil nalabas niya ang lahat ng bigat sa kaniyang damdamin. Nang bumabagsak na ang

kaniyang mata, dumiretso siya sa kaniyang higaan.

Napatingin siya sa poster ng paborito niyang bida sa telebisyon.

Naglaro sa isipan niya ang pagkaperpekto ng mga artista.

Nang tumanda na siya, natupad niya ang pagiging artista.

Tinitingala na siya ng mga tao sa mga pinagbidahang aksyon sa pelikula.

Napapangiti ang mga tao sa mga tulong na kaniyang hinahatid.

Sa ngayon, inaabot niya ang kaniyang kamay para malagyan ng laman ang kumakalam na tiyan ng mga katutubong bata.

Matapos ang aktibidad, nagising ang kaniyang diwa nang marinig ang ingay ng kaniyang telepono.

“Hello, Sir Rene, anong balita?” tanong ni Kris sa kaniyang manager.

“Punta ka rito sa opisina, may pag-uusapan tayo patungkol sa piyesta,” sagot ni Rene.

Nagtataka siya sa pagpapamadali sa opisina ng manager niya, kaya’t walang pakundangan pumunta ito sa opisina.

“Baka may posibilidad na maantala ‘yung sa piyesta, pero ginagawan ng paraan,” paglalahad ni Rene.

Kumulo ang dugo ni Kris nang marinig ang balita. “Paano nangyari ‘yan biglaan?”

“Hindi mo alam? Trending ka sa Twitter ngayon,” sagot ni Rene sabay pinakita ang selpon.

Palaisipan sa kanya kung kailan niya nasabi ang kaniyang nababasa. Wala siyang kamalay-malay kung paano niya nasabi ang mga maduduming salita sa social media. “Huwag kang mag-alala, mareremedyohan iyan. Ibu-book kita sa palabas ni Tito Boy, basta ihahanda ko na yung mga sasabihin mo,” pagbibigay-kasiguruhan ni Rene.

Nabahiran ng kaginhawaan si Kris nang marinig ang gagawing paraan ng paglinis ng kaniyang pangalan. Kaya hinanda niya ang kaniyang kumikinang na kamiseta at nag-ayos ng buhok para sa palabas. Magaan niyang dala ang kaniyang puso sa paglakad sa entablado.

Sumara ang mga mata ni Kris sa pagbukas ng mga naglalakihang ilaw. Mas lalong komportable sa pag-upo si Kris nang binigyan siya ng haplos ng kapanatagan mula kay Tito Boy. Sinigaw na ang hudyat ng pagsisimula nang pagbura ng masamang itsura ni Kris sa madla. Nang ginala niya ang buong kapaligiran ay napansin niyang halos gusot ang mga mukha ng mga manonood. Binato kaagad ni Tito Boy ang puno’t dulo ng mga alegasyon ng diskriminasyon sa mga miyembro ng pangkat etniko laban kay Kris. Sinagot niya itong ng may bahid ng katotohanan ngunit dismayado pa rin ang mukha ng mga tao.

“Ano ang nais mong sabihin sa mga naapektuhan ng mga nasabi mo noong ikaw ay bata pa?” huling tanong ni Tito Boy para sa gabing iyon.

Klinaro muna ni Kris ang kaniyang lalamunan bago magumpisa magsalita. “Ang masasabi ko lang, hindi lahat ng dating

aksyon ay sasalamin sa pagkatao ko ngayon. Nagkamali ako noon, kaya ginagawa ko ang paraan para matuwid ko ang sarili sa tama.”

Kurot sa puso ang nadinig ng madla sa sinabi ni Kris kaya binato nila ang kanilang sama ng loob sa kaniyang pagmumukha.

Nang tumindi ang tensyon, umalis agad ng entablado si Kris at tinawagan si Rene, ngunit walang sumagot.

Pait ang tumatak sa kaibuturan ng puso ni Kris. Kaya pinagpasyahan niyang dumiretso pa rin sa dadaluhan niyang pista kahit wala si Rene sa kaniyang tabi.

Dumungaw sa kalungkutan si Kris nang mapansin na may nasiraan ng sasakyan. Agad niyang pinagilid ang kaniyang kotse at dali-daling bumaba. Naghanap ng kaalaman sa mga may-aring mga Aeta kung ano ang problema. Nang matuklasan niyang umuusok ang makina nito, binigyan ito ng tubig at inalay niya kanyang bisig na itulak ang behikulo para umandar. Laking tuwa ng mga may-ari nang nakaalis sila sa gilid ng kalsada.

Balot sa puso ni Kris ang tuwa ng pag-alay ng tulong sa kapwa. Pagkabalik sa sasakyan, napagtanto niya na ang bukal sa pusong pagbabago ay hindi kinakailangan ng manonood para matuklasan ito. F

Timebound words by DAWN DANIELLE SOLANO art by JEANNE PAULINE TECSON

T

ime never seemed to favor Amy. It was one of the hereditary traits of being a Vergara, her mother once said.

It is not that she has problems regarding punctuality.

She was always the first person to arrive at the office and the last person to leave. For her, time was never wasted when it was put into work.

Her early 30s consisted of work. To have fun was to lose the opportunity to get herself worked up in her unpublished novel, “The Traveler.” It is about a suited man who uses a time machine to show people their future. The man owns a red tie that also serves as the time machine’s navigating remote.

As a child, she read autobiographies of monumental people in history and dreamed of meeting them personally. If only she could bend time and slip into it, she once thought. Although she knew traveling through time was beyond reality, she remained enchanted by its concept.

Thanks to the world-renowned physicist Albert Einstein and his general relativity theory, Amy silently hoped for its fruition. From him, she learned that time was merely an illusion and that it could speed up or slow down, depending on one’s movement.

She manifested this fascination through the creation of her book. At least, in the book, her dream of time-traveling could

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become possible.

T h e book, however, has been rejected by 12 publishing companies already. Peers, whom she showed her manuscript to, even tried to curb her persistence. She should be thinking of other things by now, like settling down, they advised her.

Good things come to those who wait, her mother would say, but all she has ever done was wait, and things still don’t end up in her favor. That evening after her 13th rejection, she once again lay defeated on her bed, with damp hair and reddened cheeks.

Her lungs rummaged f o r oxygen as she

blinked tears back into her eye sockets. Suddenly, a sense of realization hit her.

Her present is beginning to show signs of dormancy, and a glimpse of the future could be the only salvation she was looking

for. She was stuck somewhere in time, and she could no longer think of a way to escape her state of stagnance.

The clock struck 12 midnight. Sleep finally pooled in her weary eyelids; her face lolled, and her body relaxed underneath the sheets of her blanket. The taste of salt remained on her lips, and she let it be. Her breathing became stable as she drifted into the realm between wakefulness and drowsiness.

This realm, in particular, is where time slows down and allows the sleeper to slip from reality.

Before she could tumble into dreamland, a rattling sound coming from her bookshelves woke her up. She ignored the noise at first, thinking it was some rat passing through her line of books. She lived in an old apartment; rodents were her borders. The rattle, however, became steady and bothersome.

Reluctantly, she got up from the comforts of her bed. She opened her eyes and beheld the oddest scene she has ever seen.

None of her furry friends were in sight; however, some of her books have been knocked off the shelf.

Nevertheless, she knew something was not right; the lights above her swung violently. Her breath hitched as she feared they might fall on her.

In the grip of panic, she froze. Neither the ground nor the moldy walls of her apartment shook, just the furniture vigorously shaking. Her desk was jumping up and down as if it has a mind of its own. The wall-frames were vibrating, their edges hitting the other.

All of a sudden, everything before her settled. The clamoring surrendered to the silence that arrived, as the bathroom door opposite her pried open.

A stream of light entered the dark room. Amy’s pupils adapted to the brightness that washed over her. It stung at first, but it was nothing compared with the burning curiosity inside her. Unhesitatingly, she took the first step toward the door.

The deeper she went in, the more she could vividly hear the bustling noise from the other side of the door. Her nostrils became filled with the faint smell of pipe tobacco and dust. The last time she checked, her bathroom reeked of bleach and soap.

She reached the doorway, and the sight caught her breath. She saw rows of neatly lined books, their spines facing outward. Each aisle has a code; there was a fiction section and a children’s section.

This was not her bathroom at all.

“You cannot cross over here yet,” a low, crisp voice said. A man soon emerged from the corner. He wore a striking black tuxedo, and a red tie hung from his collar.

“Why not?” Amy questioned.

“It is too early,” the man replied. He handed her a rectangular package, tied with paper strings.

“What is this?” she asked as she hesitantly skimmed her fingers to the string of the package. The man remained silent.

Instead, he watched Amy untie the string and unfold the box with no trouble. Amy’s eyes roamed freely over the leather-bound. She raised her gaze to the man, who had a proud look on his face.

“I got it published,” she marveled, feeling hope ignited within her once again. Her hand wrapped around the book like a starfish.

“You will,” he assured, tapping the book, “Now, get to work.” F @abtheflame | abtheflame.net

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FOUNDED OCTOBER 16, 1964