The Adamson Chronicle August-September 2021 Volume XV Issue No. 1

TheAdamsonChronicle

I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

-Voltaire

Informing, Inspiring, and Influencing the Community since 1941

The Autonomous and Official Student Publication of Adamson University

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021 HUMAN INTEREST>>AS LONG AS YOU...

VOLUME XV ISSUE NO. 1 ARTS AND LETTERS>>THE CITY WAS...

SCIENCE AND TECH>>THERE’S STILL...

ENTERTAINMENT>>FROM JUNIOR...

LAMPOON>>ADU MEOW

AdU enrollment increases by 22.25%

By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig

Student of Adamson University crossing San Marcelino st. during Tatak Adamson 2019. PRE-PANDEMIC PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA

Despite the significant hindrances brought by the coronavirus pandemic, Adamson University saw a 22.25 percent increase in its population for the first semester of Academic Year (A.Y) 2021-2022.

From 14,534 enrollees last year, the University welcomed

17,768 students last August 17. Meanwhile, freshmen enrollment saw a 39 percent increase, from last year’s 2,404 to 4,570.

In the official population count, 1,274 came from the Basic Education Department (BED), 3,027 students

from the Senior High School (SHS), and 13,467 from the Tertiary level (Undergraduate and graduate school).

Similar to the previous years, the College of Engineering stood among the University’s programs with the highest number of students at 4,018.

The College of Business Administration and College of Science also reached the four-digit mark with 2,612 and 2,316 students, respectively.

The Graduate School had the most significant

BACK TO SCHOOL. Adamson University students at the entrance of the university PRE-PANDEMIC HOTO BY THE ADAMSON CHRONICLE

By Justine Denise S. Cruz

/TheAdamsonChronicle

Diseases (IATF-MEID) will announce in the succeeding weeks.

“The PRC requests the public’s utmost understanding and cooperation as it complies with the guidelines set forth by IATF-MEID as COVID-19 concerns continue to rise,” the notice

COVID-19/P3 /ADUchronicle

By Nina Pia M. Boco

ADU ENROLLMENT/P2

COVID-19 surge postpones 2021 PRC board exams Due to the alarmingly risk brought by COVID-19, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) postponed numerous board exams this year to guarantee the safety of examinees and employees.

The rescheduling of the remaining exams is subject to change based on the guidelines and restrictions that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious

PH students seek #LigtasNaBalikIskwela

SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST. 1,421 aspiring doctors take the 2020 PRC Physician Licensure Examination (c) Professional Regulation Commission PHOTO BY PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMSION issuu.com/aduchronicle

As the new academic year started for the Philippines, the country is still solely relying on online and modular learning. Among the countries around the world that have adapted to hybrid learning, the Philippines is still just preparing for the dry-run face-to-face classes of the120 selected schools by the Department of Education among low-risk areas in the country.

chronicle@adamson.edu.ph

Now on their second year of distance learning, students and teachers alike cry for #LigtasNaBalikIskwela once again as their struggles with the newly implemented system persist.

One student leader from Cebu, Mariel Dumaraos, who started the uniform campaign for PH STUDENTS/P2

Adamson Chronicle, 2nd floor, Francis Regis Clet Bldg.,Adamson University, San Marcelino St., Ermita,1000 Manila, Philippines

Page 2 • News

TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXV No.1

AUESC eco-warriors ‘unafraid to get down and dirty’

By Mat Jefferson T. Richter

LEADERS TOWARDS A GREENER WORLD. AdU-ESC on Madayaw 2019. PRE-PANDEMIC PHOTO BY ADAMSON UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING COUNCIL

T

he AdU Engineering Student Council (AUESC) establishes a tree-planting event called “SerendipiTree” to celebrate Environmental Awareness Month and to debunk the anti-environmental claims attributed against engineers. “*Sinasabi nila na destroyer [kami] ng kalikasan, gusto naming iprove na hindi kami destroyer [dahil] ang engineering ay friend din ng kalikasan*,” the AUESC President Mark Cacanindin said. (“People are claiming that we are destroyers of nature, but we want to prove that engineering is also environmentally friendly.”)

The eco-warriors only

allow those who’ve been vaccinated and have tested negative for COVID-19.

Set to happen in Mt. Batolusong, Rizal, Mark then shared the one-day event flow for October 17, 2021.

“Yung sa 7:30am kasi to 12pm, ‘yun yung preparation namin in transportation, including travel time and assembly.

‘Pag 12:00 to 2:30pm, do’n na magsa-start yung program proper, which is yung tree planting, do’n na magatatanim ng puno. Then by 2:30 to 3:00pm, closing ceremony na.*” (The preparation for transportation, including travel time and assembly, is from 7:30 PM to 12

PM. Meanwhile, the tree planting program will start from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, and by 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM it’s already time for the closing ceremony.”)

With the program’s slogan of “The journey towards a greener world begins with a single step,” AUESC aims to plant approximately 39 trees to match their 39 participants.

College Dean Engr. Evelyn Q. Raguindin also asked for the help of Engineering alumni for donations and extra participants.

On the flip side, the anticipated ECQ caused potential disruptions in following SerendipiTree’s supposed agenda.

“It is possible to have

delays kasi baka biglang mag-ECQ ulit, as well as traffic transportation, lalo na October puro bagyo.

[The] chosen area will vary depending on the traffic, kaya baka hindi rin masunod yung time ng flow,” claims Mark.

Of all the longterm goals, the ecofighters remain bold with disproving that they are sole “environment destroyers.”

Mark emphasized the need to dismantle such stereotypes against the innovation-bearers like engineers. *“’Pag civil engineer, puro nagpuputol daw ng puno para magpagawa ng bahay. Now, we’re doing this para mapatunayan

PH STUDENTS/P1 the movement stated, “If malls, tourist spots, and bars have reopened, we should push for the safe and gradual reopening of schools too.”

She also challenged students to wear their uniforms as a sign of protest saying, “No student should be left behind. I challenge you to wear your school [uniform] at home or in public to campaign for #LigtasNaBalikEskwela.”

The movement started during the beginning of the pandemic when the education sectors and the

na hindi kami kalaban ng environment.”* [People are claiming that we, civil engineers, only cut down trees to build a house. Now, we’re doing this to prove that we’re not enemies of the environment.]

Despite the challenges, the Mayor of Tanay Rizal, Rex Manuel C. Tanjuatco, remains eager and witty by telling AUESC “magpunta na kayo ro’n” as early as now.

Apart from making a greener world that will sustain the future generation’s environment, building camaraderie between the whole members of ESC remains one of the

goals that the program aims to achieve.

For Mark, lessening the inevitable effects of climate change is one thing, but maintaining the relationship with the AUESC despite the pandemic’s challenges will help the succeeding engineers in AdU to maintain SerendipiTree’s long-term objectives.

Meanwhile, AUESC also held its 2nd Engineering Week 2021: UNIVATE last October 5-9, with the theme “A radical Innovation through Unity” to honor engineers who make a difference by radically innovating realities.

ADU ENROLLMENT/P1 government failed to show any concrete plans in addressing the crisis that the Philippines’ education was facing at the time.

Rise For Education (R4E), the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and other studentbacked groups have continued to advocate for a safe return to face-toface classes amidst the pandemic.

They also aim to provide a more concrete plan that can benefit not only students but also the teachers, the faculty staff, and other stakeholders in

educational institutions.

They want to ensure that the safety and needs of everyone are safeguarded without compromising quality education.

As of writing, President Rodrigo Duterte already signed limited face-to-face classes to a few courses that are deemed to ‘require handson experience in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine.

Along with medical and health allied courses that were approved in January this list includes the following degree

programs: -Engineering and Technology programs Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management -Tourism/ Travel Management - Marine Engineering - M a r i n e Transportation Now that the pilot run for the reopening of schools has been approved, the waiting game for its results and implications for the educational sector of the Philippines commences.

leap, doubling its total enrollment with 1,098 from 507.

The College of Architecture ranked fifth with 958 students, followed by the College of Education and Liberal Arts (CELA) at 759.

Meanwhile, the College of Pharmacy and College of Nursing enrollment also saw more than 40 percent growth with 555 and 365 students, respectively.

The College of Law has 200 students enrolled, while the St. Vincent

School of Theology has 280 students.

Adamson University, which made it to the 2021 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asian University Rankings, has been active in its social media platforms in encouraging students to experience the quality of education the institution offers.

This school year Adamson University has 42 Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs), ranging from academic, co-academic, and sociocivic organizations.

TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXV No.1

Page 3 • News

COVID-19/P1 wrote.

The Commission originally prepared 101 licensure examinations to take place this year. The increase in the number of tests was due to the deferral of last year’s exams.

Only 11 exams were conducted in 2020 as a result of the strict community quarantine implemented by the government to combat the transmission of the virus, as compared to 83 exams held by the Commission in 2019.

Earlier this year, the IATF initially gave the PRC permission to conduct licensure examinations for certain professions such as medical technologists, sanitary engineers, and veterinarians from January to March.

Pursuant to PRC Memorandum Order No. 68 s. 2020, examinees and examination personnel underwent mandatory RTPCR testing prior to the examination dates. Only those who obtained negative RT-PCR results were allowed to enter testing venues.

To properly follow the health protocols issued

by the IATF-MEID, the Commission also increased the number of examination venues to lessen the number of exam takers flocking from far-flung provinces.

PRC Chairperson Teofilo Pilando Jr. also said that the agency is continuously working with the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units to smooth out the conducting of exams.

The possibility of computer-based licensure examinations is also being eyed by the Commission, said Pilando. The agency hopes that such system can be implemented before the year ends on board exams with few takers.

L a r g e - s c a l e examinations, such as that of the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT), were rescheduled to a later date this year with four separate batches to accommodate the 170,000 examinees.

However, due to the recent uptick in the number of daily cases and the heightened quarantine restrictions, the pre-arranged examinations were canceled

again.

Recently, PRC announced the postponement of the Licensure Examination for Architects (LEA) and the Social Workers Licensure Examination (SWLE) in the NCR due to the MECQ status of the region last August.

Along with this, the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) was also canceled in Middle East countries due to the surge brought by the Delta variant worldwide.

With the uncertainty of the country’s situation in the next few months, the PRC is yet to make a formal announcement for the possible rescheduling of the exams. As of writing, the Commission has released the following tentative dates for the remaining tests this year, subject to changes: (Table on the right) Having reached a total of two million cases, the DOH reminds the public to remain wary `of the virus and to follow the health protocols.

Philippine Education remains in crisis amidst 2nd year of pandemic

By Nina Pia M. Boco

Senior High School students writing an essay for an Essay Writing Competition during the Buwan ng Wika Celebration 2018 PRE-PANDEMIC PHOTO BY SPOTLIGHT PUBLICATION

The education sector of the Philippines has been one of the most affected since the onset of the pandemic. With the technological divide in the country, many students opted to drop out of school while teachers scramble to find alternatives to cater to the children’s need for learning.

Now in its second year of opening classes during the pandemic, according to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones and the data they

have gathered, they have more than 24 million enrolled students which is 2 million less than the number of enrollment the previous year.

They are expecting however, to meet the previous years’ enrollment as they extend the registration until September 30.

Nonetheless, the Secretary said, “We are opening the School Year 2021-2022 as we celebrate last year’s victory. The

challenges we are facing now are even tougher than those we battled last year.”

However, 89% of families said that blended learning, which includes the use of modular and online learning, to be “much more difficult “ according to a survey conducted by The Social Weather Stations (SWS) in November, while 28% percent said that it is “somewhat more difficult” than the traditional face-to-

face classes.

Among the 1,500 respondents of the survey, many of those who are having difficulty with blended learning are parents who were only able to attain junior high school education or less as they bear the responsibility of teaching their children through the modules provided.

Although modular learning is the most commonly used method of

learning today, many college students continue to struggle, especially those at far-flung areas where the internet is hard to come across. Many students still need to climb to areas with better reception and risk their safety in order to attend classes.

As students and teachers brave the new system of distance learning, President Rodrigo Duterte has finally approved DepEd’s proposal to let 120 schools in low-risk

areas conduct a pilot run for limited face-to-face classes.

“The pilot run of limited face-to-face classes is a shared responsibility of the DepEd, Department of Health, with the approval of IATF, and the local government units themselves and the parents.

This will be monitored for two months,” said Briones.

The start of the dry run is yet to be announced as of writing.

Page 4 • Editorial

TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXV No.1

Free the Tattoos!

Art is not limited to pens and paints. This has been established in our education system that required art classes from kindergarten until college.

Students are taught to embrace and learn all forms of art, be it sculpture, graffiti, painting, and all other forms, no matter how bizarre. This is because art is not only good for the development and expression of a person, but also for one’s identity and culture as a whole. But, until now,

The real enemy In the face of seemingly endless lockdowns, vague quarantine classifications that have become difficult to keep up with, lack of socio-economic support and other problems that emerged or intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most baffling to me is how it brought out the worst in some people.

During the first months of quarantine, Filipinos showed a vigorous sense of solidarity for the underprivileged.

The ideological norm then was that it wasn’t the poor people’s fault that they had to continue going out during

why are exposed tattoos, which is just another form of art with a different canvas, still taboo in many universities?

Section 2 of Student Conduct and Discipline in Adamson University’s 2018 student handbook states that students “must not have an exposed tattoo(s) and body piercing whether male or female”.

This means that students who have exposed tattoos are forced to cover up or hide these tattoos. The consequences for having these exposed tattoos are not even well-established in the handbook; there have been cases of students having been expelled from the university because of these tattoos, but others who committed the same offense were not even

reprimanded. In short, there is no standard sanction for this rule—it is selective, unfair and discriminatory.

Tattoos do not, in any way, dictate a person’s personality or competence.

Gone are the days when these forms of body art are associated with being criminals or being “dirty”.

On the contrary, research from around the world has found that people who get tattoos are more likely to be confident, self-assured, and creative people as they are able to express themselves a lot better.

Aside from this, tattoos are a big part of the Filipino culture way before the colonization of the Spanish. Filipinos were even dubbed as “pintados” or the painted ones

because of the intricate tattoos that the ancestors had all over their bodies.

Tattoos were a way for the Filipino folks to show how strong they were, the more tattoos they had, the stronger of a person they were in the tribes. So, why would today’s Filipinos have to cover the art that was passed down many generations ago?

Tattoos are just another art in a different form and canvas. Students should be able to express themselves freely in the university where they are honing themselves and their crafts. After all, one of the university’s missions is to “provide quality services that empower others to become agents of change.”

the lockdown because they needed to earn money to survive due to a lack of *ayuda* from their local government units (LGUs).

We were sympathetic towards our workers and students as we pushed for #NoStudentLeftBehind and safer workplace practices for those who belong to sectors where on-site work is inevitable.

We were trying to hold our national and local governments accountable for their incompetence and shortcomings.

But with the lockdown having lasted more than a year, the people who only rode the tide of camaraderie in the beginning slowly showed their true colors.

Perhaps it’s easier to see what people really think when situations make a turn for the worse.

Suddenly, those trying to earn a living during

quarantine are to blame for the surges in COVID-19 cases, but we justify our trips to the mall because we “need to go out every once in a while.” Suddenly, we crucify fellow students for things as negligible as missent emails when we ourselves don’t always know how to navigate the online sphere of learning.

Suddenly, we have the moral high ground and everyone else except us are the reason we must continue locking ourselves inside our homes while other countries are slowly returning to their normal programming.

In the long run, we’ve forgotten who the real enemies are and always have been: misallocated funds that were supposedly for social and financial support amidst lockdowns, corruption within the Department of Health, a

sheer lack of prioritization among officials in the national government, the *palakasan* system with LGUs when it comes to vaccine and aid distribution, and so many others. We have forgotten the fact that we should be on each other’s sides; that we are all victims of the system in some way and are only doing our best to survive.

Whether this phenomenon is caused by a legitimate shift in public opinion or just a product of the collective stress and anxiety that we’re all going through, we have to try our best to remind ourselves of what we’re fighting for, and more especially, who we’re fighting against— because ultimately, if we want to get out of this situation, it should not be each other.

TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXV No.1

Page 5 • Editorial

VolumeXV No.1 August-September 2021

TheAdamsonChronicle The Adamson Chronicle is the official Student Publication of the Adamson University. It is an autonomous student organization and classified as a tertiary level student publication that aims to serve the University community, especially the students through the dissemination of relevant, reliable, and impartial information, and the advancement of civil liberties, social consciousness, nationalism, humanities, and Vincentian values through responsible campus journalism.

Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig, BA Comm

Make things right this time The last Academic Year can pass as an adjustment period for Local Universities and Colleges as the coronavirus pandemic halted physical learning. However, they are expected to make better decisions this year and craft regulations that are in favor of the overall well-being of students.

There is no academic break included in the official calendar that the Adamson University Student Government (AUSG) released for the first semester of Academic Year 2021-2022.

Haven’t we learned from what happened in October last year?

Adamson University

received backlash online across different social media platforms after the Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs rejected the AUSG’s request for an academic break.

The student government proposed the academic break ‘to make sure that both students and faculty will have the time to reflect and to take care of their mental health.’

Yet, the VPAA responded saying that the University’s academic calendar has no spare days to serve as a buffer for class suspensions, and implementing an academic break may result in a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) violation.

But it’s all in the past already, nothing will change if we continue to stress over things that are already over.

However, let’s not commit the same mistakes anymore.

The opening of another academic year while the country is experiencing a health crisis gives another opportunity for Adamson University to live up to one of its core values— solidarity—that affirms its learning community as a family. And in this situation, families are expected to help each other cope with the demands of flexible learning and engage in healthier behaviors, which, in turn, could lead to higher well-being.

As much as the students

want to concentrate on academic excellence that the University has advocated for ever since, it is not the only significant matter during the pandemic.

Health and overall wellbeing should be the top priorities as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country rapidly increase by the day.

Despite the pandemic, Adamsonians are proven to be achievers. Be it in academics or sports, students from different departments brought glory to the University and won in different competitions.

In return, the students have only one plea: give them a break.

Editor-in-Chief

Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco, BA Comm Associate Editor

Lloyd Raphael R. Navarro, BSBA-MM

Managing Editor & Senior Staff Layout Artist

Nina Pia M. Boco, BA Comm News Editor

Verity Anne N. Banogbanog, BA Pol Sci Entertainment & Literary Editor

Christian Joshua D. Corcuera, BS Accountancy Human Interest & Science and Technology Editor

Janelle Ava S. Alcala, BA Pol Sci Chief Illustrator

Aleckine Troy N. Rada, BSME Chief Photojournalist

Diana Ann G. Tuazon, BSCE Chief Layout Artist

Trisha Mae. P Barredo, BA Pol Sci

Social Media Manager & Senior Layout Artist

Anjaneth Lyka E. Raymundo, BA Comm Online Manager & Junior Illustrator

Ricardo Martin H. Tecala, BSCE Senior Layout Artist

Reanne Mae A. Bernardo, BSCS Senior Staff Photojournalist

Feminine or masculine, I am a woman When I was eight years old, I joined a taekwondo club in our school. We used to practice every afternoon to prepare for an upcoming inter-school competition which consisted of all the elementary schools in our municipality. I only

lasted a year and did not get a promotion because my mother suggested that I enroll for voice lessons instead because according to her, taekwondo is a dangerous sport and it wasn’t for girls.

Last year, I asked my big brother if I could cut my hair short, showing him a mullet hairstyle for men.

He said maybe I shouldn’t, because I would look like a man to others.

Whenever I wear boyish clothes outside, some of my friends would call me

out because I am being ‘sketchy’ with my gender identity, when in fact, I only wear clothes I am most comfortable in.

But then again, when I am wearing makeup, others would judge me for being ‘unnatural’.

My experiences have made me realize that there is no description of femininity.

No matter how people perceive your sexuality based on how you dress and behave, the way you comfortably express yourself is much more important.

What is more concerning here is abusing other people based on how they project themselves and shaming them for not conforming to society’s standards.

So go wear that men’s polo you’ve been wanting to wear; your makeup would look good on that buzzcut. Feel free to express yourself with femininity or masculinity.

As long as you identify as a woman, regardless of circumstance, you are still valid.

Maximillan S. Wandag, BS Arch John Renz P. Tubale, BA Comm Senior Staff Illustrators

Mat Jefferson T. Richter, BA Comm Justine Denise S. Cruz, BSChE Junior Staff Writers

Jeremay G. Onayan, BSChE Junior Staff Photojournalist

Marielle Nadine A. Dautil, BS Geology Junior Staff Illustrator

Mark Diyco Fernando Technical Adviser

Page 6 • Sports Feature

TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXV No.1

The Falcon’s Nest 2 serves as the home of male Soaring Falcons PHOTO BY ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

Pride, practicality, and a new rule to limit player benefits

By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig

Times have changed.

It is no longer a secret that aside from food and accommodation benefits, blue-chip UAAP athletes receive financial support from the University that has secured their commitment.

However, former Adamson University Men’s Basketball head coach Franz Pumaren shared his two cents in a podcast in July last year. The multi-titled tactician, who has turned the tables for the Soaring Falcons in the past seasons, said that college recruitment is already getting out of control.

Green Archer Mark Nonoy may have not revealed the exact figures, but in an interview with Mikee Reyes, the UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year said,”Pantulong lang sa pamilya.” Nonoy was one of the Growling Tigers who joined the UST exodus amid the Bicol bubble issue.

In another Mikee Reyes interview, former Fighting Maroon Jun Manzo disclosed that he and Bright Akhueti received vehicles from UP team manager and former Cavite Governor Johnvic Remulla after the squad defeated the Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 81 semis.

It may sound exorbitant for some because they are still amateurs, but here’s the catch. There are always two sides to every coin. And for this story, it’s pride and practicality.

Representing the name of the University, its

community, culture, and legacy bring so much pride to student-athletes. Stepping in the court while wearing the colors of the University you have committed to is probably one of the proudest moments in the young career of a student-athlete.

However, behind the mainstream brands embossed in their sportswear, these student-athletes came from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

There are student-athletes who came from provinces and are sons or daughters of underprivileged families.

You can’t blame a student-athlete for grabbing the opportunity to help his or her family. Some Universities even promised scholarships to the siblings of their student-athletes.

Using their talent in sports, student-athletes ease the burden to their parents.

Practically speaking, who wouldn’t want that?

Yet, as cliche as it may sound, too much, is always bad-and this is where the UAAP’s new rule enters.

“Maximum allowable benefits” rule A year after Pumaren’s statement, the UAAP has taken its first step to stop the excessive recruitment packages offered to top prospects through a new rule to be introduced in Season 84. The leagues’ Board of Trustees has approved the “maximum allowable benefits” rule that will set a limit to the allowances and extra benefits a recruit will

be receiving.

“This just to prove that the UAAP is working all this time kahit nasa pandemic tayo. Kahit wala tayong Season 83, tuloy-tuloy ang due dilegence natin to help improve the league,” said University of the Philippines’ member to the UAAP Board of Managing Directors dean Kiko Diaz.

“And more importantly, it was hinged on the rationale na we want our studentathletes to enroll in the eight member universities of the UAAP because of either their sports development program, kung saan sila malakas na event, or dahil sa mga academic programs nila,” he added.

To back the new rule is the Athletic Programs Reportorial Act or Republic Act No. 11180 which requires higher education institutions participating in interscholastic competitions to submit an annual report to the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). Included in the report shall be the total operating expenses of an athletic program, and its total scholarship expenditures vis-a-vis a total number of participants.

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag is aware that there will be challenges in implementing this rule as “the honesty system” will be enforced in the first years but he is also optimistic that the league is ready for the challenges.

PRE-PANDEMIC PHOTOS BY THE ADAMSON CHRONICLE

TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXV No.1

Page 7 • Sports Feature

Games deserve to be romanticized and celebrated, too

By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco When we see bookworms reading everywhere they go, we assume that they must be smart, since knowledge is often picked up from books and they have something a lot of people can only dream of having: a well-rounded attention span. When we see cinephiles cross-referencing films and television series to justify their poor review of some new release by Netflix, we think, “Wow! They must really know a lot about cinema and will likely have a future in that field.” When we see Olympic athletes bagging awards for their respective countries, we cheer them on and congratulate them for how they excelled against all odds.

But when we see gamers, the lot of us just think that they’re wasting their lives.

I’m no gamer myself.

In fact, I’m terrible at most, if not all the games I play; I’ve never reached 500 stars in ‘Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB),’ I’m an Iron 3 player in ‘VALORANT,’ and most of my ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ missions are only 50% completed. Regardless of these things, I had fun, and

isn’t that what recreational activities are supposed to do for us?

If we ask readers and moviegoers why they do the things they do, I’m sure that part of it is just to have a serotonin boost or to pass time. The only thing that sets them apart from gamers is that we’ve stereotyped games to seem as if it’s some evil entity that will consume children and keep them from achieving “great” things in life, which is pretty unfair, considering that games are just stories that play themselves out, or stories where players themselves are the characters.

The same stereotype plagues professional e-sports players. Sure, they may have started playing just for the hell of it, but they managed to actually improve their quality of life with sheer skill and experience in gaming. This metric of success baffles me because a lot of people sarcastically ask, “What will they do after [game] goes out of trend?” because the answer to that is… that kid has probably made enough money within

one or two years to last them a lifetime, and the people teasing are stuck in front of their computers discrediting a success they might never even reach.

A good example is Asuna from the ‘VALORANT’ team ‘100 Thieves.’ In a gaming livestream, he accidentally revealed that he made 30,000 USD monthly from merely being part of the professional team. Converted to Philippine peso, that is roughly 1.5 million a month, still excluding the money he earns from Youtube videos and livestreaming online.

He’s only 18, but he’s been a professional player for years and years.

A lot of other kids are just as successful as him (if not more successful) in the gaming industry. We laugh at them for not having the same academic achievements as we do, but really, the joke’s on us, because they’re making a comfortable life for themselves just by having fun in front of their monitors.

Most of us can’t say the same for ourselves.

The Philippines is teeming with amazing

ESPORTS IS A SPORT. A Filipino gamer competes against other guilds in Asia. PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA

e-sports players. Just recently, the local team ‘Execration’ became the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup champions, but we’ve snatched that championship last 2018 with ‘Aether Main’ as well, so that level of success was nothing new. ‘Bren Esports’ has also qualified for the VALORANT Champions Tour 2021 and will fly to Berlin to compete— they are the first-ever team

from the Philippines to ever accomplish such a feat.

Our country has so much more to show when it comes to e-sports, but listing them down in this article would take forever, yet we don’t congratulate them as much as we did Hidilyn Diaz. When they don’t get first place, we don’t cheer them up as much as we did Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir

Marcial… all because we look down on gaming both as a hobby and profession.

Whether someone plays to have fun or to win championships, we must break the stereotypes and provide gamers the same amount of respect and acknowledgment that we do for other pursuits.

AdU GAME launches Campus Esports Support Program

By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig

“New META” Adamson University student playing Valorant PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA

Seeking to provide Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) a platform for responsible esports and gaming, the Adamson University Guild of Animation Makers and Esports (AdU GAME) introduced the Campus Esports Support Program.

In the Campus Esports Support Program, AdU GAME and RSOs enter into a collaboration to expand their services to the

students due to the emerging importance of esports activities.

The Campus Esports Support Program is divided into two programs, which RSOs can choose from.

In the Basic Booster Plan, RSOs will handle all the esports event management duties such as technical staff, including hosts, shoutcasters, stream support graphic designers, sponsorships, and

tournament support.

The members of the RSOs that will choose the Basic Booster Plan are also entitled to a 20% registration fee discount and AdU GAME Membership Certificate.

Meanwhile, AdU GAME will be sharing all support staff roles for RSOs that choose the Premium Booster Plan. Under the said program, the animation and esports organization will

also extend the promotion of an esports event to all of its relevant organization partners.

For sponsorship and tournament support under the Premium Booster Plan, AdU GAME will endorse the event to AcadArena, the leading organization for Campus Gaming and Esports Education in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

The members of RSO’s

that will choose the Premium Booster Plan will be given a 50% registration fee discount and AdU GAME Membership Certificate.

Aside from posting game results on its official Facebook page, AdU GAME will also provide a Certificate of Recognition for all the participants.

Under the Premium Booster Plan, RSOs will also gain exclusive access to special programs and

advisory opportunities from AdU GAME and AcadArena including but are not limited to special participation on events partnered with other organizations, leadership, and project mentorship Last August 4 and 28, AdU GAME arranged a discussion meeting with the different RSOs in the University, including The Adamson Chronicle.

FULLY ALIVE, CHAMPIONS FOR LIFE. The representatives of eight competing UAAP schools during Season 82 opening. PRE-PANDEMIC PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA

UAAP eyes ‘bubble’ season in 2022

By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig

After a two-year layoff from action due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is continuously crafting protocols to materialize its 84th season, which is tentatively scheduled for February 2022.

UAAP Executive Director Atty.

Rebo Saguisag explained on One Sports’ The Game that the league

is looking to hold its 84th season in a bubble environment, similar to how the PBA Season 46 Philippine Cup and Tokyo Olympics was staged.

The tournament format is yet to be determined but Saguisag is hopeful that the league can still push through at a full calendar for all sports with three months left before the target date.

Nothing is set in stone yet as the average number of COVID-19 cases recorded each day remains in an alarming state. If the situation next year still does not permit a full season, the UAAP is looking to hold only four events: men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, cheerdance competition, and the opening ceremony.

“Ang ginagawa po ni UAAP is we continue

PRE-PANDEMIC PHOTOS BY THE ADAMSON CHRONICLE

to monitor international and national events and then look at the data, look at the science, continue to coordinate with the proper governmental agencies to still salvage a season more or less,” Saguisag said in his previous appearance on “Power and Play.”

The UAAP has consulted with several agencies in refining the protocols, including the Commission on

Higher Education, the Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, and Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.

Last September, the UAAP also launched a design contest for a new logo that will represent the league’s comeback and the contemporary sports culture in the Philippines “We wish to encapsulate that [the

new normal in sports] so that the logo can serve as a reminder of what we experienced in [the] year 2020, coinciding with Season 83 and 84, and moving forward.”

The winner of the design content will receive P100,000, a trophy, and a certificate, while the second-placer will receive P30,000 and the third-placer, P10,000.

Human Interest

You’re still an artist, even if the canvas has remained empty >> Page 2

As long as you are trying, you are moving

By Justine Denise S. Cruz

I

n a few months’ time, it will be graduation season again. For most students, this milestone includes getting their toga pictures taken and posting them online, sharing their success with everybody.

However, for some, this is a bittersweet season. While you’re genuinely happy for your batchmates, at the same time, you just can’t help but be a green-eyed monster.

At this moment, finishing college is every student’s Everest. Some are close to reaching their peak.

Some are still working their way through to catch up with their friends. Some chose to start over again. Almost everybody had to fight tooth and nail just to be where they are right now. Everyone had plans when they first set foot in the university. This includes getting a great group of friends, enjoying their early 20s, maintaining dean’s lister-worthy grades, and finally, marching the halls with flying colors.

We all planned for these things to happen in four years’ time, no more, no less. However, college is no easy thing to survive. It isn’t as easy-peasy, lemonsqueezy as they portrayed in the movies. You can burn the midnight oil and still get disappointed once you see your grades.

Being an irregular student is intimidating.

Undeniably, there’s a tendency for you to grow envious of peers who can go through college like a walk in the park. Sometimes, you would even question yourself if you’re still taking the right path. Perhaps, you have thought to yourself, you’re a straight-A student before, yet, how come you’re stuck in this situation?

While all your friends are finally moving on to the next chapter of their lives, you’re mentally preparing yourself for the pressure you’ll be receiving from people, even from yourself. Apart from retaking certain subjects,

being an irregular student requires more than just time and effort to catch up with colleagues. Students have to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally. As if the stress brought by retaking a class isn’t enough, dilemmas like being excluded from a block section’s bond and not knowing who you can ask for help are unavoidable.

Of course, you will come running back to your friends but unless your schedule matches theirs, you would have to say goodbye for now to lunch breaks and study dates.

Living the irreg life, as challenging as it is, comes with valuable lessons.

Nobody wants to stay longer in school than what has been initially planned, but life happens. The only way to ever get around this is by changing one’s perspective.

Flunking a subject or two might cause you setbacks but it isn’t the end of the world. This is the perfect opportunity to push yourself

out of your comfort zone, to make new connections, and to let yourself grow into a better person.

College isn’t about being the very best or competing to finish first.

Eventually, what matters is that you’ve persevered and learned at your own

pace. Your career – and ultimately, your whole life – wouldn’t be measured in the number of *tres* and *cincos* you received when you were studying. In real life, job interviews won’t include questions asking you how many times it took for you to pass Calculus 1

or if you graduated on time.

Rather, you’d be evaluated based on your competence and character.

It doesn’t matter if it would take you an additional year or more to finish your studies. As long as you are trying, you are moving. You will get that degree, too.

The Rise of BookTok and the reality of the Philippines

By Nina Pia Boco

B

ookTok, the part of TikTok that caters to everything about reading and bookish things, has been making its own name and has encouraged many young adults to read. It is generally an environment where everyone can freely exchange book recommendations and reviews on different trending books. This space on TikTok has allowed people to share their love for books as well as their own thoughts and opinions regarding their favorite reads. And as part of

the great majority of TikTok users, the Philippines also has its own space on the said subsection on the popular app.

There are a few Filipino “BookTokers”, or content creators under BookTok, who are actively engaging on the platform, but not nearly as much as other BookTokers from the global north.

This unpacks the different problems that the Philippines is facing, especially when it comes to the lack of support for Filipino authors, the lack of books in the country, and its consequences to the

education system and the Filipino youth.

deserve. Their stories are not given the right recognition.

Filipino Authors deserve more attention There are certainly a lot of talented Filipino writers out there. This is proven to be true with just how many great stories there are in the free publishing application, Wattpad. But not many of these stories are published in books and are not quite as seen in bookstores, unlike the Western stories and books that are internationally published.

Even in BookTok, there are not a lot of mentions of Filipino authors. Although it is not the fault of readers to prefer Western stories, it would be a refreshing thing to see on an international platform some Filipino representation and recognition. Some of these authors even opt to self-publish their stories since not many publishing companies in the Philippines would dare publish a book, unless the author or writer is well-known enough which basically means a celebrity, politician or some sort of that variation. With this, many Filipino authors are not getting the attention they

Pirated Books > Expensive Books It is undeniable that, although there are a lot of great published Filipino authors out there, the problem why writers lack support is because of how expensive books are and how difficult it is to find bookstores in the Philippines, especially in provinces. Meanwhile, in the metro, there are only a handful of bookstores that carry new and updated libraries. Though there are a lot of bookstores that carry old books, these are still relatively expensive for the average Filipino. With this, no matter how willing others are just to access new and published books, it is nearly impossible to be able to buy such books when it is equivalent to a week’s worth of a person’s grocery. So, with the hunger to access these books, many Filipinos opt to read pirated copies of e-books instead. This usually entails just downloading an e-book file off the internet with a smartphone or laptop to read it on, which, nowadays, almost all Filipinos have. In a commissioned survey of Asia

Video Industry Association’s Coalition Against Piracy, about 49% of Filipinos who have access to the internet admit to using pirated sites.

Outdated Libraries to No Libraries at all The libraries in the Philippines, which is where people would expect to have access to updated information and publications, is also one of the root causes as to why there are not enough books within reach for Filipinos.

In a study conducted on the Status of Philippine Libraries and Librarianship in 2018, the study said that, “majority of the public libraries in the country are found in the municipalities (50%), barangays (21%), cities (19%), and provinces (9%).

The actual total numbers of public libraries in the Philippines, however, only make up 3% of the ideal as prescribed by the law.”

The lacking 97% of what the country needs is what the country must address in order for people to gain adequate access to books and to be able to combat piracy.

The study also discovered that, “many (79%) of our public libraries have less than

10,000 volumes available in their respective local communities.” This implies that users have limited access to information, especially those needed in academic and school requirements.

What the real problem is The country is not allocating enough resources and budget in ensuring that the quality of education that the youth is getting is of top-notch quality. Likewise, teachers are not paid enough for the hard and difficult job they are doing. Public schools are not funded enough to get the materials needed in order to make sure that the students are able to get the information they need especially in science subjects and even reading. The country is not willing to fund the libraries which is a vital source of information especially for those who are still not reached by technology and the internet. Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan.

These wise words from the Philippines’ national hero still stand true today. The question is, why is the government not investing enough to ensure the future of the country’s youth?

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

Page 2 • Human Interest

You’re still an artist, even if the canvas has remained empty for years

By Mat Jefferson Ritcher

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our routines and coerced us to adopt a survival mindset. The result? A lingering creative block, or the incapacity to access our internal creativity as if an anxiety-fueled barrier. According to Joseph LeDoux, an author and neurobiologist on anxiety and fear, “anxiety is the price we pay for an ability to imagine the future.”

Such a quote encapsulates how surviving amid the pandemic with uncertain tomorrows wrecks our capacity to imagine beyond our senses. Our brains are wired not to think creatively, but rather to survive—and survive only.

That said, you’re not lazy nor have you lost a grasp on your skills; rather, your

prefrontal cortex, or the part of the brain responsible for creativity and complex behaviors, is just incapable to function at its best due to the ill-fated circumstances we find ourselves in.

Meanwhile, Heather Berlin, a cognitive neuroscientist of creativity at the Icahn School of Medicine, claimed that “there’s no really prescribed medication. There is no real magic pill [in resolving a creative block.]” It is because our brains subconsciously register high-stress conditions.

Otherwise stated, we became too much aware of our surroundings because of the pandemic. It caged our brains to become hyperconscious of only one thing, which today, and to reiterate, is survival.

While it is not easy to let

the creative juices smoothly sail as it often gets lost along the way—breathe it out.

Creative block is not meant to wander a lifetime. To recuperate, Berlin suggested that one must “have to take in all the information and then breathe. Do something else. Because those people who sit there and just obsess over thinking about it too much, using your prefrontal cortex, you’re actually limiting yourself.”

It is essential to remember that we have to admit our struggles to overcome them. In the words of LeDoux, “to overcome anxieties, first acknowledge them.

Then, practice redirecting your focus.

Current events can put us in reaction mode. Give yourself a chance to breathe and destress.” Cut yourself some

slack and forgive yourself for not having been creative lately. It is not being “lazy,” you are just busy breathing and surviving, anticipating another sunrise to seep deep in your skin.

There is no running hourglass as to when the canvas shall be splashed again with colors, when the ink shall stroke the empty sheets again, when your fingertips shall reach the camera shutter again, when your feet shall jive on the dance floor again—the list is limitless. The mind is a wanderer on an empty street; an inquisitive kid swaying on a swing. Creativity will find its way back home to your hands after the expedition.

It might have gotten a little lost, but it knows where it should be heading; that is, on your palms and spine,

to be able to create magic again.

That said, you are still an artist, even if you have not produced or have done anything creative in years.

The artist in you is not dead but rather just in a deep, sound slumber—it will wake up alive and thriving when time tells it to.

Crystals, manifestations, and subliminales: a precise guide to achieving your desires

By Mat Jefferson Ritcher

D

rop the perseverance and hard work, we’re manifesting our way to drinking posh fruit cocktails and shaking our peaches on a yacht— kidding!

Have you ever heard of the phrase “manifesting your dreams into reality”? If not, it’s more likely that you’ve already stumbled upon the words “law of attraction,” i.e., you attract what you think. To stir the pot a little, you can actually manifest what you think into a physical reality. But hey, don’t get too excited! Manifestation is an immensely broad topic to dissect as it ranges from science, the subconscious, energy, universal laws, psychology—the list goes beyond, and extensively discussing each would tediously fruit into a book (and the writer knows you’re too impatient to be reading all of that). Thus, pick up the nearest pen and torn paper near you. Here are some of the few things to think about when considering manifestation.

The science behind attracting what you think The mind, body, and spirit all play an interrelated role in the decisions you make and partake in, shaping what and who you are today. Dr. Carol Dweck, the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at

Stanford University, human motivation expert, and author, claimed that “believing you can do something makes it more likely that you’ll successfully do it.” Her research on her criticallyacclaimed book “Mindset” delved into how science suggests that our beliefs mold behaviors (including responses from others) and lead to the outcomes we desire. Simply put, the human mind and spirit’s cooperation is a tandem of the body that functions in the physical world.

The spirit helps the mind subconsciously register all the positive affirmations that the body needs, inevitably shaping motivation and eagerness to achieve what the human desires. While it is factual that hard work needs to be the A-lister, manifestation still helps mold perseverance as if a pre-game. When manifesting your desires, you become constantly reminded of what end goal you want to partake in, which leaves the body driven in reaching what the mind imposed as the objective.

The power of crystals to manifest Manifesting may be a powerful tool to flip the coin of your desires. However, if you have emotional and energy blocks, such as anything that makes

you incapable to think coherently, manifesting might be misleading rather than assuring. But fear not!

This is why crystals exist.

Crystals, which are harnessed over a thousand years, are not just for witches and other things that the media falsely portrays.

Rather, it is meant to subconsciously deblock the human’s mental impasses, which can also come in the form of physical exhaustion.

In the words of Heather Akinoskie, the co-founder of Energy Muse Jewelry, and an expert on holistic crystal healing for nearly three decades, “the crystal energy of the Earth is a tool to help you become more centered, grounded, and balanced.

When you manifest from this vibration, magical things happen.”

On the flip side, she also accentuated that “the power in this simple ritual resides in you, not the crystal,” and that it is crucial to connect it with your faith and be one with the universe beforehand. She advises the curious noses to hold the crystal when manifesting for desires and to set their intentions without any lingering of ill will. A little tip: If you crave love and intimacy, opt to purchase rose quartz; if you desire wealth, keep pyrite in your pocket.

Binge-listening

to

subliminales Precisely put, subliminales are a music of any form with hidden positive affirmationvibration formulas.

It registers positive stimuli in our subconscious as if the crystals’ pair; all you have to do is cut some slack and listen to it, even inattentively.

There’s not much to dissect in subliminales as they only exist for you to listen to.

Some of the best YouTube

channels that you can run to are Eggtopia, Vetala, and Synergy (E.g., Eggtopia subliminal for healing and forgiveness).

You may impart this on your daily routine effortlessly, even at a low volume.

Everything accounted for, the manifestation dynamic waters down to believing, and then living upon such a belief. With this at hand, if you find yourself struggling to heal from the

things that scarred you, perhaps manifestation is the way to go. Don’t be afraid to speak it out! The cosmos is a vast magic conch shell that listens to desires. You are made up of billion atoms that oscillate about a seemingly empty space on a molecular level.

So, go ahead! You are and always will be one with the universe; keep on talking, the universe is listening.

Human Interest • Page 3

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

As a citizen, unsubscribe to gov’t fanaticism

By Verity Anne Banogbanog

D

uring electoral campaigns, some political candidates get overtly ‘extra’ and ‘dramatic’ in terms of earning the trust and votes of the people. From hiring famous artists to sing their campaign songs, to dancing budots or doing silly stuff on national television, and even schoolyard bullying against their co-candidates (which could either bring them success or defeat) just to captivate voters and win the elections.

As for the voters, it is inevitable for certain individuals to admire officials that fit their standards or what kind of image a politician should bear. The tendency is others vote for a handsome celebrity, a world-famous athlete, or a candidate that does not hesitate to curse onscreen. On top of that, there are still people who choose to support them, despite allegations of corruption and similar controversies that are disclosed and being talked about by many until today. To make matters worse, some

public officials convicted of serious crimes still make it back into politics one way or another.

Moreover, there are elected officials who may not be involved in corruption scandals or authority abuse, but are likewise good for nothing. Voter education and decision-making tell that the masses must vote for competent people such as lawyers, doctors, and the like.

After all, ordinary citizens must be college graduates to land at a decent job. But for some reason, personalities with questionable credentials win prominent political seats.

It all goes down to one thing: popularity and name recall.

Yet these officials, either good for nothing ones or those involved in controversies, are defended by so many people in the streets and in social media alike.

Such unceasing devotion, or being a fanatic towards our government leaders could trouble the democratic practices of a country. From the definition of Psychology Dictionary,

*fanaticism* is “an excessive and usually irrational zeal or devotion towards a specific cause of belief.” From the article of Jeremy Sherman entitled ‘Fanaticism is a Disease like Alcoholism,’ it stated that “it’s not what they believe that makes them fanatics but how they believe it, that they have the final words, no need to consider further evidence, no need to ever wonder or doubt themselves again.”

A fanatic is likely to agree with every word or thing a political leader says or does, even if it is deemed wrong.

Some loyal supporters come from the official’s hometown wherein they uphold pride from their representative, or from the upper classes of society who are being favored by their privileges. What is more difficult to accept is there are also academic intellectuals who enable the wrongdoings of other government leaders.

When bad governance prevails from authority, citizens have the right to

demand accountability. The citizens are entitled to enjoy their democratic and human rights; hence, it is necessary

to vote for an official who is knowledgeable about good governance and prioritizes the needs of the people,

among other attributes.

Your taxes fund the government, so be mindful of who you hand it to.

‘Philippine Tattoo Culture: We are the ‘Painted Ones’

By Nina Pia Boco

W

hen the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan first arrived in the Visayas, he and the rest of the voyagers he was with were faced with men and women that had intricate tattoo designs in large parts of their bodies so,

they dubbed the island Las Islas de los Pintados or “the island of the Painted Ones.”

These tattoos of the ‘Painted Ones;, unbeknownst to Magellan at the time, symbolized prestige and served as some sort of a status symbol, especially

for the headhunters. Using the thorns of Calamansi and charcoal paste, these intricate designs were only given to the bravest and strongest warriors and headhunters.

In the book “The Kalingas: Their Institution and Custom Law by Franklin Baton”, he

mentioned different ways the Kalinga people would be able to have their first few inks. The first one is gimaiyang which stands how one is a “wounder of a living enemy”, and then manela or “deliverer of the killing bow”, then there’s sami the “taker of the lower jaw before the head is severed”, maniwat or taker of the head, and finally, dumagin or “wounder of the torso”.

For women, it was seen as a sign of beauty but, more so, it showed their strength.

Women were able to get their inks as soon as they reached puberty. Oftentimes, women of the tribes also get inks as they are passed along the next of kins of the headhunters.

Women with many tattoos often signify the strength of the clan as it indicates how many warriors are members of that clan. It was a culture of great significance for the Painted Ones. And then, the Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years.

With their own goal of spreading Catholicism and proliferating their cultural make-up to their colonies, the tradition of tattooing for most of these tribes started to differ and vanish. For many years, tattoos were seen as dirty and were only acquired by

criminals, including here in the Philippines. Even today, there are some institutions that do not accept applicants for having a tattoo, even if there is no valid reason to do so. Furthermore, there are still older folks that frown upon the idea of tattoos and tattooing. However, this outdated mindset is slowly fading away and the art of tattooing is blossoming again especially here in the Philippines.

Not only are tattoos becoming more accepted in the country, but also, the ancient traditions related to such are being revived as well. Apo Whang Od, a member of the Kalinga tribe and the only living mambabatok, has been known for her art and many tourists climb the mountains just to get tattooed by her.

Today, Whang Od, who is 103 years old, has been training her nieces to do the pambabatok to continue the tradition of her tribe.

Contemporary tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts alike are also raising more awareness regarding the ancient tradition of tattooing and are reviving the Filipino tribal designs that were and are part of the Filipino culture and identity.

The Philippines has a long way to go before the discrimination and judgment of tattoos can be eradicated from the system of this society. But, this liberation can revive who Filipinos are. Filipinos owe it to the first painted ones, to know and embrace the culture that is also part of who Filipinos should have been.

TOI-561b, the superEarth 280 lightyears away from home >> Page 2

Science and Technology

There’s still hope for a vaccine against HIV

By Christian Joshua D. Corcuera

S

ince it was first described as a disease in Septevmber 1982, AIDS has claimed over 36 million lives and counting.

Despite advances in science and technology, there is still neither a cure nor a vaccine against HIV—but there is still hope.

AIDS, short for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the disease caused by HIV—a virus that weakens one’s immune system by destroying cells that are supposed to fight illnesses. As of writing, over 38 million people are living with AIDS around the world. Several genetic studies suggest that HIV emerged between 1884 and 1924 in central and western Africa for historical context. It was first labeled as a disease, however, more than half a century later.

The virus is known to have affected monkeys and apes before being transmitted to humans, arguably because people have eaten infected bushmeat—the meat of wild animals.

Contrary to popular belief, HIV is not only transmitted through sexual activities. HIV is caused by various factors in addition to unsafe sex, such as sharing needles or syringes, and even from a mother to her offspring during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Additionally,

misconceptions surrounding HIV are common. For instance, some believe that HIV is airborne and is spread through fluids such as saliva or sweat and hugging and shaking hands— all of which have been scientifically debunked.

Unfortunately, aside from the erroneous ideas on HIV, these misconceptions result in unnecessary trauma and stigma among people with HIV. Hence, it should not come as a surprise as to why HIV/AIDS is a sensitive topic to this date.

However, progress is being attained in hopes of creating a safe and effective vaccine against HIV/AIDS. Last August this year, Moderna—which also made a vaccine against COVID-19—started a Phase I trial of its mRNA vaccine against HIV/AIDS. In the past, multiple vaccine trials against HIV failed because they were unsafe. Experts hope that the contrary will be accurate since mRNA vaccines do not contain any virus parts, suggesting they tend to be safer. Moreover, antigenic changes in the virus caused vaccine efforts in the past to fail. “For decades, scientists were hindered by their inability to capture the precise structure of this notoriously unstable trimeric protein,” said the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).

IAVI President Mark Feinberg said, “the only real hope we have of ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic is through the deployment of

an effective HIV vaccine.”

The Phase I trial is expected to be completed by May 2023, according to Moderna.

If found to be safe and

revealed signs of generating an immune response, the vaccine trial will advance to more advanced phases, which can, or cannot, lead

to a working HIV vaccine.

May 2023 may still be far away, but there is always a glimmer of hope.

We have vaccines, why are there still surges of COVID-19 cases?

By Christian Joshua D. Corcuera

V

accines work, do not let any surge tell you otherwise.

As of September 1, almost 14 million Filipinos— about 13% of the total population—have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. At the same time, the country is dealing with its toughest wave of the coronavirus exacerbated by the Delta variant.

When the world welcomed the year 2021, there was hope—hope that humanity could rise and recover as the 2020 coronavirus pandemic pushed society down to the abyss. More than 5 billion vaccine doses were administered around the world, yet millions of daily new infections were recorded in the middle of the year. Many were wondering: since

more people are getting vaccinated, why are there more cases of COVID-19?

Those who present such a question raise a valid concern because, after all, aren’t vaccines expected to decrease reported cases of the illness? By digging deeper, it can be examined that surges can still occur despite vaccination breakthroughs. And no, a surge in COVID-19 cases does not mean that COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective.

First and foremost, it is essential to note that being fully vaccinated does not equate to being absolutely immune from COVID-19. In fact, fully vaccinated individuals who later tested positive for the virus are called “breakthrough infections.”

Despite this fact, vaccinated people who were infected

have antibodies that protect them from hospitalization.

In the uncommon event of a breakthrough infection, the patient generally suffers from a merely mild case.

Thus, it logically follows that people must still receive their jab and not hesitate simply because of reported breakthrough infections.

The factors as to why breakthrough infections occur are largely attributed to immune fitness and variants. Christine Jenkins, professor at the University of New South Wales Medicine and Health in Australia, said that immune fitness varies among people.

For instance, younger people tend to have a stronger immune response.

WE HAVE VACCINES/P2

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

Page 2 • Sciennce and Technology

TOI-561b, the super-Earth 280 lightyears away from home

By Justine Denise S. Cruz

F

rom the launching of Sputnik 1 to the landing of Apollo 11 on the moon, space ventures prove how far science and technology has advanced.

As humanity’s hunger for knowledge of the cosmos becomes more insatiable, the panoramic view of life beyond Earth just grows bigger and bigger, leaving us with more questions rather than answers.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has always been the premier agency to spearhead space discoveries in recent memory.

Recently, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) space telescope in the Keck Observatory in Hawaii proved the existence of TOI-561, a 10-billion-yearold orange dwarf star that is 280 light-years distant. With about 80% the size of the Sun and half of its luminosity, TOI-561—short for TESS Object of Interest—is a sun-like star that hosts a planetary system. According to the team led by Lauren Weiss of the University of California in January 2021,

TOI-561 has three planets, namely TOI-561b, c, and d. In a similar observation made by Gaia Lacedelli from the University of Padua last December 2020, the star is home to a fourth planet, the TOI-561e.

Out of all the planets orbiting the star, TOI-561b stood out the most as those of its kind are the most likely to be habitable. It is characterized as an ultrashort period planet (USP) Super-Earth. Along with its sister planets, it is believed that they are the oldest exoplanets found so far.

Simply put, an exoplanet is any planetary body that orbits another star other than the Sun outside the solar system.

TOI-561b is not the first exoplanet that is classified as a super-Earth by astronomers. To date, more than 4,000 exoplanets have been uncovered, with 1,383 of these considered as super-Earths. 51 Pegasi b, better known as Dimidium, was the first exoplanet to be discovered in 1995, only 50 light-years away from Earth.

By 2009, NASA launched

the Kepler space telescope to hunt for other planets beyond our solar system. Up until its retirement in 2018, it has brought home information to more than 530,000 stars and 2,600 exoplanets.

While its sister planets are described as miniNeptunes due to their gaseous composition, TOI561b is a hot, terrestrial exoplanet that is 50% larger than Earth and is three times its mass. Surprisingly, its density is around 5.5 g/cm3, which is approximately the same as Earth’s. While it is significantly a mammoth compared to our home, it only takes about 11 Earth hours to complete a full orbit, thanks to its close proximity to its host star. Because of this, its average surface temperature can reach up to 2,500 degrees Kelvin. What makes the exoplanet extraordinary aside from its colossal mass is its location in the galaxy.

Situated in the galactic thick disk, which is normally home to metal-poor stars, the possibility of celestial bodies forming within its vicinity is likely low.

However, TOI-561’s

planetary system is an exception to this. Its existence is proof that rocky planets have been arising since the beginning of the universe billions of years ago. This also opens the debate on whether other forms of life, aside from humans, have also claimed territory of the cosmos. Though its present temperatures are too high to show any promise of life, scientists do not rule out the idea that it may once have been possible. Stephen Kane, a planetary astrophysicist in Weiss’ team, iterated that although it is unlikely for life to thrive in the planet in its current state, it will serve as a precursor for worlds yet to be encountered.

Humans are hardwired to be naturally curious creatures. The discovery of TOI-561b will only lead scientists to further rummage the void above. However, since exoplanets are lightyears away from Earth, superior technology will be required to answer one of life’s greatest questions—are humans the sole inhabitants of the universe?

WE HAVE VACCINES/P2 Another factor is the emergence of COVID-19 variants such as Alpha and Delta. “Immunity comes from two different forms of your response to the virus,” Jenkins stated.

The first is a cell mediated response, and the second is an immediate antibody response. Together, factors, such as immune fitness and viral load can explain why breakthrough infections occur and not because vaccines are ineffective.

More importantly, people must not be complacent or overconfident even if they are already fully vaccinated. In Chile, one of Latin America’s most vaccinated countries, breakthrough infections were likewise recorded back in April 2021—a time where they’ve fully vaccinated more than 25% of their population. Experts claimed that loosening restrictions prematurely, such as removing face mask mandates and physical distancing orders, can be partly blamed as to why a surge occurred despite its rapid vaccination rate.

Simply stated, receiving two doses of COVID-19 vaccines is not a pass for one to stop wearing masks or observing similar preventive measures. By August 2021, Chile has reached herd immunity

and COVID-19 daily cases in the Latin American country are down to a few hundred.

Here in the Philippines, almost 200,000 cases were reported in a span of two weeks last August. Despite tens of millions of Filipinos being fully vaccinated, the spread of the Delta variant is largely blamed for the surge of cases.

From another perspective, the vaccination rate of the Philippines is comparatively slow. While the country fully vaccinated less than one-fifth of the population, Cambodia and Malaysia have done the same to nearly half of their population. Hence, it is not surprising that spikes in COVID-19 cases occurred in the Philippines. The target of achieving herd immunity is actually a race—a race to be better prepared against future variants that may be more contagious and more lethal. vEven though there may be billions of vaccines administered worldwide, there are places where vaccination rates are rather slow such as in Africa.

Unless the whole world has achieved herd immunity, there is still a chance for COVID-19 cases to surge, especially in the form of new variants.

Lampoon Resume or Résumé of Duties?

AdU-meow

A

A

dUCATS is a relatively new organization in Adamson, but the cats in the campus has been there long before.

I was just a freshie when this happened. I was in the St. Theresa building, in the pathway towards the Miraculous Medal Garden, petting the kittens while letting my vacant hour pass.

Then appears this klasmeyt with long messy hair and eyes that obviously just finished crying. I noticed her holding this bind of papers, just a little bit thicker than a fresh rim.

She sat beside me and started talking to me about how much she loved cats.

Saying she found comfort in their company. She told me about this black and white

cat that she used to rant to about her problems. She said she often spotted it in that exact area.

She described to me how that cat would look at her with his half closed eyes making it seem like he was so bored of her rants as if it was telling her “There are bigger problems in this world, like what should I eat for dinner.” She was laughing in between her sentences and I was laughing with her, but I can still tell she was choking and that she’s close to crying again. But she said that, that is just what she needs. She liked how that cat, without even the ability to talk, never fails to make her problems seem small. She also said that she have always wanted to take the cat home but her neighborhood is a dangerous

place for cats. Saying people there aren’t exactly fond of them.

I wanted to ask her so bad, about what her problems were and why she looked the way she did but I couldn’t figure out the right words to use. And to be honest, I was a little bit freaked out because I was basically talking to a stranger. I didn’t respond to her much with words, mostly just nods and “mhm”s. But I really showed her that I am all ears. Also, thinking about what she said about ranting to cats, I figured she just wanted a listener.

I started to notice that there’s much lesser students in the hallway, and that I was 20 minutes past my vacant time. She probably noticed I kept checking

my watch too. She thanked me for listening to her and then she proceeded to walk towards the trash bins. I saw her aggressively ripping off the plastic covers of the binder she was holding and removed the plastic binding.

It was kind of stupid for me to still think “Wow, she was that mad and still managed to segregate.” vI still see her from time to time in the next couple of semesters. She probably doesn’t remember me because I changed my hair so much. But I could observe her looking better and better since that day.

And then, at the last week of my sophomore year, I saw her face among the graduates in the tarpaulin posted along the walkway.

ugust na naman, pasukan na naman.

Kapag August talaga sabay-sabay ang pasukan ng mga estudyante ‘no? Actually.. depende pala. Kapag student leaders o campus journos, madalas July pa lang o June start na ang classes nila. A month or two would be their preparation time for their plans for the upcoming academic year. It really amazes me how student leaders could manage to juggle the work and responsibilities from their respective orgs along with their stressful academic workload. Imagine, acads pa lang nga karamihan sa atin dinudugo na. Sila pa kaya na kayang i-maintain ang pagiging responsible student and leader at the same time?

I can’t do that.

I can’t sacrifice my personal and free time allotted for my academics just to attend to my fellow students’ personal concerns.

I can’t give my all out effort solely to leadership without having conflicts with my self-interest. I can’t run for a position in an organization without thinking of how my résumé would benefit from it. I can’t be brave enough to stand up for the rest of the student body.

Kaya naman saludo ako sa mga student leaders

katulad nila. I just wish that the RSO officers from AdU would acquire the same attributes like the ones that I’ve mentioned. Wherein we choose leadership without thinking how we can have it as an advantage for your résumé during internship.

Wherein we choose to be in office with responsibility and accountability and not for the sake of having your organization listed in your social media bios. Kung totoo ngang nagagampanan nila nang sapat at lubos ang trabaho ng kung saan mang posisyon sila naihalal, ‘yan ang hindi ko na sigurado.

Nakita’t narinig ko lang kasi sila nung sunod-sunod silang nagpublish ng mga litrato at noong Miting de Avance, mula noon naglaho na lang silang lahat na parang bula.

Siguro ang susunod na pagkakataon na makikita ko sila kapag outgoing officers na sila o ‘di kaya sa elections na ulit.. Kaso mukhang matagal-tagal pa pala ‘yun.

August na naman, pasukan na naman.

At hindi sapat ang dalawang buwan naming preparasyon para sa mga susunod na student leaders na muling bibiguin ang boto naming mga regular na estudyante. ‘Yung iyo ba Klasmeyt, kumusta binoto mo?

Entertainment

No Vaccines in Heaven: Where Eric Clapton stands>> Page 3

From Junior to MP: NBA 2K22 MyCareer is the dream

By Aeron Gabriel Pantig

L

ast September 10, 2K released NBA 2K22, the latest edition of the worldrenowned NBA video game simulation series.

With the vision to build authentic experiences for both generations of console players, 2K proved that NBA 2K22 is more than just a roster update.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to play basketball in any of Royal Caribbean’s f leet of cruises? Well, if you haven’t experienced it, 2K Sports brings it to you virtually through

the groundbreaking innovations in NBA 2K22 MyCAREER. From a beach life-themed setting in NBA2K21, The Neighborhood hits the seas this year as you climb aboard the “Cancha del Mar,” a cruise ship that docks at various ports around the world!

Yes, you’ve read it right. Carve your path to basketball’s grandest stage while satisfying all your luxurious hoop fantasies on a cruise ship.

After exploring all five decks of the ship, it’s

easy to say that NBA 2K22 is undeniably capable of bringing out the childhood of basketball fanatics from different generations. As a young kid who has just been introduced to the world of basketball, you tend to imagine extravagant scenarios in life. From a personal training court, Game Room, open-air courts, a zipline at the uppermost deck of a ship, Cancha del Mar animates all basketball adventures you have in mind.

But if you aren’t still convinced, drop by Promenade and amaze

yourself with all the sportswear branches located in a Europeaninspired shopping street.

Compared to 2K21, where sportswear brands are all in the same shop (imagine TITAN or Foot Locker), it was a great development.

Being able to go from the Nike store to Jordan, Addidas, and other brands surely captivates ballers who are also fashion enthusiasts.

The Neighborhood version of MyCAREER is specifically built for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, and PC users.

As for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S console players, you will be introduced to a revamped The City which radiates GTA vibes right off the bat. After introducing The City last year, 2K took a giant leap beyond the four corners of the basketball court to create an extraordinary MyCAREER experience.

The increased population in The City and new nonplayable characters (NPCs) to interact with provided more realism and options on how you want to live.

Of course, next-gen players won’t be missing

the zipline action that Cancha del Mar offers.

NBA 2K22 now allows MyPlayers to upgrade their crib and features a penthouse with a zipline to take you to different courts in The City.

Another unique feature of NBA 2K22 MyCAREER is the widerange quests that grant VC points and other ingame rewards.

Some quests revolve around fashion and music-which brings complexity to off-court opportunities NBA/P3

No Vaccines in Heaven: Where Eric Clapton stands during the pandemic

By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco

“

Stand and deliver / You let them put the fear on you / Stand and deliver / But not a word you heard was true.”

“Do you wanna be a free man / Or do you wanna be a slave? / Do you wanna wear these chains / Until you’re lying in the grave?” **These are only a few stanzas from ‘Stand and Deliver,’ a song written by the Grammy Awardwinning singer-songwriter Van Morrison and

performed by the rock and blues legend we all know and love, Eric Clapton, who is famous for hits like ‘Wonderful Tonight’ and ‘Tears in Heaven’; who has been called “God” by his fans just for his guitar playing skills and stature in the music industry; who has influenced generations of musicians decades after his career peaked. With inspiring lyrics like that, how could a person not raise their fists with him and join

the fight for rock ‘n roll?

That would have been a valid question… if those lyrics were about the genre and not Morrison and Clapton’s blatant dissent towards COVID-19 vaccines.

The song, released last December 2020, was an anti-lockdown anthem, and even though Clapton said that he was “immediately regaled with contempt and scorn” after NO VACCINE/P3

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

Page 2 • Entertainment

Disappearing into the sun with Lorde’s ‘Solar Power’

By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco

W

e waited four years, but it’s finally here.

The Twitter account (@ DidLorde) which posted daily updates since 2019 on whether Lorde has released a new album or not was finally able to tweet “YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHE DID!!!!!!!!!!!” ‘Solar Power,’ the third fulllength album by the New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde was released August 20, and despite the widespread anticipation for her return, critics and fans alike had mixed reactions to her newfound musical ambience.

When Lorde debuted with ‘Pure Heroine’ and entered the mainstream with her hit single, ‘Royals,’ she wore dark lipstick, dressed in all black, and had an overall edgy undertone in her music—a demeanor that perfectly captured the fact that she was a sixteen-year-old girl who rode against the tides of conformity to mainstream culture. In ‘Melodrama,’ her succeeding album released four years later, she gave us a taste of adulthood (and the heartaches that come with it) and took us with her to experience the searing pain of breakups and being left behind.

With all the awards and nominations that both albums garnered, they were sure to cement Lorde’s name as one of the biggestever figures in pop. During that duration, the late David Bowie himself even called her the “future of music.” She was critically acclaimed. She inspired most of the younger female pop musicians today such as Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish. We had all the reasons to sit and wait patiently for what her long-awaited album would etch for the history books.

To the world’s disappointment, Lorde had apparently waved goodbye to the intense, hot-blooded teenager from which her first two albums were molded by. Now, she just goes on walks, immerses herself in nature, appreciates sunsets, prepares lunch, eats cake in the bathtub, and does other seemingly mundane ventures, but is at her best, happiest, and obviously her most confident.

“You’ve got to do it while you got it, you know?” said Lorde in an interview with Stephen Colbert regarding the album’s cover.

“It was just me jumping over a friend on a beach, […] and I’m in a bikini. […] It’s a little hardcore,

but it’s so joyful to me.”

In the music video of the album’s first single and titular track, Lorde is seen in a beach, wearing an all-yellow cropped tank top and a long skirt that complements the lyrics, “No shirt, no shoes, only my features,” and dancing with what seems like a sunworshipping cult. Anyone who has at least watched her past music videos would

know that such a concept strongly contrasts the old Lorde, but as she said in an interview with The New York Times (NYT): “I was fifteen [when I wrote Royals]. I was shy, I was protective of my body, I didn’t want people to be able to comment on my body so I would sort of dress in a certain way. Now I’m 24.”

Despite the sense of stoicism and positivity

throughout the album, Lorde’s conceptualization and lyricism remains grounded in reality. In ‘The Path,’ she reaffirms her role as a celebrity, but says that she’s no savior or whatever role that fans give and glorify her as. In tracks like ‘Fallen Fruit’ and ‘Leader of a New Regime,” she addresses the reality of climate change and global warning and how

the planet could die if such problems aren’t addressed properly. In the third single, ‘Mood Ring,’ Lorde even satirizes the younger generations that deal with modern world spiritual and emotional problems using pseudoscientific solutions such as crystals and horoscopes.

SOLAR POWER/ P4

Entertainment • Page 3

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

NBA/P1 and MyPlayers’ career trajectory.

2K also didn’t shy away from improving the MyCAREER storyline.

The story carries on to the NO VACCINE/ P1 recording it, he got his first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine two months later.

After becoming fully vaccinated, Clapton sent a letter to Robin Monotti Graziadei, an Italian architect and anti-lockdown activist, who shared it to the public with the singersongwriter’s permission.

In the letter, he enumerated the “severe reactions” he experienced and blamed the “propaganda” for saying that the vaccine was safe for everyone. He also called anti-lockdown politicians and figures “heroes,” because for Clapton, he has been a rebel all his life, and is therefore “against tyranny and arrogant authority, which is what we have now.”

On the contrary, other rock icons have encouraged their fans to get vaccinated.

Paul McCartney, a Beatles legend, for example, posted a photo of himself getting jabbed with the caption “BE COOL. GET VAX’D.” Meanwhile, his former bandmate Ringo Starr said in an interview with USA TODAY that he has completed his doses and was “feeling groovy.”

Brian Wilson, one of the founders of the Beach Boys, did the same thing as McCartney, and posted a photo of himself getting his shot, saying “Everyone get your vaccine.”

Ozzy Osbourne of the Black Sabbath also had similar messages to their fans; in fact, practically most, if not all rockstars of their calibre agree that vaccines are necessary if we want to end the COVID-19 pandemic and return to normal.

But last July 2021,

NBA where there will be drama between the players, coach, and GM-which reminded me of the trill in NBA 2K16 MyCAREER. From being “Junior” in NBA 2K21, a raw but talented prospect playing

under the shadows of his deceased father, you are now following the story of “MP”, a charismatic young blood who has massive social media attraction.

MyCAREER on next-gen consoles

introduces extensive reallife opportunities that a prospect can seize to reach the NBA. You have the option to choose from 10 college universities, play in the G League with NBA-ready talents,

or declare for the rookie draft. However, it would be best to decide what you assume is the right path, as specific opportunities will potentially lock out others.

Aside from the groundbreaking innovation of MyCAREER, there are also new gameplay features that changed how you play NBA 2K. The shot meter can now expand or shrink depending on how good the shooter is from that distance, energy level, and defensive coverage. You may find it challenging at first if you are hooked to the 2K21 shot meter.

However, once you get the hang of it, you start to appreciate the new shot meter because it contributes to the authenticity NBA 2K22 provides.

MyPlayers can now emulate NBA stars with the new badges in NBA 2K22. It gives players f lexibility in modifying

the Prime Minister (PM) of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, started to require proof of vaccination for entry to crowded areas starting September.

Consistent with his beliefs, Clapton replied: “Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021 I feel honor-bound to make an announcement of my own. I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”

This time around, the guitarist for the legendary rock band Queen, Brian May, responded to Eric Clapton’s show cancellations, saying that he has his disagreements with Clapton despite his admiration for him as a musician. In an interview, May said “Anti-vax people, I’m sorry, I think they’re fruitcakes. There’s plenty of evidence to show that vaccination helps. On the whole they’ve been very safe. There’s always going to be some side effect in any drug you take, but to go around saying vaccines are a plot to kill you, I’m sorry, that goes in the fruitcake jar for me.”

Similarly, Peter Frampton, the original writer of the hit song Baby, I Love Your Way, tweeted, “If I hear, ‘I trust my immune system!’ one more time! The Delta variant is twice as contagious and doesn’t give a sh*t about your immune system.”

Despite these artists’ shared frustration towards anti-vaxxers like Clapton, a lot of music enthusiasts say that his recent behavior isn’t anything new. The

1976 political and cultural movement, Rock Against Racism, began partly because of Clapton’s racist remarks during a concert at Birmingham City where he said that Britain becoming a “black colony” should be prevented. At the time, he used the slurs “wogs” and “coons” for black people and called to “keep Britain white.”

Clapton has expressed regret for his racist remarks over the past few years, blaming his drug and alcohol addictions for the controversies, but with what he’s shown the public so far this year, it seems that he still has a multitude of problematic behaviors he must address and actively deal with, as any well-informed person would agree that vaccinerelated conspiracies perpetuate the already long-lasting pandemic.

The results of a 2018 study by David J. Jackson about celebrity endorsements and presidential elections suggested that celebrities, including musicians, can either weaken or strengthen a cause, depending on whether the public is familiar with them and favors them. And with a legacy like Clapton’s, people would naturally be drawn to him; after all, his works live up to his reputation of being a guitar-playing legend.

As his fellow rockstars have repeatedly hinted, it is indeed a shame that he has used his power and influence quite irresponsibly so far during the pandemic. One of his fans who also happens to be a guitar player, Kyle Austin F. Clemente, said in an interview that despite being a Clapton

fan, he was disappointed: “You’d expect him to be wiser especially for his age and his dark past, but it’s apparent that he’s still that bumbling ah* even without the drugs and alcohol. […]

It’s not an anti-choice thing, it’s simply avoiding the risk of infecting a large crowd.

If you think it’s not very a

rock ‘n roll thing to do, then I guess rock ‘n roll deserves to die in the first place.”

There is an urgent need for fans to draw the line between idolizing and blind worship, especially if they support artists like Clapton.

There’s no denying his talent, of course, but during a situation where reckless

their characters. Knocking down Curry-like offdribble 3’s (Chef shooting badge) while having the ability to soar from further away on driving dunk attempts like Mike (Limitless Takeoff ) is now more achievable. Say byebye to the opposing team and be like Damian Lillard in the 2019 Playoffs against OKC Thunder with the Limitless Spot-up badge.

For someone who has played NBA 2K since 2010, issues of subpar improvements are not new to me. However, I must say that this edition of NBA 2K is exceptional.

Each game mode of NBA 2K22 offers exciting new features that are worth trying. And most of all, NBA 2K22 definitely lived up to the hype!

If you still blow hot and cold about copping the game, this is your sign to pick it up now because NBA 2K22 is the dream.

claims could dictate life and death, it’s nearly impossible to separate the art from the artist.

As a society, we must continue to provide people like him with the correct and necessary information, but for now, there will be no vaccines in Clapton’s heaven.

Entertainment • Page 4

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

SOLAR POWER/ P2 Other songs talk mostly about growing up.

‘California,’ for example, is a reminiscent and contemplative track about how Lorde has abandoned the glitz and the glam of the celebrity life in exchange for the peace and quiet of living in her home at New Zealand and making herself available for friends and family. There is zero hypocrisy in that message as this new album has left behind the traditional compact discs for ecofriendly “music boxes” that will not chart for as Billboard and other charting platforms. According to her, she has “zero anxiety” about this approach as she has more money than she could ever spend in her life.

‘Stoned at the Nail Salon,’ and ‘Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All)’ are practically eulogies to her youth, or at least the kind of teenager that she was. In the former, Lorde sings, “My hot blood’s been burning for so many summers now / It’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads.” And in the former, she gives advice to her 15 year-old self: “Everybody wants the best for you / But you’ve gotta want it for yourself, my love.”

The rest of the tracks such as ‘Hold No Grudge’ and ‘Big Star’ are in the same atmosphere of appreciation, letting go of anger and other negative emotions, and settling in with a more stress-free life filled

with love (but, of course, without sweeping some important and inevitable social issues under the rug).

Criticism such as that from The Telegraph were deeply negative, calling Lorde an “over-privileged solipsist” and the album “underpowered.”

The Independent said that it “finds Lorde swapping her trademark directness for timeless detachment.

Sputnikmusic calls it “painfully flat compared to her first two records.”

To be fair, that may indeed be the case, especially on a musical standpoint. A lot of the tracks in ‘Solar Power’ indeed fall short of masterpieces such as ‘Liability’ and ‘The Louvre’ from ‘Melodrama’ or ‘Ribs’ and ‘The Love Club’ from ‘Pure Heroine.’ The songs are just not as powerful; the instruments not as ethereal and bewildering; the themes not as relatable and uncompromising. The problem with criticism such as these, however, is that they either fail to acknowledge or are willfully ignorant of what Lorde wanted to achieve with the album in the first place—it was obviously not commercial success or any type of Grammy-level glory.

As she mentioned in her The NYT interview: “I’ve grown a lot, done a lot. I’m happy. I work out a ton, my body’s hot, I’m feeling good. And... life is good, you know? And I’m bringing you in on where I’m at right now and

I hope people get that.”

In the realm of pop music (or music in general), it’s vital not to forget that we are listening to actual human beings with their own lives and decisions to make; and that some of them may not want the same thing that the other artists do. No offense to the fans, but Lorde is just not the kind who would do the same as Justin Bieber who asked his fans on Instagram to stream his single, ‘Yummy,’ while they were asleep to gain more streams, nor is she like Taylor Swift who sets up cryptic challenges on social media to garner hype for her re-recordings.

In Lorde’s case, we must accept the fact that we’re not getting another ‘Pure Heroine’ or ‘Melodrama’ because she’s no longer the same person—she’s now just some girl in New Zealand who likes to go on walks and hang out with friends and share those experiences to the fans who still want to listen.

If anything, she even asked us in the first place, “It’s a new state of mind, are you coming, my baby?” but having the whole world come with her once more just isn’t in her list of priorities anymore. Therefore, if others don’t like the album just as much, so be it, but some people (including me) just enjoy having grown up with Lorde through her music, as each album became the soundtrack of our lives during the times they were released.

Arts & Letters

What’s an Ink, if not Eternal Grief? >> Page 2

The City was Safe Last Night

By Verity Anne Banogbanog

T

he clear white ceiling seems to be a blurry vision as I wake up, my body laying down on the middle of my mattress while my arms and legs are spread liberally. Few seconds after gaining consciousness, I place my right palm on my forehead, trying to resist the heavy pounding inside my head.

I turn to the left side of my bed to see how bright the day is through my condo’s window, trying to guess what time it is

without checking my phone, although my headache keeps my mind from processing anything.

I look at my feet and see that I haven’t taken my sneakers off last night. Was I really hammered? I sigh.

It was a typical Friday night out.

I was wearing tattered denim shorts and a black halter top. Weekender blasts have been our ritual for 3 years—we just go to pubs in different cities until we are knocked out by sunrise,

although this was my first time waking up in my bed with fragmented memories from last night.

My phone is ringing.

Without squinting, I immediately swipe its screen and place it against my ears.

I answer the call with my eyes closed.

“Hmm,” I hum.

“You left your purse in my car. I’ll just leave it in your lobby later,” says an unfamiliar voice.

I am surprised to hear a man’s voice on the other line.

As far as I can remember, it was an all-girls night out.

“Huh,” is all my drained body can say.

“Oh, sorry. This is Ryan. We met last night.

Actually, I saw you last night. You were with this suspicious guy who was forcing you to come over to his place. I think you were very drunk and my instincts told me that you don’t know him,” the guy explains.

“You could barely stand up and I guess the guy was pulling you to walk. I

immediately approached you and acted as if I was your company. I asked you where your friends are but you were just pointing at vague directions so I asked your address instead. Good thing you responded and I was able to locate it,” he adds.

My mouth was too dry to reply and I think he knows I can barely talk right now so he just keeps going.

“Then I asked the guard in your lobby where your room is and took you there.

You instantly fell on your bed, then I just went straight home,” he concludes.

How on earth did I pass out that bad and why was I not with my friends at that moment? Knowing what happened last night puts me in a state of shock. I cannot comprehend how I ended up in such a perilous situation.

And a relief that this guy bumped into me. A one-ina-million encounter, I think.

But it was very alarming.

“Oh. Okay.”

The hangover just kicks in.

Sitting Pretty

By Mat Jefferson T. Richter The pandemic is a blessing.

I say as I sit atop a pile of the flesh of the dead, watching the metropolis become ballistic over tarnished bread as if famished wolves past midnight.

I say it guiltlessly, sightseeing the scenery of people-turned-capitalism-cogs shouldering planets at harsh daylight, barefooted, so their table isn’t squeaky-clean.

But don’t mind the spine!

It hasn’t been bent fully yet, there’s still a dainty space for political turmoil to foster, the road’s no longer

as narrow and crowded, what a dream!

Daya’s hit must have envied such craft.

Lost the revenue for the people who sit still and look pretty, who digest complacency at breakfast.

The stainless steel Pesos and papers painted with criminal faces must’ve been liquidized.

They’re sunbathing by the beach, swimming in pools of wealth, grilling BBQs from the flesh of people who starved to demise.

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

Page 2 • Arts & Letters

Puting Bistida

By Verity Anne Banogbanog

M

aaliwalas ang langit. Presko ang simoy ng hangin.

Mapayapa ang kapaligiran.

Masaya. Araw-araw.

Mag-isang nakatayo ang puno ng narra sa

kalagitnaan ng damuhan.

Nakikita ko s’yang nakahiga sa ilalim nito habang tinitignan ang pagbagsak ng mga dahon mula sa puno.

Lumapit ako sa kanya.

“Bakit ka bumalik?”

Wala akong makita na

pagkagulat sa mga mata niya kundi pagtataka.

“Araw-araw akong bumibisita dito.” Nginitian ko siya.

Ang mga titig niya sa aking mga mata ay may halong pagdududa. Alam

kong marami pa siyang mga tanong, at iisa-isa ko silang sasagutin dahil mahaba ang panahon.

Humiga rin ako sa kanyang tabi.

Ipinuwesto niya ang mga braso sa likod ng kanyang ulo upang magsilbi itong unan at ibinalik ang tingin sa mga nahuhulog na dahon mula sa puno.

“Bakit ngayon lang kita nakita ulit?”

Hindi na ako umimik.

Alam niya na ang sagot.

Nakatingin lang ako sa maganda at mapayapa niyang mukha. Hindi ako magsasawa.

Wala na siyang hinintay na sagot mula sa akin.

Nagpatuloy na lamang siya sa kanyang mga sasabihin.

“Alam mo, palagi kitang hinihintay sa puwesto na ‘to. Wala akong ideya kung kailan ka babalik, pero alam ko na magkikita ulit tayo.”

Nakikinig lang ako nang maigi. Ramdam sa aking puso ang tuwa, hindi na namin babalikan ang

pighati na dulot ng kahapon.

Malalim ang kanyang paghinga.

“Ang sarap ng hangin dito. Tahimik ang paligid.

Malayo sa polusyon, malayo sa gulo. Maaliwalas. Kaya hindi rin ako nauumay na maghintay sa ‘yo dito arawaraw.”

“Sabi ni nanay, tigilan ko na raw ang paghihintay.

Sabi niya rin sa akin, hindi ka na babalik. Pero tama ang kutob ko na babalikan mo ako. Sasabihin ko talaga pag-uwi na magkasama na tayo at mali ang mga nabanggit niya sa akin,” halos magkarugtong na ang kanyang mga kilay habang sinasabi sa akin.

Natawa na lang ako sa kanya.

“Ako yung araw-araw na naghihintay sayo dito,” mahinahon kong sagot.

Bumangon siya mula sa kanyang puwesto at umupo. Nakangiti lang siya sa akin. Walang kupas ang kagandahan ng ngiti niya simula pa nung una ko

syang makita.

“Bagay talaga sayo ang puting bestida,” puri ko.

Nagliwanag ang mukha niya sa sinabi ko. Walang pagbabago ang makulay at masayahin niyang pagkatao. Isa sa maraming dahilan kung bakit ko siya mahal.

“Talaga? Sinadya ko ‘tong suotin ngayong araw,” sabi niya.

“Alam ko.”

Tumayo ako at inabot ang aking kanan na kamay.

“Tara na?” Senyas ko sa kanya.

Kumikinang ang kanyang mga mata.

“Sige.”

Sampung taon din ang aming tiniis. Hindi ko sinadya, pero hindi maiiwasan ang nakatakdang oras. Langit at lupa man ang pagitan, nagsama rin tayong muli. At sa pagpasok natin sa liwanag, ay hindi na tayo maghihiwalay.

What’s an Ink, if not Eternal Grief?

By Mat Jefferson T. Richter

Photo by Reanne Mae Bernardo

To the craft so liberating yet so subordinate, how do you sit in awe of the inevitable mourning, unearthing wounds at ungodly hours just to write incoherently?

How posh must it be to write something so frivolous out of thin space, and call it poetry? The grief god must be throwing tantrums, weeping.

Under the shiver of its breath, it whispers:

“Thou shall not name the craft poetry for it is autopsy. Readers dart their eyes on the open wounds you unstitched just to witness your incoherent grief.”

Funny how they see right through my flesh the moment they indulge in the phrases I imperfectly crafted—funny how they’re unwary of the handprints paintd on my body, disguised as mosaics.

Photo by Aleckine Troy N. Rada

Arts & Letters • Page 3

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

Photos by Aleckine Troy N. Rada

Photo by Czarinah Marie C. Langit

Photos by Jeremay G. Onayan

Arts & Letters • Page 4

TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXV No.1

“Gone: Happiness and Willingness” John Renz Tubale

“Open Door” Lloyd Jamaica Almazan

“Garden” Ava Alcala