Ang Pamantasan Vol. 40 Issue 1

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

PLM Pres. Emmanuel Leyco during an exclusive interview with Ang Pamantasan.

Photo by: Bill Ariega

Read Ang Pamantasan Issues on Issuu:

New PLM President to establish a “University for public interest” Raven Khate VILLALUNA

A OPINIONS IN BRIEF One wrong move and you're out Being part of a “prestigious” university with the goal of producing high quality graduates, the institute decided to act upon the circumstance and came up with a solution—setting unreachable standards and putting the burden on the students alone.

ligning his thrusts and major plans of his brand new administration, newly appointed PLM President Emmanuel A. Leyco aims to transform Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) into a university that serves the public’s general welfare.

His major plans include to continue to give quality education and produce competitive graduates that will serve the interest of the public which prompted him to establish a School of Public Health.

“The public interest side is what I need to introduce to the University,” Leyco told Ang Pamantasan (AP) in an exclusive interview, “so we are going to start the school of public health,” mentioning that the country needs more doctors and frontline health workers, and better health policies for the public.

In line with this objective, he also plans to accommodate a greater

number of students and reduce attrition rate in the College of Medicine (CM), while retaining its 100% passing rate in Physician Licensure Examination (PLE).

“I think ang dilemma [lang] ng [ating] university ay ‘yung capacity. We cannot take in more than 150 [medical students], pero ‘yung attrition rate is something we have to address,” said Leyco.

On the other hand, he also mentioned his proposal of the splitting of the current College of Business and Government Management (CBGM) into two separate colleges: School of Business and School of Government According to Leyco, this proposal was already accepted by the Board of Regents (BOR).

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NEWS

FEATURES

SPORTS

Manila, Globe ink MOA on City’s digital transformation

On the rising wave of gender consciousness inside the university

PLM-CE MVT falls to UST, ends Final Four hopes

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, and Manila

In celebration of its 51st anniversary, the University

University of Santo Tomas Civil Engineering Men’s

Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso sign a

took significant strides towards promoting gender

Volleyball Team forged into the next round after

memorandum of agreement (MOA) to make GoWiFi

equality and safe spaces inside the campus through its

sweeping Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in

available in Manila’s notable areas such as its City

theme “Gender equality towards equal opportunity.”

two-set victory, 25-11, 26-24 of this year’s Junior

Hall, Ospital ng Maynila, Tondo...

Organized by the PLM Supreme...

Institute of Civil Engineers Sportsfest...

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On why beautification is superficial In implementing this band-aid solution to Manila’s congestion, Mayor Domagoso failed to address the problem of congestion as a failure in urban planning, a manifestation of the need for genuine land reform, and wage inequality between the city and the provinces.

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The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

news 02

Manila, Globe ink MOA on City’s digital transformation

EDITOR: Alaiza Elaine Manansala

2.5K

Globe’s GoWifi can be accessed nationwide.

₱ 1, 000

Mauren Dorothy MERCA

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monetary allowance is granted to qualified students of the PLM and UdM.

Manila, Globe ink MOA on City’s digital transformation

IN NUMBERS

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merchants have partnered with GCash that aid in financial transactions.

8565

BSA imposes “Dos Policy”

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orders the city government to grant a monetary allowance for qualified students of PLM and UdM.

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“

Students who will fail to score 65% or better in any subjects given in the Comprehensive Examination will be disqualified to continue the BSA program and will be obliged to either shift to another course or transfer to another school to continue the program.

year BSA student who requested anonymity due to the “threats he received before for speaking up against the status quo”.

In the policy, BSA students must also acquire a general weighted average (GWA) of 2.00 for the two previous semesters prior to the current semester and must not have any failing grade in every academic subject.

According to the BSA student, most students in the program feel so much pressure on reaching the target grade on major and even minor classroom examinations upon the implementation of the policy, “sa normal na course, the passing is 75 [percent], kami 86 [percent], so kapag hindi namin naabot ‘yung 86 [percent] consider bagsak,” pointing out that even the “smallest” examinations have a huge impact.

On the other hand, the Comprehensive Examinations will be taken by a BSA student twice: before the 2nd and before the 3rd year of the program. The examination is zero-based and covers Accounting subjects for the incoming 2nd year, and Accounting, Law and Taxation subjects for the incoming 3rd year students.

Students who will fail to score 65% or better in any subjects given in the Comprehensive Examination will be disqualified to continue the BSA program and will be obliged to either shift to another course or transfer to another school to continue the program.

The said policy and examination aim

to better screen BSA students, produce graduates that are highly potential to be CPA passers, and to increase the students and PLM’s performance and in the CPALE, according to the Office of the Vice President on Academic Affairs (OVPAA)-Approved Guidelines on Retention Policy and Comprehensive Examination.

The request on the policy and examination thereof was dated on May 8, 2020. It was approved and signed by Acting VPAA Arch. Gil C. Evasco.

Nonetheless, numbers of BSA students raised their concerns on the policy and examination. “In my opinion, ‘yung Retention Policy and Comprehensive Examination are linear solution to a systematic problem,” the interviewee stated in the perspective of a student who experiences the program first hand.

The student added that they have also perceived faults in other aspects of the program such as the curriculum, materials, and “competency” of the faculty, “I’m not saying na lahat ng professors sa accountancy ganiyan, pero mayroon.”

Ang Pamantasan (AP) requested an interview with Prof. Dennis F. Tan, BSA Chairman, for further discussion of the implemented Retention Policy and Comprehensive Examination, however did not receive any response after several attempts.

On the last October 2019 CPALE, PLM obtained an overall performance rate of 18.10%.

2.00

Must score at least

2

65%

Accounting, Law, and Taxation subjects

in any subjects given in the Comprehensive Examination

COMELEC representatives assist students on the Satellite Voter’s Registration.

Photo by: Anne Nicole Carig

will be disqualified to continue the BSA program; and will be obliged to either shift to another course or transfer to another school to continue the program

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

BSA RETENTION

Must not

POLICY*

have any failing grade in every academic subject.

Alaiza Elaine MANANSALA

The PLM Freedom Wall.

Photo courtesy: PLM SSC

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or better in

Students who will fail:

Freedom Wall to reopen this October

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on regular school days.

He said that there remains only one provision in the general formulation of the

86%

18.10%

PASSING RATE

amantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s Freedom Wall, which was recently converted into a hanging garden last academic year 2018-2019, is set to continue its operations this coming October as soon as the regulations to be implemented are finalized.

In a meeting with University President Emmanuel Leyco, together with Atty. Sandra Jill S. Santos (VPPA), Robert Ricardo N. Sombillo (Head Executive Assistant), and Ronald M. Papag last July 30, 2019, the PLM Supreme Student Council proposed the restoration of Freedom Wall, expressing that they wanted to “uphold the students’ freedom of expression without harming the rights of others”.

“The Freedom Wall sparks a healthy discourse and provokes thought and reflection on significant issues going around everywhere. I believe that he understands the

concerning the University uniform.

According to Prof. Gilbert Apas, Director for Student Discipline, to date, there is still no specific policy that allows students to cross-dress within the university premises

FINAL GRADES

Raven Khate VILLALUNA

or the academic year (AY) 20192020, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) program implements retention policy which requires a retention grade of 2.00 or better for all Accounting, Law and Taxation subjects, and a Comprehensive Examination to increase passing rate of the University on CPA Licensure Examination (CPALE).

“Ngayon, mayroon kaming limang accounting or major subjects so lagi kailangan ido-dos namin. Sabihin nating nakapasa ka, at the end of the year kailangan mo pa rin mag-take ng comprehensive examination,” said a 2nd

he Office of Student Development and Services clarifies the issue regarding the PLM-SSC’s Facebook post last August 18, 2019, regarding requests for gender-sensitive considerations

70K

Ordinance Number

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Work in progress: PLM gender-sensitive uniforms

15, 000 city’s scholars will be serviced with financial technology of Globe through GCash.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to make GoWiFi available in Manila’s notable areas such as its City Hall, Ospital ng Maynila, Tondo Medical Center, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Tondo National High School, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Universidad de Manila last September 18, 2019 at Manila City Hall.

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The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

importance of giving the students an avenue of expression. He approved of this, but not mindlessly,” Hannah Enriquez, SSC Vice President said on President Leyco’s approval.

President Leyco approved its reopening only after the SSC’s submission of policy and regulations concerning its usage.

The set of rules to be implemented will be called “The Freedom Wall Protocol.” Its creation is currently being handled by chairperson Hannah Enriquez and vice-chairperson, Jon Ehroin Barawid, CBGM College Representative.

According to Enriquez, the guidelines, principally, are based on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—an international treaty ensuring the protection of every person's rights, heavily based on Article 19 of the same document. The said article provides grounds to subject the freedom of expression only as provided by law

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and when necessary.

Furthermore, Enriquez also mentioned that the first draft of Freedom Wall Protocol will be presented to all the College Student Councils. “The Freedom Wall Protocol revolves around responsibly exercising our freedom of expression, all the while understanding that this freedom is not absolute.

The plan is to collaborate with the student councils to reach consensus before its implementation.”

“We do not want to impose a penalty on individuals or groups that deviate from the guidelines, as we want to instil the value of the sense of community and responsible freedom of expression to the students,” Enriquez answered when asked if there will be a corresponding penalty if one violates the regulations.

However, according to her, the SSC may indefinitely

CPALE OCTOBER 2019 *According to the Office of the Vice President on Academic Affairs (OVPAA)-Approved Guidelines on Retention Policy and Comprehensive Examination

halt the operation of the Freedom Wall after a warning, if there is a case of violation in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Freedom Wall Protocol.

The SSC also expressed their objectives on the reestablishment of the Freedom Wall. They are aiming for it to be an instrument that the students can use “to educate instead of alienate, advocate instead of condemn” and an avenue where everyone can express their beliefs and stands.

“With the behaviour of some students showing on the PLM Freedom Wall Facebook Page—defaming fellow students, accusing other students of criminal acts, redtagging, even bullying and bashing other students, all in the power of anonymity, we think that it's high time for us to understand what our freedom of expression entails,” Enriquez said, on behalf of the Supreme Student Council.

SSC, FTVN, COMELEC Manila conduct PLM Satellite Voter’s Registration Mecaela Mae GUMADE

O

ver 70 students of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) residing at District 5 of the City of Manila were registered as voters on the Satellite Voter’s Registration held by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) at Gusaling Villegas Conference Room last September 16, 2019.

Initiated by the First Time Voters Network (FTVN) in partnership with Supreme Student Council (SSC), and COMELEC Manila District 5, the Satellite Voter’s Registration was actualized with the purpose of extending convenience to the students who haven’t registered yet before the cutoff date on September 30, 2019 for May 11, 2020 Barangay and SK Elections.

According to Zynel Torrigue, SSC Commissioner on Collegiate and Civic Affairs, the initial districts that planned to conduct the satellite in PLM were District 1

and District 5 but only the latter immediately responded to coordinate. Moreover, the satellite was only a one-day voter’s registration since COMELEC would also accommodate the same initiative in other universities within Intramuros.

Prior to the said satellite, a Voter’s Education Seminar was held on September 13, 2019 led by FTVN and SSC that primarily discussed the rights and responsibilities of citizens as voters. It pointed out the qualities to watch out on electoral candidates and what must be considered before voting.

Aside from registration, student voters can also apply for transfer or process their reactivation. Students who would like to update or reactivate their voter’s registration must submit photocopies of their NSO/PSA Birth Certificate, a valid ID, and application for registration.

70

students of PLM residing at District 5 registered as voters.

Application For Registration Valid ID

NSO/PSA Birth Certificate

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-TIME VOTERS

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Manila, Globe ink MOA on City’s digital transformation

ISKO PRIDE

Aristotle CASTRONUEVO

G

lobe President and CEO Ernest Cu, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to make GoWiFi available in Manila’s notable areas such as its City Hall, Ospital ng Maynila, Tondo Medical Center, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Tondo National High School, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Universidad de Manila last September 18, 2019 at Manila City Hall.

This partnership also allows Globe deliver financial technology services to around 15,000 city’s

scholars in the capital's public senior high school and universities, particularly in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and Universidad de Manila (UdM). with GCash that will serve as the platform for sending allowances and other monetary benefits.

Qualified students are expected to receive a corresponding GCash Mastercard to withdraw their monthly cash allowance of P 1,000, which will also serve as their official identification card as a bona fide scholarship beneficiary of the city.

“This move will have an effect in the city in terms of efficiency of delivery of services using technology,” Domagoso said.

It was the nation’s capital's first step in contributing to Manila’s digital transformation initiatives, according to Ernest Cu. .

“Providing free WiFi services via GoWiFi and bringing financial inclusivity via GCash are just the initial undertakings from our end to contribute to the digitalization

15, 000 city’s scholars will be serviced with financial technology of Globe through GCash.

2.5K

Globe’s GoWifi can be accessed nationwide.

₱ 1, 000 Manila, Globe ink MOA on City’s digital transformation

IN NUMBERS

monetary allowance is granted to qualified students of the PLM and UdM.

Dwight Justley ULEP

efforts of the city. Our goal is to provide the entire digital ecosystem of Globe for Manilenños to enjoy their digital lifestyle,” he said.

Aside from transforming the city’s lifestyle digitally, Globe also aims to further fortify its presence.

“We need to build additional 100 wireless sites to improve the signal in Manila,” added Cu. He also expressed his anticipation, said that he could not wait to see what Manila would look like after three years and also vowed to improve the Globe network in the city to enable its digitalization.

Domagoso signed Ordinance No. 8568 last July 31, which orders the city government to grant a P1,000 monthly monetary allowance for qualified students of the PLM and UdM. The nation’s capital is now powered by the country’s major telecommunications service provider as Globe Telecom teamed up with the City of Manila to lead the digital transformation of the city.

To date, Globe’s GoWifi can be accessed in 2,500 sites nationwide especially in high-traffic areas like malls, hospitals, and schools providing accessible internet connection.

Meanwhile, GCash has made financial transactions easier for its 20 million registered users with 70,000 partner merchants in the country that has helped revolutionize the way Filipino transact.

PLM brings home 100% passing rate on PT Licensure Exam Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) tops Physical Therapist Licensure Exam with a 100% passing rate which was held on August 10 & 11, 2019.

3 out of 56 passers from PLM took their spot in the top 10: Rose Angeli Mesa Bartolome, 4th place with a rating of 86.65%; Adrianne Tan-Gatue, 5th place with a rating of 86.35%; and Louraine Dynne Zafra Dela Cruz, 7th place with a rating of 85.60%.

Last year, PLM had an overall passing rate of 96.15% in the 2018 Physical Therapist Licensure Examination with 4 topnotchers.

PLM ME, back-to-back with 100% passing rate Eighteen out of 18 first-time takers from the College of Engineering and Technology aced the August 2019 Mechanical Engineering Board Exam, garnering a 100% passing rate.

The examination was held at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) testing centers in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Lucena, and Tacloban on August 25 & 26, 2019.

Last year, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) also had a 100% overall passing rate in the August 2018 Mechanical Engineering Board Exam.

PLM aces 2019 REE Licensure Exam Manila Mayor “Isko” Moreno Domagoso signs MOA with Globe Telecom at the Manila City Hall. Photo by: Raven Villaluna

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

New PLM President to establish a “University for public interest” 70K

Ordinance Number

8565

orders the city government to grant a monetary allowance for qualified students of PLM and UdM.

merchants have partnered with GCash that aid in financial transactions.

“

However, Leyco stated that the current University space and facilities cannot handle a greater number of students yet, thus he aspires to expand the campus but “not yet a plan; it’s an aspiration.”

“In terms of public interest again, I think the businesses in the City [of Manila] require expertise that PLM should be able to provide,” he said.

Leyco emphasized that the quality of PLM graduates are “management potential” and fit in administrative positions rather than workers in nonexecutive level, “I’d like to change that image of PLM graduates.”

The separation of the current CBGM aims to produce graduates who will “take on leadership positions in the government” and help develop economic and public policies in the City of Manila that will benefit its residents.

Aside from business and governance, the new administration also aspires to showcase the ability of the PLM students and faculty members in the field of research.

“I’d like to see the University to have a University [Research] Center that will not only coordinate and consolidate research, but to come up with university-wide research that will aim to create

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The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

impact not only in the discipline you’re in, but [will] also impact the sectors, the country as a whole, but most specifically the city,” Leyco said, expressing his ambition for the University to produce “cutting edge” innovative research outputs that will be beneficial for the City.

He mentioned that the City of Manila recently gave a 20-million budget to the University that will fund a robot, “MaBot” [Manila Bot], which he said will “symbolize our contribution to how the city can serve the residents and our constituents better.” He added that it is still under conceptualization.

Moreover, according to Leyco, education is a right – “it’s a total waste not to educate people” hence plans to “scale up” the student population and accommodate more applicants in the PLM Application Test (PLMAT), especially those Manilans.

Accordingly, the University will open additional four off-site testing centers in the city: Ramon Magsaysay High School, Araullo High School, Manuel Roxas High School, and Torres High School. He also

mentioned that online PLMAT review materials will also be provided.

However, Leyco stated that the current University space and facilities cannot handle a greater number of students yet, thus he aspires to expand the campus but “not yet a plan; it’s an aspiration.”

He said that the lack of open spaces for students and faculties is the first thing that he noticed in the campus, therefore he plans to maximize facilities, and also mentioning the development of some classrooms conducive for an interactive student-teacher learning like the case room.

“Mas importante ang maging analytical ang estudyante, maging critical, and maging creative,” he said, stating that those are his three main approaches to teaching that he wants to impart in the University’s education setup.

Nonetheless, he emphasized that though he encourages critical thinkers, analytical, and creative students who do not take things at face value, he does not promote student activism.

“I will not encourage you to do one way or another,” said Leyco, then affirming that he will not restrain any student movement towards any issue at all as he, himself, too was a student activist before.

On the other hand, when asked about his opinion on student regency, he claimed that it would be a huge process to accord students a position in the Board of Regents since it would change the PLM Charter, Republic Act No. 4196.

According to the President, though the charter constraints students from being a formal member of the administration it will not limit their connection with the student body, expressing “nothing could stop us from being consultative.”

“I would like to maintain a consultative adminstudent relationship,” he said, mentioning that he would like to have regular meetings and even share casual periodic lunches and breakfasts with the students.

“Being a president, to me, has not changed [me].

[I’m] Just busier,” Leyco said, “so far, I think it’s going to be a good stay for me.”

On the August 2019 Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) Licensure Examination, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) garnered 100% passing rate as released by Professional Regulation Commission on September 6, 2019.

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) recognized PLM as one of the top performing schools in the said board exam along with 15 other universities.

With a total of 4,891 examinees, only 3,285 passed the REE which was conducted on August 31 & September 1, 2019 in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tacloban, and Zamboanga.

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The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

Futile in fertile soil

opinion 06

POINT-BLANK

EDITOR: Raven Khate Villaluna

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The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Read Ang Pamantasan Issues on Issuu:

EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF RAVEN KHATE VILLALUNA Editor-in-Chief MECAELA MAE GUMADE Associate Editor NICOLE ANNE MENDOZA Managing Editor ALAIZA ELAINE MANANSALA News Editor KEANE ANDRE ESCOBAR Features Editor ANNE NICOLE CARIG Literary Editor INA FRANCESCA GONZALES Filipino Editor KENT MARVIN MOJICA Sports Editor NISHA HERNANDEZ Online Editor SHARMAINE MARARAC Board Secretary ARISTOTLE CASTRONUEVO Circulations Manager MAUREN DOROTHY MERCA News Staff JEROME TRESVALLES Features Staff DWIGHT JUSTLEY ULEP Online Staff BILL PHILIP ARIEGA Photojournalist JUNNINE MARIE TUPAZ PRINCESS FAITH CACNIO ASHLEY MAY HERNANDEZ Illustrators KIM ANGELO NAVAJA JHON BERT PAYOS Layout Artists PROF. NORLIZA NORDAN Technical Adviser

One wrong move and you’re out EDITORIAL

P

amantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila – Institute of Accountancy is currently facing a huge dilemma with its board examination’s low passing rate that is evidently inferior in comparison to the percentage of passers of the licensure exams of other board courses offered by the University. Being part of a “prestigious” university with the goal of producing high quality graduates, the institute decided to act upon the circumstance and came up with a solution—setting unreachable standards and putting the burden on the students alone.

With a zero-based policy, a grade of 2.00 or better on all major subjects connotes that there should be no room for mistakes. On a 10-item quiz, a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) student must get a score of 10 or 9 to pass. A score of 8 is equivalent to 80 or 2.50 which is a fail. Now, assume that the student successfully passed two semesters with no grade below 2.00, will they now be able to celebrate their success? The answer is no. They still must pass a comprehensive examination that will be given during vacation break. Imagine them exerting all their heart and effort for a year and eventually being kicked from their degree because of one wrong answer in a certain examination.

The new policy is similar to a game show, wherein the number of players decreases over time to find the best among the bests, totally ignoring the reality that everyone works at their own pace and learns in different ways.

The only difference is that, in game shows, players who failed are still given a second chance to prove themselves worthy through a wildcard round.

While in this retention policy, once you failed to comply with the standard, there is no wildcard round to save you from being eliminated. In that analogy, it seems like a learning institution which is supposed to enhance student’s capabilities is even worse than a normal game show.

Retention policies are implemented to better screen the students for an institution to be able to produce high-quality graduates and obtain a competitive passing rate. What they fail to see is that it is not the sole

opinion

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

solution for the continuous decrease of the University’s performance rate on Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE). When a problem arises, it’s best to start analyzing on the root cause rather than what’s evident on the surface. Numbers of accountancy students admit that despite their hardwork, they don’t fail to realize the insufficiency of their curriculum and learning materials in comparison to other Universities that top the CPALE, and even the efficiency of their faculty.

It’s not only the students who make the overall performance on a board examination. It reflects the collaborative effort between students and the department. The students should not be the only ones who must adjust, the system must also be evaluated and improved to attain effectiveness.

Performance on board examinations may be one of the key indicators on how well a university is performing and it also builds up the university’s reputation and standing. However, we must not neglect the fact that a learning institution’s main goal should be to hone and develop the skills and capabilities of the students and help them reach their ambitions. The students’ welfare and interests must always be considered first before making decisions and actions. Removing students who will fail to reach the standards for the first time is an impulsive move and only shows that the institution is a diploma-milling one whose biggest concern is their mere number of graduates who will pass the licensure examinations.

A university that aims for high quality students must create them with high quality education, not choose them and eliminate those who cannot pass through series of filtration. The passing rate of a program’s board examination might improve with a fewer number of students left during the graduation day, but this doesn’t make the students “better”—only resilient, nor does it improve the faulty education system. It is not the students’ responsibility to fix an inherently broken system while having their dreams as mere collateral damage.

Raven Khate VILLALUNA

o improve the country’s rice economy and lower the inflation rate, the administration enacted the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). In a nutshell, the law removes quantitative restrictions and government control on rice importation in order to reduce rice market price and boost our farmers’ income. However, the law seems to fail its promises as farmers plead for help from the government as palay price continuously plunges low. Only through directly supporting and investing in our local production will our country reach its rice supply and price security.

On February 15, 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte enacted the RTL or Republic Act 11203, authored by Senator Cynthia Villar. Generally, the law allows the liberalization of rice imports—abolishing previously placed quotas on rice imports. The administration and economists want the public to believe the law of supply and demand that they deem to apply in this law, whereas increasing the amount of a product will reduce the price hence allowing more foreign competitors to enter the market. This manner of implementation may (or may not) effectively benefit consumers but fails to recognize its effect on our farmers; this law subjects them into unreasonable competition with subsidized imports.

Various groups of farmers claim that farmgate prices of palay, currently, can go as low as P7 pesos per kilo which is immensely lower than its P12 production cost. They said that due to the RTL, retailers no longer wanted to buy from local producers and preferred the much cheaper imports. Though countered by National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Judy Dansal, citing the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), that the rice prices range from P16 to P17 pesos per kilo which is not below the production cost, it still shows that the farmers’ income remain very little, as it is also 17

percent lower than the 2018 price; ironic to the rationale of the RTL. Additionally, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA), in comparison with 2018 price also, the farmgate price of palay is P14.1 in 11 provinces, which is 34 percent lower.

Not only does the palay price is plummeting, but also the quality of rice in the market, according to a consumer group, Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI). “We note that rice prices have barely lowered, while affordable rice is of poor quality,” SUKI said. Lowering income of farmers and still high retail prices of imported rice brimming in the market, contrary to the law itself, is a basically a telltale sign that it is failing.

On the other hand, even if the RTL places a minimum of 35 percent tariff on imported rice, claiming that the rice from other countries are much “cheaper”—beneficial for less efficient local producers—this claim is misinformed and not completely true since our local market is still dominated by trading cartels that could increase rice prices based on different factors such as natural disasters and low local production.

The tariff revenue, however, will go to the annual Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which will be utilized for programs that will help boost yield and income to farmers. An annual P10-billion support for over a six-year period may sound fair, but is not enough to compensate our domestic farmers and rice industry in general; with import cap removed, NFA loses will lose its control in functions in rice importation as well, reducing its role into buffer stocking for emergency situations. Instead of improving, the legislation of the law seems like a treacherous move for the industry.

Rice industry, despite having rice as a staple in a highly agricultural country, has been a struggle for decades now—to the Filipino consumers and ironically and even worse, to its main producers. The laws that the peasant community needs are the ones that do not treat them and their livelihood as a mere casualty; any policy presumed by the government to better our rice economy, without direct and sufficient support for our local rice farmers, will remain futile in our fertile soil.

On why beautification is superficial

Mayor Isko should treat Manila’s congestion as a symptom of a larger problem, not a problem to be solved through daily clearing operations.

POINT OF DEPARTURE

M

Keane Andre ESCOBAR

ayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso and his recent continuous clearing operations in Manila have been lauded by many as a “step towards a better Manila,” especially in addressing the city’s problem with decongestion. However, this sentiment fails to question the democratic process involved with the clearing and revoke the informal sector’s right to the city. In implementing this band-aid solution to Manila’s congestion, Mayor Domagoso failed to address the problem of congestion as a failure in urban planning, a manifestation of the need for genuine land reform, and wage inequality between the city and the provinces.

Majority, if not all, of street vendors and stalls victimized by the clearing operations are part of the informal sector, one of the sectors largely responsible for approximately 38% the country’s working class. The informal sector, as well, is attributed as one of the most important income-generating sectors in the Philippine economy. This is largely due to the ease of getting into the sector: for the Philippines with high poverty incidence and highly commercialized education, many are limited to working in quickpaying jobs that do not require institutional education. Because of this, individuals under the informal sector suffer under precarious conditions: aside from the lack of job security, they are also vulnerable to environmental risks that come with the job (e.g. the abject pollution, lack of protective equipment, etc.).

Part of what drives people towards the cities and into the precarity of belonging to the informal sector is the presence of the regional wage board and export processing zones: programs that ultimately wide the disparity between the urban and rural lifestyle. The regional wage board, managed by the National Wages and Productivity

Commission, determine the value of the minimum wage in each region. Originally established to promote corporate investments in rural areas, the regional wage board only undermined the nationwide labor struggle for just wages as the added bureaucracy only accommodate the pressure in one area despite the immediate need for an across-the-board increase. This disparity in the value of minimum wage only push workers to move to Metro Manila for higher wages. Currently, the National Capital Region has the highest value at Php 537, which is already hotly contested by labor groups nationwide as too small for today’s prices.

In addition to this, export processing zones could also be to blame for the congestion in the city, with workers seeking better job opportunities in the cities instead. Hotbeds of labor exploitation and wage repression, labor leaders have long exposed the poor working conditions in these areas, as they continue to follow flexible market schemes that promote union busting, poor wages, and contractualization. Lest they be subject to these conditions, a large majority of people then opt out of the pool and instead move to the cities, lured by the possibility of better job opportunities.

This immediate closure of small and informal establishments is also willful ignorance on the local government’s part because time has proven that these methods do not work in the long term. Even during the previous Estrada administration, aggressive clearing operations in Binondo, Baywalk, and other parts of Manila have been conducted only to yield the same results: after a few months, the vendors go back again to re-establish their spots.

Ultimately, if Mayor Isko truly wants to clear Manila of congestion, he should look towards more inclusive options and stop utilizing methods that prove to be cruel in the short-term and futile in the long run. Part of this would be to hold corporations accountable for their gentrification in the provinces that only push people to the suburbs, and to address the issue of poor urban planning, genuine land reform, and widening wage inequalities.

07

Sogie bill, a thief of the straight person’s rights? Not so REASONABLE DELUSIONS

O

Jerome TRESVALLES

n the face of it, the SOGIE bill is a bill that seeks to provide the disenfranchised LGBTQ+ community; it covers their right as Filipinos in the constitution’s bill of rights to be free of discrimination of any form, so why are so many Filipinos opposed to the idea of LGBT’s expressing themselves?

From what we know and what we have seen, it is that Filipino’s misinterpretation of the bill as an infringement of their faith, made worse by their assumption that because the Philippines has a majority of Christians living in it, the law should also strictly reflect our religious heritage.

We make it clear here that the SOGIE bill’s intent was never to undermine the rights of religious folk, but to protect people from unfair treatment on the basis of their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression.

It means that harmful acts or denial of services due to discrimination of a person’s gender or sexual orientation will be met with an according penalty.

Despite this, there are still counter movements against this bill, citing the following: “The bill proposes special rights not equal rights”, “It goes against the word of God”, and “Why would we even need a SOGIE bill if an Anti-Discrimination bill is already in place?”.

Does the bill provide special rights for the LGBTQ+?

No, and to understand that, let’s put it into perspective; in 2014 the Black Lives Matter movement came into public view after the killing of Eric Garner, and their plea was as said in the movement: “All lives won’t matter if Black lives don’t matter too.” In context, the SOGIE bill works the same way. It is not a bill to make LGBT lives more elevated than everybody else, it is just to make certain that they are treated equally, even if it is only by law.

LGBT rights protection in the Philippines only exist on the local government level, with attempts of nationwide coverage either stalling or snuffed when it reaches the senate. While it can be contested that the constitution protects Filipinos from discrimination, the constitution does not offer protection for acts of infringement on an LGBT person’s rights, as it does not outline how their rights should be recognized.

The SOGIE bill provides and defines acts that harm an LGBT’s rights and its respective penalty, in order to protect the LGBT sector in its entirety, since the law cannot be expected to punish a situation it cannot define.

As it stands, the LGBT community in the Philippines are merely tolerated and as much as the state wants to make it seem as if they are accepted, the lack of laws in place to protect them reflect their substandard treatment.

Do we need a law like the SOGIE Bill right now? Can’t it wait? A law like the SOGIE bill has no proper time for introduction to the Filipino people; there will always be opposition for it regardless of when it is introduced.

Do we really need the SOGIE bill? Yes, in a country where stereotypes have control over human decency, we badly need it. This bill will serve as the start to a change in perspective to LGBT’s and it may usher in a new wave of legislation that allows people outside the binary definitions of gender to be given the same treatment and recognition under the law.

All the LGBT community asks of us is to recognize that they exist and that their rights are just as important as ours. The SOGIE bill is their appeal to the state that they deserve the same protection granted by the state, no matter the orientation.

Isyung isko

JUANA, MAGTIPID KA!

08

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

Juana

Isang entry sa diary

ADDITIONAL NOTE TO SELF:

Libro, mga bolpen at highlighter, sandamakmak na yellow paper, baryang pamasahe sa jeep, beep card na may load, handouts na ipapa-photocopy, biglaang pandedemonyo na mag milk tea kahit ‘di mo naman deserve… ‘di ko alam kung bakit pero sa tuwing nasa loob na ng pAmintasan, tila hindi natatapos ang gastusin, kahit sa maliliit na halaga lamang. Idagdag mo pa ang patuloy na tumataas na pasahe at nagsusulputang matrikula na kailangan pa naming lingunin. Mabuti na lamang at naglabas ng ordinansa ang bagong halal na alkalde ng Maynila na nagsasabing magkakaroon ng 1K ang mga piEleM at yUdiEm students kada buwan.

Pero hindi nga pala ako botante at residente ng mAyniLuhH. Nagdo-dorm nga lang pala ako at nakikipag-bakbakan sa terminal kapag pauwi sa probinsya tuwing Biyernes. Okay bye.

delacruzjuan@apmail.com I-download ang mga pdf at e-book sa drive dito.

Tandaan, hindi ‘yan para i-tambak lang sa drive. Kailangan mo aralin lahat ‘yan. Pasukan na naman kaya iwas muna sa walwalan at tutok muna sa mga pag-aaralan.

Okay, Juana? Okay.

CHECKLIST

Sapantaha #1: dadami na ba ng ganap at kainan sa loob ng piEleM? Not a sapantaha pero definitely a *saNa* Sapantaha #2: iz diz bye bye student rEpPreSsiOn na ba siz? Mas dinig na ba ang powerZ ng boses ng mga isKolar ng bAyan na ngayon ay lumalaban?

SAPANTAHA Bagong buwan ng pasukan, bagong taong panuruan, bagong mga polisiya, bagong alkalde, at bagong presidente. Grabe, siZz, ang daming bago ‘diba? Hindi lang sa pAmintasang mahal kundi pati na rin sa lungsod ng mAynilUuhH. Una, si parE ay napalitan ng inihalal, isa muling dating aktor na naglalayong sumulong ng isang bAgoNg MaYniLa. Kasunod naman nito ay napalitan si mare ng isang opisyal na marahil hindi produkto mula sati‘ng piEleM ay tila naman isang maalab na manunungkulan. Dahil nagpalit na ang hurisdiksyong nagpapatakbo sa pamahalaan sa loob at labas ng pAmintasan, siguradong may mga partikular na panukala rin ang mapapalitan.

Reg form Bag Gamit sa school Powerbank at earphones Baryang pamasahe sa jeep Ano pa ba’ng dapat kong gawin? May nakalimutan pa ba ako?

Matulog nang maaga… isipin na ang almusal…. at i-set na ang limang sunud-sunod na alarm… Dumating na ang panahon na kulang na naman ang tulog at ubusan na naman ng pasensya at oras sa pag-commute. Eto na, ilang oras na lamang ang nalalabi at sasapit na ang madilim na araw na itinakda.

AUGUST 5 MAY PASOK NA BUKAS!!!

Akalain mo yun? Nandito na naman ang mga araw na muli na namang papasok sa mga pintuan at magpa-patusok ng bag sa mga Yu-eS-jI ng mInAmaHal na Pamintasan. Ba’t parang ang bilis naman ata ng bakasyon? ‘Yun na talaga ‘yun, tEh? Limang buwan na talaga ‘yun? Parang last week ay tamang nEtfFlix and cHilL lang pero ngayon, prof na ang #NoChill at balik na naman kaisa-isang unibersidad na may sibuyas sa harapan.

I-CHECK: RENOVATED GARDEN CENTER Iba talaga ang mga piEleMeyers. Nakakagawa ng paraan kapag sinasabitan ng halaman ang kalayaan. Nagsimula sa hanapan ng blockmates, sa bentahan ng libro, labasan ng mga kuwento, at hanggang sa naging piElEm exclusive tInNdErr, ilang click lang mula sa asul na app ay makikita na ang ngayo’y page ng tinig ng mga anak ng sibuyas.

Pero wAiTt... narinig ata ng mga nAnGangAsiWa ang hinaing ng mga sAd isKolAr teEns at mabibigyan na ng freedom ang pader na inalisan ng layunin kahit ito ay para sa fReEdOm naman talaga. Bye garden center, hello freedom wall!

MINUTIAE DAHIL MAARTӔ At dahil fiRsT daY bukas, kailangan ko mag-ready ng #OOTD para dama ang back to iSkuL feels kahit ayaw ko naman talaga pumasok. Pwede na umawra dahil chika ko na hindi na magiging gano’n kahigpit ang dating “sa oEsDiEs ka, iha” na lagusan bago ka makapasok sa pAmintasan. Oh, pak, ‘diba? ‘Yun nga lang, hindi na ako freshiE kaya sibilyan ay ‘di keri. Kaya uniform na lang ang ready kahit ‘di ko na mahanap ang university pin para sa ribbon. Pero sagap ko rin ang balitang nasa diskusyon na maaaring pumili ng klase ng uniform na mas bet isuot ng mga isKa, kahit piliin man ang pantalon o palda. Ano kaya ang masasabi doon ng aking mga ka-isKa?

ALPAS,

ISKO AT ISKA! Mag-aral, mag-aral, mag-aral.

Saan man ako pumunta, hindi na bago may mga piEleMeyer na nakasubsob sa handouts o di kaya naman ay may hawak na libro at calculator habang tila kumakausap o nakatulala sa hangin, maging sa kalagitnaan man ‘yan ng hallway o sa loob man ng jeep. Hindi na bago sa mga isKolar ng piEleM na para pumasa sa natatanging standards ng bawat kurso, ang tulog at oras ay magiging pribilehiyo na lamang – ‘di bale nang maglupasay sa harap ng mga requirements at exams basta makapasa. Marahil ito ay para rin mapatunayan ng estudyante na sila ay nararapat sa pAmintasan, ito rin ay para mapangalagaan ang board eXam pAsSiNg rate na nagpapatunay na ang ating mahal na piEleM ay tahanan ng natatanging isKolar ng bayAn na para rin sa bayan.

Sabi nga sa isang bantayog sa field, “Mag-aral tayo tulad ni Rizal”.

Kaya anuman ang mangyari, dapat nalang natin tanggapin na kapalit ng pagdala ng pangalan ng piEleM ay ang paglagpas sa lahat ng mga exam, mga practicals, problem set, at tapatan ang kailangang marka na nakalagay sa polisiya para lamang makapanatili sa kurso. Kailangang igpawan anuman ang nakaharang. Madapa man saglit, dapat bumangon ulit. Para maabot ang mga pangarap, bandang huli.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY JUNNINE TUPAZ

news

PLM admits 3, 355 freshies for AY 2019-2020 Sharmaine MARARAC

P

amantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) accepts 3, 355 freshmen for Academic Year (AY) 2019-2020 from 32, 138 PLMAT takers.

Last May 23, 2019, PLM released its full list of PLMAT 2019 Passers, with more than 4,600 passing the exam.

A list of waitlisted applicants was also provided to the public. Only 2,129 of passers proceeded with the enrollment, while 1,226 students had been admitted from reconsideration. Of the overall freshmen, 2,159 are female.

Data from PLM-Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) state that the highest recorded exam score from the enrollees was 139, while the lowest was 41. Scores 97 and above were considered passed, while those with the scores of 96 and below had to undergo reconsideration to be accepted.

The College of Business and Government Management (CBGM) took in the most number of freshmen with 1,128 enrollees. In contrast, the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) accepted the least number of freshmen with 94 first-year students enrolling in Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BS Arch), the sole program under CAUP. Bachelor of Science in Biology (BS Bio), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing

Management (BSBA-MM), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Business Economics (BSBA-BE), and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) were the top five programs with the most freshmen for the AY, the combined enrollees for these five amounting to about 30.7% already of the total firstyears. This year’s freshmen were distributed across 39 different programs.

Many of this year’s new PLMayers seemed to have been successful in getting into their chosen courses as 1,663 appeared to be admitted to their first program choice, while 789 of the total freshmen, unfortunately, did not get into any of the three choices that they indicated in their application.

As for their Senior High School Strands, more than half of the enrollees, which is 1,936 students, were graduates from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand.

On the other hand,1,861 students from outside Manila got in compared to the 1,494 Manila residents who also enrolled, indicating that there were actually more NonManilan students than Manilan enrollees among this year’s freshmen.

Initially, the total number of PLMAT applicants was 39, 385, but not all were able to take the exam.

FIRST YEAR PROFILE FOR A.Y. 2019-2020

Data from PLM - Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO)

RESIDENCY 1494

1861

1128

771

Manila Resident Non-Manila Resident

MAJOR IN MARKETING MANAGEMENT

CIVIL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE DISTRIBUTION 488

232

246

94 CAUP

CBGM

CED

CET

CHASS

214

CN

182 CPT

CS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Work in progress: PLM gender-sensitive uniforms Code of Conduct, in which the OSDS has the right to give permission only for those with special cases, primarily health and religious concerns.

“Kaya ang mga naka-indicate lang talaga doon ay health reasons, particularly ‘yung buntis with regards to the example na may mga naka-attach na medical certificate ay mas madaling mapoproseso pero with regards to some other cases, in fact yung crossing is actually in the emergence of the LGBTQ community kung saan ang mga transman ay nag-request na magdamit panlalaki, tapos ang mga transwoman naman ay gusto magdamit pambabae,” Sir Apas explained.

He also added that numerous female students came and requested to wear slacks but until now there are still

Filipinos are currently in Hong Kong working as domestic helpers or service employees.

READ MORE

11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

ISKO PRIDE Dwight Justley ULEP

features EDITOR: Keane Andre Escobar

As announced by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Engineering and Technology reaped a 100% passing rate on September 2019 Registered Master Electrician (RME) Board Exam.

The exam was held on September 2, 2019, with the results released four working days after, which fell on the same release day of the September 2019 REE Licensure Exam’s results.

PLM got a 100% passing rate in both August 2019 REE and September 2019 RME Board Exam.

no provisions that allow those.

He also expressed that they hope for the revision of the manual in immediate time, but such revisions take time and demands thorough dialogue.

Still, the OSDS is not closing its doors for students’ requests, and treats it on a case to case basis.

Furthermore, for those students who do not have the permit to wear special uniforms will still be apprehended by the University Security Office (USO) personnel and the OSDS office.

The issue regarding the proposed revised PLM Uniform and Student manual was brought to the table by the PLM-SSC between the three-hour talk with PLM President Emmanuel A. Leyco last July 30, 2019.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Mass Communication placed 3rd in this year’s Comguild TVC Competition with the theme “Reclaiming the Future: Traditional Media VS. Digital Media” held last September 29, 2019.

Regine Mendoza, Lynette Fajardo, Tricia Alcid, Inna Carreon, Recel Beboso, and Charmaine Abando of BAC 2-2 submitted their winning piece to comguild as chosen

by Prof. Maychell B. Jastia and Prof.

Imelda D. Benitez-Dometita.

The Comguild Conference is an annual event for information journalism and mass communication students nationwide arranged by the Comguild Center for Journalism.

READ MORE

On the Rising Wave of Gender Consciousness inside the University • PAGE 12

Keane Andre ESCOBAR

T

Lili Anne Collo Reyes placed first in the August 2019 Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) for Architects in the Middle East.

Reyes had the highest passing rate of 83.4% among 162 passers and out of 244 examinees.

The examination was held on August 12 & 13, 2019 with the results released a month after by the Professional Regulation Commission.

PLM Mass Comm bags 3rd place in Comguild TVC Competition

1984

was the year when Gabriela Youth was founded, a mass organization reaffirming the national democratic line of activism across different sectors.

and the reality of labor export in the Philippines

PLMayer ranks 1st in 2019 Special Architecture Board Exam

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Medicine (PLM CM) achieved 100% passing rate with 103 passers out of 103 examinees in the September 2019 Physician Licensure Examination.

PLM President Emmanuel A. Leyco gave his words and greetings to the passing batch of College of Medicine 2019 on the Grand Salubong held last September 20, 2019 for securing a university glory.

The examination was taken on September 7-8, 14-15, 2019 at the Professional Regulation Commission testing centers in Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao.

Last year, PLM CM Batch 2018 had a 98.37% passing percentage (121 passers out of 123 examinees) in the October 2018 Physician Licensure Examination.

“Hello, Love, Goodbye” and the reality of labor export in the Philippines • PAGE 11

“Hello, Love, Goodbye”

PLM gets 100% passing rate on RME Board Exam

PLM: Top performing school in 2019 PLE FIVE PROGRAMS WITH THE MOST FRESHMEN

200,000 IN NUMBERS

10

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

Scenes from the movie “Hello, Love, Goodbye”

he smash hit “Hello, Love, Goodbye” swept movie theaters worldwide when it was first released last July and is currently dubbed as the highest grossing Philippine film. Starred by Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, both from power couple teams of their own, the movie tells the story of the two’s attempts at reconciling their personal dreams while being in love against the background of a cruel economic condition worldwide.

Working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, the film’s protagonist Joy Fabregas takes on various hustles on the side despite tussles with Hong Kong law to save up for her move to Canada in four months and for her to finally reunite her family. Enter Richards’ character, Ethan Del Rosario, a happy-go-lucky bartender who harbors a deep distrust for falling in love, resulting in his playboy tendencies.

The circumstances that shaped the relationship between Joy and Ethan did not exist in a vacuum. The two met during an encounter with the Hong Kong police because domestic helpers are not allowed to pursue other jobs in Hong Kong, and Joy chose to

take this risk. With these circumstances, there’s no denying that the film showed a stark image of how socio-economic inequalities in the Philippines pervade even the sphere of personal relationships. Because of the weight of her responsibilities, Joy is forced to sacrifice a lot of her life, leaving no room for herself and her dreams. This was majorly emphasized in the film’s climax, during an emotional exchange between Joy and Ethan: now that Joy has realized that the rift between her parents has reached an impasse, and it’s highly unlikely that things would work.

The manifestations of a systemic problem in even the smallest aspects of our lives, as evidenced by the labor export policy, set the film’s emotional stakes high. Roughly 200,000 Filipinos are currently in Hong Kong working as domestic helpers or service employees. In line with this, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) puts the number of Filipinos working overseas at 2.3 million in 2019, making the Philippines unparalleled in terms of migrant workers worldwide. As wages stay stagnant and prices continue to get higher, millions of Filipinos every

year gamble against the danger of abusive employers, culture shock, and staying away from their families.

What makes the film resonate with the Filipino audience is the accuracy in portraying these numbers, the interconnection between systemic economic factors into the personal sphere and how it can whittle down an individual. Throughout the film, Joy struggles with her need for self-actualization after sacrificing a huge part of her life for her family. Ethan’s character struggled with this as well: blacklisted from other countries and with no place left to go, he did not have the luxury to leave with Joy and was too caught up with attaining his residency status in Hongkong. “Hello, Love, Goodbye” transcends beyond these statistics and sets these as a backdrop to yet another universal theme: love.

The film was more than just a love story; it was also a commentary and a painful wake-up call on the implications of labor export, and a call for us, at the very least, to end the conditions that push our countrymen to said conditions.

Trial by Fire:

The Amazon Fires and Environmental Heroes

I

Jerome TRESVALLES

n 2019, we saw one of the most devastating fires in the Amazon in recorded history, brought about by the usual wildfire season but aggravated by slash and burn techniques used by land developers and woefully lax reactions of Amazonian governments. The intensity of the fires drew international attention as to the fate of the rainforest with the Brazilian leader Bolsonaro drawing most of the flak for refusing international aid.

Most reactions centered around sympathy for the indigenous groups defending the Amazon biome from land development and anger towards the Brazilian government for being antagonistic towards defenders of the Amazon. The fires brought worldwide attention, and with people such as Greta Thunberg leading the fight to force world governments to act, we see that the Amazon fires are just prefacing a larger problem.

Organizations such as the Amazon Conservation team represented the

indigenous groups of the Amazon in the fight to reclaim ancestral land from developers; the Rainforest Trust, which buys rainforest land for the sake of conservation. These groups are among the biggest groups to join the wildfire fight. With volunteer programs being second, these programs keep yearly wildfires in check. In the 2019 fires, they were an invaluable asset in assisting fire responders. It all sounds good, but what the Amazon fires show is how crippled the Amazonian governments are in responding to a threat this big let alone maintain the biomes to an optimal state.

Here in the Philippines, we face the same problem. Our ecosystem is facing a threat, and our government is complacent in placing legislation to protect land and do away with foreign land developers. Our environment lies in the balance of utter destruction and sustainability, we owe it to people like Gina Lopez who fiercely fought

against pit mining during her stint as the secretary of the Philippine Department of Environmental Resources. We owe it to people like Vincent Perez who served as secretary for the Philippine Department of Energy and promoted sustainable clean energy reforms as well as Philippine self-sufficiency in energy.

We owe it to them to make a change, and join their cause in strong-arming the government to act. The Amazon fires were wakeup calls for South America. Let’s not wait until we put through our own trial by GRETA THUNBERG fire.

VINCENT PEREZ

GINA LOPEZ

12

features

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

13

literary

Overcoming barriers

14

“How are you feeling?”

I didn’t answer. I just let the soundlessness drown us both, in hopes that the tension from the silence may eventually coax us into dropping the subject. It floated in the dead air, occasionally hanging around my throat, waiting to snap whatever it was that kept me whole, but I didn’t let it. Not yet.

EDITOR: Anne Nicole Carig

Enigma Aristotle CASTRONUEVO

PLM students crowd the fields in commemoration of the 51st University founding anniversary with the theme “Gender Equality towards Equal Opportunities,” July, 22, 2018.

Photo courtesy: Pat Laygo

Shards of mirror scattered on the floor They reflected her eyes and lips— blank, glaze over, unseeing; All she could hear were sounds of contempt "Give up, give in," they muttered; Her head hurt from all the thinking, And her heart ached from all the grieving; The red stains the gleaming tiles— dirty, flowing, taunting, From dead eyes, the tears fell— Weeping for herself; "How selfish" Her mind screamed, and so did her heart But her mouth could not utter a word For the words hurt more than the sharp edge of the blade, Words as weapons, they were wielded to maim; It had been nudged ajar— The door locked shut by bolts, that is, And a sliver of light fell through the gloom,

I

“

Now that the University administration is taking steps towards making itself an LGBTQIA+ safe space, it is evident that the University, by far, has had a long way from its conservative origins.

Keane Andre ESCOBAR

n celebration of its 51st anniversary, the University took significant strides towards promoting gender equality and safe spaces inside the campus through its theme “Gender equality towards equal opportunity.” Organized by the PLM Supreme Student Council (PLM-SSC), the event aimed to be a stepping-stone towards raising consciousness and ending all forms of discrimination inside and outside the University, alongside commemorating its establishment. The event started with the formation of a human chain forming “PLM @ 51”, after which the PLM community then joined a University-wide Pride March along the walls of Intramuros.

Now that the University administration is taking steps towards making itself an LGBTQIA+ safe space, it is evident that the University, by far, has had a long way from its conservative origins.

However, how far has the University gone in taking steps towards promoting gender consciousness in its 51 years since establishment?

The PLM Propaganda (PLM PPG) has always been at the helm towards pushing for a stronger LGBTQIA+ rights movement inside the university. Founded in 2011 by mass communications graduate and its first Supremo John Rapid Canonizado, PLM PPG has been responsible for making history by spearheading the very first University-wide Pride March in 2013, the same year it got accredited as an official student organization. The march was conducted inside Intramuros, along Muralla Street as well. This Pride March set a new bar for LGBTQIA+ organizations in Manila, as it was the first University-based one to do so in the city. Over the years, PLM Propaganda has also campaigned towards the integration of LGBTQIA+ concerns and issues inside the university premises and into the student manual.

In their commitment to extend the fight against discrimination even outside the campus, PLM PPG are also staunch campaigners for the passage of an Anti-Discrimination Ordinance from the local government and the SOGIE Bill nationwide. In their most

recent statement released on their Facebook page, they vehemently condemned the circumstances that befell their fellow trans-sister Gretchen Custodio Diez, who was victim to misgendering that even led to her arrest. According to PLM PPG, this very incident “calls for a comprehensive law which will safeguard our community from the[sic] attacks stemming from ignorance and hatred. We need [the] SOGIE Bill more than ever.”

Another group is set to strengthen the gender equality movement within the campus, what with the formation of a Gabriela Youth chapter in PLM. Gabriela Youth is the youth arm of GABRIELA, an international alliance of organizations and individuals that aim to organize women from different sectors to campaign and fight for women’s and children’s rights with chapters in universities nationwide. Formed in 1984, GABRIELA is a mass organization reaffirming the national democratic line of activism across different sectors and areas to empower women to fight for their rights collectively. As a multisectoral organization, GABRIELA also administers support programs in response to circumstances that continue to victimize women in the form of counselling services to victims of Violence against Women and Children (VAW), relief operations, educational discussions to sharpen political involvement, and capacity building seminars.

Although not yet formally established and accredited, Gabriela Youth PLM is set to make waves in upping the ante of gender consciousness inside the campus. When asked on how the organization, Gabriela Youth PLM Officer-in-Charge Jacqueline Ruelo answered, “The campaign towards gender equality is not an isolated struggle. By forwarding the feminist advocacy under the national democratic framework, [Gabriela Youth] will then be able to mobilize the female youth towards liberation from conservative feudal ideals that continue to plague not only young women [like us], but also Philippine society, as a whole.”

Like how water trickles down your fingers.

It was delicate much like glass; It crawled and caressed her skin gently, Her limp form reaches out to it timidly Though it still could not curb the demons which hid In the deep recesses of her numb mind, But it reached her and had certainly touched her heart.

Desperate for connection, any comfort, an anchor Clinging to the thought of warmth, Of the smell of rain, Of her ambitious desires, Of how breathless the stars at night look, And everything she had ever loved And that was enough; It was more than enough.

“

Her mind screamed, and so did her heart But her mouth could not utter a word For the words hurt more than the sharp edge of the blade, Words as weapons, they were wielded to maim;

To begin again Anne Nicole CARIG Pens speak what tongues cannot and words are reflected as the language of the mind.

The delight of someone who writes is to finish a piece; and the greatest plight is to begin again.

The magic is always in the beginning: the sense of relief upon submitting the first draft, the excitement in getting a piece published, and the gratification upon receiving reader feedbacks.

But when a repetitive cycle turns familiar, when the bank of ideas starts to run out, and when writing becomes a chore, it pounds the final nail to an old passion’s coffin.

Home has always been the pieces I’ve written, where I found comfort and purpose, until the creeks of its walls become daunting —and deadlines are the only reason to write.

But whenever I look back to how I started, to when I was at the pinnacle of writing and to the very first time I penned a story, reliving such moments always inspire me To begin again.

Illustration by: Ashley Hernandez

14

literary

Beginning of the end Anne Nicole CARIG

Not until their nest was seized And gone were the days when they flew to different places and different heights.

They tried to break free from the shackles, and decried abuse and oppression.

When chains were slightly loosened, “Freedom!”, the fleet cried.

Illustration by: Ashley Hernandez

Overcoming

barriers

The fetters of iron were just slackened, the space for flying has only widened, and while they still continue refusing to resist, they are condoning their captivity to persist.

Despite the heights the fleet has come to reach, from the very start— they had fallen.

Was it a visionary start of the new era?

Or did it just mark the beginning of their end?

Sharmaine MARARAC

“How are you feeling?”

I didn’t answer. I just let the soundlessness drown us both, in hopes that the tension from the silence may eventually coax us into dropping the subject. It floated in the dead air, occasionally hanging around my throat, waiting to snap whatever it was that kept me whole, but I didn’t let it. Not yet.

“Uy! Kumusta?”

Chants of reconnection swarmed the first day. Hugs, small talks, endless tales that transpired within some months. It has only been a year since everyone was only a stranger.

It was another year to meet more strangers, this time as a sophomore. It was alright, as Grace frequently told. I missed her. I was still whole, and Pamantasan was still home.

But when did the gates stand so slumped, its walls dull, and the façade’s green grass become so lifeless? It couldn't have been the conspicuous announcement of greetings for the newly arrived freshmen that made my heart race.

“Okay, class. I taught this block last year, right? Do I have some new faces here today?”

Grace advised me to write whenever situations overwhelmed me, and so I always have since. Doing this has helped me cope. I don’t mind that I always run out of ink to ease the tugs of my nervousness away, nor when the spaces in my pages never seem to be enough. Eyes took glimpses of the new girl, but people aren’t rude enough to be so obvious about it. It was alright. By the end of the first period, I'd ruined my notebook, but I felt better. A girl adjacent to my seat befriended me, warm and congenial to an unfamiliar face, as kind people always are. I missed Grace then more than anything, but the girl’s smile as I left sufficed.

Once again, the added year to my record rattled whatever it was that kept me whole until that moment. And yet, I was also somehow hopeful. Or at least I tried to be.

“Ang init, init. Magpayong ka nga,” and then an infectious wide grin. This was Ella, a friend from my class a year before, and she was exactly the kind of person to arrive unprecedented on a hot day, hold my hand, and ask about how my day has been going so far. She was catching breath; she must have run while trying to catch up to me. She's the type to miss people and not be outright about it, and we were similar like this.

“Saan ka na ngayon?” to which I replied accordingly. There wasn’t much to talk about since we were technically on different spectrums: she belonged to her block mates, and I belong to whatever I have been given. But she was ecstatic as ever as she listened to my stories, and I'm glad people can be this kind. She asked me to join for lunch, and I told her

I had just eaten. I had not.

At some point, I found myself wandering around the university premises, aimless and worried for an uncertain future. I felt out of place, like I didn’t belong. The afternoon was quiet, most people on their break must have spent their time outside campus, and I was lonely. Feeling queasy, I thought about what seemed like an all-consuming emptiness inside me building up, making me feel more sick. My anxiety was taking over.

Didn’t I just feel better moments ago? What was it that happened after Ella headed her way, leaving me on my own, up to the point where I reached a drinking fountain, that had made me so tense? Or had it been something that happened beforehand, even before I was aware that something had changed? Actually, so much has changed, Grace would say. But it was alright, I resolved later. I was still whole. Failing a subject was not the end of the world, I should just do my best regardless. As long as I was alright, and that I took care of myself, it was okay to start over. After all, we don’t have to be so tough on ourselves when we encounter setbacks.

“So, how are you?”

In the present, Grace is smiling. Sometimes I think she looks like Ella when they’re happy like this, happy for me. People are kind. Looking back, things gradually got better after the awful introductions and the dreaded relapses of anxiety-filled random thoughts.

Eventually, people’s smiles no longer looked as ridicule from my point of view. During the first day, I recognized four other faces when I entered the room of one of my classes. Every time since, my heart is put at ease upon meeting the same people I knew and who knew me; I was not alone. I found more friends too. Little by little, I started to overcome an obstacle I thought I couldn’t handle.

I didn’t know this that first day, but I didn’t have to grow so restrictively on such a wide space of soil. It was the little things that stayed the same in the sea of abrupt alterations that made my initial feelings of doubt at bay: people’s kindness, their familiarity, places of my usual comfort in the university, and words of encouragement. But I now know it's alright to reach places beyond these points, and that as long as I know where my roots are planted, I can thrive somewhere else without having to abandon what keeps me grounded.

Anxiety came and went, but I was not entirely lost in my melancholy. I received help, and I had a new outlook. Even with setbacks, I am still who I am. I can grow outside my comfort zone, I’m allowed to get back on track on my own pace; and I am alright. And at times when I'm not, I am also allowed to have a moment. I'm doing fine, I say to calm myself down. And I truly believe so.

PLM rejoins LCUAA Nicole Anne MENDOZA

P

It has seen itself soar so high.

On a perch of a tree, these little birds alight— once were naïve and free.

It was a moment conceived evolutionary in the totality of their history; but the fruition of their period crowned their offspring a distorted image of liberty.

sports

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Volume 40, Issue 1 • August - September 2019

Illustration by: Faith Cacnio

LM extramural sports participation rises in redemption of its former glory, after not being able to join the Local Colleges and Universities-Athletic Association (LCUAA), formerly known as ALCU-AA, last academic year. Despite its tentative date, President Emmanuel Leyco proudly announces that the university will be rejoining the said competition.

The tedious state of sports in the university for the past years has tossed its adverse tolls on the institution’s student athletes. Reportedly, the support provided for them is short-lived. In order to compensate for the expenses in their trainings, transportation and uniforms, they exhaust the resources they have in hand— the allowances provided by the university and often times, at their own expense. Not only that, sports in general was not prioritized in their time, and the athletic program was formerly assigned to a different department. However, with the new administration’s aspirations and humble beginnings, tables are expected to be turned.

President Leyco believes that the university’s active participation in extramural sports competitions would start in rejoining LCUAA. Being a basketball fan himself, he thinks that sports can be an effective outlet in improving fitness, building character, boosting self-esteem and establishing pride. He also added that it should be a regular part of school life, and that his aspirations include providing athletic scholarships.

According to Prof. April May Bonoan, PCACS Vice Chair for Sports, they are planning to hold different sports clinics and training for students to hone their skills and eventually scout for potential athletes in preparation for extramural activities. She added that access to facilities is vital in thriving in the field of sports. In order to foster a motivating atmosphere of training and development, they are currently requesting for a regular slot and schedule of facility usage, specifically the Rajah Sulayman Gymnasium, PLM Field, University Activity Center, and the Gym Lobby. They are also drafting proposals in the

“

However, with the new administration’s aspirations and humble beginnings, tables are expected to be turned.

procurement of the much needed sports equipment.

In terms of budget concerns, she mentioned that they have allocated a justifiable budget to cover the student athletes’ parade uniforms, competition uniforms, transportation, and food expenses if the games push through. As of now, their main concern is in providing students with competent coaches and training programs which will serve as their foundation in competing within and outside the university premises. Regarding student-athlete scholarships, their aspirations focus on providing deserving student athletes food and monetary allowances to support their dietary needs and transportation expenses given that the students are already provided with full-tuition scholarships.

The preceding years had shown the lack of clear vision and priority for sports in the university. It only goes to show the importance of a concrete vision, collective initiatives, accountability, proper delegation, and sufficient funding in prospering in the field.

Banal soars high to orchestrate a point against UST. Photo by: Kent Marvin Mojica

PLM-CE MVT falls to UST, ends Final Four hopes Kent Marvin MOJICA

U

niversity of Santo Tomas Civil Engineering Men’s Volleyball Team forged into the next round after sweeping Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in two-set victory, 25-11, 2624 of this year’s Junior Institute of Civil Engineers Sportsfest at FEU Institute of Technology Gymnasium on September 29, 2019.

During their crucial and deciding game against the tough UST Tigers, PLM suffered an early 0-4 deficit in the opening frame after UST barged in 3 aces and a kill block early in the match. UST smelled blood in the middle of the set with a 14-6 edge buffer in hand, but they could not capitalize on their momentum, leaving the door open for PLM to pick up steam.

With the unforced errors of UST, PLM still could not stop the continuous surge of the Tigers who slammed the door shut for good, ending the frame with a rattling 25-11 win.

The second frame went crucial for both teams as PLM started to pile up strong attacks and heavy serves, leading into UST’s sloppy reception. PLM got

off to a flying start with a 9-2 edge, with the Haribons pummeling one hit after the other to disrupt UST’s defense. However, with Haribons’ miscues and errors, UST trimmed the gap and tied the set 9-9. They caught fire and connived for a blistering 5-0 blast to take a commanding 15-12 gap. UST continued relying on net defense and heavy serves to make the opponent crumble, leading the set, 22-15.

However, PLM’s battle-tested setter orchestrated deceiving plays to cut the lead into two, 22-20 and forcing UST to request for timeout. The rallies became intense until the Haribons got the match point 24-23, but UST’s match-clinching attacks were unstoppable, seizing the set with 26-24 triumph.

Nonetheless, the Tigers got the job done and wrapped up the match without a surrendered set.

PLM Civil Engineering Men’s Basketball team, on the other hand, closes out its campaign after falling short against National University, 68-62 heading into the next round of Junior Institute of Civil Engineers Sports Fest 2019.

SET 1

VOLLEYBALL

JUNIOR INSTITUDE OF CIVIL ENGINEERS SPORTSFEST FEU Institute of Technology Gymnasium September 29, 2019

SET 2

UST CE

25

26

PLM CE

11

24

15

sports A Timeline of the PLM Rugby Team’s History

THE CHAMPIONS.

PLM Touch Rugby Team seizes the crown during their ALCU 2017 stint. Photo by: Ang Pamantasan

2010

Touch rugby team was new to the line-up of the PLM athletics team Association of Local Colleges and Universities.

Sta Cruz, Laguna AWARD EARNED

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Dionel De Leon

2012

San Pablo, Laguna

“

AWARD EARNED

Having zero knowledge of the sport, coaches and trainers had invested a lot for the students to at least feel the excitement and drive to learn everything about the competitive sport.

2013

Makati City AWARDS EARNED

2014

Mindoro AWARDS EARNED

2015

Olongapo City AWARDS EARNED

2016

TOTAL AWARDS 12 8

AWARDS EARNED

2 2

2017

AWARDS EARNED

PLM TOUCH RUGBY Looking back at where it all started

2011

2018

PLM decided not to join ALCU 2018 due to financial concerns that were not elaborated.

I

Kent Marvin MOJICA

n the recent years, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila has been known for bringing home gold in its most hard-fought sport, Touch Rugby, in the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU).

In 2010, the touch rugby team was just new to the line-up of the PLM athletics team. The dilemma was not having athletes to compete off-campus knowing that the sport is an all-action game. It was also in the same year when the sport was first introduced in ALCU. With this, students who took Bachelor of Physical Education were required to suit up for the team. Having zero knowledge of the sport, coaches and trainers had invested a lot for the students to at least feel the excitement and drive to learn everything about the competitive sport.

In the following year, PLM Touch Rugby team competed in Sta. Cruz, Laguna for Plate Division and bagged gold. Another surprising award made the team euphoric

as Dionel De Leon, an alumnus and the former Touch Rugby coach of PLM, was hailed as the Most Valuable Player with his physical and uncompromising approach throughout the game.

In 2012, the team joined another ALCU stint in San Pablo, Laguna. This time, the battle-tested Haribons placed third after not having enough players to compete during the intercollegiate tournament.

According to De Leon, only passion and perseverance made the team seize a place in the top three.

With the fighting spirit and will to bounce back, the recruited players of the team underwent intensive training and conditioning for the upcoming games. In 2013, their presence was felt again in ALCU. They were back to winning ways as they bagged gold for male division and silver for female division in the University of Makati.

In 2014, the team flew away to Mindoro to continue handling the victory, but this time, the men’s team reaped bronze and

the women’s team had been on the cusp of history after snaring gold. It was the first time that the PLM Touch Rugby team was hailed as champions for the female division.

In 2015, during a stint in Olongapo City, both men’s and women’s teams showed heart and passion as they both brought home gold for the university.

In 2016, they successfully orchestrated for a two-peat comeback after bringing home two golds the second time around.

In 2017, under new Coach Julius Casidlac, the team competed against tougher contenders but still made it both to the finals. The Men’s team bagged silver while the Women’s team was still unstoppable, bringing home gold for the third time.

The following year became quiet for PLM Haribons, not only for the Touch Rugby team but for the entire athletics team, as PLM decided not to join ALCU 2018 due to financial concerns that were not elaborated.

DLSU-D Green Spikers escape PLM-CAUP en route first place finish Kent Marvin MOJICA

P

LM College of Architecture and Urban Planning Women’s Volleyball Team snared second place finish in Doric –B Division after stumbling against DLSU –D in thrilling four sets, 23- 25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-12 in the Final Round of the Federation of Architecture Schools involved in Athletics last October 19 at the Central Colleges of the Philippines Gymnasium.

PLM began the match with a 7-3 advantage after Sherdanne Urbina barged in a point from a cross-court attack, and a drop ball from Janella Daep witnessed DLSU-D crumble down with a deluge of unforced errors. With a relentless pressure defense and offense in full effect, PLM exhibited an early 13-10 lead.

The Dasmarinas-based squad trimmed the gap and orchestrated a 17-16 lead coming from

3 attack points and a service ace resulting into their opponent’s miscues. PLM athletes finally clobbered DLSU-D after blatantly winning the set by a nose, 25-23.

Staring at a 1-0 set deficit after a first set meltdown, DLSU-D staged a furious comeback in the second set with consistent floor defense and relentless offense to kickstart their campaign on the right track. With a 21-20 lead at the latter part of the second set, the green spikers finally put an end with a 25-21 victory after a set-clinching attack.

The third set was in a different picture as DLSU-D pummelled consecutive attacks that turned a 5-5 tied early frame into a 14-6 edge coming from differential hits, dealing damage on a plethora of ways en route third set victory, 25-18.

PLM’s team captain Shena Andrei

Mercado admitted that they lacked intensive preparation for the tournament, but there are no regrets for the women’s team as they reached the final match in their division.

“DLSU-D siguro ‘yong pinakachallenging for us. Kasi syempre [final] game ‘yon eh. And also, first time namin sila nakaharap so ‘di talaga namin alam pa’nong approach ang gagawin,” Mercado said during an interview.

“Pero all in all, sobrang nakakaproud din ‘yong naging performance ng buong team kasi hanggang dulo kumapit talaga lahat. And we gave everything we had noong game na ‘yon,” Mercado added.

DLSU-D ended the game with a cardiac fourth set win, 25-12, clinching first place in the Doric B – Division of Federation of Architecture Schools involved in Athletics.

PLM-CAUP Women’s Volleyball Team huddles to secure a win over DLSU-D. Photo by: Kent Marvin Mojica