Breathe - Phoenix Magasin

breathe

PHOENIX MAGASIN VOL. XXIII NO. 3

Phoenix without fear, without favor

The Official Student Publication of Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas VOLUME XXIII | ISSUE NO. 3 | APRIL 2020

EDITORIAL BOARD Vol. XXIII | Publishing Year 2020-2021

VENEDICT P. MIGUEL Editor in Chief

RUTH JAMIEL A. CENIZA Associate Editor

IRA CLAIRE E. MARASIGAN Managing Editor

LOVELY FAITH A. PAR Opinion Editor

EVAN DAVE G. GAJIRAN Literary Editor

PHOEBE KATHLEEN A. RODULFO Devcom Editor

ASHLEY ANGEL G. PAGKALINAWAN Art Editor

MARLOU E. CUARTO Layout Editor

JHON CEDRICK C. SUAREZ Digital Editor

WILLIAM FREDERICK B. TADAY Staff Artist

ABOUT THE COVER It has been more than a year since the day the world have stood still. Silencing every pathway, infrastructure, and the whole community, as the world began putting every nation on lockdown.

Since then, various political agendas, corruption, disasters, and other manmade problem surfaced the virtual world.

Agitating the people and increasing their anxiety due to the poor pandemic response and other political issues of the government in the Philippines.

In this challenging time, we almost forgot to take a rest and detox from the social media world. Therefore, Phoenix published a magazine consisting of different stories about Development and Communication, Editorial, and Literary pieces that will amplify the goal of journalism. And for you, as a reader, always remember to break away from the toxicity of the world and breathe.

editor’s note OVERVIEWED

E

verything is seen in perspective.

In line with the current health situation, we have been seeing a scenario in different angles in accordance to how the sun shines over the horizon.

Oftentimes, I even caught myself glimpsing on what ifs rather than feeding myself with realistic goals that can somehow help me as an individual.

Moreover, I often overlooked the things that are presently happening. Therefore, I always prefer not knowing the facts and logic behind a message.

For over a year under quarantine, I have seen on social media the different hardship of my fellow Filipinos fighting and struggling for their lives in the midst of this pandemic.

Noting that some people were not even given a chance to see what tomorrow would bring them. Still, in the middle of the battlefield, we are lending each other a helping hand just to survive.

Breathe, a special issue of Phoenix, recognizes the different struggles and hardship of every individual amidst these trying times. Breaking the chains of insurgency and providing a voice to be heard not only by other locals, but also by the current administration. It is quite sorrowful to see that Filipinos are forced to be independent and were resentful due to most Filipino leaders playing deaf.

Leaders cannot deny the fact that we, people from the Pearl of the Orient are beginning to become more agitated as they barely serve us the necessities in surviving.

Government officials became more afraid on our voices, rather than choosing to recognize the amplifications of different organizations and institutions.

Phoenix, the official student publication of Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas, raised its wings to magnify even the smallest acts that needed to be seen and heard. In reason that even the smallest thing counts can make a huge difference.

Lastly, this magazine entails the different unspoken expedition of the staff, and the adventures of different people who are involved in its publishing. As you swift through its pages, may you enjoy the unheard stories of the Barako people. We, the Batangueños.

VENEDICT P. MIGUEL Editor in Chief

‘‘

Leaders cannot deny the fact that we, people from the Pearl of the Orient are beginning to become more agitated as they barely serve us the necessities in surviving.

breathe CONTENTS

06

PH inflation stoops down to 4.5% in March An in-depth analysis of the 2021 Ph economy

07 08 11

Dealing with Aftermath Lobo’s residents value house-to-house evaluation

Humanity Restored

Recovering Filipino resiliency amidst a ‘failed’ administration

10

Securing third line of defence from Covid-19 shots in the nation

Living in a bubble

12

Behind the Scenes

14

Vials of Protection

Bleaching the blue impunity

15

In the hands of the Blindsided

6

PH inflation stoops down to 4.5% in March An in-depth analysis of the 2021 Ph economy Article by Ira Claire Marasigan Photos by Venedict Miguel

A

(photos taken last December 2019)

fallback does not always indicate loss.

Following a five-month steady increase which accumulated to 4.7% in February, the country’s headline inflation rate finally slowed down and landed at 4.5% in March.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the decrease was mainly due to the lower inflation rate of food and nonalcoholic beverages, which settled at 5.8% in March, as compared to its 6.7% rate in February.

Costs of other items such as alcoholic beverages and household equipment also diminished with regards to their Consumer Price Index, contributing to the overall dwindling of the inflation rate.

SLOWLY BUT SURELY Philippines faced a year of a degrading economy caused by multiple loans acquired to handle the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, along with sharp rises in the price of pork due to the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), and the consequent increase in unemployment and financial losses of hog raisers because of these.

Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel was seen as the national total inflation rate went down by 0.2% in March.

Showing as a slow start, the presented figures still indicate a signal for the country to become the Asia’s rising tiger once again,

as the statistical update means another step closer to progress.

STANDING BACK UP Other Southeast Asian countries have already eased quarantine restrictions and begun vaccinating its citizens. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ outstanding debt has amounted to millions.

Thus, the improvement in the inflation rate has come handy. The economy can gradually stabilize itself as Filipinos regain their purchasing power.

Moreover, with a wider and more efficient vaccination drive, lockdowns could eventually be lifted, and more businesses could resume their operations.

The government has also promised to have allocated funds that will benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to further revitalize the national economy.

This decrease in inflation rate could be the start of a gradual but steady recovery for the country’s economy and is a growth that must be taken care of and ensured to be maintained. Also, it is a chance for Filipinos to personally uplift themselves while the nation is also getting back up to its feet.

7

Dealing with aftermath:

Lobo’s residents value house-to-house evaluation Article by Ira Claire Marasigan Photos by Venedict Miguel

I

magine waking up one morning, and the only road you traverse to reach the other end of your destination was no longer accessible.

It was the story of residents of Nagtalongtong, a barangay belonging to the third-class municipality of Lobo in the Province of Batangas, following the series of typhoon which hit the province on the last quarter of the previous year.

With the unfortunate effects of the disaster putting residents into the test, Lobo residents shared their experience into how preparedness will play a crucial role into attaining survival in times of crisis.

AFTERMATH Supposed to be leaving the town after Typhoon Rolly's landfall, "Mark," a resident of the said barangay shared in PHOENIX interview that he had plans on going back to the city, with a thought in mind that road might be accessed.

"Wala nang kuryente madaling araw palang non, at sobrang lakas ng hangin.

Expected ko na accessible parin ‘yung daan kasi dati naman kahit malakas ang bagyo nakakabalik parin ako kahit kinabukasan," he said recounting that day.

(photo taken last April 2021)

Housing five percent of Lobo's total population, Mark is among the residents of the town which were affected by the disaster. Persistent to leave, he was on the other hand grateful for the announcement relayed by the Barangay officials about the status of the roadways, that they were mostly not passable.

"Good thing may announcement, kase may pagkapasaway ako pumipilit parin akong umalis minsan kahit may bagyo.

Kung hindi, siguro posibleng makadisgrasya yung mga sirang daan which is saka ko lang din nakita after nung may access nako sa internet," he added.

Meanwhile, Jessa, from the residential sitio as Mark, shared her gratitude for the plans laid out by officials and their course of action taken on that time.

"I remember na may nagroronda sa bawat sitio na affected, and inaassure nila na bukod sa mga affected na taniman at mga nagtumbahan na puno, ay inuna din ang safety ng bawat pamilya," she said.

According to her, these actions were important to be able to assess which families really need assistance.

INITIATIVE In addition, even before the assistance from the municipality come to help clear out the road, many residents from the Barangay have already extended their support by initiating recovery drives.

Aside from the clean-up drives for roadways, various organization reached out and helped the baranggay to ensure that such roads would be fine for motorists.

"Ilang araw lang okay na yung daan, wala nang mga nakaharang na puno, mga sanga, kaso syempre mas okay din kung maaayos yung nasirang daan," Mark said.

As of now, about five months since the disaster halted the roadways for the Baranggay Nagtalongtong, residents remain hopeful that it would soon be addressed so that total safety of motorists would be ensured. ***** More than the fact that the country is prone to risks of hazard brought about by disasters, there is no doubt that in times of crisis it is with community preparedness and initiative, where safety can be ensured.

8

(photos taken last April 2021)

Humanity restored A glimpse of Filipino resiliency amidst a failed response

Article by Venedict Miguel Photos by Venedict Miguel and Ira Marasigan

I

n the midst of a global health crisis, people learned to adapt and care of each other as they showcase the true meaning of humanity. Sufficing the needs of a commoner is indeed a huge plush moment for them while in return, they are only take what they need for a day to be able to serve a whole community.

In the Philippines, locals have established their respective community pantry, a stall where they display different goods that is free for all, to help those people who have been greatly challenged by the Corona Virus Disease – 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

However, according to thinktank’s survey report that Philippines scored the lowest among other Southeast Asian countries in response to the rising cases of the pandemic.

This only means that Filipinos are getting more independent as evidenced by the community pantries, house to house relief drives, and other acts of giving.

“For me, sinusuportahan natin ang community pantry because kailangan ng mga tao ang tulong, pero hindi ibig sabihin na dapat iwan ng gobyerno ang responsibilidad nila sa bansang kanilang sinusuportahan,” Randolph Uy, a resident of Barangay Banaba West, Batangas City, said in a PHOENIX interview.

9

A HELPING HAND It has been a tough year for most people as they have to fight several times just to keep their current jobs, while others did not make it to the cut off. Yet, they still managed to offer foods for other people on a daily basis.

In these trying times, with the second wave of Covid-19 surgency, locals have witnessed hope from the helping hands of those who have a lot to offer just to provide the needs of some families in their communities.

“Community pantry helps a lot lalo na sa mga walang trabaho ngayon. And ang nakakatuwa pa ay kumukuha lang sila nang sakto para sa isang araw nila,” Uy shared as he felt the needs of every locals.

Every day, Filipinos are becoming more and more independent rather than waiting for the government’s response to the present issue.

Indeed, they have restored the true meaning of Filipino resiliency, even though in doing so, the

‘‘

Community pantry helps a lot lalo na sa mga walang trabaho ngayon. And ang nakakatuwa pa ay kumukuha lang sila ng sakto para sa isang araw nila.

incumbent leaders started red tagging these locals who have genuinely helped the society surpass the trials brought by this pandemic.

“Tayo na ang gumagawa ng paraan para mafill ang gap ng administration na ito.

And pinapatunayan ng community pantry kung gaano ka-fail ang government natin sa service nila this pandemic kaya dapat ipakita nila na kumilos sila kesa sa pagpapahinto rito,” Uy stated.

In response to the virus widely spreading in the country, community pantries around the country have showed other locals that no matter how small you can offer, it will create a big impact to a person who needs it. *** While the combat against the deadly disease is still on rise, locals tried their best to show compassion to their co-Filipinos in helping them survive daily. With pure hearts to serve, Filipinos began healing themselves in the midst of a fallen Covid-19 response.

10

Vials of Protection Securing third line of defence from Covid-19 shots in the nation Article by Phoebe Kathleen Rodulfo Photo by Ira Claire Marasigan Digital Artwork by Cedrick Suarez

(photo taken last December 2019)

H

ope glimmers in times of uncertainty.

Acting as a shield, vaccines serve as the security blanket for the people of the country against the novel deadly disease.

With seven manufactured immunity shots, the manifestation of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) shows to be less, as it develops antibodies for the immune system to utilize when in contact with the virus, to be able to resist the infection.

LIQUID HOPE These immunity shots consist of PfizerBioNTech, AstaZeneca-Oxford, Sinovac, Gamaleya, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), and Novavax, which all provide a 100 percent protection from hospitalization, except Moderna which is still at a rather high rate of 97 percent.

With the observance of the set 50 percent threshold of efficacy by the World Health Organization (WHO), most of the mentioned preventive medicines have passed, excluding only the three vaccines namely Sinovac, Moderna, and J&J. “Not one vaccinated person has gotten sick enough to require hospitalization. Not a single vaccinated person has died of Covid-19,” Melvin Sanicas, a licensed vaccinologist, shared.

Moreover, with the complete inoculation for Covid-19, a person might be able return to the deeds that they used to do before the start of pandemic, like gathering indoors without masks along with other people who also got the vaccine shots.

Furthermore, as stated by the current evidence, fully vaccinated people are less to be infected of the virus without being asymptomatic or having no symptoms, which minimizes the spread of the disease to others.

“It’s very important to emphasize vaccination to protect the citizen from unwanted mortalities,” Areth Clarete Manalo, a Covid ward nurse from Batangas Medical Center, said in a PHOENIX interview.

Additionally, last February 28, more than half a million of Sinovac’s Coronavac has been shipped to the country, and on March 4, AstraZeneca delivered 487, 200 doses and 38, 400 vials came last March 11.

Prior immunization drives of the government was started at March 1, beginning at Philippine General Hospital.

IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY Still, the efficacy of the Covid immunoboosters is on two factors, its capacity to prevent the infection and its prevention of the severe symptoms to avoid the deaths, as voiced by WHO that an indication of 50 percent

is viable enough, since it produces different results based on the age groups within the population.

Moreover, Jamie Montoya, Department of Science and Technology Council for Health Research and Development Executive Director, emphasized that a panel of experts evaluate the data for the safety and efficacy of vaccine candidates, and assure the highest scientific and ethical standards per group.

“The FDA, as the regulatory body, gives the final approval and licensing of vaccines but will regularly monitor the vaccine program to ensure they follow the standards,” Montoya mentioned.

On the dire situation that the country has been experiencing along with the deficits that the lockdowns brought, the vaccines will now act as the safeguards of the Filipinos to be able bounce back to the normal lives, which everyone has been waiting for.

11

EDITO R I AL PR O PE R

Living in a bubble

F

ilipinos bid goodbye to March and greeted April with a second round of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) placed over the so-called NCR Plus, comprising the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved of this recommendation by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases after a sharp rise in the daily tally of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases, wherein record-high levels of new infections were consecutively reported.

Resolution No. 106-A by the IATF cited the new variants of the illness, over one hundred thousand active cases as reasons for ECQ declaration. It also mentioned that the restriction intends to give time for the country’s health system to handle the situation.

After more than a year of different levels of lockdown and an almost nonexistent vaccination program, the IATF just presented yet another questionable measure in a desperate effort to curb the consequences of the pandemic.

Dubbed as the strictest quarantine classification enforced in the country, NCR Plus is supposed to further ensure that the people will take health protocols more seriously. However, results showed that their new countermeasures only added to the burden and confusion of the citizens involved—another reason to consider why

IATF is obviously providing an unreliable service to the people.

With the absurd guidelines of the supposed-to-be response, it is clear that IATF cannot solve this without acknowledging the nation’s healthcare system first and foremost, instead of fortifying this enforcement, but punishing the people, who are not to blame for the country’s poor pandemic response, in return.

The first ECQ last year was put to waste because of its late implementation, lack of mass testing, and delayed procurement of vaccines. Aside from the opportunity and time, much of the emergency powers and budget allotted for managing this health crisis are mishandled.

If they were not, then a second wave would be unnecessary.

In addition, loans accumulated in 2020 are also unavailable for tracking. The rationale for those funds is to provide for the vaccines once they are available. One year later, the Philippines is now on the receiving end of donations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and manufacturers.

On top of all these, not all provinces are experiencing a smooth distribution of the doses, and many medical workers are still anxiously waiting for their shot.

Despite all the time and money that they were able to have, the government’s response still only composed of lockdowns that do nothing but plunge the Filipino people’s mental health and general well-being that even dug a deeper grave for the country’s economy.

According to the WHO, the piled up psychological toll of pandemic anxiety, impending economic stability, and absence of some outdoor recreational activities – which people used as emotional outlets, will be a long-term problem after this worldwide health crisis.

People are getting stressed each day while the President points the blame on them rather than building a wall to end the surge of the respiratory-related disease.

Before putting the Philippines under quarantine, on a Global Schoolbased Student Health survey, 28.4 percent of Filipino teenagers manifested suicidal ideology, and over a year of foul play against the disease, the percentage of people who suffer from mental disorders have increased due to different factors affecting the individual such as sexual abuse, anxiety, verbal abuse, and bullying about having Covid-19.

Furthermore, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reported that the national economy suffered a PhP180 billion loss due to the two-week ECQ. This is because some of the country’s main sources of finance were the ones affected.

Saying that it is not yet too late for the Philippines to recover from this disaster is nothing but sugarcoated words, since several countries have already begun vaccinating their citizens and easing restrictions as early as January. Now, the people are calling for a vaccination drive, but last year’s oath remains unfulfilled.

Long before the formation of the NCR Plus, government officials have already been living in a bubble, underestimating the possible effects of a pandemic, not being able to empathize with the masses and consequently failing to assess and fulfill their new necessities after being put under a lockdown, prioritizing other agenda, and missing accountability for the national funds and loans, are just some signs that those politicians are indifferent to the public they are supposed to serve.

However, all bubbles pop inevitably, either because the water inside runs dry, there is too much air turbulence, or perhaps, it was pricked.

12

13

BEHIND THE

scenes Essay by Ruth Jamiel Ceniza Artwork by Marlou Cuarto

T

here had been countless of times when the voices of the common Filipinos are put to waste.

They were always refused to be heard and prioritized like how politicians promised during their campaigns.

However, because of the rise of the digital world, this generation became unstoppable in engaging themselves in more serious topics and serve as the bombshell behind the scenes, exposing the reality of what other forms of media do not tell.

Since its global release in 2017, a platform that boomed is TikTok, an application originally designed for creating entertaining short videos with special effects and new music.

It was never intended to become a tool to promote beliefs or influence the people’s minds. But unknown to its creators, entertainment, especially for Filipinos, is not grounded to just showcase talents and humor.

Several influencers use this platform to share ideologies and political opinions, and to reveal what this generation has always been fearless to talk about, but lacked the proper channels to be heard.

There are multiple ways that political content is blatantly expressed on TikTok. These include the circulating shady jokes and trends that users participate in, content creators whose main focus is really on politics, actual politicians using the application, and utilization of news and media outlets. Each of these types of content usually contains a mixture of political humor, opinions, and news.

‘‘

Several influencers use this platform to share ideologies and political opinions, and to reveal what this generation has always been fearless to talk about, but lacked the proper channels to be heard.

Aside from how the Filipinos are using this app to deal with their quarantine series, they also turned to become eye-openers for those who are not yet aware of how the government has been playing the game, how chaotic the Philippines has been, while expressing their frustration and the fatal implications of these national events.

Moreover, those influencers who intend to share their views about politics also reign in the app. Although some of them are injecting jokes in the subject matter, matched with hilarious effects from the app to still bring up the quintessential entertainment TikTok was supposed to offer, one can sense the morals and realization the individual wants to express concerning his or her opinions.

In line with this, and acknowledging the fact that TikTok is not limited to light contents but also educational material, different news and media outlets also engage with their audience to spread political narratives and information.

This kind of entertainment became a field of interest, regardless of the shady discussions being tackled. Tiktok was said to have become a spontaneous response to existence, also one reason that makes it an ideal form of escapism while the nation is currently suffocating under the pandemic, to lessen boredom and distress, not mentioning that it is also a gateway to fame.

Within just a few years, TikTok has gotten a lot of people to use it as a platform of inviting minds to join the reality. Led by this generation, more and more are exercising the power of freedom and national democracy.

14

Bleaching the blue impunity Article by Lovely Faith Par Artwork by William Frederick Taday

B

ang! There’s a man standing, wearing a blue uniform and holding a gun pointing at an individual. It was indeed an unforgettable sight for the five-year-old self of mine to be able to witness such an event.

A story was once told by my late grandmother as we are about to sleep. Don’t worry if things go wrong, there were policemen here in our country willing to protect the nation and its citizens. But me being able to witness a traumatic event wherein an innocent individual is bullied just because words being said hurt the feeling of a cop, made me no longer believe what my lola told me.

Years have passed and I was able to have a glimpse of hope that some policemen will no longer boast about their uniform. I really believe that everyone in the community is equal even if they are graduate or undergraduate, wearing a janitorial uniform or professional uniform, and holding a weapon or having none on hand at all.

Looking at the positive side, there are policemen who are dedicated to service and righteous in fulfilling their duties. Unfortunately, those who are corrupt minded may inflict bad influence to those who are good-natured.

In this modern generation wherein, social media is the most powerful tool to inform and gather opinions of its users, a lot of things go viral when people recognize unrighteous and shameful act. Remember the recent death of the Gregorio mother and son, those who are killed by a drunk policeman defending the ill-mannered daughter.

“My father is a policeman.”

This statement uttered by the kid suddenly changed to, “My father is a killer.” Such a situation only proved that some policemen are thinking highly of themselves and have a dominion over others.

We also heard of stories wherein policemen were exempted from punishments and the whistleblowers emphasized that the practice is done in order to stop mockery of the whole police department of the Philippines. This is clearly an injustice and manipulation

of the human rights. Those who did wrong and violated the rights of every human being living in the Philippines must be punished by the law. Rich and poor should be equal in the eye of trial and no one shall be denoted as an exemption.

Worst of the worst situations keep happening and it defines the whole of the service policemen are offering.

With them not abiding the law, abusing power, mocking innocent citizens, and covering up the crimes of one another, are they still worthy of the badge and uniform they wear?

15

IN THE HANDS OF THE

blindsided Essay by Evan Dave Gajiran Digital Artwork by Cedrick Suarez

R

ecent events have led to a downward spiral of societal functioning as the economic and health sectors of the nation took a serious hit, especially for the rural units spread far and wide to accommodate Filipinos.

Politics aside, as the government continues to disappoint the masses they swore to serve, the youth is becoming more aware of the political climate and the current state of beliefs in their own country.

Despite words such as “youths are the future of this county,” why are their voices deemed to matter so little, just because they have not yet lived the years the naysayers have, that their voice is of immature rebellion, a sign of disrespect to conservative elders?

Even then, they have stood their ground with the leverage of a platform called social media, have banded together and organized themselves to empower all of us without

discrimination, to give the gift of knowledge as they have been given, all with the energy and views that can no longer be seen by the old.

They complain about the things that endanger their freedom, they criticize the actions done by leaders that have done and can do harm, and most importantly, they give.

It is these organizations like Sinag Quezon and Coalition of Youth Catalysts, and even student government bodies of various colleges that collaborate with each other, which truly establish the impact that the involvement of youths have to society at large.

Despite the fact that a pandemic has imposed shackles on them, they still cope and adapt to a new environment readily, making use of widespread technology to further their causes out to other like-minded yet hidden personalities.

They give aid to the impoverished through monetary or in-kind means while gaining the trust and support of the communities around them, providing entertainment alongside these donation drives to elicit a sense of comfort and relaxation in trying times, knowledge and awareness on topics long thought of as taboo or unnecessarily extra during older times, and ultimately, provide training to future leaders so that they may better serve their country and its people when the time comes for them to take the wheel.

With an intense drive for change and to help the masses in various ways needed, not even the discrepancies in status bore a hindrance in the unity displayed by this energy, with a genuine concern for the future of society, for the betterment of the Filipinos, and as the bayanihan spirit continues to burn profusely within their hearts, unstoppable and bright as their forebears.

In the end, it is the youth who will grow into the shoes of the leaders, of the laborers, of the parents of each one of us. All it takes is time until it is the youth’s turn to be the ones in charge of churning the gears of the machine of society.

And by then, the future generations will take the helm of this movement we once waved.

16

Phoenix

MAGASIN

COVER ART BY MARLOU CUARTO