[GERPHIS] E-MAGAZINE: Estrella's Light

ontents.

During the pandemic, I faced several challenges with the sudden transition to online learning, but I quickly adapted by establishing a daily routine that helped me maintain a sense of structure and normalcy amidst the uncertainty. The repetitive nature of the daily grind allowed me to embrace the changes and gradually become more comfortable with the virtual learning environment. As an individual, I took on the responsibility of staying informed about the latest developments regarding the pandemic to ensure the safety and well-being of myself and my family. Constantly keeping myself updated with reliable news sources and following recommended health protocols became an integral part of my daily life.

While I didn't actively engage in volunteer work or community service, I felt a deep sense of personal responsibility towards my own wellbeing I realized that taking care of myself physically, emotionally, and mentally was essential to weathering the challenges of the pandemic To manage my mental and emotional well-being, I sought ways to alleviate stress and find moments of joy amid the trying times Playing video games and connecting with friends virtually became therapeutic outlets that helped me maintain a positive mindset and fostered a sense of camaraderie even in the absence of physical gatherings

During the pandemic, I faced the challenges of online learning and adapted by seeking support from my family and friends Their encouragement and understanding played a crucial role in helping me navigate the new virtual learning environment To adjust to the uncertainties, I reminded myself that this was the new normal and tried my best to establish a daily routine to maintain a sense of stability in my responsibilities as an individual

Taking on personal responsibilities, I assumed the role of cooking for my family, ensuring that we were well-fed with delicious food and so that we will not get tired of eating the same food at home Prioritizing our safety, I made it a habit to always wear a mask when going outside and adhered to recommended health protocols to protect myself and my loved ones

Due to being scared of contracting COVID-19 I didn't engage in formal volunteer work or community service during the pandemic So to manage my mental and emotional well-being I redirected myself to activities I can do at home Activities like baking and watching series became my coping mechanisms to pass the time and maintain a positive outlook during challenging moments Additionally, in regards to “own responsibilities”, I took on the responsibility of caring for my own health and staying motivated to tackle academic tasks efficiently as maybe we can all relate was very difficult during the online setup

- Justinne Marie Alvarez

individuals. responsi b i l i t i e s

- Kyle Bennett LeeSunga

"I felt a deep sense of personal responsibility towards my own well-being."

"I reminded myself that this was the new normal and tried my best to establish a daily routine to maintain a sense of stability in my responsibilities..."

experiences

lasallians students.

Socializing with fellow Lasallians during the pandemic had its challenges, but I gradually improved in connecting with others in the virtual setting The pure online set-up of DLSU was generally effective, although it did have some drawbacks Despite the initial difficulties, collaborating with my fellow Lasallians on various projects turned out to be a rewarding experience, and we learned to work well together However, there were down moments during the pandemic, especially when I initially had trouble making friends But this was turned around and became my most memorable moments as a Lasallian and that’s when I was able to meet and forge strong bonds with current friends, and these connections I would say and hope are forever lasting.

In terms of my interactions with professors, I encountered a mix of experiences. While some professors were supportive and understanding, others proved to be more challenging to deal with during the online learning setup.

- Justinne Marie Alvarez

As a Lasallian, the pandemic significantly impacted how we socialized and interacted with fellow students The pure online set-up of DLSU presented a unique set of opportunities and challenges Some students adapted seamlessly to the virtual learning environment, while others struggled to cope with the lack of face-to-face interactions The effectiveness of online learning varied depending on individual learning styles, highlighting the importance of personalized approaches to education during unprecedented times

Collaborative works and projects with other Lasallians during the pandemic were a mixed experience The flexibility of online arrangements made it more convenient to coordinate and communicate, but at the same time, the absence of in-person interactions sometimes made it challenging to build strong connections and fully immerse ourselves in group dynamics

Despite the hurdles, our Lasallian spirit persevered, and we found innovative ways to support one another and accomplish our academic goals together

However, the pandemic also brought moments of loneliness and nostalgia, missing the vibrant campus life and the warm camaraderie we once experienced It was during these down moments that I truly appreciated the value of physical presence and the importance of fostering meaningful relationships in our Lasallian community

- Kyle Bennett LeeSunga

thoughts on lato-lato? thoughts on lato-lato? thoughts on lato-lato?

"Regarding the comeback of the “lato-lato,” I hold strong reservations about it. I find it to be quite noisy and distracting, especially since many kids around the university play it, and the sound carries even to the top floors of buildings like Andrew or Razon."

-Kyle Bennett LeeSunga

"Regarding the comeback of the “Lato-lato,” I have strong reservations as it tends to be noisy and distracting."

-Edward Bryan Chin

"Regarding the comeback of the "Lato-lato," I find it fun, but the noise can be a bit overwhelming at times. Despite that, it adds a lively atmosphere."

- Justinne Marie Alvarez

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One motivational quote I always keep in mind is "Fake it till you make it." This mindset has helped me overcome self-doubt and approach challenges with confidence.

“ It is what it is” because it shows that no matter what happens in life, life will still continue and will wait for no one. So as much as possible we try to accept whatever happens to us because nothing could disrupt the natural and unending flow of life.

One motivational quote I always keep in mind is "Just keep swimming" from the movie Finding Nemo. This mantra encourages me to persevere through difficult times and keep moving forward.

Moving on, my motto in life is “Move in, move out, and move on. ”

I adapted the online learning by asking my colleagues for help because I am not the savvy person and the best way to do it is to ask help from those who are, also by sharing idea on how to go about it. The usual problem is how to balance work and life because the demarcation has blurred because of the work from home ude to the pandemic and I think that the way we were able balance responsibilities despite having a schedule and for instance we worked from 8am-5pm and after that we try our best to shut down our gadgets and try to stop working and spend time with our families. The personal responsibilities that I had to take during the pandemic was doing household chores like cleaning, washing of clothes, utensils, and plates. We tried our best to have agreements to follow to unsure the safety of myself and my

exper iences

my family for instance, we tried to limit ourselves from going outside if its not that essential, we also shifted from buying groceries and other necessities in-stores to buying them online As for me, I didn’t really do much but my wife did, it wasnt really about volunteering to help those who are sick but instead she involved herself in a project made by the DENR about planting. Being with my family helped me manage my mental and emotional well-being In taking care of myself by doing the usuals meaning not putting myself in any risky situations, and tied in with what I said a while ago limiting from going out then do so As for my coping mechanisms during the pandemic, watchin TV was one of it, watching tv series and spending time with family

In terms of socializing with my fellow lasallians, I tried my best with what I can do which are phone calls, video calls and many other things, but its not comparable with what we do before during the pandemic, but we make do with what we have I think that the pure online setup of DLSU was successful in the context that we were not prepared Both students and faculties weren’t prepared but it was done successfully, we were able to surpass it so for me thats a measure of success Doing collaborative works with lasallians was an exciting experience for me, talking with other people and doing something different especially doing it with my colleagues. Uncertainty was one of my down moments as a lasallian, everytime that there was an uncertainty about terms getting moved or classes getting suspended. All those uncertainties were my down moments as a lasallian. The most memorable moment as lasallian during the pandemic for me was the first day of online classes because of it being something new.

- Prof Robert Boyles l a s a l l i a n p r o f e s s o r s . l a s a l l i a n p r o f e s s o r s

a s a l l i a n p r o f e s s o r s .

During the pandemic, I have to be able to deliver my online classes in such a way that my students will be engaged and will be able to understand what I discussed. For my daily routines I limited going out to only what was required (buying medicines, groceries, and doctor’s visits) I exercised indoors Donating food to the janitorial, security and maintenance staff in condominiums were some of the things I did as I felt that I had to take this responsibility To ensure the safety of myself and those around me, we followed strictly the COVID 19 protocols (safe distancing, wearing of mask, hand washing, etc ) The community service I did was giving food to those who were challenged to get it The challenges may be financial, transport, etc In managing my mental and emotional well-being I did my work-life balance I had to take personal responsibilities of being in good health so that I do not infect my family and other people outside of my family. The coping mechanism that I used during the pandemic was lots of exercise indoors

By having Zoom app in our gadgets, Me and my lasallians friends used this app to socialize virtually I believe that the pure-online setup of DLSU was successful in minimizing the spread of Covid-19 and helping the students learn while there was still a pandemic. It was a fun experience as We had to do online research collaborations The down moment I felt was when some family members were infected with Covid-19 One of the memorable experiences I had during the pandemic was to do social activities online

- Prof Luz Suplico

I wasn’t really that challenged when distance learning was implemented since I had everything needed to participate in online classes However, socializing with other people appeared to be unnecessarily difficult due to online barriers I focused on myself and tried to manage my time more efficiently I made a schedule detailing my tasks and activities on a day-today- basis Doing so helped me become more productive and organized During the online setup of schools, most of my duties and responsibilities were academic-related since my parents wanted me to focus on my studies Nevertheless, I still helped around the house from time to time

But now that classes are conducted face to face once again, I am now more absorbed in my academic life Generally, my studies are my number one priority when it comes to my responsibilities My family and I practiced the minimum health and safety protocols We wore face masks outside of our home, practiced social distancing when in a public space, and quarantined when experiencing symptoms or exposed to sick people All these, we did for the sake of each other We simply wanted everyone to be safe, healthy, and well, especially during the height of the pandemic

During the height of the pandemic, my family and I didn’t want to go outside of our homes to avoid unnecessary risk and exposure That said, we helped our community by financially donating to organizations that helped those in need I developed coping mechanisms like watching movies, listening to music, cooking, baking, working out, and socializing. These activities helped me destress, resulting in my better physical, mental, and emotional well-being I made sure to keep myself in good shape, whether it be physically or mentally Accordingly, I took care of myself by satisfying my needs and wants, and as a result, I was able to develop coping mechanisms As mentioned earlier, my coping mechanisms are watching movies, listening to music, cooking, baking, working out, and socializing

responsibilities

During the quarantine, adjusting to the unexpected situation was undoubtedly challenging, considering the scale of the pandemic was beyond anyone ' s anticipation. However, as humans, resilience and adaptability are key to survival, so I quickly recognized the need to adapt Investing in a high-quality laptop was a practical decision, given that it became the primary mode of learning during the pandemic, allowing me to keep up with my studies effectively The laptop not only facilitated remote learning but also enabled me to develop essential digital skills, enhancing my overall academic experience

As we move forward, I believe these adaptability skills will continue to be valuable in navigating uncertainties and embracing new opportunities. As soon as the pandemic started around March 2020, it personally shocked me because we were forced to continue studying as if nothing happened which took a great toll on me I personally felt isolated due to only meeting my peers through a digital platform. And as I was not allowed to exit the house I gained tasks such as washing the dishes and cooking food for my family, as we did not have at that time a housekeeper I ensured the safety and well-being of my family through simple means such as not going out of the house and also limiting my physical interactions with my close friends even though it affected me mentally for the sake of my family

I personally did not engage in any community work concerning my community, but as for my family, I took on the aforementioned responsibilities to lessen the burden on my family One coping mechanism that I found during the pandemic was playing online games with my friends and also learning to produce music, as it was a hobby that I wanted to learn but could not due to my pre-pandemic schedule mostly being face-to-face and also because I did not have the luxury to learn such hobbies due to unending workload of my school.

Anton Raphael Bagares

Jeffrey Paul Dorotheo

Socializing was quite difficult because I am an introvert Fortunately, I still made new friends with people I had the same interests with. I talked to them about our interests, and doing so, fostered good relationships. The pure online setup of DLSU was satisfactory, but there was definitely room for improvement. It managed to educate students, but some courses were taught poorly The online setup also made it difficult for students who weren’t properly equipped with the devices they needed to study. I think it would seem fine if you were capable of having the things needed for the online setup, but if you lacked equipment then it would be unfortunate.

Generally, my overall experience with Lasallians was fine, but I have encountered challenges due to lazy and incapable students. However, since everything seems to still be going well, then I think that my overall experience is satisfactory. I have met interesting people, made great new friends, and encountered excellent peers. I didn’t really have down moments aside from the recurring stressful moments brought about by cumbersome requirements during midterms and finals week. Well, there was this girl that made me feel down bad last term, perhaps until now.

Currently, my Lasallian experience is doing well, so I have nothing to really complain about. My most memorable moments involved my wonderful friends and acquaintances. I have experienced countless times that were ecstatic, wholesome, and interesting because of the people that surround me. Perhaps my most memorable moment was when I had a 4 0 term, and my friends were First Honors Dean’s Listers To be honest and frank, most of the professors I have encountered are mediocre. Only a few were exceptional and displayed their competence and passion for teaching. Despite having mediocre professors, I was still able to learn satisfactorily mostly because of my self perseverance

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Even though we were in a purely online setup, I managed to gain some friends because they approached me and hoped to befriend me, even though I was a typical Introvert they helped me in gaining confidence to meet new people in a new environment. In my personal opinion, the effectiveness of the pure online set-up purely depends on the person. Because for me it was mostly effective because I learned a lot in my subjects and also became a dean’s lister, which I had never achieved before

It was generally good because I never expected that Lasallians would be so welcoming, considering it was a school full of talented and competitive people who hope to become the very best in their chosen fields I generally did not have a lot of down moments during the pandemic, but one particular issue that I had come across was failing to recognize my classmates and my peers when we were meeting in person, I generally could not identify them because their appearance was vastly different from what they looked like during online classes

The most memorable moment that I could remember during the pandemic was noticing that I had achieved becoming a dean’s lister As for my overall experience with my professors, I generally think that they are mediocre at best Because I truly think that they would excel at teaching when they are teaching face-to-face

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How did the pandemic change you and your outlook on life?

How do you think it affected the Lasallian Brothers?

The pandemic made me prioritize the essential things in life such as taking care of my self physically and spiritually and finding that work life balance in my daily routine It really made me live my life a day at a time by being open to what life may bring that day and at the end of the day be content with how I responded to events especially those which I have no control over Because the pandemic forced everyone to stay at home, the Brothers found more creative ways to live in community and support each other during one of the most difficult moments of our lives In many ways, the Brothers became more active on social media and enhanced our virtual presence

How did you adapt your daily routine and responsibilities as an individual and brother during the pandemic, especially with online learning?

As I mentioned, I dealt with life one day at a time. I found myself having more free time While I kept a routine for work, prayer, exercise and community life, I would spontaneously do an activity during the day to either reward myself or to break the cycle. On Sundays, I would find ways to commune with nature.

How was your overall experience with Lasallians during the pandemic? How about in the aspects of collaboration or socialization?

Much of the interactions were online so it was really limited in terms of building relationships Much of the collaboration and socialization was made with people who I already knew as it was harder to form new connections However, when it comes to getting people to help others, Lasallians were very responsive and generous

Did you have any down or happy moments as a Lasallian Brother that particularly stuck with you during the pandemic?

Losing people you love are perhaps the most traumatic experience for any person during the pandemic and I had my share of losses particularly friends. The happy moments for me were the secret and joyful reunions with friends and family that gave me strength to endure Perhaps the most memorable moment was during the Lasallian Community Pantry that went on for 21 days at Andrew Hall for the benefit of the several baranggays in the neighborhood

Are you willing to share how you managed your mental and emotional well-being during the pandemic? And, did you develop any new coping mechanisms or habits?

Having a daily routine that included physical exercise was the most effective way for me to manage my mental and emotional well-being It kept me going on my best and worst days because even if I didn’t feel like “living” the selfcare alone became my purpose for that day and that helped a lot. Helping others was also beneficial for me as it brought me out from whatever I was going through and, again, gave me a purpose Another essential coping mechanism was keeping in touch with people that mattered to me and share with them what I was going through.

From your perspective, how successful or effective do you think was the pure online set-up of DLSU during the pandemic?

I think DLSU did better than most universities in the country when it came to the pure online set-up It was responsive to the concerns of both faculty and students while at the same time maintaining the necessary academic standards and quality of education We had an increase of enrollment during the pandemic due to the perception that DLSU has a good online learning arrangement.

What is your perspective on how other Lasallians dealt with the pandemic, especially when it came to their academics, extra-curriculars, and Lasallian Core Values?

It’s hard to assess how people coped with the pandemic as each individual is different. What is obvious to me, however, is that when it comes to helping others or doing what’s best for the country, Lasallians are at the forefront

lasallia brothe

LIVE A DAY AT A TIME. BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU CAN DO EACH DAY. KEEP A ROUTINE. HELP OTHERS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO CAN DO NOTHING FOR YOU. an.

lasallia brothe lasallian. brothers.

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- Br. Richie Yap

rea ay! rea ay! ready. set. play! LASALLIAN EDITION

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"being part of ENGLICOM was a valuable experience. It provided me with a platform to interact with likeminded individuals, and engaging with ENGLICOM helped me broaden my perspectives and fostered a sense of belonging despite the virtual setup."

-Kyle Bennett LeeSunga

"I was part of ENGLICOM, an organization that played a significant role in my personal growth Even to the return of face to face classes I am still engaged with this organization where I am growing with experience but also through the ranks"

-Justinne Marie Alvarez

During the online era, being part of ENGLICOM was a significant help to my mental well-being It provided a platform to interact with many people and make friends The sense of community and camaraderie within the organization made the virtual setup more enjoyable and fulfilling

-Edward Bryan Chin

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LOHSONSA AITPSON RAUILTA

FETHNOSCTRA OAOB IKRIATEY

DLSU-PUSA (People for the Upliftment of Society's Animals) is the organization that cares mainly for the DLSU Manila campus ' cats by feeding, neutering/spaying to control the cat population, vaccination/antirabies shots, medical care, adopting/rehoming of stray cats & occasionally even stray dogs, etc.

It has five core members, and several faculty, senior high school/undergraduate/masteral/doctoral student, and alumni volunteers and PUSApporters PUSA is under the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission

DLSU PUSA “About DLSU PUSA” Facebook, wwwfacebookcom/dlsupusaofficial/about details Accessed 12 Aug 2023

As the pandemic started, I never really thought of it as something that would change the way we live It changed how we study, how our parents would work and how we weren’t able to go out of our houses At first it was hard to transition from F2F to Online as I found it really difficult to keep up as I couldnt focus at home, but nevertheless I found ways to fix this, studying with friends asking for help made it easier for me to keep up academically Even though there was a pandemic going on, my friends and I found ways to bond with each other, playing online games together being able to talk with each other through an app called discord, and because of this the pandemic wasn’t all that bad for me. We couldn’t really go out and spend time together in real life but moments just like this help us build a stronger connection with each other, especiallybeing with my family 24/7 our bonds became stronger

Before the pandemic began, I was already facing challenges as my previous university course was negatively impacting my mental health As the pandemic hit, I found myself in the final semester at my former university and made the decision to transfer to De La Salle University for a fresh start However, the transfer process, compounded by the pandemic, took a toll on my mental well-being I experienced heightened anxiety and anticipation throughout this period, worrying about both my health and the uncertainties of the post-pandemic future. Concerns about health and safety were at the forefront of my mind, especially with the added worry for my grandparents' well-being Amidst these difficulties, I unfortunately contracted COVID-19, causing further stress for my family The fear of the worst possible outcomes was overwhelming at times Despite the challenges, I managed to find some positive aspects during the long span of the pandemic. I cherished the time spent with my family, and we welcomed new members into the household, our beloved furbabies It was during this period that I received the news of my acceptance into De La Salle University, marking the beginning of my journey as a Lasallian. The pandemic has taught me a valuable lesson: to appreciate the present and take things slowly. I have adopted a new perspective on life, valuing the moments that bring joy and gratitude While the pandemic has been arduous, it has also presented opportunities for growth and resilience, allowing me to embrace a fresh start at De La Salle University with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism.

During the pandemic, I adapted to the challenges of online learning by creating a comfortable home envi responsibilities and home responsibilities. At home, I took on personal responsibilities such as cooking, cle contact sports like biking and initiating new activities to break the monotony of daily life.

I didn't engage in volunteer work or community service due to COVID concerns, my family and I still found ways to help o and online masses My personal responsibility was to take care of my physical and mental health, which included finding c

Socializing with fellow Lasallians during the pandemic was challenging, especially as I had no stable "blockmates" due t strong connections While the pure online set-up of DLSU had its pros and cons, academically, the university maintained

Collaborative works and projects offered opportunities to interact with classmates, but one of the down moments as memorable moments were made engaging with people from my hometown who shared similar experiences and difficultie

Overall, my experience with professors during the pandemic was positive, as they did their best to teach effectively des

Chan,KatrinaElyssa

B. Chin, Edward Br

ndemic started just as I was closing a big chapter of my life and g a new one. It was definitely hard going through a great time of on while the whole world as I knew it was changing as well. Aside from y ending my time in junior high school, the pandemic brought even hallenges as I was entering a completely new environment without g anyone No one would have expected that a global pandemic would so many of us to work and study from home for about two whole n the beginning, aside from the initial anxiety about not knowing and the confusion of taking classes online for the first time, nothing was wrong However, as time went on, I increasingly felt that I was n a downward spiral Nevertheless, after some time, I did find myself used to my new environment albeit with a lot of support from the around me. Although I understand that I will never be the same as I was before, I found that I have grown and am continuing to adapt enges that come my way

beginning of the pandemic, I did not expect that it would be very and that it would last for years It brought many changes such as the entation of pure online learning I found it really difficult to keep up mically, nevertheless, I did not give up I was filled with joy when I got ed to DLSU, but the happiness slowly faded through time because the setup was draining me. There was a time when I got infected with during finals week, and of course, I had to isolate myself It was ely exhausting because there was so much to do at that time and I ck, but I still accomplished my tasks I think that was my darkest nt during the pandemic. I felt alone, but not so much thanks to my who talked and had fun with me online. I am also thankful to my or always being there for me I am also sincerely thankful to my father, ade me discover wakeboarding during the pandemic, it is now my avorite sport and hobby; it is also one of my best coping mechanisms a passion for it, it makes me feel truly alive and improves my physical ental health. I believe the pandemic is not full of dark moments, we ns can create or find our own light in the darkness

computer setup To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I learned to set boundaries between academic ined good grades. Ensuring the safety and well-being of myself and my family involved engaging in non-

our community by giving monetary aid To manage our mental and emotional well-being my family and I relied on prayer coping mechanisms like watching movies or playing video games with friends during the pandemic

o enrolling “early” or the advanced 3rd term at DLSU. This constant change in classmates made it difficult to establish its high standards and prioritized learning

s a Lasallian during the pandemic was the feeling of isolation and having no friends during the online period However, es in finding friends in the virtual setting.

pite the challenges

Capacite,SeanJoshuaT.

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Chan,KatrinaElyssaB.

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Chin,EdwardBryanJamesA.

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Chua,JoyceanneO.

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Chua,KhendrickN.

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