The Eagle Tabloid Issue 1 P.Y. 2022-2023

CABECS claims A-WEEK victory after two-year sports hiatus

Written by Kirk Simoun Guimbal

The lions uproared and bested the four departmental colleges of the school as the College of Accountancy Business Education and Computer Studies (CABECS) was hailed as the overall champion during the first-

Marcos Jr. Signs Barangay, SK Polls Postponement Law

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., on Oct. 10, 2022, signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11935, postponing the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to October 2023.

Under RA 11935, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will be held simultaneously on the last Monday of October 2023 and every three years.

Furthermore, since the term of

office of the Barangay and SK officials will commence at noon on Nov. 30 following their election, all current Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials shall remain in office unless sooner removed or suspended.

RA 11935 strengthened House Bill No. 4673 and Senate Bill No. 1306, passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines on Sept. 28, 2022.

ever physical Augustinian Festivities 2022 held last November 14-18.

Bacolod launches Online Citizen Watch

Written by Mark Joseph Pastorillo

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez launched the online complaints desk as a service to receive instant feedback from Bacolodnons on power, garbage, and water-related concerns last August 15.

Coined as “Citizen Water Watch,” “Citizen Basura Watch,” and “Citizen Kuryente Watch,” these services provide quick response (QR) codes and links that will direct a user to a Google form with questions to answer and an area to input complaints addressed to concerned offices.

Benitez said it would be easier to address residents’ concerns if they would report the problems. “Report your problems to the mayor. We want

to know your problem and we will try to find a solution,” he added.

Since its release, more than 200 residents have reported water-related concerns while more than 30 raised trash collection concerns.

Yuhum Village in the City of Smiles, housing targets informal settlers

10,000 model unit-ready houses will soon rise in three targeted barangays in Bacolod City: Arau Relocation Site, Brgy 8, and Brgy Banago, the project focuses on ISF (Informal Settler Families) primarily those who reside in coastal areas, and completion is expected in 2023.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the first medium-rise structure in Brgy. Vista Alegre, which can house more than 5,000 ISF, was led by Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino “Jerry” Acuzar and City Mayor Alfred “Albee” Benitez, less than a month after the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed.

The unit is claimed to be earthquake-resistant, and a mock-up

model is on display for the public to see its exact dimensions (3.5m width x 7m length x 3m height), as well as unit-ready basics like a toilet bowl, faucet, shower, kitchen counter, and sink.

The “Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino: Zero Informal Settler Family Program for 2028” initiative will continue, with subsequent plans including the construction of six million homes within six years.

Bacolod City is the pilot municipality for this fastest technology project, and its goals include providing decent housing for the ISF and cleaning up the city’s coastlines, which Mayor Albee claims will alleviate issues like flooding and trash accumulation.

Written by Jean Rose Oren

DREAM BUILDERS. Hon. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez together with other city officials and proponents of the housing program during its groundbreaking ceremony . || Photo Courtesy of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez FB page

SHINING FACES. Augustinian beauty queens shone their bright beautiful faces after the first-ever Miss San Agustin 2022.

Photo Courtesy of Mary Eden Ordanel

Photo Courtesy of Albee Benitez FB Page

Photo Courtesy of Miguel De Guzman(PhilStar)

Written by Juleianne Nitz Tabotabo

Kamighon Band rocks Masskara BOTB, grabs 1st place

Written by Mark Joseph Pastorillo

CSA-B delivers eight RChe on October ‘22 boards

Written by Danibel Perez

According to information released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on October 18, 2022, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) produced eight newly registered Chemical Engineers on the recently completed Philippine Licensure Examination for Chemical Engineers held in October 2022.

Kamighon Band took down five competitors as they owned the 1st runner-up title during the Masskara Battle of the Bands Amateur Category last October 9 at the Bacolod City New Government Center.

The band rocked the stage with their contest piece and won the Php 10 000 cash prize.

“As the band’s new director, it’s such an honor to be part of this growing family. I am beyond grateful

and happy for them. This is the first battle of the group after the COVID-19 pandemic. They are happy to perform on a big stage with a huge crowd rooting for them,” Rocky Nicor, the band director, shared.

“I am hoping for more engagements for them, and I am always here as their number one support system,” he added.

The band is one of the school’s performing arts groups led by band

director, Nicor, consisting of the lead vocalist, Japeth Miranda, subvocalist, Roleen Joy C. Buenaflor, bassist, Zelmer Kate B. Toledo, drummer, Euvienezer S. Jain, keyboardist, Princess Ella A. Olmilla, lead guitarist, Mc David A. Bisan, and rhythm guitarist, Siegrique Ceasar Jalwin.

The battle also featured professional bands in the Pro Category, individual, Best Original Song, and Best Contest piece awards.

Augustinian MechEngs hailed as champs @ PSIM Nat’l Student Conference

Written by Arabella Panaligan

With a three-point cushion from Western Mindanao State University, three Augustinian Mechanical Engineering (ME) students secured the championship title during the First Pambansang Samahan ng Inhenyero Mekanikal (PSIM) National Students’ Conference held last October 4.

The team was headed by Al Nikko Nones (ME 4), and were composed by Januel Avelino (ME 4), and Evan James Barbon (ME 3), meanwhile reserves were Kaizerr Mohametano (ME 4) and Roden Silla (ME 4), and they were all trained under the supervision of Engr. Jevin Amago.

Several renowned academic institutions, including Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), Central Philippines State University (CPSU),

and University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) have also participated in the conference that was held via Zoom.

Six Augustinian Accountancy Studes Conquer NECONFED-JPIA Quiz Bowl

were Clarish Tan, Cyril Joy Dueñas, and Mariz Negara for the Financial Accounting and Reporting category. Meanwhile, in the Regulatory Framework for Business Transaction and Taxation category were Sherilyn Detrago, Lyca Rapa, and Alliah Sasi. The participants were coached by Mrs. Armi S. Buyco in both categories.

The institution’s passing rate was 66.67%, more than 15% higher than the country’s average, which was 51.25% for test takers. The first takers obtained a 75% rating from the passers.

The school’s newly licensed chemical engineers were Engr. Marvin Gelomina Arcangel; Engr. Mark Stephen Montebon; Engr. Gerald Cabrera; Engr. Johnil Esparagoza; Engr. Devaugn Joseph Feliprada Fiel; Engr. Maria Paula Gamboa; Engr. Weemsy Dahane Parcon; and, Engr. Trisha Mae Tababa.

This year’s test was given over three days, from October 11 to 13, and was given in a number of different cities across the nation, including Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Legazpi.

F2F Classes in CSAB

Written by Arabella Panaligan

Colegio San AgustinBacolod (CSAB) adapts ‘blended learning’ as method of instruction for S.Y. 2022-2023 while adhering to safety protocols as the region is still in the course of a pandemic. Having to incorporate both computer-based and face-toface learning, the students have been and are still adjusting to the new transition of the present learning environment.

Fastened with the theme, “RACE DAY: Peak Racing Performance of Champions,” six Augustinian Accountancy students bagged two 1st runner-up titles in the Annual Accounting Quiz Bowl initiated by Negros Occidental Confederation of Junior Philippine Institute of

Accountants (NECONFED-JPIA) at the University of Negros OccidentalRecoletos President’s Hall on Sept. 2930, 2022.

From the College of Accountancy, Business Education & Computer Studies (CABECS), the said students

Participated by the ten local chapters, NECONFED-JPIA, in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, aimed to cater to inclusiveness in honing minds and unleashing champions in the field of Accountancy.

While full-fledged faceto-face lectures have not yet been implemented, the students have been engaging in events and activities organized by their respective faculties, which is beneficial when switching from a blended to a face-to-face educational setting.

Written by Juleianne Nitz Tabotabo

ROCKSTAR EAGLES. The school’s Kamighon band poses for a smile after they were declared as victors during the Masskara Battle of the Bands. || Photo Courtesy of Rufo Jay Manito

Photo Courtesy of Engr. Jhonel Espanola & Adam Dianongco

TRIUMPHANT. Augustinian accountancy students presenting their certificates during the NEOCONFED-JPIA Quiz Bowl. || Photo Courtesy of NECONFED-JPIA FB Page

CSA-B celebrates World Teacher’s Day ‘22

Written by Acel Jone Cayot

Following a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, October 5 marks another significant event for the Augustinian community as it celebrates the World Teacher’s Day 2022 at the Student Center.

The world is changing quickly,

and traditional teaching has given way to technical, skilled, professional, and virtual education. Hence, Teachers’ Day honors teachers, attempts to address some of the challenges relating to their profession, and aims to draw the

most talented young minds to this line of work.

The Supreme Government officers oversaw the celebration to honor the committed teachers with inspirational affirmations and recreational activities.

CSA-B offices conduct general orientation; welcomes freshmen, transferees

Written by Kirk Simoun Guimbal

To formally welcome incoming freshmen students and transferees of the institution, the Student Affairs & External Relations in coordination with the Guidance Center have conducted a General Orientation both at the school’s auditorium for CABECS, COE and CASE and via Zoom for CHAP last August 23-25, 2022.

Students from College of Accountancy, Business Education and Computer Studies which comprised of the Bachelors of Science in Accounting Information System, Accountancy, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Tourism Management

and Information Technology students participated on the first day of the event.

Students from the College of Engineering and College of Arts, Sciences and Education were present in the second day which is comprised of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Culture and Arts Education. Elementary Education, Secondary Education and Physical Education.

Meanwhile the College of Health and Allied Profession Students (Pharmacy, Medical Technology and

Nursing) have their orientation via Zoom on the last day of the event

The following topics that were tackled during the general orientation are Academic Information & Policies, Financial Obligations & Guidelines, Guidance Services, RGC, Medical/ Dental & Security & Safety, Scholarship & Privileges, Policies & Discipline, school uniform policies, student activities & organizations (AVP)

Among the speakers of the said event were Dr. Gereon Cabarles, Ms. Lindy Arroyo, CPA, MBA , Ms. Grace David, Mr. Jansen Tabujara, RN, and Miss Josephine S. Virgo.

The students put on a variety of entertaining performances, such as dancing, singing, and impersonations. Along with the performances, the students handed gifts and tokens to their mentors to show their appreciation.

Dorms around the vicinity of CSA-B

CSA-LSLC

Address: 18th Street

Residencia Palma

Address: 17th Street

KYLT Dormitory

Address: Lasalle Avenue

JP 227 Residences

Address: B.S Aquino Drive

Pleasant Travelers

Address: 19th Street

CSY Dormitory

Address: 17th Street

Jacildo Ladies’ Dormitory

Address: Lasalle Avenue

Our Lady of Mary Mediatrix

Address: 18th Street; Purok Nangka Zone 2

Five Augustinian Pharmacy Studes win 1st Place in PNHRS,DOST Oral Research Tilt

Written by Danibel Perez ||

Five Augustinian Pharmacy students from the College of Health and Allied Profession (CHAP) were hailed as “National Champion” during the 15th Philippines National Health Research System (PNHRS) and DOST

Oral Research Paper CompetitionStudent category last August 9.

Among the said students were Princess Guzman, Dhavon Ralo, Shelly Anne Corros Crisna Susvilla, and Suzanne Vivero together with their Research Adviser, Mr. Rommel Valentin Diaz, RPh, MPharm.

The competing research study is entitled, “Practice and Challenges of Antimicrobial Stewardship among Pharmacists in Selected Community and Hospital Pharmacies in Bacolod City.”

Prior to competing at the national level, Guzman’s group had to undergo a selection process where their study was among the

few in the region that were endorsed by the Western Visayas Health and Research Council (WVHRD) for the national competition.

Among the studies that were endorsed by each region in the country, only six from all the endorsed studies were selected by the PNHRS and DOST to compete for the said contest.

Guzman’s victory marked the first time that the Pharmacy department had the chance to send a representative, be selected for the competition and bring home the championship title for the said competition.

According to Presidential Proclamation No. 1309 from June 2007, PNHRS Week is scheduled for every second week of August. The Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium (CLHRDC) and the Department of

UNSUNG HEROES. Augustinian teachers with their heartfelt smiles during the World Teacher’s Day tribute of the students at the school’s auditorium. ||Photo Courtesy of Arabella Panaligan

VICTORIOUS SMILES. Augustinan researchers present their champ recognition after they have been hailed as national champions during a virtual awarding ceremony.

Photo Courtesy of Princess Jewel Guzman

Science and Technology Region III hosted the conference with the theme “Health Research: Responding to Challenges Toward National Recovery and Resiliency.”

The Clark Marriot Hotel in Pampanga hosted the 15th PNHRS Week to honor the contributions made by health researchers and their wider community.

Bacolod Gov’t, Bacolod Hospital Ink MOA for Health Program

Written by Juleianne Nitz Tabotabo

To provide integrated healthcare services to Bacolodnons, the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital (BQMH) has extended its support to the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Oct. 14, 2022, at the Government Center.

The signing of the accord was led by Mayor Benitez; Councilor Claudio Puentevella, chairperson of the City Council committee on health; BQMH Representative Captain Lucho Giovanni; Medical Director Dr. Willy Yu; and Dr. Neifertiti Gosengfiao, business

development center director.

Together with the Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center and South Bacolod General Hospital, BQMH is now the third private hospital in Bacolod that signed an MOA with the city for the BacCHP program.

Department of Health –Western Visayas Regional Director Adriano Suba-an, who witnessed the MOA signing, also expressed support for the BacCHP.

Since its launch last July 19, 2022, BacCHP has continued providing preventive and curative assistance to thousands of residents from all barangays in Bacolod.

BCD mayor puts up Good Governance Committee

Written by Acel Jone Cayot

Shortly after taking office, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez established the Bacolod City Good Governance Committee to reconstruct public trust and confidence in the local government.

He stated that there is a need to investigate earlier city transactions in the quest for good governance and the pursuit of the truth, for which there has been much public outcry.

Benitez further stated that he wants the present administration to respect only the responsibilities that adhere to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

The mayor also emphasized the importance of identifying and correcting shortcomings in government systems, particularly those concerning the use of public funds, to avoid stealing by government personnel.

Furthermore, Benitez stated that he wants to ensure that responsible government officials

from first page || A-WEEK

are held accountable for bribery and corrupt conduct that may have resulted in massive losses and irreparable harm to the city and its residents.

The City Legal Office has been referred to as the secretariat. Romeo Carlos Ting, Jr., City Administrator Atty. Pacifico Maghari III, and Jose Ray Agpangan, the City’s Internal Auditor, are members.

The Good Governance Committee will review processes and identify actions that conform to best governance practices, as well as actively investigate reports and uncover the truth about allegations of graft and corruption in the City Government, particularly by public officers, employees, and their coprincipals from the private sector.

It will also suggest the proper action to guarantee that complete justice is done without fear or favor, and it shall perform incidental, suitable, and required activities to the objectives.

Bacolod LGU plans to lower electricity cost

An energy summit was held by the city of Bacolod and the province of Negros Occidental to discuss problems, coordinate the best energy systems, and find ways to reduce the cost of power generation in both the province and the city.

The summit has brought together a number of electric cooperatives, businesses, and generation facilities, including Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO), Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO), Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), Alsons, Hydrotec, Victorias Milling Company (VMC), Isla Sol, RePower, Biopower, and First Farmers.

The assembly looked for geothermal and solar to be the most affordable power sources to lower the cost of electricity. Other solutions were also outlined, including the consolidation of electric cooperatives’ requests, potential government-generator

During the literary competition, the CABECS managed to clinch the championship title in the Impromptu and Oration, meanwhile the College of Health and Allied Professions (CHAP) and College of Arts, Sciences and Education was declared as winners in Talumpati and Dagliang Pagbigkas contests respectively.

joint ventures, and the formation of a technical working group made up of local stakeholders for an ideal and efficient long-term arrangement for electricity regulation and distribution.

Albee Benitez, the mayor of Bacolod City, noted that constant communication, such as the summit he mentioned, and regular access to the production of electric cooperatives could potentially reduce power costs “by 3 pesos.” The cost of power purchased from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market as well as higher generation, distribution lines, transmission and systems loss charges, and rate increases can all be attributed to these factors.

The residents of Negros Occidental are reminded to be mindful of their power consumption as it is one of the factors that contributes to power hikes, along with the goal of transforming the city into a fully renewable energy source.

Information System student was crowned as the first-ever Miss San Agustin during the MSA 2022 Coronation night. Olmilla also bagged Miss Congeniality Award, Best Preliminary Interview, and Best in Production Number.

Several activities were held during the week that were organized by the Student Government and participated by the Augustinians in various college departments like the Literary Contest, Musical Dance contests, Cine Agustino Film Festival, and the first-ever Miss San

Agustin.

Various booths situated in different rooms were organized by the students that were inspired by their respective courses and some were intended to showcase entertainment among the boothgoers.

In the Musical Dance Events, the CABECS was declared as victors for Latin dance and contemporary duo competitions; meanwhile the CHAP empire snatched the championship for the vocal duet and hip-hop competition. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE) empire conquered the vocal solo category and modern standard dance. Meanwhile, the College of Engineering (COE) received runnerup awards for the said categories.

The CABECS’ queen, Princess Ella Olmilla, an Accounting

The crowning of Miss San Agustin 2022 delivered the championship title for CABECS which was followed by the colleges of CHAP, COE and CASE respectively.

After two years of halting the physical celebration of Augustinian Festivities because of the ongoing pandemic, this year the school reopened its gates to the Augustinian community and its visitors during the Augustinian Week (A-week) celebration with a theme CSAB@60: Advancing Together in Dynamic Learning and Transformative Direction.

Written by Danibel Perez

HEALTH ACCESSIBILITY. Several healthcare providers with respective Bacolodnon citizens queuing for the BacCHP registration at the New Government Center.

|| Photo Courtesy of Mary Eden Ordanel

GROOVING. Contenders from a specific college dancing and grooving on the beat at the school’s open court during the Augustinian Festivities 2022.

|| Photo Courtesy of Mary Eden Ordanel

JOURNALISM in the NEW ERA

The clouds have shifted. A new sun has entered the horizon. It is the dawn of a new presidency. Fresh hope poured into the hearts of millions of Filipinos everywhere, but with the alarming emergence of troll farms, fake news, and widespread online propaganda, press freedom is dwindling by the edge.

The Committee to Protect Journalists’ Global Impunity index had recognized the Philippines as one of the world’s dangerous countries for journalists. According to its database, there is a record of 87 journalists killed from 1992 to 2021. However, the records from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines refute such data, stating that the national killings have gone higher, adding on the other killings during the Duterte regime, totaling to 22 more. As the country shifts to the Marcos Jr. administration, a new addition makes it to the list of slain journalists: The untimely death of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa. Speculation arose regarding the motive of the assassination, with claims pointing towards the fact that Lapid was known for sharing harsh criticism towards the government on his show. This sudden silencing only further promotes the culture of violence, as well as being a forward attack on democracy. Additionally, the media enables the general public to act on what is true and correct. The people have the right to be informed, especially in the event of elections and political matters, in order to breed rightly-educated voters which would eventually lead to a more stable government.

Indeed, this threat to press freedom is nothing new to the country. It is a fact that to uphold the truth through the cloudy mess of reality, it comes with a hefty price. Words have a tremendous impact by the weight of the information it carries. This is the journalist’s duty: to speak of the rough edges, expose the world to its true form, and encourage everyone to look at truth straight in the eye. Danger has always lingered in the horizon for journalists, but the fact that journalists can not be able to do this without having to fear for their lives every single time is alarming and such tragedy often hints at the country’s instability. The current administration should continue to further maximize its efforts in the protection of journalists. While disasters like this may be beyond the control of the government as external parties can be perpetrators of such crime, the government

should at the very least create standards and policies that allow for the safeguarding of the freedom of expression. In turn, voicing out and upholding the need for press freedom and safety for journalists should be forcefully maintained by political will.

Presently, President Bongbong Marcos had left out the topic of press freedom during his first State of the Nation Address last July 25, 2022, leaving media people alike to wonder if there is any definite plan of action to tackle this longtime issue. This trail of questioning was returned by a deafening silence that only deepened fears and doubts for the future. However, in a more recent speech, Marcos reassures the media that he is determined to protect the rights to free speech and press freedom, stating that the government is ready to help with any concerns from journalists, following the Lapid case. Despite its straightforward intention, this statement may not sit well with the fact that the administration during its early days had closely worked with pro-Marcos influencers. The former designated press secretary, Trixie Cruz-Angeles herself was a vlogger. This induction of internet celebrities to represent the presidential office is regarded to be ridiculously unprofessional and insulting to the journalists who have spent years reporting on the sidelines and braving any calamity to bring factual information to the people. The current administration needs to reevaluate their strategy and appoint the appropriate people to do the correct job.

Despite the promise of change, the contemporary conditions do not look too promising for journalists. The sudden death of one prominent radio broadcaster is just among the threats to not only journalism, but towards democracy as a whole. The President should reaffirm his stand on press freedom and promote concrete solutions further with no rooms for silence. He should follow through in appointing people who are actually journalists instead of internet influencers, as journalism is for the journalists and nothing should be able to separate the craft from its own experts. The job entails risk for the deliverance of truth for the people thus, it has to be presented by the right people. In this new era, time will be the only thing that can reveal any changes brought forth from the current administration as more waves of questions and uncertainties join in.

OFFICIAL TERTIARY PUBLICATION OF COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN-BACOLOD

Editorial Term 2022-2023

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR

NEWSPAPER EDITOR

ASSISTANT NEWSPAPER EDITOR

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT FEATURE EDITOR

LITERARY EDITOR

PHOTO AND VIDEO EDITOR

CREATIVES EDITOR

ONLINE PUBLICATION EDITOR

NEWS SECTION

Jean Rose Oren

Danibel Perez

Natasha Ann Dupa-an

Mark Joseph Pastorillo

Juleianne Nitz Tabotabo

Arabella Panaligan

MAGAZINE SECTION

Joaquin Angelo Alpas

Jaira Panagution

Kamila Victoria Anne Espelita

LITERARY SECTION

Jose Adreanne Pineda

Rovel Montano

Michelle Yee

Jacqueline Edralin

Jenny Rafael

Darlene Toldo

Jinky Espinosa

Hannah Escollar

Kirk Simoun Guimbal

Tricia Nicole Panzo Angelika Odango

Acel Jone Cayot

Charriz Anne Santiago

Darlene Toldo

Princess Jewel Guzman

Kristine Adrelle Modina

Mary Eden Ordanel

Abigail Cordova

Kim Kathleen Ariza

CREATIVES SECTION

Joy Mae Tamayo

Kyla Nicole Castro

Therese Erika Gomez

J Eugene Christian Jolito

Rexzyl Gallano

Alger Jun Arellano

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS SECTION

Charlene Mae Canja

Aziel Rivera

Janelle Labayan

Nicole Carvajal

Jessie James Perez

Trisha Pauline Advincula

ONLINE STAFF

Joaquin Angodung

Reeve Jacob Ancero

Gwyn Alabot

TECHNICAL ADVISER

David Hinolan

Public Health Crisis Trek and Trail: Travel in the World of COVID-19

A lot of what ifs, should haves, and what could have been are gushing in my mind if quite some of us were not strong-willed and didn’t underestimate the probable adverse impact of COVID-19. Even so, the main point is, do we barely judge COVID-19 incorrectly, or have we lacked tactics and plans? Some people might think that coronavirus is obscure, but it takes hold billions of lives and brings about a drastic impact that changes what we are used to - from work, education, access to healthcare facilities, and even in our personal and social life - we’ve been challenged and burdened.

Think back to early 2020. We are either inside or outside our homes with friends, families, or whomever we are with, living our ordinary life and doing our everyday things. Then, abruptly the unanticipated event that we didn’t expect to transpire - was befallen and bowled over every one of us as the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed a public health crisis emergency

related to the COVID-19 pandemic. That causes stress, fear, worries, and panic worldwide - wrecking and devastating strikes. Subsequently, COVID-19 protocols nationwide were implemented and mandated before the COVID-19 pandemic corrode - wearing a face mask and personal protective equipment (PPEs), social distancing, lockdowns, quarantines, closing of different infrastructures, shifting work and school setups from face-to-face to online arrangements, and a lot more. But, undeniably, numerous people contravene healthcare policies during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic - that we can’t rebuff one of the reasons why the public health crisis aggravates.

However, to deliberate, right at this time, time flies, indeed. It’s been beyond two years that we’ve been battling the unceasing unseen enemy - COVID-19. It might challenge us socially, mentally, emotionally, physically, and even financially - in truth, a craggy passage that caused millions of deaths and depletions

globally. Yet, take a glimpse of what is around you. Here we are, adapting to the new normal that puts us through paces and living with it.

So far as we are all aware that withstanding the COVID-19 pandemic for more than two years is not a drill. The increasing morbidity and mortality rate were farreaching, with losses of businesses, either small or huge, the closing of schools, wiping out millions of jobs, the inflation dynamics, and the mental health impacts on every one of us during the height of the pandemic was overwhelming. But, sadly and unfortunately, there have been several people who disprove the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic - a pandemic denial might be.

Nonetheless, let’s scrutinize our surroundings. After two years of scrambling with the unseen enemy, people adapted to life with COVID-19. We learned to cope with its health, societal, and economic impacts, grasping its long tail and

dupaannatasha.nn@gmail.com

returning to our regular day-to-day lives way back from the pandemic keep-off - opening of malls, schools, and other infrastructures and employment recovery and noticeably more. People grasp the culture of the new normal, recover and thrive from the unprecedented public health crisis. Some healthcare policies are perhaps still ongoing. However, in some conditions, it is not mandatory.

Finally, after two long years and beyond, people are slowly returning to their life before the COVID-19 pandemic - limited face-face classes, working on sites, attending social events, gatherings, festivities, and much more - a public health crisis trek and trail, how we travel in the world of COVID-19, indeed.

LIFE’S SURVIVAL AGAINST ALL ODDS

living, increasing our household expenditure, our money can disappear in the blink of an eye. So, breaking the poverty trap is impossible since our economic status remains stagnant or even gets poverty-stricken.

Money is indispensable for our survival and comfort in today’s age. We use it to pay for food, water, grocery, shelter, fuel, transportation, education, health care, etc. As time passes, the value of money, particularly our peso, is diminishing. Our peso now buys less than it used to, yet price hike is continuously evident in our daily necessities and leisure expenses.

We are facing an economic menace called Inflation. The rise in the prices of goods and services in an economy over time contrarily decreases the value of money and purchasing power. And the more we adhere to the standard of

Statistics from Philippine News Agency (PNA) shows that the Philippines’ inflation rate under President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. surged to 7.7 percent in October 2022. It was the highest inflation rate since December 2008 and is still foreseen to accelerate further. According to PNA, it is driven by a higher annual increase in the main commodity groups, namely food and non-alcoholic beverages index at 9.4 percent. Other crises like the Russia-Ukraine war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lingering effects of recent typhoons have also contributed to the country’s soaring inflation rate.

This 14-year high inflation rate spike is grievously concerning. Consequently, it corresponds to stagnant economic progress – the poor keep getting poorer. They

earn the minimum wage, most of the time lower. Next, they use that money to buy their needs. Despite finding the products pricey, they do not have other choices. They will purchase those products/services, consuming their budget. Thus, they need to work again to earn. Working and spending money is a neverending cycle, begetting no growth in their economic status as they are only making ends meet.

On the other hand, the rich become richer since they benefit from inflation. They have assets that can be sold at a higher price. Likewise, business tycoons are less likely affected than consumers because if the price of raw materials increases, they can also increase the price of their products/services. They can just continue operating their businesses.

Nonetheless, if these situations persist for a long time in the future, the wage will be unable to keep up. Ordinary people might stop buying, seeing that the cost of living equates to hardship. Production then stops or slows, businesses shut down, the

employment rate declines, and the country’s economy can tumble into recession. Filipinos, either the poor or the rich, would severely suffer from these impacts of inflation, especially since the government’s action against inflation is more on long promises and fleeting delivery.

An old adage says, “Poverty is not a hindrance to success,” but the adverse effects of the severe inflation rate result in great havoc upon the lives of consumers. Therefore, hindering whatever their needs for economic upliftment. Once the basic needs of the man are deprived, multifarious destructive effects on the mental, physical, health, social and spiritual aspects of the person may manifest.

Now, while the government is still on the hook with its perennial promises to eradicate this worst economic phenomenon, we will also do our share for life’s survival against all odds. This share of how to do it will challenge one’s capability for fostering honest and godly ways for austerity measures and financial literacy.

Natasha Ann Dupa-An

juleiannenitz12345@gmail.com

Juleianne Nitz Tabotabo

“ Did you ever sit, sip at your coffee or anything similar, and think about what possible Public Health Crisis trek and trail we could have been on - what ifs, should haves, and what could have been?

“Balik, Yuhum?”

Written by Kirk Simoun Guimbal

Pak Ganern. “Like this, like that the beat of light is back on track”. “It’s time to smile again” pakantang at pasayaw na inawit ni Jose sa kanyang ina hawak-hawak ang kanyang cellphone na walang sawang nakikinig sa opisyal na awitin ng Masskara Festival sa lungsod ng Bacolod ngayong taon habang sila ay naghahapunan sa bisperas ng opening salvo nito.

Tila ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na bumalik ang nasabing pagdiriwang sa mga kalye ng siyudad simula noong nagsimula ang COVID-19 na pandemya. Halos abot-langit ang pananabik ng bawat Bacolodnon saan mang sulok ng mundo na nagnanais ng masusulyapan muli ang natatanging selebrasyon. Kaya’t dali-dali nagsipag-book ng flight at nagsipaguwian upang makita ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at maka-gala sa kanilang kinagisnang Masskara. Marahil ang iba ay nagsisipatayan ding makakapunta dahil na engganyo at na miss na nila makatikim ng nakakatakam na chicken inasal o ang matatamis na napoleones at piaya.

Ilan sa mga ginunita ay ang Giant Masskara Making kung saan ibinahagi ng mga lokal na mamamayan ang kanilang talento sa paggawa ng mala-higanteng maskara. Marami-rami rin ang

dumayong mga mang-aawit at artista para magbigay-kulay sa lungsod.

Sino ba ang hindi ma-overhype sa pag flood sa kani-kanilang mga newsfeed sa kanya-kanyang mga social media accounts ukol sa mga aktibidades ng siyudad tungkol sa nasabing festival. Sadyang ang paglalathala ng mga ganap ngayong Masskara sa social media ay naging epektibo sa pagpapataas ng turismo ng siyudad. Samu’t saring impormasyon at pag aanyaya mula sa paggawa ng modernong theme song, pagkakaisa ng probinsya ng Negros Occidental sa kaunaunahang pagkakataon at pagdalo ng pangulo at iba’t ibang artista sa lungsod ng Bacolod. Ngunit sa kabila ng mga nakikita natin sa social media, alam na ba natin ang pinagmulan ng pagdiriwang na ito?

Nagsimula ang lahat noong 1980’s nung ang buong probinsya ng Negros Occidental ay nalugmok sa matinding krisis at kahirapan buhat ng iba’t-ibang dahilan. Simula noon bansag na ang pulo sa sagana nitong plantasyon ng tubo at noong panahong iyon ay tilang natalo lahat ito. Dahil halos lahat ng mga Negrense ay umaasa lamang ng kanilang kabuhayan sa pagtatanim at pangangalakal ng asukal, lumaganap ang matinding kahirapan. Sino

mag-aakala na kahit ang isa sa pinakamayamang probinsya sa Pilipinas noon ay may kakulangan na sa pagkain at pangangailangan na mistulang naging daan din sa pag-usbong ng suliranin ukol sa malnutrisyon.

Dumagdag pa ang aksidente sa pagkalunod ng MV Don Juan noong panahon din ng dekada ochenta. Tila isa din iyon sa mga pinakamasalimuot na pangyayari sa buong Negros dahil karamihan sa mga nakasakay doon ay mula sa mga tanyag at kilalang pamilya sa probinsya. Maraming namatay, nawalan ng mahal sa buhay at nakaramdam ng matinding pagkawalan dahil iyon ang kaunaunahang barko na lumubog na halos lahat ng pasahero ay mga Negrense at Bacolodnon.

Buhat ng sunod-sunod na trahedya na nanalasa sa buhay ng mga Bacolodnon at Negrense, nais ng dating alkalde na si Mayor Jose “Digoy” Montalvo na hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay nakasimangot at nalulungkot lamang ang mga mukha ng mga tao. Kaya iminungkahi niya ang pagsuot ng mga nakangiting “masskara” upang magsilbing paraan na unti-unting makalimutan ang sakit at manumbalik ang tamis ng ngiti na kinagisnan na ng bawat Bacolodnon.

Mula sa salitang “mass” na

“many” kung sa salitang ingles at “kara” na kung ang katumbas naman ay “faces”, kaya kinilala ang Masskara bilang “The Festival of Many Faces”. Isa lamang ang Masskara festival sa iba’t ibang festival sa buong bansa na mayroong ding masalimuot at nakakalungkot na kasaysayan. Isa itong patunay na kahit saan man lupalop ng mundo tayong Bacolodnon matatagpuan, hinulma tayo sa isang kasaysayan at karanasan na kahit anuman ang mangyari, kung tayo man ay madapa, ay patuloy pa din tayong babangon na nakangiti.

Sa pagdiriwang na ito makikita ang pagkakaisa ng mga Negrosanon at ibang rehiyon upang maging matagumpay ang kaganapang muling matatamasa pagkatapos ng dalawang taong paghihirap dahil sa pandemyang hiling ng lahat ay mapag bigyang wakas na.

“Time to smile again nga ba talaga, anak?”, ani ng ina ni Jose sabay patay ng anak ng awiting “Balik Yuhum” sa cellphone nito. Tilang nagulat at hindi nakaimik ang bata sa sumbat ng ina at mistulang naguguluhang mukha ang puminta sa kanya. “Parang hindi mo pa alam yata ang kasaysayan at pinagmulan ng Masskara festival, halika anak at pagkukwentuhan kita habang kumakain tayo”.

|| Photo Courtesy of Kim Komenich(1985) and Constantine Agustin(2022)

“Negrense:

RESPONSABLENG TAGAPAGMANA

Written by Kirk Simoun Guimbal

Kilala ang ating bansa sa masagana nitong likas na yaman at biodibersidad na mismong nakapaloob sa bawat isla nito.

Kadalasan malaking porsyento ng mga ito ay ginagamit natin sa ating araw-araw na pamumuhay tulad na

ginagamit na panlinis, hanapbuhay at higit sa lahat midyum ng enerhiya. Sa kabila ng mga ito, lahat ng bagay na ipinaloob sa atin ng Diyos ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad at pananagutan na dapat natin gampananan upang maipanatili ito.

Isa ang ating probinsya, ang Negros Occidental sa mga isla sa Pilipinas na mayroong masagana, sariwa at kamang-manghang likas na yaman sa mga bundok nito. Maraming mga endemic na mga hayop at halaman ang matatagpuan sa probinsya tulad ng Visayan Warty Pig, Visayan Spotted Deer, Visayan Leopard Cat, Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeon, Visayan Tarictic Hornbill, Rufous-headed Hornbill at Rafflesia specisosa naman sa mga halaman.

Kilala din ang bulkan ng Kanlaon na nagsisilbing tagapaghiwalay ng Negros Occidental at Oriental, na mismong tumutulong sa probinsya tuwing sa mga malakas na bagyo. Sanhi ng mayaman nitong biodibersidad , mayroong kakayahan ang mga puno’t halaman nito na humigop ng maraming galon ng tubig tuwing mayroong bagyo. Kahit ilang taon na ang nakakalipas, nanatili pa rin itong natatangi at buo sa kadahilanan ng kakayahan nitong magligtas.

Sa kasalukuyang panahon maraming pagsubok ang kinakaharap ng ating kapaligiran sa pananaitili ng kayamanan at katangian nito. Ilan sa mga ito ay ang pagputol ng mga puno upang gawing imprastraktura at pagmimina na nagiging sanhi ng mga landslises at flashfloods. Hindi lamang ito nasisira ang kagandahan ng ating lugar at ating kabuhayan ngunit nagbibigay daan din ito sa isang matinding kapahamakan.

Saksi tayong mga Negrense sa mga hagupit na dinadala ng bawat delubyo na naeengkwentro tulad ng baha at pagguho ng lupa. Ito ay nararansan hindi lamang ng ating bansa kundi ng ating lugar bungad ng pagiging pabaya sa kapakanan ng ating kalikasan. Bukod sa mayroong nasisira na mga kabahayan, untiunti na ding nauubos ang ating mga likas na yaman.

Upang mabigyang lunas ang suliraning ito, nangangailangan na magsimula tayo sa pinakasimpleng paraan upang masolusyonan ito. Ito ay ang pagbibigay halaga sa kalikasan ng ating isla. Sa pamamagitan ng pagsaalang-alang muna ng ating lokal na kalikasan, agaran natin mararansan ang mga benepisyong dala nito. Paraan ng benepisyo na maari din nating maibahagi sa ating karatig na probinsya sa pagdating ng panahon.

Nararapat na maging maalam tayo sa mga nakapaloob sa ating

kapaligiran at mga benepisyo nito sa ating lugar. Ang pagiging maalam ay isang hakbang upang mabigyang halaga at mapangalagaan ang mga estado at katangian nito.Tulad ng pagbabasa ng lokal na mga artikulo sa kalikasan at pagsusuri sa internet ng mga datos. Sa simpleng paglaan ng interes sa mga bagay na tulad nito, nalalaman natin paminsanminsan ang estado at kalagayan ng kalikasan sa ating isla.

Nangangailan na tayo din ay maging mapagmatyag sa mga proyekto ng pribado at pampublikong sektor na nauukol sa kalikasan dito sa ating lugar. Hindi lahat ng pag-unlad ay masama ngunit kinakailangan ding isaalangalang ang kapakanan ng kalikasan. Gaya ng “Coal-free mining” na adbokasiya ng ating kapwa kabataan dito sa Negros Occidental noong 2019. Sila ay nagkaisa sa iisang hangarin at mithiin na tuluyang narinig ng mataas na panungkulan ang kanilang natatanging dinggin.

Mayroong humigit kumulang 40 na mga bundok sa ating probinsya at isang sapat na dahilan ito upang magtanim tayo ng puno at halaman paminsan-minsan. Ang pagtatanim ng puno ay nagbibigay daan upang maiwasan natin ang matinding pagbaha. Kung inuugali na natin ang pagtatanim, hindi lamang tayo maisasalba sa baha kundi nabibigyan din tayo ng pagkakataon na malibang. Maari din tayong magtanim sa ating mga bakuran kung hindi tayo makakapunta sa mga bundok. Marunong din tayong dapat masanay sa kakayahan ng “pagkonserba”. Kahit totoong sagana nga ang ating probinsya sa mga likas na yaman, ngunit hindi ito dahilan upang aksyahin na natin ito. Lagi natin tatandaan na walang permanente sa mundong ito, kung hahayaan na lang natin na sirain at pagsamantalahan ang kalikasan, tayo pa rin ang mahihirapan sa huli. Ilan lamang ito sa mga paraan upang mapanatili natin ang kagandahan at katangian ng ating lokal na kapaligiran. Tayong mga

Negrense ay nararapat na magbigay halaga sa mga pamana at regalo ng Diyos sa ating isla. Ugaliin natin na alagaan din ng ating kalikasan at gawing itong responsibilidad. dahil ito ay isang daan sa pagbibigay ng ligtas at masaganang kinabukasan sa mga susunod na henerasyon.

Illustration by Rexzyl Gallano

Augustinians: Bejeweled

As a school of holistic excellence, those from Colegio San Agustin shine anywhere. Beyond competitions centered on academics lies pageantry, a contest of both wit and beauty, where performance leads to the crown. Augustinians can hold their own, even on the runway. As Taylor Swift writes, “When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer.”

WORDS FROM A PAGEANT QUEEN

Student Ed Marie Aguilar began competing in pageants seven years ago for a Science Club. From there she began to take the world of pageantry by storm. As a first-year student at CSA-B, she won the titles Miss Pharmacy Model Student 2019 and Miss CHAP Model Student 2020. With that, she went to represent CSA-B at the Mutya ng NOPSSCEA 2022 and won the crown. She also raised the flag of Region VI at the Mutya ng PRISAA 2022 as the third runner-up. Recently, in the midst of the pandemic, Aguilar competed in Lin-ay sang Sipalay as her first offcampus pageant, where she finished first runner-up.

Despite Aguilar’s successive achievements, she shares that her most memorable memory remains her very first school pageant in 2015. Though it wasn’t a major pageant, looking back helps her realize how far she’s come in building her confidence and self-esteem. Her ninth-grade pageant was her first stage, showing that great things come from small waves. With the spirit of a true queen, she reflects, “I am extremely proud of myself for being able to work on and overcome the things that hold me back, regardless of how long it took me.”

WORDS FROM A PAGEANT QUEEN

On the other hand, pageantry does not only remain relevant for CSA-B’s students. Senior High School teacher Jelliane Rose Dinorog Villacuatro started at thirteen as her batch representative for Miss

Written by Kamila Victoria Anne Espelita

Intramurals. Having been new to make-up and poses, she will never forget how jarring yet enjoyable it had been, recounting how when the photographs for the pageant were released, she realized that her cheek and neck foundation were both uneven. Enumerating her three sisters, all pageant queens in their own right, Miss Villacuatro says they served as her inspiration and it was initial exposure to them that she won the title.

Further, for Miss Villacuatro, one memorable pageant would be the Masskara Queen. Usually in pageants, for the crowd-favorite or the social media personality award, photos of the contestants are uploaded and then compete for interaction. As a teen back then, she cared a lot about what other people said. When she looked at Facebook and checked her number of likes, she’d get disappointed by negative comments on her photos. However as the pageant went on, she went through the comment section again and the positive comments drew her attention. Miss Villacuatro relays, “I realized that it wasn’t the number of likes that would give satisfaction but people appreciating you, people seeing you, despite how you look in front of the camera.”

MAKING

QUEENS

Queens are not solitary figures. Even in history, they are supported by their people, too. For Aguilar, one of the things that drew her to pageantry was the opportunity to learn from the people throughout the pageant journey. Asked about the contribution of the school to her art, she replies: “Thanks to the opportunities given by CSA-B, I was able to compete in various pageants and even represent CSA-B and Region VI at the national stage, where I gained not only remarkable experiences but also friends and mentors I can always learn something from.”

In contrast, Miss Villacuatro was already enamored by pageantry as she entered CSA-B, saying that the school instead enhanced her skill in pageantry. Being a Theater

Scholar helped. She reminds us that pageantry is not just a mere play of beauty, but a performance on a stage. As a theater actor and a stage actress, the incorporation of what she learned helped her shine further to move only when necessary and in ways that attracted the gazes of those watching. “The kind of training I had in theater really became helpful to me as a pageant enthusiast.”

PASSING

THE CROWN

Although neither Aguilar nor Miss Villacuatro walked the same runway to get their titles, they agree on one thing. For the Augustinians who may be interested in pageantry themselves, the crowned queens urge them to try. The former assures that it is natural to have reservations when embarking on a new journey but encourages them to let passion and desire for personal growth outweigh inhibitions. Aguilar adds, “You will be amazed when you realize how much you are capable of every time you try something new or something that is out of your comfort zone. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way while you are young. You don’t want to look back on your life five or ten years from now and have regrets because you were too afraid to try and take chances.”

“In two words, go on. Grab it. In three, take the opportunity. In one, risk.” Miss Villacuatro stresses that you’ll never know the experience unless you try it. “If it’s your dream you’ll have to be ready for negative criticism but you have to be sure of yourself, that no matter what other people tell you, you’ll believe in yourself. Nobody can question that and no one can take that away from you. If you’re worried about the looks [or] the physical attributes, because

you’re not ‘tall or slender enough’, just try. There are so many things we can explore and innovate nowadays. There’s already technology, there are already cosmetics that can help you. We have make-up artists who are already on top of their games [and] can really help you with that. You just need to choose the right people, choose the right team, [and] choose the right support system that could bring out the best in you and bring out the transformation from you or in you. You just have to first: try.”

BEJEWELED

Talent is abundant in the halls of CSA-B, as evidenced by Augustinians in pageants. Aguilar and Miss Villacuatro have shared their experiences, outshining their adversities and outperforming their own insecurities. Even in pageantry, Augustinians are still bejeweled.

Photo Courtesy of Ed Marie Aguilar

Written by Jaira Panaguiton

STUDY OUT AREAS IN BACOLOD CITY

People have their own preferences as to how they want to study or what environment they want to surround themselves with when they need to be productive—some would opt to stay in the comforts of their home to feel safe and be their most casual self while some want to go outside and take a breather, letting new places give them a nudge of inspiration to get work done. College can be draining, and finding new ways to spice up your productivity game is essential to fuel your creativity and fulfilling goals. Walking into any café and seeing someone on their laptop, jotting down notes on pieces of paper, and thoroughly going through the stack of books sitting on the table isn’t a marvelous scenario of novelty. Spending time outdoors is linked to mood-boosting, stress reduction, attention improvement, and even increases empathy and cooperation to fuel progress for group work. With the various benefits of finding efficiency when you’re out and about, it’s safe to say that many students tend to study outdoors for a reason.

Bacolod City is a fairly colorful and diverse town with distinct establishments catering to students’ interests and necessities—with various hubs, lounges, and cafés scattered throughout the area and some even just near the school! Here are five places you can consider for your next study out.

Finding a space for studying alone, or are you more of a group-study kind of person? Whether you ought to work peacefully without distractions or need to plan for a group project, or trying to study with friends to help each other out, Arendo Coworking has you covered! The ever-sofast-paced culture of work and hustling could be tiresome when we conform to the conventional spaces we are used to. Through this, Arendo Coworking provides a conducive and inspiring workplace so students, teachers, freelancers, office-workers, startups, and companies alike can have a new place that helps us create, chat, connect, and collaborate. From 7AM to 8PM on Mondays to Saturdays, the facility offers various workspaces serving different purposes to inclusively aid your various needs alongside

promos that could help you stay on your budget. The hot desks are the freer and more laidback arrangement wherein you can sit anywhere and everywhere you want to eliminate your piles of unread books to gear up for midterms comfortably and easily. On the other hand, the fixed desks are specially meant and reserved for you only so you can securely lay all your reviewers and different colored highlighters on the designated wide table without feeling pressured and judged. Lastly, the meeting rooms have a capacity of serving 35 people at a time; thus it is worth considering when you are planning where to have your next group meeting or group study date with friends if you find it best to garner energy from others to fuel your productivity. Needless to say, Arendo Coworing does its best to provide clients with accessible amenities and stimulate competence to live up to its idea that success fosters more success.

2. AYALA MALL’S FOOD COURT

At this point, when asking other people about good places to study out but not spend too much, the Food Court in Ayala Mall at Lacson just doesn’t miss to be mentioned. As many Augustinians are always spotted hanging out there, it really has become a goto for studying and chilling. Upon presenting a receipt of purchasing any 100peso worth of any food/beverages being sold in the area, you can actually access their onehour duration WiFi. Its modern interior with a dash of greeneries is pleasing, and the bright lights improve cognitive performance. Indeed, with the various seating plans, various food products, and style of the place, it is perfect for when you want to study out on a budget.

3. STUDIO CAFÉ

If you’re looking for a place to really pump up your creative juices, this café is for you. With its picture-perfect interior and exterior design, your productivity and creativity will undoubtedly be fostered. Every spot and selection of good coffee, frappes, food, and crowd-winning cakes could be worth posting to your Instagram story or recommending to your friends. The variety of food on their menu would surely energize you to overcome the weight of your

SPOTS IN SAN -AG

The Pandemic has brought forth the birth of a new modality. A sudden shift in the educational system has shown and proven that learning can be done online, and is not just limited to the four corners of one’s classroom. Into which showed that the shift in the online classes, learning can be attained even at the comfort of our homes.

Now, two years after this shift in modality, we now see ourselves walking back to school and attending the face to face classes. While we spend most of our time learning inside the classrooms, it is inevitable for some students to have vacant classes and break times as sometimes we spend our time at school to conduct certain activities that would entice our learning more.

Our institution caters to the needs of our students, providing the necessary things that would help us in our learning. Indeed, there are some spots and offices in CSA-B that students should be knowledgeable of!

courses and have enough power through your deadlines. Surpassing its title as a café, its atmosphere—from the inside of the main area to the al fresco and pool—would urge you to appreciate the art of your surroundings, take a breather before allowing yourself to be consumed by the hectic schedules and somehow revitalize your purpose for keeping up with the challenges imposed by the everyday student life.

4. OVERTIME COWORKING SPACE

The cozy vibe that Overtime Coworking space provides is more of an unintimidating environment that has that homey vibe that brings familiarity yet also gives you the right resources to get work done efficiently. With a high internet speed, this coworking lounge is perfect for online classes and studying, as you also get your own plug-and-play workspace that gives you the area you need for a more new and productive venture. They also provide unlimited coffee and tea, which would hinder you from getting sleepy and slacking off but instead energizes your core, improves attentiveness, and enhances shortterm capabilities that permit you to absorb and digest new information and retain more detail in no time.

Known for being a coffeehouse chain based in South Korea, Tom n Tom’s Coffee - Bacolod sure has the charms that make it next level. Not only is it very accessible to Augustinians, as it is only a few minutes walking distance from the campus, but it also provides various amenities and resources that make it one of the best cafés to study outdoors. With its small desks for solo customers, long tables for groups, sofa sets for those who prefer the cozy setup and to alleviate their back pain, this establishment really caters to various students with distinctive needs and, not to mention the warmth from the design of the place alongside the natural lighting. Their fusion space that provides a wide variety of coffee and pastries that make the experience worthwhile would prove that they really foster their aim to truly refresh your body and soul in every cup of coffee—brewing your motivation to keep reaching for that grade you yearn for daily from 7AM to 12AM.

1. OPEN COURT

Home of Agustinian Athletes. After the downfall of the Gym, the open court became the home of CSA-B’s athletes and sport enthusiasts. Moreso, much of the activities and occasions are being held here in the open court. As some alumni would say, this was their playground when they were still young.

2. CANTEEN

Learning is one consuming discipline and most students usually tend to get hungry. To sustain the nutrition, the institution has two canteens, which provide affordable food prices for the teachers and staff of the school.

3. GUIDANCE AND TESTING CENTER

The Guidance Office and testing center would cater the need of students with their mental health needs. Services that students can avail include counseling, self discovery, mindfulness and wellness programs.

4. CHAPEL

The CSA-B chapel is one of the places in the institution and most visited place during exams to ask for spiritual guidance and divine intervention. As a Catholic School, CSA-B provides religious services that would enhance the students spiritual development.

5. UMBRELLA

The umbrellas that perimeter the parking lot are sweet spots for students during break times / vacant hours. Under the shade of the trees, it is a cool spot to learn, have breaks, and discuss friends.

6. LIBRARY

The library has been home to bookworms and students who loves to learn and read. The services in the library are adequate for the students’ need in learning. The library is also available to students who want to research through online portals like EBSCO. Students may also request access to electronic resources, such as e-books and e-journals for their needs.

The school has been around for the past 60 years, and some spots have been changed through time. Nevertheless, the school’s landscape would be still as formidable as it was before, providing the needs of students and staff—and even visitors that would enter the school.

1. ARENDO COWORKING

5. TOM N TOM’S COFFEE

Written by Joaquin Angelo Alpas

Photo Courtesy of Arendo Coworking, Ayala Mall Capitol Central, Studio Cafe, Overtime Coworking, and Tom n Tom’s Coffee Facebook Pages

Tuloy pa rin

Written by Gwyn Alabot

“We empower, we capacitate, and we change the landscape of fisheries - for long-term economic empowerment and sustainable resource utilization”

Tuloy pa rin was founded by a proud graduate of UP Visayas

Cum Laude BS in Fisheries - John Rey Reyes. A non-government organization and a recipient of a mini-grant from an international organization named Peace First. This livelihood and capacitation program is run and organized by the Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Incorporate. Young minds alike aim to build and capacitate the fishery community.

When the pandemic hit last 2019 it became the kryptonite of the fishery community. We all know that fish is a perishable product that is supposedly sold immediately after being caught by our fellow fishermen. This has posed a problem as the demand declined but the supply moved steadily when Quarantine was implemented. This has cost the fishermen a great deal of loss in terms of revenue as no consumer could purchase them and all their hard work would just swiftly go down the drain.

Tuloy Pa Rin engaged the broad fishery community by empowering the women working diligently behind the scenes. By equipping them with ample science-based knowledge of post-harvest technologies and giving them the capacity to be united as a people’s institution in order to ensure the advancement of their community.

Recently, they executed a pilot project implementing their initiative in Barangay Nayon, San Enrique. Twenty-five women of the fishery community participated in a day-long seminar workshop all about women’s leadership, the basics of food safety, and postharvest fisheries. The event was no other than a success as it signifies a stimulant for future events directed to the local government.

Despite the winning streak, Tuloy Pa Rin is still a fledgling among the many programs and is still on the verge of advancing. They tackled challenges such as managing the limited financial resources they get from the minigrant and donations and how to reintroduce the program into the big fishery community in the masses. Along with this, there is a struggle between the post-graduate concerns of our fellow volunteers and finding amiable stakeholders and partners to make this initiative reach its fullest potential.

It’s inspiring to witness an initiative focused to improve one of the Philippines’ main sources of livelihood - fishing. A dream to recommend a collective and lobbyeffective policy for the expansion

LITERARY

“Masskara”

Cranes

Written by Kristine Adrelle Modina || Illustrated by Kyla Nicole Castro

So I’ve come to think of many goodbyes

But never one for you and I

Try as I may, try as you had

What more to say, but adieu for now

Pray tell, if it is for good or ne’er

If we could meet again on the morrows

Or nay, mayhap this evening come

Where I’ve written you my bitten sorrows

Drink my words like fine wine

And ponder our seven years

Nimble on my hidden heartaches

Wonder then, if you could throw it all away

Remember then, always my thanks

For being a pillar, for times when I had none

For company, for when I walked alone

For gifted memories as I am left on my own

With much philia and regret

What more could I do to bring back

The old fun of yesteryears

and of dreams growing old and gray

So I’ve come to think of many hellos

Always one for you and I

Try as I may, try as I might

I am folding a thousand paper cranes

For you to say ‘hello’ to me again

Written by Kristine Adrelle Modina & Jose Adreanne Pineda

The City of Smiles hadn’t always been as it was named

For as the colored lights shone brilliantly

The band of dancers moves gracefully

And the people laugh under bannered streets

The smiling mask

Hides a tragic past

That beckons one

To partake in the hunger

Of a people who had once suffered

Still yet to be atoned for

In the midst of masked festivities

So, will you care to remember

What was carved deep into a lie?

Or has your memory gone asunder?

For you to finally think that

the truth had always been a smile

and replication for the benefit of the fishery community has now slowly come to life. An action where the difference is noticeable. “It is our dream to redefine fisheries on a larger scale through empowering the people to speak up for themselves, and for women to carry on with their narratives.” a representative of Tuloy Pa Rin once said.

Tuloy is a Filipino word that means to continue or move forward. Yet, it is also a local name for the major fish commodity or sardines in the Negros area. It is a symbol to guide those who seek improvement on what they currently do. A reminder that no matter what life throws all you have to do is move forward. Tuloy pa rin

WORKING MOTHERS. Proponents of the Tuloy Pa Rin project in Brgy. learns how to perform fish conservation practices during their sessions. || Photo Courtesy of Tuloy Pa Rin Organization via Facebook

When presented with data, it’s easy to lose the tree from the forest; to forget that each number is a life transformed.

11,103 is a film about the human rights violations during the Marcos regime. It is composed of stories recounted by victims, with some being told for the first time. The title reflects the number of victims who were compensated in accordance with Republic Act No. 10368–also known as the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.

Although time naturally erodes memory, the trauma of

REVIEWS

Alunsina: A Movie Review

Written by Princess Jewel Guzman

Told in an unconventional way, Alunsina is a creative documentary by Kiri Dalena that follows the trauma of the government’s war on drugs and the extra-judicial killings it entailed.

The film highlights the life of seven children and their grandmother, struggling through poverty and loss. Having lost both parents of the children to the war on drugs—the mother being in

jail and the father killed for allegedly resisting—the family is forced to confront a new reality together.

According to Dalena, the film was given the title ‘Alunsina’ because it alludes to a god from a Visayan mythology. Alunsina is said to empower the vulnerable, such as children and elderly.

Alunsina is an uncomfortable film. It shows a world turned upside down

11,103: A Movie Review

Written by Princess Jewel Guzman

the Marcos regime remains vivid to the victims. Many years have passed since then, and life has moved on for those who have survived. But their experiences have clung to them like skin that they can never shed. Stuck in every crease, every pore.

The film contains portraits of some of the victims and illustrations of their trauma. But the film itself is a portrait of the past, and with the recent win to power of another Marcos, a warning to the present.

It is important that films like this are shown to masses. Misinformation is rampant today, and people may not be

MIND GAMES

willing to go out of their way to fact-check. 11,103 serves as a reminder to all that nothing was golden for Filipinos during Marcos’ time.

It is easy to say that the past was bad, but harder to deny when you see and hear the anger, the grief, the voice of those who were forced to be silent and unquestioning. Indeed, these victims are collectively known as numbers. But they were people first—with their own name, their own smiles, their own aspirations in life until they were interrupted for wanting reformation while maintaining democracy.

WORD SEARCH THE AVENGERS

by human rights violations. At first glance, there is nothing out of the ordinary when the grandmother sang a lullaby to her grandchildren; or when the children went out to play with other kids—both are mundane activities. But then, the flipped nature of the film reminds everyone otherwise; that nothing is truly normal. It also forces everyone to confront the question of the cause, of police brutality, of evasive justice.

SUDOKU

REVIEWS

The Ones We Once Loved: A Song Review

Written by Reeve Jacob Ancero

With heartfelt songs that connect with listeners on a deep level and more than a billion streams, Ben&Ben continues to produce generation-defining statements. They now have 3.8 million Spotify subscribers.

Following the success of 2020’s “Doors” and “Leaves,” a collaboration with Korean singersongwriter Young K of Day 6, the Filipino hitmakers, who have an excellent discography and an approaching North American tour, return with another international release.

In support of their farewell show in the Philippines and North America/Canada Tour in 2022, Ben&Ben’s “The Ones We Once Loved” serves as their official single. Additionally, it is their first time working with the well-known photographer Geloy Concepcion, whose recent projects include Vogue Magazine and several major exhibits and publications around the world.

“A song that owns up to one’s faults, makes proper apologies, but also expresses hurt, as breakups are often two-way things,” as stated by Ben&Ben’s Paolo Benjamin during an exclusive media interview.

The song, which was written by Paolo Benjamin of Ben&Ben, ascends to a private and intimate space while providing a fresh viewpoint on love, forgiving others, and ending relationships.

Knowing this from experience, it is common for such relationships to be ones where neither party joins them necessarily anticipating to end up separated. When incompatibility problems are discovered, both parties may already be too far along in their relationship to end it amicably.

Given how nuanced the lyrics are, a listener may certainly determine on their own that they are based on a relationship. The singer is actually talking about falling in love, spending five wonderful years with the addressee

during “the bittersweetness of their youth,” and then ultimately realizing that things won’t turn out as they had hoped.

Therefore, after all these years, Paolo is consequently still experiencing emotions. And once again, genuine love was not meant to last. This work is a “song about closure,” according to Paolo. And certainly, despite the fact that it isn’t explicitly stated, the phrase does convey the main idea—that he wants to leave this chapter of his life behind him.

If there is one message that I would like to emphasize from the song, it’s closure and the things left unsaid following a breakup. That is why the song conveys the hurt. Actual life might be painful at times, but we must discuss real issues. People are frequently placed in our lives to teach us a difficult lessons rather than to remain in them. These lessons will benefit us in some way, as stated by Ben&Ben’s Paolo Benjamin.

Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve: A Song Review

Written by Joaquin Angodung

Just like clockwork, the dominoes cascaded in a line, and Taylor Swift is the mastermind behind everyone’s sleepless nights—and the newest heartwrenching song of the year.

The “All Too Well” singer’s 10th studio album met us at midnight of October 21st and had fans wide awake and encapsulated in the stories of her 13 sleepless nights.

After two years of rerecording her old albums and having everyone reminisce about the golden days of being fifteen and fearless in a love story to feeling red and turning 22, the 32-year-old artist swiftly made her comeback to the world of pop— if lyrics and words could kill, hers would surely deliver.

Gone are the days of escaping ethereally into a folklorian woods in our cardigans and imagining life to be a willow, while living for the poetic stories that make us feel like a Jane Eyre in a romance novel. With Midnights, we lie awake in the middle of the night and look back on the nostalgia of what-ifs and maybes of 13 sleepless nights.

Long story short, Midnights is a personal museum of Taylor Swift’s emotions, fantasies, and memories. Swift shares with us what it is like to fall in love (“Lavender Haze,” “Snow On The Beach,” “Sweet Nothing”) and what it is like to bury ourselves in self-loathing and self-doubt (“Anti-Hero,” “You’re On Your Own, Kid”). While most of the songs are

catchy gems, none have managed to call us up again and break us like a promise.

As if the thirteen tracks weren’t enough to keep everyone awake, the mastermind herself orchestrated and dropped seven additional tracks at 3 A.M. of October 21st. Reuniting with The National’s Aaron Dessner—one of the collaborators in Midnight’s predecessors, Folklore and Evermore, Swift christened these seven songs under the 3 AM edition. From the bowels of trauma and recovery, lo and behold, “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.”

The penultimate track of Midnights (3 am Edition) explores God’s honest truth about the singer’s traumatizing, scarring, and toxic relationship with a manipulative older man.

Bona fide Swifties were very quick to notice the clear connection between “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” and “Dear John”, the emotionally twisted breakup song from Taylor Swift’s third studio album, “Speak Now.” With this, speculations that John Mayer—a name in Swift’s long list of ex-lovers—inspired the track ran rampant.

The two got together back in 2009, when Swift was only 19 and Mayer 32. Although the couple never went public with their relationship, her two songs dedicated to the famous solo artist

seem to have dropped the bomb regarding their clandestine affair.

The lyrics of “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” center on the rawness of Swift’s rage and regret over her relationship with Mayer years ago when she was just 19. Swift has a whimsical way with words in all of her songs, but here, she makes use of religious imagery, having described her ex-boyfriend as a “poisonous grown man” and “a crisis of my faith”. She expressed her regrets of having “danced with the devil” and how he had made her “feel important”, but then tried to erase her from his life.

All throughout the chorus and bridge, Swift voiced out her intention of moving on and getting closure from the experience, but still felt entrapped and haunted by the traumatic memories. In the wake of the damage that cannot be undone, she cannot seem to make peace with what escalated between them in the past.

But wait, Taylor Swift is far from done. She doesn’t hold back in the heavy, intimate third verse. In this part of the song, she belts out the most devastating line ever, “Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.”

The second to the last track focuses on the would’ves and the could’ves, but never on the should’ves. On Track 19, Taylor Swift laments about the things that she would’ve done and

“And I tried my best to stay by your side but who knew the rolling seasons would reveal that sometimes we aren’t meant to be the one? So, goodbye to the ones we once loved.”

could’ve done instead. At its finest, “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” holds something that lives up to the Midnights album itself: the what-ifs and maybes of the past.

Many fans agree that it is indeed daunting that many of the songs in the 3 AM Edition, including this one, were excluded from the original tracklist of the Midnights album. Most of the songs in this edition have more depth in characterizing the weight of our emotions. But nevertheless, the Midnights album presents itself as an exquisite mosaic that has the unwavering melodies of 1989, mystifying soul of Folklore, heart of Lover, and boldness of Reputation, with “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” as one of her darkest and most vulnerable pieces.

AJ Manas from Antipolo, Rizal was catapulted to the limelight after defeating Efren “Bata” Reyes with a dominating 8-5 in the MassKara Billiards Tournament.

Manas claimed that when playing the legendary pool player, he experienced pressure.

“S’yempre po ang dami pong nanonood, sobrang dami niya pong fans,” he chirped.

For his part, Reyes praised the teenager’s billiards prowess. He also invited Manas to his training center. Manas clearly showed dominance early on in the game

SEA Games Free –A ControverSEA?

The 32nd South East Asian (SEA) Games was made free to all participants as ordered by Hun Sen, the prime minister of Cambodia. The games took from May 5 to May 17, and these included 608 events in 37 different sports.

The decision to make the event free for both Cambodians and foreign guests, according to Hun Sen, was made possible by the nation’s commitment of millions of dollars and extensive planning for the occasion. Additionally, he issued a warning that anyone in authority or a group trying to sell tickets would be subject to legal repercussions. This makes Cambodia the first SEA Games host nation to make all expenses free for all competing nations, even though the nation has one of the lowest GDPs in Southeast Asia. A few people have expressed worry that holding the SEA Games in such a manner might bring irreparable repercussions to the nation’s economy.

While it was deemed to be the best decision, the length of time it took and the fact that it appeared to be made after all other options had been considered reveal something about the current condition of Cambodian politics. The Southeast Asian Games and the ASEAN Para Games had both free broadcasts and tickets, according to Prime Minister Hun Sen, who announced this on March 30.

One hopes for Cambodia’s

success as it hosts the Games for the first time. Given that this declaration was issued in the later part of March, less than five weeks before the start of the events on May 5, it is clear that they were never intended to be free. According to reports, Cambodia’s organizers attempted to charge Thailand over $800,000 for this year’s live broadcasts, therefore it is logical to infer that other Southeast Asian countries paid a similar price.

On Facebook in the middle of March, the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC) also said that it had sold nearly half of the broadcasting rights for the SEA Games and Para Games.

It is obvious that CAMSOC first intended to demand extravagant amounts for broadcast rights but was forced to back down when it learned it couldn’t.

However, one can contend that these aren’t free tickets.

Taxpayers paid for the Games’ early expenses. The real cost of this event is undoubtedly much more than Hun Sen’s January estimate that the Cambodian government had committed around $120 million over three years. However, given there will be a general election in July, giving out tickets makes sense.

Hun Sen has already remarked that he considers hosting the Games as a chance to increase Cambodia’s international status, as is the case for every country that organizes a large sports event, thus giving away

despite dropping the 10th ball into the corner pocket, giving the game away to Reyes in a 7-5 score.

Manas has experience in the world of pool because, although at a young age, he is already a part of the Philippine squad. However, this victory over Reyes raises his stature

to a new level.

To advance to the quarterfinals, Manas also defeated national team player Warren Kiamco in a best of 32 match. Jundel Mazon, with an 8-7 victory, nevertheless, put an end to Manas’s quest.

free broadcasting rights abroad makes sense as well.

Although we don’t truly know how much bribery was obtained through the allocation of contracts for the SEA Games, it appears that some authorities are attempting to maximize their earnings, as is common in Cambodian politics. But when their ineptitude produced resistance, as is normal anytime a minister confronts a challenge, they had to resort to Hun Sen to fix the matter.

As Hun Sen prepares to hand over power to his eldest son Hun Manet, Cambodia is deemed to witness a political transition that will involve a broad generational succession of the party in power. It is promised that many of the elderly grandees will retire to make way for more youthful, and perhaps less corrupt, officials.

Nobody thinks that this will be a democracy; rather, those who are now being promoted are the children and relatives of the ruling class. The CPP’s Young Turks, however, assert that they won’t need to beg Hun Sen to correct every mistake to govern their respective ministries.

Written by Acel Jone Cayot

BATA BALLERS. World-renowned Efren “Bata” Reyes together with a young contender in billiards during their game at SM Bacolod.

Acel Jone Cayot