FISH N’ QUIPS MAY 2020 OFFICER-IN-CHARGE FOR PUBLICITY: ANDREY JAN M. GUBALLO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: ADRIENNE MARIE G. VILLANUEVA EDITORIAL BOARD RAUL JAVIER H. BAQUIRAN JUSTIN GABRIEL B. CHUA JODY RACHELLE D. NG CATHERINE LOUISE T. PASCUAL ROGIEEN JOY D. PEDUCA TRISHA ANN MARIE U. SO LAYOUT AND ILLUSTRATIONS ADRIENNE MARIE G. VILLANUEVA University of the Philippines In-Christ Thrust for University Students (UP ICTUS) Parish of the Holy Sacrifice Complex, Apacible St., UP Diliman, Quezon City For inquiries, email: ictus.execomm@gmail.com
message from the chair Hi ICTUSians! This sem was a different sem. Nagkaroon ng COVID-19 which greatly affected our academics and the things we do sa ICTUS. Pero sa kabila nito ay sama-sama tayong nagiging matatag sa pagharap sa susunod pang mga araw. I hope marami tayong natututunan sa sem na ito, not only from inside our classrooms. Also, let us not forget to share these learnings sa iba. Our organization continues to grow (hi 19B! haha) and I look forward to a bigger and stronger family in the future! (hi Execom 2021! haha) Speaking of bigger, I am glad that FnQ is back!! May this publication be an effective source of inspiration, motivation and enjoyment for you. Let us continue growing together as we cultivate the values of fellowship, service, teaching, and prayer! Nothing without faith, Aj
message from the editor-in-chief We face a new normal. 2020’s proven to be much of a bumpy ride with COVID-19 threatening to alter our current “normals”. With such permeating change impacting close to all parts of the world, the only answer would be to adapt to such; life goes on. Aside from this however, we face another, much more positive, “new normal”— ICTUS is growing. This growth comes with parting with familiar friends, meeting new faces, and greeting new circumstances (whether good or bad) together. And what better way to celebrate this than through bringing back our newsletter? (yay!) Hopefully, what we’ve done here has served its purpose — to not only inform the public of what our organization’s done over the past semester (despite circumstantial setbacks) but also to celebrate where the family is in its long journey. Nothing without faith, Adry
recap sem e
highlights &
of th e ester
& new faces
fish out of water: alumni kwentuhan Trisha So A new batch of University of the Philippines graduates entails a fresh set of the best and the brightest faces spreading good in the world. Some become internationally renowned professionals for contributions in their respective fields, some end up in the academe, choosing to train the powerful minds of the future, others choosing to end all oppression and to fight relentlessly for justice. All these are noble goals, and how ever different Iskos spend their years out of the university, the undergraduates they leave behind cannot help but feel proud and attached to them. These people laid the different core values of organizations they have grown through and from; they passed down their Old Testaments; they have been friends, mentors, lovers, and most of all, family. As time passes by and everything continues to change, one thing remains true: undergrads are ever missing their seniors. At UP ICTUS, the situation is just the same. In this issue of Fish ‘n Quips, dear alumni Nigel and Lorraine, both from the Class of 2019, discuss life after UP, adulting, and ICTUS itself.
BS Psychology 2019 Medical Student / Unemployed With Dignity Summa Cum Laude ICTUS Batch 2015B
nig
gel go tan What has changed the most since you have graduated from UP? (Interpreted the question as what has changed in UP) I don’t know; I haven’t gone back, but I’m glad the admin is being handled by good hands. What were some of the hardest things to get used to since graduating, and what steps did you take to overcome them? I think [the hardest thing to get used to is] just missing my friends in UPD, the environment, and the space. I overcame this by daydreaming about both the happy and not-so-happy memories. What are some of the things you wish you had known in UP? I wish I had known more about balancing time and that you gain more by socializing at times rather than studying all the time. Do you consider yourself to be adulting well? (Interpreted the question as what has changed in UP) I don’t know; I haven’t gone back, but I’m glad the admin is being handled by good hands. What do you miss the most in UP and in ICTUS? (Interpreted the question as what has changed in UP) I don’t know; I haven’t gone back, but I’m glad the admin is being handled by good hands. Do you have a message for UP and ICTUS undergraduates? To UP, keep fighting the good fight and instilling yourselves with national fervor. A bigger difference can be made outside the campus and once you graduate, so hold on to the things that make you whole: your friends, passions, advocacies, and values, because they will carry you through life. To ICTUS, keep growing and striving to be better people for others. Ask questions about your faith and never stop finding the answers. Always know that you have a family in ICTUS! I’m here if you want to chat or kwento kahit di pa kita nakilala before, haha.
lorraine gria ave What has changed the most since you have graduated from UP? (interpreted the question as what has changed in [her] life) A lot has changed especially because most of my friends from college have either gone back to their provinces or left [the country] for work. Since most of the things I used to do involve them, I have had to change my routine to What were some of the hardest things to get used to since graduating, and what steps did you take to overcome them? I started to work in UP right after graduation, so I didn’t have to adapt to a new environment and the work is manageable. I struggled most with making decisions and being firm on my choices. I didn’t have a hard time with this during undergrad years, since everything was done by the book. Coming from a science background, I eventually accepted that I will somehow figure things out through trial and error by changing some variables. I think I just have to keep moving to arrive at a particular destination, since there is more than one path to self-fulfillment, anyway. What are some of the things you wish you had known in UP? I wish I had known my friends in college earlier during my undergrad. In that case, I could have spent more time with them. Do you consider yourself to be adulting well? I don’t think I’m doing well, but I try my best every time. [Honestly], I don’t know when a person is adulting well enough. What do you miss the most in UP and in ICTUS? I live in UP; I don’t miss it that much, haha. But I miss my friends, UP feels less like home without them. With ICTUS, I miss our days laying on the floor and talking about random things, and the people! Best buddy Ian! Haha. I certainly miss CSA and the kids, and kwek-kwek and pancit canDo you have a message for UP and ICTUS undergraduates? Always ask yourself why you live and what you live for. I think it will at least give you an idea on what you really want to do. Being with a community that fights for people, I think, gives us a very good place to start. And always be honest to yourself.
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BS Chemistry 2019 Instructor III UP Diliman Institute Cum Laude ICTUS Batch 2017A
m eet 19B! compiled by Javi Baquiran
stephanie abrenio Year and Course: II-BS Materials Engineering Fave Movie: Isle of Dogs / All About Lily Chou-Chou Fave Music: Indie Folk / Spirit Cold / Tall Heights Fave Religious Song: As You Find Me by Hillsong Best Place to Pray: Anywhere quiet Fun Fact: I can sleep anywhere ?? Life Motto: It’s not a problem if you don’t think about it (I’m sorry...) First Impressions of ICTUS: The people are nice!! What are you excited for in ICTUS?: The outreach!! And the games that they play sa tambayan
zach tomanan Year and Course: II-BS Materials Engineering Fave Movie: Everybody’s Fine Fave Music: Turnover Fave Religious Song: Sinking Deep Best Place to Pray: My own room (since quarantine) Fun Fact: I have an identical twin Life Motto: Put my mind on it, then I put my grind on it First Impressions of ICTUS: ICTUS is compassion with a goal, especially nung I learned about yung events like yung tutorial and others What are you excited for in ICTUS?: Im excited to experience a new college experience that focuses on helping others and building the spiritual connection back up
yanna lontok Year and Course: I-BS Chemistry Fave Movie: Sing Street / The Breakfast Club /Spiderman into the Spiderverse Fave Music: Alternative Rock, Incubus Fave Religious Song: Give Thanks Best Place to Pray: Sa kwarto para tahimik Fun Fact: I’m from Bicol but never pa ako nakakain ng bicol express Life Motto: Baby steps, slow progress is still progress First Impressions of ICTUS: After i first visited the ictus tambayan, i had the impression that the org is somewhat chill, wholesome, and is really dedicated on giving service (to those in need) What are you excited for in ICTUS?: Personally, im looking forward to participate in more tutorials or activities similar to that + get to know other ictus mems
joaquin amante Year and Course: II-BS Community Nutrition Fave Movie: Cars Fave Music: Alternative Rock (The Strokes) Fave Religious Song: One Thing Remains Best Place to Pray: My bedroom Fun Fact: My childhood shows were Spongebob, WWE Smackdown, and Keeping Up with the Kardashians Life Motto: Love with all that you are First Impressions of ICTUS: Every member I met was very welcoming, and I never felt left out. I also felt like everyone in the room was genuinely happy to see each other and share about themselves. What are you excited for in ICTUS?: I’m excited to be part of a service-oriented Catholic org within the UP campus. I also feel like through this org, I will gain lifelong friends that will help me grow as a servant of God!
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Year and Cours neering Fave Movie: Forg Witch: The Subv Fave Music: Way Time - Julia Mich - Nate Reuss Fave Religious His Love Best Place to Pr UP / Bedroom Fun Fact: I love signing my thin tery, and thrille Kpop lover (stan I can’t sing but I reach the heaven Life Motto: Smal it will all be wort First Impressio very religious, an What are you To be of service know more abou
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janelle maluping Year and Course: II-BS BAA Fave Movie: White Chicks Fave Music: Lowkey - NIKI Fave Religious Song: In Your Arms Liveloud Worship Best Place to Pray: Adoration chapel Fun Fact: I like spicy foods! Life Motto: “For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27 First Impressions of ICTUS: “At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to fit in, but I’m surprised that everyone was so warm and welcoming. That’s why I really tried my best to finish the app process, and I can say that it’s totally worth it!!” What are you excited for in ICTUS?: “Due to revisions in our app process, I think I wasn’t able to know everyone enough. So I’m excited for the future activities of ICTUS that will allow me to know and connect with them.”
karl nera Year and Course: II-BS Psychology Fave Movie: Fate Stay Oath Under Snow / Iron Man 1 / Asura’s Wrath Fave Music: EDEN - isohel Fave Religious Song: Power of Love Best Place to Pray: Lagoon/Koi Ponds Fun Fact: I can cook pancit canton na sumasabog Life Motto: La vie est du pain First Impressions of ICTUS: Chill org. Actually, horoscope talaga yung una kong impression. Also likes board games. Tara laro. What are you excited for in ICTUS?: Airco- I mean the members! I’d honestly want to meet them. Seems it would be fun.
pat santos Year and Course: II-BS Materials Engineering Fave Movie: Can’t pick huhu pero something I can watch over and over again is The Man from U.N.C.L.E Fave Music: Billy Joel, Jon Bellion Fave Religious Song: Face to Face / Beautiful Love / Into the Deep Best Place to Pray: On my bed Fun Fact: If you go into Timezone UPTC, you’ll see na may glitch yung bowling game near the wall. That’s my fault HAHAHA for some reason I threw the ball at the screen pero hey I got away with it Life Motto: I get everything I want First Impressions of ICTUS: The mems are very attractive and seems like it’s a place for God-loving people who aren’t so traditional and conservative which I like hehe What are you excited for in ICTUS?: Recollections and outreach wahhh
paolo ramirez Year and Course: II-BS Metallurgical Engineering Fave Movie: The Amazing Spiderman 2 Fave Music: Boyce Avenue, Sam Smith, and Charlie Puth Fave Religious Song: Jesus at the Center Best Place to Pray: In a super quiet room Fun Fact: I’m from Palawan haha lol Life Motto: Lagi’t lagi, dangal at husay, para sa bayan First Impressions of ICTUS: Conyo org? HAHAHA What are you excited for in ICTUS?: The events! Specifically, the Apostolates.
mia fadriquela Year and Course: III-BS Psychology Fave Movie: Forrest Gump Fave Music: Rainbow Connection Fave Religious Song: As the Deer Best Place to Pray: Sa chapel siyempre Fun Fact: I got a grape before from the mass offering Life Motto: Do well, but more importantly, do good First Impressions of ICTUS: Banal What are you excited for in ICTUS?: I’m excited to sing more church songs and bond with mems!
julie callangan Year and Course: II-BS Chemistry Fave Movie: The Two Popes Fave Music: Dance and EDM, Chillhop Jazz, Classical Music Fave Religious Song: You Say - Lauren Daigle / Rescue - Lauren Daigle Best Place to Pray: Overlooking nature; the forest, mountain, or sea. Can’t help to be in awe of God’s handiwork Fun Fact: I drink milk tea everyday Life Motto: Vitam impendere vero; to devote oneself to truth First Impressions of ICTUS: I thought of ICTUS as a community of Christ-centered and loving people who strengthen each other’s faith and relationship with God in the midst of the unrighteous and corrupted world. ICTUS is also filled with compassionate people who go out of their way to offer service to the marginalized and convey the word of God. What are you excited for in ICTUS?: I am excited to finally have a community that I can treat as my family who have the same priorities and values that are rooted in God, sup porting and encouraging each other to be holy and faithful. I also cannot wait to be part of the programs and projects that ICTUS has in offering acts of service especially teaching children.
ICTUS launches 19B app process; inducts probationary members amid pandemic Rogh Peduca More fishes, more fun! To maintain the organization’s harmony, the University of the Philippines In-Christ Thrust for University Students (UP ICTUS) launched its 8-week long Batch 19B Application Process, discovering its bending abilities to unleash its avatars. Guided by the theme Avatar: The Last Airbender, the membership committee spearheaded the whole process of one of the biggest batches in the past few years, giving the applicants 20 tasks to assimilate the world of ICTUS including participation in hangouts, clusters, and activities from the apostolate committee. “Despite it ending early, I saw the applicants develop and become true servants of the Lord,” said Lorenzo Gonzales, the committee head of the membership committee. He considered the 19B app process as truly a unique one. A change of the ICTUS members’ Facebook display picture kicked off the application process last January 29. A week later, the applicants’ orientation took place at the ICTUS tambayan in the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice Complex. The applicants were then introduced to their ‘buddy fams’ to accompany them as they go along their bending journey. After the early end of the semester due to the enhanced community quarantine, the application process shifted online, having the applicants share their individual experiences amidst the pandemic. The application wound up with the applicants sharing their reflection in their journey to reveal the avatar version of themselves. They were inducted as probationary members on April 8. “The app process was really easy and light, it was considerate of the schedules of the apps & the mems were nice and approachable to us during the whole thing,” Yanna, the most active 19B fish and bender said. She was appeased that the app process continued online. She also expressed her desire to meet the other members of the organization that she was not able to encounter. Although they have already found their new home, the newly inducted fishes are yet to undergo recollection that will mark them as legit members of the organization.
kudos corner anonymous messages
Choosing Tut Justin Gabriel B. Chua Scrolling through my news feed one night I came across an org pub; there, with a fish logo and in bold text it read: “TUTORIAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED”. This was a sign, I told myself then, and I signed up without giving it a second thought: finally, my chance to do some good! As an overly eager and somewhat naive freshman my lofty ideals lead me to look for something that would enact some change, something I could be proud of myself for doing. Little did I know at the time that my somewhat ego-motivated desire to “do good” would blossom into something so much more: a humbling experience that allowed me a greater appreciation for the art of teaching, and the formation of genuine bonds with both enthusiastic students and committed tutors. My Tut journey began with a trip to the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice; there beside the characteristically UFO-shaped dome I entered a small room with a few people huddled around a long table. At the head of the table was Jaime Ferrer, the UP ICTUS Apostolate head, packing his large yellow tote bag with the exercises and activities we had prepared over the past week. We visited the adoration chapel to pray for guidance, and went on our way to San Vicente Elementary School. To us tutors it was merely the first of the weekly sessions we committed to, but to ICTUS, this was a revival. Before this, the Tut Apostolate had lain dormant for quite a few years; Jaime tells us about how this was his motivation to join ICTUS in the first place. Learning that the members were in the process of bringing the program back, he eventually accepted the position of Apostolates head: “I wanted to reestablish the service arm of the org starting with Tutorials, and I considered it feasible, since I had orgmates who shared the same vision and were willing to help out in any way they could”. Over other projects that could have been revived, he considered the Tutorials Apostolate particularly appealing as it potentially allowed less-privileged students greater academic and financial opportunities, while serving the larger goal of teaching kids to adopt a wider worldview and develop critical thinking.
Reviving the program would prove to be no simple task, especially with regards to manpower. Jaime recounts the initial struggle of kick-starting Tut: “We had set out to tutor 25 students, but we were only fourteen in the organization, and four in the Apostolates committee. We even had to employ the help of alumni to get things off the ground. In addition to this, we called for volunteers from outside UP ICTUS: students who were willing to prepare learning materials and attend the sessions to teach...A lot of the success of the revived Tutorials Apostolate could not have been achieved without the help of these volunteers and UP ICTUS alumni”. That was how I found myself, along with a handful of other volunteers, riding a jeep bound for SVES every Monday of the week. In a narrow alley along University Avenue we would make our way towards a classroom where twenty or so Grade 6 students would be waiting for us. These students were considered some of the brightest within their batch; our role, aside from supplementing their studying in general, was to help them perform well in the admission exams for Science High Schools. Each threehour session was divided into a Math part and an English part, with a motivational activity at the beginning of each part. As a volunteer English tutor it seemed simple enough to teach some kids elementary lessons for an hour and a half; it was not until I had actually done so that I realized teachers really had their work cut out for them. The challenges began with curriculum preparation, and finding the sweet spot between providing challenging enough material without overwhelming the students. Once that was settled, there was the task of delivering it in a lecture. You would think it easy enough to speak in front of a bunch of kids, but that wasn’t the case for us; we were awkward at first, struggling to find the balance between being fun enough to keep our students enthusiastic and enforcing discipline enough to ensure that we were on track. Sessions were largely trial-and-error, with tutors huddling around for an intensive SWOT analysis after every lecture to make sure the next one would be better than the last. Over time we would find that beyond our tutor roles we would grow more personally to become more like their Ate’s and Kuya’s. We would discover the best ways to approach each of them for the lessons, adjusting for the shy ones and the bibo kids, learning who needed more of a challenge and who needed a helping hand. We learned that traditional sessions would wear the kids out, so we occasionally took a break from academics to play games, hold team-building activities, watch documentaries, and even dance the latest TikTok craze together. Sessions could be well-organized, chaotic, fun, or stressful, but they were always, always fulfilling.
Now having finished its first year back, we acknowledge the accomplishments of the program while realizing we have a ways to go as tutors. “This year was really productive for the Tutorials Apostolate, with a lot of lessons learned”, says Jaime. Looking back, he talks about how the program’s scope may have been too ambitious and the timeframe for sessions too compressed; covering such a vast amount of topics for so many students was taxing at times for the few volunteers, and may have even taken away from getting to know the kids on a more personal level. Moving forward, Jaime envisions focusing on the quality of the sessions, having less students, a longer timeframe, and even holding sessions at the ICTUS tambayan. He also considers continuing to watch over the students we’ve had this year, and seeing what we can do to help them throughout high school. Despite these rough patches, there’s no doubt that Tut changed me. I found my chance to “do good”, yes, but more importantly, I found myself surrounded by passionate individuals dedicated to helping kids learn, while building genuine connections with my tutees. The next years of my college life will see me coming back for more, hopefully becoming a better tutor and forging even more friendships in the process.
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initiative to organize ontion to enjoy. We’ve played w.io. We also had a fun game senger, where the first peritem wins the point. Since, aying along to the popular lso had a modified Jeops ranging from “Pop Culrs.” Most recently, we had here we guess something skeptically cropped photo.
Reminiscing and Reflecting During a Pandemic Javi Baquiran While the events of the past few months have contributed to a demoralizing narrative of emotional and physical adversity, in a different light, they have also showcased the human person’s inspiring propensity to change in the face of turmoil. With the shortage of commercial produce available, my mom has resorted to an innovative Viber marketplace where members can buy and sell homegrown products. With the new norm of social distancing, my orgmates have instituted virtual tambayans with online games to maintain social ties. And with news of undersupplied frontliners, my high school friend took it upon herself to establish a volunteer group that provides meals to frontliners 7 days a week. Truly, people have reacted in remarkable ways to fulfill a desire for both duty and normality during a time that is anything but ordinary. As we near the 2 month mark of the enhanced community quarantine, these observations of change in others encouraged me to consider how the coronavirus has induced change in my own life. Admittedly, looking back at how I’ve spent these past 2 months is not something I particularly am proud of doing. My indolence and aimlessness have kept me from accomplishing anything that I’d consider “productive”, and my growing aversion towards social media has rendered me unacquainted with well-meaning online initiatives, and out-of-touch with most of my friends, and the world at large. My way of life is definitely far from the model of resilience, creativity, and compassion that many others have committed themselves to. Yet even with my passivity, change has found a way to seep into my life, manifesting in one new fruitful habit of mine borne out of the conditions of community quarantine: the practice of daily reflection. That is, for the past month or so, I have been spending anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours a day, isolated in my room, practicing a part prayer-part nostalgia trip-part existentialism type meditation. Unsurprisingly, this new routine was not something that I picked up purposefully. Back in mid-April, with online classes now suspended, I’d occasionally find myself in this inexplicable state of lethargy. At times, I wouldn’t have the slightest interest in busying myself with any deliberate activity, whether it be hobby or conversation. Hence, to kill time, I’d shelter up in my room and mindlessly fidget with anything that happened to be lying around, with one such item obviously being my phone. With the wifi disabled in my avoidance of social media, I would scroll through the one app that didn’t require online connection: the photo gallery. From unflattering inuman selfies, to formal graduation shots, and family vacation pictures, I found it surprisingly therapeutic, reminiscing and reflecting about the moments that each photo carried. And for days that followed, whenever I found myself in an apathetic slump, I’d return to my room, lie down, grab my phone, and resume my photo gallery guided trip down memory lane. Even when I inevitably reached the end of my photo gallery, I now actively continued to allocate some time each day for reflection. The isolation and inactivity accompanying a quarantined lifestyle made it possible for me to spend hours uninterrupted on a meditative odyssey. And while it is true that the coronavirus has thrown our work, school, and social lives into utter disarray, having spent so much of my time thinking made me realize how destabilizing this pandemic can be spiritually. Think about it. How do we find a motivating source of meaning in realities that have been reduced to mundane and mechanical at best, and ruthless and destructive at worst? How do we feel connected when we have been rendered disconnected from the persons, vocations, and passions that make our lives vibrant and exciting?
And at the base of all this, how are we supposed to live our lives when our normal ways of life simply aren’t possible anymore? As mentioned before, during the early stages of my quarantine experience, I felt oddly unsettled. My pre-quarantine lifestyle was characterized by daily distractions; I’d always have a matter to attend to, be it academics, organizational work, or social commitments, with tasks being shuffled out for new ones each day. Now, with the intensity of these responsibilities lightened, if not completely stopped, I became disoriented due to the absence of distractions. In addition to this I had trouble coming to terms with how being in quarantine magnified all the tendencies that I despised about myself: mainly my passivity, complacency, and even indifference. Dedicating time for something as transcendent as a daily examen is what, ironically, kept me grounded. Reflecting about my relationships with those I hold dearest to myself helped me recognize how utterly grateful I am for them, especially in their physical absence. It got me eagerly hoping for the passing of this crisis, not just as the end of the pandemic as we know it, but as the beginning of a life enlivened with newfound resolve and appreciation. In fact, I realized that I could very well begin such a life now by committing myself to my family, having done so little for them recently due to all my personal distractions. And by no means was this a spiritual epiphany. If I’m being perfectly honest, I still don’t know what I spend half of my time doing these days. However, this exercise did provide me with humble goals to strive for amidst circumstances that quite literally made me lose sense of my time and motivation. For a pandemic that indiscriminately threatens to infect all people, our experiences of such a crisis could not be more different from person to person. Heck, even the spiritual practices that I’ve talked about serve as an example of this. While I may have been moved to reflections of gratitude enabled through a detachment from the present, another Filipino may have been moved to prayers for mercy forced by the needs of the present. But though we may experience different realities of change, and react to change in idiosyncratic ways, the fact of the matter is that the coronavirus has undeniably brought some form of change into all of our lives. And while we’re certainly learning to adapt economically, socially, and psychologically, perhaps it would help to assess the spiritual side of ourselves too, through prayer, reflection, meditation, or even conversation. Because for a crisis marked by indefinite disruption, uncertainty, and disconnection, maybe what we need isn’t simply brute resilience and optimism, but more so a sense of direction to get us through day by day.
#HealthyAtHome Mental health care tips
A gentle reminder: Mental health is as important as physical health Rogh Peduca We are currently faced with this COVID-19 pandemic and as we go along with the community quarantine, we are continuously reminded of how social distancing, wearing masks, and washing of hands protect us from the virus. However, we should remember that mental health is just as important as our physical health. Community quarantine may be an avenue for some to unwind from their usual routine — being stuck in traffic jams, being busy from work, sitting in long hours of lectures, being stuck in traffic again, and finally, coming back home to finish the rest of the day. Whatever your routine maybe, the quarantine tucked the equilibrium in your supposed mundane activities. If your comfortable spot is in the campus library or in a cozy coffee shop, uh-uh goodbye to your comfort zone because we are no longer free to go wherever we want to. We are forced to succumb in our current hiding place. With all the rowdy buzzes in social media, a range of emotional reactions and unhealthy behaviors are oozing upon us. The pressure of having something to accomplish and to be of help is legit. We got to do something. But first, we have to take care of our health, safety, and well-being to extend our full service to the people.
Here are 10 tips to make the most out of this time while taking care of our mental health: Sleep Hygiene. Having good sleep habits is necessary for quality sleep and daytime productivity as it is important to combat daytime sleepiness and night spent tossing and turning. For sleep hygiene tips visit cci.health. wa.gov.au The Power of Routine. John Maxwell, an american leadership author, speaker, and pastor said “The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” Routines allow us to know what to expect not just on a daily basis but in every aspect of our lives. If you do not have a quarantine routine yet, it is time to start making one. Get Physical. Boosting physical stance helps a lot in strengthening our mental fortitude. Did you know, It takes only seven minutes of exercise to increase brain power and improve your mood? Find a Hobby. Explore a Passion. This community quarantine is the best time to get acquainted with our authentic self again. It is important to do the things that you are passionate about and engage in activities that interest you. Whether it is as simple as listening to random music, reading a book or writing your thoughts, include it in your quarantine routine.
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Let it Out. Stay Connected. While physical distancing is a must, it is important to be socially updated. Social media is a powerful tool to connect, influence, and inspire good in this world. Contribute. Rally behind a good cause — lend a helping hand to distract yourself and heal.
Enjoy Breaks. Being in front of our laptops and scrolling on our phones all throughout the day might be the most tempting thing to do. Hang on. Do not forget to take a step back. Realign. Insert lots of “me time” in your routine. This is the perfect time to talk to Kuya Jess, take a nap, and meditate.
If it is hard to come out of your shell, remember, it's okay not to be okay.
Eat Better. Feel Better. Keep depression and mood swings at bay — eat right. Never let yourself get too hungry nor too full, eat regularly. Remember: What you eat affects how you feel.
Get the Support You need. Do not hesitate to contact psychosocial support. Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Committee on Psychosocial Emergency Services is always open to lend a helping hand.
Simply Smile. Start with a smile. As simple as a smile creates ripples of happiness. Smiling is a simple act of kindness like a light at the end of a tunnel. Start it with yourself.
These are just some things we can do to cope with quarantine anxiety. I know, it is hard to come out of our shells. I personally have struggled with this, too. But always remember Jessie J’s words: “it’s okay not to be okay.” If you do not know where and how to start, just flip a coin to get started. Just do it.
For those who are lucky enough to be with their families, make the most out of it, be grateful for there are some that are stuck elsewhere alone.
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1. Frontliner’s Kitchen As you might have guessed, this COVID initiative sets out to feed our frontliners; since its conception however, it has grown into something much more. Frontliner’s Kitchen was born from college student Jeanill Migraso’s own kitchen, where she prepared dozens of meals herself to be sent out to healthcare workers near her. As of writing, her cooking has reached health centers such as the Philippine General Hospital, Toledo City General Hospital, the Lung Center of the Philippines, and even the UP Health Service. Now partnered with various food establishments and college organizations, their scope has gone beyond just preparing meals; a recent fund drive raised over six hundred thousand pesos for PPE’s and disinfectants. If you or your org would like to donate or partner up, you can reach them via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/frontlinerskitchen
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which focus on helping hard-hit daily wage work viding PPE’s for medical workers.
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rates here: https://www.facebook.com/lines4fron
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Behind the Frontlines: COVID Initiatives from College Students You Can Support Justin Chua
many of us, the world is now on pause; quarantined at home we look for the next Netflix series inge or begrudgingly open e-mails from professors all while holding our breath waiting for the se to end. The fact is, however, that not all of us are on pause. All over the globe nurses and docwork ungodly hours to tend to the sick, food-delivery drivers plow empty highways to keep us government workers are distributing relief and formulating strategies to prevent the spread of virus, and essential workers everywhere are working tirelessly to ensure that this pause is one t is safe, secure, and healthy one for the rest of us.
ile we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all be medical workers or delivery drivers, there are ways we can make this pause aningful by helping from behind the frontlines. Even as college students, a little initiative and t of love can go a long way to help our frontliners; check out what these college students have e so far, and what you can do to help.
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The information we consume shapes our thoughts and behaviors relating to the current crisis. As many of us get our information from social media, Labang Pangkulusugan is an information-drive initiative that aims to make sure the information we do get is timely and accurate. Some of the topics they cover include COVID-related statistics here and abroad, updates on the formulation of a vaccine, and the importance of protecting wildlife to avoid these kinds of crises from hap-
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e during a global pandemic. Just as food and equipnecessary for our frontlinersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; health and safety, to uplift and motivate frontliners do a lot to boost
ale. Kapwa focuses on just that: by inviting various
s and orgs to express their gratitude for frontliners
media, Kapwa aims to create an atmosphere of pos-
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nt to show how much you appreciate our Frontlin-
an send your messages here:https://www.facebook.
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pening again. They also regularly hold donation drives; the most recent ones raised funds for test kits and face masks for hospitals within the Metro.
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Show or Movie Recommendations Jody Jody Ng Ng 1. Ready Player One Wade Watts in the real world, Parzival in the OASIS. Ready Player One is an exciting scifi action movie packed with old pop culture references. Revolving around technology, this movie also serves as a reminder for us to reflect on our screen time and how much time we’re spending in “the real world.”
2. Forrest Gump “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” -Forrest Gump A classic. No matter how many times you watch this movie, you’ll always find yourself learning a new life lesson before the movie ends. Its genre of comedy, drama, and even action, will have you crying and laughing with your emotions everywhere.
3. Always Be My Maybe Asian leads and Keanu Reeves, need I say more? Always Be My Maybe is a great feelgood movie; it’s something to watch if you just want to relax and have some laughs.
A Short K-drama Crash Course Korean dramas are all the hype right now, and there’s a reason why. From plot to cinematography, Korean dramas can be true masterpieces. If you’re new to K-dramas, you should know that most K-dramas have 16 Episodes, about 1 hour each. It may seem daunting to invest so much time into one show, but you should also know that most K-dramas only have one season. Whatever the finale’s outcome, it is unlikely to end in a cliffhanger, or a plot that drags on and decreases in quality throughout the seasons. With that, here are some suggestions!
1. Crash Landing on You You’ve surely heard someone tell you to “watch CLOY!” If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out. Yoon Se-ri literally crash lands into North Korea and onto Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok. The mix of an unpredictable plot, interesting characters, and beautiful sets leaves this drama with no dull moments.
2. Itaewon Class Unlike other K-dramas, Itaewon Class focuses more on real life issues, relevant to today’s society, rather than the main characters’ romance. Park Saeroyi finds himself struggling to live in a world that makes him pay for his virtues. The first few episodes are especially heavy, but empathizing with Saeroyi’s pain will make you want to root for him even more.
3. Touch Your Heart Unlike other K-dramas, Itaewon Class focuses more on real life issues, relevant to today’s society, rather than the main characters’ romance. Park Saeroyi finds himself struggling to live in a world that makes him pay for his virtues. The first few episodes are especially heavy, but empathizing with Saeroyi’s pain will make you want to root for him even more.
8 Activities to Try this Quarantine Cathy Pascual 1. Try a new recipe. Your social media feeds have probably been flooded with your friends and family members attemptsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at cooking and baking and even bartending (shoutout to tita/ tito!). Why not join the bandwagon and give these cool 3 ingredient recipes a shot? Learn more: 44 Easy 3-Ingredient Recipes (https://tasty.co/compila-
2. Visit a virtual theme park. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like experiencing Walt Disney World from the comfort of your own home! Take an interactive virtual tour and go on some rides without having to fall in line! Learn more: Walt Disney World Resort | Interactive Virtual Tours (https://www.visitorlando.com/en/ things-to-do/virtual-tours/walt-disney-world-resort)
3. Visit a virtual museum. Take a look at some masterpieces from all over the world! Go on an interactive tour at the Met and Smithsonian among many others and immerse yourself with just some things that make the world beautiful. Learn more: 12 Museums From Around the World That You Can Visit Virtually | Travel + Leisure (https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours)
4. Watch a movie with a friend. Miss the feeling of watching something and getting to discuss with someone in real time? Host a watch party or go on a video call and try to play a movie at the same time with someone you really miss and discuss away! Learn more: Netflix Party (https://www.netflixparty.com/) SyncTube - Watch Youtube Videos together (https://sync-tube.de/)
5. Make a TikTok. TikTok is known for making people viral plus it’s an incredibly easy way to have fun with music and technology. Why not give these TikToks a shot and don’t forget us when you’re internet famous! Learn more: 5 of the Easiest TikToks to learn with your friends (https://www.hercampus.com/school/smcvt/5easiest-tiktoks-learn-your-friends)
6. Give yourself a makeover. Not saying that you should go all out and give yourself a whole new hairdo with layers, bangs and the whole shebang but that’s not to say you shouldn’t experiment a little! Try cleaning up your eyebrows or doing a new DIY facemask when you feel like you need a little bit of TLC. 7. Attend a live concert. With social distancing measures in place, some artists have transitioned to live streaming their performances. Goes to that Disco Never Dies hehehe! Check out this link often as it is updated every now and then. Learn more: All Live Concerts Streaming: Full List of Musicians, Artists (https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/all-musicians-streaming-live-concerts.html)
8. Join a new Facebook group. People have taken to creating Facebook groups about almost anything under the sun. Learn, explore, have fun and even make some new friends in the process. Here are some Facebook groups to get you started. A group where we all pretend to be ants in an ant colony. The name speaks for itself. Ever wondered what it would be like to be an ant in a colony? Now is your chance. You Only Live Once. (See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416375691836223/) music recs without context (pt. 2). Here music lovers come together and recommend each other music, strictly without context. (See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/230097544858764/) subtle asian mental health. This Facebook group offers resources, listening sessions and an overall empathetic community that makes it a little easier to go through these trying times. (See: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/subtleasianmentalhealth/) Lockdown Mindcare Challenge Tips! Join this group for some good vibes and a supportive environment. (see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/259323148396886/)
playlist of the issue.
8 ACTIVITIES
playlist of the issue.
nothing without faith, never without passion. all for kuya Jess.