Heraldo Filipino Volume 36 Issue 3

MARCH 2022 -JUNE 2022 | PAGE 1

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS MARCH 2022 - JUNE 2022

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WALK FOR CHANGE. Students, faculty, and alumni from DLSU-D mount a unity walk to the Cavite People’s Rally on May 1 as they join over 100,000 Caviteños in showing their support for opposition leaders Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan.

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

Photo by Miguel Luis Abenales

USEC chairperson resigns New chair appointed only after 6 months

by Kimberly Joie Diamante

University Student Election Commission (USEC) Chairperson Yosu Retuta resigned from his post in November 2021, leaving the position vacant for nearly 6 months until May 2022.

This means the commission has no official chair from November to early May, not until the appointment of new USEC Chairperson Aira Mortel in late May. In an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, Retuta cited academic constraints and personal concerns as primary reasons behind his resignation, noting that the responsibility of being a chairperson or

even a commissioner is time consuming and a crucial job. “It is already enough for me after 2-and-a-half-years being part of the commission and honestly I don’t see myself as an effective leader anymore,” Retuta said.

At the beginning of the academic year (AY) 2021-2022, Retuta emphasized that he had already informed his fellow commissioners, the University Student Government

(USG) President and Vice President, the Office of Student Services (OSS) Dean Domingo Reblora Jr., and Student Development and Activities Office (SDAO) Director Eric Vargas of his plan to resign from his post to focus more on his studies.

Based on the resignation letter that HF retrieved, Retuta filed his resignation on November 16 and is expected to take effect on November

30. However his resignation letter was only signed by Vargas, and did not include the signature of the OSS Dean at the time.

“I did not receive my resignation letter signed by the OSS Dean, only an acknowledgment and question who will take my post is what I received,” he disclosed in an interview.

When asked about who declared the failure of primary elections if his resignation took effect on November 30, Retuta clarified the resolution to announce the election failure was

already submitted to the SDAO Director before he resigned from his post. However, he later found out that the resolution will still be needing the approval of their new adviser, Frederick Godinez, who has yet to confirm his position as the new USEC adviser at the time.

It was only on March 15 when the resolution declaring the failure of primary elections was published in USEC’s Facebook page. In HF’s interview with Retuta in January, he said the resolution was not immediately

signed as there was still no official USEC adviser back then.

When asked why his resignation remained hidden from the student body for several months, Retuta admitted he didn’t know that an announcement should have been made, and apologized for not informing the student body about the vacancy of his position.

“Honestly, I did not know that it should be posted since most of the previous commissioners who had resign AWOL-ed when I was a 1st year student, they did not inform(sic) the See USEC RESIGNATION | page 3

No plans yet to offer suspended courses by next AY; programs to undergo rebranding

by Patricia Recaña With two academic years (AY) of being put on hold, Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism (JOU), Philosophy (PHI), and Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (APM) will still not be offered for AY 2022-2023 as the programs undergo rebranding before being reopened as a regular course.

THE DAY AFTER. After the historic May 9 elections, progressive groups, activists, and youth leaders stormed the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila to denounce incidents of electoral fraud on election day.

As the departments hold various efforts to promote their respective program, JOU and APM would be rebranded into a new course that will be offered by AY 2023-2024, while the revised Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (PHI) is targeted to be launched

come AY 2024-2025.

In an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, Social Sciences Department (SSD) Chair Dr. Edwin Lineses and Communication and Journalism Department (CJD) Chair Dr. Maria Nornelyn Cachuela

Photo by Miguel Luis Abenales

shared that their respective programs will be rebranded into a new course to deliver a more relevant curriculum for upcoming students.

According to Lineses, the rebranding of the PHI program will consist of “possibly changing See SUSPENDED COURSES | page 2

NEWS FEATURES

FEATURES

LITERARY

SPORTS

Strengthening Alliance page 6

The Flip Side page 7

Allegory in the Clouds page 12

Soaring champion page 15

NEWS

MARCH 2022 - JUNE 2022 | PAGE 2

NEWS BRIEFS NEWS BRIEFS

DLSU-D to hold onsite graduation for the first time since the pandemic

by Kimberly Joie Diamante After a two-year suspension of in-campus graduation rites in the University, DLSU-D is set to hold onsite commencement exercises for Batch 2022 on September 22 to 24.

In The HERALDO FILIPINO’s (HF) interview with the Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (VCAR) Dr. Marco Saez on May 26, he said onsite graduation will push through if the province remains under Alert Level 1 come the graduation month. This, however, will be rescheduled to a later date in case the quarantine classification in the province changes at the time.

According to Saez, the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) will head the crafting of guidelines for the return of face-to-face commencement exercises in September. HF also reached out to the OUR twice in June, but has not received any response as of press time.

As of May 26, only vaccination cards are listed as a priority requirement for onsite graduation, following the suspension of the medical insurance prerequisite for all in-campus activities in June.

Meanwhile, the tentative schedule for the graduation pictorial is slated to happen in July as per Vicissitude, the official yearbook publication of DLSU-D. In a follow-up inquiry by HF on June 11, the organization said there are no finalized dates yet for the graduation shoot as the process of selecting the final suppliers for the yearbook pictorial is still underway.

Passing rate of DLSU-D’s Electronics Engineering licensure exam declines by nearly 14%

by Patricia Recaña DLSU-D obtained a passing rate of 48 percent in the Electronics Engineering Licensure Examination (ECE) in April 2022, 13.9 percent lower than its previous 61.9 percent in October 2021.

The University’s performance is just slightly higher than the national passing rate in April, which also dropped to 46.6 percent from 47.84 percent last year.

The ECE was conducted in different testing centers across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao from April 10 to 11. The next ECE board is set to be held on October 8 and 9 this year.

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

Lasallian students, professors bag national recognitions for 2022

by Patricia Recaña DLSU-D students, professors, and organizations secured the nods of various national award giving bodies for their respective field of work during the second semester of academic year (AY) 2021-2022.

Leading the pack of the most recent achievers are Franchesca Alon from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) and Xander Lauren Cipriano from the College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC) who were both accepted to the prestigious 24th Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC). This is a student leadership summit that aims to mold young Filipino leaders in improving their leadership skills and in fostering a sense of nationalism and idealism.

In an online interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, both students expressed their gratitude and excitement for being part of the 84 delegates of AYLC despite the rigorous application and interview process.

As part of the program, Alon, Cipriano, and the rest of the selected student leaders from other schools will undergo interactive workshops and outdoor activities to sharpen self-awareness, clarity, and insight into their own leadership concerns and challenges starting from June 25 until July 24.

“I am really looking forward (to) meeting other young leaders

around the country, get to know their perspectives on several causes, and learn from them,” Cipriano shared.

Meanwhile, Alon hopes that more Lasallian student leaders like her will be given the same opportunity to qualify and learn from AYLC. Aside from bagging individual awards, student organizations from DLSU-D have also made their shot in staple student tilts nationwide. On May 27, Visual and Performing Arts Production Unit (VPAPU) won at the 9th Philippine Student Quill Awards for their project “Kabarato 25 & Beyond” under the Audio Visual category. This is not the organization’s first time to secure a Quill recognition after receiving four merit awards last year.

“Quill was quite an experience, this award was not about showing the best event or project that we did, but it is about what Lasallians, our fellow students can do,” VPAPU President Michaella “Mikee” Tamonan said in an interview.

On the other hand, The HERALDO FILIPINO also bagged another Quill for its literary supplement, Palad Vol. XXII under the publications category.

Lasallian professor achievers While students and organizations have obtained achievements for this semester, professors from DLSU-D have also been recognized in their respective line of works.

Among them is Biological Sciences Department (BSD) Professor Hazel Anne Tabo who reached the top 1,500 rank of Philippine scientists in the Alper-Doger (AD) Scientific Index (ADSI). The ADSI is a ranking and analysis system based on individual scientists’ scientific performance and the added value of their scientific activity while also providing institution rankings based on affiliated scientists’ scientific traits. College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCS) Dean Cristina Salibay was earlier cited in the Philippine rank of the ADSI in February 2022, holding a 417th ranking.

Meanwhile, Communications and Journalism Department (CJD) Professor Angie QuadraBalibay also won the Outstanding Feature Story at the 2022 Lasallian Scholarum Awards (LSA) for her article titled “Lasallian Heroes against Martial Law honored on International Day of Peace.”

Aside from a decreased teaching load in their department, the MSD Chair, meanwhile, noted that their existing students had no lower batch to mentor for two AYs. Going back to the initial decision of the administration to put APM on hold at the beginning of AY 2020-2021, Lubag then recounted how the department and students were upset by the sudden suspension of the course.

“It was sad for the department and the students when the administration decided that the BS Applied Mathematics will not be offered on that year,” she expressed.

While Lineses was not yet the department chair when the PHI program was temporarily dissolved, he said the SSD was also surprised upon discovering the University’s decision to shelve the course.

“It should be clear from the start that the courses should

push through at a certain year, regardless of the turnout of enrollees and not only during the time of enrollment,” the SSD Chair pointed out.

This is in reference to how the administration handled the lack of applicants from the suspended programs in AY 2020-2021, as students who initially enrolled in the three courses were advised to shift to other programs or not proceed with enrollment at all.

However, both VCAR and the department chairs assured that existing students will continue their remaining subjects until they graduate and will be merged with ongoing classes if needed.

promote their curriculum since the courses have been suspended.

SSD launched its uSAPan: A Sociopolitical Advocacy Project series, a monthly virtual event in partnership with Lasallian Community Development Center (LCDC), International Development Program Council (IDPC), and Political Science Program Council (PSPC), and invited SHS students from different areas within Cavite.

On the other hand, MSD is eyeing to craft scholarship programs for APM students to attract possible enrollees.

“Hopefully, these will be accomplished this 1st semester of the next school year, in time for the grade 12 students’ college application,” Lubag said.

Meanwhile, CJD continues to market the course by providing industry exposure through events and collaborative activities, according to Cachuela.

SUSPENDED COURSES from page 1 nomenclature and offering it as double major or having cognate courses in professional education, and the like’’.

Meanwhile, for the Broadcast Journalism course, Cachuela bared plans on changing the name of the JOU program to Digital and Multimedia Journalism (DMJ) in light of digital and developing techniques in the media industry.

DLSU-D, however, is the only University in the country that offers Broadcast Journalism as a full program, and not only as a curriculum subject.

On the other hand, Mathematics and Statistics Department (MSD) Chair Sharon Lubag shared that they have been revising the APM curriculum in the last two years to fit the current demands of the course on a wider scale.

While MSD had not been able to welcome new freshmen students for the APM course, the

department managed to accept new students under the Night College scholarship of the University. “In this set-up, the teaching units of our faculty who are handling the math subjects (and other subjects) of our students are reflected as community service,” she explained.

As reported in The HERALDO FILIPINO Double Issue Vol. 35 Issue No. 1, JOU, PHI, and MSD programs were all temporarily dissolved in AY 2020-20221 for failing to meet the University’s block quota of at least 20 students per course.

In a separate interview, Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (VCAR) Dr. Marco Saez said he has already set a deliberation for review of the rebranded courses by September.

“We (OVCAR) are currently discussing the possibility of making any or all of the following elements, as required elements in the reinvented programs:

sustainability, infusion of digital technology, collaborative/joint degree, aligned with global developments, accelerated and/or ladderized/uplinked,” he added.

On impact of program dissolution and previous concerns While SSD, CJD, and MSD are working closely to rebrand and improve the course offerings, the department chairs also noted the impact of losing their programs within their departments.

Lineses shared that the faculty bore the effect of the course suspension more than its students, as they “have many faculty members in the section who may have to handle general social science courses instead of having philosophy courses”.

Cachuela expressed similar concerns, as she mentioned that the number of classes that the CJD faculty handle have been reduced since the suspension of the JOU program.

NEWS REACT

Plans to increase enrollees As the programs need to get at least 20 enrollees required to meet the University’s block quota, SSD, MSD, and CJD conducted various initiatives to introduce and

As a member of the generation who will experience most of your youth and adulthood under a Marcos-Duterte government, what scares you the most in the next six years?

NEWS

MARCH 2022 -JUNE 2022 | PAGE 3

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

DLSU-D pilots face-to-face classes, activities after two years Blended learning to be fully-implemented next AY under Alert Level 1

by Patricia Recaña After two years of suspending in-campus classes due to the pandemic, different college departments held pilot testing for limited face-to-face lectures and laboratory classes to prepare for the upcoming academic year (AY) 2022-2023.

Classes from the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), and College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) held onsite sessions after two years since May. On May 17 and 18, CCJE conducted face-to-face laboratory classes for Lie Detection Techniques for the Polygraphy subject under the supervision of Professor Dr. Elizabeth Villa, and Personal Identification under the Dactyloscopy subject handled by Professor Sarah Jane Mendoza.

During the pilot testing, the college utilized a hybrid setup as half of the students were onsite at

the Felipe Calderon Hall (FCH) building, while others were attending a live synchronous class through MS Teams.

According to CCJE Dean Secretary Aileen MararaganAndanza, the classroom setting utilized was the same set-up before the pandemic as interactions and class discussion happen simultaneously, along with the utilization of open camera feedback from students at home.

After their first in-campus activity in two years, Mendoza then held another onsite laboratory activity about developing latent fingerprints using fingerprint powders and brushes on June 15.

Aside from CCJE, CBAA also organized an onsite lecture in Integrated Marketing Communication and Consumer Behavior subjects, handled by CBAA Dean and Professor Dr. Mary Amparo and Professor Chona Bautista respectively. Students from Marketing and Advertising Management (MKA) participated in the said pilot testing of classes around May. Meanwhile, CTHM also conducted face-to-face sessions for selected Bachelor in Science Tourism Management (BTM) fourth year students under the subject Travel Services Electives on selected dates throughout June.

What to expect under “better normal” As the University’s Learning Continuity Chart (LCC) takes full implementation in AY 2022-2023, more onsite supplemental activities are expected to happen as the province remains under Alert Level 1 since March 2021.

Under the LCC approval in late February, academic activities such as laboratory, field work, and major subject examinations are required to be accomplished onsite.

In case that students wouldn’t be able to take part in onsite examinations or face-to-face practical tests, the LCC mandates to give them a grade of incomplete

(INC) until they can take the exam. However, Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (VCAR) Dr. Marco Saez said they are “currently working on the guidelines” for possibly amending the policy.

Meanwhile, lectures, may it be institutional, generic elective (GE), or government mandated, will be offered onsite as a supplement, while major subjects will continue to be conducted under blended learning.

All hands on deck In an interview with new General Services Office (GSO) Director Leo Manansala he said all hands are on deck to make the University equipped for limited face-to-face

classes next semester.

Manansala noted that classrooms, facilities, and the entire campus have been retrofitted for in-campus classes and activities through the help of the city inspection unit of Dasmariñas.

He also assured students that safety equipment such as air purifier, CO2 monitor, and alcohol dispenser will be available per classroom for additional protection.

“We are really preparing for the face-to-face [operations] … we are making sure na yung engineering controls, at iba pang mga controls and policies ay in-place before we really say na that the University is safe enough to conduct face-to-face,” the GSO emphasized.

Infographics by Rachelle Calaustro and Alyanna Tiaga USEC RESIGNATION from page 1 student body and the remaining commissioners at that time did not announce it in the Facebook page or even in our bulletin board,” Retuta explained.

In a separate interview, USEC Adviser Frederick Godinez clarified that ‘there was no intention to hide any information’ about the issue, despite Retuta’s unannounced resignation from the poll body. “At that moment, our concern really is how to build a new team of commissioners to serve USEC so that we can function and be able to have an elections,” Godinez told The HERALDO FILIPINO. Newly appointed USEC Chairperson After resigning in November, Retuta’s position as the Chairperson was not filled until the end of May 2022 which resulted in the organization remaining stagnant from November until late of May. In an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, newly appointed USEC Chairperson Aira Mortel shared that she was first appointed as the College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC) Commissioner on May 17. Godinez then set a meeting on May 19 to meet the appointed officers and opened the floor to nominate the commission’s next Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. Mortel won through

a raise of hands on May 21.

This is different from what the Article III Section X of the Student Omnibus Election Code says, as it states that “in case of a temporary or permanent vacancy of the position of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson shall assume the office immediately.”

However, there was no appointed deputy chairperson in the commission at the time, as per the ex-USEC chair.

According to Mortel, even she was not aware that Retuta had resigned from his position, as she was not an officer in the first semester of the AY. Only Commissioners Aubrey Averion and Arra Anis were aware of his resignation, according to the new USEC Chair.

Entering as a newbie in USEC, Mortel admits that Retuta’s resignation drastically affected their operations in the organization. “Si kuya Yosu very knowledgeable siya sa ins and outs ng USEC and of course, the student body, so parang nawalan kami ng magguide sa amin,” she stated in an interview.

Mortel also adds that the resignation made USEC ‘stagnant’ due to the lack of manpower in the organization.

“Parang na-stagnant kasi yung USEC, so di ako masyadong aware sa mga processes or mga nangyayari noon,” Mortel noted.

When asked how she is adapting to her new role in the commission, Mortel shared that she treats the USEC chairmanship like a ‘big project’ and draws support from her fellow officers and their adviser.

Declaration of special elections With no sitting USEC Chairperson for six months, USEC has only announced their plan to conduct a special election for academic year (AY) 2021-2022 during the first week of June, just few days after the new USEC appointments were named.

In the same interview, Mortel expounded the nature of the special election which is also the same as the general elections conducted in AY 2020-2021.

In any case that there are more than two (2) electoral candidates, the organization plans to hold a modified primary election where the student body will decide by voting on who the top 2 candidates will be to qualify for the general elections.

However, in the case that there are only one (1) or two (2) candidates running, the process will proceed like the previously held General elections last year.

In an updated announcement released on June 13, USEC set June 23 to 25 as the election dates for the upcoming “special elections” for the AY 2021-2022.

BACK TO SCHOOL. Forensic science students perform their dactyloscopy fingerprint identification activity inside the campus in their white coats, with gloves, masks, and safety gear.

The filing of candidacy for the electoral positions were opened from June 15 to 16, while the campaign period starts on June 18 until June 22, which gives candidates only a week to campaign and present their platforms to the student body. The new officers will then be proclaimed on July 1, the same day as the USG President Niña Ligan and Vice President Reine Cruz steps down from office.

To ensure a transparent and smooth process of the incoming special elections, USEC has taken the steps to secure documents and

approvals from different offices, asked the Center Innovative Learning Programs (CILP) for assistance in mounting the virtual polls, and promised to l release election updates to avoid another integrity and transparency issue for the upcoming elections.

In 2021, the USG High Court probed USEC for unconstitutionality, lack of transparency, and breach of integrity on the conduct of the General Elections, following the issues of unconstitutionality of the 2021 General Elections which

Photo by Miguel Luis Abenales

violated the Article IV Section VI of the USG Constitution requiring the primary election be held before the general election.

However, the probe was only resolved through an “Alternative Dispute Resolution’ in September 3, 2021 that requires the presence of a neutral third party to assist in resolving the dispute between the two (2) parties, as stated in the Rule XII Section 1 of the Rules of Court This, however, is still not yet published in the High Court’s Facebook page as of press time.

OPINION

MARCH 2022 - JUNE 2022 | PAGE 4

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

EDITORIAL

No, the biggest election fraud wasn’t on election day

It seemed like a night terror we all don’t want to dream of: a 92-year old Imelda escorting his son, Bongbong, at the Congressional complex built under her husband’s regime, as House leaders proclaim him as the newly-elected President of the Philippines.

allegedly putting up troll farms that he vehemently denied.

Hence, the biggest electoral fraud in this elections didn’t happen on election day: it was during the years where Marcos, his family and his enablers built a machinery of lies, distorted truth and history, and warped all the narratives against

the biggest electoral fraud in this elections didn’t happen on election day: it was during the years where Marcos, his family and his enablers built a machinery of lies Perhaps, we have an entire electoral system and poll commission to blame: the flawed system that allows candidates facing a stack of disqualification petitions to run for office, the lack of political dynasty reforms that enables the same faces and names of injustice, the poll body that makes no move on blatant election fraud, from votebuying to thousands of failed vote-counting machines on election day.

As early as 2014, two years ahead of the vice-presidential race where Marcos Jr. lost by a slim margin, there have already been several attempts to malign facts and distort history about the injustices during his father’s regime. From distorting the truth about their family’s ill-gotten wealth, framing the Marcos era as the ‘golden age’ in Philippine history to launching countless lies and propaganda against his toughest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, the disinformation machinery of the Marcoses has become a longexisting business even before the elections, even going as far as

them to reclaim power. People have not just been fooled and deceived in a blink of an eye – they have been for years, they are now, and they will be one if we don’t fight for and safeguard the truth.

Now that disinformation has brought unquantifiable damages to the country’s information ecosystem, holding the line and standing together in upholding the right narratives of our history becomes a more prevailing challenge. To put a halt on the circulation of lies requires a one whole system that holds disinformation propagators accountable, a system that punishes institutions that spearhead the dispersion of falsehoods, a system that provides strong content policing to never let disinformation reach anyone’s feed.

The lack of an organized system and policies on disinformation for years majorly played in Marcos’ impending return to Malacañang. As long as the system enables him and his architects to breed and cultivate falsehoods, our truth and democracy remain at a huge collapse.

2020 - 2022 The idea of going back to face-to-face classes after two years of isolation feels like a time-skip.

I don’t dare hope and call it a light at the end of the tunnel, but a glimpse of normalcy arises compared to our situation in the past two years. We have vaccines and booster shots now. We have schools and universities conducting pilot online classes, workplaces requiring employees to report onsite, and transportation lines back on track. It’s still a far cry of how things were before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit the world, but we’re trying, somehow.

Or at least, the realization that two years had already passed has begun to sink in for everyone.

For some, this is their first step into the light. It’s dawn breaking through a long night —as online classes, remote setup, and the mere act of being subjected to the confines of their homes put a halt in their lives.

We’re talking about stolen youth from those in their prime years, stolen time to be spent with family, and stolen moments for

those who have yet to explore the world and chase their dreams.

Then there are those who remain in the dark. Those who lost someone in that span of time, unable to bid their loved ones a proper goodbye…unable to even bury their bodies because corpses had to be cremated for safety. We have those who were part of the staggering death toll, those who have been left behind—not just in life, but also by time and privilege.

Students who had to drop from their studies to make ends meet.

Workers laid off from their jobs.

Innocent lives that were killed by incompetence, state oppression, red-tagging, and the mere fact that they are underprivileged.

The idea of going back to normal after the last two years feels like a time-skip, but the scars and memories linger. There is no moving on. We can’t allow ourselves to move on—not until justice is met, not until those dark years are recorded in history books exactly as it happened, and not until we are certain that a better future awaits. We cannot allow ourselves

Lean Jane Pantorilla, Editor in Chief Lance Angelo Mejico, Associate Editor Aprilean Octavo, Finance Coordinator Emmanuel Esmilla, Creative Director Ahmad Mahusay, Office Supervisor Lance Angelo Mejico, In charge, News Adriel Jerome Toledo, In charge, Features Jacinth Banite, Literary Coordinator Lance Angelo Mejico, In charge, Sports Alyanna Nicole Tiaga, Graphics and Layout Coordinator Alexandrea Rey, Art Director Miguel Luis Abenales, In charge, Photo William Clarenz Constante, Video Coordinator Elaine Aznar, In charge, Web SENIOR STAFF Stephanie Ann Arreza, Patricia Ann Recaña, Rachelle Ann Calaustro, Christine Marie Romero, Shekynah Angelene Samadan, Maria Victoria Busine JUNIOR STAFF Charles Howard Gaa, Juliana Patricia Octavio, Ma. Bernice Victoria Obias, Elaine Mar Belen, Kimberly Joie Diamante, Bernardo Sandoval II Sta. Ana, Azriel Nathanielle Nuestro Dr. May L. Mojica, Adviser The HERALDO FILIPINO has its editorial office at Room 120, Gregoria Montoya Hall (Administration Building) De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines 4115.

Telephone: +63 2 8447832, +63 46 416 4531 local 3063 Email: officialheraldofilipino@gmail.com Website: www.heraldofilipino.com Contributions, comments, suggestions, and signed letters should be addressed to the Editor in Chief.

The idea of going back to normal after the last two years feels like a time-skip, but the scars and memories linger.

There is no moving on.

We have seen how the dark years of martial law stand on the process of being rewritten, and how these dark chapters and those that followed after paved the way for another Marcos.

Now, we also have another Duterte.

The time-skip makes it seem like they will blaze the path for a better Philippines. But never forget those who walked with us in the darkness—those

crawled with us through hell, walked with us through calamities, and public servants who did as their duty entailed.

The misinformed, fake news peddlers, and troll farms are rewriting the dark years of 2020, 2021, and 2022 as you read this. They’ll tell you it wasn’t so bad. They’ll repeat it over and over until you believe it.

But before you do, remember: that the same rotten system and its enablers had already swindled billions of pesos from our coffers. The past administration and all their accomplices have already buried our country’s next generations in-debt. The time-skip will make it seem like it never happened.

The truth will be buried along with the bad memories of lockdown, the stresses of online classes, the influx of news, and distorted narratives. Do not let them steal away your pain. Whether or not you suffered in those two years, the reality is that many did, outside your bubble and beyond your screens.

The idea of going back to face-to-face classes seems surreal considering everything that we’ve been through. We may go back to our classes but never to our old lives. Let this be written in history.

To dream is not enough

The Official Student Publication of De La Salle UniversityDasmariñas Founded: June 1985 Member, College Editors Guild of the Philippines EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2021-2022

to forget those hellish years spent in fear—and if not ours, then for our fellow Filipinos who did.

I entered college with high hopes of being a broadcast journalist someday – the one chasing stories after the other, the one heading to war zones and disaster areas where everyone is literally packing their things to escape, the one holding the station’s microphone as I look straight at the camera and say my name at the end of the report. The freshman and 17-year-old me had nothing but dreams, spirits, and priceless persistence to make my lifelong dream of being on the screen come true – until the world hit me with chilling horrors of reality. As I witnessed how the unthinkable dangers in history unfolded right before me left and right — a deadly pandemic, a media giant shutting down, and a family of the dictator returning to power, the once dreamy future gradually turned pitch black, the once hopeful fantasy became a one terrifying dream.

Now that I think about it, the only thing that scared me back then was whether an average guy like me could make it to an industry that never runs out of competent people day by day. Since I entered college, there’s always this daunting question that hits me from time to time, of whether I will be able to land my ultimate goal of being a reporter or not. For someone who spent his childhood evenings watching talk shows and variety programs rather than cartoons, memorizing spiels of television hosts, and mimicking an anchor’s stance, it is quite a big deal for me to be seen on television someday. That question still haunts me until this day – especially since two years ago when the country’s biggest media network, my dream station for years, was forced to go off air.

On the night of the ABS-CBN shutdown in May 2020, everything turned dark for me as I watched our

screen turning into black when the media giant signed off. I cried hard enough like millions of Filipinos who never thought of ABS-CBN going off air. I grieved like the thousand of employees who became jobless at the height of the deadliest health crisis in years.

The horror now comes from the fear of being able to dream free in a country that tells us otherwise, and whether being a journalist is still safe to aspire to at this age.

I fought with fellow journalists who decried the blatant suppression of the press and democracy. The shutdown was a personal battle to me as it opened up a stack of horrors in an already terrifying future. Seeing hundreds of media layoffs during the pandemic was already a scary thought to bear, and seeing more than a quadruple of those numbers was a nightmare that I keep with me until now.

Little did I know that seeing ABS-CBN shutting down was only just the beginning of this daunting realization of becoming a journalist. When I joined Rappler for a three-month volunteer work in the same year, I spoke to many student journalists being attacked and suppressed by their school, talked

to activists fearing to lose their basic human and civil rights amid the blatant red-tagging from various political forces, and even witnessed the press being the subject of the news with countless threats not only to ABS-CBN but to any other outfits critical of the government. While living in fear, an inch of hope still stayed in me as I thought that these attacks will eventually recede come 2022 when everyone is given the chance to restore the freedom that has been tainted for so long. Until the May 9 elections happened, and a dictator’s son was sworn into power – it felt like it was May 2020 all over again when everything turned dark, only that it is worse, more dangerous, and a thousand fold horrifying.

As I kickstart my career as a journalist in less than three months, my fear has changed, and so has my dream. This time, my fear lies not only from whether I will be able to land my dream of being a television reporter or not. The horror now comes from the fear of being able to dream free in a country that tells us otherwise, and whether being a journalist is still safe to aspire to at this age. Perhaps, I could only answer these thoughts when I get there – when I become at the frontline of stories, cover history as it unfolds, and witness the dangers of the world.

I entered college with the sole dream of being seen on tv – breaking the news, reporting on the ground, telling stories after the other. That goal still stands as I write this piece – but there are now bigger hopes to aspire for, and a more pressing battle to win and conquer. I know to dream for this to happen is not enough, so we grab the mic and pen, hold a strong grip of courage, and tell stories to the world.

OPINION

MARCH 2022 -JUNE 2022 | PAGE 5

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

What’s Next?

Since October 2021, a historical movement in Philippine history rose with millions of Filipinos holding a grip of courage, sheer determination, and relentless bravery to fight for their nation. They are packed with their own voices, beliefs, and hearts, inspiring millions to do what’s good and kind, and stand up for what radical love truly means. These acts of volunteerism have driven millions of Filipinos to hold on to hope even when the situation seemed hopeless—but the dream of a hopeful nation suddenly shattered after a tremendous loss. Right now, we are treading the path of moving forward from a shocking and painful loss, but a more pressing question stands for all of us now: What’s next?

When it comes to volunteerism, these people don’t need any introduction, supporters of the one and only Leni Robredo. The people who are part of those various organizations have been grinding, pushing themselves to the limit to give support to the woman.

For several months, thousands stormed the streets for

record-breaking rallies, weathered the blazing heat for house-to-house campaigns, and put up volunteer centers in each locality to cultivate a sense of volunteerism and nationalism among their fellow Filipinos.

As part of the millions of organizations who supported and fought for opposition leaders, being part of the campaign was such an honor as I know I stood at the right side of history. Seeing myself attending the rallies, handing out campaign materials, and assisting people is a remarkable act that I will always carry with me.

What happened during those months caught the hearts of the Filipinos, especially the youth who fought tooth and nail in hopes of sparking a new level of governance for the next 6 years. A government that does not treat its people as nemesis and terrorists when they are critical of them, governance that upholds decency of human lives, the governance you can be proud of.

Then the elections happened. I know millions of hopeful adults like me had grieved, cried, shattered into pieces, and

While the elections didn’t turn out to fall on our side, there is one thing that we have gained and will never lose: the heart of volunteerism. most importantly, angered. Angry at the system that enables a Marcos to return to power, angry at disinformation peddlers who distort history left and right, and angry at anyone hungry for power. While the elections didn’t turn out to fall on our side, there is one thing that we have gained and will never

lose: the heart of volunteerism. There are still millions of us who remain eager to dream for change, and fuel our burning fire to push programs that will help every Filipino, especially those who belong to what we call as “laylayan” or hem of the society. One of them is The Angat Buhay Program.

As a future journalist, I want to help in any way I can by telling stories to the world of what good governance could have been like. Talking to people, hearing their plight, and providing them a platform are just a few of the things I plan to put forward in further fueling the fire within me. As much as possible, I want to focus myself on going to people’s places to know their stories as I write them, feature their needs, and most importantly put truth into power.

If there’s one thing that never fades after a heartbreaking loss, that is I am still willing to give my all in upholding volunteerism in the best way I know how. The results of the elections may not be what I’ve hoped for, but the hope and dream for a nation we can be proud of still remains.

Walang pera sa Pilosopiya ”Walang pera sa Pilosopiya.” Iyan ang pangkaraniwan nating naririnig sa tuwing pag-uusapan ang pagtahak ng larangang ito bilang pangarap at karera sa buhay. Pero sa likod ng masaklap na katotohanan sa mga katagang ito, may natatagong yaman sa pagkuha

maikakaila na walang katumbas at direktang propesyon sa industriya ng pamimilosopiya. Kaya’t tunay na hindi natin masisisi sa mga mag-aaral kung bakit sumasagi sa kanilang isip ang mga walang katapusang tanong kung alin ang praktikal na kurso at alin ang hindi. Ito rin ay

ng Pilosopiya na higit pa sa anumang limpak ng salapi.

Sa ating pagtahak tungo sa buhay kolehiyo, kalimitan tayong pumipili ng kurso batay sa pansariling hilig, kasanayan, o di kaya’y kung ano ang praktikal at nakapagbibigay ng maayos na trabaho sa hinaharap. Isa ang Pilosopiya sa mahabang listahan ng mga kursong kinukuha bunsod ng personal na hilig at hindi dahil sa praktikal na rason. Marahil, bunga ito ng patong-patong na mga aspekto—mula sa personal na pag-aalinlangan hanggang sa idinidikta ng kumbensyunal na lipunan.

Dahil sa industriyang ito, tila ordinaryo at prominente ang linyang marahil na pinangangambahan ng kahit sino: “Walang pera sa Pilosopiya.”

Para sa isang mag-aaral ng pilosopiya na tulad ko, tanggap ko ang katotohanan sa likod ng mga katagang ito dahil mahirap ilugar ang napag-aralan para sa iisang tiyak na trabaho sa lawak ng maari nitong taglayin.

Kaliwa’t kanan man ang oportunidad na pwedeng tahakin pagkatapos ng taon-taong pagdadalubhasa sa paaralan, hindi

bunga ng mahaba at malalim na ugat ng neoliberalismo sa ating edukasyon – ang pagkundisyon sa atin ng sistema sa pamamagitan ng kurikulum na mas binibigyang pansin ang mga kakayahang nakatuon lamang sa pagpapatakbo ng mga korporasyon kaysa sa paglinang ng kabuuang kamalayan ng mga mag-aaral. Kasabay na rin nito ang pagpatay sa kultura ng kritikal na pag-iisip na siyang pumupuna sa maling patakaran ng kasalukuyang sistema, kasama na ang edukasyon.

Ngayon, ano nga ba ang maibigigay ng larangan ng pilosopiya? Bukod sa matibay na pundasyon na maaaring magamit sa law school, binigyan ako ng kursong ito ng pundamental na pang-unawa sa katotohanan. Tila bang nagiging natural na pag-isipan, kwestyunin, at kilatasin ang lahat ng bagay na nakakasalamuha bago ito tanggapin sa ating pansariling sistema. Dahil dito ay mas nahuhubog pa ang ating pagkatao, at natural na susunod na ang patuloy paglawak ng ating pag-unawa sa ating buhay, at ang buhay kasama ng iba pang namumuhay.

Ngunit hindi natatapos sa larangang pangakademiko ang maibibigigay ng Pilosopiya. Sabi nga ni Padre Roque J. Ferriols, S.J, “sapagkat ang

Ang makita na ang lipunang kinabibilangan ay may mayaman na kamalayan, at ang bawat isa ay ginagampanan ang kani-kaniyang tungkulin upang maging isang mabuting kapwa ang magdadala sa atin sa magandang kinabukasan na inklusibo at para sa ating lahat. pilosopiya ay ginagawa.” Ibig sabihin, ang kursong ito ay hindi lamang tumitigil sa pag-analisa, pag-iisip, at

pagmumuni-muni ngunit ang lahat ng mga bagay na pinagyaman sa pamamagitan ng pag-iisip ay nararapat lamang na maisakatuparan. Nararapat lamang na maibaba natin sa masa ang lahat ng natututunan upang makabuo tayo ng isang pulido, at natatanging kamalayan bilang Pilipino at bilang tao sa mundo.

Ang mga layuning ito ay madadala sa iba’tibang oportunidad pagkatapos nating harapin ang pilosopiya sa akademikong anyo. Sa lawak ng sakop nito, kahit na walang propesyon na katumbas ay hindi malilimitahan o makukulong sa iisang bagay lamang ang ating kakayahan. Kung kaya’t hindi dapat tingnan bilang isang negatibong bagay ang kalawakan nito kundi isang pagkakataon na dalhin pa ang natutunan sa iba’t-ibang larangan.

Ang bunga ng lahat ng pagsisikap na ito ay tila higit na mas masarap pa sa yaman o pera na makakamtan. Ang makita na ang lipunang kinabibilangan ay may mayaman na kamalayan, at ang bawat isa ay ginagampanan ang kani-kaniyang tungkulin upang maging isang mabuting kapwa ang magdadala sa atin sa magandang kinabukasan na inklusibo at para sa ating lahat.

WITBREAD

The musings of a first-time voter

by Ernest Gordovez (PSC22)

I woke up at 7:00 AM to vote—earlier than I usually do. I had only a whopping three to four hours of sleep last night, anticipating the elections, hoping I wouldn’t mess my vote up, trying to at least catch a peek of the brighter tomorrow that awaited the country.

7:30 AM, I got to the precinct. Time passed by: I voted, I left, I went home.

Now maybe it’s the coffee talking, or maybe it’s the sleep deprivation messing with my mind, but I’m... a lot of things. I feel a lot of things. I am hopeful. I am angry. I am inspired. I am saddened. I see the sun rising in the horizon, the sky a brighter shade. But dark clouds roll in to obscure my vision. I hear cries and shouts for change, the music of people who tire of the lies, the corruption, the perpetuation of the status quo. But in the distance, I hear echoes of gunshots and explosions, sirens and unrest. As a first-time voter, I carried my hope with me to the precinct, shaded the circles with my idealism, dropped my receipt into the box with a sense of pride. I had done something for my country. The indelible ink that marks my index finger is a badge of honor. And yet I come home to hear allegations of cheating, of busted machines and disappointing guidelines, of threats and violence, gunshots and explosions, pre-shaded ballots and self-serving politicians. So, I am angry. I am saddened. I am disappointed.

Honestly, it’s enough to make you lose hope. It’s enough to make you wallow in despair, stuck in a quicksand of a feeling of powerlessness.

As a first-time voter, it stings. I’ve heard people say they don’t want to vote because they feel that the powers of the status quo are too deep-rooted.

They’ve dug their tendrils so far into the ground that they have become nigh impossible to fell. The surveys are too damning, the propaganda too DLSU-D officials, along with student governments and organizations bolstered its presence during the election season, as they endorsed the election bids of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan for Halalan 2022.

widespread, the fanaticism too ingrained. Guns, goons, and gold rule the streets, an omnipresent, all-seeing panopticon watching your every move. I’ve had people ask me if I would vote again, given the dirty, nasty, and immature state of the country’s politics. I’ve had people tell me that the cause is hopeless, that the people will not choose correctly, that change will not come, that all politicians

I refuse to let hope die.

I refuse to let go of a brighter tomorrow. I refuse to give up on a chance for change. I refuse to give in when change is right there. are all the same, that what I see to be the sun rising is merely the night sky and the moon in disguise. I’ve felt hopeless. I’ve felt defeated. I’ve felt disappointed. But not today.

Now maybe it’s the coffee talking, or maybe it’s the sleep deprivation, or maybe it’s the anger and righteous indignation, but despite these things, I refuse to let hope die. Despite the messy elections and that constant pull of USEC announced its late plan to hold the Special Elections for AY 2021-2022 after declaring the failure of primary elections slated for December 2021. The commission has only announced the conduct of special elections in June, which leaves the student body less than a month to prepare for the polls.

hopelessness, I refuse to let go of a brighter tomorrow. I refuse to give up on a chance for change; I refuse to stop chanting along with the Filipino people who have long been maligned by the very people they trusted to lead and represent.

I refuse to give in when change is right there. I can see it. I can grasp it. These are the death throes of the old, the last squirms of dynasties slowly losing their power and of long-corrupt institutions that quiver in fear of the future. And if I am proven wrong, then so be it. But even if these forces are victorious, I refuse to lose hope. With hope alive, their days are numbered. With hope alive, the sun will rise once more on the horizon sooner or later, whether on its own or dragged into being by the force of our collective desire for change. The death of hope is the death of change, and we simply cannot let that be. I refuse to let that be. I will continue to hope.

And maybe it’s my youthful, naïve optimism talking, but I believe in the Filipino people. Jose W. Diokno once wrote that our history has always been one of a “continuous and continuing struggle for a just society.” I—we—are part of a long list of Filipinos that have fought with pen and bolo, blood and ink, for the betterment of this country. Do not let them take this away from us. Fear of cannons and gunpowder did not impede the Katipuneros’ charge. Fear of martyrdom or exile did not stay in the reformists’ pens. Fear of industrial and economic superiority did not anchor the ships that sailed to battle for our independence in the courthouses and assembly halls of America.

Hope only dies when we let it. The struggle only ends when we lay ourselves down in surrender—and now is not yet the time. There is more work to be done.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (OVCAR) suspended the medical insurance requirement for students before campus entry, as CHED repealed its mandatory insurance policy nationwide.

MARCH 2022 - JUNE 2022 | PAGE 6

N E W S F E AT U R E S

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

AYOKONG MAGMAHAL DLSU-D. Coalition of Concerned Lasallians in February 2020 as they staged a walkout protest in front of Waltermart Dasmariñas to resist the then impending tuition fee increase in DLSU-D.

Photo from HF Archives

Stepping forward

Strengthening student alliance as a dictator’s son returns to Malacañang

by Lance Mejico The year 2022 sets a scary and dangerous path for many Filipino youth, from their right to dissent being put on the line to the successful return of a Marcos and a Duterte into power. Many of them fear that history may not only repeat itself, but of being erased, distorted, and forgotten with the exacerbated effects of disinformation nowadays.

While some hid in fear and supported from afar, the number of young adults and students who came forward and braved the dangers of denouncing a dictator’s son went beyond the count. And DLSU-D students are just one of those who have gone beyond expectations.

Since the campaign started in February, student governments, organizations, and alliances in DLSU-D have vocally expressed their stance for the 2022 elections, what many believe as the most consequential elections in modern history. From changing their logos to pink, painting murals, to storming to streets as a show of force for opposition bets Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan, the DLSU-D student community makes history when it comes to matters beyond the campus. But as the months-long fight for what many hoped as a rise of ‘trustworthy and good governance’ didn’t turn out to favor on their side, a more pressing question now stands for the entire student body for the coming years and beyond: What’s next for Lasallian students under a Marcos-Duterte government?

Strengthening alliance Although the DLSU-D student community seems to have a dull history when taking a stand on social issues as a whole, there are a handful of young Lasallians who have been putting the fight to a movement even before the elections. The first to do so is the Coalition of Concerned Lasallians (CCL), a 25-member alliance composed of DLSU-D students from different colleges who aim to “uphold a pro-student and pro-people education.” Established in 2020, CCL is so far the only student alliance in the University that strives to forward progressive causes through

student dialogues, consultations, protests, and active involvement with national democratic organizations (NDMOs) to fight for the rights of its fellow students and youth.

When DLSU-D and several universities nationwide recommended a tuition fee hike in February 2020, CCL staged a walkout protest in front of Waltermart Dasmariñas to amplify its calls for the suspension of the then impending increase. Only a few students bravely joined the walkout at the time while the University Student Government’s (USG) lack of support was also called into question.

But this didn’t hinder the alliance from turning their plight into a movement—a response that many students hoped to come from their student leaders.

Despite the odds, the student alliance never stopped from continuing what has already been started, this time through making ends meet. While in a nationwide lockdown, CCL set up online dialogues and consultations with Lasallian students, from knowing their concerns during distance learning to participating in the #LigtasNaBalikEswkela calls in the country.

“Noong dumating ‘yung lockdown, actually CCL has been working with other mass organizations too like National Union Student of the Philippines, we have been working with them [...] sa pagpapalakas ng tawag sa Ligtas na Balik Eskwela and academic ease,” CCL Coordinator Bianca Canlas told The HERALDO FILIPINO.

Just like many student governments and organizations in campus, the student alliance has also been active in expressing their stance during the elections in their own means: joining Leni-Kiko rallies, campaigning for progressive leaders like Bayan Muna Chair Neri Colmenares, and mounting houseto-house campaigns. “Mostly ‘yung mga kaganapan let’s say sa creatives ganyan, pagsusulat ng mga statements in regards doon sa elections, and pagco-consolidate ng mga tao while we are on the grounds during the rally and house-to-house campaigns,” Canlas detailed when asked about CCL’s efforts during the election season.

The next step After suffering through what many believe as the dirtiest elections in history, what comes next is now the most crucial step for any student leaders and activists who will live through the MarcosDuterte generation. For a student alliance like CCL, the fire hasn’t ended with the results of the election— it’s only getting started.

On a student level, Canlas stressed two things that should be anyone’s utmost priority in the incoming administration: resistance to the possible implementation of mandatory ROTC in universities, and protection of academic freedom.

“We should continue to call na ‘wag i-push ‘yung mandatory ROTC sa loob ng schools kasi literal na ma-eendanger ‘yung buhay ng bawat isa dahil sa threat na makapapasok yung mga militar [...] and i-continue na i-feed ng black propaganda ‘yung mga estudyante,” she pointed out.

As disinformation stands as the biggest threat to history nowadays, protecting it from any attempts of distortion becomes a more pressing challenge. Canlas said people must now hold the line in keeping records of history, especially during the martial law regime by exposing youth to historical artifacts like books, films, music, and among others. She added engaging people to educational discussions and joining mobilization in streets would be a step forward in remembering the stories about the Marcos dictatorship, most especially the victims under the 21-year rule.

While these stand as essential steps in continuing the fight, the step to put student calls into legislation within the campus has yet to be taken. As the right to dissent remains at stake through countless red-tagging, CCL plans to lobby a bill to the USG that would protect the rights of students should these incidents arise within the campus.

Dubbed as the Anti-Red Tagging Bill, the CCL proposed draft lays out different forms of red-tagging may it be online, verbal, or physical, and identifies the level of sanctions for those who will commit such actions. The draft also prohibits any form of militarization inside the University, which is similar to the calls being pushed in other universities across the country. In line with this, The HERALDO FILIPINO reached out to the USG on the legislations they are eyeing to pass under the incoming Marcos-Duterte government, but said they ‘wish to keep it in private’ as their plans are still in progress as of now.

But aside from trying to put their movements into campus legislation, CCL is taking their mission to amplify the calls of students a step further—this time by aiming to govern the whole DLSU-D student body in the coming academic year (AY). In HF’s interview on June 11, Canlas revealed that few members of the CCL have already expressed their intention to run in the upcoming Special Elections set this June, in hopes of having more progressive leaders in the USG slate.

When asked how will she and CCL encourage their fellow Lasallians to take a bold stand under the coming Marcos-Duterte government, Canlas left strong words for the youth and student community: Isa sa mga pinaka-importanteng paraan para i-encourage ang mga Lasallians, of course, imulat sila doon sa reyalidad na meron tayo ngayon [...] hindi lang tayo as Lasallians, pero ‘yung nasa laylayan, mga magsasaka, mga manggagawa, na maintindihan nila bakit nangyayari itong opresyon [...] Napaka-importante rin na samahan sila doon sa magiging journey nila if they said yes na makibaka or to resist sa magiging dictatorship ng Marcos-Duterte. At gabayan sila doon sa mga maaring gawin, maaring possibilities na pagdadaanan natin as Lasallians, as student leaders under this regime.” *** Our hopes and dreams may have been shattered by a disheartening loss but never our fire to fight and resist. As the Filipino youth has started taking an important step in restoring the democracy that’s been tainted for so long, there should be no room for taking a step back when millions already took a step forward in ways beyond our reach.

Taking revolutionary steps would be the best arm against different forms of struggle, and the best path to take for those who want to break the status quo.

MARCH 2022 -JUNE 2022 | PAGE 7

F E AT U R E S

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

The Flip Side: How online gaming takes cognitive skills to a new level

by Adriel Jerome Toledo Graphic Art by Juliana Octavo

The inner child inside us is over the cloud nine whenever we get the chance to play video games, reliving childhood memories of outdated consoles and instances of being scolded by parents for playing too much. But as much as we want to savor these moments that spark momentary joy and pleasure, people that ridicule gaming, believing that it brings no good also spoil the fun.

Navigating the other side of the coin, unbeknownst to many, lies a huge potential that rests dormant within the virtual worlds. Given the many video games now available and accessible at our disposal, what else, aside from being a good sport, can it teach us?

Level 1: Trials by fire In the battlefields, two forces face off against each other with the goal of conquering the battleground, crowning the last team standing, or the team with least losses, as victor. Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML), League of Legends (LOL), Arena of Valor, and Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) are well-known examples of this, as they pave the way for enhancing one’s problem-solving skills, decision-making accuracy, strategizing, mind processing, and body and mind coordination.

Every second counts and the momentum of the game could shift in split seconds. Players adapt to the situation along with provided in-game information that also takes place in a fast-paced manner. Coming up with sound ingame decisions instantly puts players under the gun but this could challenge one’s ability to solve matters quickly in times of great adversities. Just like what happens in MOBA games, swift decision-making is applied in map and time awareness, positioning, and skill use.

More than the need for speed, precision and coordination in gaming are also key factors that lead to victory. In the highly competitive environment of gaming,

players cannot afford to have hits and misses during a door-die moment. One wrong click in survival shooting games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), Call of Duty (COD), Garena Free Fire, and Valorant, the momentum could easily turn and put the game over. Applying mind and body coordination outside the battlegrounds, gaming may help us in performing tasks that demand precise physical movements.

Level 2: Making the shot calls Aside from developing outstanding and vast game knowledge, gaming also lets the courageous to take the lead. Forming proper team synergy could make or break crucial matches, encouraging players to explore a variety of identities and styles to adjust with their teammates’ strengths and weaknesses. For some, this means taking command of the team and calling the shots. From stepping up to establish directions, making strategies on the fly—all these are required to survive in game matches, ultimately developing effective leadership under pressure.

Aside from learning to communicate mistakes or points for improvement towards others, a team leader is also expected to develop self-awareness and competence, which they may use to set an example for their team or promote healthy rivalry for the team.

On the other hand, multiplayer games may turn demoralizing if the turn of events no longer favors one’s side. Often, this serves as a test of a leader’s mental fortitude and composure. With victory on the line, a leader should

learn to adapt with the game environment and uplift the spirit of the team through dire straits. Delegating tasks and nurturing individual roles is a painstaking task for a goaloriented leader, but one that gaming highly encourages.

By taking charge during crucial moments, gaming also promotes confidence in taking leadership roles.

The leadership learned in a game always resonates beyond the four corners of the screen, from academics, organizational activities, work, and even serving as a precursor to making major changes in life. Gaming as an instrument for leadership improvement may seem bizarre that deviates from conventional ways we know of but it is time to go off the old school and recognize the possibility of growth in gaming.

Level 3: Expanding horizons Teamwork makes the dream work. The blockade towards the game objectives may appear impassable at times, yet team efforts never fail to make the victory facile.

Gaming does not only unify individuals within a team composition, but also connects them to a community that shares the same interest.

The gaming industry is never exempted from stereotypes, as gamers tend to be labelled aloof from the world due to their knack of enjoying gaming in a limited space. People tend to always look at them as the silent ones, the one impossible to talk to, the cold-hearted beings who seem to lack the ability of communicating their thoughts.

But despite the absence of physical interaction of gamers with others and a stack of stereotypes pressed against them, multiplayer gaming is also a channel of interpersonal communication. Reaching other players from the far corners of the world through servers, the connections

within a community continue to diversify. As people from different age groups, races, gender, socioeconomic status, and religions come together from a distance, gamers embrace diversity in ways that many don’t get to experience, proving that there is more to the stereotypical notions that the world keeps on holding from.

On the flip side, the conventional society also often associates gaming with addiction, social disconnection, poor academic or work performance, sleep deprivation, and stress.

For sure, every Filipino gamer has experienced hearing the phrase: “kaka-computer mo kasi ‘yan!” in their household, as if games could be the one and only source of all crappy things that come in life. Without moderation, these lines may turn out to be true. But contrary to popular belief of gaming being pointless and detrimental, the gaming industry now opens a field of opportunities and careers like Esports, with some players taking their beastmode spirit to an extra mile. Taking the world by storm, Esports has made its way to the global arena, leading skilled players to set milestones and history like any other successful individuals out there. As aspirants take chances of turning a mere pastime into a viable career, gamers know how to win and conquer battles from left and right, and shoot their way straight to triumph. *** Similar to gaming, life comes across to perilous trails of quests. One may have outstanding gameplay and builds, but never a flawless one. We don’t need to be gamers to know no specific playstyle can work forever, nor is there a certain path to victory every single time. What gaming can teach us, however, is that there is always room for comebacks and clutches. The journey to one’s life aspirations may be an uphill battle, but every loss presents a learning opportunity. After all, online games cannot be paused just like how life goes on.

The Defense of the Frail Vulnerability is often associated with moments of flaw and hitting the lowest points in life, which is why most of us choose to avoid it at all costs. There’s the sensation of malicious eyes following every step we take, causing us to build our walls thicker and higher in order to avoid being judged. Trust takes years to build trust, but it is fragile as thin glass. As assumptions and suspicions formulate inside our heads, the fear that they would creep into reality makes one’s blood run cold. In times of desperate need, it seems impossible to cry for help without thinking of my weaknesses being taken advantage of.

Everything becomes a competition in a resultsdriven society. Standards have to be met, and one must fit in leagues of excellence to a point that the weaknesses of others are utilized to gain the upper hand in the race.

Life aspirations could be reached at one point, but at what cost? Sabotage? Selfishness? Greed? Betrayal?

College education is believed to open doors of opportunity in the future, but toxic competition continues to manifest within the four corner walls of the learning grounds. I hold no grudge towards the idea of getting ahead in life with sheer dedication and hard work, but nothing’s more distasteful than the use of underhanded methods like backstabbing and work sabotage in a fight that is supposed to be fair and square. Unfortunately, the competition in modern society only grows steeper, pushing us to let moral integrity slide with ease down the drain.

Along my life journey, I had a fair share of distasteful experiences with people who are corrupted with selfishness and malice. In perfect clarity, I remember the promises they once told me but once I hit rock bottom, they were nowhere to be found. Instead, they stand behind with a knife thrusted upon my back. Empty promises once made me feel like I’m on cloud nine but

now I watch my wounds bleed after foolishly believing they were genuine.

The once bright smile faded and the loudest laugh echoed in an empty cold room. After a day of

Tearing the pages smeared with blood from paper cuts and the wind carries them away, a chapter starts anew lying through teeth, tears fell and the mask wore off in the darkest after hours. The sun rises again from the east yet the burden of yesterday seems to take too long to set in the west.

Drowning in blues and screaming at the top of my lungs, seeing the people who once vouched to support me not even lift a finger, left me to rot to circling vultures above. Wishing for the time to fly or turn back the hands of time, time might never mend the pain and heal the deepest scars. The walls I have built around may be impregnable and the cold heart cannot be thawed with the warmest gestures for years, but regret won’t cross my mind as I control the damages that life would further inflict.

Wandering in shrouds of dense fog, the light tears a rift in the dark clouds illuminating the trails away from the darkest chapters and lowest points. Tearing the pages smeared with blood from paper cuts and letting the wind carry them away, a chapter starts anew. No one knows how long it would take to savor these moments, but someday, we’ll be freed from the chains of yesterday that once strangled our past.

F E AT U R E S

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VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

The thinking game: How overthinking stands in the way to progress

by Elaine Belen and Maria Victoria Busine

Graphic Art by Charles Howard Gaa

The mind is constantly churning out different kinds of thoughts, from the most profound ones to those that are out of the blue. From thinking to ignore our 6 AM wakeup call to sudden thoughts of changing our career path, we always make choices in our every day routine. No one in this world has not second guessed their decisions at least once in their lives—may it be the mundane or life-defining ones, including a wide array of scenarios that are unlikely to happen. At the moment of planning, we tend to mull over decisions to be made and every possible outcome, leading down to the spiral of overthinking. Overthinking is a roadblock that many people fall into, but what does this say about how we view the steps we need to take to move forward?

An endless mind wheel Getting stuck in a distressing cycle of overanalyzing thoughts and weighing matters of concern may appear like going around in a hamster wheel without solving anything.

In the research article Rethinking Rumination, Susan NolenHoeksema, Blair E. Wisco, and Sonja Lyubomirsky theorized that overanalyzing everything interferes with problem-solving, causing us to dwell on the problem rather than find solutions.

Spending more time understanding the causes and meaning of our thoughts creates these constant loops of thought, which becomes an automatic self-protection mechanism.

The severe habit of overthinking could be developed early in life, often as a child, as expectations and frustrations are pressured upon them. From being conscious of how well we excel in our monthly exams to more pressing dilemmas of adulthood, this brings us to another reason to overthink with the illusion of being in control whenever worrying goes out of hand. However, it only does little to no improvement when thinking about the course of events and possible outcomes turns into an unproductive way.

Planning ahead with repetitive thoughts could make simple decision-making seem challenging. There is this certain illusion of certainty that often manifests as a form of being in-denial of uncertainty. Keeping ourselves stuck in problemsolving mode makes us assume that there is a solution at hand to the problem if only we keep thinking about it repeatedly.

Down the rabbit hole Spiralling or being stuck happens more likely than you think, especially when it involves the perception of others about us. Falling down the rabbit hole of overthinking can be fueled by our fear of failure, wanting to avoid disappointing others, or the pressure to be successful in life.

Pondering over the details can be beneficial when preparing for the crucial decisions, but nitpicking these little details can be counterproductive at times and trap you in a loop of questions that prevents you from taking action.

Even as you carefully consider all the possible advantages and disadvantages behind the choices you have to make, the worry may still remain and cause distress.

Therapist Vicki Botnick once underscored that in the usual decision-making process, we picture a list of the full range of possibilities, and narrow it down easily, crossing out outliers and unlikely choices. However, when stuck with analysis paralysis, one gets mired in the possibilities behind the choices we make. “They feel ever-expanding, endless, and all equally probable,” Botnick explained.

Possibilities are often viewed in a positive light, wherein we are free to choose what we want. However, this can lead us to obsess about problems that don’t even exist in the first place, further hampering our progress. Overthinking can make us second guess every bit of decisions we make, constantly placing us back to a one tireless place of endless

Controlling your purse strings

by Adriel Jerome Toledo

Graphic Art by Alexandrea Rey

Living life to the fullest and planning a secured future costs a fortune as the hustle becomes twice as back-breaking these days. Savoring life’s pleasures while we can becomes an easy way out when our longterm plans seem to get further and further away—but soon we hit the cap and regret the impulsive decisions we have made along the way. Making smart decisions with money sounds easy, but difficult to practice in a world that seems to tempt you with the next shiny thing.

Wanting to be wise with your finances is natural, especially when you have fought tooth and nail to earn them. But financial literacy goes beyond just saving money, as it requires a basic grasp of financial management to prevent our money from going down the drain. As many beginners always find it difficult to start somewhere, The HERALDO FILIPINO listed down some orders you may add to cart and check out, from simple management tips to investing to a kind of future we all dream to happen.

1. Keep track of expenses With expenses piling up from left to right, we often do not have the time to keep track of where our hard-earned money goes. As students, there are also other fees that we might overlook like our excessive As students, there are also other fees that we might overlook like our excessive last minute food deliveries from Foodpanda and Grab, the monthly Netflix and Home Box Office (HBO) subscriptions, and other leisure activities that could easily put our money down the drain. While letting go of these expenses would be difficult to bear, keeping track of them would not cost you any harm. Either an old-fashioned notepad,

a simple sheet tracker, or digital applications such as Wallet and Monefy could be a start on keeping tabs over your weekly and monthly budget.

2. Identify needs and wants There is no doubt that retail therapy works wonders when we’re feeling down. The high we get from spending can feel like we’re buying our way through stress, but research from Regis University says that our shopping decisions must be put in moderation in order to cut unnecessary expenses. This means cutting the impulse and instead contemplating future purchases. Using the 48-hour rule could help create objective decisions especially when having

circles. While a healthy self-reflection can help in making wise choices and realization of actions, overthinking could sometimes be a form of mental torture that takes its toll, according to psychotherapist Amy Morin.

Beyond expectations Stemming from the desire of achieving a goal, we tend to develop the habit of overthinking without realizing it underlies our imperfect expectations to turn it into a perfect reality. Our minds tend to create a constant replay of events once in a sudden, letting you think what could have happened had you done things the other way around.

Of course, there are no direct escapes to steer away from perfection as human nature always tells us to do things right: getting straight A’s in exams, finishing a degree to land our dream job, submitting your scripts on time to amaze your superiors, and more. However, the other side of the coin also tells us that too much contemplation attains nothing but unproductive overthinking– and it doesn’t hurt to set it aside at least once in a while.

While it is true that striving for perfection can be productive, the problem comes when we get stuck and overthink the ways that we could get there. The almost but

unachieved moments, the one point mark that could make a difference—these are the things that we keep to ourselves hard enough, and so we do not settle for things that are less than perfect. Striving for perfection all the time can make us believe that we failed if we do not make the correct choice, as if there is only one best option in a million of choices surrounding us. Instead of the all-or-nothing mentality that overthinking makes us believe, it is much easier to take things one step at a time and determine which decisions are worth your time to mull over. *** It does not take much to get caught up in the choices we make and the possibilities that we have yet to explore. But amid these choices come the struggles in deciding what we want and the regrets we get along the way, which sometimes blinds us to the simple wonders of living in itself. To move forward in life, weighing life decisions and planning for our future is only the beginning. Thinking less may seem too much for us to bear, but it can also lead us somewhere that we can grow and thrive best.

second thoughts just by simply writing down the item’s name and price into a handy notepad instead of checking out unnecessary items.

Within the 48-hour period, allow yourself to reflect about the desired item and ask yourself these questions: is it really necessary or not? Is it a “need” or a “want”? Because if your answer to both of these questions are the latter, then you might as well reevaluate your purchase plans.

more. Vigilance and decisiveness is of utmost importance in encounters with financial scam attempts. Ignoring suspicious messages, emails, and links is a hassle-free option. It also helps to use a much proactive approach and report the scam attempts to authorities to make criminals behind accountable.

3. Avoid the inescapable pit of debts The temptation of splurging money for temporary relief and satisfaction is a test of selfcontrol especially when the algorithms seem to know exactly what we want before we even realize it. Oftentimes, expenditures go out of hand to a point that we resort to borrowing money just to satisfy our urges, therefore leading us to an inescapable pit of impulsive and unproductive spending. Whenever these temptations get loud and resistance seems futile, remember this: no amount of sales and discounts would pay your household bills, your personal needs, and monthly fees that are more pressing than any new arrival items in your shopping cart. Consider taking debts only if the situation calls for it, like emergencies, immediate payment of bills, and more. If debts are quicksands for those who even dare to dip their toes in it, how much more for those who borrow for luxuries?

4. The splurge and peer pressure Our social circles may put pressure on us to spend money for a casual hangout, which may result in following the steps of frivolous spending.

Being with people who do not enchant you with Shopee or Lazada budols can be a lifesaver, along with friends who do not make you feel bad when skipping a samgyeopsal lunch because of its expensive offers. Surround yourself with friends that talk about saving for the future, investing on secured life plans, and even kickstarting a small business with you. Occasional splurges are understandable, but when splurge is all your circle of friends entices you to do, then it may be wiser to step away for a while and save for the future.

5. Beware of scams Scam artists never run out of ideas in finding ways to trick people into financial scams, utilizing online platforms in various ways to get you to fork over your hard-earned cash. Little to no financial literacy renders individuals vulnerable against phishing, identity theft, investment scams, safe account scams, and many

6. Consider opening savings account Opening a savings account can save you when unprecedented things come your way. No one knows when an emergency strikes, so it’s better to be one step ahead from future troubles. For students who might be earning their hard-earned income at this age, you might find this point as the right time to open an account when rules are more convenient and lenient. For instance, some bank institutions only require a minimum deposit of P100.00 in opening an account – small enough for those aspiring to turn their three-digit savings into six sustainable digits. The pressure of adding more to these savings may daunt us along the way, but the rewards we can reap from good financial management may bring us more than what we sow.

7. Familiarize with investments and insurance There’s no telling what life has to offer us, may it be good or bad, but it doesn’t hurt to always gear up for some worst case scenarios. A well-prepared future that we could lean on in tough times is the whole point of venturing into worthy investments and even getting an insurance plan. From opening small startups, buying a house and lot, to securing life insurance plans, being in the know of these things head on prepares us for anything that lies ahead in life. Investing in things that are close to home – may it be the simple habits you are so passionate about or bigger yet riskier ventures, is sometimes the jump you need towards the most worthwhile leaps you can ever take. Consider these investment plans not only as a starter pack, but a sustainable venture that could help you reach your end goal whatever roadblocks that tomorrow may bring. *** Adulthood requires sharp decision-making and a keen sense of responsibility as we become independent in exploring the world outside our comfort zones. Planning ahead of time and a controlled lifestyle may not automatically guarantee a prosperous tomorrow, but it wouldn’t cost us a fortune nor harm when we try mapping out things. Remember, a step ahead is always better than stepping backwards or not taking any steps at all.

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LITERARY

MARCH 2022 2022 -- JUNE JUNE 2022 2022 || PAGE PAGE 12 12 MARCH

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Colors in Passing

By Jacinth Banite

I thought it was going to be an ordinary day for me where I’ll wake up to a gloomy sky in a makeshift cart loaded with old cardboard pieces and dried coconut husks. Usually, my day begins with a hollow stomach—left rumbling after having nothing else but a nearly spoiled leftover pares that some random lady gave me last night. The obnoxious clamor of passing vehicles will linger and fade like how discreet footsteps unceasingly greet me with a snob as they pass by. I’ll leave my spot before an officer with fuddled eyes orders me to. Slow like my strides, the sun will drain me empty while I push my four-wheeled home across the street of Avenida—the same old pavement I’ve been traversing almost half my life. Along the way, I’ll ask strangers for a coin or two to buy myself cold water in cellophane, and a piece of freshly baked pandesal—enough to sustain my hunger as the day takes another full turn and repeats itself.

Strangely enough, none of that happened today. Surprisingly, things were heightened, louder, worse, but seemingly better. The sun has yet to rise when blasting honks of vehicles shocked me out of my sleep. Instead of rapidly driving through the street like usual, they were lined up in front of one another, moving idly in the middle of the road. The few passersby had turned into crowds of people piling on the sidewalk, well-evading into my territory.

If there’s something about this day I did not find despicable, it’s the one thing I barely get to see on ordinary days, colors. The day was colorful, as crowds, banners, and trailers marched forward in the street, gleaming.

I never learned how to count, but I’d bet the line of colors shifted many times in a row, in varying intervals. First, it was white, then it was blue. Later, it became red marching together with green. Then, there was the loudest horde of them all, blushing like lilac.

As I witnessed such a royal parade, I’m still uncertain what it is all about. Maybe, it’s all about the people of each shade, who stood firmly in the street from first light to dusk, persistently screaming familiar names. Maybe it’s about the banners that were waving high and proud. Perhaps, it was all nothing but mere colors in passing. Because at the end of the day, the entire street of Avenida will turn into a weary space once again, the crowd reduced to a few shadows lingering in the night, as the evening remained dark as it has always been.

True enough, the next day, everything went back to the ordinary—I woke up to a gloomy sky in a makeshift cart loaded with old cardboard pieces and dried coconut husks.

Allegory of the Clouds

By Glaiza Bernadette Cabillon

Just Kisses

By Shekynah Angelene Samadan

Tales speak of the sky being blue

catch a glimpse of your ref lection—a

soft kisses under subtle touches

for it resonates with the ocean. Such

gleaming remnant of yesterday. Because

lingers like echoes

a blissful foreword to the life that’s

before the sky was orange, you were blue.

a scream traversing

about to set forth. With the waves

So blue that the rest from the palette of

empty corridors

calling upon the whispers of the wind,

colors were but faint shades compared

woes become one with the breeze as it

to when the world was being painted.

withers away.

Beneath the clouds as pale as the ashes,

When the dawn breaks and the sun

you shower from the tears it shed. But it

peeks from the edge of the horizon,

made no cut because your heart was already

only then will the colors be seen. Yet,

a storm way before the lightning struck.

you are frightened as you are being scorched, so you refuse to embrace the f lames that kindle your might. But even such a vast torch lit, like the sun during the day, is set to vanish at night.

And when the weary clouds begin to mirror the vibrance of the corals, you

When the dusk turns pitch black,

we crave kisses, just kisses and we ask for nothing more our lips graze beyond our surfaces

and the shining stars seem too far to

it is deep without

reach and too great to grasp, think of

being ruthless

what it will be like in your dreams at night. When you close your eyes, a

we explore each other

place far greater than the skies awaits

in deep-blue wonder

your dawn.

with depth beyond all measure

LITERARY

MARCH 2022 2022 -JUNE - JUNE2022 2022||PAGE PAGE13 13 MARCH

VOLUME ISSUE VOLUME 3636 ISSUE 3 3

Who Drew Me?

By Bernard Sta. Ana

Trenches of paper build up as I threw, Ink-like tears stream down my cheeks, Scribbled thoughts bothers me full, In this grayscale world, my wondering reeks.

Confined in a space enveloped with doubts, Embracing my truth as the silence is loud Perhaps, I’m falling into a pit of questions, In the feat of finding, I saw my true ref lection.

As I paint the walls with colors I want to be, Each stroke tells me, it’s my peace guaranteed.

The world is my canvas and I am the artist, How you see it, the way it looks, is all up to me.

These trenches of paper served as my fortress, These tears I used as ink became my fuel.

These scribbled thoughts turned harmonious, at last!

I drew this world, let these self-doubts avast!

And then college happened Sixteen-year-old me in highschool

First travel all by myself, a first

we outgrow things in college, growing

one another, not to mention the hurdles

would be very much excited to talk

legal shot of alcohol, first overnight to

pains become aggressively real. That

of being the second born in the family –

about the future—career, adulting,

a friend’s house just to name a few.

rejection over a project I worked hard

the gravity of these things started sinking

and life goals. She had it all figured

For a long time, I held on to those

for, that heartbreak from people I really

in when college happened. And now, it

out that she even outlined a checklist

terms only to realize that they are all

cared about, that failing grade that didn’t

makes me think how come people get

about her plans: to get a well-paying

oversimplifications of what college is like.

job right after she graduated, buy her

Being in my senior year today, I’ve

own car at twenty-five, publish a book

learned that there’s more to college

of her own before reaching the age

than silly first times. This is the phase

of thirty, and the list goes on. This girl

where we grow and understand our

always knew what she wanted for herself.

own existence. If I were to define it,

And then college happened.

We

often

and never the things we all should be warned about. In a way, perhaps these things are not something we should hear or know from others, because the only way to really understand the value of growing up is by genuinely

its opposite ends. While college paves

unsolicited pieces of advice about

for intractable coming-of-age, this is

getting

of

also the phase in life where we get to

education. A bunch of adults I know

realize how young we are —chances are

believe that this is the stage where we

abundant, and our liberty becomes valid.

get to experience a lot of firsts and

While college allows us to dream big and

meet new people in our life. Taking

make new friendships, it also makes us

all of them into account, I grew fond

realize that some dreams are not meant

of having those first times and the fun

to happen, as some relationships are

land me on the honor’s list, and the loads of

continue to be the naïve young woman

people kept telling me about.

never meant to last. Above all, while

responsibility that keeps overlapping with

that she is, until college happens.

the

people

to tell us the good stuff about college

sharing

into

hear

college for me is like unfolding life in

It makes me think how come people get to tell us the good stuff about college and never the things we all should be warned about. In a way, perhaps these things are not something we should hear or know from others, because the only way to really understand the value of growing up is by genuinely going through it.

tertiary

level

going through it.

The 16-year-old me in high school might not have any idea what the future really holds for her, nor should she. That checklist she’s clinging onto may or may not become a reality. The perception she keeps might contradict her belief later on. Regardless, she will

MARCH 2022 - JUNE 2022 | PAGE 14

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

Two-time SEA Game medalist Ran Abdilla in HF’s Feature in 2020.

Photo from HF archives

Sergio from page 16 for the second time around.

He emphasized, “Kung io-offer naman sakin talaga, naghintay lang akong ibalik ulit sa position. Walang masyadong factor akong na-consider (kung tatanggapin ba o hindi) kasi ito talaga ‘yong mahal kong opisina.”

Vision for DLSU-D sports community When asked for one word to describe how he envisions the DLSU-D sports community under his new term in SDO, the coordinator

repeatedly thought of one thing: empowered. He sets his sights on bringing back the glory days of the University— to being the top school again in the region when it comes to sports.

Aiming to lead the Patriots back to the global sports scene, Sergio recounted the days when DLSU-D was at the height of joining international leagues under his belt. “Pag-alis ko no’ng 2014 (sa SDO), papunta na kami no’n sa international competitions.

During that time, our school was affiliated with the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP). Ito yung nagre-represent sa Philippines sa Universiade. Ito yung isa sa mga ini-envision ko—more international exposure to our athletes,” he recalled.

To attain these visions though, Sergio also emphasized the importance of his connection to other sectors of the University. He believes that the best sports programs are not just produced by the sports office alone, but a collaborative effort of the whole Lasallian community.

Five-year development plan Apart from continuous collaboration with various sectors in the University, Sergio is well-aware that step-by-step plans and processes are what they need to finally return to the sports limelight. To make this possible, the SDO chief

disclosed that he is crafting a five-year sports development plan that first aims to restore athlete training, recruitments, and participation in local competitions. When DLSU-D finally gets back into its track, this is the time where Sergio will bolster the University’s presence in both national and international sports events.

To embark on the development program, the priority of the new SDO head is to bring back the training to normal and onsite setup. He stated, “‘Yong trainings ay inaallow ng CHED pero madaming restrictions. Almost all (schools) sa region ay nahihirapan to meet those requirements. But we, the sports heads in the region, are confident that the rules given by the CHED will be relaxed. And by that time, ‘pag nangyari ‘yon, we can go back to training sa lahat ng sports.”

However, Sergio acknowledges the fact that all these plans will only be accomplished once the finances for sports are secured. As of press time, he shared that budget proposals are still pending for approval by the administration. SDO, meanwhile, is working on sponsorships for additional funds, as Sergio believes that the office cannot rely on the budget given by the University alone.

In the meantime, the new SDO coordinator said he already talked to some of the possible coaches regarding the future sports programs and tryouts that are targeted to resume under full capacity once everything is set in stone. *** With Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Premier Volleyball League (PVL), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and all other national sports leagues returning back from two-year suspension since the COVID-19 pandemic, all eyes are on the DLSU-D sports community as we wait and see whether it can be brought back from hiatus sooner just like them.

Now, the University has taken one significant step that will hopefully inch us closer back to what we’ve missed.

As our new SDO Coordinator Gerardo Sergio reminds, “Sa athletes, kaunting hintay na lang. And to the sports community, we need all your support dito sa program natin.

Sana magsama-sama tayo dito sa all efforts na magagawa ng SDO.”

SPORTS

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VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

Soaring champion DLSU-D alumna Gia Llanes dominates Sea Games Women’s Wild Rift

by Adriel Jerome Toledo represent the school because we thought that we have chances of winning since we believe in the skills of us Lasallians,” she told The HERALDO FILIPINO. Aiming to turn her rookie skills into professional gameplays, Llanes also remembered the days when she first set foot in the competitive world of Esports.

While she seems sure and confident of the talent she has, Llanes still knows there is more to hone and achieve in her pursuit as a professional player.

“People who I first played with when I was a beginner said that I also have that talent but it needs to be trained and polished so I started to be dedicated,” the Lasallian pride shared.

As the whole world felt the unprecedented shift brought by the pandemic, the Esports community is no exception in suffering the drawbacks of the health crisis. Tracing back in time, Llanes said she never got the chance to play LOL again but remained optimistic with the launch of Wild Rift in late 2020. As one door closes, a new door opens.

“When the pandemic started, I never got the chance to play LOL again. Good thing, Wild Rift was released so I started playing it as it [is] the mobile version of LOL,” Llanes said.

Photo by Gia Llanes (Contributor) The world of Esports has opened opportunities that are beyond the count, from unlocking the possibility of pursuing a profession that was once just a pastime to forging acclaimed champions that bring honor to the homeland. Taking the world by storm, the Philippines yet again spawned fierce and outstanding Esports players with a historical win in Women’s League of Legends: Wild Rift at the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. One of them hails all the way from DLSU-D, a GrindSky Eris player and country’s champion, Gia Llanes.

Not for the faint of hearts, the expanding horizon of highly competitive Esports demands more than just talent, but also refined technical skills, a professional mindset, sheer determination, and sacrifices. Withstanding the nerveracking pressure points, the story of Llanes tells us that champions are definitely not born, but made.

A champion’s humble beginning Taking a trip down memory lane, Llanes recounted how she always loved playing video games since childhood. Fueling this burning passion as years went by, she then joined local leagues in college that set the beginning of her road to victory. Before raising the country’s banner as a

professional Wild Rift player in the international scene, the BS Tourism graduate first raised the flag of DLSU-D patriots at the League of Legends Collegiate League (LCL) back in 2015.

“It was 2015 when I first joined the LCL for DLSU-D. That time, me and my schoolmates just wanted to

En route to glory Standing between a trodden black road and a road not taken, Llanes was once torn in the middle of choosing education or pursuing a career in gaming like many gamers go through in life.

Making up her mind in times of dilemma, she decided to steer clear from gaming momentarily to concentrate on her studies — but for not so long as opportunities once knocked on her door. Taking the chance, fortune favored the brave as Llanes qualified to compete overseas which led to her exposure as a professional player.

“It paid off because my team won [the] qualifier and we went

to Singapore for that tournament.

With that win, it became my first time flying overseas and being in the news as an Esports player,” she recalled.

Cementing her career further as an Esports professional player, Llanes plays as support of the GrindSky Eris team, and her role on the battlefield transcends beyond the virtual world of Wild Rift. Tested by trials of fire and time, Llanes guides them with a lion’s share of experience in Esports under her belt. The topnotch synergy that she has formed with the team led to understanding them without saying a word.

To the victor go the spoils and the loss of face to the defeated. The journey of a professional player is not sunshine and rainbows, sharing moments of triumph and upsetting yet humbling defeats.

“We professional players are human too. We also feel pressure every upcoming tournament and feel depressed every time we lose,” Llanes expressed in an interview.

In the lowest points and heart-breaking times, Llanes chooses not to dwell in it along with her teammates.

“When I lose, I just take a pause to reevaluate my skills, routine, and mindset and get back on the game to fix what I think is lacking. I also talk to my team [about] what we should do next so we won’t repeat our mistakes the next time.”

The next leg of the journey Clinching the country’s first gold medal in a female tournament in the SEA Games Esports history, the question of what’s coming next for Llanes stands harder than ever. But it is only just the beginning of more thrilling gameplays for the Lasallian champion, as she keeps her nose on the grindstone.

“I am looking forward [to] playing in big stages again like the biggest professional league in Wild Rift which is Wild Rift

Champions SEA (WCS) and hopefully, Olympics, if there will be one,” she shared when asked about her future plans.

Driven with inspiration and passion, Llanes’ battle does not only end in the virtual battlefield of Wild Rift as she seeks to champion a greater cause — breaking the glass ceiling for women in Esports.

“I also noticed that there are only a few girls that are joining.

Most are being ridiculed as being weak because of [their] gender.

I’m competitive by nature and I always do what I can to be good at something so I said to myself, I should be really good at the game to break the stereotypes,” Llanes said on shattering discriminative gender barriers.

The expedition of a professional player to the top may be gruelling at times, but it is this burning fire and passion that made her the champion she is today.

“Make your passion your profession. There is nothing [more] rewarding in this world than doing what you love, earning from it, and leaving a legacy from it. Weigh your sacrifices so you still have something to rely on when you fail on your journey as a pro.

Good luck my fellow gamers,’’ said Llanes on life decisions and building legacy. *** From the abilities honed over years of hefty training under a pressuring competitive environment, professional players are capable of reclaiming the narratives of Esports being a lost cause into a career that brings honor to the country and changes lives for the better. As the Patriot Gia Llanes hit the road to becoming a professional Esports player, gaming could literally take one farther and further to victory, as they soar high and be a champion of their own story.

Full sports program set to return by August or September - SDO

by Lance Mejico After a two-year hiatus of athletic leagues and activities on campus, a “full sports program” is expected to return by August to September 2022, according to newly-appointed Sports Development Office (SDO) Coordinator Gerardo Sergio III. This means athletes can expect the comeback of onsite training and leagues, which have been suspended since the years-long lockdown brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, Sergio said the SDO is eyeing to resume face-to-face training for athletes under full capacity once the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approves the University’s proposal for resumption of physical practice.

When asked which sports will be prioritized when face-toface training returns, he said all athletes from different sports programs will be able to train onsite under 100 percent capacity.

“As long as we will be allowed by CHED, back

to normal tayo,” the SDO Coordinator noted.

Sergio also shared that SDO will look into joining local leagues once they resume physical training for athletes.

This is part of the office’s fiveyear sports development effort, which outlines the roadmap plan of DLSU-D when it comes to University sports.

Under this program, rebuilding the University’s presence in local competitions will be placed as the utmost priority of the new SDO administration, along with its gradual plan to rejoin

national and international competitions. In the same interview, Sergio disclosed that the CHED had invited DLSU-D for a beach volleyball league during the current academic year (AY), but declined due to unavailability of players.

Revival of recruitment program, scholarship benefits Although recruiting new breed of athletes is part of SDO’s five-year development project, there is still no definite plan on reviving the University’s recruitment program next AY, according to Sergio. He said

the University will still have to prioritize its displaced athletes who have been inactive in the sports scene for two years since the pandemic struck.

“Ang priority natin ngayon is yung mga displaced athletes, ‘yung mga hindi pa nakakapagtapos na athletes [...] once meron pang kaunting space with the budget, we can recruit more athletes to help our school’s program,” he said.

Sergio also added that athletes may expect to regain their full benefits once training returns to normal conditions.

In HF’s interview with Office of the Student Services (OSS) Dean Domingo Reblora Jr. in January, he stated that athletes are now converted into studentassistant status who may get up to 50 percent of scholarship grant should they pass the

requirements of the University’s scholarship office.

Meanwhile, Sergio affirmed Reblora’s previous statements to revive the collection of athletic fees among students by AY 2022-2023, which has been temporarily suspended since the halt of athletic leagues. SDO is eyeing to charge an estimate of P1,000 fee per student, slightly lower than the P1,200 athletic fee collected in pre-pandemic years.

“Actually iyon talaga ‘yung request namin - to collect again athletic fees at least sa mga students to sustain our sports program,” he mentioned in the interview.

Plans on rehiring coaches With the return of onsite training finally underway, Sergio said ‘majority’ of displaced

coaches of the University will also be rehired when conditions get back to normal.

“Actually ang priority ko ‘yung mga former coaches natin, sila talaga ‘yung priority.

Ine-evaluate ko rin ‘yung mga naging accomplishments nila in the last five years noong nawala ako doon sa office [..] I think majority ng mga coaches na meron tayo before the pandemic will still be our coaches pero may mga kaunting changes,” Sergio noted.

DLSU-D coaches have been relieved from their posts in 2020 as the sports scene suffered major drawbacks when the pandemic hit. Despite this, some coaches continued to train the school’s athletes during the first few months of lockdown, as per Reblora in a previous interview.

MARCH 2022 - JUNE 2022 | PAGE 16

MARCH 2022 - JUNE 2022

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

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VOLUME 36 ISSUE 3

SPORTS NEWS Sports program page 15

SPORTS REACT

Onsite training page 14

SPORTS FEATURE

Soaring champion page 15

BOUNCING BACK. DLSU-D alumni and Senior High School faculty return to their home court in a clash for a semi-final spot in the first President’s Sports Cup in years since the pandemic.

Photo by Miguel Luis P. Abenales

DLSU-D alumni win big at 31st SEA Games

by Christine Marie Romero

Two alumni from DLSU-D made history and set new milestones for the country after chipping in a gold and a bronze to the Philippines’ 227-medal haul in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held on May 12 to 23 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Gia Joanne “Jeeya” Llanes, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Tourism alumna, and former ace Patriot spiker and BS Criminology graduate Alnakran “Ran” Abdilla continued to showcase Lasallian excellence in the international stage as they landed strong finishes for the country in their respective sports events.

Together with Philippines’ Wild Rift women’s squad, Llanes clinched the country’s first esports gold medal in the 31st SEA Games via a sweep against Singapore on May 18.

The Sibol Team composed of Charize Joyed Doble, Rose Ann Marie Robles, Christine Ray Natividad, April Sotto, Angel Lozada, and Llanes

scored a commanding 3-0 win in the final match, making them the first all-female team champions in the SEA Games esports history.

The Filipinas were assertive throughout the competition with a near perfect record, dropping only one game in the entire competition to complete their dominating

performance en route to the gold medal victory.

In 2015, Llanes was also a part of the DLSU-D Green Patriots who represented the University in the League of Legend Collegiate League.

In an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, the former tourism student shared that she still looks forward to playing in big international stages like the Wild Rift Champions Series after elevating her esports journey into the global arena.

Meanwhile, Abdilla, a former DLSU-D volleyball standout earned his second consecutive SEA Games medal after Philippines’ men’s beach volleyball team outlasted the host country Vietnam, 2-1, in the battle for third on May 20.

Similar to Llanes’ squad, the country’s beach volleyball pride in Jude Garcia, Anthony Arbastro Jr., Jaron Requinton, and Abdilla lost only one game in the competition against Thailand in the semifinals, paving the way for the country’s back-to-back podium finishes in the event.

Prior to his victorious finish this year, the former Lasallian spiker already secured a SEA Games honor as a part of the Philippine men’s indoor volleyball team that made history in 2019. During the 30th SEA Games men’s volleyball semifinals, Abdilla and his team hammered out an upset and historic 5-setter victory against powerhouse Thailand for a silver medal finish in the competition held at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Comeback season: Meet your returning SDO chief

by Christine Marie Romero

Vigorous trainings, fiery sports competitions, passionate athletes, and loud green-and-white crowds. After a two-year hiatus, we are finally at least one step closer from again experiencing again the usual staples of collegiate sports in DLSU-D, with the appointment of a Sports Development Office (SDO) coordinator who will lead University’s comeback into the sports limelight.

As he sets foot once again into his home court, The HERALDO FILIPINO meets and sits down with the returning SDO chief: Mr. Gerardo Sergio.

Back to the office Prior to his appointment as the SDO coordinator, Sergio sat as the director of the Materials Management and Ancillary Services Office (MAMASO). His previous responsibilities were handling the purchasing office, warehouse, dorm, sports facilities, among others. But being appointed to the SDO didn’t come strange for Sergio, having served as the SDO director back in 2007 to 2014. For the returning SDO chief, it was not coming to a new turf — it was coming back home.

Within his seven-year term in the office, Sergio had his moment of

glory as he managed the DLSU-D into becoming the top University in the regional sports scene. The Patriots would always dominate the provincial competitions with numerous titles, while most delegates for regional sports events also came from DLSU-D. During his time, there had also been international stint for some Patriot athletes in the likes of Jennifer Manzano who represented the country in beach volleyball in the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia in 2013.

Above all these accomplishments, the former SDO director takes most pride in the athletes themselves who,

even after their collegiate sports journey, have dominated the sports scene. Among them is Alnakran “Ran” Abdilla who not only seized numerous local recognitions, but has also secured two Southeast Asian (SEA) Games medals under his tenacious spikes.

Names like Iari Yongco and AlFrazin Alduwahab, in addition, made their way among some popular athletes in Philippine volleyball as they competed with them in Shakey’s V-League and Spiker’s Turf during their time.

However, as Lasallian administrators only have a maximum of seven years in their

respective posts, Sergio was left with no choice but to leave the office in 2014. Now returning back to his ‘comfort’ office starting this academic year (AY), these milestones set under his term are just some of the things Sergio aims to input to the new breed of DLSU-D sports, considering the challenges that the pandemic had posed. “Madami pa tayong gustong mangyari. This pandemic leveled the playing field, so lahat back to zero. No’ng term ko (as the SDO director), pinagyayabang kong ‘yong school natin is number one in the region. Pero ngayon ay sabay-sabay magsisimula ulit, so may kaunting challenge pero I’m excited,” Sergio told The HERALDO FILIPINO. Transition to the new post Same office but with a new role—this is something that the previous SDO director has

to deal with in light of the new coordinator position.

While directorial responsibilities delve more into human resource management, budget, athletes, and overall matters related to the office, coordinatorship presents a mixture of the same and new roles.

Now, Sergio’s post would mainly involve planning, coordination, and requisition for budgets, hearings, and the likes.

Due to this, people would often ask Sergio why his position as the former SDO director has been downgraded. But for him, names and labels did not matter as long as he got back the job that he considered home. He reiterated, “Okay lang, position lang naman (ang nag-iba). ‘Yan talaga yung forte ko, ‘yong sports management. ‘Yan talaga yung mahal natin(g trabaho).”

Reminiscing and talking about his roots, Sergio seemed

like he was truly made for any sports supervision job. Back when he was a kid, he would watch games on television and create or tally his own statistics sheet. “Kinabukasan, iko-compare ko sa newspaper kung tama ‘yong ginawa ko,” a reminiscent Sergio recounted.

Drawing from personal experience, the returning SDO chief also understands what student-athletes go through as he himself used to play basketball and volleyball back in his high school and college days. Not to mention, his management background through his undergraduate and master’s degrees provided him a firm foundation on financial, marketing, and overall sports management tasks.

These were why Sergio did not even hesitate when he was tapped to handle the office See Sergio | page 14