Semestri Wrapped 2022- Newsletter

The University of the East Senior High School Manila's Official Publication Issue No. 1 Vol. No. 1 AY 2022-2023

presents

Semestri Wrapped 2022 Newsletter

News

Sports

MaLualhating Pasko sa Lahat!

Quite a trek, indeed.

Read more inside!

2022 Club Officers Alexine Ticman President

Micah Maguisib VP-Internal

Briseis Manato VP-External

Hans Fontanilla Team Manager

Sarah Vasquez

Jelaine De Jesus

Mariah Miciano Working Comm. Head

Adella Dela Cruz

Tracey Gayahan

Saskia Jaminola

Jasmine Bontilao

Avienne Febrero

Secretary

Treasurer Auditor

Asst. Secretary

PRO

Finance Director

Creatives Team Bianca Nicole Cruz Symon Dimaapi Jarene Talavera

Head of CT

News UE Tops Recent Board Examinations

Ross Onokurhefe

On the 7th day of December 2022 another history was done.

As one of the aspirant physical therapist named Mr. Khio Jerick Doguines Jumarang set an outstanding record with the highest rating of 89.30% to set himself as the first placer in the month of December 2022 Physical Therapist Licensure Examination. Moreover, starting at November 30, 2022 in the previous month. The University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center or the UERM have astonishingly achieved a fourth place performing nursing school during the November 2022 Nurse Licensure Examination.

In addition, weeks before the mentioned examination which happen specifically on the 10th of November. The UERM earlier set a record once again as it hailed as one of the nine top performing medical schools in the Philippines.

“MaLualha ting Pasko sa Lahat!”

For the examination regarding physical therapist the UERM College of Allied Rehabilitation Sciences successfully produced 46 newly-licensed UERM physical therapists, posting an 85.19% UERM passing rate as against the 59.87% national passing rate. The results were released today, December 6, 2022. On the other hand, the Nurse Licensure Examination have given its initiative and excellence that successfully contributed and produced 98 newly-licensed UERM registered nurses. Notable and honorable mentions that have excelled their performance was Jezana Jeiel Ruiz Bagares, Jeanelle Morce Caparas Asuncion, and Kissandra Millen Yabut De Guzman obtained the sixth, ninth, and tenth place.

Lastly, during the October 2022 Physical Licensure Examination, these talented board examinees that are in fact doctors named Dr.Gamaliel Pulpulaan Galigao, Dr. Keith Alexius Kim Wangkay, and Dr. David Marco Abaya Bildan obtained the fifth, eighth, and tenth place.

Respectively, in the said examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission. The UERM College of Medicine have successfully produced unbelievable numbers. There are 319 newlylicensed UERM physicians are set to turn their dreams in reality.

These results were verified and given by the Professional Regulation Commission. This outstanding achievement have made me one of the student learning here in the University of the East so inspired to envision and become one of these achievers. A warm congratulations to all of these names and may you all able to use your licenses to reshape and positively impacts the future of our country.

Edward Nixson V. Magat

On November 24, 2022, the Lighting of the Christmas Tree in UE Manila took place at the Quadrangle around 5:30 pm. Hundreds of students have gathered around the giant Christmas tree and celebrate the Christmas spirit as the Christmas Tree brings light.

The theme of this year’s Christmas celebration, “MaLualhating Pasko sa Lahat!” plans to bring back all the joy, excitement, and the Christmas spirit that we’ve missed in UE’s last two Christmas celebrations because of the pandemic.

As evening approaches, singers from the UE Jam Sessions have performed their songs for the students to have a great time and enjoy this event

Since the ongoing implementation of hybrid classes this school year, the University of the East has finally announced its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Event for the first time, this event to be held on both campuses after its two-year long hiatus.

Feature Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas

Mary Claire A. Agloco

Again, houses are filled with spirit with the dancing, dazzling, and colorful light illuminated from Christmas Lights. Christmas songs are again starting to fill the cold and breezy Christmas air. It is now the season again where children and adults sing their hearts out with their own versions of Christmas songs. “Jingle Bells”, “Joy to the World”, “Feliz Navidad”--these songs are what you hear played repeatedly, all day and all night. Non-stop singing and non-stop dancing. Non-stop cooking and non-stop eating.

Yes, this is how festive Christmas is for the Filipinos.

Yes, this is how we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As Filipinos based abroad say “Iba pa rin talaga ang paskong pinoy!”

Everybody around the world says that Filipinos celebrate Christmas the longest. It starts upon the entry of September first and usually ends on the third Sunday of January.

Who am I to deny such a claim when my playlist is already owned by Christmas songs? How could I justify a refusal when our house has been decorated with Christmas garments since September? To whom should I insist its inaccuracy when my own mother has been planning the dishes she will prepare on Christmas day?

Yes, these are the trademarks of being a Filipino. Christmas lights and Christmas songs as early as September? That’s being a Filipino.

As a child, I always used to look forward to Christmas Day because who does not want money and gifts? As a kid, Christmas for me was all about gift-giving and nothing more. What made Christmas for me was the gifts I had received. To simply put it, I thought the essence of Christmas was just the gifts in the form of toys, clothes, and more material objects. I had never thought of Christmas in any other way.

But lately, I have been ruminating on this statement “Iba pa rin talaga ang paskong pinoy!” Is there really something that makes “Paskong Pinoy” extraordinary besides that it is celebrated over a long period of time?

This pandemic changed the world a lot. From the norms which turned out to be somehow obsolete already and from the uncustomary practices which have turned more common nowadays.

Celebrating Christmas with your family through digital screens? Pretty bizarre at least for a Filipino like me. Few people in the house during Christmas day? That is not how Christmas is usually celebrated in Filipino households. That is when I realized what is meant when people say “Iba pa rin talaga ang paskong pinoy!” pinoy!”

How did I not catch it all throughout these years? It is the FAMILY, or our family that makes Christmas special for Filipinos, or probably even the other nationalities.

For a few years now, I haven’t been able to celebrate Christmas with my mother because she’s working abroad and I have been yearning for that moment where I am going to countdown on the night of the Christmas Eve with her while we wait for the upcoming of December 25th, the Christmas day. I can’t believe it took a pandemic until it dawned on me that being with your family is the best Christmas present you could ever have.

Christmas without Christmas garments? I would settle with it.

Christmas without the loudness and liveliness of Christmas songs? Not a bother. I can listen on my own.

Christmas without plenty of foods served on the table? I am fine with anything so long as its food.

Christmas without gifts? Totally fine so long as I have your greetings. But Christmas without family? I think I would rather hibernate in my own shell. I would trade anything only to have my family celebrate Christmas with me.

Feature Pursuing Our Freedom

by Alluringli Sarah Mae Vasquez

“We all want to be freed from the invisible chains that we don't let others see but sometimes staying chained is easier than pursuing our freedom.”

Reaching our own dreams is indeed hard, especially when there are people behind us trying to control and tell us what we should dream of.

Leading us to a path we never wanted. It is honestly suffocating that these people keep on dictating what we should do with our lives. The saddest part is that sometimes these people are supposed to support us, but instead of supporting us, they stop us. And that is the plot of Pursuing Our Freedom.

Pursuing Our Freedom is about Philomena Gracia Valderama and Iscalade Jance Altreano’s love story.

The story of how they became each other’s freedom and comfort.

Philomena is a shy introvert who considers social butterfly Iscalade as her best friend. They are indeed very different from each other when it comes to personality and lifestyle. But that didn’t matter; they still became close friends—best friends, rather.

The story talks about how Philomena is the epitome of an obedient daughter; she does everything her parents want her to do. She’s such a good daughter, even though her parents put her through many struggles and hardships. She does and gives everything for them except one thing: her career choice, which she cannot freely give to them.

Philomena wants to study education and become a teacher, the opposite of what her parents want her to be, which is to study law and become a lawyer just like her father. Even though she has different dreams, she still can't repel their decisions, and she has to sacrifice her passion for practicality.

Iscalade entered her life and became the person who encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

She had experiences she couldn't have had back then.

Iscalade was very helpful to her; she had someone with her when she felt alone. With Iscalade, she felt at ease.

This story is well written, it is the first one I've read after years of not reading from Wattpad. I love the flow of the story and how it went. Pursuing Our Freedom talks about reality, where sometimes we are forced to choose the path we never wanted to walk down. There are certain times when we have to choose being practical over pursuing our passion.

Philomena's parents are the best example of the people who should be supporting us, but they chose to be the reason we are discouraged from achieving our dream.

Pursuing Our Freedom taught me that you don't have to always follow your parents. Sometimes we really need to stay away from the people who caused us a lot of trauma growing up.

They are your parents; they should be the first ones to support you, not the first ones to discourage and stop you from dreaming. Lastly, this story taught me that forgiveness doesn't always come with reconnection. We can always forgive, but we should not be forced to reconnect with the people who hurt us. This story is very beautiful, and I really recommend it.

You will learn a lot from both Iscalade and Philomena's experiences in life.

They will inspire you to always pursue your dreams and freedom.

Feature Personality Profile on Dr. Ester Garcia

Ramirez, Elle

Some state that it is an end of an era as she steps down as president of the University of the East. After 17 years of representing and leading one of the prestigious universities in the Philippines, Dr. Ester Albano-Garcia is ready to step down from her throne.

UE has had 17 successful years and there's only one person to thank.

Dr. Ester Albano-Garcia serves as an inspiration to plenty. She is the epitome perseverance with distinguished achievement in her academic journey and her continual rise to a successful career.

She graduated at the University of the Philippines in the year 1963 as Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Dr. Garcia then continued to pursue a doctorate at the Ohio State University. Soon she earned her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the ICN Nucleic Acid Research Institute in Irvine, California.

Having accomplished 20 research papers and more than 120 papers related to STEM and other topics, Dr. Garcia has also received multiple awards that honor her contribution to the Philippines' chemistry and research societies. One of her most notable awards is the Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal Award.

Awarded to her on the 12th of October 2018, given as a reward for her contribution to Quezon City and the nation.

Being UE's President and Chief Academic Officer, she certainly made sure that the university thrives and developed further.

Now, as she prepares to let go of her post, it can be seen that those promises were kept.

According to Dr. Garcia, the institute's accredited programs have increased, from 3 to 50 and still rising.

Even through the trials of the pandemic, the university continues to thrive.

From all her achievements, we can gather that UE's president's hard work paid off. A stellar example and heroine for students, teachers, and women in STEM. With all her promises kept, Dr. Garcia stuck to her word and stayed true to the institute that she leads, lead.

She certainly left her mark not only to the University of the East, but the whole nation.

Opinion Literacy Is A Bridge From Misery To Hope Many students celebrated when they learned about the possibility of temporary closing of educational institutions and the transition to remote learning. However, when COVID-19 drove over a billion children out of classrooms, often with few or no resources at home, the excitement waned. For centuries, the world's neverending struggle to raise literacy rates was difficult, and the pandemic became its greatest adversary. Prior to the pandemic, many of the world's young people found that remote education was of little use because comprehension progress do not have the stable chance of rising as they are separated from teaching professionals. The pandemic has been characterized by closures, uneven access to online instruction, and quarantine periods. Even students with well-trained teachers have had far fewer hands-on hours with them than before the pandemic. Schools are now under pressure to increase literacy as quickly as possible so that students can learn how to read and solve civics lessons.

Our generation ranging from preparatory to junior high school status with learning disabilities, the people who aren't really conversant in English, and those from low-income families battled to satisfy perusing guidelines during the pandemic since they spent numerous months at home. Children's literacy has significantly decreased over the past two years, according to studies and through that, students' future job potential and nations' economic productivity suffer as a result of lower levels of education. Beyond that, the pandemic has had broader social and emotional effects on students worldwide, including an increase in mental health concerns, reports of child violence, obesity, teen pregnancies, chronic absenteeism, and dropout rates.

However, this issue has been addressed extensively since schools began to reopen and the goal of everyone working toward maintaining literacy's ongoing significance for students' success in school and beyond is being advocated more than ever around the globe.

Zazzie Yzabelle N. Sanoy

Now more than ever is the time to boost the importance of literacy. Key stakeholders did not miss the alarming report on the nation's education situation. As a result, it was not surprising that this became an important part of the discussions leading up to the national elections in May 2022. To recover education lost as a result of school closures, which are exacerbated by economic, personal, and social circumstances, students, particularly those in the basic level and those who are marginalized, require extensive and active support from the government. The window is tight as far as recuperating essential proficiency abilities influenced by mastering disturbances borne out of the Coronavirus pandemic. School systems can respond across multiple horizons, tailoring their strategies based upon preexisting educational performance, the depth and breadth of learning delays, and system capacity and resources.

Our ability to read and comprehend articulated written knowledge is essential, and it is even more so for the young generation as they begin to interact with written language in their daily lives. Students become socially engaged individuals as a result of literacy and as a result, they are able to communicate effectively with others, learn about a variety of topics and information at school, and keep up with current events. Without significant educational abilities, young students may very well always be unable to reach their maximum capacity and may endure the fallouts of joblessness, neediness, starvation, and a lot more deep rooted issues.

Educational gaps widened more than ever as students were sent home from in-person schools to learn remotely. Due to the diverse quality of online classes and the large number of people unable to afford Wi-Fi and lack of resources, the consequences were inevitable.

We are all getting back on our feet after the pandemic, and students need all the support and encouragement they can get, especially our young learners. And as this pandemic comes to an end, it is now up to the teachers, who are the heroes of our predicament today, to ensure that the power of knowledge and willingness to have absolute literacy will be achieved once again.

Opinion Seeing Real Faces Are you tired of facing just your devices for the whole day? Do you feel like you would learn better if it is faceto-face? Have you ever wondered where we would be right now if it weren't because of the pandemic? The pandemic started more than three years ago and since then, we adjusted most of our daily routines from face-toface to online. One of which is our education. From having face-to-face classes, we started having online classes to assure the safety of the students. Moreover, since three years have already passed, we're starting to get used to the health protocols and the cases of COVID are almost controlled. That is why for this school year, the government has decided to slowly go back to the standard way of studying which is face-to-face. They have given the schools and the students to decide what mode of learning they would want to have.

Based on their observations, the students, teachers, staff, and school officials have been improving and slowly adjusting which lead to a potential full implementation of face-toface learning. However, are we really prepared for this? And are we really ready?

Both face-to-face and online learning has its own advantages and disadvantages. For an instance, in online learning, we don't have to travel just to attend classes. We would only need a device and internet connection.

We could also easily search for resources that may help us find the information we need. And most importantly, we are staying at home which means we would have less interaction with people in the public.

However, not every individual has the ability to learn easily online. There are also students who can't afford technological devices and internet connection. The sources online are also not a hundred percent credible. Lastly, with less time going out, we would have less time doing physical activities that may also affect our health.

Mariah Louise Miciano

As for face-to-face learning, we would have actual interactions with our teachers and classmates which helps us with our social skills.

This could also help us understand lessons more since we could ask our queries and get feedback right away. It is way more interactive and no students would be left behind since they wouldn't need to buy a device just to join and participate in class. The students would also get to spend more time with themselves and for their friends whenever they feel like they need to. However, we have a lot of things to consider regarding face-toface learning. One, we are still in a pandemic.

There is still COVID out there and there is no certainty if we already encountered one until we feel the symptoms. The students would be more exposed with different people which increases the chances of them catching the virus. Two, the traveling expenses. We're living in a country where one of the huge problems is the traffic jam. It is very hard to go from one place to another because there's always a traffic jam which leads to having limited public vehicles arriving on time. Aside from that, the oil prices are rising which also means that the prices for public transportation would increase too. Lastly, there is no assurance that everyone has been vaccinated for the virus increasing the possibility of spreading the virus even more. Thus, it lessens our chance to be able to control it.

Considering these advantages and disadvantages, I believe that we should first prioritize certain conditions before implementing a full face-to-face. We should make sure that every staff, employee, faculty, and individual within the schools are strictly following the health protocols and are vaccinated. It is easier to study by learning face-to-face but we should also consider that we are in an ongoing pandemic. The cases are still rising and a lot of people are still dying. So, we should make sure that each individual is following each protocol. Once we're sure, we can then proceed to slowly guide each individual in the school into adjusting in a not so new environment again. It would then again take a lot of time and hardships before fully adjusting. Thus, we have to be really prepared mentally, financially, emotionally, and physically. How about you? Do you think we are ready, considering these factors?

Opinion Potential Full F2F Classes

Yzabella Pabilona

As someone privileged and able to experience face-to-face classes, I am enthralled to do it on a daily basis.

Personally, I learn more from my teachers and classmates in this type of environment. I am able to eliminate a lot of distractions and focus my attention on whatever is being discussed.

In consideration of others, think that we should carry on with the face-to-face classes while still offering the opportunity to learn from home. Some may not be able to attend face-to-face classes right away and we should understand them. While we are in the new normal, we are still adjusting to this day.

With the thought of full-on face-to-face classes, I can say that it is something I want the school to implement. I believe that students should get back to learning through the traditional method of schooling and get used to it again. Based on my experience, students learn more through engaging with their colleagues and sharing ideas with them.

This may be hard through online learning as you are not seeing and hearing each other.

And like some people think, typing can be tedious.

Sports MANILA- The University of the East (UE) Men's Basketball Team started its journey this season with a bang after a winless 0-14 campaign last season. This time, the journey of the basketball team in the season was very interesting because they made a lot of progress in the game. The ue men’s basketball team ended this season with a 5-9 record to de la salle in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball second round while they will be missed by their loyal fan base, UE has still shown what they are made of this season and will only get better as they move forward.

Quite a trek, indeed.

Angeli Morente

The warriors shocked almost everyone outside of Recto Ave. UE fights for the second round until the final game week.

Behind the scoring prowess of Paranada brothers, and the versatility of Luis Villegas, the presence of Gani Stevens and the contributions of a young roster top and bottom, the Red Warriors are no longer without wins . They're no longer an easy game either, sweeping even the imaginary LaSalle.

UE's above-average seniors, Myth Five player Luis Villegas and sharpshooters CJ Payawal and Nikko Paranada, will cap their collegiate careers with a final win to cap off their brief run for the Red Warriors. Going forward, UE lays the foundation for a legacy of victory. To de la Salle in the UAAP finals: while they will be missed by their loyal fan base, UE has still shown what they are made of this season and will only get better as they move forward.

What's Next?

Officers' New Year's Resolutions

What's Next?

New Year's Resolutions

#1

Alexine Ticman Read more nonfiction books

#2 #3

Hans Fontanilla To follow my schedules correctly, to not be spontaneous

Sarah Mae Vasquez Commit to a healthier study routine

#4

Jelaine De Jesus No more procrastinating and cramming

#5

Maria Louise Miciano

Save up my own money for concerts and other necessities

#6 #7 #8

Adella Dela Cruz Iiwasan ko na mag cram ng assignment next semester

Tracey Gayahan

Lose weight

Saskia Jaminola Be more organized and try to sleep early

Top songs of the First Semester #1 #2 #3

AntiHero Taylor Swift

Lift Me Up Rihanna

As It Was Harry Styles

News Writers Cruz, Bianca Nicole De Jesus, Jelaine Joice Dimaapi, Symon Magat, Edward Nixson V. Maguisib, Micah Kimberly Manato, Briseis Okonurhefe, Ross Talavera, Jarene

Feature Writers Agloco, Mary Claire A. Elle, Rob Carlo V. Ocay, Kirsten Danielle G. Ramirez, Elle Margareth C. Ticman, Alexine Vasquez, Sarah Mae

Opinion Writers Febrero, Avienne Coy Fontanilla, Hans Martinez, Resha Leigh Miciano, Mariah Louise Pabilona, Yzabella Mikaelle P Serraon, Gian Lorenz, S. Torres, Nicole Aurora R.

All rights reserved 2022.