Kapawa Vol. 5 Issue 1 (August–November 2020)

illustration by Joseph Bryant J. De Los Santos

La Salle takes virtual route as pandemic hits BCD After the pandemic knocked over the accustomed educational procedures, Liceo-De La Salle began Academic Year (A.Y.) 2020–2021 with the implementation of “shiftEd: School-Home Integration for Flexible and Tech-Enhanced Education” last Aug. 26.

The said institution’s new instructional system, shiftED, transitioned from the traditional face-to-face setup to distance

learning, specifically online classes, providing the students with an alternative approach to pursue schooling amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

“[shiftED], for me, is primarily a change in perspective and practice. [....] It is an opportunity to question our practices in education, letting go of ways that have held us back, and embracing practices that help

Liceo carries out three-day Wellness Break Lance Rafael M. Lazaro As the implementation of the newly adopted remote learning took a toll on both the students and teachers alike, Liceo-De La Salle scheduled a mid-semester Wellness Break last Oct. 14–16 for the Liceo community to breathe from their academic commitments.

The decision was made after the administrators observed that the student body, as well as the facultyand staff, had been working hard even during the weekends and that perhaps the execution of the virtual learning was made hastily. “ The main purpose of the break is to grant time for students and teachers to take a breather from their tasks and focus on their physical and psychological health,” said Br. Francisco “Sockie” de la Rosa VI, FSC. During the break, the faculty were refrained from setting deadlines for course requirements and conducting synchronous or asynchronous activities for the learners.

Moreover, the said initiative received good feedback from the students considering that the First Quarter Examinations had just concluded.

“I think Liceo made the right choice because [resting] has shown to be important in handling stress, which can improve the performance of the students and even help them to recover physically and mentally,” remarked John Kemuel Semillano, the Student Activities Council (SAC) executive president.

There is also a possibility of having more wellness breaks in the future, depending on further feedback from the students and teachers, then the academic calendar will adjust accordingly.

Angeli M. Geroso us move forward,” Br. Francisco “Sockie” de la Rosa VI, FSC stated.

Liceo-De La Salle decided to operate classes via hybrid learning characterized by fully remote online sessions, given the fact that physical classes inside the campus remain prohibited in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols.

“ We originally planned

to go blended by the second quarter but the government restricted [face-to-face] classes.

Once allowed by the government, we can review our plans. As always, the safety of students should be the number one priority,” said de la Rosa.

In line with this, the learning management system (LMS) Canvas was utilized by the school’s administration to deliver instructional materials in the

online setting and to keep track of the students’ activities and progress for asynchronous classes held on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Additionally, the teachers used video conferencing tools, such as Google Meet and Zoom, to carry out lectures during synchronous classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while Fridays are allotted for the students’ submission of tasks.

investigative news

Zoom raid threatens online class security Indeed, distance learning saved everyone from the pandemic— only from the pandemic.

Six unidentified individuals disrupted a synchronous homeroom class by trashing the instructor’s presentation on Zoom last Sep. 15.

The said raiders were under the names LAAMSQ58 Faiz Sayyed, noob op, Priya, Mann, Vedanth gowda, and Aadi Takshak, which were personally admitted by the instructor with the thought that they were merely latecomers of the class.

Nicole Kaye E. Lipa

“[This is an] isolated case done by students themselves since there is no motive from these people to do the Zoom raid. [....]

The only people who can benefit [from] it are those students who do not want to have a class with a particular teacher or bully their teacher,” said Discipline and Formation Officer (DFO) Dr. Gilrey Vocales.

However, Vocales clarified that he did not imply that Liceo students did the raid; rather, he just analyzed who will benefit the most

illustration by Mary Andrea S. Geolingo

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020

from the invasion, citing the fact that students had always been against the conduct of online classes since the beginning of the academic year.

In response to the situation, Vocales insisted that it is safer to use Google Meet and the Google accounts provided by the University of St. La Salle (USLS) for a stricter admission process; through this, possible raiders will go through the USLS firewall and they would need a university email to be admitted.

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EDItorial Could Have Been On average, walking along a sandy beach is a pleasant experience.

Not this time.

Last September, when the Manila Bay rehabilitation project started to show results, it gained wide public attention and sparked a flame war between netizens.

In less pressing circumstances, a 389 PHP million clean-up job aimed for tourism wouldn’ t be contested as fiercely as this issue is now, but in the midst of a global pandemic and months-long quarantines, you’d have to admit that some priorities are misaligned.

First of all, how will the country become a tourist hub if it doesn’ t bounce back from the effects of the virus?

However, even this catch-22 takes a backseat to the money concern. The Philippine debts speak for themselves and President Duterte declared, on

The Future Cometh

Electronic sports (Esports) has been taking the world by storm.

Gone were the days when the

It is not wrongto express one’s opinion, but shutting out anyonewitha different body type is not okay.

It’s hard to believe that, in this age of widespread acceptance of ourselves, some people still police each other’s bodies.

entertainment industry needed more talent than just sitting in front of a screen and, well, playing games. Entertainment giants such as Twitch and YouTube are constantly gaining popularity with the advent of Esports as mass entertainment.

A question then surfaces concerning whether integrating Esports into the school’s curriculum would be a viable option. However, not a lot of schools globally have added the subject properly enough to call it an educational phenomenon.

Anyone can fall prey to this awful behavior. Even American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish was scrutinized for her body by random Twitter accounts: overweight, mid-30’s wine mom body, and fat.

This has been said numerous times before, but it’s 2021 and we still judge each other’s physiques?

Body shaming comes in many forms—people being called out for being too fat, too skinny, too lean, and the list goes on. In a society that is already fixated on images and externals, this adds fuel to an already burning bonfire.

It is not wrong to express one’s opinion, but shutting out

With news that Esports will be integrated in the K-12 curriculum since 2019, I think that this would be an appropriate inclusion, especially for students that aim to become professional gamers in the future. With skills being honed such as verbal communication, creativity, and critical thinking, the addition of Esports as an official school program would benefit institutions.

However, a problem arises from the fact that not all students are capable of funding their own setups, but with the

upcoming rise of these prodigies, scholarships could still be made available for exemplary students. In addition, Esports pays handsomely as a spectator sport and industry, which may seem improbable, but is a fact.

In conclusion, the transition of physical classes onto online would be an avenue that would make Esports a viable option for curriculums.

Since the pandemic continues to pose as a threat to outdoor sports, this would be the chance for the latter to bask in the spotlight.

national television, that the government no longer has funds to aid sectors hit by the virus or its fallout. Funny, then, how it has funds for a patch of sand worth millions; funnier still, how it was clarified that said patch cost 361 PHP million less than its allotted budget.

Ignoring the implications of this discrepancy, let’s turn to the ‘what could have been’—the millions could have been financial aid for tens of thousands of Filipino families, could have been windows of opportunities for struggling students, and could have been support for healthcare workers on the frontlines.

No, it’s for crushed dolomite to be sprinkled onto a continuously eroding shoreline —a monument to the unheard cries of the people, as innumerable as the grains.

Let’s not build our castles on the sand, so to speak.

Gonewerethedays

whenthe entertainment industry needed moretalent than just sittingin front of ascreen and, well, playing games.

Our Bodies, Our Rules anyone with a different body type is not okay.

Furthermore, this isn’t exclusive to women only as anyone can be a victim.

Specifically, most boys are criticized about their bodies starting at a young age, and most of the time it isn’t even addressed. As expected, it has grave effects on their physical and mental health—but that’s another story to tell.

However, body shaming manifests itself—in whispers

from strangers, in “interventions” from friends and family—the consequences can be serious.

In any case, it solidifies the assumption that one can determine a person’s worth by their physical appearance.

It can cause eating disorders, losing one’s self-confidence, and these don’t help anyone at all.

Everyone comes in different sizes and shapes—we all deserve to feel beautiful and be accepted for the bodies we have. Don’t let society define

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the standards, be the one to create your own.

opinion

3

X Marks the Spot Define the Crisis

There are three things certain in life: death, taxes, and #PinoyPride.

Controversy stirred online as Filipinos argued whether Filipinx and Pinxy were necessary toward the fight for gender inclusivity.

With a multitude of factors backing them up, citizens of the Philippines have denied and ridiculed the terms brought upon by the diasporic Filipinos.

Often overlooked, however, when going into this debate is that these terms—birthed from personal Fil-Am experience with Western culture, a response to gender and race-related issues unapparent in the Philippines—shouldn’ t be invalidated from Filipinos’

ever-evolving vernacular.

This aforementioned vernacular is also thrown into the conversation, often along with the reminder that the letter ‘ X ’—which these genderinclusive terms hinge upon— is not at all present in our alphabet. ‘F ’ doesn’ t appear either, yet we always proudly spell Filipino with a capital ‘F ’ Something as simple as a mere letter should not impede against attempts to be gender inclusive.

Another bullet of discussion is that the terms seem to ride the coattails of

Americanization but adapting to it with gender inclusivity in mind.

Often are we reminded that Filipino and Pinoy are already gender -neutral terms, as is the language itself, that the need to alter these terms seem unfounded. However, against Western context—where too much weight is on the gendered-ness of words like “ he” or “she”, where recognition for non-binary and transgender folk is disregarded—Filipinx and Pinxy seem less like convoluted versions of their original terms but more like a compromise; the umbrella to include every Filipino under the rainbow widens, regardless of experience.

Long enough have transgender and non -binary folk been suppressed for the sake of so-called “normalcy ”. The times are changing. Just as perceptions of gender evolve, so should the language surrounding it ; as different the experiences of Pinoys around the world are, no single one should be denied of their pride.

...as different theexperiences of Pinoys aroundtheworldare, no singleoneshouldbedeniedof their pride. other gender-inclusive speak— like Latinx—seen by some as creeping Westernization. These terms though, as people forget , are minority community -originated, due to the lack of gender-neutrality in their language and the Western culture they ’re in. Filipinx shouldn’ t be seen as the removal of Filipino-ness toward

If you really think about it, labels are overrated, but when it comes to a person’s identity, that’s an entirely different story.

Although Filipinos are officially classified as Asians, it isn’t technically wrong for us to be called Pacific Islanders based on geography alone.

Similarly, due to the various foreign influences all throughout our history, the blending of Western and native cultures has created a unique society that cannot just be purely categorized into Asian, Western, or Hispanic.

Identifying as Southeast Asian is a purely geographical concept in the Philippines.

Between being predominantly Christian and using a language that’s more identical with Spanish than any other Southeast Asian country, there is a lot to think about when it comes to our identity.

A quick look at our history would tell us how many times we’ve been colonized and how much of our precolonial culture has been erased.

Perhaps it’s because of how much of our identity was lost that we cling onto several archetypes of what we consider as “Filipino”.

A sprinkle of living in architecture with Spanish origins, a dash of going to school derived from the American education system, and a cup of Asian mannerisms and traditions can be a beautiful thing for diversity, but we shouldn’t forget that embracing these influences do not equate to it being our own.

However, with so many cultures clashing in the society we call the Philippines, is it really enough to stuff us in a box labeled “Asian” in big bold letters?

Figuring out who we are is already a struggle, add to that a whole country who can’t even decide how we identify. It’s no wonder we’re all in a constant identity crisis.

Labels may be glorified but with the constant tug of war between what Filipinos really are, we really ought to have our own.

Withsomany cultures clashingin thesociety wecall Philippines, is it really enoughto stuff us inabox labeled“Asian“ in bigboldletters?

What remains is astatus quoriddled withlast century’s ideals—inapplicable andirrelevant inaninclusivesociety.

illustration by Eli T. Gozon

Changing of the Guard Every generation has had its own paradigm shift of sorts over the years. For the Baby Boomers, it was the hippie movement of the ‘60s; for the Gen X, it was the people power revolution of the ‘80s; for the Millennials and Gen Z, well, there lies my point. The younger generations being labeled too young and naïve to know or do anything hinders societal progress.

It cannot be helped that parents, may it be through subtle means or by force, push their views of the world to their children. The issue is, when kids develop their own ideas on certain issues—which normally diverge from their parents’—they end up having to shush or risk being called disrespectful. What remains is a status quo riddled with last century’s ideals—

inapplicable and irrelevant in an inclusive society.

Younger generations have been constantly criticized for being overly sensitive when it comes to controversial topics like discrimination, poverty, and injustice. What that shows is how little everybody used to care about issues which simply did not involve them nor affect them directly, and how everyone,

who has moved on from the “out of sight, out of mind” mindset, has become aware of the social problems beyond their daily grind.

Given that the majority of said younger generations are still students, you can argue that all their knowledge is theoretical and has no bearing in the practical, “real world” setting. Well, they have to start somewhere.

Forcing them to keep their opinions to themselves leaves thousands, if not millions, of ideas unheard. Also, shooting down ideas just because they do not agree with your own sounds a lot like an undemocratic system.

It has been about 30 years since the last generation spoke

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out loud enough for the world to hear, and those voices still resonate today. To be clear, this is not a call for revolution, otherwise this would not be published. What this is, however, is a wake-up call for a changing of the guard.

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feature

Ashes From

illustration by Martha Julian Samantha P. Jamero

to the

Grave

Aleia Nichole M. Tayo

Woe. Love. Fury.

Like a phoenix born from its predecessor’s ashes, themes of the past are mimicked in the present. With one of them being war, the fingers above the trigger belong to no other than inequality itself.

From the segregation of people based on race to the prejudice against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community, inequality was never a foreign idea. Until today, it’s one of the slowest issues to advance in change.

However, nowadays, people are getting more educated on matters like racism, cultural appropriation, and gender discrimination. Many are open to constructive criticism; others are even advocating for those who can’t. So no, inequality isn’t totally erased from the book; but neither are those who wish and act for its demise.

Grace Kay L. Milan

Back in the era devoid of dating apps, countless long-lasting relationships remained It is a universal truth that there’s no going back. Our quarantine stories strong because divorce was frowned upon by began long ago, and soon enough, we find ourselves in the middle without society. However, today’s world begs to differ. realizing months have passed on.

Many of us don’t marry for business, and

With the time we’ve seemed to lose doing—well, we’ll leave countless don’t stay married for the sake of it. that to the imagination—and nothing to show for it, our months in Falling in mediocrity’s ballpark doesn’t fare well in our quarantine are to an extent demoralizing. cards because we know what we deserve. Others might

Fret not, because the matters of the past can be overlooked perceive this rebirth as a negative one, but it’s the glowthrough this realistic glo-up guide to self-reinvention. up definition that love needed from the very beginning.

1. Make Bad Decisions From the heart’s chambers, “I love you” back then and

The real story begins like how all things do—with a bad now are worlds apart. decision. However, it is important to note that there’s a very fine yet

Lastly, the freedom of speech meant the distinct line between bad and idiotic. Nonetheless, the chance of failing difference between life and death back then, when shouldn’t stop you from trying in the first place. Use this time to be unspeaking and writing against the government were certain and just go for it. There’s too much potential in you to just punished. be lying around enviously distressed and shamelessly unscathed.

Between that yesterday and today, 2. Stay Intoxicated (Figuratively) the difference is uncanny. Activists are sent into jail, the press is constantly

Separate yourself from your burdens and remember to always silenced, and journalists are given death threats. stay drunk in self-care. Indulge in the quiet nights and learn to find Journalism has to think twice before it publishes anything, solitude within yourself. Be enraptured with a good book or whatever you which is something it shouldn’t have to do in the first will and let the healing burn your soul with newfound peace and purpose. place. But just like then, there are countless who don’t 3. Break the Rules submit to silence—the scared but courageous who

Every choice has its share of consequences that demand the still vie for the truth. Every day, they’re increasing in unflinching truth. If your story stops with one trial of adversity, it can number, and as long as they’re out there, freedom of only mean that it is weak. Let go of your past premonitions and speech will live long enough to see the light at the don’t stumble in the face of change. Instead, start a war within end of the tunnel. yourself. Break away from bad habits and toxic traits and the triumph

Although this article doesn’t break the of winning will eventually follow. glass for the collective, the trio above proves

In a season where time is all we’ve got, you’d be surprised that humans are capable of rebirth. It’s how fond we are of wasting it. With all our backtalk to showcase our living proof that from the ashes to the predicaments, it’s quite strange how we find ourselves stalling to notice grave, mankind is anything but stagnant. that it’s not a valid excuse. However, there’s no time-limit to change.

Yes, our yesterdays are history, but our tomorrows—they’re our future.

Killing the Cliché:

A Realistic Glo-up Guide to Post-Quarantine

T

he

D

InReview photo taken from

Rieden Denielle N. Cuadra If you have only heard of the word “cringe”, and have never experienced it as a bodily reaction, this film will change that—a lot.

Charred with the creative direction of Antonio Campos, The Devil All The Time is a relentless horror locomotive fueled by the coals of despair.

So much so that it all takes

all the eviltime a movie revi ew

place in Knockemstiff, Ohio —where Willard Russel (Bill Skarsgård) begins the story by praying.

To whom, is the question.

Knockemstiff is a place where everything seems to be a walking contradiction.

Preachers here are as unholy as the villains they talk about ; lawmen preserve the society ’s welfare by

inadvertently becoming the criminals themselves; love affairs are booby traps that lead to death beds.

In a godforsaken place like this, we follow a young Arvin Russel ( Tom Holland), soon to be orphaned as his life takes a drastic turn when his mother catches the cold grip of cancer.

He loses his father, his dog, and most of all, his childhood innocence. But , in losing every-

e Verge

photo taken from Th

thing, he realizes something: Violence was the only way to become the hero of his damned, tragic tale.

Despite the chef ’s kiss performance of the main cast and how much psychotherapy you’ ll be needing, the film didn’ t take its time to breathe. It had so much story to tell, so much horror to incite —that it forgot to let its narratives dangle along

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020

and cascade down toward a completely terrif ying experience.

Nonetheless, with the endless misery this film packs into its two-hour runtime, it would seem that none of the people were praying to God.

It was the devil all the time.

4.5/5

vox populi

5

prepared by Hannah Nicole R. Esblaca and Miles U. Guancia THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020

prepared by Aleia Nichole M. Tayo, Francis Exequiel P. Ampil, Anastasia R. Alcantara Chelsea Anne A. Rallos and Ana Dominique G. Manabat

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feature

Anastasia R. Alcantara You might’ve heard of Miriam Defensor Santiago, Asia’s Iron Lady, known for her passionate yet aggressive appeals in the Senate.

But did you know of the one from Bacolod?

Joann Visitacion, at the age of 18, took on the challenge of moving 8 thousand miles away from home to the United States of America (USA). However, that was only the start of her success journey.

“I learned how to make money at a young age; I joined beauty pageants, and I got singing gigs so that I didn’t have to ask money from my parents for school expenses.”

Things were never easy for Visitacion. She had to balance both academics and work, barely asking help from others. However, she never regretted a single gig or pageant that she had joined.

Instead, she embraced her hardships and used them to change for the better.

Even at her young age, she shed away the immaturities most still possessed at 18. She did everything herself— deciding to grow up fast instead of waiting for time to do that for her. This is a feat not many can do, yet Visitacion managed to anyway.

After her life in the USA, she utilized her learnings for the benefit of her community.

“I’ve helped small entrepreneurs during the pandemic by creating a Village Market. I think it has a big impact to the community, to suppliers, and to business owners because they are able to sell their products when there was once no venue for them to do so.”

The Village Market is a modest cluster of food stalls, ukay-ukay stands, and plant vendors.

Even with the vast variety of small businesses there, they all have one thing in common: They have Joann Visitacion to thank for the boom in their revenue. During her time in the USA, she was struggling just like they are now in this pandemic —that is why she continues to work hard to keep as many people’s businesses afloat.

Unlike Senator Santiago, the Iron Lady of Bacolod isn’t so much aggressive as she is kind.

However, she and Miriam both have done what they can to help their struggling fellow Filipinos.

BlackSwan iew v e R e i v o AM

photo taken from Movierdo

Krisla Gail J. Batac How far will you go to get what you want?

In 2010’s Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky demonstrates his skill in directing psychological thrillers.

Partnered with Natalie Portman’s exceptional performance as Nina, Black Swan depicts ballet in different perspectives countless haven’ t seen before—the hard work and passion that goes into the art.

When a New York ballet company announced Swan Lake as their next production, no one could want the lead role more than Nina Sayers.

However, Artistic Director Thomas told her that despite having the light essence to portray the White Swan, she didn’ t have the dark intensity to portray the Black Swan. Then, the perfect manifestation of the Black Swan’s quintessence arrives in the form of a new ballerina from San Francisco named Lily. With her role in the production threatened, Nina would do anything to prove she had what it takes to be both roles—even if it meant spiraling into madness.

The flawless illustration of symbolism throughout the film makes it enthralling to watch from beginning to end. The film delivers the storyline, pulling the audience into the same spiral Nina entered in her journey to perfecting the duality of the Swan Queen.

But with perfection came the price of losing her sanity; her overflowing devotion turned into desperation, and ultimately, into delirium. When she ended up completely sacrificing the White Swan in order to encompass the Black Swan’s spirit, we see her rebirth as a new, darker woman.

With all that and more, Black Swan is definitely one of the defining films of the early 2010s—a go-to classic you can watch repeatedly.

Art demands blood, sweat, and tears—and Black Swan shows exactly what happens when one sacrifices too much for it.

teens—in post-revelation, midquarantine—the answer’s a yes.

Having crumbled from the heat that comes with being under their magnifying glass, the quaran -teens now rise from the ashes, their feathers bright, flaming, and in every shade of the spectrum.

Under an increasingly liberal climate, it makes sense that they would be more open with their queerness, with exposure to events like National Coming Out Day and Pride Month and enough time on their hands.

However, enough time now seems like an understatement. Those same events are denied to them by

the former temporary fix to our pandemic, now called the new normal. Queer teens in quarantine will have to wait a while longer to wave their rainbow flags. For some baby gays, they used the time to discover their own new normal when it came to their sexuality.

But now, one wonders when they can come out figuratively and literally into the world as their newer, truer selves, spending those first months as finally authentic but trapped at home. For those worrying about it, fret not.

You only have the rest of your life left.

5/5

photo taken from Joann Visitacion

Francis Exequiel P. Ampil Look into the mirror long enough and you’ll catch things that you’ve never seen before.

Everyone’s had that “Eureka, I found it!” moment when they spot it. However, it’s a rare thing. We don’t owe enough time devoted to looking at ourselves, either because we don’t want to be vain or because we don’t want to notice the cracks on our surfaces.

The same cracks we were bound to see anyway, because how else do we learn the secrets that even we hide from ourselves?

Nothing rings truer nowadays when social distancing is the norm. No amount of baking bread or mixing coffee will ever

live up to good ‘ol existential contemplation. But seriously, selfisolation and self-reflection pair well, with good reason. Being alone means being with your thoughts, which isn’t alone at all if you think about it.

This cacophony in your head—whispers, yells, conversations—make for company, ranging from bad to great to weird. But like neon signs, they eventually lead you somewhere, snagging your attention the way everyone could snag on something —unreasonably.

How a guy could want to spend time with his teammate from the soccer team; how a girl

could breathe in their best friend’s perfume all day long; how some people quarantining bear that pang of regret, watching videos of pride parades or reading news about National Coming Out Day —as if missing those events meant something.

Maybe they do.

Thoughts come and go, but some like these may be too heavy to clear from your head. But let them marinate well enough and they’ll move by themselves, sliding into place like a puzzle —one that forms a question, asking: Wait. Are you gay?

It’s a puzzle missing a piece: the answer. For some

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020

literary

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020

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science & TEChnology

illustration by Joseph Bryant J. De Los Santos

Did you know that laying in bed 20 minutes to an hour before going to sleep can promote healthier sleep?

According to studies, your habits —which include your food intake, gadget use, and patterns you follow—directly impact the quality of one’s sleep.

Zerjemae C. Zaragoza

If your neighbor’s bedroom lights are still on even as the clock strikes midnight, then you’re probably living next door to a student. Fret not if you hear a groan or two coming from their window, your neighbor is merely transitioning into a productive state!

With the birth of online classes as the new normal, students have become modern vampires: awake all night, with red eyes, pale skin, and a hunched figure.

Whether perched on their desks or beds, these nocturnal creatures are often slouched over

Contrary to popular belief, working out at night—according to recent research—can have a negative effect on one’s sleep.

their electronic devices: typing away the workload or getting distracted by worldly pleasures. Day or night, rain or shine, none of these matter when there’s a deadline to chase.

After all, time waits for no one.

However, one must always remember that success comes at a high price.

If suddenly—the world around is no longer in high

Serene Danger Justin Andrei D. Tanilon and Zerjemae C. Zaragoza

Nature has always been the greatest paradox, a merciful tyrant—often caring and gentle but sometimes harsh and domineering. It’s impossible for mere mortals to understand the depths of her mind—to accurately grasp a handle on her emotions.

Often times, it is us who suffer from her fickleness.

In Cameroon, Lake Nyos exists as a two-way mirror. On one side, nature reclines without a single care for the world; on the other, humans stand on guard. Its clear and calm surface is nothing but a façade. Underneath, rage bubbles and slowly rises to the surface.

Once nature angers, her wrath gets released, and the lake ripples and explodes from the force. Those unfortunate enough to have incurred her anger naturally suffer the brunt of the attack.

Countless villages located in the vicinity have been destroyed and buried under a wave of boiling water, making the residents become powerless in the face of the aftermath. In fact, they have gone on to believe that the lake is said to be plagued with a curse,

where their leader sacrificed himself in order to drive away intruders that wish them harm.

However, the truth doesn’t involve curses—but nature’s fickleness plays a heavy hand.

Near Lake Nyos is a volcano, and from that crater of fire, carbon dioxide is released.

The carbon dioxide air often times is harmless, but as it seeps and settles on the bottom of the lake, the pressure inevitably builds up.

With one flick of nature’s hand, she tips the scales of the earth and the imprisoned gas rises with unstoppable force, creating an explosion that rivals a grenade. The force alone can annihilate a village, but what really kills is the aftermath— the poisonous gas cloud that suffocates every life in the area.

This disaster is known in the modern world as a limnic eruption. At its most powerful, it could cause tsunamis and islands to sink.

Though it may be hard to fathom that such a tiny atom of air could condense to become a deadly ammunition, humans have no choice but to accept that we are merely at nature’s mercy—and that we must do all we can to please her. Else she decides to show the extent of her power.

definition—then you may have developed asthenopia, or eye strain.

If your spine begins to ache with every movement, then the ghost of lower back pain has surely latched around your waist.

Eye strain is developed by prolonged exposure at a bright screen, while lower back pain is caused by poor posture. To most, they

may be nothing more than an uncomfortable feeling, like an itch that won’t go away. However, constantly ignoring these symptoms can lead to greater risks for the human body, the same way food spoils when not properly contained.

But fear not, because modern problems come with modern solutions.

Simply close your eyes,

lean back and take a deep breath. For a few minutes, forget about the deadlines. After all, taking care of your body is the most important assignment given to you, and is also the simplest and fastest to do.

When you’re ready, you’ll find that the road of metamorphosis to a productive student is suddenly much smoother, and comfortable to walk on. Your shoulders might even feel lighter—because not only did lower back pain leave, even the pressure of academic excellence has dissipated.

REBIRTH OF

DARK HISTORY? Jewel Irish S. Belascuain

Witnessing how destructive a pandemic can be, the world is in crisis in finding vaccines that could put the puzzle pieces together to combat health problems of the modern generation. Scientists have long begun their search and further their studies in understanding concepts far beyond the human eye. All these are necessary to keep the balance of both human and nature intact.

However, what if one were to ask you that if the rebirth of dark history is just a few years away, will you—or the world—be ready to face the familiar life-risking phenomenon? The answer may be left unspoken.

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed several infectious diseases that stand as major health threats, most of which received to little research—no vaccines and only few medicines. As these names scream danger, Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-COV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Zika, Nipah, and the likes could not hide the inevitable rise of death rates that they have acquired throughout their reigning years. These diseases, if left neglected, may soon become another bitter treatment—served to the table by microorganisms that are responsible for the loss of the lives of many.

One virus that some could say that it is capable of creating a dark twist to mankind is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that originated Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The name is well-known for the damaged it has brought to the world ever since 1983 (to end of pandemic in 2019)—infecting more than 75.7 million lives and bringing 32.7 million to their demise. Commonly, a person can get infected when he or she had experienced sexual intercourse or had shared injection drug equipment with a person with HIV. Moreover, HIV does not entirely have an effective cure, but those who are infected can treat their selves with the antiretroviral therapy (ART) and can control the virusunder six months—without the further transmission.

HIV may look insignificant compared to the unprecedented Coronavirus Diseases of 2019 (Covid-19) that challenged the modern era; however, there is no guarantee that HIV won’t come back to where it once plagued, especially that this is still undeniably relevant and timely up to this day.

As humans now live in a world that advanced technology and resources are being invented day by day, vaccines and medicines are widely scrutinized for mankind to consume.

Whatever occurrences lie in the future, it is up to how people will face these impending danger.

Hear the knockings on your door—that may be the familiar acquaintance you have known before. One should always be careful of whom to open, of whom to welcome, or else he will soon find his self back to where it once all started—where darkness of ancient past prevailed the beyond. illustration by Cassel Dave G. Tiva

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020

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Buwan ng Wika unites Lasallians despite distance Ben Joseph L. Maido

Liceo-De La Salle held the annual Buwan ng Wika festivity, themed: “Lasalyano sa Bagong Hamon ng Buhay sa Gitna ng Pandemya”, last Aug. 3–28 to honor the Filipino identity of the students.

The celebration started with “Ating Alamin”, an activity that flaunted the Filipino culture through daily trivias followed by the “Club Exposure 2020: Strength as One” as part of the Organizational Activity Week.

Subsequently, the Student Activities Council (SAC) and Berdeng Parola initiated “Humaling sa Sining: Pista ng Kulturang Pilipino” last Aug. 17–21, where the House of Rheims dominated the Spoken Word Poetry, while the houses of Parmenie and Paris clutched the gold in the Patimpalak sa Photography and Musical Competition, respectively.

In the same week, Ysabella Wuthrich brushed off her contenders in the Paggawa ng Likhang Sining, together with Avegale Santos and Debbie Yapoyco who aced the Paggawa ng Tula and Pagsulat ng Sanaysay, correspondingly.

photo taken from SAC

2019’s overall third placer, Parmenie, made their presence known on the final week of the competition by placing first and second on the Collage Making and Talumpati competitions, while house cup champion, Paris, refused to trail far by securing the 2nd and 1st spots of the said events respectively.

The Griffins also secured another 1st place in the Binalaybay competition as the flags of yellow, blue, and red settled on the remaining spots.

Additionally, the Blazing Phoenixes of Rheims seized 1st seeds on both Vocal Solo and Vocal Duet categories, leaving the houses of Paris, Rouen, and Parmenie in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th spots for Vocal Solo and placing the Chimeras, Griffins, and Hydras in a runner-up trail for Vocal Duet.

Succeeding the Buwan ng Wika celebration, the Chimeras remained on top as they conquered the initial house cup results with 205 points, followed

by Rheims and Parmenie with 185 each, and Rouen with 145 accumulated points.

Rheims, Paris conquer Mr. and Ms. Vanguard crown photo taken from SAC; edited by Hannah Nicole Esblaca

Angeli M. Geroso and Nicole Kaye E. Lipa

Batch 2020 receives on-site graduation rites

Bidding farewell to their senior high school journey, a total of 1,310 graduates embarked in Liceo-De La Salle’s Class of 2020 on-site graduation at the St. La Salle Coliseum last Nov. 16–18 and 23–24.

Liceo seals 1st runner-up in vir tual debate

Chrysian Montoro, Bonifer Gotas, Katherine Zaragosa, and Angela Del Rosario from Argumentum: The Liceo Debate Society got silver in “Paghanarungan: Virtual University Debate 2020” last Oct. 30 where Gotas was also awarded as the debate’s Best Speaker via Zoom and Facebook live.

Bacolod pride nabs gold in Nishimura Cup

Philippine representative Kirc Samulde from STEM 11-E placed second in the overall medal tally of the 7th Nishimura Cup International Karatedo E-Tournament after defeating participants from 15 other countries last Oct. 23–25.

Lazaro, Reysoma top Wildlife Quiz Bowl

As part of the 16th Provincial Wildlife Month Festival, Lance Lazaro and Jed Reysoma from STEM 12-H respectively ranked 1st and 8th in the Students’ Online Wildlife Quiz Bowl via Zoom and Kahoot last Nov. 25.

Lasallian spor ts writer ranks 2nd in journalism cup

Jed Emmanuel Reysoma from STEM 12-H was hailed as a finalist in the sports writing category of the Ditto Sarmiento Nationwide Search for Ten Outstanding Young Journalists (TOYJ) last Oct. 26, organized by the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity of the University of the Philippines College of Law. THRIVING. The off icial candidates for Mr. and Ms. Vanguard 2020, (from left to right) Cassandra Matugas, Zerrah Severino, Azalea Carmona, Nathan Briones, Angelo Apuhin, and Andrei Elizalde.

Anna Sophia C. Galzote and Nicole Kaye E. Lipa Owning their spot on the throne, candidates from the houses of Rheims and Paris both championed the “Mr. and Ms. Vanguard 2020: Advocates for Change” finale last Nov. 24 via the Student Activities Council’s

(SAC) Facebook live.

Blazing Phoenix Nathan Briones snatched the crown withhis advocacy on mental health entitled “A Piece of Peace”, along with the “Best in Advocacy”, “Best in Fundraising”, and “Best in Talent” special awards under

the male category.

“I remember when we would stay up late for the planning of the fundraising [project] in our Discord servers and how I would ask for [...] suggestions when I would send the clips that I have shot myself. It was a struggle but thankfully, I was

COMELECadministers first-ever online elections Sam Hervey T. Sabordo

Despite the setbacks brought by the pandemic, the LiceoDe La Salle Commission on Elections (COMELEC) conducted the Special Elections 2020 via Google Forms last Sep. 25 to identify this academic year’s Grade 11 strand representatives and Arts and Design Council’s secretary and treasurer.

The Lasallian Union for Progressive Advocacies and Development (LUPAD) was able to secure three positions with Veronica Aruta, Arjohn Pacatang, and Ken Reinwald as the strand

representatives for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), TechnicalVocational Livelihood (TVL), and Arts and Design respectively.

“ The special [elections] was something fresh, something very new to me. It took me outside of my comfort zone but it was definitely worth it [...]; [however], the fact that I was running against two other candidates was a bit frightening,” admitted Reinwald.

Moreover, Cindy Samson and Jewil Ann Perez from the Association of Model Lasallians for an Improved Government

(AMLIG) were correspondingly hailed as the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) and Accountancy and Business Management (ABM) representatives.

“ The special elections ran smoothly! Every candidate is amazing regardless of the results and I’m grateful [to] the HUMSS strand for trusting me with this position,” Samson stated.

Lastly, Maria Antonette Eusebio and Ysabelle Ledesma won by default as the Arts and Design Council’s secretary and treasurer.

surrounded [with] people who supported me and my advocacy,” Briones said.

Meanwhile, Golden Chimera Azalea Carmona released the golden victor within after securing the title with her advocacy named “Empowered Women, Empower Women”.

“One of the most important things I’ve learned throughout my advocacy program is to speak up, know when and where to ask help, and to be yourself. Our voices hold so much power [...], that is why it is important for us to initiate conversations about pressing issues that affect our society,” Carmona stated.

Moreover, Rheims’ Zerrah Severino swept off the pageant floor after she accumulated all special awards in the female category, which earned her the title of Ms. Advocacy, together with Paris’ Angelo Apuhin as Mr. Advocacy; subsequently, hydras Cassandra Matugas and Andrei Elizalde were hailed as the 2nd runners-up of the competition.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020

SAC, Rover Scouts donate 27 reams of bond paper

As a result of the “Papel Mo, Pangarap Ko” paper drive last Sep. 18, the Student Activities Council (SAC) – Department of Advocacies and Liceo -De La Salle Rover Scouts gave out reams of bond papers to Minoyan National High School last Oct. 31 to aid the school’s modular learning system.

Acquaintance programs push through

The five strand councils, together with the Students Activities Council (SAC), held virtual acquaintance programs in relation with its respective strand specializations last Oct. 17, with SAC’s “Musical 101: An Online Mini Concert” as the event’s highlight.

Webinar deepens Filipino identity

Students from the University of St. La Salle (USLS) and St. Joseph School-La Salle (SJS-LS) convened in a three-part webinar series entitled “Nakaka-Nosebleed ang Heritage: A Discussion on the Role of the Youth in Safeguarding Cultural Heritage” via Zoom and Facebook live last Oct. 2.

photo taken from Activision

ERURampage kneels to Baskogan, renounces spot in region’s top 4 Yamana D. Montero ERU Rampage’s Vincent Remollo, Kaliv Bina-oro, and Mark Riego from HUMSS 12-C, STEM 12-F, and STEM 12-B, respectively, submitted to Team Baskogan in the “ TM FunLaro Regional Esports Tournament: Call of Duty Mobile” last Sep. 12.

Remollo from ERU joined forces with Royal Rampage’s Bina-oro and Riego together with their unit’s two imports, Pete De Vera from Dasmariñas and Carl Fernandez from Manila, to compete with four Esports teams in the Bacolod Group C bracket.

The team had a great start as they had shot down Bogus Esports in Round 2 of the tourney with a score of 2–

0, clinching a place in the semi-finals.

For the semi-final round, ERU Rampage and Baskogan had their first face-off as the latter, with 60 percent of its players composed of gamers from NRX Esports, dominated the match after gaining two straight victories in the Hardpoint and Search and Destroy game modes.

The team then proceeded on to vie with Pindot Gaming, the winner of the also-rans’ bracket, wherein ERU Rampage proved its great caliber as they finished with a score of 2–0, to land in the finals.

Remollo, Bina-oro, Riego, De Vera, and Fernandez

contended with Baskogan in the final round once again and ended the game with similar results as their first encounter with a standing of 2–0, surrendering their spot in the region’s top four.

“ We had a very tough competition as we were against the very people who represent the Philippines in CODM Esports. We had the courage and the desire to win, although we really fell short on positions and communication during the game considering some of us were lagging,” Remollo explained as their team had bowed down to a fierce opponent.

ERU Rampage is currently preparing for future tournaments.

Felt Cute, Might Delete Later One could argue that there is nothing more Filipino t h a n a p i c k- u p g a m e o f basketball right after class.

But over the past few months, that has not been p o s s i b l e —i n f a c t , i t h a s been illegal.

So, has the pandemic toppled contact sports off the pedestal or has it maintained its relevance in what is essentially a time of war ?

C o n t a c t spor ts by definition entails physical exer tion, or exercise, of some kind in which the par ticipants constantly come into bodily contact w i t h o n e a n o t h e r. E x e r c i s e allows a person to live a h e a l t h y l i f e —t h a t g o e s without saying. In a time like this where immunit y is paramount , a fit and hardy cardiovascular system i s e s s e n t i a l —a n d t h e r e i s no better way to get that than through spor ts.

Aside from the physical aspect of contact

spor ts, there is also the psychological perspective o f i t . To s o m e , s p o r t s i s m o r e than just a form of physical a c t i v i t y —i t i s a n e s c a p e from the mundanit y and monotony of day to day life.

that to the fact that it is still against the law due to the present communit y quarantine guidelines. So, this is where a concession h a s t o b e m a d e —t h e r i s k o f getting sick will always be there —omnipresent a s i t w e r e . H o w e v e r, strictly adhering to the health and safet y protocol will minimize this risk .

The chances of seeing an NCAA o r UA A P g a m e o n your T V in the following months is slim to none, but that does not at all herald the downfall of contact spor ts as an institution.

...that does not at all heraldthedownfall of contact sports as aninstitution.

Spor ts is a field of science all it s own, of course, but by thinking of these athletes as individuals who are tr ying to find a recourse from their struggles, sports is showcased in a more human light .

Let us not kid ourselves, the pandemic is a r e a l i t y. I f , i n d e e d , c o n t a c t sports are allowed to resume as it did pre -COVID -1 9, p e o p l e a r e i n e v i t a b l y b o u n d t o g e t s i c k—a d d

photo taken from Joe Buglewicz

Future of Esports Giollan Henry P. Demaulo Through the years, different segments of life have passed, with most of these having been reborn. As the 2 1 s t C e n t u r y, a t i m e o f m o d e r n i z a t i o n , h a s p r o g r e s s e d , s p o r t s h a s a l s o b e e n t r a n s f o r m e d —m o l t i n g i t s o l d s h e l l i n t o s o m e t h i n g m o r e c o n t e m p o r a r y.

With this hy pe , Electronic Spor t s or Espor t s has also become relevant .

Yo u m a y b e s u r p r i s e d t h a t E s p o r t s i s l i t e r a l l y ever ywhere, from the news to the internet. It has steadily climbed the char ts of mass enter tainment.

To a d d t o y o u r k n o w l e d g e , t h e r e a c t u a l l y i s a n o f f i c i a l “ E s p o r t s o n l y ” T V c h a n n e l n a m e d G i n x e S p o r t s T V, w h i c h manages to present 24-hour broadcasts of a variet y of games.

M o r e o v e r, schools and universities have already begun providing Espor ts as a subject to their students, providing scholarships in the process.

In t he Phi l i ppi ne s , The Uni ver s i t y o f Our L ad y o f F a t i m a f r o m Va l e n z u e l a h a s t a k e n p r i d e i n t h e i r D O TA 2 t e a m a s t h e y h a v e b a g g e d s i l v e r i n t h e i r f i r s t international arena, the 2019’s Wo r l d Uni ver s i t y Cyber Games.

As an official spor ting event , Espor ts has provided different international stages for athletes. The p o s t p o n e d To k y o 2 0 2 0 O l y m p i c G a m e s w a s s u p p o s e d t o f launt it s debut in the k ing of spor t s arenas . With a total pri ze p o ol o f $50 0,0 0 0, t i t le s f or Ro ck e t League and Stre e t Fighter V were supposed to be competed for in the games.

COVID-19 stumped the spor t s world but it has also paved the way for the increase in relevance of Espor ts .

T h e l a t t e r h a s b e e n h e r e f o r q u i t e a w h i l e n o w, y e t i t s t i l l is going strong. With it , it continues to provide f inancial s e c u r i t y, s c h o l a r s h i p s , a n d a n a d d e d c a r e e r c h o i c e f o r t h e p e o p l e o f t o m o r r o w. T h e h y p e i s r e a l , r e q u i s i t e l y real.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ● VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 ● AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2020