Standard Press Vol 9 | Issue 1 | S.Y. 2023-2024

DPWH welcomes new PhilFIDA facility in Las Piñas

AKI GABRIEL A. HERNANDEZ

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned over the completed construction of a new government building to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).

Loreta Malaluan, DPWH National Capital Director, said the DPWH Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office, with the P25 million allocation, built a four-story PhilFIDA building along Aria Street, Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City.

“This new PhilFIDA building is fully equipped with necessary amenities to provide a conducive office environment for the employees and officials of PhilFIDA who do research, production, processing, marketing, and trade regulation to promote country’s natural fibers which include abaca, piña, and bursi, among others,” Malaluan said.

This turnover followed the joint Department of Agriculture (DA) and PhilFIDA inauguration of the PhilFIDA Multi-purpose Building and Audinasium last December 12.

Attorney Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, DA Assistant Secretary and concurrent OIC-Executive Director of PhilFIDA, said the facility’s construction attests to the power of collaboration between PhilFIDA, the City of Las Piñas, and DPWH.

“This building is a cornerstone of progress, serving as a source of inspiration for our employees now that we finally have a building we can call our own,” Velicaria-Guevarra said.

Cyree Pamplona, a student-researcher at Las Piñas City National Science High School, expressed her hopes for the PhilFIDA facility to assist her research endeavors.

“As a student-researcher, mahirap para sa amin humanap ng mga laboratories or facilities na mapupuntahan for fieldwork kaya I’m thankful na may branch na here in Las Piñas. Last time kasi we had to go to Quezon City pa, and ang mahal. Ang mahal ng cost, mahaba pa ang traffic,” she said. (As a student-researcher, it is hard for us to find laboratories or facilities we can head to for fieldwork that is why I’m thankful that there is now a branch here in Las Piñas. Last time, we had to go to Quezon City and it was costly. It was expensive, and we still endured heavy traffic.)

Villars head turnover of new, revamped facilities to LPSci

“In this covered court, you may now gather for school programs and other events needing space without worrying about the heat and the rain.”

This was what Senator Cynthia Villar highlighted during the turnover ceremony of new and reconditioned facilities, which aim to address the needs of students and teachers, on Thursday, March 7.

“We have worked tirelessly to secure funding for the school’s infrastructure and ensure the construction of necessary buildings and the improvement of facilities at the Las Piñas [City] National [Science] High School,” Senator Cynthia Villar said.

New School Facilities

LPSci officially received four new school facilities — a covered court, a storage room, an expanded junior high canteen, and a renovated junior high faculty room — initiated by Senator Cynthia, Senator Mark Villar, and Las Piñas Congresswoman Camille Villar.

“Alam niyo naman sa Pilipinas—hindi pwedeng walang bubong. Kung hindi mainit, maulan — walang in-between. (You all already know it in the Philippines: having a roofed facility is a must. It is either sunny or rainy, no in-between.) It is very important that we have this school facility. It is also ideal for P.E. classes as well as sports activities like basketball and volleyball,” Cynthia said.

She emphasized that the covered court is “ideal”

PH being manipulated — China foreign ministry

in a Philippine school, especially in the context of sports-related activities, giving room for both comfort and learning.

“It’s great to have a multi-purpose court to utilize now, especially for me, who has been wanting this for a very long time. Our team can use this court to practice more often and be prepared for next year’s cluster meet,” Zachary Sia, the LPSci Dragons top scorer in the previous cluster meet, said.

The team expressed gratitude for the establishment of the covered court, which allowed them to have a facility for training in preparation for the next competition.

“The canteen is designed to provide students with their own dedicated eating space,” Cynthia added.

The senator said the canteen enables easier and safer food preparation as well as a larger space for students to eat in.

“On the other hand, the [reconditioned] faculty room offers a conducive space for junior high school teachers to prepare for their classes and carry out other tasks,” she also said.

Senator Cynthia noted that the reconditioned faculty room will promote productivity among LPSci teachers, enabling them to carry out tasks in teaching such as checking test papers.

“The storage rooms ensure the school remains neat and organized, preventing clutter, and maintaining cleanliness,” she added.

She said the newly-built storage building aims to

China blames US of provocation amid SCS tension

China accused the United States of America of being behind the territorial tensions of China and the Philippines in a press conference on Wednesday, March 7.

“The US Department of State — who disregards facts and confuses right with wrong — has made baseless attacks against China’s legitimate and lawful actions to safeguard our rights,” Mao Ning, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of China said in the conference.

Following the accusations of being behind the China-Philippines territorial disputes, China urged the US to refrain from using the Philippines as a “pawn to destabilize SCS.”

“Ren’ai Jiao is a bilateral issue between China and the Philippines,” the spokesperson noted.

She mentioned that the Philippines needs to “refrain from being manipulated” by the US as the spokesperson insists that its attempts of making infringements and provocations will not succeed.

Water disputes

aid the school in maintaining order and cleanliness, which will help expand the auditorium back to its original space before part of it was used as a makeshift storage room.

Establishment and Development of LPSci

“In 2007, during my term as congresswoman of Las Piñas City, I principally authored and pushed for the passage of Republic Act 9451, which established the Las Piñas City National Science High School,” she said.

The Villar family pushed for the foundation of LPSci, from its proposal in Congress by thenCongresswoman Cynthia to its approval in the Senate, assisted by then-Senate President Manny Villar, to the expansion and development of its facilities, now initiated by Cynthia and Camille Villar.

“Naniniwala po kami na dapat mayroon tayong National [Science] High School (We believe that we should have a National [Science] High School) to educate and shape the character of the brightest students in our city,” she said.

She said that the establishment of LPSci aims to offer an avenue for the growth of the “brightest students in the city,” as science high school graduates are “advantaged” in gaining scholarships and opportunities in college.

The establishment of the school facilities is one of the remarkable project initiatives of the Villar family in LPSci, along with the lending of mobile tablets, donation of school chairs, and construction of two school buildings.

In the press conference, Mao Ning responded to this issue as a “legitimate and lawful act” to protect the rights of China.

Mutual defense

Matthew Miller, US State Department Spokesperson, confirmed talks with the Philippines regarding the issue, reaffirming the Philippines of its support.

Videos of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) attacking Filipino vessels with water cannons rooted to the accusations.

The spokesperson also condemned China’s actions, referring to it as a reckless disregard for the safety of Filipinos. The

Ning said it is “crystal clear” that the US is baselessly attacking China, breaking international law and endangering the peace of South China Sea (SCS). ‘Pawn’ of US

A Pacifier:

She emphasized that the US is “unrightful” of making interventions in their claimed territory Ren’ai Jiao, known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines and part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as China has “unwavering determination and will” in safeguarding its rights.

“Lessons from history tell us that a pawn will only end up being abandoned,” Mao Ning added.

Chinese naval forces blocked the resupply mission of Philippine vessels, leading to a collision between a Chinese and Philippine ship.

Minor damage to the Philippine ship was sustained in the collision.

PLOTTING

LIFE:

“We condemn the People’s Republic of China’s repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and its disruption of supply lines to this long standing outpost,” Miller said.

SHOWTIME: LPSci

DANETTE RAMIEL S. ELIAS

DANETTE RAMIEL S. ELIAS

Senator Cynthia Villar gives a remarkable speech at the turnover ceremony for new LPSci facilities. The court, alongside an expanded canteen, renovated faculty room, and new storage building, have recently been donated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to enhance learning experiences for all students.

Photo by: Aki Gabriel Hernandez

After years of debunked proposal, 32 free wifi access points around the campus of Las Piñas City National Science High School (LPSci) were installed and activated through H Philippines Control Station Incorporation (HPCS Inc.) on Thursday, March 7.

This project pushed through with the initiatives of Talon Dos Barangay Captain Arnold F. Reyes and Counselor Tony Garcia in partnership with HPCS Inc. which aims to provide learning experience beyond the traditional classrooms.

The launch of the school’s free wifi aligns with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Digital Education (DigiEd) 2028 agenda which plans to pursue full digitalization and interconnectivity of all DepEd offices and schools nationwide.

The installation process spanned from February until the first week of March 2024 as cable technicians worked daily after dismissal in supplying modems per classroom and then during daytime in providing wiring.

As soon as the schoolwide internet was successfully installed, students and teachers were able to gain access in their own classrooms as they could simply connect by creating an account and watching an advertisement.

According to LPSci ICT coordinator Ms. Mary Grace Uminga, unlike other existing free wifi services in our school, this network company gives unlimited access without any time restrictions.

“Magagamit na namin ‘yung mga latest technology in teaching so pupwede nang maging interactive ‘yung aming classes (We will be

able to utilize the latest technology in teaching which means we can make our classes interactive),” Ms. Uminga said.

Ms. Uminga reiterated that the integration of educational games, online quizzes, and informative videos across the web would not be a problem anymore during discussions for both students and teachers.

The ICT coordinator also noted that the students can now easily participate during online recitation tasks, such as Kahoot quizzes and Jamboard activities, without having to worry about low signals.

“The free wifi was really a lifesaver for me, especially when it comes to academics, because I was able to search the internet and clarify my confusion whenever our gadgets were allowed to be used during classes,” Sofia Reyes, Grade 11 student, said.

“It [The free wifi] also saves my money and provides convenience since I don’t need to go out to avail data,” Gab Constantino, Grade 11 student, added.

Free Smart Wifi has been in place in LPSci since 2020, although coming with a one-hour limit.

Another existing is by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) under the Free Wifi for All program although situated only at the Villar building.

Along with LPSci, Las Piñas City National Senior High School (LPCNSHS) - Talon Dos Campus also received the free wifi from HPCS Inc. initiated by the barangay.

lamming Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s 17 conditions to attend Senate hearing, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros held a press conference to address issues and concerns on

“The Senate will not bend its rules and procedures for you, Pastor Quiboloy,” Hontiveros

She said it was the first time she encountered such demands, noting that the Senate will deny any

Recently, a group of bloggers posted the conditions entitled as “Set of Conditions for Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy to Attend Risa Hontiveros’ Senate Hearing,” claiming they have interviewed Quiboloy.

“Dinaig pa ni Pastor Quiboloy ang 10 utos ng Diyos. Ang masasabi ko lang d’yan, bakit ang Senado ang mag-aadjust sa kaniya?

(Quiboloy’s demands surpass the 10 commandments of God. All I can say is: why would the Senate have to adjust to him?),” the senator exclaimed.

The Deputy Minority Leader coined the whole set of conditions as “absurd” as she claims that not even the senators can perform Quiboloy’s demands.

“I retain the right to personally cross-examine your witnesses. That includes you, Madam Chair. No time limit,” Quiboloy said on his alleged conditions.

Senator Risa explained that even senators observe time limits, contradictory to Quiboloy’s “no time limit” request.

Fake news

The controversial pastor’s camp on Tuesday denied allegations circulating around the “17 conditions,” dubbing Hontiveros as the “funniest senator” for believing the allegations.

“Miss Risa Hontiveros is quickly going down in history as the funniest senator ever. Imagine reacting, and virulently at that, to what is obviously fake news regarding the so-called demands of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy on the Senate,” Quiboloy’s lawyer Attorney Ferdinand Topacio said.

Topacio added it was “obvious” that the demands were fake as they were exaggerated and unrealistic, criticizing Hontiveros for responding to it.

Charges, Allegations

Quiboloy has recently been charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) with qualified trafficking and child abuse.

“Hindi naman papel ng komite ng Senado desisyunan ang pagkainosente o pagkaguilty ni Pastor Quiboloy sa mga reklamo laban sa kaniya. ‘Yan ay larangan ng Korte. Pero papel ng Senado at responsibilidad namin [ang] tignan (It is not our job as the Senate Committee to decide on Pastor Quiboloy’s guilt or innocence. That is the Court’s. However, it is our responsibility as the Senate to look into it),” Hontiveros said.

Among the members of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality,

The Senate Committee chairperson added that there are, at least, three areas for additional legislation that gives way for the Senate’s probe.

She cited sexual abuse, violation of labor laws, and trafficking as the three areas.

Objections

Senators led by Robinhood Padilla oppose the arrest of Quiboloy, leading to the signing of written objections rejecting his arrest.

Senators Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Bong Go, and JV Ejercito backed Padilla in his move to block Quiboloy’s arrest.

“Kilala ko siya personally and nakakahiya naman na ako, ipahuhuli ko siya. Diyos ko! (I know him personally and it would be a shame to have him arrested. My God!) You don’t do that to a friend,” Villar said.

Villar admitted in a phone patch interview that she signed the objectionary document to Hontiveros’ request to arrest Quiboloy.

Ejercito on March 7 formally announced his withdrawal in backing Padilla to oppose the arrest of the pastor.

“For practicality, since [the] DOJ will already file, there is probably no need to continue the investigation,” Ejercito explained as to why he signed the reverse-contempt document.

He further explained his withdrawal will allow both sides to be heard, giving the religious leader an opportunity to disclose his angle of the issue.

Padilla now falls short by half votes, as eight votes are needed for the grant of the request.

JULIANNAH

Photo by: Jimrald Turla

STUDENT RIGHT

Marcos inks law banning ‘no-permit, no-exam’ rule

Republic Act No. 11984 or the No Permit, No

Exam Prohibition Act has been signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Friday, March 11.

This law mandates all public and private basic (K to 12) institutions, higher education institutions (HEIs), and technical vocational institutions (TVIs) to allow “disadvantaged students” with any outstanding fees to take quarterly examinations without requiring a permit.

Under RA 11984, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall issue the necessary certificate on the disadvantaged status of the student due to calamities, emergencies, force majeure (act of God), and other good or justifiable reasons in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) issued by the DSWD.

The DSWD will be establishing clearer guidelines for the term “disadvantaged student” to ensure effective implementation of the policy nationwide without affecting the status of private school organizations.

Meanwhile, schools are given the freedom to set their own conditions regarding the unsettled payments following the legal and administrative measures.

It is within their power to follow the certification method or require the submission of a promissory note prior to the exam dates and withhold students’ records and credentials.

Senator Bong Revilla Jr., the principal author of the signed law, praised the decision as “poverty should never cripple them [the youth] and shatter their dreams.”

This law was first introduced by Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel in the House of Representatives.

Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Teachers)

Representative France Castro, one of the authors of the House bill that led to Revilla’s, said the enactment of the bill was a “significant victory for students’ rights and welfare.”

Violators will be apprehended by either the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

‘One of the greatest legacies’

“The ‘No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,’ is one of the greatest legacies that we can leave behind. Finally, we can get rid of this long-time practice,” said Chiz Escudero, who chairs the senate committee on CHED.

Now that the five-year long bill has become a law, Senator Chiz said poor yet deserving students are now given a chance for a better future through education.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Pangulong Marcos sa pagsasabatas ng nasabing panukala upang mapakinabangan na ng ating mga mag-aaral sa lalong madaling panahon,” the senator said.

(We thank President Marcos for the enactment of the proposed measure that would benefit our learners in the earliest possible time.)

Along with Escudero, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Revilla also expressed their gratitude to PBBM.

increasing passenger, runway capacity

DOTr, SMC ink P170.6-B NAIA rehab project deal

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the SMC-SAP & Co. Consortium led by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) signed the P170.6-billion landmark concession agreement for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) rehabilitation on Monday, March 18 at Malacañang.

The agreement was signed by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines, and SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang, which solidifies the largest solicited PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) project of the current administration.

“We welcome this development for the NAIA PPP Project as this will not only generate revenue for the government but it will also create opportunities for Filipinos. With a modernized NAIA, we are elevating the airport’s facilities and services to international standards,” Bautista said.

According to the DOTr, NAIA’s runway capacity will increase by at least 48 air traffic movements at peak hourly rate once rehabilitation is completed.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed and attended the signing ceremony of the modernization deal, saying that NAIA badly needed rehabilitation.

“The reputation of this airport has been shredded, and let us be frank about it, not by bad press, but by its actual poor state,” President Marcos said.

Marcos said the PPP project will increase adult passenger capacity of the airport from 35 million passengers per year to 62 million, calling this project an “investment in our future.”

The private sector will pay an estimated P1.052 trillion over the next 10 to 15 years for the airport’s rehabilitation and expansion, according to Marcos.

The project will mobilize approximately P88

billion in capital investments in its first six years of operation, more than eight times the disbursed capital investments for the airport since 2010.

The rehabilitation and expansion is estimated to generate P36 billion in earnings annually throughout its full 25-year concession period.

The agreement initially covers 15 years that could be extended by 10 more years.

Political turbulence and inaction are among the various factors cited by the president as to why NAIA’s rehabilitation was halted.

Bautista on Monday, March 18, also announced that passenger service charges will remain unchanged until improvements are observed in the airport.

“Hindi kaagad pwede magtaas ng terminal fee. Ang usapan ay kailangan magkaroon ng notable improvement in service,” Bautista said in an interview over Radyo 630.

Marcos said the PPP project will increase adult passenger capacity of the airport from 35 million to 62 million 35 M 62 M

LINE UP. High School students get in line as they enter Araullo High School in Manila on January 15, 2024.

Photo by: Philstar

JULIANNAH PAULINE SOFIA A. VALLEGA

INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE. SMC CEO Ramon Ang, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, and MIAA General Manager Eric Ines sign the largest PPP project deal of the administration at Malacañang, witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. Photo by: GMA News

EARLY SUCCESS

Lapiscian clinches top 30 finish; 4 qualify for poster pitch finals in PGO debut

AGrade 11 delegate of Las Piñas City National Science High School (LPSci) secured a top 30 quiz bee semifinals slot as he, along with three more Lapiscians, also placed in the top 10 team finalists for the digital poster making competition of the 13th Philippine Geography Olympiad (PGO 13) by the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (UP GeogSoc) on March 2 to 3 in UP Diliman.

Jose Antonio Orillaza bagged a top 30 slot from the combined written and field examination scores out of 124 participants in order to compete in the quiz bee semifinal segment on the second day of the olympiad at the UP School of Statistics.

Orillaza — along with Aidan Benjamin Acuña, Andrei Joaquin Paat, and Lance Kiane Saludo, under the guidance of coach Ley Marie Delight Gavan — also qualified for the poster presentation on the second day of the olympiad.

PGO 13 featured 35 participating schools from the Philippines, including its recognized top olympiad performers for this year: Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus, Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus, and Vinzons Pilot High School ranked first, second, and third respectively.

The nationwide geography competition consisted of an individual qualifying round with a 60-item multiple choice written examination as well as a fourhour field examination, where participants toured

around the UP Sunken Garden, UP Washington Sycip Garden, Osmeña Avenue, and J. P. Laurel Street while answering guide questions related to the different notable geographical aspects of UP Diliman.

Participants were reduced to 30 quiz bee qualifiers on the morning of the second day, with the top 10 quiz bee scorers clinching the two-hour field examination final round.

The top four were awarded in the closing program Sunday night, with all of them securing a ticket to the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) in Dublin, Ireland also this year.

The Philippines will be joining iGeo for the ninth consecutive year since the country’s debut in the competition in 2015, where the country has won three silver medals and eight bronze medals in its short history out of the international olympiad’s competitions since its establishment in 1995.

PGO 13 marks the first on-site olympiad since the pandemic and only the second with a field examination in competition history.

Along with LPSci, Las Piñas East National High School also joined this year’s national geography olympiad, sending out two Grade 9 participants under the guidance of coach Gilbert T. Nariz.

PGO is the premier and largest nationwide geography competition for junior and senior high school students in the country, recognized by the International Geography Union (IGU) as the country’s official geography competition.

LPSci entry to represent city in regional fire prevention jingle making

LANCE KIANE G. SALUDO

The 15-pupil Grade 11 team of Las Piñas City National Science High School (LPSci) was hailed city champions in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Fire Prevention Month Jingle Making Contest awarded March 10 at SM Southmall.

Open to all artists in Las Piñas, the Jingle Making Contest was part of the city’s BFP Fire Prevention Month Art Contests by the city fire station headed by Superintendent Melchor Isidro.

By winning the contest, the 15 students shared a P5,000 prize and will also have their two-minute entry compete for the regional fire prevention jingle competition against other NCR city winners.

LPSci’s jingle making team was composed of pure volunteers from the Grade 11 batch under the guidance of coach Emerina Clarisse Bernante — with each member joining to fill in roles in the production, vocals, instrumentals, and editing, enacting their talents onto the jingle under the available nine-day working span the team has set.

“Since most of the people who joined the jingle were musically-inclined, we were able to use our talents in order to bond with each other as well as be specifically grouped to focus on the lyrics, editing, and such. Putting them all together made us see the good product of our fun experiences,” jingle team guitarist Trisha Jerafusco said.

Trisha believes that teamwork served as a good advantage for them, especially considering the size of their team in scale as well as the help that they received from sections who also volunteered to film parts of the music video.

“I think what really helped us is that there were a lot of us who helped in the production of that song, because if you were to notice volunteers from other schools, they were mostly individually represented compared to LPSci’s surprising 15 members. That was what generally set us apart, which is a good advantage,” Trisha said.

“Sections were featured in the video and some people really volunteered to film that, so it’s the bayanihan spirit for us,” she added.

The guitarist further said that the jingle making enlightened her of the strengths that each of her comembers possesses, emphasizing that the whole team was able to deliver and contribute to the final output.

“It became easy to distribute tasks among all of them and essentially everyone who joined was able to contribute,” she said. “It’s a very fun experience to see that you created something that could represent your school.”

The 2024 BFP Fire Prevention Month Art Contests was celebrated with the theme, “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa.”

Jingle entries were scored according to theme relevance (30%), composition (25%), originality (25%), and recall value and appeal (20%).

Gonzalo Gatchalian National High School won second place in the same contest and went home with P3,000 in winnings.

“Considering that currently, especially in Las Piñas, the increasing number of fire incidents can be observed due to electrical causes and more, we would like to express through our song that it’s okay to ask for help even when we’re in our hard times — whether it is through your neighbor, relative, or someone — because being part of a fire incident doesn’t mean it’s the end. There’s always room for more in terms of the people we can ask for help,” said Trisha in her message to all this fire prevention month.

Along with the Jingle Making Contest, five Lapiscians also bagged fourth place in the BFP Hataw Kabataan Interpretative Dance Contest, guided by coach Peter Daniel Bangug.

The BFP Las Piñas Fire Prevention Month Art Contests also included the Collage Making Contest and Photography Contest. The contests were participated by different schools within the city.

With the increasing number of fire cases in the city, Trisha also shed light on the message of the song, relating to the theme of fire prevention and response togetherness.

Over 15,500 fire cases have been recorded in the Philippines during 2023, 20.7% higher compared to 2022’s 12,000.

A total of 15,679 fire cases have been recorded in the country from January 1 to December 26, 2023

Photo by: Philippine Geography Olympiad

Las Piñas vice mayor vows continued support to fire victims

“MasNCR e-bike

ban to start April 15

The rule to ban e-bikes, e-trikes, and tricycles amends Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which restricts the use of any unregistered motor vehicle for the current year.

importante nandito ako, bumalik ako para sa inyo.” (Most importantly, I’m here for you. I came back for you)

Las Piñas City Vice Mayor April Aguilar expressed her commitment to extend assistance to 170 families affected by a fire in Barangay Elias Aldana on March 5.

Aguilar arrived at the barangay the morning after the fire, March 6. She personally visited the 648 individuals sheltering in modular tents provided by the city government at the Elias Aldana covered court, ensuring their well-being and offering immediate aid.

“Noong nalaman kong nasunugan kayo, talagang nung gabi tumakbo na ‘ko dito para malaman kong maayos ‘yung sitwasyon niyo,” she said. (When I learned about the fire, I rushed here last night to assess your situation.)

Aguilar pledged her team’s support, promising to collaborate with the council to address the victims’ financial needs.

“So nandito ulit ako para ibigay yung relief

packs namin. Bukas aayusin natin sa konseho ‘yung inyong ano, ah, financial assistance, para may maibigay kami sa inyo,” she assured. (So I’m here again to distribute our relief packs. Tomorrow, we’ll work with the council to arrange financial assistance for you.)

The vice mayor affirmed that the city government will sustain assistance to affected families through emergency services and community support. She also highlighted the importance of safety awareness and community preparedness to prevent future fire incidents, particularly during Fire Prevention Month.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) report, the fire started in a residential area in Kurba, Barangay Elias Aldana, Las Piñas City, at around 1:23 p.m. The blaze razed 150 houses made of light materials,

Three residents sustained injuries: Wenceslao Tolentino, 26; Norlita Tegero, 55; and Jonniel Moya, 24. The BFP dispatched 21 fire trucks to the scene, extinguishing the fire by 3:22 p.m.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the fire’s cause and estimate the extent of property damage.

The

to e-bikes and e-trikes but local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila are currently tasked to identify roads to be banned within their city.

The initial MMDA list includes C1: Recto Avenue; C2: President Quirino Avenue; C3: Araneta Avenue; C4: EDSA; C5: Katipunan/C.P. Garcia; C6: Southeast Metro Manila Expressway; R1: Roxas Boulevard; R2: Taft Avenue; R3: Osmeña Highway (SLEX); R4: Shaw Boulevard; R5: Ortigas Avenue; R6: Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard; R7: Quezon Avenue/Commonwealth Avenue; R8: Andres Bonifacio Avenue; R9: Rizal Avenue; R10: Del Pan/ Marcos Highway/McArthur Highway; Elliptical Road; Mindanao Avenue; and Marcos Highway.

Violators will receive citation tickets and will be fined P2,500.

Under this prohibition, drivers of e-bikes and e-trikes will also be required to secure a license. Those who cannot present one will be subjected to impoundment of their vehicle.

The decision to implement regulation on e-bikes and e-trikes is based on the Metro Manila Council (MMC) Resolution 2024-022 that was agreed on by the MMDA and all NCR mayors due to the rising cases of accidents involving the mentioned vehicles.

“We will not wait for these figures to go higher and the situation to worsen,” MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said.

According to the data from the MMDA Road Safety Unit, road crashes in Metro Manila involving e-bikes, e-trikes, and e-scooters nearly tripled from 309 in 2019 to a total of 907 recorded in 2023.

The number of road incidents resulted in 468 instances of property damage, 436 non-fatal injuries, and four fatal injuries.

According to Artes, aside from lack of road safety, some e-bike and e-trike owners are even allowing minors to drive them along bustling roads without helmets.

Registration requirements will not be applied to light electric vehicles used in private roads.

The Helmet Law or RA 10054 for motorcycle riders will also be mandatory for those who will use two-wheeled electric vehicles.

This policy received backlash from various groups, including commuters, saying that there were no public consultations done before the ruling was released.

However, Artes explained that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-036 in February 2020, prohibiting trikes, pedicabs and motorized pedicabs from operating on national highways, and reiterated on MC No. 2020-145 released for the continuation of the road clearing.

During the consultation with some stakeholders in line with the MMC Resolution held on Monday, various areas for consideration were raised, including suggestions to create clearer guidelines on e-bikes and e-trikes on national roads that have a designated bike lane.

Taguig orders closure of 3 EMBO establishments

The Taguig-Makati land coercion intensified after Taguig City ordered temporary closure of the Makati Park and Garden and its adjacent facilities due to alleged lack of permits March 1.

The Makati Park and Garden, Makati Aqua Sports Arena (MASA), and Amphitheater situated in Barangays West Rembo and Cembo were closed.

Taguig’s action is in response to Makati City’s failure to secure necessary permits from the Local Government Unit of Taguig in line with its authority to regulate any business, trade, or activity within its territory.

“Tinuldukan na ng Korte Suprema ang usaping ito. Walang karapatan ang Makati na akusahan ang Taguig ng pangangamkam ng lupa,” Taguig City said in a statement. (The Supreme Court has already decided on this. Makati has no right to accuse Taguig of illegally seizing properties.)

In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the contested areas fall under the bounds of Taguig. This is the Enlisted Men’s Barrios (EMBO) which are Barangays Cembo, South Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, and Rizal.

“The Supreme Court decision only granted Taguig territorial jurisdiction over the ten EMBO barangays. It did not transfer to Taguig ownership of properties owned by the City of Makati,” Attorney Don Camiña, Makati spokesperson, clarified in a separate statement.

Camiña pointed out that the facilities were awarded last 2009 under the Presidential Proclamation No. 1916 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that remains valid until now.

The Makati spokesperson further said that obtaining a business permit is unnecessary as property owned by the national government is exempted from paying business tax and other taxes.

He added that Makati does not collect business taxes from the City of Manila, which owns the Manila South Cemetery located in Makati.

Makati warned Taguig of having “blood on its hands” should their ongoing clash over the Makati Park and Garden lead to violence.

Makati called out the concerned national agencies to “censure Taguig for its actions” given that their city is “determined to resort to all available courses of action to preserve and protect their properties.”

Last year, Makati filed an urgent motion against Taguig due to its many attempts “to forcibly take possession of Makati-owned facilities” after both cities engaged in a clash over schools and health facilities in EMBO barangays.

Trapped employees

After issuing the closure order of Makati Park and Garden at 6:40 a.m., Taguig officials proceeded to block all entrances, erect barricades, and deploy 100 personnel around the property.

“Taguig claims the park is being used as a garage. Why deploy 100 uniformed personnel to serve a closure order on a garage?,” Makati questioned.

Taguig City said the park is supposed to be open for the public and not for storage purposes.

According to the Makati employees, several individuals padlocked the gate and blocked the entrances of the establishment even after seeing people within the place.

One of the employees was locked inside for two days. Meanwhile, others were either prevented from leaving or entering the park.

Interrupted student-athletes

Over 4,000 students were affected after MASA, which was not included in the order, was also shut down last March 3.

The facility serves 2,195 participants in the ‘I Can Swim’ program by Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, as well as 719 students of the University of Makati (UMak) College of Human Kinetics and 1,486 Grade 12 students of the Higher School of UMak (HSU).

The Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said the facility’s closure poses a problem for students who need to complete their swimming course as part of their school curriculum.

MASA is equipped with two outdoor swimming pools: an olympic-sized and a kiddie pool where free swimming lessons are conducted every Sunday.

SIGNED. Vice Mayor April Aguilar opens the Green Card Program to families in Las Piñas City on Friday, November 24, 2023. This program’s main goal is to give healthcare support to families within Las Piñas City.

Photo by: City of Las Piñas

JULIANNAH PAULINE SOFIA A. VALLEGA

AKI GABRIEL A. HERNANDEZ

Photo by: Philstar

The City of Taguig temporarily closes public spaces, including Makati Park and Garden following its territorial jurisdiction on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Allegedly, the City of Taguig closed the park for operating without a permit.

Photo by: GMA News

OPINION

EDITORIAL

A Pacifier: Sealing the Zeal for Women’s 2024

What could be better than combating negativity with positivity?

Following the annual National Women’s Month celebration, streets gather to mark a day in commemoration of remarkable women’s achievements and even the pedestal that women are deprived of despite their consistent role in society. Not only does this salute female integrity, but this is also a mark to remind the people of the miserable history women are still living in.

Modern society could only be reactive — a series of “call-to-actions” and pleas for justice. Perhaps it never occurred to the people how they can take initiative. This year could be the start, by widening perspectives and strengthening feminine positivity. A day to uplift spirits rather than puncturing them down back to the created void. International Women’s Day (IWD) which has always been on the 8th of March, has been marked on every calendar since 1911. The Philippines only legally mandated the recognition of it as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day in 1988, signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino under Proclamation No. 224.

With this being an annual toast, themes grew more creative to have people engage with this movement. One of them is the “WE for gender equality and inclusive society,” introduced in 2023 and an aspiring recurring theme until the year 2028. WE could mean three things: Women and Everyone, Women’s Empowerment, and ‘we’ as a word by itself, meaning the people. The objective seemingly delves into the whim of achieving equality with everyone that completes society. Although admitted by the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) that the Global Gender Gap Report is showing a quantified slower pace of the global gender gap ending at 68.4%, their belief that synergistic effort would still make a solid impact constantly flares to descend the percentage and make gender equality perceptible.

Inclining positivity to uplift female power this Women’s Month is aimed at spreading it through words and sharing. “ “

Radio plug development that is initiated by the Philippine Commission of Women (PCW) wishes to be launched in hopes of commencing conversations and sparking an audience connection to acknowledge the current norms, planting an idea of how important inclusivity is. Additionally, a project called #JuanaSays has been serving inspiration since 2015 and spotlights heartening statements from women esteemed from their field of profession, stereotypebreaking, and influential with timely issues like gender norms. #JuanaSays features statements that address certain issues and allow advocacies to be heard about their prevalence.

Women are not just women. As Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez affirms, “Women have huge influence in our country, not only as homemakers, but as leaders in their chosen fields, and also as catalysts to nation building.” Lopez, who is also DSWD’s spokesperson, encourages everyone to participate in the advocacy of strengthening the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act 9710, along with the assurance of implementing activities that support the

Don’t fight women, fight for women

You can not fully celebrate International

Women’s Month knowing that in various places in the world women’s pleas are left unheard, cries neglected, and almost every woman has been victimized, left with no justice served.

One can not say a woman’s invocations are well heard when it only takes five people to steal her welldeserved justice because of unjustifiable reasons.

Last March 7, 2024, five senators signed a document pursuing a reverse to Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ request to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy, an alleged sexual harasser and rapist. One of the reasons is as follows, I quote verbatim: “Nakakahiya naman na ako e ipahuhuli ko siya. Diyos ko! You don’t do that to a friend.” (It will be shameful for me to let him get caught. My God! You don’t do that to a friend.)

Even the people in power believe that men who are generally nice and respected are not capable of sexually harassing and raping women. Is this the environment we want our future kids to grow up in? A country that deprives women of their right to justice merely because of friendships and connections?

Violence Against Women (VAW) is one of the most prevalent social issues present in our modern-day society. According to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Society Survey, though Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 was enacted, VAW is still observed. It was concluded by Forbes that up to this moment, one woman is killed every 11 minutes. VAW is an issue that even existing laws can’t prevent and stop, simply because people are choosing ignorance over action by letting it happen.

IRONICALLY ENOUGH

CYREE ELISHA B. PAMPLONA

Cha-cha-chance for corruption

Change is like drugs; it’s addicting, but not always necessary. Focusing on changes we need the least is like taking illegal drugs than healthy ones – it’s ignorant and assertive. When problems are served at the dining table, we solve it, not make more issues to neglect.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez, alongside the House of Representatives, stated that they would move to rewrite portions that focus on economic provisions that ban foreign ownership of the Philippines’ constitution this year. In which, it is called Charter change or Cha-cha.

the effectiveness of these banners that are helped by the algorithm to make it serve its purpose. However, it will always start when word gets around.

A project that most are promoting is the #WEcanbeEquALL — an online campaign that is promoted by the PCW, DSWD, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and many others. This banner commits to the collaboration of the people as a whole against exclusivity, as the right for societal equality proceeds to require cultivation.

Every one of these is designed to forefront women over the discrimination, bias, and prejudice that are nurtured by the traditions that have been generationally passed on. The people carry accountability for letting it happen, thus, doing something would only seem fair. Unfortunately, adversities will find their way to knock on our doors, so it is ours to take initiative.

Celebrate this March with the intent to uplift female spirits. Longevity may never be diminished, but that is not the concept to be given priority. Equality can be achieved — maybe by a long shot — but as long as there is enough endeavor, chances are making it tangible. Having a month to call for recognition and revel is enough to prove that women are constantly being drained of what they can offer and have offered.

Indeed, we are all ‘men.’ It is we, men, for women.

97% of women aged 18-24 years old have been sexually harassed, according to a survey from UN Women UK in 2021. Among these women, 96% did not report the incidents. 45% say that the reason they’re not speaking up is because it will not make a difference. In this society, women are not to be blamed for not being comfortable enough to share their experiences, especially since even in the modern age, people rarely have open minds and tend to judge so easily. There may be personal reasons as to why they choose to keep their unpleasant experiences to themselves, however, it doesn’t change the fact that the happenings will forever pierce their hearts, taint their souls, and stain their dignity and femininity.

Whatever their reason may be, one thing’s for sure: crimes against women go beyond what we see through our eyes in our everyday lives, and for sure, it must not be overlooked and underestimated. What’s on the surface must be tackled carefully. To say it bluntly, at this point, raising awareness is not and will never be enough – we must get up on two feet and scream for what’s right and just.

I, as a woman, am mad about how far down humanity and humility has come. With the evergrowing number of women victimized, though a change in mindset has been visible, continuous progress is still not. People continuously belittle us women and do as much as only acknowledge the possible harm but never take action against it.

We’ve already reached far heights, but we still have a long way to go to successfully close the gender gap and end violence against women completely.

“

How much harm do people have to impose on women to provoke a determination to change the system for the equality we’ve all been aiming for?

“

Until we live in a gender-based stereotype-free society, we must not turn a blind eye.

As we commemorate and acknowledge the experiences and poignant situations that women have gone through and are still going through, it must be remembered that change will start when everybody finally sees and hears the struggles of women. From this, further awareness will take place, and society might take a drift away from the bloodshed of women.

So before celebrating International Women’s Month, remember — no smile plastered on women’s faces can fully cover the pain they undergo because of being a woman, so, open your eyes and fight for women, their freedom, and their rights.

This constitutional reform can only be pushed through by people’s initiatives, where the people have the chance to change the constitution as long as 12% of all registered voters agree, and 3% of each legislative district sign the petition stated to push this through. I agree with the process, after all, the Filipinos themselves are the best ones to know when it is time to revise the constitution. But the problem is – citizens are not signing because they believe in the need for Cha-cha, they are signing because they are paid, because they are getting fooled by an empty promise.

For the past decades, I have seen Filipinos fight for our own rights and freedom; that’s the whole reason why the people have revolted in the EDSA People Power Revolution and why the Philippines now have the 1987 constitution.

“

Changing the constitution under the Marcos presidency does not mark the start of the new golden age – it marks the time where history will repeat itself all over again.

“

Change is essential for a growing environment, they say, and who am I to oppose change and development for our country’s awaited improvement? However, to make sure it’s effective, the government must see the levels of necessity of each field to distinguish what needs to be prioritized.

At the end of the day, no matter how attractive making a change may seem, it is nothing but a hassle if it doesn’t come with development. Change is useless without progress.

45% DISAGREE WITH CHA-CHA OUT OF 1,200 ADULTS

31%

CYREE ELISHA B. PAMPLONA

CRESIDA GUTIEREZ

CRESIDA GUTIEREZ

EDITORIAL

Recycled plastic chairs continued — Villars, ready to rescue

“Progress

is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow”—an inspiring quote from the Early Lectures book of Harvard University Press by Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist. With the underlying problem of waste-swarming areas of our motherland becoming as critical in the present, the Philippines remains one of the countries with the highest shares of global plastic waste. Aside from poor waste management, another issue in our country is the lack of chairs for the Philippines’ students, impacting the quality of education. With the initiative of the Villars to aid, it all seems possible to tie two loose ends at once.

The initiative by Senator Cynthia Villar brought about 1,056,000 kilos of plastic waste to be collected and recycled into armchairs for the utilization of the students using the first Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) Waste Plastic Recycling Factory, situated in Barangay Ilaya, Las Piñas City. This project provided livelihood and solved the country’s problems of poor solid waste management and lack of student armchairs.

The education and environmental management sectors benefit from converting plastic waste into

Think twice, click once

usable chairs. Approximately 20 kilos of mixed “soft plastics” are needed to make a chair designed to look like wooden pieces equipped with replaceable parts. With every chair, 20 kilos of plastics recycled results in a cleaner environment and happier students.

As stated by Villar, the jobless, the non-skilled, and even the physically disabled are employed by the factories, allowing those under the low-income

The more plastic factories built and operated to continue the project, the more opportunities and livelihood sources given to the poor and unemployed. “ “

CYREE ELISHA B. PAMPLONA

bracket to enhance their living while also playing a key role in solving nationwide issues.

The concerns of the people surrounding the materials of these chairs to be used by the students are alleviated as the materials used are non-toxic for daily use. Tests show that armchairs had low levels of lead (42 parts per million) and no traces of mercury. With the safety of the Filipino learners assured, the project truly benefits the public.

In conclusion, the innovative initiative headed by Senator Cynthia Villar addresses the pressing issues of poor plastic waste management and the lack of student armchairs in the country, providing a sustainable solution that benefits both the environment and the community.

As we advance, we pave the way for a sustainable future wherein education and environmental stewardship improve together.

ILLUMINATE A kick to the curb

This article will change your life. 99.9% of internet users claimed to do better in school after reading this, click here to read it for free — and so the cliché goes.

The very moment you decide to connect your device to an internet connection, whatever your intent may be, you’re inevitably welcoming a variety of risks in your life — from social media toxicity to cyberattacks. However, as the human beings we are, we’re all risk-takers, aren’t we?

The evolving technology paves the way for the rise of scammers in every existing platform on the internet. May it be from dating apps, e-commerces, or job opportunities, no one is safe from the bite of our modern predators — and amidst all these internet madness, booking a vacation would be best to clear your mind, right? Well, that is before you realize that your five-star “only-the-rich-can-afford” hotel reservation paid in advance was just another scam.

As the digital world continues to broaden, more and more crimes are committed in this continuously developed avenue. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), 313 complaints were reported for scams in 2023 — 2.44 times higher than the 91 cases filed in 2022. The number is expected to rise as the Holy Week break approaches, so it’s better to practice safety and security when accessing and using the virtual grounds.

Besides the cases reported to the PNP, there are also scamming incidents that go around, where the perpetrators rarely get caught. Back in 2016, we used to be one of the Facebook users who were gullible to comply with chain messages. Until now, we still receive spam messages, where one person can pretend like he or she is my mom and they need load, or that I won a free trip to Disneyland. The only difference is that now, we are aware of the possible consequences if I choose to make rash decisions to comply with the messages, making my digital journey a safer and a much more secure one. We are grateful to be well-educated about the dangers of scammers and hackers disguised as rewards too good to be true.

With the rise of vacation scammers, netizens must deliberately check for credibility before paying large amounts of money to book tourism-related agencies. On the other hand, the government must also be in contact with social media and online ad

companies to track and take down clickbaits. They must prioritize their citizens’ cyberspace safety amid the ever-advancing technology.

Not only this, but the perpetrators must suffer the rightful consequences to give proper justice to the victims. You cannot undo what has been done, and likewise the financial damage caused by the vacation scammers, unless one is willing to pay legal charges which are offered unpursued due to the difficult court process.

Strengthening cybersecurity remains an issue unresolved over the years. Instead of warning the public about the variety of scamming baits, the PNP must focus on tracking and arresting the scammers. Our law enforcement agencies must outplay, if not fully get rid of the fraudsters when they only bounce back smarter.

“ “

With every click, you open not only a tab, a window, or an application, but also an opportunity for scammers to attack your cyber peace.

However, it is still up to you whether or not you will let the attacks get to you — and for sure, if you are well-educated and conscious of the possible outcomes of your every move, cybercrime is avoidable. Your space is yours, and it’s your job to protect it.

We are all risk-takers – but we must always keep in mind that in every risk we take comes the inevitable consequences, but are, indeed, beatable. Think twice, or a hundred times even, before you click once, and when suspicious reservation schemes come knocking on your door, owe it to your future self to not take the bait.

You cannot solve a problem by presenting another, yet for someone who thrives off of controversy, the Department of Education does it best. For instance, since when did “classroom renovation” start to sound like “calendar reversion”?

As mandated by Republic Act 7797, classes in the Philippines start on the first Monday of June, concluding in March, yet, the subsequent lockdown caused our current school calendar to commence in August, and was later extended to October.

This brought complaints from parents, students, and teachers alike due to health risks posed by the Philippines’ heat index, hence, pushing DepEd to revert the opening of classes to June.

However, this abrupt decision only downplays the elephant in the room of quality education: classroom shortages, lack of resources, teachers, and health facilities, which introduced greater concerns in each passing school year.

Education psychologist and University of the Philippines professor Lizamarie Olegario stated that the calendar reversal was only a “stopgap” measure.

Deped has yet to address issues that affect a classroom’s ventilation, amidst the scorching heat, such as limiting a class size to 40 in which 75 to 80 students were packed into one classroom in some schools to make up for the lack of classrooms.

“

If heat is the main hindrance that pushes DepEd to precipitously revert the school calendar, then why not focus on the hottest learning issues and educational gaps instead?

“

ETERNAL IRIS

It is argued that one drive that pushed the school calendar shift back in 2014 was due to the alarming loss of learning brought by typhoons and other climate-related disasters.

However, we are aware that climate change no longer limits the typhoon season in the months of June to October as disasters become more disruptive and frequent.

In the long run, shifting the school calendar yet again would only be meaningless amid the everworsening climate when typhoons are now expected to happen all year round. Instead, DepEd must work on strengthening the infrastructures necessary to survive this country’s unpredictable weather.

Reverting the DepEd calendar is not only a short-sighted solution but also an impediment to quality education

This move requires the shortening of the current school year which forces teachers to compress numerous lessons in a short period of time. Rushing academic activities would only force the students to keep up with such unreasonable time frames, hence prioritizing only fulfilling the requirements instead of actually learning.

As a fast learner, I am grateful for the skill to easily grasp lessons even under pressure, yet, DepEd must realize that there are students experiencing difficulty in understanding concepts especially with the Philippines’ low literacy rates. Hastening the academic year would not help.

I am aware of the significant challenges that hinders learning, and none of those being the heat when summer classes already exist.

Our education system has real problems to work on, and instead of diverting the public’s attention to the sudden Deped calendar reversion, it would be more meaningful to focus on learning reforms that provide the “quality” in our country’s declining education system.

Furthermore, to continue to kick the main issue to the curb by constantly devising unnecessary policies will do nothing but obstruct our country’s development. Such incompetent leaders would only raise unskilled learners.

LYDEN MIRRH M. PERALTA

LYDEN MIRRH M. PERALTA

Between the Lines

Stories untold are usually found beyond the text and within the spaces, one just has to read between the lines.

For a country fond of chismis and with fake news easily spreading, reading comprehension is a developmental skill that every Filipino should prioritize.

However, it is alarming that 90.9 percent of 10-year-olds nowadays are unable to comprehend a simple story as per the 2022 World Bank report, and after what felt like an eternity, the Department of Education finally made a move in the right direction — the rollout of “Catch-up Fridays.”

IRONICALLY ENOUGH

CYREE ELISHA B. PAMPLONA

Mother Tongue: Blind and empty

Bansang makabata, batang makabansa”

It’s undeniably ironic how the famous, as stated by Vice President Sara Duterte multiple times in her speeches, DepEd’s slogan claims that if our country prioritizes children, they are expected to prioritize the country as well. How is that possible if the new MATATAG curriculum straightforwardly removed Mother Tongue for Kindergarten to Grade 10, replacing it with a generic language subject only to be studied in one year?

to attain the objectives of our basic education curriculum.

This is established with a designated time while maintaining adaptability to provide public schools with a flexible framework. With a program straight up pulled in the cards, Filipino children will finally have a day dedicated to reading, critical thinking, and writing.

The Standard Press sides with the newly implemented Catch-up Fridays for it is a huge step in addressing the country’s deteriorating education system, following DepEd IV-A Education Program Supervisor Diane Catherine Teves’ statement saying that Catch-up Fridays will provide an inclusive learning environment for those experiencing difficulty in reading.

This way, students would benefit from

However, interventions and the incorporation of diverse tools must meet the needs of every student — which is exactly what the memorandum indicated.

According to DepEd, its reading program will “give learners opportunities for reading intervention and reading enhancement through developmentally appropriate reading materials.”

This sharpens the effectiveness of the program through engagement.

If financial literacy is a crucial skill to improve in the lifetime of an average Filipino, why do we learn about it too late? If the earlier birds claim the worm, what more remains for our pupils?

Although the Philippine Educational Curriculum includes various essential skills for a learner to soak in, including subjects involving finances is rare in most schools in the country.

The realization that most Filipino adults are financially illiterate brings concern to the citizens of our country, which underscores the need for further adjustments in our education system.

The disastrous results of a study by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the World Bank concluded that the Philippine people tend to do poorly in financial literacy surveys and that their formal account penetration among the low-income population has been traditionally very low.

The study revealed that 42%of adults correctly identified inflation’s effect on purchasing power and that 25% of adult Filipinos know complex financial concepts such as personal finance management,

Reading is a foundational skill that influences every aspect of success in our lives.

“ “

With Catch-up Fridays implemented, it is undeniable that DepEd has surely read between the lines in terms of acknowledging the country’s learning gaps AND solving them.

budgeting, saving, investing, credit and debt, insurance and taxes.

The working adults in our country live their lives dependent on paychecks, barely surviving each day with the scraps of funds they have left in their wallets. This revelation shows that the education system does not ensure good jobs, despite the requirement of roughly 12 years of learning before a person can do labor.

It proves that our education system has critical gaps, emphasizing the need for better financial literacy.

With parents who had taught me about the importance of finances, I consider myself lucky compared to the portion of the Philippine population uneducated on ways to manage and budget their money. With a few years left before I can reach financial independence, I feel relieved to have experienced the teachings of my family regarding financial literacy. With financial literacy, the next generation of Filipinos can navigate and manage their lives in a stable and organized manner.

In the Philippines, most students are not knowledgeable about the true importance of financial literacy.

We need to focus on improving education, evaluating risks, and enlightening ourselves about the several aspects of our economy. The encouragement of financial education to the youth may be the solution to this issue.

Another potential solution to this problem may be creating new laws to emphasize financial education, such as House Bill No. 9162, or the Financial Literacy Education bill filed by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Lordan Suan, which aims to integrate financial literacy into the education system.

Be an early bird who catches the worm in a world filled with those who wake too late.

Two main languages are spoken in the Philippines, namely English and Filipino, and the Filipino language has many underlying dialects spoken in different provinces. Children are taught different ways of speaking since birth — some children speak English, some speak fluently in Tagalog, and some can only speak conversational and slang Tagalog language.

As a student who always had problems with the Filipino subject, I am still thankful for the opportunity to learn more about the Philippines language, even despite being someone who struggles with it. When the Philippines first claimed its independence way back in 1898, it came with the privilege of owning a language that could help Filipinos truly express their thoughts and feelings through their fully owned way of speaking. The Filipino subject has been part of the curriculum ever since – why remove it now when it can be observed that many students are failing to comprehend even simple Filipino words?

From 8-12 subjects, the MATATAG curriculum chose to remove the Mother Tongue subject. This is due to their reasoning that students have to focus more on the fields of Science, Math, Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC), and others, but not Mother Tongue. The yearly plays of Dr. Jose Rizal’s famous novels in high school levels will also then be revoked, and will lack the recognition and acknowledgment it deserves as it stood as some of the most prominent books of the country’s history.

Currently, the mother tongue language I was taught is Filipino, even if my first language was English. Because of that, I recognized the importance and quality of the Filipino language. However, if that system is not deemed to be effective, then it must be improved rather than erased. After all, the students are not the only ones who are going to benefit from a refined version of the subject, but also the country.

Well, bansang makabata, batang makabansa, right?

“I stand by the goal of education to empower students with knowledge and skills that extend beyond the classroom. This can be achieved by prioritizing the use of the language they are first exposed to, especially when educators enable students to express themselves confidently and articulate their thoughts effectively.

“. This approach not only strengthens the individual but also contributes to the overall development of a more informed and capable Filipino citizenry. In embracing linguistic diversity and supporting learning in native languages, educational systems can truly unlock the full potential of each student, paving the way for a more enriched and inclusive society.

To be able to embody DepEd’s slogan, it must be clear that for patriotism to happen, educators must embrace the culture and what it truly means to be Filipino. The people in power must recognize the importance of the Mother Tongue language so that the students can maintain both their education and nationalism.

After all, nationalism without education is blind, and education without nationalism is empty.

SATRIAH ARYAM C. MANSUL

“Teaching is my passion,” Shenandoah Tejada Kwek, or as her students call her, Ms. Shen, shared. She is a teacher at Las Piñas City National Science High School, and her love for teaching traces back to her teenage years—a fervor that remained strong even in the face of a daunting diagnosis. She was diagnosed with cancer in the midst of her profession. However, despite the difficulties that she had to go through, she never once gave in to its claws.

During my treatment, I dreamed of going back to the classroom because it was one of the things that made me feel normal again,” she explained. However, the road to returning to teaching was filled with challenges. The grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation left her body fragile and battling intense side effects while yearning to be back where she felt most alive—among her students. “There were days when I still could not get up, days of severe pain,” she recalled.

A Blessing in Disguise

“I know I should not say this, but to be honest, the pandemic came as a blessing to me.” Ms. Shen admitted. “At least no one would see me if I suddenly needed to go to the bathroom to throw up or if I needed to lie down in bed when I was in pain.” The onset of the pandemic gave her the blessing of working from home despite being a challenge in itself, and it allowed her to continue her work while prioritizing her recovery.

New Beginnings

Transferring to a new school after her treatment brought its own set of hurdles. The familiar faces and routines she had grown accustomed to were replaced by unfamiliar ones. “For some time, I felt lonely and alone. Since it was a pandemic when I entered, it took some time before I felt like I belonged and felt like a part of the community. It was difficult to talk to people whom I do not know yet and make connections with them when everything was done online,” Ms. Shen said. Yet, amidst these trials, she clung to the mantra “Be brave”.

Strength in Love

She drew strength from her family and put her faith in the Lord. “Even though I was struggling in pain during my treatment, I never felt alone in the journey,” Shenandoah reflects. “My faith and love for Him grew stronger and deeper.” It was this faith that carried her through the darkest moments and it reminded her that she was never fighting alone.

Ms. Shen leaned heavily on her support system, especially her

The Clipped Wings of Self-Expression

Individuality is something that every single person in the world prioritizes. Every choice we make and step we take on the path of fashion reflects just how unique a person is. Everyone wants to stand out and be seen in the sea of bleak colors that make up the world. One particular accessory has swept the masses off of their feet with its adorable appearance: the duck hair clip.

The tiny clip-on feathered friend is something that has waddled into the lives of Filipinos and brought a warm light into their premises. However, the joys that come from enjoying something are usually accompanied by the contrast of criticism no matter how pleasant it is. People have complained about how the duck hair clips can be a bit of a nuisance and a distraction, backing their stand up with how it is also unprofessional. The banning of duck hair clips have been discussed in schools all

husband, who stayed by her side to help her. His care, amidst his own responsibilities, showed how strong love can be in troublesome times. “My husband was my rock,” she stated with gratitude, recalling how he tirelessly supported her, even rallying for blood donors when her hemoglobin levels were dangerously low. “I did not expect him to post on Facebook to ask for blood donors since my blood type was rare, but he did not stop there. For a week, he used all his energy to help me increase my hemoglobin by giving me all kinds of food rich in iron. I took another test after a week, and we were so happy to know that my hemoglobin went up to 119, so I did not need a blood transfusion and I can proceed with my treatment.”

Lessons Learned

“I learned that I am brave, strong, and loved,” she said. “Now that I am back to teaching in the classroom, I have learned to manage my health problems because of cancer, so it will not affect my work. I feel the need to inspire more young people to cherish life and focus on what is important because life is short. We never know when it will be taken away from us. My love for teaching grew stronger, and I am more sure that I am indeed called to this vocation.”

A Teacher Reborn

When asked about how her experiences have made her a better teacher, she replied: “I am more motivated to do my best in everything I do now. Teaching with more passion, living the moment, and treating every challenge as an opportunity for growth. I have become even more compassionate and empathetic to the people around me,” she shared. Her advice to others facing similar challenges is simple yet profound: “Never lose hope and faith in the Lord.”

“I am a living testament that if you put your trust in the Lord, He will move mountains for you. Cling to the Lord, and let Him be your greatest warrior. I assure you, He will win every battle for you.” She stated. “Have faith in your own strength. You are stronger than you think. Do not let these problems weaken your self-esteem. Instead, think of these problems as an opportunity to grow and learn.”

Ms. Shen’s spirit is an epitome of strength, love, and the belief that with faith and perseverance, one can overcome even the toughest challenges. Her story will forever be one that brings light into the lives of those who are going through similar experiences because if she can survive, anyone can survive if they fight hard enough.

over the Philippines. However, there still exists the masses who contradict this ban and acknowledge that duck hair clips are simply a form of selfexpression.

These clips exist to help self-expression go swimmingly. They are one of the means for Filipinos to show the world who they are even in a society that seeks to silence them. What is even better is that anyone can use them to add a fun touch to their outfit of the day. People clip them atop their heads, but recently, even people who are bald have found a way to style the clip, using headbands and even tape for comedic effect.

Each duck hair clip carries a story with it. They can be gifted, akin to how one could surprise their loved ones with jewelry. They can be earned as a prize at arcades, being worn afterwards as a trophy to signify the victory. They can be bought because they remind people of their most heartwarming

memories. They spread a happiness in Filipinos that could be shattered following the ban of these accessories.

Prohibiting duck hair clips in certain settings wouldn’t just unfairly disadvantage people–it also means discrimination and aiming to erase their identities and suppress their voices.

Self-expression comes in many forms. It is a way to connect with the world and there is no single right way to do it. What may seem odd to some may mean a lot for others. If we learn to accept our differences, we can create a world where everyone feels free to express their true selves. So let us not clip the wings of selfexpression for every Filipino – instead, let us give attention to its beauty and let the quirky quacks of duck hair clips be heard all over the nation.

BWAN LILA AGUHAR

COURAGEOUS FIGHTER.

Ms. Shenandoah Kwek, a teacher at LPSci, continues to teach and inspire despite battling cancer.

Photo by: Bwan Lila Aguhar

FEATURE

LET’S ROCK!

Are you ready to get your groove on?

Ever since the fantastic Battle of the Bands event at Las Piñas City National Science High School last school year 2023, the students have counted down the days on their calendars for the next BOTB, and the school jolted alive with excited chatter when the MAPEH Department announced it would be commencing again. The school held the event recently, and it left a lingering mark on the hearts of the attendees that is sure to last for years to come.

The Bamboo Court was established as the venue for the proceeding, and any onlooker could vouch that it was filled to the brim with giddy students, teachers, and loving parents who arrived to support the bands. The occasion gave musical culture even more vibrance, and it opened a lot of people’s hearts to the beauty of different genres. It took place on a Saturday afternoon, and trepidation could be felt in the air as people waited for the performances of the ten competing bands to start.

The Lineup

The court boomed with sound as the bands played their hearts out, and it really showed the promising talents of the students within LPCNSHS.

Asterismo, Contented, 19th St., EBE, Parokya ni AJ, Reveries, and Sinag-Musika.

The Victors

Three bands emerged as the top contenders after an intense battle of musical mastery. Asterismo claimed the coveted first place, EBE secured the first runner-up position, while Parokya ni AJ earned the title of second runner-up.

A Day to Remember

The BOTB left a big effect on everyone who attended the event. It allowed passionate young musicians to show the world what they were capable of, and it let the people who attended rekindle their love for music. Through this event, people came together to make amazing things happen, and it inspired a lot of others to look towards their own musical paths as well.

This event has continued to be one of the most memorable events of the school year. The guitars have now been unplugged, the microphones have been shut off, and the court is now tranquil, but as the students file out of the venue, they can’t help but look forward to the

Las Piñas City National Science High School Hosts Electrifying Battle of the Bands

Enriching Minds and Voices: A Look Into LPSCI’s English

Month Festivities

Anew tomorrow with reignited hope has arrived for LPSci students with the revival of the English Club this school year. With this also comes the rebirth of the various activities the English Department has to offer for the month of November, locally known as the LPSci English Month.

The English Club officers, along with their Club Adviser, Ms. Giarell Apolona, and the English Department Head, Sir Joselito Tindugan, put in immense effort to introduce new activities like the Persona Articulata competition and the Booklandia Pageant, alongside the annual division-led competitions. Their goal was to offer a fresh approach to this year’s English Month activities and leave an impactful impression on the LPSci community.

With the Persona Articulata and the JHS Booklandia Pageants set as the two headliner activities for the month of November, the entire campus was filled with semantic prowess and the drive to succeed.

BWAN LILA AGUHAR ARVIN LYON PADILLA

The Persona Articulata Pageant featured two categories: one for junior contestants and another for seniors, each vying for their respective crowns. The pageant began with a series of questions, with contestants being reduced to half each elimination period leading up to the final three. With the final question being the same for all three candidates, Eingelle Abadilla of 10 - Commitment won the Senior Crown, while Claire Santos of 9 - Family secured the Junior Crown.

The JHS Booklandia Pageant, on the other hand, was characterized by a single round of character portrayal. Each section from grades to 7 to 10 sent out two representatives, one male and one female, to compete for the titles Mr. and Ms. Booklandia. Surprisingly, our Mr Booklandia and Ms Booklandia came from one home section: Micah Angelique R. Jimenez and Edson Nathaniel C. Pasahol from 7-Bravery.

The English Club may be young, but its future is certainly promising. Exciting projects, such as its daughter club Teatro Lapisciano, are already underway.

Taylor Swift: Filipino Swifties’ reactions to Eras Tour locations, Philippines not included

"It only hurts this much right now". The opening lyric for Labyrinth from her album Midnights released in 2022 could perfectly sum up what fans felt after receiving the news: the Philippines is not part of the countries where Taylor Swift will star on her Eras Tour in 2024. The reasons may be unclear, but here are a few speculations on why the singer chose not to have her tour in the country.

On X (Twitter), a Filipino Swifty tweeted the Philippines "did not meet the requirements of the (Eras Tour)", adding Taylor "wanted" to come to the Philippines but it "does not have a proper national stadium within the urban area". The Philippine arena may have the same capacity. Still, when compared to the Singapore National Stadium, it is centered in the middle of the city, making it easier to get to, and its capacity to build a huge stage with added LED screens would simply make Singapore the more straightforward approach for Taylor and her fans.

As for the Singapore National Stadium, another X (Twitter) user added it has a sports venue capacity of around 55,000 people, accommodating 45,000 to 50,000 with minimal stage space and screen use for a regular concert. Since Swift's stage usually requires more space and time to prepare, it would be reasonable for her to choose the more appropriate stadium.

Despite the apparent disappointment of Filipino and fellow Southeast Asian Swifties, some fans plan on securing tickets for Singapore or Japan, with some creating simple itineraries for those still interested in attending her tour on social media.

Overall, regarding fans’ reactions to Taylor not coming to the Philippines, they're "still a believer but they don't know why" Taylor, "but if the story's over, why are they still writing pages?" Most of us need to accept that she "can plan for a change in weather and time," but she "never planned on you changing your mind". It might be hard to swallow, but for the good of the Eras Tour, Taylor, and the fans, all we need to "do is try, try, try".

MUSICAL MARVEL. Taylor Swift dazzles the crowd during her iconic ‘Eras Tour’ concert.

Photo by: Trafalgar Releasing

ANTICIPATION PEAKS. Miguel Dabu and Eingelle Abadilla anxiously await the winners’ announcement at the Persona Articulata pageant.

Photo by: The Standard Press

ALEXA LORENA

SOMEONE SPILLED THE TEA!

Behind Big Bad Breakups of Philippine Celebrities 2023

BWAN LILA AGUHAR & CASSANDRA HERNANDEZ

The principle for the showbiz industry goes haywire; your fans are not supposed to see right through the rose-tinted glass of unpleasant truths behind forced situations; therefore, you are expected to smile when faced by the camera, act and connect because it is one thing you should be master at.

It came about after and after speculations, rumors, and “cool off” relationships before the revelations were dropped like bombs. Year 2023 was definitely defined by the most devastating celebrity couple breakups. Apart from the fans’ wonted enthusiasm about their favorite stars’ acting comebacks, it was least of their expectations to hear about their break-ups, boggling the social media world, inviting the curious minds of unwanted guests.

Like Book Tropes: Andrea Brillantes and Ricci Rivero

The usual romance story line goes the way a girl cheers from the bleachers for her varsity crush on the gameplay. It was like a moment out of the books for young star, Andrea Brilliantes, when she was asked to be Ricci Rivero’s — a now Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player —girlfriend in winsome ways.

After Rivero’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) game last April 2022, the public was in profound shock and giddy when Brilliantes was addressed from the courtside. Coming home from the game with all smiles and flutters, she posted a personal photo of her on Instagram beholding a bouquet with a “Yes'' shirt.

However, not all books have happy endings, similarly leaving a bit of a mess for the couple’s

romance. Last May 2023, Andrea and Ricci have officially parted ways but took later in regards to

definitely an unforeseen and heart wrenching news to accept for avid Kathniel fans — a long standing

connection she had with Padilla for a decade. “What Deej (Daniel) and I had was real. It was never for

Grief wades through high hopes of the fans. The remaining optimism slowly diminished as the love team subconsciously showed hints of truth enlightenment. At the end of the day, there really is a

As if the previous announcement of big bad breakups of famous celebrity couples were not enough, couple Kim Chiu and Xian Lim also engulfed the social media platforms with the news of their break-up. Perhaps, the most painful kind of waiting is waiting on something only you were

Last December, Chinita princess ,Kim Chiu, shared on her Instagram post the mutual decision to end her 12-year relationship with Lim. Rumors surrounded the breakup that only the actress was ready to take the relationship to lifetime. However, the ring of weddings marrying two people are circled around deep-seated commitment and courage to choose the same person everyday.

It only takes a drop of a hat to sense an unpleasant ambience in the atmosphere of events. In times such as this, the toxic standards of loveteams in Philippine showbiz overpowers the willingness of the people to stand for right and truth. Being the other half that makes up a loveteam does not necessarily need to exceed the expectations of upholding fan service even beyond camera sights. Afterall, artists on screens live a life that should

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Academic Realities Fall

Light strikes the srface of reality, and suddenly it is crystal clear. They say, point one finger to the top and look over both sides of truths — there comes before our eyes, everything good and bad waiting to be seen.

The harsh cycle of life goes over and over again, bides

had extreme heat in schools, a terrible ordeal for both teachers and students. Many fell ill. The heat spell forced many schools to switch back to less-desirable online and modular learning,”

At one point, intentions flowed viciously, however, there was still a challenge faced en masse.

Claudia Camilet, a Grade 10 student from Las Pinas City Science High School

(LPSci) spoke through gaps, when asked her stance on going back to old mechanics of the school year opening, “actually, para sa ’kin, I'm okay with it. ‘Yung abrupt na pagbabago na ginagawa should not be this way. Parang dapat dahan-dahan, smooth way and not very rushed, it would have been better.” (Actually, for me, I’m okay with it. It’s just that, the abrupt process should not be this way. It should be taken slowly, smoothly and not very rushed, it would have been

less time. There is so much to do so it feels like we have no time for rest.) Claudia added.

It is an answered despair to finally make adjustments on the loose system forced by the salient pandemic. The point remains that to achieve out-andout plans for the people, weighing everything good and bad must be done. Listen to the people, come behind the ambitions.

CASSANDRA HERNANDEZ

FOND MEMORIES. Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla share a nostalgic moment in this throwback picture. Photo by: Rappler

A Bright Tomorrow Starts Today: Las Piñas LGU Offers Public Assistance Projects for Las Piñeros

HEALTH

The Las Piñas City LGU offers free services spread across the various health facilities in the city. These services include free childbirth services for those aged 18 and above, a health diagnostic center offering medical check-ups and testing, and free HIV and AIDS treatment at the Las Piñas Social Hygiene Clinic.

WELFARE

A better Las Piñas would not come into fruition without having the welfare of the Las Piñeros in mind. Twenty barangays have been appointed to deliver nutritious food to our Las Piñero brothers and sisters who are struggling to make ends meet. This is made possible by the ‘Kusina ng Las Piñas’ program. The City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Las Piñas (CENRO) also has projects to maintain cleanliness and green spaces in the city. Programs under this initiative include free water supply for those affected by water interruptions, free fertilizers and plants, and a new and improved drainage system.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The Las Piñas disaster risk reduction management office (LPDRRMO) reported new and improved personnel and equipment, including but not limited to the DRR Rescue Team, 10 ambulance units, 5 rescue boats, 2 crashed vehicle rescue equipment, 400 modular tests, 2 militarygrade tents, an early disaster warning system, and mobile generator sets, which would definitely be utilized to ensure the safety of our community in times of emergency. The LPDRRMO can be reached through their emergency hotline, 02 8290 6500.

LIVELIHOOD

Las Piñeros can contact the Las Piñas City Public Employment Services Office (PESO) for job opportunities inside or outside the country and undergo training at the Las Piñas Manpower Training Center, which offers Technical and Educational skills courses for food and beverage services, bread production, cookery, electrical services, English proficiency, and more. Aside from these services, free housing is also provided for informal sectors and those who have lost their homes during times of calamity.

Parols, Plants, and Bamboo. Some of the many wonders associated with the bustling Filipino City of Las Pinas. Known for its various attractions and beautiful tourist spots, it has recently joined the list of the Philippines' top domestic holiday destinations, third in the overall ranking made by Airbnb. What could've made this simple city so famous, and what exciting sights does it have in store? Maybe the mayor can give us an answer.

As said by Mayor Imelda Aguilar, the city is known as the Parol (lantern) Capital in all of Metro Manila, starting the sales of these vibrant, glistening parols dating back to the early 1970s in the humble Barangay Elias Aldana. What's more, is that the city government continues to support these talented parol makers in their pursuit of contributing to the city's cultural identity. The team of Las Pinas City Tourism and Cultural Officer under Paul San Miguel, with a lot of dedication and determination, made the city recognized by local and foreign tourists in promoting their lustrous cultural heritage.

The City's Tourism Office also acknowledged the Las Pinas Nursery and Botanical Garden in

Barangay Pamplona, a sight that piques the interest of not only "plantitas and plantitos", but the exploring tourists visiting the country as well. The Botanical Garden houses a variety of various kinds of flora, intricately organized to provide a sense of beauty, relaxation, and appreciation of nature's lush blooms for enthusiasts and families alike.

But if we're talking about Las Pinas, we cannot forget the musical maestro that is the famous Bamboo Organ, the oldest, biggest, and first of its kind in the world, replicating the rhythm of the serene environment's melodic symphony. Its historic residence in the St. Joseph Church is frequently visited by tourists and Filipinos who want to witness the Organ's symbolism, often decorated with pops of color seen in colorful lanterns and Christmas lights during "Simbang Gabi".

Las Pinas City, in all of its glory and splendor, offers all its treasures to all tourists, visitors, and fellow Filipinos. Its cultural impact on the country still shines brightly to this day, evident in its modest yet unique and breathtaking features. In the top spot or not, this city will always be a beacon representing the Philippines' vast history and tradition, whether it be through parols, plants, or bamboo.

Las Piñas as a top domestic holiday destination: Parols, Plants, and Bamboo

ALEXA LORENA

SCI-TECH

PLOTTING HIS LIFE:

A Look into the Works and Philosophies of Rene Descartes

In the village of La Haye en Touraine, a shrill cry pierces the air. Jeanne Brochard has given birth to Renatus Cartesius, more well-known as Rene Descartes. Although the baby’s life would seem to be simple, she had no idea the mathematical prowess held in that bundle of cloth, who would grow to be one of the most powerful minds of the 17th Century.

STARTING ON THE NUMBER LINE

Rene’s life started quite tragically, with his mother dying a few days after his stillborn brother. Known for his fragile health, he entered schooling at the Jesuit Collège Royal Henry-Le-Grand, where the gears of his mind started to turn.

His father, however, being a member of the local parliament, wished for his son to become a lawyer. This led to Descartes studying for two years at the University of Poitiers, earning his licence, and moving to Paris.

DESCARTES AT WAR

soldier. A mercenary under the Protestant Dutch States Army, he engaged in the art of war. His commander, however, saw the genius waiting to be unleashed, and assigned Descartes to a course on military engineering.

VISIO MATHEMATICA

According to Adrien Ballet, Descartes’ most prolific biographer, on 10-11 November of 1619 came a cold front over the troops. Descartes, to escape the heat, bolted himself in a room with a heat source to keep warm, but then visions came!

Reportedly, three dreams came to Descartes, who attributed them to divine beings(although modern studies suggest a type of “exploding head syndrome”, where loud and harsh hallucinations occur). After leaving the room, he had formulated his magnum opus, Analytic Geometry.

A PLANE OF POSSIBILITIES

Analytic Geometry, unlike other types of geometry, uses what is known as “coordinate

Descartes however took it further and created 2 and 3 -dimensional planes. These spaces, now known as Cartesian Planes, are used in cartography, trigonometry, and any mathematical discipline involving 2d and 3d objects.

LOGICAL PHILOSOPHIES

Descartes, also an avid philosopher, combined math and theoretical thinking. Mathematicism, although started by ancient Greeks, became widespread due to Descartes’ logical-mathematical process used to assess real-life data and abstract concepts. It is from here that he formulated his most famous quote, “I think, therefore I am.”, implying that a man’s capability to think and rationalise decisions is what makes him human.

A great man, Descartes died at the age of 53 in February 1650. By then, he had inspired countless scientists and philosophers like Isaac Newton, John Locke, Charles Darwin, and Sigmund Freud. His works have led to the rise of technology and civilization as we know it today, both in the physical and philosophical aspects of life we all experience

SMOKING OUT THE SMOKE

Eversince the arrival of tobacco on Philippine shores, millions of Filipinos have strung their lungs for the addictive substance; smoke, not from factories, but from mouths fill the air of Manila, killing thousands and hospitalizing millions. Now with the recent rise in vapes and e-cigarettes, will the Philippines still be able to breathe?

A vape, albeit presented by companies as less toxic, still has the same effects of inhaling anything else other than oxygen. By putting juice on a small portion of cotton, a coil heats up and sparks the flammable ingredient, giving you smoke alongside the taste of your favorite beverage; all at less the price for a full box of cigarettes at 7-Eleven.

Though without the natural grown leaves of a cigar, the chemicals produced by the smoke still

absence of tobacco. Even worse is the rising use of vapes in schools; young elementary students are reported to use it regularly to cope with stress.

Several former Department of Health (DOH) Secretaries have urged for both legislative and executive action towards the impending numbers. According to past DOH Secretary and Cardiologist Dr. Esperanza Cabral, she urges the Presidential Office and law-makers to enact protocols limiting the buy-and-sell of vape or to provide alternatives to smoking, especially for minors. “Sabi ko nga, mag-chewing gum na lang,” (Like I said, just use chewing gum), she said.

As the Philippines looks towards a future for the next generation, a cloud of smoke stands in our way. Either we clear the fog for our children, or choke our country to death in the process.

DEER-LY BELOVED

New Species of Deer Discovered in Peru

most feared predator, the horned owl.

Although we may live in a time of technological advancements and relative modernity, the air in our skies says otherwise. The amount of carbon dioxide

The Science journal has been a constant source of new discoveries and leaps and bounds in our understanding of the world, but a new study paints a grim future for our lives. In an article published by Columbia Climate

With the hooves of a cow, the horns of an antelope, and the cuteness of a little piglet munching on veggies, the humble deer is part of the family Cervidae, and can be found wandering the forests of Europe to the plains of America.

Studied intensely by biologists around the globe, their taxonomy, evolution, and subspecies have been quite a mystery to science; their physical characteristics have found them on multiple endangered lists due to their rarity for hunters. But now, after 6 decades of searching in the New World, Peru has showcased a new species of cute little ungulates, the Pudella carlae, a new species of cute little dwarf deer!

But first, what are dwarf deer? There are actually many species of dwarf deer, with the dwarf musk deer, colloquially known as the “vampire” deer, endemic to China, or the dwarf whitetail deer in the Americas. As for those native to the greeneries of Peru, they are known as “Pudu”, a borrowed term from the “Mapudungun”, the local language of the Mapuche people. The deer is notoriously adept at climbing, bending bamboo stalks to use as bridges and climbing trees to escape from their

14 million years ago meant that Greenland wasn’t covered in ice, and primitive apes were transitioning their habitats from forests to vast plains and fields. Oxygen levels were high enough to sustain large animals, balancing out the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Our era however, does not have the high oxygen levels needed to balance out 420 ppm(parts per million) of CO2, resulting in an imbalance that may see global warming cook Earth into a microwave.

Pudus are also known to be crepuscular (being active mostly during sunrises and sunset), a peculiar behavior for mammals, who are usually either nocturnal (active at night). Although this circadian rhythm makes them safe from predators such as cougars and other big cats, the horned owl’s nocturnal lifestyle makes the Pudu susceptible to air strikes from the sneaky bird.

The new species, Pudella carlae, is not your usual deer. Once thought to be a single species under the dwarf deer Pudu mephistopheles, mammalogists (scientists studying mammals) have noted distinct traits between the two species, making them reassess their taxonomy (animal classification). According to researchers Javier Barrio, Eliécer E Gutiérrez, and Guillermo D’Elía, “This is the first living cervid species described in the 21st century and the first from the New World in over 60 years.”

As science walks towards a world filled with the unknown, the horizons widen to open to us a door of zoological goldmines. The Pudu is the start of a wider incursion into zoology, and the world we share with all other living beings has become a little larger today.

This motion is predicted to double CO2 levels, resulting in 600-800 ppm by the year 2100. By then entire cities would have drowned, lands would feel like deserts due to excess heat, and life would find it difficult to survive.

As far as masochism goes, I doubt anyone would want to choke on every breath they take, or feel like a chicken in the microwave. CO2 isn’t killing our planet, we are, and it’s time to stop. The dark past has just become our worst future.

Whats even worse is that “Homo” our species, “has only evolved 3 million years ago.’, said Barbel Hoenisch, lead author of the CCS-LDEO, meaning that in the relatively short time we have been on this planet, we have set our atmosphere in a motion to be hostile to any life on our planet.

Photo courtesy of Science Photo Library

Photo courtesy of Nikkytok / Adobe Stock

WALTER MORSIQUILLO III

Photo courtesy of BBC News Brasil

WALTER MORSIQUILLO III

WALTER MORSIQUILLO III

SEEING THE FUTURE

Apple showcases first 3D camera

Apple Inc. unveiled its new 3D camera, the Apple Vision Pro, earlier this February. Hailed one of the first “Mixed Reality Headsets available on the market, prices start around $3.500, with shipping limited to the United States.

The first product of its eponymous product line, the Apple Vision Pro requires a full facial scan to fit the device, and the 300 specialized components needed for eyetracking and modifications took nine years to research; a product of Apple acquiring the German augmented reality (AR) company Metalo last 2015.

Vision Pro features micro-LED displays for high resolution, eye-tracking technology allowing users to control their screens with minute eye movements, and a full Apple App Store just like any IPhone. Users avail two 3660x3200 pixel micro-OLED displays at a 90+ FPS refresh rate, and sensors track eye movement for minimized discrepancies between real-

EDITORIAL

Life is a game, full of highs and lows. We open our arms to the adventures life takes us to, and we gain experience from the paths we embark on. However, it is encountering challenges throughout this game and facing the cold ‘game over’ is unavoidable. There may come a time when ‘game over’ starts to feel like the end instead of a mere pause. When a player’s efforts start becoming futile, is it our job to stop that player from eventually quitting the game?

Enter the Sarco pods invented by Philip Nitschke, who’s conveniently known as “Dr. Death.”

As the founder of the pro-euthanasia group Exit International, he advocates for the legalization of voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide, and has developed multiple euthanasia techniques, including his newest, Sarco pods. Invented in 2017, the 3D-printed device gives people the chance to pass away painlessly in a matter of minutes, and has been legalized in Switzerland.

Of course, a device that blurs the line between life and death would only spark controversy. However, contrary to the outrage against it, there are some things worth considering that would make the legalization of the device feasible.

For one, the Sarco pod allows people to die peacefully through inert gas asphyxiation. Inside the capsule, the user can voluntarily release nitrogen gas, decreasing the oxygen rapidly and inducing hypoxia and hypocapnia.

Mr. Nitschke says “there is no panic, no choking, no feeling.”

In addition, the capsule includes an emergency button and an escape hatch. Is it not better for one to pass away both voluntarily and peacefully, than for him to endure the conflicts in his life, eventually dying one way or another? In the grand scheme of things, you would surely pick an easy, stressless death over one that is painful.

world and glitched movement.

Accessories include magnetic lenses developed alongside the company Zeiss for eyeglass and contact users, bone conduction speakers developed for “surround sound”, and full facial scans for the “Persona”, a feature where users match their head structure to a virtual avatar, allowing for a more interactive usage of the Vision Pro.

As of now, Apple has no releases on expanding the Vision Pro market to other countries, and potential buyers have the opportunity to get their hands on the Vision through the Apple Website and authorized Apple stores.

WETTING THE HEAT

The Department of Health recently released precautions to prepare Filipinos against the coming El Niño heat, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warning against incoming droughts this March in over 30 provinces.

In a statement released by DOH Central Luzon Center for Health Development Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health Cluster Medical Officer IV Maila Rostrata, she emphasized the importance of proper health measures for El Niño, the annual rise in temperature mostly affecting Central Luzon.

“As a general advisory from DOH, before

going outside, we need to drink plenty of water. Don’t let yourself get thirsty because that’s when the dehydration sets in. We need to drink a minimum of eight to 10 glasses of water daily,” she said.

Rostrata also pointed out the direct correlation of water-borne viruses to heat, as “When the climate is hot, they [viruses and bacteria] will increase in number... We always say that we have to conserve water, but we also constantly tell them that this water should be safe,”

El Niño is stated to reach its peak around March-June depending on weather cycles monitored by PAGASA.

WALTER MORSIQUILLO III

Ever heard of that one Filipino researcher who made a lamp powered by water? No? Or the harsh words poised by Senator Cynthia Villar, where she said “Parang lahat ng inyong budget puro research? Baliw na baliw kayo sa research. Aanhin niyo ba yung research?”(Your budget is always for research. Always crazy for research; how will you be using it?)

These mark the current situation of studentresearchers around the Philippines; undervalued and underfunded. Millions of students across the archipelago with new ideas and bright minds, but dimmed by bigoted politicians and individuals with no respect for native progress with Filipino ingenuity. In a world of hindrance, can the Filipino researcher still thrive?

As a student-researcher myself, it is degrading to put in hours of work, multiple allnighters, and pulling out all stops in the English alphabet to get the minimum page limit, only for officials to regard our work as useless. The contests are also extremely limited, done more by private companies than public schools; a clear loss of support from government units.

What’s worse is that we lose potential R&D to other countries. Like the student-researcher who created water-powered lamps, most researchers now move to other countries for better opportunities and increased support for their work.

With our country’s future on the line, the government must step up and assist home-grown researchers with projects that could benefit the Philippines. As the sun rises on another coming decade of scientific innovation, our country will lag behind if our researchers are lagged behind.

A Peaceful Escape

Additionally, the Sarco pod takes away the need for a physician to induce the euthanasia, ‘demedicalizing’ the process. This is beneficial for

both the user and the professionals involved. The user can be alone with his loved ones in his last moments, and the death of the user is not put on the hands of an individual but himself. Usual methods of euthanasia often involve a medical professional, which can cause emotional consequences

ultimately benefits potential users and professionals.

It also gives a chance for people to stop tolerating the grave issues in their life, putting an end to the worldly problems that make living feel rather miserable. If people are more than willing to put an end to their problems like grief, loneliness, and trauma

through the easy way out, then it is not our place to deny them that.

“

” Our right to life is ours to hold, thus it is technically our right to let it go as well.

It is important to emphasize that agreeing with the distribution of Sarco pods does not equate to promoting suicide. It is merely more peaceful than what is usually done. In the end, suicide is not a choice – people only end up doing it because of the unbearable pain and stress they go through. Time and time again, it must be said that suicide is not selfish, and it would be deranged to think that people would see suicide as the only way out. True change is only achievable if we solve the factors that cause these

The Sarco pods’ distribution is an innovative and radical approach to euthanasia. If it comes to a point that death is more favorable than life, then so be it –living should not feel like surviving. Of course, the Sarco pods’ distribution should be managed properly, making sure that it should be used by the right people with full consent and knowledge. However, if the game of life seems like ‘game over’ is the only imminent result, it is not our job to force people to keep playing it. In the end, those who rest in peace should also find the peace in rest.

WALTER MORSIQUILLO III

Photo courtesy of Apple

WALTER MORSIQUILLO III

Photo courtesy of Philippine Star

Philippines braces for March El Niño

THE GOOD ITEM

THE GOOD ITEM

As someone living in the 21st Century, advertisements suck, don’t they? You know they’re clickbait; the numerous claims of how some new product can slim off 50kg of your body is a record scratched and battered. But, hidden in plain sight are the best and most natural supplements nature has to offer, the humble fruit!

With more than 60,000 fruit bearing tree species around the world, the sweet little treats come packed with vitamins and minerals for everyday life. Although usually considered healthy by the scientific community, a recent study on a little red fruit has shown potential for natural grown products to be substitutes for enhancement drugs like steroids. But, how can a little fruit enable athletes to literally go the extra mile?

“BERRY RED!”

The cranberry, specifically the Vaccinium macrocarpon, is one of the most commonly eaten berries worldwide, with an estimated 663,345 tons being produced for consumption in 2020. Noted for its sweet and sour taste, it has become a staple in American cuisine for Thanksgiving celebrations.

Cranberries are harvested in “bogs”, large wetlands with built-in flooding systems for harvesting. Every September, once the cranberries have matured, farmers turn the bog from a field into a mini-lake with thousands of gallons of water.

The natural gas inside the berries allows

water reels to dislodge them, floating up due to pressure difference. But bog harvesting also has the scary side-effect of displacing wolf spiders, who share a symbiotic relationship with the berries; farmers usually find themselves being swarmed by hundreds of spiders every harvest season!

“BERRY FAST!”

Most fruits contain antioxidants, substances that protect our bodies against harmful by-products of bodily functions called “free radicals”. Any bodily function like digestion and respiration creates free radicals, but athletes are especially at risk due to high-speed endurance runs forcing their muscles to overwork, creating large amounts of free radicals that can slow down any runner, with the ill effects increasing by distance.

Cranberries however, have incredible amounts of an antioxidant called “rare A-type proanthocyanidin”, found to be highly concentrated and able to lessen the effects of muscle-induced free radicals. Hypothetically, this would mean that athletes could now run more, but get tired less, as the antioxidant would allow the muscles to start working without the risk of creating too much free radicals.

“BERRY SCIENTIFIC”

Researchers had athletes drink a concentrate of cranberry juice every day before taking tests of 400-meter run and 1.5-kilometer runs. The study’s first author Francis Parenteau said that

they selected these distances to test the effects the cranberry extract had on different energy systems; the 400-meter run would use the anaerobic system (breaking down of sugars for energy boosts), and the 1.5-kilometer run would use the aerobic system (usage of oxygen for slower but longer endurance runs).

According to the results, blood lactate, a sign of free radical production, decreased during the 400-meter run, and although lactate levels set steady during the 1.5-kilometer run, the athletes’ speed was increased. The results also showed that the cranberry extract facilitated slower muscle deoxygenation, enhanced lactate clearance, and greater muscle oxygen extraction.

“When it comes to elite athletes, any advantage can make the difference between finishing fifth or on the podium... the beauty of this is that it is all natural,” said study’s senior author Dr. Andreas Bergdahl, a researcher at Concordia University, who also stressed that the natural extraction of antioxidants from cranberries made them safer to use rather than anabolic steroids.

At every step we make, let us not forget the beauty and abundance of nature. Even in our competitions, plants themselves give us ways to enhance our bodies without the strain of unnatural development on our muscles. Science and nature can work hand in hand, not just for the benefit of humans or trees alone, but to pave a path to an ecological balance for all living organisms. Who knew this could all start from tiny little berries?

AsMagdalene savored her afternoon tea, anticipation bubbled within her, eager to witness her son Marco, who spent his life pursuing a degree in communication to master broadcasting, debut as a news sportscaster. With bated breath, she turned on the television, only to discover that the Marco gracing the screen was not of her flesh and blood, but an Artificial Intelligence crafted by the network.

In a groundbreaking move, GMA Network paved a new era of sports broadcasting with the introduction of Maia and Marco, the country’s first AI-generated sportscasters. This collaboration between GMA Integrated News, GMA New Media Inc., and GMA Synergy represents a paradigm shift in media innovation, setting the stage for a future where artificial intelligence redefines storytelling in sports journalism.

Maia and Marco are powered by cuttingedge Image Generation, Text-to-Speech AI Voice Synthesis/Generation, and Deep Learning Face Animation Technology. These allow them to flawlessly deliver dynamic updates and engaging content to audiences across social media platforms, which reflects on the potential of AI to revolutionize journalistic excellence and media production.

However, with the introduction of Maia and Marco as AI sportscasters by GMA Network, questions regarding their capabilities have surfaced. People are curious whether the network intends to completely replace human newscasters. Yet, amidst these inquiries, it’s essential to examine the advantages and disadvantages that Maia and Marco, as AI sportscasters, offer.

With deafening roars and titanic sizes, the dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era roamed countries nationwide. Imagine seeing lizards quadruple your size, swimming... no? Oh, they were running, right? Or did they fly? Wait... what did they do? How did they eat? Did they give birth or use eggs? Did the T. Rex have feathers? Did the Ankylosaurus use its tail for defense or for mating? So many questions!

These are only a few ideas up for debate by paleontologists around the globe; dinosaur lifestyles, diets, and even their mating behaviors have remained a mystery enshrouded in stone. In a time where confusion has taken hold of experts, do we actually know anything about our big beloved lizards?

First, we have to understand that dinosaur remains are extremely rare! Fossils need extremely specific conditions to form, as decaying bone has to find itself in sedimentary rock to be filled in with stone, creating a fossil; most dead dinosaurs find themselves far from riverbanks, with little to no sediment whatsoever to bury their bones.

Second, even the fossils we get contain little to no biological remains whatsoever! Fossils have two types, compression and impression, with compression type fossils containing more solid material; impression have less solid material, but both are still not enough to deduce DNA and other biological factors such as

feathering, skin color, and diet. Even with bones, it is still hard to figure the actual biological shape of prehistoric animals, as usually a layer of fat lies below the skin.

Lastly, we can’t actually interact with dinosaurs!

Even mammoths and sabretooth tigers had recorded interactions with early human beings, allowing us to determine behavior and diet.

Sadly, the only record we have of dinosaurs are their incomplete skeletons, giving us an insight into their past, but not enough to clarify their full biology and biobehavioral factors.

According to the laws of physics, any force has its equal opposite; the same applies in that we push forwards with science, but we also push backwards to the past, to a time of wild giants and gnashing teeth. The confusion on dinosaurs today is only a placeholder for the abundance of knowledge we will soon have about these magnificent creatures of old.

Both Maia and Marco are designed to be consistent in delivering news updates and reports consistently without the need for breaks, which ensures a continuous flow of information to the audience. Additionally, as digital entities, they can process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, enabling them to provide real-time updates and analysis.

Yet, unlike human sportscasters, Maia and Marco may struggle to convey emotions and connect with the audience on a personal level, which may severely impact viewer engagement. Most importantly, despite the advancements in AI technology, they may still be prone to errors or inaccuracies in their reporting, especially when processing ambiguous information.

While concerns arise regarding the abrupt shift and the possibility of complete human replacement, GMA emphasizes that this move is purely for innovation, aligning with major news organizations worldwide utilizing AI to enhance their operations. Nevertheless, GMA further noted that these AI sportscasters can never replace human broadcasters, who they referred to as the lifeblood of their organization.

It turns out that Magdalene does not have to worry about her son being replaced by mere digital entities. She had only forgotten that Marco, her son, is still set to make his debut on Saturday night, when his actual schedule begins, assuring that the human touch and talent remains integral in the broadcasting world.

Apparently, it was all just signs of aging.

WALTER

WALTER

AKI

ATLA ON TOP SPORTS

The Atletang Lapisciano (ATLA) defeated Talon Dos Campus (TDC) in a three-set match, 17-25, 25-28, 15-11, in the Cluster Meet Men’s Volleyball 2024 held at Verdant Court on February 3.

- five attacks and three aces.

Despite losing in the first set against the TDC, head coach Ariel Delos Santos rerouted the team’s approach to gain the second set.

Teammates Luiz Gab Delgado and Sebastian Villarta went hand-in-hand to achieve a podium finish in this year’s cluster meet after eight years since they placed second overall.

Delgado registered 11 points - seven attacks and four aces while Villarta managed to score eight points

Vicious yet Tremendous: Golden Matadors

LPSci clinches semis spot in Men’s Volleyball

ATLA took the early lead and continued to dominate with the help of Villarta and Delgado, with a service ace and and three attack points, respectively, ending the set with a victory, 25-18.

With a 1-1 run in the cluster meet, the third set would determine which team gets to advance forward in the bracket, eliminating the losing team from the tournament.

A surprising turn of events greeted the last set as the Talon Dos Campus took a 3-0 run lead in the start of the third set.

The score gap widened with the TDC leading 6-11, but Delgado came from behind with a quick attack, breaking the opponents’ momentum.

Delgado continued to overpower, delivering four service aces, marking his personal best with an 8-0 run, 14-11.

With a single point left for the ATLA, Delgado continued to serve, with a miscue from the opposing team, the team had their chance to secure the win and advance forward.

Villarta, on the outside, delivered a powerful attack down the line, making LPSci’s first appearance on the podium since 2016.

In this historic win, Atletang Lapisciano went up in the bracket, securing a medal win and the start of a new era of Lapsician Volleyball.

Obiena falls 9th in World Indoor Championships

The Golden Matadors are now one of the rising teams in the present Division Meet Dancesport. Currently being headed by coach Peter Daniel Bangug, the team successfully dominated the Cluster Meet and now winning gold in the Latin category along with silver in the Modern Standard category in the Division Meet, with pair Ronald Kadine Valdez and Matthew Mangulabnan securing a ticket to the NCR Meet Dancesport.

Last year, the team consisted of four dancers — Valdez, Mangulabnan, Sophia Ysabelle Estrada, and Arvin Josef Lyon Padilla. With their background in dancing, coach Peter saw something in them that could ultimately bring LPSci at the forefront of the whole competition.

During the Division Meet 2023, the team won and represented LPSci from Cluster 3, alongside three other schools, Las Piñas East National High School, Las Piñas North National High School, and Las Piñas City National Senior High School - Talon Dos Campus.

Going into the competition, the Golden Matadors proved to the judges how prepared and ready they can be, despite marking their first-ever appearance in this year’s meet.

The team ended their journey bagging second placeoverall, but this has given them the motivation to strive and be determined in the next cluster meet.

In this year’s edition, the team grew with the addition of six new members, Emannoel Raquedan, Nina Nuñez, John Louie Arejola, Angela Lorraine Juan, Jan Aelius Sapigao, and Samantha Kylie Salvador.

With this addition, coach Peter knew what he had to do and he trained the new set vigorously as he had done with the others.

By the time when the Cluster Meet 2024 commenced, the Golden Matadors were already the crowd favorites, bringing class and discipline to the main stage.

With this complement, the team took it as a boosting energy that would help them gain stamina and endurance with the continuous marathon of the dancesport.

In the end, the Golden Matadors claimed victory and are off to advance in the Division Meet for the second time, continuing its streak and living up to the Lapiscian pride.

After two consecutive gold medal wins, world number two pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena misses out on a podium finish in the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships on Sunday, March 3, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Obiena only cleared one bar of 5.65m and finished at the bottom of the 11-man field, ending his winning streak in the indoor season.

Skipping both 5.50m and 5.75m, Obiena had two attempts to vault over 5.65m.

Unfortunately, he suffered in the next heights after two unsuccessful attempts at 5.85m and hitting the bar at 5.90m.

Posing one of his lowest performances yet, the 28-year-old failed to keep his momentum from ruling the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Croatia at 5.83m and registering 5.93m as the Asian indoor record to emerge victorious in the Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF) Indoor Berlin in Germany.

A repeat performance of clearing 5.93 would have earned him a silver to add to his two medals, a bronze in 2022 and a silver in 2023, in the outdoor pole vault category.

Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden defended his titles as the world record holder and reigning Olympic champion after bagging the gold medal by clearing 6.05m. He tried to shatter his own 6.23-meter record by hurdling 6.24, but failed to do so.

Despite proving himself a top contender through one attempt in each of the first five heights, USA’s Sam Kendricks settled for silver with 5.90m, falling behind Duplantis.

Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis clinched bronze by hurdling 5.85m.

Eight Paris Olympic-bound pole vaulters, namely Obiena, Duplantis, Karalis, Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, France’s Thibaut Collet, the Netherlands’ Menno Vloon, Poland’s Piotr Lisek, and Turkey’s Ersu Sasma, competed in the said championship.

Tokyo Olympic silver medalist and world number three Chris Nilsen earned the fourth spot with 5.75m.

KEEP HUSTLING. The LPSci men’s volleyball team, Atletang Lapisciano (ATLA), poses after claiming victory, 2-1, in their match against the Talon Dos Campus (TDC) at the Verdant Court on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by: Darla Drew S. Guerrero

KEEP PUSHING. Filipino Pole Vaulter, EJ Obiena holds on as he pushes through in the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Obiena took the ninth place out of the 11 contenders.

Photo by Rappler

JOSHUA SANTOS

JOSHUA SANTOS

DIANE BARRETTO

SPORTS

New Beginnings: Team Secret Crowned APAC Predator League Champions

Brought down by NAVI. Brought down by GenG. Brought down by ZETA. Greatness was so close yet still so far. However, this time will be different. Philippine’s Team Secret took the Championship title for the home crowd in the Asia Pacific (APAC) Predator League 2024 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) arena on Sunday, January 14.

Also on the other battlefield, Filipino pride was on full display as Blacklist Rivalry, another Filipino DOTA 2 team, completed the hero’s journey by winning it all. Fueled by the cheers of the home crowd, Blacklist Rivalry went on a run as they overpowered Execration, Myth Avenue Gaming, Whoops!, and ZOL Esports in the group stages. At the playoffs, Blacklist International then quickly disposed of IHC Esports in a best-of-one series to take their place in the finals. Blacklist then found themselves in a rematch against Execration and beat them 2-0 in a best-of-three series.

Youngbloods Adrian “invy” Reyes and rookie player Noel “NDG” De Guia were electric in the Grand Finals, both of whom top fragged on Breeze and Haven,

respectively. The impressive collaboration of the duo, along with a solid performance from duelist player Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera, allowed Secret to sweep their Japanese rivals, FAV gaming, 13-7, 13-3, becoming the Valorant Champions for the APAC Predator League.

The Adobo gang breezed through the whole event without dropping a single map in any of their games. Due to the format being single elimination from the group stages to the semifinals, the hometown heroes took full advantage of their world class Haven. Pacific world beaters like the Kings of Korea, DRX, and W Gaming, Paper Rex, who has consistently made appearances in international events, had a difficult time with Team Secret’s Haven in the previous season.

With the strategy of picking Haven against every team in their match, they registered 3-0 in their group, comfortably beating out teams like No Salary Peek, ENDER DRAGON, and Todak. The squad then faced the Vietnamese org, Team Flash, entering the top two with ease as they took on Haven, 13-4.

Tenten, Korean duelist player for FAV gaming, started heating up during the second map, however,

the momentum was too much for the Filipino squad.

The tournament also marked NDG’s debut with the team as he was brought into the roster for the upcoming season. The rookie sentinel player has big shoes to fill as he stepped in for veteran Jayvee “Dubstep’’ Paguirigan, who was essential in 2021 when they placed fifth to eighth in Valorant Champions Berlin.

Going into the new year, Head Coach Evan “Warbirds” Olzem needs to rebuild the synergy and protocols within the team and to put NDG up to speed with tier one Valorant. The only players returning to the roster who went on the Champions run in 2021 is storied leader Jessie Cristy “JessieVash” Cuyco, and smokes player Jim “BORKUM” Timbreza.

Tondo gaming now has a chance at redemption as the VCT Pacific Kickoff Event lingers near. The Filipino squad will compete against other APAC Franchised teams to qualify for Valorant’s next grand stage, VCT Masters Madrid.

Studies to Sports: The Evolving Landscape of Sports on Students’ Performance

In the face of obstacles lies the track where one sprints ahead to outrun their past versions and come out anew.

Las Piñas City National Science High School (LPSci) is one of the public institutions inside the country’s capital region known for serving as the breeding ground of intellectual students, yet unknown for its accomplishments in sports. Over the years, LPSci has been at the forefront of public schools in Las Piñas, displaying excellence in academics, especially in Science and Math, but who knew that the school also had students capable of showcasing their skills and abilities not only inside, but also outside the classroom?

In order to become a well-rounded individual equipped with the necessary skills for life’s survival, exploration, and fulfillment, one must not only be good in academics, but also in many other aspects, one of which is being inclined to the physical field of sports and athletics. Learning its physical component and mental team aspects, being involved in sports shows and teaches some of the most fundamental, eventful, competitive, and fulfilling experiences applicable to daily life, especially for athletic adolescents.

From training after classes to being excused whole day in preparation for their nearing competitions, LPSci student-athletes give it their all in hopes of bringing home the bacon. This repetitive schedule may cause a shift in

students’ focus, from academics to sports, which may further cause imbalance in their lives.

Everything for the name of passion — as they say. One cannot only go through six years of high school just studying, reviewing, and sitting with incoming and outgoing written assignments and performance tasks. High school students generally search for ways to externalize their learnings, as being part of an environment that helps them measure their skills pushes each one to further improve themselves at their respective crafts.

Studying in a science high school is far from easy, with 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. classes on a regular basis and specialized subjects no other regular public schools offer, making up for twelve subjects in the junior high topped with raised standards for excellence. The implementation of a compressed school year also calls for more workload, still with a drive for students to be the best. Bringing sports into context creates a double standard, with students aiming and being expected to garner awards both in the classroom and on the court.

A student’s responsibility does not stop even when at home. These individuals may be students at school, with lives revolving around studying for tests and carrying out group tasks, but they also have a life that goes beyond academics. In the seemingly short time frame that high school students, let alone science high students, have in order to fulfill their talents, Lapiscians will always find a way to juggle everything

and get the job done, even if it means sacrificing their own health, even if it means pushing one’s self to their mental and emotional limitations.

Nothing beats the recognition of being called on stage, carrying the honor of being a Lapiscian, after emerging victorious — may it be in a sports competition or any other.

At the end of the day, emotions ranging high and low will not matter anymore as the aftermath of the

On the other hand, nothing compares to the misery of losing one, as undeniably multiple efforts and sacrifices were done just to best prepare oneself for competitions.

contest will start to kick in and the workloads will start to creep in.

Trying to maintain a balance in academics and sports may be difficult on one’s mental and physical health. There is nothing wrong with the perspective that learning is not only acquired through books, but with the heavy demands of academics on a student’s life, being an athlete and academic achiever at the same time requires the ability and commitment of one to properly manage their time and balance each weight to be victorious in both aspects.

Land of the Rising Sport

From the traditional Filipino games of Patintero and Piko to the modern e-sport games we all love, the Philippines has proven to be a court where everyone can play, learn, and cultivate their love for sports.

Over the years, Philippine sports and e-sports industries have emerged, continually thriving to where they are today. A large population of our country is under 25 years old, which contributes greatly to the popularity of these gaming events. With the help of digital channels, the youth is given more opportunities to play, consume, and interact with the sport of their choice.

Basketball is not a stranger to any of us. No matter the time of day or the weather, you will see Filipinos in makeshift courts, practicing layups and shouting, “Tira ng Tres! Tira ng Tres!” (Shoot a three-pointer, shoot a three-pointer!). Although coming from the Americans, basketball is placed as the “Philippines Uncrowned National Sport.” Our country’s start as a basketball hub can be dated way back to the start of the Philippine Basketball Association, or PBA. As the very first basketball association in Asia, it has grown so much that some players call it “NBA’s Little Brother.”

In recent years, Filipino athletes have succeeded and created significant milestones for the country’s medal box; the recent Southeast Asian games saw the Philippines rank fourth overall, also being hailed as having the best performance in an away game in 18 years in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Four medals forged in the Olympic Fire were brought home, with one being the country’s first gold medal and another as the first women’s boxing medal. Filipinos also made headlines as the country’s national football team qualified for the World Cup.

As the “Text Capital of the World,” cellphones and other digital devices are in every Filipino’s hand. Along with the booming popularity of MOBA-style games like League of Legends and Mobile Legends, the country stands out as a key esports gaming market in Asia. Currently, the Philippine e-sports market has over 43 million active gamers, bringing in a whopping $1.5 billion in revenue by 2025.

There is a unique and interesting market for sports and e-sports in the country, a fact that Filipinos all around the world can be proud of. A blend of digital and physical now reigns in phones, courts, and nets all over the country, creating an opportunity for the Philippines to be recognized as a growing power on the court and in the fiveversus-five arena.

GAVIN MIGUEL DY

DIANE BARRETTO

SPORTS

LPsci intrams returns after 5 years Covers the return of the Intramurals in Las Piñas City National Science High School.

• ‘Playing is learning too’: Mr and Ms Intrams Back after COVID-19 Pandemic Features the winners, Jarred Diaz and Sophia Silguera in the ‘Mr. and Ms. Intrams’ pageant.

• Gilas Pilipinas Destroys Chinese Taipei in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers Covers the match between Philippines and Taipei in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

SHOWTIME

LPSci Intrams Returns After 5 Years

For the first time since September 2018, Las Piñas City National Science High School (LPSci) officially commenced the Junior High School (JHS) Intramurals on January 5 and the Senior High School Intramurals on January 8, inaugurating a week-long sports fest until January 12.

Four teams participated in the JHS Intramurals, namely the Red Falconets, Yellow Hornets, Green Vipers, and Blue Bearcats, with each team composed of one section per grade level each vying for the Intramurals Championship.

Highlighted by the Mister and Miss Intramurals, the JHS team representatives showcased their unique takes on the Jeans Wear and SportsWear categories and ended the event with a Q&A section.

Terrafirma Dyip basketball player Gelo Alolino meanwhile attended the SHS Intramurals opening ceremony at the Bambusetum Court, with him heading

‘Playing

the ceremonial toss featuring the basketball captains of the eight section-teams: Altruistic, Benevolent, Compassionate, Convivial, Diplomacy, Efficiency, Generosity, and Honesty.

Representing their teams through their own jerseys, teams participated in parades on their respective opening ceremonies.

JHS teams competed in basketball, volleyball, chess, 100 meter dash, 4x100 meter relay, larong lahi, dancesport, and table tennis.

SHS sections, on the other hand, participated in basketball, volleyball, chess, e-sport, and palarong pinoy.

JHS and SHS sports events were held on the school grounds and at the Bambusetum court, with SHS kicking off games everyday starting at 8 a.m. and JHS starting games at 3 p.m. after classes.

JHS teams played all games in single elimination,

is learning too’:

Mr and Ms Intrams Back After COVID-19 Pandemic

As the school proudly hosts its long-awaited Intramurals after more than five years, the Mister and Miss Intramurals once again take center stage in LPSci as part of the week-long 2024 Intramurals. Loud cheers and applause filled the air as the school as teams embodied sportsmanship and a true fighting spirit.

With the attention now set to acknowledge the pair who stood out from the rest, contestants worked to capture the judges and crowd with their unique charms and personalities. And out of all junior high representatives, students Jarred Leif Diaz and Sophia Eunice Silguera proudly took home the honorable title as representatives of the Green Vipers.

It was not easy to claim this title; but how did they claim this title, you may ask?

For their first crowd appearance as the official representative of the Green Vipers, the pair walked their walk, dressed in a casual outfit consisting of a plain white shirt paired with denim jeans and their chosen footwear. Simplicity is key. The partners stood tall pleading to captivate the crowd even with just simple and comfortable attire while showing great chemistry as they posed.

After a short intermission, the contestants once again set stage giving the audience an exciting and unexpected surprise, appearing in their sportswear that best embodies their sport of

choice. Giving their best efforts, Jarred and Sophia dressed in Equestrian clothing along with different apparatuses to give a little more touch to their outfit and walk. Looking ready to ride a horse without any fear and trouble, the crowd went wild cheering on them as they continued to dominate the runway.

Last but not the least, we could say that the pair was well-prepared as they shared their knowledge and gave a winning answer in the Q&A portion effortlessly. Their answers highlighted what the contest is about, using their voice to show how important sports is to everyone and why we should take part in it.

In the end, the pair not only won the Mr. and Ms. Intrams title as they also ended up winning multiple special awards. These special awards include minor titles – Mr. Endurance, Ms. Flexibility, Best Sportswear, Best Jeanswear, and Best in Q&A.

Participating in sports is not only for athletes as anyone could play these physical activities. Its process may be tiring and draining for some but it is important to take note that learning while having fun is the whole concept of sports. Building confidence and connecting with other people while finding entertainment is what we try to harness from a competitive yet entertaining sports contest.

while SHS teams played double elimination basketball and volleyball games.

After the week-long sports festivities, JHS Red Falconets won overall champions, with runners up being Green Vipers, followed by Blue Bearcats and Yellow Hornets.

Championship matches for JHS basketball and women’s volleyball were held at the Bamboo Court and school grounds, respectively, on January 9. The men’s volleyball championship was also held on school grounds on January 11.

Red Falconets emerged victorious in the JHS basketball championship as they slipped past Blue Bearcats, 29-28, as MVP Zachary Sia led the charge in their match against the Bearcats.

Yellow Hornets and Blue Bearcats won the men’s and women’s volleyball, as both took down the Green Vipers, 2-0 and 2-1, respectively, with Luiz

Delgado being the MVP for the Hornets and Erallen Alatraca for the Bearcats.

The SHS Intramurals championship games for basketball, men’s volleyball, and women’s volleyball were held at the Villar Gymnasium, January 12, preceding the awarding ceremony in the evening.

Benevolent defeated Honesty in the basketball championship, 33-23, as Sean Lander Villacarlos earned Most Valuable Player honors.

Efficiency won both men’s and women’s volleyball games, 2-0, against Compassionate and Benevolent respectively, with Joshua Santos receiving MVP for men’s and Samantha Ladores for women’s.

Altruistic team captain Joshua Bartolo won single elimination SHS chess and Compassionate won SHS e-sport, while Diplomacy palarong

Gilas Pilipinas Destroys Chinese Taipei in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

13 and 52-27 in the end of the first and second quarters, respectively.

Gilas Pilipinas kept their streak after a dominant victory over Chinese Taipei, 106-53, in Group B Window One of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers held February 25 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Trying to bring the country back to the Olympics and World Cup stage, Gilas displayed a strong defensive performance with new head coach Tim Cone that resulted in Chinese Taipei struggling with their offense, scoring with only 53 points throughout the game.

The home squad left Taipei on their toes as they continuously led the game, registering 26-

Gilas Pilipinas duo Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto stood as pillars after turning in 26 points and 18 points respectively, each also serving five assists, leading the team to victory.

As the timer ticks out, Chinese Taipei sighs in defeat after Gilas finally closes the match with 82-41 and 106-53 during the last two quarters of the first window match.

The triumph promises a positive future as their win solidified Gilas Pilipinas’ position in Group B of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Brownlee shoots, Brownlee scores!

KEEP HUSTLING. Las Piñas City National Science High School officially commenced the start of the intrams on Friday, January 5, 2024. Each representative from their respective teams along with the school principal held the ceremonial toss showing the very essence of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Photo by: Jimrald Turla

DENISH JANDA

NEVER BACK DOWN. On Sunday, February 25, 2024, Gilas Pilipinas attains triumph against Chinese Taipei on FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Philsports Arena in Pasig city. Players, Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto, stood their ground and led their team to victory.

Photo by: Rappler

DENISH JANDA

GAVIN MIGUEL DY