Pauliworld Volume 37, No. 2

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF ST. PAUL COLLEGE PASIG HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 | OCTOBER - MARCH 2022

Pauliworld Editorial Board SCHOOL YEAR 2021 - 2022

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jana Torres

MANAGING EDITOR

Laurein Mateo

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Claudia Durban

NEWS EDITOR FEATURES EDITORS RESEARCH EDITOR FILIPINO EDITOR CHIEF CARTOONIST CHIEF LAYOUT ARTIST ASSOCIATE LAYOUT ARTISTS CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Alexandra Ypil Luna Coscolluela, Gaby Martinez Amelia Salva Cruz Jolie Lim Veronica Angeles Frances Angeles Natasha Allenby, Mieka Laciste Hananeel Martinez

STAFF Liah Abad, Loreiz Abanes, Cristina Albarracin, Sophia Alejandro, Patricia Balinong, Gabriel Bechtel, Alexa Bentilanon, Paula Calingasan, Uzziel Camacho, Tiffany Grace Cosue, Rebecca Cristobal, Simone Culala, Faith Dacara, Andie Dalusung, Sheicka De Vera, Claudia Durban, Maya Erfe, Ghia Espino, Rianna Estacio, Janina Esteban, Andrea Estrella, Savannah Flores, Sofia Fugen, Angelene Garcia, Bernice Guiterrez, Grace Imbao, Angela Marie Imbuido, Aisha Manginsay, Gaby Martinez, Ryan Shyane Mendoza, Alexandra Punsalan, Thalia Purificacion, Andrea Quibilan, Tony Rilloraza, Mikayla Sanchez, Louise Sese, Suzannah Sibug, Aura Sison, Janna Soriano, Mischa Suarez, Tyrelle Tebangin, Shantell Tolentino, Annika Yunque

PUBLICATIONS MANAGER

Paulyn Navarrete

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Sr. Teresita Agana, S.P.C

DIRECTRESS

Sr. Felicitas Bernardo, S.P.C

VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Campus News

Spirit Week: Echoes of Triumph Reignites Paulinian Pride

By Andie Magnolia C. Dalusung

From November 10 to November 17, Spirit Week: Echoes of Triumph celebrated the diverse talents of Paulinians from the varsities and the entire department. The week-long event aimed to highlight and appreciate Paulinians’ skills despite the online limitations.

GIFT Representative Alexa Bentilanon stated that the Student Coordinating Team (SCT) established new initiatives apart from the PEP Rally livestream Splendor and online blasts, namely Ad Unitatem and the collaboration with GIFT core. Ad Unitatem, akin to Intramurals, consisted of batch blasts. Meanwhile, working with GIFT core led to certain projects being sub-events under Spirit Week, particularly Center for Sports’ Paul Wins, Center for Theater Arts’ Radio Drama, and Center for Dance and Center for Sports’ Fist Pump.

“I think the biggest takeaway for students would be the strengthening of teamwork and camaraderie. It (Spirit Week) was also a way to unite with our schoolmates,” said Grade 10 Batch Representative, Adriane Vitug. SCT Moderator, Ms. Jaiferzen Emberga, also remarked that Spirit Week shows how Paulinians continue to thrive amidst the situation.

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Paulinians liven up the holiday spirit with Paul Gives

by Anna Claudia C. Durban

The Student Coordinating Team holds numerous events and fundraisers for a cause every year, and Paul Gives is one of the student body’s favorites.

The annual Christmas selling project aims to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate through a partner beneficiary. Resources may be limited due to the online set-up, but this did not hinder Paulinians from delivering happiness this Christmas season.

This year’s theme, “PAUL GIVES: Making Spirits Bright,” focused on enlightening Paulinians on timely advocacies that need more attention. The SCT partnered with small businesses by Paulinian students and alumnae alike, which promotes both #SupportLocal and #BakedGoodsForACause. Moreover, for every purchase of a bundle box, a portion of the sale is donated to Tulong Kabataan, a relief and rehabilitation network of various youth organizations in the Philippines. Furthermore, SPCP drivers are aided too as they take part by ensuring the safe delivery of the orders received.

According to Angelene Garcia and Erica Sison, the project heads for Paul Gives, the SCT is confident that the project made spirits brighter for everyone, Paulinians and beneficiaries alike. They are grateful for the support everyone has showered towards this project’s success.

Students pay tribute to the SPCP Community through Paulinian Appreciation Week

by Aura Eloise R. Sison

Paulinians paid tribute to the pillars of the SPCP Community: the school staff, administrators, instructors, and faculty through a week of various activities that align with the celebration’s theme of “Constellations.” This year’s Paulinian Appreciation Week culminated from October 11 to 15, 2021, which consisted of in-class activities, batch gimmicks, and a departmental event organized by the Student Coordinating Team (SCT), entitled “Zenith: A Tribute To The Stars” to heartily conclude the week-long celebration.

During the live stream proper, the High School Department made a collective effort to present dazzling entertainment numbers ranging from spoken word poetry and narratives to musical performances by the students themselves. The faculty, staff, and administrative personnel enjoyed activities, such as the games “Quote Me” and “Guess The Song,” which also granted cash prizes to winners.

“Seeing them happy and how they felt appreciated touched our hearts knowing how much teachers and the staff went through a lot this pandemic” declared Hannah Castillo, the Public Relations Officer, and Julianna Ignacio, Grade 7 Batch Representative, the project heads of Zenith: A Tribute To The Stars.

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No Prodlem 2.0 kick-starts online after a year of halt

by Aura Eloise Sison

The Student Coordinating Team (SCT) and GIFT Core revitalized No Prodlem 2.0, the annual production team workshop, on October 23, 2021, via Zoom and MS Teams.

After a year of halt, SCT and GIFT Core brought back the production team workshop directed to train students and enhance the skills needed as potential members of production teams. The SCT associated the event with participating in and initiating production teams by employing the theme of a popular K-drama, “Start-Up”. No Prodlem 2.0 commenced with a keynote talk administered by Juliana Valdez--an alumna and former SCT Officer. The participants proceeded to their first and second breakout rooms according to their committees of choice. Each breakout room was equipped with a pre-recorded talk, a live demonstration by their respective speakers, and a short Quizziz game.

SPCP alumnae that are well-versed in the different committees were invited as breakout room speakers: Nikki Nuguid for Externals; Jewel Reyes for Jingle; Josie Javier for Layout; Angel Nepomuceno for Program; Marian Grajo for Publicity; Annika Subido for Sales; Justine Dulfo for Video Production; and Isa Tiaoqui (Grade 12) for Technical.

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“Production teams are very exciting opportunities for a lot of students, and we wanted to make sure that they are equipped with the knowledge they need to work efficiently and enjoy the process,” remarked Sophia Custodio, the SCT Secretary and one of the project heads for this event.

CFVA investigates the mystery of a future in the arts with ENIGMA: Exploring the Unknown

by Andie Magnolia C. Dalusung

To guide Paulinian artists in uncovering the mystery of their future in the fields of art, the Center for Visual Arts (CFVA) hosted ENIGMA: Exploring the Unknown, a 3-day career talk series, last November 12, 19, and 26, 2021.

The program invited different speakers to share their experiences from their respective fields. Graphic designer and visual artist Jena Tornea presented a talk on graphic design. Allyna Velasco, the brand owner at Fashion Kinetics, shared her experience in fashion design.

Lastly, cinematographer Joshua Reyles spoke of the world of film. Additionally, the production team solely consisted of CFVA students.

With talks by artists of varying career paths shedding light on experiences working in creative industries, GIFT Team Leader for CFVA Ms. Grace Esmaya shared that “the main takeaway from all three talks is that it’s important to hone

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one’s individual, unique creativity because that will be the main thing that will always matter.”

CFCA shines a light for Paulinian talent through Kalopsia: Dia Elpida

by Rianna Therese B. Estacio

The Center for Communication Arts hosted its annual spoken word and music event entitled “Kalopsia: Dia Elpida,” last November 26, 2021, via Facebook live. Additionally, they introduced their first merch bundles for sale wherein the proceeds would benefit Francisco Legaspi Memorial School.

This year’s show followed the story of Elpida on a quest through space to understand what it meant to be a beacon of hope in a bleak world, supporting the event’s theme of the process of finding hope and the unexpressed feelings of weakness that comes with it.

Split into three phases, Kalopsia showcased the talent of 13 guest performers in spoken poetry and music, including numbers from Catharsis, She’s Only Sixteen, Alek Mangasar, and more.

To close the event, Terpsichore Jazz took the stage to perform the first-ever dance number for the occasion.

“All our performers are incredibly skilled at delivering their messages through their spoken word or musical performances, and we certainly owe the true manifestation of each year’s theme to them.” said Rachelle Kasilag, CFCA president and head of the program committee.

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Campus News

Halalan Watch shares relevant information on the groundbreaking 2022 Elections

By Aura Eloise R. Sison

The SPCP HUMSS Track and official campus publication Pauliworld implement a collaborative project “Halalan Watch.” The collective effort will transpire from October of 2021 until the elections in May and is directed to provide information concerning events leading to the elections through 3 major outputs: a biweekly rundown, a podcast series, and a mock election that will involve the High School Department.

The bi-weekly rundowns disseminated information regarding the elections, while guest speakers were invited to share their insights on the elections for each episode of the podcast series. The two organizations crossed paths in this project as they can ultimately shed light on this groundbreaking event in 2022.

“During a time where politics is so polarizing, we aim to encourage every Filipino citizen, to recognize the weight of their responsibilities in shaping our country and determining our future,” remarked Jana Torres, the Overall Head of Halalan Watch.

Bringing out the Christmas sparkle with Deck the HUMSS

By Laurein Mateo

SPCP HUMSS wrapped up pre-orders for their holiday fundraiser event Deck the HUMSS on December 3, 2021. Themed Hidden Gems in the Night Market, this year’s online Christmas bazaar focused on paying respects to women who push their limits to prepare a wonderful celebration for their respective families and highlight their continuous shine and sparkle throughout the years like a gem underneath the bright lights of parols.

HUMSS partnered with Bahay Pangarap Women’s Center Foundation, a residential facility that provides shelter for women who are victims of abuse, sexual exploitation, trafficking, and all others going through crises. As part of their mission, Bahay Pangarap strives to offer care and rehabilitation services to women in crisis with the goal of building up their strength and nurturing them into self-sufficient individuals once again.

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Deck the HUMSS presented a variety of products for sale ranging from clothing to stationery. First in their line-up were graphic shirts and a hoodie designed with empowering messages and sleek artwork. Their stationery line composed of a 2022 calendar Pengu, a notebook Sisu, and gift wrapper Amba were also available for sale individually and in a set. Last in the catalog is a collection of three scented candles with calming aromas of Coffee Bean, Eucalyptus, and Warm Vanilla. All product names and designs were inspired by the fundraiser’s theme and inspiration, Raya and The Last Dragon As Filipinos celebrate the holiday festivities, SPCP HUMSS hopes that this event encouraged each one to show generosity during this season of giving and also share the spirit of joy that Christmas brings.

They wish to remind every woman of the bravery and strength that make them warriors in our world.

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KALEIDOSCOPE: A Spectrum of Youth Voices equips students for the journey in journalism

Pauliworld

Paulinians take the center stage at CFM-C’s Awit Paulinian

By Andie Magnolia C. Dalusung

By Paula Grace U. Calingasan

Pauliworld and The Lazette organized KALEIDOSCOPE: A Spectrum of Youth Voices. Held on September 18 and 25, 2021, the two-day journalistic workshop aimed to sharpen the skills of student journalists that would prepare them for endeavors in journalism.

The workshop welcomed various campus publications and featured keynote and breakout session speakers who work as journalists and media workers. “We also hosted a culminating activity where participants acted as interviewers of a mock presidential candidate. Publications were tasked to create a spread containing articles and illustrations about the issue,” said Pauliworld Editor-in-Chief Jana Torres.

Editor-in-Chief of The Lazette Yannis De Jesus shared that the title KALEIDOSCOPE symbolized the plethora of youth voices that deserve to be heard. With the prevalent issues in the country like the pandemic and upcoming national elections, “the need to strengthen the presence and efforts of campus publications to bring more awareness to these events becomes even more evident,” said Pauliworld Publications Adviser, Ms. Navarrete.

Center for Music-Chorale (CFM-C) celebrated Original Pilipino Music (OPM) in this year’s Awit Paulinian: Kulay ng Himig Ipagdiwang, an inter-batch competition that provides a platform for creative expression and appreciation for Filipino culture and musicality. On October 20, 2021, in a livestream at the St. Paul College Pasig HS GIFT Facebook Page, each contestant showcased a performance video of an OPM song in compliance to the theme assigned to each of them.

Rookie Purple Quintos won as the Junior Category Champion with the song Nobela by Join the Club under the theme ‘Karaoke.’ For the Senior Category, Junior Eirean New won as the champion with the song Saan Darating Ang Umaga by Angeline Quinto under the theme ‘Pelikulang Pilipino.’ Senior Bea Balignasay bagged the People’s Choice Award with her performance of Ugoy ng Duyan by Aiza Seguerra under the theme ‘Kundiman.’

“It’s always exciting to witness the variety in the individuality and perspective that the students bring to the stage, and that’s what makes Awit Paulinian unique with every installment” said Eunice Alicias, CFM-C’s current President.

Physical Fitness in the New Normal: CFD and CFS’ Efforts to Enhance School Spirit

By Angelene Sophia N. Garcia

On November 15 and 16, the Center for Dance (CFD) and Center for Sports held its annual Zumba under this year’s Spirit Week: Echoes of Triumph. In its sixth year, “FIST PUMP 6°: Beat the Heat” brought about a hint of familiarity through physical fitness and the company of their peers.

The steering core teams invited former varsity members of Terpsichore Street as the instructors of the event.

Jullien Velasco led the energizing workout for the first day while Bea Balaoro moderated on the second day.

“In comparison to the previous Fist Pump events held face-to-face, the event was free and required no sort of payment to be able to attend. Thus, the project was created to purely benefit the students and help them enjoy the company of their GIFT classmates despite the uncertainties they may be facing,” says Elise Santos, one of the project heads of FIST PUMP 6°: Beat the Heat.

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Off Campus News

A low in cases but a high for citizens: Metro Manila COVID cases take a decline

by Rianna Therese B. Estacio

After nearly two years into the pandemic, COVID-19 cases in the country sharply dropped in November 2021, with the lowest average of daily cases in 16 months being less than 1000.

The ongoing national vaccination rollout was partially responsible for the decline in infections, as well as the natural immunity people get from contracting the virus, according to OCTA research fellow Dr. Guido David.

Since then, The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) placed NCR and several other regions under COVID alert level 2, from November 5 extended until December 15. This significant change allows minors and senior citizens to go out in public areas without requiring the use of face shields.

Meanwhile, health officials urge the public to still continue practicing health protocols such as wearing face masks and social distancing. With the steady decrease in cases, the OCTA Research group claims that Metro Manila could be placed under Alert Level 1 by December.

[1] Aben, E. (2021, November 17). Philippines ditches mandatory wearing of face shields as COVID-19 cases decline. Arab News. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1969471/ world [2] ANC News. (2021, November 5). MMDA Chair explains sudden shift of NCR to Alert Level 2; What activities are now allowed? | ANC. Youtube. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=9xaLWEws-9A [3] BM, GMA News. (2021, November 29). NCR to remain under Alert Level 2 until Dec. 15, 2021 —IATF. GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/ nation/812694/ncr-to-remain-under-alert-level-2until-dec-15-2021-iatf/story/?fbclid=IwAR2-Lkkkl53 CEFfIWdJpLKAqsS9x3xakF0tFoIaQ06cvR87nFn8BYol CR98 [4] Casinas, J. A. (2021, November 18). NCR’s shift to Alert Level 1

by December possible if downward trend holds – OCTA. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/18/ ncrs-shift-to-alert-level-1-by-december-possible-ifdownward-trend-holds-octa/

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[5] Embudo, F. L. (2021, November 22). Wondering Why COVID-19 Cases Suddenly Dropped? OCTA Offers Explanation.

OneNews.PH. https://www.onenews.ph/articles/ wondering-why-covid-19-cases-suddenly-droppedocta-offers-explanation [6] Marquez, C. (2021, November 29). Philippines’ 665 new COVID-19 cases lowest since July 2020 | GMA News Online. GMA Network. https://www.gmanetwork. com/news/topstories/nation/812657/philippines-665new-covid-19-cases-lowest-since-july-2020/story/ [7] Parrocha, A. (2021, November 4). Metro Manila under lower Alert Level 2. Philippine News Agency. https://www. pna.gov.ph/articles/1158833

Embattled Filipino journalist Maria Ressa wins the Nobel Peace Prize 2021

by Anna Claudia C. Durban

On October 8, 2021, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

With this historic event, Maria Ressa became the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

According to Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the two were chosen to receive the prestigious award in recognition of “their courageous fight for freedom of expression” in their respective countries.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) released a statement commending Ressa for upholding press freedom, “We hope this award will shine more light on those who put the spotlight on the truth at a time when basic freedoms and democracy are under attack.”

Philippine government officials also congratulated Ressa on her achievement.

Vice President Leni Robredo tweeted, “This is a recognition and affirmation of your tireless efforts to hold the line for truth and accountability.” On behalf of the Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque greeted Ressa during his press briefing last October 11.

[1] Buan, L. (2021, October 11). Malacañang congratulates then hits Nobel laureate Maria Ressa. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/malacananggreets-maria-ressa-nobel-peace-prize-deniesattacks-against-media/ [2] De Guzman, G. (2021, October 8). Why Maria Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize Win Came at a Crucial Time for Journalists in the Philippines. Time Magazine. https://time.com/6105339/maria-ressa-nobelpeace-prize-philippines/ [3] Rappler. (2021, October 8). Rappler’s Maria Ressa, Dmitry Muratov win 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. https://www.rappler.com/about/winners-nobelpeace-prize-2021/ [4] Rosario, K., Jordans, F., & Gera, V. (2021, October 9).

Philippine Journalist Maria Ressa Awarded 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. The Diplomat. https:// thediplomat.com/2021/10/philippine-journalistmaria-ressa-awarded-2021-nobel-peace-prize/

Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation faces corruption scandal during the Pandemic

by Paula Grace U. Calingasan

Pandemic-related transactions between the Department of Health (DOH), the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), and Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. went under Senate investigation after Pharmally landed P11 billion worth of contracts despite the company’s financial inability to do so.

According to Senator Panfilo Lacson, Pharmally received 26.39% of the P42 billion transferred by DOH to PS-DBM. In their testimony, it was revealed that they received monetary support from Michael Yang, who was also President Rodrigo Duterte’s former economic adviser and long-time friend; he served as the guarantor for Pharmally to secure supplies from Chinese PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) manufacturers.

In a hearing at the House of Representatives last September 21, former PS-BDM head, Christopher Lloyd Lao, defended the legal basis of the procurement of face masks from Pharmally under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Lao insists that the law was published last March 25, following

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the President’s signing last March 24.

Senator Francis Pangilinan and Senate President Vicente Sotto III contradicted his statement saying that “the effectiveness of Bayanihan 1 was after the posting, and it was April 6.” President Duterte sides with Lao and Yang on PSDBM’s procurement and Pharmally’s overpriced deals in the statement, “eh negosyante e. Anong magagawa mo?”

The IBON Foundation, an analysis group for government resources, stated that the President’s defense “raised doubts that the government spending during the pandemic was not primarily to fight COVID but to enrich officials and associates of the President.”

[1] Baclig, C. E. (2021, October 27). Pharmally scandal: When middlemen profit even during a pandemic.

INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo. inquirer.net/1506920/pharmally-scandal-whenmiddlemen-profit-even-during-a-pandemic [2] Peña, K. D. (2021, September 25). Pharmally scandal: Due diligence failure overshadows debate on law. INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo.inquirer. net/1492506/pharmally-scandal-due-diligencefailure-overshadows-debate-on-law [3] Peña, K. D. (2021a, September 15). ‘Negosyo lang’: Pharmally’s meteoric rise. INQUIRER.Net. https:// newsinfo.inquirer.net/1487770/negosyo-langpharmallys-meteoric-rise

Update on PH vaccination programs: Minors aged 12-17 are eligible for vaccination, all adults permitted to receive booster shots

by Laurein Mateo

As of November 30, 2021, the Philippines reached an average of around 1,265,786 doses administered within 7 days, and around 33% of the total population has been fully vaccinated. The country has also begun inoculating minors aged 12-17 beginning early November as the Department of Health (DOH) decided to implement a nationwide rollout of the program as supplies are now sufficient for a larger population.

November 29 to December 1, 2021, were also declared as National COVID-19 Vaccination days titled “Bayanihan,

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Bakunahan.” However, the national task force reduced target numbers for doses administered from 15 million to 9 million, citing a shortage of supplies and other logistical problems. Officials have set another 3-day drive for midDecember.

Fully vaccinated health workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals were also approved to take booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine in November.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends booster shots to prolong immunity provided by the vaccine. People are required to wait at least six months after being fully vaccinated or three months after receiving a single dose vaccine.

As of December 2, health officials announced that all adults are eligible to receive booster vaccines. This decision comes after WHO identified a new coronavirus variant which was named Omicron and categorized as a variant of concern. Despite only less than half of Filipinos completing their primary vaccination, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. assured that supply is no longer an issue for the country.

Health officials hope to vaccinate 70% of the population before the end of 2021.

To specify pediatric population targets, DOH eyes at least 80% of Filipinos under 18 to be vaccinated by December 2021.

Philippines prepares to transition into face-to-face learning more than a year after the pandemic

by Angelene Sophia N. Garcia

“The Philippines is one of the five countries in the world that has not started in-person classes since the pandemic began, affecting the right to learn of more than 27 million Filipino

Pauliworld students,” UNICEF posited on August 25.

In response to UNICEF’s statement, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH) issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2021 regarding the operational guidelines on the implementation of limited face-to-face learning modality on September 27.

The resumption of face-toface classes shall be implemented in selected schools in minimal-risk areas in the following phases: (a) pilot implementation (b) expanded implementation (c) full implementation under the new normal. As for the pilot implementation, the participating students will only come from Key Stage (K-to-3) and selected secondary learners from Senior High School (SHS) in minimal-risk areas.

In light of this, DepEd conducted the first pilot run of face-to-face learning last November 22 to ensure the effective, efficient, and safe implementation of such in the near future. Approximately 5,000 learners and 1,000 teachers participated across the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

“The first day of the pilot run was generally successful and I am confident that we can sustain our best practices in ensuring the safety of our participating learners and teachers,” Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said during the Palace press briefing.

[1] PH among 5 countries with schools closed since COVID-19 pandemic --- UNICEF. (2021, August 25). Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/25/phamong-5-countries-with-schools-closed-sincecovid-19-pandemic-unicef/ [2] CORRECTED COPY. (n.d.). https://www.deped.gov.ph/ wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DEPED-DOH-JMCNo.-01-s.-2021_.pdf [3] PH starts pilot run of face-to-face classes in public schools. (2021). Cnn. https://www.cnnphilippines. com/news/2021/11/15/Face-to-face-classesPhilippines-COVID-19-pandemic.html [4] DepEd monitors first day of pilot face-to-face classes in private schools. (2021, November 22). Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/22/depedmonitors-first-day-of-pilot-face-to-face-classesin-private-schools/ ‌[5] On the Start of Pilot Implementation of Limited FaceTo-Face Classes | Department of Education.

(2021).

Deped.gov.ph. https://www.deped. g o v . p h / 2 0 2 1 / 1 1 / 1 6 / o n - t h e - s t a r t- o f - p i l o timplementation-of-limited-face-to-face-classes/

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Editorial

The convenience of tossing the blame

by Ciel

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Pauliworld

The clock is ticking as the Philippines

Community Quarantine in early 2021,

government failed to prioritize their

draws nearer to the 2022 national

parents started taking their children

sector under the 2021 budget proposal—a

elections where Filipinos will vote for the

outside, more people were spending time

year most crucial to the Philippines, as

country’s next leaders. High expectations

in malls, and public transport would often

the country has yet to limit cases below

are set for the next administration when

operate close to the maximum capacity

a three-digit number. They suggested

their entry comes after the COVID-19

set by nationwide social distancing

allocating only a combined P212 billion

pandemic has ravaged the Philippines—

protocols.

for the health sector, with their priority

the people are looking for hope for a steady start at an extremely long road towards recovery.

However, it is not fair to blame the massive increases of COVID-19 cases on Filipino citizens when the government

Every voter must remember the kind

had an entire year to innovate virus

almost twice the amount for these two sectors.

containment

for

The Duterte administration showed

afford to put into power again, embodied

transitioning into a new normal, and

reluctance in distributing economic aid to

by the incumbent administration who has

improve the health system’s capacity.

impoverished Filipinos whose struggles

consistently dodged taking accountability

Instead, Filipinos in 2020 constantly

were worsened due to a loss of income and

for their actions.

heard

Duterte’s

job opportunities during the prolonged

helpless rambles about how waiting for

pandemic. The 2021 budget also did not

the vaccine is the only solution to the

account for a possible third tranche of its

pandemic and wearing a mask is the

emergency subsidy program and national

best form of protection. But why insist

authorities placed their hopes that the

on waiting for vaccines when designing

reopening of the economy would drive

programs to both contain the virus and

up employment and lower poverty rates

provide economic relief that could save

once again.

country,

COVID-19

President

administration

surged

Rodrigo

pushed

the

the

Duterte’s narrative

that Filipinos’ lack of discipline and non-observance

of

health

protocols

were to blame for the country’s struggle to contain the virus. For three months after

community

quarantine

was

implemented in 2020, officials would

President

prepare

order and defense as they earmarked

of government the Philippines cannot

When

strategies,

on developing infrastructure and public

Rodrigo

lives at present?

There may be little significance to ease

outlining these issues now when, as of

reprimand Filipinos for being hard-

lockdown measures when cases began to

December 2021, the Philippines’ daily

headed and complacent in following

decrease, then revert back to Enhanced

COVID-19 case count is finally below the

quarantine rules. In late March 2021,

Community Quarantine (ECQ) when

thousands. Hospitals, notably Philippine

almost a year after the country was put

there was a sudden surge—a sign that

General Hospital, are admitting fewer

under lockdown, cases started to rise by

perhaps the decision to lower quarantine

COVID-19

patients.

thousands and reached a peak of more

status was problematic and authorities

pandemic

response

than 12,000 by early April before another

would take action to investigate and fix

government should be ingrained in the

massive increase in the count starting in

it. Instead, this protocol became a pattern

minds of Filipinos—a response that

September. During this alarming surge,

of loosening restrictions and returning to

involved officials turning their citizens

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

hard lockdown when an alarming rise in

into

stood firm in saying that the exponential

case count occurred until the rollout of

assistance to provide relief to those

rise of COVID-19 numbers was due to

the vaccination program began.

struggling to get back on their feet. The

less compliance to minimum health standards, saying that this claim is also supported by an increase in quarantine violators.

Filipinos

saw

authorities

The Duterte administration showed it hasn’t learned much upon seeing hospitals reaching maximum capacity with patients being unable to receive

In hindsight, there could be some

care because they couldn’t get a hospital

truth to what officials are saying. During

bed. Overworked and underpaid health

Metro Manila’s first transition to General

workers demanded help, and yet the

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scapegoats

However, of

instead

the

of

the

current

offering

cruel treatment must remind us of the leaders we must elect into office. We must vote for candidates that will take accountability for their errors and show assurance to Filipinos that they will support our well-being and safety.

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Editorial

Who are the true accomplices to climate change?

by Jana Torres

On October 31, 2021, the United Nations (UN) kicked

as the worst planned, worst organized, and least effective COP

off its 2-week annual Climate Change Conference of Parties,

that I have ever known,” said Asad Rehman, a spokesperson

otherwise known as COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland. Leaders and

for the COP26 coalition. Despite emphasizing the need for

representatives from most countries were invited to update

such a meeting during a global pandemic, the UN lacked in

their plans that were set from the previous conference, COP21,

accommodating all leaders, especially those who are disabled

where the Paris Agreement was enacted.

and have concerns regarding affordability.

The conference comes between two titans that are causing much distress for the global public: the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of climate change. People anticipated the proposals of world’s leaders on solutions and answers to longrunning questions of handling climate change with our current environment . However, their constituents’ expectations were met with confusion and disappointment instead.

Criticisms of world leaders World leaders focused on four goals coming into COP26: keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, protect communities and habitats, mobilize finance, and most notoriously, secure a global goal of having “net-zero emissions,” for their 2030 targets. These are radical promises for radical changes that are needed for survival, but how many of these goals are actually

Private jets

set to become actions?

118 world leaders arrived in Glasgow using private jets,

At present, wealthier countries have yet to provide $100B

which amounted to over 1000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)

annually for funding developing countries to reduce their

emitted into the atmosphere. Only a select few have questioned

carbon emissions. There was no compensation or aid provided

this accommodation by the UN, opting to use sustainable jet

by leaders for developing countries like Kenya, where 2 million

fuel and denying the invitation to use it at all, but the majority

residents were at risk of starvation due to a drought. Instead,

still took the luxury ride to the conference. It’s laughable: world

“advice and guidance” was the resource provided instead of

leaders flying in to discuss how to solve climate change, while

grain and water.

also participating in a privileged act that reeks of hypocrisy and ignorance in the process.

Change on the horizon?

Criticisms of the UN

In an attempt to provide answers to the worrying state of the globe, COP26 only prompted more questions to emerge.

A consensus has been made by the world: climate change

How many more conferences will the United Nations hold

is real, and its consequences are speedily worsening. But how

until these world leaders can turn their empty promises into

far can the UN’s agreements and treaties take us? Are these

fruitful action? What is stopping us taking concrete action on

merely false promises that are revisited and remade after every

planned solutions?

yearly conference? Beyond this, the general public should be skeptical about the organization on its own, with some critics deeming the UN as a threat to national sovereignty in its pursuit to promote globalism. In the context of climate change posing the greatest threat to developing countries but proposals are in the the hands of power giants like the United States, China, and Europe, concerns should be raised.

No, rather, what is stopping the powerful—those who benefit from fossil fuels, wasteful businesses, and the dependence of developing countries—from finally doing the right thing? Rather than questioning if our leaders have plans for the future, we must ask every party that attended the COP26, and every previous installment of such, if they can sacrifice power to have the world see another day.

From a logistical standpoint, the organization fell short in planning COP26. “I’d like to be polite, but [COP26] will go down

09

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Pauliworld

Finding the Lesser in Infinity

by Ascian

You are not limitless. Your wings will falter, your sentiments will gradually wither, and your time will come to an eventual stop. To chase after promises of forever and eternity is a waste of time because we are chained to limitations and boundaries, the very concepts at which value and sentiment stem from.

Limits are painted in a rather negative light. The knowledge of having limits is exactly what prompts us to place significance in people, relationships, memories, events, and objects at which we share feelings of fondness. Going past the boundaries of infinity is a mistake, as the value placed upon life, time, death, and emotion stems from its very scarcity of being a finite resource.

Limits and endings: two concepts always frowned upon, yet they conclude chapters in our lives with meaning and resolution. When significant life events come to an end, they are cast off as memories with the morale we gained from its end reaping in our minds for a time. Perhaps an even more universal experience where the bittersweet importance of endings comes to mind is our lack of time on Earth. Humans do not live forever. We are bound to life expectancies and the ever so tragic disasters and unforeseen tragedies which can easily put a halt on one’s time on Earth. The limits placed on our lives are what places significance on them, it’s what prompts us to live every day to the fullest.

Beyond these ideas, the concept of infinity itself is lonely.

A life of eternity would bring about the loss of attachment and emotion, much especially to the bonds we share with family, friends, significant others, and acquaintances. “You never know what you have until it’s gone” rightfully explains this anecdote, as the potential of losing our loved ones one day makes us treasure them even more so.

All beginnings must have an end - whether it be towards our attachment to objects, people, or even moments that we wish we could be stuck in time forever. These all have rightfully placed limits that uphold its value and significance in our lives. As bittersweet as it sounds, the limitations that entrap us liberate us from the lonesome concept of infinity to a world that provides us closure and allows us to appreciate our time, life, and relations.

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Editorial

Editorial Cartoon

by PURIFICACION

by Jolie Lim

11

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Noon, ang lahat ay inilalahad sa pamamagitan ng mga dyaryo, aklat, o kaya bali-balita sa mga kakilala. Sa paglipas ng panahon, halos lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo ay maaabot na sa loob ng ating mga bulsa galing sa isang instrumento ng teknolohiya – dito natin mahahanap ang mundo ng social media. Malinaw ang naging tulong nito sa atin. Hindi naman maitatanggi na dahil sa mga sistemang online, nagiging mas madali ang mga bagay-bagay at mas maginhawa ang ating mga buhay. Ito nga ay mabilis intindihin at kapaki-pakinabang — sa isang pindot, maari nating alamin ang sagot sa halos anumang tanong. Ngunit, hanggang saan ba ang maari nating paniwalaan na walang pag-aalinlangan? Gaano tayo kasigurado na ang lahat ng ito ay napatunayan na?

Walang kasiguraduhan. Ang pinagkakatiwalaan natin ay hindi pisikal na bagay ngunit binibigyan natin ito ng kapangyarihang patakbuhin ang ating pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay. Dahil sa pamamaraan at kadalian ng paggamit ng social media, madaling malinlang sa mga balitang hindi mapagkakatiwalaan. Ito ay umiiral sa maraming plataporma, kabilang dito ang madalas gamitin ng madla: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, at iba pa.

PINALAKING PAMAGAT Sa dami ng mga balitang lumilitaw sa ating mga timeline o news feed kada-araw, mahirap mapukaw ang pansin ng mga mambabasa at maanyayahan silang maglaan ng oras upang unawain ang nilalaman nito. Bilang resulta, madalas nang pinagsamantalahan ang mga pamagat o headline at lumalayo na ito sa katotohanan o laman ng mga artikulo.

Sa pagdaan nito sa screen ng iilang mga netizen, madaling maiisip na ang pamagat ay isang mahalagang bahagi sa pangyayari kahit na ito ay pinalaki lamang at walang patunay.

KAKULANGAN SA PAG-UNAWA Kadalasang kinakalat pa rin ang mga impormasyon na naririnig kahit wala pa itong kongkretong ebidensya. Dahil madalas ginagamit ang social media, maaaring maglahad ng saloobin na walang malinaw na konteksto. Sa mundong ito, ang mga biro ay maaaring maging katotohanan sa isip ng iba. Sakakulangan din ng paliwanag, iba-iba ang epekto nito sa madla at siyang mas nagpapairal ng maling impormasyon.

SADYANG PANLILINLANG Hindi maiiwasang maabala ng sariling saloobin at reaksyon sa balita. Sa kasamaang palad, may gumagamit nito sa panlilinlang o panloloko sa tulong ng pagtago sa ibang pagkatao. Ilan sa mga halimbawa nito ang mga scam sa online shopping, pag-hack ng pribadong impormasyon, at iba pa. Kamakailan din lamang nang binalaan ng Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ang publiko sa mga grupong nagbebenta ng pekeng appointment form para sa pagproseso ng mga dokumento ng isang overseas Filipino worker (OFW). Ang mga ebidensya sa mga katulad nito ay gawa-gawa lamang at ginagamit upang makatanggap ng ninanais na sagot o reaksyon mula sa taong binibiktima.

Hindi natin mahahawakan ang mga bagay na nakikita at tao na nakakausap natin dito. Maaring gumamit ng mga app sa pag-edit at mga anyo ng teknolohiya para manipulahin ang makikita ng ibang tao at mas mapapadali itong gawin dahil maitatago ang totoong pagkakakilanlan.

Hindi maaaring gamitin ang social media bilang ang tanging pagkukunan ng impormasyon. Kinakailangan pa rin ng mainam at maayos na pagsusuri sa pipiliin nating paniwalaan. Sa malaking papel ng teknolohiya sa ating buhay, maari tayong magdala ng panganib at kapinsalaan sa ating mga sarili at ang komunidad kung saan tayo naninirahan — ang tunay na mundo. Kahit na sinasabi ng iba na ang social media ay nakakalawak ng kaalaman at mundong napaliligiran, sa maling paggamit magdadala lamang ito ng kabaligtaran na epekto at nagdudulot ng higit pang panganib sa katagalan.

Bilang tagagamit ng social media at teknolohiya, tayo ay may responsibilidad sa bigat at kanya-kanyang kahihinatnan ng pinipili nating ipahayag at paniwalaan. Huwag nating kalimutan ang tunay na mundong makikita, mahahawakan, maririnig, at mabubuhayan. Patuloy nating suriin ng mabuti ang bawat impormasyon na makikita natin, lalo na sa pagbabahagi nito sa ibang tao.

[1] Abante News. (2021, October 21). Mga Ofw na-scam sa Poea appointment.

Retrieved from https://www.abante.com.ph/mga-ofw-na-scam-sa-poeaappointment/ [2] Wardle, C. (2017, February 16). Fake news. It’s complicated. First Draft. Retrieved from https://firstdraftnews.org/articles/fake-news-complicated/

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Features

Underneath the Mask

by Savannah Sucre G. Flores

Confined within the four walls of our bedrooms and homes, we face isolation—we become lonely, tired, and overwhelmed with stress and fear. Boredom creeps up on us and approaches without warning, academic tasks seem draining and demanding, and our days end in anxiety or exhaustion.

For many, solace is found in watching cute

Most create online identities for the sake of protection,

and trending videos of cats and dogs, or perhaps the

but sometimes, they can get carried away and end up

notification banner from Twitter signaling the latest post

painting an image of their ideal selves, whether it be a

of fan-favorite idols. We scroll, and scroll, and go through

close tie to reality or not. From online names and personal

accounts and pages as the hours pass by, unknowingly

information to our uploads on websites, and likes or

falling downwards into the addicting hole known as “social media.”

Familiar and comforting, social media is meant to build communities and open doors to the new and unknown.

From campaigns, fandoms, organizations and politics, it

dislikes—all of decisions design custom personas: masks known and recognized only by our virtual connections.

As social media continues to change our society, we may start to question whether or not it truly is a “safe space” for users

around

the

world.

is a platform meant for anything and everything, and it

However, it is up to us

continues to thrive when the people need it most.

to influence brand

Social media also serves as a coping mechanism for those who prefer online interaction. Many have made their closest friends online through popular apps such

new concepts and ideas, to create our own unique profiles

and

as Discord and Twitter, or connected with those who

appearances—

indulge in the same interests using Pinterest, Instagram

it is solely that

and YouTube. On these platforms, we build and create

sense of creativity,

our profiles, filling them with what we hold closest to our

initiative

and

hearts. We imprint our unique identities and lives through

judgment

that

custom profile pictures and banners, sharing expressive posts, and following the accounts of our friends.

Still,

despite

how

positive

and

has

the

significance

largest and

impact on those around us.

encouraging it can be at times, it’s important to note that not everything we see online reflects our reality. reality.

13

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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF ST. PAUL COLLEGE PASIG HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Pauliworld

Four Things We Will Miss About Online Classes

by Faith B. Dacara

With the ongoing mass vaccination programs for minors, the Philippine government is currently eyeing the resumption of face-to-face classes in schools by January 2022. The physical resumption of classes is one of the many things students, teachers, and school administrators across the country have been hoping for since the start of online classes. The series of lockdowns in the Philippines brought about a myriad of obstacles that hindered students from learning effectively, especially for those in far-flung areas and those who struggled to adapt to the virtual set-up. With a few months left before we return to our school buildings and classrooms, there may be quite a few things that we will miss the most about online classes.

1. Physical Comfort When the first round of school suspensions was announced, students were overjoyed at the prospect of having no classes and just doing requirements in the comfort of their own homes. The idea of not having to wake up early and battle the daily commute to get to school, and even the possibility of spending a whole week in our pambahay is so endearing. Being able to do tasks in the comfort of our well-loved beds was no longer a figment of our imaginations.

2. Schedule Flexibility In a way, having online classes means having more time to cater to one’s personal needs. It meant not having to spend 8-10 hours of one’s day at school, and instead being able to finish school requirements quicker to do whatever else they wanted for the rest of the day.

3. Increased Time with Family Having classes at home means that we get to spend more time with our family members! Face-to-face classes took away time from having meals with our parents, with most students rushing to eat breakfast before their school buses arrive in the wee hours of the morning. This makes for more bonding time with our families, which is essential during these anxious times.

4. Availability of More Internet Resources Last but not the least, having online classes meant that we could use more of the internet and available technology in our households to our advantage. With all of our gadgets just at an arm’s reach, we can get all the information we need within several clicks.

While online classes surely aren’t how we expected to spend two school years, it came with its own list of advantages as it did with its given set of disadvantages. Having online classes is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and there are definitely parts of it we’ll miss when we return to our dearly missed normal lives.

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Features

Think Before You Click During The 12.12 Big Christmas Sale!

by Sofia Fugen

The pandemic has taken control of many aspects in our

With COVID-19 keeping online classes alive, why not

lives. From having to change up every part of our life in order

take a look at this quick list for school supplies to check out

to survive at home and at school, to the lack of physical social

during your next shopping spree? These items not only come

interaction, we’ve lost two years of our lives due to COVID-19

with aesthetic face value, but their true value comes from using

this tragedy. Although we were able to find ways to cope at the

them all up.

beginning, through DIY projects, home improvement attempts, or even learning a new skills, — it’s since lost most of its novelty. Instead, We find ourselves feeling lost and constantly anxious because there’s only so much we can do while being stuck at home. As such, we find ourselves wanting to exercise our own personal authority which can manifest into making rash types of monetary decisions through the usage of online shopping as a coping mechanism in the midst of the pandemic.

Despite how tempting it can be to have go crazy on shopping sprees on platforms like Shopee and Lazada, where prices can be as low as PHP 1, it’s extremely important to be cautious and alert when buying goods online especially when scams and frauds can easily be committed. With this in mind, here are some tips and tricks to help you out when choosing your next buy and maybe you’ll even get to save some money while you shop:

notebooks

pens & highlighters

Kraft Notebook Ranges from PHP 46 to PHP 78

6 Double Tip Highlighters PHP 119

Refillable Soft Binder Notebook Ranges from PHP 60 to PHP 80

Muji Inspired Retro Gel Pen PHP 12

Allie Spencer Blank Notebook PHP 148

48 Colored Pens Set PHP 152

workspace organizers

Four-Tier Pen Holder Ranges from PHP 28 to PHP 35 •

Desk Shelf PHP 40

Check the ratio between the product rating and how many people have bought it. If the ratio seems off for example — one being higher or lower than the other,— then it’s better to be safe than sorry and move on to another product.

•

View the comments and look at what other buyers had to say about its quality. You can look at photos of the product that have already been bought by other consumers too. For better chances of getting a legit product, you can look at extension mediums like Shopee Mall and LazMall for stores that have been authenticated by the platform.

•

Scout for Vouchers. Many websites log and document vouchers that can be used when shopping online, you can search for them and get discount vouchers for any category on the site.

•

Wait for sales. Some shopping sites have sales every day with an emphasis on a different category each day. However, you can also wait for the End of the Month - Payday Sale or the Double Numbers Sales (9.9, 10.10, 11.11, 12.12).

Ultimately, shopping online is a way for us to try and regain some sense of control back in our lives. However, at some point, we’ll have to face the music and realize that we can’t shop our feelings away and waste our money on items we might not even use in the long run.

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Coloring Page By RILLORAZA

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Features

by Luna Coscolluela

In the world of film, teenagers are the objects of fascination. They are treated as living plot devices who bring rebellion, angst, and drama to every screenplay that they grace. As the world of filmography continues to evolve, depictions of teenagers in media have evolved into more profound characters with stories of their own. Or, at the very least, teenage boys have gotten the greater share of this treatment.

The film industry is a notoriously male-dominated field, with only 2 out of 93 Best Director Oscar recipients being women. Most depictions of teenage girls have been perceived from the “male gaze,” where female characters are objectified to the point where they become detached from their movies.

Instead of these female characters being people that audiences are supposed to understand, they come off as archetypes who could not be further than the truth.

17

Of course, female directors weren’t just going to stand by and watch this happen. Directors such as Sofia Coppola, Greta Gerwig, and Alice Wu have built their careers on making films about the teenage experience from a woman’s perspective. In Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, the infamous historical figure of illrepute is instead presented as a regular girl undergoing a difficult transition in her life, with the courts of Versailles and Marie’s role as the queen of France serving only as a mere backdrop.

Gerwig, on the other hand, chose to depict the life of a teenage girl in the early 2000s with her 2017 film, Lady Bird. In the film, Christine, a seventeen-year-old from Sacramento, navigates her last year of high school and begins her slow transition into adulthood. Unlike past depictions of teenage girls, the ones in Lady Bird are messy, confused, and just as lost as you

would expect any other teenager to be.

The film titled The Half of It directed by Wu tells the story of three teenagers learning who they are and just beginning to define their place in the world. It veers away from typical love-triangle cliches and offers an ending where things don’t have to be resolved with romance and everyone is still happy.

There’s still a long way to go for women in film, but the shift from primarily male-centric stories has opened up new opportunities for women to be included in ways they weren’t before. Giving young girls characters that they can relate to onscreen could be the spark that lights the flame of change, and we can only hope it gets better from here.

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by Gab Martinez

“Divinity in motion” is just one of a myriad of phrases used to depict the beauty of seductive women.

Women deemed “dangerous.” The femme fatale. Femme fatales are temptresses who utilizes their charm and attractive qualities to lure victims—mostly male—through lust’s strange inhumanity. It’s a common cliche and trope attributed to female antagonists in various forms of media, from the likes of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in the DC comics universe, to Japanese manga female villains akin to Daki from Kimetsu No Yaiba and Makima from Chainsaw Man. When one compares and contrasts these antagonists, several similarities

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arise, with most female villains remaining chained to backstories, personalities, and physiques that revolve around romance, passion, and seduction. However, the fault and disappointment lies in the fact that their characters’ identities end there.

The subject became a topic of debate amongst users of the popular role-playing game Genshin Impact.

A god named Raiden “Ei” Shogun had a militant and aggressive reputation, but she was merely reduced to a story that entertained the fantasies of certain players, rather than providing nuances to her merciless persona and beliefs.

Perhaps the complete erasure of the femme fatale from media is far from feasible; however, to rewrite the narrative what it means to become a femme fatale is within our grasps as women. It can simply be a strong-willed and determined woman, or even a woman of great physique and blinding beauty.

Women are much more than the stereotypes by which we remain enslaved— there is more to us than our physique and the gentle and romantic persona we supposedly all possess. The standard norms of what makes a femme fatale should remain subjective, with its true definition being unique to each and every one of us.

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Features

Why you should watch Avatar: The Last Airbender

by Jana Torres

It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid of the golden age of

young and goofy Airbender, how will he become the savior of

Nickelodeon or not: as you are sure to have heard about the

the world? Will Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation walk on a path

2005 animated show Avatar: The Last Airbender. Denoted in

of goodness or on a path of greed just like his dictator father?

pop culture simply as the acronym ATLA, the show follows characters who inhabit four nations, modeled after the four major elements: earth, fire, water, and air. Aang, a 12-year old Airbender, is the titular character of the show, as we follow his journey to becoming the Avatar: the sole individual of the current generation who can master all four elements and bring peace to any and all conflict in the world.

Besides the main members of the “Aang Squad,” composed of the Avatar, Katara, Sokka, and Toph, the three-season show introduces us to all kinds of personalities hailing from the four different nations. Despite the numbers, it feels easy to watch every episode with how true to life these characters are in establishing their goals, priorities, and personalities.

3. Yes to social and political awareness

To those who aren’t so familiar with the details of the series, head scratches and eyebrows scrunched in confusion may be enacted. How exactly is this plot fitting for a children’s show?

1. Rich culture and representation The universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender is evidently rooted in a number of different countries and cultures. The Fire Nation takes after imperial Japan; The Water Tribe takes after Inuit and Indigenous Australian cultures; The Air Nomads are modeled after monks from Tibetan culture; and the Earth Kingdom is rooted in Chinese and Korean culture.

Though definitely fictional, most of the events that unfold in Avatar ring true to many historical events. To start, the show commences with a century-long war between the Fire Nation and the rest of the continents that exist, already setting the stage for a commentary about imperialism and colonialism in Eastern countries.

The series also tackles classism and elitism in the cultures of different nations; revenge when it comes to coping with the aftermath of war; and the consequences of being power-hungry, and growing into a culture that praises such greed. Avatar is

One of, if not the, most titular aspects of the show is

one of the few children’s shows that leans into this spectrum

element bending. Skilled warriors and leaders utilize bending to

of topics instead of deliberately ignoring them or treating them

manipulate their native elements for either combat or healing.

as taboo.

The use of bending is inspired by several forms of Asian martial

4. Feelings are normal, feelings are important

arts.

Not only did creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino responsibly take inspiration from these regions in setting the Avatar universe, but they cultivated a foundation for children of color and marginalized communities to see themselves represented on their television screens.

2. Gives us character development Avatar: The Last Airbender has a lot of characters, and it’s a joy to know that they’re all well-written ones. We get to see the slow and steady

Emotional maturity can and should be taught at all ages. For a children’s show, Avatar does not shy away from spotlighting stories that stem from tragedy. Katara, one of the show’s main characters and a greatly skilled waterbender, went on a brief journey of revenge to figure out the truth behind her mother’s passing.

Despite being considered by many viewers as the makeshift mother of the gang, we see her break out of this mold and see her cave into raw anger and grief. The creators of Avatar don’t shun any characters that go through these emotions that can easily be taught as “bad” to impressionable audiences like children.

It’s okay to not feel okay. It’s okay to be angry, sad, confused, and outright in despair, so long as hope continues to prevail at the end of a distant tunnel.

transition of Aang: from a

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What Studio Ghibli Got Right

by Alex Punsalan

It does seem rather ridiculous. Imagine: an anxious little girl in a new town, clutching a bouquet to her chest in the backseat of a car. The next day, she’s working amongst spirits in a magical bathhouse, her parents have turned into pigs, and her best friend is a dragon?

That is the premise of Spirited Away, a popular film from Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli. The thing about Spirited Away—and Ghibli, in general-–is that, in the midst of their outrageous plots with walking castles and flying broomsticks, we find ourselves immersed, buying into fantastical stories that feel like they could be real.

We owe this to the elements of realism that are infused into their films, such as with Spirited Away’s main character, Chihiro. She crawls down lofty stairs with hesitant, frazzled steps. When she tries tying a pulley knot, her inexperienced hands jitter, and her rope misses its mark. She gasps staggeredly when she cries.

And as she stares into the world’s grand, lonely voids—an endless cerulean ocean, the vast night sky—she pauses and takes a breath, because sometimes we do need a moment to absorb such striking sights.

It’s these tiny details unique to our very own realities that make it all seem believable. Because with Chihiro’s every shudder, chuckle, or mishap, we are reminded once more of what it feels like to be a scared little kid, carefully navigating the great new world around us. There’s a spirit bathhouse on a hill, but with it is the flap of fabric on laundry lines and the gentle exhale of steam into the air. It’s at first peculiar, then at once achingly familiar, and suddenly the whole situation doesn’t seem so ridiculous after all.

But such is the essence of Studio Ghibli, which knows what it truly means to breathe life into a story.

They understand, more than most, that life is both one grand spectacle and all the little moments in between: the towering sights before small eyes, a whisper of a smile. This interplay of opposite elements is paramount in stories and creations, for they are definitive of the human experience needed to make our tales believable.

No fantasia can ever be so alien, for on a red spirit bridge or on our porch swings, we can feel the same bittersweetness of one summer’s day.

Editorial Cartoon

by ERFE

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Filipino

Ang Pitong Bahagi sa Isang Mito Ni Mikayla Sanchez

Noong sinaunang panahon, may pitong papel na nakalatag sa sahig. Halos lahat nito ay blanko at walang tinta ng kahit anumang salita sa harap o likod nito. Kung hindi man blanko ay may imahe ng iba’t-ibang katawang panlangit na nakaimprinta sa papel. Nang makita ito ng isang babae ay agad siyang umupo sa sahig para lagyan kwento ang mga imahe—mula rito, nakikilala na natin sila bilang mito ng Araw at Buwan.

Una, isinulat ng babae ang “Mandaya” sa blankong papel. Dalawang tauhan ang nandito; si Sol at si Luna. Binibigyan ng liwanag ni Sol si Luna, at binibigyan ng dilim ni Luna si Sol upang kuminang. Sa kanilang dalawa nahanap ang balanse sa buhay, at kapag nawala ang isa, may kulang at may sobra.

Pangalawa, inisip ng babae na—tulad sa totoong buhay—hindi perpekto si Sol at Luna. Bagamat sila’y kasal, may mga problema pa rin silang pinagdadaanan. Kaya’t isang araw na madilim ang langitay bigla na lang nagalit si Sol kay Luna. Sinumula niyang habulin si Luna, hangga’t may mga panahon na hindi niya na niya maabot ang asawa at lumaki ang kanilang distansya sa isa’t isa.

Pangatlo, kapag napapagod si Luna, ay naaabot na rin siya ni Sol. At tuwing nangyayari ito, patuloy ang paulit-ulit nilang pag-ikot sa kanilang relasyon. Gayunpaman, ang minsang balanse na mayroon sila ay unti-unting lumaho at napalitan ng kawalan.

Inisip ng babaeng manunulat na parte ito ng buhay; kung hindi natin dinggin ang iba, patuloy tayong iikot sa isang paniniwala na hindi nila pariringgan.

Pang-apat, ilang buwan ang lumipas at nagka-ayos ang mag-asawa. Dito, nalaman ni Luna na siya’y buntis sa isang batang lalake. Nang inuluwal siya, kasing laki at kulay siya ng kanyang ama at dahil dito, nagalit si Sol. Kinuha niya ang kanyang anak at ginupit sa maliliit na butil at tsakang tinapon sa langit. Ang dahilan ng kung bakit maraming mga bituin sa itaas tuwing gabi ay dahil sa galit ng isang ama na hindi mahanap ang pusong mahalin ang kanyang anak.

Panlima, gumuhit ng isang araw, buwan, at tala ang babae sa huling blankong papel na kanyang nakita. Hindi niya mabigyan ng wakas ang mito dahil parang may kulang—parang kailangan niya pang dagdagan ito. Ngunit kanyang naalala na ang kagandahan ng isang mito ay nakikita ng mga bumabasa nito. At kung ano pa man ang kanilang interpretasyon ay hahanapin nila ang sagot at ang wakas.

Pang-anim, sa baba ng huling papel ay isinulat muli ng babaeng manunulat ang pamagat ng mito. “Mandaya” – maidadaya ba natin ang itinadhana sa atin? Maidadaya ba natin ang ating mga kamalian? Sa buhay na ito, nasa ating kamay ang paghahanap ng balanse sa liwanag at dilim. Tulad ng manunulat, hawak niya ang panulat upang ipakita ang kagandahan ng mitolohiya ng Pilipinas.

At pampito, sa pagbaba ng babae sa kanyang panulat ay tinitigan niya ang iba’t-ibang papel na nakakalat sa kanyang kapaligiran. Sa mitong ito matatagpuan ang kwento ni Sol at Luna—ang araw at buwan—kung paano silang patuloy na umiikot sa mga umagang matamis at sa mga gabing mapait.

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Pauliworld

Ang Tawag ng Inang Kalikasan Ni Patricia Angela E. Balinong

Ilang daang, libong, milyong taon akong napalilibutan ng mga napakagandang uri ng mga bagay mula sa mga halaman, malinis na tubig, at maaliwalas na langit. Lahat ng ito ay dahil sa mundo–napakabait niya, lubos ko itong minamahal at pinasasalamatan sa patuloy na pagpapatira sa akin at pagpapahintulot sa pagpakalat ko ng aking angking kagandahan sa lahat ng bahagi nito.

Sa ilang daang, libong, milyong taon kong pagtira at pagsama sa mundo naging mababait ang mga uri ng hayop na nakilala ko: mga dinosauro, liyon, at maski ang mga pating na lubos na kinatatakutan ng marami. Napakabait nilang tunay, ni minsa’y hindi ako nilapastangan.

Ang akala ko’y mamumuhay ako ng mapayapa kasama ang mga mababait at magagalang na hayop ng mahabang panahon pa. Ngunit isang araw, dumating ang isang uri ng nilalang, mukhang hindi sila hayop. Sila’y mayay sariling isip at may kakayahang magsalita. Naging interesado ako sa mga nilalang na ito, kakaiba sila–malayo sa mga hayop na ilang taon kong nakasama.

Nakakaaliw sila. Binigyan nila ng panibagong kulay at saya ang minumutya kong mundo. Mainit naming tinanggap ang mga nilalang na ito. Ginusto naming dalawang alagaan sila sa higit na aming makakaya. Pinaramdam namin ito sa pagbibigay ng maraming prutas, malinis na tubig, at sariwang hangin. Ginawa namin lahat ng pwedeng gawin upang sila’y sumaya.

Subalit, hindi sila nakukuntento. Hindi sila sumasaya. Oh, sangkatauhan! Mauubos na kami ng mundo. Nawawalan na kami ng maaaring ibigay sa inyo. Mahal ko kayo, mahal na mahal namin kayo! Kayo ng mga hayop, halaman, puno, tubig, at langit. Lahat kayo ay mahalaga sa amin. Ngunit, sa pagmamahal ba namin sa inyo, oh sangkatauhan, buhay na namin ang kapalit? Kalusugan na namin ang dapat nasa bingit?

Bakit? Bakit! Anong nangyari, saan kami nagkulang? Binigay namin ang lahat, oh, lahat ng mayroon kami. Ngunit sa bawat paggising ko sa umaga, sa bawat ramdam ko ng pagsunog sa iisang bahagi ng kagubatan na inatasan kong magbigay ng sariwang hangin, sa bawat pagputol sa mga punong itinalaga kong magbigay ng prutas, at sa pagrami ng basura sa aking mga tubig na inialay ko upang kayo’y hindi mauhaw, nararamdaman ko na ang unti-unti kong paglaho. Lahat ay naibigay ko na—nakuha niyo na! Pati buhay ko at ng mundo mukhang nanaisin niyo pa?

Pakiusap. Gumising na kayo! Hindi kayo makokontento sa pagiging makasarili ninyo. Hindi kailanman magiging sagot sa kasiyahan ang kasakiman!

Gusto ko pa kayo makasama sa mga susunod na daan, libo, milyon, at bilyong taong hinaharap, kaya parang awa, gumising na kayo. Imulat ang mga matang nagbubulag-bulagan, buksan ang mga tengang nagbibingibingihan, at gamitin ang mga utak na nagtutulog-tulugan. Kaunti na lang ang oras bago ako bumigay, kaya parang awa! Oh, sangkatauhan, gumising na kayo. Tulungan ninyo ako.

PauliworldSPCP

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Filipino

ANG SARILI NATING MGA BAYANI:

PAGKIKILALA SA KANILANG EPEKTO SA ATING BUHAY ni Tiffany Cosue Noong bata ka pa, madalas kang tinatanong kung

sa medisinang sektor! Nang nagsimula ang pandemya sa

sino ang inyong “bayani” sa buhay. Iba’t-iba ang sagot

Pilipinas noong Enero ng 2020, halos buong buhay ang

ng iyong mga kaklase: “Si nanay, si kuya, si ate, o kaya

sinakripisyo ng ating mga doktor at nars sa pagbangon ng

naman si lolo!” Sa pag-tanda, maaaring mag-iba ang

bansa laban sa sakit. Sa ngayon, pinagpapatuloy nila ito

sagot na iyan, ngunit may pagkakataong parehas pa rin

at malaki ang ating pasasalamat sa mga bayani ng ospital

ang isasagot mo. Ngayon, tanungin mo ulit ang sarili:

na nagsusuot ng mask at face shield araw-araw.

“Sino ang bayani mo?”

Kung ang sagot mo ay ang iyong pinakamatalik na kaibigan, gamitin ito bilang paalalang kamustahin sila. Sa pagsapit ng mga suliranin sa ating bansa, minsan

Kung ang sagot mo ay si nanay o si tatay, pag-

ang kailangan lang natin ay isang taong makikinig sa

isipan mong mabuti ang inyong relasyon sa kasalukuyan.

ating mga problema. Ngayon, sana’y alam mo na ang

Kailan yung huling beses na sinabihan mo sila ng isang,

kahulugan ng isang bayani sa buhay ng tao: kung sino

“Mahal kita”? Walang masama kung hindi mo na maalala.

man yan, malinaw na mahalaga sila sa buhay mo ngayon.

Gawin itong palatandaan na sa oportunidad na mayroon ka, bigyan mo sila ng isang mahigpit na yakap at lambing.

Ang pagsisikap ng ating mga magulang ay ang dahilan kung bakit nandito tayo bilang mag-aaral at Paulinian.

Kung sila’y tanungin kung sino ba ang kanilang mahal sa buhay, ay aba! Ikaw iyon. Kung ang sagot mo naman ay ang iyong kapatid, bigyan mo rin siya ng isang munting yakap. Para sa iba naman, ang mga guro ang kanilang mga bayani. Ang edukasyon ay isang karapatan na tinatanggap natin araw-araw sa pamamagitan ng mga guro at paaralan.

Isa pang sagot ay ang ating mga manggagawa sa ospital at

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Oo,

naging

mahirap

na

makipagtungo

at

makipagbatid sa mga bayaning ito dahil sa kahirapang dulot ng pandemya. Dapatwa’t, ito ay magsilbing aral na hindi natin mahuhulaan ang mga mangyayari bukas, o kailan man. Habang kaya pa, mag-alok tayo ng sapat na oras upang ipaalam sa mga bayani natin kung gaano natin silang hinahangaan at minamahal. Mga Paulinian, sikapin nating magpasalamat sa ating mga bayani at alalahanin ang mga alaalang nakatulong sa paghubog ng ating pagkatao. Ito ay ating dadalhin sa pag-isip, pagkilos, at pagtanda.

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Pauliworld

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Filipino

ni Ghia Espino

Laganap ang panonood ng iba’t-ibang pelikula at serye sa panahon ngayon, lalong lalo na nang dumating ang pandemya. Nagsisilbi ito bilang isa sa mga pangunahing libangan ng lahat. Hindi mahirap mapansin na ang mga Asyanong tauhan na bumibida o sumusuporta sa mga palabas na binuo sa ibang bansa ay may tipikal naanyo. Madami na ang produksyon kung saan ang bumibidang Asyano ay taga-silangang bahagi ng Asya na may estereotipong pisikal na anyo tulad ng pagiging singkit.

Makalipas ang ilang daang taon, napakaraming estereotipo at panlalait na ang tiniis at patuloy na tinitiis natin.

Nasanay na ang Western media na ilarawan ang mga Asyano ayon sa mababaw na pagkakakilala at kaalaman nila tungkol sa atin. Kung hindi naman estereotipo ang papel ng isang karakter ay biglaan nalang mawawalan sila ng aninag o pagkakatalaga sa mga palabas. Kasindak-sindak ang epekto ng patuloy na pagmamaliit sa lahing Asyano sa mga pelikula na ito. Kahit pa hindi nila intensyong maging negatibo ang mensahe ng pagkasusulat ng mga Asyanong karakter sa kanilang pagsisining, nakakainsulto pa rin ito sapagka’t hindi sila naglaan ng mas makabuluhang oras para aralin ang iba’t ibang kultura nito upang makapagsulat ng wastong kwento na kinabibilangan natin.

Bukod pa sa pangkalahatang maraya na pangangatawan ng mga Asyano, maaari rin suriin ang nakapipinsalang pagtingin sa industriyang pang-libangan. Nakapeperwisyo ang pagsulat ng mga kathang karakter mula sa sining kapag ito’y pinagdampi na sa tunay na buhay. Isang halimbawa ay ang seryeng “Emily In Paris” na ipinalabas sa Netflix noong 2020 na pinagbidahan ni Emily, isang Amerikana na lumipat sa Paris upang magtrabaho. Naging matibay ang pwesto ng ang palabas na ito sa trendng page dahil sa mga palyadong paglalarawan sa iba’t-ibang kultura na bumida roon. Isa na rito ang kaniyang kinaibigang Koreana-Intsik na lumipat din sa Paris, bilang isang babae na tumakas sa mayaman niyang pamilya mula sa Tsina dahil ayaw niyang mabuhay ayon sa mga plano ng kaniyang magulang para sakanya.

Madalas ito ang pagrerepresenta ng mga Asyano sa Western Media. Ang tipikal at karaniwang paglalarawan sa atin ay kailangang ipinupunto at binibigyang pansin upang mabago at maireporma ang ating presensiya sa industriyang ito.

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ni Ghia Espino

Ang teleserye, kung bibigyang kahulugan, ay ang mga palabas na madalas pinapakita sa telebisyon. Sa karaniwan, tinatalakay nito ang mga pang araw-araw na pangyayari at umiikot sa buhay ng mga karakter na gumanap dito. Sa mga teleseryeng pinoy, umiikot ang paksa ng kwento sa mga pamilya, pag-aasawa, pag-iibigan, pantasya, karahasan, at minsan naman ay talagang hango o may paghahalintulad sa mga katotohanang pangyayari sa atiang kapaligiran.

Ilan sa mga halimbawa ng mga ito ay ang “Maging Sino Ka Man”, “Pangako Sa’yo”, “Dyesebel”, “Princess and I”, “Ang sa Iyo ay Akin”, “Sino ang May Sala? Mea Culpa”, at ang isa sa mga pinakamatagal nang teleserye sa Pilipinas, ”Ang Probinsyano”.

Bilang mga Pilipino, likas na sa atin ang maaliw at matuwa sa mga ganitong klase ng mapaglilibangan.

Ang mga teleseryeng tulad nito ay nagbibigay at nagpaparamdam ng iba’t-ibang emosyon sa manonood— kasiyahan, lungkot, galit, pagkadismaya. Dahil dito, patuloy itong sinubaybayan ng mga manonood, marahil, ito ay naging bahagi na rin ng pang araw-araw na kwento at buhay ng mga tao. Isa sa mga patunay na totoong dedikado ang mga tao sa panonood ng mga teleseryeng ito ay noong hindi nabigyan ng tiyansang mabago ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN. Naging resulta nito ang pagkawala ng mga nakasanayang panoorin ng madla at ako, bilang estudyante, ay mismong nasaksihan kung paano nawalan ng gana ang mga manonood at kung paano sila nakagawa o nakaisip ng paraan upang makanood lamang muli ng mga paborito nilang palabas. Dahil tayo ay nasa modernong panahon na, ang mga teleseryeng ito, kahit wala na sa telebisyon, ay nagawa nilang masubaybayan sa pamamagitan ng panonood sa mga social media sites, tulad ng Facebook at YouTube.

Sa huli, ang paggawa at pagbuo ng magandang proyekto at palabas, kasama ang pagkakaroon ng magandang istorya, ay sadyang nakatutulong at nakaaapekto sa pagkahilig ng mga tao sa panonood ng mga ganitong uri ng palabas.

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Research

Blurring Myth and Religion: Pre-Colonial Animism in Modern Catholicism

by Annika Yunque

Why do thousands crowd Quiapo to touch the Black Nazarene? Why have families, for centuries, chanted the pasyon every Easter? Why do Filipinos venerate the saints more than foreign Catholics? These are displays of folk Catholicism, the religion of the masses and the cultural knowledge of our elders, influenced by history and translated through culture to create a uniquely Filipino way of articulating what is spiritual and immaterial.

They had a well-developed angelology, demonology, and cult of saints that, by some anthropological definitions, qualify as a pantheon (MacDonald, 2004). Thus, these similarities allowed the retention of animism’s essential structure under different names and idioms as Bathala became God and the diwata became saints.

While the religions’ compatibility set the conditions

Importantly, most folk Catholic traditions have adopted elements of pre-Christian animism to become our modern practices. I’ll explore the historical and religious influences of folk Catholicism to argue why it should be celebrated, even if it may disagree with the Vatican’s official doctrine.

for blending, historical events between 1770 and 1830 ensured it (Schumacher, 1984). Due to decisions made by Spanish king Charles III, there was a shortage of priests to staff churches and an influx of ill-trained Filipino clergy.

In areas lacking religious authorities, many first and second-generation converts reverted back to animism or adopted a mix of Catholic and animist beliefs.

The monotheism of Catholicism and the polytheism of animism are more compatible than they first seem.

Our pre-Christian beliefs had a pantheon of supernatural deities, often ancestors or nature spirits called anito and diwata (Schumacher, 1984). Many tribes had a “supreme deity” ruling over the pantheon, like the Tagal’s godcreator Bathala. Alongside this, the Catholic missionaries that came tended to be peasants without professional training in theology, armed primarily with the Doctrina Christiana, which contained essentials for evangelizing.

So, they likely brought their own Mediterranean folk Catholicism, which trended towards a polytheistic belief.

Today, we continue to localize Catholicism to speak to our everyday experiences (Macaranas, 2021). We recite the pasyon because it was in our local language at a time when most rites weren’t. We pray with open eyes, venerate saints for intercession like they’re diwatas imploring Bathala, and dance the sinulug for the Sto. Niño (MacDonald, 2004; Sala-Boza, 2008). Through folk Catholicism, we have preserved our ancestors’ beliefs through centuries of colonization and evolved a foreignborn belief system to speak to our culture. For that, it should be celebrated.

[1] Macaranas, J. R. G. (2021). Understanding folk religiosity in the Philippines.

Religions, 12(10), 800. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12100800 [2] Macdonald, C. J.-H. (2004). Folk Catholicism and Pre-Spanish Religions in the Philippines. Philippine Studies, 52(1), 78–93. http://www.jstor.org/ stable/42633685

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[3] Sala-Boza, A. (2008). Towards Filipino Christian culture: Mysticism and folk catholicism in the Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu Devotion. Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society, 36(4), 281–308. http://www.jstor.org/ stable/29792658 [4] Schumacher, J. N. (1984). Syncretism in Philippine Catholicism: Its Historical Causes. Philippine Studies, 32(3), 251–272. http://www.jstor.org/ stable/42632710

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Pauliworld

The Effects of Online Classes on Students’ Physical Health

by Janna Soriano

With the restriction of face-to-face classes after the country was under nationwide community quarantine since 2020, schools temporarily stopped operating and resorted to various forms of distance-learning methods such as online classes, with the use of online applications and software, and module-based learning. Contrary to the assumption of many before the beginning of the virtual set-up, wherein they expected online classes to be easier, students, especially those attending university, have expressed their exhaustion with schoolwork on social media and demanded an academic break from the schools and universities. Institutions such as the University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines were some of the many schools whose students have urged to initiate an academic break, extend the ongoing break given, or reduce the schoolwork assigned.

A study conducted by researchers from Renmin University in China suggests that low physical activity and frequent screen time are associated with poor sleep quality, along with physiological, psychological, and social suboptimal health status. They discuss how longer screen time reduces the time for sleeping, and other activities the students could engage in such as exercise, that may benefit sleep quality and sleep regulation. Apart from poor sleep schedules, other physical discomforts experienced by students during online classes are dry eyes, eye strain, headaches, migraines, neck strain, and back pain.

Last September 2020, Makati Medical Center released a news post advising students on managing the toll that attending online classes may take on their health. Its content included suggestions such as making use of blue light filters and glasses to avoid eye and cognitive discomfort, practicing a healthy diet and time management, and reducing screen time before bedtime to achieve quality sleep/rest time. As much as education is important for young children and adolescents, the physical and mental well-being of students and teachers should still be a priority of educational institutions, especially during a health crisis.

[1] Ma, C., Zhou, L., Xu, W., Ma, S., & Wang, Y. (2020). Associations of physical activity and screen time with suboptimal health status and sleep quality among Chinese college freshmen: A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0239429. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239429 [2] Mineshita, Y., Kim, H. K., Chijiki, H., Nanba, T., Shinto, T., Furuhashi, S., Oneda, S., Kuwahara, M., Suwama, A., & Shibata, S. (2021). Screen time duration and timing: effects on obesity, physical activity, dry eyes, and learning ability in elementary school children. BMC Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-02110484-7 [3] News and Exhibits. (2020, September 6). 6 Health Tips for Students Attending Online Classes at Home. Makati Medical Center. Retrieved December 7, 2021, from https://www.makatimed.net.ph/news-and-exhibits/news/6-health-tips-for-students-attending-online-classes-at-home

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VOLUME XXXVII NO. 2 OCTOBER 2021 - MARCH 2022

Research

by Mischa Suarez

Since time immemorial, whiteness has been associated with beauty. In the past, white meant the elites of Philippine society.

The wealthy Mestizas with luxury to stay indoors protected from the sun. Now, it is synonymous with the idealistic beauty standards the Filipinos long for. More than three centuries of colonization had given Spaniards enough time to inculcate in our ancestors that they’re second-class citizens in their own country (Batongbakal, 2019), and the modern Philippine beauty industry adds insult to the injury.

Skin-whitening reinforces the idea of white supremacy when commercials would often make use of comparisons and emphasize messages such as “Tamang puti, tamang ganda” or “From ebony to ivory”. Building on the concept of “Before versus after, dark versus lighter,” they paint the Morena complexion as undesirable and inferior. Skin-lightening agents are marketed to empower Filipinas to look and feel beautiful with fair skin, essentially forcing those who are darker-skinned to comply or to be pushed aside. (Casillan, 2020).

The promotion of skin bleaching as a necessary procedure to be attractive isn’t the only manifestation of modern racism in the daily lives of Filipinos. It is evident in cosmetic surgery to alter features to look more Caucasian or adhere to the stereotypical “East Asian look”. The Philippines also has an obsession with fair actors and actresses that grace television screens. It is very rare that darker-skinned Filipinos are represented in popular media, as society tends to worship public figures that fit eurocentric beauty standards. (Casillan, 2020).

They say beauty is in the eyes of its beholder—that it is a subjective concept and perceptions of what is beautiful can differ. The internalized racism revealed by Filipino beauty ideals argues otherwise, and the beauty industry fuels the abhorrence some have for “unattractive” features when highlighting the necessity of taking opportunities to alter them. The message this industry should be sending is the appreciation and acceptance of all Filipino features, regardless of color or shape, rather than the eminence of the white man’s beauty.

[1] Batongbakal, L.E. (2019, February). A Brief History Of Filipinos’ Obsession With White Skin. Filipiknow. https://filipiknow.net/filipino-obsession-white-skin/.

[2] Casillan, A. T. W. (2020, October 1). Flipping the cultural script: Papaya soap and skin color stratification in the Philippines. Inquiries Journal. http://www.inquiriesjournal com/articles/1820/flipping-the-cultural-script-papaya-soap-and-skin-color-stratificationin-the-philippines.

[3] Lindley T. (2015, April 19). Representation of whiteness in Manila’s Commercial Landscape. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/12014599/Representations_of_ Whiteness_in_Manilas_Commercial_Landscape?email_work_card=view-paper.

[4] Magdaraog, S. R. (2014). The Beholder and the Beholden: The Portrayal of Beauty in the Context of Philippine Mass Media. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/9161227/ THE_BEHOLDER_AND_THE_BEHOLDEN_THE_PORTRAYAL_OF_BEAUTY_IN_THE_ CONTEXT_OF_PHILIPPINE_MASS_MEDIA?email_work_card=view-paper.

[5] Rafael, V. (2015, June 26). Racism in the Philippines: Does it matter? Rappler. https://www. rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/racism-philippines.

[6] Santos-Longhurst, A. (2019, July 22). Skin bleaching products and procedures: Side effects and benefits. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-bleaching#benefits.

[7] Shin J. (2014, May 27). From ebony to ivory: Colorism in the Philippines. JAPANsociology. https:// japansociology.com/2014/05/27/from-ebony-to-ivory-colorism-in-the-philippines/.

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Pauliworld

by Simone Culala

It can be arguable to many of the older generations that the movements Gen-Z engages with are but mere excuses and complaints in comparison to their “harsh past” of scabbed knees and climbing up trees for fun. There is a cycle of remonstration, in favor of antiquity at play here, but what is unknown to those of the previous generation, is that the movements emerging in strength today create power.

Generation Z, known for their progressive activism centered on diversity and equal rights for all, (Missoula Current, 2019; Marcus, 2020) seems to have a better grasp of what social issues truly matter to them. These include but are not limited to Environmental Protection, Racial Equity, LGBTQ+ Rights, Civic Engagement, Mental Health, and more (The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2021).

The fight against oppression and injustice caused by the varying problems prevalent in our society for centuries has been intensified under Gen Z’s persistent calls for change.

In fact, it has been said that “I’ve seen firsthand the “resiliency” and “engagement” of Generation Z, but its members are demanding more from our

leaders than kumbaya and compromise.

They want action…” (Wessel, 2021) With the COVID-19 pandemic entering our lives, social movements do not stop but rather the ferocity has moved to social media platforms. Even if it wasn’t possible for anyone to meet face-to-face, networking sites such as Instagram and Twitter had no shortage of political dialogue and content (YPulse, 2020). In an effort to keep safe from the virus, activists moved real-life protests to the online environment. Multiple youth-led organizations have arisen during this period of time, student-led organizations bringing their fellow students together in order to spread awareness on causes that matter to us.

Generation Z is more than a gaggle of children, they have demonstrated their potential to influence the future. To go against progress is to go against the future and with the constant changes in society and technology, the next generations will do their part to make the world a better place whether it aligns with the views of the elders or not. Change is the only constant, we must come to accept it.

[1] The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2021, February 14). Social Issues That Matter to Generation Z - The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.aecf.org/blog/generation-z-social-issues [2] Marcus, E. (2020, May 14). Gen Z is the most progressive generation — even among Republicans, new data confirms. Mic. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https:// www.mic.com/impact/new-pew-data-on-gen-z-confirms-theyre-the-most-diverse-most-progressive-generation-22902092 [3] Missoula Current. (2019). Gen Z continues Millennial progressive streak; most diverse generation in US. Missoula Current. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https:// missoulacurrent.com/government/2019/01/gen-z-progressive/?print=print [4] Wessel, B. (2021, February 5). Compromise? Gen-Zers are progressive, and they want action. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www. latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-02-05/gen-zers-progressive-want-action [5] YPulse. (2020, July 14). This Is How Gen Z & Millennials Have Changed Activism. YPulse. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.ypulse.com/article/2020/07/14/ this-is-how-gen-z-millennials-have-changed-activism/

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