The SPECTRUM Volume XXVI No 1

Volume XXVI No. 1 October 2019

/PUPspectrum

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF PUP COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

BUILDING BLOCKS. PUP Gymnasium, now with proposed running track on the second floor, started construction earlier this year and is projected for completion by March 2020.

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

Eng’g readies for Level IV accred Geraldrine Espinosa

To upgrade its academic standing, all six programs of the College of Engineering is set to undergo Level IV Phase I accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (Aaccup), Inc. starting November 18, which may entitle the College to an institutional accreditation status.

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FEATURES

ISSUES

SCI-TECH

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

OPEN STREETS

A LOOK AT THE BITTERSWEET FILIPINO-CHINESE RELATIONSHIP

TO WHOM ARE THE STREETS FOR?

TODAY’S CLIMATE

AN ABNORMAL CYCLE CAUSED

BY HUMANS Rogelio Legaspi, Jr.

Precious Aira Perez

Gemmalene Eunice Acula Looking into the long-standing coexistence of the Filipinos and Chinese in Binondo, we looked into how the district has lasted centuries amidst the conflicts between the two nations.

After the consecutive clearing operations on the streets of Manila, a question arises as the sidewalks become cleaner: do we see street vendors as humans or as nuisances?

With the recent Amazon rainforest fires, it is clear that we are undergoing an alarming climate crisis, and it is caused by none other than us humans.

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The Straits Times Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

NEWS

NEWS

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

LITERARY

CIRCLE

COLLEGE GRADS TOP BOARD EXAMS

NPU BILL VETOED

WHEN THE FIGHTING IS OVER

CEAN SAFE HAVENS

Graduates of the College of Engineering (CE) proved their excellence in the board examinations for CE, ECE, EE, and ME. PAGE 3

President Duterte vetoed the bill and stated that there is a need to re-evaluate the University.

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I lifted the white flag with failures and sadness...

Rendering my hopes, dreams, and now, my happiness...

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The Engineering SPECTRUM lists down CEans’ choices for places around PUP to relax for the sake of our mental health.

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News

Spectrum

Geraldrine Espinosa, Editor

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Eng’g readies for Level IV accred

October 2019 PUP and other HEIs: Policies alike Despite heavy opposition, provisions like mandatory random drug testing, higher required GWA for Latin honors, and dress code are already implemented in some top universities around the country, according to the research of The Engineering SPECTRUM.

GWA

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Geraldrine Espinosa

1.10 CEANS participate in the preparation of the College of Engineering (CE) for the Level IV Phase I accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities (Aaccup), Inc. that will be held on November 18 to 22.

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Anakbayan denies recruitment allegations Ryan Cabael ANAKBAYAN, one of the progressive groups in the Philippines, refuted the reported case of kidnapping and recruitment of 'missing' Senior High School (SHS) students from PUP and Far Eastern University, claiming that the government wants to discredit the activism in line of the youth.

In an interview with SPECTRUM, Anakbayan said that the government used the issue of 'missing' students to remove the involvement of youth in activism, due to their fear of growing and stronger youth movement in different communities and universities.

It was recently reported that some SHS students are missing due to alleged recruitment of Anakbayan, causing for their family to call for public attention in a Senate hearing held last August.

With that, Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG)

filed kidnapping case to Anakbayan members and other militant groups.

However, Anakbayan Spokesperson Alex Danday clarified that the students are safe.

"Actually, matagal na nating napasinungalingan ang ganyang paratang na nawawala sila, sa katunayan nailantad na natin ang totoong layunin ng gobyerno sa mga paratang nila," explained Danday, pointing that government wants them to stop youth activism.

Moreover, Danday admitted that there is recruitment in their organization [Anakbayan] but she reiterated that the students are not forced to join.

"Sila yung mga lumalapit mismo sa organisasyon para sumali," Danday stated.

She further explained that the recruitment in the organization is voluntary and members are allowed and free to leave as part of their rights.

In the University, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa proposed a coordination with the police force inside the campus, citing that this will disrupt the alleged recruitment of students.

However, PUP President Emanuel De Guzman expressed his worries on the Senate and stated “May pagka-sensitibo ang sitwasyon sa isang academic institution.

Pu-puwedeng magpalubha ito ng sitwasyon. Ito ay maaaring maging sanhi ng mas malaking recruitment (sa loob ng campus).”

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Summa

Magna

Cum Laude

Dress Code

MSU

LPU

PLM

TUP

EARIST

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AdU

1.50

BulSu

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UST

Preparations Passing the Level III Phase I Aaccup accreditation with good records, the College now targets to be the first in the University to pass Level IV in its first try. In order to achieve the goal, the six departments are all hands-on in preparing the needed files with the help of its organizations, faculty, student volunteers, student assistants, and designated accrediation task force members.

Present in the survey visit are accreditors from different state universities and colleges in the country that will handle six departments of the College.

A five-day series of accreditation activities will be conducted, starting from the assessment programs on November 18, down to the exit conferences and closing program at Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center (Nallrc) board room on November 22.

Level IV accreditation is the highest level granted by the Aaccup, and if passed, the College’s programs are comparable to those of outstanding foreign universities.

UP Diliman

4.5 or higher, as stated by Kenneth Bryan Tana, current accreditation head of the Department of Civil Engineering.

PUP

Requirements For Areas I to X of the accreditation: Mission and Vision, Faculty, Curriculum, Support to students, Research, Extension and Community Involvement, Library, Physical Plant, Laboratory, and Administration, the College should comply to the three parameters of each which are the system, implementation, and outcome. Through submission of all the documents needed, the recommendations given by the accreditors on their visit last 2015 also have to be satisfied.

To pass Level IV accreditation, the College must achieve a grade of

Drug Testing

Handbook revision passes BOR Louie Kim Patay IN its final stage for approval, the 2019 PUP Student Handbook revision has already been passed in the PUP Board of Regents, after its approval from the Executive Committee, which consists of the University President and vice presidents, despite the protests from student groups.

Among the revisions of the 2019 Student Handbook is the proposed dress code for the University wherein students will be prohibited from wearing particular clothing such as shorts, slippers, and sandos.

However, the Executive Committee reconsidered the said policy, resulting to the removal of

the said dress code, after a meeting held with student representatives last August 5.

Moreover, the provision for higher required Gross Weighted Average (GWA), wherein GWA of students has to be not lower than 1.6000 to be qualified as a Laude, still remain. “I’m still confused if it is just implemented sa Latin honor, kasi may misinterpretation na pati sa President’s Lister ay katulad din.

Pero sa handbook, Latin honor lang,” explained former Student Regent Ronilo Cervantes in an interview with SPECTRUM. Mandatory Random Drug Testing was also approved in the revision.

New University gym set to open by 2020 Precious Aira Perez WITH the PUP Mabini Campus gymnasium set to complete its full renovation in 2020, it is expected to cater more than double of its previous capacity and be a future venue for sports events to take place in the University.

Ongoing construction Arch. Sherwin Nieva, director of Physical Planning and Development Office (PPDO), discussed the first phase of the gym’s renovation which will be done on December 2019; this is inclusive of the full ground floor and the roof.

In addition, the second phase; inclusive of the two-lane running track and windows are in parallel construction with the first phase.

This is due to the funding provided by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The first and second phases of the gym’s reconstruction are ongoing and are expected to be completed on March 2020.

BROKEN ALTERNATIVE. Commuters are forced to endure heavy traffic after a power transformer of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 caught fire along Katipunan Avenue, last October 3. The trains still run on the remaining operational stations, from Recto to Cubao and vice versa until the projected completion of repairs by the end of the year.

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

What’s new Originally having four-level bleachers, the new gym will house nine-level bleachers, with the second floor serving as a multi-purpose hall. “Maganda expectations ng

University dyan (sa gym) kasi it will provide more room for sports events and magiging mas convenient sa estudyante,” stated Nieva.

Administration offices within the gym may be occupied by 2020, although equipment are still needed for the gym itself to be fully functional. It is also looked upon if the gym may already be a venue for commencement exercises.

Nieva mentioned that the basketball court is anticipated to have the same integrity as that of the Araneta Center. With equipment from abroad, the flooring will be furnished with rubber that absorbs impact. The gym will also be wellventilated and will soon be improved for air-conditioning.

Even if President Duterte vetoed the National Polytechnic University Bill, Nieva emphasized that this has no significant effect on the ongoing constructions University gym/p.4

News

Spectrum October 2019

3

Search is on for next PUP prexy Rogelio Legaspi, Jr.

The PUP Board of Regents (BOR) announces the search for the succeeding University President in an official notice of the PUP Website on November 4, after two consecutive terms of President Emanuel De Guzman.

8 years as president By the virtue of Resolution No. 872, Series of 2012 and Republic Act 8292, President De Guzman was appointed as the PUP President on March 14, 2012 for one term or four years in the said position.

Section 6 of RA 8292, which states “…the president shall only have a term of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term”, prompted De Guzman to be reappointed on the presidency for another term in 2016, with nine out of 10 votes from the Board of Regents.

De Guzman’s legacy As he assumed the presidency in 2012, De Guzman formulated the current vision and strategic objectives of the University, aiming for PUP to be an ‘epistemic community’ which pertains to generating, managing, and dispensing of knowledge that will benefit an individual, as well as the community.

President De Guzman’s term featured the massive information and communication dissemination in the University, including the strengthening of PUP Website, The Observer, PUP iText, PUP Mobile Portal, and media exposures in various social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

New president In a post made by the official PUP Website last November 4, the BOR announced the opening of the search for the next PUP President, with deadline of submission of documents until November 29.

Candidates will be subjected to a public hearing where they will discuss about their proposed plans for the University. The selection for the new president will be handled by the Seach Committee for Presidency, upon the approval of the PUP Board of Regents. Applicants are then ranked to three and will be endorsed by President Duterte, who will assign the new president.

PUP completes hydraulics equipment set Victor Calinao, Jr. WITH an aim to improve teaching approaches and research purposes in Hydraulics in the engineering curriculum as prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), a complete set of Hydraulics equipment was granted to the University earlier this year.

With an estimation of up to Php10 million worth of funding from the University, the hydraulics laboratory in the Engineering Science and Research Center (ESRC) is said to be the first laboratory to complete a set in Hydraulics equipment among the universities in the country, according to Department of Civil Engineering Chairperson Bryan Kenneth Tana.

“Actually kumpleto na ‘yun

(laboratory), mas kumpleto [pa] sa iba’t-ibang university na meron ng ganun. Halos lahat sa hydraulics (hydrostatics, hydrokinetics at hydrodynamics) ay kumpleto na ang experiment. [Pwede rin] for research doon. Kaya i-cater ang ME, EE, at iba pang courses,” added Tana.

The lab was used last October with the provision of Humil International Corporation’s in-house training program to nine students and five faculty members from the different College departments for equipment demonstrations and experiments.

Moreover, only faculty members are allowed to use the laboratory for their researches, according to CE Laboratory Head Joseph Bianes.

NEW ASEAN ENGINEERS. Gerhard Tan, left, was conferred as a new honorary member of ASEAN Engineers with Ben Andres, John Dela Cruz, and Teofilo Lorenzo Ongking III as new ASEAN Engineers in the 37th conference of ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organization, September 14 at Jakarta, Indonesia.

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

Guidance office reopens this sem Prince Morales

COLLEGE of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) Guidance Counseling Office (GCO) is set to reopen this semester, introducing its new counselor Chris Michael Entienza after office vacancy for six months.

Avila added that the College of Social Sciences and Development (CSSD) faculty member Chris Michael Entienza will be the new guidance counselor for the College after proper turnover needed documents or needed papers.

“Noong May 22 kasi ako naoperahan, tapos half of July pumasok na ako. Pero hindi na nila ako pinapunta doon sa building [CEA] since kaka-opera ko pa lang. Akyatbaba kasi hanggang fourth floor ‘yun eh,” Maredem Avila, current CEA guidance counselor, explained.

Services offered According to Avila, the office will benefit engineering and architecture students, faculty, and other employees with services such as individual inventory, counseling, information service, consultation, referral, follow-up, research and

evaluation, psychological testing and assessment, and prevention and wellness. Professors are encouraged to visit the GCO and discuss certain things about the students through which they can be assisted in understanding and discovering ways of handling their students.

Challenges The GCO is understaffed based on CHED Memo No. 9 s2013 with the ratio of counselor is 1:1000 students. The office also faces issues such as budget insufficiency and lack of function rooms for seminars.

CE reigns in 2019 intrams James Reyes

COLLEGE of Engineering notched the University Intramurals (UI) 2019 Over-All Championship title, garnering its fourth overall championship, at the PUP Main Open Court last October 3.

Both the Badminton and Chess team placed first, while the Basketball Team ranked second, and the Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball team placed third.

The Hip-hop team, Engineering’s Ultimate Team (EUT), won the championship award in the annual dance fest while the CE Pep Squad fell short as they failed to win a spot.

Moreover, in the University Academic Contest (UAC), the College placed second with the College of Social Sciences and Development (CSSD) as the

champion.

The College placed first in the General Science category with Jayson Nobleza, Patrick Julian, and Brian Custodio (ME I), and Ferolyn Aytona (ECE I). Also, the Engineering team for Basic Statistics category with Jay Ugau (CPE I), Charles Collera (ME I), Abigail Verbo (RE I), and Francheska Cubacub (ECE I) notched the first place.

Meanwhile, the team of Lyra Formes (ECE II), Amiel Yamson, and George Nuavin (CpE II) in

the Social Science Category, Karl Matunog (IE II) in the Dagliang Talumpati, and the team of Jobert Loloa and Ricardo Gayuma (CE I), Marcel Santos (ME I), and Carl Reyes (RE I) in the Basic Mathematics Category bagged second place on their respective competitions.

The UI and UAC is part of the PUP’s 115th founding anniversary with the theme “PUP: Isandaan at Labinlimang Taong Pagpapanday ng Husay at Talino ng Kabataang Pilipino.”

College grads top board exams Victor Calinao, Jr.

FIRST IN THE UNIVERSITIES. Hydraulic benches and piping apparatus used as controlled water supply and study friction losses are few of the equipment set by Essom Company Limited in the new hydraulics laboratory, Julius Caesar Dela Cruz situated at the second floor of the Engineering and Science Research Center (ESRC).

GRADUATES of the College of Engineering (CE) proved their excellence in the board examinations for CE, ECE, EE, and ME held within this year, bearing with topnotchers from the respective courses.

In the recently concluded Civil Engineering Licensure Examinations, Chris Andrei Villanueva (CE ’19) notched the seventh place in the said exams with a score of 91.65 percent.

With the ECE and Electronics Technician Licensure (ECT) Examinations last October 25, Adrian Miguel Umengan (ECE ’19) ranked third in both examinations, posting 91 and 90 percent, respectively.

Also, Jaleca Acelejado (ECE ’19) took the fourth spot in ECT board examinations with 89 percent.

The PUP Department of Electronics Engineering recorded a passing rate of 67.16 percent against the 49.43 percent national passing rate.

Moreover, Renzy Valdecantos (EE ’19) secured the ninth place with 90.95 percent rating in the September 2019 Electrical Engineering Licensure Examinations.

Department of Electrical Engineering recorded a 77.45 percent passing rate against the 67.16 percent national passing rate.

In the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examinations, the University ranked ninth in the top universities with 88.19 percent passing rate against a national passing rate of 70.61 percent.

News

Spectrum

Geraldrine Espinosa, Editor

4

October 2019

After random drug testing in the University,

Admin to require drug test results for admission Renz Carra Mendoza

STUDENTS from 14 colleges of the University, approximately 40 each, underwent Mandatory Random Drug Testing (MRDT) last August 15-16 as pursuant to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum No. 18, series of 2018.

PUP Vice President for Student Affairs and Services (VPSAS) Zenaida Sarmiento said in an interview with SPECTRUM that the MRDT was only a dry-run and will be fully implemented as a requirement for incoming freshmen every year starting next academic year, while random drug testing will be conducted for second to fifth year.

“One of the requirements sa admission ay 'yung drug test results pero since tayo ay nangangamay pa at nagpapa-approve sa board (of regents), maliit lang na sample muna ang ating gagawin ngayong school year na ito, sinama natin 'yung freshmen sa sample,” Sarmiento stated.

Safety of students Sarmiento assured that the results are confidential and

falsification of results by third-party will not happen.

Also, Sarmiento made clear that the students who are confirmed as drug dependent will still be accepted in the University; however, students will be advised to undergo rehabilitation as stated in the student handbook.

Students who will refuse to take the drug test will be subjected to the Title 10 Section 3.8.1 of the proposed 2019 PUP Student Handbook revision which states that "The refusal to undergo testing shall not give rise to a presumption of drug use or dependency; however, students who refuse to undergo random drug testing shall be reported by the Committee to the Student Disciplinary Board (SDB) for appropriate action."

NPU bill vetoed: PUP needs reassessment - Duterte Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

WITH the aim of the National Polytechnic University (NPU) bill to grant PUP institutional and fiscal autonomy, President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the bill and stated that there is a need to re-evaluate the University and compare it to other state universities and colleges, last September 4.

“A reassessment is needed considering that the enrolled bill provides for the grant of fiscal autonomy to PUP, which departs from the adopted policy of granting only institutional autonomy to SUCs,” Duterte stated in his veto message in an official transcript released by Malacañang.

Moreover, Duterte also stated that giving PUP fiscal autonomy may also strain the government’s budget.

“The proposed provision on appropriations would also have a significant fiscal impact on the government, which may be avoided only if the PUP budget would continue to be subject to the need for prioritization and the usual budgetary and monitoring processes,” he explained.

However, according to the General Appropriations Act of 2019, the University of the Philippines was allotted Php17 billion for their annual budget. Whereas the PUP was given a mere Php1.5 billion this year.

In light of this, the Office of the Student Regent released a statement saying that the bill is bound to fail, that it was “Nothing more than a lethal experiment and a fatal leap towards a questionable ‘autonomy and development.’”

In addition, former Student Regent Ronilo Cervantes, Jr. said that education is not the priority of the government due to the billions cut from the funding of the free education act.

“Pananaw ko lang naman, sa nangyayaring budget cut sa education, bilyon ang tinanggal sa free education, patunay lang ‘yun na hindi priority ng government ang education,” explained Cervantes.

As of this writing, PUP administration has yet to release an official statement with regards to the vetoing of the NPU bill and the remarks of President Duterte towards the University.

Selection process Sarmiento also explained that the drug testing is not mandatory for all students and only a sample population will take part since the expenses will be paid entirely by the University. "’Yan kasi expense ng University, ‘yan ay hindi babayaran ng CHED. Kaya paano ma-afford na mandatory eh 65 thousand students tayo?" explained Sarmiento.

The process for the selection of students that will undergo the MRDT was managed by the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) through randomization method.

Students’ rehabilitation Students with positive results can still attend their classes despite their rehabilitation but it depends on the decision of the doctor in-charge, according to Sarmiento. “Halimbawa may nag-conflict sa klase mo, may ipapakita kang documents o certifications, tatanggapin ka pa rin,” Sarmiento added.

According to Sarmiento, parents

can choose whether the students will undergo medications on public or private rehabilitation centers.

CHED memo Sarmiento clarified that they only abide to the memorandum of CHED to conduct drug tests for students and it has nothing to do with the 2019 PUP Student Handbook revision.

Based on the said memorandum, it is one of the requirements for students of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). “Walang kaugnayan ang pag-conduct ng drug testing sa approval ng handbook. Bakit?

Kasi ang implementation ng drug testing ay nanggaling sa CHED,” said Sarmiento.

Parents’ consent Sarmiento also explained that they will not need the permission from parents of the students since it is a mandatory order. "It's just an information, not a waiver to parents na kung papayagan ba o hindi kasi ito ay mandatory ng CHED to SUCs," explained Sarmiento.

University Gym/p.4 but could have fast-paced the renovation if it were approved and could have also provided better facilities for the campus.

CEA building Although there are no upcoming major projects for the Engineering and Architecture building, it is anticipated to undergo revamping next year. NDC Campus Director Jean Paul Martirez said in an interview with SPECTRUM that within the year, he expects that the changes will be incorporated to the students’ lifestyle.

Recently, fire exits have been repainted and the comfort rooms have been renovated to be fully functional. It is also proposed to fix leaks and cracks caused by the recent earthquakes. Old metal pipes are to be replaced by PVC ones, especially those on the ceiling and flooring. Also, the lights bulbs were

cleaned, replacement of doorknobs and padlocks are set, and the major removal and replacement of dysfunctional equipment like old drafting tables are on progress.

“Gusto ko rin na lahat ng kuwarto niyo [CEAns] ay magkaaircon kasi that particular building produces the best students of PUP so bakit ‘di natin sila mabigyan ng best facilities?,” Martirez added.

Completed projects The recently completed College of Food and Nutrition Dietetics’ instructional laboratory will be provided with equipment sets by the Department of Science and Technology. Since the budget allotted by the Department of Budget and Management focuses on science and engineering, College of Engineering buildings in Taguig and Maragondon branches already underwent construction.

TERRITORIAL UPDATES

NCES championship first for CE Loiue Kim Patay PUP Department of Civil Engineering (CE) three-man team championed in the recently held National Civil Engineering Summit (NCES) quiz show 2019 last October 5 in UP Diliman, making history as it was PUP’s first ever title in the said competition.

Out of 102 teams, PUP team A composed of Adrianne Cailao, Ma. Angelica Diegor, and Aldrin Lumbang (CE V) bagged the championship title. However, Jerald Tristan Doma, Daniel Olasco, and Michael Paul Valdez (CE V) of team B from PUP failed to advance to the semifinals and were ranked according to their scores.

The coach Engr. Kenneth Bryan Tana, and trainers Engr.

Marc Erick Von Tiosing, Engr.

Kennmar C. Pacificar, and the winning CE students received a trophy, and cash worth Php 60,000.

ME ranks second in quiz contest Ryan Cabael AMONG seven universities in Metro Manila, PUP Mechanical Engineering (ME) quizzers won second place in the Inter-collegiate Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Manila Host Chapter (MHC) quiz contest last August 20.

According to three-year quizzer Franz Pingol (ME V), the PUP ME quizzers already learned the atmosphere in the quiz bee, except for beating the champion which is the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP).

Pingol also mentioned about having no coach to train their team also composed of Michaella Vanessa Eclevia (ME II), Adrian Burgos (ME II), Renzo Violente (ME V), Harvey Mendoza (ME V).

PUP excels at CPE challenge 2019 Precious Aira Perez

NEW ICON. The “#PUPian” marker erected at PUP Nemesio Prudente freedom park was donated with the help of Civil Welfare and Training Services (CWTS) and PUP Open University students contributing PhP 80 each to complete the marker. The symbol was constructed to signify the University keeping up to date with millennial trends.

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

THE PUP Manila Department of Computer Engineering (CpE) team bagged the championship for two events in the recently concluded Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP) NCR CpE Challenge 2019 last October 26 at the Asia Pacific College.

Marx Chryz Del Mundo (CpE II) and David Kyle Hipolito (CpE V) topped the Programming Competition; Keanu Dwight Solomon (CpE I), Alvin Carlos Panganiban and Emmanuel Panopio (CpE V) obtained the victor for the Quiz Bowl Competition.

Meanwhile, John Ronaldo Cariago and Aerone Pamintuan (CpE V) placed fourth for the Logic Circuits Design Competition.

Editorial

Spectrum October 2019

Cartoon By: Ryan Mori Cabael

5

Going nowhere

PAN DE INHINYERYA

THOUSANDS of jeepneys on the brink of being phased out, portion of Light Rail Transit (LRT) unavailable for months, and travel time from and to work or school almost doubled than usual but still, there is no transportation crisis in the country. At least that is according to Malacañang spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who thinks commuting by public transportation is just a mere challenge, not a problem that needs to be taken seriously and requires immediate action.

In accepting the dare some Filipino netizens have put him into, Panelo traveled from Marikina City to his office in San Miguel, Manila, in almost four hours of commute using jeepneys and a motorcycle hitchhike. He arrived at his office at 8:47AM, way past its 8:00AM opening hour. However, Panelo said that it is not relevant for he works “24/7”.

Easy for him to be late at work, because unlike most employees, he is not at risk on being fired, and his salary for being the mouthpiece of the President remains the same.

But all these spectacles just for a day – contrary to the weeks, months, and years that Filipinos endeavor.

And as stated by him, “…tinanggap ko ‘yung hamon kasi nga parang pinapalabas nila na kaming mga nasa puwesto ngayon hindi naming kaya gawin ‘yun. Pinasinungalinan ko sila.” The government, sadly, has come to the point of downplaying the Filipino struggles into a simple display of proving the people wrong.

Panelo also added that there is a traffic crisis, not a transportation crisis in the Metro. But if the traffic jam consumes an average of 66 minutes a day for every commuter, and Php 3.5 billion in the Philippine economy annually, wouldn’t this also call for a better transportation system? If only Filipinos have better choices in their daily commute,

maybe the riding public wouldn’t need to be creative in one of the biggest problems the government should be focusing.

It is disappointing though that some of the government officials do not think that this crisis is solvable, to the point of saying that only Superman can solve the issue. Yet, they want to give President Duterte special powers because according to them, this is the only solution to solve our traffic woes. But instead of concrete solutions and calculated actions, this government is all but blubbers and pretends.

Recently, the design for the “modernized” public utility vehicle is unveiled, which may soon replace our country’s iconic jeeps. This plan consists of overall revision of the jeepneys’ design, which, according to some netizens, looks like a funeral car. Also, it has a limited passenger capacity of 12 – for the price of almost a million pesos. Ironically, the jeepney modernization program redesigns itself to ferry fewer passengers compared to the old ones.

As an alternative, Filipinos also take the LRT system for their daily commute. However, the system is usually more challenging compared to jeepneys, buses, and other modes of public transport – queuing takes up to longer hours; getting on the trains is almost as difficult as

VOLUME XXVI NO. 1 OCTOBER 2019

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...if the traffic jam consumes an average of 66 minutes a day for every commuter, and Php 3.5 billion in the Philippine economy annually, wouldn’t this also call for a better transportation system?

taking off, with suffocating trips in between, among other experiences.

These are aside from the typical malfunctions and defects of the trains that happen almost every day.

This is where the real challenge lies – on getting the higher ups to look down from their high seats and witness the struggles of the common Filipinos, hoping that they will consider the demands of the citizens and implement helpful solutions.

The point of the “challenge” the Presidential spokesperson accomplished is more than just an attack to the capabilities of government officials to undertake whatever dares they are put into.

It is to show them the crises in the country, straight from the roads and places far from the comforts of their air-conditioned vehicles assisted by security escorts.

Just recently, a campaign ad of President Duterte during the election period in 2016 resurfaced on social media. The video, which features actor Robin Padilla, assures its viewers of changes once Duterte is elected president – including better services from LRT and roads that are free from flood and traffic, among others.

Three years have passed it still makes us wonder – in which destination are we really going to?

Validation

“Some people can’t believe in themselves until someone else believes in them first” -SEAN MAGUIRE GOOD WILL HUNTING BELIEVING in yourself is one of the hardest parts of growing up.

There are times where you start to selfimpose limits and doubt your abilities to do what you’ve always wanted in life. But, if someone really believes in you, the fear of rejections and failing is just part of making the best version of yourself.

The support system that you receive from other people will encourage you to believe in yourself more than anyone else does despite what’s holding you back.

TIWAY.DOCX RJ. Salamat sa mga naniniwala sa akin at nakaka-appreciate. (kung meron man). Jinaga. Everythingoes. I’d love it if we made it. VICTOR. My sincere gratitude and appreciation for you. Read well. May the stories inspire you. BELLE. This is more than you bargained for. RM. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mambabasa at sa mga naghirap para sa dyaryo, mahal ko kayong lahat <3 JESHUA. Salamat Minsan fam, Spek fam. I love you Ariesha.

GERALDRINE. Thank u fam, friends, classmates, Spek, PICE, Lord, self, and hmmm TENTEN. Thank you for letting me be someone I should’ve been. CZARINA. Thank you IE lab and dept pips and friends, mwuaps! VON. Lok’tar ogar. ALDOUS. Sige salamat sa lahat. JULIUS. Salamat at paalam. JAMES. Thank you for making me grow. JAIRUS. Thank you sa nagpapagising sa akin araw-araw. PRECIOUS. Mark Lee <333 Tapos thank you to everyone, be happy~ ANDENG. Thank you SPECTRUM for being part of my life. DANE. Salamat Spec, nakatulong na rin ako sa dyaryo yeeey! GIO. Shout-out kay PK Brazil! MORI. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng Kuya/Ate sa Spectrum. PRINCE. Big thanks to Lord, my bebe, and my fellow Spekapips. VICHEART. Thanks po kay Lord and thank you po sa family ko sa support and sa pag-unawa Binibini - EDZEL. Thank you for letting us know your inner thoughts, CEans! EUNICE. Every place is new until it becomes familiar. Thank ü, Spec! KATE. I sincerely thank God for giving me the best parents. LOUIE. Salamat sa isang daang araw ng lungkot at saya. JENNIFER. Tenchu pipol! CARLO. Maraming salamat sa memories and moments na shinare niyo.

Editor in Chief Rogelio Legaspi, Jr. Associate Editor for Internal Affairs Victor Calinao, Jr. Associate Editor for External Affairs Ysabelle Mendoza Managing Editor Rosemarie Desquitado Creative Director Jeshua Ephraim Malimata Moderator Engr. Kaycee Victorio Staff Geraldrine Espinosa / Ian Carlo Peñaranda / Czarina May Austria / Von Ryan Maicle / Marlan Aldous Evangelista / John Dred Dejapa / Julius Caesar Dela Cruz / James Reyes / Jairus Kim Cabino / Precious Aira Perez / Andrea Julianne Martinez / Dane Recto / Renz Carra Mendoza / George Anthony Nuarin / Ryan Cabael / Prince Albert Morales / Carlo Abalos / Vicheartzel Rose Jayson / Edzel Vetus / Gemmalene Eunice Acula / Kate Rachel Cawaling / Louie Kim Patay / Jericho Moscosa / Jennifer Teleb .Contributions, reactions, and opinions are accepted in the publication. It should bear contributor’s name, address, course, year, and section, and signature. Name may be witheld upon request Forward your contributions to Engineering SPECTRUM Editorial Office Rm 423, Engineering and Architecture Building, Anonas cor. Pureza Sts., NDC Compound, Sta. Mesa, Manila

Opinion Issues

Spectrum Spectrum

6 10

October October 2019 2019

NEW BREED

For bare minima

A reasonable service

BY PRECIOUS AIRA PEREZ HAVING swigged a few cans of beer, I think I’m good to go.

Walking on the streets alone, I’d prefer dying through a car crashing itself to me, rather than killing myself. A painless death is too much to ask, and I’m not even sober. I don’t know what I’m talking about.

It was a good day today; I just got promoted at work as a manager. After twenty years I spent devoting myself to this job, it was the closest thing I called an accomplishment. I treated my co-workers to drink. We laughed and shared tons of stories. We were wild, living the night like we did at our prime.

Drinking became an escape for most of us; them, to have fun before facing their families’ complaints, and I, to not be obliged to go home so early with no one waiting for me. It got tiring as I got older, being alone and lonely, working for no one but myself. This was a night of denial, we’re all past our prime, when we all thought dreams come true.

As I fumbled my keys while thinking myself to oblivion, my door opened. This woman who claimed to be my wife led me inside the apartment. With a warm towel on her hand, she sat me on the couch, and then started wiping my face.

I don’t I am not certain if I knew her, but I like the remember warmth of her touch a life of and the gentleness of comfort, her eyes.

I’m too tired to but maybe even think. Another I’ll let this woman, younger, who night be an said she is my daughter, took my shoes off and exception. started telling me about her day. She’s lively, like a beam of sunshine, but I don’t remember either of them. I remember being lonely. I remember spending every day with sadness for breakfast, and work my whole day with grief as a fuel to live.

I don’t remember having a family. I tried talking but my throat is dry. I need water, but I can’t bring myself to say it. My wife tucked me in bed, kissed my forehead, and bid me good night.

I don’t remember a life of comfort, but maybe I’ll let this night be an exception.

The sun’s rays hit my face. My clothes have changed. My room is clean. My head hurts. I struggled getting up. Where are my wife and daughter? There’s breakfast but they’re nowhere in this house. My cellphone buzzed. I picked it up.

It read, ‘Thank you for availing the service.

‘Til next time! – Rent a Family’ I remember it now. I laughed to myself while repeatedly reading the message. I checked my bank account. A reasonable amount has been deducted. I don’t remember having a family. I now remember renting one. This has been the second time.

Renting a family to fill the void of being alone and lonely. The prices are high, but they’re really good. They cook me food, clean my room, and listen to my stories I tell no one about. They act like they care. They make me feel life is not as painful as it is to me.

Too bad I was drunk last night; I didn’t get to fill the void masked as a make-believe story.

Note: Rent a Family is an existing service in Japan and was first offered in 1992.

‘‘

Precious Aira Perez (IE I), an avid watcher of television series, spends most of her time binge-watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Brooklyn 99, Supernatural, and the likes. Having spent most of her high school days on the school paper, she enjoys writing.

a cattail’s pleas

IAN PEÑARANDA @karlo_iaaan

IF you were a scientist in an experiment too difficult to get results from, you’d probably be happy to find a different result even if it wasn’t what you were looking for.

By comparing this situation with the state of some of our current officials, we would likely see distinct similarities, with some deviations.

From the start of his term last June 30, Manila’s new mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has been pumping out projects and plans in an effort to change the city from the state former mayor Joseph Estrada left it in.

Following this, Isko’s social media accounts remain active from posting his daily projects which started with the clearing operations. As a reply to his welladvertised efforts, Isko has been

getting praise—and maybe too much of that praise for a man who’s just doing his job. When given a local or national government that is difficult to get anything beneficial from, some of us just choose to be happy with whatever they put on the table—good or bad—instead of having plainly nothing.

With all the irresponsible mayors, barangay captains, and government officials, we are led to being content with bare minima.

This allows them to be frugal in an unhealthy way on projects they are supposed to be doing, and make plans that are completely unrelated to the needs of their people, be it concerning something that has to be fixed, or something that has to be improved.

Even when faced with a barrage of complaints and concerns, strangely, they still eye the option of doing whatever they want.

But, bad as it may seem, there are still people who care enough to see the misdirection in their actions.

As a CE student, I’ve had others tell me how shameful the way traffic issues are being handled, and how roads are almost always subjected to road widening projects when they’re actually just fine. According to them, there are more practical

Her veriloquent thoughts

VICTOR CALINAO, JR. @silentanimathor

I have recently re-watched the movie Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore, and Scarlett Johansson as Samantha. I have found it to be both emotionally touching and intellectually arousing.

The movie is about a man who lived in a time when technology has advanced to a point where our electronic devices are ran by operating systems (OS) which are self-aware or have their own personal identities and consciousness. This man eventually falls in love with her OS, Samantha.

It indeed raises a lot of questions.

And I think that’s what makes the movie so good. I don’t intend to deconstruct the movie to find the answers to the questions. Even if the answers were or weren’t there, I think the movie has done its part in making us think about it. Watch the movie. I recommend it.

Anyway, a theme that stands out for me in the movie is the phenomenon of people growing apart. This, I think, is a sad and inevitable truth. The fact that we are separate individuals experiencing different things from different points of view leads us to grow more into different individuals in the passage of time.

However, being human entails that we are subject to the idea of relying on other people for our needs. And that comprises of

demanding people to not change too much.

In romantic relationships, for example, we choose to share our lives with partners who will be with us for better or worse. If we think about how much we can change in each period, we would either realize how relationships are unrealistic and self-destructive or how important a decision one is entering is.

Of course, the difficulty growing apart is not only present in romance.

Our relationships with our parents, friends, as well as our lovers are all complicated by the fact that we can’t truly and fully rely on our idea of other people as they, as well as us, are subject to change.

Sometimes, even the change in a person is so drastic and feels so unlikely to happen that we find it hard to resolve if we ever really knew that person. In such cases, we feel betrayed: we wish to have found out earlier about the things we deem to have known too late.

This is not a rare scenario.

A lot of failed marriages, broken friendships and divided households are based on things a party has kept from another, be they intentional or not. This leads us to question the whole point of relationships: why trust fickle people? And why trust at all? Why love people who are not transparent about their every flaw and imperfection until it is too late?

Here I find the importance of one of the many things which the movie communicated to me: the importance of physical presence in any relationship.

By physical presence, I do not mean how we physically appear, but rather the very act of appearing itself.

Some people might disagree that it is of much importance in a relationship,

‘‘

With all the irresponsible mayors, barangay captains, and government officials, we are led to being content with bare minima.

‘‘

...a simple touch of comfort and warmth can sometimes soothe our most profound sorrow easier than any combination of words may attempt.

solutions than the endless widening of roads—and those responsible might be too caught up with pleasing car owners to see.

And as a student of PUP, I’ve seen how badly the students detest the new policies and implementations the administration has added to the Student Handbook revision with the series of rallies they carefully staged last August.

While students ask the actual purpose of these implementations and the reasons on why they were prioritized instead of improving the current state of the university’s facilities, people online place them under fire for not just dealing with the problems, saying “buti nga pinapaaral kayo nang libre!”

In this country where we are under authorities who deliberately make themselves difficult, we are becoming the lab rats of an experiment we should never have been in, and we may be being manipulated into being happy with pitiful ‘at leasts’.

It’s not like what we’re asking for is grand or luxurious. All of it is just the bare minimum. If that should already be the lowest point, then why would we settle for something lower, which shouldn’t exist at all?

as people can be physically present but remain emotionally distant at the same time. I do not deny this.

Perhaps most people would prefer partners, parents, and friends who may not be physically there, but are emotionally and intellectually involved in their lives.

But I think it cannot be denied that a simple touch of comfort and warmth can sometimes soothe our most profound sorrow easier than any combination of words may attempt. An embrace, a pat on the shoulder, a hug, a kiss: these are not to be shoved aside as unimportant.

Human beings, after all, are not just souls, they are also bodies.

The fact that they choose to stay and grace us with their bodies is what makes relationships so valuable.

They are sacrificing moments and time they can never take back. And somehow, that is more valuable, I think, than having someone who “wishes you well” but is absent. Or who cries for you when you are sad but is never there to wipe your tears.

We don’t need mere audiences. We need love.

This is what Samantha could not offer Theodore in the movie even if she tried: the assurance of growing old together. Our bodies are equally as important as our minds and hearts in entering a relationship, as their presence signify the choice to stay and grow old and wear out with another.

Love is both simple and complex.

For Samantha, it is simple to love Theodore as she perceives him as an infinite flow of data - a living consciousness. For Theodore, it is complex to love Samantha as he found himself incomplete - a love without a physical presence of her.

Opinion Issues

Spectrum

October 2019 2019 October

HOMECOMING

To be is to believe Lorem ipsum

GERALDRINE ESPINOSA @espinosageraldr

GROWING up, my parents used to tell me stories from my childhood when I almost got into accidents until unforeseen events occurred and saved me. They always say I’ve been rescued by my guardian angel – which I easily believed to be true, even up to now.

There’s that time when I was left sleeping alone in my parents’ bed while my father was at work and my mother had to do some chores. I was just a few weeks old when my mother found me lying on the floor, still sleeping peacefully. She also noticed that I was surrounded by pillows as if someone carefully placed me on the floor, making sure I’ll be unharmed.

I also nearly got hit by a fastmoving car when fortunately, I stumbled before I could run into the middle of the road and get ran over.

For a second time, my angel did their job and these were just some of the

countless near-death stories I have yet to tell.

Whenever someone asks me what the most interesting events in my life are, I always tell them these first. I want to make them feel that indescribable feeling I get every time I recall these tales. I want to let them cling to something that’d make them feel they’ll never be companionless.

I want them to, somehow, believe.

But I know that it is no child’s play to prove something to someone with no physical evidence to attest that such thing exists.

Entering The Engineering SPECTRUM, I’ve learned several writing techniques and one of those is “show, don’t tell.” Similar to what “actions speak louder than words” is trying to say, this technique made me reflect and think about bigger matters – life, in general.

Considering that it’s hard for me to make them perceive what even I couldn’t see, and all I got are my unconvincing stories, I thought to myself, “What if I just act like one and try to be as kind as the angels I always believed to exist?”

In this world where humanity is slowly dying, would you just choose

‘‘

The least I can do is to always be sensitive towards other people’s feelings, be willing to lend a helping hand ...

to endure watching other people commit obnoxious things, while you’re doing nothing, when being a little bit kinder everyday won’t cost a penny?

Being discerned as frail and most childlike among my circles, it’s always challenging for me to protect and guard my friends and the people I cherish.

The least I can do is to always be sensitive towards other people’s feelings, be willing to lend a helping hand and listening ears, and show everyone nothing but unfeigned gestures and affectionate words.

But, these are just my own practices of showing compassion and humanity. We all have our unique ways of doing nice in our every words, thoughts, and deeds. Some would love and admire you for doing so; some may say that you’re just pretending.

Either way, it’s up to you if you want to be the pleasingly odd one – in this world full of corrupt, vicious, and unjust beings – in your own wholesome manners.

Do you now believe in angels? Do you think you can be one?

Juveniles A TWISTED QUILL

VON RYAN MAICLE /vonnievonzz

RECENT events within the University have ignited unrest within the studentry, which resulted yet again to student protests our beloved PUP is widely notorious for.

The common people tend to revolt whenever threats are presented against the very freedom they treasure; especially nowadays that democracy has been so ravishingly romanticized.

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is known for housing students that have tendencies to defy administrations that do not meet their aspirations – and they hardly do. For some reason, governments have this natural talent in disappointing their subjects, whose demands, on the other hand, seem to be eternally boundless.

It was no surprise that with the so-called “introduction” of the Revised Student Handbook, the residents of this university reacted in such a manner. I would not expand on my disagreement with such movements nor will I discredit them of their contribution to whatever cause they ought to fight for, yet one cannot help but ponder upon the crises which instigate these uprisings.

I, being the apathetic individual that I am, would have easily pointed fingers between these

noble mongrels with their positions and these parading baboons without further deliberation, were it not for a few aides-memoire from observations and some notable people.

Issues similar to these are not exclusive in our university. Countless complications between the people and the government have been experienced since our liberation from foreign control – and more so way before that. I could list several of those issues, but then I would be taking up more space in this page than I am supposed to.

Ideally, it would be easier if every human being answers to a single mind; only then could we truly achieve perfect harmony, but in retrospect, attempts of fabricating such a system were not as effective as some had hoped. Such efforts in doing so mostly originated from personal advances, an influence that caused the populace too much distress to the point that the reputation of its idea has left a terrible image in their minds. Besides, autonomy is one of the noblest dreams of this millennium, and I doubt anyone would be willing to surrender it.

Surely enough I am not the only one who is annoyed by this constant struggle between two different parties under the same banner, when their intended function was to work with each other and not against.

Yet, looking at the history of man, from the traditional civilizations of antiquity, to the feminist movements of the 19th century, the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution, not to mention the independence of several colonies of

‘‘

Such is the fate of us who have the chance to revise these notions, not for our own comfort or necessities, but for the future generations’ ...

Europe, including our own country, we have come far.

These progressions were indeed magnanimous but they were not instantaneous. The divergences encountered by the first men and women gave birth to the principles we uphold today. Even to this day, those principles, and those that are being formulated as our societies grow, are undergoing developments through these crises by actually endangering them.

The Philippines is a very young nation – the man considered as our first president died only over fifty years ago, albeit he received the title at an early age. Like other countries before us, we struggle against differences of interests, and indifferences of individuals.

We will continue to face situations that will shatter our principles and events that will imperil the very idea of peace that each and every one seeks. We will be plunged into the depths of the fiery chasms of chaos and yes, we will retaliate, only to find ourselves in another battle that will result to either the erasure or the improvement of the notions we devised and kept – for that is life.

Such is the fate of us who have the chance to revise these notions, not for our own comfort or necessities, but for the future generations’, that they may form or revise notions of their own at the luxury of the ones we provided. That is how philosophies, beliefs, and values are created, destroyed, or renewed. That is how we mature from being juveniles, as a community, as a society, and as a nation.

117

Embracing femininity

BY RIA RIVERA I never dreamed to be just a housewife. For me, it was comparable to a life of a prisoner – there was no freedom and no power to choose.

“Anong trabaho ng mama mo?” I was always asked when I was in grade school, in which I usually replied “Housewife lang po.” I respected my mom in a sense that she was my mother, but not in any kind of admiration.

Way back in college, I became acquainted to an elite group of successful women who were on top of their fields. When asked what was my motivation for being outstanding in class, I suddenly thought of my mom – to be her was my greatest nightmare.

I couldn’t picture myself taking care of kids, doing household chores, and supporting a husband in building a family. I wanted more – to lead, to have a voice, to be on top.

That was when I embraced feminism.

“Women empowering women” became my mantra, indulging myself with this idealism that we, women, could be greater than any other man ever existed. I gave my utmost effort to compete with every guy in any field proving to myself I am no ordinary woman.

With my ultimate goal to be equal to men, I started to devalue women who were indifferent for such desire. I hated We were emotionally weak women. I hated their never the shallow ambitions same; we only which didn’t require match each intricate education.

I wanted them to of our own transform, to feel strengths and empowered, to achieve weaknesses. their dreams, insanely believing that their dreams were same as mine – but not all women aspire to be in the world of men.

“Women empowering women” had never been real to me. I’ve chosen an audience and degraded those who couldn’t conform to my standards. I embraced feminism with my twisted belief that it is ‘sameness’ with men, forgetting my own femininity.

Femininity – the nature of women, which I considered weakness and despised for so long, firmly believing that feminism and femininity were mutually inclusive.

But no, it wasn’t. Embracing femininity is in fact the highest form of feminism - it is the belief that no woman is lesser than the other; we are all equal.

When our family was breaking apart, my mother was the one who made the greatest sacrifice; she had forgotten her own to bind a family that could not see her worth. She wasn’t an engineer on her own, now she had one. She wasn’t a journalist, now she had one. She made the impossible possible.

“Anong trabaho ng mama mo?” When asked, I reply with my head held up high “Housewife.”

Yes, I never wanted to be a housewife. I actually feared to be one. Not because it was typical but because it held so much responsibility in which no degree could ever master.

So, can I now imagine myself being a housewife? Still no.

I am underqualified to be one.

‘‘

Ria Camille Rivera (IE ‘18) was a former EIC of The Engineering SPECTRUM. A soft and loving aunt to her nephews, she is also an advocate of gender rights and equality. Currently, she is working as a Wealth Portfolio Manager at Philam Life.

Featu

Spectrum 8

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE WE WALKED THROUGH THE HEART OF BINONDO AND THE MALLS 168 AND 999 IN DIVISORIA TO GET A GLIMPSE OF THE BITTERSWEET FILIPINO-CHINESE RELATIONSHIP. Gemmalene Eunice Acula

Stare at a light for a few seconds, and the next thing

Binondo is known as the world’s oldest Chinatown,

you know, everything you’ll look at for a while will

and was established in 1594 for the Chinese settlers.

have that same mark.

This particular Chinatown played an important role in

Likewise, if you look at someone in a bad light, you’ll tend to disregard good things about them and be

commerce in Manila.

Even in Divisoria’s signature malls, there was hardly anyone to speak to due to the language barrier between

For quite some time now, China’s image hasn’t

the Filipino and Chinese. Fascinatingly, a lot of them

been well in the eyes of some Filipinos. Many might

barely know how to speak English or Tagalog — even

have heard the news of Boracay beach being littered

those who have been here for more than a decade.

by Chinese tourists as they scattered lumps of feces on

Most of the Chinese store owners were also too busy

the sand. And quite recently, the territorial dispute in

and focused on their business to be bothered, and their

the West Philippine Sea had some of us questioning

Filipino attendants intercepted us instead.

the status of respect between the two countries and its people.

Located at the foot of Jones Bridge, this Filipino-Chinese friendship arch previously held the title for the largest Chinatown Arch in the world before being surpassed by the New Binondo Chinatown Arch in 2015.

the lives of the Filipino-Chinese and in the trade and

blinded with prejudice. Much like the image of China – as seen by the Filipinos.

FRIENDSHIP ARCH

When we tried to ask an 18-year old Chinese in their stall in 999 mall, he called one of their attendants

These issues, in turn, gave way to hate comments

who answered us on his behalf.

towards the Chinese on social media posts where they

“Three years pa lang sila dito sa Pilipinas. At two

are involved, and it may potentially come down to

years na akong nagta-trabaho sa kanila. Maganda

actually harming them in person.

ang pakikitungo nila at saka mabait sila sa amin,” the

But through all these conflicts and waves of

Filipino helper said.

judgment, how does the Filipinos and Chinese actually co-exist?

On the basement floor, we found Gilbert, a Filipino textile store worker, and unlike the story from before, his Chinese employer was nothing like the 18-year old

Between the pasilios

boy’s family.

On a busy day, the whimsical streets of Binondo

Gilbert has been working for his boss for a year

look unpredictable. It is full of noise and other

and a half now, and throughout that time, he has been

distracting things; vehicles honk and move moderately,

assigned to all sorts of work, even if he was hired only

vendors continue on doing business, and people check

as a security guard. “[Ang gusto ko lang], gawin niyang

out things from left to right.

minimum ang sahod. Dapat kumpleto benefits. Kulang

mano pO : BINONDo 岷 倫 洛 區 Jairus Kim Cabino

01 adorned in colors of red, green, and gold stood near a bridge.

As we walked closer, we started to recognize it as the New Binondo Chinatown Arch, the largest Chinatown arch in the world, which showcases the fusion of modern and traditional Chinese design.

Built right in front of the

lanterns floating above, all filled with people watching

Filipino-Chinese friendship

the performers dancing to the beat of the drums—this is

arch, this new arch signifies

tradition from two distinct and different origins, and this is the Binondo that we witnessed.

02

From a distance, an arch

STREETS filled with smoke from the fireworks, with

how I imagine Binondo—a place infused with culture and

STO. CRISTO DE LONGOS SHRINE Situated in Ongpin Street, this shrine is one of the replicas of the venerated image of Sto. Cristo de Longos that was built following its relocation due to the earthquake that destroyed the chapel it was enshrined in 1863.

the respect Manila has for the culture and traditions of their Chinese residents.

As we walked down Ongpin St., we decided to enter the old Binondo Church. A baptismal ceremony just ended.

The church was nearly silent. All that was left are the few devotees praying solemnly; watching them are the paintings in the walls and ceilings, reflecting the story of the Christian faith.

ures

October 2019

Ian CarloPenaranda, Editor

9 like the foods and cuisines that we Filipinos have. And even though her parents and husband are Buddhists, she chose to be a converted Christian.

Out of the three, only Grace hasn’t fully adopted the Tagalog “accent” when the other two are fluent, and only Natalie hasn’t been to China ever since she was born. “Ang lolo’t lola ko ang taga-China. Noong nagkaroon ng war doon, pumunta sila dito sa Pilipinas.

Siguro first or second na kapatid ng mama ko ang pinanganak sa China pero ‘yung pang-third, dito na.

Kaya ayun, hindi na rin sila bumalik,” Natalie shared.

Crossing the barriers The Philippines and China have shared a long enduring relationship. From tourists to trading partners, laborers to billionaires, the Chinese worked their way from strangers to one of the significant people for we share a withstanding historical tie.

As we get some parts of each other’s cultures, we also learned how to respect the diversity of each.

Through this, Binondo created a world of its own. It showcased another charm as Filipino citizens and

“May masama at [na] nga ang sahod, kalabaw pa ang trabaho,” he pointed out.

Pilipino sa sariling bansa,” she added.

The next day, we found Grace, another clothing

Nevertheless, he and his co-workers, looking at the

store owner, chatting in a neighboring stall, and

positive side, persisted and tolerated their boss, with his

Natalie, a store employee in her 30s, scrolling on her

co-workers being able to stay for more than 10 years.

phone while there were no customers. The two of them

mabuting Pilipino, para lang din na may masama at mabuting Chinese.”

-LISA

CHINISE STORE OWNER

were also born in the Philippines.

Sentiments

When asked on their recent interactions with

As we ventured past the wide yet claustrophobic

Filipinos, Grace expressed her frustrations against

Chinese interact with each other—the way they

pasilios of the two malls for two separate days, we

the rampant misdeeds around Manila. “Ang ayaw ko

mingle, give a smile, and the effort to converse even if

finally found our matches — two Philippine-born

lang dito sa Pilipinas, maraming snatchers. At tsaka

they’re not fluent in Tagalog.

Chinese women.

madumi, ang mga basura kung saan-saan itinatapon.

Lisa, a 52-year old owner of a clothing store,

Wala [silang] disiplina,” Grace said.

has been living with her pure Chinese family in the

Despite these, they stayed in the Philippines and

Philippines. Throughout their life in the country, they

to their reasons, remain here. For them, there will still

have fabric and clothing as their primary source of

be good Filipinos, just like how there will still be good

income with their store in Ylaya St., Divisoria. “Nine

Chinese people.

different outlook, just like how the locals and FilipinoChinese interacted despite the chaos in the political world.

And with whatever type of lens we look through, we can always choose our subject and point of focus.

To transform our perspective in life is by allowing

kaming magkakapatid at lahat kami, napagtapos ng magulang ko mula sa pagtitinda ng tela,” she said.

We are free to interact on our environment with a

A new shade of red

ourselves to see every angle without prejudice, without jumping into conclusions right away.

Lisa told us her story as she was putting up her

The cultures of both the Philippines and China are

displays one day. Even while she was present, Filipinos

gradually integrating. Most of them still practice their

Maybe for Gilbert, Grace, Lisa, and other people

beside her stall chatted about how the Chinese should

Chinese beliefs while adapting to the Filipino customs.

concerned, the common saying “to see is to believe”

all just be deported back into China as an answer to the

For instance, Lisa herself mentioned that her

recent issue in influx of ingoing Chinese in the country.

favorite Filipino food is torta. By having a Filipino

“Dahil daw sa sobrang dami, parang OFW na ang ibang

helper who cooks their meals frequently, they started to

realy does matter.

05

03

04

We passed by the buildings that stood tall, filled with

Amidst of a moving crowd, we walked down the

Walking our way home, we left the orderly chaos of

glass walls that reflects the sun’s gleam on our faces.

district. Moving from left to right, everyone is busy.

the 168 shopping mall. But before we ended the photo

Walking down the streets of Chinatown, the prominence

Pasíllo to pasíllo, they are all filled with people and

walk, a last picture was taken – our mano po to the

of prosperity and abundance will welcome you. The once

products. This is what it feels like to be in Divisoria. It’s

place built by two races. A home for one that became

ghetto now turned into a center of commerce brought by

like everyone is in a time lapse. Filipinos, Chinese, and

a home away from home to the other.

the deeply rooted bond of two different nations.

other people from different races - they’re here to trade.

Photos by: Julius Ceasar Dela Cruz and Jeshua Ephraim Malimata Layout by: Kate Rachel Cawaling

Issues

Spectrum

10

October 2019

PEN streets IN-DEPTH

To whom are the streets for?

Precious Aira Perez

WITH the poor being continuously deemed as “eyesores”, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso ordered for clearing operations in the City of Manila to ‘redeem the city of its value’. An act where inclusivity is in question; whether the underprivileged were treated as part of the city, too.

OPEN STREETS After clearing operations, street vendors and pedestrians along Recto Avenue still take up one lane of the road despite having designated spaces.

Less than a month since he assumed office, people of the capital city and netizens across the country applauded Moreno for the drastic changes he has done to resolve problems in the city over the years. The busy streets like Recto, Carriedo, and Divisoria now have accessible sidewalks with little presence of street vendors, making foot traffic more efficient, and with more space for vehicles to drive by.

Manila used to be a cruddy megacity where people have poor discipline towards hygiene and proper waste disposal. The mayor’s efforts were rewarded by open spaces and positive feedback from commoners who benefit from the operations. The Andres Bonifacio Shrine, where the Manila City Hall is near at, regained its glory after the clean-up, with Moreno regarding it to be ‘full of literal shit’ before.

To also resolve traffic, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) released Resolution No. 02-28, prohibiting the use of streets, sidewalks, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks, and other public places in the metro for commercial and personal purposes, including the selling of certain goods and services and dumping garbage.

Moreno emphasized that this will also eliminate 'syndicates' or organizers, who extort vendors for them to sell on a public space. This makes the procedures anti-organizers and not anti-vendors, given that he aims to formalize these people’s businesses. The mayor left certain provisions for the street vendors. They should organize amongst themselves based on the city’s policies: to provide enough space for pedestrians, to keep their vicinities clean, and to not occupy restricted areas.

But there is one thing overlooked on these clean-up operations: it is exclusive of the poor. As someone who came from the slums of Tondo, it was expected that the mayor is one to empathize with the poor, but instead

called his hometown dugyot. It is true that his goal is something to be praised, but his actions were reckless not to include the people who were most affected by the operations: the street vendors. They were not included in the formal decision-making process for the cleanup. Nafarin Manalo, a vendor in Divisoria, said in an interview with Rappler that police were ordered to clear their stalls without prior notice.

These vendors make up the informal sector and were neither given an immediate place to relocate nor provided with a concrete plan about their livelihood.

The busy streets lost their vibrancy when the kiosks were removed.

They were once home to people’s markets, and much to its irony, kept foot traffic at pace. It is noticeable how the poor continue to be called as a problem, where in fact, they are victims of non-inclusive regulations.

For the city to thrive, all must be included, even the poor. The operations kill the informal sector of its sense, to cater the people. Street vendors should be acknowledged as people who have rights to sustain their livelihood. Not all means of a living is formal, the poor neither have the access nor the privilege to work in the formal sectors, but they need to be protected the way the formal sectors are treated. Open the streets, for the poor and the privileged.

Good governance understands the needs of the people. It is the real essence of redeeming the capital city of its value.

“

For the city to thrive, all must be included, even the poor.

Photos by: Julius Caesar Dela Cruz Layout by: Jairus Kim Cabino

Issues

Spectrum October 2019

11 TETE-A-TETE

People or Problem?

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz and George Anthony Nuarin

"... they have rights din naman kasi tao sila.

Why don't we address the roots kung bakit nagmumukha sila ang problema, kahirapan hindi ba?"

RECENT cleaning operations of Manila’s streets by Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso received mixed reactions from the citizens. In his goal of giving back the streets of Manila to its people, he removed a vital part of Manila’s culture: the street vendors. The Engineering SPECTRUM asked some CEans regarding the issue with the question

-Paul Kenneth Brazil (CpE V)

-Karl Iori Matunog (IE II)

“Mayroong dalawang sides. Sa batas ng tao, the street vendors, especially ‘yung illegal is a problem. But then, as human beings, we understand them, kasi alam naman natin na kaya nila ginagawa ‘yun because they need to provide for their families.”

“How should we treat street vendors: as people or as problem?”

“We treat street vendors as people, kasi in the first place, part pa rin sila ng community. The real problem in our society is poverty. Nagagawa lang naman ng mga street vendors na ‘di tumupad sa batas dahil sa kahirapan.”

“We treat them as people. Nagbibigay sila ng variety of products na available for consumers, so actually, helpful sila.”

- Jofren Gerio (EE II)

“I believe that we should treat street vendors as people. Simple because they are, and just like most of us, they are also struggling to survive.”

- Lyarnie Andrei Go (ECE II)

“Siguro, we treat street vendors lang naman as a problem if nandoon sila nakaharang sa mismong daanan, katulad sa Divisoria. But on the other hand, malaki rin ang tulong nila. It depends lang talaga sa situation kung saan sila involved.”

- Jay Manzanilla (RE I)

-Kim Edward Mora Canonoy (ME V)

"Based on the law, problem. 'Di ba may ini-implement na batas? Pero nandyan pa rin sila, hindi na makadaan ang mga tao'y sasakyan. Kadalasan nasa gilid sila't nakakasagabal. But disregarding the law, ico-consider din 'yung wala silang trabaho."

-Clarette Carmen (CE II)

BULL'S EYE

CITY OWNERS Rosemarie Desquitado and Edzel Vetus

AS Manila entered a new term of cleaner and clearer streets, it is also their entrance to an antipoor system putting the welfare of the informal vendors at stake.

Philippines has a rich culture of trading dating back to the barter era where our ancestors are known for having transactions with people from nearby countries. We continued this practice until today where almost every street is found with a sari-sari store or a street vendor. The market is the foundation of any economy, and street vending is a part of this market.

Throughout Asia, street vending is a trademark especially for third world countries. Selling goods on the streets may give little interest for the sellers but this is better than not having any at all, as for a very poor family, their major worry is to survive the day.

On the consumer’s side, street vendors give us the convenience of having our easy-to-get wants for a cheaper price. As Filipinos, we have this assurance of knowing that there is a nearby vendor whenever we suddenly feel thirsty on the road, or when we feel hungry and want some quick snack.

Even though some street vendors are illegal, they are undeniably part of our culture. These people are already struggling with our current law just to survive not only for themselves but for their own family. Isn't there enough reasons to amend it or create a law for them? Not just simply stripping them from their natural market to be used as parking areas for vehicles belonging to the middle and upper classes.

Street vendors are people, and they must be treated as people. Belonging to the informal

FOOT TRAFFIC Divisoria bustling with activities despite the implementation of street clearings. Vendors are wary of recording media in fear of being recognized by authorities.

sector where benefits are not given, requiring more labor but lower income just for the sake of living, Filipinos already sacrificed a lot, and now the government that should have been nurturing them wants them to stop.

Add to it the fact that stopping these street vendors will contribute to the growing number of unemployed Filipinos, the latest being 12 million as of April 2019. Taking them off from the streets without clear immediate solution ready for them is a sign of entitlement to the city.

Indeed, the government has presented a solution to relocate street vendors in a place more sanitary and orderly, away from the streets. But the street is their natural market, they are in the streets not just because they want to. The solution being presented is long term but also requires a lot of time to be implemented. How can you explain to a hungry child of a poor family to be patient first as the solution is on its way?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a cleaner and clearer city, but, stripping your citizen

“

There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a cleaner and clearer city, but, stripping your citizens with the only thing that provides for their family is a selfish act.

with the only thing that provides for their family is a selfish act. Without having any immediate solution, a cleaner day on Manila means a day of struggle for a Manileño street vendor. Where does the promise of taking care of your constituents lie here?

Manila is known for its busy streets and lively culture, and this includes the presence of having our street vendors. These vendors while working also promotes street life, the informal economy that helps the development of microeconomics of the country.

Imagine a clean Manila. However, knowing that this order requires families to be hungry, I doubt if you can be happy at all.

Everyone has the right to the city. Being chosen to have the power to decide for your constituents is nothing but privilege. If this government will only prioritize a certain sector sacrificing the intention of their poor people, we may come to think of it: to whom does the city really belong?

Sci-Tech

Spectrum

Czarina May Austria, Editor

12

October 2019

TODAY'S CLIMATE

Rogelio Legaspi, Jr. Hot and cold About 20,000 years ago, the planet experienced an ‘ice age’ in which the world was on its freezing state. The Earth also has interglacial periods where the planet was so warm that creatures thrived even along the North Pole.

We know this because of studies that are conducted in the ancient sediments and ice cores that contain bubbles of air, in which scientists can tell the variations of gases present over time. And as they concluded, the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere greatly affects the global temperature.

Ancient climate cycles rely on the solar output and the Earth’s albedo, or the amount of sunlight reflected by the planet. When this cycle, called the Milanković cycles, caused the Northern Hemisphere to be colder, ice sheets were able to grow rapidly. It reflected sunlight, and the climate got even colder as a result. This feedback loop

IF our emissions of carbon dioxide would be cut by 45 percent by the next 10 years, we still have a chance to save the Earth from the irreversible effects of climate change, according to the United Nations on their research last year. Just recently however, climate scientists had given the world a much shorter time - 18 months.

But before talking about the future of the planet by 18 months or so, let us discuss first the climate cycle on the ancient times, and how today’s change is far from normal.

“

Just recently, the 700-year old Okjökull glacier in Iceland has melted completely due to climate change.

Iceland 64.9631° N 19.0208° W

Hottest Temperature Recoded in History

Death Valley, USA 56.7° Celsius July 10, 1913

AN ABNORMAL CYCLE CAUSED BY HUMANS

One of the recent forest fires reported

Amazon Rainforest 7,747 sq. km have already been burned as of 2019

This Global Heat Map shows how temperature are soaring across the planet until the year 2100.

-nasa.gov -60 °C

can also be applied the other way around, which causes global warming.

However, it span from tens of thousands of years, so we can’t say that today’s climate is just a result of it, as the current global warming is happening just over decades.

Carbon emissions Humans heavily rely on fossil fuels - such as oils and coals - as source of energy for everyday activities. As we burn these fossil fuels, carbons that are trapped inside combine with the other gases that are already present in the atmosphere, thus contributing to the greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Although the Earth would be freezing without GHGs because it traps heat to warm the Earth, carbons from burning fossil fuels critically add up to the present gases, which will trap more heat on the planet.

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Moreover, satellite studies since the last century show that the Sun is in fact slightly decreasing its total energy output.

Also, a direct effect of Solar energy would cause the whole Earth’s atmosphere to warm. But today, only the lower atmosphere becomes hotter, and the upper atmosphere is colder.

The current situation Given these past conditions on the planet, climate scientists conclude that the climate we have right now is far from the normal cycle.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, “Global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current rate.”

The IPCC observed this through various researches regarding the cumulative emissions of CO2 and future non-CO2 radiative forces to determine the probability of the warming of up

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to 1.5°C. Because of the global warming, impacts on natural and human systems from global warming have already been observed.

Ice, especially from the Earth’s poles have been documented to melt, with a rate of tons of ice melting every day contributing to rising sealevel. On land, rainforests, which accounts to 28 percent source of oxygen, has either been burned down or converted to private properties.

The next step Whether the humanity only has 18 months or 10 years remaining, the fact still stands that we only have a little amount of time to do whatever we have to do saving the planet. The Earth may survive the next cycle it may undergo as it did in the distant past, but the humanity, as we called it, that only existed just recently relative to the age of Earth, may not.

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Sci-Tech

Spectrum October 2019

Fil-Innovators’ Cool Solutions to the Warming World Ralph Antonio Innocentes

GLOBAL temperatures are constantly on the rise. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - a UN body that analyzes climate change related events - by the year 2100, the world’s temperature will increase by 2oC. Even this minimal amount of rise in temperature will cause an increase of altitude in sea levels and rapid transmission of diseases - severely affecting food production.

In regards to this problem, our local Filipino inventors have contributed in mitigating the effects of global warming and help improve the state of our environment.

Here are some interesting inventions at a low cost and efficient maneuver: Remember when manong driver stops at a gasoline station when you are running late? Look at this invention.

Filipino inventor George De Guzman introduced his Power Up Fuel Combustor

which is fuel-efficient by pumping enough oxygen. It makes the engine more powerful and it diminishes the effects of smoke belching. Some ten thousand vehicles are already using this wonder of an invention.

John Paul Santos and Christian Sta. Romana – PUP College of Engineering alumni– developed a way to produce electricity and filter water with their invention called the Electrifilter. This

13

works by introducing waste water into the device, then the bacteria residing in the water reacts with the filter wires which produces the electricity necessary.

Although the filtered water is not considered to be drinkable, it can still be of use in other means. The invention bagged third place in a competition held by Schneider Electric in 2015.

Hydrogasifier converts water as an alternative for commercially available fuel. It makes use of the hot gases from the interiors of the engine and separates hydrogen and oxygen molecules which then burns up completely in the combustion chamber, producing the optimum amount of power to be utilized.

These are only few of the things that can be done. There are still many undiscovered ways in restoring the nature. Through optimization of our resources and innovating, we can help lessen the effects of climate change.

Electrifilter by John Paul Santos and Christian Sta. Romana

Power Up Fuel Combustor

by George De Guzman

Hydrogasifier by Robert Celis

Virtual Solutions to real problems

Philippines

Jeric Manuel

12.8797° N 121.7740° E

TECHNOLOGY is said to be one of the factors that hastens global warming. In supporting the mitigation plan for climate change, many tech-savvy environmentalists were able to use technology and social media in supporting their words and agenda. They have given birth to amazing eco-friendly mobile apps that help combat climate change.

ECOSIA Ecosia plant trees while you search the web. It uses 80% of its profits from ad revenue since December 2009. As of this writing, they already have planted 66 million trees. Available in web using ecosia.org, Android, and iOS platforms.

BUYCOTT This is used by scanning the barcodes of every product we usually buy and then give us the details on how does it affect climate change. With this we can think twice whether to purchase the product or not.

MATHTAPPERS 0 °C

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MathTappers: Carbon Choice computes and tracks down your carbon footprints. An IOS app that monitors your showers, travel, and eating habits and informs you the amount of CO2 equivalent polution you produce.

Commandments for a lesser

Carbon Footprint Jan Carlo Abalos

CARBON Footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas Rogelio Legaspi, Jr. emissions, consisting primarily of carbon dioxide, produced by an organization, event, or an individual. It is also the summation of all emissions of carbon dioxide in a given timeframe.

These total gas emissions cause global warming effects. The difference in weather patterns, rise in temperature, and sea level, frequent floodings, and intense rainfalls are results of abnormal production of carbon and other related gases.

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Here are 10 ways to reduce your carbon footprint:

1

Eat less meat

2

Unplug your electronics

3

Avoid fast fashion

4

Plant trees

6

Use LED lights

7

Reduce plastic usage

8

Choose laptop over desktop

9

Manage aircon usage

5

10

Walk or ride a bike

Try minimalistic style

Layout by: Dane Recto and Jairus Kim Cabino Graphics by: Ryan Cabael

Literary

Spectrum

Von Ryan Maicle, Editor

14

October 2019

I’m exhausted, Tired from being kicked down from above with sneers and jeers.

Spent from getting the noose around my neck tightened.

NOT ANYMORE!

Drained from staying obedient to the condescending voices that commands me.

I’m exhausted so I will fight.

I’m fed up.

Over with putting up to their impossible expectations.

Finished with getting the short end of the stick.

Through with listening while not getting heard.

I’m fed up so I will fight.

I am done.

My patience ran out.

The lid has spilled.

The fire has been lit.

I’ll never be fed up with this fight,

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

even through exhaustion I will scream at the top of my lungs that I am free!

Until I’m done or dead, I will never be shackled, not anymore, not anymore!

when the Fighting is Over

INSIDE the

Marc Andallo

FOUR-SIDED

I lifted the white flag with failures and sadness Rendering my hopes, dreams and now, my happiness

Jennifer Teleb

Finally, the battle is now over You were the war that I can’t really conquer We struggled together for several times But like a prose, we never had any rhyme I always kept my hopes high, seeking for another day Then I never thought that the end was already today You were my arms that helped me fighting My feet that always kept me going But now you’re the reason why I’m falling apart My desire to continue suddenly depart You’re everyone and everything that betrayed me Making me believe with your illusions always I see I kept on fighting for you, yet you’re my greatest enemy Too late to realize that you’re the one who always defeat me

The teacher embarks on a sneaky mission Alongside a gun equipped with the hardest question To spy on the minds for wits and answers And tread their lane of unanswered matters Catalog of thoughts began to arise, constantly Allowing all ideas to flow off slowly but surely The feeling of such pressure squeezed upon me Was sequenced with a force driving me uneasy Oral recitation of ideas came just as quickly As soon as the following names were summoned, unluckily Never did I notice the difficulty from their words My freedom of expression entangles in doubtful stomach birds I reached this point to brave the bullet of his gun Not a robber, but still relinquished his awaited answer

The sadness and regrets I can’t really cover

When his firearm held me no fear, I swore it’s good and done

But don’t be afraid because the fighting is over

Seemed like I passed a test of faith without surrender

If I fought several times for you Today, I’ll surrender and forget everything about you

towering

Ian Peñaranda

I

don't know how long it's been, or for how many days I've been here.

I just wonder how much they enjoy being up that they dare not come down, and

Nothing's changed, anyway. It's all the same scene; with the sun

how much they like the way they smile that they dare not speak.

scalding me with my own sweat, I come to this tower, knock on its stone walls,

I know they perceive and hear us, but do they try to see and listen? We

and shout at the top. Sometimes, I try to brave the heights and climb and then

thought things would change when they're up there, but has that happened?

fail horribly, and when they allow, others come and knock and shout with me. I

Some may think what I'm doing is futile, but they know well I can't stop. We

don't think it matters what I do. Nothing changes, anyway.

cannot.

I still remember that person's face and how happy they looked when they climbed up; it was that smile that burned itself in my mind. With that unmoving face watching over the rooms incessantly, how can I not remember?

This isn't that fairytale. Their hair isn't long. Their list of responsibilities is. But will he ever trim it down?

Literary

Spectrum October 2019

15 I am exhausted.

Tired from the nonstop ticked down yet I learned how to swim after years of tears.

Spent but I still have the sense to not be frightened.

Drained from staying passive to the over-extending noises that demand me.

NOT ANYMORE.

I am exhausted but that is life.

I am fed up.

Over with their lemons that I've stirred but Jericho I need to at better predictions, T. look Moscosa Finished, yet satisfied for I can still hold on to the stick.

Through glistening smile while offsetting blurred.

James Patrick Reyes

I am fed up so I will light.

I am done.

Used to be audacious now I’m not.

The lead was willed.

The fire has been killed.

I’m already fed up with the fight,

even through extortion I will not scream, at the tip of my tongue, I'm a bourgeoisie!

Until I am done or dead, I will get through though I am struggled, I will not fight anymore, not anymore, not anymore.

OUTSIDE the FOUR-SIDED

CONQUERING SELF Jericho Moscosa When the world keeps impelling you to the limits Never relinquish, that should be your spirit

Prince Morales

If you want to accomplish something Steer the wheel, than just idle and keep watching

The vast heavens snarled and asked Abruptly, a thorny riddle was dropped He then called out the attention of all as he rasped Screaming, “Who’ll conquer this quest to unmask?”

My infinite landscape inside became narrowed Anxiously, it squeezed out all the ideas and words It suddenly created a chaos; excavating the mystery of burrowed Uttering, “How can I cross-out one out of these herds?”

The edgy heavens sought for what he raised Hastily, he called out the sun, the river and even the rain If I witnessed their sunlight, streams and drops, which seemed foreign Should I still grab my valor out even though I might be scathed?

I faced the vast heavens and boldly respond

You must believe that you are competent It’s up to your volition that is in your hand No matter how arduous it might be There is always hope that you can discern Challenges are meant to be endured Obstacles are meant to be transcended Ceding is never an option Of conquerors who keep expanding horizons Sail to the world and conquer Reach greater heights and take over Deal with your greatest enemy Battle upon self-doubt, and claim victory

He hadn’t called me yet I still raised my hand In spite of him, snarling in the creatures of the land Yet, “I can also be the heavens in this muddy pond”

Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

I

towering

’ve kept track of it. From the days, hours, minutes and seconds. I haven’t

heart for you to not be beguiled yet I failed. How can you not forget? But mark my

forgotten. I’ve witnessed the scenes changing through the passage of

words I’ll drag them down from where they sit. Even if I die trying.

the uncaring time. I’ve witnessed far too many moons, shivered under many

I know that they won’t listen, they’ve gone deaf from staying above. Hush

blizzards and drenched from countless thunderstorms. Yet I stayed outside

now little child. Nothing would change if we don’t stand up! What we’re doing

these tall tower walls. I’ve heard shouts at the top, but I won’t budge. Even if I’m

is neither futile nor mundane! We should never stop ‘till our dying breaths, we

scorned by the single person I love, I won’t let you suffer. I have lived lifetimes

cannot stop, and we never will!

of suffering for what I am.

I don’t remember that person’s face for all I remember was the deadly rage I felt as they climbed up. Showing you a smile of deception, I screamed in all my

Because this is not a fairytale. This is a dark tale of my revenge. Do not expect a happily ever after, for there will never be an “after”, in a fight that goes on forever!

Layout and Graphics by: Ryan Cabael

Circle 16

Spectrum

Von Ryan Maicle, Editor

Havens CEAN SAFE

October 2019

W

hen we get burnt out whether from academics, social lives, family matters, and even our own selves, we look

for activities or places to relieve stress and anxiety. Luckily enough, there are several places around the College that we CEans can run to whenever we feel our sanity are just one failed test paper away from abandoning us. The Engineering SPECTRUM lists down CEans’ choices for places around PUP to relax, have fun, or simply neglect pending obligations for the sake of our mental health.

Von Ryan Maicle and Julius Caesar Dela Cruz

COMPUTER SHOPS “Usually, I would let off some steam by listening to music or sleeping, but playing LoL works for me too. I also check updates on video games that I follow.”

- Patric Olsen Fontanilla (CE II) “Orb and 263, kasi nadidivert attention ko (sa mga stressors) saglit.”

- James Vincent De Guzman (ECE V)

PASIG RIVER “Kapag tumatambay ako doon malapit sa Ilog Pasig, feeling ko ang payapa ng mundo. Walang stress, chill lang ganun haha.”

- Ian Gallardo (ECE IV) “Sa GSIS, malapit sa ilog, nagyoyosi. Maaliwalas kasi doon at tahimik. Sa Linear Park rin sa Main, kaso malayo.”

- Elyon Jacob Doctolero (ECE V)

CEA BUILDING “When I want to relax, I usually go to Carpark A of CEA and watch APD or Volleyball players since I love watching sports.”

- Venmore John Hernandez (RE I) “Sa fourth floor (ng CEA) kasama yung BDDC tas sumasayaw pangpatanggal ng stress ng acads at life.”

- Jericho Reta (ECE V) “Dun sa may side ng volleyball court, sa gilid ng mga rooms.

Pumupunta ako dun kapag gabi na, mag-iisip lang. Ang calm kasi ng paligid ‘pag gabi sa part na ‘yun kaya mas nakakapag-isip ako nang maayos.”

- Jobelle Soliman (IE II) “Yung emergency exit sa fourth floor ng CEA. Nakaupo lang ‘dun.

Maliban sa malinis na, wala pang tao. Nagmumuni-muni lang kung ano pa bang dapat kong gawin.”

- Amor Flores (IE II) “Sa carpark kasi everytime na may isang exam na matatapos doon kami dumidiretso. Doon ka uupo, pag-iisipan ‘yung mga sagot mo. Doon ka maii-stress sa exam mo pero ‘dun mo rin malalabas ang mga hinanakit mo sa buhay... In a way, carpark has been a safe place for me.”

- Renato Miguel Antonio III (ME II) “Sa ECE Lab, kasi, air-conditioned, eh ang stress kasi most of the time factor diyan environment hindi ba? Especially ‘pag mainit.”

- Jonathan Laurente (ECE IV) “SC office, library, dorm, mga kainan. Narerelax ako at nakakalma kapag kumakain or natutulog.”

- Matt Reyes (RE I)

PLAYBALL AND TADZ “PlayBall ‘cause I can play Billiards or smoke” - William Ivan (EE V) “Tadz pa rin, kosa! Siguro dahil sa company na kasama mo sa inuman, tapos may videoke!”

- AJ Patawaran (ECE V)

MABINI CAMPUS “Siguro doon banda sa Freedom Park.

Wala naman akong ginagawa kundi umupo lang pero kadalasan kapag nandoon kami, kumakain kami at nagkukwentuhan. Nakakatanggal stress ang chikahan!”

- Kaye Torres (IE II)

Photos by: Julius Caesar Dela Cruz and Ryan Cabael Layout by: Vicheartzel Rose Jayson and Ryan Cabael