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EDITORIAL // PAGE 3

100 ISU-I students were asked: “ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF TAKING 30% COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER SHOTS?” Pabor

PRESS-EATING PREDATOR

We are in favor of taking the booster shots for us to ensure the effectivity of vaccines against Covid Variants

The

Rising Phoenix

70%

The Official Publication of College of Education

Volume 1, Issue 1

Hindi Pabor

August 2021

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We are not in favor because of the harmul side effects of the vaccine

FEATURE // PAGE 4 Bright light in disguise: Sitio Tumidtid’s authentic Walis tambo

SPORTS // PAGE 5

Lifting the nation

ISPORTS // PAHINA 11 Onyok to receive P500k to compensate long overdue pledges

NEW VARIANT

Philippines reports first case of Lambda COVID-19 infection, second-highest daily new cases News Editor

The Philippines’ health department on August 15 has detected the first case of COVID19’s Lambda variant in the country, and reminded the public to strictly observe minimum public health standards.

The country recorded 14,749 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, its second-largest daily increase, bringing the Southeast Asian country’s total confirmed infections to 1.74 million.

The Department of Health also reported an additional 270 deaths, the third highest one-day spike

in fatalities, increasing the death toll to 30,340.

The World Health Organization classifies Lambda as a “variant of interest”, which was first identified in Peru in December, as laboratory studies showed it has mutations that resist vaccine-induced antibodies.

In a paper posted

on July 28 ahead of peer review, the researchers warn that with Lambda being labeled a “variant of interest” rather than a “variant of concern”, people might not realize it is a serious ongoing threat.

Although it is not clear yet

NEWS HEADLINES The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) affirms that 32 Filip inos have fled Afghanistan while 19 others are set to leave country “as soon as possible.”

130 FILIPINOS IN AFGHANISTAN SET TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY – DFA

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As coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients soared to 194 at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) on Tuesday, hospital CAGAYAN officials used VALLEY additional HOSPITAL HIRES 50 beds to MORE STAFF AS accommodate COVID-19 CASES more cases.

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In a survey conducted by the Pulse Asia for the 2022 national elections, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and President Rodrigo Duterte DUTERTEwere Filipinos’ top DUTERTE TANDEM DOMINATES presidential and PULSE ASIA PREvice presidential ELECTION POLL candidates.

DOH pressed to explain use of pandemic funds By: Juan Dela Cruz

News Editor

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The Commission on Audit (COA) questions Department of Health (DOH) regarding the 67.32-billion funds intended to fight COVID-19 pandemic.

COA’s annual audit report for DOH in 2020 revealed that the questioning of budget mainly for the pandemic purposes is caused by unsupported documents and non-compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

“As an example, some of the findings of deficiencies involving COVID-19 funds amounting to P67.3 Billion resulted from the non-submission of documentation or supporting papers, which the DOH may still submit in

For the additional news and information, visit the official publication of college of education: www.facebook.com/therisingphoenix

PAGE 2

By: Juan Dela Cruz

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? SUGGESTIONS? OPINIONS?

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From page 1 Philippines reports first case of Lambda COVID-19 infection....... whether this variant is more dangerous than the Delta variant now threatening populations in many countries.

Senior researcher Kei Sato of the University of Tokyo believes “Lambda can be a potential threat to the human society.”

Dr Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California, said the percentage of new Lambda cases reported to GISAID, a database that tracks SARS-CoV-2 variants.

In a recent call with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disease experts said Lambda did not appear to be causing increased transmissibility, and vaccines appear to be holding up well against it, said Dr William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center who attended the discussion.

From page 1 DOH pressed to explain use of pandemic funds compliance with the auditor’s recommendation.

Of the P67.3 Billion, P42.4 Billion consisted of fund transfers to procurement/ implementing partneragencies without the required documentation.

There is no finding that this amount cannot be accounted for,” COA explained.

As such, the commission argued that the audit process has not yet been completed, and that it is “premature” to make conclusions about the report as of the moment.

Moreover, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte is “withholding judgment” until after the DOH submits an explanation on the questionable handling of funds and COA releases its final audit report.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, in a statement, said the DOH is currently addressing the deficiencies reported by COA. “The flagged issues are currently being addressed by DOH. Rest assured, that the funds allotted to the DOH are all spent for the procurement of test kits, PPEs (personal protective equipment), payment of HCWs (healthcare workers) benefits, salaries of HRH (human resource for health), among others,” Duque said.

NEWS

130 Filipinos in Afghanistan set to leave the country – DFA By: Juan Dela Cruz

News Editor The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) affirms that 32 Filip inos have fled Afghanistan while 19 others are set to leave country “as soon as possible.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) mandated to have force evacuation of around 130 Filipinos in Afghanistan, as the Taliban continuously to have full control of the its capital known as Kabul.

On August 15, Alert level 4 was issued in Afghanistan due to the worsening situation in the country brought by the outrageous attacks of the Talibans, as a result the DFA raised its highest crisis alert level and it was issued because there is a full blown attacks both internal and external.

Under alert level 4, Philippine officials raised a force evacuation of all Filipinos in the area, and based from DFA there are is an estimated 130 Filipinos

living in the said country.

In August 16, the DFA affirms that 32 Filipinos had been evacuated on Sunday night and they were already in Doha, Qatar, waiting for the confirmation of their flights going back to the Philippines, and on the other hand there are also 19 Filipinos were set to leave Afghanistan.

The Philippine embassy in Pakistan and the DFA assured that its foreign posts “are exploring all avenues of cooperation and closely coordinating

with the governments and international partners to secure the safety of our countrymen who are in the middle of Taliban and Afghanistan war.”

Overnight, the Afghanistan was rapidly

Cagayan Valley hospital hires more staff as COVID-19 cases surge By: Juan Dela Cruz

News Editor As coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients soared to 194 at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) on Tuesday, hospital officials used additional 50 beds to accommodate more cases.

Dr. Glenn Mathew Baggao, CVMC hospital chief, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that they also beefed up their workforce with 100 nurses, doctors, medical technologists, and radiology technicians, and doubled up their ward supplies, ventilators, oxygen and other items.

“The trend, as we can see, is still increasing so we are having more workforce to do the jobs,” Baggao said.

Unless a tighter quarantine status from the existing general community quarantine is implemented

4 soldiers hurt, 3 Reds’ guns seized in Isabela clash

By: Juan Dela Cruz News Editor

especially in Cagayan, the “uptrend cases will further fill up hospitals primarily CVMC, the regional government hospital,” he said.

Baggao said of the current number of patients at CVMC, 163 are confirmed Covid-19 positive while 31 are suspected cases.

Cagayan province accounts for the bulk of CVMC patients with

146 cases, mostly from Tuguegarao City.

The other patients are from Isabela, Kalinga and Apayao provinces.

“It is so saddening for us as people tend to relax after getting vaccinated. Still, it is not a guarantee that you will be spared from the virus.

Much more that the Delta virus is already in the region,” Baggao said.

Duterte-Duterte tandem dominates Pulse Asia By: Juan Dela Cruz pre-election poll News Editor

In a survey conducted by the Pulse Asia for the 2022 national elections, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and President Rodrigo Duterte were Filipinos’ top presidential and vicepresidential candidates.

taken over by the Talibans as they continuously make rampage across the country and finally have taken control its capital, Kabul where the airport is located and from there, desperate Afghans are seeking to flee in the country waiting for flights to come.

Face-toface interviews were used to perform the survey fieldwork from June 7 to 16, 2021.

With 2,400 respondents, Sarah Duterte was the clear favorite for president by over 28% while 18% prefers President Duterte as Vice President.

Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso is second in the poll for president and vice president (14 %).

Other presidential bets are Senator Grace Poe with

10% votes, followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao with 8%, Vice President Leni Robredo with 6%, and Senator Panfilo Lacson with 4%.

On the other hand, Vice President bets were Senate President Vicente Sotto III (10%), former Senator Marcos (10%), Senator Pacquiao (9 %), Taguig City-Pateros Representative Cayetano (8%), and Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero (7%). The Pulse Asia used aW 2% error margin at the 95% confidence level.

Four government troops were wounded in a clash with 10 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at the mountains of Barangay Capellan in Ilagan City on Friday.

Maj. Jekyll Dulawan, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the wounded soldiers were airlifted from the site by the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 2 members and brought to the military hospital for treatment.

Recovered from the rebels after the 30-minute encounter between a platoon of soldiers of the 95th Infantry Battalion and the communist terrorists at about 7:30 a.m., were an M-16 Armalite rifle, two shotguns, three magazines, 53 bullets for M-16 rifle, five shotgun bullets, and personal belongings.

Lt. Col. Carlos Sangdaan Jr., 95th Infantry Battalion commander, said they would continue to focus their efforts on getting rid of insurgents.

EDITORIAL

03 RISING PHOENIX THE

EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITORIAL

PRESS-EATING PREDATOR By: Juan Dela Cruz

Dear Editor, I just want to commend the efforts and patience of our teachers in teaching us online. These are helpful for us

Editor In Chief

outbreak, Duterte Media, Rappler and ABSattacks to journalists and tripled his hate against CBN. These led to the media organizations, journalists who tell truths government-backed filing the Philippines has regarding government’s of cases against outspoken consistently slipped in incompetency in a form Rappler and the shutdown the World Press Freedom of a legalized weapon of the Philippines’ biggest Index, ranking 138th against dissenters – the broadcaster. Duterte out of 180 countries in anti-terrorism law. This law, accused the ABS-CBN of 2021. This is the fourth which the United Nations “swindling,” claiming that the consecutive year that and rights groups the Philippines are worried, could dropped in morph into an the index, Claiming that press expansive attempt which ranks to curtail press 180 countries freedom is well and freedom and according to alive in the Philippines, the freedom of the level of expression. Its freedom given though the cracks are vague definition to journalists of terrorism in a particular extremely evident, is an leaves Duterte’s locale. obvious manifestation of council even The Duterte greater room to hypocrisy that no vaccine administration identify, detain, has also backed and eliminate the the spread of could ever cure. administration’s disinformation, political enemies. online Duterte has also network did not show his harassment, and redrepeatedly attacked political ads during the 2016 tagging of journalists and journalists and media campaign season though perceived enemies of organizations, including they were already paid for. the government. Social Bulatlat, Catholic Mass Due to Duterte’s media played a huge

“

“

Despite the incessant attacks to journalists and media organizations, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on July 6, 2021 fed us again with another obvious lie – that press freedom is well and alive in the Philippines.

Since taking office in 2016, Duterte is a predator of press freedom. This claim was supported by Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders, an international organization founded in France in 1985 to advocate for press freedom worldwide. They recently revealed this year that Duterte is among the 37 global leaders in their gallery of “press freedom predators,” and that his “predatory method” is total war against independent media.

At the onset of the coronavirus

learners to learn all the skills and compitencies enshrined and most essential learning compitencies of the department of the Education I hope that they will continue in

LETTER TO THE EDITORIAL

doing so until we totally overcome this COVID-19 Pandemic.

-JUAN

Dear JUAN, Thank you for appreciating the efforts and patience of your teachers in forging your future by teaching you in the

part in President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 campaign, and it has continued to serve him well five years into his presidency. The President’s words against journalists – sometimes true, oftentimes not – are echoed on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. This influences public opinion on his political enemies.

There are also times when Duterte repeats false claims that netizens have made, giving these more credibility.

The Philippines is not a safe country for journalists based on international reports as Duterte and his allies are officials who can’t accept their lacking in good governance. Claiming that press freedom is well and alive in the Philippines, though the cracks are extremely evident, is an obvious manifestation of hypocrisy that no vaccine could ever cure.

best way possible despite the COVID-19 Pandemic. We hope that in return you also do your parts as students in learning during these trying times. -EDITOR

RESPONSE OF THE EDITOR

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? SUGGESTIONS? OPINIONS?

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Make known your thoughts by sending a message to our official Facebook account or to our email.

“I think journalism gets measured by the quality of information it presents, not the drama or Like & Follow us at: www.facebook.com/ the pyrotechnics associated with us,” therisingphoenix -Bob Woodward (1943-present)

FEATURES

Bright light in disguise:

Sitio Tumidtid’s authentic Walis Tambo By: Juan Dela Cruz Sports Editor

When the darkness hugs the sky and the surrounding starts to dim, that is when Det knows it’s time to load the gasoline and deal with the reckless sound of the generator. In contrast to the calm serenity in the daylight comes a little trouble when the dark approaches.

“For the information of everybody, Pancit Cabagan is not the only thing we can be proud of. We also have now our very own authentic Cabagan made walis-tambo” While scrolling through my socials, a post caught my attention. It is nowhere near everyday news. It is a first for me. “Cabagan’s first ever walis tambo maker” sounds like a great pride.

Reading along the comments and looking over the photos, it is really an astonishing event how a 21-year-old who lived all her life in a small town came to be surprised by such news. I have never thought Cabagan could produce and obtain raw materials to make walis tambo.

While working on what story to feature, a sense came to me to cover Sitio Tumidtid’s walis tambo makers. I thought it would be a story needed to be told. There, I met Bernadette Agualin, a 27-yearold walis tambo maker known as Det by her friends. At first, it was a struggle getting in touch with her. The choppy and unstable reception was a hindrance for both of us to catch each other’s sentences.

Det decided to end our call and scheduled another

in the evening. I could not understand much of her mumbling, and so I agreed.

After a busy long day, the sweet serene had arrived. It was past 7 pm when I texted Det if I can ring her up. Several minutes had passed but no response was made. I decided to call here directly. With a few failed attempts, her phone finally rang.

The night was cool and gloomy, it was a perfect kind of night for me but not to Det. When she answered my call, all I could hear from the other line was an overwhelming loud sound.

Out of nowhere I got a text notification. “I text kita pag ok na. Baka di tayo magkaintindihan ta malakas ang andar ng generator,” (I’ll text you when

everything is okay.

We might not understand each other because of the loud noise from the generator) It was a text from Det. Later on, I found out that the Sitio does not have permanent electric supply unlike the most part of the town because it is located on top of the mountains. They can only source out electricity from fuel powered generators that turn mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Electricity was a constant struggle for them but for us, it is a privilege we often ignore.

Det shared that she learned the art of making walis tambo when she was around 12. Growing up, she had seen his father work hard to create walis tambo to keep up with their family’s needs and to attend to the medical needs of her mother. At a young age, she had to

help her father and work for her own allowance.

According to her, the production is tiresome but enjoyable at the same time especially when done together.

It is the simple joy that brings their sitio to life.

Sometimes, people like me who are so used to ruralurban living tend to forget that Cabagan is but a small town despite progressive economy. I was emerged from the thought that buildings, infrastructures and technological advancements had topped town-life. We were subconsciously unaware that fast-pacing trends leave stagnant and reverse development.

There are still people who are left behind despite this walk-forward development, people such as Det. Sales of walis tambo are sadly not enough to help it sky-rocket production and expand opportunities for livelihood in the sitio. It is really a waste to sleep on their industrial and budget-friendly products.

When asked about their motivation to keep the business running is, Det revealed that, with a stable number of buyers this field could flourish and help other people in their sitio to have jobs that could shoulder their daily needs. She also added that they are in deep gratitude for

the Local

Government Unit of Cabagan in highlighting their product to the public, as it somehow helps them to gain new buyers.

Now that we are in trying times, let us show that we are one. Small gestures such as promotion and buying could also help them draw more power to leap, we just have to be louder than the sound of their generator at night.

In such way, Cabagan can step up hand in hand without leaving anyone behind—that is when we can say, we are successful!

Truly, a story like Det and her sitio’s manifests high caliber determination and perseverance. Their shortcomings paved the way for them to level up and be recognized. The bright yellow walis tambo became their light in disguise.

In the future, I am hoping to cover this soon-to-be success story.

SPORTS

05 RISING PHOENIX THE

Lifting the nation By: Juan Dela Cruz

Sports Editor

Hidilyn Diaz lifted the weight of the Filipinos’ hopes and expectations on her shoulders, then hoisted the bar overhead with a record-breaking lift to deliver the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal ever in 97 years of its participation in the quadrennial games.

The victory capped a 12-year journey that began in Beijing when, as a wildcard entry at age 17, she became the first Filipina weightlifter to compete in the 2008 Olympics. While she broke the Southeast Asian Games record she set earlier, she finished second to last but gained valuable experience in international competition. She was our flag-bearer at the 2012 London Olympics but failed to make the grade after several unsuccessful attempts Diaz’s silver medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games followed boxer Anthony Villanueva’s unprecedented feat in the 1964 Tokyo Games.

Interviewed in 2019, she waxed prophetic: “I won gold in the 2018 Asian Games (Jakarta) and gold, too in the SEA Games (Clark Field); I claim the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

gold.”

During the year-long

made up of head coach Kaiwen Gao from China, and

postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she underwent rigorous training in Malaysia with her HD (her initials) Team

strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo. A few days before the opening ceremony in Tokyo, she was also joined by sports nutritionist Jeaneth Aro and sports psychologist Dr. Karen Trinidad.

She received substantial support from the MVP Sports Foundation of business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan who, like San

medal winners. These amounts match the incentives provided for them under Republic Act 10699. Millions of Filipino fans are hoping that our first Olympic gold medalist will receive her well-deserved rewards tax-free. The road to Olympic gold was thorny and torturous. With the desolation brought on by the pandemic, Hidilyn – like all other Olympic hopefuls – overcame formidable challenges.

Hidilyn Diaz made an HD Day, a day of triumph for hard work and determination. After receiving the prized gold medal, the gritty, talented Filipina – also a Philippine Air Force sergeant – made a snappy salute to our flag as the hushed crowd listened to our national anthem, Lupang Hinirang (Land of the Morning) played for the first time since the country joined the Olympics 97 years ago.

Miguel CEO Ramon S. Ang, pledged a P10 million cash prize to Olympic gold

From page 6

er t’s the diamet a h W : n io t es u ?

1. Q hoop in inches ll a b t ke s a b a of

Onyok to receive P500k to compensate long overdue pledges members of the House of Representatives in 1996.

He has yet to receive the transfer certificate title of the house and lot

he got from winning.

Velasco wished that such incident would not happen to the medal bearing athletes, Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial who won in

the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The government assures Velasco incentive controversy will not happen again.

hes.

Answer: 18 inc

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2 ? w many years held every ho rs.

Answer: 4 yea

t sport is bes t a h W : n io t es 3. Qu of sports’? g in ‘k e h t s a known .

Answer: Soccer

SURVEY

SPORTS // PAGE 5

Lifting the nation

100 Students of ISU-I Were asked: “TO WHOM YOU ARE COMFORTABLE TO PLAY WITH??”

The Official Publication of College of Education

Family

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Onyok to receive P500k to compensate long overdue pledges

60%

Friends

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By: Juan Dela Cruz Sports Editor

Olympic silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco to receive P500,000 from the government to sustain unfulfilled promises made to him after winning in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

“The office of the President is currently processing the provision of financial assistance amounting 500,000 pesos for Velasco” Senator Bong Go asserts, the chairman of the Committee on Sports.

In an interview, the former boxer revealed that he received P750,000 cash incentives, and was able to acquire additional 1.2 million under the administration of Gloria Arroyo due to Republic Act No. 9064—the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act. However, Velasco cleared out that he did not receive the said P2.5 million pledged by the

5

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Technological advancements behind parasports Tokyo 2020 Games, the advances of technology with new materials and improved designs from prosthetics carbon fiber to wheelchair with assisting device was advancing for para sports.

The technological advances brought changes and impacted the years of para sports.

Tokyo as the center of technological advances created specialized equipment for individual athletes with a range of disabilities.

These were only a few instances of how technology was employed in para sport.

Badminton chairs was one of the

By: Juan Dela Cruz Sports Editor

advance technology for para sports, as it debuts, the wheelchairs have a backrest and extra caster wheels at the rear to allow players to move freely and twist or lean backwards without tipping over as they deliver long and short service.

Second, cycling track racing bikes, para -athletes were allowed to make modifications in racing a 60 I’m/h track such as handlebars were changed for athletes with arm impairment depending on their condition, while athletes with leg amputations were able to attach their prosthetics to the pedal.

Release brace in archery was also one of the assistive devices in para sports having a manual trigger mechanism added in order for the archer to release the arrow.

The running blades, a j-shaped prosthetics composed of carbon fiber that aided an amputee athlete in stepping forward during a sprint, vertical jump or long jump.

Wheelchair racing chairs and gloves, the advances made were the wheelchairs made of carbon fiber technology making it lighter and stable, and the wheels also have a 10-15 degrees camber to add lateral stability when an athlete is going at speed. The gloves have 3D printing technology to customize for the athletes.

The tapping devices in swimming, these were soft-end long poles called “tappers” assisting athletes with vision impairment to notify by tapping the swimmers on the head, shoulder or back to turn when they are about to approach the wall.

These technological advances made clear that the sports in paralympic was becoming more interesting and advancing like the Olympic sports.

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