The SLHS Flambeau | 2023

UNWAVERING PATRIOTISM:

“ Respect and patriotism prevail as students from Sta. Lucia High School proudly raise their right hand to recite the amended ‘Panatang Makabayan’, exemplifying the enduring spirit of loyalty to the nation.

DDEPED AMENDS PANATANG MAKABAYAN

epartment of Education (DepEd) announced the revision of the national pledge ‘Panatang Makabayan’ from ‘nagdarasal’ to ‘nananalangin’ in accordance with DepEd Order No. 004, s. 2023, signed by Vice President Sara Duterte on February 14, 2023.

The Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching (OUCT) took the initiative on briefing different organizations concerning the terminology change in Panatang Makabayan. The Linguistic Society of the Philippines stated that they found the proposal for the changes to be “well-written and sufficiently rationalized.” On the other hand, the Pambansang

QUEZON CITY WELCOMES NEW SCHOOLS DIVISION

•Claire Ashlee D. Ramirez

With the reassignment of Schools Division Superintendent in the National Capital Region on April 3, 2023, Quezon City warmly welcomes Carleen S. Sedilla, CESO V, to be appointed as the new Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) for Quezon City.

The reassignment was officially announced in Memorandum No. ROP-2023-17 from Department of Education National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Wilfredo E. Cabral, CESO III, released on March 28, 2023, and effective on April 3, 2023. The reassignments were done and signed by the Undersecretary for Human

SUPERINTENDENT

Resources and Organizational Development, Gloria Jumamil - Mercado on March 20, 2023.

SDS Carleen S. Sedilla, CESO V was originally from the Muntinlupa City Schools Division Office. Meanwhile, Dr. Jenilyn Rose B. Corpuz, Quezon City’s Schools Division Superintendent, has been designated to the Schools Division Office of Caloocan City.

The Schools Division Superintendent was also instructed to set foot on their new posts on or before April 3, 2023, which will thus serve as their official first day in service. Additionally, they

are advised to pay a courtesy call to their respective local government units before April 3 and may be accompanied by the departing SDS. SDS Sedilla made a courtesy call to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on April 14, 2023, according to the Quezon City Government’s Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Mayor Belmonte, Education Affairs Unit Chief Maricris Veloso, and departing SDS Jenilyn Rose Corpuz highlighted the ongoing projects to address the issues that the schools are facing in order to enhance education-related issues in the city.

Additionally stated in the same document was the expectation that DepEd Region VII Assistant Regional Director Cristito Eco would be transferred, also effective on April 3. 2023.

Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino accepted the changes as the term ‘nagdarasal’ is more solemn and diverse. It is more inclusive as it does not pertain to specific religions only.

According to the memorandum, as also indicated by the locals who constitute indigenous cultural communities, as well as by members of the Muslim and Moro communities, dalangin is more spiritual and all-encompassing than dasal. According to the data the Philippine Bible Society presented, using native vocabulary whenever possible is encouraged when the Bible is being translated into various Philippine languages. The Language Study Center of the Philippine Normal University had a different viewpoint regarding the sub-

ject but eventually expressed their support on OUCT’s final decision.

This directive is immediately effective upon its approval and publication on the official DepEd website. Strict compliance with the said order should be observed in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 1265, also known as An Act Making Flag Ceremony Compulsory in All Educational Institutions. The memorandum also reaffirmed RA 8491, known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which issues orders on the observance of flag-raising ceremonies. ‘Panatang Makabayan’ shall be recited in flag-raising ceremonies, classes, and official school programs. The revised version of the pledge is as follows.

SLHS INDUCES ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY MODE

•Jeddah S. Angeles

Sta. Lucia High School conducted an Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) in accordance with the DepEd Memorandum OASOPS No. 2023-077 dated April 20, 2022, with the subject on Reiteration of the Implementation of Modular Distance Learning as provided in DepEd Order No. 037, s. 2022. This was put into effect as the country is in the middle of an extreme heat wave due to the summer crisis.

SLHS Flambeau created a poll for random students of morning and afternoon classes regarding their views about the current modality of education that is being implemented. Out of 70 respondents, 47.1% preferred the newly utilized ADM. Meanwhile, 42.9% still prefer the implementation of full face-to-face classes, and the 10% abstained.

In the first week of the newly introduced ADM, according to the memorandum, face-to-face classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students in Grades 8 and 10, and on Wednesdays and Fridays for students in Grades 7 and 9. During the second week, Grade 10 and Grade 8 students have face-to-face classes on Monday, Wednesday, and with a shortened period on Friday while students from Grades 7 and 9 have face-to-face classes on Tuesday, Thursday, and also with a shortened period on Friday.

STUDENTS POLL

70 respondents

47% 43% 10%

/views on Alternative Delivery Mode

PHOTO BY: ALDEN GAVE M. VELASCO

SOURCE: QCGov

Claire Ashlee D. Ramirez

SEN. REVILLA JR. SPONSORS SENATE BILL NO. 1964

•Jhay-em C. Cuales

Senate Bill No. 1964 with Committee Report No. 40 that seeks to increase the daily cash allowance of public school teachers, which is currently set at P20, has been filed at the Senate plenary on March 14, 2023.

NCR

only P5,000 for the entire year, which, when divided by the 203 school days declared by the DepEd (Department of Education) for School Year 2022-2023, amounts to only P24 per day.

SOURCE: mb.com.ph

SINGLE TICKETING SYSTEM

APPROVES

Single ticketing system implementation in the National Capital Region was approved in a memorandum of agreement signed by all 17 mayors, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

The ordinance may be known as The Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 which aims to “harmonize the existing national and local laws on traffic enforcement and establish an effective transport and traffic management system in Metro Manila.”

The Single Ticketing System is implemented via uniform ticket called the “Uniform Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR)” which shall be recognized by the MMDA, LTO, and all Local Government Units’

deputized traffic personnel.

The traffic code also points out the common traffic violations in Metro Manila together with their corresponding penalties.

Here are the few listed most common traffic violations under the single-ticketing system; disregarding traffic signs; illegal parking; number coding Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP); truck ban; light truck ban; reckless driving; unregistered motor vehicle; driving without license; tricycle ban; obstruction; dress code for motorcycle; overloading; defective motorcycle accessories; unauthorized modification; arrogance/discourteous conduct; loading and unloading in prohibited zone; illegal counterflow; and overspeeding.

In MMDA’s press re-

lease on February 1, 2023, the agency’s Acting chairman Atty. Don Artes said it would benefit motorists as they can now pay their traffic-related violations wherever, regardless of the city they have been caught

“This is a historic moment for all of us because after more than twenty years, Metro Manila is finally adopting the single ticketing system that will highly benefit our motorists. The single ticketing system would help avoid confusion among our driving public as well as an option to pay electronically for their violations. Driver’s license will also not be confiscated during apprehension,” he stated.

Metro Manila Council President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, said the pilot run for the system will be imposed in seven cities starting on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

QC HEALTH DEPARTMENT SPEARHEADS TEEN WALK TO HEALTH

Quezon City Health Department launched a Teen Walk to Health Activity, supported by Barangay Sta. Lucia and Sangguniang Kabataan Councils on March 20 and March 22, 2023, at Sta. Lucia High School. Selected students from SLHS and Sta. Lucia Senior High School participated in the said event.

The first day of the activity consisted of a seminar for the student leaders of SLHS Supreme Student Government and SLSHS Presidents who served as the facilitators for the program. They were given a special training by different health workers of the

QC Health Department including midwives, dentists, psychologists, doctors, and many more to help them hone their skills for the specific stations that will be utilized for the main event.

The event consisted of 10 different stations with topics that talks about certain health issues of the youth, namely Munting Maria, HIV and Me, My Life, My Choice, Young Healthy Mind, Healthy Smile, Go Forth and Bear Fruit, Love Me, Protect Me, and I am Strong, I am Free.

On March 22, 2023, the main event commenced wherein students from both schools were gathered into different

groups and strolled around the stations of the event. Participants were also given freebies including free condoms, stickers and other items. They were provided with evaluation forms to further evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the student-facilitators.

After every group finished routing the different stations, the facilitators were given recognition through an awarding ceremony where they received certificates for their efforts for the program. The event concluded with the thanksgiving messages of the SLHS SSG President and Vice President.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. had the honor of sponsoring Senate Bill No. 1964 with Committee Report No. 40, which aims to institutionalize the provision of a teaching supplies allowance for our public school teachers. Additionally, funds will be appropriated to support this initiative.

In his sponsorship speech, he expressed that it could be said that our teachers are facing a challenging situation of being overworked and underpaid. Currently, they receive a cash allowance of

“The present cash allowance comprises a P500 provision for medical examination, which we propose to deduct and allocate towards the purchase of educational materials and equipment. This will amount to only P20 per day. It is worth noting that this amount is less than the cost of a box of chalk or a rim of bond paper,” he said.

According to the bill, it is proposed that the teaching supplies allowance per teacher for school year 2023-2024 be set at P7,500 and for school year 20242025 be increased to P10,000.

SLHS JOURNEYS THROUGH TAGISAN SA SIPNAYAN

The Division Office of Quezon City held the “Tagisan sa Sipnayan” at San Bartolome High School on March 28, 2023 from 7 a.m to 5 p.m.

Several schools around Quezon City participated in the event, including Sta. Lucia High School. SLHS’ chosen candidates are Dianne Mission from Grade 7-Wisdom, Christopher Salvador from Grade 8-Einstein, Ian Co-

mandante from Grade 9-Anthurium, and Raven Lavado from Grade 10-Abraham. Ma’am Vicky Urbien guided the participants until the very end of the competition.

Raven Lavado from Grade 10- Abraham, won third place while Dianne Mission ranked 10. With these achievements, Sta. Lucia High School ranked 16th place with overall 35 well-earned points.

SOURCE: SLHS THE FLAMBEAU

•Darren B. Atienza

•Ken Charles B. Asoma

•Kent Wynne R. Palaganas

ENGLISH MONTH

•Keisha B. Estipona

SLHS English Club organized a program dedicated to the awardees who engaged in different activities for the SLHS English month on December 3, 2022, via Facebook Live on the SSG official Facebook page.

English month is a month-long celebration encouraging and promoting the students’ love and talent in reading and writing. Contests and activities were created in order to give the students the opportunity to develop and

MATHEMATICS MONTH

LUCIANS EMBRACE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

showcase their literary skills and promote love for reading.

Grade level representatives actively participated in the contest proper of the said event. Lucians at any level can join in Declamation, Essay Writing, Extemporaneous, Oratorical, Spelling Bee, Spoken Poetry, and Storytelling together with the facilitators in each category.

Some activities were conducted on the spot; Spelling Bee, and Extemporaneous

SLHS MATHEMATICS MONTH MARKS ITS CONCLUSION

athematics Month, themed “Mathematics for Everyone,” which aimed to unite people despite different races, the unique language of Math is something in common, ended via culminating activity at Sta. Lucia High School on January 31, 2023, at 1 PM.

Principal of SLHS, Ma’am Marissa F. Duka, started the program with her inspirational message, followed by the welcome remarks of Mathemat-

MAPEH MONTH

ics Head Teacher, Ma’am Judith Bautista. Math Club president, Raven Lavado, then motivated the students with his words of encouragement. “Although marami din akong ‘di alam sa Math, syempre I still give my best to understand things, even though it takes time. So everyone, if there’s a will, there will be progress,” he said.

SLHS Math teachers awarded the winners in the competitions. The teachers

FESTIVITIES SLHS ENDS MARCH WITH

Month theme was “Ani ng Sining, Bunga ng Galing,” which aspires to rejoice the bountiful harvest of the Filipino imagination and immerse the Filipinos in diverse cultural expressions.

Speech contests occurred in the Speech Laboratory, the Essay Writing contest took place in the library, and the rest was held online.

Winners of the essay writing contest for each grade level are Jean Louis Padilla, Mizuki Akira Amorto, John Christopher Vicente, and Vince Aldrine Chiquino. Followed by Spelling Bee awardees, Dianne Mission, Leila Margarette Sus, Ian Landrach Comandante, and

Rionne James Rendora. Storytelling winners are Manuel Baltazar, Kate Chelsea Ompod, Annia Elize Bastes, and Stephanie Calumpang. Donnalyn Caspe achieved 1st place in

Declamation. Meanwhile, for the Extemporaneous contest, Davie John was declared as the winner. Lastly, Grade 10 representative, Olive Grace Tarrangco won the Oratorical Contest.

STA. LUCIA INITIATES A COMMUNAL EFFORT

were tasked with their respective activities: Ma’am Sharon Lucero and Sir Eduardo C. Betco for Damath; Ma’am Melinda T. Rosete and Ma’am Kath Manalili for SUDOKU; Sir Ivan Inumerable for ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’, Ma’am Ma. Victoria S. Urbien; Ma’am Melissa C. Ting; Sir Glenn de Guzman for Mathematricks; and Sir

The winners of the Wellness Dance Contest from Grade 8–Einstein carried out their winning performance while the Galaw Pilipinas champions from 8-Archimedes also showed their performance to the audience. A trophy and certificate were then presented to them after their performance.

Other performers at the event included the Likhawitan and Pop Solo champions. SLHS-KWERDAS also performed the National Anthem, and the song “Jopay” by Mayonnaise for their first ever special performance.

Winners from the var-

Rene

Rubik’s cube final round occurred to end the activity, where all four of the fastest cubers in all grade levels competed. Davie John Francisco from 9-Carnation is victorious and still managed to be the first to finish, even though he dropped his cube during his solve.

ious contests like Likhawitan, Poster Making, Card Making, Pop Solo, and Laro ng Lahi were also awarded during the culminating activity. The Laro ng Lahi included Dodgeball, Luksong Lubid, and Patintero.

The event was led by MAPEH teachers Sir CJ Durante and Ma’am Czirish Tubil as the Masters of Ceremony. The activity successfully concluded with a closing message from Ma’am Filda Sobremisana.

The program truly highlighted the Lucians’ talents, skills, and passion for the arts, singing, and dancing.

arangay Sta. Lucia initiated a clean-up drive on streets around Sta. Lucia High School particularly Diego SIlang St., A. Dela Cruz St., and J. Luna St. on April 25, 2023. Ma’am Marissa F. Duka wished for a clean-up drive to maintain cleanliness and lessen the pile-up of debris that could cause disturbance at the school.

“Dahil na rin sa kahilingan ni SLHS Principal Dr. Marissa Duka na malinis at maalis ang mga tambak na kahoy, basura, atbp., sila po ay humingi ng tulong sa ating Kapitan Ruel S. Marpa kasama ang Kagawads MWF Kgd. Mike, Kgd. Wendy at Kgd. Frank. Agaran po itong inaksyunan at nagsagawa ng Clean-up Drive Operation sa paligid katuwang ang masisipag na street sweepers ng ating barangay,” Barangay Sta. Lucia wrote in their post.

The Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works of Quezon City (DSQC) also participated in the clean-up drive.

The SLHS Supreme Student Government extended their gratitude to Hon. Ruel S. Marpa and to DSQC for participating in the clean-up drive.

This year’s MAPEH

•Darren B. Atienza

•Laurice Donalee A. Engalan

Apolonio for Agimath.

ta. Lucia High School marks the end of MAPEH month with a culminating activity on the school quadrangle on March 2, 2023.

•Claire Ashlee D. Ramirez

SOURCE: SLHS THE FLAMBEAU

SOURCE: SLHS THE FLAMBEAU

When a person has the authority to cause another person’s pain, suffering, and harm, what terrible animal instinct takes over? Fraternity members congregate and appear to revel in the strength and pleasure of sadism as they torture and beat another person to death. It occurs frequently in public colleges like the esteemed University of the Philippines, as well as in the socalled Catholic universities of this country. Another tragic hazing-related fatality has been making news recently, perhaps in mocking of Republic Act No. 8049, also known as the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995, as amended by RA 11053 of 2018. This law outlawed hazing in all its forms.

However, hazing continues to take place throughout the country despite the existence of this law. Some contend that hazing is a fundamental component of Filipino culture and serves as a means for groups to form bonds and camaraderie. At the same time, others contend that hazing is an unacceptable form of bullying and abuse that shouldn’t have a place in society.

A young student at Catholic Adamson University, John Matthew Salilig, was brutally and savagely murdered on February 18, 2023, by his fellow students after suffering 70

blows to every part of his body during a crazed frenzy of continuous beating with wooden paddles during a hazing ritual of a fraternity initiation.

After John Matthew Salilig was murdered, 15 suspects were found. It was discovered that they had attempted to cover up their murder. After carrying the body of the 24-yearold deceased chemical engineering student to a student’s car, they drove to the back of a subdivision, where they buried their victim in a shallow grave.

After the Salilig case came to the limelight, the Public Attorney’s Office disclosed Ronnel M. Baguio’s case, who was declared dead in December 2022. He joined Tau Gamma Phi while studying at the University of Cebu. Baguio reportedly incurred injuries from the initiation that eventually led to his death.

This leads to the question: what kind of upbringing creates young monsters, and what kind of careless idiocy causes them to disregard the existence of a law that forbids hazing and other aggressive, abusive, and demeaning ini-

tiation rites and imposes severe fines?

Isn’t it ironic that there are still an alarm-

ing number of fraternity-hazing cases in “child-friendly” educational facilities nationwide? As this law boasts its power to bound hazing in metal chains, is it enough to combat hazing, or has the government officially become a playground of washed-up celebrities, retired athletes, and “well-mannered” politicians?

Our country had already seen many gut-wrenching fraternity-hazing cases. Leonardo “Lenny” Villa, who died in February 1991 at the hands of the Aquila Legis Fraternity, was one of them. Most of the suspects in his case even became lawyers despite their involvement in his death.

With this, take a look and find out where the application of “child-friendly school” is. Many of us have seen them displayed around school premises. The Department of Educa-

Kennevic C. Dela PeNa

Hanz Louise F. Delos Santos

tion’s (DepEd) mission even states that “Students should learn in a child-friendly, safe, and motivating environment”. Can you say that it is really “child-friendly” or is it just a counterfeit display of a school’s “safe and motivating environment” just to say they comply with DepEd’s mission?

Holding perpetrators accountable for their acts, and efforts should be made to stop hazing from occurring again, as well as supporting the victims to deal with the damages they’ve done. This should’ve been the entire point and the true exhibition of the power of this law. It is the reason why this law exists in the first place, and its given power to bind it in chains isn’t powerful enough to combat it.

While there are frater-

alliah mayjohn p. rivera

Juliana Rose C Salonga

Photojournalists

Justin T. tabuzo

nities and sororities that aren’t like the ones mentioned above, students should stop interacting with fraternities and sororities and start preventing hazing rather than merely responding to it. They should exist to form a brotherhood, not to encourage violence against other people. We act as though it is now.

Hazing is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. It is important to continue raising awareness about the dangers of hazing and to enforce laws and regulations that prohibit these activities. At the same time, efforts should be made to promote alternative forms of team-building and socialization that do not involve violence or intimidation.

With that, look back and think: is the law not powerful enough, or is hazing that’s too much to handle?

b. asoma, Kent Wynne

R. Palaganas, Jeddah S. Angeles, Clarence Arkell

Ken Mathew S. Amuan Science editor

Marc Daniel T. David FEAture editor

Cedrich V. Araza SPORTS EDITOR

Alden gave m. velasco

Dwyane P. Mission

Franchesca Rain

Hewlett P. Lagmay LAYOUT ARTISTs

Aljur B. Lintag cartoonists

John Andrey A. Francisco

Circulation manager

Keisha B. Estipona, Tessa mae degamo, Laurice donalee

a. engalan, Jhay-em

C. cuales, ken charles

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E. Corpuz, Ayesha Alvie A. Planas, Eira Jhane D. Ferraro, Juan Miguel A. Leonardo, John Lloyd E. Cruz, Juliana Marie P. Fojas, Sean lewis O. Torres, Rain L. Dimaliwat Contributors

THE SLHS FLAMBEAU

art by: Justin T.

Not gonna lie... ChatGPT wrote half of this.

Hi! I am Jaecarl Benedict D. Barcela and I’m writing a column article about you. Can you tell me who you are, what you do, and how you work?

I am an AI language model developed by OpenAI called ChatGPT. I’m based on the GPT-3.5 architecture. My purpose is to assist users like you in generating human-like text responses based on the prompts and questions I receive.

Regarding how I work, I have been trained on a vast amount of text data from the internet. This training data helps me learn patterns, understand language, and generate coherent and contextually relevant responses. When you provide me with input, I analyze the context and try to generate a response that makes sense within that context.

You say that you are “trained on a vast amount of text data from the internet”. Are you aware that students are abusing this? What do you think of it?

AI models like me can indeed be usedindividuals to generate outputs for various purposes, including academic work. While the availability of powerful language models has its advantages, it also raises concerns about plagiarism and ethical use. It’s essential for users to understand the ethical implications

of their actions and adhere to academic integrity standards.

OpenAI is committed to addressing concerns related to AI misuse. They have acknowledged the need for responsible AI usage and have actively worked on research and development to improve AI guidelines and policies. OpenAI has been actively engaging with the research and user community to gather feedback and insights on the impact and risks associated with AI technology. They have also made efforts to make the development and deployment of AI models more transparent and understandable.

It’s ultimately the responsibility of users and educational institutions to establish guidelines and policies regarding the appropriate use of AI technology in academic settings. By promoting ethical practices and fostering a culture of integrity, we can ensure that AI tools are used in a responsible and beneficial manner.

“What is your message to the people using you to gain an advantage in academics?

To those who may be tempted to use AI models like me to gain an advantage in academics, I would like to emphasize the importance of integrity and ethical conduct. While it might be tempting to rely on AI-generated outputs, it is essential to recognize the value of genuine

learning, critical thinking, and personal effort. Education is not just about achieving good grades or outcomes; it is about acquiring knowledge, developing skills, and fostering intellectual growth. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty not only undermine the learning process but also devalue the achievements of others. I encourage students to embrace the opportunities education offers, seek understanding, ask questions, and engage in honest and diligent work. By doing so, you can truly reap the rewards of knowledge and personal development, which are far more valuable in the long run than any shortcut or temporary advantage.

Isn’t it scary? How students can easily manipulate their schoolworks with the use of Artificial intelligence for their academic advancements (P.S. The conversation is a real and an unaltered conversation between me and my new best friend, ChatGPT.)

It’s a well-known fact that AI, also known as “artificial intelligence”, is developed for the better future of the world. However, when people abuse it, Is it still for the better?

I know a lot of you have heard of or even used ChatGPT before. Let me just ask you a question. Did you get a good grade from it? I’m guessing yes, given the fact that ChatGPT is literally de-

veloped for academic writing.

The rapid growth of AI usage in the academic field is super concerning. The line between a smart student and a person who uses AI is becoming significantly blurry. Teachers nowadays are having a hard time grading papers. When a paper is really good, then they think twice because who knows? Maybe ChatGPT wrote it.

We have this classmate who’s actually a consistent honor student, even back then when we were elementary students. So, when he was consistently at the top of our class no one really questioned him.

Our teacher eventually caught up to his grand scheme. Catching him red handed as he forgot to close his ChatGPT tab on the library computer when he passed his paper. In his defense, he only took “inspirations” from ChatGPT and then paraphrased it.

Our teacher cannot believe that a consistent honor student cheated on a paper. She was so shocked to the point where she now has trust issues on whether a student actually created the paperwork or if it is created by AI. He eventually got removed from the list of awardees and got proper punishment.

However, is it fine? Have we accepted the fact that students are able to just let an

artificial intelligence create his or her work for them? Although it allows students to create masterpieces in a span of three minutes, it also creates a culture of academic dishonesty.

I even heard one of my classmates say “mag ChatGPT nalang ako para sa reporting tapos kabisaduhin ko para madali”. It’s not fair to those who actually studied their reports. It’s not fair to the teachers who expect you to actually study your report.

As someone who came from Section One, with a bunch of unrealistic expectations pointed at me. I understand how it can be frustrating and draining for a lot of us to keep up with the never-ending backlogs. However, it does not justify cheating.

I thought we already established that cheating is cheating? People are quick to judge people by cheating on their spouses, then treats cheating on paper works as if it is morally right and a normal thing to do. I guess it’s natural since technology is advancing rapidly with society. But do not let your academic integrity to slip away like a bar of soap.

SOGIE Bill: A spectrum of expression

he Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Bill has been a topic of controversy and debate in the Philippines for several years now. By outlawing discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression and granting equal opportunity and legal protection, this bill seeks to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

One of the main objections to the Bill is that it violates the morals and values that are prevalent in traditional Filipino culture. Some of the bill’s

•Kassandra Yshi Dalida

Tdetractors contend that it encourages same-sex marriage, which they believe goes against the sacredness of marriage as it is outlined in the constitution.

The realities that the LGBTQ+ community must deal with are not acknowledged by these arguments. As many people are aware, there is a serious issue with discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. Filipinos experience harassment and discrimination at work, in the classroom, and even in their own families. Many people are at risk due to the absence of legal protection.

Have they forgotten that these people who are part of the LGBQ+ communi-

ty are also part of their jurisdiction? Which literally conveys that these people deserve to be well protected as well. We are talking about basic human rights; they are not a luxury. For far too long, members of the LGBTQ+ community have endured suffering as a result of being a part of this community.

The Bill protects homosexuals while simultaneously shielding us from the prejudice they hardly ever face. They are rights that we all deserve, not privileges that should only be granted to those who have proven themselves deserving of a place where they can feel safe in the world.

As Bienvenido Abante Jr. filed a bill to protect heterosexuals, which aims to recognize, define, and protect the rights of heterosexuals, the

LGBTQIA+ rights advocacy group called it a “joke of a law.”

Abante’s presentation of LGBTQ+ rights as “special claims’’ is problematic because he ignores the fact that they are the exact same rights that heterosexual people already have. The demand is for equality, but HB 5717 is pure hatred. Abante then invokes Section 5 of Article III of the Constitution of 1987, which enshrines the right to the free exercise of religion. Abante, however, conveniently forgets that the very first part of that provision also contains the separation of church and state.

The Bill defends all Filipinos, regardless of their gender identification. The bill will be advantageous to everyone. It would just be redundant if the SOGIE Bill were approved in the state of Abante’s proposed

heterosexual bill as well. It is time to pass the SOGIE bill, as it protects the LGBTQIA+ community in general.

Hontiveros and the other 18 senators deserve praise for their support of this legislation. Howls of shame are heard from the other five, who cannot comprehend reason and logic about how everyone has the same rights, regardless of gender identity.

I, as a part of the youth, am really hoping that our government realizes how important this is. Youth is the hope of the nation. By passing this bill, the Philippines is demonstrating its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights for all Filipinos.

•Jaecarl Benedict D. Barcela

Init , beh”

•Jamela D. Larze

•Dandreb B. Jimenez

h, the blissful days of summer! Who doesn’t love the idea of a month-long vacation?

But hold on a moment; classes are still in session! This summer season is quite a struggle for students as they attempt to maintain their focus on their academic performance. Just imagine yourself seated in a

classroom, your body drenched in sweat, your eyes slowly drooping under the scorching heat, and yet the expectation remains for you to actively participate in class. Keeping students engaged and studying throughout the year might seem like a good idea, but the reality is much more complicated than that.

As the Philippines finally returns to its regular setup after the pandemic, there have been several adjustments. One of them is that students are required to attend classes despite the fact that it’s summer and the oppressive heat will burden them while they are studying.

“I myself have experienced multiple headaches

Hear One’s Powerful Voice.

•Eira Jhane D. Ferraro

ka nagpapalda?”

and dizziness because of the extreme temperatures, and not just that, having to wear a stuffy uniform in a compact classroom with 48 other people with just a fan as our source of cool air definitely did not help with the heat. I’m weak to heat, so it definitely affected my overall school performance. Not being in the right state of mind because of the dizziness and headaches definitely hit my outputs. However, in order to get good grades, I’m doing my best to listen, learn, and pass my activities on time despite this hot temperature we are experiencing,” stated a student who also experienced the hassle that the mismatch caused.

Despite the fact that students undergo this hardship, isn’t it alarming that they are putting their health on the line just to achieve a good grade and academic validation?

“Sobrang hirap dahil bilang ina, sobra akong nagaalala sa mangyayari sa mga anak ko ngayong sobrang init sa la-

bas pero kinakailangan nilang pumasok. Kapag ba naheatstroke mga anak ko may magagawa ba ang DepEd?” said Arlene M. Basa, a parent whose top priority is her child’s health. Isn’t she right, though? Will DepEd even bat an eyelid when something happens to students? Well yeah, DepEd took action when it was literally too late; it’s like they are living one week behind normal Filipinos.

Not only students but also teachers suffer from the desert-like temperature we are experiencing. It’s no easy task to keep the children motivated and attentive; adding the additional burden of hot weather makes their work more challenging. It would be like expecting a basketball player to dunk while wearing heavy weights. Although it’s not impossible, it certainly makes the work more difficult.

Some say it’s only “kaartehan,” but was it really just “kaartehan” or did people just get used to regular classes

where summer is typically a time for students to recharge and relax before the next academic year? But now attending classes during this time is mandatory, and it can make you feel like you never really got a break. Instead of posting beach photos to flex on social media, students post their rants about how their classroom and hell are almost alike. We can’t deny the fact that studying while the weather is as hot as Dingdong Dantes really sucks.

Higher-ups were not affected by the mismatch, which is why it is no surprise that they are not overly concerned about it. I hope one day they realize how crucial the mismatch is to us “people” and finally take effective action. Because we are not heat-resistant stainless steel, but humans.

t was late at night. I was using my cellphone and was ready to tap that Facebook icon. As soon as I opened it, I only got to see those agitating comments discriminating against women and the LGBTQIA+ community regarding gender-neutral uniforms here in the Philippines. They are not even our own parents to pay for our tuition, so why bother and interfere with our chosen clothes?

Comprehension is what we Filipinos lack. Some tend to say, “Hindi ba lalaki ka, bakit

Or it goes, “Hindi ba babae ka, bakit ka nagsusuot ng uniporme ng panlalaki?” That’s just some nonsense questions I’ve been hearing all the time; it was quite disappointing, but I was not surprised. It’s just sad that when we consider our country a lovely home, we still experience discrimination when choosing clothes in our daily lives. Can’t we just express our identity as human beings and have peace?

Time flies so fast that DepEd now allows students to freely express their gender in schools. The DepEd Order No. 2 s. 2017, or Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy,

promotes the protection of learners to avoid violence related to gender in all forms of abuse and discrimination.

As a student and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was hungry for this. I know that the discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, non-binary, and trans students inside and outside the school is much worse than a cat’s scratch. It is much worse that these students have to hide their true selves and experience bullying. Allowing them to dress in a way that expresses how they see themselves will help them a lot, and they will no longer be afraid of being judged. Not only will they feel comfortable, but it will also boost their self-esteem and confidence.

As a woman too, I stand with Senate Bill No. 1986, or the

Pants for Her Act, that Senator Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo proposed. No one knows the struggles of being a woman in society. Imagine wearing a skirt on a hot summer day. Can you feel that sweat on your legs already? What about harassment? Some of us can vividly remember the haunting memories of being scalded for our skirt lengths; you can easily feel those eyes staring at you even if you’re 5 kilometers away from them. Catcall here, catcall there, literally catcall everywhere—really, what’s wrong with these people? With this bill, women’s rights will no longer be violated. If you’re not comfortable with your skirt, feel free to choose trousers or the best of your clothes.

We should normalize the idea of wearing gen-

der-neutral uniforms in all schools, whether private or public. Let us give students the freedom to choose what to wear, do not cover those ears of yours, and hear their powerful voices. Provide them with an equitable educational environment and let them express who they are as people.

I’m hoping that we Filipinos will accept this with wholehearted love and souls. If it were to be implemented, the youth’s voices would sound so happy and lively that we would have to cover our ears our entire lives. No one can decide for you but your own precious self. Don’t listen to others; just be who you are.

• Jamela D. Larze

Bakit gusto mong malaman?

Kating kati ka na ba?” Is it not possible that I just don’t want to be ignorant like your child, who got pregnant at the age of 17, and you call it a blessing?

Imagine how knowledgeable children would be in the Philippines if we never constructed a powerful stigma surrounding sex education. Adults consider it risky due to

the fact that they think that when a young person is persistent in learning about sex and its possible effects, they may see a person who is “kating-kati,” or someone who can’t wait until they are old enough to participate in sexual activities, when in fact it is the complete opposite. Young learners only want to learn in order to prevent themselves from making mistakes.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), in 2023, there were 1,292 reportedly confirmed cases of

HIV-positive individuals, and one in three births (36 percent) in the Philippines is either unwanted (16 percent) or mistimed (20 percent).

If only the government can take a firm action about it and break the chain, Filipino children might be saved. If they can only intensify the implementation of Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, Filipino children will be educated. Though at the end of the day, any law will stay useless forever if they don’t put in enough effort to make the community understand the importance of implementing sex education in schools.

I think everyone can agree that sex education is really important to educate the youth on the possible outcomes that sex can produce, just like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

But don’t you think how ironic it is that a country that has a high pregnancy rate continuously neglects the importance of sex education?

Although a lot of the blame is to be put on the government, we cannot ignore the fact that the people in our country are also part of the problem. Sex education is something that people in our country consider bizarre and somewhat dangerous due to the religious nature of our nation, which makes people

scared that it will somehow introduce sex to the youth. It’s not every day we get the chance to learn about sex, its dangers, and the beauty that comes with it. Every single day we live, we encounter someone below the age of eighteen who talks about sex so daringly as if it’s a part of their life and makes a parody out of it.

This is an active warning to the government to finally intensify sex education in our school’s curriculum to prevent teenage pregnancy and the spread of other dangerous diseases like aids and STDs.

“Bata, bawal pa sa iyo ‘yan”

ANG artikulong ito ay HINDI ISANG COLUMN

Is this real life? Or is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.” Are these lyrics real? Or am I just living in fantasy? Are these moments of happiness real? Or are these spectacles of happiness brought by these drugs?

I dream for a moment as I look up into the sky, a blinding light flashes through the sky as a door opens and I thought to myself, is this the end? The end of a terrible melo drama sad story?

I grew up in the slums, some might say it’s the hotspot of the magical pills in our community. I remember I was sixteen when my mom passed away. I remember not knowing what to do and if my life had a title it would probably be “The not so tragic life of a teenager”.

A tragic one, but not so much as a lot of people actually do say that I’m just a “patapon”. Life seemed unbeatable at that point. Have you ever experienced contemplating to just end it all? End all of your sufferings in just one easy step? Stand on a chair, tie the rope, and then the end.

Everything changed when a bag of marijuana suddenly appeared in my hands and talked to me. “Try me” it said,I do think that it was just a hallucination, but I wanted to believe that I can talk to snakes like Harry Potter.

Drugs helped me through the ups and downs of my life. Every single second of every single day feels like I’m floating on clouds, away from all of the problems that this world

BEEP BEEP! There’s a new GIRL IN TOWN

“ Modernization they said! It will be good they said! It’s for everyone theysaid! Maybe we got lost in translation I said... Imagine waking up not worryingabout your uniform smelling like burnt smoke, imagine going to school feelingfresh, imagine the commuter life that’s as easy as one, two, three.

Have you guys heard about this new girl in town, apparently everyone’sbeen saying that she’s an exact copy of that girl “Jeepney” but better in everysingle way possible.

Well for starters, she reduces air pollution and treats the passengers to abusiness-class experience. I even heard she has air-conditioning. She also reducesthe amount

has to offer. It is as if these pills were the gateway to a realm full of happiness. However, the good things didn’t end there.

Apparently the better use of drugs is not to use them but rather sell them. A drug pusher, that’s what they called me. Who cares what everyone thinks right? Nobody confronted me, nobody cared. I made a living out of selling drugs to those who crave it. It became a source of good money.

I know! I know! I became a pusher, but a killer? I wasn’t the one who shot my friend. HE WAS MY FRIEND. It was not my fault we got busted when he was buying drugs from me.

I tried to run away from it, I really did. I ran and ran and ran hundreds of miles but no matter how far I ran from the life of drugs, it always caught me like a shadow that I can’t get rid of. Gunshots, screams, lights. One night turned my life completely upside down. I hid behind the couch as every single police in the whole Philippines entered my apartment.

“Hands behind your back! Feet to the ground!” I im-

mediately knew that this was the end of me. After surviving with the help of pushing, the consequences have finally caught up to me. Where are the cameras? When will the director yell cut? When will this movie end?

As I was running on the street. I felt this burning pain on my chest. Soon I realized it was the final blow to my dying body. I really thought drugs would have killed me first, but here I am lying in a pool of blood.

It was a clear sky, and for the first time there were no stars to be found. A teardrop fell on my cheeks. Will people remember me for me? Or will they remember me as this “patapon” boy that tragically died in a drug buy bust?

Only if someone saved me from this life. Only if the super hero of my life came to rescue me from this death. Is this death a death of a hero? Of a villain? Is this a tragedy? Or a statistic?

Will everyone get to know my name? Or will they hear a drug addict instead of Jacob? An innocent looking item got a hold of my life and nobody seemed to care enough to even try to save me. If only someone cared enough.

God, are you there? Or is the song real? Natutulog ka ba? Can you help me? Pls?

I’ve been begging my entire life for someone just to look at me. Is anybody out there? Am I waving through a glass window? Am I screaming inside a car? Can no one hear me? Is the window tinted?

No one cared for me, all my life everybody predicted what would happen to me and turns out they were right. A drug junkie addict who’s never really showed any potential in becoming someone in life. But hey, it’s over now.

Every suffering, every pill, every person that I’ve hurt does not matter anymore. Everyone sees me now... Right here lying on the concrete with dogs smelling my body from left and right.

of accidents due to her being better because she has a betterstandard than our jeepney right now. So I guess she’s gonna be the new populargirl huh...

Wait, guys? Did you see this? That jeepney girl is getting kicked out becausethe better version of her is here. Look! It says, traditional jeepney drivers haveonly until June 30, 2023 to drive their jeepneys around the country, should theyfail to join or form their own cooperative.

It’s unfair, right?

Jeepneys have been a staple in everyone’s life as it is themost convenient and budget-friendly mode of transportation, especially forstudents and employees who doesn’t have a private airplane bringing themwherever they go.

It’s un- fair, not only to us but especially to the jeepney drivers. We can’tdeny that these changes are in fact for the better but really? Modernization at thecost of a driver’s livelihood.

I imagine that it would take over a million lifetimes for an ordinary jeepneydriver to cover the cost of the 2 million pesos to 2.8 million pesos for amodernized jeepney.

I know for a fact that everyone desires modernization so desperately as it isevident in fashion, social media, and politics, and this is just a really

“well” thoughtout decision by a government who’s desperate for artificial modernization.

It is not a question of whether the people desire modernization or not butrather a question of “is this modernization for the greater good of the publicmasses? of the jeepney drivers? Or for the benefit of the chosen few in power andtheir business associates?”

Is the government too out of touch? Too out of touch to even realize thatthe country has so much more problems that need immediate action from the government?

Hey, maybe we are the ones out of touch. Maybe Abraham Lincoln waslying

when he said that “the government of the people, by the people, for thepeople” because it feels like it isn’t for the people anymore.

We should remember that modernization is not always the solution,especially when it sacrifices the welfare of the people it aims to serve. Who knewthat a modernized jeepney could make the life of an ordinary jeepney driver aliving hell. Maybe it’s time for those “in power” to focus on lending a helping hand toits citizens rather than imposing measures that will further burden them.

•Jaecarl Benedict D. Barcela

•Jaecarl Benedict D. Barcela

shion: A Portrait of Passion

• Sean Lewis Torres

s the sun sets on the city, the lights of the runway begin to flicker to life. Models in dazzling ensembles, styled to perfection, stride confidently down the catwalk. The audience watches in awe as the latest trends in fashion are unveiled before their eyes.

But fashion is more than just a show; it’s a story. A story of how we express ourselves and the things we believe in, how we connect with others, and the world around us. And a story that has been told for centuries through the fabrics we wear and the styles we create.

In the early days, fashion was a symbol of power and wealth. Only the richest and most privileged members of society could afford fine fabrics and ornate designs. But as time passed, fashion began to evolve, becoming a reflection of the world around us.

In the 1960s, fashion took on a new life, with bold colors and daring designs that reflected the social and political upheaval of the time. The fashion of the day was a statement—a way to rebel against the status quo and express individuality.

As the years went on, fashion continued to evolve. New designers emerged, each with their own unique vision and style. Some focused on elegance and sophistication, while others embraced the edgier, more avant-garde elements of fashion.

Today, fashion is more diverse than ever before. From streetwear to high-end couture, there is something for every taste, style, and bud-

get. And in recent years, fashion has taken on a new dimension with a growing focus on sustainability and ethical production.

Fashion became one with the people, becoming more trending and loved by everyone. It has been brought up to date and normalized to the point where you can wear anything, everywhere, and every day. Terminologies like “OOTD,” “outfit of the day,” and “outfit check” were created by the internet, where people can show others their fashion.

As we watch the models strut down the runway, it’s easy to get lost in the glamor and excitement of it all. But behind the scenes, there is a story of hard work, dedication, and creativity. From the designers who spend countless hours sketching and experimenting with fabrics to the seamstresses who bring their visions to life, fashion is a labor of love.

And for the consumers who wear these designs, fashion is a way to tell their own story. It’s a way to express their personality, their beliefs, and their unique perspective on the world.

As the lights dim and the show comes to an end, we are left with a sense of excitement and possibility. Fashion is not just a story; it’s a canvas on which we can paint our own stories, creating a vibrant tapestry of style, culture, and identity.

Defying the Odds: Anthony Mark Emocling

In a world that often categorizes individuals based on their limitations, there are exceptional souls who rise above societal expectations and shatter the glass ceilings imposed upon them.

Attorney Anthony Mark Emocling, the first blind bar passer in the Philippines, and Attorney Woo Young Woo, an inspiring advocate with autism, epitomize the indomitable spirit of human resilience. The Philippines proudly showcases its own equivalent to the renowned character from a widely popular Netflix series, Attorney

Woo Young Woo, embodied by none other than Attorney Anthony Mark Emocling. Remarkably, despite facing disabilities, these two exceptional individuals have courageously pursued their goals in the field of law, refusing to be limited by obstacles along the way. Their extraordinary journeys not only challenge prevailing assumptions but also redefine the limits of human potential.

Woo’s journey to the bar examination was marked by countless hours of focused study and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. “I’m not an ordinary attorney.” Her acute attention to detail and unique perspective on legal matters brought a fresh breath of innovation to the legal profession. Woo’s abilities transcended her condition, proving that diversity in legal circles not only promotes inclusivity but also fosters a

Through my school journey, I had different experiences through numerous schools. As a child, I was clueless of my own school since it’s a huge one. If I recall correctly, I was in Grade School when I had an extraordinary experience. It was recess time when I was with my friends when we roamed around the campus.

We first explored South Korea, an Asian country located in the eastern part. All of us saw a palace named Gyeongbokgung Palace.

I was struck by its grandeur and beauty. It is located in the heart of

Seoul, South Korea, and it’s the largest and most magnificent of all the palaces in the country. As we walked towards the palace gates, I saw some guards dressed in traditional clothing. We wandered inside the palace grounds, I’m struck by the harmony between the buildings and the surrounding nature. By that time, it was 8:10 A.M.

We ended up at a large glacier that was truly amazing. We saw large chunks of ice, which confirmed that we were in Iceland. We also saw the gardens and pretty flowers whenever they weren’t covered in ice. The place was filled with flowers and plants swaying in the wind. It was winter so there were more ice formations to see.

It was 8:15

richer and more nuanced understanding of justice.

With every stride, Attorney Anthony Mark Emocling sets new precedents and paves the way for future generations. Born without sight, Emocling encountered a society that often underestimated his abilities. But with the unwavering support of his family and an ironclad determination to defy limitations, he embraced the pursuit of justice as his life’s mission.

In the face of countless obstacles, Emocling triumphed over adversity, obtaining his law degree with honors. The courtroom became his canvas, where he eloquently painted arguments that resonated with profound wisdom. He meticulously memorized legal

A.M.

when I got lost but I saw them to the South. I was immediately captivated by the vibrancy and energy of Pakistan. The sights and sounds of the bustling city of Lahore enveloped me, from the vibrant markets selling colorful fabrics and spices, to the sound of traditional music filling the air.

One of the highlights of our journey was visiting the awe-inspiring Badshahi Mosque, with its towering minarets and intricate architecture. The Mughal-era Lahore Fort was another incredible sight, with its imposing walls and beautifully crafted gardens.

But it was the culinary delights that truly stole my heart. The rich flavors of fresh pasta and creamy gelato filled my senses, and I found myself indulging in one delicious meal after another. Sipping espresso at a sidewalk café or savoring a glass of

texts, utilizing his remarkable auditory capabilities to process information and master his craft. Emocling’s legal prowess not only secured victories for his clients but also paved the way for a more inclusive and compassionate legal system.

us that true power lies within the human spirit—the ability to rise above adversity and overcome obstacles that ap pear insurmountable. The journey of Emocling and Woo illuminates the un explored dimensions of strength, resilience, and the indom itable force of the human will.

• Ayesha Sindac

local wine in the Tuscan countryside, I felt a deep appreciation for the art of Italian cuisine.

Of course, no visit to Italy would be complete without exploring Rome, with its iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. I was transported back in time as I wandered through the ancient ruins and marveled at the grandeur of the Eternal City. What truly made my experience in Italy unforgettable was the warmth and hospitality of the people. From the passionate discussions over dinner to the easy smiles and greetings on the street, I felt a deep sense of connection to this beautiful and welcoming country

We’ve only gone to Italy, Pakistan, Iceland, and Korea for the past 20 minutes.

A Blast from the Past

Ahistory six feet deep in the grave, yet its memory lingers in the air. You know what it is but have you seen its true flare?

“Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,” a quote we had always known. A quote from our National Hero, Jose Rizal. A quote that seems to slap the youth right in the face. Most of the youth never liked this quote, for the sole purpose that it causes such pressure, such expectations. Why did Jose Rizal say this?

We were in Spain when all of a sudden the corners of my eyes burst and I blacked out as we watched the bull charge on the red cloth with the man waving. I was... I had no idea where I was. It was pitch black.

I blinked and felt that same pain I felt at the corners of my eyes. As I was slowly gaining vision, I saw paper, with words, a book. I then snapped back to reality, I realized that me and my friends were in a library. As I carefully put the book down, I took another glance around the library, feeling appreciative for the gift of imagination that reading has given me and after that, we hurriedly left the library.

It was a wonderful place. A place of thrill and adven-

ture. It gave me life, experiences, feelings that were difficult to explain.

Since then, I knew that reading books is an important training to me. It was a bittersweet moment as I came to terms with the fact that my adventures were just figments of my imagination. However, I also came to see that books have power that extends beyond just offering education and amusement. They have the power to take us to many worlds and provide us experiences that we could not otherwise have.

Let us open our minds and try to understand. He wrote novels such as “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”. Not many youths know these novels with honesty, but these novels speak of the past. The harsh past. The revolution that we, as youth, must preserve to hold. Who even has time to read that, though? It is not an interest for many at all. Especially not generations that revolve around gadgets. But guess what is? TV Shows! (TV Shows?) Yes, TV shows!

How good would it be when someone could just make a show of new meets old? A show that our generation would relate to—a little too much. A show that would entertain and inform. Let me introduce a Filipino fantasy series, a phenomenon, “Maria Clara at Ibarra”. Mystery, thrill, fantasy, romance, and action! Call it a jack of all trades! A series all about a Generation Z nursing student named Klay, teleporting inside the books of Noli Me Tangere and even El Filibusterismo! The only way she could ever return is if she traveled through the novel of Doctor Jose Rizal and learned every life lesson within it.

The amazing directors and cast of GMA brought life to this amaz-

watching a movie is a wonderful way to unwind. Imagine sitting on your couch, ready to watch your favorite show or movie. Many people claim that watching a movie helps them to relax when they are stressed about life or under pressure from a problem. When we are dealing with a life difficulty, we can find solace in watching a movie. It can be an hour of total detachment from reality. And because it’s useful, many people enjoy watching movies.

ing series. The series was directed by Zig Dulay and starred our main cast member, Barbie Forteza, as Klay, our Generation Z nursing student, Ju lie Anne San Jose as Maria Clara, and Dennis Trillio as Crisostomo Ibarra.

Like many of us, Klay did not understand the true significance of Noli Me Tangere. After all, it is just a novel, right? But one should not judge a book by its cover. Her own struggles made her refuse to look at others. She hated her country for what it was and where it was. As Klay tries to handle and navigate the new world of Noli Me Tangere, she meets Maria Clara, Crisostomo Ibarra, the cu rates, the Ilustrados, and the Indios. This will open Klay’s eyes to the history and sufferings of Filipinos during the Span ish colonizers. It represents pain, tor ture, greed, corruption, vengeance, and hope for a better future. Not only does this series show the relevance of knowing the history of one’s home country, but it also shows we should be proud and help our country stand back on its feet.

Watch this mystery unravel on many streaming platforms for free. Ob serve as Klay adapts to the new world she has found while getting entangled in the character’s life and adventures. Not only that, we should open our eyes to know how our ancestors struggled. That we should care for our country so that there will not be a pain for the next generations to live. A fun but thrilling experience, stimulation like the other. Feel the ultimate con cept of “Blast from the Past” and enjoy Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusteris mo with a more exciting experience!

tive since the majority of us are still using it now.

The majority of films have a happy ending: the protagonist is always happy at the conclusion. We all want our lives to end happily. But life is like a movie, it will put us to the test, and it sucks when we want the moment to be fantastic. Life is similar to Murphy’s Law: “Murphy’s Law does not mean that something bad will happen; it means that whatever can happen, it will happen.” These things allow us to progress everyday. It teaches us to do better that yesterday, and get better for tomorrow.

e have no idea the planet re time is all that counts to us and the speed is constant. When we are busy, time flies by. When we are sleeping or doing things that make us happy, time seems to fly by. We were all so caught up in our everyday routines that we forget what most athletes forget when they are in their zones and desire to win takes over. “Let’s take it easy.” These are four words that we frequently overlook because we are so focused on success. Living and striving to be better can be exhausting at times, but as great human beings, we always find a way to stay on course. One of these is watching a movie.

After dealing with the stresses of life and work,

Life can appear to be a raging river, full of ups and downs, twists and turns. Just as when the pandemic strikes, many people experienced anxiety and depression because they are unable to live their normal lives. When the pandemic struck, restaurants, pubs, clubs, shops, and gyms closed. This explains why everyone is at home. Stress and depression come from wondering how long this epidemic will last. However, with the assistance of Netflix and other movie websites, people escape from reality, and watching films and movies allow them to do so. It is effec-

We discovered ourselves watching movies to help us deal with our problems, according to the plot. It lets you escape reality, fantasize, and perceive things that are not possible in this world by watching them. But our ability to overcome the impossible had always been on how we identify ourselves. We keep track of these occurrences. These are the times when we muster the strength to go higher, conquer obstacles, reach for the stars, and disclose the unknown. These adventures are among our most cherished achievements.

• Ayesha Alvie Planas

• Justin Karl I. Bautista

Reliving the youth of the past to the present B

ORUTESU FAIBU ni subete wo kakete Yaruzo chikara no tsukiru made Chikyuu no yoake ha mou chikai.

I heard a muffled familiar music, a melody that transports me back to my childhood, and getting home after a long day at school always excites me. I will complete the chores assigned to me by my mother so that I can watch the newly released episode Voltes V on our television.

“4:00 pm na, Voltes V na!” My friends and I were always in one location so we could watch Voltes V together. Those were the golden days of my youth, those times remain a memory of my childhood whenever I heard the anime Voltes V.

I was both excited and astonished to learn that the GMA network will air an adaptation of Voltes V titled “Voltes

my favorite childhood anime will return, which thrills not just me but also those who grew up watching Voltes V.

Voltes V, is created by the Toei Company and its author Tadao Nagahama. The story is based on an alien race called Boazanian, who wants to conquer any race that doesn’t have horns. Thus the creation of a 5 man team that pilots 5 vehicles that can transform into a sword-wielding robot to fend off the evil Boazanians plans to Earth.

Voltes V is a big Japanese robot that is iconic to the Philippines and around the world. It became famous together with several anime’s namely Mobile Suit Gundam, Space Battleship Yamato, Future Boy Conan, Science Ninja Team, Gatchaman, and Lupin the 3rd. So, it is more likely that

The Power and Influence of Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword

Social media has become a ubiquitous presence in our lives. It is used by billions of people around the world, connecting them in ways that were once unimaginable. From sharing pictures, videos, and messages to keeping up with news and politics, social media has transformed how we communicate, connect, and interact with each other.

Social media is an extremely active and influential instrument. It has changed the way we think about communication and how we connect with each other. It has also changed the way we consume information, shaping our views and opinions on a range of issues.

The fact that social media has given businesses and entrepreneurs new chances is one of the most significant ways it has changed our lives. Because of the popularity of social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, companies can now easily reach customers through-

out the world.

Just like most Filipinos do, they are doing online selling where they may communicate with customers, advertise their goods and services, and develop their brand through social media, such as overrun shirts, foods, and more essential products.

Also, social media has changed how we absorb news and information. In the past, traditional media outlets such as newspapers, radio, and television were the primary sources of news because they were convenient and less time-consuming. Today, social media platforms are increasingly becoming the go-to sources for news and information, particularly among younger generations. As a result, there has been a substantial change in how news is published, shared, and consumed.

The power and influence of social media are also evident in the realm of politics. Political campaigns now rely heavily on social media because it enables politicians to interact with voters in real

ers with my fellow friends, and we liked it a lot. We finally got to see our favorite robot that has been gone for a long time. The CGI used in the trailers for Voltes V: Legacy is impressive and captivating. The animations are fluid and dynamic, with seamless transitions between the robot’s various transformations and movements. The CGI als effec-

time and reach a wider audience. Just like what happened last May 2022 elections in the Philippines, where candidates used the power of social media to deliver their programs, platforms, and plans that would persuade people to give their hard-earned votes to them. Additionally, it has given rise to new types of political action, such as hashtag campaigns and online petitions, that have the power to significantly alter social and political landscapes. Most people use social media platforms, which is why politicians can hear the nation’s voice and immediately fix the problems.

Sta. Lucia High School, SLHS in short, uses social media to inform students by posting announcements to their respective pages, like Student Supreme Government (SSG) and the two campus journalism clubs, Ang Ningning and The Flambeau. Lucians are very active on social media; they share pictures and videos and communicate with their friends, especially when they have problems. They ask for someone to talk to and lean on.

Despite the many benefits of social media, it has also been associated with several negative impacts. From political propaganda to conspiracy theories, social media has been found to be fertile ground for false narratives and misinformation. The rapid sharing and dissemination of unverified information on social media can cause confusion, panic, and even harm to the public. Furthermore, the algorithms used by social media plat-

tively brings to life the various other elements in the show, such as the Boazanian mecha and the various environments where the battle takes place.

The use of lighting and shading adds depth and dimension to the scenes making it look real and alive, therefore creating a more immersive viewing experience. Furthermore, the animation type used in Voltes V: Legacy is modern and polished , which should make it more appealing to the new and old generation. All I can say is that the GMA network really prepared for this project and their time, effort, and hard work really paid off.

As I surf through the internet. I saw comments and reactions of Japanese people and other people. I’m really glad that the reactions were positive so it really made me happy. Some of the comments are,”This is great work! I would

like to broadcast this to Japan as well”, ”The quality was bet ter than expected”. The upcom ing live adaptation received a lot of praise and I’m proud of my fellow Filipinos. Another Japanese said that ”As a Japanese in the country that gave birth to Voltes”, they added “I’m proud of Voltes which is also loved by the Philippines and is a bridge of friendship between the two countries!” One twitter user said they felt “great respect and love” and that the trailer was “perfect as a modern version of Voltes V”.

The new show promises to be a fresh take on the clas sic anime, with updated char acter designs, modern anima tion, and enhanced character personalities that will appeal to both old and new viewers. With its premiere, Voltes V will continue to be an iconic anime in the Philippines and around the world, bringing back memories of a simpler time and providing a new ad venture for a new generation.

forms often prioritize sensational and controversial content, which can amplify the spread of fake news.

The negative effects of fake news on society are vast and varied, ranging from the misrepresentation of scientific information to the spread of hate speech and prejudice. Misinformation can also lead to a loss of trust in institutions and undermine democracy. Hence, in order to counteract the negative impacts of fake news and guarantee accurate information is communicated on social media, it is imperative to enhance media literacy and critical thinking abilities. Just like what happened in the last election, many people are victims of fake news spread by other supporters to destroy other camps. Sometimes, they spread fake news to persuade voters to join and support their candidate.

The issue of cyberbullying and online harassment is one of many problems that the advent of social media has brought about for society. Social media has given us a lot of advantages, but it has also made it simpler for bullies to hide behind a computer screen and pick on their victims from a distance. As a result, there have been increasing instances of cyberbullying, particularly among young people, who are more susceptible to their use of social media having harmful repercussions. The anonymity of the internet has created a breeding ground for hateful and hurtful comments, leading to serious mental health consequences for victims like depression, anxiety, and even

commit suicide. It is crucial for us to address this issue and create a safer online environment for everyone due to the landslide of people using social media platforms.

The issue of cyberbullying at Sta. Lucia High School is a matter of great concern that affects both students and educators. It’s disheartening to see that instead of supporting each other, both groups are contributing to the problem. Shockingly, there are cases where students are bullying their teachers in group chats. The impact of cyberbullying has become so severe that students are seeking guidance after being subjected to inappropriate and hurtful online posts.

These powerful social platforms have indisputable strength and effect. Technology has changed how we interact with one another, conduct business, and obtain news and information. Despite its many advantages, it also has some serious disadvantages, such as the propagation of false information and online harassment. We must constantly be mindful of social media’s possible effects and take steps to lessen any negative effects as it continues to change and affect our lives. We must establish a more secure online setting that values everyone’s kindness, empathy, and respect.

• Ricardo Miguel E. Corpuz

Tristan Daniel L. Tulod

SOURCE: shutterstock

ther souls are trialed if they are fit to live again or to stay as wandering souls roaming across the human dimension. The judge wasn’t sure about my case, so I was included on that list. I had a past life, but my memories are as fresh as if I were a newborn. 30 days were given to have the chance to roam around, and there is a specific task to be accomplished for the judge to make his final decision. The Philippines was my destination. My task was to observe classes, for I will be reincarnated as a teacher. He commanded me to only observe, for I cannot and will not interfere.

I was released on a dark, rainy night, holding a timepiece that says 10 P.M., and 29 I have remaining to be reconsidered. I wasn’t sure why the streets were empty, but in the distance, a vehicle caught my attention. It has yellow paint, black stripes forming the words “School Service”, and a man inside, talking loudly as the vehicle is shaking. I was curious, so I talked to the man, hoping he would respond, but before knocking, I noticed that I went straight to the door.

I heard him say, “How am I supposed to go out if it’s raining this hard? I hope there are no classes tomorrow.” After he put down his cellphone, I asked him where the school might be, but all I heard was the rain outside. It was multiple times before I realized this man couldn’t see me. Since the weather was bad and the sun was not up, it would be hard to find a school, so I waited for the next day inside the vehicle.

5 A.M. and 26 days left. I overheard that it was Monday morning and had a three-day nap. The rain is gone, the sun is steadily rising, and the driver is preparing the service. A smile up to his ears was seen, unlike last night when he was frowning;

• Tristan Daniel L. Tulod

tars may be uncountable, but you are my only star. People may dream, but you are all I dream about. It was an arctic morning at 6:00 A.M, the start of 2019 classes. I could feel the bitterly cold wind making the leaves dance in the morning. I am thrilled to make new memories for my next journey. I sat in my designated seat and observed the environment, but suddenly I had flashbacks of my past core memories, including my last night’s dream that someone answered my courtship on Valentine’s Day. I was dazed for a while until a gorgeous girl came up to me and asked me what my name was, and that’s when our love story began.

For the first time in my life, I was surprised by what I felt at that time. I was clueless at first, but at last, I discovered she was the reason why my heartbeat was beating so fast. Her tenderness made me feel like an endless loop of blooming flowers. She turned my withered life into a lively and colorful one. Every time I look into her eyes, it feels like I am looking at our universe—the universe that I want to be mine, only mine. A million stars can be seen shining far above me, but her smile is like one of those stars that I can only ever admire from a distance. But whenever I see someone talking and showing interest in her, I can’t explain what I’m

Empty Cans Make the Loudest Noise

• Marc Daniel David

perhaps it was the rain he was worried about. One by one, youngsters came inside, uniformed like everyone else. It was about 5:40 AM when they stepped out for school. Each one has their own luggage, and I was curious, so I took a peek. I saw books and assorted colored notebooks, and just like their uniforms, they had similar belongings. I followed a student to their class with my eagerness to learn and observe them.

The timepiece strikes at 6 A.M., and a teacher came inside, greeting the class a good morning. I sat near the student and analyzed their behavior for hours. Throughout the day, they had different types of activities. Activities that bring out their uniqueness, their true inner-self. Most of their habits include being a team player, responsible, diligent, and courteous. There were also incidents where some had to stand up and recite what their answer was. I am so glad that the student I was beside can confidently respond even to the hardest questions. Although this student had all the positive traits everyone can like, being intelligent is one fine quality this junior has.

I am left with 17 days, and after a week and a half, I can say that I’ve learned so much. Every single teacher that went to the class was quite unique. Some are strict, some are calm, and there are a few that can be labeled as kind leaders. But it wasn’t the teachers I was taking notes from; I was there

about to feel. It feels like I don’t want to lose her anymore, and that’s when I finally realized that it’s just not a “happy crush”; I already adore and love her.

I was thinking, “What if I confess through a love letter? I also thought of giving this before because it is one of the most important things to do when courting a woman, it has always been and still is. Knowing that love letters played an important role in the history of romantic expression, they continue to be a meaningful way for people to communicate their deepest feelings to the ones they love.

The excitement led me to write a letter in the middle of the night. My heart and mind are at odds. I am worried about the consequences if I confess my love. Is it time to tell the truth? Or just let it be to protect our friendship? This feeling is old, but now that I’ve made up my mind, it is time. It could be this letter or never. A gamble, perhaps. I handed her the letter, which led to her surprised face, and at the same time, I asked if I had any chance of courting her. To my ears, she whispered calmly, “Yes,” in a soft voice I heard.

At first, I was worried about how I would court her. How will I show her that she’s someone to me? To mini-

for the learners.

Though I stayed for a while, it wouldn’t be enough just to stay at a single school, so I left on the 15th day. Unlike the first, it is a public school. It had more students, which gave way for me to understand them more.

I am left with nine days. Both schools gave me a pleasant experience in which I saw the youth enjoy and study at the same time, but still, there’s a trait I simply cannot bear. At first it wasn’t noticeable, but over time it’s happening frequently, mostly when fooling around with friends. Also, I noticed that some make restrictions against those who are intelligent. It is an exception where they are powerless. All this time, I thought that knowledge was power, but when ignorance and bias come into play, it’s worthless.

The day has arrived; it’s the final day of my trial. Am I going to be reincarnated? Or will I be roaming this anti-intellectual country? The judge demanded to detail something that I had observed, heard, done, or investigated, and so I began.

Smart-shaming is one of the prevalent habits seen in the Philippines. Most people use it as a joke in the form of humiliation. It is used as a defense mechanism by those who believe in their own words. Based on the state of the country, numerous Filipinos are still uneducated.

mize my worries, I started to ask for advice from my father and older brothers and started courting her. Every time I see tulips, it reminds me of her; they’re her favorite. So, I bought some and gave it to her, only to see her sweet smile. We took pictures every time we met to keep our love in a photograph. Chocolate is also her favorite—milk chocolate, to be specific. We always spent time together, even though time moves fast.

7 months of courtship, and it’s near Valentine’s Day. Those months were full of effort. My favorite way of courting her is with quality time and gift-giving, so I brought some flowers for her. We talked about things where we would know each other deeply. After a little while, to my surprise, this day can be referred to as a Deja vu of mine. It’s happening again in my dream. But it’s something not to hope for. I didn’t want to be disappointed by my expectations. It was also our time, so I didn’t let any thoughts ruin our bonding. I gave her the flowers and witnessed another sweet smile. Later that night, I pretended to be clueless. My dream was true. She was the girl in my dreams. She was the one who said yes to me.

With my experience, I discovered that sayings aren’t always true. It’s true that I am in love with someone, but

Therefore, most of them are opinionated and driven by emotions. Filipinos tend to be masked or two-faced. They say that it’s better for you to be educated, yet they shame you for being one.

There were students who were corrected but responded, “You know too much.”, It is surprising not giving thanks after being corrected. Someone spoke in English while answering, but someone interfered and shouted, “This isn’t America, speak in Filipino,” mocking the student leaving the class in laughter. After that, they called the student “Boy Englishero”. I once saw a group of friends sharing stories with each other, but one of them was always told “No one asked.”, “Fine, you are the smart one, you know everything.”, and “Are you trying to make us look foolish? We know that already!” It’s like they don’t want to hear from their friend, and it’s always followed by the phrase, “It’s just a joke; don’t be mad.”

There is also a common phrase used by Filipinos that goes, “To see is to believe,” yet stop others from showing how lowly they were. There are also students that had fair grades and known to be shy in class participation but were told they were cheating and bribing the teacher. It happens everywhere, not only at school. This habit can be similar to a silent, deadly virus. It cannot be seen, signs can be present, and it is widespread.

To them, it’s a negative trait to be too intelligent. From what I saw, it had a negative impact on its victims. Victims who were altered from active to silent

After all my reports to the judge, I had an option. I went straight, and I knew I had to be reincarnated. I will not let their arrogance pass.

does that mean I’ll immediately fail in class? I still put effort into my studies despite entertaining someone. I didn’t disregard school to repay the sacrifices of my parents in supporting my studies and achieving my dreams of having a better life together with my loved ones. I also hear a lot of people saying that having a relationship is not good for students; others say “it will only ruin your life” and “it’s just a distraction from studying,” but all of this does not apply to everyone. In fact, love can inspire someone. You will work harder to study when you have the motivation that you get from him or her. You can also work together in a study called “group study,” which is usually done when the exam is coming up. This thing called “love” only needs time and effort. There are multiple ways to show love and affection to someone by simply giving them quality time, attention, and acts of service. It includes gift-giving and being by her side through ups and downs to make her feel safe. We can show our love to our loved ones not only every Valentine’s Day but every day. Just have quality time and show loyalty to your one and only; that’s the greatest gift she will receive. Also, remember that even though you have a relationship, you must still balance or manage your time to maintain high grades in education.

A Love from the age of a blooming flower, truly an inspiration.

SOURCE:SLHS FLAMBEAU

12 The SLHS Flambeau

In the bustling hallways of Sta. Lucia High School, as the school year unfolded, students eagerly gathered, their hearts brimming with anticipation. Excitement filled the air as they prepared to embark on a journey of learning and growth.

Among the students and teachers, a group of friends, including Teachers Jo Balatucan, Sharon Almorte, Mary Moises, Flor Cagabhion, Marissa Catangui, and Camille Paz, shared not only their love for knowledge but also moments of joy, laughter, and the simple pleasures of life.

Their lunch breaks became a treasured ritual, where the aroma of homemade meals intertwined with laughter and animated conversations. Each day, they gathered in a secluded corner of the school, their laughter echoing through the corridors, and their shared stories and experiences creating an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.

As time danced its way through the calendar, the last quarter arrived like a whispered secret. In the hallowed halls of Sta. Lucia High School,

Ink of Inspiration: Honoring a Teacher's Legacy

BY: AYESHA SINDAC

a luminary emerged, casting a spell of inspiration and wis dom. Jo Balatucan, with her radiant spirit and unwavering dedication, enchanted the hearts of students and teachers alike. Her passion for educa tion ignited flames of curiosity, paving the way for profound transformations within the school community.

An indelible mark Jo Balatucan's presence be came woven into the very fabric of the school, leaving an indelible mark on the souls she touched. With every step, she breathed life into the written word, infusing the English language with enchantment and meaning.

Through her vibrant lessons and thought-provoking discussions, she nurtured the seeds of intellectual growth within her students, guiding them towards a deeper understanding

role became even more in school, the guiding light in these challenging times espe-

she was my rock. In times of distress, she was there, providing not just food and essentials, but unwavering emotional support. She became everything to me within these school walls.”

A symphony of connection beyond her role as an English teacher, Jo Balatucan illustrious teaching career spanned an impressive 17 to 18 years, she forged connections that transcended the boundaries of the classroom. She became a trusted confidante, a beacon of support for her colleagues and students. With each interaction, she wove a tapestry of compassion, kindness, and empathy, creating a harmonious symphony of human connection. Her ability to see the potential in every individual and empower them to reach for the stars was truly a gift.

The legacy lives on though time is ephemeral, Jo

through the halls of Sta. Lucia High School. The seeds of knowledge and inspiration she planted will grow and flourish, nourishing the minds and hearts of generations to come. As students and teachers reflect on their time with Jo Balatucan, they are reminded of the transformative power of education and the enduring magic of a passionate teacher.

To those fortunate enough to call her a friend, Jo was an epitome of compassion and loyalty. Mrs. Almorte fondly reminisces, "Walang masamang tinapay si Jo"

A dream remembered in the tapestry of life, Jo Balatucan's story will forever be woven. Her journey as an educator, friend, and mentor will be told and retold, carried on the wings of memory and shared with future generations. As the sun sets on the stage of Sta. Lucia High School, her spirit lingers, guiding students towards their own dreams and igniting a love for learning that will endure through the ages. And so, the tale of Jo Balatucan, the enchantress of education, lives on, forever etched in the annals of time.

1965-2023

Beyond the Sea, the Waves Whisper to Me

BY: MARC T. DAVID

It was summer, and the fourth quarter was almost over. I had a meeting with several teachers from the TLE department. It was a repetitious hot afternoon when our master teacher, Sir Bongaling, had a brilliant idea for a vacation. He’ll bring us to a place in Batangas he bought sometime, which was near the sea. People often like to swim when it is summer, and so that was the plan.

We had three days of preparation and now, we are ready to leave and go out of town. No one was seen bored, it was crystal clear that all of us are excited for this bonding they were planning a long time ago. It was a plan a long time ago, but our time was so insufficient we always had to reschedule.

After traveling for a few hours, we arrived at their destination. The sea breeze and howling winds is what they were welcomed with. We

enjoyed the view and the beach`s weather ing-formed crushed shells white sand. There were patterns of big waves massive mations later calms down along with the beach melody made by the locals there.

We’re back after an hour of rest, ready to bond and enjoy the coastline. We visited the huge rock formations and took photos together. While we were walking on the sparkling white sand of Batangas, local tour guides greeted us by offering water rides like jetski, banana boat, and kayaking. Sir

and Sir Payawal. With his politeness, he wanted all of us to experience it but since only three of them were capable of jet skiing, they were the only ones to go.

After the fun and exhausting day, we decided to

make a bonfire and have dinner togethWe shared stories about the experiences and hardships we have gone through in life, our preferences and dislikes, and even love stories about our spouses.

there were bookshelves made by him. “His works are a lot to mention, ‘’ Sir Jaranilla jokingly said.

A car door slammed and woke me up. I realized that I had just fallen asleep on the way to Batangas with

the whole TLE Department. As I exited the van, the calming waves of the crystal blue beach welcomed me. I looked around, and something felt missing. The teachers were packing up their belongings, getting ready to settle in their hotel rooms. Something felt weird as the memories of Sir Bongaling repeatedly inviting us visit Batangas is playing in my memory.

As I walked through the seaside the wind howled, the waves whispered. I started recalling Sir. We shared memories together where I learned a lot. His works made of wood around the school is what keeps him from our hearts.

He fought his condition like the raging waves, he brought his all to make his health stable. But as the waves calm, he also found peace, still like water.

1968-2022

SOURCE:pia.gov.ph

COVID-19’s return poses risks to Philippines

The Philippines again witnessed an increase in COVID-19 cases, with 3,148 infections last week, April 17–23, 2023.

It has been over three years since the first suspected case in the Philippines was investigated, and since then, the number of cases has continued to grow. Just a year ago, the country announced reaching 37,207 confirmed cases in a day, making it the highest record tally throughout the pandemic that began years ago.

In May 2022, the health department reported that COVID-19 cases nationwide had dropped to “minimal-risk case classification,” with an average of only 159 instances per day documented from May 3 to 9. COVID-19 cases nationwide began to decline in February 2022. By early June 2022, 69.4 million Filipinos had received all of their recommended vaccinations, and 14.3 million had received their booster injections. For the first time in two years, Filipino public schools returned in August 2022 for in-person instruction. As of February 23, 2023, a total of 170,545,638 vaccination doses had been given.

Although the cases in the Philippines dropped, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that PH is still classified as moderate risk.

From April 17 to 23, 3,148 new cases were recorded in the country.

As of April 23, 2023, there were 345 serious and critical patients admitted to hospitals due to COVID-19. Of the 2,010 ICU beds for patients with COVID-19, 275 (13.7%) are occupied. Meanwhile, 2,980 (17.4%) of the 17,152 non-ICU COVID-19 beds are currently in use.

The Department of Health (DOH) is reminding everyone not to be complacent about the threat of COVID-19. Rather, we must continue to properly follow the minimum public health standards under Alert Level 1. A reminder to always wear the best-fitted face mask and, if possible, stay in well-ventilated areas.

Heat Index: The Indicator of Summer

Juan Miguel Leonardo

In the past decade, temperatures have been rising, especially in the Philippines. Just two years ago, the Philippines witnessed a record-breaking heat index as they sizzled with 51 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, on May 10. The highest for the year 2021.

Meanwhile, in recent days, the heat index has been rising exponentially. Butuan City in Agusan Del Norte and Legazpi City in Albay recorded a soaring heat index, reaching 48°C and 47°C, respectively. This was one of the highest recorded from March 1 to April 21 for the year 2023.

For the last few days,

SOURCE:cnbc.com

high temperatures struck as heat indices in cities started to reach above 40°C. The Weather Bureau states a heat index of 44 degrees Celsius in Northern Samar, Virac, Catarman, and Catanduanes and 43 degrees Celsius in NAIA.

Heat indices of 43 degrees Celsius were also recorded in Baler, Aurora, Dagupan, Pangasinan, and Iba, Zambales.

Luckily, heat indices began to drop, especially for “key cities”, reaching just about 26 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius, a surprise after the last few days of “hell” and scorching tempera-

tion has declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Friday, May 5, the WHO Emergency Committee held a meeting in which they suggested the UN-Agency declaration of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a “public health emergency of international concern”, which has been in place for over 3 years since the start of the pandemic.

tures with heat indices striking above 40 degrees Celsius.

While this gives a sigh of relief, the head of the impact assessment and applications section of PAGASA’s Climatology and Agrometeorology division, Dr. Marcelino Villafuerte II, forecasts and warns the public about higher heat indexes in the future, especially for the month of May.

Too much exposure to these scorching heat waves can cause different implications and diseases such as fatigue, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion, and doing continuous activities would likely cause a deadly heat stroke.

mean that COVID is gone for good, and we still have to be on the lookout as it’s still a danger to global security.

Boiling temperatures can also be linked with the increased risks of other types of disasters, such as drought and the phenomenon El Nino. Dry and hot conditions were also expected, increasing the chances of creating wildfire conditions.

As summer and May approach, temperatures are forecast to soar much higher. Due to this, PAG-ASA warns the public about the concerns and stress and advises them to take precautionary measures to lighten the heat stress and prevent any health risks linked with this harsh climate condition.

worldwide efforts made in order to fight the virus.

n Friday, March 5, the World Health Organization Emergency Committee held a meeting in London, United Kingdom, where it was decided to announce the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite COVID-19 having yet to be completely eradicated and still posing a threat to public safety, the World Health Organiza-

The majority of the committee members supported the declaration, the head of the COVID emergency committee, Didier Houssin, said.

“It is therefore with great hope that I declare COVID-19 a global health emergency.” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, he also added that the end of the emergency does not

According to WHO’s latest data, death rates of COVID-19 have slowed down from the peak of 100,000 people per week in January 2021 to over 3,500 a week on April 24, 2023, showing the effectiveness of widespread vaccination against the virus, thus resulting in community-wide immunity.

Just 4 months before WHO’s declaration of the end of the state of emergency, the Chinese government ended its country-wide COVID restrictions, which ultimately resulted in cases of COVID in China skyrocketing in numbers.

An end to the emergency would also mean an end to the continuous

Last year, US President Joe Biden stated that the pandemic is over, with the US dismantling its state of emergency for COVID, officially ending on May 11, which means the country will stop supporting vaccine testing.

At this age and time, we should prioritize our safety, wear masks, and practice proper sanitation. Many countries have suffered many catastrophic cases because people lacked the proper practice or were ignorant of the dangers the virus poses. COVID is still with us, which is why we should strive to follow safety precautions so that we may finally put an end to the coronavirus.

Alliah Mayjohn Rivera

WHO an nou nces the official en d of the COVID-19 pand emic.

Ken Mathew S. Amuan

HEAT INCREASE.

Teacher from Sta. Lucia High School fans herself during class as the Philippines still encounter increase in temperature as the summer comes in.

SOURCE: SLHS Flambeau

LOOK UP! : Hybrid solar eclipse spotted

Apartial hybrid solar eclipse was seen in the Philippines from 11:44 A.M. to 2:04 P.M. on Thursday, April 20, 2023, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

During the hybrid solar eclipse, the moon will cover the sun in the middle of the path, which is also called annular-total. It is a very rare and strange astronomical event that occurs only a few times per century. It was fully visible in western Australia,

SOURCE: whatalife.ph

East Timor, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, the said solar eclipse was partially seen in the Philippines, with a maximum eclipse obscuration of 23.7%, and cannot be fully observed.

The partial solar eclipse was seen at 11:44 a.m., while the maximum eclipse occurred at 12:55 P.M. and ended at 2:04 P.M. The time varies depending on the location of the area.

“Elsewhere in the Philippines, the partial solar eclipse can be observed with a minimum obscuration of 12% to the north (Basco, Ba-

tanes) and a maximum obscuration of 58% to the south (Balit Island-Municipality of Sarangani),” PAGASA said.

“Be aware that eclipse glasses are not conventional sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, regardless of how dark they are, should not be used to observe the sun. The general public is urged to use eclipse safety instruments like pinhole cameras or telescope projections as a precaution,” PAGASA explained.

PAGASA also advised people to wear safe solar viewing equipment when observing the partial hybrid solar eclipse.

A hybrid solar eclipse is a very rare and strange astronomical event that occurs only a few times per century. Out of 224 solar eclipses in the 21st century, seven will be hybrids. It will occur four more times this century. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the next hybrid solar eclipse will be in 2031.

ISAT U unveils Ground Receiving Station

The Dumangas campus of the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) had the official opening of the Iloilo Ground Receiving Station (GRS) on March 10,2023 by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). By facilitating communication, the GRS will be a crucial instrument in risk prevention.

The third GRS in the Philippines is in Iloilo. The first satellite ground station is located at the DOST Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) Building in Quezon City, and the second one is at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Davao.

Wide coverage of the data obtained from Diwata one and two and other satellite systems is provided by the third GRS’ 3.5-meter Earth observation satellite tracking antenna. The first satellite ground station has a 3.7-meter antenna, while the second one has a 7.3-meter tracking antenna.

The Iloilo facility can capture the temperature, humidity, and other data of various places in real-time thanks to the Diwata-2 microsatellite.

REVOLUTIONIZING ROBOTICS: DISCOVERIES AND ADVANCEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ROBOTICS

John Lloyd E. Cruz

Robotics has been an area of rapid growth and innovation in recent years, with researchers and engineers working to create increasingly sophisticated machines. From manufacturing and assembly to healthcare and exploration, robots are proving to be valuable tools that can improve efficiency, safety, and accuracy.

One of the most exciting developments in robotics is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. These tools allow robots to learn and adapt to their environments, making them more versatile and capable of performing a wider range of tasks. For example, in the healthcare industry, robots are being used to analyze medical images, monitor vital signs, and even assist with surgeries, all with the help of AI and ML.

mans to perform alone. These robots are becoming increasingly popular in manufacturing and logistics, where they can help with tasks such as material handling, quality control, and inventory management.

The use of robotics in agriculture is also on the rise. Farmers are using robots to automate tasks such as planting, watering, and harvesting crops, resulting in more efficient and sustainable farming practices. These robots are equipped with sensors and cameras that can detect soil conditions, moisture levels, and crop health, allowing farmers to make more informed decisions about their operations

Data download rates per day range between 40 and 50 photos. When the Diwata orbits within the GRS horizon, communication with the microsatellite occurs four times daily. And then the photos will be provided to the local government and government agencies.

The GRS instantly gathers huge amounts of information and visuals from satellites orbiting the Earth to help them make wise choices. Based on the statement of DOST Undersecretary Leah Buendia, during the inauguration.

“With the station’s advanced technology, we can receive and process large amount of data close to real-time, allowing us to monitor the Earth’s environment, weather patterns, and other important phenomena. We can use this information to make informed decisions that will positively impact our environment, from predicting weather patterns and events, monitoring changes in land use to even security, defense, and safety,” she stated.

Moreover, the station also addressed many economic essentials for the whole country, according to DOST

SOURCE: dost.gov.ph

Another area of innovation in robotics is the development of robots that can work alongside humans. Collaborative robots, or “cobots,” are designed to be safe and easy to use, allowing them to assist workers with tasks that are too dangerous or strenuous for hu-

While robotics has already made significant strides in various industries, there is still much room for growth and innovation. As technology continues to advance, robots could revolutionize many other areas, such as transportation, construction, and education. With more research and investment, the possibilities for robotics are endless, and it’s exciting to see how this technology will continue to shape our world in the years to come.

Regional Director, Engr.Rowen Gelonga. The facility also helps strengthen their ability to handle disasters.

“Suffice to say that this is a very, very important facility for us. Space science and has a lot of application. This was primarily intended to address and to beef up our capability to handle disasters”, Gelonga stated.

The three GRS in our nation play a significant role because they boost Metro Manila’s satellite communication capacity, which helps us in disaster assessment, environmental monitoring, and maritime surveillance.

EPIDEMIOLOGISTS

CITIZENS

On March 28th this year, the official Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Facebook page made a post alerting citizens to be wary of a dangerous and deadly strain of bacteria.

The bacteria in question, “Corynebacterium diphtheriae”, commonly known as “diphtheria”, is an infectious disease that spreads by respiratory droplets through coughing and sneezing. It can also be acquired through physical contact with objects that have been sneezed on by infected individuals or contact with open wounds or sores.

Individuals infected with the disease have been reported to show symptoms such as inflammation of the throat, fever, weakness, thick membranes forming in the throat or nose, swelling of the neck, breathing and swallow-

ing difficulties, and even death.

Infected individuals usually show symptoms within 2–5 days after infection, with children under the age of 5 and senior citizens being the most vulnerable to the disease.

To avoid the risk of infection and the potential for a community-wide pandemic, it is crucial to strengthen your immune system and practice proper hygiene. Getting a vaccine for diphtheria is encouraged, which you can do by going to your local hospital to inquire about the vaccine. If you do contract diphtheria, seek medical attention immediately to receive medicine or antibiotics to combat the disease.

The Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance’s warning about diphtheria reminds us to practice good hygiene, strengthen our immune systems, and vaccinate vulnerable groups. Seek prompt medical attention if infected, and let’s work together to protect our communities from infectious diseases.

Tessa Mae Degamo

Ken Mathew S. Amuan

Juliana Marie Fojas

WARN

OF A FATAL STRAIN OF BACTERIA

SOURCE: Richard Greenhill

GIL AS TAKES GOLD IN 2023 SEA GAMES MEN’S BASKETBALL

Gilas Pilipinas finished the 2023 SEA Southeast Asian Game taking the gold home, beating host Cambodia with the power of Justin Brownlee, 80-69 in the final match, May 16 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.

As they took the title, Brownlee scored 26 points leading in shooting, rebounds and assists for the team with the help of Christopher Newsome double figures with 16 points and Marcio Lassiter with 10.

“Cambodia were a really tough team. I mean really, really tough. But again, after that earlier loss, we showed what this team is

E-SPORTS

about. We stuck together and kept to the plan. I’m so proud for the team and of course for the Philippines.” Brownlee said.

In the first quarter, Cambodia took the lead by one, the Philippines rose up and got the second quarter, outscoring Cambodia 4433 score in the half.

The Gilas were able to take advantage in the third and fourth quarters, stopping Cambodia to make their comeback.

“There were those who doubted this team after that first defeat to Cambodia. But I can tell you in the dugout, what I told the players was that it was a defeat that was required.

Filipino Hoopers, Hoop!

We needed that defeat to bring that fire,” coach Chot Reyes said after the match.

“I always had confidence in this team. They’re united and they stuck together. You can see the results, they speak for themselves,” he continued.

“I’m just so proud of what we’ve done. We came here for the gold medal and we’ve done it,” he added.

Now that they have the title back in their hands, the Gilas have an important competition for this year’s 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup where the first qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be on the line.

SIBOL WINS GOLD IN MLBB MEN’S CATEGORY

When you hear the word basketball, there are many things that will enter your mind, and you can’t make an excuse. There are many Filipinos who play basketball here in the Philippines. Most of them started to like basketball because of amazing NBA players like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and many more. This game is one of the most popular in the country, and it has been continuously evolving through the years. This game is played mostly by youth. Hoopers can play basketball anywhere due to the creativity of the Filipinos; they can easily make a ring out of wood, a piece of metal, and nails, then place it in the streets; they call this “street basketball.’’

The street basketball here in the Philippines is actually different from street basketball in other coun-

tries. You can see Filipinos hooping everywhere. There are so many courts here in the country. They make these for the Filipino players to continue their dreams of playing basketball. One of the most popular courts here is the Tenement Court that you can find in Taguig. The creative designs of the Filipinos are the key to the popularity of this place.

Filipino hoopers are one of a kind. They find creative ways to play basketball. Others prefer to play basketball barefoot because, for them, it is comfortable and easy to move with the ball.

Since it is already summer, the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman, kagawads, and local government provide a small tournament for Filipino players known as the Streetball Summer League. It has four divisions: the Mosquito division, the Kids division, the Midget division, and the Seniors division. The first one is the Mosquito Division, which is for the kids; next is the Kids

Division, played by teenagers; the Midget Division is for the ages of eighteen and older; and the last is the Se niors Division, which is for the men ages twenty-five and old er. This has prizes for the champions and the runners-up. Streetball is different from basket ball. This is played in the streets, and its rules are dis similar to the classic rules of basketball. If you score at the perimeter, you will get only one point, while if you shoot your shot beyond the arc, you’ll get two points. Lastly, there are no shot clocks.

MJ PHILLIPS TO IMPORT IN THE KOREANV-LEAGUE

Sean Lewis Torres

hilippines national esports team Sibol took the gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games’ Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, after they overpowered Malaysia, 3-0, in their gold medal match, May 14.

“First of all pinakalma muna namin sila kasi medyo it blew us out na natalo kami with a totally 99 percent chance of winning,” national team assistant coach Vrendon Lin, told the reporters before their match against Malaysia.

“Sabi namin, kalimutan na lang namin ang talo. It only took one error and nag-focus coming into the next game.” he added The Philippines wants their revenge after a 0-1 loss against the all-star Malaysian squad in the group stage

and steals the gold medal once again for the three-peat.

Sibol made a head start, making a massive gold lead at the start of Game 1, before Malaysia made their comeback by capitalizing on a few errors by Sibol later on. Fredrinn of Kyle Saysoncan survive a long haul fight with his sustainability in the 20th minute became a treat for the Malaysians.

They capitalized on their match and did not let the Malaysia team take advantage in their first game, winning every objective and team fight. Team Philippines became even more dangerous in the later games, destroying every tower, even not allowing Malaysia to make their comeback as they took home the gold medal in the last two quick match wins.

Petro Gazz Angels, MJ Philips, a standout middle blocker is headed to Korea to play for the Gwangju Al Peppers. Philips was chosen in the 2023 Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) women’s Asian Quota draft last Friday, April 21, 2023. She was among 23 aspirants from Asia, and became one of the first seven Asian imports in the league.

Philips was the sole Filipino player to be drafted; out of six Filipino aspirants. Her selection in the KOVO draft is an incredible achievement after being named the premier volleyball league’s 2nd best middle blocker recently. Creamline star Jia De Guzman, Chery Tiggo, Captain Mylene Paat, Akari spiker Dindin Santiago-Manabat, and F2 logistic pair Majoy Baron and Iris Tolenado failed to make it to the draft’s final round.

“Maraming salamat

for picking me. Thank You,” Phillips said during the vir tual draft. “It’s been a dream since I was a little girl, so I’m very excited to start the season and yeah, I hope the Peppers’ fans are excited as well.” she added.

Thai star setter Pornoun Guedpard was selected first overall in the draft. Wipawee Srithong, an outside hitter for the Thailand Na tional team, was selected as the second draft pick by Suwon Hyundai Hillstate.

Daejeon KGC signed Indonesian star Megawati Pertiwi as the third overall pick, while Gimcheon Hipass, the defending champion, acquired Thai middle blocker, Thanacha Sooksod.

The V-League Season is scheduled to kick off in October. The start of V-League this October

will lead to a more efficient training for Philips and prevent her from becoming complacent.

Last March, Philips stated in an interview that Petro Gazz had been very supportive of her trying out in Korea. Philips is expected to make an immediate impact on the court for the Peppers. Her presence on the court is sure to be missed by Petro Gazz, who will now have to find a way to replace a key player like her.

Cedrich Villa Araza

PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL

Rain Dimaliwat

SOURCE: spin.ph

SOURCE: pinoygamer.ph

SOURCE:PVL Media

SOURCE: asiasociety.org

TAEKWONDO

Cedrich Villa Araza

SLHS PTS player Carl Juanta struck another gold medal in sparring category at Batasan Hill National High school on DepEd Dual meet last March 18 and advanced to NCR level.

Sta. Lucia High school and other public schools will go to NCR due to the disqualification of private schools. According to the event’s or-

TNT Tropang Giga ends the road for the crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra with the hot hands of Mikey Williams, 97-96 in Game 6 of their best-of-7 final series to take the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup title on Friday, April 21 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Williams, the Finals MVP led the Tropang Giga contributing 38 points shooting on the field with seven rebounds and giving three assists.

“Ginebra hasn’t lost two games in a row this conference, much less three in a row—that was my pregame talk. And if there’s somebody who can beat them, it’s the team that I’m with right now,” coach Jojo Lastimosa said before taking the Cup

Williams hit

ganiz - ers, the FEU and Ateneo lack coaches. They also said that it was the first time this hap- pened in a private school where no one could enter them in the sparring category.

“Napaka thankful ko na nag ka chance pa akong maglaro sa NCR lalo na alam

nine triples with the outstanding deep three that took the lead for the TNT, 95-93, 1:15 remaining on the clock.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who brought home the cup with two pressure-packed free throws with 3.2 seconds left after Brownlee missed a game-tying pullup jumper, won his first championship as a basketball pro.

The Finals MVP, Mikey averaged 22 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and made his second finals MVP, who won his first during TNT’s championship run in the 2021 Philippine Cup.

For the Barangay Ginebra, Brownlee gave 29 points after recovering from the effect of the food poison.

kong mahirap makapasok sa ganyan, gulat na gulat din, and I was so relieved nung nalaman kong disqualified ang private schools at nag-gold na ako kasi ‘di ko ineexpect” Carl stated in his interview.

Meanwhile, in the Open Division Female Sparring category, Nathalie Faith Dela Cruz got a silver medal.

The series will be remembered for the import match-ups between Hollis-Jefferson and Brownlee.

“Yeah. I’m going to be honest, it’s guarding Justin,” Hollis-Jefferson said when asked what was the hardest part of taking the cup.

“He was a hell of an opponent to go against. Very skilled, knows how to get to his spots. He hit me with a couple good moves. Hollis-Jefferson said being impressed.

“He definitely pushed me and played me great the whole series,” Brownlee said.

“Hopefully I did the same with him, and he expressed that. And it was just basically just mutual respect, and I congratulate him,” he added, complimenting Jefferson.

Cristal Merca - do, Jayanne Chloe, and Daphnelei Ong then dominated the Females Team Poomsae and came home with a silver medal.

In Mixed Pair Poomsae, Hanz Louise Delos Santos and Cristal Mercado, on the other hand, were able to snatch a bronze medal. Prince Jerrol Valdemar in Male Sparring cat-

Online gaming is a top hit in the Philippines with millions of Filipinos loving to play these games because it’s easy to access with a broadband internet action and it is playable indoors.

Varieties of online games have been thriving here in the Philippines. These brought joy to the lives of every Filipino; some of them have become addicted to games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), League of Legends: Wild Rift, Valorant, Dota 2, and many more.

Countless Filipinos have started streaming online games on different platforms to earn money and show off their skill at playing online games. Filipino streamers were also the reason why there were so many players here in the Philippines. They are popular to many people, especially to the youth.

egory earned a bronze medal. “Well and good, binuhos nila lahat 100 percent, kita ko sa kanila na gutom pa at uhaw mag laro at manalo” SLHS PTS taekwondo coach said.

The NCR meet event will take place on April 24-29, while the upcoming Palarong Pambansa will be on July 29 to August 5.

The Philippine gaming community continues to grow, which is why there are multiple tournaments being held in the country like E-Palarong Pambansa and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL). Many benefits can be gained if you join a tournament. One of which is your team’s winning the championship spot, allowing your squad to compete in a world championship Esports game.

Because of these, different Filipino gaming teams are able to represent the Philippines in different international professional games like the MLBB World Championship, the Valorant Champions Tour, and other international leagues.

Online games may give benefits, it may also affect the gamer’s lifestyle. It can affect physical health (such as the way

of sleeping, your vision, eating time, etc.) and your mental health. Advantages of online games include finding new friends online or a temporary escape through the hurdles of life.

In the Philippines, online gaming communities are continuously growing and opening new opportunities — especially to the Filipino youth — to represent the Philippines outside the country. Platforms like these introduce a new blood of Filipino skills and talents that can be showcased to the world. With online gaming being prominent to the current generation, the Philippine culture is now integrated with a new strand of identity.

As one of the most famous Esport teams, the Blacklist International said that Filipino youth are now breaking the code.

TNT OVERPOWERED GINEBRA IN 2023 PBA GOVERNOR’S CUP CROWN

NEW BLOOD OF FILIPINO ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS

BASKETBALL

ONLINE GAMES

Rain Dimaliwat

Cedrich Villa Araza