The Crusader December 2021 Broadsheet

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DARED & GEARED UP

University News

XU to prioritize lab classes for limited F2F return in 2nd semester

By Claire Ivy T. Vanguardia

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XU’s second virtual Festival Days highlights hope amid pandemic

By Racquel Vaneza Kate B. Agustin n Dec 1-4, the University celebrated its annual Xavier University Festival Days (XUFD) with the theme “Gear Up, Xavier Ateneo!”, streamed online via Facebook Live.

In its second year as a virtual celebration, XUFD 2021 offered a profusion of hope from the “Puhon” of the previous year.

This year’s theme centered on three subthemes: Gear Up to a Newer You, Gear Up to a Better Normal, and Gear Up to a Brighter Future. As the country is slowly getting back to normal, XUFD 2021 created a route of communication in upholding and promoting

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positivity amidst the pandemonium.

“There is still negativity—but it’s time that we move forward, yet it doesn’t necessarily mean na although we are still in this pandemic we are not going to move forward.

It’s time to gear up with a brighter future ahead,” XU Central Student Government (CSG) Department of Events Management (DEM) Secretary AJ Obenza shares.

Dubbed as the ‘city’s second fiesta’, the annual celebration was inaugurated with a wreath laying ceremony, an opening mass, and the traditional lighting of the trees in the University Main Lane. Similar to what the XU

community is accustomed to, the grand XUFD Festival Night followed the opening ceremony, wherein various performances from the different units of the University—grade school, junior and senior high school, higher education and alumni—were showcased. XUFD 2021 also featured virtual games hosted by the CSG, including the improved Trivia Night and the Atenean’s Game Night inspired by the hit series ‘Squid Game”, as well as various talk shows and live musical performances.

EDITORIAL PAGE 6

NEWS PAGE 4

Halalan 2022 COC Filing subtitutions

CDO eyes herd immunity by yearend

Red balloons, silly costumes, and a full face of exaggerated makeup—clowns. Who would have thought that politicians had the time to be jesters mocking the system?

To further maintain the lowered number of infections, Cagayan de Oro City has implemented a ‘no vax, no entry’ policy in indoor establishments.

n Dec 10, XU started its preparatory phase for the possible physical and safe reopening of colleges for the second semester of AY 2021-2022.

Subject to various restrictions in order to provide a feasible safe oncampus learning environment, the University’s indoor venues will be utilized only up to its 50 percent capacity.

Moreover, students, staff and non-teaching personnel must be fully vaccinated and must either be registered in PhilHealth or any equivalent health insurance programs with COVID-19 coverage.

Those who will participate in the limited face-to-face classes must strictly conform to the minimum health and safety standards.

According to Vice President for Higher Education Dr. Juliet Dalagan, the College of Nursing and the School of Medicine have already

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FEATURES PAGE 11

2021 Year in Review As an opportunity to slowly rebuild the world we once knew, 2021 is marked by the Philippines taking the first definite steps to rid the country of pandemic ruin.

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University News

Over 800 COVID-19 jabs administered in XU’s vax program

By Danica Ela P. Armendarez & Melvin P. Villacote

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n Nov 18-19, XU launched its COVID-19 vaccination drive for the University community at the Main Campus Covered Courts.

The vaccination drive was in full coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) through the City Health Insurance Office (CHIO) and the local government unit (LGU) of CDO. Dubbed as “Vaccination at XU”, the two-day vaccination program was the first campus-based vaccination project in the city that catered to its own students and employees.

The Vaccination Administration Committee was headed by Director of Institutional Societal Engagement (ISE) Engr. Dexter Lo and University Health Services Director Dr. Augusto Guitarte, ably supported by the University’s Administration Cluster led

by Vice President for Administration Edison Sasoy. According to Guitarte, the local government tapped XU through University President Fr. Mars Tan to hold the initiative on account of the substantial supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. “We had a series of meetings then we decided on the date, [...] and the target was for as long as maka-come up mi ug 500 kabuok vaccinees,” he shares.

Vaccination at XU catered to the unvaccinated members of the

University community and their families. This initiative was in line with the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) regulations to allow only vaccinated employees to come to work in January 2022, as well as with the University’s plan for Limited Face-to-Face (LFF) instruction for Higher Education in the second semester of this school year, wherein only vaccinated students can attend.

XU’s move to hold an on-campus and exclusive vaccination drive is aimed at contributing to the city’s goal of reaching herd immunity and the safe reopening of schools. As per CHIO nurse Giovanni Dael, XU has set a benchmark for being the first school in the city to vaccinate its own constituents. “XU jud ang pinakauna nga nag-open sa ilang doors to prioritize the faculty, the students, and family members […] and isa siya ka tsada na move to encourage na magopen na atoang mga schools.”

From the two-day on-campus vaccination, 847 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines donated by the city LGU were administered to registered individuals from the following categories: A1.0 Frontliners (2 vaccinees), A2.0 Senior Citizens (10), A3 Adult with comorbidities (72), A4.1 Private Workers (74), A5.0 Indigent Population (2), C1.0 Students 18 years old and

above (278), and D1.0 12-17 years old students without comorbidities (409).

“For the vaccination, there are more students than faculty and staff nga mga nabakunahan,” Guitarte reiterates. Majority of those who availed the vaccines belonged to the newly added D category for the minor age bracket.

Throughout the vaccination dates, different service units of the University also took part to help including the staff from the Computing and Information Services Office (CISO), medical students of XU Dr Jose P Rizal School of Medicine (JPRSM), University nurses, and as well as other personnel from the Office of the President, Strategy and Quality Management Office, Human Resources Office, Administration Office, Communications and Promotions Office, Central Purchasing Office, Mission and Ministry Office, Safety Security and Information Office, and Physical Plant Office.

The second dose of vaccines were administered on Dec 9-10, exactly 21 days after the registrants’ first doses. Despite the decrease in local COVID-19 cases, Guitarte constantly reminds everyone—especially the XU community—to stay vigilant at all times, and “as much as possible, get vaccinated before the year ends”.C

ROAD TO HERD IMMUNITY. XU students, employees, and their families participate in “Vaccination at XU”, a two-day vaccination program held at the XU Main Campus Covered Courts on November 18. Photos by Jivi Rizaldo

XU Festival Days 2021 FROM PAGE 1

A FESTIVAL OF HOPE. Following a full virtual celebration last year, the XU community celebrates the start of the Xavier University Festival Days (XUFD) on-campus on December 1 with the theme “Daring to Gear Up”. Photos by Aira May Plaga and Jivi Rizaldo

The Gear Up! Music Fest, in partnership with Globe, also highlighted Filipino artists SEAN and The Dukes which concluded the fourday celebration.

Along with the celebration, the University also commemorated the 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius’ conversion. In line with this and in honor of the University’s patron saint, 500 beneficiaries received aid from the Php 81,115.25 proceeds of the donation drive that was made for San Ignacio Care for the Poor.

The event highlighted how the XU community misses their second home, celebrating the festivity with their friends and loved ones therein. “I already miss the feeling of satisfaction after every event. I just could not stop [wondering] what it would be like if we were able to hold it (XUFD) face-to-face,” shares XUFD Program Host Disney Barros. Regardless of the circumstances, XU made a leap in bringing the XU community closer together by taking a step back from the past experiences that made everyone stronger. “Nonetheless, all I can say is that the efforts of the people involved were well appreciated and I am looking forward to participating again next

year,” Barros added.

In conclusion to the event, Director of Student Affairs Ivanell Subrabas hopes, “Albeit done virtually, I look forward to having the community reflect on some of the good things that happened despite the pandemic— things that have become their own cannonball moment and made them feel inspired to ‘gear up’ as we take on what the future holds.”C

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It’s about getting ready in anticipation of a brighter future as we begin to see hope brimming in the horizon.”

Ivanell R. Subrabas XU Director of Student Affairs

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December 2021 | Vol. 48 No. 2

Local News

XU, TYF tie up for ‘Christmas for Others’, distribute 2K food packs across NorMin

By Danica Ela P. Armendarez & Levina Eunice O. Palarca

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n Nov 15-25, various volunteers from the University community packed 2,000 bags of rice and vegetable food packs in the University Gymnasium as a contribution being one of the provincial partners of the Tanging Yaman Foundation (TYF) for its nationwide “Christmas for Others” initiative.

Christmas for Others is a nationwide joint project spearheaded by the Metrobank Foundation under the Helping Hands Community Food Assistance Project, along with, PaGTitipon: A Food Augmentation Project by George Ty (GT) Foundation, and TYF. As a way to celebrate the Christmas season, the initiative aims to provide food packs to those vulnerable sectors that are greatly affected by the pandemic and other surge of calamities. The project was also simultaneously held in 100 sites all over the country—stretching from Cagayan Valley to Marawi City. The University, as TYF’s provincial partner, was tasked to distribute 500 food packs to each of the four Mindanao distribution sites namely: CDO, Bukidnon, Iligan, and Marawi. These distribution sites also had their own local partners who identified the recipients of the food packages such as the CDO City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), Zamboanguita Parish of Bukidnon, and Iligan Medical Centre College (IMCC).

During the five-day repacking period, a number of fully-vaccinated volunteers from different College Councils along with staff from the XU Student Activities and Leadership Development (SACDEV) and Physical Plant Office (PPO) helped hand-in-hand to achieve the target

number of food packs to be distributed.

“This type of immediate project really tests the sense of volunteerism sa XU community [especially] with the ongoing pandemic, […] also this wouldn’t be made possible without the commitment of our student volunteers and (University) staff,” XU Student Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SSIAP) Director and Christmas for Others point person Nestor Banuag shares.

To many of the volunteers like Steph, getting involved in this type of initiative drives the true spirit of being an Atenean.

“It feels nice to know nga daghan makabenefit sa amoang pag-volunteer and sa kani nga project, especially in this time of pandemic,” she emphasized.

To be consistent with all the food packs in the different areas, each distributed goods contained produce such as rice, as well as a variety of vegetables, and dried fish. This is in line to TYF’s aim of giving identified staple food that each household commonly needs, contrasting the usual canned and processed goods that is traditionally given in every relief pack.

TYF is a non-profit organization which aims to channel their resources to programs that nurture and educate the youth. The organization partnered with GT Foundation for the second time for “Christmas for Others,” with their first project being providing supplemental aid to ten community pantries in NCR. A total of 10,000 families all over the country received the rice and vegetable packs during the distribution of goods held on the last week of November until first week of December.C

SEASON OF GIVING. Volunteers pack goods and produce at the XU Gymnasium on November 16 as part of a Mindanaowide distribution of goods dubbed as “Christmas for Others”, a project of ADMU’s Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc. (TYFI) in partnership with the XU Social Development Office. Photos by Catherine Naldoza and Jivi Rizaldo

Newsbits

University News

CSG-DEAN hosts Mindanao-wide E-Tukod Student Congress

By Reina Margaret Gwynette T. Villamor

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Photos from XU-CSG DEAN

n Nov 12, the XU Central Student Government Department of External Affairs and Networks (CSG-DEAN) launched E-Tukod: The Mindanao Student Congress, a three-day online youth-led parliament open to all tertiary students in Mindanao, via Zoom and Facebook Live.

With its theme “Unite. Engage.

Legislate.”, the online parliament provided a full simulation of the congressional process, and served as a venue for collaboration between Mindanaoan student leaders and its delegates. The delegates were divided into five committees that would propose legislations based on the following: Peace, Justice and Security, Good Governance, Education, Cultural Empowerment, and Environmental Preservation.

The event opened on Nov 12 with a welcome party and a game night wherein delegates got to meet their committee members and chairpersons, as well as a general orientation and ‘get to know you’ session.

By Nov 13 and 24, the event launched its ‘Pagtukod’ segment, wherein delegates were able to listen to talks on the importance and impact of legislation, as well as to the committee situationers from guest speakers Atty. Ernesto Neri, Hon. Samira Gutoc, Ms. Cheryl Polutan,

Hon. Amihilda Sangcopan, and Mr. Karl Satinitig.

The ‘Pag-dasig’ segment was launched on Nov 26 wherein delegates were divided into breakout rooms for separate committee sessions. Afterwards, the plenary had its first reading for each committees’ proposed bills and resolutions.

On Nov 27, the event launched its final segment, ‘Pagmugna’, wherein the plenary had its second and third readings, the presentation of the E-Tukod Mindanao Students’ Agenda, and the launching of the Mindanao Student Alliance.

Being the first student-led and Mindanao-wide online parliament, E-Tukod Project Head Merciel Mercado asserts that E-Tukod paves the way for the youth’s role in nation-building. “The youth will always be relevant most especially in governance as we slowly become in the frontline in leading our communities. The outputs in E-Tukod speak a lot on how capable enough the youth are in legislation,” says Mercado.

The E-Tukod: The Mindanao Student Congress is a joint project by the XU CSG-DEAN and the Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC). It also hailed partners from ONE CDO, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), and various partner schools in Mindanao.C

XU grads top Sept LET, Nov CE boards

By Aliyah Francine G. Salan XU graduate Airez Guanzon ranked sixth in the Sept 2021 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) Secondary Level while Jerson Castro placed eighth in the Nov 2021 Civil Engineering Board Exam (CE).C

XU holds ‘Bayanihan, Bakunahan’ national vax program

By Kyla Gabrielle P. Tuto On Nov 29 to Dec 1, XU opened its doors for the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” a three-day national vaccination drive held at the Main Campus Covered Courts.C

XU community mourns over the loss of Dr Raul Andutan

By Andrea Marie L. Tan The XU community offered nine days of Novena Masses in the University Church on Dec 3 to 11 for the sudden passing of Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital (MRXUH) Medical Director Dr. Raul Andutan.C

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Local News University News

XU-PDC bags championship in DILG national debate tilt

NO VAX, NO ENTRY

CDO eyes herd immunity by year-end

By Claire Ivy T. Vanguardia

By Alyssa Chantal P. Moreno

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epresenting Northern Mindanao, the XU Parliamentary Debate Circle (XU-PDC) bested 16 participating regions in the CORE National Youth Summit Debate Competition hosted virtually by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Oct 7-28. With a theme centered on constitutional reforms in the Philippines, regional representatives debated pressing issues such as foreign direct investment, education, economy, and other administrative policies concerning the nation.

University News “We train almost every day from 8–10PM to prepare ourselves for our tournaments,” shares PDC Team Captain Reine Julia Madriaga.

Miko Bombeo, James Cachola (AB Soc 3), Steven Siawan (BSEd 2), and Madriaga (BSMA 4) of XU-PDC represented the Region 10 delegation.

The tournament started with the knockout rounds for each bracket, wherein the XU team won against delegates from Region II in their bracket. The PDC further outplayed the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the Cluster Semifinals, securing them a slot in the championship round.

By Levina Eunice O. Palarca The team won against the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman team from the National Capital Region (NCR) in the championship round with the motion, “This house believes that as a developing country, the Philippines should choose to be more open to trade for certain industries rather than rely on local capital.” For Cachola, what makes their whole experience worthwhile is the satisfaction of being with their teammates and using everything they learn to concretize the causes they fight for. “But in cases where it isn’t enough, the cheat code is to fake it ‘till you make it, to lie good enough and gaslight yourself into performing, some may even say to stand and deliver!” he exclaims.

Amidst the victory, the team also experienced their fair share of challenges. During the semi-finals, they reportedly entered the Zoom call unprepared as they did not receive the motion that was supposedly given 12 hours before the round. This miscommunication issue with the DILG representative granted them an additional 20 minutes to prepare their case. According to Cachola, “We experienced technical difficulties, but the biggest challenge was overcoming the anxiety from having to face older and more experienced debaters— some were already in law school and in graduate studies.” He mentioned how the team was relieved to successfully move past the minority complex— the anxieties they had coming from a minority group.

The XU Debate Circle is the official parliamentary debate organization of the University established in 1996.

From July 2020 to present, they have garnered five debate championship titles, nine grand final appearances, and 21 best speaker awards in various national and international competitions. At present, the Circle has become one of the top seven debate institutions to successfully proceed to the final series of the Philippine Intercollegiate Debating Championship (PIDC) 2021 hosted by UP Diliman on Aug 2021.C

Read the full online version of this issue at bit.ly/DecBroadsheet21 or at thecrusaderpublication.ph.

PRECAUTION. A resident of Cagayan de Oro City receives a COVID-19 vaccine during the last day of the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” vaccination program at the XU Main Campus Covered Cours on Dec 1.

Photo by Catherine Naldoza

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n Nov 1, the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) placed CDO under Alert Level 2 as a result of the declining trend of COVID-19 cases and increased number of recoveries in the city.

As mandated by the IATF, guidelines under this level include a maximum of 50 percent capacity for indoor venues and 70 percent capacity for outdoor venues, provided that health and safety measures are adhered to.

To further maintain the lowered number of infections, CDO has implemented a ‘no vax, no entry’ policy in indoor establishments. The policy prohibits unvaccinated individuals from entering malls; however, children and minors are allowed entry provided that they are accompanied by fully vaccinated adults. CDO Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Manager for Non-Health Concerns Oliver Egypto explains, “Ang gitagaan ra man og exemption […] ang below

18 nga dili pa bakunado kay ang 12 to 17 years old karon, ongoing pa ang pagpabakuna, and gamay pa pud ang porsyento (vaccinated) nationwide.”

The ‘no vax, no entry’ policy has caused an influx of unvaccinated residents rushing to vaccination centers for a jab. On Nov 26, the City Health Insurance Office reported a new record-high number of jabs in a single day with 11,862 vaccinees.

“We used to vaccinate 5,000 a day.

Now, it’s an average of 10,000 daily,” CDO City Hall Spokesperson Maricel Casiño-Rivera states. Consequently, vaccination cards are now being required upon entering several indoor establishments.

Meanwhile, CDO has already started vaccinating minors, or individuals aged 12 to 17 since Oct 29, and as of Dec 6 a total of 58,582 adolescents have received their jabs— 8,380 of which are fully vaccinated.

CDO City Mayor Oscar Moreno expects that the vaccine rollout for minors will bring the city closer to achieving herd immunity.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region X reported that CDO has fully vaccinated a total of 319,362 residents as of Dec 10, accounting for 61.59 percent of the population. To achieve herd immunity, the city government aims to vaccinate 518,518 residents, or 70 percent of the city’s total population.

Moreno hopes that the high number of daily vaccinations will continue so that CDO will attain its desired herd immunity against COVID-19 by the end of this year.

The rapid and continuous vaccination rollouts have caused a drastic decline in the number of infections and hospitalization rate.

Data from DOH portrays that as of Dec 8, the region’s total hospital bed utilization further went down to a safer level of 9.0 percent. Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) Liaison Officer Dr. Bernard Rocha explains that they have been seeing a drop in the admittance of patients with severe to critical conditions as more have been receiving their

vaccination jabs.

As of Dec 10, CDO recorded a cumulative total of 22,414 confirmed cases—91 of which are active.

Currently, vaccination drives are ongoing in malls, schools, hospitals, and other facilities. With this, the local government hopes to achieve herd immunity just before Christmas.C

COVID-19 Pandemic in CDO Summary of COVID-19 cases as of Dec 20, 2021

20,436

Cumulative cases since March 2020

19,520

Total number of recoveries

851

Total number of deaths Source Cagayan de Oro City Health Office (CHO) COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center

XU to prioritize lab classes for limited F2F return in 2nd semester FROM PAGE 1 started their limited face-to-face classes, whereas the College of Engineering is expecting to start their limited face-to-face modality by January 2022. The rest of the college programs are still being evaluated and are yet to submit their applications.

“Ongoing na ang Medicine and Nursing […] and for the College of Engineering, we will submit our application to CHED. For the rest of the programs, the deans will still evaluate and apply,” she explains.

Currently, XU is prioritizing college programs that rely on laboratories.

As per the recommendation of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), XU is retrofitting its facilities to ensure the safety of students. Handwashing stations will be provided in laboratories and the number of students to be admitted to classrooms will be restricted to allow for social distancing. Dalagan shares that a maximum of fifteen students will be allowed in a classroom set-up.

Students and faculty members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to engage in the limited face-to-face classes. Dalagan iterates, “Ang maka-apil lang gyud, according to CHED, are those fully vaccinated.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, padayon lang ka sa imohang online classes.” In a case where a student tests positive for COVID-19, they will be required to be isolated, and those who had close contact with the infected must also adhere to quarantine rules.

The implementation of limited face-to-face classes is non-mandatory.

“If their parents will not allow them to join the limited face-to-face classes, they can actually continue with the online classes, so that’s a provision actually,” Dalagan expresses. For the College of Engineering, classes will be designed such that students will receive alternate activities during the limited face-to-face classes. This arrangement will cater to students who choose to continue learning

online and those who will proceed with classroom learning.

As of now, XU deans are still evaluating other college programs for the safe resumption of limited faceto-face classes. “Laboratories pa gyud ang atoang target, especially for those who are graduating. Right now, kato lang sa ang Nursing and Medicine, while Engineering and Sciences will apply for second semester,” Dalagan emphasizes.C

Photo by Catherine Naldoza

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December 2021 | Vol. 48 No. 2

Local News

CDO LGU, XU to build localized study on ‘Green Buildings’

By Andre’ Socorro F. Doria

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n Nov 3, XU President Fr. Mars Tan along with CDO City Mayor Oscar Moreno inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the localization study of the Green Building Code (GB Code) through the University’s team of professional Engineers towards building a more sustainable city.

The 2015 Philippine Green Building Code (PGBC) sets the minimum standards for compliance on energy efficiency, water efficiency, material sustainability, solid waste management, site sustainability, and indoor environmental quality to minimize the negative impact of buildings on human health and the environment.

“The project team is expected to provide recommendations on localized green building standards aimed at mitigating the impact of buildings in Cagayan de Oro City on the natural environment, through sustainable design and construction practices,” said Project Leader and Licensed Chemical Engineer Dr. Maria Theresa Isla-Cabaraban of XU’s College of Engineering. The localized GB Code covers new building constructions

including additions, alterations, conversion, or renovations of certain types of infrastructures based on minimum categories of floor area, use, or occupancy. “​​ The gap analysis will identify where standards are explicitly called for [sic] or extend beyond the core requirements of the PGBC, taking into account standards that have acceptance in the industry from a wide set of professional bodies.” Cabaraban discloses. Moreno also highlighted the role of the academe by likening XU’s involvement to a “watershed moment” from its long history of building Cagayan de Oro. “I really trust them and I admire them for their hard work and dedication to the work of the University and to also contribute something outside especially to the City, ” Tan expressed.

With regards to how XU’s Campus of Future would contribute to the city, Cabaraban assured, “Our project will contribute to the City’s achieving its sustainability and environmental goals, particularly in the design and construction of buildings and structures, to create a smart, green and livable Cagayan de Oro City.”

The project is an initiative of the College of Engineering professors through the Institutional Societal Engagement (ISE) Director Engr Dexter Lo, and lodged under the Engineering Resource Center (ERC) of the XU Social Development (SocDev) cluster.C

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Our project will contribute to the City’s achieving its sustainability and environmental goals, [...] to create a smart, green and livable CDO.” GOING GREEN. XU President Fr. Mars Tan and CDO City Mayor Oscar Moreno sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the localization study of the Green Building Code at the CDO City Hall on Nov 3. Photos from CDO City Information Office

Dr. Maria Isla-Cabaraban GB Code Study Project Leader

Vox Populi

I am not ready for face to face classes for the second semester

What are your thoughts on XU’s plan for limited face to face classes for the second semester?

In line with the announcement of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regarding the approved face-to-face classes for all degree programs in higher education institutions (HEIs) in areas under Alert Level 2 status, XU is transitioning to a planned face-to-face setup for the second semester of this academic year. This poses the question: are students ready for face-to-face classes?

Reasons for skepticism

Based on the answers of respondents who answered Not Ready and Undecided on the survey

COVID-19 transmision Logistical challenges Fear of adjustments Prefers the online setup Not yet vaccinated

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JJF BS Agricultural & Biosystems Engg 1

Online learning is not something that I want to be in for the rest of my college life.

It’s difficult to focus and give my 100% effort. I believe that face-to-face would help a lot of students, however, I am still undecided for the face-to-face for the 2nd Semester. I am afraid that I may be infected with Covid-19 and as well as the other changes that come along with it.”

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Daryll

BS Nursing 1

I still do not know whether I am ready for the face-to-face classes or not, especially that the risk of getting infected is still there.

I know that the FTF classes will help a lot of students, but I am also concerned about our safety because having FTF classes would mean interacting with other people and many will try to commute considering not everyone has private vehicles.”

Based on an online survey with 1,396 respondents from the XU community

The survey respondents comprise 17% of the total population of XU

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Baetokki BS Biology 3

As a person who does not have any conducive learning area in our house, the planned F2F helps me to have something to hope for the next semester to come.

My mental health is already deteriorating and as a visual tactile person, it is really important for me to handle things to be able to learn, especially for my lab classes.

Also, having my friends physically could help me cope up from the loneliness that I felt at home for having a hard time in every subjects that I have.”

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Melissa

BS Development Communication 4

It needs to happen as soon as possible. We are the only country still in online classes —and online is just not as effective as F2F classes! If we continue in this set-up, we might become the most unready and incompetent batch.”

I am undecided about the face to face classes for the second semester

I am ready for face to face classes for the second semester

The data shows the results of the survey conducted among 1,396 XU higher education student respondents, making up about 17 percent of the University’s gross student population. According to the survey, 43 percent of the respondents are ready for faceto-face classes. However, more than half are either unprepared or undecided for it.

Given the results of the survey, respondents are unprepared or undecided for the implementation of face-to-face classes due to the fear of contracting COVID-19 and possibly infecting their family and friends.

Moreover, most of the respondents also fear the challenges in terms of logistics and adjustments if ever the University pushes through with this plan.

With this, the University needs to consider these data and narratives so as to undergo a smooth transition to face-toface learning. As students face various fears and inhibitions, it can be expected that the University will explore other alternatives— such as continuing online learning until the next academic year or facilitating blended learning for lab courses in the next semester—to better cater to these concerns.C

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Editorial

House of clowns R Crusader

The

The official student publication of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan

Editorial Board Melvin P. Villacote Editor in Chief Reina Margaret T. Villamor Associate Editor* Jean Mika M. Aporillo Design Editor* Rafhael L. Jabongga Managing Editor Danica Ela P. Armendarez News Editor* Claire T. Vanguardia Campus Features Editor* Alyssa Chantal P. Moreno Local Features Editor* Levina Eunice Palarca National Features Editor* Ashley P. Bruas Graphic Design & Layout Editor* James Patrick B. Pabonita Photography Editor* Jayson Elvie G. Ty Freehand Editor* Karl Mykell Tabbay Video Productions Director Managers Edshera R. Abella Human Resource Manager Jivi Roy D. Rizaldo Online Accounts Manager Kevin Matthew N. Pacana Office Manager Aira May L. Plaga Circulations Manager Paula D. Francisco Senior Research Manager Catherine Naldoza Computer Systems Manager Finance Officers Reyjean Marie S. Bacud Senior Finance Manager Sumayyah G. Caris Internal Auditor

ed balloons, silly costumes, and a full face of exaggerated makeup—clowns. Who would have thought that politicians had the time to be jesters mocking the system? The movie ‘IT’ was a fascinating horror story that introduced the character of Pennywise. Certainly, the legislators were inspired to become just like him, except in suits disguised to make a fool out of themselves as the elections draw near. Will the Philippines “float too” under their funny acts and empty promises?

The electoral process has become a circus for the house of clowns.

Though the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) and certificate of nomination acceptance (CONA) for Halalan 2022 has concluded, these politicians appear to be enjoying their withdrawal-substitution stunts.

According to Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code, substitution is granted before a deadline set by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on three grounds: death, withdrawal, or disqualification of the original candidate. This legal option is provided that the replaced candidate would come from the same political party.

Though the practice of substitution is permitted, these Pennywise-like aspirants seem to be utilizing it as a method for electoral negotiations and personal gains.

Presidential daughter and incumbent Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who previously showed “no interest” for a position in the national government, withdrew her COC for reelection as mayor and ended up eyeing for the vice presidential seat. She has been labeled as the ‘working wife’ of Former Senator and Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr in their tandem of a ‘marriage made in heaven’, leaving Senator Bong Go, Sara’s supposedly running mate, out

Staff Writers Racquel Vaneza Kate B. Agustin (Trainee) Regina Noelle C. Arquiza (Trainee) Fritz F. Bustamante (Trainee) Andre’ Socorro F. Doria (Trainee) Rustom Louiegie P. Duran (Trainee) Irone Marie L. Jabagat (Trainee) Abdel Rafi M. Lim Hanz Lloyd A. Paderon (Trainee) Hyacinth L. Premacio (Trainee) Nia Enrille R. Rabanes Staff Broadcasters Angelyne I. Bonani (Trainee) Christian A. La Victoria (Trainee) Kenneth Wallace G. Melendez (Trainee) Aliyah Francine G. Salan (Trainee) Andrea Marie L. Tan (Trainee) Kyla Gabrielle P. Tuto (Trainee) Staff Photojournalists Zenju P. Espinosa (Trainee) Kenneth Jhon D. Sanchez Staff Layout Artist Derrick Kean A. Auxtero Staff Videographer John Ian G. Bradshaw Staff Freehand Artists Kiarra Dlahmane P. Lingating (Trainee) Shaun Arthur O. Pao (Trainee)

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in the cold. President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that he was blindsided by the acts of his daughter. With rage, he declared to run for Vice President to partner Go and face her very own

candidacy for president followed.

Oh, let us not forget the irrational statement of Senator Ronaldo “Bato” dela Rosa, “I am withdrawing because I am withdrawing, haha.” Then we

They are terrifying to be relied upon as our leaders, granted the timeline of chaotic events. They lie about their candidacy and come up with fake promises out of pride. If they can lie with their candidacy, how can we entrust our country’s fate in their hands if they presumably win and become our next leaders? daughter. Weeks after, Senator Harry Roque stated that President Duterte would run instead for Senator, and news about Go withdrawing his

have Mayor Isko Moreno’s outburst slamming supporters of a presidential candidate as ‘yellowtards,’ and now, a bomb has been dropped as Duterte

mentioned that there is a cocaine user among the presidential candidates.

Alliances have been made and broken, and the cycle continues.

The indecisiveness of the candidates reflects how power-hungry and disorganized they are. Pennywise was already painted as the antagonist of the story, but these politicians mask themselves as ‘great leaders’ who practice dirty acts. They are terrifying to be relied upon as our leaders, granted the timeline of chaotic events. They lie about their candidacy and come up with fake promises out of pride.

If they can lie with their candidacy, how can we entrust our country’s fate in their hands if they presumably win and become our next leaders? The strategic ways of looking “appealing” to the masses is a false reality that the people must disassociate themselves to. The ugly truth is better than a pretty lie. Oftentimes, people justify their acts because it is “part of politics”. But no, as Filipino voters opt for change, the theatrical drama of politicians must no longer be tolerated. Let us not turn our country into a living joke. The Philippines has faced enough trauma from the Pennywise-like lawmakers. In the upcoming elections, do not allow evil to pry in our midst. Know your candidate and use your vote for the better.C

Opinion 7

December 2021 | Vol. 48 No. 2

Column

Demos, dress codes, and discrimination

By Sumayyah G. Caris

S

ociety has come a long way in terms of making opportunities more inclusive for everyone, especially for those coming from varying beliefs and religions.

Even our own University has encouraged a sense of Muslim representation despite it being a Jesuit institution. And although it may be rare to see women like us at school, donning our veils on top of our uniforms, we still feel that we are able to freely be ourselves and not feel marginalized by our peers.

Happychalala

However, some opportunities are still being denied to us because of our beliefs and how we choose to present them through our hijabs.

Some courses and classes within the University disallow the wearing of our veils, going as far as prohibiting us to attend the class at all, like some Nursing students who are unable to proceed with their Related Learning Experience (RLE) and Return Demonstrations (RetDem) because hijabs aren’t standardized as part

of proper attire. There have been instances where a student was forced to choose between her course or her hijab.

Not wanting to sacrifice her beliefs, she had no choice but to shift, costing her a scholarship in the process. Other Mindanaoan universities had never felt the need to implement such strict and discriminatory regulations.

What’s worse is that incoming freshmen students enter college fully unaware that they might need to let go of an extremely essential part of

their religious identity in order to get a diploma. Some people may not understand the significance of parting with a piece of clothing, but they should be able to empathize with how this makes us feel.

We may be a minority, but it does not dismiss the impact these conditions have on our lives as students and practitioners of our faith. This is merely a small scale representation of how society silently discriminates against us and denies us opportunities.

Outside the academe, we have to face workplaces that don’t hire us and landlords that don’t grant us properties—all because of our faith.

The University has some catching up to do—discriminating against articles of clothing is severely out of season. What does a veil have to do with my being a nurse or a professional?

Understand that our hijabs are one of the things that empower us, not hold us back.C

Column

Slow days aren’t wasteful

By Aira May L. Plaga

S

leep is not for college students. We don’t do that here.” This was a statement I usually heard from my older friends before I stepped into college. Confused and unaware, I wondered whether it was just some form of self-deprecating humor. Little did I know it would be the same statement that would echo in my head when I worked through the night to finish my schoolworks—fearing failure more than physical exhaustion.

Being college students in the midst of a pandemic, we are constantly challenged by the ‘new normal’ setup.

Now confined in our homes and forever facing our laptops, we incline ourselves to achieve academic excellence to make up for the lack of face-to-face learning and social interactions. And this is a good thing, as the University has always placed emphasis on competence and

commitment to one’s craft and course.

Yet, the road to academic excellence entails sacrifice. As I sit in front of my laptop, trying to finish my contending priorities, I always feel the need to sacrifice sleep and other personal outlets. “Sleep is not for college students. We don’t do that here,”—the thought would echo again.

Some would say time management is the answer. But I would argue that

with the demands of each subject, coupled with extra-curricular work and the responsibilities we have at home, advising time management is easier said than done. Most of the time, students still cram and sacrifice rest as the fear of failure always trumps one’s own health. It generates the idea that college is all about the grind, and that there is no room for slow days.

However, humans are not designed

for nonstop progress. We must afford ourselves these slow days to rest, recuperate, and re-energize. Yes, the University pushes us to strive for excellence, but the Ignatian way will never be possible without rest.

Resting for a bit does not equate to slowing down or giving up—it means allowing yourself to pause so you can start up your work again and continue doing so with an enthusiastic heart.C

Majestie

Column

What Jimbei told Luffy

By Kevin Matthew N. Pacana

I

n case you don’t know, Jimbei is one of the (exceptional) characters from the hit anime series One Piece. He is a former member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and recently, became the official helmsman of the Strawhat Pirates. With more than 1000 episodes and counting, One Piece has proved itself to be a masterpiece in progress, for it imparted valuable lessons that shaped their fans (including myself), to become the person they are today.

Aslan

Spoiler alert! When Luffy’s swornbrother Ace died in the epic war at Marineford, Luffy was devastated, and the absence of all of his crewmates added a thorn to the inevitable grief that consumed him. Unable to bear Luffy’s pain, Jimbei told him: “You can’t bring back what you’ve lost, think about what you have left.”

At first, I never really understood what these words meant, nor really

experienced the feeling of grief, until I lost a parent five years ago. Indeed, overcoming grief is one of life’s hardest obstacles.

To those of you who have a similar experience, I am sure you’ve been asked this million-dollar question: “Okay ra ka?” or heard the old adage “Time heals all wounds”. Of course, my natural response to the former question was unapologetically never. Losing

someone leaves a scar that is invisible to the naked eye. I also believe that the definition of passage of time for someone who is grieving is personal.

It could take months, years, even decades—and that’s okay. We deserve to heal on our own terms, and there is nothing wrong with that.

When Luffy realized what Jimbei’s words meant, I realized something too. Our grief blinded us to accept that

death is part of life—it completes our experience as a human being. Losing someone important is excruciatingly painful yet, everything isn’t truly lost, nor are we totally alone. Moving forward is not easy, but there are certain things or people in our life that help ease our pain slightly better. As for Luffy, he has his crewmates and allies believing in him to become the next Pirate King.C

Column

All too well

By Reyjean Marie S. Bacud

I

bet by now you have probably seen Taylor Swift’s iconic ‘All Too Well: The Short Film”. If you haven’t, and you actually don’t care about it, the new tenminute version details the rise and fall of an intense, toxic relationship. While the film takes its viewers on an emotional journey of heartbreak, one issue stands out as a perfect representation of what toxic relationships can look like behind closed doors—gaslighting.

A form of psychological manipulation, gaslighting typically involves denying the reality of the person you’re attempting to control. In the film, we see gaslighting taking the form of the main lead, as he makes his girlfriend feel ‘crazy’ for airing out her concerns and frustrations.

There are those days that these gaslighters will let you feel how worthy and loved you are, yet, on some days, will let you have those moments of your

tears pouring down on your cheeks as you start to doubt your worth, so much that you can hardly even acknowledge that it’s already their way of manipulating you.

At some point or another, we’ve all been victims of gaslighting at least once in our life. Even the simplest “Sorry, ikaw man jud oy,” can be an example as it is not an apology, but rather a way of making you feel like you are the problem. If one is to

reason out that gaslighting isn’t even a valid term, that it’s just a made-up appellation “victims” use as defense to not take responsibility, that the victim’s mentality sees no limits—that they want to play victims in a pitiful manner to avoid having to swallow their pride and admit that it’s their mistake, then you are mistaken.

Gaslighting is not only limited to intimate relationships, either. It also occurs in politics, society, institutions,

and even in families. Yet they all share the same reason for their existence— the attempt to control a person by causing them to question reality.

Taylor Swift’s short film is a masterpiece we’ll remember all too well. It reminds us that gaslighting is something real and in occurrence in any aspect of life. Just as Swift’s music helps her remember she’s worth it despite being gaslit, I hope you, too, will remember the same.C

Arbees

8

Crusader

The

Features

Read the full online version of this issue at bit.ly/DecBroadsheet21 or at thecrusaderpublication.ph.

TO DAY ’ S TO P H I T S

The Sounds of Paskong Pinoy Story by Regina Noelle C. Arquiza & Rustom Louiegie P. Duran Jr. Design by Derrick Kean A. Auxtero & Melvin P. Villacote

hristmas or Pasko in Filipino is one of the most anticipated holidays in the Philippines. It is the one holiday that, regardless of your status, families go all out to celebrate the merriest time of the year. It is a celebration that is not only a manifestation of faith, but also of long-standing traditions and vibrant personalities. Filipinos have unique traditions when celebrating Christmas, one of them being the longest celebration yet.

The country has the record for celebrating the longest Christmas in the entire world. Truly, leaving the Christmas lights up ‘til January has never been an issue for the Pearl of the Orient.

Recently, however, there is an event that is starting to rival the fourmonth long holiday. The pandemic has lasted in the Philippines for more than a year already—this means that the whole country has also been in a one-year back and forth between MECQs, GCQs, and all other atrocious nicknames for community quarantines that could be thought of. This also implies lockdowns, restrictions according to age, and mass gatherings.

With the event of celebrating another Pasko during this pandemic, we

C

can’t help but look back and reminisce on the Christmases of the past and how it has changed throughout the years.

Going through the memories and the emotions that go along with it, all of ‘Paskong Pinoy’ is encapsulated here in our very own playlist.

Sa Araw ng Pasko Kahit pa malayo ka, kahit nasaan ka pa… The holidays have always been a time for most of us to come home and reconnect with our family members, recalling happy moments while creating new ones during this momentous occasion. The presence of our family reminds us all that no matter the hurdles or struggles the upcoming year might have for us, we can always find love here—even without the mistletoe above our heads.

To celebrate, there are usually big parties—uncles, aunts, and cousins wearing corny but matching sweaters all huddled together. But with the pandemic invading our lives like a catchy yet irritating symphony, it has also taken away some traditions that we usually engage ourselves in, like travelling to our family and holding parties.

Such is the case for loving father turned business owner Edgar Griño who usually celebrates Christmas at

‘‘

Christmas is a promise, that no matter how big the changes in our lives may be, we will always have traditions and people we can always come home to.’’

Dumaguete, their hometown, in the presence of their extended family and friends.

Christmas in Our Hearts Giving gifts, exchanging cards…

Christmas has always been a testimony of Filipinos’ selflessness and concern for each other. Gift-giving is a universal way that makes this holiday all the more worthwhile. Gift-giving is not only limited to the people who attend extravagant parties or families who hold it for each other, but it is also found loitering in the streets all over the Philippines.

One prominent activity during this time is caroling from house-to-house, most usually by a group of children.

And as a means of showing gratitude for the (read: sometimes) lovely number, they would usually give spare coins as a reward.

Though, there has been a notable difference between then and now.

Through the years, activities such as caroling are rarely seen, but it hasn’t fully been forgotten either. The dreadful hymn of the pandemic has paused the melody of this tradition too as children are no longer permitted to wander the streets as freely as they’re used to—resulting in lonelier streets and more silent nights.

Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko Mabuti pa ang pasko noong isang taon… As we age, we have noticed a lot of discrepancies in the holidays. There is a great difference between how we celebrated Christmas as children and how we spent it as young adults.

This is also the sentiment of dedicated mother and entrepreneur Jo-Ann Griño who says that Christmas felt really different for her during her childhood and teenage years. She also notes that the excitement and anticipation of Christmas is fading away, at least when compared to the past few years.

Certainly, we can all agree that the difference is more than just skin deep, the air around us has also been changing. Aside from growing up and the changing priorities, the pandemic has brought upon us a new normal. A normal where we appreciate and come to know the company of intimacy, a normal where we are graced only with our closest relatives. We are nostalgic for all the other Christmases we celebrated with our extended families.

The raucous laughter of dads, the conspiring whispers of moms, and the time spent with all of them together.

Now though, we are only comforted by the memories we had of those times and of the hope that soon, we

Features 9

December 2021 | Vol. 48 No. 2

can continue to create souvenirs in the shape of memories once again.

Christmas Bonus Ang Christmas bonus, ating inaasahan… This practice by the Filipinos does not come without a cost, of course. It is also a time where they shell out a lot of money to keep the traditions alive even through the hard times. Despite the challenge, they never fail to give their 100 percent— preparing a table to celebrate the holidays humbly or wrapping presents for their loved ones.

Recently though, the going just keeps getting rougher because the never-ending lockdowns, the closure of businesses, and the loss of jobs by the thousands just make this problem all the more palpable. Celebrating the holidays sure is important but when the sound of our pockets are more like screeches than they are melodies, the best way to handle Christmas would be to forego the extravagance that we’re used to and make do with what we can.

Christmas is better celebrated with the buzz of people than they are with the lingering songs of debt.

Star ng Pasko Salamat sa liwanag mo…

Christmas is not just about spending

time with family and getting a break from school and work. In its truest essence, Filipinos pride themselves on celebrating Christmas because it is a reminder of God’s love. The celebration of Christmas would not come to be if Jesus Christ did not come down and save us all by dying on the cross, carrying our sins on His back.

If there is one thing that remains true and constant no matter the weather, during a pandemic, or a dark tunnel, it is that Filipinos celebrate Christmas simply because of the utter joy that Christ is King. If there is one reason as to why Filipinos remain hopeful despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it is our faith that remains stronger than the doubts that cloud us. *** Christmas will always be the merriest time of the year for Filipinos, and no crisis can refute that. It is a holiday that serves as a beacon of hope, that no matter the struggle something good always comes after (in this case, it’s bopping to Jose Mari Chan and the ABS-CBN station IDs). Christmas is a promise, that no matter how big the changes in our lives may be, we will always have traditions and people we can always come home to. Isang maligayang pasko sa inyong lahat!C

PASKONG PINOY WRAPPED

Our Top Songs Thumbing through customized playlists always brings back some sort of nostalgia. We look back at the songs we added, and we remember all the memories and the feelings that came along with it. With our second pandemic Christmas right around the corner, we cannot help but reminisce on the Christmases of our past, playing the playlist that resonates the sound of how it has been so far.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Star ng Pasko Various Artists

Christmas Bonus Aegis

Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko Apo Hiking Society

Christmas in Our Hearts

Jose Mari Chan

Sa Araw ng Pasko

Various Artists

Share to your story

10 Features

Crusader

The

Campus Feature

Coming Home: XU Athletes’ Hopeful Return Story by Hyacinth L. Premacio Illustration by Sheil Ann Ashley P. Bruas

ife amidst the pandemic is tough on everyone.

But for the University’s student-athletes, social distancing poses a distinct set of problems as competitions across the globe were canceled in the blink of an eye. A year lost could be a career lost, so how are our student-athletes doing today?

L

Dreams on hold Athletes lead a highly structured life, and to have such an abrupt change in their lives can have its consequences.

“We went from being amused with every activity and tournament that we are part of to being drained and losing interest in our sport,” Elaiza Nicole Pajigal of the XU Women’s Basketball Team shares. “The pandemic has changed our routines and restricted us from seeing each other and practicing together,” she adds.

Not only do they have to switch their team training routines to individual sessions, they are also facing a real possibility of this pandemic eating up the last years they have to represent the University in sports events. “We are still uncertain when this pandemic will end and we fear that it might end up taking all the year/s we have left as athletes to represent our school,” Pajigal laments. Despite the dreary atmosphere, the athletes are doing their best to cope with this new era they are suddenly thrust into.

Warming up XU Athletics Department Sports Coordinator Jessica Esparrago shares how the University student-athletes are coping with the lack of in-person training amidst the pandemic, “Right now they still have their individual training sessions, at the same time they are also preparing group exercises.”

With the uncertainties the studentathletes are facing, Esparrago has also arranged for the athletes to have kamustahan sessions, mental health forums, and peer counseling.

Such activities are designed in a way to help quell the loneliness felt by the athletes who suddenly find themselves unable to interact with their teams and coaches in a face-toface setting.

Teams have little to no budget at all, so more often than not, players, former coaches, and even Esparrago herself chip in money to be able to host forums and to pay registration fees for the few sports events that can be held online like the Kata in karate and virtual chess tournaments.

Ready, set, maintain Maintenance is the name of the game. With the tournaments on an

indefinite hiatus, the University athletes now face the daunting task of maintaining in top shape, keeping themselves in peak performance, and ensuring their academics do not fall to the wayside all for the chance to compete again.

The athletes are continuously encouraged by Esparrago to meet with their former coaches and teammates online.

These sessions include everything from online skill training to online strength conditioning or even just a simple kamustahan. Athletes make do with the situation and with what they have, basketball players have gone into practicing their shots on rings in their backyards and volleyball players have been honing their ball control skills with the walls around their homes.

Esparrago also tells of the fate of our varsity scholars, “Before naglockdown, ang katong ilang status nila na full ilang scholarship, gina-maintain na nila, up until karon,” and that the University only asks them to maintain passing grades in return. Esparrago continuously encourages the scholar athletes to stay on track with their training and to actively participate in the department’s monthly activities.

Regardless of whether they can join tournaments or not, the Athletics Department does its best to recognize the achievements the athletes did, both sports-related and academics-related to uplift everyone’s spirits.

Back to zero Esparrago and the rest of the Athletics Department face quite the challenge next school year—rebuilding the various teams from the ground up.

“Back to zero noh, kay mga graduating naman ni tanan [and] wala man ta’y recruitment (last year),” Esparrago shares. She hopes that when we are allowed back on campus, she and the rest of the department can now open tryouts for all hopefuls willing to join a varsity team.

Esparrago hopes to bring in coaches when there is enough budget.

With rebuilding comes a chance for the various teams to reinvent themselves and make an even more impactful splash when sport tournaments are held in person once again. *** The future no longer looks as bleak as before for the athletes, with the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) giving the go signal to allow face-to-face training as long as everyone follows the stringent health protocols. Hopefully, this presents our student-athletes a sense of hope that they will be back to their dominant selves soon.C

‘‘

We are still uncertain when this pandemic will end and we fear that it might end up taking all the year(s) we have left as athletes to represent our school.”

Elaiza Nicole Pajigal XU Women’s Basketball Team Varsity

December 2021 | Vol. 48 No. 2

Features 11

2021

Year in Review

As an opportunity to slowly rebuild the world we once knew, 2021 is marked by the Philippines taking the first definite steps to rid the country of pandemic ruin. Let us look back on this year’s milestones and setbacks alike as we hope for a more promising one ahead.

Story by Nia Enrille R. Rabanes Design by Melvin P. Villacote

January

March

February

30 The Human Rights Watch World Report 2021 published on Jan 30 identified that the number of the Philippine government’s “drug war” killings escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia director Phil Robertson said, “As respect for human rights in the Philippines spirals downwards, concerned governments and UN agencies will need to press the Duterte government harder to halt its atrocities and hold those responsible to account.”C

The Philippines received its first batch of COVID-19 Vaccines. 600,000 doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac were sent via a People’s Liberation Army of China transport plant as a donation from the Chinese government. The Philippines was the last country to receive vaccine doses in Southeast Asia.C

01

28

June

April 26 The number of COVID-19 cases in the country surpassed the one million mark. Authorities reported a whopping total of 1,006,428. As a result, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III recommended a lockdown extension of one to two weeks.C

24

May 10 10

President Rodrigo Duterte placed the Philippines in a state of calamity for a year due to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.C

August

Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz took home the country’s first Olympic Gold medal in the women’s 55-kg weightlifting event in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.C

July 26

Kagay-anon boxer Carlo Paalam won the silver medal in the men’s flyweight boxing final event in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.C

07 08

The Philippines officially rolled out COVID-19 vaccinations on March 1. University of the PhilippinesPhilippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi is the first legal recipient of Sinovac’s CoronaVac, followed by other health workers in medical centers around Metro Manila.C

The Philippines mourned over the passing of Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III who had been dealing with illnesses since 2019.C

September After more than a year of online learning, Duterte approved limited face-to-face classes in public and private schools. The Malacañang noted that this mandate will only cover a “maximum of 100 public schools in areas categorized as minimal risk” and that have “passed the readiness assessment.”C

With the threat of the COVID-19 virus Omicron strain, the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) decided to refuse entry of vaccinated tourists as a precaution.C

October Journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa became the first Filipino to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, as announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Oct 8. Ressa shared the prize with Russian Journalist Dmitry Muratov “for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia.”C

20

December November

16

Super Typhoon “Odette” (Rai) made landfall on Siargao Island and moved through areas in Visayas and Mindanao. Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Dinagat, and Surigao del Norte are a few among those majorly affected by the typhoon.C

Sources https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/13/philippines-drug-war-killings-rise-during-pandemic | https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-receives-first-delivery-covid-19-vaccine-sinovac-february-28-2021/ | https://www.rappler.com/ newsbreak/data-documents/charts-how-philippines-got-one-million-covid-19-cases/ | https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1139854 | https://www.rappler.com/nation/updates-death-former-philippine-president-noynoy-aquino/ | https://olympics. com/en/news/weightlifter-hidilyn-diaz-wins-first-ever-olympic-gold-for-philippines | https://www.rappler.com/sports/boxing/boxing-results-carlo-paalam-tokyo-olympics-august-7-2021/ | https://www.rappler.com/nation/duterte-approvespilot-run-limited-face-to-face-classes-school-year-2021-2022 | https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2021/press-release/ | https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1521593/ph-changes-mind-stops-entry-of-vaccinated-tourists

12 Features

Crusader

The

National Feature

Understanding Face Shields:

Boon or Bane?

Story by Fritz F. Bustamante & Hanz Lloyd A. Paderon Illustration by Sheil Ann Ashley P. Bruas

ecessities, check. Face masks, check.

Face shields…a never-ending question mark. On Dec 14 2020, The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) issued Resolution 88 to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 by ordering everyone to wear full-coverage face shields over face masks in all public areas. People living in areas under alert levels 3, 2, and 1 can utilize the face shields as an extra layer of protection. Otherwise, President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced that Face shields would be confined to the “3Cs,” which refers to “closed and congested settings, and close contact,” beginning in September of this year.

N

A twist of events On Nov 15, President Duterte accepted IATF-EID’s proposal to suspend the mandatory use of face shields in areas with Alert Levels 1 to 3—more than a year after becoming one of the few nations in the world to impose the plastic barriers against COVID-19. Duterte confirmed in his pre-recorded “Talk to the People” that masks should always be part of people’s daily safety measures.

Whether catching up on errands or simply engaging in everyday work, the public is encouraged to follow the protocols. For Duterte, ignorance of the law excuses no one. “You have to obey what the government will tell you to do because it is for the good of the country and you. Sumunod lang kayo,” he says.

Consequently, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued a memorandum outlining the optional use of face shields in areas where COVID-19 warning levels are reasonably low. The use of face shields in communal settings will remain necessary in cities under Alert Level 5 and selective lockdowns.

Local government units and private establishments in locations with an Alert Level 4 status are free to keep or remove the face shield policy.

The elephant in the room The underlying question remains: is removing the mandatory use of face shields worth it? Barangay Patag SK Kagawad Leonil S. Secoya recounted his experiences using these protective gears during duties, “Whenever we use face shields, it is really uncomfortable and tedious on our parts. Face shields are expensive and harmful to the environment because they add plastic after disposal.” He adds that he is happy that the mandatory use of face shields has been lifted because as long as we follow safety protocols, wear face masks properly, and disinfect regularly, we can alleviate the spread of the virus.

For first year Education student Nicolette Diane Zamayla, face shields may come in handy in certain places that would warrant double protection such as in hospitals where there is greater transmissibility of the virus.

“I observe that face shields are unprofitable since they are only for eye protection. If people know how to follow safety protocols and remain in their respective houses, this new variant will not spread entirely,” Zamayla shares.

The COVID-19 virus may potentially continue to mutate indefinitely as evidenced by its emerging variants.

The question “When can we take that one step ahead from the virus while mutating” remains vague and cryptic.

Growing in doubts In his call to ultimately scrap the use of face shields, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco mentioned that face masks alone already do the job in preventing the spread of the virus, citing the study that was conducted by the physician-researchers of Wayne State University School of Medicine.

In the study, it was concluded that although the use of the plastic face shields paired together with the use of face masks offer the best protection against the COVID-19 infection, the combination of the two actually made

‘‘

If we can ensure that those minimal requirements, those minimal public health measures are complied, we can ensure that people don’t congregate in closed settings, the requirement for face shields, probably at this point of time is not mandatory.

Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe WHO Country Representative

little difference over the use of face masks alone. This supports the idea that face masks alone are already enough to curb the virus.

“Surprisingly, when assessing the

combined protection of surgical masks and face shields, the level of protection was not enhanced in comparison to using surgical masks alone,” one of the physician-researchers Dr. Teena Chopra, M.D.,M.P.H. pointed out.

Bigger doubts arise especially after University of the Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Engr. Joshua Agar conducted a series of simulation exercises to measure the effectiveness of face shields against particles found in the air. It is worth noting that the primary transmission of the COVID-19 virus is through infectious respiratory fluids. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges the airborne transmission of the virus. At the heart of Agar’s simulation, there is a theoretical thought that the airborne particles would concentrate at the back of the face shield and put the person wearing it more at risk of getting infected with the virus. This simulation study, however, was not published due to lack of funds. This simulation also has not been further studied so there is no telling of how applicable this theoretical simulation is to real-life scenarios.

See you again?

With the emergence of the Omicron variant—labeled a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO)—face shields may once again make an appearance as a mandate.

Vaccine czar and National Task Force chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr discussed in a virtual press conference that this mandate is still up in the air, but it is something that they are heavily considering since they are always keen on having that additional protection just to be on the safe side.

This, however, is contradicted by the WHO, as they do not recommend the use of face shields amid the looming Omicron variant. WHO

Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe noted during the Laging Handa briefing that the virus is transmitted through close contact, not by air—a contradiction to the CDC’s updated guidance which acknowledges aerosol particles as one of the means of transmission of the virus. He also mentioned that the standard health protocol—one that does not include the use of face shields—already does the job to curb the virus, even with the variant of concern. “If we can ensure that those minimal requirements, those minimal public health measures are complied with, we can ensure that people don’t congregate in closed settings, the requirement for face shields, probably at this point of time, is not mandatory,” he explained. *** With conflicting studies surrounding the real identity of face shields as far as COVID-19 protection goes, it is still unsure whether they really do make a difference. The basic health protocols that have been heavily underscored by the CDC itself have already gone a long way in putting into shackles this aggressive virus.

Notwithstanding, these plastic barriers may be an adjunct to the existing recommended health protocols. As among the ways that we can further hamper the spread of this virus and, someday, once and for all end this all-too-long pandemic, face shields are an option.

However, to see them in the same regard as face masks and the rest of the health protocols at least in a mandatory sense would perhaps be aggrandizing.

Weighing their comfort of use over their rather doubtful efficacy as a support for face masks is up to the person deciding.

For now, with the mandate lifted and for the right reasons, we have the option to just leave them in the comfort of our dark closets.C

Lampoon 13

December 2021 | Vol. 48 No. 2

giant, colorful ribbons atop their sparse heads and glowing light-up sneakers on their feet.

Cora Contrabida

Cora’s day at the mall Illustration by Shaun Arthur O. Pao

L

ike the teenage female protagonist in an early 2000’s movie, Cora shot straight up from her sheets, beaming and bed-raggled (but already in a full face of makeup), ready to seize the day.

It’s time for a morning montage, she thought.

However, unlike the female protagonist of an early 2000’s movie, Cora wasn’t traveling to the countryside to become the star of a summer rock camp nor was she being whisked away to some remote European principality in which she would be crowned a princess. Not at all.

Today, she was going to the mall.

It had been almost two years since she had stepped foot on those hallowed halls. Ever since the pandemic started, she had no good reason to visit. And since this country had no other public spaces aside from the massive, capitalist traps that replaced public libraries and dog parks—malls were the only places there were to go for leisure. Besides, Cora was already months due for a good eyebrow waxing. In celebration of this momentous occasion, Cora went

‘‘

for the entire shebang. Pop music was blaring as she mixed and matched different outfits and danced in front of her bedroom mirror. And as she hopped to and from her closet, she realized that this would be her first time to be seen in public after a long, long while, and she froze.

There would be actual, real, live people out there, and after being stuck indoors for so long, it’ll be totally strange. With her confidence fizzling out, she chose a black hoodie, dark, black-rimmed sunglasses, and a black baseball cap to match her black face mask instead. She realized it matched who she really was inside more: an extrovert-turned-introvert who hated the general public as much as she hated how malls controlled much of Filipino culture.

With her QR code and vaccination card at hand, she queued outside the mall alongside the rest of the city’s mall-goers. As she stood there, she noticed something was amiss, but she couldn’t quite place it—until she saw them. The ugly, wailing little creatures waddled in between their parents’ legs dressed in their Sunday’s best, with

How could schools be closed and malls be open to hundreds of people daily?

Now with children in line as well! [...] Why don’t we put these children in school instead?

Children.

There were dozens of them.

Mothers were herding their own unruly liters as they darted and snaked along the line while fathers tried their best to soothe the younger ones who were screaming their hearts out.

Cora was aghast—how could there be children here? It wasn’t like she despised the little creatures, she was just dumbfounded as to why there were actual children just casually roaming about as if everything was normal.

Weren’t the malls only opened to the vaccinated public? Weren’t indoor spaces still hot zones for unvaccinated kids to be exposed to the virus? Or was Cora merely living under a rock while these kids developed superhuman immunity?

One kid in front of the line was staring at her, and Cora made a face at him. His mom took one look at Cora and hurriedly took the boy by the arm and away from her. Cora realized she dressed like a kidnapper today. Good, she thought. All the more reason for these cretins to stay away from me.

As Cora made her way past the fast food restaurants and the luxury brand stores she would never even dare to visit, she had only one thought in mind: how could schools be closed and malls be open to hundreds of people daily?

Now with children in line as well!

If the country’s universities were to open this very day, they would welcome fully vaccinated students who knew the risk of the virus very well.

And yet, they remain closed and all of the country’s college students continue to rot away, staring at their devices pretending to be learning. Malls get to operate at capacity yet schools just get to waste space for probably another year. Don’t talk to Cora about how this was in fact strategic—she wouldn’t

hear you anyways amidst the screams of unvaccinated children.

Here’s an idea, Cora thought: Why don’t we put these children in school instead? They’re already here, why not let them be the test subjects for how safe face-to-face classes could be? Let COVID-19-infected children be another problem for the government to solve. Ha! That would show them, Cora thought.

Little did Cora Contrabida know, the government was doing just that as she ate her little fries and wrote her little angry column for TheCruchever to publish. She thought she was so clever with her satirical ideas of putting underaged, unvaccinated children to school when fully vaccinated and more socially aware college students were itching to get back to irl class. The idea was so preposterous to her, she had to cackle in the middle of the food court.

The government wouldn’t be that stupid. Right?C

Kuris-Kuris

Crusader

The

The official student publication of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Volume 48 No 2 December 2021

Dear Ate Charot, You can call me Abey. Abey as in abeynger diha sa abenyu ng mga traydor.

Abey as in abey palang di kabalo mukig-bardagulan sa mga Marites diha. Abey kanang abeylib in the power of karma sa imong mama, amen.

Charot lang. In sir use ness lang, gasaka akong dugo diri sa akong mga group matings nga sila na gane mga wa’y ambag, mao pa’y kusog mang gamay sa peer eval? May gana pako ipa-reklamo and i cheese miss kang Ma’am! Mga balbal na traydor! Stress Drilon nako. Hay naku pero Ate Charot, friendships baya unta mi before aning pabibo nga riserts, pero karon parang di ko na type ilang presence. Ga duha duha gyud ko ate Charot. Should I block? Should I give up? Or should I just keep chasing pavements? Char lang pero pending na gyud ilang FB subscription sako Ate Charot. Worth it pa ba sila ma friendship?

Dear Tik, Abey palang nila ma ez ez ka. Charot lang sab. Pero bitaw hunahunaa pag ayo na inday. Makaya pa ba nimo sila mauban nga dili ka magka uban sa head? If not, baka time na talaga to cut down na din sa circle of friends.

Maybe that’s their totoong kulay na and maybe it’s time to stop letting urself be used. Di ka kase gamit, wag mag pa use. Alams mo mamsh, dis is wae so panget i-mix ang work at friendships. Sometimes, maka pa strong yes pero often times mas makapag-break. Kung panget na sila kabonding, kung sakit na sa heart beh, do what lessens the sakit. Friendships o peace of mind? Kababasurayan o sarili? Pumili ka!

CRU ARTPIPS ni MIZ KIARRA

KURISCOPE SHAUN

ni PAO Haluwaaaa mga Xavierian Huskies, kumusta man ang pre-Christmas dilig nato diha? Wala bang pa add to heart diyan? Mahiwagang bolang kristal, gabayan mo kami, pag-ibig ibigay sa pusong sawi, charisss! Ug sa diha mga mamsh, di na nato padugayon ang atung mga chikavility, Kuya Will, paki-gulong na sa Wheel of Fortune!

Aquarius (Jumbo hatdog, kaya mo ba’to?)

Luya na kay imong nawng tungod sa thesis, dai. Di mabalaka, birthday sa inyong silingan ugma, iandam imon silopin kay mag handa silag isa ka baril nga bihon. Diri nimo ma-meet ang love of your life, ang tig takos sa rice.

PAO

Love language: Tabangan sa acads Aries (Skeri) Happy Halloween seswa, kinsa napud atung gi ghost karung bulana? Grabe kaayog collection uy, mura mag sticker sa OrSem! Christmas na ta ha, palihug ug sunod sa mga theme sa holiday, keep slaying!

Love language: Mang ghost Cancer (Kaka-manifest mo yan) Grabe, abunda kaayog love life? Albularyo reveal please, ruuuu, good things come to those who wait biya! Share your blessings sismars, Christmas is all about giving!

ED

Love language: Tagalog

Capricorn (Kahit anong pwesto…)

Kung saan ka kuntento, charis! Ka kuntento na’s isa oy! Kakuntento na sa isa ka chat kay bisan sa lima, wala’y ma imoha ana. Pero sige lang basta mudato, go get that bag!

Love language: Hoarding

Gemini (Negative sa swab test positive sa swag test) Kaning mga gemini naa jud ni sila perminti kung naa kay problema, kay ready na nila dugangan. Hinuon, kusog man sad ni sila manghatag, mang hatag ug sakit sa ulo.

IGIT

Love language: Trashtalk Leo (Nasa langit ang peace of mind, kaya umakyat ka na) Kulba kay atung mga glow up diha noaah, masuya ang Cepalco sa kahayag! Wala gyud gi daginot ni Lord ang iyang blessings pag abot sa imo. Pwede kami napuy glow up bhie? Bahin bahin pod Love language: Pagka perfect perzen Libra (Mahilig mag collect ng sama ng loob) It’s either ikaw ang biktima ni J or ikaw si J, no in between mga marecakes. Mao nang dili ka undangan sa facebook.

Ako pa nimo, tiwason nalang nako ang akonh mga activity sa eLearn aron way maghilak mag kaon ug queso de bola karung pasko.

Love language: Mag react sa memes Pisces (Wala na’y To Do sa elearn, naa na sa missing tanan) Kusog ba sad kay mag post ug LF ka talk unya ug naay mu chat dili gina seen. Mao nang medyo mingaw atung mga love life diha et. Mag kat.on kat.on ta ug reply palihog.

Love language: Magpalibre

Taurus (Siguro nga’y wala nang natira…)

Wala na gyud ni silay natira nga pasensya, kabalo ko gusto na mo naay tawgun nga babe karung pasko. Sus unsaon ta man, hangtud girl ug boy bestfriend ra gyud ni atung mga Taurus nga Auntie.

Love language: Dili pagawson ug gabii si bestfriend Virgo (Budot’s Taylor’s Version) Ika-pila na na nimo nga replay sa All Too Well ni mareng Taylor? 10 minutes version pagyud, grabe na nga maoy.

Maskin naa na’y love life, hala maoy. Kwaon gani nang Lord ah.

KURISword ni HAPPY

Love language: Words of affirmation Sagittarius (Strong and independent perzen) Unsay love life2, self love ta diring dapita. Dapat ma kuntento ta sa atung own company. Dili ba diay pwede nga happy ka nga ikaw ra’y isa. Self love is the best love kung ang tao na imong gusto naay laing love.

Love Language: Kwarta Scorpio (fr fr ngl) Kaning mga scorpio kay swerte na sa life tungod kay nakita na nila ang right person, ang catch lang kay sila ang wrong person.

TO JOIN: Take a photo or a screenshot of this Kurisword with your answers and submit your entry to thecrusaderpub@gmail.com with your full name, course & year, and contact number.

Lucky participants will receive limited edition collectables.

Love language: Conyo