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Noong nakraang buwan tumatak ang balita patungkol sa aksidenteng naganap sa SCTEX at pagkatapos ng ilang linggo ang aksidente naman sa NAIIA Magkahiwalay na aksidente ngunit parehas na nagdulot ng pagkasawi Isang pamilyang nawalan ng anak at isang anak na nawalan ng magulang Lumabas sa imbestigasyon na nakatulog umano ang dryber ng bus na nagbunsod upang masagasaan nito ang mga kotseng nasa harap nito Sa kabilang banda, bumangga sa Departure West Curbside Area ng NAIA Terminal 1 ang SUV na minamaneho ng 47-anyos na lalaki mula Batangas Dalawang magkahiwalay na aksidente ngunit parehas na gumigising sa atin upang mag ingat dahim hindi biro ang kada byahe
Ngunit pagkatapos ng nangyari nahiain nga ba ang hustisya?
Pagkatapos ng nangyari lumabas sa imbestigasyon na nakatulog umabo ang driver bg bus sa aksidenteng nangyari sa Lumabas sa imbestigasyon na nakatulog umano ang driver ng bus sa aksidenteng nangyari sa SCTEX
Dito masasalamin na mahalaga ang pagiging alerto at responsable sa kada pamasahe, dahil ilang buhay ang hawak ng iyong kamay at paa Ngunit maliban sa nagmamaneho mahalagang panatilihin hindi lamang ng mga driver, kundi maging ng mga opisyal at may-ari ng mga bus ang kalidad ng kanilang mga sasakyan, maging ang mga driver na kanilang pinipili
Ayon kay Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon: “It’s now very clear to me: the programs and policies we have in place are not effective Many bus companies are abusive They don’t maintain their vehicles, and they hire drivers who are unfit for the road This SCTEX crash is a direct result of that failure ”
Kalakip nito, matatandaang pumalya ang bollard sa NAIA ang dapat na makakatulong upang maprotektahan at magpatigil sa sasakyan Hindi lamang ito disenyo kundi isang proteksyon upang mapigilan ang mga aksidenteng kagaya nito Dahil
dito maraming pumuna sa pagkakatayo ng bollard na ito sapagkat tila mababaw ito Ang dapat makakatulong sa pagpigil sa mga sasakyan ay siyang mabilisang bumigay
Katulad nga ng sinabi ni House
Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Party List Rep Arlene Brosas: "Mababaw ang bollard, pero malalim ang isyu ng corruption ”
“Mahal kong Pilipinas, paulit-ulit na lamang ba tayo?”
IlustaedbyPatrckYae l gan
bawat boto ay may katumbas na halaga
Inaalis nito ang saysay ng Pilipinas bilang isang bansang sumasailalim sa demokratikong proseso pagdating sa pagpili ng kanilang mga pinunong inihahalal Sa ganitong kalagayan, maitatanong nating tunay nga bang malaya ang Pilipinas, o patuloy itong nakakubli sa kamay ng mga nangaalipusta ng ating kasarinlan?
Ang vote-buying ay isa sa mga nangungunang suliraning nangyayari tuwing sasapit ang halalan at ang karaniwang benepisyaryo nito ay ang mga botante Isinasagawa ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap ng salapi bilang kapalit ng pagboto mula sa isang tumatakbong pulitiko Sa isang pag-aaral noong taong 2013, tinatayang nasa 30% ang mga Pilipinong nabigyan na ng pera o ayuda mula sa isang pulitiko o lokal na pinuno noong 2010 na halalan Kalimitang nangyayari ito sa mga probinsya kabilang na ang bayan ng Sorsogon Dagdag pa ng pag-aaral ay naitalang nasa 250 hanggang 500 piso ang kanilang natanggap
(COMELEC) Assistant Secretary for Local Government Jesi Howard Lanete Ngayon, ipapaalala lang natin sa ating mga kandidato to strictly comply with the COMELEC provisions against votebuying, and sa ating incumbent candidates to prevent abuse of state resources Samantala nahatulan ng cause show orders sa di umano y mga anomalyang kanilang isinagawa habang nangangampanya kabilang dito sina Las Piñas Rep Camille Villar, na humabol sa pagkasenador at kalauna’y nanalo rin, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna at ang kaniyang mga katunggali na sina Isko Moreno at Sam Versoza at Marikina mayoral bet Stella Quimbo at re-electionist Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandova
Bilang pagpapatibay ng Batas Pambansa Blg 881 Section 261(a) ipinagbabawal ang anumang uri ng vote-buying at voteselling at ang sinuman na mahuling lalabag nito ay may karampatang parusa na hindi bababa sa isang taon ngunit hindi rin hihigit sa anim na taon na pagkakabilanggo Ang nasasakdal ay hindi sasailalim sa paglilitis ngunit kapag napatunayang nagkasala ay awtomatikong diskwalipikado ng humabol sa kahit anong posisyon sa pamahalaan at hindi rin hahayaang bumoto
“Kakarampot na salapi, ngunit anong silbi? Para sa bayan o pansariling minimithi?
Patuloy na rumaragasa ang ganitong suliranin tuwing sasapit ang pagpili ng mga bagong pinuno at mapapansing bakit sa ganitong panahon lamang? Bakit tuwing eleksiyon lamang nila naiisip na magbigay ng tulong pinansyal o ng agarang pangangailangan sa mga nangangailangan? Hindi na bago ang Sa tuwing
Kamakailan lamang ay umabot sa 158 na kaso ng vote-buying at vote-selling ang isinampa sa Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) noong panahon ng pangangampanya para sa 2025 National and Local Elections Iginiit naman ni Commision on Elections
ganitong eksena para sa maraming Pilipino Maituturing karaniwan na ang ganitong pangyayari sapagkat nanggagaling mula sa mga nasa laylayan ang kadalasang nakatatanggap ng mga salapi Sa bansa na halos ang karamihan ay kumakapit na lamang sa patalim, hindi na maiwasang tanggapin ng mga Pilipino ang kakarampot na salapi mula sa mga kandidato nang sa gayon ay mairaos nila ang kanilang araw-araw na pamumuhay
Hanggang saan aabot ang boto mo? Napakalaki ng kahalagahan ng isang boto sapagkat ito ang makapagpapabago ng kasalukuyang ating ginagalawan Nawa’y alalahanin ng bawat Pilipino na ang bawat boto ay may kaakibat na halaga Hindi dapat nasusukat sa salapi ang batayan kung sino dapat ang iniluluklok sa puwesto kundi base sa integridad, paninindigan, at ang kakayahang paglingkuran ang bayan Piliin natin ang mga pinunong hindi lamang humahabol para punan ang sarili nilang interes bagkus pumili ng mga pinunong tayo ay kanilang pinipili rin Tandaan na ang mga bumoboto ang pinakamakapangyarihan kaysa sa mga naghahariharian sa kanilang mga posisyong kinauupuan dahil tayo ang may hawak ng ating kapalarang kahihinatnan
Bumoto ng tama. Bumoto nang tama. Para sa malayang Pilipinas.
Far from Metro Manila, where traffic congestion is a usual sign of urban failure, the revival of intensified clearing operations is another chapter in the city's fierce fight for order The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) stepped up its drive to clear obstructions along major roads and sidewalks illegally parked vehicles, vendor stalls spilling onto the pedestrian path, temporary shanties, and even large billboards that occupied the public environment
On first look, the mission is simple: reclaim public streets to their original purpose The city, after all, has no choice but to use every square inch available when it's mired in perpetual gridlock Pedestrian space on sidewalks is necessary Car travel space on roads is necessary But beneath the surface is a subtler tale that probes at inequality, poor planning, and the ancient battle between order and commerce
To drivers and commuters, clean drives are a godsend Once constricted streets due to cars doubleparked and lines of street vendors now appear broad, and travel time is slightly better Pedestrians enjoy more open sidewalks that are free from carts, umbrellas, and loose debris These reforms though minor are appreciated in a city where mobility is always an issue But for the other side of the enterprise, i e , street vendors, all these efforts can be an erasure To most small business owners who sell products on streets or establish stands in back alleys, those places are not only illegal extensions but living spaces, paying families and earning daily dues Their destruction, usually abrupt and without apparent replacement, can leave them homeless and lost
This is not the first instance of Metro Manila undergoing such operations Such clearing operations have been a regular reaction to deteriorating traffic conditions or on the horizon events every time with the same promises to be sustainable, and every time greeted with both praise and flak While law enforcers would assure that they are merely implementing existing laws, the failure to provide long-term measures is a definite concern
Why do people still patronize such establishments? Why do street vendors reconstruct their stalls days after they were razed?
The solution is nowhere Without stable employment, affordable stalls in public markets, and social welfare schemes, others resort to selling on the streets out of necessity It is not desirable, but to half a million families, it is everything they have
Metro Manila's urbanization has been plagued for years by a lack of inclusiveness As the high-rise condos and huge malls keep on proliferating, small entrepreneurs are driven into smaller spaces Public markets are clogged or in disrepair Zoning controls are loosely monitored And cheap transport remains in short supply, forcing one to congregate along main streets and terminals, thus spawning congestion hot springs
It is here that efforts at cleaning operations fail They treat the symptom, not the ailment Driving vendors off the pavements may reduce pedestrian traffic in the short term, but unless driven to improved relocation or financial aid, they will certainly be back Booting illegally parked vehicles may clear space, but if parking management continues to be inefficient and public transport unsafe, private car use will dominate What Metro Manila requires is not only discipline, but direction Clearing the roads should form part of an integrated, long-term strategy that involves enhancing public transport, investing in accessible public markets, building specific vending sites, and enhancing livelihood programs for the urban poor
In their absence, all clearing activities become a self-perpetuating cycle set to remain And there's fairness Most of the citizens have observed how business activities always take place against poor communities, while business or wealthy individuals' intrusions go unchecked Restaurants that cover sidewalks to expand al fresco dining, expensive subdivisions with extended fences, or retail firms that close up
alleyways appear to escape penalty For the law to be obeyed, it needs to be administered equally
But the MMDA and its allies have a bumpy road ahead The Metro Manila ills are too deep-seated, and solutions come as much by inches as by leaps Clearing operations, if respectfully and painstakingly executed, do have merit But they must be accompanied by real policy changes and understanding of implementation
At the end of the day, tidy roads and cleared sidewalks shouldn't be the objective It must be a city for all drivers and walkers, official enterprises and street vendors, the wealthy and the poor Because a livable city is not necessarily one that looks tidy, but one that uplifts people, not only keeps them in order. To progress, Metro Manila needs to overcome not only physical constraints but also more than just geographical barriers It needs to fashion pathways for development that are inclusive, humanoriented, and introspective, but does not sacrifice the vulnerable in the pursuit of progress
Shocking news broke out in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) community last May 17 2025 as fourth-year Physical Therapy student Junver Toledo from the College of Rehabilitation and Sciences, took his own life in his condominium in Quezon City A Facebook post by Junver’s father Oliver Toledo reveals that his son left a note explaining his disappointment when he learned he cannot graduate this June after failing a subject the second time by 1 5% Junver’s death was followed by a formal message released by the institution that gave respect to the family However, this sparked an online discussion on how the mental wellbeing of students in rigorous schools is being exchanged for academic validation
Weeks after Junver’s death, lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc, Kabataan Party-list Rep Raoul Manuel, Gabriela Party-list Rep Arlene Brosas, and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep France Castro took legislative action regarding the education system s faults in students mental well-being Filed last June 3, House Resolution 2305 intends to investigate and amend outcomes-based education (OBE) use among academic institutions in the country The three page resolution reads, “OBE, as currently implemented not only on UST, but also in most if not all academic institutions nationwide, often prioritizes grades and quantitative metrics over the holistic learning, mental health, and overall well-being of students, without due consideration for the heavy academic workload and the specific challenges faced by individual learners ”
In an interview with The Varsitarian Manuel points out how UST failed Junver and other institutions that put immense pressure on their students Supposedly, ang edukasyon ay nakakatulong sa ating development Hindi dapat nakamamatay ang edukasyon,” Manuel states Implementing OBE puts students into worshiping grades, numbers, and percentages rather than acknowledging effort and different experiences This system deteriorates the holistic sense of learning Therefore, pushing students to standards that harm their health, through ways like sleep deprivation, going to school despite being sick, and sacrificing meals and rest
Why wait for them to die when there have been calls of exhaustion, depression, and illnesses from others before? Junver’s death is what put lawmakers into action, but the endless rants of anxiety depression and burnout from a million students are already a testament to the system s failure
Nowadays, Philippine universities are also drawn to their system board passer percentages and foreign recognition Former UST vice rector Fr Virgilio Ojoy, O P expresses that Junver should have received much more consideration as a student who repeated, “We exist for the student, not for any standard, not for any percentage in board passers or whatever ” Indeed no school can reach for greatness if compassion is never achieved
From a student’s own eyes, I had seen how everyone’s efforts are far different from one another Struggles like pulling all-nighters to going to school with no food in the stomach may not be the same for everyone, but we all come from different homes Homes where the mental health of the youth is either understood or misunderstood Perhaps, their living situations prevent them from focusing freely on studies and instead work part-time jobs, take care of family members, or manage the household With no consideration and recognition of each student s effort, it creates an unjust system that only merits the privileged What makes the situation worse is the lack of compassion from the very pillars students look up to A teacher’s persona has an impact on their teaching and how students perceive them The difficulty of a subject would not matter if it relies on good and competent teachers
In line with this it is right that House Resolution 2305 must be sent to the Senate With a thorough investigation into the OBE, amendments can make a difference for all students coming from different backgrounds In addition to this, schools should consider the mental well-being of students as a reason for absences Having a healthy physical body does not equate to having a healthy mind How can you expect students to study properly when their mental state is unwell? With this, mental health services should always be available at school clinics The accessibility of such services can serve as a link for students to openly address their situations to professionals as well as acquire medical exemptions
Every mark a student earns comes from pure effort Effort is different for those with unhealthy studying habits extra responsibilities and an unsupportive mental health environment In times they cry, fall asleep, and stress, they scream in agony of the system that failed to learn holistically
In an unprecedented turn of events, the former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested on March 11 2025 by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interpol under the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Duterte’s supporters were disappointed by the arrest, citing the notion that Duterte was a phenomenal president, and what he achieved is a ‘testament’ that he was indeed a strong leader Supposedly, the crime rates reduced the streets were much safer, and a new golden age of infrastructure began However, his supporters failed to account for Duterte’s wrongdoings, namely, the allegations of extrajudicial killings during the War on Drugs propaganda of his administration
Despite the overwhelming amount of information out there about the Duterte Family’s controversies, like Vice President Sara’s confidential funds, the previous administration’s poor handling of the pandemic, and the violation of human rights, people continue to be narrow-minded regarding the Duterte dynasty Ignorance can be seen everywhere, even with the emergence of media outlets fact-checking ludicrous amounts of misinformation But why should we let ignorance be a norm in our country? Politicians are weaponizing lies to fuel their ambitions, and with the case of Duterte’s supporters, it’s definitely working This should be a concern since many Filipinos support the
Duterte dynasty, and other politicians based on misinformation they’ve seen on social media, and not on objective facts People don’t bother to question the information being thrown at them, which politicians will always take advantage of no matter what With this Filipinos should value the importance of being openminded and actually checking whether what they saw online was true or merely a work of fiction
Although the survival of the Duterte dynasty is at risk due to the current administration’s arrest of former president, Rodrigo Duterte, and the prior impeachment of Sara Duterte Yet, the support for this dynasty is terrifyingly huge It’s almost like people have no idea that Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 constitution prohibits political dynasties People still continue to defend political dynasties, claiming that they are just doing public service One individual from a notable political dynasty even said, “You can t stop people from wanting to serve” It’s not just the Dutertes in Davao, but other political dynasties reign all over the Philippines, like the Binays in Makati, the Malapitans in Caloocan and many more who continue to serve not their people but themselves And the people behind these families continue to rise earning fame influence, and wealth in their areas, while those who are not so privileged suffer the consequences of corruption, and poor governance that these dynasties deliver If the country remains at this state, we’ll never progress, not even a single bit
Posts defending Duterte from his critics would describe how peaceful life was during his administration both in Davao and the nation But in return for this peaceful life, they had the thousands of lives lost to extrajudicial killings and a staggering Php 12 79 trillion debt But why is the Duterte propaganda online unstoppable? An investigative news site, The Nerve, finds that advertisements mentioning Duterte receive Php 100 to Php 8,999 With that profit, fanatics are quick to click that post button as their baseless claims and unsupported stories scatter to every Filipino s feed Amid Duterte s ICC arrest, a rampant army on social media used vloggers and artificial intelligence as their weapons in a campaign labelling Duterte as a victim who was kidnapped Instead, he was even given medical attention before boarding the plane to the Netherlands Supporters cry in worry for him, while dismissing the privileged due process he received, unlike those victims of the War on Drugs
Along with this “peaceful” theme of Duterte’s administration is their ruthless use of terror and power The kill kill objective of the War on Drugs has been criticized by human rights activists and lawyers as it does not serve the judicial process for victims Instead, thousands of lives perish in the hands of policemen, those who society knows as protectors, work under the extrajudicial killings under Duterte with pride and protection In dealing with the drug problem, killing is never an answer, but identifying and convicting the drug lord is You cannot avoid rat infestation if you don’t kill the one that breeds them
In this messy political landscape, Filipinos need to break free from the disinformation and misinformation propaganda on social media With collective belief to good governance and smart voting, corrupt politicians would not even dare to run if the electorate can see through their smiles and ayudas Public pressure is always effective, and its power can potentially turn away public officials with political agendas for their own gain To make it complete, an effective justice system would scare them Duterte’s ICC arrest is a callout to the country’s very own system If we cannot convict our corrupt officials, international courts like the ICC will And their help is needed now more than ever, as Filipinos dismiss the value of the court and punishment, the cure to bad governance
Most importantly, we need to think for ourselves. Not for the ones who signed this, authored that, and implemented everything For it is our tax they are mandated to manage and use for our own good. In this we ask Filipinos to flush all political patronage ideologies as it injures our democracy and rights.
As we remember the history of Pride the Stonewall riots, the resistance against police brutality, and the radical act of embracing one’s identity as part of the LGBTQIA+ community we must also reflect on the long and ongoing struggle of Filipinos for equality This fight is not new, and it continues to this day
In the Philippines, stereotypes and prejudice against the LGBTQIA+ community are deeply ingrained in our collective psyche, prejudices that can be traced back to our colonization by Spain Before their arrival pre-colonial Filipino societies did not uphold gender supremacy The concept of homosexuality as “deviant” was non-existent, and women were not seen as inferior In fact they held crucial roles as healers, spiritual leaders, and advisors to tribal chiefs The role of the babaylan once performed by women was also taken up by men, who were then called asog or bayogin (the root of the term binabae) These were identities that blurred the lines between gender, accepted and revered in many communities
It was only through the arrival of Spanish colonizers, with their rigid patriarchal ideologies and Christian moral codes that our perception of gender began to change They imposed the belief that women belonged only to the three Ks kusina kama kumbento (kitchen bed convent) The rituals once led by the babaylan were branded by the friars as “demonic,” casting spiritual leaders as witches and aswang This colonially-imposed demonization sowed the seeds for a deeply misogynistic and
FERNEGAIAGALVEZ
heteronormative culture where to be a woman meant to be “less,” and to be an effeminate man meant to be weak Even the word bakla became a slur used to ridicule those said men
All of this centuries of erasure, suppression, and distortion was part of the colonizers’ goal: to dominate not just our land, but our minds and bodies And yet, despite the violence of erasure, the resistance lives on
Women, queer people, and especially trans individuals continue to assert their rightful place in our history and our present From militant women fighters who helped liberate us from foreign rule to LGBTQIA+ artists writers and workers who contribute richly to our culture language and labor force Filipinos of all gender identities have always been part of the nation’s soul
We see this spirit every June, as Pride marches fill the streets of Bulacan, Metro Manila, Baguio, and beyond not only as celebrations, but as an act of protest We see it in the growing, though still flawed, representation of LGBTQIA+ people in media and literature We see it in the calls for justice for workers, for students, for the marginalized sectors of society and most especially for the transgender whose very existence is so often threatened invalidated and erased
Today, the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies continue to push for the long-overdue passage of the anti-discrimination bill, which aims to protect individuals from all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) It seeks to create safer spaces, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community, many of whom face abuse not just in public spaces but in their own homes schools and workplaces Yes there is still so much to be done Yes the journey is long The systems that marginalize us patriarchy colonialism heteronormativity, homophobia, transphobia run deep
But Pride is not just a celebration It is a protest It is grief and joy entwined It is the memory of those we ve lost, and the fire we carry forward for those still here
We carry within us the stories of those who could not live openly, whose names we whisper in the dark whose truths were buried beneath shame and silence We carry the hands of our chosen families the ones who held us when our blood could not We carry the rage We carry the tenderness We carry the long, aching dream of being seen without having to explain
And still, we dare to hope We dare to love out loud in a world that once told us we were not allowed to exist Because when we fight for trans rights, for LGBTQIA+ rights, for the right to live fully and without fear, we are remembering who we were before we were told who we should be To hold your lover’s hand in broad daylight To come home to a name you chose To speak your truth even when your voice shakes To choose joy again and again even when the world gives you every reason not to To survive To heal To dream of a world kinder than this one To look in the mirror and say,
Let the march stretch on, year after year Let every chant, every Pride flag, be the bridge to something greater And so we march not just in the colors of the rainbow but in grief We march because we are still here We march because we will not be silenced We march because every step forward is a promise that someday no one will have to fight just to exist
Pride is protest Pride is power Pride is a love that insists we are worthy
And even when it hurts, even when the world tries to dismiss us We will keep blooming We will keep fighting We will keep loving
“People come and go ” as what most people often say It signifies that the people we meet in our lives will always find their way to leave at some point However, the impact of these people who were once a part of our lives cannot be vanished easily or even forever just like their presence People come and go but the life they shared with us will always remain a part of us as we continue to live and grow One instance of this circumstance is when a loved one passes away; their absence leaves a mark not only on our hearts but especially on our minds
It starts with a vacant seat and a heart filled with despair Grieving affects one’s state, be it physically, emotionally, or mentally Seeing a seat left empty serves as a reminder to us how our lives instantly changed in the blink of an eye when someone that we truly cherished bid their final goodbye to us and to the world we live in as we constantly look out for their presence in our everyday life A clinical psychologist, Mary-Frances O'Connor, states that grief is a universal experience where everyone can connect for the better to simply explain, it implies how rekindling connection with the people around us at the moment will somehow lessen the heavy feeling inside our hearts She also mentioned, “Grieving is a form of learning one that teaches us how to be in the world without someone we love in it ” Although it may be very difficult for the person who recently lost someone they love, they have to accept the reality that
Hindi kasalanan ang lumihis mula sa isang pagkakaibigang hindi mo na maramdaman
Hindi kasalanan ang bumitaw sa mga bagay na matagal nang wala namang patutunguhan
At higit sa lahat, hindi kasalanan ang unahin at piliin ang sariling katahimikan
Minsan na bang sumagi sa isip mo ang maglaho na lamang na parang bula?
Umiba ng direksyon palayo sa magulong mundong pilit kang nilulubog Magsimula ng panibagong araw at kalimutan ang lahat Hanggang sa tumahimik ang isip mo Hanggang sa luminaw ang mga susunod mong hakbang Ngunit ang mundo ay hindi maghihintay Hindi ito hihinto para sa iyong pagdadalawang-isip Sa halip pilit itong papasok sa munting kwarto mo at itutulak ka patungo sa pagbabagong hindi mo inasahan at ikaw na ang bahalang humarap dito
Lubos na nakakatakot ang pagbabago
Dadalhin ka nito sa mga lugar na hindi mo pa nalalakbay Sa mga karanasang hindi mo pa nasusubukan At sa sarili mong hindi mo pa tuluyang nakikilala
Itoy tila isang hamon na madalas nating tinatakbuhan
Hindi ko mawari kung kailan tayo nagsimulang matakot tahakin ang panibagong landas, kung kailan tayo natutong kumapit sa mga bagay na untiunti na ring kumakawala
Hindi ba’t dati dali-dali nating binibitawan ang mga laruan kapag may nakita tayong bago? Kaya nating itapon ang mga gamit na napag-iwanan ng panahon mga bagay na matagal nang nakatago sa pinakasulok ng ating tahanan Pero bakit ngayon hindi na natin magawang bitawan ang nakasanayan? Gayunpaman, hindi tayo maaaring manatili sa iisang lugar Mapag-iiwanan tayo ng mundo At minsan, kailangan nating maging matapang humakbang kahit hindi pa tiyak kung saan ang patutunguhan
Tunay na nakakatakot ang pagbabago
Nakakatakot dahil hindi natin alam kung maganda ba ang kahihinatnan
Nakakatakot humarap sa mundong hindi mo pa gamay, na tila araw-araw ay may bagong patakaran At higit sa lahat, nakakatakot hayaan ang mundong tangayin ka sa pag-ikot nito dahil baka mawala ka sa sarili mong pagkakakilala
Baka mawala ka sa “ikaw” na kilala ng iba
Ngunit hindi sapat na dahilan ang takot
they have to keep moving forward in life even without them being on their side anymore That’s because time is flowing continuously, and it cannot, unfortunately, pause when wished to Making adjustments after the sudden loss will hurt and feel strangely new
Grief is a natural response to loss, making the grieving process truly painful it’s like you’re reborn to a new life trying to grasp and adapt to the world for the first time again losing knowledge of how the world works Being confused about what will happen next or what to do next As it takes time, it involves changes inside the human brain The brain interprets how people associate their beloved ones with themselves, playing a vital role in their lives, and is equivalently significant to their own lives as they are
There s a difference between grief and grieving Grief is the emotional state that can strike at you when you least expect it and make you fall down to your knees Meanwhile, grieving pertains to what happens as we cope with the fact that our loved one is forever gone Both of them can come at a person at any time grief doesn’t choose a day when it will hit someone; grieving doesn’t have a time limit on when it could stop for a person Nonetheless grief is still possible to inevitably change over time During the grieving process, there’s a wide variety of emotions involved, its intensity varies from person to person and how long it will last
Beyond this, neuroimaging studies have learned and proved what happens to the brain when grief is experienced While we are yearning for the person we have lost along the way, findings discovered that grief is entangled with all sorts of different brain functions that we possess All different parts of the brain are orchestrating the impact that grief has done to us: the experience of pain and suffering as nostalgia hits you concurrently while recalling good old memories with that person the conversations shared and remembering their role in this world or your life rather With that there’s a major effect on the human brain, leaving a wound that only “we” have the capability to heal from
Ultimately, it is important to feel what we feel and understand and absorb the sudden information Even if most days include endless tears, our minds going blank, and having no clue on what to do with life we will recover some sunny day Going through the storm brought by grief is our form of remembering the love that once sat in that empty chair that we now see
para manatili ka na lamang sa munting kwarto mong puno ng lumang laruan hindi ka matututo Lahat ng bagay sa mundo ay nagbabago mga lumang litratong hindi na mawari ang ipinapakita mga sapatos na kinalakihan na At sa bawat pagbabagong ito ay may panibagong mga pintuan ang uusbong Sapagkat ang mundo ay hindi hihinto upang hintayin kang maging handa Kung pipiliin mong manatili mananatili kang nakakulong sa nakaraan – isang malayong panahon na unti-unting natatabunan ng alikabok ng pagkalimot
Ang pagkatuto ay hindi kailanman matatagpuan sa apat na sulok ng alaala Ito ay matatagpuan sa paglalakad nang mag-isa, sa pagtanggap ng pagkadapa, at sa muling paghakbang Hindi madali at hindi magiging madali ngunit bawat hakbang palayo ay may kaakibat na pagtibay ng loob at paglawak ng pananaw
At sa pagdaan ng panahon, mauunawaan mo na ang paglayo ay hindi laging pagtalikod kundi minsan ito ay isang daan patungo sa isang mundong ikaw mismo ang humubog Sapagkat ang buhay ay hindi nakakulong sa apat na sulok ng iyong silid, ito ay isang malawak na daigdig na dapat mong harapin at tahakin Hindi solusyon ang pananatili lalo na kung hindi na ito ang nararapat, kung kayat lakas loob mong piliin ang paglisan
Lumisan sa lugar kung saan puno na ng sakit at pagkailang Lumisan, hanggang sa mahanap mo na ang ikaw – ikaw sa lahat ng pagkakataon, ikaw na walang pag-aalinlangan, at ikaw kahit walang matang mga nakamasid
Sapagkat kailanman, hindi naging masama ang paglago. At lalong hindi kasalanan ang maglakad papalayo.
Is it better to chase what sets your soul on fire or what sets society’s fire?
Life's definition is yet unclear to me I cannot say that I have reached the peak of my life As other people enjoy their lives here I am staring at the ceiling, wondering if I should aim for what my heart wants or what my mind thinks
I still remember the old days when my teacher stood before our classroom It was homeroom time; she was explaining different strands and tracks As my classmates focused on academic tracks, I found my eyes captivated by the track "Arts and Design " I wanted to ask questions, but I was shaking in fear before I could even speak So many what-ifs entered my mind, making my hands back down from rising I was frightened, so I played it safe I enrolled at a school, chose an academic strand, and tried to flourish with it
As stated by Baltasar Gracián, a Spanish priest, “selfreflection is the school of wisdom ”
Find a place where you are most comfortable then close your eyes or maybe stare for a while as you think of where you are good or bad at Now, think about who you are and decide: Do you want to sharpen your skills and become even better at what you already excel at? Or are you
ready to step out of your comfort zone and tackle those challenges you are weak in? Or maybe both? We all have strengths and weaknesses, and it is up to a person how to use them to their advantage
Suppose you believe that you have missed your chance and that happiness and success are no longer within your reach In that case, this is your time to reflect again because this mindset canoften lean towards pessimism, clouding your vision of the possibilities that still lie ahead Learn to trust yourself and be confident
Just as many people say, there is no such thing as being "late" in life You may think you chose the wrong strand or career path, but pursuing your dreams is never too late Success and happiness are still within reach because remember that time is never wasted as long as you grow Don’t be afraid to take risks Take your time, take it slow Life is not a race Don't be afraid to make mistakes; transform your mistakes into stepping stones and learn to use them to your advantage Who knows? You might be a dark horse that unexpectedly wins in your own story
In a world waiting to be conquered, every step forward holds the promise of leaving behind a golden legacy A legacy that glows, not with perfection, but with the brilliance forged through trials, triumphs, and transformation like the sun that didn’t always shine as bright, reaching one’s zenith requires a thousand steps, each guided by courage grit and grace
On May 15 2025 the class valedictorian Mark Andrew V Fulgencio delivered a heartfelt message during the Senior High School Commencement Exercises of Centro Escolar Integrated School - Malolos at Guiguinto Municipal Athletic & Cultural Center Standing before his fellow graduates, he radiated not just pride but a luminous reflection of a journey marked by light and shadow, hope and hardship, memories and milestones
He looked ahead with hope, envisioning a time when each graduate would have carved their names in different fields A future where each of the graduates becomes a beacon of their light
Fulgencio extended his appreciation to the members of The Escolarian, who entrusted him with a platform to lead and grow in the world of journalism He also mentioned his mentors who fueled his discovery of the power of his voice by encouraging him to explore the world of broadcasting and hosting
In his address he also named friends teachers and family members those whose unwavering support and gentle wisdom carried him through every challenge Their words became lanterns that lit his path, enabling him to move forward
“Sa pagtahak natin sa bagong yugto ng ating buhay, ang pagtingin sa salamin ay hindi lamang upang makita kung sino tayo ngayon, kundi ito ay upang balikan kung saan tayo nagsimula ”
Most of all, he paid tribute to Centro Escolar Integrated School, the very ground where dreams were planted, nurtured, and are now finally ready to bloom A place where blood, sweat, and tears watered the soil of their growth; and where learning extended into the realm of character, compassion, and resilience
With these words, Fulgencio emphasized the importance of reflection not just to admire how far they’ve come, but to honor the roots that held them steady when the winds grew strong
“Sa loob ng dalawang taong pamamalagi natin sa Senior High School, hindi maikakaila na naging makulay ang bawat araw puno ng halakhak, luha, at alaala ”
He painted a vivid picture of their shared experience where laughter echoed through hallways, tears etched growth into their hearts, and memories glistened like stars guiding them through nights To him, every moment was like a puzzle piece scattered at first, but eventually forming a complete picture of who they’ve become
But his light did not shine alone
“Naging tahanan natin ang isa’t isa,”
he said, his voice rich with gratitude, mentioning his fellow batchmates who accompanied him on his journey
He shared that his glow was ignited by the people who stood beside him friends who became family teachers who became guiding lights and every person who believed in him when selfdoubt clouded his skies Together they built a home not made of walls and roofs but of shared dreams and unshakable support
“Naniniwala akong taglay na natin ang lakas at kakayahan upang abutin ang pangarap ”
As he neared the end of his speech, Fulgencio echoed his earlier reflection with deeper meaning:
Almost, but Almost, but Almost, but Not Quite Not Quite Not Quite
The battle against cancer has arrived at another milestone Scientists from the University of Southampton have reengineered the shape of antibodies, small proteins that fight bacteria and viruses, to rally the immune system against cancer cells How did our own biological weapon become more potent?
Defining Antibodies
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), an antibody, or an immunoglobulin, is a component of the immune system that circulates in the blood It is a protein that can detect foreign pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, and neutralize them
The NHGRI also states that an antibody is composed of two light chains and two heavy chains The tip of these chains is called a hypervariable region, a part of an antibody that responds to antigens Antigens are foreign objects that act as memory cards for antibodies to target that antigen
MARCCUZMENDOZA
In a groundbreaking advancement in transplantation science, Chinese medical experts at the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi'an have hit a milestone in transplantation science by grafting a genetically modified pig liver onto a brain-dead human This first-ever procedure signifies a breakthrough in addressing the shortage of human donors, especially for liver transplants
As published in Nature, the trial used a miniature pig whose liver was engineered with six gene modifications for better compatibility as a donor organ On March 10, 2024, the transplantation procedure was held as an evaluation of the utility of the liver and the possibility of supporting patients with severe liver conditions Amid increasing worldwide demand for organ transplants, researchers have gone on to consider pigs for viable donor status Previous research aimed at pigs has shown promise as patient survival in kidney and heart xenografts in the US has been recorded For now, the grafts-meaning the liver-are yet the toughest due to operational complications
"The pig liver after 10 days becomes functional after transplantation," the medical team reported about the 10-day monitoring period The implantation was successful; it maintained blood flow and bile production while synthesizing proteins such as albumin This initial success has created some hopes and
Antibodies however are not just mere weapons They can be modified so that they may activate the components of our immune system by attaching them to receptors on immune cells
Isabel Elliot a study co-author and a PhD student from Southampton, stated that not all antibodies are up for the job
“The shape and flexibility of antibodies is crucial for how well they can activate immune cells – and we found more rigid antibodies seem to be better at this The reason for this is likely because these rigid antibodies can hold molecules on the immune cells closer together which triggers a stronger activation signal ” She mentioned
As mentioned earlier antibodies are composed of two light and two heavy chains that make up the arms of an antibody, which also gives it its distinct Y-shape These are linked by disulfide bonds, a series of bridges that connect the chains
The scientists of Southampton were able to make these antibodies more rigid by adding more bridges between the microscopic arms These were then tested against standard variants of antibodies
According to Dr Ivo Tews a Professor in Structural Biology in Southampton, they utilized a supercomputer, to visualize the structure of an antibody, to position extra disulfide bonds or bridges to the arms of an antibody
illusions in the minds of doctors that pig livers may serve as "bridge organs" to support patients in critical condition waiting for university human liver transplants
But experts warn that this trial does not prove the pig livers ability to serve as a full replacement for human livers They pointed to the need for further research including long-term observation and trials in living recipients The pig liver made less bile and albumin than human livers, which means others have to understand whether it sustains life in the long term
Distinguished names in transplantation, including Oxford's Professor Peter Friend, have come to acknowledge how serious this study is He acknowledged that while genetically modified pig livers might not be the direct replacements for human donors at this point, they certainly offer a lucrative pathway of providing essential support for patients faced with liver failure
As the investigation is moving on to further trials with possible application of the pig liver in living humans, a dual transnational Chinese-American effort remains essential
The gleaned knowledge will certainly foster the advancement of transplant medicine and renew the hope of patients who remain on the long waiting list for liver donation Not only is this milestone opening new avenues in the field of organ transplantation, but it also highlights the potential of gene editing to face critical health problems
“The results showed that the experiment worked and that the new, more rigid antibodies were more effective at activating immune cells This idea of controlling antibody activity by making them more rigid seems to apply to many other similar molecules on immune cells Dr Tews added
Dr Iain Foulkes Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, praised this discovery as Refining our understanding of how to enable our immune systems to fight cancer is a complex but fundamental step in
In this modern society, imagine how the advancement of medicine and research has finally led to the effective treatment of a once highly deadly communicable disease a venomous foe that used to suffocate the lives of many has now released its grip, making HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) no longer terminal
HIV has long shaken the history of mankind, with no gender, age, or wealth restricting the virus capability of attacking the body’s immune system after infiltration from the bodily fluids of an infected person An epidemic that not only spreads like wildfire, but also progresses into its most advanced and frankly its worst stage of infection through AIDS or the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Despite still having no cure, HIV-positive people may heave a quick sigh of relief as an enhanced series of treatments
helping cancer patients to have the best chance of a good outcome when receiving immunotherapy treatment ”
This discovery is a milestone as small antibodies can be utilized to combat the massive and looming threat of cancer Dr Foulkes phrases this accurately as “this type of super-strong antibody that could trigger a promising immune response will empower us to continue pioneering new ways to outsmart cancer ”
universal prevention, thorough screening, and potent medicaments
This holy grail in the form of antiretroviral medication (ART) uses HAART, a shortened term for highly active antiretroviral therapy,” which is a combination of drugs that deters the multiplication of the virus Without replication, the chances of the disease spreading and learning how to defend itself from future remedies are reduced
ART has definitely moved mountains in the field of medicine, but no such armor is ever invincible It is always better to be safe than sorry, that is why it mus be a daily requirement for an HIV-positive patient to take responsibility for their health and to self-manage their health process
While HIV remains a priority, it is critical that these techniques are broadly deployed and customized to the period and features of this global epidemic
Scanning access denied! Mental health matters more than most people realize, but without the proper tools for advanced diagnostics many have spent their lives with undiagnosed neurological conditions that silently make differences in how they respond to their environment
But that’s about to change because the Neuroimaging Technologies for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Conditions in the Philippines (Neuromap PH), under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is a program that will soon allow many Filipinos who are experiencing cognitive disorders to gain access to improved medical care
It is an initiative focused on innovative brain imaging technologies for further improvement in the accuracy and quicker detection of diseases related to the cognitive and mental health of a person Two examples of such diseases are dementia and Alzheimer s disease
Dementia is a term that is generally associated with the loss of certain aspects of thinking skills such as language problemsolving skills, and memory which could interfere with a person’s daily life (Alzheimer's Association 2025a) Alzheimer s is one of the common forms of dementia, it is a disease which progresses further over time Mild memory loss is one of the few early symptoms, but the late-stage Alzheimer’s disease causes an individual to significantly change the way they react to their surroundings (Alzheimer's Association, 2025)
Neuromap PH developed by St Luke’s Medical Center is also the first to apply multimodal imaging systems in the Philippines The multimodal imaging systems combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI and fMRI) diffusion tensor imaging, and positron emission tomography (PET) These help the workers in finding early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and even frontotemporal dementia, which rarely gets detected
10 6% of senior citizens living in the Philippines which according to a demographic study have hidden cases of dementia, which resulted in health complications that came with delayed care and the unnecessary loss of life Filipinos that are 60 and above are prone to dementia and Alzheimer's disease accounts for 85 5% of the cases It is predicted that by 2030 the amount of people with dementia may reach 1 5 million and will increase a million more in the year 2050 Even though there is an increase in the amount of both elders and cognitive disorders regarding them, there has been a lack of local efforts in identifying neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders until now
Based on the data gathered from lDOSTPCHRD Executive Director Dr Jaime C Montoya was optimistic that the neuroimaging biobank will increase the number of opportunities to gain better research and development efforts as well as improving the diagnostic techniques The statement agreed with the Council s goal of fortifying research on neuropsychiatric conditions
In order to establish a neuroimaging-biobank that is both expandable and supports localized advancements in medical diagnostics a funding of PHP 60 million was granted by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) NEUROMAP Ph’s goal is to advance medical tools in order to provide early intervention and detection in neurological diseases
DOST Secretary Renato U Solidum, Jr stated that DOST wishes to assist in strengthening collaborative efforts in developing better technologies that will enable faster analyzation and diagnosis for Neuropsychiatric disorders The secretary further stated that they are able to forge new partnerships and provide deeper connections with international experts to enhance the capacity of our local fieldwork They plan to establish the necessary foundations and improve the local experts abilities in making practical management plans for cognitive well-being locally
They plan on building a research institute that will aid in furthering the development of health evaluations care and treatment for cognitive disorders
NEUROMAP Ph will not only provide advancements in diagnostics and medical treatment of neurophysiological conditions but also aid in further support the implementation of the Republic Act No 11036 or the Mental Health Law Japanese experts from Brain and Mind Research Center of Nagoya University in Japan are also overseeing the project, working towards training the Filipino researchers in innovative brain imaging techniques, continuing to develop the program s capacity to address the growing demand for neurological care
An utterly innovative look from our autonomous robotic agricultural scientists at the University of California, Riverside, regarded an enhanced version of adaptive LiDAR technology for serviceability in agricultural robots Hence with the name Adaptive Generalized LiDAR Odometry and Mapping, or AG-LOAM, such a system hopes to bring in changes in how farming bots navigate and map their environments, especially in areas where GPS signals are weak or simply unavailable
LiDAR, which stands for "Light Detection and Ranging " is a technique whereby the pulsed laser light from an instrument is directed toward the Earth's surface, and the time taken for the light to reflect is measured to obtain very accurate distance information that is essential for navigation Integrating an adaptive mapping module allows the AG-LOAM system to update maps intelligently based on the stability of the robot's motion, considering also the consistency of the data collected This also prevents the
navigation system from functioning on distorted data, thereby enabling the robot to navigate smoothly and precisely through different types of agricultural terrain
Now the ramifications are huge; ever faced with scarce manpower and also need for high operational efficiency, this technology stands to highly ameliorate the effects of reducing manual labor dependency-AI-assisted agriculture robot navigating through varied terrains means that agricultural processes will be easier and more productive, such as in-row citrus orchards and open crop fields
It was demonstrated by UC Riverside researchers that with the AG-LOAM working with limited GPS access autonomous farming would stand to benefit greatly The adaptability allows the robots to thrive in a distant or complex environment where a traditional mode of navigation might fail Resorting to such an instrument will be highly valuable to a country like the Philippines where the initiatives to develop agricultural machinery are ongoing