Renaissance Magazine - The Gold Panicles 2018

VISION

A globally-engaged university excelling in science, engineering, and the arts.

ABOUT US

MISSION

Caraga State University endeavors to produce globally competitive and socially responsible human capital toward the sustainable and inclusive development of Caraga Region and beyond.

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he Gold Panicles is the Official Student Publication of Caraga State University (CSU) - Main Campus.

The office is independent by function and administration from other student organizations.

It does not actively promote particular political, religious parties, and other ideologies. The official domicile of the office is within the premises of CSU - Main Campus, Butuan City

GENERAL MANDATE

Caraga State University shall primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in the fields of agriculture and environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicaine, and other health-related programs, information technology, the arts, and sciences and other related courses. It shall undertake research and extensionservice and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.

SERVICES OFFERED

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he office serves as the official student publication of CSU, anchored on the principles of the freedom of the press. The office is by the students, for the students, and through the students.

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CORE VALUES

he Gold Panicles reserves all rights in the textual, graphical, and other contents appearing in this magazine. Redistribution is prohibited without expressed written permission from the Editorial Board. In compiling, and presenting the contents of this magazine, the GP has used its best endeavors to ensure that the information is correct and current at the time of publication but assumes no responsibility for any error or defect herein.

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The issue may inadvertently contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Further, references to any specific commercial products, process, or services by trade name, trade mark, and manufacturer or otherwise do not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein should not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Furthermost, the opinion expressed herein are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Gold Panicles or its staffers.

The designs employed in this publication and the presentation of material thereto do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the GP concerning the legal status of any institution, area or territory, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.

EDITOR’S NOTE Renaissance is here.

Each of us has his or her version of renaissance. It is an individual’s story on how hurdles and trials were conquered to enter progress. Progress cannot be realized without the sense of a renaissance birthed by anguish and perseverance.

If we try to relate renaissance to our striving premier university, it can be paralleled to how much the university has adjusted to cope with the two year drought of not having freshmen students. We get this sense of rebirth on how much the curriculum and the influx of freshmen students have rejuvenated the university. Our ability to adapt to these changes projects our determination to be as premiere as we can get.

As individuals we are to ask ourselves if we are ready to embrace change, and how far we are willing to stretch in order to achieve our goals of betterment. Our renaissance is to rise from lax and mediocrity where growth cannot progress without compromise. Therefore, compromise and risk will always be necessary in renaissance.

Renaissance does not end when an entity has accomplished something. It ends when progress can no longer progress.

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Dean Joshua Solis Editor in Chief

THE GOLD PANICLES E D I TO R I A L B O A R D A N D S TA F F

Editor in Chief: Technical Editor: Managing Editor: Associate Managing Editor: Online Editor: Feature Editor: News Editor: Newsletter Editor in Chief: Photography Director: Illustrations Director:

Dean Joshua Solis John Ray Bantasan Caryl Suzy Pagaran Renante Tabudlong Mary Charlotte Arrubio Mae Jovelyn Corporal Angelika Morano Eliphaz Signar Jr. II Shane Airah Jakosalem John Christian Anunciado

Chief Adviser Techincal Adviser (English)

Enrique F. Taragua, PhD. Meldy Acabo Aquessa Piamonte Cristine Mae Pernito Engr. Isagani Roma Jr.

Techincal Adviser (Filipino) Techincal Adviser (Visuals) Sports Writer: News Writers: Opinion Writers: Feature Writer:

Layout Artist: Photojournalists:

Illustrators:

Marrol Lor Miole Javechan Holy Buster Cupin Caryl Suzy Pagaran Kim Louis Aro Maria Luisa Dichos John Ray Bantasan Raven Daryle Mae Suarez Jeremiah Napone Arvin Buyser Shane Airah Jakosalem Geraldine Repollo Mary Charlotte Arrubio Ramil Regen Sanchez Jesryniel Plaza Mc Reagan Gasta Rafaella Utrera Jaylord Torres

ABOUT THE COVER

If we delve deeper with history, we will find the Renaissance period as the turning point and the start of great changes for all humanity. Turmoil in wars, famine, and ignorance were the struggles in which the greatest thinkers and inventors in human history thrived to overcome in this era. In their fight to end these struggles, innovations and the emergence in ideology, science, literature, and the arts paved way for progress.

This magazine is themed “Renaissance” which is a concept of rebirth and overcoming what seems to be impossible. It is an entity’s transition toward a greater change heavily affected by decisions.

The cover is graced by a puzzling photo of an emerging or a floating lady. The lady represents an individual person while the still water embodies stagnation.

There is no progress in stagnation. An individual’s struggles and turmoil in life can come as the stagnant water as if it is constant and there is no flow. It is until we decide on how we apply the photo in our lives. We can settle and float with stagnation. Also, we can choose to emerge and rise up to the challenges to face our renaissance.

Pa peymos!

LOL!!

CONTENTS

10 21 23 38 OPINION 10 Hashtag Crap Mentality 13 Pagtatakwil sa Sariling Wika ng Bansa 15 Battle of the Best Tards 18 Illusive Unity, Elusive Peace PHOTO ESSAY 20 Colors of Serenity, Flavor of Reality FEATURE 28 TOPNOTCHERS’ GC 32 Money Matters 34 Shape It Out 38 Campus Crush 40 Thai Cave Rescue: A Testament of Unity 44 The Greatest Love of All 46 Broken Heart Mosaic

40 44 52 65 46 Broken Heart Mosaic 50 Forefathers’ Return 52 Aid for Litterbugs 54 TADBALIK: A trend from unsung history MOVIE REVIEW 58 The Eagle the Barked, A ‘Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral’ Movie Preview ENTERTAINMENT

ARTISTS’ NOOK

60 A Tale of Two Chickens 61 Kampus Katuwaan Komiks 62 Horrorscope

65 PAGKABALISA: Anyong Aking Nilikha 66 Lovely Triumph 67 Tindog. Barog.

Illustrated by: John Anunciado

OPINION Time encompasses everything.

To speak of rebirth is to comprehend what has passed away. Language, culture, political soundness and humanity--how much death can we afford?

Hashtag Crap Mentality John Ray Bantasan

Pa peymos!

LOL!!

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J

ust because we ranked third among the happiest countries in the world, it does not mean we all have free passes to absolute riddance of sensitivity when having our daily fix of humor-based necessities. Sure, ‘memes’ and ‘challenges’ are fun. After all, we deserve occasional breaks from the seemingly endless asperities that life stubbornly offers us. We Filipinos always had this positive disposition situated in the deepest recesses of our temperaments.

Truly, we have mastered the art of just laughing things out, troubled or not, instead of taking them all in too seriously and suffering the burden of having to deal with it for the entirety of a day or more. While this is reasonable for our preordained subjectivities, there are always two sides to things—the good light and the bad light. In a sense, yes, laughter is the best medicine; but how do we draw the line between sincere humor and misplaced glamorization or social status degradation? How do we know if we are taking in the right doses of humor and are not, instead, culturing a new breed of contagious malignance thereupon succumbing us to our repugnant moral defects?

Crap ‘memetality’: glorifying criminals

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he matter at hand refers to the recent trends that flood your online feed. Given the fact that almost, if not, all of us have at least one social media account; you have probably bumped into hilarious memes that feature news stories suspects captioned with

their respective spur of the moment one-liners, all for the purpose of getting ‘LOLs’, likes, and shares from the netizens. Do “wala na, finish na”, “advance ako mag-isip”, and the infamous “pano mo nasabe” ring a bell? With no adjunct knowledge of their context, you would probably laugh your guts out with the various meme materials that Pinoys have wittingly came up with. Talk about school life, love life, normal life, and hell-bent life—you name it. There is no denying that their phrases are somehow, of course with the smear of comedic purpose, applicable to these topics and are wherefore relatable. These, regardless of how wisecracking they may be, are still words of convicted criminals—a marijuana pusher, a drunk rapist, and a libido-urged murderer. Now, would you still laugh at these memes the same, knowing that their origins are of unkind circumstances? The number of people who commend these criminals and their catchphrases are so disturbing that a reconsideration of moral equipment is required. But, as so-called internet ‘edge-lords’, we don’t run out of excuses, do we? Some would argue that those memes are just for fun and are forms of mockery towards the culprits—pretense of vague nature for sure. They would even go as far as defending that any dispute against their just-forlaughs materials is nothing but overreaction or an abundance of sensitivity. They got it right with the sensitivity part. I mean, hell is not torching you when you are in heaven right? To put it simpler, we glorify these criminals through memes and pat our backs for the

laughs we have had a fair share of, because we tend to be ignorant of the fact that families lost members, or were afflicted by lawlessness— we are not in their shoes. Like, who would want to be?

It would not be wise to assume that families will find pleasure in seeing their relatives’ killer’s grinning face printed in quirky merchandises such as shirts, which will be eventually worn by sober and airheads alike, who bother themselves not with news and current affairs.

Criminals are not celebrities, yet we glorify them like one. They are distasteful, for all the right reasons.

With the families’ losses, we gain recognition and—by the same token—validation. We are unconsciously making the criminals and the pint of knee-slapping gags that surround them the subjects of mass attention, when in the purest fact, it should be the ever-alive prevalence of criminality and violence in the frequently hurt portion of the society. Our mislaid discernment of what is meme-worthy and what is not has somewhat ushered us to the shameful collective behavior that strays further away from being funny. No wonder why we laugh at rape jokes and banters, and defend them even.

If this is a way of making a dire statement that likes matter more than lives today, then our voices have never been clearer and more absurd.

Renaissance | 11

The Trendy Sense of Tumor

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n the other hand, the said crap ‘memetality’ seems to find a peer in a recent social media trend.

Netizens call it the ‘taong grasa challenge’. The title is pretty much self-explanatory: someone dons ragged clothes and smears his/her face and body with makeshift dirt, proceeds in finding heavily crowded places such as malls and whatnot, then voila, the acting starts. Also, never forget the selfies! One must say, however, that such challenge blatantly aspires no more than fame and again, social media validation.

However hard these exhibitions make it appear to be, they do not exist for the sake of sympathy and awareness. Comparing this single-day make-do to the daily-basis living of the deprived holds no sense at all. It is even a disproportional comparison to begin with. Once, a statement from a Facebook page called ‘Dugta’, a group of highschool students who arranged a series of this challenge, justifying the perpetuation of the said act, surfaced online. It is not that there was not anyone else who tried to justify the challenge, but what was intriguing was that at their age, they seem to have a very strained perception towards the society.

Social media is not blameless. Going back, they said that it was their way of putting themselves into the unfortunates’ position, and thenceforth learning the lessons behind the unforgiving situation of being homeless and beggars. Furthermore conveying that sometimes we complain too much and that leads to the tendency of being thankless

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for, at least, what little we may have.

They then emphasized that all must be willing to stretch their hand out for one another, especially to those whose lives they acted out for a day. Benevolent thinking, or just pushed-off too hard reasoning? Who knows? Whichever in these, it does not change the fact that the challenge was of no help. If anything, it helps us become privileged bullies instead. After blurting out loud at the viral challenges we choose to watch, we go back to our shiny plates and silver spoons and eat our daily breads—just the sort of things that the people we mock are devoid of.

And they remain homeless. Beggars.

Victims. If our concern in doing such thing is to build awareness; then why do it in the first place, when we are fully aware that nobody benefits from this except our ever demanding egos? Why not ask help from those of higher authority and power to do the duty? Why not donate the money that was stashed away for the challenges’ budget instead? Well, it could be because there is no fame in that. The days of helping people out in front of camera lenses has gone by—the fakery is easier to spot now—so we have come up with a substitute trend that will sustain the immediacy of netizen’s affirmation with our self-proclaimed wits, charitable natures, and edginess, that we so dearly loved. And the worst of all, internet frequenters aren’t that exhausting to convince.

Social Media Detoxification

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hroughout the years, we have scrolled pass over countless trends. Some of them were worth learning from, while some were

disposable nonsense. The aforementioned two belong to both. Nevertheless, the choice of whether we will let these trends and validations command how we wheel our daily lives on remains upon us. But, may we never forget that the overrated likes and shares and laughs we garner through inane gimmicks do not make us better individuals, nor depict how brilliant and cool we are; it is how we act and function in the absence thereof. Social media is a toxic place— always been— for all of us. But if we choose to deviate from the usual hysteria when the other option available is befriending rationality, then we are off to a good start.

We cannot detoxify the online word in just a snap, but at least we can make it a lot less pestilent—hopefully. Worry not about being left out, for it is not totally being different, it is being wise.

“After blurting out

loud at the viral challenges we choose to watch, we go back to our shiny plates and silver spoons and eat our daily breads—just the sort of things that the people we mock are devoid of.”

Pagtakwil sa Sariling Kaluluwa ng Bansa Marrol Lor Miole

R.I.IP NO

fILIPRRSSEES OUU C CO

Renaissance | 13

“aN hin=di mg=mhl= s sriliN wik, dIg= p AN hyop= At= mln=sN Is=d.”

“Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang hayop at malansang isda.”

-Gat Jose Rizal

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inyang kung tutuosin ay gasgas na kung maituturing. Subalit sinubukan nga ba natin itong intindihin? Kung iisipin, katumbas na nga ba ng bulok na hayop ang amoy ng ating mga sarili? Sa pagtatakwil ng kaluluwa ng ating bansa ay pambansang bayani’y binabastos natin. Upang magkaroon tayo ng isang matagumpay at malawak na komunikasyon sa isa’t isa, kailangang magkaroon tayo ng isang wikang ginagamit at nauunawaan ng lahat, kung kaya’t mayroon tayong wikang Filipino bilang Wikang Pambansa.

Gayunpaman, habang umiinog ang ating mundo at ang tao ay patuloy na nagbabago at ang Generation Z ay sumibol, maraming mga pagbabagong nalikha mula sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng lipunan. Ngunit, sapat na ba itong batayan upang alisin ang asignaturang Filipino sa kolehiyo ? Sapat na ba ang kaalaman at kahusayan ng mga magaaral nang hindi na sila kailangang mag-aaral pa nito?

Naaalala ko pa noong ako ay anim na taong gulang pa lamang, kung paano ako pagpuyatan ng aking ina, upang ako ay turuan at matuto ng wastong pagbasa at pagbigkas ng wikang Filipino gamit ang mga aklat ng Abakada.

Ngunit, ngayon makapanlulumong isipin na tinanggal na nga nilang tuluyan ang asignaturang Filipino at Panitikan sa kolehiyo. Masasabi kong isa itong pagyurak at malaking kabawasan sa ating pagkakakilanlan bilang mga mamamayang Pilipino. Hindi ba nila ito maunawaan?

Para sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam tungkol sa CHED memorandum order No. 20(CMO), nakasaad rito na ang pag-aaral ng Filipino, Panitikan at Saligang-Batas ay bahagi ng pangunahing kurikulum ng edukasyon mula sa Grade 1 hanggang 10 at Senior High School alinsunod sa K-12 Law. Ang mga pagbabago sa kurikulum ng pangkalahatang edukasyon ay ipinatupad upang matiyak na walang duplikasyon ng mga paksa sa Grade 1 hanggang 10, Senior High School at College. Nakasaaad rin dito na sa antas ng tersiyaryo ay hindi na pangunang kailangan ang Filipino at

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Panitikan bilang mga paksa. Ang pagaaral ng Filipino ay maaring maisasama bilang mga kurso ng pag-aaral sa nasabing antas, kung ang mga Higher Education Institutions ay nagpasya na gawin ito. Ang panukalang ito ay maaring magdulot ng iba’t ibang reaksyon sa mga mag-aaral at guro sa Asignaturang Filipino. Paano na lamang ang mga bayaning nag-alay ng pawis at dugo upang magkaroon tayo ng iisang wikang pagkakakilanlan—isang malaking paglapastangan o pagyurak ng ating wikang pambansa kung hindi natin ito maitataguyod hanggang sa susunod na henerasyon.

”Sapat na ba ang kaalaman at kahusayan ng mga mag-aaral nang hindi na sila kailangang mag-aaral pa nito?”

Ibat’t iba ang mga komento ng mga tao ukol sa isyung ito. May mga makabayang nagsasabi na hindi ito dapat maaprubahan at sa lalong panahon ay dapat ng wakasan. Gayunpaman, meron ding mga sumasalungat at nagsasabi na dapat lamang na tuluyan na itong tanggalin sa mga ubod na asignatura sa kolehiyo.

Dumagdag pa ang paglunsad ng pilot program ng Korean language elective sa kurikulum ng elementarya sa bansa.

Ang aksyong ito ay lumikha ng sigalot dahil sa tumbalik nitong dating sa mga taong bayan. Kaya’t itatakwil nalang ba natin ang ating sariling wika at papalitan ng lengguwahe ng ibang bansa?

Hindi naman natin maipagkakakila na ang Hallyu o ang Korean Wave na siyang tumutukoy sa pandaigdigang

katanyagan ng kultura ng South Korea sa kultura ng pop, entertainment, musika, mga drama sa TV at mga pelikula na maliwanag naman na nasa kalakaran ngayon. Aminin mo na nakikiuso ka rin sa mga bagay na ito ngayon.

Wala akong ibang makitang epekto ng kalakarang ito maliban sa mga pabalik-balik na fictional plot scenes na nakakakilig panoorin, makikinis at nagliliitang mukha ng mga artista, mga kantang hindi naman natin maintindahan pero patuloy na sinasabayan kahit wala na sa hulog ang mga salita, mga kakaibang pagkain na katakam-takam, mga pormahang tila lage may bagyo dahil sa pinagpatong-patong na mga tela at mga lugar na kaaya-ayang puntahan. Yun lang naman, oo at Malaki nga naman ang nagging epekto ng Hallyu sa atin lalo na sa mas lumalaking ekonomiya ng ating bansa kung saan nakapagtala lang naman ang kanilang bansa ng 1,467,982 na pagbisita sa taong 2017 na naitala bilang top visitor sa taong iyon.

Bilang isang mag-aaral ng Sikolohiyang BS, isang self- proclaimed journalist sa loob ng pitong taon, ipinanganak at lumaki sa Maynila sa loob ng labing-dalawang taon. Inaamin ko na hindi pa ako hustong bihasa sa paggamit ng wika.

Masasabi ko na may mga salita na naguguluhan ako sa tuwing ginagamit ito lalo na sa Gramatika. Tulad ng paggamit ng (ng / nang), (raw / daw) at marami pang iba. Kung gagamitin natin ito sa isang pag-uusap, sa anumang paraan mas mainam kaysa sa paggamit nito sa malikhaing media ng pagsusulat kung saan lahat ng mga maling paggamit ay mas magiging halata.

Hindi naman masama kung mayroong madadagdag na bagong lengguwahe, hindi ba meron tayong kasabihan na ‘the more the merrier’. Subalit, huwag naman sana tanggalin kung ano yung simula’t sapul ay nandiyan na at malala pa. Huwag naman sana waksihin ang ating pinagmulan at pangunahing pagkakakilanlan. Bakit hindi nalang mas pagyamanin at palawakin, lalo na ngayong mas bihasa na ang marami sa mga salitang dayuhan kesa sa sariling atin.

Battle of the Best Tards John Ray Bantasan

Renaissance | 15

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f you are one of those people whose daily routines involve the occasional visit to the Internet, most especially the social media, then I would bet my bottom peso that you have actually tripped yourself inside the most gruesome comment sections the social media has ever witnessed. Whichever you are in these, it is generally understood that the profanity and hateful innuendos they contain are a pain to the eyes and mind—not unless you are an intrepid being who eats ad hominem for breakfast, and vomits it back to the feeder a moment later. Really, just pick any random local news outlet pages, or any outspoken normal-living individuals, roam around their profiles and scan any posts that involve politics and whatnot, check the comments, and chances are, you will be staring either at a battle of wits or imprudence. Luck is your friend if it is between wits. Mercy be with us, luck is unfortunately seldom. Whoever thinks that the Internet is still a sound place for the users nowadays has been living under a rock. A rock in an underwater cave.

One wonders, however, what leads us to this ferocious behavior. One word: beliefs. These beliefs are nailed around the corners of certain personalities and not of ideas and principles. A risky way of thinking that limits people to regard their influencers’ intents and power as absolute—nothing less, always more. Choosing label over assessment of options. Charisma over substance. A vicious symptom of misplaced fanaticism that poisons empirical reasoning and gadget screens. Known for the practice of this system are the ‘Dutertards’ and ‘Yellowtards’. The two ill-natured factions are consistently up against each other, especially online, calling names. The word Dutertards’ (Duterte retards) refers to the diehard fanatics of President Rodrigo Duterte. They are, as what the opposing group would define them, the blind followers who worship the

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President as an all-knowing god that will save the country from the wasteland that it has become. They view him as a can-do-no-wrong strongman and as a rare deviation from the traditional men and women in suits that the Filipino people used to elect. ‘Yellowtards’ (yellow retards) on the other hand, refers to those who are presumably loyal to Benigno Aquino III and the Liberal Party. The Dutertards deem them as can’t-move-on fellows that know nothing better than crying foul over the shortcomings of the government, and as feeble organisms that lack appreciative virtues. Both are neck-deep loyalists and reasonably named.

Truly, when these two meet in a mere and unknowing politics-related post or article, hatred breaks loose. It is then when social media becomes a battlefield; a channel for an uncivil word war that lacks coherent aim. Worse, for this specific matter, is that words are influential and powerful. Those who dearth prying lenses for malicious accusations and fake news are in for the victims’ seats. ‘Trolls’ and ‘keyboard warriors’ from these two camps are some seriously dedicated culprits.

Individuals whose lives are always active online, such as students, are their main targets. So possession of a little inquisitive awareness from the get-go is already a sufficient defense. Defense for what, you may ask. For ourselves. We would hate ourselves to give into this mechanism and be part of a toxic system that undermines the basic principles of democracy. The nation is not divided in only two classifications.

There is no black and white. Red or yellow. There’s always a middle ground. Yet, many Filipinos today still reckon that we are all obliged to get our heads around their juxtaposition and choose between two sides or else we do not care for the archipelago we live in, and therefore, the right to speak up and suggest is not ours to exercise. We seldom think about the complicated

yet sensible nature of unsolicited political conviction in exchange for the more comforting confines of loyalty and fanaticism. Look at where it brings us. Gone are the days when you can freely convey your opinion without being branded either as a dutertard or a yellowtard. We see bonds and friendships fall out over political beliefs and interests that did not meet. Amidst these, we watch as fake news encouraging personalities rise to power and accrue governing desks, just because they generate huge number of followers who are more than willing to scratch their backs and babysit their feelings.

Some of us complain about the failures of the past administrations while some refuse to adhere with the current one. Suddenly, we either become self-imposed intellectuals who claim to have had enough dissatisfactions throughout the years and are now compelled to undergo change, or cautious citizens who loathe the familiarity that lurks behind subtle hints of history repeating itself. This in general—for all its atrocity and foolishness—is allegedly what drives us to put idols first instead of principles. Our irrational, and often times, lazy grasp to our respective pseudo-paragons betrays not just us, but also the nation itself. When we look no further than the charming faces that tickle our sensitive judgements and choose to be ignorant of their mishaps and idiocy, we enthusiastically surrender our rights to constructively criticize and fault-find; therefore extinguishing potential performance drive right before they conceptualize. Criticisms—mainly constructive ones—are stimuli for betterment and improvements, ignoring them consequently leads us to neglect the collective good.

We become improperly biased and subjective. We become slaves to the dysfunctions of our undeserving idols. We divide.

These, as what the thinker Francis Bacon (1561-1626) would explain in his Novum Organum, are errors of mental processing.

“Our irrational, and often times, lazy grasp to our respective pseudo-paragons betrays not just us, but also the nation itself.”

“The human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion (either as being the received opinion or as being agreeable to itself) draws all things else to support and agree with it. And though there be a greater number and weight of instances to be found on the other side, yet these it either neglects and despises, or else by some distinction sets aside and rejects, in order that by this great and pernicious predetermination the authority of its former conclusions may remain inviolate,” Bacon in describing, agreeably, first-conclusion bias and confirmation bias.

Simply put, once we have attached ourselves to an idea—and in this case, to personalities or idols—we basically lock ourselves into them so passionately that we automatically dismiss whatever logic-based invalidations the critics and well-informed people have come to slap us with. It strips us off our capabilities of thinking twice and deliberating options.

A few good number of people, however, are still truly intellectual enough to weasel themselves out of this contagious trend. They are those who base their stand upon ideologies that point toward intelligent advocacies. They watch as the ‘tards’ oppressively bust each other’s bone-headed arguments with selfsame rebuttals. Maybe they would even humor themselves by participating in the nonsensical exchange once, and would wonder how the tards could possibly want more. Labels do not appeal to them. Indeed, we must envy them for their resilience. They observe in resonant annoyance as we de-evolve into grumpy primitives, whilst finding delight in exceeding our bigotry. It does us no good. We compromise the welfare of our supposedly oneness just so we can shove into each other’s throat that we are on the right side and the other is on the wrong one.

Is the ‘we’ in ‘We the sovereign Filipino people’ already losing its essence?

Maybe if the social media—or even the country for that matter—is abundant of idealist intellectuals instead of blind fanatics, our political belief system would have been something of use. If only we are all allowed to criticize or scrutinize or praise the government without being classified as a yellowtard or a dutertard, then problems would be resolved and conflicts would be settled in a manner that would please the souls of our national heroes who fought and died for the independence that we, so willingly, wasted. If only we realize that our ineffectual acts are the wrong way of doing it, then there would be no yellowtards or dutertards at all. Pessimistic as it may sound, but we are still far from that realization. That idea is as hard to get into as heaven. As long as we continuously fail to dissect that principles and personalities are two different entities, the word war will never cease to take its toll. Political affiliations and biases have turned out to be the definition of what we truly are—morally and logically. It is true and inevitable. Like it or not, we all have become part of a national debate that begs for definite placement of allegiance. But where do we put our loyalty and faith: to the yellow or to the clenched fist? Moral compass says neither. Rightfully so, we should knight ourselves as nationalists instead. The battle of the best ‘tards’ will not end with a tard gloriously standing—loud and proud. Not even close. All are bound to lose and be buried under the rubbles of our country’s ruins. Yet, there would be no ridiculous battle to start with if we are all nationalists—that is to say—all are bound to win. In this, judgments and standpoints may vary, but the endgame is mutual and better and is reached unitedly.

Renaissance | 17

Illusive Unity, Elusive Peace Jaed Delosa

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tatehood defined as one is not a state. From old days up to now, we are bombarded by theories on how it should work.

Anchored on the basis of social contract, the specific rationale on which a state can be definable without argument is still an intellectual contention. A state is still a subjective assertion to control or just another collective agreement for social order.

Ideologies are products of the human mind. They do not naturally exist. These are constructs based mainly from the desire of control, flowering with the idea of unity. Man is an island in his own stand. But when an ideology enters into the equation, collaboration happens. From that collaboration, domination begins. It is domination that will challenge other ideologies, conquering the humanity’s subjective territories.

One of the bestselling stories of today in the Philippine media is the implementation of federalism. It is the history that keeps on repeating.

Our country’s heroes, Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini, once proposed to divide our country into three federal states. Not so long ago, there are initiatives created just for the aspiration of federalism being implemented. Senator Aquilino, Pimentel under then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration, authored the Joint Resolution No. 10 which requires the revision of 14 out of 18 articles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Our current president Rodrigo Duterte also advocated Federalism even before he won the presidential seat. After he won, he handpicked our country’s leading jurists and political scientists to draft the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It was finalized on June 2018. The draft serves more

than just a reference point, however, rather than an absolute and finalized political rule. This might somehow be a blueprint for the future realization of the Philippine Constitution’s revision towards the aim of federalism.

According to Professor Richard Heydarian, a resident analyst of GMA News Network, “federalism on paper seems well suited for the Philippines. In reality, however, it would become a recipe for disaster in a country that is already divided by language, religion and economic inequality.”

So, the question now becomes: “how can we really define ideal state?” The question may seem redundant in connection to the idea of what needs to be implemented but the point here is to define power distribution in every political cell.

Its distribution to every political cell to function properly may be good to hear, but the nature of human’s insatiable greed for power is always imminent. Political dynasties are one of the factors that can hinder social progress. It represses democratic involvement to the point of authoritarian imposition, leaving citizens submissive to the consequences they cannot even accept in the first place.

”Everyone seemingly likes to change the world yet the desire remains stagnant in digital sphere without affecting any variable in the real world.””

In terms of our country’s public opinion on political matters, the drama beguiles every person who wants to get politically involved.

Every social media newsfeed is full of polarizing statements on political assertions be it humorous or serious. Everyone seemingly likes to change the world yet the desire remains stagnant in digital sphere without affecting any variables in the real world. The question here is, “how can we get an ideal state when even starting from ourselves, we do not even understand the things we are saying?” The point here is accountability. We like to talk things out of the desire of being validated without even knowing the intentions and outcomes of what we have said in the first place.

Many political parties today align themselves with the Administration. It is now easier to bid popularity when there is something to disagree about. Looking at issues in a different level of perception is effective. Even though these issues can be remedied by collaboration, power is a necessity. It gives them purpose. The government then has no other choice but to defend their position from criticisms.

Criticizing the government is a lofty art. When we watch the news, there is this scent of playful empathy resonating just to represent the so-called oppressed side of the society. Critics present their arguments in ways that do not even portray the status quo. Just making up stories being fabricated in front of the media; various appeals that are not helping the Filipino people in the first place.

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PHOTO ESSAY Colors of Serenity, Flavors of Reality

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ry to observe nature and the universe. Try to make sense of what you see each and every day. The way we experience a day in the world is a direct reflection of a chapter in our life.

Our journey can be easily described and appreciated by the simple routine of the sun, moon, sky, clouds and stars above us. The universe is an element in the quality and meaning of the life we enjoy.

PHOTO BY ARVIN B. BUYSER

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TWILIGHT

PHOTO BY: ARVIN B. BUYSER

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he time between the day and night. There is a halflight before the evening comes and another halflight before the morning shines. We cannot avoid that there are times we encounter dichotomy. Everything we are doing, we did, and will do cannot be appreciated by all. People have different thinking, perceptions, knowledge, and outlooks. Some people may appreciate your work while some are not.

Some people may agree on your opinion, others may criticize you.

It is difficult to have unanimous thoughts and views. Yet, all we need is to respect each other. Like a twilight, our decisions in life can be right or wrong. It may be right to you but others think it is not and vice versa. Our ambivalence could fall us either from the dark or in the light. In the end, only one will remain at twilight time – the fall to the dark or the rise to the light.

PHOTO BY DEAN JOSHUA SOLIS

PHOTO BY SHANE AIRAH JAKOSALEM

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GLOOMY SKY

PHOTO BY ARVIN B. BUYSER

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PHOTO BY DEAN JOSHUA SOLIS

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here are moments in our lives where we are left with the dull, heavy weight of sadness and loneliness.

It just takes one rejection, that one failed subject, that one broken relationship, unappreciated efforts and unmet expectations to feel so. We missed great opportunities, we are scared to face our fears and feeling weak to take another step again.

We are not motivated by anything, we let negative energy control us, we give in to distraction and we listen to anyone with opinion—hopeless and stressed.

Regrets are everywhere—self-pity, feeling of worthlessness and not being functional mess up things and push us over the edge. We forget who we really are as we forget what we can do and deny what we can be because of the failures and errors we tend to commit. We failed others and most especially, we failed ourselves. Indulged in dark thoughts; disappointments and discouragements lead us to experience gloomy skies.

SUNSET

PHOTO BY ARVIN B. BUYSER

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PHOTO BY ARVIN B. BUYSER

ender clouds. Soft skies. Setting sun.

It’s that time of the day where we always get to remember to have a break and find our chill for a while. Outside is that setting of the sun waiting for everyone to see its beams descent from the sky and marvel how the colors change from golden orange to pink carmine, and finally making way to scarlet healing.

Appreciate how beautiful those colors painting in the sky and realize that every sunset symbolizes unpredictable things in our journey.

One beautiful aspect of the world that many people take for granted is that it is not the same each day. As the journey in our lives continue, change is constant. From happiness to sadness, from success to failure, and from the beginning to the ending, everything in between does change every time in a while, just like how nature is painting unpredictable mixture of beautiful colors above us.

How the sunset seems to be an ordinary time of the day, yet only extraordinary people can appreciate why we should always take time to have the silence of the setting sun, reflect with the calmness of the soft skies and float with the peaceful tender clouds.

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NIGHT SKY

PHOTO BY ARVIN B. BUYSER

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PHOTO BY: ARVIN B. BUYSER

The night fosters darkness—an abyss where light doesn’t exist. It gives us the feeling of being isolated and disconnected from the world. It’s a place which holds our greatest fears and nightmares. It’s also where we put all our deepest insecurities and secrets. These are the few things that lie beyond pitch black, erasing and stopping all of it would be futile. We cannot lose it, because whether we like it or not, it’s part of us. The only thing that we can do is to learn to live above all of it. The darkness that resides in the night may cut all our ties from the world but we can use it to find and think for our self alone. Our deepest nightmares and fear may fret us but living above them may give us strength to face the struggles and actual battles in our life. Hitting rock bottom is inevitable, the only thing we could do if it happens is to up.

Despite of the darkness that dwells in the night. On the night sky, there are fragments of lights coming from the glittering display of the stars and the moon which draw luminesces from the sun.

There may be in pieces scattered and light years away but their existence signifies hope. No matter how night can be so dark, the fracture of light above the sky can never be vanquished because the darker the night, the more the stars and moon shine.

PHOTO BY SHANE AIRAH JAKOSALEM

SUNRISE

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s the sunlight leaks out from the endless darkness, a ray of new hope emerges.

Every soul is radiated with the early golden glow of the sun that tells us to wake up to a new beginning of another day. Somewhere behind a morning shine is a bit of magic waiting for a new start and a fresh try.

The sunrise, as clean sheet of paper, makes us to draw what we desire, signaling that it is the start of our life’s new chapter. The morning breeze is best time for us to gather our thoughts, which fuels our creative plans. Our passions are then burned by this glimpse of hope, and as we start our day, we wonder on what this day will bring us, whether it be a fresh challenge to face on, or an old chapter we need to reopen for us to conquer it.

Whatever this new day may give us, because of the glowing rays of the sun that peaked through the shades of black, we are ready to brave them.

PHOTO BY ARVIN B. BUYSER

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FEATURE In the event of losing the self in unprecedented transitions, we may find versions of ourselves tucked between art, love, and the stories shared. It is in searching where thrill breeds.

Story by Mae Jovelyn Corporal

Caraga State University graduates never ceased to amaze us by once again proving its competence and excellence through producing licensed and top notched engineers as well as foresters in their respective l licensure examinations.

Forester Catherine Hope Bustillo and For.Felix Bolonias Jr. ranked top 6 and 8 respectively with the CSU passing rate of 71.64% and national passing rate of 59.01% in the Foresters Licensure Examination while Engineer Art Dalman placed top 7 out of 851 passers from 1502 takers of the Licensure Examination for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer on August 2018. The CSU passing rate for this licensure exam which Dalman took is 67.86% and the national passing rate is 56.66% .

It is indeed a back to back honor for CSU to produce highly remarkable individuals who were able to put their names as one of the top notchers since last year’s result. As a fruit of their hard work and perseverance, many are interested to hear the answers as to how these top notchers managed to get into top 10.

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What did you do the time you found out that you top the exam?

Shocked. I cried ---tears of joy because I did not expect it. I hugged everyone at home and whispered my gratitude to God.

That time naa ko ana sa CSU, then ‘tong pagkabalo nako, speechless kaayo ko kay sa daghn namo ni exam na apil ko sa top 10 . Dili masabtan akong gebati tungod sa kalipay.

At first, I don’t really believe it because they just called me and then later I really saw it with my own eyes. I pray for all the blessings.

Did you have any expectations when you took the board exam? Did you feel that you would top it?

I only expected to pass the board exam. But to top it, NO. I doubted myself. I was not confident to take the exam. I thought kulang pa ang two months of review to pass it. It was difficult labi na sa Forest Utilization and Engineering. After I answered the last subject and went outside the exam room, I thought of God’s plan for me and smiled positively.

Before I travelled to CDO, a week before the exam, I was consumed by my anxiety. I was sick. I can’t concentrate on reading the last set of reviewers. I’m nervous. I needed to talk to my parents to gain confidence but the nervous was still there. I kneeled and prayed, asked for His heavenly wisdom to pass the board exam. After that, I was relieved with confidence. Remember my favorite quote/life verse above. From that moment, I knew that God will be my guide and I’m ready for the exam.

Felix: Yes nag expect ged ko nga mo top ged ko kay mao nay getudlo sa amoa sa college pami, dili lang ged dapat mag aim og pasar lang kay kung di nimu makuha ang pasar, bagsak man sunod sa pasar. Dapat aim high ged daw, dapat top one ged i-aim sa exam kay kung magkina unsa daghan kay kahagbongan like top two, top three to top 10. Aim high ged ko perme ato maski malabo na mo top ko gesalig nalang nako tanan sa Ginoo after sa exam kung unsa man gani result.

Art: No expectations.. hopes lang haha *laughs jokingly. No. Actually, right after the first part of the exam which is day one. Nawad-an na mig paglaom tanan. Haha. Samot na after day two. Lisod siya then unexpected gyud.

In fact, after sa day two isig tawag mi sa amo family nga lisod ang exam so dili na mag expect nga mupasar. I remember, ang speech sa among top one which is from UP, ingon sIya nga gitun-an niya halos tanan nga feel niya mugawas. But 25% lang ang nigawas. So kong 25% lang iyaha unya nagtop one, unsaon nalang mi?

Why did you choose your course?

Gepili nako ni nga course kay dili kaayo siya mahal. Ako mindset ato, bisan unsa lang na course basta makahuman lang.

Ang first choice nako is Architecture, then si Kuya lang nag ingon nga mag Ag.Eng. ko para duol rapod kay naa sa CSU. Since apil si kuya sa nag supporta (financially) sakong pag-skwela mao to nga okay ra. Luckily pod nga ang second choice nako is Engineering (like bisag unsa basta Engineering).

Never did I imagine that I will become a licensed Forester. Before, I studied BS Chemistry for three semesters at CMU. I decided to transfer in CSU where I took my BS Forestry Program. I learned to love Forestry and found my passion on it.

Growing up in a barrio at Diatagon, Lianga, I appreciated the importance of environment in our daily life: water source, enhancement of our climate, social and economic values of forests and as well as its aesthetic value. I chose forestry to become a dynamic agent of change in bringing about forest conservation and consciousness. Forestry is far beyond planting trees, memorizing scientific names and climbing mountains. It includes safeguarding our natural resources for sustainable development.

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Who or what was your inspiration?

Family especially akong mama. Most of the time man gud, I feel like wala koy mapahambog pa sa ilaha. Tas akong mga igsoon naa na. So I just want to make them proud of me somehow.

No doubt, my family. They are always be my inspiration, in everything that I do. They were there from the beginning. They did not pressure me. They always remind me to just do my best and that I can do it. I have their 100% trust that I can pass.

Ako family ako inspiration ug gusto sab ko sa amo pamilya nga naay makahuman og eskwela that is why naningkamot ged ko makahuman.

Did you have failing grades or any disappointing experience in CSU? If yes, how did you cope?

Kaloy-an sa Ginoo wala koy bagsak sa CSU then wala koy disappointing experience sa CSU, everything was okay gyud. Naay time nga mag lisod pero normal ra na as a student.

Yes. Most especially kanang feel nimo nindot imo performance and dagko kag kuhas exam. Unya, wrong diay ang grades haha. Laban. Accept and move on. Bawi sa sunod then prove that you’re much better(wiser) than yesterday.

YES! I failed two times in Physics and at my third take, I exerted more efforts and time to pass it. I got a 3.0 grade, INC and DRP on my TOR. I’ve been on several removal exams. Amazing, right? Who would have thought that I would top the exam with this record? Haha, I’ve never been in the Dean’s lists too.

I feel so disappointed that I didn’t graduate on time. With three semesters spent as a Chemistry student, I didn’t make it to graduate for four years since I have behind major subjects. I thought that I failed my parent’s expectations on me. I was so down and thought of myself as a failure.

I coped up by accepting the fact that maybe I wasn’t doing my best enough in my studies. I was a bit discouraged but tried my best to get back on track. I keep my eyes on my goals no matter what the difficulties I faced.

It made me strive harder because I know that I can do more and get better grades. That’s the thing I liked about myself, I may be down for a while but in the end, I pick myself up and rise again. Lumalaban pa rin! I took everything as a lesson and understand that it happened for a reason. God put me in situations because He knows I can handle and surpass it through prayers and trust in Him of course.  I never doubted my faith sa iya even though I doubted myself na.

Looking on the brighter side, I still aced other major subjects naman. Always on the top list on some major exams, posted outside the faculty’s room. Whenever I saw my name on it, I feel so proud of myself na although nagbarkada-barkada ko, I still managed to be on the list.

Do you have any studying tips to share?

Be organized. – I organized my things in place where I can access them easily: ball pens, marker/highlighters, pencils, index card, etc. put in on jars or mugs. Filed and labeled my college handouts, hardcopy reviewers by subject. My study station was in my room, with good lighting and ventilation.

Set a Study Schedule (and strictly follow it) – Ever since I was in college, I planned my study schedule by making time frame and post it on my wall sa room to remind myself of the hell week coming. With this, studying for multiple exams in a week was a less hassle for me. And during my review days, mao gihapon akong gibuhat.

Select your study pals – Studying alone may be good but having some friends may help you. You can share knowledge, ask questions. Choose friends nga moseryoso sa study, disciplined, friends that will not see you as their competitor, and kanang nay same fire with you that burns to pass the exam. Others kasi, imbes mag group study, nagtabira, chika. And nag compete nanuon instead of working as a team.

Surround yourself with positive people. Keep away to those who belittle you, saying negatives about you, doubting your future. Instead, be with people who will motivate you, supports you. May it be your family, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend or anyone. Basta ayaw lang sa mga tao nga makawala sa imong gana to study. Think of positive things every time.

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Eat right. Studying may not be effective as it would be without proper meal. Always eat on time, avoid skipping meals and kanang mag brunch. Di gud tarong ang dagan sa atong utok ug gutom ta busa kaon jud. Hehe.

Don’t deprive yourself of necessary things. My study snacks were Flat Tops chocolates, apple and a lot of water. Ayaw lang pud ug kaon pirmi to the point nga di naka magstudy kay gahabhab kana lang.

Have a break. I used the 45:15 techniques. Forty-five minutes of studying, 15 minutes of break --- facebook, snack, stretching, going outside of my room to breathe some fresh air. Listening to classical music while studying could also help you to relax. On weekend, I often spent it dating with myself or with my boyfriend, Joshua.

And of course, get enough sleep. Di magsigeg bilar. Di pud mag sige katulog. Again, discipline yourself.

PRAY. Pray not because you wanted to pass the exam but because taking the board exam is a battle you cannot go through alone. You need Him. He will never leave us behind and will guide us all the way. He will prepare you on whatever may happen after the exam.

Above all, it is your hardwork and determination that will lead you to success.

Felix: Study tips remember and do this. Goals nganu ni skwela ka, focus sa study, discipline sa kaugalingon dIli palabi og lag-laag , inspiration sa life para gana e-study.

Art: Sa board exam (or dili). Find first imo time nga active imo brain. Then pray before and after reading the review materials asking for guidance and better understanding. Dili pugson ug dili na kaya sa utok 30-40 mins. lang active ang brain so wala nay pulos ug whole day kag tutok unya wala nakay masabtan. Break-break pud.

What’s the best advice you could share to other students?

Art: Enjoy college life lang. Kay kaisa rata magcollege (waman cguro tay plano mag dugay2 ug mag balik2 no ? (Paningkamutan pod nato nga mugraduate ta on time ug makaya) Ayaw I-pressure imo kaugalingon (most especially trying to please other people either in academics or unsa pa kaha nimong kalihokan diraa.)

And learn as much as you can !

Felix: Ako lng ma share is kanang we all know that CSU is dili basta-basta nga skwelahan so expected ged nga lisod siya. Focus lang ged sa skwela dili man pud pa brightay sa CSU palahutay mana diha basta maningkamot lang gyud. No retreat no surrender ged dapat if ever kung mabagsak ayaw ka discourage, bangon gehapon kay dili mana racing ang pag skwela. Try and try until you succeed lang gud, always positive and focus sa imung goals nganu ni skwela ta. Then always pray sa Ginoo nga e guide tas pagskwela nato og magpasalamat ta kung unsay plano sa Ginoo sa ato. Everything has a purpose biya maong skwela ged tag tarung para mo success ta puhon.

Catherine: You should be grateful that you had the chance to study in the university. Dili tanan makaswela because of some reasons. You’re blessed! Make your parents proud. You may not see them struggling para lang mapaskwela ka but remember, parents will always find ways masupportahan lang ta. Know your priorities and set goals, it will serve as your driving force to always give your best shot. Work hard, actually harder, to finish college and to achieve your dreams. Put efforts and passion on what you are doing.

Certainly, it would always be self-discipline and hardwork that creates the foundation for a better future.

These topnotchers paved its way to the top while silently working success under pressure.

Success is a one way tour but not an easy one. There are no shortcuts and you may even encounter more roads diverging in any directions. If you find yourself weary in the middle of the road, just think of the long term possibilities that you will gain after reaching your destination. Renew yourself for the future. Embrace excellence and aim success at its best.

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Money Matters Story by Raven Daryle Mae Suarez Illustration by John Christian Anunciado

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ou are in a whole new world. The first time you officially experienced this feeling was when you took a step away after bidding goodbye to your parents at home, wiped that little tear in your eyes, tucked your first allowance in your wallet and finally took a step forward towards Caraga State University.

At first there is the joy of freedom, you are the boss of your own life and your own expenses as college for most is the beginning of independently managing their own lives and therefore independently managing own finances. But with so much stuff and staples to purchase, there will be a time when money runs out before the month ends. Away from the

comfort zones, when it comes to money matters, the struggle is real.

This is true for most. Mariss, a first year mining engineering student receives a monthly allowance every first week of the month but often loses track of her expenses and practically ends up without a single centavo by the end of the month. On the other hand, Jam, first year forestry student, receives almost the same allowance as Mariss have less to no trouble at all when it comes to juggling her allowance and her expenses. Given these real scenarios, what must have been the factors of Mariss’ excessive expenses and how did Jam manage to go on well with her finances?

FACTORS OF EXCESSIVE EXPENSES 1. LACK OF PRIORITIES

When it comes to spending, not knowing where and what to actually spend can cause a dilemma as it leads to buying what is not necessary. According to Mariss, while going to the market to purchase basic goods, she simply picks what she thinks immediately as something she might need but ends up buying the same item that is already available.

2. SOCIAL INFLUENCE

Being with peers during shopping galore or a simple snack, even without the intention to spend, can be a lot of temptation. Mariss can also relate to this especially that her friend loves to eat junk foods and drink soda.

“Seeing my friend munching those yummy foods, there is no way I can avoid the temptation of buying mine too,” she admitted.

Mismanaged expense in any way can lead to unexpected outcomes but the end point is that you are broke and that you will have no more money to purchase what is essential.

With lots of sites and sources telling what should be done to manage one’s expenses and how to have proper money management, it is also essential to address what should actually be avoided. The following are some things to abstain from in order to have a stable financial state especially as a student:

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1. DON’T FOLLOW IMPULSES

Splurging money at the spur of the moment due to impulses is common.

However, in doing so, one tends to purchase everything that is not basically based on needs but more on to wants.

Jam, a frugal person, always applies her first method of managing allowance: to think again and again before making a purchase whether big or small.

Separating her wants from needs allows her to spend only on what is important.

“I truly like to buy so many stuff but I always hold back the urge to spend, for some it is hard but it is possible,” she stated.

2.DON’T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR EXPENSES.

You spend more than your estimates. Reality on prices may vary from your expectations thus an estimate is not always a perfectly reliable calculation.

Another factor is that there are situations when you might need something you have not allotted your budget with.

This has also happened to Jam especially when creating a project that needs computer and internet access. In one project, she estimated spending 30 pesos for 3 hours in an internet café but ended up spending more than 50 pesos. Since that project is essential and cannot be omitted from the expenses, it is truly helpful to allot an extra peso for extra needs.

3.DON’T FORGET YOUR LIMITS

Create a budget and try to follow it. Tracking your finances is essential so you don’t spend too much. There are several ways to budget your money. One effective way to do so is through the envelope budgeting system. The envelope budgeting system is very tangible. You use plain cash to control your spending and when you run out, you stop spending. It works by allocating an envelope or any container to a specific category such as for meals, for the boarding house, for internet and so on.

You can even add an envelope for your wants and set a minimum amount for it. Living in a budget does not mean you cannot enjoy a little as long as you stick to the plan. You only spend what you allocate for that specific category. But reminder again, always save an extra. It might be challenging but it is a matter of self-discipline.

When it comes to money management, finding your own style may take a little time but if you truly wanted to, it will definitely come as it is a learning process with trials and possibly lots of errors. On time with experiences earned you may go on well with money matters.

Despite the free tuition, college can still be expensive, but learning the basics when it comes to money management means not only managing your money well but it also means managing your life. College is stressful enough. Don’t let money matters stress you more. Laying the groundwork for smart budgeting and spending habits in college enables you to handle responsibility and learn the value of accountability – lessons that are just as important as academic ones.

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Shape it Out Story by: Javechan Holy Buster Cupin & John Ray Bantasan Illustrations by: John Christian Anunciado & Arvin Buyser

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ost of us want to have a perfect body; to achieve a figure that we often observe from those who undergo workout—slim, firm frame, and abdominal muscles. It is generally considered that having these is tantamount to being healthy. To some extent we consider this as one of our dreams. Now, in order to achieve this dream, one must work hard for it. Nobody gets physically fit just by sitting and waiting. Moreover, one thing that might hinder us from doing so is the amount of money involved. It is no secret that going out for gym requires money, and as much as possible, we prefer things that are lighter for our pockets.

This is why cross-fit exercise might appeal to our interests. Cross-fit exercise is a type of workout that does not need any equipment or dedicated visits in a gym—although some may prefer added weights for certain movements. This exercise can be done at home. Given these, cross-fit exercise seems more practical, in the sense that it is less expensive and requires no wasted time for commuting to go to, say, a gym. All one has to do is to be able to know the proper execution.

There are lots of cross-fit exercises to choose from. Some good examples are the burpees, sit-ups, push-ups, and squats. The following are the procedures and proper execution of the said exercises.

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• Lastly, land and immediately lower your back into a squat (Step 2) for your next repetition.

• Reach your arms over head and explosively jump up into the air.

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, weight in your heels, and your arms at your sides.

START

• Push your hips back, bend your knees, and lower your body into a squat. Place your hands on the floor directly in front of, and just inside, your feet. Shift your weight onto them.

BURPEES You can do 2-3 sets with 10 – 15 reps.

• Jump your feet back to softly land on the balls of your feet in a plank position.Keep your hands planted firmly on the ground to support your body.

• Jump your feet back so that they land just outside of your hands.

• Lower your chest carefully all the way down to the floor. Your body should form a straight line from your head to heels. Be careful not to let your back sag or you butt stick up in the air, as both can keep you from effectively working your core.

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SIT-UPS • This starts by lying on your back with your knees bent. Sit-ups work best if you do them on a soft surface, such as a mattress.

Keep your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, with your feet flat on the floor. You may be more comfortable if you lie on an exercise mat while you are doing sit ups.

• Second, put your fingertips on the back of your ears. Your elbows should be bent and pointing out at your sides. Cupping the back of your ears with your fingertips-as opposed to placing them on the back of your head-can help prevent you from pulling yourself up by your neck as you’re doing sit-ups.

• You can also cross your arms over your chest or hold your arms slightly above the floor so they are parallel to your sides.

• Then, lift your torso up as close to your thighs as possible. Do this with a smooth, steady motion, keeping your feet flat on the floor. When you are done lifting your torso, your lower back should be off the floor.

• Lower your torso down to the floor so you are back in the starting position. Like you did when you lifted your torso up to your thighs, use a smooth and steady motion as you lower it down.

• Once you are back in the starting position, you can repeat the exercise if you want to do more repetitions. In addition, do 3 sets of 10-15 reps.

SQUAT • First thing to do is stand with your head facing forward and your chest held up and out.

• Then place your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider.

Extend your hands straight out in front of you to help keep your balance. You can also bend your elbows or clasp your fingers. Then, sit back and down like you are sitting into an imaginary chair.

• Keep your head facing forward as your upper body bends forward a bit. Rather than allowing your back to round, let your lower back arch slightly as you descend.

• Also lower down so your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible, with your knees over your ankles. Press your weight back into your heels. Remember to keep your body tight, and push through your heels to bring yourself back to the starting position.

• You can start with three sets of 10 squats, and then add more reps (12,15) as you get used to the motion.

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It may seem that these types of workouts are not easy at first, but if we could just do it with the determination to reach a pressing goal, we would be more than pleased to reap the benefits.

These benefits may refer to better conditioning and increased physical performance.

Cross fit athletes train their muscles, joints and ligaments using functional movements. Well-rounded workouts that use large muscle groups and various ranges of motion lead to better overall health, posture, flexibility, strength and balance.

However, there are also some potential risks in CrossFit workouts of

which criticisms as to the potential injuries are often highlighted. According to a 2013 study published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning, risks being tied to CrossFit workouts include rhabdomyolysis and musculoskeletal injuries. Nevertheless, the researchers point out that to date, no evidence exists in medical journals to show that CrossFit injury rates are higher than those of other forms of high-intensity exercise.

ly, stretch after a workout and have enough time to recover, is of great importance. Expert says preparing the body “not only for the known, but also the unknown” is the mantra for CrossFit. This fits perfectly with our unpredictable venture towards healthy living.

We know what we want but we do not know what we’ll get—and that’s where the immediate concern to succeed at the end persists the most. It is up to us now to try or not; to remain immobile or to inch forward to the next level.

Well as the adage goes: No pain; no gain. However, it would be a lot wiser if we do not wait for injuries to come knocking at our doors. That is why the need to warm-up proper-

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Campus Crush Dean Joshua Solis

Story by: John Ray Bantasan and Dean Joshua Solis Illustrations by: Mary Charlottee Arrubio

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verything about Rolito Aloyon II emits attractiveness. From the boy-next-door looks to the natural handling of wit, there seem to be no denying of his current stature as a campus crush. Known to many as ‘Rads’, the --- year old hottie captured CSUan hearts through ways unusual to your typical go-to heartthrob.

and as a person.” It is no secret that this is every student’s motivation--to return the favor to the parents albeit in manners of mere simplicity, and Rads takes extra steps by making them proud all the while doing what he loves. And he loves quiet a few things--including his hobbies.

Aside from being a Mr. CSU title-holder, Rads also cemented his place in the field of campus journalism. He’s gained accolades in Sports Writing. He was introduced to journalism at the age of 11 by his teacher. He was trained to participate for the DSPC elementary level, English category and participated in School Press Conferences for five years in total. He qualified for the NSPC 2017 when he was in the 10th grade when he won 3rd in the Sports Writing in Filipino Category (High School Level) during the DSCP 2016. He continued this passion for journalism when he was on grade 12. He won 1st place in Sports Writing in Filipino Category (High School Level) in the DSPC last 2018. He then joined The Gold Panicles as a SHS contributor for sports writing in 2017.

He is fond of listening to pop music. He takes Owl City’s lyrics as inspiration and a vessel to imagination of higher level. He is a fan of Kitchen Nightmares, Hell’s Kitchen, and Masterchef. He’s mainly a fan of Chef Gordon Ramsey and the way he presents and prepares food. Rads is a dessert kind of guy. He’s also into pastries.

Just so if you think he can go no further than these, you have never seen him take on a debate. He is the embodiment of beauty and brains--a total package and then some.

When asked about what inspires him, Rads says, “My family inspires me every day, especially my mother.

My parents always wanted to see us become successful in the future with a degree. That’s why I work hard and strive hard to pay off their efforts academically

Completing the requirements of being everyone’s dream boy is his passion for basketball. He started playing when was grade 6 and plays power forward and shooting guard. During the 2017 and 2018 Intramurals, he played for the SHS Gray Vikings. He plans to try out for the 2020 Intramurals and play for the Green Sentinels.

To add to the already tall pile of his noteworthy positive attributes, Rads believes that environmentalists are in demand today considering the drastic decline of the environment’s health, and as a proof of this sincere enthusiasm towards saving the earth’s dying lungs, he chose to take Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Although his program centres mainly on environment related issues, he makes sure that he does not estrange himself away from other equally relevant societal issues such as those concerning mental health.

“Yes. Society is composed of groups and groups are composed of people.

If an individual does not function well, then it will have a ripple effect from the macro level to the bigger level of society’s productivity.

We should support the mental health bill because more people are suffering silently,” Rads says when asked if, in his opinion, Mental Health bill should be passed as Mental Health Law.

Sitting down with the man of the hour, we go down to the most minute, and occasionally fun, details about him. Here are some of them:

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Thai Cave Rescue: A TESTAMENT OF UNITY Written by: Jeremiah Napone

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Illustrated by: Jaylord Torres

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way from the cheers and exuberance in the FIFA World Cup in Russia, a rescue of life and death proportionos is being performed in the land of the Thais. From the constant danger of the ravaging monsoon rains, complexity of the labyrinth-like rock-jagged cave, and the bare possibility to call for help, stirred suspense on the hearts of not just the locals but also the world.

The Tham Luang Cave System is a prominent landmark in Thailand that comprises of mazes of mini cave systems stretching out within 10.3 kilometers of land and a terrific depth of 85 meters. The cave system became intriguingly well known when 12 football boys and their assistant coach were trapped after being pushed deeper in the cave by torrential rains in June 23, 2018. Families in distress clamored for their sons as the monsoon season continued to send out massive downpours in the entire archipelago.

Trapped Inside

After a supposed rest in a tiring day of training in the field, the local football youth team, Wild Boars, decided to have a brief hiatus and agreed to visit the local cave site where they, with little knowledge, would run into some serious trouble. As the team entered the cave, the menacing monsoon rains poured heavily in the site that caused immense flooding in the cavern system. With their natural instincts kicking in, their only resort was to escape the enormous flood and go deeper into the cave. Facing a dead end, the team found themselves trapped in an enigmatic area with little less air and not a spectrum of light to be seen.

Surviving Days without Help

With the team facing a life-threatening situation, winning a football match was the least of their concerns in that moment. Fighting for breath and retaining their consciousness, Ekkapol “Ake� Chantawong, Wild Boars’ assistant coach and a former monk managed to bring some tricks out of his sleeves. Coach Ake taught the boys meditating techniques and ways to conserve their air from the situation they were experiencing.

Despite the looming trouble, Coach Ake and the boys remained calm in the face of great uncertainty. As the team ran out of crucial assets, a miracle happened. What seemed to be a decorative relic in caves, drinkable droplets of water dripping from cave walls created by moisture served as a holy grail for the team. But it did not stop there!

Before the team was trapped, they managed to bring portable torches to light against the gloomy umbra of the cave. Cracks from the cave walls and porous limestone provided temporary ventilation to keep them from suffocating.

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Help At last!

Despite the current dilemma that the boys and their coach were currently facing, little did they know that Thai authorities were already responding to the situation. Due to the challenging framework of the cave and the complexity of the circumstance, rescuers planned and formulated numerous alternatives to ease the head-scratching situation they were in. Bold ideas such as drilling parts of the mountain, pumping a massive amount of water out the cave and innovating tactics the boys and their coach out alive were taken into consideration as authorities grasped on straws to succeed in a life and death situation.

The screenplay gained numerous attentions and news started to disseminate all over the archipelago. The amazing thing is, it did not just cross the entire Thailand, it crossed the vast oceans making it possible to receive various volunteers from all other parts of the world volunteers such as the Great Britain that lead the entire dive, Australia who sent a group of divers to the site, and Czech Republic who offered the use of their technologies for the mission. The remarkable scenario was a living testament that the world, despite racial and cultural differences, could unite for one purpose.

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Boys Out

On the 1st of July, the daring rescue plan was executed. Divers both local and international paved their way against the elements. It was a race against time and a game of probabilities. After 24 hours of worrying, British divers John Volanthen and Rick Stanton brought monumental hope to the boys as they finally, after two long weeks without contact from the outside, have finally found the now dubbed ‘Thai Cave Boys’.

The divers were astounded to discover that the boys and their coach were alive. What are the odds. The rescue plan then surged out to find alternatives to pull the boys safely knowing that not all of them were capable of swimming and taking into account the test of the harsh storms. The rescue finally commenced as July 7. Divers were determined to pull out the boys. A ravaging monsoon rain was forecasted on the day of the rescue making it more difficult for the rescuers.

Divers made an equipment akin to a shopping bag where each of the boys was given full-faced mask to ensure air that was clipped to a diver. A cylinder was strapped to the front of each child, while handles were attached to their backs. The victims were held face down to ensure that water would not run away from their faces.

After the unrelenting rescue plan, the boys and their coach were immediately taken to the hospital. In the hospital, the boys were isolated and quarantined for further observations. Their families lie in wait for them as they are just glimpse away to hugging each other.

Even to the success of the operation, a life of one of the people who volunteered in the dive was lost. Saman Gunan was a former Navy Seal diver that was already working as a security guard at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. After hearing the incident, Gunan participated to be part of the rescue operation whose job is to supply oxygen to the boys and their coach. While the former Navy Seal was delivering a batch of oxygen to the victims, he lost consciousness along his dive. His partner tried to revive him by doing CPR but it was already too late. Gunan’s loss and heroism earned him a rank of Lieutenant Commander as a posthumous promotion by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royan Thai Navy. A statue will be built for Gunan in memory of his brave heroism and death.

It is indefinite and mystifying to think what made it possible for the boys to come out alive in such a grim tight spot. Was it science? A miracle? Who knows? Nevertheless, the unity of different people of different kinds made the mission successful.

This unity was once lost and seemed so distant from reality. It was definitely not a one-man job. Throughout the scrutiny, the odds were against them. However, despite the entire struggle, the world reunited for one sole purpose and this time, they succeeded.

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Story by Caryl Suzy Pagaran Photo by: Shane Airah Jakosalem

Have you ever felt this uncommon feeling that bothers your heart? Despite all the love you received from your family, friends, and the person who are dear to you, there is always this emptiness inside, a feeling that is hollow and dreary. It is like you have no sense of direction at all, it is void and empty. It seems like there is always this missing piece in your heart, unknown things that are needed to be known. But, little do you know that what’s been missing in a puzzle is the love that exists from the beginning of our existence. People defined love in many different ways but generally, love shows a tender affection and it comes with four types: the Eros, Philos, Storge, and Agape Love.

Eros love, also known as erotic love, is based on strong romantic feelings towards another. Philos love means a love based on friendship between two people who share a mutual give-and take relationship. Storge love is where love exists between a family. Moreover, Agape love is wholly selfless and spiritual –it is God’s Love. Agape love is the highest form of love. It is pure and selfless. An unconditional love that is always giving and impossible to take or to be a taker. It demonstrates love through actions, and, this is what we all need –a love between you and God and this is how God shows love to us.

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Incomparable and Immeasurable

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16

In the Bible, it says that we are all saved from our sins because of God’s greatest sacrifice. In short, God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die and save all the people who believed in Him. It is an incomparable and immeasurable sacrifice that nobody can surpass. His love is beyond measure for God’s love saves us all.

Regardless of how undeserving we are to receive salvation because of our grateful sin, He never looked us that way. Instead, it is His nature to love –a natural way of saying ‘I LOVE YOU’ to us.

Faithful and Committed

God’s love is the most faithful of all faithful. He never lied to us nor allowed our hearts to be broken. As mortals, we often get hurt, cry, and suffer. It is because we are badly hurt by someone we love. We may feel like there is no reason at all to be happy. Everything is gloomy and dull like you have lost your sense of direction.

But worry not, just gently close your eyes and feel every beat of your heart. Imagine how wide and wonderful the universe is, how deep is the moving waters from the sea, and how wide the clear blue sky up above. That is how wonderful God’s love is. He gave us promises that are never meant to be broken but are worth waiting for. God’s love is constant and he is committed in every word that He said. For His heart belongs to us –His beloved children. Always remember that “The pain that you’ve been feeling, can’t compare to the joy that is coming” as what God said in Romans 8:18 God is LOVE

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” - (1 John 4:8)

God alone is love. When you have God in your heart, then, there is love in you. Always remember that there is no love that exists without His divine existence. For in the beginning, God created us wonderfully and uniquely as His own kind. He even sacrificed His only begotten son just to save us all. We may get hurt and disappointed sometimes which gives us an stinging pain but, worry not for it is His way of showing love to us,

His own way of saving us. Imagine this, when you have God, you have love, and have a satisfying happiness in your heart. God’s love fills all the emptiness inside your heart.

His love can quench the thirst, the doubt that you felt upon your existence, and it leads you to the path of righteousness. To all the girls and boys out there who generally seek love, try to seek God first. Embrace Him and reach His hand as He is now waiting for you to extend your hand to His. To all those who are hurt physically and emotionally, try to call His name and communicate with him through the Bible and solemn prayers. He maybe unseen and far but He is always with us in our hearts. Never lose hope and faith, cheer up and smile because there is someone who loves you from the very beginning of your existence. Who is willing to be with you forever and will always love you until the very end –it’s GOD.

Although our feelings come and go, always remember that God’s love for us does not.

When you have Agape love – Eros, Storge, and Philos love will smoothly follow. The love that you have been searching is now finally found. After all, God’s love is the best.

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BROKEN HEART MOSAIC

Written By: Raven Daryle Mae Suarez Illustrated By: Christian John Anunciado

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“The heart was made to be broken.”

-Oscar Wilde

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he heart, a size of a clenched fist, does not only unceasingly beat a hundred thousand times a day because once in a while it does not only beat, as fragile as a piece of glass, it also breaks. When you’re deep in the mire of heartbreak, it hurts, it always does. Some people describe it as a dull ache, others as piercing, while others experience it as a crushing sensation. The pain can last for a few seconds and then subside, or it can be chronic, hanging over your days and depleting you just like the pain, say, of a tooth ache or a migraine. To some, it is just a drama, an exaggeration. However, a broken heart isn’t just a metaphor, it turns out. According to the Greater World magazine, social rejection and physical pain are rooted in exactly the same regions of the brain. So, when you say you’re “hurt” as a result of being rejected by someone close to you, you’re not just leaning on a metaphor. As far as your brain is concerned, the pain you feel is no different from a stab wound … and maybe it really is.

THE HEARTBREAKERS In a world that does not follow a Disney plot where there is a prince charming and a happy ending, the knight in shining armor is not the only one who can break a heart into pieces. Unfortunately, heartbreakers are also characters in real life stories. A heartbreaker is simply defined by Merriam- Webster Dictionary as one that causes heartbreak.

But truly, who are those behind the tales of painful heartbreaks?

Perhaps there are too many, but here are some and how so are they hurting you.

1. Significant others Your significant other, whose love, attention and presence are essential, can also be a primary source of heartbreak.

There are several ways your better half can take a toll in your heart: Break-up. Misunderstanding which usually leads to sudden break-ups is as trivial as it is heartbreaking. It is painful when everybody says ‘Way forever’ but you still believed only to hear their ‘I told you so’ at the end because the one who told you to stay is eventually the one who walks away.

Cheating. Temptations exist when a

person is willing to be tempted. Yet, it seems for that some it is irresistible that they cannot avoid taking more than a single dish into their platter disregarding its impact to their partner. When your partner cheats, you often feel worthless and lacking.

hurt you through their judgements.

Their expectations can create pressure that when you fail, it hurts you more than it should have had because you do not simply fail, you also disappoint them. Their understatement can also be belittling.

Broken promises. Often the first two are just results of broken promises because when promises fall apart, love goes down with it. Whether in a relationship or not, a heartbreak hurts just as much; it is not a matter of labels, but of emotions.

4. Yourself Lastly, you can be your greatest enemy when it comes to breaking your heart.

Your doubts about yourself are the thoughts that whirl in your mind making you feel so small, incompetent and useless. When other people hurt you, it is actually you who allow them to. At the end, no matter who hurt you or how hurt you are, HEARTBREAK is still the same thing - your heart breaks. At a certain point what matters next is how not to get stuck with it.

2. Friends The people you know so much can probably break your heart too. There will be a time, even if it’s really hard, you have to take different paths and bid goodbye to your friends unexpectedly.

Through time, no matter how much you promised not to change and to stay in touch with each other, distance and time will stain your friendships. But such is normal and can still be mended.

What is harder is when your friendship unexpectedly ends because of betrayal.

Being betrayed is like being shot by the last person or group of people you thought would; you would not know until it finally hits you.

3. The people around you The people surrounding you can also

CRAFTING FROM WHAT IS BROKEN A broken heart might not be perfectly glued together, but sometimes a mosaic of broken pieces can be beautiful too.

It might not be easy to move on from something that has already been a part of one’s life, but it’s not about moving away, creating a new world and forgetting the people who have caused you pain. It is about learning how to restore and use those broken pieces to renew and recreate what’s left of you.

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You cannot find something you did not know was lost. As such you cannot fix something you didn’t know was broken. Recognizing pain that came from a heartbreak is essential. You are only fooling yourself if you deny the pain. It is good to acknowledge that you are not numb, you are hurt.

When our hearts get broken, they, too, break into countless little pieces that scatter far beyond the original area of destruction. The largest and most unfortunate difference between broken glass and a broken heart is that you cannot simply go out and get a replacement. One has to pick up the pieces, may it be the big ones or the small ones. Yet, it should also be accepted that out of all the broken pieces not everything will be found from broken relationships, shuttered friendships and lost confidence in oneself. The importance in finding the pieces of a broken heart is to find the pieces that matters to you the most.

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It’s good to cry to let all the pain out. Shedding a tear over a night or two is not such a bad thing. It might not change anything but it will definitely ease a little of the pain. But there should be a point to look at the brighter side. Instead of hurting yourself trying to put all the pieces back, don’t be afraid to make something new out of it, a mosaic. The cracks from the pain creates a unique pattern in every piece. There is always something good that will eventually sprout out of that experience - a learning, perhaps.

MOVING ON

A masterpiece takes time. You cannot assemble the pieces on a course of a few seconds and expect it to be well. You cannot just wipe your tears and pretend everything is okay. In the healing process, putting back the pieces is a tremendous task. Take it slow. You will eventually get it done!

Appreciate the beauty you’ve created and don’t be afraid to let it be seen by others. Most are too scared to admit that they have been hurt once in fear of seeing it as a vulnerability. In truth, a person who has been hurt but has learned to smile, rise and live again as a strong person and a beautiful masterpiece.

A broken heart is associated with pain. True as it is, there is more than pain in it if only one would dare to look beyond the broken pieces. As breaking our hearts becomes a part of our existence, it is not the end. The pieces are simply raw materials. The end product depends upon our craftsmanship. Having your heart broken isn’t such a tragedy. It is a learning experience – an art.

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THE

FOREFATHErs' REturn Written By: Jeremiah Napone Illustrated By: Mc Reagan Gasta

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t has been 17 years since the infamous red card, the beating of a high school kid saving his beloved, and the chivalrous acts of love against his own blood aired in the television.

Before the rise of today’s foreign Asian drama, Meteor Garden first touched the hearts of the people.

Even before K-dramas like The Goblin, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Book Joo, and The Descendants of the Sun trended, a group of four, rich heartthrobs wearing old school retro vibe fashion, and a girl with braided hair were the reason why 90’s kids go home early after school. Throughout the years, The Meteor Garden Series is a sequel most millennials will never forget.

Originally adapted from the Japanese Manga series Hana Yori Dango, the Meteor Garden was first sensationalized worldwide with its film adaptation in the local backyard of Shanghai, China but even invaded the fences of other countries. With the original series enacted by Barby Hsu as Shan Cai, Jerry Yan as Dao Ming Si, Vic Chou as Hua Ze Lei, Ken Chu being Xi Men, Vanness Wu acting as Mei Zou, and Edward Ou as Chen Qing He, the movie series’ ratings sky-rocketed to unexpected number.

The story is a cliché narrative of a girl who is barely making ends meet. She got enrolled in

the most prestigious university where she, by decree of fate, would bump into the most popular boys in school. Their tale, however, is a converse of what we see in fairy tales and stuff.

Whenever Shan Cai, the main female protagonist, finds trouble against this group, she always ends up being bullied and ridiculed a lot. The latter is the complete antithesis. These boys were able to see Shan Cai in a different way and in the later parts of the story; Shan Cai got herself in a middle of an intense love triangle. In the end, it was her and her leading man, Dao Min Si, who ended up being together.

The prominence of the Asian movie series was gaining momentum as worldwide adaptations were made in different countries. Versions such as Japan’s “Hana Yori Dango”, India’s “Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan”, and even USA’s “Boys before Friends” were some of the hit renditions of every country.

However, despite the numerous versions of the drama, a few were able to make a mark in the hearts of its viewers. One of the most prominent and perhaps the greatest one is the 2001 Meteor Garden that became the basis of the revised editions of the movie series. Korea’s “Boys over Flowers” was also undeniably great when they made their first appearance in 2009, and with

the Korean charisma, it became a worldwide hit! The latest adaptation of the movie series is the 2018 Meteor Garden where changes from the original Meteor Garden were vivid. Albeit the numerous alterations, the Netflix series gained massive approval ratings from the public.

“This just shows how strong the culture of other nations is to our country. Similarly, it’s a bandwagon effect that enables it to still gain dominance even as to this day”, Mr. Rex Makinano, sociology professor at Caraga State University, on why the movie series is still a trend.

In reflection, The Meteor Garden tells us that there is always room for improvements. Things like the continuous exhilaration of the movie’s quality, the relativity of storylines, and the adaptive characteristics in application to the movie are good techniques and lesson our local movie makers can learn from.

Gong Yo might have pierced our hearts with his goblin sword, Lee Seung-gi might have used his spells on us, and Park Shin-Hye might have won us with her charm. But they will never overrun the fever that Shan Cai and the Flower four have given us.

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lanting trees is tiring, but it is more exhausting picking up pieces of trash in a hot summer day and wet stormy weather.

The No Plastic Policy is a course of action made to monitor the entire aspect of cleanliness within Caraga State University. In line to the issues concerning the environment, the policy is an intervention to mitigate the accruing number of plastic wastes within the university. On February 2, 2017, the soft implementation of the policy commenced as mandated by the university administration that subjects the university populace (students, faculty and staff, and visitors) to limit and reduce the production of plastic wastes in the university. In its effect, biodegradable materials like paper bags and recyclable cups replaced plastic bags and bottles in food shacks and stores.

Annually, the university‘s population grows as new students coming from different schools and lifestyles pursue their college studies at CSU. This year, more than 5,000 people are roaming the grounds of the university.

With such population scattered within the 232 hectares of the academe’s ground, the struggle of the maintenance officers is head scratching. Imagine the mismatch between the number of officers and the populace they have to cater. Hard would be an understatement.

As an agrarian university with vast and biologically diverse lands, plastic wastes are ingredients for disasters.

Plastics clog the university drainage system, releases toxic chemicals that are dangerous to aquatic biomes, and cause an inconvenient environment for the CSUans.

The university is not the only place experiencing these nuisances.

Somewhere around the globe, a belly of a whale carcass is perhaps full of toxic plastic wastes. Other people are having a hard time taking the foul stench of the mountains of plastics dumped on landfills near them. Households have sanitary issues and what’s worse is that diseases like diarrhea and skin infections might inflict fatal consequences.

as one of the major contributors of trash here on Earth. Its contribution will lead to over pollution and will then be the cause of some of the major problems such as animal deaths due to plastic ingestion”, says Mr. Lawrence Calagui, a marine biologist and a faculty of the university’s Natural Sciences Department.

Despite the growing problem that plastic wastes cause, there are people who chose not to give a blind eye on these issues. Campaigns like 5 Gyres, Save the Turtle Campaign, and Clean World have the same advocacies which pursue the mitigation of plastic wastes related problems and its impact on mankind and the environment.

CSUans have their own say about the soft implementation of the policy as well. Food establishment owners say that the policy is good for environment protection and creates less hassle on their side because they don’t have to think about their place getting messed up by plastic wastes. Majority of them also think that the policy is lucrative because students and the faculty and staff have to buy their biodegradable cups, especially when purchasing liquid products or foods that are not suitable for paper bags.

On the flip side, students believe that the policy caused them more money because products cost more than the time when the policy was not implemented. They also think that it’s more of a hassle to handle foods with a paper bag than plastic cellophane for at times paper bags get drenched by the food’s oily materials and end up getting ripped.

Ignorance is a perfect recipe for destruction. It may seem so hard to change our irresponsible doings towards nature but if we don’t change now, then when will we? As human beings endowed by the bounties of Mother Nature, it is our primary task to return her kindness with acts of kindness as well.

In a research conducted by the National Geographic on plastic wastes, a staggering 8.3 million metric tons of plastic have been manufactured six decades ago until today and most of them are wastes that end up on trash bins and landfills. Plastic waste grew up to 6.3 billion metric tons and a monumental 79% of such are staying in the environment as litters. “Plastics are now considered

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ilipinos are known for their creativity especially when it comes to creating new terms that become a part of conversation today. You may have heard about the terms ‘lodi’, ‘werpa’, and ‘petmalu’, haven’t you? These terms become tangible today and turned out as a trend. If you were to ask your parents or other people from decades ago, they might say that this is not new at all. This kind of slang is an old trick and was used hundred years ago. This slang is known as ‘tadbaliks’.

R. David Paul Zorc, an author of 145 publications including Tagalog slang Dictionary, stated that tadbaliks style of wording is a metathesis or a switching of sounds within a word. Unlike other styles of wording such as ‘jejemon’ and gay lingo, tadbaliks is easy to understand and is used to create new terms on your own. It may be a syllable switching or even full reversal. There are lots of tabaliks terms which only a few people do know about. Roy Cagalingan, a language researcher from the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, told CNN Philippines in an interview that this manner of reversing and rearranging letters can be traced back to the 19th century Philippine revolution.

TADBALIK AS NOM DE PLUME Filipinos started using the tadbaliks style during the Spanish Era. Though it was not recognized by our ancestors as tadbaliks, it served as codenames for them not to be caught by the Spanish colonizers. According to Cagalingan, katipuneros used secret codes in order to hide their identity and evade authorities.

Writer-patriot Marcelo H. Del Pilar used the nom de plume ‘Plaridel,’ a jumbled version of his last name ‘Del Pilar’, which made him one of the foremost champions of the Filipino nationalistic thought of freedom of expression during the dark days of the Spanish colonials. The La Solidaridad proved to be an effective medium of propaganda as he was one of its major contributors.

CREATION OF TADBALIK IN 1950s Tadbaliks style of wording began to bloom in the 1950’s at the University of the Philippines. Based on a research entitled “Tadbaliks: The Coded Language Used by the Sigma Rho Fraternity”, tadbaliks style of wording was invented by an interior designer and harmonica expert, Marcelino “Marcy” S. Estrella, at the University of the Philippines Integrated School. Estrella brought this style of wording to Sigma Rho in the year 1957.

According to the former Senate Secretary Atty. Oscar Yabes, tadbaliks was used not just to make other fraternity misinterpret but to connect with other “brods” and serve as a unique identity to Sigma Rho since majority of its members are lawyers and politicians. Some words with tadbalik style of wording are the following: 1. Edars – dae (a Bikolano term which means no) 2. Krobarkards – barkada (friend)

3. Ragmaors – maorag (good) 4. Begrabs – grabe (too much) 5. Tobors – robot EVOLUTION OF THE TADBALIK IN THE BABY BUST In the early 1970s, the use of tadbaliks style of wording changed. Instead of hiding identity, it was used to extract uniqueness from other words, which are commonly used in daily conversations, to make it cool. Some of of these tadbalik terms are as follows: 1. Amats (Tama) – refers to being “hit” – that is buzzed with alcohol or tipsy, even hammered drunk or on drugs.

2. Astig (Tigas) – cool, badass, kickass, awesome, thug 3. Batsi (Sibat) – to leave 4. Ermats (Mater) – mother, mom 5. Erpats (Pater) – father, dad 6. Olats (Talo) – losing; captures the feeling of failing (excluding disappointment, generally miserable, and pathetic feeling).

7. Tsikot (Kotse) – car, auto, vehicle 8. Yosi (SIgarilYO) – cigar/cigarette Aside from being part of daily conversations, tadbaliks was also adapted to the lyrics of some Original Pinoy Music (OPM) songs like “Nosi Ba Lasi” by Sampaguita which is a jumbled term for “Sino Ba Sila”; “Noypi” which was sang

by Bamboo is a tadbalik term for “Pinoy”; and “Laklak” by Teeth in which some of its lyrics are tadbaliks style of wording like “Amats” which means “Tama”.

“TADBALIK” IN THE 21ST CENTURY

and swardspeak, also called as “bekimon” or “gay lingo”. These manias led the tadbaliks style of wording faded being a trend. Until the year 2017, it came back to popularity as some tadbaliks terms spread around social media sites.

New tadbaliks terms are added and became a trend until today.

Here are some of the terms: 1. Lodi – idol 2. Petmalu – malupet 3. Werpa – pawer / power 4. Rapsa – sarap / delicious 5. Matsala – salamat / thank you Many millenials joined the tadbaliks bandwagon although they were not the ones who conceived it. Some personalities from the past generation became the bridge in bringing back the mania using social media sites. On October 14, 2017, phenomenal box office star, Vice Ganda, tweeted with a caption: “Awwww this is so fab! Thanks! Werpa kyah!” Through his strong social media influence, this became a trend and was used in every post and conversation across social media sites. These slangs served as proof that Filipinos have extreme creativity on how to make words unique and how dynamic the Filipino language is. Language may fade or turn obsolete. It may just evolve based on the needs of the present times. It is Filipino’s prerogative whether to preserve the culture started or forget all of those and let it disappear in the minds of the next generation. Despite of this unavoidable fact, one thing is for sure: Filipinos are free to express their creativity and continue to create trends without a jest shame.

In the early 2000s to present, various styles of wording started to bloom like “jejenese” which was used by jejemons

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STAFF

The Eagle that Barked A ‘Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral’ Movie Review

J

errod Tarog’s follow up movie to 2015’s “Heneral Luna” was a showcase of almost poetic expositions and subdued but immersive storytelling. Co-written by Tarog and Rody Vera, “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” succeeded, just like its predecessor, with no worries.

The beginning of the movie picked up directly where “Luna” left off. We were taken back to the Filipino-American War, and the revolutionary army was on divide following the death of the brilliant and brusque strategist ‘Heneral Luna’.

General Gregorio ‘Goyo” Del Pilar—portrayed convincingly by Paulo Avelino—as a loyal follower of the then President Emilio Aguinaldo, was tasked to hunt down and eliminate the President’s enemies (such as the Bernal brothers) together with his troops.

All throughout the movie, we were acquainted with the contradicting sides of the young general. There was this charismatic nature of his that melted ladies’ hearts of varying towns through contemplating gaze.

On the other side, was the dark depiction of his post-traumatic stress and blind fanaticism that made the viewers question the credibility of the hero.

He was Aguinaldo’s favorite, a point the movie did not hesitate to make, and del Pilar failed not to take pride on that. He followed the President’s command and ordered the arrest of the Bernal brothers. Art Acuña, acting as Maj. Manuel Bernal, gave the audience a chilling portrayal. “Are you a soldier or are you a dog?” he had asked. That was a question that had haunted Goyo until his eventual demise.

Was he really the ‘Eagle’ that the Bu-

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lacan people deemed him to be, or was Manuel right? Was he a ‘Dog’ that was chained by Aguinaldo’s personal interests, and would bark at his orders any time? This internal battle of identity was thoroughly questioned but remained subtly answered until the climactic ‘Battle of Tirad Pass’ in Ilocos Sur. Of course, it is a common knowledge that Goyo and his men died on that failed stand. But who or what really killed them? Was it the Americans? Was it the Igorot Jauario Galut, who was notoriously branded as a traitor in history textbooks? Or was it Goyo’s youth and faults?

The movie boldly presented punditry regarding the Filipino people: fear touches us more than patriotism.

‘Goyo’, also, showed us slightly the tiny speck of greatness that used to reside inside Aguinaldo.

His success of leading the Caviteños against the Spaniards is commendable, but this greatness fell short when it came to going against a much more powerful enemy. Adding to the equation was the corrupted minds that surrounded him.

Emillio Aguinaldo was not the antagonist that ‘Heneral Luna’ almost portrayed him to be, he just did not deserve the presidential seat. He was too weak for it.

Then there was Del Pilar’s group: his brother Julio, his aide-de-camp Vicente, and Joven the journalist.

These young guns portrayed a perfect resemblance of camaraderie and unity in times of trouble. A trait that Filipino people badly need to have these days.

Julio, particularly, resembled almost all of us. He was an intricate blend of good and evil. Of chaos and order.

The imperfections and flaws that are, by default, present inside us are what make us humans. And how we handle and balance them is what makes us people.

Of course, there was the young Goyo. A general conflicted by patriotism and fanaticism. He is a man whose choices were affected by an allegiance that was put wrong.

This theme sarcastically mimics the current trend that plagues the Filipino people nowadays. With the rise of charismatic idols in governing seats, we are left on the sidelines; wondering who should follow who and why and why not. And just like Goyo, the choice is still hours.

We can either become eagles that hunt for options and decisions with his/her own judgements, or dogs that would wiggle our tails when patted and be left scavenging for unfair crumbles. One cannot tell,

however, whether Goyo was an eagle or a dog. He died tragically long before he can even show the world the answer. He did not have the chance. We have.

Surely, Heneral Luna and Goyo differed from each other in certain ways. Cinematography wise, the former highlighted the fiery nature of the titular character through isolated shots. Meanwhile, Goyo boasted scenic cinematography.

The fight scenes of Heneral Luna were grittier and bombastic compared to the more strategic and cerebral-like scenes of Goyo. These differences consequently distinguished the angsty Luna from the laid-back Goyo.

While I find “Luna” a highly entertaining movie compared to “Goyo”, the latter is still a superior work that taught us to examine our heroes not as glorified beings but as people who are flawed. It brought the audience to look once more into the root cause of the immediate downfall of the Philippine Republic: The Filipino people themselves. The film once more displayed Tarog’s unusual talent as a director, together with an excellent choice of actors and production and writing team.

Tarog once again reminded us that Filipino movies, when done right, will save the industry from the waste-basket it has become.

Goyo was a sleeper hit, just like its predecessor. The pace was dragging but the beautiful cinematography compensated for the long stretches of dialogue induced frames that surely bored some. The pace picked up during the climactic Tirad Pass battle.

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a�tale�of�two�chickens

By: John Anunciado

Once upon a time...

A week later...

A month later...

Mom, I hate eating this junk again..

The End....

Ok bonus nani..

J OHNANUNCIADO2019

HorrorScope ni JOHN Illustration by: John Anunciado

Aries

(21 Mar. – 20 Apr.) Karun nga adlaw, mapasmo ka kay dugay ka makakaon sa rason nga puno-puno ang mga Carenderia sa CSU. Your lucky color is colorless.

(21 Jun. – 22 Jul.) Sakit man sa boot, pero always use deodorant and antiperspirant not just now but everyday, para iwas disturbo ug laing tao ug para di pud ta ma-guidance. Remember, a bald philosopher once said; ‘‘ With great power comes a great responsibility’’- Ben Parker.

Taurus

Leo

Dili kaayu ka swerte dili kaayu pud malas, sakto-sakto lang imong kapalaran today. Makakaon ka pero gamay nalay sud-an ang nabilin sa Carenderia.

Mga mahal nana sila ang nabilin.

Today, dugay ka makamata; naay 3 ka rason: 1.) nagwal-wal mo uban imong mga beshies; 2.)tagdugay lang gyud ka mumata kay tapulan kang dako, and 3.) lastly, dugay ka nakamata sa kamatuoran nga wa gyuy kamo !

Gemini

Virgo

Today is your unlucky

If you had a crush in school and you feel hopeless with him/her, in short wala kay chance because of your unpleasant beauty. Don’t you worry my brader, di pa huli ang lahat ayaw sayanga imong kwarta sa mga Cosmetics and Perla.

I suggest, pagsugod nag tigum-tigom pang palit ug motor.

(20 Apr. – 21 May)

(21 May – 20 Jun.) day, you will experience kalibanga moments. A life and death scenario. Kana bitaw kabotohon na! nya layo ang CR..wala pay agas ang tubig... KALIBANGA NA YOURS!..

Lucky element is water.

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Cancer

(23 Jul. – 22 Aug.)

(23 Aug. – 22 Sept.)

Libra

(23 Sep. – 22 Oct.) Today is your lucky day!

Wala kay problemahon karun, movie marathon, eat, spend and ML all you can. If naa kay exam karon? Ayaw gyud na problemaha, pramis maka answer ka bisag wala ka nag-study because it’s your lucky day. But karun rapud na, ugma ikaw napud ang pinakamalas!

Your lucky number is 0.

Capricorn

(22 December – 19 January) Iwasan ang mapag-isa sa iyong kwarto, sapagkat ito’y nagdudulot ng stress at nakakapanghina, ika nga ng iba‘‘imagination mo ang limit’’. Ugaliin ang pagiging busy, imbis na maghinoktok ka diha pag-study uy!

Lucky number 69.

Scorpio

Aquarius

Ayaw kumpyansa mga manoy mga manay sa imong ginakan-an kay uso karun ang mga TELEBISYON, kung naa silay telebisyon pili-a lang ang naay CABLE... your lucky color is yellowish green.

Kini sila nga mga tao perti ka mga gwapo ug gwapa, ambungad, naa na sa ila tanan gipangita sa usa ka tao. Sila ang meaning sa ‘‘Sana all’’... maypani sila bootan ug gwapo, ako ani bakakon lang!

Sagittarius

Pisces

Kung karun nga adlaw naka sab-an, gibugal-bugalan ug ang pinakaworst gibagsak ka sa imong mga instructor ayaw na gyud ug kabalaka kay karun nga panahon pwedi nana nato ipa- TULFO. Lucky number for today is 5.

Kung ikaw nga tao talagsa ra maligo, yes it’s you!

Ayaw nag lingi! Wa epek na na imong mga hilam-os moves, wet hair looks and perfume techniques. Ayaw na gyud ug kumpyansa kay i pa compulsory na ang ‘‘No ligo No entry policy’’...hapit na ang paghukom!

(23 Oct. – 22 Nov.)

(22 Nov. – 21 Dec.)

(20 Jan. – 18 Feb.)

(19 Feb. – 20 Mar.)

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ARtists’ nook 64 | Renaissance

’ “PAGKABALISA: Anyong Aking Nilikha” John Christian Anunciado

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“Lovely Triumph” Rafaella Utrera

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“Tindog. Barog.”

Mc Reagan Gasta

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