September Issue 1 - A.Y. 2020-2021

SEPTEMBER 2020

VOLUME XLIV ISSUE 1

NEWS

FEATURES

Teatro de Letran performs First Major ‘Online’ Performance in Teatro Europa

OPINION

The Povedan Content Creator Tita

SPORTS

Student’s Right or Student’s Plight?

Official: Abando, Paraiso, Bataller set to join Letran Knights for Season 96

VPAA on students’ call for academic freeze: ‘I am not for it.’

BY JOANNA FLORES

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - THE VICE PRESIDENT for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Cristina Castro-Cabral has expressed clear opposition to the growing appeal of academic freeze in the wake of the health crisis, affirming that Letran is still standing tall.

In an interview with The LANCE, the VPAA emphasized that academic freeze is not for everyone, although it remains an option for some students and parents.

“Ang academic freeze, I am not for it,” she said.

The VPAA further stated, “It’s your call, children, and your parents’ call. Kasi, if we are going to go and agree with academic freeze, para naman din nating tinanggalan ng pagkakataon ‘yung iba na gusto magpatuloy ng pag-aaral.”

The call for #AcademicFreeze has been trending in the past few months after several organizations, students, and teachers cited various reasons why the academic year should be canceled.

Earlier in March 2020, Letranites expressed their sentiments on Twitter using the hashtag #SuspendOnlineClassesLetran following the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Colegio proceeded with the classes; however, Cabral admitted that the current learning setup might sacrifice the quality of

PHOTO BY PATRICK ROMERO

» ACADEMIC FREEZE/ PAGE 2

Letran provides assistance for third-party workers

BY SOFIA MARIE ABELLON

MANILA, PHILIPPINES UNDETERRED BY the crisis brought by the pandemic, the spirit of generosity and hope manifested through a donation drive called “Tulong Letranista” for Letran’s Third-Party Employees (TPE), spearheaded by the Community Extension Department (CED).

According to CED Director, Asst.

Prof. Leo Bernadas, there are 74 recipients from the Colegio TPEs, which includes the janitors, security guards, carpenters, electricians, welders, computer technicians, laboratory staff, and Knight’s Café and Page 1620 staff. They were the most affected by the pandemic due to the “No Work, No Pay policy” after the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was set in Metro

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Manila.

The first wave of donation occurred on April 13, where cash and grocery items were handed out.

They continued to distribute cash during the second wave on May 11, while grocery items were allocated last May 22 and July 10 during its third and fourth phases, respectively.

On its last wave on September 17, cash donations and goods were given to the recipients.

Similarly, face masks and face shields were also distributed among the TPEs of the Colegio, along with pedicab drivers in Brgy. 654 and 657 in Intramuros, Manila, last September 9.

As of now, there are only 12 third-party employees left and are currently working for the Colegio. » ASSISTANCE/ PAGE 3

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NEWS

NEWS EDITOR: RONI SERRANO LAYOUT ARTIST: ELDRICK NOLASCO

Teatro de Letran performs first major ‘online’ performance in Teatro Europa

BY ANDREA YSABEL ANDRES

TEATRO DE Letran represented the Colegio in the first online theater festival organized by the European Union Delegations, Teatro Europa, with their entry “Sevilla” last September 13, Sunday.

Sevilla is an adaptation of the classic play “The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest”

by Tirso de Molina from Spain integrated in modern setting.

No stage, no chairs, no lights, just yourself and the screen; the festival challenged theater organizations from the different colleges and universities in the Philippines to perform plays inspired by Europe’s classics and bring theater arts on our screens.

Ghost of Seville “The trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest,” is a classic tragic story that revolves around the journey of a young man from Seville, who seduces and deceives women he encounters and abandons them. In the original story, he died after a stone guest killed him.

Lygie Carillo, TDL’s Artistic Director and director of Sevilla, shared how challenging the story of Tirso de Molina is to set into the modern era.

“We tried to research on it, we tried to dig deep into the story and the writer’s piece, and then inabot kami siguro ng more than a month bago namin nabuo ‘yung concept.”

The European Union allowed the participating schools to reinterpret the play with their story-taste and Teatro de Letran

incorporated the story’s concept into a modern era, hence, the birth of Sevilla.

He shared that the classic was all about ‘ghosting’ set in the 14th century, “It’s like letting them fall for you and doing everything you can to get her attention, then at the end of the day when they fall for you, you leave.”

The director also explained the edge of the team, “Our strength as a group is [how we] adapt it into a contemporary version, and I think adapting a classic piece to a contemporary version of it is a different eye.”

“It’s how [we can] get inspiration from the classic and bring it into today’s generation, wherein the generation [can] understand it,” He added.

Birth of Sevilla Sevilla undergone a two-month process from its concept to its shooting. The EU provided the cast of all the equipment from the ring and led lights to lapel microphones to make the performance possible.

The production team consists of Carillo himself as the director, Melody Soriano as the writer and the female lead role, Aminta, Andrew Landingin as the Associate director, Head of Artistic Board, Patricia Batica, who also played the role Isabella, Danielle Arasa as the Production Manager, In-charge of the Production Design was Xandra Canlas, Kyle Abay-Abay for Publicity and Promotions, lastly, Khristine Dela Cruz and Paula Rodriguez for Creatives.

The cast also introduces Neo Garcia, the male lead role Don Juan or DJ, Miles Soriano, who portrays

Satires from the play The play showed timely and relevant political satires from pandemic issues, including Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s statement congratulating the Philippines on beating the UP prediction.

Carillo said political satire in Sevilla were included to reflect on the theater company’s mission and vision; to mirror society through transformative theatre and that whole message of the lines and satires was made to educate people using theatre arts.

He stated that “It’s our wake-up call to those [who are seated in the] position, they think things are changing, they’re actually doing something, but, [to] us, we think there’s no actually a concrete plan to begin with, and we need concrete actions for us to move forward.”

The contemporary reenactment of the classic play from Tirso de Molina has been given a new life to emphasize that humans make mistakes and must do the things to redeem themselves from those errors, even if it takes to save it alone.

Carillio expressed his message for those who have watched the

enrolled for the academic year 20202021. The majority of these students are attending public schools; several teachers are also complaining about the lack of provision of devices and materials needed for online learning.

Even so, DepEd admitted that their funds are not enough to meet the additional needs of distance learning if each of the 800,000 public school teachers will be provided learning devices that will cost around ₱27 billion.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources launched the rehabilitation project on Manila Bay last January 2019 by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and cost around PHP 389 million for the restoration, nourishment, and enhancement of the Manila Baywalk.

Part of the rehabilitation project was dumping artificial white sand along the 500-meter stretch of the bay. The artificial white sand made of crushed dolomite rocks, a calcium magnesium carbonate, was transported from Cebu to Manila and aimed to transform Manila bay similarly to Boracay Island, bringing this island’s ambiance along Roxas Boulevard.

The government has also temporarily opened the new features Manila Bay to the public on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20.

teaching.

“Aaminin ko, masa-sacrifice ang quality because nothing can beat the quality of face to face [set-up],” she said.

“But given the circumstances that we are in, uupo ba tayo? Iiyak?

Magpapadyak-padyak at magi-give up? No. This particular pandemic should define who we are,” she added, encouraging the Letranites to embrace the dictates of “better normal.”

From the beginning of the suspension of physical classes, Cabral explained how Letran took every step to understand the situation of Letranites and construct plans that will help the Colegio to become a better institution.

“Lahat ng ni-require na documents ng CHED, we submitted it,” she declared.

She also enumerated all the projects and programs that they have implemented to continuously serve the stakeholders and respond to the call of the new normal. One of which was the Business Recovery and Continuity Plan (BRCP), which was produced and crafted by the Planning office in April 2020.

Additionally, the Colegio had conducted several surveys, particularly on students’ current situation and online class evaluation.

They formulated outputs such as the LET’S FLEX or Letran’s Flexible Program and the Supplemental Primer specific to students’ services.

DepEd reacts to Manila Bay’s PHP 389M budget

BY QUEENIE ROSE RAMOS

DEPARTMENT OF Education Secretary Leonor Briones expressed her views toward Manila Bay’s rehabilitation program, which costs 389 Million Pesos.

During a virtual briefing held on September 7, Briones pointed out that “We are not interfering with the budget of others, but if we had [that] budget, I’m sure we would have used it for gadgets, computers, and radios.”

DepEd explained that these funds could have helped schools shift to the new set-up of learning called “distance learning”. A part of this budget could have also been used to fund printing modules for the students.

“Because there are areas, as I said, here in the Philippines, even urban centers that don’t have access to technology...and the sources of our connectivity still need to be secured,” she reasoned out.

According to the DepEd, more than 3,000 Last-Mile Schools do not have connectivity and technology access; Last-Mile Schools Program is one of the department’s projects that aims to address the problems in schools’ resources and facilities in isolated areas.

This year, an estimated 24 million students from primary education have

the sweet Ilocana, Thisbea, Judea Bernardo as Ana, and Richard Nicholas as Catalinon. Several TDL Alumni such as Ronald Mejia played as Thisbea’s Father, Jonah Daileg as Isabella’s Mother, and Edsel Fusio portrayed Mother of Aminta.

Sevilla also introduced the original soundtrack ‘If You’re Going to Walk Away’ performed by Darlene Ordanza and composed by Alvin Cabalhug, a Letran Alumnus.

ACADEMIC FREEZE FROM PAGE 1

PHOTO FROM TEATRO DE LETRAN

play and will watch the play, “I just want to remind the people that theatre is not just about love, it’s just not about comedic acts, it’s not just about entertainment.

Theatre is a mirror for us to contemplate and realize what is actually happening in our society.”

Sevilla is one of the seven plays set to air on the official Facebook

‘BETTER NORMAL’ SET UP When asked about the quantity of schoolwork given to the students, the VPAA stressed the 30% synchronous and 70% asynchronous rule that the academic affairs have implemented to faculty members.

“Sinasabi ko, careful. Give the students a break,” Cabral stated.

She explained that the overwhelming number of schoolwork, taking the Performance Task (PETA) for Basic Education as an example, may cost money and time to most students.

“Even the quizzes, you’re not supposed to give surprise quizzes.

Quizzes must be announced,” Cabral added.

Meanwhile, the VPAA noted that despite the leniency given to students, the Academic Affairs should weigh both students’ and professors’ rights equally.

“I cannot also impose a specific number of activities that they [teachers] should give or they could give. Kasi, kung mayroong student’s rights, mayroon ding academic freedom ang teachers,” Cabral said.

“Academic affairs always balance all the concerns. Kaya ang magagawa ko lang is to remind them non-stop about the current situation that we are in. Lahat tayo.” she added.

STUDENTS’ CONCERNS ON FREEDOM WALL Amid all the academic concerns shared on various platforms, Cabral urged the Letranites to bravely voice out their sentiment

page of Teatro Europa along with several schools in Metro Manila, including Arellano University, Mapua University, Meridian International College, University of the East, University of Makati, and Rizal Technological University also participated and will be performing Teatro Europa’s European classical plays.

and concerns.

“Kung mayroong teacher na hindi mahusay, sulatan ninyo. Kapag hindi umaakyat sa proper channels, that’s the time [na] i-document niyo, sumulat kayo sa akin. I-attach mo lahat sa akin ‘yan. Sulatan niyo ako,” she reiterated.

This statement is in relation to the arising issues and concerns that are being conveyed in a particular Facebook page called “Letran Freedom Wall”.

“Freedom is not freedom when you already cross the fence of another person’s rights,” Cabral told The LANCE. She also added that Letranites must take accountability for the words they say online. Anonymity doesn’t automatically guarantee that they will go scot-free.

The Vice President of Academic Affairs concluded her statements by uplifting the Arriba spirit of Letranites despite the present challenges.

“Never give up on hope,” she expressed. “Hindi tayo parepareho ng kinalalagyan pero hindi ibig sabihin that we are going to give up. There’s got to be a better tomorrow.”

The VPAA mirrored the Colegio and the Letranites to Vice President Leni Robredo’s tagline, “the little office that can,” saying Letran is a small school but a proud school.

“We are not a perfect institution, no institution is perfect, but we are a proud institution because we are made up of people who really personified ‘Arriba.’ Arriba is to go up. Palaging Arriba.”

News

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Letran launches “Device-Lending” Program for Distance Learning

BY PATRICIA LARA

THE COLEGIO grants support to students in the context of flexible learning through the project “Ayuda Letran – Device Lending Program” managed by the Department of Student Affairs, which started in the beginning of the school year, August 2020.

The lending program is a project initiated by Letran Rector and President, Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez O.P. which aims to lend digital learning devices such as laptops, tablets, and pocket WiFis to officially enrolled college students of the Colegio.

All learning devices to be used are donations from the Letran Alumni Association, alumni from High School batch ‘67 and ‘84, Elementary batch ‘80, SMART, and Lenovo.

In an email interview with Asst. Prof. Catherine D. Sanchez, Directress of the Department of Student Affairs, she stated that there were no extensive preparations for the project, “…except for the drafting of implementing rules and regulations by the project owner and the scholarship committee, and also the screening of application forms.”

The institution’s Scholarship Committee determines those students who are qualified to

avail the device-lending service based on a qualification criterion set including students’ economic means, non-possession of learning device, student applicant’s academic performance, and moral standing of the studentapplication.

Moreover, the Department of Student Affairs screens the list of applicants based on the said criterion.

Justine Bautista, a third year Education student, is one of the students granted by the lending program. He said that applying for the program was easy. All he needed to do was submit the form to Department of Student Affairs and await confirmation.

He also added that the program was beneficial to him as a student and student leader. “I can say that I am utilizing the device productively as it helps me to accomplish both synchronous and asynchronous activities given by my professors and organizational works for being the President of Letran Future Educators’ Society.”

He said.

Anjelica Adlawan, a Second year Advertising major, is another student who was granted the learning devices shared her sentiments, “Before, lagi akong paranoid sa [online] class kasi baka bigla maubos data at mawala ako [sa virtual class]. But now, hindi na.”

PHOTOS BY JANEA ORATE

PHOTOS FROM LETRAN VIA FACEBOOK

“It made studying online, for me, less [difficult] than it already is for [most] of us.” She added.

The program has solicited six tablets, 15 laptops, and 100 pockets Wi-Fis with 250 peso loads. Seven additional tablets were added to the lending program

last September 16. Meanwhile, there are still slots for pocket WiFis available for lending, according to the Department of Student Affairs.

The device-lending program is open during the ordinary enrollment period per semester,

while the device-lending services will be valid for one semester and are subject to renewal. Studentborrowers are also not allowed to install other applications, software, or updates aside from applications that are for legitimate use in learning.

BY JHANELYZA FLORENCIO

MEMBERS and allies of the LGBTQIA++ community expressed outrage after Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte granted absolute pardon to US Marine Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, the person convicted of brutally killing Filipino transwoman Jennifer Laude in 2014.

On his tweet last September 7, Locsin wrote, “Cutting matters short over what constitutes time served, and since where he was detained was not in the prisoner’s control—and to do justice—the President has granted an absolute pardon to Pemberton.”

A week before Locsin’s controversial Tweet, Presiding Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court’s Branch 74 ordered for Pemberton’s early release for good behavior.

Atty. Virgie Suarez, the Laude family’s lawyer, said in a phone interview with CNN, “There is no certification whatsoever presented [to prove Pemberton’s good behavior]. What was presented as a

mere certification that he has good conduct and that certification even came from the US guards.”

She pointed out that “the GCTA law is very clear on how good conduct is defined,” implying that Pemberton should not be granted an early release because of the lack of any basis of his good conduct in jail. #JusticeForJenniferLaude went trending on Twitter, including Letran alumnus and lecturer Mark Averilla, better known as Macoy Dubs, joined the call for justice.

On a Tweet that he posted on September 7, Averilla coined Pemberton’s release as a massive slap in the transgender community. Aside from Averilla, some Letranites share the same sentiments as Macoy.

A First year AB Journalism student who is part of the LGBTQIA++ Community exclaimed that Jennifer Laude should have gotten the justice she deserved. She also noted that Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was once a legal counsel of the Laude family, is somehow responsible for Laude’s case.

“Hindi dapat siya nagpabulag sa

pera and power when it comes to serving people and [seeking] for justice.” She stated.

Marian Fernandez, a First year Communication Arts student and an ally of the LGBTQIA++ community, said that by granting absolute pardon to Pemberton, Duterte showed that he was willing to set aside the LGBTQIA++ members’ rights and protection.

“Pemberton is a murderer, and what he did cannot be undone,” she commented.

Laude’s mother, Julita Laude, also uttered her disappointment by claiming that Duterte vowed that Pemberton would never walk as a free man as long as he was the president.

“Sampung taong pagkakakulong lang sana ang hinihingi naming kabayaran para sa buhay ng anak ko,” she said.

“Sampung taon lang sana! Napakaiksing panahong kabayarang pagkakakulong para sa buhay ng anak ko.”

Despite the allegations and dispute, Pemberton was officially released and deported on September 13, Sunday, and will not be allowed to enter the country once more.

and parishes in Batangas and Tagaytay to reach communities in dire need of donations.

With the challenges of the new normal setup, the Director admitted that travel restrictions and lack of human resources were some of the struggles of conducting the donation drive in the context of the new normal, “Ang challenges, ay of course, kapag magco-collect ka na ng donations, because of some limitations [and travel] restrictions from other cities, hindi agad makakatawid ‘yong mga donations,”

he reiterated.

Bernadas also added, “Dati sa normal, we can mobilize students’ participation doon sa actual giving of donations. Ngayon, ang [allowed] nalang ay employees, specifically, kami na lang po ‘yong nagpafacilitate ng [donation] giving.”

Despite the challenging new setting, Bernadas expressed how fulfilling the donation drive was.

“Iyong spirit of helping, very overwhelming. Kahit mayroong pandemic, talagang nakikita mo ‘yong pusong Letranista nga na tinatawag, na willing to help talaga,”

he conveyed.

“Akala ko nga, hindi kami makaka-create ng mga gantong mga different ways of projects based sa Tulong Letranista project kasi baka, dahil nga medyo malayo, or the distance. Dahil nga sa sitwasyon natin ngayon, pero still, marami pa ring mga donations na dumadating,” he furthered.

The Tulong Letranista Project is still open for in-kind and monetary donations for those who hope to help and donate for Letran-Manila’s Third-Party Employees as well as the Colegio’s partner communities.

Pemberton’s release causes uproar among LGBTQIA++

PHOTO FROM MANILA TODAY

ASSISTANCE FROM PAGE 1 Nevertheless, the CED Director ensured that these TPEs, including those who were not retained still receives assistance from the Institution.

The project was also extended to schools in Calayan and Camiguin Islands through a School Supplies Drive, in partnership with the Religious Affairs from August 5 to 28.

They have donated 23 boxes of bond papers, 51 boxes of

school supplies for the students of Calayan Island through St. Bartholomew Parish of Calayan, and 710 intermediate pads, 610 yellow pads, and 100 reams of short bond papers for the learners of Lyceum of Camiguin. Printers were also donated for the production of student modules for particular schools in Calayan.

Prior to the pandemic, the Tulong Letranista reached people in need, specifically those affected by the Taal eruption last January. The Colegio partnered with the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission (LASAC)

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OPINION

SEPTEMBER 2020

EDITORIAL Student’s Right or Student’s Plight?

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis can easily be said as one of the biggest challenges in this generation. It made the whole world—figuratively—stop. Unfortunately, it’s not just the virus we have to battle but also the consequences that come along with it. Here in the Philippines, with a growing number of infected people daily, the light at the end of the tunnel seem too far ahead. In fact, we have already claimed the top spot in most number of cases in Southeast Asia.

Six months of quarantine—due to resources deescalating, many have been choosing to risk their lives in finding work for food, rent, and other necessities. There are also those who have been coming up with ways to adapt in this socalled “new normal”—from businesses, institutions, and organizations to common folks who miss the buzz of going out for work, school, and recreation.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran is no different. Without fear in the face of—invisible—enemies, the institution decided to push through with the Academic Year 2020-2021 through adoption of alternative modes of teaching and online learning due to the prohibition of face-to-face classes.

However, questions about being a haven for the poor have surfaced, with many students believing not everyone has an adequate access to internet nor has high-tech gadgets to support their studies, as proven when online classes made up for the final term when Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was first enacted.

Online class, even when it’s done with good intentions, seems to be an anti-poor approach. Despite Letran being a private school, many of its students rely on scholarship grants and discounts without yet including those whose parents have to loan money just to send their children into a Catholic institution.

Another option for distance learning is through take-home modules, which Letran have started adapting. These modules are made available from Kinder to Senior High School students. Still, this passes the burden to parents and students in making sure that the process continues.

Many organizations and youth groups assert for an academic freeze solution to make it fair for all, yet without proper consultation, analysis, and study, this recourse could produce more harm than good. Cases of students who stop going to school for long periods of time are less likely to continue their studies. It also increases risks to issues such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, among others.

In fact, students, faculty, and staff alike are all suffering to balance work and rest in the given online set-up. Many are still struggling with factors including ineffective learning, media illiteracy, unsuitable environment, internet access, and lack of tuition. These affect not just a person’s physical health but also their mental health. Not addressing these issues would only discourage the essence of education and ultimately lead to failure of virtual learning.

As one Letran community, we are defenders of the helpless and doers of good. Quality education must be attained in the most suitable way that could only happen if, together, we urge our government to do the much-needed steps that will allow the safe resumption of physical classes as soon as possible. This should include prioritizing mass testing, ensuring health standards in public places, allocating budget for personnel, health, and sanitation officers, and providing financial subsidies to schools which are tight on budget.

Instead of glorifying the students’ resiliency and forcing them to follow guidelines that already take extra efforts and risks, it’s better to amplify their concerns by supporting the fight against incompetency that makes learning more inaccessible.

Letran, in its efforts to maintain standards, has to remain considerate in lending their ears to their students’ valid concerns. This pandemic has affected all of us in worst ways possible that sometimes we forget we have the same enemy.

E D I T O R I A L B O A R D S Y. 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 1 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR DESIGN EDITOR

MEILINDA MALACAT CHANTAL MACARAEG MELODY SORIANO RONI SERRANO JUSTIN SANTELICES MARIA SOFIA DIMACULANGAN PATRICK ROMERO ELDRICK NOLASCO

ASST. PROF. MANUEL DASIG, JR., PHD. PUBLICATION ADVISER Published monthly, THE LANCE has its office at 3F Student Center Building, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Intramuros Manila FOR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Email us at thelance@letran.edu.ph

ARTWORK BY ELDRICK NOLASCO

For the Greater Good It has been six months since President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a temporary lockdown in many parts of the country—including Metro Manila—brought upon by the coronavirus pandemic. The crisis has undeniably put the spotlight on both local and national governments, especially on how they have carried out guidelines and aid to their constituents.

Before the COVID-19 situation, many of us barely recognized our elected authorities. We tend to overlook the general condition of our State: watch the news only as part of a daily routine and pay no heed to our leaders.

Now that a predicament has struck us harshly, we sought for these public servants for health assistance, food packages, and financial relief while

LIMINALIST Meilinda Marie Malacat

@partyatmosbys eic.thelance@letran.edu.ph

many of us stay inside our homes in hopes of containing the fatal virus.

What’s more, these challenging times revealed to us who among our government officials have served selflessly. We have seen consistency in monetary grants and unyielding support towards medical practitioners.

On the other hand, we also witnessed those who lacked measures to circumvent worstcase scenarios through failed decisions and plain i n c om p e te n c y— t h o s e whose capabilities are limited to the scope of social media and publicity.

On a sad note, we cannot fully blame the system of governance to our leaders alone; it was our collective choice that has resulted in their appointment. May this crisis enlighten the citizens in determining the next deserving candidates—whose morals align towards the greater good, not just for the select few.

As citizens, we have to understand the value of every choice we make— whether big or small; the best way is by exercising our right to vote. We also have to participate in the system of good governance, not just as taxpayers, but as human

beings with inherent rights.

We must not succumb to mere ideals of good leadership based on the candidates’ slogans and jingles during the campaign period.

We have to be wise in electing those who are accountable, transparent, responsive, inclusive, and consensus-oriented, among others.

Most importantly, we must also look onto the decisions—the good and the bad—of our leaders that propelled them where we all are now.

After all, we are the sum of the choices we make.

The voter registration has resumed on September 1, 2020, except in areas that may be under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are you allowed to #NeverForget?

Marcos THIS! Marcos THAT! Marcos EVERYTHING! How does he remain so relevant even after death three decades later? Did being a President for twentyone years, committing countless crimes, and drowning the country in massive debt really gain him this much popularity that it transcended even his life? Who knows.

At present, it is the youth that is taking lead in letting the whole generation know about the muddied and muchdebated history of the Philippines during the late strongman’s time.

In fact, the phrase “never forget” has been a rallying call that unites them in their endeavor to let the people know of the dangers of authoritarianism.

Though apparently, according to the dean of San Beda University’s Graduate School of Law, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, the present generation has not actually experienced Marcos,

SLIGHTLY DEBATABLE Justin Santelices

@justinsntlcs featuresed.thelance@letran.edu.ph

so their condemnation of the man is actually a condemnation of their construct of Marcos.

It baffles me how a single statement can seem so profound and pointless at the same time.

Obviously, the assertion was not well-received.

The declaration, after all, has heavy implications.

It inherently argues that expressing one’s opinions on any point in history is something exclusive, something deserved, like a privilege for the people who have personally experienced that particular piece of history.

If that were indeed the case, then there is no need for the present and subsequent generation to bother itself with learning the life of Rizal, the Spanish colonial

period in the Philippines, and virtually everything taught to students with regards to history.

More importantly, it undermines the lives of those who have lived through that part of history and those who, unfortunately, did not make it. While it could be argued that our approach to reality is mediated by these constructs just as Fr. Aquino says, a concept which I agree with, reducing claims that are based on actual and lived experiences to a mere philosophical discussion lacks taste.

Our beliefs with respect to Marcos, all that he is and all that he isn’t, are indeed constructs which, just as the priestdean says, is a means by which we communicate with reality. At the end

of the day, no matter how we bend the truth, the truth is non-negotiable and is indifferent to our interpretation of it.

It shouldn’t even take personal experience of Marcos for the present generation to understand that the injustices committed by his administration, which are backed by verifiable data, are wrong and thus warrants the strong condemnation it constantly gets. If nothing else, Fr. Aquino’s statement is a sad attempt at invalidating empirical, recorded, and honest-togoodness evidence.

Like the Latin maxim “Res Ipsa Loquitur”, or “the thing speaks for itself”, the atrocities perpetrated by the Marcos administration are enough on its own.

As such, the present generation that is loud in its condemnation of Marcos shouldn’t even have to bother themselves with debating on something that already speaks for itself.

Opinion

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The path to social change Have you ever scrolled on your Twitter timeline, and people are suddenly debunking someone’s tweet? Or encountered a trending hashtag boycotting famous personalities or companies for a problematic statement?

How about wondering, “What if I’m next?”

Cancel culture – who wouldn’t know this term by now? A pop culture phenomenon seems to be an acceptable way of invalidating someone if they had provided statements which the general public considers offensive, inappropriate, or unacceptable; hence, they will be put in the “canceled” seat.

At first, its purpose is to demand social change to reform the world’s perspective towards such issues as sexism, homophobia, racism, and others, and to address injustices for marginalized parties to be heard. Its impact was powerful that it was also considered adequate to social change as it instantly removes toxic norms and mindsets out of the frame.

However, in the long run, canceling has also become an instant “Do you remember, the 21st night of September?”

When September comes, the Christmas songs start playing.

Soon it is time to start the countdown.

Nevertheless, this time is not just a simple one, but it is when we must be aware and set our semicolons for Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

Suicide has been an issue for the aggregate of mankind’s history.

In the past years, it has become the nation’s silent killer. It has gotten so terrible that it rates as the third driving reason for death among those defenseless. It is especially unsafe that individuals who are having self-destructive ideations feel like they can’t address others because of the marks of disgrace encompassing this theme. It leaves those who are left behind uncertain and befuddled about what at last occurred.

With the pandemic’s unconstrained effects that shook the world, everyone has been feeling cooped up since the quarantine season.

With such a situation occurring, it has placed a cost in the minds of each person.

Every one of us goes through different things, and it can be quite unbearable to most people. We

FREE REIN Roni Mae Serrano

@srrnrnm newsed.thelance@letran.edu.ph

solution to discredit others’ views and opinions, regardless of a person’s social stratum; if they decide not to agree with your point of view, then you’re ‘canceled.’

If there’s one thing I find bothersome and problematic with “cancel culture,” it’s the underlying effects on social change.

While some think that ‘canceling’ is a useful tool to obtain changes in a society’s mindset, it might be the other way around.

Dr. Becky Spelman, a well-known psychologist and Cognitive-behavioral therapist, explained that the act of canceling could cause more problems rather than solving it.

Canceling is a two-way sharp knife that can harm not just the one being canceled but also the one who cancels because it only encourages them “to remove opinions that might diverge from

their own into their social environment and also limits them to allow someone to grow.”

For the ‘canceled’ person, this does not allow them to justify their opinions further, apologize for their errors, and grow from them. Meanwhile, for the ‘canceler,’ this phenomenon is taking away their sense of understanding, evaluation, willingness to engage with proper communication, and their openness to let people learn from their mistakes.

If we demand social change, would it be a lot more effective if we are all open and willing to point out someone’s error, explain them efficiently where and why they go wrong so they can be able to learn from it and change their behavior in the future?

The path to social change is attainable when people can properly

Untying the knot MORTEMUS Maria Sofia Dimaculangan

@Sofieeeed sportsed.thelance@letran.edu.ph

carry different weights and baggages upon our shoulders. We smile when we have to and act when we need to.

The world can seem controlling, unfair and unpredictable, but that’s not all that we should see.

You may come across a moment where you think that “Bungee Jumping” and “spilling Kool-aid” is the way out to everything that has been happening. There are voices in your head debating whether or not you should go through with what you think you should. There is pain and you wish to escape it, and it is just tearing you apart. In the eve of our darkness, sometimes we cannot help ourselves but follow our thoughts as we are getting swallowed by a gaping black hole.

However, when we are in that situation, we must always find the courage and trust that little light in the corner.

Even if it is the tiniest one, it will take us back and give us a million reasons to hope and stay on our feet, despite everything crumbling

down. It would be a hard and long journey to pass through these oppressive obstacles, but when you keep crawling, the light gets bigger by the moment, and you will slowly feel that embracing peace we are meant to feel.

You are getting closer — there are more humps and mazes along the way — but the light will never stop glimmering.

You need to follow it and keep going. You might break down into tears and think that all of your efforts in labor is just a waste of time, but it’s not. You just need to keep breathing and once you get there, you will be welcomed by the most exceptional gift that would be the prize of all of your hard work and sufferings. It will be the most amazing feeling, and you may even think it’s magical.

It can be anything, but it is the greatest thing that you will ever encounter.

It may be a person, a feeling, an event and many more possibilities, but it is going to be one of the best moments in your life.

With you carrying

discuss, communicate, and compromise even with the differences in their beliefs and perspectives.

At this point, we should stop figuring who is more knowledgeable or ‘woke’ and start initiating collective learning. Being informed we’re wrong and being enlightened about why our actions are erroneous will have a completely different effect rather than being canceled. If we are not going to end ‘cancel culture’ at this moment, we might not be able to attain the change we want for our society.

We should live in a world where there is an openness to discuss topics and issues with everyone, even if it does not concur with our views. Instead of normalizing ‘cancel culture,’ our generation must instigate collective learning towards eliminating toxic perceptions and mindsets instilled in our society. With that, we can make way for a cumulative social change.

After all, we should not resolve a toxic culture with another act of toxicity. that, it will make you feel stronger throughout another journey. With every path you take, the problems will get bigger and heavier at the moment, but it will soon end. As long as you keep holding on, nothing can break that tower that you have been building for so long. Soon, it would all just be a piece of cake where you would be basking in the Pizza-filled success as you relax, and the Chocolate Syrup lake that will be taking you to wonderland.

We all have our battles and they all differ from one person to another, but battles are meant to be won. In our moments of darkness, the battle gets tougher by the minute. In this precious month of prevention and awareness, we must lift our heads up high and fight the monsters away. It is a grand time to untie the knot and throw away our blades, as we rise from the pit of sorrows and open ourselves to the world of hopes and dreams.

It is never an easy ride; however, it is going to be a billion times worth it. In every step of those circumstances we may experience, no matter how drowning and overwhelming, a stronger and fearless version of us is born.

Nothing and no one can take that away.

5

Finding happiness UNDER SPOTLIGHT Chantal Macaraeg

@chanporaduh assoced.thelance@letran.edu.ph

Welcome back to another school year with The LANCE! The pandemic changed the set-up a little bit, so none of us can meet right now.

Instead of face to face classes, we’re seeing each other through pixels on the screen, and the dog making an occasional appearance. If you’re one of the lucky few with a room to themselves, congratulations! If not, let’s just hope nanay dearest doesn’t make an utos while calling you tamad in front of your classmates.

Everything looks bleak right now. Cases of COVID-19 continues to rise along with poverty and unemployment. People are risking their lives so they could just put food on the table.

The frontliners are beginning to grow tired and the government is still doing nothing. With how everything looks right now, happiness is near impossible to find.

The pandemic started with people trying out various recipes to keep themselves entertained.

Some started on new hobbies because their old ones required them to go outside. Others decided to spend the first thirty days to recharge and heal. It’s just one month, everything will be back to normal soon, right?

Our government thought otherwise. The number isn’t that big yet, we shouldn’t be concerned and just wait for the pandemic to pass.

COVID-19 is not like the typhoons that visit the Philippines. They only last a few days.

People start rebuilding their lives right back up immediately after the storm. We’re a resilient bunch after all, no disaster will shake our foundations.

Six months in quarantine and that’s half a year wasted in our homes. There is so much to do yet so little space to move around. Even the presence of family is beginning to become grating, and we long for the presence of anyone else.

While other countries are slowly getting back on track, Philippines remained true to its moniker: The Sick Man of Asia. Medical experts are being disregarded unless they had the president’s favor.

Sen. Cynthia Villar urged the medical workers to continue serving passionately. How are they supposed to continue serving passionately if they are beginning to lose strength, not knowing when will the battle end. It only takes 3-6 years to change government officials and more than a decade to replace a doctor.

If the likes of Villar are allowed to continue thriving, then what about the rest of us?

Finding happiness in the midst of dark times may sound impossible. There is nothing happy about watching the very world you knew crumble right in front of your eyes. Everyone is desperately clinging to whatever they have right now to stay sane.

As depressing as the outside world sounds, finding happiness in the midst of a worldwide pandemic sounds illegal. It’s almost as if what can be defined as happiness changed. Those who found joy in the outdoors had to adapt to the life of indoors. The homebodies were overjoyed at first. As time passed, we’ve grown more and more restless while waiting for the pandemic to end.

We went from making dalgona coffees and playing Animal Crossing to accusing each other of being the imposter in Among Us and demanding government accountability. So, what went wrong?

Was it because we realized we can’t spend our lives inside our homes forever while the rest of the world went back to normal? Did the pandemic serve as a wake-up call to what the Filipino people deserved—competent government officials and a concrete plan for the pandemic.

Doesn’t matter whether you’re a plantita, a budding online seller, or just someone waiting for the pandemic to end. Happiness is still attainable and no one should dictate how you find it. Whether it’s through a newfound passion or the joy of replacing incompetent officials with those who are for the people, it is something that can keep us going through these hard times.

VIEWFINDER

LIFE IN QUARANTINE. Letranites capturing different facets of life during this Pandemic as we face the “New Normal”.

PHOTOS BY ARALI SANTIAGO, GABRIELLE GERONIMO, CARL FERRER, CHARLES FRANCIA, KYLA VELASCO, CHRISTELLE HARO, AND YVONNE SOLON

Features

FEATURES

Quarantine: The Letran Edition

7

#Alive: Parallelism to the present

Events must go on

FEATURES EDITOR: JUSTIN SANTELICES LAYOUT ARTIST: ELDRICK NOLASCO

» TURN TO PAGE 8

» TURN TO PAGE 9

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The Povedan Content Creator Tita

PHOTO BY MARK AVERILLA

PHOTOS BY MARK AVERILLA

BY SAMANTHA BERNARDO

“A good laugh is sunshine in the house.” - William Makepeace Thackeray He made us laugh, he made us cry, and he also made us cry from laughing too much. As an active personality in various social media platforms, like Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Tiktok, he is known for his relatable videos that never fail to paint a smile on our faces. Lo and behold, he is Mark Averilla — the person behind “Macoy Dubs”.

Averilla is a Filipino content creator and influencer born in Quezon City. Unknown to many, the media personality is actually a Letranite. He studied Communication Arts in Colegio de San Juan de Letran and graduated in 2013. Now, he works as a professor at the beloved Colegio.

Before his content-creating days, he aspired to be a broadcaster

for a news outlet in the country.

Unfortunately, fate was not on his side at the time, so he sought opportunities elsewhere. He became an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Doha, Qatar, but his picture of a greener pasture was not in line with what he actually experienced during his time in the Middle East.

Though he worked two jobs, it still was not enough. He lasted six months overseas and decided to head back to the Philippines with an almost-empty wallet which ultimately proved to be a struggle.

Upon return, Averilla worked as a senior accounts manager in an advertising agency where he handled different brands.

Like an origin story straight out of a comic, he decided to create dubbed versions of different films; that’s when his career skyrocketed.

Specifically, it all started when he dubbed the popular chic-flick film “Mean Girls”. He posted this

on Facebook, and it just clicked thereafter.

In one of his early interviews, he would continuously re-watch a specific scene from a film before he starts recording his dubs. Averilla would accompany the original lines with his own lines to see if they fitted.

Looking back in his Colegio days, he remembered how they had a course that required them to dub, much like what he was doing now. And after his first dub gained millions of views, he created two more dubs from the same film and was followed by two more iconic films, namely, “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Confessions of a Shopaholic”.

Ever since his popularity rose, Macoy Dubs never shied away from the public eye. Most recently, he created a new persona named “Auntie Julie”—the “progressive Povedan tita”. In an interview with CNN, Averilla stated that he got the inspiration of the name upon

noticing how his mother would act when she catches up with her high school friends. He says that though his mother was not from Saint Pedro Poveda College, he chose this school to represent the persona. It’s because the school was similar to Letran with its Spanish background.

With the rise of the new social platform, Tiktok, so did Auntie Julie.

He would film himself using this app and would create skits that make the viewers burst with laughter. His alter-ego would not be complete without the pearl earrings that were, funnily enough, bought from Baclaran.

Later on, people dubbed Auntie Julie as “the progressive tita that we need” because of her accepting attitude towards the youth—from promoting safe intercourse to selfcare. However, last August 21, 2020, Macoy Dubs announced that Auntie Julie would temporarily take her pearls off because there were those

who wanted to “cancel” her.

Despite the toxic culture that made Auntie Julie take a timeout, she was seen on national television last September 2, 2020, in the noon-time show “It’s Showtime”. She was one of the guest stars invited to play on one of the show’s segments called “Mas Testing”. As usual, she was sporting her pearl earrings and was being as bubbly as ever. This is a sign that hopefully we have not seen the last of Auntie Julie and maybe, we will see her again one day along with her pearls and “wantawsans.”

People say that laughter is the best medicine. Those words ring especially true in this pandemic crisis. For Macoy Dubs, his main goal has always been to spread joy through his content. While he acknowledges the fact that he cannot please everyone, it does not stop him from trying to make people laugh.

After all, it doesn’t hurt to laugh a little in these serious times.

8

FEATURES

FEATURES EDITOR: JUSTIN SANTELICES LAYOUT ARTIST: ELDRICK NOLASCO

Quarantine: The Letran Edition

BY NICOLE ANTE

In March 2020, exactly six months ago, a total lockdown in the entire Luzon was declared by the President due to the pandemic brought about

by COVID 19. The announcement meant lots of things; students had to stop going to school, public transportation was put to a halt, and jobs were at a standstill, among others.

Needless to say, this caused a tremendous effect on both the country’s economy and the people’s lifestyle, but Letranites did not allow this to put a stop to their lives. They put their precious time to good use by doing things that benefited not only them, but their families as well.

During these tough times, we all do a variety of things just to keep ourselves in check. Some Letranites, as a way to cope with this quarantine period, looked to technology to start their own online business while others used it to showcase their skills and talents.

Being the tech-savvy generation, they used their technical knowhows to aid their online businesses as they sell their products ranging from food, accessories, clothing, and with some even offering services.

“I balanced it by knowing my

current priorities first. I usually finish my academic tasks earlier so that I have tons of free time to use for my business,” says Airah, a second year Psychology student of the Colegio. While juggling online classes and online business has been hard for her, she pulled it off through smart time management with the help of those who believed in her.

Doing online business is no easy feat. The uncertainty that comes with starting a business during the pandemic is a leap of faith that requires courage. Marla, also a second year Psychology student of the Colegio, knows this well. “Before starting a business, make sure that you are willing to take risks and learn to trust yourself”, she stated.

Though she admits that she was hesitant at first, she also believed that “there are things that are meant to happen no matter what”, and that belief is perhaps what helped her launch her business.

Apart from using it for online business, Letranites took to social media to share their crafts as well.

Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube became the stage for them to exhibit their expertise and talents. There wasn’t any shortage of content; with vlogs about photography, cooking,

baking, dancing, study hacks, and a whole lot more, you’re sure to have a variety to choose from. For them, it is an avenue to share their passion and a great way to relieve stress, make people happy, and inspire others.

Another thing that kept Letranites busy is keeping their bodies fit and healthy — exercising! With the threat of the virus, Letranites went with different exercises and workouts to strengthen their immunities. Through the internet, they were able to follow workout routines found in YouTube or even TikTok. Of course, workouts go hand-in-hand with having a healthy diet as well, so you can be sure that fruits and vegetables are on the menu, much as they might dislike their taste.

Indeed, the setup of the “new normal” presents difficulties that many are unfamiliar with. Like the Arriba spirit that continues to burn, Letranites do not back down just because of a situation like this. They will continue to aim high and strive to succeed no matter how long and how hard it takes. Though the pandemic has caused the physical separation of Letranites, they remain as one Letran amidst the distance.

PHOTO FROM LETRAN VIA FACEBOOK

Theory of consistency #Alive: Parallelism to the present

BY JUSTIN SANTELICES

At the moment, life seems to be stuck in a state of “consistency” — a state where seemingly everything, just as the name suggests, is consistent. If one were to take a gander at the different aspects of current reality, glimpses of this theory would conspicuously present itself like a school of dead fish on Manila Bay’s fine waters.

The more obvious sign, if not the most, is the steady rise of positive cases concerning COVID-19. It has come to a point where the expectation is that it will keep rising. This upsetting reality is a truth that cannot be ignored because it is one that you are forced to constantly deal with in your social media feeds.

For students, there is a stream of deadlines to be met. Imagine, you finally finish the paper you have been working on for hours on end; with weary eyes, you check the time and it’s a little past three in the morning. Nothing left to do but to submit, lie down, and hope that sleep takes over. If it doesn’t, maybe your classmates won’t notice through the pixels on the screen when you take your next synchronous class just a few hours later.

But then you find out that you shouldn’t even be sleeping yet in the first place. Apparently, there was an announcement for a different task that you overlooked.

Presently, students seem to be walking a straight line; a line that continues to extend itself and one which they will fall off from if they stopped walking. Indeed, a consistency if there ever was one.

Incidental to this is the fact of having to check on oneself with consistency. The heavy burden of life, made more severe by presentday circumstances, underscores the need to always check the individual self. Of course, doing so will not be as easy as it is when

simply saying it. But as with all the important things, it comes with difficulties by design. Ironically, it is what makes it all the more important.

If those weren’t enough, another indisputable sign that the country is suspended in a state of consistency is the President’s reports regarding the pandemic.

With the gravity of the matter, there is a dire need to let the people know what is happening in the country but, more often than not, what occurs is a consistency of rescheduling these reports. The consistency with rescheduling is partly frightening (due to the fact that it supports the theory) and partly annoying (because it simply is).

This theory of consistency that consistently made bold and unsubstantiated claims shows a reality faced by most people nowadays. It goes without saying that the directive to stay indoors is necessary, though it may have also caused some to feel that they now live inside a bubble - suffocated, indefinitely suspended, and forced to deal with the same things over and over.

Unfortunately, it seems like it will be a while before the bubble pops. If anything, it would certainly be a whole lot easier to just give up and go. In the face of these consistencies, it even feels like it’s the best thing to do.

However, if the theory of consistency can consistently make outrageous assumptions, then it can certainly make baseless conclusions, much like concluding that there is a need to consistently make the difficult choices, especially now during this pandemic.

When the pandemic started, it became incumbent upon every individual to decide; do you submit and let the situation get the better of you? Or do you consistently fight it despite the odds?

PHOTO FROM NETFLIX

BY ALEXI AQUILINO

What if you woke up one day and found yourself no longer permitted to go outdoors? In that instance, you are ordered to remain inside your household no matter what, hidden from the chaos that is occurring just right out of your doorstep and is expected to stay there until authorities eventually come and rescue you.

Sounds familiar? Well, instead of COVID-19, the latest Netflix movie ‘#Alive’ was about a horrifying, unforeseen zombie apocalypse that gave the main character, Oh Joonwoo (Yoo Ah-in), an experience unlike any other.

The movie is a new addition to the other acclaimed South Korean zombie films we have come to know and love (e.g. ‘Train to Busan’, ‘Rampant’, ‘Peninsula’).

What makes it different from the rest is the modern elements incorporated within its plot like high-tech gadgets and social media which are key factors that helped progress the storyline.

Aside from that, ‘#Alive’ also

gives a sense of familiarity with its course of events that resemble what most of us are dealing with at this current pandemic (minus the danger of cannibalistic tendencies of those infected, that is). Just as people nowadays aren’t allowed to go out, Joon-woo became isolated in his home with no knowledge of when he’ll be able to go out again.

Stuck inside his apartment, he encounters boredom with the loss of Internet access, phone service, and struggles with the eventual lack of food and water supply.

Though what brings Joon-woo to the brink of hopelessness are not the matters mentioned or even the constant threat that lied outside, but rather the thought of enduring the obstacle he was facing all alone.

This highlights the importance of knowing you have someone that supports you and stays with you when you are dealing with something. Much like our main lead, who upon learning the existence of Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye), a fellow survivor living in the apartment opposite to his, was instantly able to garner the determination to

continue forward.

With the rough patch we are all going through because of what is happening in these times, it’s always good to have someone that will accompany us and make the world a little bit brighter. We can rely on our families and close friends to be that source of comfort we need, regardless of whether the interactions we have with them takes place in person or only via online.

For Joon-woo, the will to keep going was rooted in his desire to meet his family once more. Maybe for our case, the reason why we managed to keep ourselves sane throughout the “new normal” despite the hardships thrown our way is because of the hope that someday we’ll reunite with the people we have come to miss, and that soon enough, the world will return to how we once remembered it — or maybe change into something even better. separation of Letranites, they remain as one Letran amidst the distance.

Features

VO LU M E X L I V - I S S U E 1

9

Events must go on

BY GEORGINA SANTIAGO

Everywhere you go on social media, everything seems to be adapting to the “new normal”, even the much-anticipated events like the Manila International Book Fair and the Korean Film Festival!

Due to the pandemic, physical contact has been limited, and people are advised to stay indoors. That won’t stop you from experiencing the events that you waited for so long in the comforts of your own home!

SEPTEMBER

Korean Film Festival 2020 KDrama fans, clear your schedule and ready your tissues because the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines will be streaming the Korean Dramas that you love. The theme of the event is ‘The Celebrity Spotlight’ where they feature Park Seo Joon, Hyun Bin, and Son Yejin’s well-known and much-loved shows.

As if that wasn’t enough, 10 lucky people also have the chance to bring home prizes ranging from K-pop albums to Korean cosmetic sets just by taking a KCC survey. The event runs from September 12 to October

2, 2020 and what’s better is there is no entrance fee.

PH Readers and Writers Festival 2020 The National Bookstore annual PH Readers and Writers Festival is going online. The annual event will guest a handful of publishers like Anvil Publishing, Summit Books, and other esteemed publishing houses. It will be holding virtual book discussions and panels, where participants can enjoy sessions from Filipino writers and artists as they talk about books, literature, and culture. Everything is for free— no entrance fees, no required post payment—simply show up online and participate. The event will start from September 28 to October 4, 2020. Follow the official Facebook page of National Bookstore for more details.

OCTOBER

International Naruto Day 2020 (Rise Up for the Environment) Naruto fans take their love of the series to a whole new level.

To celebrate their favorite anime character Naruto Uzumaki’s birthday, they prepared loads of

activities. To spread awareness about the importance of keeping the environment clean by encouraging participants to do things that would help the environment: planting trees, cleaning up your home, or simply turning off your lights for an hour. The remaining activities, like cosplay shows, music performances, and panel discussions, will be done online. The event will go live via their Facebook page on October 10, 2020. For additional information, visit the official “Online Event” on Facebook.

NOVEMBER

Manila International Book Fair Online Book lovers, rejoice because one of the biggest book fairs is coming to you at the comfort of your home!

The MIBF used to be held every September at the SMX Convention Center, but due to the current global crisis, changes will necessarily have to be made. To push forward, they decided to go online. The MIBF Online will run from November 24 to November 30, 2020. To keep yourself updated, visit the official Facebook page of Manila International Book Fair.

PHOTOS FROM PHILIPPINE PRIMER, THE SMART LOCAL, NATIONAL BOOK STORE VIA FACEBOOK, AND PINTEREST

Becoming a better ally of the trans community PHOTOS FROM THE INTERNET

PHOTO FROM NBC NEWS

BY LIZA PORE

In December 2015, U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of transgender woman, Jennifer Laude. Exactly 4 years and 9 months later, he was granted absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte.

It means that the killer has been given “total extinction” from any criminal liability, giving him his civil and political rights back; thus, allowing him to walk a free citizen once, as if he didn’t commit any heinous act.

It is a decision that exhibits how LGBTQIA++ rights, specifically transgender rights, remain as

ornamentals here in the Philippines.

We can’t deny that there is still a great lack of empathy from other Filipinos whenever the plight of transgender people is brought up. It makes you wonder, if there is a growing number of allies for the whole LGBTQIA++ community, as reflected in social media, then where does the same energy go when it comes to our trans folks?

Most of the time, we even catch glimpses of netizens throwing in a “joke” or two about misgendering trans people or how some people ride social media trends like “pranking” others by pretending to be a woman.

To most people, this may seem

harmless, serving as nothing more than a silly form of entertainment, but for the trans community, it is something considerably deeper.

Members of the transgender community have long fought for their rights and protested for their welfare.

As allies, it is also our duty to uplift the voices of trans people in order for their outcries to be heard, so as to ignite change.

Becoming an ally What is an ally? What exactly is an ally to trans folks or to LGBT+ people in general? Being an ally is being someone who attempts to end oppression by strengthening and advocating for the

marginalized population’s call for action. It is acknowledging the LGBT+ people and having genuine concern for the injustices they face.

The initial step to being an effective ally is by educating ourselves.

Read up on the history of the trans community and the years of violence and oppression they have endured and continue to endure. The Internet is free, and information is everywhere. By now, all we have to do is voluntarily inform ourselves.

Another simple way to become a better ally is by recognizing pronouns.

By normalizing the act of sharing pronouns, we help lift the weight off of trans individuals. This can make for

a safer environment that encourages our trans folks to likewise share their own pronouns. In doing so, it lessens the likelihood of accidental misgendering.

To truly help the transgender community, we need to actually listen to them: take note of their experiences, hear their stories, make space for them in groups and platforms in order to be inclusive, and don’t just shut them out. Being a better ally means taking on the responsibility of showing up for our trans folks when they need us the most, and championing the rights they have long fought for, and rightfully deserve.

10

OPINION

VO LU M E X L I V - I S S U E 1

Knights Speak “What is the most challenging part of online classes?”

ARTWORK BY PINCLIPART

Inst. John Michael Ramirez, Faculty Member, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences “As a faculty member, one of the most challenging aspects of online classes is that you don’t get to enjoy the social connectivity of the students with you and their classmates as it is in face-to-face classes. The exchange of arguments and ideas with and among students is easier before. Now, it has to be better facilitated. I’m glad though that I see students take the extra mile in engaging in class discussions despite limitations in internet connectivity.”

Krisha Ortiz, Association of Visual Arts, President “The most challenging part as a student is how I deal with distance learning and my complying with requirements plus the situations happening inside my home. At this juncture, all of us are affected by the pandemic, so when your family deals with a certain problem, you will also be affected. That’s one of the most difficult parts because you also have to pay attention to family matters. Not unlike when we’re physically inside the school, at least we all got to have a breathing place to set aside our life issues outside school.”

Lorena Sanchez, Second Year, AB Broadcasting “As a student, most of the time, I’m having difficulties focusing. There are many distractions in your own space, and there are home locations not compatible with online classes setting, like a toxic environment and such. This setting has also had a massive impact on my mental health. Since I was used to face-to-face classes, I also lend some time outside to enjoy and relieve stress, so online classes are a bit unusual for me. [Another thing is,] there can be lots of technical glitches and he teachers are also struggling. Sometimes they were not able to attend meetings due to weak internet connections. However, both students and teachers are trying their best to manage.”

Jhala Mae Nicole Mendoza, Letran Peer Facilitator’s Association, President “The most challenging part of distance learning/online classes is how draining it can be. Physical classes are already draining, but what makes it harder for online classes is the lack of in-person encounters or connections. Because at the very least, if we’re at school, communication is a lot easier, not needing to worry about how the other person’s connection is while discussing. We are also directed to focus on academics in school, unlike in distant learning where we’re at home and school at the same time- constantly having to juggle schoollife balance, also being bound to our screens most of the time which might cause eye strain and health problems. This can all vary depending on how we handle our daily lives. However, I feel that being physically together with peers makes learning a lot more fun, and there are things we just can’t learn at home alone due to the lack of means and equipment.”

Gian Patricia Notorio, Third Year, AB Legal Management “I think the most challenging part of online classes for students like me is the internet connection and bombarded tasks given by the professors. We all know that not all students in the Colegio have the privilege to have a stable internet connection in their home. Students and professors encounter lags and disconnection in the middle of discussions. There are times where they cannot join meetings because of the difficulty of connection. Another challenging part is the tons of tasks that were given by the professors in a week. There are times when deadlines of the tasks of different courses are due on the same day. Students are bombarded by the tasks that have a short time before the deadline instead of having a week of allowance before the due date. They are forced to do it overnight or doing it while in the middle of the synchronous class, and others have no other option but not to attend their synchronous class just to finish another task. For me, it is not about learning anymore; it is just about passing more tasks before the deadline.”

Mitch Costales, Letran Student Council, President “At first, I thought accessibility would be the biggest challenge for everyone. But after the first month of online classes, I experienced that the academic workload is the most challenging part of this virtual set-up. Upon seeing how my classmates, batchmates, and fellow Letranites release their frustration because of this, I believe that the majority (if not all) has the same sentiments.”

Juan Gabriel Balcos, First Year, AB Journalism “Well, for me, the most challenging part of distance learning is that I am not able to ask as frequently as I usually would when something’s unclear to me. Especially during recorded discussions or with the reading materials that we have to study without even an overview, it can be frustrating at times. This can be very troublesome. Because if I, myself, am used to reading a lot on my own, and I get frustrated, I can only imagine the plight of those who aren’t used to these practices. We have different comprehension capacities, and it is quite unfair to impose a mode of learning that not every student can fully adopt.”

Joshua Keith Pastor, Fourth Year, BSBA Marketing Management “The most challenging part as a student would be time management, especially that we’re all forced to stay inside our houses since the pandemic hit, we rarely go outside unless [we] needed to. It’s been one month already [since online classes], and I’m still adjusting [with the situation].

Of course, there were unpredictable moments, such as giving modules simultaneously, you had just done one activity, and another one will pop up. Another thing would be handling mental health not only for me, [but] also to everyone, either you’re a professor or a student because we have different [approach] when it comes to resiliency so we cannot blame each other for it. Last would be interaction, the physical interaction [with people] to be more specific.”

Patrick Dale Alog, Studio 1620, President “I have to admit, the new online/distance learning is unusual, yet innovative for me.

However, it’s uncommon for our country to hold this kind of set up since [some] students lack learning devices and internet access. This has greatly impacted me since it started, and I realized that this is not effective at all. All of a sudden, I needed to change my usual routines without even knowing it. Moreover, my learning habits needed to be adjusted, given that my new environment for studying is far more different from the typical classroom I got used to. Lastly, I think it’s untimely to have this kind of educational system at this time mainly because aside from worrying about the pandemic, we are obliged to juggle time management, academic pressure, family matters, and emotional breakdowns at the same time.”

Olsen Cruz, Third Year, BS Psychology “I think the most challenging part as a student is the lack of educationally inspiring environment and lack of accessibility to technology needed to participate in online classes.

Students have gotten used to the system of ‘home is home’ and ‘school is school’ [and] now that we have to continue schooling at home, it doesn’t provide a healthy environment that encourages learning. It creates the feeling [that] this [setup] is more on submitting requirements on time rather than learning. Some fortunate students have access to the internet and non-lagging gadgets and, therefore, don’t have much trouble submitting tasks and reading modules. However, those students who are less fortunate, or even those who experiences sudden power or internet interruption, suffer greatly and find it hard to keep up with their classmates.”

Sports

SEPTEMBER 2020

11

Not the final bow: Letran Athlete’s scholarship loss deprived Taekwondo team

FILE PHOTO

BY ZENYLIN YAP

AS FOR the culture of Taekwondo commands, to bow means either the competition sets to start or when the physical combat comes to an end. However, neither of Letran’s Taekwondo Team nor their coaching staffs refused to take their final bow amidst the heart-wrenching verdict of Letran’s management.

In the beginning of May 2020, the devastating news circled around the whole Letran Athletics Community when Letran opted to trim down the participation of the Colegio down to six events in NCAA’s supposed next season.

Being affected by the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic protocols,

it was recommended to cut down athletics expenditures by limiting the dorm-expenses to 25 percent and by providing scholarship grants to only 372 student-athletes.

Included on the scholarship scale-down is Letran’s homegrown Seniors’ Taekwondo (Women), Juniors’ Taekwondo and those who were assigned to participate in the Poomsae division.

Although the all-rookie team painstakingly climbed the victory ladder from 7th place to 3rd in NCAA’s overall ranking for the Taekwondo Division, the said wipeout left only the Men’s Seniors and two members of the Womens’ Seniors Jacey Bartolome (Team Captain) and Aliciarose Gonzales.

According to a credible source, some of their former members decided to leave Letran to acquire athletic scholarships from different institutions to suffice their education as well as the passion for their sport.

Upon learning her former teammates resolution, Bartolome professed her disbelief, “Nawalan po ako ng teammates, friends, and family po.”

The emotional spurt was not only felt intensely by the athletes but also by their whole coaching staff.

Taekwondo Team’s assistant coach, Coach Anthony Samia expressed his utmost sentiments due to inevitable circumstances.

“Naubos sila (players). Wala naman may kagustuhan non e,

talagang kinapos lang ang Letran.

Napakasakit sa akin non kasi parang nilayo sa akin mga anak, pero kasi, wala e, pandemic. Kailangan unawain,” he said.

Samia also affirmed that the team had surely planned their new gauntlets for combat, that he described as “quality players” that were supposed to be in addition to the group as a plan for the upcoming NCAA. However, the decision of the Colegio’s management is absolute, and its impact on Taekwondo’s team made their foundation go “backto-zero”. Bartolome described the situation as an intervention to the team’s rank momentum towards their rising reputation.

Considering this as a major setback to the team, no holds barred for the assistant coach.

He mentioned Team Head Coach Roderick Rivera for leading the team under his wing, wishing for the Taekwondo’s team redemption, and leaving a pledge to comeback as a formidable challenger.

“Sa pamununo ni Coach Deck kasama ng mga coaches ng Taekwondo Team ng Letran, mas babalik kami ng triple ‘yong lakas at ibibigay namin ‘yong trophy para sa school,” he said.

In spite of the dismay, the rest of Letran’s Taekwondo Team still eagerly clings onto a lingering hope to rebuild a newly reformed scout that willl rise to the top.

Fran Yu and his hustle off the hardwood

FILE PHOTO

BY GABBY BALCOS

NETIZENS were in awe when a photo of Letran Knights guard Fran Yu as a delivery man for his own online dessert business went viral.

In an article by Spin.ph, Yu stated that it all started with “ulam” dishes which he himself cooked and was first availed just by his close friends.

It later on expanded; the idea of

PHOTO FROM SPIN.PH

selling graham, mango, and banana cakes came about during their Mother’s Day celebration.

It was not until June that Fran took it to himself to personally deliver the products as General Community Quarantine was imposed over Metro Manila. The said photo of him with a satisfied customer gained much publicity, with netizens praising Yu for his humility and diligence.

Recently, the reigning NCAA Finals MVP talked about the importance of being flexible in life and doing the grind even outside the playing court.

When asked how crucial it is for him to have a fall back, he answered, “Sobrang importante kasi hindi mo alam kung kailan matatapos yung basketball career mo. Isang matinding injury lang baka ‘di ka na makabalik.”.

Aside from doing business, Yu is now also into vlogging wherein he even shared his home workout routine.

“Kailangan lagi kang ready ‘pag nagpatawag ng ensayo ang coaches mo kasi hindi mo masasabi kung kelan matatapos yung pandemic kaya kailangan ready lang,” Fran added.

With some new faces and notable

names joining the team, the Letran community has some high hopes for the Knights this season.

“Thank you sa walang sawang suporta samin and keep supporting po yung lahat ng sports ng Letran...

Mag-pray tayong lahat, matatapos din ‘to,” said Yu. Certainly, everyone’s looking forward to see our Knights back on the floor to defend the throne.

Sports The Lance

Official: Abando, Paraiso, Bataller set to join Letran Knights for Season 96

BY PAOLO TRINIDAD

THE NCAA season 95 defending champions, Colegio De San Juan De Letran, acquired three former University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers Brent Paraiso, Ira Bataller, and UAAP rookie sensation Rhenz Abando.

Letran Knights released a photo of Letran’s head coach Bonnie Tan and sports director Alfrancis Chua with Rhenz Abando, as well as Brent Paraiso and Ira Bataller who

were rumored to be acquired by the Knights days earlier.

“Sobrang laking bagay ni Brent at Ira kasi sila rin naman yung may alam ng laro ko at alam ko rin ang laro nila. Makikihalubilo na lang kami sa players ng Letran at mas napadali yung transition namin kasi kasama ko na yung mga kasangga ko kahit dati pa,” said by Abando in his interview with Spin. ph The three former UST standouts withdrew from the team weeks ago

after the alleged Sorsogon bubble training issue.

Abando, a 6-foot-2 star, was the second leading-scorer for UST’s pioneering moment last UAAP season after averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in his stint.

Yu shall be having a new backcourt tandem in Brent Paraiso who averaged 7.4 points, 4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Paraiso will also be adding a championship experience in Letran, after winning

Rising Knights: Ready for title-defense!

a title in De La Salle University back in 2017.

Meanwhile, Bataller who averaged 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in his 19 starts with UST will be added to Letran’s stacked frontcourt.

“Their addition is certainly a huge boost to our program as they also bring their experiences to our championship core. Our team management, staff, and I have also done our homework on how we can easily integrate them into our

PHOTO FROM LETRAN KNIGHTS

team,” as stated by coach Bonnie Tan in an interview with ESPN5.

Abando and Bataller can still play three seasons for the Knights, while Paraiso only has 2 playing years left in his college basketball career.

The three former Growling tigers will be joining the reigning finals MVP Fran Yu, former rookie of the year Larry Muyang, and the rest of the Letran Knights for their title defense in the upcoming NCAA season 96.

No NCAA return for Aldin Ayo

FILE PHOTO

BY ROMWEL ANZURES

BATTLE-TESTED, battle-ready.

NCAA Men’s Basketball defending champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran is more than ready to defend its Season 95 title with a beefed-up roster filled with new names, yet with the same grit and firepower.

The Knights, welcoming former University of Santo Tomas Tigers’ Rhenz Abando, Ira Bataller, and Brent Paraiso, will also have their roster improved with its rookies and a familiar name.

THE COMEBACK KID Returning is Letran big man Christian Fajarito, who played last season in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, and is now ready to rejoin the team to further strengthen its already towering frontline. “Mahirap mangako pero pagtatrabahuhan ko na maging malaking tulong para makuha namin yung back to back na trophy! Kahit ayun lang yung way na maibalik ko sa pagtulong nila samin” Fajarito said in a statement.

ROOKIE KNIGHTS The rookies have also voiced their thoughts, sentiments and messages to the whole Letran faithful, making their presence already felt even before stepping on the court.

The 6-foot-4 forward Rafael Go from Chiang Kai Shek along with Former University of Perpetual Help shooter Yuki Kawamura stated in an interview that they will give all their best to reach the goal and achieve that back-to-back championship. “I’m honored to be a part of the Letran community and the champion team,” Yuki added.

Although they are setting foot in the court as rookies, Go and Kawamura are entitled to spend their 5 years as part of the Letran Knights.

When it comes to the Gensan native, Jimly Lintaya and cochamp Jeffy Mailim, building a new footprint of legacy is what they aim for the institute. Amidst the huge fleeing of players from National University- Nazareth School, these former Bullpups are exhilarated to spend their moments in Letran as their new home.

Furthermore, suiting up for the Knights next season are Kenny Rogers Rocacurva from the Cebu Institute of Technology, Jay Pangalangan from College of St. Benilde, and former Diliman College Dragon, Joseph Brutas.

Coming in as the latest addition to the team, Lloyd Oliva, the 6-foot5 former Tiger Cub of the University of Santo Tomas expressed his gratitude towards Letran and the whole community, as former University of San Jose-Recoletos forward Dilcer Gaviola is on the same plane. “I am grateful for the opportunity the school gave me to play for the Letran Community.

Sobrang laking blessing na mapasama ako sa Letran Knight,” Oliva mentioned in an interview.

These new faces with an exquisite comeback from another player surely have a lot to offer not only in the Knight’s title defense next season, but also for the following years to come. This gives Letranites more reasons to cheer and scream their voices out when the NCAA basketball returns.

PHOTO FROM TIEBREAKER TIMES

BY GABBY BALCOS

First rumored to be returning to Letran, displaced Coach Aldin Ayo will have to look harder for a new job as no NCAA team will look to get his service after all the drama that unfolded in University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Prior to helming UST, Ayo first led the Letran Knights to its 2015 NCAA title before joining the De La Salle Green Archers in 2016.

In a report by Tiebreaker Times, each of the 10 member schools have “vowed” in not signing Ayo. When asked what would happen when the inevitable return of Ayo in the scene arrives, a TieBreaker Times inside source mentions,

“When that time comes, we will have to convene as a group to talk about if we will allow it. Hindi biro ‘yung ginawa niya kasi mga estudyante ‘yung nag-training camp sa Bicol.”

The downfall of Ayo was brought by the scandalous UST Growling Tigers’ Sorsogon “bubble”, in which they reportedly trained from June up to August 17. 11 of the 17 team members were under the age of 21; a strict prohibition under the quarantine protocols imposed throughout the country.

Ayo voluntarily vacated his post as Head Coach of the Tigers last September 4. The UAAP has already sanctioned him with an indefinite ban from the league.