Rheims Special: April

RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

PH logs in 1 million COVID-19 cases

by Renz Bautista

Photo from: Rappler

The Philippines’ total COVID-19 cases reached the 1 million mark last April 26 2021, with 8,929 new cases, bringing the total infections to 1,006,428.

As of 4 PM of April 30 2021, the Philippines logs 8,748 new COVID-19 cases totaling to 1,037,460 COVID-19 infections. There are currently 73,908 active cases. DOH also logged 4,143 new recoveries and 89 new deaths during that day. The positivity rate remained high with rates of 17%.

According to the DOH COVID-19 tracker, Cavite has 4,134 active cases, with 526 new cases added on April 30.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in an interview said that the total recoveries should be considered in evaluating the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines.

“Tama, nalampasan na natin yung 1 mil-

lion mark. Pero, dapat din siguro alamin natin na ang total recoveries natin, nasa ... Mataas ang recovery rate natin... So, siguro mas magandang yun ang tingnan natin para mas positive,” Duque stated.

Beforehand, the OCTA Research team projected that the country would hit the 1 million mark before the end of April, which happened earlier than they expected.

The OCTA Research team also reported that the reproduction rates of the virus in Metro Manila decreased, reaching to 0.93 last April 25. Provinces in the NCR plus bubble also posted downward reproduction rate trends.

The NCR Plus bubble is under MECQ since April 3 2021, which was a significant factor on lessening the new COVID-19 cases in the country.

Barbershops, salons allowed to resume operations

Duterte approves MECQ extension over NCR Plus

by Lance Crisostomo President Rodrigo Duterte announced last Wednesday, April 28, that the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in the NCR Plus will be extended until May 14 as part of the measures of the government against COVID-19.

Duterte approved the extension of MECQ in the NCR Plus in light of the recommendation of experts from the Department of Health (DOH) as the number of cases passed the one million mark, as the OCTA Research predicted.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the quarantine classifications are based from the local government units’ appeal.

“This new community quarantine classification is subject to the appeals of the local government units,” Roque stated.

The president also approved the extension of MECQ until May 14 over the NCR plus to help the hospitals in its decongestion to have more rooms to cater for more patients.

On the other hand, Duterte also announced that Santiago City in Isabela and the whole provinces of Abra and Quirino will also be subjected to the MECQ quarantine classification.

Roque added in a separate state-

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ment that this MECQ quarantine classification will last “for the whole month of May 2021”.

Following the announcement of the extension of MECQ over the NCR Plus, the operation of barbershops, beauty and nail salons, and indoor dine-in restaurants were allowed on all places under MECQ starting May 1.

Conditions on the capacities of the allowed establishments: 1.) Restaurants - 10% capacity for indoor dine-in (apart from outdoor dine-in) 2.) Barbershops, beauty and nail salons - 30% capacity, only services where customers and staff wear masks at all times are allowed

Furthermore, Roque stated that the establishments which were allowed to operate starting May 1 should not be super-spreaders so as not to worsen the current COVID-19 situation of the nation.

“Consistent with science, the businesses and establishments to be allowed to open should not be super-spreaders,” Roque said.

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RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

US waiting for PH to request aid in securing West PH Sea

by Dave Domingo

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said that the US government is waiting for Manila to request assistance in removing foreign vessels staying unauthorized in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a pre-taped briefing with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on April 20, Romualdez affirmed that the US is working to navigate and make sure that the freedom of the sea and that Code of Conduct is observed, detailing the US government’s commitment to aiding the PH to secure to the West Philippine Sea

“At the same time, the United States is obviously waiting for us to call them if we need their assistance in removing or asking the vessels that

are parked in our area of responsibility or economic zone. And both our Philippine Navy and the US Navy are working on this,” he added.

The ambassador furthered that the Pentagon and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are communicating on the matter.

“(Defense) Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana had a recent telephone conversation with Secretary (of Defense Lloyd Austin) in the United States.

Both are obviously working together and the United States has just recently sent their USS Theodore Roosevelt and they had an operation there at the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has started lodging a barrage of diplomatic pro-

tests against China over the lingering presence of its ships in the West Philippine Sea since April 7.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that the Philippines would file a diplomatic protest “every day” so long as China’s vessels remained in Philippine waters.

On the other hand, President Rodrigo Duterte warned China that he will send “gray ships” to the West PH Sea should China start drilling for oil in the disputed waters.

According to the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea, the Philippines appreciates the statements of support from its international partners who share common adherence to rules-based order consistent with international law.

2 new Chinese attack vessels chased away Filipino boats in the West PH Sea

by Jade Magno The Chinese Navy dispatched two missile attack craft Guard ship 5101 by the ABS-CBN News team. to pursue a Filipino vessel in the West Philippine Sea.

Later, the Chinese coast guard ship abandoned them, but

The ABS-CBN news team was onboard a Filipitwo smaller ships appeared and pursued the Filipino vessel. no civilian vessel sailing through various reefs and shoals

“There were two smaller but faster vessels and when in the West Philippine Sea near Palawan’s mainland to see we looked at it, they were Type 022 Houbei fast attack crafts where Filipino fishermen have relocated their livelihood afwith two missiles mounted each one of them,” she added. ter a large number of Chinese vessels flooded their former According to Global Security, the Chifishing grounds and China developed artificial islands. nese navy’s new-generation stealth missile fast at Chiara Zambrano of ABS-CBN News nartack craft is Type 022, it is fitted with two rockrated that she and her crew were scheduled to viset launchers and has a top speed of 38 knots. it Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippine Navy’s

The Houbei Type 22 missile fast attack craft’s distincBRP Sierra Madre maintains a presence. tive shape and design became apparent within minutes. The

“We were just on our way there when a white pursuit between the two missile-capable boats resumed.

Chinese coast guard ship approached and head The missile boats chased the Filipied straight for us. We can see through the lens that no ship for 20 to 30 minutes before pullthe ship is heading in our direction,” Zambrano said. ing back and heading back to Mischief Reef.

When a China Coast Guard (CCG) ves Although Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been sel was spotted on the south side of Ayungin Shoal, known to chase and block Philippine vessels in the many parts the civilian vessel was four miles from the entrance. of the West Philippine Sea that China has taken possession of The ABS-CBN reporter added that the — such as Scarborough Shoal — this appears to be the first reChinese coast guard ship, later on, radioed corded instance of a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy in and asked them what they were doing in the area. vessel chasing down a Filipino boat that was not armed.

However, the message was said in English,

Foreign Affairs Secretary and the crew was unable to reply due to the Filipino Teodoro Locsin Jr. responded to the situation by fishermen only able to talk in local dialects or Tagalog. urging China to pull its ships out once more.

Instead, the Filipino captain decided to turn

“Then tell them to move out. All of them. If the boat away from Ayungin Shoal in a full 180-dethey’re really fishing the fish are all gone; they’re gree turn to signal to the China Coast Guard vessel just fouling the water with waste. Nobody fishes that it was no longer on its way to Ayungin. by lashing ships together,” Locsin tweeted.

“But what happened was that even though we were on

Mischief Reef, Ayungin Shoal, and the Filipino the way home to the mainland, for an hour we were chased vessel’s route are all within the Philippines’ 200-nautiby this white ship of the China Coast Guard. It was so cal-mile exclusive economic zone, where internationclose we could see its bow number,” Zambrano added. al law specifies that Filipinos should be free to sail, The vessel was listed as China Coast travel, and gain from the country’s marine resources.

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3 Photo from: Philippine Star

RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

Gawad Alab recognizes winners on its first-ever premiere night

by Jade Magno

The Lasallian Rheims held the first-ever premiere night for Gawad Alab to recognize the student-artists and writers who joined and won in their respective contest categories last April 9.

Allexandra Pascual, Gawad Alab’s Program Head, stated that the premiere night was held to show the artistic works of the students and teachers who participated in the event.

“The goal of the premiere night is to share the outputs of the student-artists and the faculty teachers with the whole ASJ community and announce the first-ever winners of Gawad Alab,” she said.

The premiere was hosted by Pascual and Lance Crisostomo together with other students and seniors from batch 2019 to announce the winners of the Essay Writing Contest, Poem Writing Contest in English and Filipino, Traditional Artwork, Digital Artwork, Photography, Spoken Word, Songwriting, and Composition, Cinephone, Shortfilm, Photography Teacher’s Edition, and Poem Writing Teacher’s Edition.

“Gawad Alab is amazing, for it made me see the ideas and creativity of the ASJ’s student-artists and the teachers as well,” she said.

Pascual conveyed her gratitude towards the Gawad Alab Executive Committee, the participants, and the Principal’s council for the success of Gawad Alab.

“The people who were involved in this event namely are the Gawad Alab Executive Committee, who had done their parts well to contribute to the success of the premiere night, the participants who I personally nagged for them to send their video speech, and the principal’s council who allowed us to have this premiere night,” she added.

In an interview with Marcus Mugol, the Chairman of the Senior Editorial Board of the Lasallian Rheims stated that the video presented on the premiere was aimed to be on par with other local premiere nights but held on an online platform.

“I’m with Karl and other editors to construct the whole video. Gusto kasi namin na maging katulad sya sa ibang awarding ceremony locally pero adopting sa online environment,” Mugol said.

Mugol added that Gawad Alab was made possible because of the help of the whole Lasallian Rheims, advisers, colleagues, and the seniors from batch 2019.

“Syempre hindi mawawala ang suporta coming from the admins and faculty and staff ng school at sa ating kapwa estudyante na sumali at sumuporta din sa Gawad Alab,” he said.

When asked about the difficulties that the Gawad Alab staff faced in facilitating the event, the SEB Chairman said that risk management and the sudden problems that occur were the difficulties that they encountered.

Last quarter exams administered

by Renz Bautista The fourth and last quarter exams for the academic year 20202021 was held last April 12 to 16.

Students gave their views, feelings, and expectations regarding the fourth quarter exams.

Majority of the students felt excited and nervous of the fourth quarter exams since it was the last quarter exams of the academic year

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Program Head Allexandra “Gan Da” Pascual hosts the first-ever Gawad Alab Premiere Night last April 9.

“Para sa ’kin risk assessment kasi mahirap magpredict kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari at minsan kusa nalang itong dadating, but we’ve managed naman,” Mugol added.

Pascual furthered that when they first started Gawad Alab, they had sleepless nights because they needed to perfect everything, from the logo to the color palette, the captions, the hashtags, accommodating the participants, and more.

In an interview with Asher Marcellano, the first place winner in the Photography contest, he shared that his experience with Gawad Alab is amazing as the contest staffs are very accommodating.

“The thing that I appreciate the most is how the contest chairs are all active to help you if you have any concerns,” Marcellano said.

Elmira Marcaida, a participant of Poem Writing contest, stated that Gawad Alab helped her gain a lot of insights, realizations, and confidence with her work.

“I don’t usually participate in competitions but I realized that participating in this kind of event can shape me as a better student in terms of creativity and writing comprehension,” she said.

Monetary prizes ranging from three thousand pesos (₱3,000) to ten thousand pesos (₱10,000) were offered to the students who won third, second, or first place in their respective categories.

“I am thankful for being awarded in something that I am truly passionate about, and I am confident in my work but I did not expect to win the first-place award. It is really unexpected and worth it in the end. I have learned that just by believing in your skills and having confidence in your art will lead you to success.” Marcellano added.

Gawad Alab is a three-month long event that was held by the Lasallian Rheims to develop a new breed of student artists and writers in the Academy of Saint John.

and summer break was approaching.

“I am excited but at the same time I feel nervous because it is the last week of school and I am really looking forward into taking a break from academics,” John Czar Salaguinto, a grade 11 student said in an interview.

“The length of the quarter seems to be short when compared to the other quarters,” he also added.

Beforehand, quarterly product performance tasks were administered last April 5-9 and must be submitted before or during the exams week, which was the mandate of the school to decrease the cases of late performance tasks submissions.

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The fourth quarter was generally shorter than the average quarter. Many students and teachers needed to adjust to the short time frame to allow more skills and competencies to be covered in the examinations and to administer the ample amount of requirements for the quarter.

“The length of the quarter for me is not the usual 4th quarter that we have, to be honest. It used to be at least a week longer or more if I am not mistaken. It puts more pressure on my part since school works were given left and right. But overall, it holds a fair share of pros and cons,” Lance Crisostomo, a grade 11 student, stated in an interview. facebook.com/Rheims2020 @Rheims2020

RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

SCITECH

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

THREE FOR THREE: INGENUITY TAKES OFF ON MARS

by Lance Crisostomo

NASA Ingenuity helicopter flies for the first time last April 8. Photo from: Space.com National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Mars exploration program has marked another milestone as Ingenuity, Mars helicopter, has taken off three times as part of the mission to study the planet and inhabit it in the future.

Ingenuity had successfully completed its first flight last April 19 making it the first successful flight of a powered aircraft on another planet other than Earth followed by two more flights last April 22 and 25 respectively.

Dave Lavery, project’s program executive for Ingenuity Mars Helicopter at NASA Headquarters in Washington, stated that the flights were as planned but it continues to amaze them and that it is contributing much information for future Mars missions.

“Today’s flight was what we planned for, and yet it was nothing short of amazing.With this flight, we are demonstrating critical capabilities that will enable the addition of an aerial dimension to future Mars missions,” Lavery stated.

In the progression of the mission of Ingenuity on Mars, the Ingenuity team has been pushing the aircraft beyond its limits by providing more instructions and steps so that it could provide more photos and insights valuable for the next Mars missions.

Ingenuity is built with two cameras, namely the black and white navigation camera, which is used to take photos of Mars and track surface features of its flight path, and a color camera which provides clearer and better pictures of Mars.

The aircraft was able to capture its first photos in its second flight wherein the aircraft was able to reach 16 feet or five meters high with a five defacebook.com/Rheims2020 @Rheims2020

gree tilt which allowed thrusts from the counter rotating rotors to be possible paving way for an acceleration sideways which then brought the flight to cover seven feet of distance or two meters.

Ingenuity provided more photos on its third flight wherein it was able to reach 16 feet high once again covering a distance of 164 feet or 50 meters at a speed of 6.6 feet per second or 2 meters per second, the fastest the aircraft has flown.

According to MiMi Aung, helicopter’s project manager at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), it was the first time that they have seen the algorithm work which covered a long distance and was outside the test chambers.

“This is the first time we’ve seen the algorithm for the camera running over a long distance. You can’t do this inside a test chamber,” Aung stated.

On the other hand, Gerik Kubiak, the software engineer at JPL, said that there are lots of things that needs to worry about and to run correctly for there are things that may hinder the team from getting the correct camera exposure, the camera performance, software itself, and flying Ingenuity without the safety features that it had in the test chambers.

“When you’re in the test chamber, you have an emergency land button right there and all these safety features. We have done all we can to prepare Ingenuity to fly free without these features,” Kubiak stated.

With the third flight being successful, the Ingenuity team is looking forward to the next flights of Ingenuity that will be vital in providing more information about Mars that could really help future Mars missions.

The Lasallian Rheims

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Editor-in-Chief: Christian Dave Domingo Associate EIC: Lance Jerson Crisostomo News Editor: Jade Magno Editorial: Seann Carpizo Renz Bautista Features: Mitzen Sotelo Literary: Mitzen Sotelo Marcus Mugol Cover: Cassandra Mae Remotigue Comics: Adrianne Meigh Gonzales Marcus Railey Buhain Layout: Marcus Diego Mugol Adviser: Mr. Kent Bryan Colocado

WE ARE OPEN FOR

CONTRIBUTORS! Submit your work at

rheims@academyofsaintjohn.edu.ph

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The Dolomite Project, A Huge Liability INSIGHTS Seann Carpizo Back in August of 2020, the project to rehabilitate Manila Bay began as the government issued a permit for the Philippine Mining Service Corporation in transporting crushed dolomite to be used as “white sand”. Even back then, the government had faced harsh criticisms especially from environmentalists for this course of action, more so since the country was already under the heel of COVID-19 at the time. And this April, the government has made their move once more as the beachside met a brand new batch of white sand one more time.

On April 13 2021, photos taken by the Philippine Daily Inquirer have shown that the dolomite project under the plans of Manila Bay Rehabilitation by the DENR began to resume after months of its discontinuation. Unsurprisingly, the government has been battered again with criticisms left and right if not more than the first time around.

The same argument was pushed by environmental scientists that the funds for the ₱389 million project would have been better utilized for the service of retaliating against the pandemic.

The Advocates of Science and Technology for the People collectively known as Agham was one such group who were in line with this agenda. Rather than trying to rehabilitate Manila Bay with dolomite, they argue that the government could have just bought and developed more testing kits in order to achieve free mass testing.

Agham stated that this would have been a better path to take if they truly wanted to make a positive impact on mental health as they said they would.

Not only that but even just the project itself is rather executed poorly.

According to Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Sonny Batungbacal, the dolomite sand would just be easily washed out by tides and storm surges anyway, which is exactly what happened in late

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2020 last year due to typhoons. Unless DENR can implement a solution to the issue this time around, even just the core aspects of the project are faulty.

Another thing to consider is the fact that even the use of dolomite is ill-advised by experts and harmful both to people and the environment even. Here are some just to name a few examples.

The fine particles of dolomite can be a breathing hazard; prolonged dust inhalation has been seen to cause chronic health problems. DENR claims otherwise that the dolomite dumped aren’t small enough to be inhaled, but seeing how their defense against the washing out of dolomite did not pan out, it’s safer to say that we should take their statements with a grain of salt.

Agham also stated that the water has begun to develop dangerous levels of coliform. Coliform is a bacteria that can make you sick if ingested, with some strains proclaimed to be lethal.

Dolomite is also viewed as harmful to its surroundings. The environmental group Oceana Philippines warned that the sand could potentially disrupt the natural ecosystem of Manila Bay. Marine scientist Diovanie de Jesus said the dolomite can be hazards to nearby creatures and organisms. Sediments in the water could make it turbid, or opaque. Lehigh Hanson supported this claim as they discovered that allowing the sand into the water can increase total suspended particulate (TSP) levels, which can be harmful to aquatic life.

All in all, there are many reasons on many sides of this project why it’s criticized the way it is. Especially during a time of crisis such as this, where the government should be collectively gathering their attention and efforts towards one goal—defusing the current nationwide pandemic situation. Discussing and debating about the implementation and machinations of the project can come later.

The government needs to solely focus on what’s in front of them for now, and figure out a way to solve it.

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Art by: Seann Carpizo

Brainwashed or blind: China is a good friend, says Duterte EURUS Lance Crisostomo

Last April 28, President Rodrigo Duterte, in his address to the nation, stated that it won’t go to war with “good friend” China because the Philippines owned China a big debt for the help it has

given to the nation, especially with regard to the vaccine China has donated. The president insisted and emphasized that the help that China gave to the nation was really of great help to us. The question remains, is China really a good friend?

SEE PAGE 8

Due to the valley of death, socially beneficial technologies can’t take off GHOTI

Dave Domingo

The Philippines is said to reach target emission cuts through PUV modernization and energy efficiency by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of facebook.com/Rheims2020 @Rheims2020

Energy (DOE) respectively. Both departments have already assured funds for these long-term programs, hence the government was confident to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.71% (Ranada, 2021).

SEE PAGE 9

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EDITORIAL

RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

Continuation from Eurus, Brainwashed or blind: China is a good friend, says Duterte

Looking into the current situation of the nation, China is already pushing the whole nation into a corner. They are quickly doing actions that would suppress our rights, freedom, and the government’s sovereignty.

Take a look at the territorial disputes that the Philippines and China are in. Both nations are fighting for islands that are rich in resources that could easily make the owning nation rich. Scarborough Shoal is rich with marine life that is very good for fishermen and natural gas which all nations need as of the moment. The West Philippine Sea which is really a huge territory that houses lots of resources, may it be marine or mineral resources. The Spratly Islands which have that huge reservoir of natural gas and oil. In all of these territories, the Philippines has the right of ownership to each one if we were to look into the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and other factors. The Philippines has even won the arbitration case for the West Philippine Sea.

If China was really a good friend, it would have respected the arbitration ruling and territorial rights of the Philippines. It would have also left the islands and let the Filipinos take over these territories. However, it isn’t the case actually. China continuously built structures in the areas and added more men to guard such islands and extract resources from it. Even Chinese military troops are stationed in those areas to set boundaries and not let Filipinos enter the area easily.

And what did the president do, talk to the Chinese government and try to make arrangements. The president couldn’t even fight for the nation’s rights and sovereignty and eventually, everything went on China’s side.

The Philippine government just let everything slide.

RPTD Renz Bautista

Ayuda or AyuNOT? What we know about the 2021 cash aid

The allocation of cash assistance for families belonging to the NCR Plus bubble consisted of NCR, Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal, and Laguna was confirmed

by Budget secretary Wendel Avisado last March 29.

The budget allocated for the cash assistance amounts to Php 22.9 billion to be distributed to the affected people in need of financial aid. The city of General Trias has Php 294.2 million to distribute for its beneficiaries.

The DBM local budget circular No. 136 stated that the financial assistance should be used exclusively by the beneficiary cities and municipalities for the provision of assistance to affected individuals equivalent to Php 1,000.00 per affected individual, with a maximum amount of Php 4,000.00 for each family, meaning if a family has 4 or more members, they will only receive Php 4,000.00.

The provision of cash assistance was for the stability of families during the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) last March 29 to April 4.

LGUs are distributing these cash aids in different ways, house-to-house, or in distribution centers in which beneficiaries will be required to go out and bring documents and other requirements to acquire the cash aid.

However, can we all really agree that we and

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Now, the talks shift to the good deed of China for donating vaccines against COVID-19. Duterte took this as a debt to China for their gratitude and help amidst the pandemic. It is really questionable that this donation is taken as a debt. How can something donated “whole-heartedly” and out of freewill be a debt?

Filipinos are known to have that sense of “utang na loob” but still, this shouldn’t be taken as our debt. It’s a donation, not a loan or something that is lent. Duterte keeps on speaking about his love for the nation, his willingness to sacrifice for the nation, the close ties with China, and the small steps of the government that are “materializing”. He still has the audacity to speak about these things when in fact, he has lost his nationalism when he gave up on fighting for our rights on the aforementioned territories, letting China do their thing.

The president isn’t really seeing all sides of the picture. It’s already written down in stories, movies, and other pieces of literature. It’s a trap. The Philippines has rich resources that can’t be fully utilized because of the trillions of debt that it has and the lack of direction of the government. It also has a lot of potential when it comes to economic growth and success. China may help us know but if we are lured into believing that their helping is genuine and we let our guard down, that is when they are going to do their real motive. Brainwashed or blind? - it is really unclear on which side can the president and the administration be classified. One thing is for sure - if the current administration will continue to be China’s puppets and be blinded by their “good deeds”, then “Philippines, province of China” may soon be true.

those with high-income work fall under the word “affected” by this ECQ and MECQ imposition? Not all families are beneficiaries, but also, some of these families are more financially challenged than last year due to the economic status of our country today. All we can say to this is “sana all di affected” because technically all of us are affected because of this pandemic.

There are also issues circulating about the distribution of these cash aids; one of these was the required signing of a waiver in a city in Bulacan to certify that he or she had received the cash aid, which was later discontinued. Another issue is repeated names in the databases of the beneficiaries which Senator Risa Hontiveros pointed out to DILG and DSWD to fix the databases to ensure transparency and accuracy.

We cannot ensure if the MECQ imposition will continue. This band-aid solution is just to temporarily relieve the financial crisis of Filipinos. Let us hope for more concrete and feasible plans from the government, with the cooperation of the citizens in order to stabilize the economy and the overall situation of the pandemic in the country.

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RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

EDITORIAL

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

Continuation from Ghoti, Due to the valley of death, socially beneficial technologies can’t take off A government inventory of Philippine greenhouse gas emissions, titled Environmental Management (2010) shows that the energy industry and transportation are the top two sources of emissions, contributing 42% and 31.3%, respectively, of emissions.

The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a vehicle modernization program as well as a comprehensive system reform that will entirely change the public land transportation industry, which envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed, and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably (“PUV Modernization,” 2017). The program was first noted or heard of in 2017, and it took four or so years to reach its current state. But this is not a problem exclusive to the PUV modernization.

In innovation, there’s a playful concept called “the valley of death.” According to Gulbrandsen (2009), the “valley of death” is the metaphor often used to describe the gap between academic-based innovations and their commercial application in the marketplace. Although traditional definitions of technology transfer often assume a smooth shift of intellectual property from university (or private) research laboratories to private or publicly held companies that commercially develop the technology, the valley of death suggests that the practice is anything but smooth. In fact, this rather grim metaphor implies that academic research is in some way cut off from the outside world.

The valley of death is an arduous obstacle that many innovations and ideas must face to reach the market. Most of the time that’s beneficial. Products that don’t work, don’t fill a need, and for a number of different reasons are screened by this valley. But inventions and innovations that can solve massive global problems also get stuck here.

According to Ted-Ed (2021), a technology’s potential isn’t the only factor that determines whether it will succeed. The valley of death is especially risky for innovations involving complex physical objects

Letter to the Editor Hi,

I am one of the many aspiring writers in Rheims and I am addressing this to all of you that have been reached by the warmth and joy that Rheims brings. I would like to tell the students that I am very grateful that facebook.com/Rheims2020 @Rheims2020

as opposed to software and for those in highly regulated industries, like medicine, building materials, and transportation. Regulations and other obstacles aren’t inherently bad. They’re often designed to keep people safe but they do tend to scare off investors, and that’s what traps good ideas in the valley of death: their funding dries up before they can become profitable. One of the fields where this problem is most pressing today is zero-carbon technologies. They’re essential to our future because they will help us eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and stabilize our climate. But they also have features that make them particularly vulnerable in the valley of death: 1. The costs of the development phase are too high, the timelines too long.

2. Demand is often low as zero-carbon technologies require big changes in both infrastructure and consumer behavior.

3. The product is often expensive.

These demerits are clear as arguably the most important question in the PUV modernization is: Will jeepney drivers and operators bear the burden of carbon emission cuts?

The best way to lower cost is by practicing: making more of a product and refining it.

But high initial cost scare off investors. Without investors, companies cannot develop their technologies and can’t ultimately decrease cost.

The answer to this problem is government initiatives. The government must close the gap caused by the valley of death to these innovations with high potential for social benefit. For these innovations to occur sooner rather than later, we need our government to do initiatives like boosting spending on research and development, offering tax and loan incentives to startups that want to develop zero-carbon technologies and consumers who want to buy them, and putting a price on carbon emissions.

Ideas and inventions alone can’t solve our most daunting problems. Policies and markets have to be shaped so the most promising technologies can succeed (Ted-Ed, 2021).

you have been participating and enjoying the programs that Rheims has organized and brought together. I would also want to give gratitude to our teachers, staff, and of course, our principal for allowing us to bring color to this time of isolation.

ters in the care of our school and teachers, it is no exaggeration that you, parents, are the ones who are truly bringing light in the present and the future of your children. Parents, you are the one who is making everything possible by trusting ASJ.

I would like to emphasize my gratitude for our parents because with your trust in ASJ in this time of pandemic where education is a little difficult you still entrusted your sons and daugh-

-Miyachii, SHS

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Community Pantries:

A LIGHT OF HOPE FOR GE

by Lance Crisostomo

The pandemic has affected billions of lives, including the millions of Filipinos here and abroad. People are lacking finances in order to satisfy their daily needs. Filipinos are helplessly crying for help and attention so that this problem may be solved. Hence, the spirit of love and care for others was ignited in the hearts of the Filipinos paving the way to the birth of community pantries as a form of response to the cry of the people.

Everything started last April 14 in Quezon City when a woman named Ana Patricia Non set up a bamboo cart containing a wide array of things from food to vitamins, facemasks, and many more. On top of it was signage saying, “Maginhawa Community Pantry. Take what you need.

Give what you can.” The cart became known across all social media platforms and Filipinos were touched and eventually, people imitated the move and set up their own community pantries in their places.

One of the places that were inspired by this move is the City of General Trias. With the lead of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President and SK Chairman for Brgy. Corregidor Reienel Ferrer, barangays across the city were moved and motivated to set up community pantries in their own barangays. And indeed, April 19 sparked the start of having community pantries across the city and one of which is my very own barangay, barangay Corregidor.

“Nahihiya po sila kumuha eh.

Bali po hinihikayat po namin sila na

kumuha po.” This tion of SK Kagaw do of Brgy. Corre observation as the try started in the b added that the peop and relieved when community pantry city, particularly in “Hope” is wha ry Lozares, advis Youth Association pines-General Tria hope that the Gent that there are peo ing to lend a help of difficulty. In t the MECQ might people may contin the community pa special factor that

ENTRISEÑOS

s was the observawad Gio Diaz Salegidor narrated his e community panbarangay. He also ple were delighted n they knew that a y will be set in the n the barangay. at Mr. Xian Lerser at PAG-ASA n of the Philipas, said. It was the triseños have seen ople who are willping hand in times this time wherein be prolonged and nuously be jobless, antry is really the t makes the differ-

photo from: Xian Lerry G. Lozares

ence and connects the dots for the Gentriseños and the Filipinos.

The Lasallian Rheims team had the opportunity to see first-hand and cover the community pantries in General Trias. Gentriseños were truly looking forward to the community pantry daily. They will endure the scorching heat of the sun and wait for a few hours prior to the start of the community pantry. All you can see in their eyes were hope and excitement as the community pantry is of great help to them.

As the hour for the community pantry hits, the people stand up and line up observing social distancing.

Even though the people have waited for hours for the community pantry, they were still patient when it started. No one really fought another

person for a slot in the line. No one violated any protocol or got angry.

The vibe was just positive and joyous. It is indeed a trademark of the Filipinos - to be positive in times of despair and hardships is really something that Filipinos show time after time after time again.

It is really impossible to say when and how will this pandemic end. With the community pantries present and still emerging in different parts of General Trias and the Philippines as well, hope is present for all the Filipinos, especially for those who are in need. And may this community pantry inspire the Filipinos to continue being positive and to continue igniting the spirit of Bayanihan in each one’s heart as the nation stands and heals as one.

RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

FEATURE

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

Salute: Commemorating the sacrifices of the world’s everyday heroes

by Mitzen Sotelo

Labor day, also known as “Araw ng Manggagawa” is one of the well-known holidays in the Philippines.

Celebrated on May 1st, this holiday commemorates the achievement of the labor union movement to champion the economic and social significance of workers. Labor day is also called as International workers day or May Day while it’s celebration originates from the eight-hour work day movement and is celebrated as a public holiday in over 80 countries.

Most countries such as the Philippines celebrate Labor day on May 1 , while other countries such as The United States, United Kingdom, and Canada celebrate Labor day on the first Monday of September.

It was first distinguished in the Philippines on May 1 1903, when a hundred thousand workers organized a rally and marched through Malacañang, the American Governor-General’s residence at that time, demanding fairer working conditions. This act officially recognized the country’s first Labor day. On April 8, 1908, the Philippines assembly passed a bill recognizing the first of May as an official national holiday.

On May 1st, we celebrate our workers who support our society. But more importantly, we give

honor and salute to our superheroes, the frontliners who work day and night, risking their lives everyday to bring the Pandemic under control.

Despite the risk and danger the pandemic brings, the induced lockdown by the government, and the increasing COVID cases, our superheroes hold their ground in fighting this virus. They stay resilient as they risk their lives to save ours.

During this pandemic, it is our frontliners: the healthcare workers, food and utility personnel, farmers, uniformed personnel, and government officals, who serve as our heroes, thus it is them who suffer the most during these hard times.

That is why, on Labor Day, may we all celebrate, thank, and honor our frontliners and workers for all the sacrifices and efforts to our community. It is their sacrifices that saves us; it is their strength that lifts us; and it is their work that sustains us.

It is because of our frontliners and workers that through these hard times we managed to keep going and amidst the pandemic, our society remains standing.

Thus what happens on May 1st isn’t a workers’ day… but a Heroes’ day.

Easter’s facts Eggsposed

by Mitzen Sotelo

Church services, festive family meals, egg hunting, gift-giving, all are activities that fall on the holiday we call Easter.

Easter is a Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The meaning of the word Easter came from an old Latin word meaning “dawn”. In the spring, dawns are what mark the beginning of days that will outlaw the nights. And just like the sun that rises at dawn, on Easter, Jesus rises from the dead.

Easter started as a Pagan festival celebrating spring in the northern hemisphere way before the advent of Christianity.

The holiday’s changing date depends on nature’s patterns. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea determined that Easter should fall on Sunday that follows the first full moon after the spring equinox. Thus, it is the reason why this festivity is referred to as a “movable feast” with its defined period falling between March 25 and April 25 on which Easter Sunday will fall as determined by the movements of the planets and sun.

This holiday’s rich meaning and history makes up it’s well-known traditions such as the Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny. But have you ever wondered how did these traditions come to be?

Starting with the well-known Easter eggs, this tradition can be traced back to the 13th century to the time of the early Christians of Mesopotamia, where the Easter eggs were also called Paschal eggs that symbolized new life.

From the Christian’s perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ resurrection and emergence from the tomb.

Another explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so to mark

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the period of penance and fasting, people would paint and decorate the eggs and eat them on Easter as a celebration.

Among other Easter traditions like family gatherings and egg hunts, the Easter Bunny has also been a well-known symbol in this religious holiday, but have you ever wondered about the Easter Bunny’s origins, and how exactly did this the cute, fluffy woodland creature became such a prominent symbol of Easter?

One theory is that the symbol of rabbits traces back to the Pagan tradition, whom in honor of Easter held the festival of Eostre, which honored their goddess of fertility and spring.

Since the goddess’ symbol was a rabbit, and they had high fertility rates, they made the rabbit the symbol of fertility.

But the symbol of the rabbit became well known after it was introduced in the 1700s by the German immigrants in Pennsylvania, who are said to have brought their tradition of the egg-laying hare named “Osterhase.”

The story was that come Easter, a rabbit would lay colorful eggs as gifts to children who were good and the children would build nests for the rabbit to place the eggs in, and sometimes the kids would leave carrots for the rabbit to eat.

Eventually, the custom spread throughout America and the world giving us knowledge about this Easterly tradition.

All these fun and festive traditions bring us joy after the long days of fasting. We still must not forget the true meaning of Easter. That is Christ’s resurrection.

While celebrating its traditions we must also remember to celebrate the defeat of death and hope of salvation.

For just like Jesus who’s risen from the dead, we all can rise again and become a better version of ourselves.

The Lasallian Rheims

facebook.com/Rheims2020 @Rheims2020

Photo from: simonthewizard.com

RHEIMS SPECIAL: APRIL

FEATURE

SATURDAY, MAY 01, 2021

World Press Freedom 2021: The empowerment of journalists and news media

by Lance Crisostomo

World Press Freedom Day 2021 poster. Photo from: UNESCO It is undeniable that news media are facing a lot of threats especially in this time of pandemic. The restrictions brought about by the pandemic made it harder for journalists and news agencies to move and do their field works as part of their mission to inform people of what’s happening in and out of the nation. With that being said, it is very important that these threats and restrictions may be talked about so as to preserve the integrity of news media and the transparency between each one. One way that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) does in light of this is the annual celebration of the World Press Freedom Day.

The World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every May 3 wherein it stands as a reminder for people to support the several news media out there. It is also a day of commemoration for the brave journalists who have died in the spirit of service and truth. This day is also a reminder for the government to respect press freedom and do what it takes to preserve this freedom and the integrity of news in their respective nations.

Press freedom is really important. It gives journalists and news outlets the capacity to cover the happenings in the society and write about such without any interference by force or censoring from the government. It allows them to write and work in the fundamental principles of truth, service, commitment, and justice. It also plays a very important role in the progress and development of the society.

“Information as a public good” - as the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day 2021. The citizens deserve to know what is going on in their society. Besides, they are directly affected by the happenings within their society and as part of that society, they deserve to facebook.com/Rheims2020 @Rheims2020

know the truth. The government also needs to be transparent. It isn’t impossible since people are more reachable through the expansion of the number and types of media where information and news can be posted and shared. It isn’t also impossible since information is not a privilege that only the chosen ones can receive.

However, if we were to look into the current situation, this isn’t really the case. Journalists are not really enjoying the press freedom that they should have. Governments, may it be local or national, are not transparent with the people whom they lead. News media outlets and some journalists are no longer working on the principle of truth, justice, and service but rather on money and security. Journalists are now more prone to threats especially in their lives leading them to writing and publishing really biased writeups. This worsened as the pandemic struck adding more limitations and challenges for journalists.

This 2021 World Press Freedom Day, a conference will be held to discuss the threats and problems that local news media face especially now that we are in the pandemic and that transparencies are slowly fading away. It will also dive into the challenges posed by the internet to journalists. This conference is the light of hope for all journalists who are working on the principles of truth, service, and justice. Through this conference, answers to the mentioned problems and challenges will be discussed and will be formulated to prevent the extinction of local news media and of course, to bring back transparency and the dominance of truth. May this 2021 World Press Freedom Day be a start of a change that will empower journalists once more and that will strengthen them to continue their commitment and passion in the name of the truth and service to the people.

The Lasallian Rheims

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MOVIE REVIEW:

JUSTICE LEAGUE

by Seann Carpizo Photo from: Vanyaland.com

The film Justice League by Zack Snyder, more commonly referred to as the “Snyder Cut”, is the 2021 director’s cut of its original predecessor in 2017, which Joss Whedon took over after Zack Snyder had stepped down during production after the death of his daughter. The movie has a screen time of 4 hours and 2 minutes, which is double the original cut.

Its plot revolves around the universe of DC Comics and its iconic characters—Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman.

The story is a follow-up to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as Bruce Wayne recruits allies and forms a ragtag team of metahumans consisting of an Amazon, a Kryptonian, an Atlantean, a speedster, and an Apokoliptian cyborg, in order to protect Earth from an imminent threat that may once again threaten their world—Darkseid.

The film retains most of the same pacing as the first, with additional shots and scenes added to reinforce as well as highlight certain elements of the plot. Certain parts of the story were also different from Whedon’s “Josstice League”, as the movie aligned itself to Snyder’s original view for the continuity. Steppenwolf was no longer the one who attacked Earth 5,000 years ago, but a young Darkseid who fought against the planet’s protectors at the time. This set a tone and an idea for the rest of the movie, that Steppenwolf is NOT just the main threat to their world this time.

Zack Snyder’s ending was also significantly different from Whedon’s, and gave way to two of the major improvements in the movie—better character development for both Flash and Cyborg; the two of which were mostly pushed to the side in the theatrical cut.

Cyborg’s origin story had more time to fleshed out and explored, giving the audience details not just about his transition to a hero but to his human side as well. His relationship with his dad, Silas Stone, played a bigger part, and this al-

lowed Victor to be a much more prominent and well-written character. Throughout his arc, his life was full of tragedy. But at the end of it all, despite having given a chance to just settle and give up, he chose to accept things and who he is as he continues fighting for doing what’s right.

As for the Flash, in Whedon’s version, he was more portrayed as an inexperienced and weakwilled combatant. However, in the Snyder Cut, Barry was already saving people, case in point the moving scene of him saving Iris West, as well as the fact that he was already skilled in using his speed. In Snyder’s ending, Steppenwolf was successful in uniting the Mother Boxes (unlike in Whedon’s version) that prompted an explosion. However, Flash had a beautifully executed sequence of him tapping into the Speed Force to travel through time not only saving the entire Justice League but the whole world.

Story aside, the movie also made good use of visual and sound effects. Snyder cut had a great soundtrack, with composers Tom Holkenborg and Danny Elfman that handled the scores. Flash’s theme is my personal favorite. Although some choices of music for certain scenes were questionable. I also like the darker tone of the movie which fits in better in my opinion than the teal filter in Whedon’s cut. CGI was good, not that much better than the theatrical cut but I think some notable differences were great, such as Steppenwolf’s redesign, and the portrayal of Darkseid. Oh, and Superman’s CGI lips were also gone. So, that’s nice.

Overall, the film was a great experience. The 4-hour movie-length can be rather intimidating, but the pacing is done well enough to keep you interested all throughout. Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a far cry from the 2017 version and is a step towards the right direction both story and production-wise.

I’d recommend giving it a try, especially to DC Comics fans out there. The Snyder Cut truly did it justice.

Utang Ang sinabi mo, “Magbabayad na ako.”

Ba’t ka tumakbo?

- Marcus Mugol

Dark Days

In a blink of an eye, dark days has come, Gloom covers the sky and all light is gone, There locked behind the doors where we all hide, Scared and anxious, for monsters lurk outside.

Deadly indeed, the monster wears a crown, Warriors in white fight to bring it down, The creature is fast attacking all day, Cries louden as it, takes loved ones away.

Bear in mind that the monster will not yield, Hide behind the mask for it is your shield, Any time of day, the creature may roam, Best take shelter in the comforts of home.

Hoping for brighter days, yet till then, We’ll keep fighting till, Our world smiles again.

- Mitzen Sotelo