The LASER Tabloid August-November 2019

Volume XV, No. 1 August-November 2019

The

LASER

O6

EDITORIAL

Nothing More Than Money

13

FEATURE

Hello Lipa! Welcome to the Hidden Gems of a Booming City

21

DEVCOM

Behind the Filipino Words in Oxford

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY JPLPC-MALVAR

2

NEWS

August-November 2019 Campus News Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

Scholarship Fiasco: On Settlement, Overlapping on Selection of Grantees A Edrian N. Platon and Monilyn Araja

stable society is impossible without a minimum degree of literacy and knowledge on the part of most citizens therefore making education as today’s largely paid for and almost entirely administered by governmental bodies.

Following the implementation of the Republic Act No. 10931 also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, the national government and local officials offered various scholarship grants to aid students with their academic expenses.

However, some loopholes with the implementation of applying for the said grants allowed students to avail more than one scholarship for the same semester, proliferating unfair practices of abusing the essence of the scholarship grant projects.

BatStateU, LIPA CITY GOV’T SETTLE SCHOLARSHIP ISSUE Lipa City Councilor Avior Rocafort led the committee hearing regarding the Batangas State University’s non-issuance of diploma and transcript of records to students at the Session Hall of Sangguniang Panlungsod, October 10.

As the chair of the Committee on Finance Budget and Appropriations, Rocafort emphasized that students have no debt to BatStateU Lipa instead it’s the Lipa government’s obligation under its scholarship program.

Outrage arose when BatStateU did not issue the credentials of 2019 graduates because of the unsettled 11 million balance of former Lipa City Mayor Meynard Sabili.

Rocafort clarified that the scholarship program was signed by the City Government and BatStateU, not by the students, making them unaccountable for the said balances.

“If the contract was proven legal and ratified then we need to pay it,” Rocafort added.

Also present in the hearing is the Chair on Good Governance Councilor Leonilo “Nilo” Catipon who warned BatStateU that he will raise the matter by filing case to the upper court (pertaining to Supreme Court and Om-

M

budsman) if BatStateU will not release students’ credentials immediately.

BatStateU Scholarship Assistant Director Dr. Jennifer G. Manalo expressed their hesitations to issue credentials of students since administration of former Mayor Oscar “Oca” Gozos still has unsettled accounts aside from Sabili.

Based on the records presented in the hearing, unsettled accounts of Gozos administration ranged from 3.3 million for Academic Year 2006-2007, 8.9 million for the 2nd Semester of A.Y. 20092010 and 13.2 million from bank accounts amounting to 25.5 million pesos in total.

Rocafort said that the problem with Gozos’ unsettled balance includes lack of detailed documents amounting to P13.2 million in debts on bank accounts which cannot be verified by the present city accountant since they don’t have records of the previous scholarship budget and appropriations.

“As you know, the political sphere is always changing every 3 years that is why sustainability of debts and its records sometimes get lost and so our city accountant can’t find any contract,” Rocafort added.

However, the city accountant clarified that a budget amounting to 17 million pesos could cover the number of grantees if the documents are to be verified.

A directive from the city mayor’s office stated during the hearing that if BatStateU will not immediately release students’ credentials, Lipa City government will therefore file cases on behalf of students as they experience moral trauma with their time wasted being unemployed.

Rocafort also criticized BatStateU’s action accepting promissory notes from the students acknowledging the unsettled accounts.

“It’s really our policy to initiate issuance of promissory notes because the University has no assurance when those balances will be paid,” BatStateU Malvar Executive Director Expedito Acorda claimed.

Rocafort added that issuing promissory notes is the city government’s job.

Manalo said they are aware of this and clarified that promissory notes from students became voluntary for them to get their credentials.

In contrary, Catipon said it’s not voluntary because students were just forced to pay in order to get their diploma otherwise they can’t have it.

For the students to start finding jobs, Rocafort ordered BatStateU to release students’ credentials upon receiving the copy of supplemental budget and audit report and not upon payments.

He also requested the list of those students who paid their balances with their own pocket for the city government and do refunds with the help of Community Affairs Office.

After Sabili’s case is Rocafort said he will call other committee hearing cuss unsettled accounts

settled, for anto disduring

Gozos regime.

TES CUTS NO. OF GRANTEES Batangas State University – Malvar Scholarship Division Head Ms. Neria De Guzman announced the big cut on BatStateU Malvar grantees of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for the first semester of Academic year 219-2020.

According to De Guzman, students who qualified last academic year expected that their scholarship will last until 4th year which did not happen since this year’s scholars are only 152 compared to 300 scholars last year.

“The reason I only knew for a disqualification is a failed general weighted average, other than that, I don’t have any idea” she added.

She also pointed out that only the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chooses, decides and verifies grantees which most are students belonging to families under the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps).

SCHOLARSHIP OVERLAP: MANDANAS & TES Meanwhile, staff from the Batangas Pio Capitol came to Batangas State University – Malvar for the evaluation of grades of

almost 180 scholars under Governor Dodo Mandanas Provincial Scholarship Program, August.

Talking about qualifications, Ms. Neria De Guzman said that just like Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), they are students who belonged to families under 4P’s or those who have been included in the Listahanan 2.0, a national household survey conducted by Department of Social Welfare and Development.

De Guzman admitted that there are really students enjoying 2 or more scholarships.

She also said that Mandanas Scholarship condones if a student already enjoys the TES grant as long as he can pass the examination and other requirements.

Building more alliance for students’ scholarship, BatStateU-Malvar welcomed staff from Municipality of Malvar, they offered Municipal Scholarship Program, who asked for the masterlist of TES and Mandanas grantees to exclude them in upcoming scholarship program.

De Guzman further emphasized that staff from Malvar municipality are doing this to avoid scenarios of students having multiple or excess scholarship grants and to give way for those who really need it.

Malvar MPS strengthens Community Relation

alvar Municipal Police Station (MPS) conducted community mobilization project, aiming to connect with the residents of Malvar held at Bulicao Malvar, Aug. 28- Sept. 3.

This community mobilization project is a monthly activity of Malvar MPS and Bulikaw Malvar is the third Barangay visited after they cleared Bulihan and San Gregorio from drug cases.

Malvar MPS led immersion, seminar and training: School and House to House Visitation, Samahan ng Kababaihan, Clean-Up Drive, Feeding Program, Zumba;

Mark Joseph S. Francisco

Seminar about 9262 and for Cluster Leaders; Training for Brgy. Tanod and 4Ps Members.

knows what the Philippine National Police (PNP) are actually doing.

According to Police Chief Master Sergeant (PCMS) Micosa Galapin, “sa pamamagitan niyan malalapit ang mga pulis at komunidad. Ngayon sa halip na may mangyayaring krimen, mape prevent na agad”.

“Masisiguro niyo na kung kayo’y makikipagtulungan sa amin masisiguro natin ang seguridad ng bawat naninirahan o bawat estudyante dito sa Malvar”, PCMS Galapin said right after being asked what would be the things that can be hope for.

(Through that-community mobilization project- police officers and the community of Malvar will be more connected. Instead of experiencing crime incident, it can be immediately prevented) The said project also gives focus in order for the community

(If you will coordinate with us, rest assured that good security will occur in every resident and student here in Malvar) Meanwhile, Malvar MPS is coordinating with schools to conduct information dissemination

about the rights of the youth and residents living in Barangay.

ing with resorts, security guards and patrolman, patrolwoman.

PCMS Galapin uttered, “Pwede niyo kaming imbitahan kung may pa-seminar kayo na related sa aming trabaho. Wala kayong alalahaning bayad, libre ang aming serbisyo”.

Due to community mobilization project, three out of 15 Barangays in Malvar, three of them were cleared from drug cases and they are targeting to reach out other 12 Barangays for putting up Drug free Home Sticker-best impact project of Pro 4A.

(You can invite us if you have seminars related to our job. You don’t have to worry for payment, our service is free) Malvar MPS is now operating activities, visitation and coordination to relay projects: Rape and Crime Prevention; School, Barangay, Boarders, Bank and Junkshop Visitation; Coordinat-

For further inquiries and assistance, the following hotlines are open: landline (043) 778-2019,Globe (0915-336-6396), and Smart (0998-5985-695).

NEWS

3

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed Campus News August-November 2019

BatStateU Malvar Undergo 3rd AACCUP Survey Visit Mark Joseph Francisco

T

he Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP) survey team visited Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar for the 3rd time for the accreditation of selected courses under four colleges, Nov. 20-22.

In its quest to delivering competitive quality education, the following courses underwent scrutiny of documents, processes, and course syllabus in order to ensure proper induction of knowledge for its outcome-based education system: The Bachelor of Science in Accounting Management under the College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management, along with the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology under the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences contested for Level II Accreditation.

On the higher tier for Level III Accreditation includes the Bachelor of Elementary Education and

Bachelor of Secondary Education under the College of Teacher Education, and the Bachelor of Industrial Technology under the College of Industrial Technology.

As expected, the accreditation team, consisting of well-informed and experienced professors from different universities arrived at the NDN Grand Hotel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas at exactly 1PM on November 19, a day earlier than the schedule for the accreditation proper.

Among the welcoming team from BatStateU-Malvar were the college associate deans accompanied by the Dean of Colleges, Dr. Amado C. Gequinto.

Examination of documents and simultaneous ocular visits kept the Malvar Accreditation Committee and the accreditors

busy for the whole three days.

Later in the evening of the second day, the University President, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, spent a visit to properly meet with the accreditors.

Closing to the end of the foregoing, the accreditors gave positive feedback and remarks on areas needing improvement, nonetheless, the administration stays optimistic that the results shall be in favor of success.

“We claim it – the accreditation that went on for three days may have had its toll against our hardworking faculty and team, but this success shall render every effort paid off. We are doing this as a step towards the realization of our goal, our vision,” Dr. Acorda said in an interview.

The accreditors along with Dr. Expedito V. Acorda during the opening ceremonies for the AACCUP 3rd Survey Visit, Nov, 20.

BatStateU-Malvar, BFP Stages Campus Earthquake Drill

T

Mark Joseph Francisco

he Incident Command Team together with the Bureau of Fire Protection conducted an earthquake drill within the campus as part of the precautionary measures for fortuitous events affecting the safety of students, faculty, employees, and non-teaching staff of BatStateU-Malvar, Nov. 05.

Prior to this, the same team led by Executive Director Dr. Expedito V. Acorda conducted a dry-run on Thursday, October 31.

During the activity which started at 9AM with the alarm ringing, all students were signaled to perform the duck, cover, and hold actions before proceeding to the evacuation area situated in front of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences Bldg.

Officers waiting in the evacuation area along with Dean of Colleges Dr. Amado C. Gequinto were BFP personnel FO2 Von Allen Olave andFO1 Ericca Rosette.

Right after the drill, the Evaluation Area Supervisors (EAS) presented the difficulties encountered during the drill. In the Old Admin. Bldg., a pregnant employee was not able to perform the duck position – as a proposed solution, there must be a personin-charge for pregnant person in case of emergency.

Students from different colleges, on the other hand, made it to the evacuation area within five minutes, a good indication that the information dissemination was successful and effective.

However, during a meeting for assessment of the performance held at the Office of the Dean of Colleges, one of the attendees presented a personal rating of 3 (out of 10), noting that there is no actual safe area within the campus, wide enough to accommodate all evacuees due to the layout of the buildings in the university.

Other concerns include Dr. Dennis B. Legaspi, Associate Dean of College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management (CABEIHM) pointing out the cracks on the CABEIHM Bldg. caused by previous earthquakes contribute to its weakness as prone to casualties.

Similar concerns were raised for the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences (CECS) Bldg., arguing that despite being the most recently-built facility, damage on the ceilings of the structure can be observed.

The University Officials can only hope that the conduct of these kinds of drills against unexpected events may at least help minimize, if not completely avoid casualties and injuries during actual disaster.

Ribaya, Medrana reign as Mr., Ms. BatStateU – Malvar ‘19 Jerome Ribaya of College of Teacher Education (CTE) and Rizalene Medrana of College of Engineering and Computing Sciences (CECS) won the title Mr. and Ms. BatStateU-Malvar 2019 held at Malvar New Gymnasium, Sept 6.

Medrana easily took four special awards like KHM Choice Award, Ms. Perfect White Beauty, Best in Prod Number, and Best in Casual Wear.

According to Medrana, “you should believe yourself and take the risk,” her inspirational thought while competing in the event.

On the other hand, Ribaya received three special awards namely Mr. Popularity, SSC Choice Award and Best in Talent.

Ribaya stated in an interview right after the pageant that he is happy because of his

very supportive co-department (CTE) that contributed a lot in the competition and this victory is his gift to return all the effort being given to him.

Ribaya and Medrana showed their deepest gratitude to their coaches and supporters in their department.

Other winners following the two were Jade Richmon Olfato (CECS) won awards Mr. Congeniality, Mr. Oh My Venus!, Mr. Green Panda Milk Tea, Mr. Foss Coffee and Best in Formal Wear and Toni Rose Arce of College of Accountancy, Business, Economics, and International Hospitality Management (CABEIHM) grabbed the awards Ms. Green Panda Milk Tea, Ms. Foss Coffee, Ms. Ethnic Attire, Best in Swim Wear, Best in Formal Wear and Mr. Francko Costume.

Meanwhile, Jason Salisi collected awards Mr. Photogenic, Mr. Perfect White Beaty, Best

in Production Number and Best in Casual Wear while Grezel Angelica Umali both (CECS) given Ms. Congeniality and SSC Choice Award while Mark Ivan Luzaran (CABEIHM) and Ms. Dennise Antoinette R. Maya (CAS) obtain the last spot.

Furthermore, Andrea Mae Viloria (CIT) won Ms. Photogenic and Ms. Oh My Venus!; Hazelle E. Sandoval (CTE), Ms. Popularity; Job Vincent Ilagan (CABEIHM), Mr. Ethnic Attire; Job Vincent Ilagan (CABEIHM), Best in Swim Wear; John Roniel Mendoza (CIT), Mr. Francko Costume.

Mr. and Ms. BSU Malvar 2019 Jerome Ribaya and Rizalene Medrana will bring the support of the university and promise to compete and represent BSU Malvar with full confidence that will be held in Main Campus.

4

August-November 2019

NEWS

National News Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

Suicide prevention needs more attention Jay C. Caguicla

L

ack of prevention strategies led to high suicide rates as World’s Mental Health month happens this September.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), the cases of suicide increases from the previous accounts of death suffered from mental illness.

(Photo courtesy: newfoodmagazine.com)

ASF Threatens PH Hog Industry

S

Edrian N. Platon and Jay Caguicla

eptember 9 – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar officially announced that there is an African Swine Fever in the country based on the results of laboratory tests requested last month due to an unusual number of pig deaths in backyard farms in Rizal province, near the Philippine capital of Manila.

“Out of the 20 blood samples (sent to the United Kingdom for testing), 14 are positive with African swine fever,” he said in a media briefing.

The ASF is spreading fast within the Philippines’ top hog producing regions, and the government has claimed that the virus had only resulted in the death and culling of at least 20,000 pigs as of September 30.

To prevent the spread of the disease, DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is now implementing quarantine checkpoints within one kilometer (km)-radius to prevent movement of all live pigs, pork, and pork-related products, and that all pigs within the area must be culled, conducting surveillance procedures on swine farms within 7-km radius to test animals in order to determine the extent of the infection, and limit animal movement, and mandatory disease reporting in farms within10-km radius, or the 1-7-10 protocol..

The agriculture secretary disclosed that “one-third of the 20,000 culled hogs are those with ASF virus, while two-thirds have not been affected by the ASF but were culled just the same as part of the protocol.”

The Philippines has so far banned pork and pork-based products from more than a dozen countries, including Vietnam, Laos, China, Germany, North Korea, Belgium, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa, Zambia, and Mongolia.

The Philippines is the world’s seventh largest pork importer and the latest Asian nation to be hit by African swine fever despite efforts to protect its $5 billion hog industry that included a ban on pork imports.

DA Spokesperson Noel Reyes on Thursday, October 24, confirmed reports that some meat products from Central Luzon

tested positive for ASF. Reyes said that quarantine personnel from Mindoro, as well as officers of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and Bureau of Animal Industry, were able to apprehend a passenger carrying tocino, hotdog, and other meat products tainted with ASF at Mindoro port.

Nabili sa Central Luzo sa Local pork.This shows that ‘yung mga pork products ay galing sa mga ASF-affected areas sa Luzon na naibenta, na-processed ng medium-scale enterprises,” Reyes said.

Reyes pointed that this happened due to some backyard hog raisers hiding their pigs and did not want them culled.

He also blamed traders for not bringing the pigs to NMIS-accredited slaughter houses.

Reyes said they have yet to determine the brand of the meat products.

Palay Plunges to 7 Pesos Per Kilo Edrian N. Platon

As of September 2019, Philippine Statistics Authority announced that farm-gate price of palay plunged down to as low as P7 per kilo.

“Ang sumbong sa atin ng mga magsasaka, wala na silang kita pagkaraang ipatupad ang batas na ito.

‘Pinapatay kami ng Rice Tariffication,’ sabi ng isang magsasaka mula sa Nueva Ecija na lumapit sa atin kamakailan (Farmers told us that their earnings dropped with implementation of the law. ‘Rice Tariffication is killing us,’ said one farmer from Nueva Ecija who approached us),” Senator Francis Pangilinan said on a press release, August 2.

March 5, which was attributed to the influx of rice imports.

The Rice Tariffication Law has removed restrictions in more foreign importers of rice which aimed to lower the price of rice by increasing supply.

“Actually I wasn’t able to notice any downfall on palay prices because prices of rice in most of carinderias were just the same” Kathleen Mendoza, 1st Year Business Administration said.

After the law was signed, rice imports reached 2.4 million metric tons (MT) based on the data from the PSA which represent 17 percent volume of the Philippines’ total demand for rice.

The law was enacted last

On the other hand, Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar refused to blame the Rice Tariffication Law for the drop in palay prices.

Dar said that even before the enactment of the new law, there is already a drop in palay prices as somebody is taking advantage in terms of hoarding.

Taking an action, Pangilinan is seeking a congressional inquiry to review the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law. “Dapat tayong kumilos nang

mabilis kundi baka gumising na lang tayong wala ng mga magsasaka ang bayan (We should act fast or we might wake up one day without farmers),” Pangilinan added.

Pangilinan authored the recently signed Sagip Saka Act of 2019 which links farmers directly to buyers like government offices, to eliminate middlemen, and effectively raise farmers’ income through entrepreneurial programs as he believed that agriculture is the key to Philippine progress.

Duterte has ordered the National Food Authority last September 4 to buy palay, or unhusked rice from local farmers to help them cope with the effects of the law.

The government also offered loans to rice farmers as palay prices continuously drop.

In relation to this, there are records improvements for the last five years due to utilization strategies to stop this kind of action, hence are the issue that there are only 38 countries in the world who use the said approach.

“Despite progress, one person still dies every 40 seconds from suicide,” WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Meanwhile, on the report of the said organization, most of the victims are young people

ranging from 10 to 29 years old and top suicide as the second leading cause of death among girls following maternal conditions and third spot for boys next to road injury and interpersonal violence.

However, it was recorded that the most common methods of ending one’s life are by hanging, using of pesticide as poison and firearms.

Depicting the need of implementation in promoting mental health and reduce the cases of depression with more than 264 million, an action is needed to counted the most common cases of suicidal incidents.

With this regard, WHO in collaboration with other mental health organizations vowed to launch 40-second action campaign in order to reduce the high percentage of suicide cases around the world.

DEPED drafting more precise guidelines on students’ homework Jay Caguicla

The Department of Education will issue another guideline for the propose law ‘homework policy’ as stated last September 2 by the DEPED secretary Leonor Briones.

According to the new guidelines, it will be a big help for the students as it regulates the homework given to the learner and to achieve a non-school life.

DEPED’s secretary said that in this principle no more homework should be given for weekends and teachers must limit the assignments during weekdays.

“The existing policy is no homework on weekends. But we are also encouraging our teachers to limit the homework during weekdays especially on particular subjects,” she said on her statement.

With this, Diosdado San Antonio, DEPED undersecretary added that according to the researchers, younger students should have lessen assignments than the other older students and it will be seen to the new guidelines to promulgate.

Briones also supposed that her support to the proposed ‘no homework poli-

cy’ for kindergarten to high school is guaranteed to enjoy free time with their family.

However Briones also stated that there are several things to consider when it comes to the intend policy.

“We have to look at the Philippine practice of homework and have a clear idea of the homework practice in both public and private schools,” she said.

Meanwhile, The Alliance of concerned teachers (ACT) advise that Congress should focus more on reviewing the k-12 curriculum for they did not intend the students to suffer.

“We are not issuing homework to burden our students. It is demanded of us by the K to 12 program, so much [so] that our performance evaluation system ensures its implementation,” stated by ACT Natioanal chairperson Joselyn Martinez.

The Teacher’s Dignity Coalition appeal for homework is essential in learning values, “Our teachers are trained educators. We know the value of homework. It's about discipline, responsibility, and continuity of learning.”

NEWS

5

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed National News August-November 2019

Dengue Outbreak continue to record deaths

First anti-dengue drug in the world made by Filipino Monilyn Araja

After seven years of study and research, the first ever anti-dengue drug in the world may possibly be released and be available in the market – and a Filipino team is behind it.

Reports say that the drug is made from three herbs or endemic plants which are native to the country.

“It’s not a vaccine, not an herbal supplement. It is a drug that has an activity against the virus,” Dr. Rita Grace Alvero stated.

Jay Caguicla The DOH released their routine surveillance system of the Epidemic Dengue cases last October 4 stating the increase number of deaths.

According to the data given by the Department of Health (DOH) there are more than 322, 690 dengue cases including the 1, 272 deaths reported from January to September 21 and are still growing.

Meanwhile, there are already 8, 856 newly account cases with 15 deaths just around September 15 -21 said that it decreased from the preceding week with 9, 815 but higher than 2018 on same month’s tabulated data.

However, despite of the decreasing amount, the risk are still

expected in the national level as the rain season are not yet over and might raise again the number of vector proliferation as it breed.

The national dengue epidemic was already declared last august 4 with CALABARZON in the most affected region having 52, 934 cases while region 6 in account of deaths with 214.

Since the outbreak has started there have been numerous rates of children at the age of 5-9 as the continuously most affected age among group.

The Philippines are not the only country who has recorded such big cases; countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam were all distress about the disease.

Based from the latest record of Department of Health (DOH) until November 30, dengue cases in the country have been doubled compared to year 2018, from 222,849 to 414,532.

However, 1,546 people died this year 2019, much bigger from year 2018 that record 1,122 because of dengue.

“So parang sinasabi natin na pag-ininom ito ng pasyente, gagaling yung kanyang signs and symptoms.

So icu-cure talaga niya yung dengue,’’ Dr. Alvero added.

(It has been said that when the patient take it, the sign and symptoms were being cure.)

In the first phase of the test, it is proven that it is safe and no any side effect found.

Dr. Alvero highlighted that this anti-dengue drug is 100% effective even in the patient having complication.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are giving fund to the research and firmly believe to the potential of the medicine.

USEC Eric Domingo, DOH, said, ‘’kasi hindi naman itutuloy to the phase II and III clinical trials yan kung hindi magiging maganda ang resulta. So mukang

very promising naman talaga siya.”

(They will not continue to phase II and III clinical trials if they did not know that the result will be good. With this, it can be considered as promising kind of research. ) The research is part of Tuklas Lunas program of DOH aiming to discover medicine curing illnesses that are randomly experience in the country.

For the next six month, it will undergo another test to examine its other benefit.

Nationwide strike inconveniencing many commuters T

Jay Caguicla

he Nationwide strike pushed through last September 30 and commuting citizens get trapped Major transport groups hold another nationwide protest this are to show that they are against the proposed phase out of Jeepneys and UV Express service vehicles next year.

This transport strike was organized by the ‘Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide’ (PISTON) and ‘Stop and Go’ who couldn’t agree to change their accustomed vehicles.

However, commuters were lock in the streets as they go to their respective schools and work appealing for their affected day despite the cancellation of class on selected areas.

Meanwhile, Local Government Unit (LGU) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) offer free rides to the commuters who are affected by the strike and was expected the less effect as they deploy their plans for the convenience of those who need rides.

Clearly, the government was not intimidated by the said protest and will not show support for this kind of act.

"The Duterte administration will not be intimidated nor cowed by threats of protests and strikes coming from those who only think of their own parochial in-

terest," stated by the Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo the day before the strike.

In spite of the against statement of the government, PISTON said that it was a successful with unexpected support from different regions such as Davao and Southern Tagalog with 95% and Pampanga wth 100%.

Some schools also showed their support to the National Strike such as University of Los Banos(UPLB) who joined the protest.

"This program claims to modernize our jeepneys, but at the expense of the ordinary Filipino who commutes every day.

The franchising guidelines state that only modernized jeepneys will be allowed to obtain a franchise, but will cost millions of pesos to operate a jeepney," said by the Center for Nationalist Studies of UPLB. PISTON also stated that they will continue to maintain their stance so that they could not lose their jobs.

6

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

editorial

EDITORIAL Nothing More Than Money The government, both on local and national level, had been showing full support to students these days.

Numerous scholarships here and there showed up like mushrooms - they’re quite easy to sign up for. With just minimal requirements like certificates of indigency, notso-challenging retaining grade requirements, and mere registration forms, almost anyone can easily apply for this so-called scholarships - or can we still call it a scholarship?

Following how things go these days, it’s starting to look like these politicians were providing nothing more than money - we like to call it financial assistance, rather than a scholarship grant.

Unfortunately, while some principals have their genuine intentions, we cannot put a blind eye on thinking about the political side of things. It had been quite too obvious since the requisites would almost always require one thing: proof of residency over specific areas.

Education: 4/3

We are not going to deny that these financial aids posing as scholarship grants actually benefit some students - however, the fact that the undeniable ease-of-access of almost any student to these grants also makes it prone to abuse, misuse, and misapproppriation.

If only there could be a way to make sure that these grants are served to those who REALLY need it rather than be spent on gadgets and milk tea...

THE LASER

The Official Student Publication of Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar

EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2019-2020

Editor-in-Chief: Mark Joseph S. Francisco Associate Editor: Miguel Edward A. Rosal Managing Editor: Angel Grace P. Armea Circulation Manager: John Carlo A. De Torres News Editor: Monilyn M. Araja Opinion Editor: Edrian N. Platon Features Editor: Vernalyn D. Montero DevCom Editor: John Carlo T. De Ocampo Literary Editor: Marie Dominique D. Oña Sports Editor: Jay C. Caguicla Chief Artist: Paul John S. de Leon Chief Photographer: Gilbert John L. Polido Photographers: Prince Joshua P. Luna, Marc Aron U. Aala, Jayvee N. Linga, Mark Arvin M. Gonzales Artists:John Carlo A. de Torres, John Lloyd Arriola, Venessa Mendoza, Harvey M. De Guzman Layout Artists: Miguel Edward A. Rosal, Val Juniel M. Biscocho Reporters: Shyra F. Regodon, Rizza Reanzares Contributors: Prince Vincent M. Cano, Giselle A. Gabejan, Jason Arjay L. Cano Adviser: Mrs. Liwanag C. Rubico Editorial Consultant: Dr. Richard M. Banez, Dr. Amado C. Gequinto

“Ay, nagka-5 ka na?” I can almost hear disgust from a friend’s voice when I disclosed my grades last year. Surprisingly, I am not very much disappointed with myself for receiving that one anymore unlike that time I’ve first seen it on my student portal.

Maybe I would have been surprised if I was still that kid four years ago – yes, that boy who would do anything to secure a grade no lower than 2.00. That kid was no longer me, though, and I am kind of happy about it. I’ve come to learn that what’s most important should be the actual learnings: the experiences and the realizations on the way.

Unfortunately, what I’ve realized isn’t something very positive, but realistic anyway. Our education system needs LOTS of work, before we could ever say we are actually competitive and globally ready. Sure, we have tenured professors and instructors in our university, however, the heavy changes with the education system since 2017 has had its greatest toll on the quality of education since then.

Universities are then forced to quickly ‘train’ and adopt new instructors to adapt to the new course curriculum – however, majority of these instructors are not even actually ready to start with their careers just yet.

Furthermore, the university’s leap to improving its systems through ISO and AACCUP accreditations required so much time and effort from the univer-

sity officials and faculty, that it even robbed the time for lectures and class discussions.

Yes, it is understandable in some ways. However, we have become the undeserved casualties of this battle to quality education. I, personally, have already gathered all grades available in the system today: name it from 1.00 down to 5.00, you can see all those numbers in my permanent records.

Not that I am here to say receiving failing grades is okay, but the gist is that on my personal opinion: from a student who was once a grade-conscious geek, I’ve come to lose my interest in complying for requirements that do not even really relate nor satisfy the required knowledge as discussed in the OBE Syllabus during every start of each semester.

Every year, students are asked to evaluate the performances of each instructor through a number-based system from 1-5, with specific parameters set in a table. However, do those surveys even serve their supposed purpose? We sure do hope so – believe it or not, it would really be of good help if the evaluation results would properly serve their purpose. After all, I believe that we, students, are responsible enough to provide accurate ratings on performances of the instructors.

Unfortunately, at present, the quality of our education is at 4/3. Struggling, but not so.

Scan me for feedback

“

Unfortunately, at present, the quality of our education is at 4/3.

Struggling, but not so.

“

There had to be proper and specific restrictions - we do not say that students do not deserve 3 simultaneous scholarships, however, it becomes unfair especially when the grants are too easy to apply for, that it appears to be nothing but a waste of money people’s money.

kikonomiks

Mark Joseph S. Francisco | mjfrncsc08@gmail.com

7

opinion

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

August-November 2019

Scan me for feedback

Own Nation

Letter to the Editor

Migol

Dear Editor,

Miguel Edward Rosal | miguelrosal12@gmail.com

Learning something is not easy, containing different knowledge in one mind, obtaining everything despite of not being interested to get not even one.

According to a global survey Philippine ranked the lowest in reading comprehension and second lowest in Science and Mathematics among the 79 countries who participated in the said assessment. Most would think that Filipinos are still stupid and wasn’t elevating in terms of knowledge and education, data stated how numb Filipino can be.

But it doesn’t necessary dictate that Filipinos are stupid, how we can say that everyone is interested in learning Mathematics and Science when not everyone can do rationalization or even just reading books.

Albert Einstein once said that ‘Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.’ And for the sake of knowledge and learning we are that fish trying to put ourselves on the tree bearing same treatment as the monkey can easily reach the top of it.

If you feel unfit on some of your courses, you’re not alone as almost of us do. We are all animals trapped in a room called zoo, feeding with this called General Education wherein they are being objective for calling it General however, not all minds are the same as we have our own capabilities, meanwhile some courses in line with this are not totally compulsory for us to learn given that not all will do great in arts or in physical education but we are told to take anyway.

With this, we couldn’t focus on the courses that must be deal with, and we tend to lessen the attention towards these so that we could survive those courses against us.

The government already gave us the k-12 curriculum, which let us review our chosen track for college through academic and vocational track in senior high. But will this be enough as some students didn’t want to continue because of the additional years they have to spend on a not sure future, to prevent mismatch when we tend to change over time.

The Philippines rank 25th in the worst education system around the world and 7th around South East Asian nations from the statement of National Competitiveness Council (NCC), having

only 8 Billion fund for education in 304 Billion pesos fund for the country.

Clearly, there are lacking for the support on our system, affecting not just the student but the name of our own nation and we all found ourselves stupid because of all the knowledge they want us to learn but undoubtedly was hard to attain.

Everyone can do great in their specific field without having the needs of learning all. Attention are already given but was not enough to say that we can be more than great in education.

“

Are we Filipinos still Idiot despite the long years end of war or perhaps a failed education system?

“

We all live in different worlds of our own, seeking for different pleasures and knowledge, believing that with our great skills put us on our specific responsibility in the future.

Everyone can do great in their specific field

I am a first year student and three months had already passed - however, most of us froshies still do not have our IDs. It had become a hassle whenever we have to pass through the gate since we don’t have our IDs to simply tap on the RFID readers. Instead, we’ve been asked to present our registration forms to the guards. I have to tell you that it isn’t anything convenient at all, taking its size into consideration.

No wonder most of us have our registration forms torn into pieces. We are just wondering why we still do not have our IDs yet. Thank you!

- Anonymous

Dear Anonymous, First, we would like to thank you for entrusting us with your opinion on this matter. WTe have recently consulted the matter with the administration and the ICT Office and here’s what we have learned so far: As you are well aware, we are an extension campus of Batangas State University. Given the circumstances, when we talk about the whole system into consideration, we are a bit too far from the main campus, to say the least. The RFID system is somewhat centralized: it aims to allow students to be able to tap their RFIDs into any reader amongst all campuses of BatStateU. To make this happen, all IDs must be registered first at the Main Campus’ ICT - or so they say, to make it work. We also have to take into consideration the huge number of freshman enrolees for this particular semester, which results to some sort of traffic.

Rest assured, however, that the university officials are working on this matter.

Regards, The Editor

Scan me for feedback

Masks Shortage There were bunch of students wearing mask.

mask, and unfortunately, it is already sold out.

As I enter the university, I have realized that I am the only student who is not totally aware on what is happening not until I saw the link sent by my classmate, “4 confirmed dead in Batangas due to meningococcemia.” Everyone seems like in the hospital, face plastered with mask and not even removing it even for a while as they fear that the air circulating within the province is dangerous due to the rumors spreading in the area that this meningococcemia is an air-borne disease.

Hence, this will be transmitted easily through inhaling the same air circulating all over the area where the outbreak occurs. This becomes the main reason why everyone to wear mask.

How does the province and the institutions within it responds on unexpected phenomena like this?

Who will not get scared? Accordingly, a person that gets infected by this will not be able to easily determine that he already have it since it does not show immediate symptoms. Infection of this disease results to severe organ failure and sooner will lead to death. So I decided to buy a

It is noticeable that as the chain messages and posts were dispersed, the supplies ran out immediately. In Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar, there were students who were given free face masks. However, most of them… well us were not be able to get even a piece of it to supposedly prevent such infection. Everyone’s scared to die immediately anyway but it seems like it will happen just because of the simple negligence.

In order to be confidently safe from the outbreak, I passed by the University Clinic and found out that there is a queue of students at its doorway. I thought I will be able to get but still as what I have observed, most of them get nothing. They walked slowly while covering the mouth using their hands.

Why does it seem like there is no prior preparation happened?

The University Clinic itself does not even have enough supplies to give for the students. No enough masks available. In connection with this, since everyone’s scared to be infected, the stores surrounding the university ran out of stocks too. Making it for the students feel unsafe throughout their stay in the university. This definitely made a fuss to within the campus, everyone’s hysterically thinking that every person coming from the areas where the outbreak started such as those from Tanauan City, Alangilan and San Jose, Batangas is a carrier of the infection and might How do we combat unexpected outbreaks like this if no one’s responsible enough on preparing necessary equipment and supplies for the safety of the university’s stakeholders?

There were posters scattered within the campus of the university with messages pertaining to the actions must be taken in order to prevent the meningococcemia infection. Also, there were information regarding what is the disease really all about, its symptoms and others. Through this, students

will be given knowledge about the disease whereas, the posters have made it clear that even meningococcemia is an air-borne disease, it will only be transmitted through direct close contact with contaminated individuals or their respiratory discharges.

Its contamination however is seasonal and occurs mostly during colder months. Hence, this helps in such a way that students may not be defraud by fake news.

Despite these actions taken, it will still not deny the fact that it is not enough to assure the health’s safety of everyone. There is still an underlying possibility that an infected student may enter the premises of the university. It is uneasy to determine their conditions. Thus, this bears a real critical problem in terms of unpreparedness by the supposed incharge people.

Furthermore, the mask shortage just reflects the risk reduction capability of the university on unexpected phenomena like the meningococcemia outbreak. So this just says it all.

“

Despite these actions taken, it will still not deny the fact that it is not enough to assure the health’s safety of everyone.

“

ramenade

Angel Grace Armea | angelarmea1998@gmail.com

8

OPINION

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

Scan me for feedback

Just to Discipline monilisa

Monilyn Araja | monilynaraja@gmail.com

Students are responsible for studying as well as teachers are responsible for teaching. Students have their rights and teachers also do. What will happen if student fail to follow his teacher? Will the teacher conduct disciplinary action? or Will the teacher still let it slide? What will happen if teacher fail to teach his student? Are they going to sue their teachers? or Are they going to understand their teachers.

Most of the time when the teacher discipline their student, its parent are very sensitive to the point that they want to sue the teacher. Afterwards, the public would be reminded that the teacher is very crucial not knowing that the teacher only did discipline. Some teachers are being ashame for just only disciplining

Scan me for feedback

their student. To it's extent some liscense are being comphiscated and teacher are getting out of the service. Student who did wrong in the contrary just mentor by their teacher or report to the guidance office without letting student to be ashame and treat things as confidential. What are the problem behind 'teacher shaming'?

It is not right for the teacher to be in crucial situation just because they discipline student. Teachers are teachers. They know what to do and not to do. Teachers always think about the student even they know when students don't like them. Teachers surpassed many challenges to get the profession they want. With that, teachers dont want it to be in trash so why they will put themselves to difficult situation like their job being affected.

Disciplining student is part of the job of teacher. Is 'teacher shaming' also part of it? Whenever teachers discipline students, it is automatically present there that it is for the sake of the student.

Student are wrong if they think that when they are getting into

disciplinary action is just because teachers want to get even. Parent are wrong if they think that their children are being mistreated when the teacher did not discipline the student the same way they are doing. Teachers discipline student to let them learned and be responsible for the act they have commited. It is not only for wasting time but also giving time for the student to change and prevent misbehavior.

On the other hand, parent are just protecting their children at school. Parent always wanted their children to be in good hand and not to be hurt but instead learn, graduate and finish studies.

Also, student always wanted to be favored and treated fair. Fairness is one of the concerns of the student. They want to be treated fair in all aspect that a teacher are doing. So, if someone did mistake and the treatment is not fair, student are very aware of that.

Parent always think for their children and it can't remove in their mind. So, if they receive information that their children are hurt or treated unfair, it is

very understandable that they will over act with this matter and sometimes doing actions that are not expected. Student however normally feel unfair if the approach of the teacher are not equal. In a situation like teacher treat the student differently from one another. If the student feel that they are being ashame to the disciplinary action that the teacher was made.

All of us feel devastated whenever we get into unfairness and mistreatment. But, we have to remember that we are responsible with our decision and action inlined with it even if it has been said that we hurt or mistreated in the first place. It is right to raise concern but it is also right to ashame people? The way we are treated is also the way that we must not making decision or action without thinking its consequence. Like the way we wanted not to be mistreated, let us bare in mind the outcome of our action. Disciplining student is not for punishing them negatively or shaming but teaching them how to become responsible and act accordingly.

“

It is not right for the teacher to be put in a crucial situation just because they discipline the students.

“

If the student commit mistakes it's okay but if the teacher do it, it's a kind of abuse. That's the way of thinking of people nowadays and it somehow brings sadness in between. But, the student are still needed to respect their teachers whenever they are disciplined.

May Pera ang Basura Page Juan

Paul John S. de Leon | paudeleon0418@gmail.com

opinion

The Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

9

August-November 2019 Scan me for feedback

Come, here’s the change Vernacles

“

Vernalyn Montero | vernamontero8@gmail.com

Why don’t the administration spend money on the other problem of our country like helping those Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who are maltreated by their bosses since Mr. President is acting like an Iron man who is not afraid of anything than to change 20 peso bill into coin. Is it even necessary?

Since it was said that a coin can lasts from 10 to 15 years than a paper bill that can lasts only for a year then, it must be the reason why they came up to the idea of change. Even though they have transformed a bill to a coin, it still has the same value. Why focus on the money? Does anyone complain about the 20 peso bill before? I’ve heard none. I think the administration just need the better and long-lasting one so they can preserve it on their vaults for a long period of time. Maybe sooner or later, the 50 peso coin will follow.

We ask for a change then here it is now, the new genera-

tion currency series. How funny?

Applause for our administration.

They’ve forgive our request to have a change. They’ve spent a lot just to change the appearance of the coins that doesn’t really improve. It actually caused confusion since it looks almost similar due to its color, all silver.

Then this December 2019, another change was appeared that can’t even stop my hands from clapping and my head from nodding.

They’ve realeased the newest version of 20 peso, a coin. What a great change, a change on the weight of our purse.

According to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), producing coins are more costly than producing a bill. It costs Php 10 while a bill costs only Php 2. Yes, coins can last longer but seriously, money can’t stay in our hands for more than a week. We’re fond of buying foods and things.

Paper bills are very convenient compared to carrying metals.

It’s lightweight and eye-pleasing than a coin.

I don’t think the administration consider the feedbacks or

even the suggestions of a normal people. If they are really getting our sympathy, they must hear our voices. The rich individuals in our country are also using the 20 peso bill, BSP Assistant Governor Dahlia Luna also said that it is the most used denomination in our country so basically, no one has a problem about 20 peso bill. In reality, it is the medicine for our headache during Christmas or any occasion that needs cash gift.

Imagine, giving kids a 20 peso coin, it’s actually a little shame so we have no choice but to put a 50 peso bill instead. It will also put us in a poor situation.

Logically, coins are worth the price of Php 10 since it lasts significantly longer but seriously, what’s the point of spending that big compare to a Php 2 cost of a bill when in fact, they are just have the same value and they are both usable. Php 8 difference can make another four 20 peso bills.

Coins might be much expensive but it looks cheaper than a bill.

Say for example, you are going to buy on a department store and pay for a total of Php 98

To Support or Not

and you have five 20 peso coins.

You’re going to pay to cashier carrying those coins. Honestly, you look cheap on that part unlike if those 20 peso are paper bills Do you really think that the government chose to change it because it is the most used? As a normal and concerned individual to my fellow citizen, I don’t think it will change the fact that 20 peso will still be the most used, bill or not. Not unless the government will make a move to make everyone rich.

Now, is it worth the change or the change is worthy just for the people in the seat of power?

Since 20 peso is now a coin and it is the most used, it will return again to the BSP. Do you think that the money that the administration can save from making 20 peso coins than making a 20 peso bill will go on resolving the other problem of the country or to another very expensive things that said to be our country’s need like the cauldron or maybe on their respective vaults. Who can say so?

Scan me for feedback

Belladonna

Marie Dominique Ona | mariedom@gmail.com

Recently, Vice President Leni Robredo gave a statement about the result of the action that was taken by the administration in the recent war on drugs. When I read the context of her statement from the newspaper of The Manila Bulletin, I was a little bit shocked but not totally driven by the never ending issue of war in drugs. In the first place since it was implemented there are already so much mistakes and holes in this move of the president.

According to Robredo’s statement, the administration had already spent a lot of money for this campaign but there’s only one out of hundred percent that can be called a progress. The money and illegal drugs they found is not enough to call it a success. It is most likely some private joke for the administration whenever they are proud of it.

There are people, however, who actually believe that this campaign works as if they o not see the bloody campaign where there are many innocent people that get killed every time.

As what Leni Robredo has to say, “If we really want to end the scourge of illegal drugs, we need to run after the big suppliers and not just the small-time pushers.”

But then we cannot deny the fact that the Vice President should be the one who will support and

believe the acclaimed President and help him in every decision he makes for the betterment of the country. Nevertheless, we cannot blame a Filipino citizen who has true concern for the country and think what is right for it and to her fellows.

Mayor Isko Moreno also stated his opinion about what the Vice President said, He pointed out that the President did great in making an action for it and that the police has been clearly fair in doing their job. Some people also say that the mayor is just being fair and pointing out what he can obviously see.

That is where it all took mistakes, people just get to see the performance but not what is behind the curtains. We can clearly see the effort the president took for making all the campaign but at the end of it, are still lives that has been sacrifice, and deaths that hasn’t bailed a due process. Mayor Moreno said that it is unfair to the police to hear such statements from their vice president that they did not quite do a good job but isn’t unfair also to the thousands victims of the campaign to hear such statement that it was a successful campaign even though many innocent lives went vain In contrary of what Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo stated, there are many big laboratories that has been closed, suspect and drug lords who went to jail, crime that drop, drug clear-

ing, and trust many filipinos in time of the campaign. However, Robredo has to say that they should not start with small people outside of this big issue who have no defense for themselves.

Still we cannot hide that there are already more than 6,000 people who got killed through this campaign. Even the human rights seem nothing. Is this still the goal of the President for the betterment of her folk or this is all just a skim to acknowledge the power he have?

Remember the time the President said in one of his speech that he promise to end the war in drugs and corruption in just six months out of his whole term?

Look what we still have now, the doubts. He admitted he failed and he was surprised of how badly the situation is. As the Vice President stood up, he challenges her for 18 days but still she failed and gets fired. The never ending situation seems like there is no better solution for it. Is that why they turn it up pure of blood shed?

It is not new for many of us how the President Speak and act.

The cabinets and his some senators do support him by going against what then Vice president stated. Others say that is a political attack. Maybe the saying is right, “Truth hurts, the most.”

The said War on Drugs campaign will continue up until the last term of the President.

“

...people just get to see the performance but not what is behind the curtains.

“

Commiting more mistakes will never patch up another mistake.

If they are really getting our sympathy, they must hear our voices.

“

Is it worth the change or the change is worthy just for the people in the seat of power?

Campus Pulse Following the goal of the university to provide a well-equipped and more competitive education, BatStateU strives to comply with ISO and AACCUP Accreditation standards.

So far, what changes have you noticed with the school and how does it affect your learning experience in the University?

We asked students of Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar for their response, and here are the answers of some students who shared their thoughts and feelings.

Renchel Torres BS Business Administration Major in Marketing Management “Yung enrolment system, I think gumanda sya compared sa previous years na experience ko. Big help yung may online system na sya tapos kaunti na lang halos ang kailangan naming ipila para ma-officially enrolled.”

Mark Ciril Jamon BS Technology

Industrial

“Napansin ko lang po na the past years, ang bilis ng progress. Ang daming bagong facilities, equipment na nagiging available for the students. Nakakatulong po yun sa learning curve namin, although ang nakikita ko pong problema ay kapag may parating na accreditation, masyadong nagiging busy ang faculty to the point na halos hindi na sila nakakapag-turo for a few days.”

10

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

feature

BRINGING

BACK

THE

Amazon By: Vernalyn D. Montero | Photos from: Google Images

“The factors that led to such widespread fires in the first place – decreased enforcement of forest law, illegal deforestation for agriculture and invasion of indigenous territories – remain in place,” said Nigel Sizer, chief program officer for the advocacy organization Rainforest Alliance.

As of today, the Amazon Rainforest which is a vital carbon sink that slows down the climate change and global warming has been in multiple fire outbreaks that count to thousands in number. According to the records, these devastating activities happened to be human-made. People burn the forest to clear the lands in order to have an agricultural space for crops and to raise cattle intended to be sold to another industry.

As people engage in increasing agricultural activity, the environment is always at cost. Can you imagine how this phenomenon can affect every inch of our lives?

Ashes of animal carcasses, trees’ and plants’ remnants can be seen within the burning forest. As a matter of fact, there were about 26 species of animals and plants that are confirmed vanished in existence due to the forest fire and the rest of it were now in danger of extinction.

Also, the habitat of these indigenous people who have been the stewardess of this destroyed beauty are also feared to lose their lands.

LEND YOUR HAND:

Help in Three

Climbing the Peak, Let’s Bring Back

Amazon

As the Amazon is now feared to turn into a savanna due to the gradual increase of temperature, there are countries including Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador Peru and Suriname that pay attention to revive the forest. There’s a huge possibility that the Earth will be a living hell if the rainforest will not be saved immediately. These countries exert effort to at least make a move for the world and signed a pact for the forest protection. They are currently making a disaster response network and satellite to monitor the happenings in Amazon.

At this moment, there are various organizations that play important role to protect not only the forest but also the indigenous peoples’ right, preserve the lands and to bring back the forest’s beauty. There are ways to send help in reviving the rainforest that plays a huge part of our ecosystem — through our simple acts.

Simple Ways

This must concern you.

• Don’t support deforestation. Raising cattle and cows requires a wide gazing land which yields to burning of forest – say not to beef! Also, if may, reducing the consumption of papers and the likes can help.

• Eat in moderation. Learn how to think of not disposing excess foods as these wastes when on the process of decomposition even its biodegradable, contribute to the CO2 emission which we all know has a bad effect both to people and to the environment.

• Reduce your footprints. Researchers are now afraid that Amazon will stop absorbing CO2 (and will do the reciprocal) which will make our world hotter. We can reduce our footprints by driving less, avoiding frequent air travel and/or as much as possible practice walking if your destination is just few kilometers away.

We might not be able to undo the damage that has been done but our decisions to move even on our simplest way which is not noticeable, if done collectively will be a great contribution. Remember that two heads are better one.

feature

11

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed August-November 2019

BatStateU Gym —Serving Stakeholders

Sanctity: MoreEnveloping than its Mere Purpose Article By: Angel Grace P. Armea | Photos by: Prince Joshua P. Luna and GJ L. Polido

Sept. 28, 2018 – Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar Gymnasium was inaugurated. In line with the aim of the university to provide a conducive learning environment to its students and stakeholders, it is now catering events outside the university. The renovation of the gym does not only beautify the institution and does not just satisfy the need of the students for a safer venue but is now a bridge for the nationwide recognition and also serve as more than just its mere purpose.

BatStateU Gym as Events Hub The foremost function of an institutional gymnasium is to provide a venue for the university events such as pageants, graduation ceremony, seminars and workshops, site for the opening program for accreditation and etc. However little do others know that it can accommodate activities from organizations outside BatStateU. According to Mr. Wilbert Lumbera, General Service Office (GSO) Head, the university has been accepting major events since January 2019 such as: • the first official event billeted was the 2018-2019 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) aired in the national television and was attended by more than 5,000 fans; • National Chess Tournament; • Regional JPIE Seminar; • and Mr. and Ms. BatStateU-Lipa.

Mr. Lumbera also added that the gym can also be a good location for wedding ceremonies, baptismal ceremonies, sport events and others which in expected in the future.

He also reveals that there will be a concert which will be held on February 2020.

A Bridge for Nationwide Recognition #WorldClass Due to the acceptance of events aforementioned above, the BatStateU gym is one of the venues that is being benchmarked by organizers because of its superb facilities. As the MPBL was aired on a national television, it can be now recognized by others and will be considered as a primary location for major events. Every time that there is a program happening in the gym he usually uses #WorldClass on his posts and my day on Facebook as he could claim that the university is well-prepared for accepting inside and outside clients, rest assured that they can provide an excellent service.

Serves as Income-Generating Activity “Malaking pagbabago mula no’ng naging FT (Free Tuition) ang university. FT law set so much limitation sa materials for repair. WE need to cut the operational cost, need naming mag-budget and more,” Mr. Lumbera.

The gymnasium rental serves as an income-generating activity where the earnings proceed to other projects of the university, to the budget, to the maintenance, for repair expenses and for sustainable development.

To explain how the management gain income from lending the facilities to outside clients, Mr. Lumbera said that they set a standard rental fee of Php 44,000.00- Php 50,000.00. It will only vary depending on the electrical equipment that will be used such as the LED screen, use of additional Air-Conditioned Unit (ACU) which has a computation of 13.76 km per hour times the kilowatts that it can consume. If the event exceeds on the time agreed, the program as per the negotiation will be 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and it ends on 7:00 PM, the client is obliged for the additional payment to the operator and utility personnel. The university will not shoulder the overtime fee because the only job of the GSO is to provide necessary assistance to the user but it does not mean that they will do all the workload.

Free for the University Organizations The organizations in the university can use the gym and mobile sound system for free provided that the proposed event is included in their plan of activities and if they will not use the ACU and other facilities. However, if they will use the gym other facilities such as LED, ACU and outlets, they have to pay for it which ranges from Php 12,000.00- Php 20,000.00.

In addition, since the gymnasium is free, students will be responsible for cleaning the venue, setting the gym and shall provide trash bags after the program. Also, Mr. Lumbera clarified that the university will not shoulder the payment for the operator of sound system and LED screen especially if the event was held on weekends, the organization will.

As the university fulfills the need for a functional gymnasium, it also served its stakeholders more than its primary purpose by generating income through its facilities. .

12

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

feature

By: Angel Grace Armea | Artwork by: John Lloyd Arriola Being fond to foreign culture due to media influences, some of us build interests on learning new cultures. For an instance, if you are a die-hard Kpop fan (guilty here), learning their language so you can properly communicate with their songs surely includes on the list of your Kgoals – Hangeul. But before that, why not exploring the Philippine scripts first over others?

In Philippines, there were about 170 officially recognized languages and it is believed that we have 16 syllabaries prior the colonization era. Feed your mind with the information written below.

Also known as the Hanunó’o-Mangyan (Northern Script) and Buhid-Mangyan (Southern Script), Surat Mangyan is preserved and being used as communication tool in the mountains of Mindoro. Way back to the colonization period, the isolated location of the Mangyans was difficult to reach by the colonizers. This is the reason why the script was still in use until today. To prove its existence, the letters are engraved on bamboos and other wooden objects which are used to accompany the incantation of their traditional poems. This consists of three vowels (just like the Baybayin which will be elaborated below) and 15 consonants.

Another is Kulitan, a Kapampangan writing system which was initiated to be revived by some small groups concerned with the ancient script. This is believed that the way it was written is akin to homage to the movements of the sun. Also, the most interesting part is that the script is associated with mythology where Apung Sinukuan “Bayang” is believed to be the father of Kapampangan civilization and also known as the God of War who appears on the Katipunan Flag (which is symbolized by “Ka”). It was also used by spiritual healers for creating rituals and for communicating with the dead. This comprised of 11 consonants with vowel ‘a’ and five vowels (also uses diacritics just like the aforementioned writing systems).

ABaKaDa When the Spaniards arrived, they influenced the early Filipinos to use the Roman Alphabet which replaced the Baybayin. In was developed in 1930s by Lope K. Santos and on the same period, the Philippines was granted the Commonwealth Status. This indigenized alphabet represents the sounds in the Tagalog language which consists of five vowels and 15 consonants.

Tagbanaua and Pala’ wan scripts are consisting of three vowels and 13 consonants with vowel ‘a’. Just like the Surat Mangyan and Baybayin, this also uses diacritics or kudlit above the consonant symbol to indicate change in vowel (above the symbol should be pronounced with e/i disregarding the ‘a’ and below should go with o/u).

Tagbanua is written in vertical columns from bottom to top and left to right. This is believed to originate among Tagbanua people who were introduced to Pala’wan writings when took to Brooke’s Point in Palawan before the second war. It is said that both were used as communication tool and as medium in casting votes, signing legal documents and even on national elections way back then. These scripts were preserved as cultural relic as of today. These scripts together with the Surat Manyan were declared National Cultural Treasures in 1997 by the National Museum, and were officially inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World register in 1999.

ᜊᜌ᜔ᜊᜌᜒᜈ᜔ Often mistaken as the Alibata, little we do know Baybayin is just one of the abundant ancient scripts in the Philippines. This was originally derived from Indian scripts.

Tagalog was the widely spoken language during that time and they used Baybayin for the records. This is the reason why most of us thought that this is the only ancient script that represents our language.

Its history says that, when the Spanish arrived in the country, they managed to learn Baybayin to communicate with the early Filipinos. As the colonizers influenced them to use Roman Alphabet, the use of the Baybayin disappeared. This consists of 14 consonants with ‘a’ and three vowels (a,e/i and o/u). Today, this script is on a debacle to be the national writing system of the country.

Makabagong Alpabetong Pilipino Lastly is the Makabagong Alpabetong Pilipino which is the revised version of the ABaKaDA. It represents more other native language of the Philippines other than Tagalog only. Currently, it consists of 28 letters with five vowels and 22 consonants (including ñ and ng). As of today, this is used widely as the official medium of instruction at schools, universities and even on businesses which is instituted under the 1987 Constitution.

As time passes by, those numerous writing systems began to decrease leaving few scripts alive. However, mentioned above are feared to be totally extinguish. So before it happened, why don’t we explore it a little more?

feature

13

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed August-November 2019

Hello Lipa!

Welcome to the HidDen Gems of a Booming City Article by: Angel Grace Armea & Prince Vincent Cano | Photo by: Jayvee Linga

“With the help of social media, you’re giving small businesses… a way to compete with bigger brands.”

Are you tired of eating in samesame-no-difference fast-food chains?

Tired of going in the same location every time you and your friends hang out? Tired of tedious weekends?

What are you waiting for, bummer?

Search a place to be!

If you happen to know someone who lives in Lipa like your crush, friends, classmates, instructors, or relatives I’m sure they can recommend a place to eat, interesting events to go to, and activities that you might wanna get involved with.

But what if you know no one?

Let “Hello Lipa” do the honors of guiding you for a new place to visit.

Triggering the Change

Responsible Posting

To start, Lipa is larger than Manila so assure that there will be no shortage of things to do in this city with jewels scattered in its vicinity – waiting to be discovered.

Hello Lipa serves as a bridge between businesses and its followers. If you follow the page, it will be a win-win situation because you’ll get to know new things to do and new places to visit while the business reaches its target market. A win-win situation.

Hello Lipa, with a 100 thousand likers, is a lifestyle blog about events, food, and latest happenings in Lipa City. It all started when the husband and wife Jay and Aisha Recinto recognized Lipa as a booming city.

“We believe in goods that are worth promoting – we don’t support politics and fake products. We don’t involve politicians in our blogs kahit na may lumalapit sa amin kase pag may politiko, malamang na gugulo. Our followers follow us because of our recommendations and because it’s a lifestyle brand. Ayaw namin ng politics. Sa mga businesses naman na may fake products na lumalapit sa amin, hindi namin tinatanggap kase wala ‘yon sa vision ng Hello Lipa at wala rin ‘yon sa culture namin.

Ayaw naming makisawsaw ‘pag ang dalawang ‘yon ang pinag uusapan.”

Mr. Jay Recinto told the team the potentiality of Lipa as a new tourist destination, “…naisip kong itayo ang Hello Lipa before kasi na-recognize ko na rin, no’ng mga ‘90s ang p’wede mo lang kainan mga lomihan, gotohan at few burger machines here and there.

Tapos medyo napansin ko na booming na, so sabi ko eto na paparating na ‘yong wave…”

Aside from blogs reviewing restaurants and foods; endorsing products and events, Jay is also into promoting small businesses of his kababayan against bigger brands.

“Aim din namin na makatulong sa small businesses with limited startup market. Sapat na sa akin ang makatanggap ng recognition from them and malaman na masaya sila.”

The Opposite of Progress

Hello Lipa has sister websites like Hello Batangas and Jayzar Recinto of Hello Lipa.

Now that the booming City of Lipa is 50% developed, it seems that the City currently has its own problems to face.

Jay is also planning to conduct Hello Barangay and Hello Bayan which basically aims to promote anything that is worth featuring in that area.

“Manila is congested. That was given.

Susunod na pupuntahan na pinakamalapit sa Maynila ay Sta.Rosa, Laguna at malamang kapag naulet ang gano’ng sitwasyon, hahanap ulet sila ng bagong mapupuntahan. Naniniwala kami – ako at ng asawa ko pati na rin ang team namin na ang susunod na talaga ay Lipa.”

“Lipa is big. Hindi ko pa ‘to nalilibot ng buo. Mayroong 72 barangays ang Lipa and we want to see what these barangays have to offer to the world.

For example, yung episode two ko in Pangao, Lipa. Na-discover namin do’n na may malinis silang ilog na iniinom (ang tubig) ng mga tao. It finds more ways to surprise me kaya nag-eenjoy din ako sa ginagawa ko.”

Even though the Town already has its concerns regarding traffic and waste management, Jay still believes in the growth of Lipa as a fully progressed City.

“Progress is good. Sometimes surpris-

ing but problematic at times. We have to take the good with the bad. Maximize what is good and work with it. May kasama talagang problema ang pag-unlad. Pero ‘yon ay nasa gobyerno na ng Lipa nakasalalay kung pa’no nila sosolusyunan. Naniniwala naman ako na manageable pa ‘yon hanggang ngayon.”

One thing admirable in Lipa is that they can maintain to have trees almost in every corner of the street. You would notice that their environment is sustained as you can see lots of green which convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. You would notice the traffic, yes, but the plants and trees are enough to clean the air.

Jay was born and raised in Lipa so he knows the lifestyle of Lipeños. He knows what to post in every content of Hello Lipa while his staffs execute his ideas. If you visit the website, it was his phone number that was displayed on the page. You can message the page or his number for recommendation on where to go.

“It’s our mission to ensure that every content we put out is witty, original, and relatable. It should encompass all kinds of experience para maka-relate talaga lahat ng tao. Good vibes lang din dapat.”

Hello Lipa is the new “I’m the Map” of the modern Doras.

“For it to be effective, continue sharing our content. It’s not for us. It’s for the businesses that we support. We give our followers the content that we can share for them to be ambassadors and influencers. Hindi na nila kailangan mag create ng visual, content, and graphics para maipag Malaki ang Lipa sa ibang tao.”

People with advocacy to help are truly a gem not only in their community but of humanity.

14

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

feature

Fear Me, Not By: Marie Dominique Oña and Giselle Gabejan | Artwork by: Paul John De Leon ‘Twas an afternoon, 0217H to be exact. I was trying not to lose focus on our lecture, Algebra of I-don’t-know-who, while the wind dances gracefully in front of my eyes. Marupok akong tao. I’m about to close my eyes when someone asked me to find the missing x and y in front. I peed, a little. (to be continue…)

- a confession *** Snakes, heights and failing grades – these are just few things that some of us fear.

But you don’t have to fear that you fear something because it is completely normal. According to KidsHealth Behavioral Health Experts, fear is programmed into the nervous system and works like an instinct. Simply, we have nothing to do about it but in contrary it to protect us. Below is the list of fears that some of the students inside this campus had experienced and willfully shared to us, The LASER.

Gelatophobia – Fear of Laughs This is not your kind of ice cream, so with Lian, not her real name, 2nd year BSED. She stressed how the laughs of her classmates ruin her confidence when she’s reporting in front of the class. It is because she takes laughter as negative expression and finds it very offensive. As defense mechanism, people having this condition usually withdraw socially to avoid being ridiculed – appearing 'cold as ice' or humorless and psychosomatic disturbances (e.g. blushing, tension headache, trembling, dizziness, sleep disturbances).

Arithmophobia – Fear of Mathematics Jam, a 4th Year BSBA student, admits that he despises math (or should we say that majority of us have this kind of fear). Arithmophobia is classified as fear of all numbers and fear of specific numbers. In addition, the person’s ability to do math is seriously affected and this can disrupt his educational and professional opportunities, while the fear of specific numbers corresponds to bad like “13” and “666.”

Scopophobia – Fear of Pictures In digital age where most of us are enjoying selfies and groufies, people like Aeron, 1st year BSED English, exists. He refuses to join his family and friends every picture taking. It is not because of the lenses but because of the pathological fear of being seen or stared by others.

Hypegiaphobia – Scared of Responsibilities They say leaders are made, not born – an opportunity opens to everyone who has the willingness to lead and inspires people. But people like Jamil, BSBA 4th year, fear the other words associated with “leadership” like responsibilities, duties and the like.

Instead, she sees leadership as pressure and expectation that is hard to suffice. Moreover, this is where a person is self-indulgent, neglect his responsibilities, and passes the blame to other people when failure comes.

Atychiphobia/Kakorrhaphiophobia – Fear of Failing This phobia is where an individual is afraid of failures or rejections because of lack of confidence in their abilities. The existence of this condition can be acquired from an embarrassing event of the past or from the pressure of her/his surroundings. Instead of focusing on achievements, the failure rate garners more attention. Well, who likes failing grades, ‘ayt?

Glossophobia – Stage Fright Kimberly, 2nd year BS Mechatronics, sadly confessed that practicing her report until perfection doesn’t matter compared to actual presentation. Increased blood pressure, stiff muscles, panic and anxiety attack her when she stands in front of the class. As much as possible, people like her avoid public speaking. This kind of phobia is often present with to individuals who have social anxiety disorder. *** The LASER: What happened next?

Student A: I froze though my lungs felt the need for a gallon of water – like experiencing winter and drought at the same time. Luckily, my professor sensed the environment and decided to call the pabibo ghorl of our section. I’m saved. (*she smiles in relief to her own story) Note: This article seeks to give information only. Diagnostic purposes are for experts.

15

feature

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed August-November 2019

Manipuri Girl Shares Heart to Millions Through Protests By: Angel Grace P. Armea | Image from Google

Up to what extent can you love someone? By continuously sharing your stuff? Expressing your love through sending emoticons? Well, if that’s the case then maybe that is not deep as it is supposed to be. Meet Lycripiya, the world’s youngest activist who has given almost her whole self just to serve and save the world through various protests.

Little Voice: Big Words “I see people suffering and dying because of earthquake, flood, landslide, etc. My heart feels sorrow for people who cannot help themselves when disaster strikes. I cry when I see children losing their parents. My country has met disasters like earthquake, floods, landslide, etc. These are all impact of climate change,” she says. At the age of seven, she has been empathizing with people who are affected by disasters which moved her to be an activist. Most likely, children at her age would just play all day long without minding what is happening around her surroundings but she is very unusual. What do you think we are doing right now? This child’s eyes are observant enough on the global phenomenon and probably, you will not believe that she has been taking further actions for her voice to be heard and we? We may see what is happening but most of us will not do the walk to enforce actions.

Born in Bashiklong, a small village in Imphal, Manipur somewhere in India, this little girl is noticeably has a huge heart for the environment. Would you believe that she has dropped from an international school just to protest in front of the Indian Parliament?

This is so because she wanted to move their leaders to pass a climate change law to control and regulate the emissions and the carbon footprint. When she started protesting on February 2019, she have been doing it weekly to be noticed by the government. Her parents have admitted her to another school to continue her education however, she opt to join activism in various places across the globe instead to implement her advocacy. Now what’s the catch if this child has been doing an environmental movement?

The Trigger that Pushed Her Through Since her father is an activist, there’s no wonder that she has a heart for doing such acts. Way back July 2018, she said in an interview that she was given an opportunity to attend the third Asia Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction 2018 (AMCDRR 2018) at the Mongolia and there, she was moved by the people whom she met. They are those leaders from various countries who have shared numerous disastrous issues that are happening around the globe. She also heard stories of people who have experienced catastrophes which made her realized that she has to do something about it.

When she came back home, she started an organization called The Child Movement, a voluntary movement that raises concerns about environmental issues. This is because she wanted to impose a change not only for their country, but also for the whole world.

With her empathy to those people who have been affected by disastrous calamities, she is willing to do everything just to enforce a change, to lessen people’s suffering and to save the planet earth.

Big Actions via Small Hands “If you educate a child, you can change a life. If you can educate many, you can change the whole world.”

To totally understand what she is really fighting for, she has been educating herself through reading, attending various conferences and even watching news every day to be informed on what is happening around the globe. Now, she has been attending a lot of seminars and conferences where she vents out her concerns on the effect of climate change to the world and to its citizens she has been also persistently voicing out her plead for the enactment of climate change laws. Because of her heart for the environment and for the people, aside from The Child Movement, she also led a global climate protest last March 2019 to call for an immediate response from the leaders around the world.

Results of the Persistent Voice Through her persistence and continuous demand on different country’s assemblies that she has attended around the world and her continuous protests, she has been noticed by media. And there, her demands was finally discussed by the Indian government and is being aimed to be noticed by their prime minister to be taken an action. Now, her contributions to the environment are now being recognized and have received a numerous awards. However, aside from these awards and appreciation, those countries who have responded and implemented a legislation with regards to the climate change are sweeter than the prestigious awards she has received.

“We don’t have a lot of time left; it’s us who have to make a change so I thought it would be important to be here and show support to our generation,” she says. She is calling everyone’s attention to join her on this movement that will benefit the whole world.

This child has saw the worst effects of the mostly, man-made activities that exacerbate the climate change and she herself, voluntarily moved for everyone’s sake. Maybe it’s time that we do our part as one of the contributors on these phenomenon.

“

I am not a millionaire but I can donate my heart to millions, — Lycypriya Kangujam

No one knows when your breath will end nor your last strand of hair will fall. I run again as I thought that if the time’s ticking fast, you have to chase it till you leveled its speed.

Aside from my 13-year-old brother, there is another person that makes my head hurt. Sitting on the sofa bed with his common-law wife, there, the sibling I never wanted at the very first place munching some I-don’t-care food. Seeing the mess on the floor and the undone dishes on the sink, I began to pant. Goosebumps start to crawl onto my arm especially when I accidentally touched the edge of the television near the sofa bed. They have not noticed me yet so I purposely dropped my softbound thesis on the floor.

“By,” I heard his wife whispered to him using their endearment. I took a deep…big…breathe.

“By ‘yong mga kalat natin,” I could feel how tensed she was through her trembled voice. She taps his arm consecutively but it seems he does not mind at all; he just continuously chews his food and this made my hands balled into fist while subconsciously clenching my teeth.

“Wala man lang talagang balak maglinis ng bahay? Talo n’yo pa mga iskwater sa itsura ng bahay natin a, ano nganga na lang kayo dito?”

I bursted.

He intentionally nudged the mug and pieces broke on the floor. “Ano gang problema mo? Uuwi ka na nga laang dito ay mag-iingay ka pa, sino ka ba?!” He stands up and glared at me. We started to debacle. I saw how his wife attempted to stop him from talking back at me since I’m older than to both of them but he does not care at all. He has been bragging his “rights” because he is working and he has to at least take a rest.

The h*ck.

“Tama na nga ‘yan Ate ano ba?” my 13-year-old brother meddled between us.

“Isa ka pa, ni wala kang ginawa kundi tumambay, gagaya ka pa talaga sa mga ‘yan!”

We continued throwing words to each other as we both ignored my younger brother’s words. This is one of the main reasons why I always opt to do our thesis till late night at my friend’s house— just to escape from this arena. His wife held his hand but he just swayed it away while my younger sibling tried his very best to stop us.

“Hayaan mo na nga sila d’yan gusto nilang ganyan, tatanda na’y parang ‘di man lang tumanda e,” my younger brother said as he walks on his way out.

I was awakened by the consecutive knocks on the door. Too early for my mother’s debt collector, I thought. My parents are still on their work; I am too tired and it will be unjust if I will deprive myself from allowing my body to rest even for few hours.

The knocks became so intense as if it was urgent. “Ang aga maningil e nakakaadwa,” irritated, I ran towards the source of the noise. I opened the door, “Kuya wala ho ang mama’t nasa trabaho kung gusto ho ni —“ “Si Parlero po’y lasing do’n,” as he uttered our family name, my forehead automatically wrinkled. Wala talagang magawang matino sa mundo ‘yang lalaking ‘yan.

“Sige sige, salamat sa’n ga pupuntahan?” He gave me a detailed instruction where to find him. I went to their room to call his wife. Upon reaching their room I saw the girl scrolling on her phone. Their room is like an extension of Payatas. “Neng ang asawa mo daw lasing, puntahan mo nga do’n,” “Po? E si ano po’y nasa kubeta naliligo.”

“O sino pala ‘yong Parle— l*che! Tawagin mo nga’t puntahan sa may Phase 2 kamo’y lasing do’n si Papa,” she immediately rushed to the bathroom.

As he came back, he was carrying my unconscious little brother. There were men at my age who came at home to check my brother’s state.

He was now lying on the sofa bed, not moving. I tried to slap him just to check but there’s no response. I pinched his cheeks, still no response.

Later on, he fussed making more worried. My younger brother’s heartbeat became slower and…slower. F*ck! Without anything on my pocket, I run outside as fast as I could be thinking that on any wasted second, his life will be at risk. Reaching upon the TODA, I promptly instructed the driver towards our house. Is there any other way to make this vehicle travel in a millisecond?

With our brother carrying him on his back as we run towards the tricycle beeping in front of our house, my heart beat counts almost doubled.

The attending nurse made me more furious as we reached the hospital. He asked what happened first before finally bringing my brother inside the Emergency Room.

“Bilisan n’yo na, ‘yong kapatid ko baka mapa’no!” *** He was lying on the bed unconsciously. He had multiple injections, a dextrose beside him and his ears were now bruised because of multiple attempts to wake him up but after few hours, he has not yet responded. Staring at him, my heart feels like it was squeezed and tortured to pieces. You have to wake up. Tears started to flow even my other brother tells me that everything will be fine, he’ll wake up. The doctor has told us what happened and I feel like I’m nothing but a sister in title. I’m useless.

“No one knows kung anong oras, o kung magigising pa s’ya,” the doctor’s words resonate in my head. We were told that we have to make a way to wake him up, hurt him till he gains his consciousness.

“Please wake up, please,” my voice is almost pleading as I pinch his earlobe very hard. I closed my eyes, praying for the first time in my life. “Please wake him up,” I murmured. My other brother was also teary-eyed as he pressed his fist onto his chest. He presses harder and still there’s no any response from him.

Later on, I saw him move. He moved his hand, I immediately shake his shoulder then he responded. He responded…. with his body shaking continuously. I screamed. The doctor again injects a substance on his dextrose. I have only Php 20.00 in my pocket that time. We were asked if we have an extra money to buy the necessary substance to be injected to my brother for the third time. She seems so urgent, I feel like if I don’t even move and even I did otherwise, an unwelcomed visitor will come.

No one knows when your breath will end nor your last strand of hair will fall. This time, I thought everything seems to be running out of hand as if there’s no more chance to pull back the string to make things stable once again.

I still risked, I went to the hospital’s pharmacy and handed the list of medicines to the staff. However, our parents are still on their way and I don’t have money yet. I put my face at risk, I tried to negotiate with her if she can allow me to get the medicines first, “We’ll pay I promise, hinihintay lang namin sina mama.”

I ran again with the necessary medicines on my hand. The pharmacy was a bit farther than I thought.

“Please gisingin n’yo na s’ya Panginoon,” I uttered. He has not received my gift yet; he still has to wake up. “Please.” I was crying again and again and again. I don’t know if this add effectiveness on my years-delayed prayers but it does not matter anymore. He has to wake up. I kept on running, panting and walking. I closed my eyes once again and uttered my prayer before I finally decided to enter the ER. I run again as there are lots of voices I hear that surrounds him. His cubicle was covered with green curtain and voices roar inside which made my chest feels tighter. I’m not prepared but we always have to face our fears. With little courage of mine, I walked my way to the curtains to unveil what’s waiting inside.

Scan me for feedback

Ngayong araw napag-desisyunan kong pagupitan ang tatlong taon nang ‘di nalalapitan ng gunting kong buhok. Sa unang pagkakataon, matatabasan din ‘tong mala-Rapunzel na crowning glory ko, buti na lamang ‘di pinamahayan ng lisa’t kuto.

‘Di ko alam kung babagay sa payatin kong mukha na may pagka-halubilog at ‘di katangusang ilong na wari mo’y pinatong lamang na balat na may kaunting butas para lamang masabing tao ako. Ba’la na. MagaalaMimiyuuh-aaahhh (*insert vocalizinationism ni Mimiyuuh).

Mahinhing umiyak ang pinto sa may sala kung saan ilang metro lamang ang layo sa aking kinatatayuan. Sanay akong nakasarado ang lahat, ang bintana ay nakababa ang mga jalousie at natatakluban ng maduming kahel na kurtina, ang pinto’y ‘di rin bukas sa kahit kanino bagama’t ‘di naman nakakandado.

Inalis ko muna ang aking paningin sa salamin

na nakadikit sa lumang tukador. Mag-isa lamang ako sa bahay at nakakapagtaka sadya, may balak pa atang magnakaw na hampas-lupa sa kapwa n’ya. Patingkayad akong nagtungo sa pinaggalingan ng ingay. *** Parang nawisikan ng kalamansi ang mata ko habang pinipilit na inaaninag ang malabong hulma ng nasa tabi ko. Sigurado akong babae s’ya ‘pagkat pare-pareho naman kami ng mga ka-pusod ko sa bahay dagdag pa ang boses nitong kala mo’y naipit na daga na nahuli ng pusa naming si Minjae,napakatinis. Bagama’t ‘di pa tuluyang gising ang diwa ko’y alerto na ang aking tainga para sumubo ng aking almusal.

“O ‘di ba Ate Jay Ann, sabi ko sa’yo ‘di na naman mababayaran ‘yang tricycle na ‘yan. Kumuha pa talaga ng pera kina Kuya Daniel at Mark ng tag-dal’wang libo tapos ano, lalayas lang pala!” may nginig sa boses nito habang nagsasalita, sa-

mantalang napatalon ang likod ko sa higaan nang biglang may bumagsak na mabigat sa tabi ko.

sibilidad sa bahay, matagal nang marupok ang haligi’t malapit nang mapundi ang aming ilaw.

Sa pagkakataong ‘yon napabangon na ‘ko, may pagkagulat pa sa mukha ni Melody. Kahit kailan talaga walang pakialam ang mga ito kung nabulabog na nila ang kapatid nilang minsan na lamang maka-limang oras na tulog. Umalis na naman pala ang magaling naming tatay, sanay na sanay talagang mang-iwan ‘kala mo’y walang mga anak na papatukain. Anim kaming magkakapatid, ‘yong dal’wang lalaki ayaw nang mag-aral dahil mas gustong magtrabaho hindi para makatulong sa panggastos sa pangangailangan sa bahay kundi dahil ‘yong isa may nobyang pinagaaral, at ‘yong isa namang trese anyos ay piniling maglinis ng sasakyan ng iba kapalit ng setenta pesos na barya makalayo lamang sa pamilya.

Nalalasahan ko ang asim ng bagong gising kong laway ngunit mas nangingibabaw ang pait ng paglisan ng aking ama. Sanay kaming maiwan ngunit ‘di ibig sabihin no’n ay magiging manhid ang bawat isa sa’min. Lutang ang utak kong binaybay ang manipis na kahoy na nagsisilbing baitang patungo sa unang palapag. Mugtong mata, namumula’t basangbasang pisngi ang sumalubong na mukha ni Mama ang sumalubong sa’kin.

Pumipitik-pitik man ang puso ko habang nakatingin sa kanya’y ‘di ko man lang mayapos s’ya’t masabing andito lamang kami kahit umalis na si Papa. May kung anong malaking pader ang nakaharang para gawin ko ‘yon.

‘Di na ‘ko magtataka kung walang nais sumalo kahit kapiraso ng respon-

“B-balik pa ang P-papa mo. Maalala n’ya rin tayo,” ngumungoyngoy s’ya habang pinupunasan ang kanyang pisngi gamit

ang kumot na nakapatong sa kanyang hita. Tumitig s’ya sa litratong nakasabit malapit sa fuse box. Litrato ng masayang magkasintahang paniguradong nagsumpaang ‘di mag-iiwanan sa hirap man o ginhawa bago ikasal.

“Ma, paulit-ulit na ‘yong ginawa n’ya, sana matauhan na po kayo.

Sawang-sawa na kami sa panloloko n’ya. ‘Di na naawa sa dal’wang bata e, at tignan mo babalik ‘yan dito’t alam na may tatanggap pa sa kanya.” humihingal akong naupo sa tabi nito’t kaunting salita na lamang ay mababasag na ang boses ko. No’ng mga nakaraang araw pa lamang ay ramdam ko nang nais na nitong makawala sa pagiging ama, ni isang daang piso na pinagkakasaya namin sa maghapon ay hindi na nito naiisipang mag-abot man lang. Kaya kung nasaan man ito, siguro’y buhay binata na ito muli. Walang gastusang isipin, walang humahabol na maninigil at higit sa lahat ay wala nang

pamilyang iintindihin.

Ilang linggo rin akong sumisipat sa toda mula nang umalis ang tatay ko sa’min, namamag-asang may tricycle na may Parlero (apelyido namin) ang sticker sa harapan ngunit wala.

Tahimik na ngumungoyngoy pa din ang aking ina sa gabi’t naghihintay pa din ng alburoto ng sasakyan na matatapat sa labas ng bahay. *** “Marie” Bumigat ang lalamunan ko habang nakapako ang mata sa lalaking nasa may pinto. May kaputian na ang balbas nito’t nangingintab ang noo na umabot na ng bunbunan. Tuyo ang aking bibig na magbato ng anumang hinanakit na naipon sa loob ng ilang taong pagkawala n’ya.

Itinuro ko ang sofa na may balot pa ng plastik kaya lumagitnit ito nang bahagya. Sa susunod na lamang siguro ako magpapagupit.

devcom

The Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

19

August-November 2019

Students Invent a Device that converts noise to Electricity

Monilyn Araja

A Philippine Science High School-Western Visayas Campus (PSHS-WVC) group of students created device that converts noise to electricity.

The device was named The Sound -Light or “S-light” that have been generated by “Team Voltage 5” including Grade 11 students Kirsten Dianne Delmo, Nico Andrei Serrato, Joecile Faith Monana, Freelan Faith Engallado and Raphael Francis Dequilla.

This invention uses sound and converts it to electricity reversing the functioning of a normal speaker which vibrates to create sound when electricity is passed through it.

The gadget can come in handy in heavily polluted areas like roads and construction sites.

Meanwhile, “S-Light” device won Silver Award during the Young Inventors Challenges 2019 in Malaysia.

the coil inside interact thus creating electrical energy. This is then stored in a power bank which could power up light.

According to the team, they are aware that converting noise to electricity is not a new concept but no infrastructure has been made applying this concept.

It costs 200 pesos or $4 which was spent on the capacitors.

With this low-cost light, rural communities would be able to have access to electricity especially light to improve their way of life.

It has been said that when sound waves hit the diaphragm of the speaker, the magnet and

This invention will be able

students to study in the comfort of their homes.

The only downfall is the gadget typically only generates enough electricity to power a small 5 Watt LED bulb. However, it could potentially prove to be an invaluable source of energy and lighting for rural areas. The device’s technology could also be scaled up to generate even larger amounts of energy from places

that are noisier such as airport runways, populated roads, and construction sites.

can generate electricity to light as Watt LED bulb throughout the night.

Additionally, if a larger speaker was made with a lot more devices added it could potentially harness enough electricity for whole communities.

With this, a large amount of sound can produce electricity even for the whole community.

They also said that if the devise is to be placed in an airport where the sound intensity reaches up to 140 decibels, this

Behind the Sea of Games

The “Team Voltage 5” is planning to give back to the community saying they owe the gift of education and their acquired expertise in science and technologies to the Filipino people.

Scan me for feedback

Ocamps

John Carlo T. De Ocampo | johncarloocampo10@gmail.com

Just a few days ago, the most prominent event of the year for every Filipino happened, as we rejoiced and celebrated our country’s victorious proclamation as the overall champion in the SEA Games 2019 among any other athletes from 11 different countries in 56 various sports.

I could still remember how my lola reacted with a broad smile on her face as she watched the grand opening of the Southeast Asian Games. She was really glad knowing that the game will transpire in the Philippines. But unbeknownst for her or rather – to most Filipinos, they could only perceive the conquest – not the defeat.

According to Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), the estimated budget on the 30th SEA Games as of 2019 was approximately P7.5 billion pesos.

P6 billion pesos came from us, taxpayers, while the P1.5 billion is rumoured as the reminiscence from the pork barrel scam that had been a big issue from the past.

Imagine just how many peo-

ple or starving children in slum areas wouldn’t need to worry about where to sleep or where to find an edible food to eat in landfills if only, they had been given an attention instead of wasting it on a not so important event like SEA Games.

It is reasonable for our government to think about the benefits of having a good relationship with other countries though, there are still certain aspects that don’t even need any logical thoughts just to understand, for which is obviously an irrational action such as, the construction of a P50 million peso-cauldron which had only been used once – to lit up the fire that indicated the start of the SEA Games.

You would presume the idea that, isn’t it a bit too much just for a single cauldron? And you hit my point. What I want everyone to know is, it is more convenient if they just bought a cauldron that is not as expensive as that, since, it will only be useful for that certain event not unless, it’s actually just a cheap cauldron and they just casted a magic on it so, it would seemingly become luxurious – a fictional way to say, corruption.

The event didn’t just make

those indigenous people to be regarded as insignificant. It also took their only shelter from them – their houses.

This is apparently one of the gloomiest problems with our government – they would avoid humiliation rather than just saying and apologizing that they wouldn’t be able to host the event. They would stand still, in spite of the fact that, their foot was already swelling from a massive burden of the past; head held high, even though they are already inflicted by a stiff neck while also hiding the coals underneath those gleaming diamonds.

I mean, most of us we’re naïve enough to believe that our government is making a progress to our country. Well, we really are making a progress but also, we’re also buried in debt with China.

The estimated debt was very extensive that even your grandson would still be paying taxes for its payment. That’s only, if they wouldn’t make an amendment to undertake an asset from our country like a whole island if we wouldn’t be able to pay our debt as a whole. In a nutshell, we’re currently at stake of their infamous debt trap.

Not just actually with our government but also for most Filipino. They would spend all the money just to impress others: wearing expensive jewelries; cloaking themselves with luxurious clothing; provisions of a very grand feasts or banquets for their guests and even the acquisitions of unnecessary extravagance. Never – was it unnatural for Filipinos to waste money just for them not to look poor to their guests.

It is now making sense.

That idiom that I just heard.

“As is the king so, are his subjects.”

Our government or rather, every Filipino should know that, there are still a lot of things that our country needs more than just having a lot of prestige and compliments. That over those awards and some other stuffs like trophies, medals, and titles – lies a cluster of issues that still needs a much more attention and provisions that should be more prioritized than an event that does not have any assurance of gaining a benefit in the future.

“

It is reasonable for our government to think about the benefits of having a good relationship

“

“Too much expenditure for a temporary honour”

20

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

digital scholar

devcom

E-Library:

Automatic Learning Systems and Online Resources By: Vernalyn D. Montero | Images by: Mark Arvin M. Gonzales, Marc Aron U. Aala

We have been hassled, crammed, busy and typically, we’re always looking for the easiest and fastest way to do everything – welcome to digital age! Tech-savvy generation like us most likely rely on the internet to search for information that are often included in our theses, feasibility studies and other researches, However, these into are not 100% reliable. This is the reason why Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar made a way to ensure that it will cater its stakeholders’ convenience by enhancing the facility and equipment for a conducive learning journey.

The E-Library BatStateU acquired CE-Logic, an e-product for learning resources, last November 2018. It is composed of combined information-based solutions including the library automation systems and online library resources that feature e-journals, e-books and databases. This contains a total of 250 journals and articles that can be downloaded as pdf file by BatStateU faculty members and students for free. The management allocated an amount of Php495,000.00 on the said project which will be placed inside the university’s library. Also, the package includes a website where students can access the published journals and articles as well as the facilities housed at the university library.

Knowing CE-Logic Further Though CE-Logic sounds so new, it was launched few years ago, March 2007 to be exact. It is the sale and promotion of e-products for learning resource centers of basic educational institutions and for the common learnings in colleges and universities. Also, the tech. has its aggregator – the Cengage Learning.

Moreover, the company has partnerships with the top universities and libraries here in the Philippines including the University of the Philippines (UP), University of Sto.Tomas (UST), Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University (DLSU) and many more proving that their company is trusted by known institutions – Aries Laygo, the CE-Logic Solution Specialist in Southern Luzon.

It is also affiliated to C & E Publishing that was established way back 1993 and engaged in the field of reprinting and distributing foreign books with acquired copyright licenses from international publishers. Since they greatly increased its release of books from highly regarded publishers and they also boost the reprinting of widely prescribed foreign titles for basic and tertiary education. They ranked at the forefront of the Philippine book industry specifically by providing products at their best quality.

Utilization of the Facility Diving the Add-ons in the Library According to Mrs. Ester Aguila, university librarian, there are lots of students who are visiting and utilizing the facilities of the library but only few are using the e-library.

“For every client isa lang ang uupo ro’n. One hour per client and only the user can use the facility.”

The equipment that were located few steps from the entrance (of the library) can be used by everyone but with limitations to assure that it will still be useable for the next school years.

Diving in the CE-Logic site, we found out that the journals and articles in the website are all foreign works. According to Mrs. Aguila, it is because of the fact that the exclusive distributor of CE-Logic is foreigner. Even the authors of the researches are foreign-based, still it can be used by the students and faculty members in their theses and dissertations as reference. It is mainly because the related journals or literatures are all written in English language.

To assure that everyone in the university will be utilizing not only the equipment in the library, but also the site, a training-seminar was conducted to teach everyone in the university to use this digital scholar CE-Logic. According to Laygo, students from BatStateU can have a free access to the online resources in CE-Logic anytime. What they only need to do is to go on the school’s library or by simply diving on their website http:/infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/phbsum and input the password that was provided by the company to the users of BatStateU. This “bsum” on the link means that this is exclusively for the BatStateU JPLPC-Malvar users. Different passwords were given on each campus (of BatStateU) for the access of their students.

Cons and Pros Everything has its limits, so as the university’s new e-product because it only last for a year as its subcriptions. Upon reaching its end, this service and access will be terminated. Well, it doesn’t matter only if the majority of students enjoying and maximizing opportunities to use thousands of journals and articles that the university had subscribed, maximized. And the great part about this website is that, you can have the assurance that the sources from the site are all credible.

The disadvantage of this CE-Logic in BatStateU is that, it has more foreign journals since it is an international publication. With regards to the usage of the students within the campus, they will be not able to copy the files in their flash drives since the equipment in the library are aimed to be protected from viruses but the works can be sent through email and/or google drive.

I’m looking forward to see you there, fellas!

devcomm

The Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

Behind

the Filipino Words in

21

August-November 2019

Oxford

By: Angel Grace P. Armea

We are famously known around the globe for our country’s wide range of vernaculars. And because of this, we are able to contribute in English language diversification. Yes, you read it right. As a matter of fact, we have several words that are now in the oldest yet most popular dictionary in the world — the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). These words to be recognized in a worldwide platform are such an honor however, it is undeniable that some of us may not know the meaning behind these words.

Now, why don’t we dig a little bit deeper? Read this for you to be not counted as one of the benigthed fellows of today’s era.

Bongga OED definition: Extravagant or flamboyant For everyone to know, this was popularized during the 70s or 80s movie/song Bongga Ka Day! (you might be enunciating this three times while singing keke). So it literally means that you’re awesome and stylish in a loud way. This is very much used by people nowadays whenever they express their amusement on a certain thing, bursting out “Bongga!”

Despedida

Kilig OED definition: Causing or characterized by a feeling of exhilaration or elation (of a person) exhilarated or elated by an exciting or romantic experience.

Whenever you see your puppy love you feel kilig, a tingling sensation which was described as an adjective and a noun equivalent to “shudder” or a “thrill”. Since it does not have an equivalent English word, it was included in the OED and has a description “a borrowing word from Tagalog.”

OFW

OED definition: A social event honouring someone who is about to depart on a journey or leave an organization; a going-away party.

OED definition: A person from the Philippines who is living and working in another country, typically on a temporary basis.

Well, it’s kind of obvious that the word does not originally derive in our country.

This is because it came from the Spanish word despedida which means farewell and nowadays, this term is used by our aunts whenever there is someone that is about to leave and they are going to have a despedidad party.

Its acronym means Overseas Filipino Workers whereas, it was widely used in the Philippines as there are a lot of Filipinos who works abroad to provide necessities for their families. Because of this, they were held as the new heroes of the country. The origin of this word however was not recorded but since it is widely used, the word was listed in OED.

Gimmick OED definition: a night out with friends.

This word is originally founded at United States (US) which has an original meaning of ‘a piece of magician’s apparatus’. This is the term that is also used whenever someone aims to attract publicity and/or for trade. Say for example a new gimmick that will boost your business.

Halo-halo OED definition: A Filipino dessert made with mixed fruits, boiled sweetened white beans, milk, and flavored crushed ice, typically topped with purple yam, crème caramel, and ice cream.

We already know what this word literally means in Filipino, “mix-mix”. Of course, we are aware that it is one of the most popular desserts in our country especially during summer. But do you know that it is derived from the Japanese dessert called kakigori, (shaved ice in a cup with beans on top) during the Japanese occupation before the World War II?

Kikay kit OED definition: A soft case in which a woman’s toiletries and cosmetics are stored.

This word is associated with the word “Kikay”, which means a woman or a girl who is interested in beauty and fashion so basically it was just derived from “Kikay”

Pancit OED definition: (in Filipino cooking) noodles, or a dish made with noodles.

This term was an influence of the Chinese settlers as they have brought in the Philippines their traditional foods alongside with lumpia, siopao and the likes. As time pass by we are able to adopt fully their food, making it as one of our favorite handa during occasions.

Pandesal OED definition: A yeast-raised bread roll made of flour, eggs, sugar and salt, widely consumed in the Philippines, especially for breakfast.

Pandesal as the pambansang almusal came from Spaniards during the colonial era.

It is their Spanish term for salt bread whereas, most bakeries produce and sell this bread way back then.

Trapo OED definition: A politician perceived as belonging to a conventional and corrupt ruling class.

Probably, most of us know that it is a fusion TRA (Traditional) and PO (Politician).

Yet the real thing is before, journalists call politicians “tradpol” or the traditional politician then as time pass by, it became trapo.

The above mentioned words cumulate on the list of OED overtime. Who knows maybe someday we’ll see our favorite terms there in the OED again, contributing richness of words to English language.

22

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

devcom

Philippines Launch 5G, Offers Lag-Free Connection Article by: Shyra F. Regodon and Angel Grace Armea

For four straight years, the Philippines has lead worldwide for having internet users spending approximately 10 hours and 2 minutes via any device (based on the latest study). This is due to increasing numbers of citizens engaged with social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and other platforms. However, slow internet connection has been part of the frustration of many (in our country) as of today. Well, not anymore because you may now exclude buffering as part of the user is experience.

Faster Internet is Waving at You As of April 2019, the country’s internet speed is still at its slow phase making it at 15.06 Megabits per second (Mbps) which is below the global average, 26.12 Mbps. Yet, an innovation that will put you in an utopian setting — sitting on a bench comfortably while playing Mobile Legends (ML) smoothly will now be available.

Before the second quarter of the year lasts, the Philippines Globe Telecommunication Inc. launched Air Fiber fifth-generation (5G) broadband service in the country together with Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. This will provide the equipment to be used like radios and modems which are much more like a wireless internet connection with fixed service at the comfort of your home, leaving the traditional wired services behind and making the delivery speed faster without the need to think about the layout of wired networks and cables during installation.

According to Alberto de Larrazabal, Globe’s Chief Commercial Officer, the telecom firm aims to offer high-speed internet with a promise of speed that ranges from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps. This is to serve the next generation connectivity standard available in the market.

5G

Know 5G Network Further TThe fifth generation (5G) is the latest generation of connectivity after 4G or LTE that runs on most mobile devices today. It is a new mobile standard that will offer faster internet speed and less lag. In our country, just like what was written above, Globe promises to offer 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps which is a speed than the latest speed test record.

According to research, 5G should offer 1 GigaBytes per second (GBps) as soon as it had established its network. Imagine how fast will it be, your downloading and uploading of files might take just few blinks. No more waiting time.

Furthermore, this will contribute to the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. In terms of communication, businesses, managing of finances and other transactions, will be done even there are no physical infrastructures built to receive and store information/ data. Also, this 5G network is capable of hosting artificial-intelligence-driven technologies which may include driverless cars, automated systems and other technologies. The technology is eye viewed to be the next mobile technology that will uphold not only the communication between people but also the connection of devices towards the development of a smart environment.

By using the 5G standard there are advantages that online users can experience: • Faster and Easier to Deploy. Unlike traditional fiber connections, there will no more digging and laying out of fiber cables as well as problems with “right of way”. Putting up a 5G network in an area will almost instantaneously give everyone in the vicinity fast wireless broadband.

• Fixed Wireless with Nomadic Characteristics. While it’s ideal to have the 5G modem in a fixed location to guarantee some level of signal and performance, it is still possible to carry and bring around the device wherever you go. Of course, the experience in speed and signal reception will vary once you do this.

• Prepaid Option. Unlike fixed wireless broadband where you need to pay for installation fees and commit to contract period, existing fixed wireless services are available in prepaid packages. This means you can buy a prepaid kit and test out the signal and speed performance in your area without committing to a long-term service plan.

• Better Industries’ Operation. Using the standard speed it will help the industries to serve their customers, such as the use of safer and more efficient management of cities, smart grid and smart metering for power transmission and distribution, asset management, and advanced medicine.

• Enterprises Benefits. The enterprises will also take good opportunity from applications such as connected vehicle fleets, predictive maintenance, factory automation, work force training and field support, and many more.

The launch of the new generation of connectivity had caught up the attention of the crowd most especially the online users. Surprisingly, our country is the very first to offer 5G network in Asia and third in Southeast Asia.

Yet, having this innovation might totally turn our backs on the traditional way of communicating and living.

devcom

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

by: Vernalyn Montero | Photos from Google Images

A glimpse of hope.

eating

August-November 2019

Plastic exists almost everywhere, and Philippines being competitive in almost everything tops as one of plastic waste contributors. Look to your left and you will see one.

According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Filipinos produce millions of wastes in a year. If you are going to picture out, it will be able to cover the entire land of Metro Manila. So, before it covers up the whole country, researchers never stop to look for solutions for us to reduce the plastics not only in the land field but throughout the bodies of water.

Plastic

23

Fortunately, team researchers Denisse Yans dela Torre, Lee delos Santos, Mari Louise Reyes and Ronan Baculi from the Department of Biology in the University of the Philippines – Baguio have discovered four-strains of plastic-degrading bacteria at the Poon Bato Spring in Zambales last April 2018. According to the researchers, the bacteria can degrade a specific kind of plastic called Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) – commonly used in packaging and single-use bags.

These bacteria can degrade polyethylene due to the reason that these are classified as extremophiles – inhabitant in extremely harsh environment under high pressure and temperature. Since the bacteria have the ability to break down LDPE, just like humans who eat food and exhale carbon dioxide, these bacteria also carry out their metabolism with LDPE.

Giving Hopes to Less Plastic Waste Upon discovering these bacteria, it gives hope to solve the problem in plastic waste of the Philippines. This is not the first time to discover plastic-eating bacteria. A bacterium called Ideonella sakaiensis from the genus Ideonella that was originally isolated from a sediment sample taken outside of a bottle recycling facility in

Sakai, Japan also has the ability to break down and consume plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a sole carbon and energy source. And now, these bacteria prove that there’s a little hope in surviving with the challenge of plastic waste.

Moreover, they decided to have a 90day incubation period to the four out of nine bacteria that they have isolated from the spring. These isolated bacteria reduced the weight of plastic polymer and they have discovered that after the bacteria consumed the plastic, it produces byproducts that are environment friendly.

Heads Up to Its Sustainability According to the Vice President of the University of the Philippines for Academic Affairs, the physical structure and chemical composition of the films have significantly changed upon the introduction of the bacteria. They have also found out that these bacteria cells can actually live and grow rapidly with films as their main source of energy.

There’s a big possibility that it will help to lessen the plastic waste since the spring wherein the bacteria have found has alkaline water which basicity is attributed to dissolve salts and upon further research alkaline spring have minerals that could help in developing this kind of bacteria.

Though it is another breakthrough, there is still a doubt if those bacteria will really work on reducing the plastics. As what have been mentioned above, the bacteria can survive in an alkaline water so how about those plastics in the ocean?

Ocean water is 1000 times more acidic than the natural spring water so it is possible that these can bacteria cannot survive in acidic water.

BACTERIA Th bee ese ba n c to re exist w teria th take duce th ill sure at have ly s e nev a lot o plasti help e c still r be th f time a s but it e n i cial t is a g solutio d it wi ll r mic robe eat new n alone , . ben efi-

24

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

devcom

Kabalikat: Killing Illiteracy for Decades (I love you, 2000!)

Article by: Marie Dominique D. Oña

It is 2019, still, Philippines has the slowest poverty decline all over the world.

The country is not considered as the poorest but the word “developing country” has been attached to our natiom since then.

When will–ing be replaced by –ed?

Little we know, progress starts at the very core of its society which is the country’s citizen. The municipality of Malvar is working for years in hope for that “little progress.” Say there is this project that we, The LASER, has been monitoring for years – Malvar Kabalikat sa Hanapbuhay Livelihood and Training Center. The said project patiently helps Malvareños by providing jobs and opportunities since 1999.

Offering Trainings for Free According to Ms. Dolores A. Formon, Kabalikat Coordinator, the aforementioned program is responsible for conducting trainings in the municipality. There are 15 barangays in Malvar and those who are willing to study and be trained to get a decent job such as out-of-school youth, housewives and even students who are currently studying are all welcome to enroll on their desired courses for free.

Here are the course they offer – tailoring, bread and pastry, cosmetology, welding, hilot massage, events management, housekeeping, bartending / barista, carpentry, food and beverage, and computer system and servicing.

Operation 101: Opportunity for All You just need to do step 1 and 2 to avail your chosen course – simply fill a form then register. Tough they set age limits from 18-75 years old, as long as a person can still manage to attend classes, the opportunity is widely open for them to enjoy. There are two batches and the first one reserves 25 slots. Once the slots are already full, the Kabalikat in-charge personnel will send a message to the applicants for the orientation and then proceed to the formal session. It will start and last for six months or less depending on the course. The trainings are conducted every day, literally, as long as the trainees are available, from 8:00 a.m.~5:00 p.m.

Finishing the course means that one will receive the NC II certificate and a starter kit for a business.

Operation 102: Opportunity for All “…kasi mas marami na tayo kababayan dito sa Malvar na nagtatrabaho, so ‘yong time nila, s’yempre mas gusto nila sa company, ‘yong iba, hindi ‘ko naman nilalahat pero ang ginawa ng TESDA para hindi masayang ‘yung mga pondo na binibigay sa Malvar, kasi mayroon tayong ka-tie up e pumayag sila na tumanggap tayo ng Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Darasa – kasi ang Malvar lang ang nago-offer ng libreng training,” said Ms. Formon.

In turn, they are able to help not only the community members of Malvar but also those from their neighboring municipalities. With this, people who does not have the capacity to attend formal educational institutions are assisted and at the same time, they are given the opportunity to have a good-paying job.

Upswings of Kabalikat’s Fruits There are an estimated 2,000 graduates with NC II certification and it is proven that 80% of them already have their job on their own and 50% of them are currently working abroad.

“Nagi-improve sila dahil sa traning at saka talagang mino-monitor namin lalo na ‘yong binigyan namin ng mga starter kit, minomonitor ko kasi ako ‘yung nakaassign doon para malaman ‘ko kung nagagamit ba nila. Hindi ‘yong after ng training stock na lang ‘yung nalaman nila. Ngayon kailangan naming malaman kung nagagamit nila ‘yon, kung talaga ba nakatulong para sila ay umunlad, gumawa ng paraan para kumita kahit nasa bahay lang.”

Job is such an elusive thing to many people who does not finish college and sometimes even graduates find it so hard to have a big break in their career. Mismatch is also a challenge and disadvantage.

However, if you are given a chance to improve your skills and knowledge, grab and use it to enter on the doors of opportunity. With this, you will not just help yourself but our country as well to uplift its status.

To all of the people behind the Kabalikat project, thank you!

devcom

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

25

August-November 2019

Batangas Creates Upswings Through Administration's Plan By: Vernalyn D. Montero | Image from: Google Photos Batangas has been experiencing major transformation. It is noticeable that this portion of the country is now creating upswings which therefore, will bear both positive and negative outcomes. Try to take a trip that will pass through Lipa road, and it can be seen that it is now turning to be the next EDSA. Somehow this long queue of vehicles is irritating but it just indicates that the province now moves to a higher status. Have you noticed the changes in this province?

‘Build,Build, Build’ Batangas

Duterte administration had come up with a project covering different provinces that will create more opportunities The said program is a medium-term goal to increase infrastructure spending from 5.4 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017 to 7.3 percent by the end of President Duterte’s term in 2022. Batangas is now foreseen to be the next Metro Manila - this is so because of a lot of road projects such as concreting of General Aguinaldo-Magallanes-Nasugbu Road, widening of LemeryTaal Diversion Road and Bauan-Mabini Road, working on the drainage systems along Daang Maharlika in Sto. Tomas, Doña Alicia Bridge, expansion of Batangas International Seaport, Batangas International Airport and the plans for a food terminal in Batangas.

Faster Mobility and Beneficial for Batangueños The aforementioned project is beneficial for everyone especially for the commuters and students. Students in BatStateU JPLPC-Malvar for example will be able to travel faster to other phases of the country as some of the projects mentioned above are already finished.

It also took action on resolving the traffic along the national road network leading to tourism area in Nasugbu by widening the Lemery-Taal Diversion Road, in connection, they also plan to widen the Bauan-Mabini road in Mabini, Batangas which leads to betterment of the transport of products to neighboring towns and provinces.

Truly our province, Batangas, has made its own name and continue improving its facilities for the sake of its people. They also worked on the roads of Daang Maharlika in Sto. Tomas to lessen the travel time by 30 percent and also to provide drainage systems along the way to reduce flooding.

Batangas province also secures a safer communication and connection between Taysan and Lobo Batangas by accomplishing the new Doña Alicia Bridge along the Batangas Lobo road. Batangas also plans to expand the Batangas International Seaport that will be the Calamba to Batangas City railway spur line.

Creates Opportunities for Batangueños Officials of Batangas are working together, hand in hand, to enhance everything in our community and as of now, they are taking the chance to make massive changes in Batangas. They are working on Batangas International Airport that will be placed in the municipalities of Alitagtag and San Pascual together with an industrial park and an export processing zone. They also plan to open Batangas Regional Food Terminal.

It is really helpful in transportation and trading of products, Filipinos also expect a huge number of job vacancies. Duterte administration assures that there will be more opportunities for the Filipinos. In fact, as part of the program, the administration also opens the Jobs, Jobs, Jobs portal. It is available and can be opened by visiting this site www.build.gov.ph. In this website, anyone can find a job vacancy just check the jobs available per agency that are listed on the site and/or can search for the available jobs that is sorted by region. This site will serve as a job matching platform between potential employers and employees as the government moves to complement its Build, Build, Build infrastructure initiatives with more job opportunities for Filipinos according to Secretary Mark Villar.

The changes and improvement in the surroundings will not be noticed if we refuse to see it. Give attention to the things that should be recognize and not with the issues that can't are irrelevant. Just somehow take a look on the news related to the development of your province or even a glance on its Facebook page's updates. The face of Batangas now is something to be proud of. It can now handle random heavy industries and different industrialization process of the neighboring countries in East Asian economies.

These projects in Batangas will bring opportunities to everyone and just last September, one of its municipalities officially became a city - the Sto.Tomas City. It is another example of how improved Batangas is as of this year.

towards Haraya Photos by: Gilbert John Polido, Prince Joshua Luna, Mark Arvin Gonzales, Marc Aron Aala, Jayvee Linga | Likhang Potograpiya

28

entertainment

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

Oka should be in school - however, he’s been feeling sick. Help him get better by getting rid of all 10 worms hidden in this frame!

sports

29

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed August-November 2019

Losing in Doubt J-Boy

Jay C. Caguicla | jaycaguicla@gmail.com

Before getting through the competition, there are already heavy stages that an athlete has to carry out, putting all their strength to worn-out sessions and defying the stress they have to deal. These are the phases they must achieve for them to qualify in a tournament.

But trainings are just the preliminary match they have to battle on, the real competition start with dealing in pressure and nerve-breaking poi nt. Sports are not just having physical strength but also must attain a strong mindset.

Sports Editorial Fad Over Needs

The government have spent for extravagance to show off instead of providing the athletes’ much crucial needs.

As part of the facilities in the South East Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine Sports Commission bought a 50-Million cauldron and proudly marked it as a world class.

On the other hand, the struggles of the Philippine’s athletes in terms of requesting funds for training and exposure abroad always get denied for approval which in fact, the expenditure for the athletes should be given much priority than a single-use cauldron.

Why is it that the budget for a fad was approved immediately than the much more crucial needs of the athletes? They have been competing within and outside the globe to bring honor to the country but the citizen’s taxes and funding are much more allocated by the government to a facility intended for a mere show off.

This was defended by Sen. Allan Cayetano, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Chairman that this expensive cauldron is a ‘work of art’ and is not a luxury expense because he sees it as national pride that, we, Filipinos should be proud of.

Thinking about the honor this cauldron gives, he must have considered that these athletes who are in need almost begging for the new equipment, just funds for their trainings and support from the local government have been bringing numerous awards for the country but still being neglected.

It seems like the fad prevails over the athletes’ needs.

COMICS

By: Vinivinissa

Everything you have put through your battles won’t be enough if you know you cannot fight with anxious and by letting it to control you in the game.

Trembling in your feet and eaten by your own words inside.

Those whom will compete from different communities are all prepared physically to fight but how come that there are athletes who was able to defeat those who rank well in the previous game?

This is clearly cause by pressure they brought to the match.

That is why determination and confidence are very important in sports. One cannot win by just saying they undergo through the hardest training of their life.

Though it is true that strength is essential in building your confidence in the play, one cannot win by only having that. Power is the passage way while the state of mind is the key.

But regards to all the small and biggest competitions one has gone through, many of them could not maintain or even learn how a person can properly think.

They are ruled by the word winning and not totally into gaining.

Losing for most of them are the equivalent of failure, that is why athletes who were once at the top could not easily obtain their position back to them. For bring-

ing up the rear means worthless and might have ask their own self about their lacking.

There are more than 6 sets of athletes can be found in the campus for every sport, but only several of them were chosen to compete outside the university.

This is because they don’t have the courage to try believing their ability in sports.

Cheering from their respective teams or individuals are a great help in building their confidence, this is one of the factors that greatly affect a player competing, just like how each college support their players in Intramurals giving them the fire and eagerness to bring pride for their department knowing that someone believe in them.

Trainings are always in the advantage if you will have to fight against your opponent but the proper frame of mind is rare and would be an additional percentage in the possibility of winning. But having none can only means losing, being defeated and driven by your own mind.

“

One cannot win by just saying they undergo through the hardest training of their life.

“

Winning in sports can only be accomplished by those who know how to play and with folks who get through the sacrifices and hardships of the training. But unfortunately there are those who can but did not.

Scan me for feedback

30

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

sports

Horse Polo: Game of Kings Article by: John Carlo T. De Ocampo | Photos from: Google Images During the ancient era, the emergence of the golden age of chivalry – soldiers who fought mounted with horseback – made quite a disturbance in the past, but enjoyment in the present.

There is an estimated of over 8,000 sports all over the world – more than half of those are unrecognized while some are renowned worldwide and widely held on every other people’s respected regions. One of those unrecognized but a popular sport in particular countries like United States, Argentina, New Zealand and many more was also the sport which is known as the The Game of the Kings — horse polo.

The Royal Game’s Origin Horse Polo is regarded one of the oldest team sport in the world that has no particular origin. The first game recorded was 2,000 years ago which was played by nomadic people in Persia while the first tournament was in 600 B.C. between Turkomans and Persians.

Henceforward, the game continuously reaches the doors of every rich and members of royal family.

Furthermore, the sport began to reach its climactic point on having the opportunity to be widespread on various countries in 1800’s when soldiers from Britain saw the game being played by the local residents therein, as they subsequently established its rules.

Horse Polo Tactics Just like any other sport there are rules to follow whereas; the person on the position 1 is apparently responsible for attacking and scoring – considered as the hard and accurate hitter of the game but could also defend against the opposition’s position 3. The other one is the position 2 who supports the position 1 if he fails to strike the ball for an attempt to acquire a score. Though, they could also interchange position with position 3 who must be flexible on everything for he’ll be the one to initiate the flow of the whole game. Thus, this position could also be referred as the role for the best player in the team. And last but not the least, the position 4 who must possess the ability to defend the goal post of his team for he would be the last line of defence for their opponent to either, score or not.

As for the rules, it is initially obvious. It is need to assures that the player will not intentionally hurt any other player nor their mounts. The players be aware on the protocols of the game as well as the penalties that he might incur.

List of Don’ts During the Game First is the Bump or Ride-Off; it is when the player purposively pushed away the person who took the last hit on the ball so that, he wouldn’t have the chance to strike it.

Next is the Line of the ball, here everyone must have the ability to conceive the trajectory of the ball, the player should not cross the line of the ball for there might be a chance that he may bump hard on the player who took a hit on the. Lastly is the Hooking, it is technically a strategy by players however, doing it in the wrong way could be a serious penalty instead of a technique – both for the player and his team. A proper execution

of the tactic was just to hook the mallet (the long and thin rod use for hitting the ball).

Although if it accidentally hit the horse, player, or the saddle (the seat of the rider); it would mean a penalty.

Moreover, each game is comprised of 4 – 8 chukkas and each chukka is consisting of 7 minutes and 30 seconds. In regards to scoring – it is more similar to a hockey. In fact, horse polo is primarily perceived as the hybrid of golf, soccer, and hockey – that just ride on a horse. The only goal is to strike the ball towards the goal post of one’s opponent.

Fruits of Labour It is a misconception that horse polo is regarded as something that will not benefit anyone for they could clearly recognize that the players are just sitting at the back of each horses as they swing their rods to hit the ball. Ironically, it is more beneficial for the horse for it is running here and there than the player himself. But just like what stated earlier – it is most people’s misconception.

Unbeknownst for most, the player could acquire all the attributes – strength, dexterity, intelligence, and even stamina that a person sought to have and use it in dealing with their daily lives – simply swinging the arm in a forceful manner time after time alone could make the upper body strength to develop; the mind to be relaxed; and stamina to improve. Hence, making the player’s body stronger and firm over time.

Playing horse polo is not as boring as what others perceived it. It is indeed a really good thing knowing that there are various’ of sports that people may play as they please – with pleasure and joy. Being a champion is not the only thing that matters in life.

31

sports

Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed August-November 2019

Ninja Artists inch-passes the Blazing Writers, 25-17, 25-23 Mark Joseph S. Francisco Ninja Artists mounted themselves to the podium of gold-titlists after castigating the Blazing Writers in a spine wracking fray in the much-awaited championship match for the 2019 Annual LASER Sports Fest, Sept. 3.

At 2:15PM, the highly anticipated game started with Writer’s Edrian Platon’s poweralley which easily drew a point, 1-0.

Artist Paul John De Leon made a solid first impression as he crafted the 1st point of his team by a thunder spike Jay Caguicla failed to shield, 1-1.

The action persisted as down-to-thewire with both teams bartering tit-tats of light-speed, target-accurate spikes, sharpplanned dumps and ground bustling power alleys.

Writers’ Platon and Caguicla never vacillated in plunging steep spikes to the Artists seemed to halt their functions as they enter a range of errors stocking them to 15 and piling up the Artist’s edge to 4, 19-15.

INTRAMURALS culture and arts festival points 1ST PLACE

Having cracked-down by the Artists, the Writers called a timeout for recharging but the TO was no help for them as the Artists’ rifled insurmountably bearing annihilator offenses they can’t access, 22-16.

The writers tried to recover with every single blast they can discharge but they failed to recuperate the Artists’ slashing onslaught, 24-17.

De Torres hustled in the court as he shut-off the 1st set with a blitz jam-packed with furor, 25-17.

Dominance through coup de main was what the Artists were targeting for as they welcomed the 2nd set with spinning palm-hits.

The artists’ palm hits and their own slip ups made the Writers stumble to retaliated attacks, 8-3.

Preceded from the Artists’ misfires, the Writers suffered to as series of screw ups killing their momentum and letting the Writers recover to 9-8.

The sudden recovery of the Writers existed for just two minutes as the Artists reclaim their streak initiated by John Lloyd Arriola which runs until 13-10.

Thireen was an unlucky digit for the Artists as the Writers charged potent spikes hitting the targets unguarded in a circuit of 4 joints, 13-14, but then again, the Artists circuit was not long-lasting as De Torres and De Leon agitated a flurry of spikes from Arriola’s perfect onset generating easy points, 20-16.

Jay Caguicla invoked chances for the Writers to retrieve by imposing heavy-duty pumps, but, was not enough to stir up the Artists, to a scare, 22-19.

The Writers still deposited threats to the Artists as they recouped to 24-23 but with a single hit from Arriola’s scorching palm, the Ninja Artists was able to kill the Blazing Writers total damage and to declare themselves the boss of this volleyball jungle.

First ever Filipino World Champion in Gymnastics Qualified for Tokyo Olympics 2020

TOTAL SCORE

35 PTS

CABEIHM

College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management

BREAK DOWN OF POINTS Vocal solo

5

vocal duet

5

folk dance

5

hiphop

10

live band

10

2ND PLACE

TOTAL SCORE

33 PTS

CTE

College of TEACHER EDUCATION

BREAK DOWN OF POINTS Vocal solo

10

vocal duet

5

folk dance

10

hiphop

7

live band

3

3rd PLACE

TOTAL SCORE

25 PTS

Signature Pose. Carlos Yulo, concentrating through the loud cheers as he holds his position in preparation for an outstanding disengage to end his stint for the still rings gymnastics.

CIT

College of Industrial Technology

Jay C. Caguicla Filipino Gymnasts Carlos Edriel Yulo won the first gold for the Philippines in World Championship held at Stuttgart, Germany, Sat., Oct. 12.

Yulo, a 19 year-old student hail as the first male South East Asian bagging gold after his final score of 15.300 in the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship while also setting records as he hold bronze medal in the same men’s floor exercise in Doha, Qatar last 2018.

He bested Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat (15.200, who placed second, and China’s Ruoteng Xiao (14.933), who settled for the bronze, to finally become the very first Southeast Asian Male gymnast to win a gold in the Worlds.

Last year, e made history as the first Filipino to land on the podium in the world artistic gymnastics championships in Doha, Qatar when he bagged a bronze in the same event.

His training took place in Tokyo, Japan for three years together with his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya who is also popular as he contributed to some of the World Champion in Gymnasts.

The title itself qualified him for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020 and will also be part of the flag bearers in the 2019 South East Asian Games and was expected to gain gold again in the gymnastics tournament.

BREAK DOWN OF POINTS Vocal solo

7

vocal duet

7

folk dance

1

hiphop

3

live band

7

sports

August-November 2019 Truth Strikes in a Lightspeed

INTRAMURALS SPORTS EVENT MEDAL TALLY 1ST PLACE

Flores fend off RSU in the battle for Gold Jay C. Caguicla

Gold CECS

College of Engineering and Computing Sciences

GOLD 34 SILVER 17 BRONZE 14 2ND PLACE

silver CIT

College of Industrial Technology

GOLD 26 SILVER 23

BRONZE 7 3rd PLACE

Spencer Dale Flores overhauls the score of 2-0 on opponent’s homeground in STRASUC Olympics, clenching the gold for a back-to-back victory.

Novice woodpusher dumps LASER Champ Jay C. Caguicla Conquering all the top-notch chess player of The LASER, John Carlo De Ocampo outwitted Paul John de Leon for the chess tournament during The 2019 Annual LASER Sports Fest, Sept. 3.

The best of the three series of the said event reached the do-or-die game after two draws between the players of Blazing Writers and Ninja Artists now dubbed as the “novice woodpusher” and “LASER Champ,” respectively.

Pressure filled the stage as Flores of Batangas State University continues to make errors in the first 3 points of the game having the crowd cheer for Edward Galang of Romblon State University.

During the first phase of the game, the woodpusher armed his pieces wittily to trap the chessmaster’s queen but it was still able to escape, however, it was De Ocampo’s bait to seize his foe’s bishop - a piece of sacrifice for the pulse of his attacked.

Despite having the advantage of the home crowd, Flores battled the courage to smash down the score in 5-8 putting him on lead.

Dominating the field, Flores struggled to completely annihilate Galang in the following series of smashes and quick shots, trying to outbalance his opponent and secure his victory for the round.

Stunned by De Ocampo’s second set of assaults through offensive sacrifice, De Leon’s battalion revealed its weakness little by little which allowed the woodpusher to penetrate and snatch most of his officials.

Galang prevails to be shrugged as he meticulously drops the shuttle dead on the ground trying to cope with the score 10-13.

Flores could not agree to be taken over as his smashes continue to land on Galang’s ground ending the first set 21-14.

The battle of the best blueprints continued as the match approached to its end as De Ocampo’s officials scattered all throughout De Leon’s most important piece, which dazed the chess master to veil plan of the woodpusher to promote his pawn.

However, even defying the hard work and upgraded moves of Galang, he failed to reach his drops and could not break the defenses put by BatStateU player Flores 3-7, as he already read and distinguished the moves of RSU’s representative.

During the next few minutes, a game of tag seem to have kept both parties busy as De Ocampo keeps on trying to isolate De Leon’s King.

This time, with Flores in the advantage of five scores 17-12 finishes off his opponent with great manipulation and deadly smash 21 over 12 gaining him the back-to-back Gold medal in Single A division in men’s Badminton.

However in doing so, De Ocampo missed a step, causing his queen to succumb to De Leon’s nasty King trap.

As the game progressed, however, De Ocampo’s goal now appeared to be for the queen’s revival.

Having the motive unveiled, the survival battle of both rivals’ pawns started but in the end, the woodpusher successfully regained his queen, permanently paralyzing the chessmaster’s goal to title.

Strong Stance. Spencer Dale Flores remains calm yet menacing in the court during the whole match.

CABEIHM Reigns in Volleyball boys defeating CECS Jay C. Caguicla

bronze CABEIHM

College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management

GOLD 16 SILVER 34 BRONZE 23

CECS gained chance after a win to CTE to clash against CABEIHM for championship.

As the first set of games begin, both teams exchanged fiery spikes brewing and mocking each opponent in the field scoring alternately.

CECS took advantage with a 13-12 score as their determination takes place in the ball striking hard to the enemy resulting for CABEIHM as the team heated turning the score all fifteen.

Whereas, Rowel Maloklok of CABEIHM dump the ball in the net as he mimic the opponents strategy and ending the play with a monster serve rapidly goes for the receiving player, untouched 25-22.

Second set lit up by great defense project by CABEIHM as CECS starts to spike down the score against the other ally 10-6.

Score. Rowel Maloklok is undaunted with the triple block attempt in front of him.

But Maloklok was committed to the game as he refuse the kills and established great offense taking back what he has started 20-14, and ended the play with great combination and put the over kill 1825.

“It is necessary to manifest efforts, enjoyment and unity as we strive inside the court” said Maloklok, a BSBA Marketing student.