21 minute read
DEVCOM
D' Ani-Kita: Newest Batangas Airwaves
by: Maycel Villanueva and Vernalyn Montero|Image from DA Communications Group
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Ala, eh! How well do you know Batangas? Would you describe its people with natural megaphone on their throat? or a province of Balisong? or you'd rather tell about its wonders - the natural landscapes and resources anywhere in Batangas. There are a lot of crops that Batanguenos can offer: palay, coconut, sugarcane and of course the delectable and legendary Kapeng Barako. We also have Taal Lake which is the main source of fish in Batangas. It's not enough that we just know about these informations, it would be better if we know how to preserve and continuously enrich them. What are you up to this pandemic? Want to feed your minds through FM radio?
Frequency for Barakos
Our society are becoming different as fast as the 'tsismis' but some of the government sectors are improving day by day. It is important to have a radio on our houses or even on our phones. It is an effective media platform as many are not yet literate enough in the internet world and it's sad that some of the common sources of news is the neighborhood, I guess. Department of Agriculture (DA) sponsored community radio station in Batangas State University. It is a pride of the Red Spartans to hail the red and white and spread knowledge about agriculture and fishery to the people of Batangas. Located at the School of Development Communication building, Pablo Borbon Main I and inaugurated last 13th of October - DWPB-FM 107.3 "D' Ani-Kita" radio station, now on Batangas airwaves. DA has already set two new radio stations. The first one was established in Pampanga State Agricultural University in Magalang; BatSU now manages the second. This recognized the important role of state universities and colleges (SUCs) as partners of DA in the establishment of community radio stations nationwide. Reliable information on agri-fishery projects and other news from the DA will now reach more farming and fishing communities in Batangas. Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, the BatSU president, said that the D’ Ani-Kita will not only help to dessiminate information but also, it serves as an on-the-job platform for Spartans On Service D' Ani-Kita radio station will air development-oriented programs featuring the various projects and activities offered by DA that would be of great help to farmers, fishers, agripreneurs, and the youth, among others. BatSU’s faculty members and students of development communications will offer music, entertainment, and cultural programs, while the Forefront Broadcasting Company (FFBC) provides radio programming, management directions, and sustainability modes.
Some programs to be aired initially are "Buhay sa Bahay" and "TALAKalikasan" that will be lead by the faculty members of the red spartans. During the event,
students, particularly those who are pursuing development communications, agriculture and fishery courses, and other related degree programs. Imagine working for your alma mater, how good is that? Secretary Dar also approved the university’s proposal for the revitalization of the province’s well-known “Kapeng Barako” through the DA’s Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and committed to supporting the university’s initiatives in promoting the agriculture sector. It's nice to hear that there are lots of innovation especially on media platforms. This juncture open the gate of our development and improve our existing projects towards enhancement and excellency. Radios are also essential during this time of pandemic to lessen the boredom and educate us even in the safety of our home. This D' Ani-Kita radio station is a huge milestone to the university as it achieve its goal of contributing to the nation-building. Whenever I turned our radio, I'll be in cloud nine to hear my beloved school delivering the the news of cultivation in Agriculture of our dear province, Batangas.
TRANSFORM, TRANSFORMERS!
Laurelians' Preparedness for Upcoming Projects.
by: Vernalyn D. Montero
No, it's not about the yellow Bumblebee or any other robots but yes, we all need an upgrade! While we are in the comfort of our home, we tend to exercise and focus more on ourselves and that's a good thing; preparing ourselves for the most awaiting moment (for the first time, I bet!), the face-to-face classes. Do you know that the university is also working on its glow up? Last October 17, the installation of new transformers and replacement of the old ones happened at Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar with the help of Batangas II Electric Cooperative and Macmac Electrical. It was originally planned last June yet, because of this disturbing coronavirus disease (COVID-19), travel restrictions were implemented and the installation were rescheduled. Transformers are commonly used to carry electrical energy from one circuit to another by means of the process of electromagnetic induction. It is used to increase or decrease voltage levels between circuits. The Administration and Finance together with the Office of the Executive Director and General Office Services decided to install the new transformers to have a better maintenance and accommodation for future projects related to electricity and building enhancement. I know most of us are somewhat irritated by the heat whenever we have programs at the gymnasium and even on our ventilated classrooms. According to Mr. Whil Lumbera, Head of General Office Services, the new transformers can supply each of the departments since it was installed in the new powerhouse of the university. Maybe we can request to use the air-condition unit even once for a while? Let's see. But hey, knowing that the university is preparing for the upcoming programs and projects for the improvement of the campus, well that's something we should look up to. Sadly, we can't witness some of the improvement of the campus as of now but the utility are maintaining the cleanliness and repairing some of the areas in our university. The infrastructure projects of the university are affected because of the COVID-19. Amidst health crisis, the university is still on hand and doing whatever they can do for the sake of the campus and its students. In fact, there are projects that are work on progress yet they can't start it because of some restrictions brought about by the pandemic. Above anything that Batanguenos have faced: Taal eruption that leads to suspension of classes and COVID-19 outbreak that brought us to the online classes setup, offices in BatStateU JPLPC-Malvar are still open for transactions and inquiries every weekdays. These new transformers are of great help for the offices to avoid short circuits that may lead to interruption of transactions. Since there are new transformers, the university heard your demands of having an accessible wifi for all. Who among you are not excited for this? I just wish it's not a turtle net. Well, let's just hope for the best! The university will continue to improve and make a difference. You matter, Laurelians. See you on our face-to-face classes!
Boost Greenery with HormoGroeTM
by: Marie Dominique Ona, Gualberto Gimongala Jr. | Images from S&T Media Service, Bencesar Valenzuela, Xai Reyes
Alongside with the consecutive catastrophe that we are experiencing, this year is a year of booming plantitos and plantitas. It's another way to temporarily conceal the fear and uneasiness of everything. But, this year is a huge challenge for our bona fide plantitos and plantitas who let their skin burn under the heat of the sun in the middle of horrifying virus outbreak. One way or another, they deserve something useful in return! As some of the government sectors are initiating actions to help the its people, researchers developed a great help to the agricultural industry and announced it in the press statement last October 6 by the Department of Science and Technology- Philippines Council for Industry Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOSTPCIEERD) - the HormoGroeTM. We often wonder how hard it is to wear a farmer boots, long sleeves, long-folded baggy pants, all at once under the hot weather and sometimes under the threatening gloomy atmosphere. They have no choice but to invest sweat, time and effort to have the crops they've always waited for months: to earn even a small amount of money, to feed each of us, and to give love and care to their lands of hope. Researchers from the University of the Philippines- Los Banos (UPLB) gave a new hope for the multiplication of crops and plants as they developed a natural booster of root growth which they called HormoGroeTM. Imagine, their harvest might increase and that's something that can make the farmers and even simple plantitos and plantitas grin from ear to ear. HormoGroeTM was already tested on various crops: coffee, cassava, banana, vegetables, and also to some ornamental plants including the gumamela and bougainvillea and it resulted to positive result. It's absolutely a huge contribution to the daily basis of hardworking farmers and those who have gardens. Furthermore, it can boost up the seed germination, make rooting, enhance shoot growth and it is also of great help in flowering corps, fruit trees, vegetables and ornamentals. "Unlike other products available in the market, HormoGroeTm is not synthetic, it is naturally produced by bacterial and is nano-formulated," Project Leader Dr. Lidia Fernando said. Since HormoGroeTM is composed of natural microorganisms that are nanoencapsulated, it can reduce the impact of environmental risks. We sometimes thought that vegetables and fruits in the market does not have chemicals in it but the truth is there are lots of present chemicals to make it more healthy and fresh looking, and of course, to longer its life span before it becomes rotten. This HormoGroeTM is substantial as it assures the faster growth of the crops to avoid adding some chemicals in order to preserve it even longer. UPLB researchers has already set who's responsible on the HormoGroeTM's manufacturing, marketing and distribution and it will be all done through Funding Assistance for Spin-Off and Translation of Research for Advancing Commercialization (FASTRAC) program of MakilingTek. In addition, PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit acknowledge the use of HormoGroeTm for he believes that it will be the key to earn good quality crops in the country. The researchers are non-stop in discovering necessary needs of our country. HormoGroeTM is undeniably can make a huge impact to the lives of plant lovers and most especially to the lives of farmers. This will be available in the market on 2021. It's absolutely a game changer in the industry of agriculture.
Linis Islas' Basura Bangka:
A Thoroughfare to Conserve Marine Life
By: John Carlo T. De Ocampo | Image from Nestle Philipppines Oceans, seas, and lakes: these are just clear evidences of how beautifully-made the nature is; however, have any of you seen or heard what lies beneath any of those? A kraken? A leviathan? Or is it a bio-engineered megalodon? Well enough with those inauspiciously, nonexisting, nothing-to-do tattled stories, for if they do really exist or has existed, they probab ly yielded away from disgust when somebody with Einstein-like I.Q. thrown a stinky poopybranded diaper headstrong to their faces; who knows? Meanwhile, on the other water-mediated part of the Philippines, particular in Batangas, food and beverage manufacturer Nestlé Philippines and marine conservation social enterprise Pure Oceans made an initiation on what is to be done to prevent these bodies of water, its marine life from its nearing destruction.
Preventing plastic waste from recurring threats to marine ecosystem in Batangas
Mabini and Tingloy, Batangas. Basura Bangka is entitled to as the proponent strategy of Nestlé Philippines which will help collect soft plastic waste that would later on be recycled and turned into something useful again. With this said and done, they are unyielding to accept of never doing their best to acquire such a feat; of not giving attention to what most people were abusing. Prior to the present circumstance, it was addressed that the Philippines, after China and Indonesia, is among the most liable country for the leakage of plastics into seas and oceans (these may include some of your relatives and/ or friends, plastics, who are cherished by make-believe reflections when you are of use, but awful, if you are not). On the other hand, Ocampo said that Nestlé's support for programs like Linis Islas shows a company trying to do better in a changed world, conscious of the impact of their manufacturing choices on the environment and the farthest, most under-served of their customers.
Pure Oceans, led by its Founder and CEO Pia Roxas Ocampo and Nestlé Philippines conjoined for an intimate goal: to prevent plastic waste crisis in geographically remote coastal and island communities that do not have prevailing access to proper waste management through the use of Basura Bangka to transport plastic waste to recycling facilities. "Given the geographical set-up of the Philippines, we need to find waste management solutions as well for coasts and islands. We therefore warmly welcome our partnership with Pure Oceans in our first direct initiative to divert plastic waste from coastal areas and islands," Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki said. Under their partnership, it was initiated that the development of Basura Bangka is to be funded by Nestlé Philippines and was to support Pure Oceans programs in
Considering sea of solutions to make a difference
Despite all the waste extended from oceans, seas, lakes, that severe the marine life cycle. The partnership of Nestlé Philippines and Pure Oceans aims to stay firm for what is to come on what they are eager to accomplish: to keep reefs and seas, plastic-free. "We are committed to examining all options in facing the issue of plastic waste in the environment and adopting a range of solutions that can make a difference. At Nestlé, we are determined to pursue the vision of a waste-free future in the face of difficult challenges. We are happy to partner with Pure Oceans in this specific initiative, one that helps bring us closer to realizing that vision," Marzouki stated. By all means pleasing to be done with all these waste as we usually were doing; from regulating trashcans to dumping it all down in landfills, waterways, and/or suchlike. May we all see how we all are suffering with our own naîve, uncivilized [not referring to any other race] way of living, for the truth is that, no matter how developed we are to become in the future; if people would still think that a sewage is a trashcan, a lake is a big trashcan, the sea is a bigger trashcan, and an ocean as the biggest trashcan of all. Then that just prove that we all are the actual trash bigger than all the waste combined all 'round the globe, well worse than that aforementioned diaper. No exceptions, no buts, 'cause we all are connected to one another. Peace!
By: Julius M. Paz
Calvin “The Beast” Abueva of the Phoenix Super LPG fuel master returns to the Philippine Basketball League to fight once again his team against the NLEX Road Warriors in the basketball bubble after the suspension was lifted. Abueva was sentenced to a 16-month suspension – the longest suspension a player has received in a tournament – as an upshot of his actions against TNT import Terrence Jones last year. Before returning to the league, PBA Commissioner William Marcial initially met Abueva and head Coach Topex and discussed about other penalties imposed on Abueva and his resumption in the game. Abueva posted a photo of Mother Mary’s statue on his Instagram with the caption, “Thank you, God is good,” happened during the meeting with Marcial, together with the deputy commissioner Eric Castro and technical officer Mauro Bengua. Abueva remains to be part of the training with his team for a long time even though he is suspended and not allowed to play in all basketball leagues in the Philippines. “We are very happy that Calvin was given a second chance to prove himself. The team is here to support him through and through and we have Willie Marcial and Chairman Mitra of GAB to thankful for," according to Phoenix Team Manager, Paolo Baguia. However, he will still undergo series of examination even after the suspension imposed on him has been removed.
EDITORIAL
INDIVIDUAL VS. TEAM SPORTS
Gender still not fluid
Skills and talents were defined individually hence not all works as an independent player or within a team. There is no 'I' in team work as they were given a set of assignments to fulfill in a given play otherwise it will vastly fall as an individual play who's chance could only be determined by one's skills. The team sports rely on the success of a play to its teammates no matter how good an individual member, likewise an individual player depends mainly on himself achieving a goal that does not require any support of another player. Regardless, Individual sports are a competition against self as the enemy mainly is yourself that will require individual tactics and a psychologically prepared mindset. Team sports clearly distinguished the best set of players while at the same page reveals the worst among the group as it will not result in the same individual performance. Meanwhile, Individual sports requires an open mindset as the goal might result in both success and failure which an individual player must bear alone as the result of the performance was mainly caused by the self's capabilities. This simply shows that Team sports is a well known sport as it connects the skills of individuals while the self trained sports had its hard time setting a standard for itself. Nevertheless, Individual and Team sports require both discipline and hardwork as one cannot achieve a goal without the ability, perseverance and virtue. Jay Caguicla | Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Things have changed and the stereotype for woman still exists. There has been an existence of gender separation when it comes to physical sports as for the category for boys should be poles apart to girls and these became a traditional in sports. Man has been classified to have a better performance than girls when it comes to the physical sports and it was proven because of the high level of their testosterone however, e-sports is different than the actual traditional sports as it won’t require a fit and strong body not even a gender for you to play. The fact that gender is not a total requirement in e-sports, people still tend to differentiate women from men as they try to label them as weak and are incapable, with these female players still didn’t get the appreciation to compete with men. Meanwhile, among all the famous gamers around the world, it is mostly composed of men and there are just rare players which women section could relate to or look up to as they try to engage in this type of sports. And, this is one of the reasons why the industry is dominated by men. It is true that female players are not known as much as the boys but it should not stay that way and people must accept that it is not a field that can only rule by male players. It is the time to adhere and empower women to finally showcase the guts in changing this perspective. Discrimination among woman is a stereotype that has been built over years and the fact that the world is changing and the platform is already diverse, this must be the time to appreciate the capability of woman. The point is that women still fail to get a chance to prove their potential in a different field of sports and by addressing this equality in the platform they must initially try to be aware of inequality itself.
LASER The
August-October 2020
The Official Student Publication of Batangas State University JPLPC-Malvar
SPORTS
Hidilyn Diaz lifts pride
AS SHE RULES ONLINE TOURNAMENT
By: Mark Edgar Avila
Rio 2016 Olympics Silver medalist and 2019 and South East Asian Games Gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz dominates the 59 kilogram division in 2020 Oceania Weightlifting Federation (OWF) Eleiko Email International Lifters Tournament, July 24. On her video entry, Diaz lifts 95 kilograms in the snatch and 121 kilograms in clean and jerk which tallied 216 kilograms in total. Diaz bagged the gold medal after she defeated almost 63 participants including Fatima Yakabu of Austalia who placed second in her 189 kilogram total and Johanni Taljaard of South Africa who placed third with 188 kilogram total. "I was supposed to compete today in #Tokyo2020, I already imagined the crowd, full of Filipinos cheering for my win in Olympics but because of the Covid-19 Pandemic the Olympics was moved to July 23-Aug 8 2021 making my imagination got blurred. It was a good thing oceania weightlifting and @eleikosport organized an email competition called the Eleiko International Email Competition", Diaz wrote on her Instagram post. Despite of undergoing her quarantine in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia due to Covid-19 pandemic, Diaz remained focus on her trainings as her goal is to claim a spot in Tokyo 2020 Olympics and lift her standing as she currently placed fourth in International Weightlifting Federation World rankings in the Women's 55 kg division.
Philippine Esports scuffles during quarantine period Cayetano knocks CHED for the plan on resumption of StudentAthletes Training
By: Jay Caguicla
The Esports industry ascended as COVID 19 strikes around the world and is now a popular trend in the Philippines. Virtual sports was considered before as a hobby during people’s free time but consequently as pandemic arises and quarantine was put all over the places, the Esports became a good stress reliever to some people who lost their jobs and to people who were reprimanded not to go outside their premises. Being lockdown at home puts anxieties to citizens and the desolation from the environment brings more worries to people for they cannot do the normal things of their daily life hence, Esports serves as a good platform to alleviate stress. Now, some known players in sports are in the mobile gaming as they are still restricted to be in their respective field. The mobile gaming has been a trend before Pandemic but the COVID 19 indeed paved the way for Esports to be known and played by many Filipinos. Meanwhile, there were people who futilely attend to their jobs and decided to change their track in the gaming profession where they tend to compete locally and internationally as tournaments arise due to the demand of the gamers. There has been growth on supports from citizens and different telecommunication companies in the esports industry and still progressing with tournaments and partnership all over the places as this industry began to unfold the future sports field.
By: Jay Caguicla
Senator Pia Cayetano smacks against the encouraging plan of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the studentathletes on the resumption of their training last October 29. During a press brief, senator Cayetano questioned the CHED on its press conference on the recommencement of the training of the athletes from college and universities. She clearly pointed out that even professional and adult athletes were affected by the virus as some of the players from the recent PBA tournament contracted the virus. "These incidents reveal that while we still do not have a vaccine for COVID-19, the risks of transmission and infection are high, even in sports leagues and training bubbles administered by professional leagues, where strict health and safety protocols are being observed and spent for," she stated. CHED was also asked if they can provide the needed testing to the studentathletes and their coaches though they couldn’t even provide the proper food and vitamins for these students even before the pandemic. In her statement, she added that CHED should prioritize the students quality of education as it adapts to the virtual learning environment rather than allowing students to undergo training again. "So, before we even start talking about the resumption of training, let me ask, how is their schooling? Are they getting the support they need for their education? I know many of them have returned to their homes in the provinces where access to WIFI might be weak or even non-existent. Many of them are also scholars and need financial assistance. How about tutorials?" she added to her statement. She also advised that the responsible individuals for this education system should just adhere for the meantime with the breathing exercises, stretches, yoga, cardio and strength to be added to the schedule of the students to promote the physical and psychological well-being of the students. Though last October 26, CHED already had the press briefing stating that the guidelines for the resumption of the college students training were already completed.
