VOLUME IV ISSUE 3, THE REFLECTION

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CUP OF THE STEWARD. In accordance with the plastic ban policy, the concessionaires of the university started serving drinks using paper cups which started last September 2019.

5 | Smile at its Finest Transforming Vision into Reality:

The Reflection

HAU bans plastics on Canteens

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSI TY

VOLUME IV ISSUE 3 | September– December 2019

Peace Day 2019:

SEd’s Climate Action for Peace

BY CHESA FILOSOFO

ASF outbreak and the university’s response A

Photo courtesy to ETCOMSOL students

Iginuhit ni MILKER GUTIERREZ

|Photo by JUSTHINE KAYLO LAO

BY ELEILA GONZALES AND SHAINA SUNGA

larmed by the news that African Swine Fever (ASF) already reached Pampanga, the canteen stalls in Holy Angel University stopped catering pork products and viands from September 24 - November 6.

The reason was to ensure the safety of the students and workers in HAU from the said outbreak. According to Mr. Rowel Surla, the person incharge for the Institute for Small Scale Industries Scholarship (ISSI), the sellers also acLast September 18-21, the School of Education held the Peace Days 2019 with the theme: Climate Action for Peace in accordance with the International Day of Peace celebrated yearly by the United Nations.

On its eight year now, the first day of the said celebration, started with a thanksgiving mass followed by the symbolic release of doves as an inauguration of this year’s event, arranged by the second year SEd students majoring in Science, Physical Education, and Mathematics.

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cepted the situation due to the fact that the students refused to buy any pork-related products.

The pork products of the suppliers went through scrutinized and strict monitoring inspection from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). According to Surla, the pork dealers in Pampanga market mostly acquire pigs that had gone through monitoring inspection.

As for the restriction, they held a meeting regarding the matter and decided to be

strict and require NMIS certificates from pork dealers so that they will be allowed to resume selling pork viands. When they started to resell pork products on November 6, they are allowed to do so from Monday to Friday with the exception of Wednesday in which they are not allowed to sell pork and beef.

When asked about whether this is coincidentally related to ASF, Surla answered, “Hindi naman. Para lang...

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HRP needs 100 M for restoration

BY LORAINE CLAVO, MARY RANZHEL SANTIAGO AND LESTER SAMSON “Maraming-marami tayong kailangang tulong. Try to imagine… 100 million ang gagastusin natin for the restoration itself. Saan natin kukunin iyon?” said Bro. Jessie Belicario -Admin Assistant of Holy Rosary Parish Church regarding its ongoing restoration.

At 6 o’clock in the evening last October 12, the Holy Rosary Parish Church or also known as “Pisambang Maragul”

in Angeles City was reopened for the Novena and feast of Nuestra Senora de La Naval de Angeles or Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, the city’s queen patron.

Pisambang Maragul was temporarily closed for the past months for reconstruction due to the intensive 6.1 magnitude earthquake which hit Central Luzon last April 22. The earthquake resulted into damages on

the ceiling and walls of the church which led to the authorities’ decision that it will be temporarily closed for safety purposes.

Last October, with the approval of the structural engineers who conducted Detailed Structural Engineering Study and Shoring Design, they

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SEd’s overall performance in September 2019 LET Holy Angel University garnered an overall passing rate of 49.38% for Elementary level and 59.22% for Secondary level in the recently held Licensure Examination for Teachers 2019.

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Furthermore, the first time takers were able to record a passing rate of 60.94% in Elementary level and 68.05% in the Secondary level.

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HAU remains above the national passing rate of 31.34% for Elementary and 39.68% for Secondary.

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Malamig ang Pasko sa mga Kabukiran

BY SOPHIA VALENCIA AND JUSTHINE LAO As the University continues to strive towards its commitment to environmentalism, the HAU community takes a bold step for the planet by prohibiting the use of disposable plastic cups and straws on canteens, effective since September 2019.

Seeing the need for urgent and concrete actions for a healthier environment, it was the initiative of the University Student Council (USC) to implement this plastic ban.

“With our knowledge and researches about the effects of plastic in the environment, we knew we needed to do more. We weren’t contented with the idea of strawless Friday. Our thinking was, “why only do it every Friday when you can do it every day?” We wanted to do something to help Mother Earth, and so we did.” said Erika Mae Santos, USC President, with regard to their purpose for pushing the prohibition.

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The Reflection wins two awards on OSSEI 2019

BY SHAYRELLE CULA

O

n its first year on joining the Organization of Student Services Educators Inc. (OSSEI) National Training Workshop on Campus Journalism, The Reflection, the official student publication of the School of Education, emerged as one of the winners in two contest categories among 37 participating schools across the country.

The Reflection won the 2nd place in Best Publication for Digital Appearance (Online Publication) as Abelardo Jr. Cortez, the Editor in Chief, showcased the publication’s online news platform together with Nicole Diane Liwanag, the Managing Editor for Finance.

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2 NEWS Eduk Summits promote inclusive education Summits promoting Inclusive Education widened the perspective of future educators.

To contribute knowledge, experiences, and understanding for the Inclusive Education, Eduk summits were held at PGN Building in three days under the supervision of Prof. Darlina Formoso. These summits were organized by the three sections from the first year students.

Section E-101 held the summit last September 22 in which they invited Mr. Reiner Villena Bernabe as the speaker for the event. Mr. Bernabe was also an instructor and speaker in the neighboring school, Angeles University Foundation. Aside from Mr. Bernabe, two speakers were also invited but unfortunately they weren’t able to attend due to emergency purposes.

The second summit was prepared by section E-102 last September 25 wherein they came up with the theme: Unveiling the Word of the Unspoken: The Truth Behind Mere Disability and Differences. They invited three speakers for the event namely: Mr. Edgardo Tulabut, Mrs. Lisa Jean Rogando and Ms. Bimiana Capuno, an IP student.

BY GWYNETH MANGALIMAN

(From top to bottom) Mr. Edgardo Tulabut and Mrs. Remedios Casillian (left) give insightful ideas about inclusive education. | Photo by EFSIEDUC STUDENTS

Lastly, E-103 successfully continued the event last October 2 with the theme: Breaking the Barriers. The speakers were Mr. Joel Soria, an IP student; Mr. Aldrin Jay S. Doria, a teacher with partial hearing impairment; Mrs. Remedios Casillian, a mother of a child with hearing impairment; and Mr. Miguel F. Baluyut, a person with color blindness.

“The important lesson I learned is that there are no things that could hinder our dreams even our disabilities or difficulties in life itself. There are many times that we are being stumbled by the persecutions of many people but we need to be strong to face it and overcome things to achieve our dreams and prove that we are deserving to be part of everyone's life,” said the leader and president of section E-103, Vanessa Boiser. She continued by saying that since it was her first time to organize an event, she felt pressured initially but she was thankful that the event turned out well and memorable as well, making everything all worth it.

3rd Bantula Conference highlights ‘Paki-tarukan, Amanung Sisuan!’

NI ABELARDO JR. CORTEZ Culture in Cross Border Environment

BY RICK NICOLO SANTIAGO On its 3rd year, the threeSway of the Resilient Bamboo day event, Bantula: International presented by Fr. Ewald Dinter; Conference on Cultured Based Cross Border Language: A TaiResearch with the theme: Lanwan Experience with English guage and Culture in a Cross Borand the ASEAN presented by der Environment Towards AcaMs. Nan Yi Chang; and Intellecdemic Excellence, Community, tual Property and Research Development, and Youth Empowpresented by Atty. Michael erment was launched at Holy Jorge Peralta. A round table Angel University by the National discussion was also held reCommission for Culture and the garding the issues faced by Arts (NCCA), together with the teaching the mother tongue in Philippine Cultural Education the country.

Program (PCEP) last October 18The last set of parallel 20. sessions was also held on the The conference promoted same day. Dr. Nestor de Guzthe study of the different cultures man, another part-time profesaround the country through the sor from the School of Educaplenary and parallel sessions tion presented his thesis entiheld. tled: A Filipino Transition of The first plenary lecture Sinukwan: a Literary Kapamwas about Language and Culture pangan Epic. in the Academe: Indigenous CogOn the last day of the nitive Styles and the Filipino Kapconference, lectures were prewa Paradigm presented by Dr. sented regarding topics on culKatrin de Guia, alongside with tural mapping, teaching FilipiMr. Kidlat Tahimik, a National no to foreign students and ProArtist for Film. After the first lecject Katutubong Pilipino and ture, the parallel sessions were Cultural Education using the held on the case rooms of PGN Visual Medium presented by building.

Dr. Eric Zerrudo, Prof. Ronel Dr. Ramil G. Illustre, one of Laranjo and Mr. Jacob Maentz the part-time professors from the respectively.

School of Education presented Participants who comhis paper entitled: Looking into pleted the attendance of the the Secret Reading Lives of some three-day event, including the grade 9 students: A Phenomenorepresentatives from the logical Introspection.

School of Education, received On the second day, the certificates of participation, conference continued with lecrecognized by the Professional tures about the Agri-Culture and Regulation Commission.

With the goal of promoting the Kapampangan language, the Kapisanan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Filipino conducted a forum entitled. "Paki-tarukan, Amanung Sisuan" [Please know your Mother Tongue] last September 27 at STL Caseroom 2.

Mr. Marvin Punsalan, a professor and head of the Institute of Kapampangan Cultural Heritage Studies in the City College of Angeles, served as the lecturer of the event. He provided the audience, which are mostly first year teacher education students, with various information on the following: difference of a language and a dialect, background of Kapampangan, including "y" being Kapampangan's distinction, and the alarming situation that it currently faces as a dying language.

Regarding this, Milker Gutierrez, KAMFI president, said, " Bilang isang organisayon na nagtataguyod sa mga wika, layunin namin ngayon na mabigyang pan-

HRP..,from page 1 signed a certification that the church is already safe to use.

The decision to reopen the church was testified and consulted by the Holy Rosary Parish Pastoral Council (HRPPC) and priests including Archbishop Florento G. Lavarias.

The current situation of the Church is adequate and it is on process of restoration. This was emphasized by Bro. Belicario. “We are expecting 3 to 5 years [for the completion of the whole restoration process]. Ang nakikita niyo ngayon ay ‘shoring’ pa lang…

Braces are already assembled inside the Holy Rosary Parish Church as a first step on its on-going restoration. | Photo by DAPHNE MEDINA

sin ang mga wikang katutubo, partikular na, layunin naming gisingin sa kamalayan ang mga kapwa naming mag-aaral sa isyung ito na malapit nang mamatay ang wikang Kapampangan, at kailangan na natin itong mapreserba." [As an organization which promotes the languages, it is our goal now to focus on the indigenous languages… we want to let other students realize that Kapampangan is already a dying language and that there is an urgent need for its preservation.]

I guess I could say mga nasa 60% na tayo…puro braces pa lang… Puro pagpapatibay para makapagsimba yung mga tao,” he continued.

Bro. Belicario also relayed HRPC’s way of gaining funds. One of their programs was the Paldak at Pulayi Para HRP which was a benefit biking

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 VOLUME IV ISSUE 3

ASF..,from page 1 masanay sila sa pagkain nun kasi palagi nalang baboy. Ginawa lang namin ‘yun, liban sa manok kasi chicken is a white meat at mas healthy ito. Pagkatapos, pinupush namin sila na magbenta ng vegetables and fruits at magdagdag sila ng mga bagong food items like kamote at nilagang saging.”

IN REGARDS TO ASF MISCONCEPTION On the report of NMIS, ASF is an extremely transmittable infection among swines, boars and warthogs. In contrast, it is not deemed as a threat to human health however they can be transporter of the virus when consumed. Even supposing that the meat was processed, the virus can still linger. This infection results high fever, loss of appetite, and haemorrhages (bleeding) in skin and internal organs to the infected pigs.

Surla stated that they made sure that the pork-related products being sold here in HAU came from meat dealers that has NMIS certificate thus safe to be eaten.

STUDENTS REACT ON MEKENI’S POSITIVE RESULT ON ASF VIRUS On October 25, some of the products of Mekeni, a well-known food corporation in Pampanga, tested positive for ASF by the Department of Agriculture. The Reflection conducted an online survey to the SEd students regarding the outbreak.

The survey revealed that most of the students know or have an idea on ASF. Because of this, majority of the students changed their food preferences and shifted to alternatives like chicken, fish, beef, and vegetables.

According to the survey, many students also felt sad regarding the Mekeni food brand which was found ASF positive. A large number of students were also shocked regarding the news followed by those who felt neutral about it.

SURVEY

98% Mr. Marvin Punsalan during the forum organized by KAMFI |Photo by GWYN MANGALIMAN

and fun run event for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of HRPC that was held last October 26. “Meron din tayong mga alkansya na dinistribute… if it’s full, pwede na nilang isurrender sa office for the restoration,” Bro. Belicario added.

Currently, Pisamban Maragul is open every day to all people who wish to visit and pray.

“As for me, we need to open the church para sa inyo.

Iba kasi yung nakikita mo sa mata sa naririnig mo lang sa labas,” he ended, referring to their strategy of reopening it earlier to let the people see the church’s true condition which may encourage them to donate for its restoration.

Pisamban Maragul is one of the many historical sites in the Philippines which serve as the mother church of the Agelenos for 190 years already.

are familiar with the African Swine Fever

71% changed their food preferences because of the ASF outbreak Reactions of the students upon knowing that Mekeni products tested ASF positive:

NEWS 3

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 VOLUME IV ISSUE 3

OSSEI 2019..,from page 1

The article entitled "Bagong Mukhang Isang Dalagang Pilipina, yeah!" written by Daphne Nicole Medina, the Managing Editor for Administration, won as 3rd Best Published Feature Story in the print category of the competition. This article asserted that a true Dalagang Pilipina isn't about a woman who covers her face with a fan and wears a long saya but rather; she is a dignified woman with her total goodness for God, fellowmen and her own country.

The OSSEI is a three-day training workshop that enriched the capabilities of the student publications' skills. Other publications of Holy Angel University such as The Nexus, The Solution and The Enterprise also participated in the said training workshop held at Crown Legacy Hotel in Baguio City, last September 26-28.

2nd Best Publication on Digital Appearance 3rd Best Published Feature Story Liwanag and Cortez receive the awards together with Mr. William Banal, the student activities coordinator | Photo from THE SOLUTION

Peace..,from page 1 An exhibit assembled by the second year English Majors was also opened for public viewing in the same day, showcasing infographics, artworks and other display materials prepared by the first year SEd students as entries for the Peace Day Art competition. A photo booth was also made available for taking pictures.

On the second day, a Peace Forum was spearheaded, discussing relevant ideas and information in line and connected with the theme. The speakers of the forum are the following: Mr. Ludwig Federigan from the Climate Change Commission, Ms. Ninia Dela Cruz from the IBON foundation and Dr. Jayeel Cornelio from Ateneo de Manila University. The second year students majoring in Basic Education, Filipino, Special Needs Education, Values Education and Social Studies were the ones responsible for the preparations.

Attendees of this forum include the students from each department of Holy Angel University as well as the representatives of different schools in Pampanga.

Also on this day, the students from Information and Communication Technology High School- Sindalan received their award as the winner by default, as the only competitor in

the song-writing competition.

After the said forum, a poster making and an essay writing contest were held with participants coming from different schools in Angeles City. Second year students majoring in Mathematics and Science participated in organizing these contests.

Poster Making Competition 1st Place - Asianhel Isaac Perez from Angeles City National High School (ACNHS) 2nd Place - James Carlo Demesa of Rafael L. Lazatin Memorial High School (RLLMHS)

Peace Day Art Competition 1st

Place – Entry #13 from E-102

2nd

Place – Entry #14 from E-101

3rd Place – Entry #2 from E-103

Poster Making Competition 1st Place - Vincent Corcuera from City College of Angeles (CCA) 2nd Place - John Mark Escala from Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Essay Writing in Filipino 1st Place – Jovelyn Tabago from AUF 2nd Place – Shiela Canilao from CCA

The second year students who had the subject “The Teacher and The Community School Culture and Organizational Leadership” had work hand and hand with the SEd faculty to organize the following events and activities led by their committee leaders, Daphne Nicole Medina from Mrs. Darlina Formoso’s class and Christine Evangelista and Regina Pañarez under Mr. Arlan Dela Cruz’s class.

TRANSPARENCY REPORTS

SEd College Student Council

Abelardo Jr. Cortez and Blessie Lourdes Garcia, both SEd students served as the masters of ceremony of the said general assembly.

Meanwhile, Mike Miranda, Rovy Gamboa, and Kit De Vera represented the HAU student catechists in a dance number applauded by the audience in the talent presentation session of the event.

Accompanying the student catechists are Dr. Jocelyn Masbang and Mr. John Paul Gania from the Christian Living Education department.

HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORIES

Essay Writing in English Place - Kc Rain Cao from ACNHS 2nd Place - Hailie Fate Yalung from RLLMHS

COLLEGE CATEGORIES

Last November 16, 117 student catechists from the School of Education attended the Archdiocesan General Assembly of Student Catechists 2019 held at Don Bosco Academy, Bacolor, Pampanga.

Essay Writing in English 1st Place – Lhea Paras from CCA 2nd Place – Jazmin Lyka Lozano from AUF

1st

The winners are as follows:

Student Catechists Ikit-Mikit reunites SEd alumni attend Archdiocesan General Assembly

The Reflection

Commissioning of the cross and the chaplain’s reminder Last November 13, the second year teacher education students attended the Cathechists' MissionSending Liturgy, a send-off mass held at the University Chapel. The mass was presided by Fr. Marvin Dizon, the current university chaplain, who reminded the catechists to teach their students the value of gratefulness. Part of the mass was the reception and blessing of the mission crosses which will be worn during the catechism until March next year.

The School of Education held Ikit-Mikit, the Grand Alumni Homecoming at De Paolo's Restaurant last November 23. The alumni from the year 2007 to 2018 participated in the event along with the current SEd Dean, Dr. Alma Natividad and former Dean, Dr. Josephine Yabut.

CHED commissioner tackles transnational education in the context of 4IR Dr. Aldrin Darilag, the commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education, tackles transnational education in the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution for sustainable development in a lecture-forum attended by the students from the School of Education last September 28 at PGN Auditorium.

Sophomores partake in Student Research Colloquium

Last November 15, the second year teacher education students from the School of Education attended the Student Research Colloquium held at Angeles University Foundation, along with other teacher education students in Pampanga. Accompanying them is Professor Darlina B. Formoso.

All photos are from the staff of THE REFLECTION

Plastic ban..,from page 1 According to the head of the Office of Student Services and Affairs, Ms. Iris Ann Castro, the student leaders’ initiatives were initially presented to the Institute for Small Scale Industries Scholarship (ISSI) and to the canteen concessionaires. The proposal was then raised to the ISSI Board and was later approved and implemented by the top management.

When asked about the scope of the policy, Castro stated, “Noong una, strawless Friday tayo. Then, naging strawless everyday hanggang paunti-unti pati sa lagayan ng pagkain ay nakapaper cup na. Inuunti-unti natin dahil may kamahalan ang paggamit ng ibang alternatibo.”

She also mentioned that another impact of the no plastic policy is that, HAU employees are also encouraged to bring their own lunchbox and other utensils instead of buying food from the canteen to lessen the garbage thrown and produced inside the campus.

On the other hand, the implementation of plastic ban gained positive feedback from the canteen stall owners. Although some vendors admitted that it was tough at first— since the price of alternatives are a bit higher, they were able to adapt eventually because they also want to contribute to the environment.

One of the stall owners said, “Okay lang naman sa amin na ipagbawal na talaga ang paggamit ng plastic kasi syempre tama nga naman na hindi na tayo makadagdag pa sa pagkasira ng kapaligiran natin.”

Meanwhile, SEd Chairman, Angelo Miguel Dizon also expressed his support for the said policy. He stated, “Actually, pro ako diyan [plastic ban]. Mas magiging responsable ang mga estudyante sa sarili nila katulad ng pagdadala ng sariling lalagyan ng tubig. Makakatulong din tayo sa ating mundo kung masisimulan natin sa ating paaralan ang pagbawas ng paggamit ng mga ito.”

4 OPINION

Editoryal

Malamig ang Pasko sa mga Kabukiran

May dalawang pangunahing layunin ang RTL: Una, upang tugunan ang kinahaharap nating krisis sa bigas, lalo na yaong naganap sa ating bansa noong nakaraang taon, at ikalawa, upang hikayatin ang industriya ng bigas sa Pilipinas na mas maging “globally competitive” sa merkado. Sa ilalim ng batas na ito, malaya nang makapag-aangkat ng bigas ang ibang mga bansa patungo sa atin kalakip ng pagbabayad nila ng kaukulang taripa. Sa ngayon, karamihan na sa mga bigas na inilalako sa merkado ay galing na sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Dahil sa pasulong na kalagayan ng mga bansang ito, mura nilang naibebenta ang kanilang mga bigas, dahilan kung bakit mas tinatangkilik ito ng mga mamimiling Pilipino. Dahil din dito, naitala ngayong taon ang pinakamababang presyo ng palay sa loob ng walong taon, na pumalo sa 16 piso kada kilo. May mga magsasaka ring napilitang ibenta ang bawat kilo ng palay sa halagang pitong piso lamang.

karampot lamang itong maituturing kung pagbabasehan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan. Ito ay isa lamang sa maraming mga dahilang magpapatunay na ang RTL ay isang panandalian at hindi ganap na solusyon sa mga problemang kinahaharap ng ating bansa.

Kung kaya, malinaw na hindi sagot ang RTL sa matagal na nating problema sa agrikultura. Ang kinakailangan ng ating mga magsasaka, pati na ng buong bayan, ay ang isang tunay, makaturangan at nararapat na repormang panlupa, na tutulong sa pagpapalago ng produksyon ng isang bansang kaya namang buhayin ang kanyang sarili, nang hindi dumedepende sa iba.

Nararapat lamang na mas bigyang pansin ang pagtugon sa problema ng mga magsasaka sa halip na magpatupad ng isang batas na patuloy na bumubutas sa kanilang bulsa at nagpapakalampag ng kanilang mga sikmura.

Malinaw na hindi sagot ang RTL sa matagal na nating problema sa agrikultura.

Ang kinakailangan ng ating mga magsasaka, pati na ng buong bayan, ay ang isang tunay, makaturangan at nararapat na repormang panlupa.

Kung pagbabasehan ang hirarkiya ng ating lipunan, mapapansing nananatili sa pinakamababang antas ang ating mga magsasaka. Isang malaking sampal ito sa atin bilang isang agrikultural na bansa, na hinahayaang magutom at maghirap ang sektor na nagpapakahirap na magpalago ng palay para sa kanya. Sa pagpapatupad ng RTL, lalo pang nalulugmok pababa ang milyon-milyon nating magsasaka.

Samantalang pinangakuan sila ng 10 bilyong piso bilang tulong pinansyal, mapapansing ka-

VOLUME IV ISSUE 3 Nakalulungkot isipin na ang ating bansa ay napagiiwanan pagdating sa larangan ng pananaliksik. Maraming mga pananaliksik ang naisasagawa ngunit karamihan ay hindi man lang napagtutuunan ng pansin o naisasakatuparan man lang dahil sa kakulangan ng suporta mula sa mga nakatataas.

Iginuhit ni KATRINA MENDOZA

Tila baga pesteng sumalakay noong Pebrero ngayong taon ang pag-apruba ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa RA 11203 o mas kilala bilang ang Rice Tarrification Law (RTL), na kung saan tuluyan nang tinanggal ang limitasyon ng pag-iimport ng bigas sa bansa. Ito ang lamig ngayong pasko na daramhin ng mga kabukiran sa ating bansa sapagkat dulot nito ang pangamba sa maraming magsasaka na ito na ang magiging dahilan ng tuluyan nang pagkamatay ng kanilang kabuhayan.

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

Ngayong Disyembre, habang sinasalubong natin ang pasko, patuloy na manlalamig ang puso ng bawat magsasakang Pilipino. Bilang mga mamimili, mahalaga rin ang gampanin natin mula ngayon sa pagtangkilik ng bigas na inani ng ating kapwa. Hindi man ito simbigat ng epekto ng isang tunay at makatarungang repormang pang-agraryo, kaya naman nitong magsilbing pagsuporta sa kabuhayang inaasahan ng ating mga magsasaka. Magsisilbi rin itong paraan para kahit papano, maipaalam natin sa kanila, na kung hindi man sila mapakinggan ng gobyerno, kaya naman silang pakinggan ng kanilang mga kapwa Pilipino.

Sa mga nabanggit na paraan, mapag-aalab natin ang init sa mga kabukiran sa Pilipinas, para sagipin ang mga magsasakang unti-unting pinapatay ng lamig na dulot ng pamahalaang hindi sila ganap na tinutulungan.

Maligayang pasko mula dito sa siyudad hanggang sa mga kabukiran!

Kailan lang nang punain ni Senador Cynthia Villar ang itinakdang alokasyon ng Kagawaran ng Agrikultura para sa mga agricultural research, na tinatayang nasa humigitkumulang na 150 milyong piso sa ilalim ng kanilang programa na “National Corn Program.”

“Parang lahat ng inyong budget puro research? Baliw na baliw kayo sa research. Aanhin niyo ba yung research?”, ani pa ni Villar. Ngunit ayon sa United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), nasa 0.1% lamang ng Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development ang nailalaan ng ating bansa pagdating sa research, kumpara sa 1% na itinakda ng nasabing organisasyon bagamat isang katotohanan sa ating mundo na ang pagsasagawa ng mga pananaliksik ay mahalaga at dapat nga namang pagtuunan ng pansin.

Aanhin nga ba natin ang “research?” Noong tayo ay nasa hayskul pa lamang, naituro na sa atin na ang pagsasagawa ng pananaliksik ay mahalaga upang hanapan ng karampatang solusyon o aksyon upang “Ang gusto natin, lahat ng pormal na pag-aaral, assignments, projects, whatever, gawin sa loob ng eskwelahan.

Pag-uwi nila, libre na sila, free time to be with their parents, with their friends,” pahayag ng kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon na si Bb. Leonor Briones ukol sa “No Homework Policy” na inihain ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan.

Mayroong Senate Bill 966 na isinampa si Senador Grace Poe nito lamang Agosto na layong hindi mabigyan ng takdang-aralin ang mga magaaral sa pampubliko o pampribadong paaralan simula Kindergarten hanggang Grade 12 sa mga araw ng Sabado at Linggo. Samantala, ang inihaing House Bill No. 3883 naman ni Alfred Vargas na Quezon City 5th District Representative sa Kongreso, ay ukol rin sa pagbabawal ng pagbibigay ng homework sa katapusan ng linggo. Ayon dito, ang sinumang gurong lalabag sa batas ay haharap sa karampatang multa na 50,000 piso at pagkakabilanggo nang hanggang dalawang taon.

Inihain din ni Evelina Escudero, na House Deputy Speaker, ang House Bill No. 3611 na may layong kahalintulad ng mga nabanggit na panukala. Pinakalayon din nito ang pagbabawal ng pagdadala ng mga libro sa labas ng paaralan. Iminungkahi niyang gumawa ang bawat eskuwelahan ng mga locker para sa mga librong ito.

Isa sa mga sinasabing dahilan ng mga “No Homework Policies” ay ang paniniwala nila sa kawalan sa oras ng mga estudyante sa pamilya, kaibigan

Lucid ANGELA CORDOVA

Pananaliksik para sa Siksik na Kaalaman: Kailangan ba o Kahibangan? resolbahin ang isang suliranin o problema sa paligid. Ito’y mahalaga upang mapalawak pa natin ang ating mga kaalaman pagdating sa mga bagay-bagay, tulad ng sa larangan ng siyensya. Sinasabi rin na isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit kailangan nating magsagawa ng pananaliksik ay isa ito sa mga daan tungo sa kaunlaran, lalung-lalo na

Ang pananaliksik ay para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa...lalo na para sa ating mga magsasakang walang sawang ibinubuhos ang kanilang dugo’t pawis may makain lamang ang buong sambayanang Pilipino. pagdating sa larangan ng agrikultura. Ayon sa The Food Security and Self-Sufficiency Committee of the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People o AGHAM, ang pananaliksik sa larangan ng agrikultura

Lumiere NICOLE LIWANAG

Balik Aral sa Saysay ng Takdang Aralin at marami pang bagay dahil sa maraming oras na iginugugol ng bata sa paggawa ng kanyang takdang aralin (ayon na rin sa pahayag ni Briones). Ako mismo ay saksi sa napakaraming rants ng mga mag-aaral ukol dito.

Pero bago tayo magpadalosdalos, mahalaga sigurong balikan natin kung ano nga ba ang saysay ng Takdang Aralin na gusto nilang ipagbawal.

BALIK ARAL I. Hindi natin maiiwasan ang kaliwa’t kanang mga takdangaralin sa iba’t ibang asignatura, ngunit mahalagang isaisip na ang mga iyon ay ibinibigay ng mga guro hindi para pahirapan ang mga mag-aaral bagkus ito ay upang magsilbing assessment na mahalaga sa pagtataya ng pagkatuto ng isang bata.

II. Kasama na rin sa layon ng mga takdang aralin ay ang pagsasakatuparan ng mahahalagang mga kasanayan tulad ng time management at sense of responsibility na siyang magagamit ng mga mag-aaral lalo na sa kanilang hinaharap.

III. “Naiintindihan ba mga bata?” iyan ang madalas namang tanong ng mga guro pagkatapos talakayin ang isang aralin upang

ay napagkakaitan ng sapat na atensyon kaya ang kakayahan ng ating bansa upang paunlarin ang ating kagalingan pagdating sa siyensya’t teknolohiya ay nanatiling nasa primaryang lebel pa lamang. Bagkus, ito’y tunay na mahalaga dahil ito ang nagsisilbing daan tungo sa tinatawag nating economic growth.

Mahalaga ito sa pagkamit tuluy-tuloy na economic growth dahil isa ring katotohanan na lumolobo na ang populasyon sa ating bansa. Bunsod nito, kinakailangan ng ating mga magsasaka na pantayan, o di kaya’y higitan pa, ang produksyon ng mga pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng pagkaing gaya ng bigas, prutas at gulay, sa lebel ng pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan. Kaya nga kinakailangan na suportahan at tulungan natin na mas paunlarin pa ang kaalaman at kakayahan ng ating mga magsasaka upang makasabay at mas maging epektibo pa ang kanilang mga pamamaraan o istratehiya sa pagpapayabong ng kanilang tanim at kabuhayan.

Bukod dito, mahalagang makasabay din sila sa pabagobagong bugso ng panahon. Ilan sa mga bagay na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ng mga mananaliksik at magsasaka ayon sa AGHAM ay ang mga sumusunod: crop productivity, teknolohiya ukol sa pagproprodyus ng pagkain, biosecurity for agricultural trades at kakayahang resolbahin o resilience ng

Ituloy sa pahina 5 malaman kung may natutuhan ba ang mga mag-aaral o wala.

Karaniwan, may mga gawain pagkatapos ng aralin na layong hasain pa lalo ang kaalaman ng mga bata, at isa na riyan ang homework o takdang-aralin na kung saan maipahihiwatig ang prinsipyo ng talatang, “learning is continuous” na nagpapa-alala sa atin na kahit sa bahay ay pwede tayong mag-aral para mas tumatak ang kaalaman. Sa ganitong sitwasyon ay pwedi ring magpatulong ang mga magaaral sa kanilang mga magulang, kapatid o kaya naman, sa mga kaibigan na maari na ring maging oras para sa bonding.

TAKDANG ARALIN Mag-aaral ako na nakaranas ng kakulangan sa tulog, hindi tamang oras ng pagkain at marami pang iba dahil sa mga gawain na ipinapagawa pagkatapos ng klase. Pero ano pa man, mahalagang mabanggit na sa dinami-dami ng mga ito, sila ay nakaya kong gawin at tapusin. Ang mga takdangaralin ay nagpatibay pa lalo sa akin. Tinuruan akong maging palaban hindi lamang sa oras at pag-aaral kundi maging sa buhay. Sumakatuwid, malaking tulong ang pagkakaroon ng takdang-aralin sa ating pagaaral. Ang pagtatanggal nito ay tila ba isang balakid na sa kabuuang proseso ng pagkatuto.

Kung kaya, sa mga kawani ng pamahalaan na nagbabalak na tanggalin ang homework diyan, eto ang takdang aralin ko para sa inyo: Pag-isipan niyo ho nang mabuti ang ginagawa niyo. Please re-

view your lessons, ma’ams and sirs.

THE REFLECTION | The Official Student Publication of the School of Education, Holy Angel University Editorial Board and Staff | Academic Year, 2019-2020 Editor in Chief ABELARDO JR. CORTEZ Associate Editor for Internal Affairs SOPHIA MARIE VALENCIA Associate Editor for External Affairs JUSTHINE KAYLO LAO Managing Editor for Administration DAPHNE NICOLE MEDINA Managing Editor for Finance NICOLE DIANE LIWANAG News and Opinions Editor LORAINE CLAVO Features and Literary Editor SHAINA GIL SUNGA Entertainment Editor CARL DANRYLLE DEL FIN Sports Editor MARIA ANGELA CORDOVA Head Arts Editor MILKER GUTIERREZ Head English Editor ELEILA GONZALES Associate News Editor and Filipino Editor MARY RANDZHEL SANTIAGO Head Columnist RICK NICOLO SANTIAGO Circulations Manager and Multimedia and Productions Head LESTER SAMSON Head Broadcaster CHESA FILOSOFO Editorial Staff SHAYRELLE CULA, ALLYSA DELA CRUZ, GWYNETH MANGALIMAN, KATRINA MENDOZA Paper Adviser DR. RAMIL ILUSTRE

FEATURES 5

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 VOLUME IV ISSUE 3

Hermosa DAPHNE MEDINA

Pre, sama mo naman kami!

Tumatagaktak ang pawis.

Bagong ligo pa naman ako para sana mapansin na ako ni crush, ang kaso, wala, naligo ako sa katotohanan na kailangan ko palang makipaghabulan para makasakay sa dyip para hindi malate sa una kong klase.

Dumayo tayo sa Maynila.

Mayroong mass transport crisis sa Maynila. Hindi lang traffic ang problema. Ito ‘yung hindi nagiging sapat ang mga pampublikong sasakyan para mapunan ang pangangailangang tranportasyon ng mga tao, ngunit hindi sumangayon si Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

Sa tatlong dyip at isang angkas ng motorsiklo, umabot ng apat na oras ang byahe niya papuntang Malacañang. Kung ating iisipin, isang araw lang naman niya sinubukan ang pagcocommute at hindi ko maituturing tagumpay ang kanyang challenge. Dahil kung alas-otso ng umaga ang kanyang pasok nangangahulugang nahuli din siya sa kanyang trabaho.

Sa isang dokumentaryo na itinampok ng ABS-CBN, isang linggo nilang sinundan ang buhay comuter ng isang ina na kumakayod para sa kanyang pamilya.

Gumigising siya nang alas dos nang umaga para makaiwas sa sandamakmak na tao na maghahabulan sa mga pampublikong sasakyan.

Walong oras ng kanyang arawaraw ang ginugugol para umikot ang oras na wala siyang magawa kundi umupo, matulog, makipagkwentuhan o mag cellphone. Aminado siya na mahirap ang sitwasyon at wala na siyang sapat na oras sa pamilya. Ngunit isang araw, napasobra ang kanyang tulog dahil na rin sa pagod, kaya naman kailangan niyang gawin ang ginagawa ng lahat- ang makipagbakbakan sa libo-libong pasahero at siya nga’y nahuli sa trabaho. Sinunod naman ni ate ang payo ni Panelo na umalis daw ng mas maaga para makapunta sa pinaroroonan, ngunit may hindi talagang inaasahang pangyayari.

Tao lang din naman si ale.

Sabay sabay na tayong maligo sa katotohanan. Oo, may dyip, bus, MRT, at LRT tayo, pero hindi sila sapat sa dami ng taong naghahanap buhay, nagsusumikap at gumigising nang maaga para maitaguyod ang kanilang pamilya.

Ang mga tren natin ay parang isang laro ng kara krus, swertihan na lamang kung gagana ba siya ngayong araw. Ganun ba ang creative na sinasabi mo, Pareng Panelo? Perwisyo ito. Hassle, ika nga.

‘Di bale, hataw mga malikhaing Pilipino. Panelo one, sumayaw sa sasakyan. Panelo two, bakit laging ganito?

"Pareho ng dati, wala namang pinagbago eh. It’s the same; laking kalye ako eh," sabi ni Panelo. Ayun na nga ho, ngayong nasa pwesto na sana kayo, wala ho ba kayong gustong gawin para naman ho may pagbabago. Lagi nalang ho ba tayong makokontento sa ganitong sitwasyon? Oo, alam ko na ang mga Pilipino ay malikhain at gagawin natin ang lahat para lang malampasan ang problemang gobyerno. Nagbabayad naman ng buwis ang mga tao, bakit hindi nila nakukuha ang nararapat?

“Hindi lang tayo basta mura dito, mura doon, walang ginagawa.

May ginagawa tayo para sa ating mga sarili.”

Bakit kaya hindi na umunlad ang Pilipinas? Dahil kontento na ang mga nasa pwesto.

Hindi na nila naiisip ang mga nasa laylayan. Baka naman gusto niyo hong yumuko para makita niyo ang kalagayan ng iba? Ano nga kaya ang ginagawa mo para sa iyong sarili, Panelo? Ayaw niyo bang isama ang mga Pilipino sa byahe niyo?

Lo and behold, the mental health of our dear country, home of resilient people, continues to decline.

Pananaliksik..,mula sa pahina 4 sa mga peste, mga sakit, at lalunglalo na sa climate change. Bagamat sa pahayag ni Villar, tila ba sinasabi niyang hindi naman maiintindihan ng mga magsasaka ang “research” at ang gusto lang naman ng mga magsasaka ay tulong, kaysa gumawa ng mga pananaliksik.

Ang pagsasagawa ng pananaliksik sa larangan ng agrikultura ay isang malaking tulong at kailangan ng ating mga magsasaka upang mas mapadali ang kanilang mga trabaho na siyang magreresulta sa isang mas produktibo’t epektibong pagsasaka buhat na rin ng modernisasyon at maraming pagbabago sa ating kapaligiran, kaya marapat lamang na ito’y pagtuunan ng pansin at bigyan ng pagpapahalaga.

Hindi lamang ito makatutulong sa ekonomiya ng ating bansa at ikabubuti ng mga mamamayan, kundi, isa na rin itong paraan upang makatulong sa ating mga magsasaka dahil isang masaklap na katotohanan na sila’y parating napagkakaitan ng mga bagay, lalo na ng mga karapatan, na kung tutuusin, ay dapat naman nilang matamasa.

Pero dahil sa mga taong katulad ni Villar na tila walang puso’t pakialam sa kapakanan ng magsasaka basta lamang magkapera, sila’y nananatiling nasa laylayan ng lipunan at patuloy na inaapakapakan ng mga gahamang nasa posisyon. Kaya’t sasagutin ko ang mapanghamong tanong ni Villar, aanhin ba natin ang research? Ang pananaliksik ay para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa, ng ating ekonomiya, at ng mga mamamayan, lalo na para sa ating mga magsasakang walang sawang ibinubuhos ang kanilang dugo’t pawis may makain lamang ang buong sambayanang Pilipino.

WRITTEN BY CARL DEL FIN AND SHAINA SUNGA GRAPHICS BY MILKER GUTIERREZ

“

You don’t listen, do you?” said Arthur Fleck, the anti-villain of the box office hit entitled “Joker.”

Every day, an unspoken culprit visits millions of houses, hunts people, and leaves them without peace in mind. A self-murder case that has been around from ages and will keep on existing as if it became a norm to all people.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us drop a bomb that’s going to blow your minds. Lo and behold, the mental health of our dear country, home of resilient people, continues to decline.

“All I have are negative thoughts.”

People can die without saying a word. According to the Department of Health, 3.3 million Filipinos suffer from depressive disorders with suicide rates in 2.5 males and 1.7 females per 100,000. The World Health Organization even stated that 800,000 people die due to suicide every year thus becoming the second leading cause of death in 15 to 29 year olds. Come to think of it, we live in an era wherein information is within our reach. We have access to internet and come across to those people who are struggling; those who are wearing masks every day, yet people fell silent.

These people are trying their best to call for help but this society interpreted it as a way of calling out attention for fame and laughs. Similar to what Fleck who has an uncontrollable laughing condition, experienced in the cruel city of Gotham.

“If it was me dying on the sidewalk, you’d walk right over me,” said Fleck.

What a stigma indeed.

“Put on a happy face.”

Smile! The world is looking at you. Now that our lives became an open book thanks to social media and the world keeps on revolving, expectations can weigh down the health of a person. We live in a place where people are wearing masks and what they want people to perceive is that they are happy, content and have nothing to worry about. This is a perfect description for “Smiling Depression”, a term used to describe someone who seems to be fine with their lives but are not.

For years, we have encountered news about famous celebrities and personalities who lived their lives in the highlights but ended up committing suicide. Personalities like Robin Williams, Kate Spade, and Antony Bourdain are no longer with us.

Most of the time, smiles can be deceiving.

“People are starting to notice.”

“Help is finally here,” said Risa Hontiveros, the author of the Mental Health Law which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 21, 2019. This would provide accessible mental health services for Filipinos and it aims to improve mental healthcare and mental education throughout the country. This serves as a spark of hope for those people who seek help but are unable to do so due to their financial crisis.

"No longer shall Filipinos suffer silently in the dark. The people's mental health issues will now cease to be seen as an invisible sickness spoken only in whispers,” Hontiveros added.

“Does it help to have someone

to talk to?”

Sometimes, the world is a cruel battlefield. We cannot deny the fact that this is indeed the reality. However, reality doesn’t imply impossibility.

When life starts to crumble, keep in mind that there are people who were able to surpass and conquer this battle. People like J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter series, who was once a captive of depression, now became one of the famous writers in the world.

People can’t move in the darkness. Isolation can also be suffocating and we can get weary from silence. As we have mentioned before, we are fortunate enough to have access to such information because of internet.

Fill yourself with knowledge and increase sensitivity to those people who are silently suffering. If things get rough, remember that last May 2, the Department of Health (DOH) launched a national hotline operated

by National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) to assist people with mental health concerns.

After all, it’s better to fight in a battlefield with a companion at reach.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Paglangoy ng mga

Taong Dagat Kapatagan sa

ISANG PAGTUKLAS SA PAMUMUHAY NG MGA BADJAO SA PAMPANGA ISINULAT NI ABELARDO JR. CORTEZ

L

ubos ang hirap na nararansan ng bawat isdang inilalayo mula sa karagatan. Kahalintulad nito ang hirap na dinaranas rin ng mga taong dagat na napadpad dito sa kapatagan.

Kilala ang mga Badjao sa katagang “Sea Gypsies.” Sila ang mga katutubong naninirahan sa mga katubigan ng Mindanao, na umaasa sa pangingisda sa karagatan bilang pangunahing kabuhayan. Dahil sa iba‟t ibang rason, na madalas ay kahirapan, lumisan ang mga ito mula sa kanilang kinagisnang tahanan at nagpalagi-langi sa iba‟t ibang panig ng bansa. Marami sa kanila ang napadpad dito sa Pampanga.

Dahil dito, kasama ang aking dalawang kamag-aral, nagpasya kaming kilalanin ang isang pamayanan nila sa Angeles, partikular na ang mga Badjao na naninirahan sa Jaoville, Barangay Pandan.

“Sobrang baba ng tingin nila sa amin…

Hinahamak nila ang mga Badjao.”

MANG DARIO, 50, BADJAO

TAONG DAGAT Ayon sa tala ng Punong Barangay ng Pandan na si G. Jeremias Alejandrino, mayroong 21 pamilyang naninirahan ngayon sa Jaoville. Nagkaroon ng negosasyon sa pagitan ng barangay pati ng mga Badjao, na pinamumunuan ng isang lalaking nagngangalang Ahmad, na kung saan nangako ang grupong ito na hindi na sila madadagdagan pa ng ibang Badjao na parating. Kung hindi sila susunod, mapipilitan ang barangay na sila ay paalisin. Sa kasalukuyan, nanatili ang bilang ng pamilyang naninirahan sa lugar na yaon.

Isa sa mga nakausap namin habang nakikisalamuha sa mga Badjao ay ang isang kaantabay ni Ahmad, na isa ring lider sa lugar at kilala sa tawag na Mang Dario.

Ayon kay Mang Dario, orihinal silang mga Badjao na naninirahan noon sa Zamboanga. Ipinaliwanag niya na ang mga pamimiratang nagaganap sa dati nilang tahanan at ang labis na kahirapan ang nag-udyok sa kanila na humanap ng ibang matitirahan.

Ayon kay Kap. Alejandrino, walang nakaaalam kung kalian at sino ang nagpatira sa grupong ito sa Jaoville. Sa pagkakatanda ng punong barangay, noong 2010 ay wala ni isa mang pamilyang Badjao ang namalagi sa lugar na iyon.

SA KAPATAGAN Isinalaysay ni Mang Dario ang malaking pagkakaiba ng pamumuhay nila noong sila ay nasa Zamboanga kumpara ngayon na sila ay naninirahan na sa Pampanga.

Ayon sa kanya, mas gumaan ang kanilang pamumuhay ngayon. Dagdag pa niya, naging madali para sa kanila na pakitunguhan ang mga Kapampangan na kanilang dinatnan.

Sinegundahan naman ito ng barangay na nagpatunay na wala pa ni anong tala ng pakikisangkot sa anumang problema ang grupong ito. Sa kabuuan, naging mapayapa ang pamumuhay ng mga taong dagat sa kapatagan.

Bagama‟t mas umayos ang kanilang pamumuhay, aminado si Mang Dario na pasan pa rin nila ngayon ang mga suliraning dulot ng kanilang pagkakakilanlan at kahirapan.

Sa tantsa niya, isa lamang sa bawat sampung kabataan sa kanilang pamayanan ang nakakapagaral ngayon. Kaugnay nito, imbes na mag-aral ay normal pa rin sa kanila na mag-asawa sa murang edad. Sa aming pakikisalamuha sa kanilang pamayanan, nakilala namin ang isang dalagang sa kanyang sariling tantsa ay kinseng taon pa lamang (hindi nila alam ang tiyak na araw kung kailan sila ipinanganak), at nakita naming kalong-kalong na ang kanyang anak. Ayon kay Mang Dario, normal para sa lahat ng mga Badjao ang sitwasyong gaya ng nabanggit.

Ang mga itinayo nilang tahanan sa Jaoville ay nakadisenyo pa rin ayon sa kanilang pinagmulan. Mapapansin na matataas pa rin ang mga poste na siyang nagsisilbing haligi ng kanilang mga tahanan. Gawa ito mula sa pinagtagpi-tagping mga kahoy, piraso ng tarpaulin, mga mantel, at iba pang kagamitan na maaari pa nilang magamit. Buhay pa rin ang kultura ng mga taong ito sapagkat ginaganap pa rin nila hanggang ngayon ang kakaibang tradisyon nila ng kasal at iba pang uri ng mga pagdiriwang.

Dinatnan namin sa kanilang pamayanan ang grupo ng mga babaeng naglalaro ng baraha. Nang tanungin namin kung ano ang tawag nila sa larong kanilang ginagawa, isang salita lang ang nabanggit nila“libangan.” Ayon kay Mang Dario, isa ito sa mga paraan nila upang patayin ang kanilang pagkakabagot. Wala kasi silang ibang magawa pagkatapos mamalimos. Walang telebisyon, radyo at anumang gadget na siyang makakapaglibang sa mga ito.

Kaugnay nito, sa aspeto naman ng kabuhayan, umamin si Mang Dario na halos lahat pa rin sa kanila ay umaasa sa pamamalimos, samantalang ayon din sa kanya, may mangilan-ngilan siyang kasama na nagbebenta ng iba‟t ibang bagay gaya ng mga accessories.

Sa usaping ito, hiningi namin ang ideya ni Mang Dario ukol sa parating tanong ng ibang tao sa kanila- kung bakit pinipili ng karamihan sa mga Badjao na mamalimos imbes na magtrabaho. Malugod na sinagot ni Mang Dario ang aming tanong. Ang tugon niya, “Sino bang tatanggap sa amin? Wala kaming birth certificate. Hindi [namin] alam kung ilang taon na kami. „Di namin alam kung paano isulat ang pangalan namin… Masipag kami, kulang lang kami sa aral.”

PAG-INTINDI SA KANILANG PAGLANGOY Ang paglangoy sa kapatagan ng isang taong sanay sa buhay dagat ay sumisimbolo lamang sa patuloy na umiiral na hirap na dinaranas ng mga Badjao. Sila ang mga mamamayang noon pa man ay parating napag-iiwanan, sa pagkakakilanlan pati na sa pagtugon sa kanilang pangangailangan.

Marami sa atin ang naninibago sa kanila - kasama na kung paano sila manamit, paano sila magsalita, at sa kung paanong naiiba ang uri ng pamumuhay nila kumpara sa atin. Sa mga kalsada pati na sa mga dyip, nakikita natin hindi lang ang kanilang paghingi ng tulong, bagamat nasasaksihan din natin ang kalunos-lunos nilang kalagayan.

Saksi ang mga Badjao sa isang lipunang nakikisama ngunit hindi sila kayang lubusang tanggapin. Diin nga ni Mang Dario, “Sobrang baba ng tingin nila sa amin… Hinahamak nila ang mga Badjao.”

Sa sandali naming pananatili kasama ang pamayanang ito, napagtanto namin na hindi naman sila naiiba sa atin. Kaya nilang makipamuhay nang mapayapa gaya ng kung paano tayo nakikipamuhay sa ating mga kapitbahay. Lahad nga ng marilag na mga pananalita ni Mang Dario, “Hindi naman kami dayo. Pilipinas pa rin ito.”

Totoo nga, ano pa man, sila ay kapwa rin natin Pilipino. Imbes na hamakin sila, mas mainam na tayo ang tumanggap sa kanila, kasama ang parehong respetong ibinibigay natin sa iba nating kababayan.

Naniniwala ako, base sa maikling panahon na nakasama namin sila, na kung darating ang oras na ang taong kapatagan naman ang malulunod sa gitna ng karagatan, hindi mag-aatubili ang taong dagat na sagipin siya. Dahil baon din ng taong dagat sa kanyang isipan na ang nalulunod ay isang “kapwa” – kapwa niya Pilipino.