NEWS FEATURE

Anchored passion, an advocate paragon

By: Mdpn. Syrus Miguel S. Santamena

because I always wanted to do it and always wanted to be part of something that could help other people,” Soniso affirmed. Soniso believes that the advantage of being a student, especially in a big organization with advocate members that are already professionals, is that her mind and perspectives can earnestly align with the values and beliefs of their programs for the students and youth.

“I learned to trust other people and to meet them, to not be afraid of trying something new. To be honest, I don’t really see myself at the same level as the others. I feel that I’m still lacking as I started this type of volunteer work, and I think that I’m not enough in some ways— I’m incredibly grateful that even in that experience, I’m also a part of it,” she said.

It takes courage, discipline, and dedication to achieve one’s goal and be an epitome of excellence in service, worthy of becoming a public servant. Her love for learning has become an avenue for her to embody and share her enthusiasm for contributing to society and engaging in various humanitarian advocacies. Ma. Yzobel Jamaze A. Soniso, a third-year BS Customs Administration student of JBLFMU-M, emerged as one of the pioneering members of the United States Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR) based in Washington DC – Philippine Chapter and the only member from Region VI who was able to get into the pioneering committee. Her humble beginning started when she was an official delegate of

Photo credits: Ysobel Soniso

“Ma’am Louise May M. Lim, she is the one who encouraged me to join. I also think that it is my own will to join even though I am only a college student among the other delegates who are already experts and professionals. I don’t think that

the Philippines in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-Asia-Pacfic and Cultural of Education for International Understanding (UNESCO-APCEIU) 8th Youth Leadership Workshop on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and a certified GCED Youth Advocate in Seoull, South Korea last 2021. “There has always been a part of me that wanted to serve, I’ve always wanted a course to be a humanitarian, to be a diplomat, to be in the lines of that profession, and I think I saw this as an opportunity to make it happen because I am on a different course. I’m really interested in something different. Maybe, this is God’s way of telling me that this is the path laid for me, and I should grab that opportunity I am at the level of my other members yet when it comes to experience and knowledge about human rights and diplomacy concepts, but fortunately, I do believe there is something in me worthy enough to be part of their team, especially in the pioneering team,” she said. Currently, she plans on being an active advocate of USIDHR for the rest of her life, serving people which made her life more meaningful, purposeful, and life-changing. she is now preparing for her upcoming seminar as a host of the, “Our Right is Right,” with high school students all over the Philippines, with John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University Inc. as one of the participants.

- The Windsor

Class participation, attendance, and exams are directly inclined to the following considerations when addressing the overall academic performance of a student. The majority of these ideas are generally derived from the standardized tests that assess and reflect the students’ achievements, improvements, as well as the disposition and approaches of students across various academic learning subjects. The most common form of measurement for most academic performance ratings are based on a student’s grade point average (GPA) obtained from classroom performance and results from standardized tests administer per semester. However, after face to face classes were suspended for almost three years dueto the pandemic, the dilemma has given rise to the quality of education that every student rightfully deserves. According to Social Weather System (SWS), a social research institution in the Philippines, after conducting a survey about the two learning modalities which are the Face-to-Face method and Virtual/ Online classes, approximately 89% of families believe that blended learning is much more difficult than face-to-face learning. The majority of the reasons are the concern of financial expenses, as parents have to pay school fees for their children during F2F and also the internet fees. Both learning modes consume a significant amount of money, and yet face-to-face classes appear to be more useful and beneficial rather than online virtual classes. There are lots of benefits when conducting a face-to-face meeting. Faceto-face classes provide students with a conducive learning environment where they can concentrate and focus more. Students and teachers can practice healthy interactions and communicate effectively with one another. Social skills, character, and collaborative learning are developed. Face-to-face classes also encourage students to acquire critical thinking skills through class disscussions. Furthermore, we can maintain the credibility and integrity of the examination and properly assess whether or not the students truly learned. Additionally, unlike online classes, from which our field of study is limited to a screen and digital space, our knowledge can be improved and harnessed during face-to-face classes by gaining more direct access to information and resources, hands-on experiences, and a greater understanding from our professors and course instructors. F2F classes empower us to maximize better learning endeavors for a more interactive, positive, and better performance inside our classrooms and within the university campus. Personally, I believe that both of these learning platforms can be improved, but I prefer face-to-face learning to online learning. As much as online learning can increase students’ study flexibility, I would rather immerse myself in a type of learning where I can work collaboratively and improve my knowledge, skills, and capabilities. I firmly believe that faceto-face learning is more advantageous and can offer us more benefits for our self-actualization in paving the future of our dreams and achieving our

- SlaydenEpione

African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. The disease is a severe concern for the hog industry since in its acute phase it usually causes mortality. Although it poses no threat to human health, ASF has a catastrophic impact on the swine population as well as the farming industry. The Philippine’s crisis in the swine industry existed way back in June 2019 that led farmers, from small and larger properties, to experience a financial crisis because of these outbreaks. Mostly, those smaller pig farms’ incomes were negatively affected and struggled financially, leading most backyard farms to close. However, over the past three years of being safe from this contagious viral disease, on the 14th day of October in Oton, Iloilo Dr. Darel Tabuada, Iloilo Provincial Veterinarian reported a suspected case and was eventually confirmed as positive case by the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council. But the circulating question is, how prepared and equipped was our government during this unforeseen and unexpected dilemma in the province of Iloilo, which affected not only the community that first experienced it, but also those within a 500-meter radius. After the confirmation, Iloilo Provincial Gov. Arthur Defensor, immediately activated the provincial task force as well as the barangay task force that will lead the surveillance of piggeries in their respective areas as well as the planning and identifying of the disposal areas within the local government unit in province’s premises. He also stated that the hog heads from the affected farm will be properly disposed of by burning and burying them. Also, backyard hog farms within the .5-km radius from the infected farm will be depopulated This shows that the government responded immediately to contain the said virus. However, some residents from nearby nearby barangays are complaining with the pungent smell coming from the dumpsite wherein they buried the affected hogs that lead them to experience stomach pains and being worried with their health, but in contrary to their statements, the Oton LGUs affirmed that the dump site in being taken care of and everything’s under their control. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture 6 and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), passed a resolution for immediate hog containment and total banning of movement of hogs and pork products within Western Visayas and enjoining ASF Task Force-Western Visayas to take immediate action.

Dilemma of Academic Performance: F2F vs Online

By: Kristelle Joy G. Erazo

life’s aspirations.

Iloilo’s first ASF case and how the gov’t responds to it

By: Ma. Katherine Kaye C. Bordador

Moreover, upon confirming the case in the province, nearby LGUs including Iloilo City imposed border controls. Tigbauan is the first to issue an executive order imposing border control, which is the next town to Oton. The next provinces such as Aklan and Capiz and even Guimaras also