The Class 2017 Vol. 63 No.3

2017

VOLU M E 62 N U M BER 3 • SEPTEM BER 2017

THE COVER Remember buying your first ever toy, and the rush of excitement and the pure, innocent bliss that accompanied it. Remember reading the very first book your teacher tasked you to do a review on, and the feeling of curiosity that sparked an ember within you. Remember writing a love letter on a crumpled piece of paper, and all the scribbled handwriting that encompassed all the jumbled, unsaid emotions you were withholding. Remember it all—the medals and trophies, the crumpled paper planes, the sweetest heartaches, the flashlight-lit all-nighters, the bruises and scars, the very first kiss; remember everything. It may have been a long time ago, and we’re different from who we were back then. However, it is these things—these fragments of youth— that made us into who we are right now.

art direction by MARTINI M. FALCO GLEN JED J. DESCUTIDO photographed by NICHOL FRANCIS T. ANDUYAN concept by JOWAN DAVE G. GUIDES

THESPECTRUM FOUNDED 1956 A.Y. 2017-2018 VOLUME 62 NUMBER 3 · SEPTEMBER 2017 Member Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists and Advisers and College Editors Guild of the Philippines

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ONLINE EDITOR

NEWSPAPER WRITER

VIDEOGRAPHER

Andrea Nicole C. Farol

David Willem L. Molenaar

Adrienne Carl S. Calvo

Kyle Jyrax D. Sevilla

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

LITERARY EDITOR

MAGAZINE WRITER

LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS ARTIST

Katherine E. Co

Hezron G. Pios

Riesa T. Rodillado

Shara Mae L. Pelayo

MANAGING EDITOR

ASST. LITERARY EDITOR

ONLINE WRITERS

ILLUSTRATORS

Robert H. Jerge III

Lyle John L. Balana

Ida Sarena M. Gabaya

Cedric Lance M. Militar

Charlene Marie D. Lim

Katrina Y. Nemenzo

Maria Angeline M. Mayor

Karen D. Panganiban

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Iris Denise N. Rivera

Maria Angelica M. Ape

Seth V. Pullona SPORTS WRITER

NEWSPAPER EDITOR

ASST. HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Christiana Claudia G. Gancayco

Ian Kristoffer V. Ga

Stephine Paul M. Dungca

WEB ADMINISTRATOR Keanu Kent B. Gargar

FILIPINO WRITERS ASST. NEWSPAPER EDITOR

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS EDITOR

Victoria Marian B. Belmis

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Starlene Joy B. Portillo

Nichol Francis. T. Anduyan

Jyan Martella G. Opena

Keanu Joseph P. Rafil

MAGAZINE EDITOR

LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR

LITERARY WRITER

PUBLICATION MODERATOR

Chad Martin Z. Natividad

Jowan Dave G. Guides

Alvin Brian S. Legario

Jean Lee C. Patindol

ASST. MAGAZINE EDITOR

ASST. LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS E DITOR

PHOTOJOURNALISTS

Joshua Martin P. Guanco

Glen Jed J. Descutido

Nicci Bernelle D. Aguilar Martini M. Falco Mariano O. Javier

The Spectrum is the Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle. Its editorial office is located at the USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100; it can be reached through the telephone number, (034) 432-1187 local 172 and e-mail address, thespectrum. usls@gmail.com. All rights reserved. No part of The Spectrum may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Media Corps. All contributions become The Spectrum property and the Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to edit all articles for publication.

EDITOR’S NOTE Is it the bright lights, the heart-pounding experience in the mosh pit, and the musky smell of spirits and smoke mingling in the air? Or is it the long, dusty, unplanned road trips, the jamming sessions in the beach, or the lack of oxygen up in a mountain’s peak?

Teenage life has almost always denoted the electrifying rush of adrenaline, of impulsive decisions, and boastful naivety. Yet it could also be the pain and embarrassment a pimple brings. It could be the squeak of the gate and your mother’s voice nagging at you at midnight. It could be the dead airs in a random conversation during vacant hours.

Or maybe, the thrill of going ghost hunting during a school overnight. It’s the tears during signing each other’s yearbook. The rants, the bickering, and the stomachaches brought by silent laughter.

When do we seize being young? Why is adult life in the real world? In what world do the youth dwell and why do we have to leave it?

I could go on and on. The questions never stop.

To be young is fleeting. Keep questioning.

Andrea Nicole C. Farol EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

photographed by JOWAN DAVE G. GUIDES

CONTENTS VOLU M E 62 N U M BER 3 • SEPTEM BER 2017

Read our issues online at www.issuu.com/thespectrumsusls or scan the QR code above

CONTENTS VOLU M E 62 N U M BER 3 • SEPTEM BER 2017

CAS

That Andrelene Rush 08 Andrelene Veloso Confessions From A Local Celebrity 10

CBA

Defying The Unthinkable 12

Joanne Bernal

Jeany Sendo

Firm Believer 14 Shaira Nivera CEd

Faith and Fire: When Will Meets the Way 16

David Bryan Jamili

The Difference We’re Making 18 Vejiel Velez CET

Shifting to Tougher Lanes 20 Jermaine Lamboso 22 Glorime Dumagat

Spirit Over Matter BSN

A Work Unrushed 24 Ma. Beatrice Higgins Renaissance Rekindled 26 Danica Llamas

Artist’s Hub

Glitter, Grit, and Grease 28 Tony Carmona

Balayan

A Girl with a Heart of Gold 30

CELAM

Out into a Brighter Place 32 John Paul Laurenio

Jommella Marie Guotana

USG

With a ‘Puso’ for Apocalypse 34 Kathlyn Mae Tiu

VSO

Of Volleyball Courts and Classrooms

Personals

Move It 38 Gian Von Caberte The Courage to Face the Wind 40 Winging It Responsibly Slime And Glory

Reviews

36 Shaira Marie Lim

Album Book

46

44

42

LANY

47 Invisible

48

Movie 48

Margaret Yusay

Daphne Tanya Molenaar

Series 47 Childhood’s End Series

Henna Pilla

Riverdale 12 Angry Men

BLITZ A generation is hallmarked by the common trends that outlive it. In that sense, you ask, what was stubborn enough to outlast a moment? For now, it may seem impossible to define this generation, for it cannot yet be remembered in hindsight, not like the route of the jeepney you rode this morning.

In the meantime, find a word to describe the rate at which fizz dissolves from a bottle, or a word to recreate the decaying of paper, maybe a diploma. Invent a word that mimics how the contents of a room come and go, faster than the building that houses the room itself.

This is the closest we can get to previewing the remnants of extinction—by its details. It’s only after seeing how each individual expresses something fleeting, that you glimpse how the whole group daydreams. Expressions feed the bones of songs: of stories. Each one is his/her own lyric to a would-be classic, given time.

art by JOWAN DAVE G. GUIDES

2017

CAS

THAT ANDRELENE RUSH

by Maria Angelica M. Ape photographed by Khail Cabales

FOR MOST STUDENTS, it was just a typical afternoon, but for the selective few who were nominated to be recognized as one of the University’s cream of the crop, it was deadline day for the Corps D’Elite prospects to pass their bid book. While some of them were still doing their last-minute edits on their respective bid books, others were all lined up at the U-Press office, waiting for their outputs to be put into print. While everybody was in a rush, hoping to pass their requirements by deadline, Andrelene sat quietly inside a hospital room where her mom, who suffered from a stroke, was recovering. The room echoed of faint TV noise and the sound of her laptop’s keyboard click-clacking. Amidst the faint sound of medical equipment around her, Andrelene bowed her head and closed her eyes as she whispered a quiet prayer, hoping to pass her bid book for Corps D’Elite and IWAG, alongside her Senior’s Project revisions.

Fast-forward to March 2017.

Communication students were having dinner inside the Filipino-culture decorated ballroom at L’Fisher, all glammed up in their Maharlika-themed attire. It was their annual Bilib Awards. For the Seniors, it’ll be their last one so they were making every moment count, but for Andrelene, she had to split her time between her last Bilib Awards and Corps D’Elite where she was one of the finalists for Excellence in Print Media.

About an hour later, she arrived back in L’Fisher carrying a bust of St. La Salle in 8

THE CL AS S 2017

her hands, and a huge smile on her face. By the end of her last Bilib Awards, she was carrying a Bilib trophy for Excellence in Community Journalism as well.

Andrelene is the eldest of two siblings. She stays in Bacolod on school days and goes home to Cadiz whenever she doesn’t have ‘rakets’ or deadlines to catch. Her parents separated when she was younger. She had to go through college with the death of her father and the stroke incident

of her mother, while juggling 30-second ads, documentaries, teleseryes, talk shows, radio dramas, articles, outreaches, and every other thing that were compulsory for her to get her degree. Despite the challenges she faced for the past four years, she continued to prove to herself and to everyone that she can surpass all the trials and disputes life may throw at her.

Backtracking to 2013, it was the 10th of June when Andrelene was sitting in the back of S17, subtly observing the faces that she would be spending the next four years of her college life with. It was the first day of classes and she was still adjusting to her new classmates, and her new school. She vividly remembered a specific classmate whom she exchanged hellos with during the first day of school.

“I remember how my AB-1B classmates were so loud during the first day of school. I was sitting at the back because I could never really start a conversation with strangers. A classmate, Glenn, came up to me and said ‘Hi girl, taga-diin ka?’ and we immediately hit it off from there. I guess I could really consider Glenn as one of my first college BFFs.” When asked why she chose to study Communications, Andrelene said she just really wanted to study the course itself. Her parents actually wanted her to take up Accountancy since she was part of a special science class in high school, but Andrelene convinced them that that life wasn’t cut out for her. Fortunately, her parents agreed and that started her journey as a Communication student.

A bad girl turned good, Andrelene went through that rebellious-teenage angst phase in high school where she prioritized her friends more than her family and school work. Upon recalling that phase, Andrelene cringed at the fact that she actually did those ‘stupid’ things.

It reached to a point where her mother had caught her doing things her mother prohibits.

After that, she realized that what she had been doing was wrong and she doesn’t want to hurt

her mother anymore. “Although I made those mistakes, I actually don’t regret making them because I did learn a lot of valuable lessons and I wouldn’t be where I am now,” she said.

She was sent to an aunt in Iloilo for her to get straightened out. During her stay in Iloilo, she learned basic household chores. Andrelene also realized that being lazy would not get her anywhere in life.

The course Andrelene chose to take up has been stereotyped as ‘an easy course’ or ‘a course you choose when you want to be [a] broadcaster or a celebrity.’ But for the Communication majors, it’s so much more than that — they actually have to go through production work, theatre and events management classes, have to shoot and edit outputs for film, radio and TV production, conceptualize and generate new and innovative ideas for their Marketing and Advertising majors while also studying journalism. Andrelene was not really fond of the subject at first but then she got the hang of it, and later on, actually genuinely enjoyed it.

Andrelene remembered the excitement she felt when she got her first article published for a local newspaper. “It was the first time I was given the opportunity to do something like that and when I saw the newspaper, I could not express how happy I was. Since second year, when we started having our Journalism class, I felt like I’ve grown a lot and I felt it’s possible that my dream of having my works published are starting to be a reality.

After that, it was continuous.”

Behind every successful student, stands a teacher. With hindsight, Andrelene is very thankful for the mentorship of Mr. Allen Del Carmen. For her, Sir Allen is more than just her journalism professor. “I actually don’t tell him this because I’m shy, but I do consider him as a father-figure here in college,” she said. During her father’s loss, Andrelene was able to cope by keeping herself busy with practicing journalism. She said that every cent she earned from the rakets and coverages actually helped her a lot.

She added that no matter how many times they got reprimanded, she knew that Sir Allen wanted them to be better at their craft which, looking back now, Andrelene agreed that her experience with Sir Allen’s class has helped her a lot.

During her junior year, Andrelene felt the trust that was given to her by Sir Allen. She called to mind the time wherein their class handled The Lead, AB Communication’s

“My whole Lasallian journey didn’t only shape my heart, teach my mind and transform my life, it opened a new road where I was able to walk with confidence, that no matter what, I will always have victory because God is with me.” publication; she said that she couldn’t count the times that she and the editors felt as if they let Sir Allen down. Nonetheless, they were very happy when The Lead bagged several awards including the Graciano Lopez Jaena Award for The Lead Newspaper.

For someone who had been doing well in her field, had no failing grades, had established good relationships, and been actively participating in church, people would think Andrelene would be contented with her college journey. But instead of just smooth sailing, she challenged herself to do better, to work harder and do all things for the Lord.

“When I was in second year college, someone from Youth For Christ won an award for Catholic Spiritual Service as a Ministry Volunteer during the Corps D’Elite and that was the first time I’ve heard of it.

After that, I told myself I really wanted to win that award. I actually prayed that I’d get to have an award one day but I was still eyeing for the Catholic Spiritual Service. In fact, I never really expected to win or even be nominated for the Excellence in Print Arts,” she said.

Another fact about Andrelene is that before going through her “dark phase”, she was already serving the church, and afterwards, dedicated her life to God through Youth for Christ.

“At a young age of five, I was already exposed to the Catholic faith where I started serving as a chorale and a Legion of Mary member. The things we did at church led

me to become closer to people— especially those who are lost.”

Andrelene said that it was her parents who manifested the attitude of kindness in their family that despite the brokenness within their home, they showed to her and her brother how it is to be kind.

In retrospect, her dad used to spearhead a feeding program before while her mom also worked as a social worker for several occasions. Andrelene believed that serving other people has also become a part of her journey.

“I learned that it’s not just about the things I do for them, but most importantly, the happiness it brings them and the lessons I get from them as well. Serving God through the Church will always be a part of my journey.

It brought me lessons that will be treasured as long as I live, and it taught me that no matter what, wherever I am, the same love will sustain me, the same grace will bring me through,” she said.

At the end of the day, Andrelene continues to be grateful for everything. She is currently working for the Couples for Christ Global Mission Inc. in Manila as an Editorial Assistant under the Global Communications department. Andrelene never fails to forget about her four-year journey. She said, “My whole Lasallian journey didn’t only shape my heart, teach my mind and transform my life, it opened a new road where I was able to walk with confidence, that no matter what, I will always have victory because God is with me.” S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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CAS

CONFESSIONS FROM A LOCAL CELEBRITY

by Starlene Joy B. Portillo photographed by Martini M. Falco

JOANNE BERNAL has become a Lasallian household name.

With a 2.3K loyal following on her public Facebook page, a fiveyear experience of crooning the University Coliseum for almost every event, off-school gigs, and her recent stint in ABS-CBN Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan, the Bossa Nova Princess of Bacolod currently lives the life of a star. But how is a star formed?

CENTER-STAGE Having been raised in Singapore, young Joanne embarked on her singing journey at the age of four. Just like the average aspirant, she started out joining in school and church-organized competitions.

This eventually paved way for her to enter and win as the first-ever Batang Pinoy singing champion of the Filipino Women’s Group— something that made her well-known ever since in Singapore’s Philippine Embassy.

In 2006, she came back to Bacolod and started her secondary education at St. John’s Institute, still bringing with her the passion for music.

Throughout her high school years, she has bagged several gold accolades for herself, as well as for her alma mater in interschool competitions, such as the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural and Educational Association ( NOPS SCE A) Kundiman 10

THE CL AS S 2017

competition. The singer has also fronted several concerts from artists both local and international. “When we were about to graduate, my classmates were asking each other what course they were going to take. [...] I couldn’t find the right course for myself because the only thing I know and love is singing and music,” Joanne recalled. “I can’t imagine not being part of that.” She ended up taking Electronics and Communications Engineering.

Many of her high school friends have been persuading Joanne to join the university’s pop-singing group Musikat, but she initially refused. “I did not want to be part of Musikat because I wanted to be known as Joanne Bernal: a soloist,

“There are times where you will feel like it’s not going anywhere. There are times that you will feel that you are just a speck of dust out of all the artists out there— but that’s how you know it starts.” a singer,” she quipped. “ I did not want to be known as this girl from Musikat. I wanted to have my own name, a name for myself.” And after emerging as champion from the Golden Voice 2012 competition during her Freshman year, she did.

“I used to feel like I was not taken seriously in the music scene because they think that my voice is just a pampatulog,” said the coined Bossa Nova Princess. She said that she was challenged to step out of her comfort zone for the event, leading her to choose an OPM classic and add her own twist to it, instead of opting for her go-to bossa nova, when she learned that the contestants got to pick their own songs. “I proved them wrong [...] I can also be versatile in other genres,” she added.

Joanne became dubbed as the Lasallian Diamond Singer thereafter, and went on to join Musikat, after all. “All the while, I thought singing by myself would be enough [to get me in] the music industry,” she confessed, adding that eventually she discovered that through singing with people, adjusting to different voices, and being a leader in Musikat helped her learn how to manage a band, know more about music theories, and the different kinds of blending. Joanne claimed that her knowledge and standards have levelled up as a singer, and has encouraged her to branch out on other things, such as hosting and makeup—all three of which she currently is doing in her post-graduate career.

BEHIND THE SCENES “ I was focusing more on my career than in schooling,” stated Joanne. Her Golden Voice exposure started the snowball effect of singing opportunities: being a grand finalist in the OPM@PAGCOR Season 4, a weekly finalist in Eat Bulaga’s Ikaw at Echo: Ka-Voice Ka Ni Idol, and making it to the Blind Auditions of The Voice Philippines Season 1. She further disclosed that during her third year in college, she was taping for Eat Bulaga, which

required her to fly to Manila for taping immediately after her last Friday class, and then fly back in on Sunday. Her Musikat scholarship aside, Joanne has been helping her parents through after-school gigs. To press for time, she sometimes came to gigs still wearing a school uniform. Other times, she would straight-up wear civilian clothes on a school day. This made meeting school deadlines a challenge. After that, her grades became inconsistent, making her transfer to the course of Interdisciplinary Studies and take an extra year. “Singing was the only reason that kept me going to school and because of that, maybe I was able to manage three years in Engineering, but after that, I decided that it wasn’t for me,” the artist said. The balance between academics and career wasn’t the only persistent problem Joanne had to deal with, though.

“My weight has always been an issue throughout my career, especially in the Bacolod crowd,” the singer shared. According to her, other artists outside of the city have also confided in her that Bacolod is one of the hardest crowds to please when performing. “I have no problem with showcasing my talent as a singer, but then it’s also part of a total package: you don’t only have to sound good, but to look great.” The old Joanne felt the need to lose weight in order for people to

like her. “I feel like I’m second best because there’s always someone better-looking than me, who could draw a crowd more than I could. But that’s what I’m trying to prove right now— that it doesn’t only take your whole physical self to tell people you can do great things.”

Despite the hardships that come with a life onstage, Joanne not only found a stable support system in her parents, but also with peers who were as musically-inclined as she was. “I grew up with singers, and which pushes me more to be one. So hopefully, that’s what I end up doing,” she continued, also emphasizing on the need of persistence, practice and dedication to one’s craft.

“There are times where you will feel like it’s not going anywhere. There are times that you will feel that you are just a speck of dust out of all the artists out there—but that’s how you know it starts,” she began.

“But that’s the only advice I can give: never stop on the things you love.”

How is a star formed? Put simply, it is placed under great pressure for years and years and years before it comes out a-shining, for everyone to look up to and be admired. No star was crafted the easy way, nor is any other born into greatness. Take it from Joanne Bernal—a star by her own right, still doing better at what she does best. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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CBA

DEFYING THE UNTHINKABLE

by Ian Kristoffer V. Ga photographed by Katherine E. Co

AS KIDS, we dreamt the fondest of dreams. At some point, we may have envisioned ourselves to be clad in white with stethoscopes around our necks, sporting reflective safety vests with hard hats on, or being dapper in corporate attires. Come high school years and we delimit our options of what career paths we intend to blaze.

As soon as college life presents itself at our doorstep, we should have chosen the best career suited with our personalities and interests. And we were made to believe that college students burn the midnight oils the most or are the busiest bunch of people there is. For some, pursuing a double major is somewhat unthinkable, getting Latin honors at that, but for this go-getter, greatness from within is for everyone to discover and play along.

During her freshman year, Jeany Sendo was just like any one of us: starting off with a clean slate while being undeniably anxious of what lies ahead the jungle that is college.

“Back when I was in high school and the summer before [taking off to college], many [programs] came up to my mind because I really don’t know what [program] to take,” she professed. For her, ending up with a double major was never in the picture; not until a close friend persuaded her to decide into taking both Operations Management and Busine s s Economics before her sophomore year. At first, she doubted her capabilities if she can manage juggling two 12

THE CL AS S 2017

majors. But what ignited the drive within her was the fact that her older siblings were excelling in their chosen fields and so she aspired to become one. This goes into saying that among her sturdy support systems is her family. “My family is my life and without them, I couldn’t imagine living. It’s them who keep me motivated all the time when I am trying to be excellent in everything I do,” she conveyed.

She kept saying this to herself, “I have to do my part to make my family proud.”

Lo and behold, she began conquering battles one after the other.

Being the youngest among three siblings and the rose among thorns, she is considered as the princess, more like a gem. This is one of the many reasons why her dream of studying outside Negros was futile, but she holds no grievances nor regrets. All the more reasons why she spent quality time with her parents especially that she was the lone child under their care.

For Jeany, the most rewarding thing about being an achiever is the happiness she sees and feels from the people whom from the very start, believed in her and wished nothing but her success. She admitted that it is touching when people whom she did not expect to partake in her success feel the same way.

“I am very thankful with all the failures I’ve been through because they showed me the right path to take and now, I finally understood why I had to go through them.”

Recalling her difficulties during her four-year collegiate journey, she shared how she painstakingly adjusted to different kinds of people with different personalities and work ethics, and to college life, as a whole. “[During that] year, I felt beaten up because my classmates judged me for being active, grade-conscious, and competitive.” But she defended this by saying that she is no competition to anyone else but to herself. She shared that once she starts competing with others, she will compromise the beauty of learning. In spite of the stress, bustles, and demands of her program, Jeany still remained unstoppable.

As a way of combating stress and keeping herself sane, she makes it a point to share all the burdens she is carrying to someone—her mother whom she considers her number one confidant, to name a few.

As early as 1st year, she learned to stand on her own feet and realized that God was preparing her for the ensuing tougher years. During the first two years, graduating with flying colors was not at the top of her mind. She was already in her junior year when she was already cognizant of the possibility of becoming a Magna Cum Laude. Right there and then, she decided to continue the momentum and finish what she started. “After balancing the two majors in my 3rd and 4th year—most especially during the first semester— I really felt tired and told myself I want to enjoy my last

semester in college, but then again, the results of the [Latin] honors came out and the opportunity of being the one to deliver the graduation speech [might come as long as] I’ll maintain my GPA,” she said. So as not to let her hard work for the past three years go in vain, she gave it her all until the very last drop.

Jeany views failures as blessings in disguise. “I am very thankful with all the failures I’ve been through because they showed me the right path to take and now, I finally understood why I had to go through them,” she expressed.

Maintaining grades for Latin honors was one hell of a ride for this achiever. It came to a point that she got too perfectionist with her grades. Looking back at all the time and effort she has invested, she affirms that the tassel is really worth the hassle, alongside the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of speaking in front of her batchmates.

For someone who is brimming with greatness, she shared her equation for success, that is: discipline plus hard work multiplied by prayer is equal to success.

Along the process, Jeany has learned, re-learned, and unlearned a couple of things. She learned that nothing goes your way easily. Also, she learned that when days get tougher, it’s the right time to keep moving and seek God’s guidance because He never gives His hardest battles to His

weak soldiers. She re-learned that if you really want to achieve something, you have to believe in yourself, work hard for it, and possess a formidable heart to overcome all the challenges that will come your way.

Lastly, she unlearned her belief that everyone will just stay in her life. “I realized that in my college years, nothing is permanent.

People will come and go, but family will always be there,” she shared.

By then, she began to assess both her capacity and limitation as to when she will give due importance to the people that come her way.

“I learned that I can do things without depending on others and I can be happy in my own way,” she claimed.

Extending her message to her fellow 2017 graduates, she congratulates everyone who have survived the college journey and put all their hearts out to achieve more than just a diploma. “Let the real world see what we’ve prepared for it and show that we’re ready to face all the challenges ahead of us,” she said. She stressed that intelligence is of no good use if one lacks values.

Ultimately, she reminded them to always be humble and never forget God in everything that they do.

In treading the road less traveled, the stress along the process may have been doubled for Jeany, but surely the zest of making her way to the top got tripled or even more. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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CBA

FIRM BELIEVER

by Charlene Marie D. Lim photographed by Mariano O. Javier

WHILE MOST STUDENTS head to their classrooms at 7:30 in the morning, clutching their books and swinging their backpacks on one shoulder, Shaira Nivera, at the ripe age of 19, juggles three things: meeting the demands and deadlines for her subjects, accomplishing her part-time job and being a doting mom to her daughter.

At the age of 14, she got pregnant; however, Shaira continued to go to school. She was homeschooled then on her junior and senior year in high school. She remembered that the thought of going back to school used to make her all giddy in the inside, placing all of her classes in the morning in order to have time for Brianna, her now 5-year-old daughter who will be turning 6 by September.

According to Shaira, being a mother and a student is emotionally difficult, and there came a time when she was on the verge of giving up. “I held onto Brianna. She’s the one I hang on to— she gives me strength, [and] motivates me when everything is dark. She is the light of my life.”

14

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During her first two years in college, she incurred failures in some of her minor subjects (physical education and accounting, to name a few) after being subjected to drop due to lates and absences. Nevertheless, Shaira delightfully shared this, “I believe failing is never the end point; it is a part, a step and a process towards succeeding. Life could be risky but choose your battles wisely.”

According to her, this was one of her biggest regrets since retaking the subject is a waste of time and money.

However, as junior year arrived, she no longer incurred any failures at all—her academics were starting to progress well.

But, life still continued to throw stones at her, leading her to take a part-time job.

On top of life’s speed bumps, she worked parttime as a cashier in a gasoline station for six months and a call center agent for two months. And as dusk begins to envelop

the sky, she then makes her way to an outbound call center where she had to work from 11 P.M. to 8 A.M.— the graveyard shift— for two consecutive months.

She faced a financial crisis at that time; nevertheless she still brimmed with hope, adding that her part-time job helped her personally.

She said it greatly benefited her since she was able to develop skills essential to the corporate world.

She takes her sleep at 10 A.M. and wakes up by 1 P.M. to prepare for school— this has been her daily routine during weekdays.

Nevertheless, on weekends she spends quality time with Brianna.

“I don’t want to excuse myself from getting late just because I’m a working student. I also understand my responsibilities in school since you can’t always expect your professors to understand,” she said.

A passionate dancer in high school, Shaira admitted that her biggest regret as a college student was not being able to participate in co-curricular activities, acknowledging that she doubted herself.

An avid visitor of the University Chapel in college, Shaira not only attends to her responsibilities in school and to her daughter but also dedicates her time meditating in the Lord’s presence, recounting that problems bring her closer to Him because there is no other way to go but to Him. At present, she is reaping the fruits of her labor— currently employed as an area and account developer manager at Torque Mobile. And life hasn’t been more rewarding for Shaira.

...Shaira not only attends to her responsibilities in school and to her daughter but also dedicates her time meditating in the Lord’s presence...

“Always talk to God for guidance. Problems are there to make you better, wiser and stronger, and to remind you that you’re still alive. It’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.

Think positive and do what makes you happy and what you think is right for you because at the end of the day, it’s your life to live and not theirs. Keep your head up but your feet on the ground,” she concluded.

You might be wondering how she managed an overwhelming load of responsibilities in her four-year stay in the university. As for Shaira, it all comes down to having your priorities straight and having a good support system.

In spite of the weight of the world on her shoulders, one thing that she always aspired to was to graduate on time, and so she did.

A testament of the Lord’s intervention, Shaira surpassed all of her struggles by putting Him in the center of her life. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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CEd

FAITH AND FIRE: WHEN WILL MEETS THE WAY

by Lyle John B. Balana photo courtesy of The La Salle Yearbook

DAVID BRYAN JAMILI is a fresh graduate of the College of Education (CEd), looking forward to whet his well-crafted expectations and skills into a service to God. He describes himself as a man possessed with a great vision of life, passionate, driven in everything he does, putting his heart in all of his responsibilities, and may be discouraged but never gives up. He is a man whose first step to success has been achieved with the acquisition of his diploma.

Of course, much of his

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He had considered many times the practice of giving up or cutting down on his current endeavours. But the responsibilities of being an educator, a minder of the last, the lost, and the least, weighs heavier than the doubt that occasionally clouds his mind but never influences it in the slightest.

success can be attributed to the nature of his environment, and moreso his sterling character. An examination of the components of the sum of success, as embodied by this man, may be necessary.

David shared well about his experience in the CEd, speaking favourably of the family of students and teachers his major has formed starting his second year.

“For me, my experiences in CEd means a lot In terms of my unforgettable memories with my Social Science batch. They’ve seen me grow from 2nd year up to graduation. My CEd family molded and prepared me to what I am today,” he said.

He also pointed out that apart from his peers’ friendly nature, being a student also has a uniqueness of its own, as choosing to be a teacher is to join the noblest of professions.

As a member of the home of the Blue Dragons, he had held quite a few positions within and outside his specific college to boost his experiences and to foster preparedness in the coming years. He was the CEd Vice Chairperson Senator in the Blue Ribbon Committee in the Legislative Branch of the University Student Government, was a museum volunteer tour guide in Museo Negrense De La Salle and an active Human Rights Advocate of the Union of Social

Science Reformist that merged into ASSET, a recent development in the organizational structure of student-populated clubs within the CEd. To aid in his interests, he used his innate predilection for leadership, which did not always result into him being a palpable, recognizable presence in his college.

“I had made use of my skill and potential of being a leader. Even if I’m not visible in the College of Education, I’m doing everything at the back of the curtains. I’ve been engaging myself in every leadership seminar, community training and institutional organization. It molded me so much because it developed my self-confidence as an educator,” he enumerated.

As a goal to supplement his past tertiary-level efforts, he plans to first finish his tenure of being a volunteer worker with the Kaupod Community in Mondragon, Northern Samar, specifically as a Lasallian Volunteer and Community Director.

Afterwards, he will go back to his province and continue to teach, making more advocacies in line with his profession as an educator.

However, success, like any other force in life, encounters its fair share of friction.

He had considered many times the practice of giving up or cutting down on his current

endeavours. But the responsibilities of being an educator, a minder of the last, the lost, and the least, weighs heavier than the doubt that occasionally clouds his mind but never influences it in the slightest. This determination is augmented by his inspiration from God, as well as the belief from his classmates and acquaintances who put trust in his capacities and his potential. Both inspiration and faith helped him push through his limits to mold himself into a better individual.

“They proved to me that everything has its reason and purpose why it happened.

They brought light and hope that all things work together for good,” he affirmed.

The path towards becoming a teacher is a rocky one, and is not made in search of riches, fame, or temporal power as defined by ecclesial stature. But teacher Alvin has a good word to put in for those who want this path above all.

“Realize that teaching is not just a profession but a vocation for every educator who has been called to inspire, change, and encourage those who are entrusted to their care. They must remember that our founder, St. John Baptist De La Salle, has given us that big responsibility to teach minds, touch hearts and transform our students to perform their best.” S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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CEd

THE DIFFERENCE WE’RE MAKING

by Iris Denise N. Rivera photo courtesy of The La Salle Yearbook

SHE DIDN’T KNOW what problems were, and being poor couldn’t bother her. All she knew was that they could eat thrice a day and have coffee in the afternoon. She has a family that loves her and a community that supports her. She felt rich.

Even in the days when she went to school without a packed lunch, a neighbor would call out to her, “Day, dali di, ‘day. May ari kami di kamote.”

She’d say her thank you’s and bring the kamote to school.

Don’t worry, this isn’t just a story about a girl’s childhood.

This is the beginning of a story about a girl who is different.

The Ata tribe Vejiel belongs to resides in Brgy. Bagunsilang, Don Salvador Benedicto. They lived farther off from their “fairer skinned-counterparts”. They seldom went to the barangay proper for fear of being teased for being too dark-skinned or too curlyhaired—for fear of showing off the same features that are great echoes from generations past and a reflection of Filipino ancestry. ““Diin sila nga planeta halin?” one classmate would say.

“Siguro kung na-tawo ko guro nga amo na parehos sa ila, indi gid ko mag gwa-gwa sa balay,” another would reply.

These were just a few things her young ears had to hear in elementary school and one of the reasons why it was rare for an Ata youth to finish grade school, let alone high school and college. But Vejiel had a little more inspiration on her side— her tribe.

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“You won’t get anything from what they’re saying,” her mother reminded her. “Just take that as motivation. Study hard.”

And that’s exactly what she did. Vejiel laced each jest and insult around her ankles—not as weights, but as the wheels to drive her further into academic excellence. She joined quiz bees, sports, and other extra-curricular activities. This young girl wanted to prove a point, and through her hard work, she showed that a tribe member can exceed expectations. She graduated grade school as the valedictorian of her batch.

Now, as a 21-year-old graduate of the University of St. La Salle, she recounts the years and experiences that led up to this moment—the difficulties and challenges that pushed her to become better as a person, as a student, and as an Ata tribe member.

She spent her high school years at The Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Cebu, a

They treated her the way she always wanted to be treated—like a regular person, because she is. She is an Ata tribe member and she is a young girl striving towards her dreams.

Presumptions and prejudices be damned. private-sectarian school run by nuns. It was decided that the entire community need not know of the fact that Vejiel was an Ata tribe member. The reason for this was that they wanted the students to be treated equally—as children of God. She went through high school without being bullied or mistreated. In fact, some of her schoolmates would often ask her if she was half-foreign and she always laughed it off.

“I never thought of sharing my identity with my high school friends,” she said, adding that it was because she was comfortable being seen as herself rather than as a tribe member.

She graduated high school around December. She processed her papers and went back to her tribe. Their chieftain, ‘Tay Boy, introduced her to two researchers, Marife Varela and Virgilio Aguilar, from the University of St. La Salle a day later.

They were doing a research on indigenous persons (IP) in Don Salvador Benedicto and wanted to get members of the Ata tribe to study in USLS as scholars.

As luck would have it, Vejiel and another tribe member named Lucio Refuela were the only high school graduates at that time.

They were both selected.

After passing the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), Vejiel was referred to the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) for her scholarship. She was eyeing a course in Education and was asked if she wanted to take up a fairly new program called Early Childhood Education.

“I dreamt of being with the kids,” she said, “and that’s why I felt that yes, I can be one of them.”

During her first few days in La Salle, only a few of her teachers knew that she was an IP. She sat at the back rows of classrooms and introduced herself curtly as to not show how much she was trembling.

Preconceived notions of Lasallians being rich, judgmental and condescending ran through her mind. She questioned her capability to finish studying in the university in this way. She didn’t know anyone. No one knew her. Naturally, Vejiel was scared.

That fear, however, dissipated with the help and support of her teachers and classmates. Even when she tried to make herself

seem small and scarce, there were people around her who turned around to ask about her. Their kind smiles and considerate treatment were exactly what Vejiel needed to ease her into the new environment.

“Even though they didn’t know I was an IP scholar yet, they looked at me as a person and I was so happy,” she recalled.

She spent her first year getting to know her circle of friends and slowly growing to love La Salle, but the feeling of inferiority stayed for a while. She’d find herself looking up to all the other students while at the same time, putting herself down. Being around them took a toll on her self-esteem.

That was, of course, until she found out she got into the Dean’s List and Brother Francis Cody Honor’s Circle in Education. She also went on to join the Young Educators’ Society (YES) and the College of Education Melodians. It didn’t matter who she was outside of the campus.

In here, she, like everyone else, was on the pursuit of academic excellence.

“I’ve been on the Dean’s List since my first year up to now,” she said proudly. “I realized that I could achieve excellence as I am. So why do I have to feel inferior? I just have to do my best.”

It also helped that her teachers incorporated valuing into their lessons and despite the fact that it wasn’t necessarily targeted towards her, she still felt it. She knew that she had to love herself as she is.

Those simple words, mere they may be in seeming, helped build her self-esteem and motivation.

She started to see La Salle as a school for people with good hearts. This was a place where no one bullied her or put her down. There was always a helpful and supportive atmosphere around her wherever she went. They treated her the way she always wanted to be treated—like a regular person, because she is. She is an Ata tribe member and she is a young girl striving towards her dreams. Presumptions and prejudices be damned.

Striving towards your dreams doesn’t come easy to everyone, though, despite how persevering and steadfast you are. Her brilliance, as proven by her previous efforts, can only be backed up by financial support.

Our protagonist is a scholar so she has

no need to worry about her tuition fees. She gets an allowance, too, but that mostly goes to food and lodging. So what happens when projects and activities require an allowance of at least 500 pesos a week? Or what about when her allowance doesn’t get in on time?

Vejiel was lucky enough to have understanding classmates who were willing to lend her a bit of cash whenever she was in a tight spot. She recounted another moment when her college dean treated her with such great consideration when a class required Vejiel to watch a film she couldn’t afford going to.

“I apologized for not being able to attend the film showing because I didn’t have enough money,” she said. “[But I was able to] because she gave me a hundred pesos more than what was necessary for the ticket. She told me the extra cash was for my snacks during the movie.”

Vejiel considers herself lucky and privileged after making it so far in her education, and a scholar at that. She wants to find a way to pay forward what she’s currently receiving. That’s why her biggest advocacy as of the moment is education for the poor.

“There are so many people who want to study,” she pointed out, “but because of financial problems, they can’t. I want to extend whatever help I can to those who are less fortunate than I am.”

Vejiel had her post-graduation plans straightened out months before March rolled in. She wanted to pass the board exam and get to work.

“My biggest dream is to go back to my community after graduation so that they can be seen as more civilized and more knowledgeable people,” she said wistfully.

“I just want my community to become a better place to live. I don’t want them to be called mangmang, gago, and gaga. I despise hearing those words.”

It’s not about leaving a legacy to her.

She just wants to make her community a better place to live in. Her plan of action is to extend what she has learned to those less privileged than her.

See, this isn’t actually just a story of a girl who is different.

This is the beginning of a story of a girl ready to make a difference. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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CET

SHIFTING TO TOUGHER LANES

by Christiana Claudia G. Gancayco photographed by Ariana Inez L. Chua

“ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU LOVE? Are you loving what you do? Passion is always the greatest parameter in life’s equation.

Maximize it.”

These are the words Jermaine Lamboso imparted to her future self. This, after having shifted from Accountancy to Engineering when the very essence of that message hit her.

And, fueled by the greatest parameter in life’s equation, she strummed her college journey to the rhythm her heart dictated.

Her journey began on a road she was quite certain she would walk until its end. She was sitting in her Basic Accounting class one morning during freshman year, doodling on her notebook while her teacher droned on. Then her teacher asked the class a question: 20

THE CL AS S 2017

“Have you heard about the Higgs Boson?”

Jermaine suddenly dropped her pen, snapping out from her doodling and giving her undivided attention to her professor. Her interest was piqued, making her eyes sparkle with eagerness, she recalled in a lengthy, nostalgic Facebook post.

Maybe I’m not where I’m supposed to be, she thought when it dawned on her that the only time she was fully engaged in that class was when her professor asked that question. Although it has been a childhood dream to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she discovered in high school an ardent interest she has for Science, specifically Physics. However, pursuing a career in that field seemed too daunting and too unrealistic for a smalltown girl. “Like a pretty childish dream,” she descibed it,

“I think students need to visualize what they want to be and do something each day to reach that goal.”

then shrugged it off. But that morning, it became clear to her: she was not where she was supposed to be, but she knew where she wanted to go.

“I really can’t imagine myself working in an office, wearing corporate attire and all,” said Jermaine.

The change of heart was made further certain during a conversation between Jermaine and her mom. She was talking to her mother, a practicing CPA-Lawyer, about what an accountant’s job entails.

Call it a mother’s gut, Mrs. Lamboso could tell that her daughter’s heart was not into the path of accountancy. And so, the next day, Jermaine’s mother went to the university and began negotiating with the college deans to facilitate Jermaine’s shifting. And alas, with the assistance of the deans of the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) and Engineering and Technology (CET), Jermaine finally shed off the Yellow and embraced the Orange.

She had only a week to cope up with lessons of her new subjects, and yet she aced all of them.

However, even as she took everything in a graceful stride, there were also moments of doubt for her when the going got too tough. There were times too challenging that made Jermaine think that if only she stuck with Accountancy, maybe her life was not the hell it was. Engineering, in contrast, was uncharted waters for Jermaine.

Fourth year is their “hell year”, explained Jermaine. It is the peak for stress, pressure, breakdowns and more. If you’re an engineering student reading this, you’re probably

nodding vigorously in agreement. It is also a running joke in their course that getting a grade of 75 in a major subject would make you cry… out of extreme joy, that you passed!

As for Jermaine, despite making the tough course look like pie, the “hell year” did not discriminate; it made no exceptions. It was in her fourth year that Jermaine got her first and only final grade of 89. Some might snicker or roll their eyes and argue that hers is not a valid reason to cry, but Jermaine had her eyes set on achieving the highest she could. She was a candidate for Summa Cum Laude, until Separation Processes, a major subject, happened to her. Juggling three major subjects plus her on-the-job-training, she fell short of one point for the highest Latin honor.

“It was as if everything I worked hard for in the past years just went down the drain,” she shared.

Nevertheless, she prevailed. Instead of grilling herself for being found lacking, she allowed herself further growth. She decided that on her fifth and last year, she wouldn’t be so hard on herself anymore. She decided that she would deviate from her academics even just a little, for a change. And, true to her word, she did.

That year, she joined the Yearbook, where she served as the CET Editor, and also represented her college in the Lasallian Icon pageant launched by the University Student Government. With the pageant pioneering that year, Jermaine emerged from it as champion and was hailed as the first ever female Lasallian Icon alongside

her CET male counterpart Daniel Yared.

Interestingly, speaking of (more) uncharted waters, Jermaine was not a fan of pageants back in high school. People who knew her were even surprised when they knew she was representing her college. What made her do it was the advocacy part. It wasn’t a pageant that objectifies women but rather one that promotes the Lasallian person, she explained. And, still following her heart’s dictates, Jermaine passionately advocated for supporting produces and efforts of the local scene.

When asked what the key to her success was, Jermaine simply answered that her dream to be called ‘engineer’ someday inspired and motivated her from the very beginning, fueling her to surpass the challenges that were between her and the four-letter prefix she badly wants to add to her name.

“I think students need to visualize what they want to be and do something each day to reach that goal,” she said. For her, the struggles as students are steps closer to the goal.

“My time in La Salle harnessed my potential, granted me a new perspective of the world, and placed me in a better position in life,” she wrote in her Yearbook space.

It was not really a shift of course for Jermaine, but more of finding her own spot in the world — the one where her heart beams with contentment and burns with happiness and desire to do the thing she loved the most. And as of press time, she is on her way to that place. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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CET

SPIRIT OVER MATTER

by Chad Martin Z. Natividad photo courtesy of The La Salle Yearbook

THERE IS SOMETHING to be said about one’s first year in college.

If significant enough, something may be worth noting out of one’s first semester. In the case of Glorime Dumagat, she could never forget her very first exams as a college student—although it’s not for the reasons you think.

She could never forget her first prelim exams, solely because she never had the chance to take it. In the wake of prelim examination, Glorime caught an unexpected case of dengue.

The Monday of her “supposed to be” very first exam day—in prelude to the many others to come—was all but cancelled under the decree of a mosquito.

By the time she recovered from her illness, she was already kneedeep in a flood of skipped classes and lessons, not to mention the missed exams she’d have to take.

An episode like that could paralyze any student. Glorime herself, was already quite insecure before she entered college.

She had the notion that college was synonymous to sleepless 22

THE CL AS S 2017

But, in hindsight, she felt it was all worth it: seeing her parents happy, professors proud and troubled classmates saved from falling off the edge helped made her efforts pay off.

nights and potentially flunked classes.

You could only imagine how her sense of esteem must have been breached, invaded by the reality that she, even in her choice of course, was confused about. In all reality: it was quite the opposite.

Her blazing mindset is that: one should be ready to fail, but never to give up. One week into her classes and she already felt the same familiarity of home. “College isn’t that bad,” she thought to herself. Eventually, she fell in love with the course she had previously disdained. Her routine meant tackling each new day with high-spirits while giving her best without regrets. Like her grandfather once told her: “I’d rather say ‘I’m glad I did’ than to say ‘I wish I did’.”

She described herself to be “palakan”. In this context, we will translate that to enthusiastically-occupied. Whenever an activity presents itself before her: palak—makes sure she doesn’t miss an opportunity to participate. Whenever a project is assigned to her: palak—excited to get the job done right. Whenever a quiz day is coming near: palak—engage in studying so as not to fail. This was Glorime’s unconventional willpower to get things done. She found a sense of enjoyment by being busy with the things that mattered to her.

This mindset helped her to better appreciate and enjoy her college journey.

She’d find herself immersed in club activities in Computer Science Society (CSS) like Raptor marathons, newscasting and Masskara Hackaton, to name a few and—in which—she had a blast.

Despite her investment in her club, she probably never expected to be where she was back then. In the first place, Computer Science was not her first choice for college.

She wanted to become a Social worker, but that meant studying in Manila which was unconceivable at the time. When she felt lost in what she wanted for herself, she placed her bets on Accountancy, establishing an unspoken deal that if she passes the cut-off, she’d proceed with that course.

Eventually, she did, but she still wasn’t satisfied. Deep down, she sensed that God

had a different plan for her. In fact, it took a sequence of omens—divine or practical— that motivated her to enroll in the course, that she has since, confidently overcome.

Flashback to when she was in high school where, for some unexplainable reason, she dreaded the idea of Computer Science in the same intensity a pooch would react at the notion of baths. No one had even suggested the idea at the time.

But what happened later in time, changed her mind unexpectedly.

On a Holy Thursday, right before college, her older brother called her twice. At the first call, he suggested that she take Information Technology (IT). By then , Glorime was already resolved that she knows nothing about computers. It was only at the second call, when her brother took the extra mile to share his faith in her, that she was convinced. Knowing that someone believed in her did the trick in motivating [her] to push herself past her limits.

Looking back to the story of her first exam, she realised by then that facing challenges shouldn’t be faced with stress or madness, instead, it should be faced with determination till the end and with the intention of learning from it.

Graduating with Latin honors did not stem from a premeditated goal. The whole time, in her first year, all she hoped for was to graduate. So, when she found her name in the dean’s list for the first time, she was bedazzled. Her family, in turn, was very happy and proud of the achievement of their daughter. She felt the sense of accomplishment one would bathe in after going through a mighty storm of obstacles, bested by hard work.

In classes, she was the type to always question the things she had trouble comprehending. It came to the point, like that one person in every class, she’d appear as sabad but, of course, it was all in good intentions, and she felt that if she never really ran the extra mile to clarify her lessons, she’d have a harder time in the long-run.

“I don’t want to palak because of stress.

So I try to do things as soon as [it’s given to me] and also, I don’t like spending time doing nothing and feeling unfulfilled. It’s really a different feeling of achieving something, even small things, like finishing a part of the project, fixing things for the next day, etc,” explained Glorime.

But even then, there were times when she felt the weight of school crushing over her. There were nights where she’d skip sleep just to equip herself for a defence on the same, dawning, day. Simultaneous deadlines and faulty programs were a pain. It even came to the point where she’d be absent in family outings because a cluster of codes needed babysitting. But, in hindsight, she felt it was all worth it: seeing her parents happy, professors proud and troubled classmates saved from falling off the edge helped made her efforts pay off. It was those low points of physical and emotional exhaustion that refined her potential strength.

Academics were her top priority, but she also believed, that at times, it’s the Lord who scheduled her work. Activities in her church would conveniently align with off days so she’d have the liberty to participate.

“I’m blessed that I have the chance to serve Him, and Him, providing everything that I need,” she expressed. She’d remember her mom frequently singing a song with the lyrics: “If you give to the Lord, the Lord will give you more.”

When asked for her advice for other struggling students, she said,” College is definitely our last stop before the real world. Better make the most out of it. Have fun, but make sure not to do things you will regret in the future, big time. Enjoy what you’re doing or it will be pointless. Face your fears and challenges! You’ll be surprised how it will make you better.”

She emphasized that it doesn’t cost anyone to dream, in fact, it can serve as a guide to where you want to go.

“Finally, never ever forget to pray and believe in Him. [Whether in failure, or when you don’t get what you want], for sure He has something for you because God has great plans for our lives!” S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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BSN

A WORK UNRUSHED

by Andrea Nicole C. Farol photographed by Nichol Francis T. Anduyan

IF ONE COULD BRING to mind a hospital setting, it will be more or less a scene of clamor with a sense of urgency. After all, time is everything in a matter of life and death. But, in the rooms of a place where haste is the automatic response, you’ll find that better ends result from careful, slow processes. In short, some things are better left unrushed. Such is the case for Ma. Beatrice Higgins, Cum Laude and Nightingale Awardee of Nursing Batch 2017 — or simply, Bea.

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For Bea, the whole college ride was a pleasant surprise for she didn’t expect herself to excel in the academic side. Her beginnings in school weren’t so good as her siblings for she didn’t have any honors during grade school and high school compared to her sister who she calls an overachiever. To her, she used to be the ‘blacksheep’ in her family. She is also the first in her family to take up something in the field of medicine as most of them were into business and marketing. It was her dad, even, who chose her course for her since she wasn’t sure what she wanted to take up.

But unlike so many students who didn’t get to decide the course they took up, Bea grew to love and appreciate the field chosen for her.

She remembered the start of her freshman year, when her biggest aim was just to pass the course. But when she began to consistently top the quizzes for her first major subject, she

loved the feeling of accomplishment it gave her, and her aim slowly shifted to higher goals.

She became the first year batch representative and eventually, a consistent dean’s lister. It was her dad who motivated her, saying, [“If you can do it, then why not go for it?”]

Come sophomore year when their hospital duty started, Bea decided to drop her extracurricular activities and focus solely on her studies. Her routine revolved around academics, duty and home. Running for Latin honors, she considered second year as the toughest part of her college life. There were duty and lecture weeks where they would sit listening to their professors’ discussion for more or less seven hours. To her it felt like there was almost never time for rest, but with her family’s encouragement and her own determination to pursue excellence in her course, she got through. She said she would study every night to cope up with all the subjects and it was all a matter of knowing how to balance and manage time. Also, finding a great set of friends helped her to better enjoy the student life.

Her hard work eventually paid off. Her clinical graduation is one of the highlights of her college life as she surprised her family with the medal she was awarded with. Seeing them teary-eyed and proud of her was one of the best moments of her life.

Now, being a newly registered nurse (RN), Bea said there is no time to relax. Her goal is to be a US RN because although there is joy in serving your countrymen, she finds the grass greener there, with all the opportunities that await. Although, she is open to proceed in medicine,

“I believe that the qualities that make a good nurse cannot be turned off at the end of shift, but are part of you as a person.” she is contented to helping save lives as a nurse and then obtain a masteral degree.

For her, one of the major concepts that her profession has taught her is the essence of becoming a holistic nurse. Most nurses are guilty of being too overly task-oriented and because of that, it can leave patients feeling like they are being rushed. Yes, nursing is a tough profession. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining at times.

She admits it is a struggle to worry about every detail because no one would be held accountable for negligence except them. Her advice to all aspiring future nurses? Take the course and profession seriously and learn how to balance. There is a time for having fun and being focused.

Looking at her, she seemed relaxed and happy. No air of superiority for all her achievements shrouded her, in its place, an intelligent and sweet demeanor. Her college journey is through but the real life is just beginning. But, she knows who she is – she loves what she does and she’s sure of what she wants to be.

“I believe that the qualities that make a good nurse cannot be turned off at the end of shift, but are part of you as a person. I always bear in mind that my patients are not merely room numbers or medical conditions, but individuals that require and deserve individualized attention and care.” S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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RENAISSANCE REKINDLED

BSN

by Joshua Martin P. Guanco photographed by Nichol Francis T. Anduyan

A YEAR AFTER her term as the governor of the College of Nursing (BSN), Danica Llamas is at the resting period of her life—soaking in her liberation from all things academic. Days after passing the recently concluded Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE) last June, she finds herself sitting on a black chair at an office decorated with newspapers and magazines, wondering what questions will be asked to her in the next minutes of her life.

In the previous academic year, Danica was the torchbearer of her college—the face that led its already lessened population.

During her term, BSN sparkled with the flames of its renaissance as she was able to usher the college to their renewed image: red, blazing phoenixes with hearts of molten perseverance. Gone were the days where their college rivals would look at them as the underdogs of the university who were easily out-competed in every Animolympics. Because it was on Danica’s term that BSN proved that excellence does not just belong to an army, but also to a squad whose numbers are few.

This is the story of the governor who led her college into the embers, only to rise from the ashes bolder and stronger than ever.

However, she did not start her

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journey in La Salle, but in National University (NU). Before there was BSN in her life, Danica was an Information Technology (IT) student and a member of NU’s Women’s Badminton Team. She stayed in Manila for two years. But later on, she knew she wasn’t in sync with her course. “At some point during those years, I had a realization that being an IT student wasn’t my calling; thus, I went back to Bacolod and thought about whether I should pursue a pre-med course or not.”

Prior to becoming a student leader, Danica explained that she was in homogeneity with the rest of her fellow BSN students. She was that typical, happy-go-lucky, all-smiles girl whose college journey was patterned to that of a typical nursing student: study, socialize, duty, repeat—a cycle she found herself in.

When senior year came, she got elected as the governor of BSN and it was during the nativity of her term that she envisioned her plans for her college. “My main plan when I got elected as governor was to change the outlook of the other colleges on us. We were dwindling in numbers, and that’s where I got the drive to prove to the other colleges that despite of our quantity, we are still very capable of performing and competing on higher levels. I was focused on improving the image of the college– a group of students who are always ready to face any challenge no matter how many they were.” The notion that the college’s population was the reason why they always finish last has haunted the people of BSN, particularly Danica who was at the reins. But, her fortitude towards these perceptions did

not extinguish the phoenix inside of the governor who was very proud of the people of her college.

As the one at the helm of her college, she would always deliberately weigh the possibilities of the decision she was about to take in behalf of the college. She makes sure to know what would be the effect of that decision, so that she could swerve the college from the unlikeliest of outcomes—a practice Danica has always done even before becoming the governor.

Another practice Danica shared is her willingness to listen to the ideas — no matter how big or small they are — from every member of the college, may it be her council members, dean and teachers, or her fellow students.

She led a college that was small in numbers which is why before she pushed through with the plans she had for it, she made sure to hear out every single “input” from the people in order to make it a big, collective “output” that the whole BSN would benefit from. “It was very undeniable that our quantity was a hindrance to our college’s success, but with the dedication to hear out each and every single voice of the nursing students, [I and my council] were able to bring out the quality of our college,” she explained.

When asked what was the peak of her administration, Danica pointed out BSN’s performance during the 2017 Animolympics. “I was really proud on how my college performed; we weren’t always in the last place as opposed to the past sports fests.”

And she was right. It was during the Animolympics that she and the rest of her college showed their blazing hearts to the whole university. From one game to another, the same players kept on supporting each other through and through, and Danica, being the governor, was one of them. “If I’m not playing, I am always at the sideline cheering for my fellow phoenixes. I get tired physically, but my spirit never gets tired of cheering and playing for my college.”

But if there was a particular moment where she was very proud of her college, that would be when BSN’s participants in the Step it Up competition,

“At the end of the day, it wasn’t me that mattered, but them; it was always all for them and for the college.”

the Libido Boys, surprised the entire university with their performance and brought home the W for the red college.

As for the former lady phoenix’s personal hindrances during her journey, Danica explained that she had none. The reason is because of a self-actualization she had before even choosing her course and getting herself into student politics. All the duties and night shifts, as well as community work, academic and leadership responsibilities didn’t inhibit her. “It’s a choice, so you have to own it up. No matter how stressful or tiring BSN is, what’s important is that you are happy you made that choice,” she shared.

“I was never the type of governor that kept on saying ‘This should be that; that should be it.’ I went with the flow, so that my fellow students will know that I was one with them. At the end of the day, it wasn’t me that mattered, but them; it was always all for them and for the college,” she said with conviction. “We nursing students have a persevering heart that is always ready to perform and overcome the tasks in front of us. That very same persevering heart is also needed when we are on our duties — to care, to assist and to serve our patients. As a college, we didn’t get intimidated or saddened just because we are few in terms of numbers. We just didn’t.”

When asked who were the people she’s grateful for throughout her collegiate journey, Danica said that it was basically everybody: from her family, to her friends, up to her clinical instructors, council members, and teachers. And now that her tenure as governor has ended, she felt that she has done her duties to the college.

“I want them to continue the fire of our college,” she let out a smile as she was asked about her aspirations for BSN. She is also confident that the remaining phoenixes, along with their teachers, will continue to be a family. “I hope — and believe — that they can achieve more for the college: to go to lengths we haven’t reached over the past years.”

2017 marked the end of Danica Llama’s college life, and indeed it was a ride she will remember for the rest of her life– most especially as the governor who, together with her college, served as the catalyst to their own renaissance. With their willpower, heart, and perseverance in each and every endeavor they had, she led a college that has earned the respect — and stole the hearts — of the university.

When asked about what is her biggest achievement as BSN’s governor, Danica replied: I was able to lead a college that proved to the whole university that what matters in the end is having the heart to persevere through any challenge. And she did.

This is the story of the governor who led her college into the embers, only to rise from the ashes bolder and stronger than ever. This is the story of Danica Llamas, the phoenix who rekindled the flames of the renaissance of BSN. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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ARTIST’S HUB

GLITTER, GRIT, AND GREASE

Tony packs his bags and hails a cab to take him to the airport. This city both took him to new heights and broke him down. It was almost like a dream but it’s over now. It was time to rebuild himself. It was time to leave.

THE END OF THE BEGINNING. A supercut. That’s all Tony Carmona remembers about college. He recalls a whirlwind of hype and fatigue. It’s no surprise since he joined a ton of clubs throughout his four years. Besides the Mass Communication Society that all Communications students are required to join, Tony was also part of the Production Support Group. He started out in the food committee as a freshman then worked his way up to being a production manager: directing events in the Coliseum.

He was also the 2nd Year Level Representative of the College of Arts and Sciences Council, and finally, he was appointed the Secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the University Student Government.

It was most definitely a restless experience, but that’s the thing about Tony: he gets a high from being overworked.

“It sounds crazy,” he said, “but after another round of being beaten up by college life you still manage to dust your shoulders and get back up just to be punched in the gut again.”

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by Iris Denise N. Rivera photographed by Martini D. Falco

He said it was especially exhilarating whenever he got a chance to enhance his skillset and discover more of his strengths.

During their senior year, Communication students have a major requirement called their Seniors’ Project wherein students are supposed to pick an advocacy that involves television, radio, and print media. For his project, Tony started a movement called “ Hugyaw Balangaw” (Hiligaynon for “to shout gleefully” and “rainbow”).

“Other than being gay,” Tony explained, “I’ve always had a belief that if you have revolutionary potential, then you have this moral obligation to make the world a better place to live in.”

The aim was to establish an organization within the university that continues to uphold the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT+) community through the education and mobilization of its members and allies.

“Everyone deserves happiness and acceptance,” he said, “and that’s what Hugyaw Balangaw is for— creating this safe space for

the LGBT+ community, making them realize that they are not alone, and we are fighting hatred, injustice, prejudice, and inequality together.”

Opinions about the movement were divided with some asking if they could join the organization-to-be and others asking why it was even necessary.

Tony being Tony, however, persevered.

His last semester was packed with symposiums and pride events. Although Hugyaw Balangaw has yet to be credited as an organization in La Salle, its presence was felt by almost everyone, most especially the members of the LGBT+ community.

But, as mentioned earlier, Tony’s college life isn’t the big story. This is just the supercut.

Immediately after graduation, he was engulfed by the feeling of wanting to leave.

It was a hasty decision. He described it as Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast screaming, “There must be more than this provincial life!” inside of him.

While most of his friends were giving themselves time to unwind and travel, there was Tony—all ready to grind his gears. And where else does the creative visionary with a fierce desire to make his dreams come true go, but Manila?

THE BEGINNING OF THE END “Manila was everything I imagined it to be— an urban jungle where you’d have to hunt, kill, bleed, and starve to survive,” Tony divulged.

Compared to Bacolod’s warm sunset daydream, Manila was a neon fantasy of colors and lights. The country’s capital is the go-to place of fresh graduates because it’s brimming with opportunities and people of interest.

“But beyond the hustle and bustle of the metro and the bright lights from the skyhigh buildings [...],” Tony mused, “Manila is just another city brimming with people that have dreams larger than life.”

Just a few weeks after arriving in

“I’ve always had a belief that if you have revolutionary potential, then you have this moral obligation to make the world a better place to live in.”

the capital, Tony landed a job as a Junior Account Executive at Maxweb Inc., a digital marketing agency, which was his target first job ever since. He acted as the link between the agency and the client. He made sure all the deadlines were met within the internal team, and all the deliverables were completed. He would then keep the client in the loop and ask for approvals if there were any.

“I’m very lucky that I’m in a very positive working environment with my bosses and colleagues,” he said.

Yet again, this isn’t the big story. During my online conversations with Tony, he sent me this: “And as I’m writing to you right now, I have actually decided already to go back [to Bacolod] due to some family concerns.

It wasn’t the easiest decision to make, I had to ask myself over and over again but what really stuck to me was coming back.

Some people may think that my dreams won’t go anywhere if I’m gonna be stuck in the small city I call home, but with a fistful of glitter and a sick ambition I’m pretty sure I’m gonna have to prove them wrong.”

IN MEDIAS RES It was late August when Tony and I met face-to-face for the first time since he got back. There was a healthy glow in his cheeks and a determined sparkle in his eyes. We started catching up on the changes that happened in the city since he left. I told him that Calea’s Balay Quince

branch is under renovation and he told me about his plans for Hugyaw Balangaw.

I asked him why he decided to come back to Bacolod when Manila was just starting to see him sparkle.

“There are things that will make you worry about your family when you are away from them,” Tony answered, “and there will be things that you’ll be worried about knowing that you’re living alone as well.”

Living away from your family definitely has its perks like being given the freedom to make your own choices as an adult.

However, growing up in a family-oriented environment, the independence seemed lackluster to Tony.

He told me he felt overwhelmed from both the feeling of helplessness from being away from his family and being a fresh graduate with great aspirations sans the experience of living like an adult.

“If there’s one thing that I can’t get enough of Bacolod, it’s the fact that it’s oozing with creative spirit from the people, which definitely means I get to tap on my creative side more,” Tony shared excitedly.

He plans on continuing Hugyaw Balangaw outside the university by producing educational and entertaining videos.

So here it is: Tony’s big story. His stint in Manila may have ended but there’s so much more to this glitter, grit, and greasepacked gay man’s body. His determination and thirst for work may just prove to be the beacon for his—and Hugyaw Balangaw’s— success. His homecoming is just the prologue, so Bacolod better watch out! S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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BALAYAN

A GIRL WITH A HEART OF GOLD

by Maria Angeline M. Mayor photographed by Nichol Francis T. Anduyan

WHILE OTHER COLLEGE STUDENTS immerse themselves in groups and organizations that would hone their skills, hobbies, and talents, Jommella Marie Guotana chose a path less trodden. She belonged to a small fraction of students in the campus who chose the way that leads more to where they can put their heart to good use.

It is known that one of the most important and admirable traits of a true Lasallian is the desire to give back to the least, the lost, and the last, which can be exemplified by joining social organizations that are involved in community outreaches, charities, etc.

In Jommella’s case, she is a proud and selfless volunteer of the University’s social development organization, Balayan, ever since she was in her first year in college. She firmly believes that helping in simple ways and being a good example to others can make a great difference in our world.

As an Operations Management student, committing herself to a responsibility such as being a volunteer could have been tough for her, but because of the kind-hearted and 30

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As long as she can give a positive impact on other people’s lives, she said, she’s happy with it.

understanding people she has been with in the group, Jommella has been more inspired to help out in Balayan with her fellow volunteers, whom she has formed close bonds with, as they served as a great source of joy and fulfillment for her.

When asked what her memorable moment as a volunteer was, she recalled the time when they stayed and immersed themselves in a nipa house of a poor family in Cauayan. She expressed with excitement how she felt a sense of belongingness with the family as they share the same “chinky” eyes as hers. “They were very hospitable even though we told them not to treat us as their visitors,” she said.

She remembered a time when the mother of the family, whom she addressed as “nanay”, was sorry for being poor. “It saddens me that it’s their way of thinking,” Jommella recalled. “I don’t like to hear someone say that so I told her, ‘Nanay, at least in love you are rich,’ and she smiled.”

“At the same time, it was nice to get to know their story and who they are as people, what they do in their daily lives, how they practice their beliefs, things like that; they live a simple life,” she happily shared.

Jommella was happy that she was able to serve other people. As long as she can give a positive impact on other people’s lives, she said, she’s happy with it. She enjoyed it so much that she actually said that she wishes to continue volunteering in Balayan even after she has graduated from college.

In Balayan, Jommella found her second family. She explained: “From the word balay itself, which means house, Balayan is really like a home to me. If there’s no way to go, Balayan is there and is ready to help you.”

“I don’t have a special position there because everyone in Balayan is equal,” she said with conviction when asked what position she holds in Balayan. Jommella described herself as more of a quiet worker who chooses not to show what she is doing to other people. “I’m doing it because I want it and I love what I’m doing.”

And behind those selfless acts and generous hands is a writer within. Jommella is fond of writing but likes to keep her works to herself and her close friends. Volunteering works aside, she is a fan of Jennifer Niven’s books, like “All the Bright Places” and “Holding Up the Universe.” She also has a soft spot for poetry and admires particularly the poems of Lang Leav.

Jommella’s primary reason for entering Balayan is that two of her sisters used to be members of the organization themselves. But, as time went by, her love in helping out other people grew and she soon realized that volunteering in Balayan is more fulfilling than what she thought at first.

“It feels great to give. Because, in the end, you actually gain something,” she smiled. “I was actually surprised because I was given an award in community involvement during the seniors’ awarding ceremony.

It was overwhelming. It was as if everything I’ve done in Balayan has been paid off.”

If there’s one thing that left the deepest mark on Jommella’s heart during her stay in Balayan, it is the realization that even though you think your help to others may be small, it might just be the right amount of help they needed. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

31

CELAM

OUT INTO A BRIGHTER PLACE

written and photographed

by Katherine E. Co

WHEN MOST STUDENTS scuttle away with schoolwork on their laptop keyboards in the safety of their homes, a certain person had to travel across several puroks late in the night just to access an internet shop to turn in his assignments and projects the next day. When a lot of students take time to go out for lunch and enjoy a nice, scrumptious meal, this person was fine skipping a meal on some days just to save extra money for important expenses. When other people had the tools, he had none—and was not even well-acquainted with them—and had to struggle with this lack of experience all throughout college. But one thing he did have was the initiative, the fire; he never gave up. Graduating and being a fulfilled student officer are some of the many proofs of his transcendence from the forces of circumstance.

His name is John Paul Laurenio, more commonly called as JP. He is a graduate of Business Administration major in Economics who also spent a generous amount of his time in college as a volunteer for the Center for Lasallian Ministries (CELAM). He also multitasked roles being a member of the Rotaract Club, and more importantly being the Religious Committee Head of the Junior Philippine Economics Society (JPES) during his fourth year, of where he devoted most of his energy and skills to.

“I [go to the internet shop] at night 32

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because it’s cheaper, but because it’s nighttime, there’s the risk as the way is quite dangerous,” JP explained. But aside from the taxing and risky circumstances, there’s also the pressure of having time constraints in working inside an internet shop, with every minute being paid. “Sometimes your mind rattles,” he described, when asked how he does all his school tasks, especially research work, at the shop. “You must do a lot of work [in that limited time],” he added.

He straightforwardly gave a plain picture of his family’s financial situation: They had a lot of debts. And so just to fund their education, they gave up a lot of their property. “We lost almost all our material things at home… just to sustain our

needs, especially to fund expenses at school, and to meet our obligations, like paying our debts.”

Things were being sold and pawned, he recounted in detail.

JP’s parents, who grew up in poverty, weren’t able to finish their studies, and so they passed that dream to him and his older sibling.

“That’s why they would do everything just [to make us finish college],” he explained.

His mother is a sales clerk, while his father is a security guard. He said they still earn very little, and work itself wasn’t stable for them. At times, his father would be suddenly be pulled out of work because of poor management, he shared.

He admit ted his finances were his struggle at times. “It’s fine for me if I don’t have lunch, or just [money] to buy food, as long as I can go to school,” he stated. But he cited an incident when he hadn’t prepared enough money to pay for expenses at school, so he had to borrow from a classmate. It was one of the

But if there’s another big thing to be mesmerized about this person, it would really be how he managed to swerve his way to success despite his circumstances.

many times which made him feel embarrassed, he claimed. “But it’s not as hard for me, as I’m used to this kind of situation,” he added. In overcoming his financial tribulations, he said: “Just keep moving forward.

There will be people who will help you,” earnestly naming his family and friends.

Speaking of family, there were special “homes” that he found in college that eventually became his fondest memories: CELAM and JPES. “When I met [my] CELAM family, and when I joined JPES, I experienced a lot of frustrations and encountered different problems, but these are where I gained a lot of learnings and strong bonds.”

A close friend of his encouraged him to join CELAM. Although he had been interested in the organization a long time before, he never tried to sign up as he’d always thought it was too late for him. Deciding to join alongside that friend convinced him it was most probably the right time to do so. This is now how he believed what the CELAM truly is: “It’s not a place for the religious but a place for people who are lost, who experience spiritual dryness, who don’t experience the grace of God, or who are Christian by name but not by practice.”

He continued, “It’s a place for everyone,

that’s why it’s the Lasallian Center.”

He said he was also one of the many people who are just “Christian” by name.

CELAM was the place where he experienced spiritual transformation, and felt true change in his life. “Students have their recollection, but if you join CELAM, there are lots and lots more of activities that you’ll enjoy, and also at the same time, your faith in God is nourished,” he pointed out with fervor.

Aside from this spiritual change, there was also something that became different after entering college, especially after becoming a student officer in the Economics club JPES. “Unlike high school where, just like other students, [you’re] only like a shadow.

Not saying I became famous [in college], but I became truly active,” he proudly said.

He claimed he was too shy before, always scared of coming out of his shell. “In group works and projects, I can’t be trusted that much because, amo na eh, waay ko mayo may namang-an (I don’t know that much),” he honestly described his stature

in high school.

But the tides have turned. “I never imagined myself joining a student organization and becoming an officer,” he said straightforwardly. It was in this venture, he claimed, where he acquired a lot of learnings and grew a lot as a person and as a leader. “Even though it was just a year of being an officer, I felt like I learned many, many things already. How much more if you had joined in a student organization years before?” he emphasized.

But if there’s another big thing to be mesmerized about this person, it would really be how he managed to swerve his way to success despite his circumstances.

Not only was he struggling in his finances, his lack of tools, juggling his responsibilities both curricular and extracurricular, he also had to serve the University with high grades. He might lose his academic scholarship if he has a failing grade or a grade below 80. “That’s why I have to push myself to [maintain] my grades,” he explained.

But these things can’t do enough to discourage him— in fact, these even encourage him to do better even more.

“The more I am struggling in difficulty, the more I’m enjoying the challenge. Even though I’m tired, the more I am exiting my comfort zone, the more I push myself to do things,” JP said with certainty. “Challenges prepare you for reality,” he added with more conviction.

Each one has his or her own circumstances, moments of joy and moments of struggle. “Sometimes, negativity is your choice. If you choose to let it [negatively affect you], you’ll be the pitiful one. But if you take it in a positive way, [...] you can overcome it right away,” he believed.

To sum up the most important lesson in his four-year college journey in one line, he said: “Be patient and keep moving forward.”

He elaborated, “Sometimes, you just need to wait for the right time to come. Others’ time to achieve something, to reach a certain point, their pace, are different from mine.”

“Although many things discourage me to stop, to give up—[I will] keep moving forward. Go lang nang go,” he cheerfully carried on with his passionate fire.

JP called on other students: “Get out from your comfort zones. Don’t rely too much, don’t be lax, because you will never learn anything from that place [your comfort zones]. You need to be outside of that place in order to see your potentials, to see what you can do. One day you’ll be surprised you can do it.”

He may not have a lot of things other people had, but it was what he had, and what he did with what he had, that led him to where he is now—and that place is much more brighter than the dark streets he used to walk on late into nights just to get some homework done. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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USG

WITH A ‘PUSO’ FOR APOCALYPSE

by Hezron G. Pios photographed by Ariana L. Chua

WAVES OF CEASELESS UNDEAD reminiscent of Paul W.S. Anderson’s film franchise stride towards the heroine. Hands clutching pistols, armored head to toe. Parched pools of blood here, dismantled bones there. Everywhere post-Apocalyptic. The heroine exceeds her previous streak. Another bull’s eye, another peerless shot on the brain. For no bullet passes through without taking out what must be taken out. Again, post-Apocalyptic. The sequence zeroes in on the heroine, the last living standing.

“I often daydream I’m in a post-Apocalyptic zombie scenario sometimes,” said the heroine, former University Student Government (USG) Executive President in the academic year 2016-2017, Ms. Kathlyn Mae Tiu. Although Tiu’s tenure was not set in some dystopian zombie wasteland, what her administration went through can be comparable to contending against brain-obsessive zombies.

“The concept of being a follower shows a sense of humility. That’s why before reaching the top, humble yourself down,” she shared. Prior to being elected, Tiu confronted good and bad criticisms. Even phases of doubt. The swing of things was not in sync for her yet, a familiar feel to anyone adjusting to a new environment, to a clean slate. Like zombies approaching per wave, Tiu’s obstacles and triumphs came in irregular instances, too.

“In my first year, I valued the meaning of setting aside one’s personal interests,” she said. Tiu then narrated that during her turn as the batch representative, she was tasked by elder council leaders to lead the cheering practices.

However, this is where the conflict arises: Tiu first attended a personal event 34

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“Despite the standards set before you, and them saying you shouldn’t act like this and that, what you should do instead is to be your own person.

To create your own path as long as it brings with you your principles and I think it’s gonna be alright.”

rather than arriving early in the practice. “I got scolded right in front of my batchmates,” she said, giggling. From that point, Tiu swore to herself to get better as a leader and to sharpen her attitude towards public service.

When Tiu was in her second year in Chemical Engineering, she was the youngest club president pitted against other fourth year presidents and leaders. Tiu recognized her lack of experience for the duty but she persevered nonetheless. To her surprise, the Engineering Society later became Corps D’elite’s Most Outstanding Special Interest Club back in 2013.

“When you work hard and focus on your own, it will pay off no matter when the perfect time is,” she said.

To those who have no slightest clue, Tiu gracefully topped her class all the way from elementary to high school: a class valedictorian. “I held good and high grades but that changed since third year college,” she said. For Tiu, being robbed of a chance for a Latin honor felt like total defeat, thus she underlined the significance of assessing what’s meant and what’s not for her.

“You cannot please everybody just as everybody cannot please you,” she said. But as her win in the executive branch as vice president commenced, under the ‘Kaya Lasalista’ administration led by former USG president Veronica Te, so did her reception of a news lightweight to carry: a scholarship grant.

Both the success and grant propelled Tiu’s enthusiasm in her extracurriculars and academic pursuits. “Discipline is key. Even though I go out with my friends for coffee at times, or be a distraction at the back of the class, when it comes to work, I aspire to be professional as much as possible,” she shared. Tiu points out that it’s more about how one manages his or her time effectively and setting his or her priorities straight just like how a heroine should wisely pick up ammos and weaponry necessary for a fight.

“The pressure was right on me when Nikki left though. Impressions such as me being buot and all were hard to believe,” she shared. Tiu also said that she could only care less for what others have to say regarding her term as she can only be brave and toughen up in order to fight.

Moreover, Tiu stressed that, “Student leaders are expected to be role models with characters and skills needed by the community.” For her, student leadership can make a difference, at any given time, regardless of impact. In fact, De La Salle Lipa’s year-long service program called Heralds of Excellence actually inspired Tiu to pursue for the empowerment of young student leaders through hands-on mentoring, with an added measure of compassion or ‘puso’ in each student-related activity. This initiative was later fostered and became #PusongLasalyano, Tiu’s administration trademark and core advocacy which became, in the same breath, the heroine’s greatest challenge of ridding almost uncountable undead.

“Readying them [young student leaders] for next year can be done by entrusting something like a job, by telling them to go explore your own imaginations and ideas. Create your own problems and solve it in your own,” she shared.

A fan of sustainability, Tiu explained that by raising an advocacy and to live by it is

to implement in a community the idea and legacy that leadership and love can be fused in and out of the office. It is an alternative of giving back to our fellow countrymen and an effort of the University in promoting inclusivity. “I want my contributions to ripple across the years,” she said.

“I’m just glad #PusongLasalyano became a platform which aligned with Pat (Patricia Villalon) and Adrian’s (Adrian Olaran) personal interests and principles,” Tiu added. The persons aforementioned were the ones who lent their arms and performed an extra mile with the heroine.

Tiu revealed that a lot from studentry said that the USG were just plain event organizers. “Pushing for the awareness of students and stance on certain national issues was included in the efforts initiated by the USG executive branch down to the starting members,” she said.

When asked what makes a leader great, she answered, “It’s being able to listen to others and being the best representation of your people. USG is a huge influence to who I am right now,” she shared. In a heroine’s view, it’s the connection and sincerity to pave a better path.

“Despite the standards set before you, and them saying you shouldn’t act like this and that, what you should do instead is to be your own person. To create your own path as long as it brings with you your principles and I think it’s gonna be alright.”

Had the heroine chose another path, she would’ve been busying herself too much in blogging, scribbling with a journal, making news headlines or reciting creative writing authors. But no, she’s doing preparations and reviewing for Chemical Engineering board examinations. And they’re all just hobbies now anyway. Collecting and reading Lang Leav’s poetry is, to be clear, just a hobby.

The heroine cannot thank the USG enough for having her back when she was at her lowest, for turning her can’ts into cans. “They’re the ones who made me rise above limits. I am Kathlyn Tiu and I am just like you,” the heroine concluded. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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VSO

OF VOLLEYBALL COURTS AND CLASSROOMS

by Stephen Paul M. Dungca photographed by Nichol Francis T. Anduyan

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SHE WAITS. After milliseconds of anticipation, she moves her legs, trying not to lose sight of the ball up on air. She then jumps with her arms towering over the net, creating a wall as the spiker on the opposite end smashes the ball.

The cross-court shot hits her arms as the ball angles down in speed inside the opposite court. She blocks the kill. She closes the door. She scores.

Shaira Marie Lim, a Lady Stinger all throughout her college life, had been conquering the volleyball court as an athlete and the classroom as a student. The double major graduate of Operations Management and Marketing Management concluded her college athletic career with a bang as she was selected from a roster of talented student-athletes to be part of a team carrying the pride of the Negros Island Region on a national level of Women’s Volleyball.

“I am really blessed for that very rare and prestigious opportunity as it affirmed and ended my college volleyball career on a high note,” said Shaira. The fearsome chinita quicker has been playing volleyball

since the age of 15 in Bacolod Taytung High School and when asked what one word can fully describe her, she said, “sporty.”

Shaira certainly did not disappoint as she ventured beyond the volleyball court and went on dominating other sports during the Animolympics. She bagged gold in all of her four college years as a Track and Field athlete and aced Women’s Basketball with a gold finish in her fourth year.

But just like any other story, it wasn’t all about glory for Shaira. She said that she was challenged during her second year as a college athlete because the incoming rookies were very talented and were strong contenders for vacant first six positions.

She said that she had to step up her game and use the competitive atmosphere as a motivation to improve upon herself.

Truly, this green-blooded middle blocker pushed herself to greater heights through the years as she and her team were hailed champions during the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association Tertiary Women’s Volleyball last 2013 and 2014, champions during the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association and National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Tertiary Women’s Volleyball last 2015 and to cap her stint as a Lady Stinger, another championship title during the 2017 National PRISAA Tertiary Women’s Volleyball

She said that she had to step up her game and use the competitive atmosphere as a motivation to improve upon herself.

Category.

But Shaira did not stop inside the court. The Academic Achievement Awardee was a consistent Dean’s Lister during her college years. She even expressed how tiring it was to finish more than five hours of classroom activities and then go to volleyball training at night. “I’m really doing my best in everything to make my family proud and happy. That’s why I’m working hard for them,” she said.

When asked on who inspires and motivates her inside the court, Shaira said, “Coach Roger Banzuela inspires me so much. He is a God-fearing coach who is very dedicated in his work. He treats all of us as if we were his children.”

She may have closed the door for an opponent’s kill, but she has opened a lot for her future. Shaira said that it hurts leaving La Salle, but she added that every lesson, every pain and every experience she gained inside the volleyball court and the classroom will be her inspiration and weapon to conquer the real world. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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PERSONALS

MOVE IT

by Gian Von Caberte photographed by Nichol Francis T. Anduyan

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So the next time you feel like everything’s going south and that your life’s in a downward spiral, remember: you’ll get by.

RIGHT AFTER COLLEGE, the truth struck me— when they say that the world is unforgiving, they’re dead serious. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not fun and all, but it’s a free-for-all out here. You have to protect yourself, keep moving forward — it’s the only way the world goes.

Okay, that might have been exaggerated. Might have been. And if it was, it’s just by a little bit. College should have given you a taste of that; if it hasn’t, get ready.

Alright, let’s look back. You’re done with high school; congratulations. That’s one step to your development. Now here comes college and the realization that somehow, at one point, you have to earn things. High school pretty much spoon-feeds you with everything you clearly need to pass.

Exaggeration! You might argue again.

It’s true though, high school was basically all fun and games compared to college.

That’s why it holds a special place in our hearts; it’s all the fun in the world. The thrill of discovering the world is something words cannot fathom.

So what about college? If you ask me, college is like high school but with more responsibilities and a whole lot of freedom. I mean, you actually get to choose when your day in school starts and ends.

Morning person? No problem, get that 7:30 am class. Hate waking up early? Start at 3 pm! That’s a huge difference if you ask me.

It has its drawbacks though. For example, there’s always that nagging feeling

that after college, you’re out into the real world. Add that to the fact that if you slack off too much, you might end up failing a subject because unlike high school teachers, some college professors will fail you with no hesitations.

The way I see it, college takes you in an idealist, chews you up, then spits you out a realist. Why? Because you go into college with a head full of dreams. Now I’m not saying that dreaming’s bad, no. It’s just that sometimes, our dreams are too far away from our reality.

That’s where college steps in. It makes you understand that life’s not a fairytale.

Yes, you can achieve your dreams but you have to work hard for it. Life’s a game you have to play to win. You can’t be watching it go by and expect to get somewhere. In short, college brings your reality closer to your dreams because life doesn’t just hand you your dreams on a silver platter (unless your last name’s net worth is in the billions).

It makes you understand facts (the Earth is an oblate spheroid) and slaps you hard right across the face if the situation calls for it (Flat-earther shaming).

For me, college is just one huge compilation of lessons. From academic ones like the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility (look it up) to the ones you can use in your dayto-day life like how to safely open a bottle

with your teeth or some other random, borderline-valuable lesson you might or might not be able to use.

Most of all, however, college toughens you up emotionally. Take terror teachers for example: no amount of tears will sway their decision. I’ve been there; most of us have. Somehow, somewhere in the middle, you’ll find yourself prepared to fail. Failure somehow has become something entirely possible. Aside from that, you also learn that every failure is, again, another lesson.

We all make mistakes—it’s best if we learn from them.

So the next time you feel like everything’s going south and that your life’s in a downward spiral, remember: you’ll get by. Also, never forget there’s still a lifetime ahead of you. It would be very improbable that you won’t encounter more or less the same dilemma. Stay on the move, keep your eyes ahead, and stay true to yourself. It’s never going to end; so you might as well just enjoy the ride.

Move it. That’s pretty much the gist of it. Make every moment count, find yourself, know your limits, strive to be better everyday; because at the end of it all, when you find yourself somewhere near the end of one thing and at the start of another, you’ll be ready. You might be able to squeeze a bit (or a wad) of fun too while you’re at it. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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PERSONALS

THE COURAGE TO FACE THE WIND

written and photo courtesy of Henna Pilla

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My college life was not about crying for an Accounting class because I had a hard time understanding it; it was all about perpetually learning and accepting new things.

Everyone has inside them a piece of gold to be discovered. Polish and shine it bright, so that people might treasure it for its natural beauty and radiance.

UPON GRADUATING from high school, I stumbled upon the thought of how my life would be like in a university.

As the stereotypical question every high school graduate receives from his/ her peers goes: "What course would you take in college?" I myself was on a crossroads regarding what course I’ll take—was it Accounting, Engineering, Education, or Economics? And, it’s funny and ironic on how easy it was for us to decide what our careers would be like, back then when we were young. Then, to conceive in advance, what we will become in the forthcoming future. I could hardly imagine the outcome of my decision, to a point where I was shocked from the sudden change of pace in my life. Postponement overrules and decisions must be made speedily; no time for fancy guessing.

I ended up taking Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Operations Management with a certificate for Human Resource Management. Well, it was not my model course, but I tried to challenge myself in order to find out what will be the fruition of it. Furthermore, I gained a scholarship grant from Philippine Waters Foundation Inc. while continuously maintaining a grade point average of 90 per semester—another “demand” for me as a student.

As I talked with current and former students from La Salle, they confirmed this perception that some teachers belong to the “terror level”, and that I should be very

happy if I get a grade of 75. Thus, it made me think how tragic my life would be in my transit to my collegiate years.

Imagine being in a homogeneous mix of students coming from different parts of the province and elsewhere. Sounds overwhelming, right? Well, I envisioned it in a way that I would be granted the opportunity to learn among some of the brightest and most diverse students. The calibre of some is exceptional, and it will be challenging and exciting to develop bonds and learn with them—it was a point of no return.

On the firsts months of class, I met people with the most beautiful souls: from my classmates who, in turn, became my best friends (until now) up to the people of The Spectrum. I had a great time sharing my interest for my family business, as well as my videography and photography prowess. I quickly became passionate about the subjects of my photos, and with much introspection, I became one of them—a photojournalist. It was such an honor donning a camera bag and the press ID of the publication I belonged to.

My passion for photography since the age of 16 brought me to where I am in the publication: a photojournalist with the determination to continually hone her craft. With these, I learned to enjoy my collegiate life despite the paper works, assignments, projects, quizzes, reports, and exams. Despite the hectic schedule, I still had the time to do fun shoots with my friends and classmates inside the school as well as monitoring and covering ceremonies, games, and school events, but most of all—capturing precious moments with people. Despite all of these, it was fun and relaxing being in the campus, well, that if you find your own stress-reliever.

My college life was not about crying for an Accounting class because I had a hard time understanding it; it was all about perpetually learning and accepting new things. It was not about the stress I had from my groupmates because of their lack of cooperation; it was all about encouraging them to work as a team and achieving our goals together. And most especially, it was not about giving up when you really had to. As a result, I graduated as an Academic Achievement Awardee with a heart (haha). Better than I thought.

It was mesmerizing beyond all expectations—I’m still fascinated by the memories, and by all the fun in my college days. Now, only memories and happiness are left. The love between me and my colleagues still lingers as well as the fun and laughter we had that still echoes on today. It is really one of the best times of my life. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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PERSONALS

WINGING IT RESPONSIBLY

by Margaret E. Yusay photo courtesy of Juan Miguel Yusay

HELLO. My name is Margaret Yusay, a Lasallian graduate with a degree of AB Communication. I don’t know what my GPA is (I never checked because grades are not the primary basis of intelligence, hello). I’m kidding. I really don’t know what my GPA is.

I also am going to apologize in advance for what you are all going to read. Thank you for your understanding.

When I was 7 years old, I thought I was dumb enough not to graduate and get to high school as well as college. I never really got awards except for that one time I got honors for Deportment. I never knew exactly what that award really meant, except that if you were quiet enough in class, you’d get that award.

As I grew older, I found out that it was actually an award for manners and behavior. I remember asking myself: Was I not buot enough to earn that award every term?

I was not. I’m still not buot enough.

When I was in my senior year in high school, I was one of the people who already had plans for college. Well, I was not exactly your big nerd or whatever. Don’t get me 42

THE CL AS S 2017

wrong, I had a good reputation in high school. I had a lot of friends; I just didn’t want to enter college unprepared.

Whenever people asked me about my plans, I’d answer quickly: I want to take up Nursing in La Salle-Bacolod and all that yada yada. I was ready. Turns out, I was not.

One of the things I learned in my one semester in the Nursing department: Florence Nightingale was the Mother of Nursing. And, everything else was a blur.

I am going to give you people some advice. You may choose not to take these pieces of advice seriously because I have written it in such a jumbled way, or you may also choose to learn from these. Either way, it’s your call.

College doesn’t have to be painful if you don’t want it to be. Enjoy and make the most out of the fun you get in the most responsible way you could.

1. DO NOT EVER GO TO A NURSING 101 CLASS AND NOT KNOW WHO THE MOTHER OF NURSING IS. IT’S GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER. After that class, the dean of the College of Nursing asked me if I really wanted to be there. I said yes, but of course, my mind was screaming ‘no!’ I transferred to a different department and that was the point where I had no regrets. What I’m saying is: always, always, always think about what you really want. Majority of the people I know succeed because they are doing what they love. It’s the easiest thing ever.

2. SINCE IT’S A UNIVERSITY, IT’S PRETTY DIVERSE. You’re going to meet a lot of crappy people along the way—drop them as soon as possible. One of the things my dad would always tell me is that one should choose their friends wisely. Good influence is always important and if they try to show you otherwise, find other people. These people will be your support system throughout college. So make sure you find good ones.

Find people who will help you with your Trigonometry homework because that sh*t is hard. Those people are my best friends now.

3. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND JOIN THOSE ORGANIZATIONS YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO JOIN. These are going to be the people you grow with. I joined The Spectrum and I’ve devoted my whole “university life” to it.

Two things I loved and I still love about my org? First, there were so many

personalities crammed into one office, but everyone found a way to glide through without creating conflict. I learned a lot of things from these people like, Mocha Uson is, and will always be irrelevant to the journalism world (I am not kidding). Second, free air-conditioning. (I am serious. Spectres, admit it.) Also, if you’re a lazyass like me and you’re not really that active in school, you get to put your org in your yearbook achievements.

4. RESPECT YOUR TEACHERS. Even if some of them are a pain in the ass, they’re smart, ancient beings who went through a lot of crap just to teach you things that you will most probably forget the day after the exams anyway. They deserve your good manners. A great example would be showing up to class on time and actually staying until the lecture is over. (Plus, if you fail your course, you might be able to make “ayo” that 1 point so you can pass.)

5. NEVER FORCE YOURSELF TO STUDY. Life Hack: Listen to your teacher wholeheartedly during a lecture. Let your brain absorb everything so you won’t have to study. It’s really simple!

One of my biggest achievements during college was that I could count the times I studied for exams and quizzes with my toes

and my fingers (yes, all four years). College doesn’t have to be painful if you don’t want it to be. Enjoy and make the most out of the fun you get in the most responsible way you could.

6. STINGERS’ FOOD COURT IS THE BOMB.COM These are the six things that I want you all to remember. For me, they’re very important. And I guess, somewhat helpful.

My life in college was not how I envisioned it to be when I was still young. It was like The Wizard of Oz: I followed the yellow brick road; met interesting people; did good stuff and discovered different things along the way; and without realizing it, I’ve changed myself and other people’s lives too.

I chose to talk about some of my experiences in college because to be honest, college was the highlight of my life. I got in wearing complete armor and I got out with barely any clothing on my back. (Please don’t take it literally. I am not a hubadera.

This is the best analogy I could come up with.) Let me try again: Let’s say college is a tornado—you prepare all the essentials for survival, but your life ends up in a wreck anyway. (Cause duh, it’s a tornado.) It just depends on what kind of wreck you want it to be. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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PERSONALS

SLIME AND GLORY

by Daphne Tanya L. Molenaar photographed by Christiana Claudia G. Gancayco

I FIRMLY BELIEVE that snails do not think that they are slow.

This is with the assumption that they do think in the first place. I have no desire whatsoever to belittle the tiny animals that probably all of us had stepped on at least once. But if they do think, I also do not mean that their own subjective perception of their speediness has anything to do with our own obnoxiously grand concept of time.

Using the watches on our wrists (or the clocks on our phones – relevance: check), we would say that snails really are slow.

Like really slow.

Walking around the campus should at least be different from the sluggish crawl around a pillar but both sceneries do not change.

Everything was the same and the steps I counted from the first floor to the second or second 44

THE CL AS S 2017

sorta-floor was always between 7 and 10. I could skip a few but even skipping at random felt too repetitive. School was, in fact, repetitive.

But how could it not be?

The steps can not just give birth to an extra half one (if they can, I’d like to think they are asexual) but that would make life a little more interesting. We are all trying to make our own lives interesting and I have gone to great ends to make mine even entertaining as well.

Four years through it, I only clearly remember the walking, the eating and drinking, the staring into space, the running towards a clean conscience, the buzzing in my brain through classes, the standing in lines, the sitting in lines, the reading over the same word over and over, the seeing familiar faces with a foggy filter because I couldn’t get myself to wear my glasses all the time, and the repeating of all of this over and over. And then done.

The people closest to me probably would expect me to at least be familiar with all the great frustrations and whatnot—but I do, it’s just that, I remember more the consistency of them all and the entirety of it runs through my mind like a breeze (my head is half full of air).

My mind also has a way of playing with me and forcing my attention instead towards, let’s say, the snails I see whenever I walked the dog at night.

THE SHELL I’m always in my own shell. If I could change the Tanya in my name to the precolonial “ermitanya”, well, actually, I’ll still think about it — but still. I might. Then, my shell used to be the supposedly-off-limits Balay Kalinungan balcony but then it rains and then it gets too hot and just the weather in general made the place very impractical for sitting around. As much as I don’t mind going into class soaking wet, I’ll mind all the questions.

It never dawned on me that I might be looking for solace, a safe place, I rationalized that I like looking at trees, and I do.

I joke about being a hermit but what is a hermit without a cave? After I got accepted into the publication’s office, it was far from a cave. I was never alone. If I wasn’t surrounded by people dancing to really strange and probably inappropriate pop music, I was surrounded by archives of old works, good or bad, but they were there. Print has a way of cheaply imitating immortality. They were alive to me. The inside of the shell wasn’t dark or clammy (I’m ignoring the air-conditioner flooding from time to time), it was full of people. And I only realized now that I preferred that all this time.

THE FOOT This is a pretty long article for me and regardless of length, I still have to do my

research. I finally got to learn about the anatomy of the snail through this. Stellar.

The slimy part under which is responsible for its effortless (I’m not sure if it really is effortless but barely anything is effortless, right?) movement is called a foot, like just one foot (unless you cut it in half but I’m stopping there). That’s enough research.

THE TENTACLES I do not understand why people poke this part of the snail. It is literally their eyeballs.

Alright, there is no such thing as enough research or else I would be convicted for false news. It is the tip of the tentacles that are its eyeballs (or at the base on marine species), the shorter ones allow it to feel and smell. Incomplete news is still false news. Or at least deceiving. But I am also a firm believer in the need to think thoroughly over what to yield and what to emit.

I wouldn’t be this contradictory if I only had one organ for three senses. Molluscs must be living very simple lives — which can be ideal but complete simplicity to me feels more like a type of resignation, of “being done” and my, I want to be far from done (but I have to control that because even this article is affected).

Back to the snails, I see them everywhere (and sadly, I have stepped on one for each person who probably have not stepped on any yet, so, a fair count it still is). They cover the streets after a slight rain and I could not miss the reflection, not from the tiny lakes formed, but from the trails of slime. I considered that, given

There can be progress in taking your time, and more chances of enjoying what a meter of anything can offer. their speediness, they would at least move in straighter lines which would be much more convenient, but no. Far from it. The trails were in loops, endless circles that must have taken 3 weeks for a meter of advancement.

Maybe distance does not necessarily mean progress. There can be progress in taking your time, and more chances of enjoying what a meter of anything can offer.

Although, and I don’t mean to sound sour, they still got stepped on. S THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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ALBUM • BOOK • MOVIE • SERIES

LANY — LANY

by Keanu Joseph P. Rafil

BRINGING A NEW MIX and flavor to the 80’s and 90’s sound, Los Angelesbased three-man band LANY has captivated each of their listeners’ hearts: so good, so bad.

The 13-tracked album, LANY, was released on the 30th of June 2017 under Polydor Records containing the band’s previously released singles such as “ILYSB (I Love You So Bad)”, “Good Girls”, “It Was Love”, “The Breakup”, “13”, and “Super Far.” The album depicts a story of love and heartache along with an electropop vibe which makes the band’s music more relatable and catchy to its listeners.

If ever you wondered why the band’s name is LANY, it came from the combined abbreviation for LA which stands for “Los Angeles” and NY which stands for “New York”. These two U.S. cities are a huge part of the band’s career. Although the band was formed in 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee, it moved to Los Angeles in 2015 to widen their fan base. LA started the rocket-ride for the band where their small sessions invited wider audiences and a lot of, well, girls. If you haven’t seen their performance of “ILYSB” live in LA, you are encouraged to give it a watch.

Also, New York was a dream for the band. The city was mentioned in the lyrics of their previously released song “BRB/Kiss” in 2015 on their EP “Make Out” that says “New York, New York, you’ve stolen my heart and run it over, New York, New York, New York.” It was significant especially for Paul (vocals) who has always been expressing his love for the city on interviews. It also resembles their desire to spread their music from coast to coast, which the band successfully did — reaching not only most of the American states but the world stage as well.

Paul Jason Klein, the band’s lead vocalist, admitted on one of their interviews that he was on the verge of hanging up to music. However, he

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ALBUM REVIEW

wanted to give it another shot with people who shares the same passion and love for music as him. That is when he decided to team up with Les Priest (keyboard and guitar) and Jake Gross (drums).

Klein, as a vocalist and lyricist of the band and the album, shares that his songwriting inspirations came from love, heartaches and feelings. There is so much simplicity as much as feelings on the band’s music that while you listen to it you begin to live on the mood each of the song portrays; that even if you don’t feel any heartache, you get struck by it. The tracks are lyrically-driven that after listening to the album you begin to sing along to it out of nowhere, giving you a sensational dose of Last Song Syndrome.

The track “ILYSB” was the band’s first major hit with over 70 million listeners on Spotify and 3 million plays on Soundcloud.

According to Klein, he had the first thought of writing the song from a girl he’s with on his car’s passenger seat. While he was driving her home, the girl frequently used the term “I love you so bad” on a phone call with her sister, and Klein, amazed by the conversation, coined the term into the form of the acronym, ILYSB. The acronym was then written by the girl on a sticky note and was left posted on his car. A few months later, Klein established the melody and all

the words of the track “ILYSB” in a day.

The tracklist also tells the whole mood of the album. It starts from the song “Dumb Stuff” which begins with the line “Oh my God I think I’m in love”, portraying the start of a relationship.

Then it ends with the song “It Was Love” that closes with the line “It was love I know you know that”, depicting the passing and ending of the relationship The middle tracks “13” and “Hericane” depict the struggle and conflicts most relationships face before the meltdown. Succeeding middle tracks like “Hurts”, “Good Girls”, and “Pancakes” delineate what happens during and after the break-up.

The album also includes a voice recording entitled “Parents”, where Jake’s (drummer) mom was on a voice memo hysterically happy for his son having an arm tattoo with the word “Parents” on it. Who wouldn’t be glad finding out that their parents are happy for their kids having tattoos, right? It shows that the band does not just want to focus on love-loss-pain relationships only but also to put significance to every kind of love there is.

LANY is so distinct that you can hardly compare them to any bands existing and that have existed, not only by their sound but also to what pushes them to create music. Also, they are visually inspired. To them, aesthetic and design is everything to the extent that they are the ones taking photographs for their album covers. The band is creating a mix of the past and present waves. These mixes turn out to be a fresh new sound to the current generation listeners. By adding the equal amount of salt and sugar plus cheese to their style, the band made their music to be successfully fancied by its listeners.

And by the way, if you and your friends still argue on how LANY is being pronounced, it’s “Lay-nee”. Thank you’s will be appreciated later. S

INVISIBLE by James Patterson and David Ellis

by Cedric Lance M. Militar OFTENTIMES, when we are head-to-head with an inferno, we are consumed by our obsession to put out the flames before they, too, consume us.

But sometimes , our obsessions are the ones that feed the flames to the point where the fire becomes untamable.

When Emmy Dockery, a former FBI agent, woke up to the gruesome news of her sister Marta’s death in an accident caused by a house fire, her instincts told her that it was no ordinary accident. After sensing a strange pattern, the protagonist’s belief and personal grief fueled her obsession in finding the truth behind Marta’s demise.

BOOK REVIEW In her quest to dig out evidence to prove that her sister’s death was staged, she was aided by the best analysts and forensic teams from the FBI in search for any possible piece that may link to the diabolical plot that caused hundreds of unsolved similar deaths meticulously laid out by the unknown killer. Armored with sheer determination and holding on to the certainty of the scheme of her sister’s death as arson, the evidences began to crystallize, the mist gradually evanesced and a full picture emerged, leaving Emmy with a strong lead but the monster’s identity was so cleverly disguised that the readers will be shocked when they find out.

James Patterson and David Ellis have created an interesting and fresh blend

CHILDHOOD’S END “GENTLEMEN, welcome to the golden age of man.”

Based off from Arthur C. Clarke’s sci-fi novel of the same name, Childhood’s End discusses about truth, trust and what we believe is right for the world. Even with some hint of resistance, the promise of a better world is as tempting as it gets, and humans as we are, why would we let the chance go?

The ultimate hope for world peace is finally at hand.

Just like how other alien shows begin, Childhood’s End starts with a gigantic spacecraft hovering above earth, seen through major cities across the globe which causes panic and fear among people. However, one thing separates this show from the others: instead of terrorizing the people with the spacecraft’s presence, it comes with a gift—to help humanity fight global crisis.

No conflict, no wars— but at what cost?

Sy f y Channel ’s

of characters packed in a terrifyingly beautiful storyline.

The mayhem set by the novel acquaints us with the deception brought by people who invisibly blend among us and their unusual thirst for vengeance. Both Patterson, who has sold the most copies according to the Guinness Records, and Ellis have been known for their unpredictable twists and unique plots that send chills to their readers.

Invisible was placed at number two on the USA Today, along with several praises from numerous publications, and secured a spot in the New York Times Bestseller list for “Combined Print and E-Book Fiction” as soon as it was released.

This third New York Times Bestseller collaboration of

by Glen Jed J. Descutido

miniseries centers on Ricky Stormgren (Mike Vogel), a farmer with a boring life from Missouri as he was chosen by Karellen (Charles Dance), the alien representative for earth to be the bridge between the aliens and mankind. Milo Rodericks (Darius Amarfio Jefferson & Osy Ikhile), a child who displays great intellect which drives his curiosity towards the arrival of the Overlords, also comes to play.

Ricky Stormgren’s boring life becomes more of it as Mike Vogel falls flat in making the character come to life. The rest of the cast aren’t engaging either. Charles Dance, however, is a standout as Karellen, as his chilling voice embodies the character like a true Overlord.

The three-part, four-hour miniseries holds on to the strength of its script, spreading its sensation like wildfire causing thrills and chills with its dialogue. It perfectly shows the complexity of humanity and how it would work on a Utopian setting. Despite being a science-fiction show

Patterson and Ellis is a fast-paced thriller done in a smooth prose and offers mature readers a ghoulish and handsome conduct of the forensics and investigative techniques that will have them crave every page. S

SERIES REVIEW

about aliens, it is smart to show that the antagonists are demons— the characters’ demons. Some lines and execution were so well-done that their past, beliefs and religion enables them to produce conflict despite being a part of a near-perfect world.

While the show displays its script smoothly and does an excellent job with the visual effects— which was able to help in showcasing striking images— it struggles to keep up with its pacing: juggling between character build-ups, twists and time jumps, which compromises its effectivity.

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In one scene,we can see someone plotting a conspiracy against the aliens, and then we see Ricky struggling for being the intermediary. But before you can fathom everything, it jumps 15 years later.

With this all said and done, Childhood’s End is an ambitious story to tell; the miniseries pushes the right buttons on some parts of it.

It was fun, strange and thrilling, and can tickle sci-fi fans as it delivers well. However, its yin doesn’t really balance well with its yang, leaving Childhood’s End mediocre. S

THE SPECTRUM VOLUME 62 NO. 3

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RIVERDALE IT ALL STARTED with what the Blossom twins did last summer…

The Fourth of July tragedy has been the talk of the town after the disappearance and death of varsity football player Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines). After his corpse was discovered lying around in the middle of Sweetwater river, the search for his coldblooded murderer and the secrets of the neighborhood townies begin to unfold.

A little darker and more complex re-telling of the classic Archie comics, Riverdale is The CW’s new TV series where teen drama meets murder mystery. The show is quite reminiscent to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, where the story is about the homicide investigation of the high school prom queen.

Aside from the iconic visual trademarks like a washedout welcome sign and neon lights-color palette, the use of symbolism and plot twists unveil more of the town’s mysteries.

But just like every teen soap opera, Riverdale still has the fundamental

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by Ida Sarena M. Gabaya elements of any coming-of-age Hollywood film or TV show but only more twisted and complicated. Besides the occasional high school drama caused by the resident mean girl, jocks that bully the social outcast, and not to mention over-controlling parents that pressure their children, Riverdale is complete with archetypes found in a teenage soap opera.

There are more to these teenagers than what meets the eye, as they strive to find out who the real killer is while risking their own lives in the process—leaving the audience hanging every episode.

Created by Roberto AguirreSacasa, Riverdale is far different from the Archie comics we all grew up with, for it has crossed over a parallel universe yet the main characters are still familiar.

The plot revolves around the group of four friends: the dashing redhead Archie Andrews (KJ Apa), who is passionate about writing his music but is torn between playing football or working for his dad’s construction company, girl next door Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart), who has unrequited feelings for his childhood bestfriend, and the new girl

12 ANGRY MEN “ONE MAN IS DEAD and another man’s life is at stake.”

12 Angry Men is a 1957 court film by Academy Honorary Awardee Sidney Lumet, that has been positively remarked as one of the most brilliantly portrayed courtroom dramas.

Amidst its very simple cinematography set in black and white, the movie pilots its audience from a very brief epilogue to an experience of a virtual jury trial through its remarkable dialogues and superlative acting.

In a length of only 95 minutes, the movie which is set exclusively inside the closed doors of a New York City Jury room, is almost as simple as it could get— except that it is not.

Twelve jurors: a football coach, a bank clerk, a call 48

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SERIES REVIEW

in town Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), who left her glamorous New York city life with her mother after her father was sent to jail.

Last but not the least, is Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). Tall, dark and brooding are three words to describe Jughead—the social outcast amongst his friends The t r a n s fo r m at i o n between the carefree 1941 comic book Archie Andrews in comparison to KJ Apa’s tortured athlete sophomore hunk character is not hard to notice.

Although he is still indecisive when it comes to choosing girls, you won’t be seeing the iconic Archie-Betty-Veronica love triangle. Besides its residents, the town itself feels like it came straight out of a comic book: a 24-hour diner, a drive-in theater, and motorcycle gangs.

One of the things you’ll notice about Riverdale apart from the quintessential

by Riesa Rodillado

company director, a broker, a slum-dweller, a painter, a salesman, an architect, an elderly person, a garage owner, an Eastern European watchmaker, and an advertising agent, were put under the responsibility—and seemingly masked pressure— of making the verdict over the open and shut murder trial of an 18-yearold boy accused of killing his own father.

Lumet had been radical in creating a complete twist out of an originally spoon-fed conclusion. The movie starts by exhibiting a very brief hint of an almost concluded trial verdict.

Prosecutors nor defense attorneys were neither shown; only the judge’s perfunctory charge, which was likewise accepted by majority of the jury. However, the single-handed intervention of the main protagonist, portrayed

by Henry Fonda, spiralled into

storytelling is that it is packed with pop-culture references; the title episodes are based from the mystery thriller movies: The River’s Edge, A Touch of Evil, Heart of Darkness, Body Double, The Last Picture Show, Faster, Pussycats!

Kill! Kill!, In a Lonely Place, The Outsiders, La Grande Illusion, The Lost Weekend, To Riverdale and Back Again, Anatomy of a Murder, and The Sweet Hereafter. In addition, using catchy phrases like “check your sell-by date, ladies.

Faux-lesbian kissing hasn’t been taboo since 1994” to various name drops like “Hipster Prince Harry”, and “Red-headed Ansel Elgort”, these teens break the wall between a comic book page and the real world.

It all adds up to the production value — from the costume design of the entire cast, the visual style and teen noir aesthetic of Riverdale adds up to the overall charm of the show.

The next season is set to premiere on October, where a new killer is on the loose. S

MOVIE REVIEW

what spectators might agree as a strangely satisfying predictable outcome.

The fierce battle of words and logic between the 12 socially diverse men is also one of the most attention-grabbing elements of the movie.

Every man on the jury except Fonda’s character initially condemned the defendant guilty.

They were all given the chance to bring their own background and life experiences to the table to justify their shared verdict.

However, the protagonist’s tight

insistence on the principle of reasonable d o u b t gradually washed all these justifications out and melded them all together in a melting pot of reasonable social justice.

The movie does not end with a revelation of whether the defendant is innocent or guilty unlike most courtroom dramas. It just simply focuses on how each juror might send a young man to die, or save him, by their own principles of reasonable doubt which is also timely and relevant in our society as we continue to battle for social justice. S

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