The Spectrum E-Newsletter - November 2019

VOL. 64

NO. 8

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Inside

NOVEMBER 2019

TRUTH BEYOND KNOWING EDITORIAL

RED-TAGGING T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T M E D I A C O R P S O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F S T. L A S A L L E

The Spectrum rebukes the tolerance of the current administration’s habit of kidding around with threats and violations of human rights. read on page 4 VANTAGE POINT

from the flipside

While people in the city delighted in the festivities of MassKara, sugar farmers toiled away in the fields despite the threats of encountering bullets in their hometown. read on page 6 DEVELOPMENT

JUSTICE ZONE

STANDBY. An old citizen from the community of Gawad Kalinga Lopue in Bago City gazes at the neighborhood after the ZEP pilot testing. —ANGELO F. DESPI

USLS embraces Zero Extreme Poverty project

BY STARLENE JOY B. PORTILLO

T

he latest World Bank data revealed that 23.1 million Filipinos live below the poverty line—and that is what the Zero Extreme Poverty (ZEP) PH wants to change.

In participation of the nationwide ZEP initiative, USLS started incorporating ZEP goals into its community programs this June, through the BALAYAN Social Development Center.

ZEP is a coalition of non-government agencies that aim to reduce extreme poverty in the Philippines by 2030, in connection to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals deadline.

“The first call [for ZEP engagement] came directly from De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) President Br. Armin Luistro, as he is one of the convenors of ZEP PH,” BALAYAN Director Andre Tagamolila shared.

Furthermore, he added that through the Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission [of DLSP], the Lasallian ZEP (LZEP) was given

as one of the priority agenda for all social development offices of all La Salle schools in the country.

The thrust for LZEP in USLS began when BALAYAN conducted a pilot testing at one of the university’s partner communities, Gawad Kalinga (GK) Dulao in Bago City.

According to Tagamolila, the ZEP initiative has a survey tool called Poverty Probability Index (PPI) that identifies families belonging to the extremely poor status. In essence, extreme poverty refers to income below the international poverty line amounting to P96.58 (or $1.90) per day.

“First and foremost, we need to enhance the awareness of members from our institution regarding the real situation of people in our partner communities. [After doing so], we should integrate the awareness in all our learning platforms be it inside the ZERO EXTREME POVERTY / PAGE 2

JSCC recognizes Bacolod City as the 5th of the supposed 14 justice zones in the country. read on page 8 DAGWAY

ATA NEGRITOS

Lasallian exhibit relives the lineage and culture of Negrenses for this year’s Indigenous Peoples’ Month celebration. read on page 11 NEWS

CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Bacolod City is at the forefront of the continent in combating climate change after passing a resolution declaring a “climate emergency”. read on page 14

facebook.com/TheSpectrumUSLS twitter.com/TheSpectrumUSLS instagram.com/thespectrum.usls thespectrum.usls@gmail.com issuu.com/thespectrumusls

s2 NEWS USLS unites for annual coastal cleanup

CLEANUP. University of St. La Salle NSTP classes participate in the annual International Coastal Cleanup at the coast of Bago City. — GERICO T. GUANCO

BY KYNAH RHEA B. FUENTES

In observance of the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), the Balayan Social Development Office, in partnership with the National Service Training Program (NSTP) and the local government, spearheaded the ninth environmental protection activity by the Lasallian community last Sept. 21 and 28.

Campus club members, faculty and non-teaching personnel, and 50 NSTP

classes were in attendance to promote the integrity of creation and campaign for climate emergency.

“I think it’s really a moral obligation for us here in the university to really be aware [and] at the same time do something. Within a day, students are able to see the reality they cannot observe [if they just stay] in the classroom,” Balayan Environmental Senior Administrative Assistant and Gawad Kalinga-Dulao community organizer, Jhun Ivor Jimera stated.

ABCO student film entry qualifies in 2019 MMFF

BY KYNAH RHEA B. FUENTES

Out of 126 entries, a local short film by a second-year Lasallian AB Communication student was among the top eight finalists in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) student short film category.

The five-minute film titled “Tabako”, written and directed by Alfredo Bayon-on Jr., explores the story of a young hiker who met Kan Laon at the peak of Mt. Kanlaon and were both at the state of fulfilling their promises.

“I actually made the script two days before the deadline for submission of scripts. I don’t really have a plan to join the competition, but some of my friends were pushing me to submit my script,” Bayon-on stated.

The MMFF competition kicked off with the submission of the screenplays, where 16 were then selected to produce their film and finally, eight were chosen by the committee to be part of the said festival.

“The schedule for the whole

production was very tough.

The actual day of the shoot was only one day and we only have five days to edit and finish the post-production before the deadline,” Bayon-on said, explaining that the duration of the pre and post-production happened within a few weeks only.

In the course of the production, the Institute of Moving Image and Center for Marketing and Communications provided equipment in the filming and served as consultants with the technical aspects.

According to Bayon-on, aside from the challenges they faced during the filming, he struggled from being hopeless in producing the film due to time constraints and the pressure in competing with the biggest student filmmakers from other schools and universities.

“Until now, I still can’t believe [that] my entry made it to the final part of the festival [...] However, I still pulled it off,” Bayon-on expressed, seeing as this was his first time competing for the said event.

The short film entries are to be screened before the full-length films for the festival in all cinemas nationwide this Dec. 7, 2019 to Jan. 7, 2020.

Jimera also stressed that we should be thinking about our biodiversity— everything thrown proceeds to our seas and coastal areas and so, if we consume fish which have eaten garbage, at the same time, we are affected.

The areas covered during the cleanup included: Brgy. Poblacion, Brgy.

Sampinit, Brgy. Calumanggan and Brgy.

Taloc in Bago City; Seawall and Prk. Bayanihan II in Brgy. Punta Taytay; Brgy.

Balaring in Silay City; and four other sites in E.B. Magalona.

“Unlike the usual cleanup, ICC provides data cards where volunteers can record the amount and types of trash taken in the coastal areas, instead of just picking them up,” Jimera explained.

After the data collection and recording per site, activity head organizer Jimera reports the results directly to the Ocean Conservancy—a non-profit organization responsible for the implementation of ICC worldwide, as they provide in-depth scientific study and analysis of the global trash.

“Ordinances such as ‘No to Styro’ and the compulsory Materials Recovery Facilities in barangays and schools existed because of the results of the coastal cleanup,” he emphasized.

ZERO EXTREME POVERTY / FROM PAGE 1

classroom or a non-formal venue,” the BALAYAN director said.

BALAYAN plans to make their LZEP a research-based activity that will first identify the needs and nuances in the community through a paper proposal, that shall then be supported by continued engagement involving Lasallian students and faculty alike.

“We have to make sure that the initiative is sustainable, and that the community we are partnering with should be empowered. Their capabilities should be enabled so that even when [USLS] is out of the picture, they’ll be able to develop on their own,” Tagamolila explained regarding the LZEP approach.

Eventually, BALAYAN hopes to expand its reach to other USLS partner communities, prioritizing the ones with the biggest number of ‘extremely poor’ families. Among these partner-barangays are Villamonte, Granada, Mandalagan, Banago, Singcang, and Punta Taytay.

“We are hoping to create a contribution, but we need the grace of God and all the help we can get from everyone to make sure we can do something for the people,” Tagamolila concluded.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOL. 64 NO. 8 · NOVEMBER 2019

NEWS

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BCD-based researchers press for AI awareness

BY STARLENE JOY B. PORTILLO & ERICA JAINE E. MESTRE

Other than the climate crisis, another deadline is to be faced by 2030.

Lifebank Foundation Inc. Vice Chairman Nicanor Perlas stressed that by the said year, advanced forms of artificial intelligence (AI) might render some occupations obsolete, during the presentation of his team’s research project titled “Scanning the Artificial Intelligence Landscape (SAIL)”.

“It’s time to re-conceptualize everything to prepare us for the integration of AI,” he stated during his talk at the Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) auditorium last May 23.

The team highlighted that if no intervention is done, the rapid progress of AI shall give way to the automation of more jobs since it shall no longer require operation from humans.

Furthermore, an estimated 400 to 800 million of the global workforce population may be displaced by 2030.

The project which started last year is also the first attempt in doing ‘actual research’ on the subject matter in Negros, according to Perlas, who added the importance of AI awareness in a time where people have little to no idea about it.

The study centered on the influence of AI in various areas, namely: the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, overseas Filipino workers (OFW), Negros’ agriculture and sugar industry, finance, and society.

Along with team members Dr. Aurora Villanueva and SAIL Project Manager Paolo Hilado, Perlas urged the academe to develop an updated Science curriculum to better equip its graduates for the integration.

“Mundane, repetitive, and routinary tasks can be done by these machines. If we are engaged in tasks like these, then we have to think twice to do something

IS CHANGE COMING?

shall prioritize and harmonize the delivery of basic services and social development in conflictaffected areas and vulnerable communities, facilitate social inclusivity, and ensure the participation of all sectors in carrying out this approach.

A look into Duterte’s long-term aims

BY MA. KRISTINE JOY R. BAYADOG

Since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s (PRRD) sitting into power last 2016, the current administration has been doing efforts to materialize its visions and goals in putting the Filipino life at a higher-level society through varying projects that were said to achieve a more developed and secured Philippines. The projects, planned and set to implement by the government, will continue until the end of PRRD’s term in 2022 or even beyond.

Some national-scale projects initiated by the Duterte administration are listed below.

1. Executive Order No. 70 Last December 2018, PRRD issued Executive Order No. 70, establishing a whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force (NTF) to end local communist armed conflict and institutionalize a national peace framework.

Through EO No. 70, the government

2. War on Drugs The Philippine Drug War refers to the drug policy of the government under PRRD’s administration. The war on drugs is aimed at the neutralization of illegal drug personalities and the total eradication of drug-related crimes in the country.

Duterte’s war on drugs has raised public fear and outrage, causing the community to question the President’s actions on the killings of small-time drug users/pushers. Despite public criticisms and the drug war being labeled as murderous and inhumane, the government is firm in carrying it out in order to attain a better and safer country for the Filipinos.

3. Build, Build, Build Program “Build, Build, Build” which was launched in 2017, is a project initiated by the government promising the Filipino masses of the “golden age of infrastructure” as an answer to decade-long neglect of the country’s

about it and to upgrade ourselves,” Hilado stated.

He added that part of their research’s recommendations were courses of action that could prepare the workforce for the AI integration, such as upgrading of skills, policies with the usage of AI, and the ethical considerations when developing the AI products.

“We are living in the future [...] and I believe that if we are not a school of the future, we run the risk of being a school without future,” CSA-B Vice President for Student Affairs and External Relations Fr. Tito Soquino said, regarding the school’s partnership with Lifebank Foundation, Inc. for the event.

CSA-B is the first leg out of Project SAIL’s planned tour around Negros academic institutions, and private and public sectors in its aim to raise awareness regarding AI. infrastructure sector. In this case, all the major infrastructure agencies of the government are working hand in hand to achieve the success of the projects under this program.

The program involves a number of highly strategic infrastructure projects and logistics improvements including bridges and roads, underground railway, subway, airports, flood control and management facilities, new cities, and etc.

4. 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda This 10-Point Economic Agenda was presented by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

With the agenda, the Philippines will be assured a continual growth. Guided by it, the government is carrying out macroeconomic policies, ramping up infrastructure spending, promoting rural development, and investing in the development of the country’s most important asset—its people.

The government’s focus on human capital development will empower its people, especially the youth, to progress into a productive workforce that will uplift the Philippine economy.

These goals, while alluring to the public’s ears, are yet to be proven effective and just. Halfway into Duterte’s term, people still await the change that hasn’t come. Will the next three years see the campaign promise broken or fulfilled?

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOL. 64 NO. 8 · NOVEMBER 2019

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OPINION

EDITORIAL

A Knock from Menace T

he Spectrum calls for the end of red-tagging, sedition, and culture of death. As building blocks of Generations Y and Z, we are not seditious by nature. Rather, it is our politics, which could cleave to armed struggle, that’s been grossly generalized and misconstrued countless of times.

Activists and advocates, both young and old, in Negros and beyond, had been recently red-tagged as members or sympathizers of the New People’s Army thus facing haphazard risks: interception and recording of communication; detention without charges; restricted travel and personal liberties; examination of bank records; and seizure and sequestration of sheets.

The said practice classifies individuals and organizations, mostly outspoken critics, as communist terrorists, state enemies, or subversives.

In line with that, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group vs. Vice-Pres.

Robredo, senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, Lasallian Br. Armin Luistro, and Atty. Chel Diokno fiasco had also sparked controversy in the context of an alleged ouster plot which circulated through ‘Ang Totoong Narcolist’ videos and ‘Project Sodoma’. The Left continues to brave charges from PRRD’s wing.

Another infuriating buzz: Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo of the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a forum titled ‘Security Situationer’ at the University Coliseum last Aug. 24. His presentation, under the guise of an NSTP lecture, aggravated netizens at it listed CPP-NPA-NDF democratic mass organizations and students across the archipelago. Was this appropriate? Was someone in USLS

liable and should face scrutiny? Yes and yes.

The aforementioned are proofs of how PRRD stirs nationwide efforts to quell the youth from associating themselves with insurgent alliances.

Not every conscious citizen believes

“

Authoritarian rule has always entailed more names, more bullets, and more bodies drowning in red.”

in the armed struggle. In fact, only corrupt public officials see criticism as destabilizing the country even though they are the ones who reduce dialogues to bouts of ad hominem and insular mudslinging. Because of virality and public relations, level-headed discourses are trampled.

Also, think of our case this way: in three or more years, perhaps a lifetime, under this current administration, we will not only mimic, but even exceed, the abusive terms of former President Arroyo and the late dictator Marcos.

Authoritarian rule has always entailed more names, more bullets, and more bodies drowning in red.

Hence we must collectively rise from fallacies, combat multigenerational stifling, mitigate discriminatory traditions in order to stay alive. To fight and resist is our duty—and these must and should not relentlessly kill us.

— EA RL JO H N D . PA B ULA R THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOL. 64 NO. 8 · NOVEMBER 2019

OPINION

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COLUMN

Dapat mayor muna mauna!

Starlene Joy B. Portillo

starleneportillo@gmail.com

Buzzerbeater Tatlong taon na ang nakalipas nang maging ulo ng balita ang mga katagang ito. Dating kandidato pa lamang sa pagkapangulo si Rodrigo Duterte nang pabiro niya itong binanggit tungkol sa balitang panggagahasa sa isang Australyanang misyonero. Tatlong taon na ang nakalipas, ngunit nananatiling isang malupit na katotohanan na hanggang ngayon, mayor pa rin ang nauuna sa anumang pila.

Gabi ng Hunyo 1993, may regalong natanggap ang dating alkalde ng Calauan, Laguna na si Antonio Sanchez. Dahil naturingang panghimagas ang regalo, tinamasa niya ito. Subalit, nang matapos siya’y iniluwa niya ang mga tira-tira at binigay para pagsaluhan ng kaniyang mga alaga.

Sa kuwentong ito, ang regalo ay ang estudyanteng si Mary Eileen Sarmenta.

Muling naungkat ang salaysay na ito nang idineklara ni Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon ang posibleng paglaya ni Sanchez, na naparusahan ng pitong bilang ng reclusion perpetua o panghabang-buhay na pagkakabilanggo dahil sa paggahasa at pagpatay kay Sarmenta, pati na rin sa

isang kasama nito.

Kabilang daw ang alkalde sa mahigit 11,000 na mga bilanggong kwalipikado sa maagang paglaya, batay sa Republic Act 10592 o ang Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law. Bilang pagkilala sa posibilidad na magbagong-buhay ang mga bilanggo, nakasaad sa GCTA ang pagbawas sa sentensiya ng persons deprived of liberty na palagiang nagpapakita ng mabuting

“

Sa isang bansa kung saan larong pulitika ang nananaig sa katarungan, mahirap ang maging mahirap.” asal sa loob ng selda. Gayunpaman, nabubukod sa gantimpalang ito ang mga bilanggong nakasuhan ng heinous crimes, o mga krimeng naglalantad ng “labis na kasamaan, bangis, lupit, at kabastusan”.

Kung susuriin, ang panggagahasa’t pagpatay na pinamunuan ni Sanchez ay maituturing na halimbawa nito.

Nakalulungkot mang isipin, ngunit sa hilera ng paglaya, ang makatutubos lamang sa’yo ay kapangyarihan, hindi kabutihan.

Isang kaso lamang ito mula sa naitalang 816 na heinous crime convicts na napalaya ngayong taon.

Ang mukha ni Sanchez ang nagsilbing sagisag sa saklaw na kayang bilhin ng pera at pribiliheyo. Kinakatawan niya ang

pagbubulag-bulagan ng gobyerno sa mga katiwalian ng mayayaman. Sa isang bansa kung saan larong pulitika ang nananaig sa katarungan, mahirap ang maging mahirap.

Dahil sa alkalde, nanlamig ang pagtanggap at ang talakayan ukol sa GCTA. Dala ng takot at galit, may mga mamamayang gustong ibalik ang death penalty. Sa kabilang dako, nagtatangka ang gobyerno na ibalik sa bilangguan ang mga pinalaya ng batas na ito. Subalit bago natin batikusin ang GCTA Law, nawa’y maunawaan natin na ang totoong kalaban dito ay hindi ang batas, kundi ang mga tiwaling tagapagpatupad nito.

Isa sa mga magandang naidulot ng R.A. 10592 ay ang pagpapahupa sa lumalalang overcrowding sa mga selda, dahil na rin sa laganap na drug war kung saan karamihan sa mga nabilanggo ay pawang mga nadawit o napagbintangan din lang naman. Simula nang maipatupad ang GCTA noong 2014, libu-libong mga inosente ang nabigyang hustisya, samantalang daan-daan naman ang muling nabigyan ng pag-asa at pagkakataon para makapagbagong-buhay.

Dahil sa kapabayaan at kamangmangan ng pamunuan, nagmistulang ang hustisya ay para lang sa mga may kayang bumili nito. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataong nagkamali ang ating mga pinuno sa pagbasa at pagpapatupad ng batas. Kung kaya’t hindi rin makatarungang naisaalangalang ang karapatang pangkalayaan ng mga ordinaryong Juan.

Ilang linya pa kaya ang kailangan nating pilahan bago natin mapagtanto na tayo ay nauungusan?

COLUMN

Once is Too Much: Probing Bawal Bastos Hezron G. Pios

hezpios@protonmail.com

Fig. 451 The fact that Bawal ang Bastos is now a law or the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act (R.A. 11313) is eyed to prevent genderbased sexual harassment occurring in the streets, online workplaces and educational or training institutions, the fact that stiffer penalties shall be placed on slurs that are misogynistic or transphobic or homophobic or sexist, stalking and cyberstalking, cursing, wolf whistling, leering and intrusive gazing, taunting, unwanted invitations and comments on one’s appearance, and relentless requests for one’s personal details, the fact that Sen. Risa Hontiveros, a woman, an opposition, principal sponsor and author of the measure in the Senate, was victimized, coincidentally, due to her piña barong attire during Pres. Duterte’s 4th SONA, the fact that a Twitter user named Carlo Malonzo made this ruthless comment: Dear Risa Hontiveros: Dress appropriately.

There’s a place and time to dress like a fact that, once, three construction workers thirsty slut and a senator of the republic, catcalled my female colleague who was the fact that Sen. Hontiveros replied: Stop merely passing by during a national event telling women how to dress, the fact that we were hosting, the fact that one of them the patriarchy is beyond comparison, the said: Uy, gwapa! Pwede magpakilala? the fact that, once, my ate, tired from hospital fact that when we confronted them, they duty, had been followed by a man, a were speechless at first, the fact that the bagong salta, large and dark in frame, who offender issued an unapologetic apology, attempted to rob the fact that when I my ate’s bag, the berated him that was fact that my ate, when they got serious ... the fact that the patriarchy and I told him and in turn, screamed her loudest, for is beyond comparison.” his accomplices to someone to come distance themselves and rescue her away from us, at any second, to quell the violence, the especially from the woman whom they fact that the man, thankfully, panicked and preyed on, or we will summon the ran away, the fact that my ate came home management who actually did not give a traumatized after the event, breaking down crap, the fact that reality demands out of us nonstop when she showed up in our sala, an assertion of respect for human dignity, the fact that violators deserve incarceration the fact that consent is non-negotiable, and impunity should not be upheld, the the fact that nobody owns somebody fact that women are always compromised, else’s body, the fact that there are many invalidated, abused, and isolated, the salient propositions left unpacked but it fact that toxic masculinity restrains us is monumental that you are here, reading from removing sick double standards and and reading, so you would know and do vitriol, the fact that I, too, was a firsthand better next time, and the fact that you witness as to how harassers employ pity are complicit if you remain stubborn and when they are met against a dead end, the selfish!

“

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOL. 64 NO. 8 · NOVEMBER 2019

Vantage Point

Ang Kinaandan sa Matag-adlaw LARAGWAY NILA KARL BRIAN T. MARQUEZA, MARTINI M. FALCO, KAG ANGELO F. DESPI

S

amtang ginasaulog ang 40th MassKara Festival sa siyudad sang Bacolod, ang mga mangunguma sa Brgy. Paitan, Escalante naga-paninguha sa gihapon. Sa tunga sang pagluthanganay sang New People’s Army kag mga militar, sila padayon nga nagaduko— indi para magtago, kundi para magtanum sang palangabuhi-an.

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DEVELOPMENT

THESPECTRUM FOUNDED 1956

facebook.com/thespectrumusls · thespectrum.usls@gmail.com VOLUME 64 NUMBER 8 · NOVEMBER 2019 Member Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists and Advisers

Bacolod named 5th Justice Zone

BY SHAN MARC O. JABAGAT

Hezron G. Pios

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Starlene Joy B. Portillo ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Joshua L. Mahilum MANAGING EDITOR

Hana Patricia Raj E. Hautea ASST. MANAGING EDITOR

Andrea Danielle A. Gamboa EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

NEWSPAPER EDITOR Ivee E. Manguilimotan ASST. NEWSPAPER EDITOR Ma. Kristine R. Bayadog MAGAZINE EDITOR Lance Christian M. Juarez ONLINE PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Kynah Rhea B. Fuentes ASST. ONLINE PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Angela A. Coronel LITERARY EDITOR Disney Marie L. Espartero CREATIVE DIRECTOR Martini M. Falco PHOTOS & VIDEOS EDITOR Martini M. Falco ASST. PHOTOS & VIDEOS EDITOR Karl Brian T. Marqueza LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS EDITOR Alexandra V. Bachoco ASST. LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS EDITOR Katherine E. Co

NEWSPAPER WRITERS

Alan S. Villanueva Patrick N. Billojan MAGAZINE WRITER

Maegan Joy Matamoro ONLINE WRITER

Shan Marc O. Jabagat LITERARY WRITERS

Paula Mae E. Villarosa Erica Jaine A. Mestre Alvin Brian S. Legario

PHOTOJOURNALIST

Angelo F. Despi

LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS ARTISTS

Kiara Nicole D. Villa Gerico T. Guanco ILLUSTRATORS

Anna Theresa S. Parayno Carl Hason T. Gerale Earl John D. Pabular WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Christian Dominic L. Ledesma

PUBLICATION MODERATOR

Jean Lee C. Patindol

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) 4321187 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.

HONOR. Bacolod City was introduced by The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) as the fifth Justice Zone in the country. — ANGELO F. DESPI

The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) launched Bacolod City as the fifth Justice Zone in the country last Aug. 29 at the Bacolod City Government Center.

“In answer to the clamor for justice sector reform in the Philippines, justice zones have been established to strengthen the coordination and collaboration of the JSCC principals [...] and the components of the local justice sectors, the police prosecutors, judges, public attorneys, and managers of our detention facilities,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, who led the launching rites.

According to him, a justice zone is an area or locality that has fully implemented a minimum of 40 reforms, rendering the area or locality fully compliant based on the rating system established by the JSCC. “I am happy to say that Bacolod got a score of 74 out of 92 or 80%, during the resource mapping exercise conducted jointly by the JSCC’s technical working group on processes and capacity-building,” Bersamin stated.

Among the goals of a justice zone is “to see trial judges and court employees reduce their court dockets and dispense judgment promptly, and for the prosecution service to efficiently resolve criminal complaints involving violations of penal laws”.

Additionally, it seeks for public lawyers to competently assist their clients and the police to “ensure the timely appearance as witnesses of their investigators, forensic chemists, evidence custodians, and arresting officers, as well as enable jail officers to effectively manage their detention facilities in the context of reformation of all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs)”.

Quezon City was the inaugural Justice Zone back in 2014. It was followed

by Cebu City in 2018, while the third and fourth were Davao and Angeles, both established during the first half of this year, and the sixth is poised to be Naga City.

Heading the rites along with the Chief Justice were Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia as well as JSCC principals: Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and European Union Head of Cooperation Enrico Strampelli.

“This is all about increasing the pressure [on] efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability which should lead to inclusive growth and poverty reduction,” declared Mayor Leonardia, who claimed to be “very happy and flattered” for Bacolod being chosen.

Meanwhile, Año expressed that with the establishment of five justice zones in the country, he is convinced that attaining to launch 14 Justice Zones nationwide will be achieved by 2022.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MEDIA CORPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE · USLS STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER, LA SALLE AVE., BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL 6100 · VOL. 64 NO. 8 · NOVEMBER 2019

DAKBANWA

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Pagsaulog sang nahauna nga Halandumon Festival NI IVEE E. MANGUILIMOTAN KAG KYNAH RHEA B. FUENTES

ADDING COLORS TO THE SKIES. Different barangays in Bacolod City compete against each other during the first ever Halandumon Festival Street Dance Competition.

—KARL BRIAN T. MARQUEZA

B

angud sa pagsaylo sang Charter Day sang Bacolod nga sang una ginahiwat kada ika-19 sang Oktubre, ini na gina selebrar, sugod sini nga tuig, kada ika-18 sang Hunyo kung diin suno sa Republic Act 11146 nga gin-aprubahan sang sadto anay presidente nga si Manuel Quezon ang Charter Day sang 1938.

Halandumon, nga kung sayuron sa Ingles, “memorable or worthy to be remembered”.

Parte sang “Mga Adlaw Sang Paghanduraw” ang piesta sang Halandumon kun diin gina saulog ang kultura, arte, kag maragtas sang siyudad humalin ika-12 sang Hunyo tubtob ika-20.

Gina-tinguhaan sang gobyerno nga mangin manami man ang ini nga piesta sunod sa mas tanyag nga MassKara Festival kada Oktubre.

Gin-athag ni Konsehal Em Ang, Chairperson sang Tourism Committee sang siyudad, nga nahisuno sa Panaad sang Negros Festival ang Halandumon tungod sa pagpasundayag sang bugana nga kultura sang siyudad.

Suno pa kay Ang, “Gusto namon mag-uswag man ang Halandumon pareho sa pag-uswag sang MassKara na mangin festival destination.”

Nahanungod sa kay Mayor Evelio Leonardia ang ideya na pagliton ang Charter Day sang tuig 2017 pa, suno na

pagselebrar sang ika-80 nga anibersaryo sang syudad.

“Ang Halandumon magapasilabot sang mga hilikuton sang mga barangay para ila man mabatyagan ang ila importansya sa pagkausa sa mga residente sang siyudad,” hambal ni Leonardia.

Dugang pa ni Leonardia nga lain ang Bacolod sang una sa Bacolod subong.

“Ang Bacolod subong, wala sing makontra, isa sa mga pinaka-progresibo na siyudad sa bilog na pungsod sa Pilipinas,” siling ni Leonardia.

Kaupod sang pagsaulog sang piyesta ang tuigan na Streetdance Festival na gin gahuman sang Brgy. Pahanocoy sang ila Okoy-Okoy Festival, nga gin dag-an man ang Best in Costume, Concept, Choreography, kag Production Design.

Ang Dinaguso Festival sang Barangay 17 ang ikaduha nga nagdaug, apang ikatatlo naman ang Sambod Festival sang Brgy. Banago.

Nagtamyaw man sa piesta si Senadora Cynthia Villar sa Charter Day Program nga ginhiwat sa Bacolod City Government Center.

Kabahin man sa programa ang nagbantog nga pagpatukod sang Halandumon Tower sa dalan sang Gonzaga-Gatuslao nga nangin isa sa mga icon sang syudad matapos ini inagurahan sang Hunyo 18.

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DAGWAY

Along the Sidewalk to Success

BY LANCE CHRISTIAN M. JUAREZ

With reports from Hana Patricia Raj E. Hautea & Maegan Joy Matamoro

H

ow do we save the world? Such a titanic concept can be a simple query addressed to an imaginative child. But in recent times, it seems that the tone of this conundrum has become hushed and serious—how do we save the world?

During the 67th Handumanan Week, the Green Brigade hosted their first ever bike exhibit at the Solomon Quadrangle. The exhibit showcased a variety of bikes and also introduced the Green Brigade to the Lasallian community. And despite being the organization’s first exhibit, the Green Brigade has hosted annual bike rides ever since its conception.

Rewind to July 2017, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Mission and Development launched the Green Brigade during the 65th Handumanan Week. The brigade was formed not only to answer the Lasallian call “to be stewards of God’s creation”, but to also take part in the collective mission with other nations in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Inclusive Mobility.

According to an article by Rappler, Inclusive Mobility is an idea that advocates “mobility of all, by all, and for all”, promoting accessibility to different parts of the community to commuters and drivers alike. The origin of the idea arose from the various traffic related issues inside and outside

the Philippines. Due to its gradual increase in popularity, it was adopted by other groups and organizations spread across the Asia-Pacific region striving for similar goals.

The Green Brigade places the principles of Inclusive Mobility at its core. According to Hector Gloria Jr., Director of Marketing and Communications, “The Green Brigade defines its activities and projects in view of the following mobility principles and toward greater inclusion: 1. Mobility of all, by all, for all. A transport modality that works for the poor, the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized.

2.

A walkable, bike-able, accessible school, community, and city with clean air, clean streets, clean vehicles, clean facilities and where the sanctity, dignity, and security of human life is upheld.

3. Enhancing productivity by moving people, not vehicles with efficient and effective public transportation and driver and commuter education.

4.

Enhanced mobility at the least cost, and travel time. Enhanced safety with the least risk of loss of life, limb, and property. Civility with enhanced

GO GREEN. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Mission and Development, in partnership with Green Brigade, launched the first-ever bike exhibit at the Solomon Quadrangle last July. —PETER JOB T. BEARNEZA JR.

empathy, courtesy and discipline in an engaging and encouraging mobile environment.

5.

Habitual planning and communicating, individually and collectively. Traveling less by sharing information to increase connectivity and accessibility.”

The Green Brigade looks to formalize itself in the coming years and also serves as a call for Lasallians to engage in environmental protection.

“It’s also an invitation to anyone, [...] whether bata ka man or may edad ka— it’s really for everyone,” Green Brigade Committee member Irene Gargaceran shared.

The Inclusive Mobility group hopes to extend their influence to members of the Lasallian community to join in supporting the call for positive social change—for the purpose of societal health, wellness, and of course, environmental preservation—one pedal at a time.

So how do we save the world?

Simple: any and every gargantuan goal can be achieved by continuous collectives of small but doable efforts.

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DAGWAY

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A Lookback on

the Negrense Bloodline

Ata Negritos: Reliving our Roots museum exhibit

ROOTS. Tribe chieftain, Richard “Tatay Boy” Impil, shows his skills of “pang-ayam” or hunting using a bow and arrow. — KARL BRIAN T. MARQUEZA

BY STARLENE JOY B. PORTILLO

Only a handful of Filipinos are aware that October is being hailed as Indigenous People (IP)’s Month.

An even lesser number are familiar of IP culture, their rights, and the importance of its preservation in the face of modernity. As we celebrate IP Month for the 22nd turn of a calendar, an important question is raised: how do we celebrate what we don’t know?

This year’s IP Month theme is “Karunungan ng Katutubong Pamayanan Paigtingin: Pundasyon ng Katutubong Edukasyon”. Ironically, lessons in Hekasi introduced us to the Igorots who sowed on rice fields that eventually became the Banaue Rice Terraces, and the Aetas for being the first Philippine people—but not much is written and taught about our own Negrosanon IP, the Atas. This need for awareness was one of the main motivations behind the exhibit titled “Ata Negritos: Reliving our Roots” at the Museo Negrense de La Salle from Oct. 22-Nov. 28.

The exhibit earmarked a corner for photographed residents from Brgy. Bagong Silang of Don Salvador Benedicto, where the IP community has dwelled. Among the people the Atas take pride in is Veijil Velez, who graduated cum laude in Elementary Education from the university in 2017.

Meanwhile, Museo’s walls spoke of their literature. Narrated in tarpaulin was the folk tale of the tambaloslos, a mischievous supernatural creature that misguides people into circling the forests of Salvador Benedicto. To outsmart it, one must reverse their clothes, just as we have been told when faced with a tikbalang.

A fable their tribe loves to recount is that of the deer and a snail, who one day decided to have a race. Not knowing that all snails look identical, the deer got distracted with every snail he ran past until his gall bladder snagged against a plant. According to the natives, some plants—such as the rattan—are bitter because they contain the bile of the deer who snagged its bladder. This also explains why when a deer is slaughtered open, no bile can be found in it.

Adjacent to this, traditions done in community, livelihood, courtship, marriage, and death are detailed.

But what stands out is the island of indigenous instruments showcased at the center of the room rightfully.

Among these attention-grabbers were: the bangkaw used for hunting animals and fishing; a voice-magnifying budyong used to call people usually lost in forests; and their alternative medicine himag, which cures wounds, used as a balm, or drank for stomach aches and ulcers.

The Ata Negritos display has been a subsequent impact started by three

students from the Social Studies department who have chosen to undertake the advocacy of IP’s education for their undergraduate thesis last year.

Joemarie Ticar, John Mark Encarnado, and Wenzy Ariza, together with their adviser Shiela Uy, produced the research titled “FROM ALIENATION TO ROOTEDNESS: Reliving the Practices of Ata Group Through Indigenous People’s Education”.

“We came to Don Salvador to aid the Ata tribe but it turns out, they have given us more help through the lifelong lessons about culture and history that we have gained,” stated Encarnada.

Chieftain Richard Impil has disclosed to the group the Ata’s problem of alienation from their roots due to the economic and political development that has reached their tribe. In effect, one of the group’s thrusts has been the documentation of the indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices to come up with a contextualized learning modules for IP children to relearn about their culture and revive history.

“Our dream is to make this a mobile exhibit so that we can introduce our own homegrown Ata to the entirety of Negros,” Ticar concluded.

The Ata Negritos exhibit is not just a record of the lives lived by the IPs of Don Salvador Benedicto, but a trail of lineage that Negrosanons hopefully acknowledge and appreciate better, for the IP Months to come.

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FILIPINO

Basura ba talaga?

ng Hulyo ngayong taon. Ang PeacePond ay isang pamayanan mula sa Binalbagan na nagtataguyod ng aquaculture at ng tamang pamamahala ng basura— NI LANCE CHRISTIAN M. JUAREZ naghahanda rin sila ng mga programang maghahatid ng tulong Sa panahon kung saan maraming sa mga liblib na lugar tungkol sa krisis sa kapaligiran, nakakatakot kanilang mga adbokasiya. unawain kung gaano tayo Sa Blastik kaliit sa harap ng gabundok Project, ang na problema—ang malakas pangunahing na hanging habagat, ang kaisipan ay ang nangagalaiting init ng konseptong araw, at panghuli, ang “ f u l l - c i r c l e ”. mga tumpok-tumpok Itinat alagang na basura natin. Pero ang lahat ng ano nga ba ulit ang bahagi ng isang kahulugan ng bote ng plastik ay basura? magagamit muli Maiuugnay sa paggawa ng ang salitang basura iba’t ibang bagay sa salitang tira— tulad ng mga mga bahaging hindi pitaka, guwang, na magagamit. Ibig lamesa, at upuan. sabihin, nasasayang Kung kaya’t, walang ang isang bagay. nasasayang na bahagi.

Ang kabuuan ng Nangongolekta Blastik Project ay ang mga miyembro sumusuporta sa ng mga bote mula sa ganitong kaisipan. iba’t ibang lugar at Ang Blastik Project tumatanggap din sila — KAT HE RINE E. CO o Balik Plastik Bottle Project ng mga plastik mula sa ay isang proyekto ng organisasyong tao. Nililinis at pinapatuyo nila ang mga PeacePond na nabuo noong kalagitnaan ito, pagkatapos ay pinaghihiwalay ang

mga parte. Kasunod nito, sumasailalim sa karampatang proseso ang mga bote upang maging mas kapaki-pakinabang ang mga ito. Dahil dito, maaaring magamit muli ang mga nasayang.

Isa pang aspeto ng proyekto ay madali lamang itong sundin ng ibang barangay o ng isang kompanya—hindi lang ang kapaligiran ang nakikinabang dito. Tinuturuan rin nila ang mga taong interesadong malaman ang iba pang paraan kung paano mag-resiklo ng mga bote. Sa kanilang pagsisikap, unti-unti nilang binabago ang pag-iisip ng mga mamamayan sa kanilang basura.

Para sa kanila, ang pagtuturo ng kanilang mga paraan at ideya ang pinakamahirap na mga gawain. Marami pang tao, lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar, ang hindi pa nakakaalam sa epektong dulot ng maling pagtapon ng basura.

Ayon sa pinuno ng proyekto na si Checcs Osmeña-Orbida, hindi ang gobyerno ang may kasalanan sa problema ng basura. Ang solusyon ay nasa mga tao. Ika nga ni OsmeñaOrbida, dapat kaakibat natin ang responsibilidad at pagkamulat sa buhay.

Ang solusyon sa problema ay minsan hindi pangkaraniwan. Minsan mahirap, minsan hindi. Ngunit, iisa lang ang sigurado: nagsisimula ang lahat ng solusyon sa isang desisyon.

CERES APEKTADO SA AWAY YANSON

finance documents,” suno kay LRY. “Ginransack nila ang bilog nga opisina.”

NI DISNEY MARIE L. ESPARTERO KAG ANGELA A. CORONEL

Kapin libo ka mga commuter ang naapektuhan sa iregularidad sang operasyon sang Ceres Liner sugod sang bulan sang Hulyo.

LRY GINPATALSIK BILANG PRESIDENTE Nagsugod ang kinagamo matapos ipatalsik ang gintalana nga presidente nga si Leo Rey Yanson (LRY) sa ginpatawag nga special board meeting nagligad nga Hulyo 7 sang Vallacar Transit Inc, ang multi-billion peso transportation company nga ginatag-iyahan sang pamilya Yanson.

Ang Yanson 4 lang, nga ginabilangan nila ni Roy Yanson (RSY), Celina Yanson-Lopez (CYL), Emily Yanson (EY), kag Ricardo Yanson Jr. (RJR), ang nagdesisyon kag indi bahin sa sini nga board meeting sila ni Leo Rey Yanson (LRY), ang ila iloy nga si Olivia V. Yanson (OVY), kag si Ginette Yanson-Dumancas (GYD).

Sa pahayag sang Yanson 4, ginpatalsik nila si Leo Rey tungod sa gina-alegar nga malversation of funds, matapos makapila

ini mag-withdraw sang kwarta sang kompanya.

Gindepensahan naman ini ni LRY nga bilang presidente sang Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC), may ara siya deretso nga karapatan mag-usar sang miscellaneous funds para man sa kamaayuhan sang ila negosyo, nga nakasaan man sa memorandum nga ginpirmahan sang Chief Finance Officer nga si Celina Yanson-Lopez.

EPEKTO SA PUBLIKO Ginakilala bilang pinakadako nga bus company sa Pilipinas nga may kapin 18,000 nga mga empleyado kag 4,000 nga mga unit sang bus, gakaapektuhan ang operasyon sang Ceres matapos ang kapila nga pwersahan nga pag-takeover sa mga terminal, nga nagatuga man sang perwisyo kag katingalahan sa publiko kag ila man nga mga empleyado.

Matapos ma-recover sang kampo ni LRY ang main office kag mga terminals sang Bacolod sang Agosto 9, nahibal-an nila nga nadula ang importante nga mga dokumento kag ang Yanson 4 ang iya ginabasol.

“Madamo sang mga importante nga mga dokumento ang nadula, dala na ang mga Land Transportation Franchising kag Regulatory Board franchise papers, titulo sang duta, case files, kag mga

LRY IBALIGYA ANG KOMPANYA? Ginapanginwala ni Emily Yanson nga indi sila ang nagkuha sang dokumento kag ginhambal nga si Leo Rey ang nagkuha sang mga ini kay may plano siya ibaligya ang kompanya.

“Why would we ransack our own offices and steal those documents which Leo Rey claims to be missing? We were occupying the offices for weeks now, and during this whole time, Leo Rey was even there, freely checking and spending his time leisurely as our director?” hambal niya.

YANSON PAGASTURYAHAN ANG PROBLEMA Nagahulat na lamang ang duwa ka kampo sa desisyon sang korte kun mapamatud-an man gid nga legal ang special board meeting nga ginhiwat kag kun bala pagapatihon ini.

RSY NANGAYO PATAWAD, MAGBALIK LOOB BILANG PAMILYA Sa isa ka pahayag sang Agosto 22, nag-ayo si Roy Yanson nga magintiendehanay kag magpinatawaray sila nga pamilya.

“Pungkuan ta ni bilang isa ka pamilya. Isturyahanay kita kag ibilin kag magpinatawaray,” suno sini.

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BUT

— GER IC O T. GUA NC O

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NEWS

BCD CALLS FOR CLIMATE ACTION The first city in PH to declare climate emergency

BY KATHERINE E. CO AND ALAN S. VILLANUEVA JR.

from different institutions in the city participated in a climate crisis talk and multisectoral forum entitled “Our House is on Fire: The Climate Emergency Forum” at the Coliseum. “[I]f we act now, if we act urgently, we can turn around TAKE TO THE STREETS. The youth of Bacolod City gather and rally in front of the Social our economic Action Center to inform the public about environmental issues. —KIARA NICOLE D. VILLA systems, our The City of Bacolod officially declared a lifestyles, our businesses, so that they ‘climate emergency’ last July after the are able to confront rapidly developing resolution authored by Councilor Carl realities brought about by climate Lopez was approved by the city council, change,” pressed keynote speaker Comm. thereafter making the city the first in the Rachel Anne Herrera of the Climate Change Commission, who encouraged country and Asia to do so.

Last Sept. 24, around 5,000 students the youth’s involvement.

The initiative, facilitated by the along with school representatives

newly-created University Climate Task Force, was aligned with the simultaneous global climate strikes and the United Nations Climate Action Summit which saw 16-year-old Greta Thunberg and other youth activists advocating urgent action among world leaders and corporate executives whom she strongly criticized for being “business as usual” despite the rapidly worsening climate crisis.

Most Rev. Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos, Joshua Villalobos of Linghod, Ted Lopez of Alter Trade Foundation, Incorporated, and Jose Maria Vargas of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office discussed their thoughts on the mitigation of the crisis.

In solidarity with the city’s initiatives and Pope Francis’ call for climate action earlier this June, the Diocese of Bacolod declared a climate emergency, with it being the first Philippine diocese to issue such a statement.

“We need all hands on deck—young and old, rich and poor alike—because we are all in the same boat called Planet Earth which is actually sinking,” Climate Task Force Head Alan Brillantes urged.

ST. La Salle’s relic on tour for 300th year celeb

BY IVEE E. MANGUILIMOTAN AND PAULA MAE E. VILLAROSA

In honor of St. John Baptist De La Salle’s tercentenary death anniversary, the founder’s right arm bone relic graced the University of St. La Salle (USLS) last Sept. 23 - Oct. 14.

The relic tour was organized by De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) tercentenary committee to commemorate the founder’s faith and life journey through the pilgrimage of his relic to various La Salle schools in the country.

Upon the arrival of the relic at USLS, it was welcomed by an institutional mass in the Coliseum attended by the entire Lasallian community.

“We cannot thank [our founder] enough for the gift of Lasallian education. We are likewise grateful for the Lasallian spirit that has remained in and among us these past 67 years and has been our source of strength, comfort, and inspiration,” Br. Joaquin Severino Martinez shared during the homily.

The Institutional Events Committee under the Vice Chancellor of Mission and Development (VCMD) spearheaded and prepared a series of activities for the duration of the relic’s stay with USLS. “Basically, the activities that were

PIECE TO REMEMBER. In remembrance of the founder’s teachings, the Lasallian community gathers and welcomes the relic with an institutional mass. — ANGELO F. DESPI

lined up for the year-long celebration were planned and implemented by […]

DLSP and so, all schools are expected […] to support and implement the said activities in their respective institutions,” VCMD Director Geoffrey Bob Bergante reiterated.

The relic was also brought to San Sebastian Cathedral for a mass headed

by Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB, D.D. Days after, the relic stayed overnight at the Carmelite Monastery and two nights at the Sacred Heart Seminary, visited the Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Shrine, and was brought to the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos during the youth camps.

“One of the purposes of the relic tour was for us not just to confine the relic within our campus […] but to share the life of the founder with the local diocese, with other institutions, with other parishes,” Bergante concluded.

On the relic’s last day in the university, a send-off mass was held at the Coliseum led by Fr. Ronald Quijano and was followed by a send-off message from the brother president.

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LEISURE

WIPE OU T

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— EA R L JOH N D . PA B ULA R

Wikationary

BY MAEGAN JOY MATAMORO | ILLUSTRATED BY ANDREA DANIELLE A. GAMBOA

Known as the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines, Negros offers a wide assortment of delicacies. But more than that, it houses a variety of people that spans different cultures and walks of life. Below are some of their most common classifications: Minezkids – Boys who grew up somewhere along the middle class, playing video games or binging on anime.

During their teenage years, they like having online discussions, consuming dank memes, using Reddit, or reading Nietzche’s books.

Mostly I.T. or Archi students who seem to have had no sleep for years.

Pulupandan Records Subscriber – Goes with anything that is mainstream, especially generic OPM rap by Ex Battalion or an “Anti Social Social Club” statement shirt. Tamang soundtrip lang ng Kabet by Gagong Rapper sa pisonet dahil iniwan na ni Junalyn at pinagpalit kay Rogelio kasi mas magaling mag-long sweet message ‘yon eh. Friday nights would be inuman plus sparring sa Ramos.

Acads Bago Lakads – You can see them in your Facebook feed changing their profile pictures with logos or frames from different school programs and activities. Obviously, they go to school every day. Most of them are considered to be teachers’ pets or active members of an organization.

BY ANGELA A. CORONEL

BY THE

NUMBERS

Current tally of Philippine islands according to the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

7,641

#Wanderlust – Expect to have a selfreflective caption in every IG post, exploring around Sipalay, rocking that beach attire. It seems like they have perfected aestheticism because of their teal and orange Lightroom presets.

Dude Pare Chongs – God’s Plan by Drake on their Spotify playlist? Check!

Silver or gold necklace? Check! Uniqlo apparel? Check!

You can see them partying in Portiko every Friday and driving their Fords around Lacson. Mostly, egg waffles ang tawag nila sa kwek-kwek .

Social Media Influenzah - “Hey what’s up! this is the first episode of *insert random challenges*” phones and vlogging cams are their best friends, surely will tape videos from gala to lamon to events and #OOTD with those instagrammable pics.

Zumba Titas of NGC – May asim pa si tita! Of course, they should maintain that sexy bod through a healthy lifestyle with the inspiring view of Mayor Bing’s Bigote by the New Bacolod Government Center fountain. Most of them are comfortably enjoying the single life and contribute to the full house at JLK. Time to show off those new dance steps!

Maybe you’ve met some, if not all, of these people.

While there are more groups yet to be identified, it should also be noted that there are more to Negrosanons than these labels. In the end, we can choose to be a part of these classifications or deviate and make our own descriptions. In the end, what matters most is that we carry the Negrosanon Pride.

19 years ago, the World Health Organization declared the country polio-free, only for it to reemerge today.

19

312,816

Re g i s t e r e d voters in Bacolod City as of 2019.

91.07

Average of Lasallian topnotcher Mark John Simondo during the 2017 Bar Exams.

122

year-old Francisca Susano from Kabankalan City is waiting to be acknowledged by Guiness World Records as the world’s oldest living person.

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SPORTS Creamline clinches first seed, BanKo-Perlas claims semifinal spot

SHOUTING GREATNESS. Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate their victory against Petrogazz Angels during the PVL game at the Coliseum. — KARL BRIAN T. MARQUEZA

hits and two aces while Paneng Mercado added 12 markers from 11 spikes and one block.

Meanwhile, BanKo-Perlas had to squeeze through a five-setter contest, 25-27, 25-20, 25-22, 21-25,15-9, against Pacifictown-Army to get a semifinal seat, in the first game.

It took a gallant effort from a crew of eager armies to take the first set as they chased down a 5-point deficit, 27-25.

However, Dzi Gervacio and Sue Roces led Banko’s campaign in the second and third sets, improving their lead, 2-1.

But Perlas Spikers fell in complacency

in the fourth set—letting the Army take it with a four-point lead, 25-21.

Nonetheless, BanKo showed flawless volleyball in the fifth set, drubbing the Armies, 15-9.

Roces led the entire BanKo-Perlas squad after dropping 20 points including two blocks and two aces while Gervacio contributed 18 markers.

Meanwhile, Royse Tubino and Jovelyn Gonzaga exploded for Pacifictown-Army with 20 points each.

The Perlas Spikers improved to 10-5, while Pacifictown-Army fell in a tie with Air Force with 6-7 win-loss card.

“PASS IT BACK” LAUNCHES IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

General Ada Milby saying that they are excited to build the program’s successes up to date by more girls and young women playing rugby in the Philippines.

Philippines is the third Asian country after Laos and Vietnam to be involved in the program, with the event being the second Childfund sponsored program after the Pass It Back grassroots training launch back in 2017.

“ChildFund’s Pass It Back program was set up for disadvantaged children who are facing significant challenges around poverty and inequality,” ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence said during the 2017 leg.

BY PATRICK N. BILLOJAN

Defending champion Creamline secured the number one seeding in the Final Four after handing Petrogazz their fourth loss of the season, 25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 25-18, at the Coliseum last Oct. 10.

The ladies in pink remained undefeated with a 13-0 win-loss record.

Jema Galanza churned out 25 big points from 21 attacks, two aces, and two blocks while Michelle Gumabao hammered down 16 markers and 13 digs.

Petrograzz now sports a 9-4 card, as Jovelyn Prado produced 14 bombs off 12

BY DISNEY MARIE L. ESPARTERO

To equip the youth with necessary skills to compete in the sport of rugby, Childfund, a non-government organization, together with the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), organized “Pass It Back”, a program encouraging the youth to pass the skills they have learned back to their communities.

“We are again bringing the event here mainly to give opportunities especially to the less fortunate youth in the community,”

PRFU Development Manager Acee San Juan said in a press conference.

At least 500 Negrense youth and 21 coaches from Bacolod City, Talisay City and E.B Magalona flocked Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) last May 11 for the midseason competition.

Project Officer Cookie Derecho said that the sport was modified to “tag rugby” to foster solidarity, sportsmanship, discipline, and respect among players and coaches.

One of the event’s goals is to promote gender inclusion, with PRFU Secretary

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