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LEAD THE LEADER By: Reticent Candor
Under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace - Preamble, 1987 Philippine Constitution
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The government is an essential body of a nation that carries the power of implementing, making, and regulating laws. These powers hold an immense authority for
a person to handle. These powers can be used in a way that will build the nation, help its people, and grasp the actuality of a progressive country or otherwise. Throughout the past years and decades, the Philippines has observed different leaders taking the highest post in the government and had the power to steer the wheel of the country’s future. But, we had leaders that used these authorities to pleasure their greediness of power, serve their own interests, and keep the country under autocracy and absolutism. Their hands were stained with red, together with their big sinister clan. They took interventions that suppressed the rights of factions of people or, worse, the whole citizenry. These leaders had made sweet promises to the people that got them to the higher and highest seats. But, later on, the hidden agendas of these opportunists had transcended through the sweet lies and promises. Every citizen is a victim. Nobody can be blamed for wishing for a better present and future for themselves and the country.
The Philippines has witnessed countless status quos from the past that is still the present's status quos. These existent and recurring issues might not have been
solved given the shortcomings, lack of plans, incompetence, and indifference of an administration. Leaders aren't born; they are made. The people, the constituents, choose these people to represent them and achieve their dreams and aspirations for their present and future. Reverie of a country cruising through waves of crises, social, and political affairs to the land of equity and justice. With the right leaders, right commanders, lawmakers, and adjudicators, the people and posterity can relish an actual state.
The end of another regime is approaching. Another set of people to lead the Philippines for the following years will be seated, will have the power. But before they
have the ability, the body politic will use their control first — suffrage. When opportunists try their best to have the post, the thieves rob the nation, but still, some candidates have the same dream as the people, a better country, and they should win. Compassionate, wise, and passionate leaders must yield the power and hold the post. The Philippines has suffered through the years of bad governance. It is time to heal a thousand cuts of inadequate leadership.
Take the fight outside. Choose the leaders who will truly fulfill the oath, “…to the service of the Nation.” To have a government with no graft and corruption and will
lead the nation to a better tomorrow is a dream not so hard to achieve. Pens up and shade the ballot!
“ITAMA MO ANG IYONG KASAYSAYAN” By Olis Sinimulan ng langit at lupa ang mga mortal ng siglong ito, Ang araw, ang buwan, at ang mga bituin ay muling liliwanag sa darating na eleksyon, Ang kanilang kaluluwa na humahawak sa dignidad ng bawat tao at bata sa buong rehiyon, Isinakripisyong matatag at hindi umuurong! Mag-aalsa para sa mga bayang natupok ng kasinungalingan, Pagpapalain ng buwan ang katotohanan, Na walang iba kundi ang katotohanan lamang. Tayo ang napiling maglalaro sa apoy na ito, Ito ay sa atin na noong tayo'y ipinanganak upang maging tubig, hangin at lupa, Tayo ang mga anak ng bansang ito; Ang magdadala ng hinaharap; Ang mga manunulat ng henerasyon! Tayo ang mga mabubuting ehemplo ng dugo, Ang mga dugo natin ay magmamarka sa lupa ng ating mga ninuno.
Ang magbubuhos ng laman nito, Ang ating pakikibaka para sa pang-aapi at paglaban sa mga maling gawain at doktrina, Ang walang katapusang ito ay hindi itatapon sa limot! Tayo ay kumuha ng sandata laban sa mga buwaya! Tayo ay maghahanap ng landas ng bagong rehimen na ito— Ang magtatakda sa makabagong Uniberso. Tayo ang mga alipin— Ang mga alipin na hindi kailan man maililibing; Ang mga alipin na hindi makakalimutan, Tayo ay mga anak ng mga magsasaka, Ang mga anak ng ating mga ina, Ang mga anak ni Rizal, At ang mga anak ng bawat bayani! Lahat man ay hindi naging saksi sa pag-usad ng pagbabago, Ngunit tandaang nariyan pa rin ang pag-asang mababago, Silang mga nag-alay ng buhay sa pinatay na kasaysayan, Mga bayarang kasinungalingan na muling binubuhay, Ikaw na bata at ikaw na matanda! Ang iyong boto ay sandata para sa iyo at sa kanilang mga karapatan! Itama mo ang iyong boto! Itama mo ang iyong kasaysayan!
Ang ating kabataan na may magagaling na pag-iisip,
WONDER By PEN N PAPER
One of the greatest fears that people might agree with is being lonely – by being just yourself alone. Most people used to be with their respective families, friends, or even their loved ones. We get to know ourselves comfortably when we are not alone. How we should feel, see, hear, communicate, or do always depend on people close to us. We are living our lives together but not alone, and that must be true. Do you know someone living alone without being attached to someone? Possibly, we don't, did we? Just like what ancient philosophers reiterate, human in nature is never alone. We people stick with someone we knew we could depend on for a purpose and in exchange for something to survive. Unfortunately, there is always a limit in every perspective. More likely than not, we are solely responsible for doing some tasks that only we can do at some point in our lives. The question is – are you ready to do it yourself with no hands except yours? As students, we have all these people around us that we could lean on to ask for a favor or get along with something important to us. But being a student would be a great responsibility to uphold. We are drawing our path towards our own success but not others' success. It is we that make it to fulfill our own dreams. Therefore, if people are afraid to be alone, who would be responsible for doing their task with complete competence? Otherwise, who could be called professional with credibility and integrity? It is not about being afraid to be alone, but about what would bring you up there – self success is self-love.
OF RIVER THATTHAT FLOWS LIKE LIKE LAVA LAVA OF RIVER FLOWS OF RIVER THAT FLOWS LIKE LAVA By Alistair
Friday the 13th has long been deemed to be bad luck. Well, it might be true as students are nearing going back to school on Monday after a week of suspension. Little did we know, what we expected to be the conclusion of the rest, was in fact, only its inception. A misfortune disguised with a deceitful image had brought an onslaught of chaos in our life's holistic cycle. In a quick turn of events, everything has been immobilized, and tomorrow is not a promise. The transition we are facing right now has made it difficult for us to adapt and adjust. However, this adversity has reminded us something about life—any break from our usual pattern will require force. With risk, we have a choice whether to step in or detach our feet. But with changes, it is out of our control. Maybe, as we ponder our thoughts in the dark corner of our room, we realize that life is not made to be counted; it has to be lived. We lost count of the days this situation will finally cease. We were already too invested in calculating our future and focusing on what tomorrow brings us, even before this occasion. It is beyond regretful to have been forgetting to live at present because tomorrow scares us. We anticipate things to mitigate potential damage, but life always throws an unexpected curveball. It is with great nuisance to stay in a situation we are not used to. But cliché as it may sound, growth takes place when we force ourselves to be uncomfortable. Life brings eccentric yet repeated patterns of events. While we are in the process of dreaming, may we never forget to put forth effort in our every undertaking. Because when we get tired, we learn the best things. How we play and persevere in the process will dictate whether we deserve the things we desire or are bound for more incredible things we never imagined Continue to page 10...