Thomasian Engineer Newsletter Volume 7 Issue No. 1 - A.Y. 2021-2022

NEWS p.3

TECHNICAL p.12

FEATURES p.10

UST Eng’g Former Dean Prof. Marcelo becomes PRC 2021 Outstanding Professional in Chemical Eng’g

Sigua presents CNN development thesis on NAST PHL Virtual Paper Presentation

UST Through the Eyes of a Promdi

UST FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

GEARS UP FOR LIMITED FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES WRITTEN BY: SZARINA DELA PAZ

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he UST Faculty of Engineering intends to implement limited face-to-face classes by the first quarter of 2022 after nearly two years of virtual learning. Each of the faculty’s departments have prepared plans for the implementation of limited face-to-face classes: Chemical Engineering (ChE), Civil Engineering (CE), Electrical Engineering (EE), Electronics Engineering (ECE), Industrial Engineering (IE), and Mechanical Engineering (ME).

This is in accordance with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s memorandum that gave a go signal to educational institutions to hold limited face-to-face classes

for non-medicine programs, including engineering, following the successful execution of limited face-to-face classes for medicine programs.

“Consultative meetings with students and academic staff are continuously done by each department and by the Faculty of Engineering in general, given the constantly changing policies from the National Government,” UST Faculty of Engineering Acting Dean, Prof. Angelo R. dela Cruz, PhD, PECE, stated.

As for each department’s plans, CE Department Chair Engr. Rajiv Eldon E. Abdullah, MEngg, said that an online

Thomasian Engineer Researchers Bag Awards in Asia Symposium WRITTEN BY: CARL TRISTAN GILE

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rofessors and alumni researchers from the Faculty of Engineering were recognized in the Nagoya City University (NCU) Contact Points in Asia Symposium held virtually last August 25 to 26, 2021.

The symposium, with the theme “Think about SDGs - Designing Healthy Work Environment,” showcased various research topics related to the “Hub for Work Environment Design” of the NCU. The Industrial Engineering (IE) Department exhibited two studies in the event.

Winning the Excellence Poster Award (Audience Choice) is the research, entitled “A Comparative Study on the Human preference and the Nutritional Value between Mung Bean Chips and Common Commercial Snack Food” by IE alumni Adonis Clet, David Lorenz Dometita, Fredric Go, and Ericson Niones. The

team’s adviser, Assoc. Prof. Carlos Ignacio P. Lugay, Jr, PhD, PIE, ASEAN Eng., presented the said research.

Meanwhile, the study, entitled “Establishing a Procurement Model in Philippine Barangay Health Centers using Integer Linear Programming” by IE alumni Glenn Gerald Castañeda, Keziah Marella Cueto, Clara Franchesca Mendoza, and Angeline Nicole Regalado, was presented by their adviser, Engr. Gabriel C. Bucu, CIE, AAE, and won fourth place for the Excellence Poster Award.

Engr. Angelito A. Silverio, PhD of the Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department, also participated in the poster session and garnered second place in the Best Poster Award.

ASIA SYMPOSIUM AWARDS→ PAGE 4

EDITORIAL p.5

Fanaticism: The cyclical root of regression

Filipinos are known fanatics. Be it in the context of popular artists, musicians, or even groups; we surely have a fair share of admiration for something or someone deeply rooted in Pinoy culture.

PHOTO BY: CHRISTIAN MUNGCAL

survey was sent out to 2nd to 4th year CE students soliciting their opinions and other concerns regarding the planned implementation.

ECE Department Chair Engr. Edison A. Roxas, PhD, PECE, narrated that the department released a survey reporting the health and wellness of the academic staff, support staff, ECE students and their families. This survey was updated to include questions about their vaccination status and comments (including their willingness) to possible face-toface classes upon the incoming term.

FACE-TO-FACE → PAGE 4

Engineering Recruitment Fair Opens, Seeks New Members WRITTEN BY: DOROTEO PRUDENCIANO II AND JUSTINE KEITH MOISES

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he annual Engineering Recruitment Fair once again kicked off as different organizations from the Faculty of Engineering highlighted the one-week fair with their promotional videos and posters from September 23 to 30, 2021.

The fair was organized by the UST Engineering Student Council (UST-ESC) and started with an opening program presenting the 16 interest and mother organizations in the Faculty of Engineering, and their respective presidents last September 23, via Facebook Live.

UST Association of Civil Engineering Students (ACES), UST Chemical Engineering Society (ChES), UST Mechanical Engineering Club (MEC), UST Electrical Engineering Circuit (EEC), UST Industrial Engineering Circle (IEC), UST Network of Electronics Engineering Students (NECES), UST One Voice Engineering Chorale (OV), Thomasian Engineer (TE), REC WEEK→ PAGE 4

Huawei and the University of Santo Tomas partner to provide scholarships for Thomasians WRITTEN BY: JOSE MIGUEL BALLECER

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uawei has partnered with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to provide scholarships this academic year for students under Information and Communications Technology (ICT) programs, as part of their advocacy for education.

The university opened the application for the scholarship last May 6 to 22, 2021 for 3rd year and 4th year students under the program of either Electronics Engineering, Computer Sciences, or Information Technology, with a maintaining general weighted average of 1.75.

Kryzha Lei Aguilar, one of the university’s Huawei scholars, stated that the reduced expenses, and internship opportunities were her reasons for applying for the scholarship. As a Huawei scholar, she received a full scholarship, monthly allowance, book allowance, and employment opportunities.

Aguilar stated that the commitment of maintaining a GWA was the largest factor considered before applying for the scholarship. As an engineering student herself, the biggest setback caused by the online set-up for the students of the faculty is the lack of skills set needed in handling specific equipment.

“I am much more inspired to learn more in a context that I value learning more than just submitting and/or passing my schoolwork,” Aguilar said when asked about how the scholarship has affected her view of academics.

Huawei officially welcomed its first batch of scholars from the university last August 16, 2021, consisting of Kryzha Lei Aguilar, an Electronics Engineering student; Maricar Auditor, an Electronics Engineering Student; Hermil Gerard Calasang, an Information Technology student; Jia Anette Phi, an Information Technology student and Matthew Gabriel Rabanes, an Electronics Engineering student; and 19 other huawei scholars throughout different universities.

PHOTO BY: CHRISTIAN MUNGCAL

UST PASKUHAN 2021 GOES VIRTUAL WRITTEN BY: CARL CHRISTIAN CALDERON

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he UST Paskuhan Festivities, with the theme “The Pilgrimage: Our road through trials. Our road to triumph,” were held virtually for the very first time in its 30th year on November 27, 2021 to December 17, 2021.

The festivities started with the lighting of the UST-Manila Campus last November 27. It was led by Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tionco, OP to also signify the First Sunday of Advent.

A three-episode short series entitled UST Panunuluyan 2021, which featured stories of Thomasian students before and during the pandemic, was aired from December 8 to December 10.

On December 10, the annual UST Christmas Concert took place in a virtual setup, featuring performances from the UST Conservatory of Music.

The UST Minecraft Paskuhan and Paskuhan: BAYANIHAN CUP, charity esports tournaments hosted by the Thomasian Gam-

ing Society, were the events that started the final day of the festivities.

The Paskuhan Mass, led by Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP., was also held on the same day. Rev. Fr. Ang highlighted in his homily the message of hope, stating that things will get better soon and in this season, life is an enough reason for people to celebrate.

Afterward, the “Paskuhan XXXtra: The 30th Anniversary Edition,” known as the UST Paskuhan Concert, was conducted. The concert featured performances from student bands in the university such as Illumina, Lucy, Musikat, and Mimosa, which was then followed with performances from Mayonnaise, Nobita, and Orange & Lemons.

This was the first time that the festivities were held in a virtual setup as it was postponed the previous year in accordance to the restrictions implemented due to the pandemic.

UST Hails Winner for 1st Gawad Edukampyon Award in Flexible, Responsive MNGT WRITTEN BY: DOROTEO D. PRUDENCIANO II

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he University of Santo Tomas (UST) was announced as one of the winners in the first Gawad Edukampyon Awards for “Excellence in Flexible and Responsive Management (Private Higher Education Institution) last October 25, 2021, awarded by the Commission on Higher Education, Rex Education, and Philippine Business for Social Progress.

The award was given to Higher Education Institutions (HEI) with outstanding management responses to ensure continuity of education during times of disruption while ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and the school community. It may include but is not limited to policies or specific projects and practices that reflect HEIs agility and capacity to efficiently and strategically transition learning systems.

UST’s competition entry highlighted the school’s response to the need for remote instruction, the new mode of learning, the transition to virtual operations: the Enriched Virtual Mode (EVM) of instruction, and the virtual offering of student support services.

With the principles of dialogue, flexibility, and accessibility of learning, the EVM, being operated by the UST Educational Technology Center (UST EdTech), uses the UST Cloud Campus, a learning management system powered by Blackboard.

UST Rector Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH delivered their messages to the public after winning the award, emphasizing the university’s prediction to adopt e-learning schemes even before the pandemic.

“The challenges that beset Higher Education Institutions in the

time of the pandemic have created various opportunities to reassess and reinvent teaching and learning modes as well as put in place proper technology to address learners’ needs effectively and deliver lessons efficiently...we owe it to careful planning and being constantly forward-looking,” the Rector said.

Ang and Peralta extended their gratitude to the award-giving bodies for the acknowledgment and will stand by their promise to share with them the lessons that they have learned and the practices that they have adapted.

“The university commits to expanding collaborations with fellow Philippine HEIs to broaden opportunities for benchmarking and continuous improvement. Moving forward, we will roll out capacity-building programs to fellow educators in the country to create opportunities for dialogue and sharing of best practices,” Peralta added.

UST’s victory was in line with the celebration of the university’s 410th anniversary and implementation of EVM for the second straight academic year.

Aside from UST, five other Philippine universities were also nominated in the category Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible and Responsive Learning whereas Philippine Normal University-Manila was also proclaimed as one of the recipients for the award.

Three other awards were also given in the ceremony: Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible Teaching and Learning Innovation, Gawad Edukampyon for Responsive Research and Development, and Gawad Edukampyon for Public Service and Community Engagement.

Unlimited Zoom Minutes Return to UST Student Accounts WRITTEN BY: YITZHAK OSEI G. BUMANLAG

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he 40-minute limit for conference calls was recently lifted by the telecommunications company Zoom last October and was temporarily replaced with Unlimited Zoom Minutes for Thomasian student accounts that lasted until December 31, 2021.

Accordingly, there were some students that expressed their concerns regarding the 40-minute time limit. Operations Research Society of the Philippines - UST Chapter (ORSP-UST) Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Patricia Cruz expressed that they had to compress the discussions regarding their objectives for their organizational events in a span of 40 minutes. In some instances, she added, that they had to initiate another conference call to brainstorm their ideas and resolve

their misunderstandings due to the short timespan.

“Having unlimited zoom meetings would be advantageous for my org work since it helps me become more organized especially during meetings with my co-officers. It would also give importance to the main topic agenda if we have this since most of our meetings require more than the given time limit.” she stated.

Third year Civil Engineering student Kenneth De Leon also elaborated that the limited conference time was interfering with his group activities and study sessions with his peers as it causes them to lose momentum as restarting another conference call brings delay during their discussions. For De Leon, the unlimited zoom minutes would be beneficial since

he won’t have to worry about being pressured by the time whenever he is holding study sessions with his peers and that it would help them focus better.

It was clarified through the Office of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs (OVRAA) that there were no changes regarding the subscription to the basic accounts for students and the non-academic staff, and elaborated that students can initiate unrestricted meetings due to the policy of the Zoom company amidst the pandemic.

The time limit was lifted for schools that were dealing with the pandemic as stated through a notice by the company on its website.

UST Eco Tigers Bags International Acclaim in Shell Eco-Marathon Quiz WRITTEN BY: MARK SANTOS AND YITZHAK OSEI BUMANLAG

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he UST Eco Tigers bagged awards in the Shell Eco-Marathon Quiz (SEMA) 2022 for its first event, SEMA Quiz 2022, with their teams Proto and Urban, placing 1st and 4th in the Philippines, 4th and 12th in Asia, and 10th and 34th in the global ranking, respectively.

The 12th batch of the Eco Tigers featured students from the UST Faculty of Engineering consisted of two groups—Team Proto, led by 4th Year Mechanical Engineering Student and Thomasian Engineer Literary Editor, Jhon Neil Barrun, focuses on creating a vehicle that can travel the furthest with only a liter of fuel, while Team Urban, led by 4th Year Mechanical Engineering Student Kim Limuel Dolor, aims to create a functional vehicle comparable to an actual commercial vehicle.

According to Team Leader Barrun, the team did not prepare much for the virtual league since it would be their first time participating in the whole Shell Eco-Marathon but reviewed the necessary materials for the SEMA Quiz.

“It was fun and overwhelming, we won an event when we least expected it. However, it is still too early to call it an actual victory since there will be more events we’re hoping to participate in as well as hold our lead in the global leaderboards,” he stated.

Currently, they are much more focused on the possible ontrack events they are accustomed to. They plan to get the team together to work on refining their designs if granted permission by their department and team advisers.

Setbacks only arose during the group preparation for online setup as it made delegation of tasks difficult, especially to the newcomers who lacked experience compared to the old members who are adept at the hands-on activities SEMA has.

As the event is still in its run, the team hopes to participate in SEMA Pitch the Future, the off-track and on-track events to win more accolades that will represent the country together with the university as a top team before it officially concludes in June 2022.

UST Eng’g Former Dean Prof. Marcelo becomes PRC 2021 Outstanding Professional in Chemical Eng’g WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY ALFONSO

PHOTO BY: JAYVEE FULGENCIO

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ormer Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Philipina A. Marcelo, Ph.D., was honored by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as the Outstanding Professional of the Year in Chemical Engineering.

PRC Commissioner Hon. Yolanda Reyes has confirmed through a letter that Prof. Marcelo, who is currently on leave to pursue her

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in the United States, is among the recipients of the said award.

According to PRC, the annual prestigious Outstanding Professional of the Year award is the highest recognition given to an individual who excelled and has significantly contributed to society in their respective field.

The fields of expertise in which the awardees were divided into are the following clusters: Business, Education, and Social Work Cluster; Engineering Cluster; Health and Allied Cluster; and Technology Cluster.

Prof. Marcelo is the sixth Thomasian to receive this award by PRC, joining Academician Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D. (2020, in Chemistry), Asst. Prof. Donald G. Manlapaz, Ph.D. (2020, in Physical Therapy), Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, Ph.D. (2018 in Pharmacy), Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH (2010, in Physical Therapy), and the late Asst. Prof. Jacinta B. Cruz (2009, in Medical Technology).

The conferment of the award was said to be scheduled for November 12, 2021.

UST ECE secures spots in IECEP-MSC’s first Online Academic Festival WRITTEN BY: JUSTINE KEITH MOISES

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en UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) students participated in the academic festival entitled “The ECEptionals: Showdown of the Minds” via Zoom and Facebook live on October 17, 2021.

The event was initiated by the Institute of Electronics Engineers in the Philippines - Manila Students Chapter (IECEP-MSC), in partnership with Makarius Smart Learning and Cauld & Clark Information Technology Solutions to produce more quality Filipino developers through free training and collaborations.

The festival had two segments: a programming competition and an interscholastic quiz show. For the programming competition, six universities participated namely: De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU), Far Eastern University Institute of Technology (FEU Tech), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila (TIP), Technological University of the Philippines - Manila (TUP), and University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Meanwhile, the interscholastic quiz show hosted 12 universities: Asia Pacific College (APC), Bulacan State University (BSU), DLSU, FEU Tech, MAPUA University (MU), National University-Manila (NU), PLM, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig (PUP), TIP, TUP, Unibersidad de Manila (UDM), and UST. UST’s programming team, composed of Luke Eleazar Paner, Akira Ryodji Tagura, and Mark Jasper Gutierrez, clinched the fourth spot in the programming competition. Engr. Ma. Madecheen S. Pangaliman, MS, a faculty member of the ECE department, trained the team as their coach.

UST Team A consisted of Marc Michael Nitro, Aliah Nicole

PHOTO BY: CHRISTIAN MUNGCAL Brillante, Anton Jude Seki Reburiano, and John Patrick Villa, finished fifth in the ranking of the interscholastic quiz show.

UST Team B, composed of Leighla Louisse Sto. Tomas, John Earl Patrick Sandoval, Jamie Valdon, and Luke Eleazar Paner also competed in the same segment. Both teams are under the guidance of Engr. Raymond Serafica, of the ECE department.

Engr. Serafica mentioned in an interview with Thomasian Engineer that it was challenging to train students in an online set-up as it hinders the profound formation of camaraderie and understanding among the team members.

“Number one issue talaga ‘yong internet connectivity kaya na-delay ‘yong quiz show...Syempre hindi lahat ng students may access sa magandang internet connectivity”, he added when asked about the significant challenges they have experienced during the competition.

PHOTO BY: CARLOS JOAQUIN CAMPOS

Second Wave of Toolkit Distribution for Industrial Engineering Lab Courses WRITTEN BY: MARY ANDREW M. DALOGDOG

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he Industrial Engineering (IE) Department started distributing its first wave of “Industrial Materials and Processes Laboratory (IE252)” and second wave of “Ergonomics 1 Laboratory (IE2536)” toolkits to their second year and third year students, respectively last October 28, 2021.

The project was initiated by Dr. Philipina A. Marcelo, PhD, Faculty of Engineering former dean, and spearheaded by Dr. Joehanna K. Ngo, PIE, ASEAN Eng, department chair; and Engr.

Gabriel C. Bucu, CIE, laboratory supervisor of the department.

As per Dr. Ngo, this will serve as the “department’s proactive response to provide quality education through skills-based activities during the Enhanced Virtual Mode.”

Each toolkit for second year students consists of 29 components including the following: Combination Pliers, Long Nose Pliers, Diagonal Pliers, Steel Tape Measure, Screwdriver Set, Lumber Wood, Wire Stripper, and Solid Wire.

On the other hand, each toolkit for third year students consists of the following components: Steel Tape Measure, Digital Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, Mini-LCD Anemometer Wind Speed Air Velocity, 2-in-1 Digital Meter Angle, Inclinometer Angle, Digital Ruler, Electronic Goniometer Protractor Angle Finder, Plastic Storage Box, Battery Charger, Battery AAA Rechargeable Battery, and Battery CR2032.

The toolkits were “delivered to the local addresses of our students taking up Ergonomics 1 and Industrial materials and Processes,” Engr. Bucu added.

All of these were made possible by the collaborative effort of the department’s faculty members and the university’s administrators and offices: Fr. Roberto Luanzon, Jr., OP, STHD, Office of the Vice Rector for Finance and Faculty Regent; Prof. Angelo R. Dela Cruz, PhD, PECE, Acting Dean; Asst. Prof. Anthony James C. Bautista, DT, PME, Acting Asst. Dean; Asst. Prof.

Evangeline E. Deleña, Faculty Secretary; Purchasing Office; and Property Custodian Office.

Thomasians Participate in 2021 Engineering Board Exams WRITTEN BY: ALDOUS DALE G. CABALLERO

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niversity of Santo Tomas (UST) engineering alumni took a leap in the 2021 engineering licensure examinations despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, producing one hundred eight (108) licensed engineers with four (4) topnotchers.

UST ranked second, with an 83.13-percent (5 out of 6) passing rate, among the top-performing schools in the 2021 Mechanical Engineering board exam held on August 15 and 16, 2021.

A 100-percent passing rate for first-time takers was recorded

by UST, as all 25 examinees passed the 2021 Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) Licensure Exam, conducted on September 5 to 7. On the other hand, the university recorded an overall 96.15% passing rate for the exam, including retakers.

On October 3 to 5, the Chemical Engineering licensure examination was officially administered, wherein UST alumnus Joshua Santiago Aldave ranked 8th. Half of the 30 first-time takers from UST were able to pass, recording a passing rate of 50-percent, while 28.57-percent for retakers. Overall, the university managed to get a 45.95-percent passing rate.

Tim Patrick Bayudan Nieves, UST alumnus, was able to land 9th in Electronics Engineering board exam and 3rd in Electronics Technician licensure exams, which were held last October 24 to 26. The university recorded an overall 65.38-percent passing rate, with 73.68-percent (14 out of 19) and 42.86-percent (3 out of 7) for first time takers and retakers, respectively.

The Civil Engineering licensure exam was conducted last November 14 and 15 in which Rod Michael Dacanay, UST alumnus, placed 9th. UST recorded an overall passing rate of 77.19-percent. 84.78-percent (39 out of 48) for first time takers and 45.45-percent (5 out of 11) for retakers.

The abovementioned engineering boards were postponed several times, since the surge of COVID-19 started in the country, before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) pushed it this year.

UST FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

GEARS UP FOR LIMITED FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES FROM PAGE 1

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Thomasian Engineer Researchers Bag Awards in Asia Symposium FROM PAGE 1 His presentation focused on the opportunities, deployment, and challenges of wearable technologies for chronic health care monitoring.

Engr. Silverio led the exhibition of the following ongoing studies funded by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD): “Design of a Wearable Sweat Rate Sensor using Calorimetric Flow on a Microfluidic Patch,” co-authored by Kiara S. Esguerra, Jerard Vincent R. Ang, and Ho Tatt Wei; and “Development of a Wearable System for Fall Detection and Physiological Signs Monitoring,” co-authored by Mhar Ian Estayan, Edgardo Giuseppe G. Catambing, and Carl Anderson Lei Yee.

ngr. Cristina E. Tiangco, PhD, ChE department chair, said that the department has submitted their proposal following the CHED’s required courses for Chemical Engineering. This includes Chemical Engineering Laboratory 1 and 2 and Process Control Laboratory. “We are also retrofitting the laboratory facilities to ensure that laboratories adhere to the safety practices,” Tiangco continued.

In addition to this, designated waste segregation bins in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards will be provided for safety precautions.

Asst. Prof. Nelson M. Pasamonte, MS, ASEAN Engr., ME department chair, narrated that a survey was given to 4th year ME students, measuring their willingness to partake in the limited face-to-face classes. Out of 195 respondents, the majority are willing to participate while the latter are not willing to participate. With their reasons being the “lack of accessible public transport, as the number one concern, followed by parental consent, financial concern, geographical location, and personal health condition—the top five reasons for reservations to attend limited face-to-face classes,” Asst. Prof.

Pasamonte stated. But a resurvey will be conducted, to again verify if students are willing to participate despite the additional requirements (i.e. swab tests, must be fully vaccinated, PhilHealth).

According to dela Cruz, only important courses with learning outcomes that are difficult to achieve via Enriched Virtual Mode (EVM) will be conducted face-to-face. “We have prioritized in the proposal the graduating students and perhaps will extend the proposal to lower year levels in the next academic year,” dela Cruz added.

As for safety precautions, all departments are guided by CHED’s Memorandum Order No. 19 series of 2021 and the memorandum released by the university’s Secretary-General. Everything will go under CHED’s inspection, representative of DOH, and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) if the plan is ready, for assessment and evaluation.

Furthermore, cyclical cohorting will be implemented to manage the number of students and minimize the number of days going

on-site without compromising the target learning outcomes. Safety officers will monitor the strict implementation of health and safety protocols such as physical distancing, disinfection of rooms and equipment in between cohorts, installation of automatic alcohol dispensers and acrylic barriers, and ensuring the use of face masks at any given time.

As for physical facilities, “we have already coordinated with the Facilities and Management Office (FMO) and UST Health Service for the retrofitting of laboratory rooms and the Roque Ruaño building in general, including the foot traffic, zonal division, signages, installation of stanchions, proper ventilation, among others,” said dela Cruz.

The Faculty of Engineering aims to implement the limited face-toface classes at earliest on the 1st week of February 2022. Meanwhile, Pasamonte said that the target date for ME department is in the last week of February, for 4th year students, where only a 15-hour recommendation is presented while the department is suggesting a 20hour time period, which will be utilized for the experimental courses and to also make time for review of prior laboratory courses. For ECE, Roxas stated that “initially the department is preparing for its implementation by late March for 4th year ECE students only.”

When asked about his experience in joining the symposium, he expressed that it was a great honor and privilege for him to be one of the representatives of the University of Santo Tomas in the event.

Aside from the participants mentioned above, Asst.

Prof. Ruth Marie I. Equipaje, MS, and Assoc. Prof. Lilia C. de Jesus, PhD of the UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities (RCCAH), also partook in the event.

Engineering Recruitment Fair Opens, Seeks New Members

PHOTO BY: CHRISTIAN MUNGCAL

FROM PAGE 1 UST Pax Romana – Engineering Unit, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers- UST (ASHRAE), Rotaract Club – Engineering Unit, UST Engineering Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Engineering Dance Troupe (EDT), Cisco Networking Academy Gateway (CNAG), Operations Research Society of the Philippines – UST Chapter (ORSP), and UST Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch took part in the program.

A short interview with the presidents was then conducted after each presentation.

UST One Voice and Engineering Dance Troupe graced the event with their intermission number performing song and dance covers.

Kenneth Allen Albeda, President of UST-ChES and SOCC Board of Director, concluded the first day of the Recruitment Fair Week with his closing remarks.

The 16 organizations decked the second and third day of the recruitment fair by posting their promotional videos on their respective Facebook pages to encourage applicants. The promotional videos highlighted the organization’s mission, vision, and excellence throughout the years, as exhibited by its recognitions and projects, including seminars, webinars, assistance programs, and tutorial sessions.

The recruitment fair ended with the announcements of the Best Audio Visual Presentation (AVP), Best Poster, and Most Recruited Members, wherein UST-EDT, UST-ChES, and ORSP-UST garnered the said awards, respectively.

PHOTO BY: SOPHIA ANDREA SONTHITHAI

ORSP-UST Launches EXPLORE: OR Community Drive for Aeta Students WRITTEN BY: MARK RAFAEL SANTOS

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he Operations Research Society of the Philippines - UST Chapter (ORSP-UST) spearheaded EXPLORE: OR Community Drive, a community development project for the Aeta community, via Google Meet that spanned seven weeks—with the first session kicking off on October 16 and the last session on December 4, 2021.

With the pandemic impeding the project’s fulfillment, twenty (20) Aeta grade 10 students of Villa Maria Integrated School from Porac, Pampanga, finally participated in the event to boost their knowledge in different Mathematical topics discussed through the eight modules in the project.

ORSP-UST prepared a learning kit containing school supplies, printed handouts, video lectures, and assessment tests, which served as the students’ weekly module. A prepaid Wi-Fi kit with airtime credits, and snacks was also provided to give a better

learning experience for the community.

Commencing the end of the seven-week event was the registration and games open for all the participants. Following was the message from Prof. Manolo Binuya, Engineering Community Development Coordinator, and the awarding of certificates for the Aeta students and their teachers.

Engr. Gabriel Bucu, ORSP-UST adviser, delivered a closing remark that expressed the project’s essence and the organization’s gratitude for the participation of the chosen community.

Afterward, the partner community showcased a surprise video appreciation for the efforts of the ORSP-UST in reaching the community.

ORSP-UST gave an off-session post-test to measure the students’ acquired knowledge before the event was formally concluded.

Fanaticism: The cyclical root of regression

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ilipinos are known fanatics. Be it in the context of popular artists, musicians, or even groups; we surely have a fair share of admiration for something or someone deeply rooted in Pinoy culture. While displaying devotion over something is not entirely detrimental, the case is completely different when it comes to politics. The deadly bite of fanaticism is a metaphor for the disease of fervor — something innocuous at first glance but has the potential to deteriorate and deepen to vanish dialogues, thus making it among the impediments to the development and democracy of the country.

Although one may argue that this does not necessarily cause harm to the country and that it is completely normal to show support to the president, what’s alarming is the fact that there were irrelevant comments in both posts. Some of them were negative comments blaming the Liberal Party for whatever the country is facing. And here is exactly where the problem lies. Apart from the freedom of speech of one’s preference, there is no doubt that fanaticism has been detrimental to development and democracy in the sense that it puts a specific belief to the pedestal, hence the very death of the former.

Fanaticism may be a common behavior among Filipinos but still appear to be an alien word to many. To be fair, it is among the plethora of behaviors that are often witnessed but not talked about.

By definition, fanaticism pertains to the “extreme devotion that leaves no room for tolerance, consensus, and understanding for any person, idea, ideology or belief.” Additionally, a study conducted by Maraz describes it as a “prejudice that hides the truth.”

Needless to say, it creates more division among the public, which only adds fuel to the fire. Rather than being helpful, these violent conversations tend to be more counterproductive in the sense that they only lead to the widening of political divisions in the country, thus hindering various forms of development. While there is a rising number of Filipinos who seem to be shifting their political beliefs, there is no question that this has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in antagonism from all sides — such as painting people of opposing views evil. Sometimes, this also results in cancel culture, which has been one of the hottest takes of today’s time.

Hence, it is safe to say that fanaticism often leads to the death of a dialogue — something that is supposed to help the country collectively come up with something rather than mere division.

Something familiar in the present times, isn’t it?

Known to many, Filipinos have political fanatic tendencies. More often than not, most of us tend to showcase an obsessive attitude toward elected politicians, which have always been a major barrier to the country’s progress and democracy. Driven by the lack of longterm engagement in politics, many of our kababayans resort to fanaticism, entrusting their lives to their idols.

Even though political fanaticism has always existed in the Philippines’ political atmosphere, it has reached its peak in the year 2016. According to a survey conducted by Social Weather in June 2021, the current administration still received a rating of “excellent” level of +79 despite the undeniable failure to live up to its campaign promises and poor response to the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a matter of fact, several individuals and groups have taken to social media to criticize such followers’ political zeal. Many individuals have offered counterarguments to political misinformation meant to discourage Filipino voters’ blind devotion. Yet, despite good intentions, many of these efforts fail due to their blind aggression.

The same herd mentality was witnessed in the experiment of a Facebook user Janjan Gonzales, who put the regime’s supporters to test. In his first experiment, the test was posted on a supporterdedicated Facebook group, in which he asked if they agree that they are “credulous” to Duterte. Surprisingly, his post earned 2,900 likes and a total of 715 “yes,” signifying how fanatics often respond to challenges to their devotion and the fact that they did not even question the meaning of the word “credulous” that translates to “uto-uto” in Filipino. Among the many cases of fanaticism over the president includes another experiment by another user named Joshvic Castillio who asked, “Handa ka bang ipagtanggol si President Duterte hanggang kamatayan? Yes or No?” Again, the post gained a lot of positive reactions, including thousands of “yes” in the comment section.

The confrontational tone of this mindset squanders the opportunity to have a productive discussion about the true issue driving political fanaticism. As once explained by Pippa Norris in one of her articles in political studies, inciting those with a strong desire to respond violently simply serves to further divide the population, thus further benefiting the politicians who take advantage of mere lip service.

Distinguishing one political figure’s supporters from others who have opposing views not only accomplishes little to address the issue at hand, but actually makes it worse.

Regardless, it is still of paramount importance to note that participating in dialogues is beneficial to the country, given that they are healthy in nature. More so, discussions like these are meant to compensate for the exclusion of ordinary Filipinos from political discourse, thus collectively making everyone engaged with regard to our one common aspiration: the development of the Philippines.

To add, it is very timely for Filipinos to take note of how fanaticism could get along with the upcoming 2022 elections and further make a divide among the public, when in fact, both parties only want the best for the country.

Despite the dearth of institutional voter education programs in the Philippines, permitting two-way communication might help debunk voter misunderstandings. Empathy and expertise are required, but so is not seeing the people as a problem, but as a chance to improve Philippine politics. Truth be told, being aware of the adverse effects of fanaticism is knowing the fact that our kababayans are not the enemies but politicians who take advantage of our fanatic tendencies — politicians who are completely undeserving of Filipinos’ support this coming election season.

Voluntary Substitution: An Open Portal to Foolery Justine Keith Moises

News Writer We are barking up the wrong tree.

While voluntary candidate substitution is detrimental to the dignity of the Philippines’ electoral process and the development of political parties, the electoral candidates and their respective parties should not be condemned for making the most out of it as, simply, the law openly permits it.

Candidate substitution is the right earned by a political party to replace its candidate for a particular government position. As indicated in section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code, this may only occur if the candidate dies, withdraws, or gets disqualified.

Voluntary substitution refers to the replacement done when the candidate cancels their candidacy within the substitution period given by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). On the other hand, a candidate’s death or disqualification calls for an involuntary substitution, which may occur until the midday of the election.

Moreover, only candidates from the same political party are permitted to substitute for each other, while independent candidates do not have the right to do so.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) set October 9 to November 15, 2021, as the period for voluntary substitution.

Moreso, 15 aspirants withdrew their candidacy, while ten aspirants substituted for national positions. Some of the well-known candidates who engaged in this “sudden” twist of plans were Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, replacing Lyle Uy for vice president, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, replacing Paolo Martelino, and President Rodrigo Duterte, replacing Liezl Vizorde for senator.

However, the latter withdrew his senatorial bid last November 22, 2021, backed with his plan to completely retire from politics after his presidency.

Filipinos have always been fond of candidates who “hears the call of the masses” to run despite their lack of ambition to a position, which is presumably why voluntary candidate substitution has been used as a tool to stir the sympathy of the masses, adding up to our country’s never-ending political drama. However, this should not be the case as though it is mentioned that the law permits substitution upon withdrawal, it must be realized that filing for candidacy entails sincerity and seriousness. The existence of placeholders or “fillers’’ to prolong the deadline and reserve slots, is a blatant tomfoolery of the electoral process, abolishing the real spirit of the law.

As stated in section 69 of the Omnibus Election Code, a candidate having no bona fide intention and causing confusion among voters is considered a nuisance candidate. Being a filler equates to such as its mere purpose is to secure a slot, while the substitute candidate is doing his/her job in earning the support of the voters by playing diffident, thus, betraying and confusing the masses. Though this has been ongoing for years, not only in national posts, but also in local government positions, COMELEC continues to turn a blind eye to this exploitation and refuses to make amendments to the law.

This practice resulted in the poor development of political parties as, in most cases, they resort to endorsing anyone, though inexperienced, just to comply with COMELEC’s given deadline. Thus, condoning personality politics. Candidates who lack knowledge of the position they pursue merely resort to entertaining the masses, may it be through dancing budots or holding a concert-like miting de avance, instead of discussing their platforms, advocacies, and the like.

Even off the playing field — modify the mechanics before the players.

Blaming the flawed rule more than the people it applies to calls for amendments to the law. Last October 25, 2021, Senators Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, and Senate Majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri filed for Senate Bill No. 2439.

This bill seeks to revise the Omnibus election code, eliminating withdrawal as one of the allowable reasons for candidate substitution and adding incapacity as a ground for disqualification. This is expected to motivate the development of political parties and instill stricter compliance among aspirants regarding the deadlines set by COMELEC. Obviously, it is already too late for this bill to affect the upcoming 2022 elections. However, it must be recognized that having these action plans and initiative towards abolishing the possibilities of law exploitation is a good primer towards establishing a more dignified electoral process in the future. Hopefully, by choosing high-caliber leaders and ignoring the humbug ones, the ever-kicking political circus in the country will finally come to an end.

It is wishful thinking that just as this issue is given the attention it necessitates, our legislators will also lay an eye to other faulty laws to avoid fostering another open portal where foolery can freely exist and even be tolerated.

Stronger Response, Weaker Variant Luis Rafael Daoang

Technical Writer In more than two years that the country has been terrorized by the pandemic, we are still here and we have only just begun to heal.

In December 2021, with fewer cases each day, the government was slowly starting to begin the transition of the country back to its pre-pandemic days. Many of the protocols were lifted and people were beginning to leave the comfort of their homes. But this attempt was once again challenged by putting us back to the life of constant isolation, with the brand-new COVID variant– Omicron.

Fortunately, mistakes have already been made and lessons have been learned. Now, the country is facing yet another rise in COVID cases, the government has to recognize that immediate response and action will save the country from another two-year war against the virus. Improving the country’s prevention of mass COVID is certainly the way to go, instead of taking action only when the virus has invaded the homes of 112 million Filipinos.

To begin with, the government must strictly maintain the enforcement of existing protocols, especially in severely-affected areas. As of January 19, the Department of Health (DOH) detected 492 new Omicron cases that pose a great risk to public health and safety, considering its infectiousness. Although it has been proven by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the newer variant has a substantially reduced risk of serious illness compared to Delta, the country and its people must not risk having a lax and neglectful attitude.

Moreover, the government should conduct an expanded mass testing and contact tracing to keep the virus and its victims in check. During the earlier phases of the pandemic, the country only had one laboratory that could conduct testing, meaning that the government could not rapidly deploy extensive laboratory testing for many places. The disease surveillance system’s contact tracing was also overwhelmed due to the sheer number of cases during the outbreak. Both were crucial tools for the fight against COVID, and both lacked appropriate funding– funds that the government could have prepared and used during the onset of the virus in the country.

Now, both contact tracing and mass testing are more prevalent, but could still be promoted and conducted further. It will reach a bigger population and would likely prevent the spread of the more contagious strain to a greater extent.

Although, many preparations have been made even before the outbreak of Omicron in the country, like the Emergency Operation Center for COVID-19 and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to name a few. These were established to help fight the virus and ensure that the country and its people remained safe from the detrimental effects of COVID. Still, we cannot ignore and forget the subsequent actions of the government that proved the inadequacies of the country’s disaster response to a previously deadlier variant, unveiling the poor state of the country’s health system. Currently, there are 291 618 active cases and 53 309 deaths that could have been avoided with a more empowered healthcare, which the country lacks. This insufficiency diminished the people’s only defense against the virus, leaving them with nothing but dreams of a COVID-free future.

After all, the primary healthcare system of the Philippines needs more than simple improvement. Total victory over the virus would only happen if the capacity of the healthcare system was more proficient. Moreover, there is an obvious shortage in qualified medical personnel, which is crucial in the war against COVID. In the National Capital Region (NCR) alone, there are only 10 doctors per 10 000 population. Rural regions are more unfortunate as places like Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and MIMAROPA only have 0.8 and 1.8 doctors respectively. In addition, the country is also lacking in necessary tools, equipment, and space for the pandemic. This weak public health system is the result of deliberate policy choices, fiscal priorities, and institutional design made over many years ago up to the present. As a result, the Philippines, although with a little progress, still has been slow to test, trace, and treat COVID-19 patients, especially in this time of facing a more contagious variant.

Preparedness is important, but so is response. Especially now that cases are continuing to rise with an average of over 37 thousand cases a day, contact tracing and mass testing must be expanded and more available to the public respectively, to catch the virus by its neck before it escapes to infect the population. In addition, public activity must be limited and controlled once again. Also, more funds and support for the healthcare system, as well as better benefits for medical frontliners must be on the government’s priority agenda. It is also in the best interest of the government to invest on innovative inventions that would aid in suppressing the pandemic further, such as the LISA Robot and a vision-based face mask and face shield detection system.

We have already underestimated the virus once. Let us not make the same mistake by remaining vigilant and more responsive than ever against this newer, more contagious face that the omicron variant has presented.

Cancel Culture in Politics: Is It Necessary?

Aundrea Joy Levanza Feature Writer

The rise of “cancel culture” has been one of the most prevalent trends going on through different social media platforms. Just from a simple remark, comment, tweet, or post—somebody’s platform or career can already be threatened.

Canceling someone is to take a public stance against an individual for actions considered objectionable with the main premise of holding people accountable, but it has gotten too far. It has become a harsh and toxic concept—basically a punishment without any chance of redemption. As can be observed in today’s trends, it has done more harm than good as it discourages dialogue and leaves no room for healthy and essential discussions.

With the upcoming elections around the corner, the act of making fun of people who differ in political stance to the point where they are usually shamed and insulted—has become ordinary since online trolls, fanatics, and supporters have been all over the internet.

More often than not, just having a political view different from the majority makes you a victim of never-ending useless criticism.

Influencers like Toni Gonzaga and other notable people who have a significant social media platform are not the only victims of this conflict and cancel culture—family relatives, friends, and other common netizens can also be present in the backlash. In light of the political atmosphere of the country, this backlash is most evidently seen between the supporters of BBM and Leni Robredo.

Political cancel culture usually occurs when political polarization is present. In Gata’s (2019) article entitled, “Beyond the Yellow and Red Politics of the Philippines”, he noted that there is an undergoing political polarization in Philippine politics which is between the “Dilaw” (Yellow), the people associated with the Liberal Party (LP), and the Reds, the people associated with PDP-Laban, President Duterte’s political party. The color red has now been lately connected to BBM’s campaign colors, while pink is associated with Leni.

The petty fights between Leni supporters and BBM supporters are also evident from Facebook comments and Twitter posts. Although said parties do not tolerate cancel culture in any way. News from November 2021 reports that Leni supporters were calling to boycott restaurants and business establishments which were in support of BBM. Robredo was alarmed when she heard this, saying that she never tried to encourage these kinds of actions. BBM, similarly, appeals to unity instead of this cancel culture mentality, he said in a vlog, regarding the incident.

Now is the time between political differences, are we to think, inquire, perspectives?

to impose the question: are these petty fights factions even necessary? Despite political actually giving other people the opportunity and manufacture their own opinions and

In these times where political discourse and healthy dialogue within differing ideas are needed, cancel culture should not be an option to resort to as it dehumanizes people, leaves no room for change, and diminishes awareness. It is a counterproductive feat that bears more disadvantages than positive effects.

Cancel culture dehumanizes people. The majority of netizens instantly impose a superior attitude towards others when they comment about certain politicians who are not in their favor, acting like these public officials are less human than they are– incapable of change and development, undeserving of merit when they start to improve for the better. This can be verified on numerous Twitter feeds and accounts. Unfunny and unnecessary memes, fanatics of certain politicians labeled as “bobo,” “lugaw” or “Dutertards”, and other dehumanizing comments can also be seen on different social media platforms.

A notable example of this dehumanization would probably be the resentment on Toni Gonzaga when netizens learned that she featured presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos in her vlog. I can still remember the harmful comments I saw on Twitter when she was labeled “bobo”, “gunggong”, “duwag” and other offensive comments.

Personally, I see how Toni went wrong with using her platform to interview a candidate such as Bongbong Marcos, but I just wished that she was given more educating rebukes than disrespectful comments. Interviewing various people from different backgrounds is what she does for a living anyway. Thus, instead of entertaining dialogue that can benefit both, Gonzaga is left insulted and looked down upon—reducing her to a mere insult.

Furthermore, this dehumanization ceases education. According to an article entitled “How cancel culture is destroying society, one victim at a time” by Sarah McKeon (2021), the act of canceling someone has reached merciless attitudes. Yes, it does condemn careless and harmful ideas and views, but it also means it actually inhibits personal growth and self-improvement. The majority of people who are “canceled” lose their platform to speak about their opinions and perspectives; hence, they are shut down from further discourse that is necessary for education and their character development. This implies that people who cancel others assume that the “canceled” are simply incapable of changing. To cancel someone does not allow the victim to grow outside of their mistake or misconception. Put into mind that people who are “canceled” can simply be victims of a toxic system of misinformation and historical revisionism.

We can battle this cancel culture by learning from our history. In early scholastic times, Socrates and Plato coined the term “Socratic dialogue” which is a discussion wherein reflective and critical thinking can be observed. Hence, instead of dismissing one’s ideas based on a single fact that they support a politician who is deemed ‘problematic’, this Socratic dialogue will instead pursue a healthy community to listen and further create essential inquiries and understanding.

This dialogue presents a safe environment wherein everyone is capable of giving truth and meaning that debunks the toxic thought, ‘If I’m right, you’re probably wrong!’. Furthermore, it is important to note in these dialogues that we never really know other people’s backgrounds–their privilege, their ability to access right information, and other factors surrounding the matter. On “Engaging Duterte’s supporters: Lessons from Listening to the Populist Publics’’ by Cleve Arguelles (2018), a political scientist, he writes about the relevance of engaging populist publics, such as Duterte supporters, to difficult conversations and not shouting matches. In fact, Arguelles has gotten the opportunity to have important conversations among Duterte supporters from Caloocan, Manila, and Quezon. He concludes that in order to rescue Philippine democracy, the topics of conversation must be de-centered from Duterte and re-focused on the critical voices of the country: the people. Finally, he reiterates that the problem is not merely with that of the supporters of certain politicians, but with the challenge of advocates who root for better Philippine governance to channel their mindsets and viewpoints to further the democratization in the Philippines.

As concerned citizens of the Philippines, we should call out actions that are deemed undemocratic or unfair to the majority of people in this country, regardless of the political partisanship.

As former President Manuel L. Quezon said, “My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.” We should be reminded that we are beyond the colors of political parties, and that unity towards the betterment of the country should still prevail at all times, may it include debates and political conversations from people with different political stands.

We should not be afraid to admit that we are wrong, and we should all learn to be more open-minded and respectful as we listen to others and change perspectives when needed to. It’s time to embrace the difficult conversations and welcome dissent if we want to pursue radical political reform and better leadership in the Philippines.

The Opportunist and The Vulnerable Jamie Franchesca Lopez Features Writer

Opportunism is a causeeffect phenomenon, mainly accompanied by capitalism, which can be both good or bad. In a familiar context, shifting to online classes increased the demand for conference platforms, such as Zoom, where developers added more features to attract users, mainly from the educational sector. In another setting, face masks were being hoarded in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in its sellout, people took advantage of the situation by retailing the necessity with a 70% to 80% markup (Consumer, 2020).

In light of the nearing 2022 Philippine presidential elections, political opportunism, similarly, is at its uprise. With problems of increased unemployment, poverty, health risks, and human rights violations, we are at our most vulnerable. As citizens of the Philippines, we are at the receiving end of tainted intentions painted in the form of subtlety.

A month after the hit of typhoon Odette, affected regions are still under rehabilitation with promised monetary relief left unfulfilled. Devastating eight million Filipinos across ten regions, the world has witnessed the second deadliest natural hazard, leaving over 200 000 people dead in its wake, based on a 2022 status report published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

During this predicament filled with instances of compromised safety, it is unethical to infiltrate such matters with political colors disguised as faces plastered on bags of rice. Although these donations are accepted with gratitude, it is not enough to debunk doubts on the candidates’ political integrity and intentions. Therefore, it is crucial to have a keen eye that detects these nuances.

Furthermore, opportunism is more than the printed faces on packs of relief goods. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country faced countless problems in different sectors—overpowering the people’s voices—leaving pleas unnoticed and cries unheard. On multiple occasions, the administration has taken the opportunity to exhibit misplaced priorities. One of which is the immediate call to construction of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach amidst the rising COVID-19 cases in August 2020.

As reported by CNN Philippines, the project used up P389 million, misallocating funds that could have been directed towards improving the country’s healthcare system and replenishing its scarce resources. In July 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that in six months, the country would be “back to normal,” even though there were no vaccination programs in place. Political analyst Carmela Abao criticized President Duterte’s populist governance, saying it is neither evidence-based, nor evidence-informed.

After numerous generations, Filipinos are no longer strangers to illusory oaths made by politicians, but even so, have we not grown tired of being left in a hopeless disposition?

Consistency in serving the public and holding the people’s welfare at utmost importance, especially those who are marginalized and powerless, is an essential feat that should be present at all times—unceasing and unconditional.

However, without access to adequate facts about the candidates, voters can become victims of misinformation brought about by the opportunist in every politician. It is worth taking note that these strong figures are not the only ones who participate in political opportunism, but their supporters, as well. Long before the official campaigning period began, presidential aspirants have been non-stop on announcing their political platforms and community services.

Their followers are also quick to spread these plans through the internet, giving more life to opportunistic repression.

Furthermore, this rapid spread of “acts of service” contributes to historical revisionism and fake news.

According to the experimental study of Bond et al. (2012) on social influence and political mobilization, Facebook is the breeding ground of misleading posts and political trolls, where intellectual discourse is no longer possible. People are quick to dismiss information that contradicts their beliefs, creating a bigger gap among themselves, and making mutual learning all the more impossible. Fake news targets the weak spots of those who are not exposed to the truth, and with that, the uneducated majority are vulnerable and likely to vote for candidates based on the mainstream.

As we wait for the upcoming elections, it is important that we stay vigilant and choose our candidates with sense and reason. Forming judgments solely based on short-term actions, mainstream media, and empty promises is a futile attempt at being a responsible voter. We must stop viewing Philippine politics with a specific color and make a proactive approach to learn about the aspirants’ history, contributions, and virtue, especially in the pandemic.

An equal effort must be made to effectively educate those who are prone to falsified information. As political opportunism is prevalent, and though by definition, it requires the ultimate disregard of humanistic principles, corrupted advances disguised as help are just as cruel.

Alas-dose

Written by Jezel Kaye Chua Photo by Ma. Raphaelle Aldea B. Mendoza Hindi na bago sa aking sarili ang nararamdaman ko sa panahong ito.

Sasapit na naman ang bagong taon. Sari-saring handaan ang nasa hapagkainan. Halo-halong boses galing sa mga bisita ang aking napakikinggan. Masaya silang nagkukwentuhan at nagkakantahan habang hinihintay ang pagsapit ng bagong taon. Hindi ko maihalintulad ang sarili ko sakanila dahil ibang emosyon ang aking nararamdaman. Tila ba’y tuwing sasapit ang bagong taon, ang aking puso ay puno ng kalungkutan at panghihinayang.

Ako lang ba ang nakakaramdam ito?

Ang tanging nagbago sa aking mga mata ay ang numero sa dulo ng petsa’t kalendaryo.

Hindi nagbago ang sakit, lungkot, at pighating naramdaman sa mga nakaraang taon. Mararahas at masasakit na mga salita na aking tinanggap, dadalhin ko ito sa bagong taon.

Malakas na sigawan ng mga bisita ang pumutol sa aking pagmumuni-muni. Hudyat ito na nagsimula na ang bagong taon. Sayawan at malakas na kantyawan ang umalingawngaw sa aming bahay. Punong-puno ng kasiyahan at pag-asa. Sa pagbago ng oras, ang mundo ay umingay ng ilang segundo pero tiyak na mas maingay ang nasa kalooban ko.

Sila’y nagdiwang ngunit walang nagbago kundi ang numero sa dulo ng taon.

Sa pagputok ng mga makukulay na ilaw sa himpapawid, lagi kong tanong sa aking sarili.

Handa na ba akong magsikap at maniwala sa bagong pag-asa?

When the Clock Struck Twelve O’clock Written by Meryll Hannah Bautista Photo by Mary Joy Monforte

Under the gossamer black sky and twinkling lights I hear ticking from the distance

What’s that?

Relentlessly advancing and approaching

Tick-tock, tick-tock the sounds of twelve o’clock chimed Another year of fun that’s gone and done A new year is born with gaiety’s morn Gleefully leaping, too busy with joy and delight A subject for ringing rhymes thinking of the changing times

Tick-tock, tick-tock the sounds of twelve o’clock chimed A loud bang of colors exploded in the sky I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes Today’s a new blank page for new memories to write

Photos taken by: Jeremy Edera, Tori Lopez, Alex Tacderas, Nina Eblamo, Mary Joy Monforte, Gabby Battung, Khristel Penoliar, Bea Caranto, Christian Mungcal, Sophia Sonthithai, and Bea Galvez

Holiday Drinks

Not Your Usual

Food Packages

WRITTEN BY: MARY ANGELA AQUINO

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

After the exhausting final examination, hooray for surviving the first semester of the academic year 2021-2022! Now, it’s time to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

For almost two years of going through the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomasians surely miss paskuhan festivities— the month-long Christmas celebration of UST. The longstanding Christmas tradition began way back in 1991. Every year, we start the 12th month with a Eucharistic celebration marking the start of paskuhan, followed by the lighting of the Christmas lights around the campus, fireworks display, Agape (Thomasian Christmas Feast), and Christmas concert.

Do you remember walking around the university feeling the Christmas breeze with all the lights around the campus? How about when you were telling your Thomasian friends about how excited you were to experience paskuhan for the first time?

Truly, it is nostalgic to feel the warmth of the Christmas season in UST. Since we cannot celebrate paskuhan with our fellow Thomasians in-person again this year, let us bring the fun within the four corners of our home; with these holiday drinks that will make you reminisce the memories of the past paskuhan festivities.

WRITTEN BY: PATRICIA NIKOLE VALDECANAS

Best Before 07/08/2022 Is this written month first or day first? Is this already the spoilage date or the date of the food’s optimum freshness?

These are some questions that come to mind when people see best-before dates on food packages. It is confusing, especially when there are no date formats indicated, like MM DD YY or DD MM YYYY. It can even be more confusing when there are two dates indicated; the manufacturing date and the expiration date.

Because of this, fourth year students from the Chemical Engineering department: Raya Sophia Casas, Mary Joy Monforte, and Maria Therese Natividad conducted a study entitled “Development of smart pH indicative films based on Chitosan/Silver nanoparticles and Anthocyanin extract from Red Cabbage.” This study aims to eliminate the confusion with expiry dates through a visual indicator through its packaging.

This visual indicator mentioned above is a film that can change its color depending on the quality of the food. The bioplastic film wrap is originally a red-violet color that will change to red as the quality of the food inside deteriorates. The pH level of the food will cause

the color-changing of the plastic. So, as the pH level of the food decreases, the color of the plastic changes.

This implies that the lower the pH level is, the more acidic the food is, which means that the food is close to spoiling.

And, of course, these films are also environmentally friendly. The base material of these films is crafted from Chitosan, which is recycled from crustacean shells, and Anthocyanin which is extracted from red cabbage.

Although there are many sources of Anthocyanin, like black carrots, not all can be found here in the Philippines. Anthocyanin is an important element for these smart films as it catalyzes the reaction with the pH level of the food that is responsible for the colorchanging.

Despite the fact that the researchers’ vision for this is still uncertain, there is still a possibility for a prototype to be produced once UST’s laboratories open. As some people are still confused about the dates indicated in a food package, this research can help consumers to easily identify if their foods are close to spoilage. It will not just be an indicator of quality and freshness, but also of food safety.

Hot Cocoa Drink Celebrate Christmas in your favorite pajamas paired with a hot chocolate topped with marshmallows while you binge-watch movies and series with your loved ones. The chocolatey sweetness and warmth of the drink will surely remind you of your wholesome memories with your fellow Tomasinos every paskuhan.

Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch Mix a variety of your favorite fruits for a delightful Christmas punch. A burst of flavors like the burst of colors during the fireworks display at the opening of paskuhan. It is the perfect drink as you spend time with your loved ones, catch up with them, and eat good food. Remember to make it non-alcoholic for everyone to enjoy!

Mango Graham Drink Make the most of your noche buena by preparing good food paired with citrus fruit juices as your drinks. Savor the feast with your family as you relive the memories of how you enjoyed the iconic mango graham drinks around UST with your agape meal together with your Thomasian friends.

Celebratory Wine or Champagne Since we cannot enjoy an in-person Christmas concert with our favorite bands and performers in UST, let’s move the party from Dapitan to our own homes! Bring out the classic holiday drink, celebratory wine and champagne, as you sing and dance along with your favorite Christmas pop songs.

Homemade Tea Blend Holidays are the time we do not restrict ourselves with our diets; who can resist the feast prepared, right? After a long night full of fun and eating, a detox drink is a must.

Don’t forget to prepare a homemade tea blend, a healthy option that will help for your digestion as you spend the rest of your celebration.

This drink will also surely remind you of iced teas offered in the UST carpark you used to grab during your lunch breaks!

Indeed, Christmas is the season to be jolly; do not allow the limitations due to the pandemic hinder you from enjoying and celebrating in your own simple ways. We may not be able to celebrate with our Thomasian family, but we can spend our holidays with our family as we reminisce the memories of paskuhan.

Most importantly, let us not forget the true purpose of why we are celebrating this season— in honor of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came into earth to sacrifice His life for us to be saved. Let us be grateful for the blessings, especially the gift of eternal life with God through Christ, as we enjoy every bit of the holiday season.

Merry Christmas, Tomasinos!

UST Through the Eyes of a Promdi WRITTEN BY: GERALD ARACO | ART BY: JAYVEE FULGENCIO

N

estled between Espana’s daily traffic jam, the commercial frenzy of P. Noval’s countless shops, and queues of students scurrying onto their respective classes, is the quaint old campus of UST. To most Thomasians, this is an endearing and familiar sight; to most of them, anyway.

Surprisingly, among the swelling ranks of the university are those who are yet to behold the ebb and flow of bustling Metro Manila. Students that hail from the outlying provinces of the country, where Grab has no place among their rusty old tricycles and trees vastly outnumbering the people, will find it hard to get a fix on the cityscape of high-rise buildings and its teeming masses of people. But, should that really be the case?

UST is long past its bygone era as an exclusive institution for ilustrados and is a proud melting pot of students from all over the country. Shouldn’t it mean that by default, everyone would fit right in? Not quite.

No matter the university’s diverse numbers, the sheer thrill promdis (Tagalog slang for provincial people) feel when striking out in a new direction carries an attendant uneasiness. Far from the tranquil shores of home, provincial students are fish out of water in the big city. After all, “familiar things”, as Andy Rooney, puts it, are a comfort to us all, and promdis in UST would be hard-pressed to find a comforting semblance of home in their new urban environment. Trying to wrap one’s head around the buzz of studying in a worldclass university accompanied by the awe of living in a vibrant metropolis, is one tall order.

If we find it difficult enough to make slight lifestyle changes such as getting up 30 minutes earlier than usual then we can only imagine the harrowing ordeal of moving alone into a new city, learning its ins and outs, settling in, and building a new circle of friends from scratch, among others. And in the case of students from anywhere south of Luzon, mastery of Tagalog is an unsavory part and parcel of the deal.

This hand dealt to promdis moving to Manila shows the stark reality of a country that plays host to one too many cultures. Diversity, on paper, is a notion eagerly celebrated without question, yet we cannot help but observe those who stick out like a sore thumb. People who look, dress, act, and speak differently from convention wind up becoming the talk of the town. This does not mean that it is in our nature to be prejudiced. Rather, it is our poverty of imagination in perceiving the world as anything other than what we have grown accustomed to that stirs our sometimes ignorant curiosity.

By the same token, promdis know exactly what to expect of this situation. They are aware that they cannot just lumber around and go about their lives as usual without warranting the attention of one or two people. By hook or by crook, they will have to learn to speak and do things the way it is done in the city. Even in the current online school setup, striking a chord with people from Manila comes down to how well they can relate and communicate with them, which has, time and time again, proven to be quite the obstacle. Acclimating themselves in earnest to the ways of Manila is no trivial matter but is one of survival.

This process, however, is hardly a walk in the park. As you are well aware, all Thomasians are constantly bogged down in tons of academic and extra-curricular workloads. Add to

this the fact that promdis are at a decided disadvantage by fighting a war on a second front; trying to fit in among their peers, and voila, you have the recipe for one very distressed student. Moreover, the mounting pressure promdis face from both their families and respective communities cannot be understated. With entire life savings put on the line and the highest of expectations placed against them, their time in UST is far from a pleasure cruise. It is a wonder how they manage to keep their grades afloat and their heads held high all the while suppressing the pangs of loneliness and homesickness in Sampaloc’s den of growling tigers. But, setting these problems aside, a promdi’s time in UST and Manila need not be all that complex and terrible.

Amid the chaos of the city is a rhyme and reason that all its inhabitants eventually learn like sailors who have weathered enough storms to find their sea legs.

The University of Santo Tomas has always been home to great opportunities not just for academic honor, but for enduring friendships, timeless experiences, and the happiest of memories, even for the most reserved of people. Soon, the demure and cocooned provincial spirit will break out and come to appreciate the fact that UST is in every way banal as it is special. Like any university, it has easy and difficult classes, great and terrible professors, and so on. Sometimes, it seems that for all its grandeur and illustrious history, UST may not be any more special than the other great universities in the Philippines. Yet, it is and continues to sit head and shoulders above the rest for one simple reason: its ability to cultivate a sense of community among its students, bar none.

The university’s collective spirit has helped us move beyond our barriers of languages and cultures and discover that despite having different stories to tell, emotions to feel, problems to overcome, and lives to live, we are not so different from one another. We all have go-to foodtrip places in the Car Park, we all roar the same UAAP chant (Go USTE!), and we never tire of having Ben&Ben back at Paskuhan year after year. But, the most pivotal mark that we Thomasians all possess is the lofty dream of a better life for ourselves and our families; one that we proudly work towards day by day. UST promdis can sleep soundly every night with the comforting reassurance that when the sun sets on the statue of Miguel de Benavides, our minor cultural differences are eclipsed by the greater honor and privilege of being Thomasians.

To the students from far-away lands denied the full UST campus experience, courtesy of the pandemic, there is an exciting world beyond the dainty coastal towns and intimate communities in which you find yourselves. You may all share the same fear of plunging into the jaws of Manila’s fastpaced concrete jungle, but there is no need to fret. In due course, you will settle in comfortably and find that even for the biggest of misfits, UST is a home away from home.

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Here’s why engineers are most likely to be CEOs

Really Newsworthy?

WRITTEN BY: ALIYAH NICOLE VILLOSTAS

WRITTEN BY: JEJOMAR LAAB

It’s one thing to be a CEO—quite another to be an engineer CEO. You’ve probably heard of Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Tim Cook of Apple, and Sundar Pichai of Google. Let’s not get too far by adding on the long list our very own Lucio Tan of Philippine Airlines and Asia Brewery, and Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Food Corporation.

I tell you what, these big names are CEOs of some of the world’s biggest companies. They are at the forefront of top-performing leaders and richest persons locally or globally. And oh, did I mention they all hold an engineering degree?

For those of you who want to climb the corporate ladder and assume a leadership position, pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) used to be the obvious track to follow. But with the increasing dependence of the global market on technology, more and more tech companies have come into being. Equally amusing, engineers take up space in unconventional industries, such as service providers, healthcare, consulting, and food, just to name a few.

Interestingly enough, Harvard Business Review’s list of top-performing CEOs in 2018 revealed that there were more top-rank CEOs with engineering degrees than with MBAs for two consecutive years.

Now, aside from hard hats on our heads and blueprints and wrenches on our grips, what ingrained traits do we wear that make us stand out from a crowd?

Having a Product-Focused Mindset. One leverage that engineers hold is the technical know-how that some businesspersons leave out. A chef cannot send out a plate without knowing the recipe and tasting the food himself. Following this line of thought, we must be aware of all the dimensions of the product and every little detail there is to know. Elon Musk, a self-taught engineer and just the second richest person globally, told the Wall Street Journals that CEO Engineers | Page 12

Most netizens who are caught up with the latest news updates have already heard about the previous situation with the Mall of Asia globe. On the 14th of November 2021, a recording went viral wherein a helicopter was seen taking away the globe, seemingly stealing it. Passersby and nearby residents also shared videos and photos of the event taking place, further attracting attention online.

Not long after, it was revealed that this whole situation was simply a promotion for the new Netflix film, Red Notice. This was all disclosed as the social media accounts for Netflix Philippines posted a trailer containing information about the globe’s disappearance and its link to the promoted film.

Since then, Red Notice has become Netflix’s second most watched film of all time, achieving the biggest opening day for a Netflix film to date. The action comedy film has managed to attract watchers through its well-known cast and effective marketing strategies, in which the MOA globe’s “disappearance” played a huge part.

This situation is only one of many that showcases just how good the media is at disseminating the latest updates and how effective social media platforms are as a tool for discussion and communication. As the video of the globe being “stolen” went viral, more and more people discussed and theorized the possible reasons behind it, leaving comments, sharing the video, reacting to the situation at hand, and even creating memes about the globe.

However, it is also these same reasons that sometimes make social media platforms unreliable.

Misinterpretation of messages, unclear communication, and not thinking twice before sharing something are all factors that contribute to the spreading of misinformation and confusion online. While some people found the Red Notice reveal to be witty and amusing, others found the publicity stunt to be a cause for concern.

Rappler came under fire recently for posting an advertisement made to look like a news update about the globe, with the caption of “The MOA Globe has been stolen.” along with the hashtag BrandRap. Some users turned to twitter to voice their distaste for the stunt as they were using the MOA globe incident as a subject for paid news articles. “The news media should provide relevant information, not profit-oriented deception,” journalism professor Danilo Arao stated.

Another journalist, Mike Navallo, expressed their disappointment, tweeting “Publicity stunt disguised as news. Do we need that in this age of disinformation?”

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also released a statement regarding the issue, reminding news companies to “not blur the line between news and ads.”

While most social media users are already familiar with the responsibilities that come with the ability to post and share, it is important to remember that there is a difference between serious concerns and things done for publicity’s sake. While casually joking around and having fun online every now and then wouldn’t hurt, as responsible users of social media, we must be able to remember to fact-check and take things with a grain of salt.

MARVEL FILMS: Bringing Back Excitement in the Cinemas WRITTEN BY: ERWIN KEITH FORONDA

“At some point, we all have to choose between what the world wants you to be and who you are” Are you familiar with this phrase? You most certainly are. It has almost been two years since cinemas have been open to the public, which also means that it has been that year since you last saw a Marvel film. I’m pretty sure you miss the mood of the cinemas, and the laughter and anticipation of people.

Remember how you used to walk into a crowded movie theater, hearing the murmurs of excitement and awe of people around you, especially in Marvel film showings? You can listen to people bicker about the movies they went to see, shriek because of excitement, sigh because of nervousness and see how faces beam in delight. Remember the last time you walked down the aisle and were welcomed with the darkness and dim light of the theater? People would often race to the farthest from the screen to enjoy the ambiance or sit up to feel fully absorbed by the scenes. It’s just that the mixed emotions inside the theater impact you differently.

When the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) “strongly encouraged” the closure of movie theaters and suspension of film and television tapings, movies began streaming online like the marvel movies but we all know that watching it on a big screen hits differently. But hey! Guest what? After years of waiting, finally, the cinemas are back!

After it was announced that cinemas in Metro Manila would be allowed to reopen, the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines said movie theaters would be back in business starting Nov. 10, 2021.

Seeing that we are now allowed to watch movies on the big screen, let us review the marvel films that will undoubtedly evoke the emotions we felt when we were watching movies prior to the pandemic’s onset. So, here’s a list of must-watch Marvel films for the months of November and December, along with their synopsis.

Black Widow First on the list is the Black Widow. This new Scarlett

Johansson Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow movie is about her having a frightening conspiracy with ties to her past emerges, and as such, she was forced to the darker portion of her ledger. Before Black Widow returns to being an avenger after being labeled as a criminal by the government, she needs to deal with her past. Knowing that Black Widow is being pursued by a force, no one will be able to bring her down.

This movie is very empowering for women so you shouldn’t let this slide out for you,go on and watch.

Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings Next on the list is a movie about a martial-arts master named Shaun or Shang-Chi. Shang-Chi began training in martial arts and assassination at a young age. He was sent to a hit after seven years of training and when Shang-Chi is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization, he is forced to confront the past he thought he had left behind.

Interesting movie, isn’t it? Go and watch this movie and be astonished by its story.

Eternals Of course, we can’t overlook the incredible new Marvel film The Eternals. There are ten immensely powerful heroes in this film who had been secretly living on Earth for thousands of years to protect it, and when the evil deviants returned, they were reunited to fight them and bring peace to the earth.

Surely, you don’t want to miss this magnificent marvel film from Marvel studios.

Venom 2 You can’t sleep on this new season of one of the hits of marvel studios, Venom 2. This new season of Venom will give you a whirlwind of feelings. It is about Eddie Brock who is still battling to cohabit with the shape-shifting extraterrestrial Venom, who grants him superhuman abilities and allows him to become a lethal vigilante. When crazed serial killer Cletus Kasady escapes from prison following a brutal murder and becomes host to an alien symbiote, Brock and Venom must put their differences aside to put an end to his reign of terror.

Will Eddie and Venom end the terror reign of Cletus Kasady? We’re not sure yet, we need to watch to find out.

Spider-Man: No Way Home Ending the year with a bang! Who would sleep on one of the most anticipated Marvel films of 2021.

This latest Marvel movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” features Tom Holland aka Peter Parker along with prior actors who have played the role of the masked hero, namely, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire. In the film, Peter Parker ‘s identity was revealed putting his superhero duties at odds with his normal life and putting those people who are close to him in danger.

When Peter asked Doctor Strange for assistance, the situation became more serious, pushing him to realize what it truly meant to be Spider-Man. Peter is now confronted with his most difficult challenge yet, one that will affect not just his own future but potentially the future of the multiverse.

This is an absolute must-watch film. Bring your family or friends to watch Spider-Man: No Way Home and find out if Peter will successfully face his challenge.

These movies are magnificent and amazing for sure, afterall, they are Marvel movies right? So isn’t it wonderful to know that we can finally go and watch them on the big screen? We have waited for this to happen, and now that it has, we must not forget that we are still in the grip of the pandemic, and we must continue to follow the health regulations.

Although some of these movies are not showing anymore, don’t worry! There will be more Marvel flicks in the following months. For the time being, we must take care of ourselves by getting vaccinated and following health protocols. I know you don’t want to miss anything about these incredible movies, and despite everything that we’ve been through at least something MARVELous happened this year.

See you in the cinemas!

CEO Engineers

TOO MUCH REWARD WILL KILL YOU

WRITTEN BY: LANCE KASEL LASAM ART BY: DANA VEA PLANDO

From Page 12

CEOs should stop spending too much time in meetings or burying themselves in financials. Instead, they must pay close attention to product development, which means less time on PowerPoint presentations and spreadsheets and more time on the factory floor, meeting the consumer needs. This product-focused mindset goes a long way, for when the product is good, the profit shall follow.

Aiming at Product Quality. Engineers take product quality seriously. It is for the same reason why Jollibee took over the fast-food industry in the Philippines.

In an interview by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Tony Tan Caktiong, a chemical engineering alumnus from UST, cites that the quality must be right the first time around in a food chain business. Again, the fast-food giant zeroes in on its line of products to reach customer satisfaction.

Seeing the World as a Broken Place. In many industries, our role as engineers is to solve complex problems. We often use reverse-engineering or, in simple terms—breaking things apart, finding a solution, and putting them back as one again. Our minds perceive the world as a broken place, and it is our job to piece it together and simplify life. Being inherently tech-savvies and master innovators, engineers are at a great advantage. Just take, for example, Amazon Go Groceries, headed by a famed engineer, Jeff Bezos. Their technology is so advanced it’s like living in the distant future. You just have to walk in the store, take whatever you want, and walk out. No cashiers whatsoever, easy-peasy!

Obsessing over Efficiency. Engineering schools taught us to always strive for efficiency, meaning to say, lower-input-higher-output process. We put more weight on affordability, efficiency, and effectiveness, as we want things to be cheaper, faster, and better.

Our brains are just wired to optimize systems, skewing out only what drives higher efficiency. For example, the aerodynamic shape optimization of a car body reduces drag force, thereby leading to less fuel consumption and faster speed. The goal is always to magnify the efficiency.

I would assume that you’ve all dreamt of sitting on a leather boss chair at a corner office, running the game of business, and making the hardest decisions.

Guess what, engineers are more likely to climb the company ranks, given our deeply ingrained traits that most people miss out on. We have curious eyes that look past the obvious.

Do you want to join the ranks of CEOs who made it big in the industry? An engineering degree might be your door access card.

UST Implements Contract Tracing on Student IDs WRITTEN BY: ALLEN ATIENZA

The University embeds automated contact tracing and health declaration features on the stakeholders’ IDs. The system was implemented across different colleges participating in limited face-to-face (F2F) classes to allow the UST Health Service to monitor the students.

The contact tracing system works in conjunction with the Thomasian Online Medical Services and Support (ThOMedSS). On this website, students declare their health conditions such as vaccination status and possible contact with COVID-19 patients. UST then tracks students’ movement around the campus, making contact tracing significantly more manageable with automation in place.

“Pagdating sa building, mache-check doon kung nakapag-declare sila sa ThOMedSS, ‘yung health declaration checklist natin na online. So doon, kapag nag-tap sila ng ID, papasok sila sa building, sa thermal scanner—high-tech naman ‘yung ating scanner ‘no—so pagpasok nila, naka-link ‘yun,” Health Service Director Dr. Sheryl Dionisio told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Another feature that they added to the IDs is the capability to upload vaccination records. Students will not be needed to show their vaccination cards every time, as tapping their IDs will show their records in the system, making it convenient for everyone. It also shows the class schedule of the student to prevent unnecessary movement of the student.

Director Dionisio stated to the Varsitarian that the implementation of the automated ID features was made in compliance with the protocols set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHE). To continue limited F2F classes, the school needed to submit weekly updates to the CHED.

H

umans desire and yearn to achieve happiness. It is an ultimate end; it is part of our nature, it is a reason why we act. However, it is also a temporary high. You do not need illegal substances to achieve this high, though - it may come from the things that give you pleasure and reward on an everyday basis.

Dopamine plays an important role in giving us pleasure, satisfaction, motivation, and happiness. A surge of dopamine in the brain can lead you to finish an activity and feel good about it.

It helps us go forward, focus, and find interesting things to do. It also plays a positive role in controlling memory, mood, and body movements, provided that there is a balanced level of dopamine in the body.

However, it is possible to crave more of that dopamine, and when that happens, we try to find other ways to get a reward or spend too much time doing the things we love to do. Where and when you got it becomes less and less relevant when you are in that cycle. It does not even need to come from illegal drugs or sketchy activities, it can come from video games, earning money, food, even academics for the more studious ones.

When you get a dopamine rush, it can lead to habit formation, wherein you want more and more of that thing as soon as possible. As it forms, the brain tones down the dopamine one gets, leading them to take in more and more dopamine. Too much dopamine can lead to more aggressive, competitive, and impulsive behavior, along with compulsions and ignoring your responsibilities, whether you like it or not.

Other symptoms of too much dopamine depend on what

activity is causing the problem. It ranges from muscle and joint pains and aches, digestion problems like constipation and acid reflux, trouble sleeping, slowed speech, tiredness, lack of motivation, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, to hallucinations, anxiety, and mania, among others.

Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that we shouldn’t avoid doing things that we love, just because it gives dopamine. Too low dopamine can also make a person less motivated to do things, and remember that it has many cognitive and neurological functions. Happiness and reward are also inevitable and integral parts of life and human philosophy.

The general advice for people when it comes to dopamine is to keep it balanced, as all things should be. There is no one surefire way to do this, however, just a collection of methods that one can create in order to keep their body in check. A person can increase dopamine through natural means like eating protein, exercise, sleep, and meditation, and can also do something called a “dopamine fast” where people will avoid doing pleasurable activities for a long period of time.

However, one can’t give up eating chocolate during Lent without changing anything about their lifestyle, just as much as one shouldn’t overindulge just because they finished reading one page of a 60-slide presentation. Even if it’s hard to spot yourself being in this cycle, there is still some sense to a person to know where to stop and where to let live. It relies on the person being aware of what they are doing and calibrating their succeeding actions. Simply thinking and applying it can help avoid going into a state of dopamine overdose.

The Future of Filipino Space Exploration WRITTEN BY: LUIS RAPHAEL DAOANG

With engineers, innovations are made to allow for many studies involving outer space. They constantly develop and improve existing and future technologies, especially now that more nations are getting involved in the field of space. For instance, cube satellites (CubeSats) were developed by aerospace engineering professor Jordi Puig-Suari and Bob Twiggs, from the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at Stanford University to allow for efficient space exploration. Over the past few decades, so many developments have been made that one could only wonder how engineering made something like the CubeSat possible.

What is a CubeSat? This kind of nanosatellite was designed to not exceed the 10-kilogram limit with a volume of 1000 cm3, so that less fuel will be used during a launch.

They are made using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics components to meet the desired performance and cost of a mission. A CubeSat’s launch is also limited to Low Earth Orbits (LEO)– an altitude of 160 km to 1000 km above Earth– as the radiation beyond LEO is extremely harsh for the satellite.

Prior to the emergence of CubeSats, space exploration and satellite development put quite a strain on investors’ wallets. But in 1999, these nanosatellites were developed by the California Polytechnic State University and Stanford University to promote cost-effective space science and exploration to other universities and organizations worldwide.

CubeSats in the Philippines MAYA-3 and MAYA-4 were the first Philippine university-built CubeSats by Filipino scholars under the (STAMINA4Space) Program, funded by the DOST. The satellites were launched last 6th of October 2021 from the International Space Station (ISS). The current MAYAs

were developed after the successful launches of the previous ones to accomplish the pre-set mission payload of either data collection or demonstration.

The CubeSats both have the store-and-forward data collection mechanism, wherein a message from a source (satellite) is stored in a third-party device before being sent to the destination (receiver of message). They also have CAM missions to capture videos and images of different objects and are sent back to the ground station. Different and improved functions of the satellites are also demonstrated like the new infrared camera on MAYA-4.

Future MAYAs are now under development. Both upcoming MAYAs are expected to launch in 2022 tentatively. Like the previous CubeSats launched by the country, it will mainly have the same components but different missions. With the development of these nanosatellites, the country’s initiatives on satellite development will continue to improve, while also serving as the heritage for future satellites.

These projects also continue to develop for testing the waters on Philippine space exploration. Through these, many Filipinos will gain knowledge and handson experience in space technology R&D. Thus, local initiatives and programs will be strengthened. Space exploration will be promoted to both the general public and aspiring & current space engineers.

The Future of Philippine Space Exploration There are no impossible tasks in the field of engineering. From high-budget space exploration to affordable and efficient satellites, every nation now has a chance to participate in the so-called “space race,” and the Philippines won’t shy away from that opportunity. One could only wonder what more the country has to offer now that space programs are given the support and funds that they deserve– will we remain on the ground or will Filipinos reach for the stars millions of lightyears away?

Sigua presents CNN development thesis on NAST PHL Virtual Paper Presentation WRITTEN BY: LANCE KASEL LASAM

Howell Jay A. Sigua, a fourth-year electronics engineering student, was given a Special Citation by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) for their research paper entitled, “Development of an Electroencephalogram-Based Brain-Computer Interface using Hybrid-Scale Convolutional Neural Network for Upper Limb Control in Spinal Cord Injury Patients” during the 2021 Magsaysay Future Engineers/Technologists Paper Presentation last December 3, 2021.

Javier C. Castillo, Rey Vincent O. Dato, Howell Jay A. Sigua, Marc Anthony C. Umiten, Joshua Alexander B. Villa, and their thesis adviser, Engr. Seigfred V. Prado, MS, M.Res NT, investigated the use of data transformation techniques on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to improve the performance of motor imagery BCI (MI-BCI) systems used for upper

limb control of people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

The use of CNNs are proposed to address the issue of MI-BCI systems providing reduced performance for SCI patients since these systems were tested on healthy bodies. However, they require a high amount of training data, which makes it impractical for SCI patients who are less able to withstand long durations of experiments. Thus, this paper explores whether data transformation techniques can enable CNNs to record fewer data and synthesize additional training data in order to resolve the issue.

The 2021 MFET aims to recognize outstanding collegiate research papers on engineering and technology at the collegiate level and encourage Filipino students to pursue a career in science.

IMAGE COURTESY OF RALPH ANDREI AMURAO - YOUTUBE

4th-Year ECE Students Win in the Undergraduate Engineering Design Contest 2021 WRITTEN BY: LUIS RAPHAEL DAOANG

A team of fourth-year Electronics Engineering (ECE) students led by ECE Department Chair Edison A. Roxas, Ph.D. PECE placed in the Top 3 during the Undergraduate Engineering Design Contest 2021 held by the Philippine Association of Engineering Schools for their study entitled, “Vision-Based Face Mask and Face Shield Detection System Using YOLOv5,” last December 4, 2021.

Ralph Andrei A. Amurao, Maricar DL. Auditor, Justin Anthony B. Buenafe, Jon Carlitos H. Liwag, Gaysie Mae F. Quetua, and Mr. Roxas developed an automated detection system that monitors the wearing of face masks and face shields. The system uses two models, the computer vision and the You Only Look Once (YOLO) v5 models, for accurate and high-performance object detection.

The detection system also uses four different types of image datasets for recognition to properly discern the wearing of face masks and face shields to varying degrees. It is able to identify if a person is wearing both a face mask and face shield, one of the two, or none at all. Moreover, the research yielded a fast and accurate rate of detection with 83.2% average precision.

The researchers expect that the system will provide an efficient way of real-time automated detection and prediction that can be beneficial in different fields such as the medical, manufacturing, and construction industries globally. The study is also set to accomplish Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) such as SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Avoiding Seen-Zones: Online Class Edition WRITTEN BY: ALLEN ATIENZA | ART BY: DANA VEA PLANDO Jack Palfrey, a Science and Tech Section writer in Dazed & Confused Magazine, explained in an article that once a recipient receives your text, they are expected to respond like they would in real life. That is how instantaneous social media has become. When we don’t reply right away, the person on the other end of the conversation could assume that you “purposely” ignored his or her text. How would you feel if you were purposely ignored in real life? Terrible. But how should we translate this in an educational setting? How should we deal with it?

Before going Online The older generation would know that in the face to face setting, being absent-minded in a classroom would make your professor a bit annoyed or even upset. Anything distracting to the eyes and ears can get you in trouble and that includes yawning, improper seating posture, and even looking the other way. Getting punished is justifiable, but to every individual, there are circumstances that say otherwise.

“There are no real rules in chatting, yet the “rules” — the unwritten, unsaid ones that crop up in our collective minds — change constantly. One such “rule” is that you have to reply right then and there if you have “seen” a message.” – Bijay Gurung (2016).

The unwritten and unsaid rule is once it is confirmed you saw a person’s message, you must reply right away. If you do not respond, people might assume that you “ignored” the message on purpose. In the case of online classes, the professor can get upset that you were not paying attention as the professor dedicated his or her time to the lesson.

Them being upset is justifiable because apps like Facebook and Zoom have features that let them know if you read the message or not. If you ignore their message online, it is almost synonymous with ignoring them in real life. When is it not justifiable?

Circumstances Everyone lives different lives. We have families, friends, and loved ones back at our homes, and we must take care of them if needed. It is understandable. That is why some students go absent or even file their Leave of Absences (LOAs). The problem is we signed up for an education that requires us to constantly communicate with each other.

We are trained to work in a professional setting amongst other individuals. If you push your priorities most of the time,

you will be a liability. We, students, are aware that professors can’t be generous all the time because they are human. If you can’t function, your group mates are forced to cover for you in a project that grades all of you equally. That is unfair, to you, your groupmates, and your professors.

The question is, how do we make it fair? People get upset about being “seen” zoned in the formal and informal setting because the other party didn’t make any effort to even explain why they didn’t respond. The same goes for online classes.

The salary of educators somehow depends on the performance of their students, so that means they have to check up on the students’ progress. Professors make an effort to speak to their students to check upon them. What hurts their morale is if the students don’t respond at all. The passion they put into educating their students isn’t being reciprocated.

And so, we go back to our main question: How do we deal with it? One of the best approaches to dealing with it is the triple C; constant communication and compromise.. How should it work?

Triple C Leah Davies, a counselor and a teacher at KellyBear Press, wrote that communication encourages effort, modifies attitudes, and stimulates thinking. If we do not communicate, stereotypes develop, messages are distorted, and learning is stifled. If we want to really make the most of online classes, we have to make the most of the communication online because education is a team effort between the educator and the student. We have to make it a habit, otherwise, it won’t work in the long run.

We also need to compromise because it could help students and professors with their conflict resolution skills.

When there is an argument between two parties, it doesn’t always have to be a ‘victor’ and a ‘loser’; there is always the possibility of a win-win situation. This works in education, the workplace, and social relationships.

If you have constant communication and compromise, you will be part of a work environment with trust and productivity.

Family emergency? Just communicate; they will adjust. Just make sure you return the favor. Problems with the work ethics and interactions? Communicate so that both sides understand their intentions. In the end, the best way out is to work together.

IS PH READY FOR A SHIFT TO A ‘CASHLESS’ SOCIETY? WRITTEN BY: JULIENNE ALICON RAMANO | ART BY: DANA VEA PLANDO

Ever since the pandemic happened, the utilization of technology has been maximized by most local corporations and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) to provide their clients an efficient and safe visit in their vicinity.

One of the said movements is implementing the cashless payment option for transactions. This particular option manifested such fast growth in the Philippines, with about a 60% increase by the end of 2020.

Knowing the initial success of the cashless payment option, can we really consider it as “feasible” on a national scale? Is the Philippines definitely ready for a shift to a ‘cashless’ society?

Strong existence of social classes The 2018 Family and Income Expenditure Survey, conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, states that there were 8.4 million low-income families, 7.5 million lower middle-income families, 4.5 million middle and upper middle-income families, and about 143,000 families are considered rich or ‘elite’. This means that only about 20% of Filipinos are financially stable based on their average monthly income.

With this, the strong promotion of a ‘cashless’ society will be hardly possible. From purchasing each own smartphone to familiarizing oneself with the whereabouts of e-payments, the cashless method will be more of a pitfall for most Filipinos. It will take us some time to get by it technically and financially.

Financial inclusion should really be taken into consideration by the companies affiliated with it. Since the goal is to make our country a ‘cashless’ society, the first thing to do is make e-wallets inclusive and accessible to all social classes. Transaction fees must be eliminated, or should at least be only charged during high-value transactions. A simple 15 pesos worth of transaction fee may be a lot for any of the users. Diverse devices can also be offered to suit the different needs and capacities of each customer segment.

Mobile wallet companies could also open the opportunity of offering basic saving e-wallet accounts with no minimum balance to encourage more users to save without the hassle of going to the bank to monitor it. Of course, with a method like this, it is crucial for mobile wallet companies to fix their credibility through stricter cybersecurity and ecosystem. They should let the users, regardless of social class, feel like their system is something that they are used to going to and comfortable with.

Cybersecurity and privacy risk The latest Asia-Pacific study conducted by Kaspersky, a multinational cybersecurity company, showed that the Philippines logged the highest percentage of new e-cash adopters during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 37%. However, about 25% of these firsttime users find the technology too complex and troublesome.

have bank accounts in the same period, as stated by the Financial Inclusion Report by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Lack of financial literacy and bank access play huge roles in this matter.

If turning ‘cashless’ entails going to convenience stores frequently and having more physical contact with others, perhaps it defeats its purpose and might further discourage the people.

It is also said that around 70% of the Filipino consumers are identifying themselves as “digitally curious,” yet Nuryani (2020) found out that only 19% on average are digitally literate in the country - one of the lowest among the ASEAN countries.

Moreover, through the government’s efforts in implementing the national ID system, it is to be hoped that opening bank accounts will be more efficient for more people, especially the underserved.

Again, strict cybersecurity is very crucial in such matters.

Indeed, cybersecurity in the Philippines has already been more established since the growth of e-wallets. The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group reported 869 online scam cases from the second quarter of 2020 alone. This figure dropped by about 50% in the second quarter of 2021. Despite the drop in the local trend, the system still seems to be vulnerable.

Perks of a cashless shopper and seller

If we are to mandate citizens to use cashless payment, the authorities have to make sure that they let the users be fully aware of their responsibility in securing it as well - including the combat of possible threats, scamming, or even data breaches. The empowerment of digital and media literacy is definitely the primary key to minimize the fooling of vulnerable people. This may be in the form of publication materials, short videos, or infographics posted on websites and most-used social media platforms. Webinars may also be considered, for they provide first-hand and in-depth information from the resource speakers. The user interface of the e-payment applications should be also as user-friendly as it could be to cater to non-tech savvy audiences. Cybercrime division hotlines should also be visible and 24/7 in reach for those who are being targeted by offenders. Immediate action and tracking are a threat to them, making them think twice about committing it repeatedly.

The significant role of cash in the picture of the ‘cashless’ life Most cashless transaction users still rely on on-hand cash, in cashing in or out their respective e-wallets, since they have no bank accounts to connect to it. So basically, cash is still a necessity in the e-wallet industry as of now.

According to Statista, around 24.6 million people are mobile wallet users in 2020. On the other hand, 36.9 million adults do not

The cashless payment option mainly promotes convenience in purchasing or selling long-distance items or services. With just one tap or scan, you can already settle the pending bills and necessities in an exact amount. Transparency in done transactions is also apparent, since electronic receipts and text messages are automatically sent by the application once they are done.

Furthermore, most cashless transactions affiliated with e-commerce platforms are entailed to more discounts and bundle vouchers than availing through cash on delivery. The purpose of such offers is its great contribution in promoting a cashless society through incentivizing the consumers with these promos and engaging more people in joining the said movement. Filipinos get enticed with such offers, since they will save a lot of money with it.

Financial literacy should be tackled as the shift to a ‘cashless’ society is done. Cashless payment must still promote conscious spending of users. The system must be redesigned to be capable of reminding the user of how much they have spent for the week, and how much is remaining for their weekly or monthly budget.

With this, we still get that valuable feeling of paying through cash, since typically, we only have a finite amount of cash-on-hand at all times.

Undoubtedly, the cashless payment method offers a useful cause to the public, especially in the pandemic. Yet just like any other product or service, there are certain shortcomings that need to be addressed. Enjoying its perks would be greater if we will not worry much about its weak system. Mandating the method would be impracticable for now, but slowly introducing the platform would do good.

Dapit-Hapon

Comics by: Toby Miguel Orduna

Art Feature

by Aubrey Mae Maula

under the stars

Believe in the Poetry

by Keith Portia Andres

by Yuan Flores

Sometimes we hate solitude because it feels a bit overwhelming. When mind start to wander, you start to get uneasy. This might be because of the awareness that suddenly pops in to you.

You gradually become aware of your emotions and it turns into an overwhelming fear.

Sometimes it just takes a little bit of confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits to allow us to keep looking for new adventures. Trust yourself.

You know more than you think you do.

The Enchanting World of RuneTerra: Arcane WRITTEN BY: RYAN PATRICK SARTE From the toxic depths of Zaun to the overly zealous and prospering nation of Piltover, hides the captivating and entrancing tale of Arcane that has hit Netflix’s list of series by storm. Written by creative directors Christian Linke and Alex Yee, the lore of the two beautiful progress-stricken nations were born, and with the handy work of the animators at Fortiche Production, the series had been given life, depth, and detail to every inch of this beautiful masterpiece.

Released on November 6 of 2021, the first three episodes of Arcane’s Season One were unveiled to the public. The series garnered a lot of positive reviews and everyone was waiting in anticipation and excitement for the next episodes being released each week totaling to nine episodes for the whole first season.

With its rising popularity, it has even beaten Squid Game on Netflix’s most watched series!

Such an amazing feat, right? If you’re wondering what awaits you in this series, then read on further. (The next paragraphs may contain minimal spoilers) If you’re playing League of Legends, you may have noticed that some of the characters you have seen in the game were brought to life in this new and exciting film. For instance, Vi, Jinx, and Caitlyn who are both usable characters in League of Legends, are just three out of so many characters that can be spotted in this action packed series.Each character was given a unique personality and it absolutely matched how their gameplay and weapon choices were portrayed. For Vi, it was her signature Hextech infused gauntlets and for Jayce, was his ever popular Mercury Hammer. Even pow pow, zappers, fishbones and flame chompers were all in Jinx’s arsenal.

Don’t fret though, for those who haven’t played League or even heard of it, it’s still fine as Arcane has done a great job in making the story stand on its own and it pretty much still hooks you at every detail, and cinematography etched into the animation.

The story was a complete artwork as it catches your breath and leaves you speechless with every scene magically animated to keep you at the edge of your seats. Although it starts up tense and scary, the series thrives in the land of Runeterra, a big continent of different nations and climates. We focus on two of them: Zaun and Piltover. Life down in the underground city of Zaun, a survival of the fittest land and whoever is on top, keeps order and peace for the nation. On the other hand, Piltover, a nation built on science and discovery, holds a council that decides on a majority vote that they think would favor its citizens. Although with every government, each has their own corruption scorched inside of their own system, both Zaun and Piltover.

Animation-wise, the characters are on another level of detail.

Each facial expression and varying attitudes, quirks, and abilities, all have a shine of realism to them. Losing loved ones is a painful event in a whole lot of people’s lives. Being able to experience that and relate to a character’s loss and grieve for them is also

another mind boggling storytelling technique that encapsulates the watcher’s hearts in this beautiful animation. Although not all of it was pain and torture, a lot of calming events occur which helps in relieving tension and the way they make the scene adorable and heartwarming, truly is an art that they have mastered. An example of a scene would be with the character Jinx, torn apart by the undercity of Zaun, will later on be known as a soft and kind hearted person who got tortured to become a monster she didn’t even want to become. Each of their characters has a story of their own and even a unique design that separates them from the rest.

As you journey through the lives of Vi, Caitlyn, Jinx, Jayce, and the rest of the gang, they will tug your emotions and keep you on your feet as each twist and turn pummels the characters into more difficult situations fighting amongst each other to fight for their cities, rights and their freedom. Their passionate outbursts after fight scenes give you this sense of reasoning that makes you want to root for these said characters. For Jayce, it was his self driven passion to advance the technology of his city and protect his people. For Vi, she fights to protect her family and the city’s freedom. Jinx on the other hand, is just trying to help people and fight her own demons. All of which are important aspects to each of the character’s development and being able to figure themselves out as the episodes go which not only keeps people hooked, it makes people feel related to characters in their own way. Although the ending felt relatively quick, it was safe to say one season really isn’t enough to fully complete the expanding story and events in these close nations. So we must wait for more seasons to complete the tale.

Truly a remarkable story and experience that a person could undergo if you’re into a very relatable animation in the sense of realism and a great mix of fantasy and role playing of characters.

It truly feels like you’re diving into a rich huge world and they never failed to leave easter eggs that told us this series does not take place in just one small place, but a massive world ready to be explored by not only the characters, but by us as well the viewers.

No matter how beautiful this world can be though, comes the smaller details in it that truly matter. The roles of each individual in the world can truly become a big hit and a remarkable one, thus Jayce’s drive to become a great inventor. But as all actions come great rewards or consequences, which is why we can end with a sense of normalcy with one of the character’s amazing yet short quotes, “ There’s a monster inside all of us.”

Although we do not want to compare different series with the same genre and all, such as Dota’s Dragon blood on Netflix, these kinds of films both have great qualities that make each of them unique in their own manner. In this case for Arcane, many of its great qualities boil down to the amazing storyline. With a mix of good music, character design and cinematography, the beauty of the world really shines through in this amazing nine-episode first season.

OBIENA’S POST-OLYMPIC JOURNEY

ILLUSTRATED BY: REINEHARD AYTONA

FROM PAGE 16

JUMP ROPE;

THE HOPE OR THE SLOPE? WRITTEN BY: JOHN CARLO URBANO

HASHTAG NO GYM, NO PROBLEM. With the closure of gyms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most individuals have had to be creative in their aim to stay active, healthy, and fit. People have devised their own do-it-yourself fitness routines. Several individuals have managed to recreate the experience through home workshops or virtual classrooms. Not to despair in these trying times, this pandemic fitness obsession might be the way to go for getting that strong and healthy body without going out in public.

NEWEST FITNESS OBSESSION. Who has not tried jumping rope when they were young? Of course, most people on the entire globe have already tried it. However, if you think that this is merely a children’s activity, you are mistaken.

This fitness activity is for everyone. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the fitness craze of jumping rope arose.

Jump rope has popped up as one of the top selections among all those other types of workouts to consider, due to its evocative attraction, transporting people back to their childhood lives.

Also, purchasing a treadmill and other cardiovascular activity equipment is too expensive compared to jump ropes. Among the most prominent cardiovascular activities are walking, jogging, running, and cycling, but considering the situation that the world is experiencing right now, it is unsafe and too risky to do these locomotive activities.

READY TO JUMP. Stephanie Villapando, a third-year Civil Engineering student, uses the jumping rope as a major part of her training as an athlete. Before the lockdown was imposed, she usually goes to their gym daily to have their training including weight training every Tuesday and Thursday.

“Jumping rope is part of our training, especially during this pandemic, because we are not allowed to go outside and, at the same time, we don’t have court training for endurance. That’s why jumping rope is our alternative,” the junior athlete said.

The Tigress’ shooting guard believes that doing jump rope is very convenient since everyone can do it anytime and anywhere.

“You can do it in one place even though it’s raining outside or no place to do outside exercises. It may improve your resistance by staying inside of your house,” she added.

GRAB A ROPE. Jumping rope only requires large enough space and a jump rope. It is indeed affordable and available in a variety of colors. According to some experts, the weight and length are considered the most significant factors in the jump rope. It is usually advised to use a jump rope that is three feet longer than your height. In multiple research studies, the weight of the jump rope should also be considered. There are varying types of jump ropes: basic, weighted, speed, and beaded.

For beginners, it is advised to use a basic jump rope, since the cord is a little thicker and heavier, which allows for a better grip.

Villapando believes that jump ropes are for everybody, and she advised that instead of playing online games for a long time, people should do jumping ropes to have a healthy body and to be fit even though we are stuck in our houses. “I am using a black speed jump rope. Actually, it has a thin cord and it is lightweight, and it is really a perfect match for those individuals who

Obiena’s mentor, businessman and psychologist, James Lafferty, claims that the problem was rooted from a broken system in the National Sports Association on how liquidations and payments are done.

“It basically forces athletes to front the money and then they only get reimbursed after a long period of time so it requires an athlete to have money to begin with. And when they don’t have money to begin with, [they] are in a constant system of managing cash flow.”

Lafferty mentioned He also added that Obiena asked the PATAFA before to directly pay Petrov so that the concern of accounting would be taken from his responsibility.

The PATAFA investigative body recommended that an estafa case be served against EJ Obiena and his mother, PATAFA official Jeannette Obiena, as well as the pole vaulter’s expulsion from the national team.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) declared Juico as Persona non grata due to his “harassment” on Obiena and ordered the PATAFA to elect a new president. While the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) reiterates their support for Obiena amidst the issue.

“We in the POC will make sure EJ will be in Hanoi [SEA Games] and Huangzhou [Asian Games], and in all other major world competitions. We’ll fight for EJ,” POC chief Abraham Tolentino said in a statement.

Upon writing, the PATAFA and Obiena’s party have yet to achieve an agreement on PSC’s mediation through the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. while Lafferty hired third-party auditors to assist in the mediation of the financial issues. Obiena’s expulsion was also deferred by the PATAFA. “I am fighting to bring honor and glory for my country. Others fight for ego or power. But that’s not me. I fight for higher principles. Loyalty is a virtue. And loyalty still matters.” Obiena writes in his post.

Obiena underwent an operation last January 12, 2022 to repair a minor injury in his left knee as well as to remove a screw from a surgery in his previous major ACL injury back in 2017. The olympian is set to face against Mondo Duplantis in an indoor event this coming January 28, 2022.

prefer to jump faster and it is a fantastic approach to enhance footwork and also conditioning.”

DO THE MOVES. To distinguish a jump rope for your routines, first determine your fitness goals and then select a rope with the qualities necessary to accomplish those goals. Selecting a rope that will perfectly fit you is important. It is essential to have a rope that seems to be the right length for the workout.

It’s a good idea to know a few specific ideas and techniques for properly jumping rope.

To perform the jumping rope exercise efficiently, “stand up-

right with the rope and swing it with your wrists and forearms, then jump off the floor and land on the soles of your feet,” according to several studies. This will actually help you

to execute the routine properly. Moreover, keep in mind that you should not jump rope barefoot. Always wear proper sports shoes when jumping rope to reduce the risk of injury.

“I prefer 20 minutes of jumping rope daily for activation before doing our main workout,” the junior women’s basketball varsity player said.

“For beginners, you may do 10 minutes of jumping rope. But don’t push yourself to do it every day. Consider taking the following day off and see if your body can manage more. Then, after a week, you can increase the time by adding five minutes so that you can improve your stamina and your footwork also,” she added.

Basic routines include 30 seconds of low-intensity jumping, 30 seconds of rest, 30 seconds of high-intensity jumping, 30 seconds of rest, and repeating it for a total of 10 minutes. This regular but light activity is advised and recommended by fitness professionals during this pandemic.

BENEFITS SHOULD NEVER BE A SECRET.

Jumping rope is such a great way to start off your #BeFitAndActive. Jumping rope is fun, an easy way of exercising, which are both needed for a great workout. Also, it radiates multiple benefits that really help everyone achieve their fitness, healthy body, and mind goals.

Generally, jumping rope can help with cardiovascular health, body toning, attentiveness, balance and coordination, speed, and mental wellbeing. Also, jumping rope is a great way to burn fat and calories. Experts and enthusiasts shared that since your heart rate elevates and increases at least two to three times quicker than other activities, a 10-minute jump rope is equivalent to a 30-minute run.

Villapando believes that there is real hope in jumping rope during these challenging times. “Jumping rope may help you to fight for covid-19. It makes you fit, and it does not require a lot of space while doing it. Also, it really helps me to lose weight, improve my resistance, endurance, etc.”

She also has a piece of advice to stay physically and mentally fit at home, “Exercise at least twice a week instead of eating a lot and doing nonsense like playing online games for half a day. Do what makes you happy. Don’t force yourself on something that makes you stressed.

PHOTO BY: JAN ULRICH NACINO

TRYING SOMETHING NEW

WRITTEN BY: PATRICK YURI QUILILAN

I

n March 2020, classes in all levels were suspended due to the widespread of COVID-19. What was supposed to be a one-week break from academics turned into months—and an indefinite interruption from face-to-face classes until now. Subsequently, this resulted in schools shutting down and shifting to an online learning setup. Alongside math and sciences, Physical Education was also forced to migrate to an online setup.

In the seemingly long days of quarantine, along with the anxiety it instills, fitness slightly moved out of the picture. The government banned physical activities such as going to the gym and other recreational activities for safety reasons. Staying at home compromised the physical fitness of most people; as a result, professors have been asking students to perform physical activities as a requirement for school.

Similar to face-to-face classes, workouts, drills, and other sports activities are tasks being performed by students—which has been taxing for students with no wide spaces at home, let alone do not have their own rooms to conduct activities. Professors are no exception to this, they also have been encountering the same problems as their students. Aside from teaching live via Zoom, the synchronization between students and teachers is a struggle due to varying network bandwidths.

With hurdles like this, it is evident that we are still adjusting to the online setup. And as the pandemic continues, all of us are still unsure of what the future holds—whether we will continue to learn virtually, or if we will ever go back to our schools to learn the traditional way. Nonetheless, one thing’s for certain: physical education cannot be a casualty to whatever setup we are in.

Sports. page 16

OBIENA’S POST-OLYMPIC JOURNEY WRITTEN BY: LAURENCE GABRIEL ARELLANO

A

fter the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Filipino Pole Vaulter Ernest Obiena has encountered a series of ups and downs in his sporting career, inside and outside the field.

Despite his recent achievements and accolades, he still faces the brink of expulsion from the national team and an estafa case.

Obiena immediately jumped back into competition weeks after failing to secure a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The 25-year-old vaulter fell short at the Athletissima-Switzerland, August 27, as he placed fifth, one spot behind Olympic Gold Medalist Armand Duplantis. Olympic medalist Chris Nilsen ruled the event. Two days later, he set a then-Philippine record of 5.91 meters to settle for the silver medal as Duplantis came back from a subpar performance to rule the Paris Diamond League.

The Tondo-native had a subpar performance clearing 5.65 meters at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme in Belgium, September 4. He then bounced back two days later to share the silver with US Pole Vaulter KC Lightfoot at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial 2021, World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series.

The former Electronics Engineering student again missed out on a podium as he finished fourth at the Wanda Diamond League Final behind Duplantis, US Bet Sam Kendricks, and Russian Timur Morgunov who took the gold, silver, and bronze respectively.

The elusive gold came along into Obiena’s chest as he shattered the more than two-decade old Asian Re-

cord, setting it at 5.93 meters in three attempts at the 2021 Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria. He received 1.5 million Pesos from the Philippine Sports Commission and was dubbed as the best pole vaulter in Asia after completing the feat.

Less than 24 hours later, he placed fourth at the ISTAF Berlin Tour 2021, which featured an all-American podium with Kendricks, Nilsen and Lightfoot. His season was cut short due to budgeting issues in which the PSC reaffirmed that they would continue to support him financially culminating at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Last November 21, the Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association(PATAFA) announced that they are requesting Obiena to return 85,000 Euros due to mismanagement of funds. The accusation was that Obiena failed to pay his coach, Vitaly Petrov. PATAFA President Philip Ella Juico claims that they hold a signed document wherein Petrov revealed that he has not been paid his salary since 2018, but the Ukrainian Coach belies these claims.

Obiena bared that he began to mull retirement and go back to finish his studies instead if the PATAFA would ban him from getting foreign coaches. His mentor, Jim Lafferty, revealed that Obiena is getting multiple offers from foreign countries to represent them instead. In a Facebook post, he confirmed these claims but affirms that he would still choose to bring the Philippine Flag in his future competitions.

Obiena sought legal counsel from the Gana Avisado Atienza Law Offices and tapped Alex Avisado as his lawyer in the legal against the PATAFA. In a congress hearing last December 14, the olympian shared that it has been more than three months since his funds were cut off thus forcing him to train and live in Italy alone shouldering his own expenses. He also told the lawmakers that even before being cut-off, he receives his funds late up to even months.

POST-OLYMPIC JOURNEY → PAGE 15

‘Tis the SEASON to Scream

“GO USTE” WRITTEN BY: ADY ADVINCULA

TRYING SOMETHING NEW

→ PAGE 15

In March 2020, classes in all levels were suspended due to the widespread of COVID-19. What was supposed to be a one-week break from academics turned into months— and an indefinite interruption from face-to-face classes until now.

→ PAGE 15 IMAGE COURTESY OF ABS-CBN NEWS

T

he University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) looks to start off the league’s 84th season this coming February 2022 after canceling the 83rd season due to the pandemic last 2020.

In an interview with “Rappler”, League Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag disclosed how the UAAP is looking to hold its 84th season in a bubble setup. The league aims for a full calendar conducting all sports if all goes well. However, they will only hold four events - men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, cheerdance competition, and the opening ceremony if problems arise.

UAAP requires all student-athletes to be inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine before participating in training and faceto-face games. The association is planning to first hold the basketball games in mid-February and volleyball games after the holy week.

As the opening of this season approaches, athletes are now more excited than ever. University of Santo Tomas’ finest player Miguel Pangilinan shared his insights when asked about the awaiting return of UAAP. According to Pangilinan, everyone is looking forward to this

season’s comeback. Since their team is slowly rebuilding, their expectations are not that high but as an assurance to the ever supportive fans of UST’s basketball team, their main goal is to compete, do their best, and bring home the glory.

The pandemic may have separated him from his team, Pangilinan still believes that he has grown so much not just as a basketball player but also as an individual and he looks forward to showcase his talent once more and compete at a higher level.

Preparing for this season was a different experience for Pangilinan’s team. Since most sports facilities were closed due to the situation, their team improvised different virtual ways to train their physical and mental being. The team is indeed grateful for their brilliant coaches for providing them the support they need to properly train themselves for the upcoming season.

Being back on the court for so long might be nerve-racking for our dear athletes, but the support from their family, friends, and fans even in an online setting, surely is enough to keep their hearts roaring for that win.

JUMP ROPE;

THE HOPE OR THE SLOPE? Hashtag No Gym, No Problem. With the closure of gyms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most individuals have had to be creative in their aim to stay active, healthy, and fit. People have devised their own do-it-yourself fitness routines.

Several individuals have managed to recreate the experience through home workshops or virtual classrooms.