Thomasian Engineer Newsletter Volume 6 Issue No. 2 - A.Y. 2020-2021

Juniors to Immerse in Modified OJT Setup Written by: Jeffrey Alfonso

For this academic year, third-year students of the Faculty of Engineering will be attending different on-thejob training (OJT) setups depending on the adjustments made by their respective departments.

However, as advised by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), OJTs are still to be conducted virtually as it is best for the safety of the students and the employees of the host training establishments (HTE).

According to the guidelines released by the Faculty of Engineering, the students will need to work a minimum of 240 hours with a portfolio of reports after the session, and on average, the OJT can be accomplished in six weeks.

The general procedure is that the faculty will release a list of suggested HTEs where the students can apply for their OJT, yet the faculty does not restrict the students from choosing on their own. As for the requirements, the students will need an active memorandum of agreement, training contract, waivers, and medical certificate for them to be cleared for the OJT. As per Engr. Gabriel Bucu of the Industrial Engineering (IE) department, their faculty members will be handson with the list of available industry partners for the online setup, ensuring that the companies included are willing to host an online work setup.

Moreover, Assoc. Prof. Joehanna K. Ngo, PhD., IE department chair, said that they have developed an immersion documents kit which contains 11 relevant documents such as the immersion company endorsement form, outcomes training plan, and immersion training journal to aid the students in their preparation.

On the other hand, Dr. Angelo R. dela Cruz, PECE,

Electronics Engineering (ECE) department chair, stated that the department is considering online research immersion, local and international, for externally funded projects to be credited as equivalent to their OJTs. In addition to that, they have also proposed with the Industry Government Academe Alumni Relations Program (IGAARP) if the TomasInno Startup Incubatees would accept interns.

“Given all the efforts from the department and students and still resulting in unfavorable outcomes, then we advise our students to focus on finishing their theses during the June-July break so that they will have less workload during their internships on either first term or second term of Academic Year 2021-2022 when onsite internships are allowed,” Dr. dela Cruz added.

UST Releases First-Ever USTAR Results Written by: Mary Andrew Dalogdog Following the deadline of application requirements last January 31, 2021, University of Santo Tomas Admission Rating (USTAR) results for college admissions were released last April 12, 2021.

First-Ever USTAR Results | Page 2

Dept Heads Bare Plans for Special Term, Upcoming Academic Year Written by: Aliah Nicole Brillante With the conclusion of an academic year entirely conducted online, the faculty’s department chairs assure a well-adjusted arrangement for the petition courses and practicums to be given in the upcoming special term, and the opening of classes for Academic Year 2021-2022.

Plans for Special Term, Upcoming Academic Year | Page 2

Although the OJT guidelines are very similar in every department, the Mechanical Engineering (ME) department has a rather different approach as an alternative.

ESC Candidates Highlight Platforms in Virtual MDA

Asst. Prof. Nelson M. Pasamonte, ME department chair, said in an interview with Thomasian Engineer that the department plans to host a series of webinars about the industry for the third-year students as an acknowledgment that not all companies will be open for a work from home setup which would lead to a very limited number of slots for the applicants.

Written by: Carl Tristan Gile

With these additional adjustments, along with the difficulty in finding an HTE that would accept the students, the faculty is planning to give the students an option that would allow them to pursue their OJTs during the first term of the Academic Year 2021-2022 given that not all students are fortunate enough to be accepted and that some still need to take up other courses for the special term.

Engineering Student Council (ESC) candidates held their final rallies in the first virtual Miting de Avance (MDA) spearheaded by the Engineering Commission on Elections (COMELEC) last May 8, 2021.

ESC Candidates’ Platforms in Virtual MDA | Page 2

ECE Distributes Toolkits; Faculty of Eng’g Procures MATLAB Licenses Written by: Blessy May Mercado & Jeffrey Alfonso

In February 2021, the Faculty of Engineering granted MATLAB licenses to all its students via the MATLAB Campus-Wide Suite, while the Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department distributed a total of 300 toolkits to its second and third-year students.

Toolkits, MATLAB Licenses | Page 3

UST Grants Academic Freeze as Covid-19 Cases Surge Written by: Blessy May Mercado

Immediately after the Easter Break, the university suspended classes and office work from April 6 to 11, 2021 due to the sudden rise of Covid-19 cases in the country and the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in the NCR-Plus bubble.

Before the said suspension, the UST Faculty Union (USTFU) and the UST Central Student Council (CSC) submitted a letter of request for an “academic freeze” to the university administrators on April 5, 2021.

Photo Courtesy of UST Minecraft

Send-off Activities for Batch 2021 to be Held Online Written by: Miguel Ballecer

In a memorandum dated June 23, 2021, the Office of the Secretary-General announced a virtual student awards day and send-off celebration for Batch 2021, in place of the traditional practice usually held on campus.

The virtual student awards for Academic Year (A.Y.) 20192020 and 2020-2021 is set to happen on July 16, 2021, wherein students who excelled in academics, community development, leadership, and teamwork will be given due recognition.

Meanwhile, Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., Ph.D., the university

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rector, will preside over the baccalaureate mass to be held on July 23. The send-off proper is also set to occur on the same day.

Concluding the said date is the virtual exit through the Arch of the Centuries which will be executed via the university’s Minecraft server, the same server used for the freshmen welcome walk last August 2020.

All activities are to be live-streamed through the university’s official Facebook page.

One Voice Performs in Nat’l Choral Festival

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This was backed by results of the student health assessments disseminated by the local student councils of the different colleges and faculties of the university.

Shortly after the appeal was made, the academic freeze was granted, with the university’s announcement stating that the weeklong break will “allow the stakeholders to focus on their health and family concerns in light of the spike in Covid-19 cases.”

What’s Inside Diminishing Campus Politics The result of this year’s elections reflect how students seemingly lose interest in campus politics. In ESC, the engineering local student council, three positions were left vacant: secretary, assistant secretary, and auditor. This is because no candidate filed for the said positions, meanwhile all of the occupied positions were unopposed as there are only lone candidates.

OPINIONS | Page 6

The Man of Grand Estafa What’s not to love about a president who makes jokes out of everything? After all, we’re all about the good vibes and promises during campaigns, aren’t we?

OPINIONS | Page 7

Plans for Special Term, Upcoming Academic Year First-Ever USTAR Results Image Courtesy of UST Office for Admissions

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In an interview with Asst. Prof. Nelson M. Pasamonte, PME, ASEAN Eng., Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department chair, he stated that the department’s faculty members have been constantly holding meetings on how their delivery of instructions will be enhanced.

“Alam naman natin na hindi talaga pwedeng ma-replace ang face-to-face, pero we can give kung ano yung dapat mabigay para sa kanila (estudyante). Ngayon, naging adjusted sa online, more proficient sa kung paano gumawa ng lecture materials [We all know that nothing can replace face-to-face classes, but we can at least provide our students the things they deserve.

Now, we have adjusted to the online setup, and have become more proficient in the preparation of lecture materials],” Asst.

Prof. Pasamonte added.

Even as the upcoming term is still to be held online, the different departments stated that initial steps have already been taken prior to the opening of classes on June 21, 2021, so as to have an organized flow of delivery for the short term.

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Results were made available via the student portal (http:// ustet.ust.edu.ph/results), which can be accessed using the last five digits of the applicant’s application number.

Compared to the previous USTET individual scores for each part of the test, USTAR scores range from 5,000 as the lowest and 13,300 as the highest. This score will determine whether the applicant is qualified for enrollment, is qualified for second screening in selected programs, (3) is on the waiting list, or (4) did not meet the cut-off score.

For colleges that don’t require a second screening for qualified applicants, a Confirmation of Enrollment (COE) form would be submitted along with other specified credentials. Moreover, all college applicants are required to submit an NSTP or ROTC primer depending on their choice.

If in any case, the credentials are not yet available from their respective schools, a Conditional Admission Contract (found also in the portal) shall be submitted instead. Credentials must still be submitted in the earliest time that it is available to the applicant.

All the mentioned downloadable forms can be seen on the applicant’s student portal.

After three working days upon submission of requirements, qualified applicants must complete the online personal data

sheet (PDS) and download the acknowledgment slip through the official website of UST Incoming Freshmen Personal Data Sheet (https://pds.ust.edu.ph).

Qualified applicants who wish to pursue the following programs must undergo a second screening: College of Nursing (interview), College of Rehabilitation Sciences (interview), College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (interview), Faculty of Arts and Letters (essay exam), and College of Fine Arts and Design (drawing exam).

Lastly, on-waiting list applicants would have to wait for the availability of slots on their chosen priority or alternative programs.

For the Faculty of Engineering, on-waiting list applicants who were accepted to their chosen programs were posted via the applicant’s student portals last May 20 and 25, 2021.

College applicants from UST Senior High School and USTAngelicum College Quezon City were given higher priority for all programs.

Updates and announcements regarding the university results and applications are posted on the official website of the UST Office of Admissions (https://ofad.ust.edu.ph/).

According to Dr. Angelo R. dela Cruz, PECE, Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department chair, they have already established the courses to be offered and have prepared the laboratory requirements, such as MATLAB, Verilog HDL, LTSPICE, and Emona TIMS online, which are software-based and can be accessed online.

The department has also fully deployed the electronic toolkit to all second and third-year ECE students to supplement the circuit simulations done on their laptops and improve their psychomotor skills in connecting electronic components physically.

“In addition, we are also preparing for the new courses to be offered in the fourth year level. We are set to deploy another set of toolkits including microcontrollers to be connected to their laptops for them to develop a simple embedded system application design,” Dr. dela Cruz stated.

As per Engr. Gabriel Bucu, Industrial Engineering (IE) faculty member, the department has been in the continuous process of offering the students with supplementary learning tools such as the Ergonomics Laboratory Toolkit, CogLab, integration of SAP Business One to the IE curriculum, and the use of new software such as SPSS, LINGO, and the newly acquired Minitab, and ProSIM. “For the next academic year, the department shall improve its class and assessment schedules tailor-fit for virtual learning.

Moreover, the department will be putting more emphasis on the research and design output of the students as oral presentation defense is scheduled next AY for the graduating students,” Dr. Joehanna K. Ngo, PIE, ASEAN Eng, IE Department chair, said.

The IE Department is currently preparing for the next academic year, as they are set to offer for the first time its four IE Tracks Specializations for the fourth year students namely: 1) Production Engineering, 2) Quality Engineering, 3) Operations Research and Analytics, and 4) Service Engineering.

When asked about their thoughts on the Commission on Education’s recent announcement that Engineering courses will possibly be the second batch, next to medicine, to shift to faceto-face classes, the abovementioned chairpersons agreed that even as the field requires an actual laboratory setup for students to acquire the necessary skills, safety is still the primary concern; however, they said that it would be made possible once herd immunity has been attained.

Image by Jayvee Fulgencio

ESC Candidates’ Platforms in Virtual MDA from Page 1

All the candidates’ levels of awareness regarding their proposed projects were tested in the first segment of the MDA, the Face-Off. The candidates’ platforms are as follows: Jerard Taloy (Public Relations Officer independent candidate), building rapport within the engineering community through virtual communication; Mark Rainier Asilo (LakasTUGON Assistant Treasurer candidate), giving internship opportunities for the 3rd year and 4th year students; Justine Lian Fabia (Treasurer independent candidate), promoting small businesses and helping the students to be financially literate; Carlos Joaquin Dimaguila (LakasTUGON External Vice President candidate), widening student horizons and addressing student well-being; Leanna Bautista (Internal Vice President independent candidate), creating a better online environment for the engineering community, and; Kyla Christine Sarcos (President independent candidate), exhibiting interdepartmental communication and enhancing online student-centered services.

After all the platforms were presented, the candidates answered questions from the panel composed of Janine Renojo, former ESC Socio-Cultural and Marketing Head, Angelica Puno, UST Association of Civil Engineering Students (ACES) Co-Chairwoman, and Jhoana Fidel, Editor-in-Chief of Thomasian Engineer.

On Dimaguila’s proposed project about having podcasts in ESC, Fidel pointed out that it might be “a bit excessive for a student council agenda.” Yet, Dimaguila disagreed and stressed that it could make the publication materials more alive through invited speakers.

Dimaguila was also asked by Puno how he would improve the external relations of ESC. He said that he will establish good communication and regain or win the trust of other organizations in the faculty.

The platform of Sarcos about scholarship programs was questioned by Renojo, asking if the university lacks in implementing it. Sarcos explained that the school does not lack and that the purpose of her project is to help the students be more aware of the offered scholarships.

After the questions about the individual platforms, Puno asked for the candidates’ opinions on some social issues and current events.

When asked about the ABS-CBN shutdown, Taloy responded that the biggest challenge brought by the issue is the reduction of the source of mass information.

On the other hand, regarding Pope Francis’ recent statement on supporting same-sex civil unions, Asilo considered it as a “right move.”

Meanwhile, Bautista agreed in the “Let Leni Lead” call of the people, stating that Duterte is no longer fit to run for the next term.

Shortly after the second segment, students and faculty members were allowed to ask questions to the candidates in the open forum, the last part of the MDA. The major question asked was the adjustments that the candidates will make with regards to the academic changes brought by the pandemic, wherein they had a common answer of maintaining the present council’s safety and health tracker. Sarcos also added that the importance of the weekly health surveys must be further explained to the students.

Furthermore, weekly “kumustuhan” sessions and partnerships with other organizations were Dimaguila’s suggestions in helping the students cope.

The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to the panelists.

PRC Reschedules Anew 2021 Board Exams After initially being postponed in the previous year, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has once again made multiple announcements in the past months regarding the rescheduling of all engineering licensure examinations due to health and safety concerns.

The Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Electronics, and Mechanical Engineers Licensure Examinations were expected to take place during the first half of the year but were all rescheduled later this year.

The Mechanical Engineers are set to take up the board exams first, which are now scheduled at the 15th and 16th day of August (Sunday and Monday), 2021, with testing centers located in National Capital Region (NCR), Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Lucena, Rosales,

Tacloban, and Zamboanga.

The second batch of engineers to take up the exams are the Registered Electrical Engineers, now scheduled at the 5th and 6th of September (Sunday and Monday) in NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.

Chemical and Electronics Engineering will both hold the examinations in October with the Chemical Engineering scheduled at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th day of the month (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) in NCR, Baguio, and Cebu, while the Electronics Engineering at the 23rd and 24th day of the month (Saturday and Sunday) in NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi,

Lucena, Pagadian, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.

The last set to take the exams is the Civil Engineers scheduled on the 13th and 14th of November (Saturday and Sunday) in NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.

The rescheduled dates released by PRC are still subject to change due to the pandemic restrictions in certain areas but the commission assured that if the examinations were to continue with the said dates, safety protocols will strictly be implemented. Jeffrey Alfonso

Photo by Aliah Nicole Brillante

Faculty of Eng’g Recognizes Students, Toolkits, MATLAB Faculty Members, Support Staff Licenses Photo by Aliah Nicole Brillante

Written by: Aliah Nicole Brillante

The Faculty of Engineering gave credit to its exemplary faculty members, support staff, and Dean’s Listers in the firstever virtual Recognition Day last February 9, 2021.

Dean Philipina A. Marcelo, PhD., formally started the awarding exercises with her opening remarks, in which she stated, “Your accomplishments have been extraordinary indeed. You continued to have your gaze glued to our vision as you persevered steadfastly undeterred by the pandemic.”

First-year to third-year and fifth-year students from each of the six departments (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Electronics, and Electrical), who qualified for the Dean’s List for the second term of Academic Year 2019-2020 and the first term of Academic Year 2020-2021, were honored through a presentation of their pictures, together with their overall rank and general weighted average (GWA) for each term in which they made it to the list.

A GWA of at least 1.75, with no failing marks and no incomplete courses, are the criteria for the Dean’s List.

After the awarding of students, a service award was given to each of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Faculty who have rendered 10 years of service and every five years thereafter.

Assoc. Prof. Ricardo S. Balog, M. Engg, Assoc. Prof.

Bernadette M. Duran, MACT, M.Engg, Asst. Prof. Nelson M. Pasamonte, M.S, and Asst. Prof. Angelo A. Morsiquillo, M.Engg led the teaching staff awardees as they were honored for their 40 years of teaching in the faculty.

On the other hand, service awardees for the support staff, together with their years of service, are the following: Mr. Wendell B. Naguit, 10 years; Mr. Claudillo B. Bagadiong, 20 years; Mr. Reinerio Maynard I. Gabilo, 25 years; Mr. Oliver P. Granada, 25 years; Mr. Jesus T. Tardecilla, 25 years; Mr.

Ronaldo B. Frias, 30 years, and; Mr. Edwin G. Antonio, 40 years.

Following the service awards, the highest faculty evaluation by students (tenured) was given to the following faculty members from the 10th to the second rank, respectively: Engr.

Jeffrey Mercado, Asst. Prof. Amante R. Garcia, M.S., Asst.

Prof. Maria Victoria C. Viray, M. Math Ed, Asst. Prof. Odyssey C. Herrera, M.S., Engr. Edison A. Roxas, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof.

Michael Francis D. Benjamin, Ph.D., Engr. Mary Grace Ann C. Bautista, M.S., Engr. La Verne Ramir D.T. Certeza, M.S., and Dr. Lorico D.S. Lapitan, Jr. Tied in the first place are Asst. Prof. Nelson M. Pasamonte, M.S., and Engr. Noel S. Sabarillo, M.S. The following faculty members (non-tenured) received the highest faculty evaluation by students from the 10th to the first rank, respectively: Engr. Divine Angela G. Sumalinog, Ph.D., Engr. Marion Joseph B. Villamor, Engr. Jason Jake E. Tan, Engr. Mark Ivan C. Espinosa, Engr. Ken Gabriel S. Fernandez, Engr. Maria Joriza C. Bondoc, M.S., Engr. Edsel B. Calica, Ph.D., Engr. Reymond D. Serafica, Engr. Julius Christian Conrad A. Puentes, M.S., Engr. Damirson A. Co, M.S., Engr.

John Enoch T. Grajeda, and Engr. Aldrin Lorrenz A. Chan, M.S. Asst. Prof. Nelson M. Pasamonte, Mechanical Engineering department chair, concluded the recognition day with his closing remarks.

“We consider this as a milestone because we achieved it under the new normal,” he said.

The Electrical Engineering Department, led by Asst. Prof.

Carlito M. Gutierrez organized the virtual event.

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Engr. Edison Roxas, ECE faculty member, together with the Engineering Laboratory Supervisor in Action (ELSA), and other faculty members led the distribution of the toolkits and licenses after attending a MATLAB on-board program to prepare an installation guide for the students, which was distributed by the laboratory supervisors of each department.

The license allows the students to install MATLAB and Simulink products on an unlimited number of devices and access MATLAB Online, MATLAB Drive, Simulink online, MATLAB grader, and MATLAB mobile. In addition, the MATLAB Academic Online Training Suite can also be used if a student wishes to go through an in-depth tutorial on the usage of the software.

The license is renewable every year, which makes the current license available until February 2022.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned toolkit includes all basic equipment and components needed for hands-on experiments and activities in courses like Electronics Devices and Circuits, Electronics Analysis and Design, Electronic Systems and Design, Mixed-Signal Electronics, and Switching Circuits and Logic Design.

Each of the kits contains the following: variable DC adaptor, DDS function generator, digital VOM, breadboard, soldering iron, soldering lead, batteries, connecting wires, universal Printed Circuit Board (PCB), 7-segment displays, dual inline package (DIP) switches, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Light Dependent Resistor (LDR), and a variety of transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), capacitors, and resistors.

The different tools and components were based on several meetings and consultations with the ECE professors handling the laboratory courses.

“We made sure that all components are based on the experiments and activities that may be implemented during our online classes,” Engr. Roxas said in an interview with Thomasian Engineer.

Of the 300 toolkits distributed, 148 were for the second year, 145 were for the third year, and seven were spare toolkits.

Photo Courtesy of Engr. Grace Ann C. Bautista

Engr. Bautista Exhibits Research on Virtual Lab Instruction Image by Jayvee Fulgencio

Dean Marcelo becomes Humphrey Fellowship Awardee Written by: Mary Andrew Dalogdog

Philipina A. Marcelo, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, is now a two-time awardee of the PhilippineAmerican Educational Foundation (PAEF) as she was announced as one of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Awardees by Secretariat Executive Director Julio S. Amador III.

The Humphrey Fellowship Program was established as an annual Fulbright Exchange in March 1978 to honor the public service career of the late Hubert H. Humphrey (19111978). He served in the United States as a Senator representing Minnesota for two terms (1949-1964; 1971-978) and 38th Vice President of the country for one term (1965-1969).

She was first awarded the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Grant by PAEF last 2002-2007, which led her to earn the Doctorate for Philosophy in Food Science and Technology from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

The program will be effective in August 2021 wherein recipients from 140 qualified countries will be allowed to collaborate and engage with global leaders, fellow academics, policy-makers on issues about law and human rights, public health, climate change, and public policy. Lasting from ten months to a year, this also allows them to participate in seminars and workshops such as the Humphrey Seminar, Academic Enrichment, Professional Development, and the Washington Global Leadership Forum.

According to UST’s Communications Bureau, one of Dean Marcelo’s aims is to focus and set the best standards on innovation and sustainability management for UST Sta. Rosa, Laguna campus, where UST Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center is located at.

Engr. Mary Grace Ann C. Bautista, MSc, Electronics Engineering (ECE) department faculty member, and the faculty’s e-Learning specialist, discussed her research paper on virtual engineering lab teaching methods during the 15th National e-Learning Conference of the Philippine eLearning Society (PELS) held last May 29, 2021.

Engr. Bautista’s research entitled, “Enriched Virtual Mode of Instruction: Fostering Deeper Learning for Engineering Laboratory Classes,” tackled the ECE department’s shift to the enriched virtual mode, stating that the use of the “most practical yet effective” strategies in teaching, learning, and evaluation are key elements to attaining desired learning outcomes and deeper learning experiences for students.

In addition, her paper highlighted that the enhancement of motivation, incorporation of active engagement, designing of effective assessment tasks, and adoption of an inclusive mindset are also needed for a successful instruction process for ECE students during distance learning.

With the theme, “Reaching the Unreachable: Traversing the Future of Flexible Education,” the said event is the first-ever 3D immersive virtual conference of PELS with interactive booths for its participants. Blessy May Mercado

Photos by Ma. Victoria Lopez, Camille Buli, Alex Tacderas, Joaquin Campos, and Jayvee Fulgencio

Eng’g Holds Week-Long Virtual Foundation Anniversary Written by: Aliah Nicole Brillante, Mary Andrew Dalogdog, Carl Tristan Gile, Miguel Ballecer, Blessy May Mercado, Allen Atienza, Lance Lasam, Laurence Gabriel Arellano, Jeffrey Alfonso, and John Carlo Urbano

To mark the 114th Foundation Anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering, the first-ever virtual Engineering Week was held last February 8-13, 2021.

With the theme, “UST Engineering in Unending Pursuit of Excellence: Steadfast, Undeterred @ 114,” Vlog Fest, E-Games Tournament, Bingo Royale, Research Colloquium, and Job Fair were only some of the events conducted during this celebration.

To make way for these activities, classes were suspended on the first and last day of the Engineering Week, while asynchronous classes were held last February 9-11.

Rev. Fr. Roberto Luanzon, Jr., O.P, faculty regent, presided over the eucharistic mass celebrated on the first day. This was immediately followed by the opening program, hosted

by Asst. Prof. Charmina Lou C. Bautista from the Industrial Engineering (IE) Department. Engr. Perfecto “Eric” T. Espiritu, PIE, a UST alumnus and COO of Hastings Motor Corp., was the keynote speaker of the program.

Webinars regarding career development, health and wellness, and remote learning were conducted for the students, with invited speakers from different fields of expertise.

For the teaching staff, the “Anong Kwentong Turong Pandemic Mo?” webinar was hosted last February 12, intended for them to exchange thoughts about their experiences during the online setup with their fellow instructors.

Whereas for the alumni, Jubilarian classes were awarded with Jubilarian medals on behalf of their batchmates during the first-ever “ZoomUSTahan,” led by the UST Engineering Alumni Association, Inc. (USTEAAI) last February 13.

For students to be inspired to work on future research projects, the Electronics Engineering (ECE) and Chemical Engineering (ChE) Department presented the 8th Engineering Research Colloquium, wherein

faculty researches from each of the six departments were discussed. Following this was a showcase of the engineering laboratories situated at the Fr. Roque Ruaño building.

Meanwhile, the following games and competitions tested the students’ teamwork and creativity: Engineering Vlogfest 2021, HABILIN: Engineering Photo Contest 2021, Bingo Royale, Engineering E-Games 2021, and E-RACE: Excellerace Goes Virtual.

The annual Job Fair also pushed through for the faculty’s new graduates last February 9-11. Applicants attended the job screening of Analog Devices, Rockwell Land Corporation, Dyson, PT&T, and JG Summit Petrochemical Group via Zoom.

Concluding the week-long celebration was the Interlude: Engineering Fest 2021, encompassing the Variety Showdown, Battle of the Bands, and Silver Gear Awards.

Winners of the Silver Gear Awards, which were announced in intervals during the Battle of the Bands, are the following: Krizia Mile Joy Yu, Fr. Roque Ruaño Leadership Award; Justin Kobe Macario, St. Sebastian Award; Operations Research Society of the Philippines UST Chapter (ORSP-UST), St. Aloysius Gonzaga Award, and; Asst. Prof. Maria Victoria C. Viray, MME, MA, Engr. Mary Grace C. Bautista, MS, Asst. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran, MEngg, MA, Engr. La Verne Ramir D.T. Certeza, MPE, Engr.

Kevin Lester B. Lobo, BS, Assoc. Prof. Joehanna K. Ngo, MSIE, PIE, ASEAN Engr., and Engr. Reymond D. Serafica, BS for Most Outstanding Professor.

Afterward, the Engineering Fest was graced by the performances of the guest performers: Bone-A, 1906, and Clara Benin. Moreover, the Engineering Dance Troupe (EDT) and One Voice Engineering Chorale also performed their intermission numbers during these events.

Image Courtesy of UST-Chemical Engineering Society

Chem Eng’g Studes Showcase Product Innovations in VIVACHE Expo Written by: Aliah Nicole Brillante

To promote their own product innovations and expand their knowledge in their field, third-year Chemical Engineering (ChE) students participated in the department’s mini expo, “VIVACHE: A Virtual Celebration of Excellence in Product Innovation,” held last May 28-29, 2021.

During the first day, invited alumni speakers, who are already successful in their own field of expertise, hosted a series of talks about the chemical engineering industry.

The esteemed guests are the following: Engr.

Venice Zaila Alolod, a former part-time instructor in the ChE department, and is currently taking up MS Environmental Engineering; Engr. Mariah Antonio, Home Care Research and Development Assistant Manager in Unilever Philippines, Inc.; Engr. Reinel Davis Bandong, AAE, Product Supply Associate Manager - Process Engineer in Procter and Gamble Philippines, Inc.; Mr. Froilan Ayaquil, MSC., part-time instructor in UST and Polytechnic University of the Philippines; Engr. Jaedine Cortes, Digital Enterprise Solutions Engineer in Yokogawa Philippines; Ms. Ailyn Mae Kuan-Del Rio, UST faculty member and board of directors of the Nutritionist Dieticians Association of the Philippines, and; Engr. John Victor Mateo, an environmental engineer at the Jacobs Projects Philippines Inc. Part of the first set of activities are the open booths extended to all Faculty of Engineering students, wherein food products, hygiene and sanitation, and eco-products and home care were featured through Zoom breakout rooms.

Photo Courtesy of Engr. Grace Ann C. Bautista

EDTECH Integrates Panopto as New Recording Tool Written by: Miguel Ballecer

Along with the continuous use of Blackboard services for online classes, the university has acquired the Panopto application as its new lecture recording software in September 2020.

After familiarizing themselves with the application, the university’s e-learning specialists offered training to the rest of the academic staff. Students first got to experience Panopto during the second term of A.Y. 20202021.

In an interview with Asst. Prof. Cristin Rose Versales, MSPT, the head of the E-learning Management unit of UST EDTECH, enumerated the following advantages of the said application: both teachers and students are allowed to upload and record videos securely within the application, uploaded videos can be edited and managed in folders, and quizzes can be integrated into the lecture to make it more interactive.

Moreover, Asst. Prof. Versales stated that it allows

students to have a personalized experience as it provides smart search and smart chapter which allows them to search for specific keywords within the video recording.

The said application also helps with providing more accessibility to both students and professors as it automatically uploads Zoom recorded lectures and provides student engagement data (number of students who watched, downloaded, answered the questions, etc.).

When asked if there were struggles encountered in the integration of the new software, Asst. Prof. Versales identified the familiarity with the tool and its adoption as a difficulty at first, which was addressed by providing faculty training to familiarize themselves with the application.

The validity of the Panopto subscription will last until August 2023.

For the second day, an oral pitching and scientific poster exhibition of the 29 products devised by the third-year ChE students during the whole second term was held.

Topping the product innovation presentation are the following products: Amagummy: Biodegradable and Chewable Straw (overall first place, best in food category, best poster, and most marketable product); Asphyxiator Ball (overall second place, best in eco-product and home care category, and best poster); Halamask (overall second place, best in eco-product and home care category, most marketable product, and best group presenter); pHresh Wrap (overall third place, and best poster); Gouache (best in hygiene and sanitation category, best poster, and most marketable product), and; Papyroma (best in commercial, and best group presenter).

The two-day curricular activity was conducted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Chemical Process Laboratory (ChE2128) course.

Faculty of Engineering Bids Farewell to its Retiring Professors Written by: Mary Andrew Dalogdog The Faculty of Engineering has produced engineers who were trained and taught by professors to be experts in their chosen fields. It is through their efforts and determination that the faculty earns its foundation and strength. Thus, may this serve as a token of gratitude to the retiring professors for all that they have contributed both academically and personally to the student body and fellow faculty members.

Associate Professor Ricardo S. Balog Years of Service: 41 years (since June 16, 1980) Rank: Associate Professor 2 He was the former chair of the Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department (June 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016) who is now retiring as the assistant dean of the faculty (August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2021).

He also became the assistant dean two times before his recent service (June 1, 2000 - May 31, 2004, and June 1, 2006 - May 31, 2015).

Prior to his first appointment in the faculty, he was already a working student assigned as the Laboratory Technician at ME Lab 2 - Machine Shop since March 1977.

Assoc. Prof. Balog handled the following courses: (1) technical courses in the two-year Vocational Training Program, (2) Machine Shop Practice under the Institute of Technological Courses (ITC), (3) 3rd Year ME courses Workshop Theory and Practice, (4) Machine Shop Theory and Practice, and (5) Instrumentation, Control Engineering, and Industrial Processes.

As someone who taught for four decades, teaching was not his first career choice upon coming across an opportunity in the said faculty.

“It was only after a year of engagement that I realized that I have the passion for teaching.”

In addition to being assigned to several administrative/academic positions, among his achievements were being awarded the Mario Cruel Award for Advanced Engineering Technology Application 2018 by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Inc. (PhilAAST), and being chosen as part of the list of “Asian Scientist 100: 2019 Edition” by the Asian Scientist Magazine (ASM).

As he says goodbye to the faculty, Assoc. Prof. Balog highlighted that he would mostly miss the relationships formed inside and outside the classrooms as he “mentored them (his students), helped them mold their values, and became their second parents.”

He added that he would also miss the friendships formed with his colleagues, “those who have become my second family because they took me for who I was without judgment.” And just like every Thomasian can relate to, he would miss “the beautiful campus that would sometimes sink up to our waistlines when typhoons hit Metro Manila and submerge this part of the city in floodwaters.”

Associate Professor Bernadette M. Duran Years of Service: 41 years (since June 16, 1980) Rank: Associate Professor 2

She was the former chair of the Chemical Engineering Department (June 1, 2006 - May 31, 2012) who is now retiring as the supervisor of the Chemistry Laboratory of the said faculty (June 1, 2012 - July 31, 2017). She also became the supervisor of the said laboratory two times before her recent service (February 1, 1989 - March 31, 1996, and June 1, 2003 - May 31, 2006).

During the first virtual Foundation Anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering held last February 8-13, 2021, she was given the award of “Most Outstanding Professor” along with some of her fellow faculty members.

As to wish Assoc. Prof. Duran’s happiness as she leaves the faculty, a retirement party was held last June 11, 2021, via Zoom. Students, faculty members, and alumni of the Chemical Engineering Department were invited to the said party. Delivered gifts, raffle prizes, and trivia quizzes surely gave all the attendees a lasting memory to remember and cherish.

Assistant Professor Carminia C. Paulino Years of Service: 44 years (since June 14, 1977) Rank: Assistant Professor 3 She was the former coordinator of the Filipino course (June 1, 1993 - May 31, 2007) who is now retiring as the coordinator of the Language and Humanities course (June 1, 2012 - May 31, 2013) both for the Faculty of Engineering. She also became the former co-adviser of the Thomasian Engineer Journal for a decade.

Prior to her first appointment in the faculty, she graduated from the same university under the College of Education. She also became affiliated with the same college, along with other professors teaching Filipino, upon the introduction of Senior High School (SHS) in the university.

Asst. Prof. Paulino handled the following courses majoring in Filipino language: (1) Sining ng Komunikasyon sa Pilipino, (2) Panitikang Pilipino, (3) Filipino sa Iba’t Ibang Disiplina, (4) Kontekstuwalisadong Komunikasyon sa Filipino, (5) Retorikang Filipino, and (6) Panimulang Pagsasalin.

It’s no coincidence that she stayed in the faculty for more than four decades since teaching was already her first career choice when she was a kid. “In teaching, we will not just handle ordinary commodities, but a commitment to people who are willing to learn, skills to be honed and most importantly help them build or develop their good character.”

Among her many experiences through her years of service, she mentioned that her proudest moment was mainly “being significant to most of my students, recognizing my best intentions to make them learn

not only my subject but especially life’s lessons which I integrated in my discussions.”

It is also through these years that Asst. Prof. Paulino realized that she would miss the good camaraderie among her faculty members and relationships with her students. She even added that she would miss “dressing up for my students, learning from my students about the new trends (being with the students makes a teacher feel young and look younger).”

As an encore to her retirement, she planned to have the best time through traveling and enjoying with her family after retirement.

However, the ongoing pandemic made her reconsider. “My movements became limited, it is hard for me to plan at the moment. Besides, as a retired senior citizen, I am grateful and could not ask for more. Avoid complications and life becomes simple. Just enjoy life!”

Assistant Professor Virginia A. Sembrano Years of Service: 44 years (since June 1, 1977) Rank: Assistant Professor 3 She was the former coordinator of the English course (June 1, 2001 - March 31, 2005) for the Faculty of Engineering who is now retiring as the acting director of the Office of Public Affairs (December 7, 2020 July 31, 2021). She also became a former adviser of the Thomasian Engineer Journal.

Prior to her first appointment in the faculty, she obtained her Master’s in English degree at the UST Graduate School. She also became affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Letters, along with other professors teaching English, upon the introduction of Senior High School (SHS) in the university.

Aside from being an English language professor, Asst. Prof. Sembrano also handled all four Spanish courses since she acquired her Teacher’s Diploma in Spanish from the Instituto Cervantes (school of Spanish Embassy in the Philippines).

As a professor who taught and co-authored several books (and manuals) for four decades, she admits that she wanted to become a flight stewardess or an ad agency employee. “It was my father’s choice because there are teachers in his family. At the onset, my heart wasn’t into teaching, I fell in love with it.”

Being a student who excelled in studies and graduated with Latin honors, her proudest moments were when she saw her students manifest what they learn in class. “I expected a lot from myself so that I could also help bright students become excellent or outstanding students.”

These moments were always her primary goal because just like her role model, Jose Rizal, “I would always tell my students that he was a Thomasian and a mortal just like my students, so they too, can be excellent and well-rounded students.”

To place a cherry on top of her teaching career, she plans to travel and finally go back to writing. “All my siblings are based abroad. I get to travel once in a while, but they are always brief travels. I have been so busy with administrative work lately that I haven’t been able to write as much as I would like.”

Eng’g Mother Orgs Host Department Week

Written by: Aliah Nicole Brillante, Mary Andrew Dalogdog, Carl Gile, Laurence Gabriel Arellano, Blessy May Mercado, and Miguel Ballecer

Images Courtesy of (Left to Right, Top to Bottom) UST-MEC, UST-ChES, UST-ACES, UST-EEC, UST-NECES, and UST-IEC

Each of the six departments of the faculty celebrated their first-ever virtual department weeks within March to May this year, with their respective mother organizations spearheading the planning and execution of the activities.

In the week of March 8-13, 2021, the Electrical Engineering (EE), Civil Engineering (CE), and Electronics Engineering (ECE) Departments simultaneously held their events.

Pulling off a “Mario Bros” theme, the EE Department held an orientation for second-year students, academic general assembly, mental health webinar, annual quiz show, and an online tournament in Valorant and Mobile Legends.

The CE Department, on the other hand, hosted the following activities: ribbon-cutting ceremony, Tiktok competition, tournaments in chess, bridge building, Skribble, Call of Duty Mobile, and Among Us, PalaiCEpan quiz bee, bingo, and webinars on business and entrepreneurship.

Inspired by the ‘80s, the ECE Department, on the other hand, conducted an induction program, variety show competition, webinars on career, mental health, and leadership, and competitions in Valorant, Call of Duty Mobile, and merchandise design (shirt and face mask).

The following month, from April 22-24, the ChE Department held a three-day event with the following activities: quiz contest, logo making contest, student integration and enrichment webinar, mini-games, sports fest, and concert.

Also celebrating at the same time are the Industrial Engineering (IE) and Mechanical Engineering (ME) Departments in the week of May 10-15.

The IE Department’s six-day celebration mainly focused on providing webinars on time management, resume making, career opportunities, technopreneurship, and financial literacy.

In addition to this, a sports fest and leadership training were also conducted.

Holding the event in two days, the shortest among all departments, the ME Department prepared a quiz show, innovation and technology webinar, film festival, and viewing of the department’s video entries in the engineering week.

All department weeks officially commenced with an opening mass presided over by Rev Fr. Roberto Luanzon Jr. O.P., the faculty regent.

Image Courtesy of De La Salle University Chorale

One Voice Performs in Nat’l Choral Festival Written by: Carl Tristan Gile

The UST One Voice Engineering Chorale (OV) shared their musical pieces in the “Why We Sing” Choral Festival hosted by the De La Salle University (DLSU) - Manila Chorale last May 7-9, 2021.

The three-day virtual festivity aimed to showcase the talent and stories of local and international choirs from the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia.

OV presented on the third day of the festival, wherein they sang their chosen piece entitled “Let There Be Praise” which was composed by Dick and Melody Tunney, and arranged by Chris Borela and Richard Huggins.

They also performed a rendition of the song “Why We Sing” by Greg Gilpin, together with the other chorales who partook in the event.

As a preparation, OV chose a piece to cover that would describe the group. After consulting the choirmaster on the chosen track, they rehearsed their parts individually at their own convenient time for they cannot practice together physically due to pandemic restrictions.

When asked about OV’s experiences in the festival, John William Vedeja, the choirmaster, said that it was intimidating and challenging because they never expected before that they would be able to perform with many other great chorales.

“Amidst the challenge of producing an OV quality chorale performance this pandemic, we were thankful that we managed to pull it through and successfully deliver it in the festival. To sing as one as a choir and to be able to witness the talents of other chorales is an experience we will never forget,” he stated.

The DLSU chorale sold tickets for the event, wherein a portion of the proceeds were given to the Artists’ Welfare Project, Inc., a nongovernmental organization that supports Filipino artists.

The other chorales who participated in the event are the following: UST Medicine Glee Club, UP Singing Ambassadors, MAPUA Cardinal Singers, FEU Chorale, DLSU Dasmariñas Chorale, San Beda University Benedictine Chorale, Philippine Vocal Ensemble, Raffles Singers and Saints Choir of St. Andrew’s Secondary School from Singapore, and Inggou Victory Choir from Medan, Indonesia.

Diminishing Campus Politics Laurence Gabriel E. Arellano Sports Editor The result of this year’s elections reflect how students seemingly lose interest in campus politics. In ESC, the engineering local student council, three positions were left vacant: secretary, assistant secretary, and auditor. This is because no candidate filed for the said positions, meanwhile all of the occupied positions were unopposed as there are only lone candidates.

In the organizations of the different majors, only the Association of Civil Engineering Students and Industrial Engineering Circle have filled positions throughout their board. The Mechanical Engineering Club, Chemical Engineering Society, and Electrical Engineering Circuit have vacant positions while the Network of Electronics Engineering Students declared a failure of elections as no member has filed candidacy on any position of their executive board.

In this remote learning setup, perhaps the reach of different student organizations has diminished, resulting in a less exposed campus politics for freshmen and sophomores. Some of them can only be visibly felt during their program week. Without experiencing or witnessing activities led by the student organizations, students tend to wonder what exactly are the responsibilities of being a student leader. Do organizations just create captions and post publication materials whenever there are holidays?

Will we only be responsible for initiating different activities during our department week?

Since the student body has no full understanding of the duties and responsibilities of each committee of the student organizations, hesitancy among students who have enough interest in campus politics rises, making it more difficult as it is to assume the student-leader responsibility.

But for students in higher year levels who experienced the presence of the organizations, and could have assumed the said positions, the reason for disengagement is different. According to Assistant Professor Froilan Calilung, the possibility of students hesitating in filing for candidacy was due to their unwillingness of taking part in handling and leading fellow students.

EDITORIAL

CHED Turned Guinea Pigs to Baits Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero De Vera III magically turned guinea pigs into baits when he said that “flexible learning” will be the new norm and that there will be no turning back to the traditional face-to-face learning “from the year 2021 and thereafter” in a webinar focused on “Educating Children.”

Last May 21, De Vera said that the commission has already accepted and adopted that the “flexible learning” policy will be the definitive step for the tertiary education stakeholders for the reason that they do not want to “run the risk exposing our educational stakeholders to the same risk if another pandemic comes in.”

But from an economic perspective, online classes benefit only a specific educational stakeholder— the school administration. According to a study conducted in 2020

by Igor Chirikov and Rene Kizilec, one of the few reasons why online classes are beneficial is because it helps colleges and universities stay afloat despite the evident recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Electrical costs and other miscellaneous costs are lowered, giving benefit to the schools.

Interestingly, on August 6, 2020, the senate urged CHED to investigate why universities and colleges still charge the same fees despite lowered operational costs due to class interruptions and suspensions. De Vera answered that despite the inquiry, 89 of 400 schools still pushed through the application for a tuition fee increase.

Although distance learning indeed has its fair share of advantages, announcing the new policy is still heedless as it does not take into account the most affected educational stakeholders in the country and how it will affect their future contributions to society. Students and faculty members alike are still in struggle on how they would push through their classes from day to day even though De Vera claimed that both educators and learners are able to “adapt and adjust to flexible learning better now than before.”

Further utilization of flexible learning policy will pave a very dangerous path, not only for the welfare of the students and educators but also for the future economy.

Around 10-percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or a total of 1.93 trillion pesos is the present value costs resulting from the face-to-face education closures during only the 2020-2021 school year, as per Raitzer et al. in their cost-benefit analysis of school closures caused by the pandemic.

Hanushek and Woesman explain that as students lose their motivation for education due to health and economic crises brought about by the pandemic, learning losses will be observed. These losses will eventually lead to skill loss, resulting in a significant decrease in generational productivity. What’s alarming is that about 1.15 trillion pesos of the costs mentioned above are from learning losses among the students who later in their lives, will join the labor force.

What’s appalling is that it can cause a 1.5% decrease in a country’s average GDP. A kick in the pants for the Philippines as the country hopped in the down spiral of recession in the second quarter of 2020, shrinking by 16.5%.

This, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, is the sharpest drop in the country’s record.

Even though CHED announced, in contrast with previous proclamations, that limited face-to-face classes are studied to be soon commenced for technical programs such as engineering, information technology, and alike, the problem and dilemma in the education system prevails.

Raitzer et al. emphasized in their study that learning loss has permanently affected the country’s future economy to the point that these costs are 70 times higher than the mortality costs alleviated by the suspension of face-to-face classes. More explicitly, Raitzer discussed, that it would take saving 100,000 lives from getting the disease just to match the learning loss that has cost the future economy.

This is far from true. In fact, according to Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities President Caroline Enriquez, even though 99-percent of the professors and educators have access to the web at home, only 31-percent of the students do.

On the other hand, it is also thoughtless to say that the sudden return of face-to-face classes would put an end to all this inquiry, as many of the student leaders in the Philippines believe because while face-to-face classes will surely help to lessen the learning loss, a sudden spike in operational costs and health risk costs will be observed.

Thus, to alleviate these problems, it is important to first recognize their long-term consequences and repercussions.

All the more, CHED seems clear as mud when chairman De Vera said that returning to face-to-face classes will “waste investments in technology, teachers’ training, and retrofitting,” while the new policy will be the mix of the “best of both worlds,” meaning that, limited faceto-face classes swirled with online classes and distance learning will compose the new learning norm. Add to that the recent announcement of the probable return of face-to-face classes for technical courses, and we got ourselves a head-scratcher that will last for generations.

Not only did De Vera launch the baits but he sold down the river in his statements as it is a form of settlement for the underachieving government that we are in. And it is not likely that they do not have the critical powers. Being one of the departments that represent 24 million adults, CHED can honestly do more than reckless announcements. They can urge a more coordinated COVID-19 pandemic approach that will not sacrifice the future of education’s most important stakeholders— the youth, their future economy, and the succeeding generations.

This unwillingness, however, may be a result of being too focused on academics and not being entirely apolitical. This can mean that students

Diminishing Campus Politics | Page 13

A Re-Evaluation of Our Educational System Allen N. Atienza Technical Editor Working hard with purpose can be associated with commitment and fulfillment. Working hard without purpose can be called slavery. Which of the two scenarios does the education system fall into right now?

The education system right now is like climbing stairs, but we don’t think of what reaching the next floor means. We only look at the stairs themselves and how difficult they seem, but in the end, we just want to get over the stairs instead of wanting to actually reach the next floor. We don’t care on how to get there and if we’re given the chance to pay for an elevator, we’d take it.

We need to reevaluate the notion that education isn’t supposed to be an achievement only. Even though we want to graduate, a lot of students don’t feel passion in going through today’s learning process. We work hard on our studies every day, but we just end up doing academic activities for the sake of saying we “did” and “learned” something. Professors teach procedures applied in work, and students learn from those lessons. We’re given problem sets to answer and we just answer them. It is a process that only gets harder and less reasonable because of the standards that fail us when we think we weren’t “given enough examples”.

In reality, students are frustrated that they could not pass despite the fact that professors assured them that working hard will pay off. It’s either we bite our pride and kill ourselves inside, listing the professors as “terror profs” or worse, cheating happens. If we live in an environment where we think that our schools are factories, what’s to stop us from thinking that becoming like copy machines is fair game? So far, schools punish those who choose to cheat in the hopes of making honest and diligent students out of us but is it really working? Are the justifiable spite and retribution of our professors really helping us become better students?

In an article by German Lopez (2017), war on drugs made drug trafficking groups more ruthless and smarter. This is an example that a hostile reaction ignites something worse. Professors are definitely justified in their anger when it comes to students who cheat but it doesn’t matter anymore. When a person is in a situation where he/she feels the situation is rigged, he/she doesn’t feel bad getting a result in an unfair way, and people will always find a way. And here’s the thing, can’t we invite this uncanny and creative behavior in a completely ethical way? If we give them the conditions in which they have to piece together the solution themselves and have the professor evaluate them, wouldn’t that be ideal?

The reality is, today’s educational system is very far from ideal. Pitt News Staff Dalia Maeroff explained that in the US, there is a lack of hands-on learning, effective teaching methods based on psychological research, and not enough open-minded teaching. She believes that it sets students up for failure in college and “when a student pays hundreds of thousands of

Educational System Re-Evaluation | Page 13

Duterte: The Man of Grand Estafa Eunice E. Abayon Feature Writer What’s not to love about a president who makes jokes out of everything? After all, we’re all about the good vibes and promises during campaigns, aren’t we?

Most people recognize Duterte because of his provocative statements that many people consider offensive. However, being the “man of jokes” that he is, he usually makes several remarks as a joke, underscoring that he would be held accountable for any emotional reactions from the people who are involved. This alarming situation has been a recurring scene both online and offline as news almost every week of Duterte making “jokes” out of things surfaces.

Truth be told, jokes aren’t inherently bad. People’s ability to tell jokes and have fun in the process separates humanity from all other living things on Earth. Yet, presidents do not disown such differences. Subsequently, according to a study titled Social Consequences of Disparagement Humor: A Prejudiced Norm Theory, the way in which the jokers take the target of the joke and the topics they include may influence whether the twist results in either laughs or wisdom or, worse, violence and “existing prejudice.” Ludicrous and trivial jokes may spur the audience to laugh – whether or not they take part in the amusement. As David Schultz said in his Nautilus article, if one overuses their sense of humor, the joke is then lost, especially when it’s something about a serious matter. Hence, it is critical to know with whom, where, when, and how to joke, especially for jokers like President Duterte.

This, exactly, is where the dilemma comes in. Check out the jokes that the media and behind the scenes have made about Duterte to better understand him. In several of his jokes, the big guy seems to be fooling around, giving the impression of being fond of jokes. But the names of his headliners, which include discussions on raping, shooting rebels in the vagina, attacking the Catholic Church and its bishops and priests, slapping President Obama, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, are all obscene, shameful, impolite, irrespective, provocative—among other negative adjectives that may be used to describe them.

As a matter of fact, just recently, President Rodrigo Duterte unsurprisingly tops the news headlines for yet another “grand estafa,” which he revealed himself. In one of his weekly addresses dated May 3, Duterte blatantly claims that he had never promised to free the West Philippine sea from China, thus taking back what he said. During a public address focused

on critics of his China policy, the man of broken promises mocked those who truly believed in his 2016 campaign vow to ride a jet ski to the West Philippine Sea by expanding his very humorous “joke.”

As usual, this is far from what he promised back in 2016.

During his campaign in the same year, he proudly stated that he would ride a jetski to the Spratly Islands and plant a Philippine flag to retake the territory. He reaffirmed the pledge in 2017, claiming that he would do it on Philippine Independence Day. He canceled his plans two months before the event, revealing that China had begged him not to fulfill his promise.

Yet, a lot of people still wonder, what is wrong with this?

Of course, Tatay Digong cannot do it, duh! As harmless as it seems, frequent lying and piling broken promises are continuously becoming detrimental to the country. Unless no one hoped and believed him, right? Well, the truth is that we are left hanging and confused as to “when is Duterte serious?” and “when is he joking?” Most importantly, when should we or, should I say, when can we believe him?

Clearly, more than making “harmless” remarks because of being the “man of jokes” that he is, there is actually more to this issue—a reality that many Filipinos still turn a blind eye to or fail to see.

Let’s take a step back and recall some of them. Back in his campaign, Carlo Montehermozo, a fisherman, questioned then-mayor Rodrigo Duterte about his position on the West Philippine Sea during the presidential debate in 2016. And upon hearing Duterte’s statement five years later, the report says that he and his fellow fishermen were outraged by the Philippine president’s declaration that his promise to ride a jet ski to Scarborough Shoal was nothing but a mere “joke.”

Moreover, he once said that “[I]tong mga obispo ninyo, patayin ninyo. Walang silbi iyang mga gagong iyan. All they do is criticize.” He even added that “90% of priests are gay.” Although some people may consider these statements to be jokes, others would see them as serious remarks to be heeded. However, in situations where there is an expectation of politeness, this behavior is considered irreverent, insulting, and disgusting. For instance, on June 22, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte attacked God after his recent tirades against the priests and the “hypocrisy of the Church,” wherein he called God “dumb” for the concept of “original sin” in the biblical creation. To add, Duterte claimed that female excellence does not cover all aspects of living during a lecture in Davao City last May 2018. In February of the same year, he also jokingly recommende d to China that it should be a province within its borders.

To add, Duterte is also known for making sexist remarks.

This time, however, he stepped things up by telling soldiers to shoot female New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the vagina. “Tell the soldiers. There’s a new order coming from

The Man of Grand Estafa | Page 10

On working twice as hard to take home half as much Jejomar A. Laab Feature Writer Filipino workers are overworked, underpaid, and taken for granted. And it’s not because they are sloppy employees or below par performing; the world can attest to that.

Some of our laborers have embraced the culture of wage discrimination and worker exploitation for far too long that it’s been cemented in our society. They have come to terms with the same compensation problem. Thus, whenever this topic comes up, they’d talk down the younger generation to suck it up and stop whining about it. But we can no longer shrug off a system that deceives and exploits the very gears that run it.

This discussion resurfaced after an Ateneo fresh graduate turned down a 37-k starting salary offer. Many professionals weigh in that it’s already a very attractive salary grade, knowing that some are paid much less. However, such an amount won’t cover the bills, not with a rent to pay and many mouths to feed.

Manila is among the most expensive places to live in.

Based on the recent report of iPrice Research Group, residing in Manila costs a single person a staggering P50,800 per month, inclusive of all the necessities. This cost of living is higher than our neighboring cities in Southeast Asia like Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. If we put that side by side with the 19-k average monthly salary, the grim reality would slap us right in the face. The working-class struggles from paycheck to paycheck, barely having a decent living wage. I can’t begin to imagine how a household muddles through the circumstances every single day.

Right now, providing food on the table is becoming a painstaking task as the price of food commodities continues to rise. The inflation rate is also picking up pace recently in the market. Worst yet, the unemployment rate aggravated

with 4.14 million jobless Filipinos in April 2021, as recorded by PSA. And with the present global health crisis, we are definitely one medical bill away from the poverty threshold.

Ours are among the hardworking employees across the globe yet compensated with the modest incentive.

According to PSA in 2019, Filipinos work 43.2 hours each week, which is higher than that of South Korea and Japan.

Some of us even endure excessive hours of work, body pains, and hazard risks just to earn a living. I think the world has seen the backbreaking and commendable job of OFWs and even local employees. Hence, regardless of the educational background, our laborers need to be compensated with more than the livable wage.

Filipinos shouldn’t even be thinking of pursuing their careers elsewhere, but it is what it is. We are caught in the middle of a fight or flight situation. Admit it or not, we’ve all thought of escaping this reeking system. Take, for example, our talented engineers, who could’ve been an asset in fueling the economy, fly out of the country for way better salary grades. According to DOLE, entrylevel positions for engineers in the Philippines could hit as low as 10-k per month. Meanwhile, the average salary is only at 23-k a month. This is in no way near the pay scale abroad. In a report by jobstreet.com, it could reach as high as 187-k per month. On that premise, we cannot lay the blame on our professionals and skilled workers for seeking out golden opportunities outside the country.

What do we get from being patriotic, anyway, when our very home country does not give us enough reason to stay?

Now, I want to know, is it too bad to ask for more than we deserve? Don’t get me started with the notion that Filipinos are lazy and nit-picky. Tell that to our farmers who work under the scorching heat of the sun or to that meatseller who’s running out of voice for calling customers. We work at a pace that knows no hours and no limits.

The bottom line here is that Filipinos are worthy of better pay. This systematic matter has long been overdue.

But it deserves to be discussed and talked about so that maybe it could create friction. And in that friction sparks fire to wake up those in positions of power from their long sleep.

Reestablishing the Doorway of Hope Mary Andrew M. Dalogdog Associate News Editor Staying indoors has become the new norm during this pandemic.

Outdoor gatherings and activities transformed into interactive online games with friends. Late-night sleepovers turned to convenient late-night video calls via messenger, viber, or facetime. Going to movie theaters evolved to affordable online movie dates via discord, google meet, or zoom.

Not just our hobbies, even our daily general routines have changed. Thrift shopping in malls was modified into hasslefree online shopping at every monthly sale through Lazada or Shoppee. Restaurant dining with loved ones was made more accessible through online deliveries via Foodpanda, UberEats, or Lalamove.

Compared to spontaneous online activities, online classes require students and teachers to follow specific school curriculums and class schedules. As a result, only the privileged people benefit fully from this kind of setup.

Some may find the new setup easier, however, online classes aren’t for everyone. What about those who don’t have access to a stable internet connection? Or those whose home environment isn’t conducive for learning and teaching?

Doorway of Hope | Page 13

Written by: Lance Matthew G. Romeral | Photos taken by: Khristel Kate P. Penoliar, Kent Sandy S. Ogares Jr., Ma. Victoria A. Lopez, Ma. Beatriz Y. Caranto, Leighla Louisse R. Sto Tomas, Julia Beatriz C. Galvez

Mula sa Balintataw

from the pupil

Page Entry No. N

everything started. I still live a I lost count of how many days it has been since for the other people I know. It has been a good life, but I cannot quite say the same least expect it. As we enter more chapters rollercoaster of events that ends when you to be tomorrow’s lesson. of the book we are in, let what has happened

in the future. I hope that everything I wonder how many more entries I can write this is not some fantasy world where it will come back to normal the next day. Well, new comes to mind, I will leave this could happen when I wish it. Until something here. Stay strong, self.

Sincerely, M.G.

“My new year’s resolution? I guess it’s to worry less and enjoy life more.”

The office party was ecstatic. It was nice to see the smiles on their faces as we finally start a new year. A fresh beginning to get my life back on track. 2020, you will be my year.

Breaking News: Taal Volcano continues to spew ashes in its surrounding areas. Classes, work, and flight schedules have been suspended and moved to a later date.

Ashes? Malayo sa bituka.

Pompeii

Taal erupted in 1754, but hey, our ancestors lived to tell the tale. I would not let this be a hindrance to my plans this year. As I said, this year will be mine.

But what a way to start the year. This feels like an opening for a seinen manga where the MC starts his quest. I wonder how the final arc will turn out. Well, I would not bother myself too much with such trivial stuff. It is time to start the actual year these coming months.

Just In: A 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, China, is tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus.

Is my life seriously becoming a manga right now?

The government should probably decline arrivals from China for the time being. It’s just one case, and they should be able to handle and control it – probably.

As I said, I will make the most out of this year.

What else could go wrong?

l o r a C r e m m u S A

cus my senses on arantine began. I fo qu e th e nc si by ne their jobs and Months have go individuals losing s ou ri va t ou ab ar he I can only read and down. effects of this lock e th to e businesses du “Ready na ba kayo?”

’s face n see Jose Mari Chan ca I d an t, ye hs nt not er mo will turn out. It’s It’s not even the -b on as se y da li ho e th wonder how all over my feed. I nd the corner. like it is just arou d it with you.

Christmas is to spen My idea of a perfect y so myself. pay off if I do sa do ng li ro ca of s I still got it. Year roling anytime soon.

Though, I won’t be ca e streets.” asking for alms on th l il st s er iv dr y ne “News Update: Jeep eatment s receive better tr al du vi di in ed ct fe st af t and spread the I hope that the mo Chan, please come ou ri Ma se Jo s. me ti during these trying her people. holiday spirit to ot they I can tomorrow, and at wh ve gi ll wi I , to help of it, the tune Though it won’t hurt r it. Come to think fo l ro ca s ma st ri Ch act of mine. won’t need to sing a earlier can fit this to g in en st li s wa I of the song t through. me is to help you ge ti ng yi tr is th r fo My idea we live like this?

How much longer must

Tag, You’re It!

same things made me remember Having spent the past few months doing the the days of my youth. coming back home with rashes Catching grasshoppers and dragonflies, then hide-and-seek. And a game of tag. all over my body. Life was like a game of s, and here I am now talking to Not to brag, but I was the king at those game myself. to catch others and tag them These things made me realize that it is fun er. However, it would be weird if as underlings because I was the better play I do it now as an adult.

9 Signed into Law. Just in: Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, RA 1147 and I still bring up The Office How the turntables. Twenty-five years old, or tag as well. Not to be the jokes. I guess they want to play hide and seek out like some dystopian future bearer of bad news, but this will not turn 24/7 now, does it not? where all our actions are being monitored games during childhood, there Now that I remember, though I was good at yone’s playtime for being too big was always this one guy who would ruin ever of himself and childish at the same time. ide – 24/7.

Note to self: Observe caution online and outs Why can’t I enjoy life as I did as a child?

d Gravel Separation of Grass an“Check!

Take

that whoever you are.”

I’ve been playing online chess for quite some time now. Planning all the moves beforehand and then making adjustments to ensure the win is satisfying. Striking the middle or cornering the most precious piece will always lead to victory, especially for those who can’t handle the pressure.

It would feel nicer to play chess outside where I can feel the wind. It reminds me of my college days. I miss my alma mater. Being inside the campus felt so relieving. The freedom and the serenity brought about the open field and sitting next to it. Those were the days.

Breaking News: DND terminates its 1989 accord with UP.

Little by little, it feels as if the board is slowly being manipulated by a Grandmaster or someone better. But this doesn’t feel like any chess opening or strategy that I know. What’s the actual motive here?

The Anti-Terrorism Act and the termination of the accor d feel like a progressing algorithm for an inevitable checkmate.

Stay calm, self. The difference in ELO rating is high.

There is always a pattern to win.

“Checkmate! Ha! Take that whoever you are again.”

Who dares to be next?

Carefully, She’s a Hero

More than a year has passed since this chapter began . I’ve bought stuff online that I don’t need. I even gave some donations to the front liners and those affected most. Found new hobbies and skills that I never thought of having. It has been a ride, and it doesn’t seem like stopping anytime soon.

I’ll head out, for now, to restock on groceries.

I almost forgot my mask. Wearing this makes me feel like a superhero every time – I love it.

“MAGBIGAY AYON SA KAKAYAHAN. KUMUHA SA PANGANGAILANGAN .”

What’s this? Free Kamote?! It’s a small pantry, but peopl e can line up and get a free food supply. It’s not much, but it is an honest initiative. Ms. Ana Patricia, you’re the real hero with or without the mask.

Here’s to hoping that other superheroes come out and go all plus ultra for the sake of others. I’ll start doing more tomorrow after a good rest. Now, what to watch later before bed?

“Avengers assemble.”

Though we’re all powerless, unlike Iron Man or Capta in America, we have our fundamental aspect known as Bayanihan.

Now, where to set up shop?

A COVID-19 Mental Health Guide: Flowing From Languishing to Flourishing Every morning it seems much harder to wake up and start the day right. People have been feeling joyless and aimless, just so tired of the monotonous routine they feel like they’re stuck in. Some of them might not notice it, but they are affected and crippled by the dull and senseless repetition of scrolling through social media feeds every day, bad news after bad news about what’s happening to the world, and the weight and uncertainty pushing down on them as they wonder how things can go back to normal again. Apparently, there’s a word for that unexplainable but dominant emotion—it’s called languishing.

Written by: Aundrea Joy Levanza

Visualize mental health as a spectrum with two extremes. If flourishing and depression were on two opposite sides of the spectrum, languishing would be in-between. People who are languishing don’t necessarily have a mental illness, but it doesn’t mean that they’re functioning ideally, either. In that way, it feels like the neglected middle child of mental health, according to Adam Grant in the New York Times. From the perspective of sociologist Corey Keyes, languishing can be seen as the antithesis of flourishing. As defined by a professional counselor, Shemiah Derrick, “Languishing is apathy, a sense of restlessness or feeling unsettled or an overall lack of interest in life or the things that typically bring you joy.”

One of the effective strategies in managing emotions, as told by psychologists, is to identify the emotion being felt at the current moment. So it’s critical that people recognize when they are languishing. Languishing is a combination of apathy and the loss of motivation and drive to push through. For others, it may also exhibit a loss of concentration or focus on tasks that have to be done.

Whatever these manifestations are in different people, it’s essential to recognize them, cope with them, then address them. Moreover, being “okay” or “fine” is not an emotion, so it’s important to put a label on the emotion. Labeling emotions makes it more likely to lose its power over one who experiences them.

Getting out of the languishing zone isn’t an instant thing. It will require a huge amount of patience. It can also mean that people mustn’t be so hard on themselves in the process. In this sense, the New York Times also suggested a few practical tips to help people move from the state of languishing to a flourishing mental state. It’s essential to understand that there will

be times where people just have to shut down temporarily, so things don’t get overwhelming for them.

An effective way to help people transition into a flourishing state is to find their “flow”. A term coined by another psychologist from the 90s, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the “flow” is the blissful state of finding the right balance between challenge and skill.

If something is too challenging, it causes people to become stressed. And if something is too easy, boredom strikes.

According to him, the best moments in life are found in the circumstances wherein people are stretched to a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile at the same time. Other people may call it being “in the zone,” and it most probably means the same thing. People who are “in the zone” are most likely to have experienced flow.

Hence, to find the flow, people must do something that catches their utmost interest—an activity that can positively stimulate their mind, but not to the point that it stresses them out too much. It can be something that is new and out of their comfort zone. It can also be a skill that can be enhanced more— may it be an old or a new one.

In fact, they’ve found their flow when certain characteristics are met—when there is a complete concentration on the task at hand, there are objectives and rewards in mind, the experience is fulfilling and rewarding, and self-consciousness is lost at some point during the task. It may be getting so absorbed by a book that challenges you to be so caught up in the story, an activity that demands your full attention and effort that it makes you lose track of time—basically and absolutely anything that makes you lost and exhilarated for a while—find that something.

With the pleasure due to the newfound flow and the neurotransmitters ingrained in the brain such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins; people are most likely to become happier and energetic. It is in the flow that people are much more present. Creating that feeling within ourselves also means that we are much more prone to experience happiness and acquire more positive well-being.

Again, transitioning from languishing to flourishing may seem like an intimidating course to take through, but it’s important to remember to take it one day at a time. Start small and trust the process that comes along with it. The small wins are very much essential, and it might be in these little things that people stop languishing. It is important to note that self-assessment is a difficult task, and if people are unsure about where they are in the mental health spectrum, it is always recommended to consult a mental health professional before trying out any self-diagnosis.

And remember, losing yourself gives you an opportunity to find yourself all over again, and that’s the most important of all.

The Man of Grand Estafa continued from page 7 the mayor. We won’t kill you. We will just shoot your vagina so that … if there is no vagina, it would be useless,” he said. In relation to this, he also once said, “I’ve told the military and the police that if they find themselves in an armed encounter with the communist rebels, kill them, make sure you really kill them and finish them off if they are alive.” Then, following simultaneous police raids in the northern Philippines, at least nine activists were murdered. The raids occurred only two days after President Rodrigo Duterte urged government troops to “kill” and “finish off” all communist insurgents in the nation.

Without a doubt, this hell where the country is currently at is beyond threatening. The mere fact that a president can blatantly command his soldiers to do such unleashes the true monster that he is. More than acts that “lighten the moment,” such statements are clearly manifestations of his problematic governance, firstly proven by his poor work ethic, such as when he showed up late in his 4th State of the Nation Address. Yet, the bigger problem is that his words and commands are what control this entire country. Truth be told, deciphering Duterte’s jokes is like deciphering hieroglyphics. When he tells a joke or lies, we have no way of knowing the difference between what is real and what is tongue-in-cheek, and we have no way of distinguishing between what is genuine and what is blatantly untrue.

Hence, the idea that we could defeat Duterte in his own game of jokes and questionable theatrics doesn’t make sense. There is no doubt that he is the man of grand estafa and the greatest performer in this ridiculous theatre, using those aspects of our life where we find sense and purpose to make the world seem meaningless.

Perhaps it is time for us to adopt a new attitude with no fear of understanding and explaining. In this case, we feel comfortable being completely honest and without holding anything back. Let’s not fool ourselves by believing that this is a time for games. It is only when we, the Filipino people, create a direct contrast to him that we will finally be able to uncover the duplicity beneath Duterte’s façade of sincerity.

powerhouse. Shay Mitchell of Pretty Little Liars was tapped to dub Trese’s English voice-over. Darren Criss of Glee, Dante Basco of Avatar: The Last Airbender, former Pussycat Dolls leader Nicolle Scherzinger, and Manny Jacinto of the Good Place are just some of the big names that have dubbed some of the characters in English.

Meanwhile, Liza Soberano voiced for the Filipino dub as Trese. Although her voice acting drew a lot of flak especially from the Pinoy audience due to her “accent” and “monotony”.

Because of this, many have preferred the English and Japanese dubs compared to the Filipino version. Personally, I don’t think she’s monotonous because as the series progresses her Filipino dub kind of grew on me. I think that she did well but there could be other voice talents that will definitely nail the character more and who deserve more talent exposure.

Trese is supposedly cold and emotionless but she’s also a badass. Liza definitely lacked the latter. In her fight scenes, she definitely came short in angst.

Trese’s triumph, a victory for all Filipinos Trese is a homage to Filipino culture and a milestone in representation piercing through the screens of a global audience. Aside from its fast-paced plot and some mediocre voice acting, the show favoring fame and marketability may put you off its hype train.

Trese was adapted from the award-winning komiks of the same name by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. The animated Netflix series comprises six episodes with 30 minutes run time for each one. Its pilot episode will bring you to a world of mortals and Filipino mythical creatures co-existing in modern Manila.

The story revolves around Trese, the Lakan of Sangkatauhan, keeping the balance and peace between monsters and men through an accord or kasunduan by his father and the head tribes of each entity’s factions. Occasionally, she works handin-hand with the Philippine police. So whenever there’s a supernatural case involved in the slums of Manila, who are they gonna call? It’s definitely not ghostbusters, but Alexandra Trese.

Trese brought our own regional myths to life on the big screen, thanks to Jay Oliva, the show’s executive producer and director, together with his team. They definitely paid attention to details when it comes to Filipino culture and their everyday struggle. From the MRT stopping at the middle of the rails to using our lips at pointing something ― these are just some of the subtle details of Pinoy life shown throughout the series.

You won’t also miss out on favorite Filipino fast foods such as Jollibee or Mang Inasal shown on the billboards of EDSA or the subways. Also, spoiler alert! There is a bootleg ABS-CBN

that can be spotted in one of its episodes. It just shows how wellresearched this show is by incorporating familiar names and social issues into the show’s plot from time to time.

Animation wise, Trese is visually stunning. You’ll definitely see an animated mirrored version of Manila, from its transport system to the slums, showing common people queuing for some hot pandesal. You’ll see how close it is to real-life scenarios minus the large-sized Choc Nut or the good policemen.

One of this show’s greatest strengths is its courage to show social issues happening in our country. It shows that one of the vilest monsters are people themselves in the form of unjust politicians, policemen, and generals, or even showbiz celebrities. In this time where freedom of speech is greatly threatened, the animated series boldly showcases the sad reality of Philippine governance.

Moreover, it spoke volumes of the day-to-day struggles of living in Manila.

The characters are also relatable and can easily win people’s hearts. The dynamics of Trese with her twin sidekicks, Crispin and Basilio, is something that you’ll really love. The series’ plot also heavily revolves around family, something that is really close to many Pinoys or even the global audience to relate to. Weirdly enough, many are simping not just on Trese herself or the buff twins but the attractive monsters too, like the wind girls, the Tikbalangs, and the seductive aswangs. Jokes aside, the show was able to humanize even the creepiest monsters of our own folklore.

The cast for the newly released animated Netflix series is also a

The plot also felt rushed. The last two episodes were compressed leading to a boring ten-minute monologue of the main villain, Datu Talagbusao, in the sixth episode. The plot twists were all shown in the season finale and it definitely could have been better if the climax was built periodically throughout the series or perhaps additional episodes should have been added. It’s a missed opportunity to only show six episodes rather than trese if you know what I mean.

I understand why many got disappointed, especially because of the voice acting, but one thing’s for sure ― we criticize something because we want it to succeed badly.

Because Trese is more than the Liza Soberano issue or its rushed plot, it is a step closer to bringing Filipino representation to a wider audience. With or without the big names, Trese is marketable and it deserves all the recognition it is garnering.

The showrunners just have to put a little faith in it.

Our culture is diverse and we definitely have many in store coming from Batanes up to the farthest islets of Mindanao.

Trese is a milestone for every Filipino ― showing our heritage to the world. Finally, this is a show that is from our original roots. It is time to unveil the mask that the western culture has painted our stereotypes into and it’s time to break away from the racial misrepresentation that they have chained us from.

The success of this show will not only bear a renewed season but will shape the future of Filipino representation in series and films. Hopefully, the criticisms will turn into a fruitful outcome for Trese Season 2 ― manifesting!

Just like Alexandra Trese who wrote her own destiny, we Filipinos can also choose our own path towards proper representation. The fate of the Filipino film industry lies in our own hands. So, let’s support local series and films by streaming them legally. Let us become the neo-Lakan Babaylan who bridges the gap between Pinoy culture and the rest of the world. Carlo Castillo

Powerful Habits That Really Work Out Written by: Aundrea Joy Levanza

It takes about twenty-one days for someone to build a habit, and these habits shape how our daily routines work. It usually follows a sequence of steps—the cue or trigger, the routine, and finally, the reward. Note that it is because of these rewards that our brain is reinforced to start the habit cycle again. It is within these rewards that the brain forms neurological cravings making habits so powerful. Hence, our daily habits can either make us or break us.

Michigan Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry recently wrote an article entitled “Importance of Physical Activity and Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic”, and one of its key points was that each day we are given an opportunity to engage in physical activity that can also bring about short and long-term effects in our mood, sleep, and physical health.

First—to start a habit of staying fit amidst the pandemic—a cue must be triggered. The cue can be an alarming lack of movement and physical activity between children and adults alike. This is no surprise since there have been numerous lockdowns and community quarantines imposed in different places. Students, most especially, are no stranger to the sedentary lifestyle that the online set-up has accustomed to them. For Thomasian engineering students, they are required to sit down and to be attentive for a longer time to attend Zoom lectures from morning to afternoon. Back pains, eye strains, leg cramps, and other physical manifestations of this unhealthy lifestyle have been the constants in their distance learning setup.

Any form of extended sitting can be harmful to people’s health, according to The Better Health Channel. This is an alarming fact, as the risks of extended sitting are also quite similar to that of someone who smokes. Sitting and lying down too much increases our risks of chronic health problems and other diseases. Their way of counteracting these possible health risks is to sit less and move more. They have suggested that at least sixty minutes of physical activity can help a lot for our overall health. In the COVID-19 pandemic, physical health and wellness are much more crucial than ever. People have to stay physically fit and strong to avoid the severe symptoms of the Coronavirus.

Second—to solidify that habit of staying fit amidst the pandemic—a routine must be incorporated. Even at home, you can organize and execute simple workout routines. There are a lot of workout routines organized by the intensity that are out on the internet— may it be from YouTube or may it be from a mobile application—the possibilities are endless. The process may be intimidating at first, but with discipline, enthusiasm, and a little neurological craving, you will soon begin to understand that it has promising benefits to your overall physical and mental health—which leads us to the final step in forming the habit loop.

Third—to be consistent in the habit of staying fit amidst the pandemic—rewards must be ingrained in your brain after doing the routine. In terms of our mental health, exercising daily can bring about the “feel good” feeling. It helps uplift our moods as well.

This isn’t as subjective as it sounds; in fact, there’s scientific evidence for it. When people exert a lot of effort into something, the brain releases neurotransmitters such as endorphins that relieve pain and stress. Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are also released, also helping in regulating people’s moods after a tiring workout. This is why people who work out generally have lifted self-esteem and confidence—because the impact of the serotonin boost gives an overall sense of wellbeing. Exercising can actually help alleviate anxious thoughts and depressive moods; it helps us translate upsetting thoughts into a rigorous and intense workout. Additionally, it can be a way of releasing negative thoughts and emotions that can thoroughly help our mental state in the long run.

The benefits in terms of physical health must not be surprising as it sounds. Exercising regularly boosts the immune system, and we need that more than ever. When we exercise, there is a significant reduction in the risks of catching serious medical illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dementia, arthritis, and cancer. Additionally, it can also improve bone and muscle strength and increase balance, flexibility, and physical fitness. It might also help you to maintain, lose, or gain weight.

For people who have trouble sleeping, exercising might also be one way to improve their quality of sleep. Charlene Gamaldo, M.D., medical director of Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep, affirms this. A study by Sleep.org, a trusted site for sleep

Thomasian Engineer as a COVID-19 Survivor Written by: Mary Angela Aquino

Academic Year 2020 - 2021 has finally ended.

As we look down on the memory lane, everything seems to have passed by fast.

We are victorious for conquering and enduring every hurdle; Now, we are one step closer to our dreams.

But, the journey of breaking through one school year behind the screen was not all rainbows and unicorns. The process was full of hardships, what-ifs, and doubts— whether we would make it or not. We went through tough challenges, not only academic-related but also personal, familyrelated, disasters, and political issues. On top of this is the main reason why every individual must adjust to the new normal, the COVID-19 pandemic.

A living attestation to this journey is a 20-year-old first year Industrial engineering student, Gerald, who boldly shared his story, as a student and as an exCOVID patient.

His father works as one of the lead managers in the largest geothermal power plant in their place. Late January this year 2021, he began to experience the common symptoms of COVID-19: coughing, shortness of breath, and Loose Bowel Movement (LBM). He got himself swab tested which turned out to be positive.

In compliance with the contact tracing process, Gerald and his other family members (mother and sister) were swab tested which came back also positive, leaving their whole family infected by the virus. Gerald’s mom and sister were asymptomatic while he and his father were symptomatic and even went through a critical state.

Their family was fortunate to go through a systematic quarantine process. Yet despite their privileges, their mental health was not spared. Upon hearing the news, Gerald’s mother and sister were emotional and anxious; they were worried about their responsibilities that will be put on hold and they do not know what lies ahead for their family. But as an optimist, Gerald chose to see the brighter side, for himself and his family. He was mildly shocked but he chose to be confident; he believed that he would be able to survive and recover quickly.

During their quarantine period, their challenges piled up: Gerald still have school responsibilities to tend to, his sister has also school responsibilities despite undergoing mental health struggles, his father ended up in the ICU because he was in a critical state, while his mother

was anxious the whole time because of his father’s declining health; in which she chose to hide from them so that they will not panic.

Nevertheless, these struggles did not stop them from conquering. His sister, studying at another school, chose to attend class and prepare for her final exams even with everything that their family is going through because she does not want to accumulate backlogs. She remained courageous; her mental health was affected by everything they went through but chose to think of what would be the best decision for her. Meanwhile, Gerald chose self-care; he emailed his professors that he tested positive and that he needs to take time off to recover. He made use of the quarantine period to rest and not to think about school work and requirements.

Also, his father eventually recovered.

The doctors said it was a miracle that he survived; now, he is living a second life that is more conscientiously lived. As his father gained strength, his mother was also gaining courage and lesser anxiety.

As the first one to test negative, Gerald was released and was tasked to do house responsibilities. He also coped up with his studies; he started to complete activities, watch lecture videos, and study his notes.

It took him at least a month to catch up with his backlogs and nearly 3 months to complete all make-up exams. As everything went well for their family, they were able to be together again and go back to their own normal. Their total bill amounted to more than a million but fortunately, his father’s employer and health insurance subsidized the majority of their expenses.

Gerald and his family’s story may not be as worse as other families’ case; Not all of us have the same privilege, same stability, and same coping mechanisms but their story is not to be underestimated, same as to those who have it worse.

Tough challenges come, but they also go. Enduring the process is what makes us stronger, yet conquering the hurdle makes us victorious. Gerald broke through the challenges they went through with the help of a positive mindset; it made everything bearable for him.

Throughout their journey, Gerald remained calm, collected, and positive, which made him endure the hardships, for himself and his family.

As he said in the interview, “After all, an optimistic mentality has always been the key to success for any endeavor that faces dark times or difficult trials…”

health, concluded that adolescents who experienced a 12-week exercise routine had better sleep efficiency and a longer rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, one of the most crucial stages in our sleep cycles as it improves our cognitive functions in our brain.

While exercise improves sleep quality and duration for all ages, its effects can vary depending on your age and overall health. For example, older adults who take up a regular exercise routine enjoy better sleep efficiency (meaning they spend more of their time in bed asleep, as opposed to tossing and turning).

Among adolescents, a 12-week exercise program increased the amount of time they spend in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a stage of sleep tied to cognitive performance.

Hopefully, by this time, you’re much more convinced to stay fit and start simple workout routines at least thrice a week. Building crucial and healthy habits are quite difficult to do especially during the initial stages of it, but always remember to trust the process. Even a minimum of 10 minutes a day can help a lot in our physical health. Start easy, then progress with difficulty as time goes on. It’s vital to remember that consistency is the key in forming any habit, anyway. Furthermore, you can increase your motivation to keep moving by exposing yourself to people who have the same goals as you. Mobile applications with builtin calendars and trackers can also help you in forming these habits.

Use the cycle of important habits to your advantage. It all starts with a simple cue, then a follow-through with the routine. A little goes a long way with consistency in exercise. Find something fun and stay motivated, pick something that you genuinely look forward to doing so you don’t have to force yourself to do it.

Remember that exercise can change people from the inside and out. And incorporating helpful habits for a healthier body leads people to a happier and healthier mind.

Community Pantry Butterfly Effect Written by: Patrick Ryan Sarte

The Philippines has always been known to be a hospitable country. Bayanihan, as part of the Filipino culture, is still being practiced even in this time of pandemic.

During this time, not only was healthcare a concern but also necessities such as food for day-to-day life were a problem that needed to be solved. But then, the community pantries arrived.

On April 14th, 26-year-old Ana Patricia Non setup what appeared to be a pantry where there was one rule: Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha ayon sa pangangailangan. It was a very small bamboo cart filled with different kinds of goods. It included canned goods, vegetables, rice, and other food and drinks that have a good shelf life. This pantry was located at Maginhawa street in Quezon City and was the very first pantry ever made for the community at this time. Those who wanted to help can give, and those in need can take.

Her maximization of the country’s hospitality as a solution grew a butterfly effect towards neighboring areas around the country. In Metro Manila, a vast number of community pantries popped up in different cities such as Marikina, Pasig, Makati, and even more in the Quezon City area. Other regions also took a liking to the idea and created their own versions of the pantry for their own respective communities. For UST, there came different pantries such as the one by a famous eatery called Mang Tootz leading the P. Noval Community Pantry. There also came the Santisimo Rosario Parish Weekly Community Pantry which was a pantry created by our very own parish. Their street locations are in P. Noval as well as Gate 7 and 10 of UST respectively.

With that, Our very own Thomasian Engineers took this chance to help, but in their own way. Instead of community pantries, they held donation drives to help those in need outside of the school walls. A thirdyear Electronics engineering student led a donation drive to help those in need in Tarlac and Pampanga whilst another from the Civil engineering department of the same year level, organized fellow Thomasians from the Faculty of Pharmacy University of the Philippines to help those in Tuguegarao who were affected by a recent typhoon named Ulysses.

These Thomasian Engineers wanted to stay anonymous even with the good that day brought with their actions. Upon asking them about their inspiration to do these donation drives, their answers were very similar. Due to the situation, they wanted to help out as much as they can just like what other youths have done. Initiating the first move and lending a helping hand towards not just the people affected, but volunteering in giving out goods to different barangays and even from house-to-house for them, was not an easy task. What they did required motivation, commitment, and the willingness to help out others and they truly upheld the Thomasian values that were instilled in them.

One small impulse and decision can lead to drastic changes in the whole system. Likewise, Patricia Non was a change that this country might have needed. One good act led to another and one small step became a huge leap for all. Not only her, but a lot of people have given small acts of kindness, and looking at it on a bigger scale, these small things together have become humongous. With their bright minds and huge hearts, let us remember these actions and maybe, just maybe, we can also be this one small impulse that can truly change the system.

What is in store for Thomasian Online Class Engineers this A.Y. 2021 - 2022?

by Alliya Arabejo

Written by: Mary Angela Aquino and Eunice Abayon Photos Courtesy of UST-Engineering COMELEC

As the university is heading towards another academic year, a new Engineering Student Council Executive Board was recently elected; thus, new visions and platforms are waiting for Thomasian Engineers. In an interview, the new set of student leaders have shared their experiences, purpose, and most importantly, advocacies are all set for the entire Thomasian Engineering community.

Know more about them and their visions for the faculty of engineering: Kyla Christine Sarcos President Driven by purpose and eagerness to serve, KYLA CHRISTINE SARCOS, an incoming fourth-year Engineering student, makes her way to serve the Thomasian Engineering community.

From an Interim Assistant Secretary of ESC last A.Y. 20202021 to the highest-ranking leader in the ESC Executive Board. She shared her willingness to represent the student body in any way that she can. “My main purpose is to serve. Ever since high school, I find joy in helping and walking alongside different people – it makes me appreciate how life is always moving, unrepetitive, and just mesmerizing,” Sarcos said.

For the upcoming academic year, she proposed the following projects: “ESC Website” - a site that can make all services and information of ESC more accessible in a creatively organized manner; ESC Newsletter; community forum for scholars; Borrow-a-load; and Event suggestion “box” Moreover, she has also mentioned how she is looking forward to having monthly meetings with the League of Engineering Major Presidents and establishing the ESC service approval ratings every end of the semester.

Based on her leadership experience, she believes that a council that is willing to talk and share is the key to amplifying the voice of the students. Yet, she recognizes the fact that an effective council is ready to face criticisms saying that “The students should feel the presence of the council not only in conducting events but also in raising their concerns and doing something about it. But I also understand that sometimes, doing our best will not be enough, and if that happens, we should be a council who is not afraid of accountability and criticisms.”

Carlos Joaquin Dimaguila External Vice President With his hopes of bringing change and more opportunities for the engineering community, CARLOS JOAQUIN DIMAGUILA, an incoming third-year Mechanical Engineering student, is now ready to serve as ESC’s External Vice President.

As the former Interim Assistant Treasurer of A.Y 2020-2021, Dimaguila shares how he is eager and dedicated to listening to the needs and calls of the students. In order to make this happen, he wants to focus on projects that are directed towards impacting the lives of students inside and outside the university such as Engineering Podcast and “Project Safety and the Mentorship Program” - a program that would encourage students to be engaged in knowing more about certain topics and issues or to raise awareness on socio-political events Tackling his programs for the upcoming year, Dimaguila shares, “My programs mainly focus on progressive student opportunities and inclusive ideas that would help the students not just in their academic lives, but also in their lives after college. I will be introducing programs that can craft them into their true potential so that when they enter the workforce, they are more than ready and highly competent.”

As the External Vice President of the board, he envisions a more inclusive, progressive Faculty of Engineering that stands up for students’ rights, creates ideas and programs that enhance their learnings, experience, and leadership skills.

Moreover, he says, “I visualize a better term ahead, as we learned from the challenges we faced during the peak of COVID-19 in our country and with what we know now, we could efficiently continue doing better and serving the Faculty of Engineering and our fellow students with their best interest at heart.”

Leanna D. Bautista Internal Vice President In an attempt to serve and represent the engineering student body, LEANNA D. BAUTISTA, an incoming fourth-year chemical engineering student ran this year’s election.

As a past Executive Secretary for UST Chemical Engineering Society (A.Y. 20 - 21) and Team Head for Academics in ESC (A.Y. 19 - 20 and 20 - 21), she wants to bring her personal experience in the student council in full circle— from staff to team head, to executive board. She has proposed these improvements to current ESC services before: “Ask Team Acads”– a Google form open for questions/concerns ESC Tutorial Videos, a restructure of the academics reviewers branch, and “Grievance Tracking”– step-by-step updates on actions being taken towards formal complaints. Now, she is proposing Engineering Notes Guided Gathering, a centralized collection of notes/reviewers, and an Online National Election Exhibit.

Above everything else, she believes that running as the IVP provides her unique opportunity to help the students directly as to how the ESC protects the rights of the students and promotes their overall well-being.

This upcoming academic year 2021 - 2022, “I envision a resilient and communicative student body represented by motivated, competent, and receptive student leaders,” Bautista stated.

Justine Lian P. Fabia Treasurer An incoming third-year industrial engineering student, JUSTINE LIAN FABIA, aiming to engage and connect the engineering community more despite being separated by the pandemic won this year’s election as the ESC Treasurer.

Despite the required time and effort in running for an executive position, Fabia believes that as she grows further with her duties and experiences as a student leader; learning from one another satisfies herself, which fuels her to move and look forward to serving the student body. “It is what matters to me the most, to learn from the Engineering community as they learn from me as well, for which I wouldn’t trade for anything else,” she said.

Her goal is to maximize the online resources we have today as we are in a virtual setup. For the upcoming year, she proposed: a) “Support ENGG Local” - a project where the council will act as an avenue for promoting Thomasian Engineers’ small businesses for them to showcase their skills and workmanship and at the same time, for supporting locally made products, b) “Money Haist: A Financial Literacy Program” - a series of short videos that exemplify financial techniques regarding budgeting and proper handling of money which will be held on financial literacy month, April of this coming academic year, c) “PabilENGGLoad” - an online load service exclusively for engineering students, d) “MerchEnggdise” - Reviving of the engineering merchandise where a partial amount of its sales will proceed to the community development projects.

She envisions the engineering student council to utilize online resources and take advantage of the current trends in order to surely create an impact on the student body. Through this, “We expect to see more interactions between the engineering community and in turn build more relationships,” she stated.

Mark Rainier T. Asilo Assistant Treasurer Aimed at showcasing his leadership skills not just on his team but also to his co-student leaders, MARK RAINIER ASILO, a third-year Electronics Engineering student, sets new goals for the Engineering community as the newly elected Assistant Treasurer.

In preparation for the upcoming academic year, he shared his two campaign programs: “Job and OJT Fair” - a program dedicated to helping engineering students for their JOB and OJT; and Symposium on New Inventions, which he describes as “bringing something new to our knowledge, it doesn’t focus on inventions such as the patent itself but also maybe on techniques and practices.”

For the forthcoming AY 2021-22, his ambition for the Faculty of Engineering is to keep the students involved with issues that impact the student population. With everything that’s happening in the world today, he expresses his concern that student council members must support engineering students. “In these trying times, we, as the student council representatives, should step up to hear our co-engineering students. To bring ice breaker moments in our stressful school life by our upcoming projects because this is a way where we can take things lightly,” Asilo said.

Jerard Lloyd C. Taloy Public Relations Officer Past Interim Public Relations Officer for ESC this academic year 2020 2021, JERARD LLOYD C. TALOY, an incoming fourthyear civil engineering student, is now the new Public Relations Officer this upcoming A.Y. 2021 - 2022.

He proposed three programs related to his position such as Engineering Community Wall, where students will be able to promote their interests, businesses, and more, The Creatives Workshop, which aims to help students interested in learning about software used in digital art, and the continuation of the League of P.R.O.s, which will provide a more inclusive role to the student leaders in charge of disseminating information to the student body.

by Dana Vea Plando

Art Feature

Bound

by Words

by Maui Carlouisse Maramag To be branded as something who you are not, alot of people has met this misfortune. For someone who is tagged in red, how does one move when all eyes are on you?

Each is an aspiring engineer who has distinct personalities and unique leadership skills that will definitely give every Thomasian Engineer an exciting academic year. Their visions and programs for engineering faculty focus more on providing quality service to represent the student body with their skills, experience, and competence.

Overall, there is no doubt that the new set of Engineering Student Council Executive Board has so much in store for the engineering community. Truth be told, each and every one of them represents a distinct personality that could uplift and contribute to the betterment of not just learning but the entire university experience of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by their passion to serve and bring change, the newly elected ESC executive board is yet to unleash what they can offer to the Faculty of Engineering students.

by Dana Vea Plando

Educational System Re-Evaluation continued from page 6

Acting Upon What We Do:

t of Behavio e n r e t n I rs The

dollars to spend four to 10 years in full-time classes, college really can’t be seen as anything else but an investment into your career”. This is a problem in the US, but the Philippines suffer the same problem.

We can’t really blame the teachers and professors as well.

They were given modules under the curriculum, and they can’t teach differently from what is given to them. They are as much of a victim as we are. Based in an article by David Maslach from the R3ciprocity Blog (https://blog.r3ciprocity.com), they work from 35 to even 75 hours a week in order to earn at least P18,105 a month (the base salary for a professor in the Philippines, according to ph.indeed.com). Asking any more than what is in the module would give them too much workload. But what if we changed the module they used? If we gave them better and more open-minded teaching materials, the Philippines would be able to have working citizens that improves the economy, thus giving more room to increase the salary of the teachers.

American rapper Jermaine Lamarr Cole once said: “I would say it’s more effective to treat people like children.

Understanding the time and love and patience that’s needed to grow”. I hope people are aware of this more, because it is frustrating to be in a system that expects more from us students, parents, and teachers. It is frustrating to see the learning process as “just a requirement” and assume that the same process works for all of us because that is how a factory operates. Why don’t we promote a system that acknowledges our bearing as an individual thinker? If we are generous enough to give students the taste of their own failure, why not give them more chances to create their own recipe for success? If we acknowledge a teacher as an educator, why are we restricting their teaching with repetitive and closeminded modules?

You have to let them know by heart and mind what is right and wrong. I don’t believe it’s fair or even productive to tell 100 students that they failed a test without telling each one of those 100 students why they failed. At the same time, it’s unfair to give teachers a workload that doesn’t give them a chance or time to acknowledge the individuality of each student.The system needs to change, because people change. If we can’t build a system that acknowledges that people can think on their own in different ways, then why are we even considering education a human right?

Doorway of Hope continued from page7

What will happen to their futures?

Luckily as the days passed by, government agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have already allowed some schools and universities to hold limited face-to-face classes as of February 2021. What makes this newsworthy is that our very own university, the University of Santo Tomas (UST), has been approved to be one of them.

Though medical and health-allied programs were the only courses allowed to conduct the said type of classes, programs such as engineering, information technology, industrial technology and maritime are already included in discussion to do the same as of June 2021.

With that said, people who are less fortunate than others can be open to the same and equal opportunities with others. This is actually great news for all, in a way that both students and teachers wouldn’t have to struggle that much. But of course, certain protocols would have to be followed if limited face-to-face classes are conducted.

It may not mean much for some, but this makes a huge difference and a leap of hope for others. It may not seem like a permanent and final solution, but it’s a start. Who knows, maybe the status of being privileged for the same right to education wouldn’t have to be defined at all during this pandemic.

Diminishing Campus Politics continued from page 6

It is a given that the Internet is a transcendent tool in everyday life - almost every aspect and thing that you can think of has the involvement of the Internet in some capacity, from communication to entertainment, from ordering to selling to buying whatever items are in store, from doing the large stuff like connecting computers to servers to the more mundane things like staring at a useless website, and its usage will continue to expand across all aspects in the foreseeable future.

Its technological versatility has also presented itself in more intangible stuff, mainly on our patterns of behavior and engagement in various apps and devices. As the Internet is integrated into appliances and devices, companies and manufacturers also take into account and study how we engage and operate these things, and thus be able to give further customer satisfaction and closing of sales. This is the essence of the Internet of Behaviors (IoB).

As the Internet of Things becomes more prevalent, the IoB is transforming into a more sophisticated process of using the Internet as an invaluable resource for business and production.

Technology experts predicted that after no less than four years, more than 75 billion devices will be connected to the internet in some way, and about 40% of the population will be digitally tracked via IoB. It is a burgeoning way of analysis, to gain more power and influence in the near future.

What is IoB? The Internet of Behaviors is an extension of the Internet of Things. It is built and dependent on the network of physical objects that have the Internet integrated in their systems. As appliances, machines, devices and other objects gather and exchange data into the network, it gives companies what we do with these things and thus can be able to affect our behavior towards their product.

The data can be collected from either the embedded systems in those physical devices, the website and social media profiles of the company, and many other sources. It can be gathered for a variety of reasons, whether it be to make better business decisions, marketing strategies, tailored designs, etc. Regardless, once all is said and done, it provides the organization some much-needed insight on how their products and services are doing.

Grasping IoB needs to know multiple fields of analytics and engineering. Technology, data analytics, and behavioral psychology are key to understanding this process. The latter field can also be broken down into the areas of emotions, decisions, augmentations, and companionship.

What is its purpose?

Its importance lies mainly in how it provides companies and even the public opportunities to capture data coming from connected things,

could still have their interest in capus politics but chooses to disengage because it might “distract” them from focusing on academics, which in this time of pandemic, is hard enough.

According to Anthony Divinagracia, a political science lecturer in an interview with the Varsitarian, the students have this way of thinking that “ we don’t have the luxury of time to engage in student politics and we would like to mind our own academic business.”

The IoB influences consumer choice. Using this process, companies may create new or enhance their existing services in order for consumers to engage and be satisfied with them. Those that historically do not have a likable reputation can change their identity and image with IoB as one main tool, which can influence customers to go and use what they offer. Advertising can also benefit from IoB, considering that psychology and marketing go hand-in-hand in this aspect of business.

It can also redesign the value chain. While some users are more wary of providing their data, many are willing to do so as long as it adds data-driven value. This can come in the form of providing tailored services to a variety of customers, sleeker and more user-friendly designs for the offerings of the business, updates which aim to better its services, and an overall improvement of efficiency and quality across all products.

What does it give?

The main benefit of IoB is its ability to analyze human behavior towards products and services and then effectively respond to it for gain. There are the advantages towards marketing, business strategy, customer satisfaction, and the value of data, but others include improved data gathering and analytics, elimination of more traditional methods of data collection like surveys and questionnaires, and provision of real-life updates and notifications to customers about whatever new a company is offering.

However, it also brings concerns about privacy and safety. Consumers are concerned about these two aspects of the Internet being violated and compromised, and are wary about companies and even the government not caring about these issues at all. It is not difficult for tech companies to link their products to the Internet, and they continue to extend their reach and possibly suck consumers into their systems without their permission. Integration of behavior data can also enable cybercriminals to access and sell sensitive information, and even sophisticate scamming methods like phishing. But as technology advances, cybersecurity protocols are being developed and all parties are urged to become more vigilant, responsible, and proactive.

The Internet of Behaviors is almost a foreseen development of technology. Given the advancement of the Internet of Things, IoB has also become a tool in and of itself. It enables companies to give consumers what they want from their offerings, using behavioral data and analyzing it to the fullest extent possible. It is not an inherently problematic tool, but as with all things, there are concerns about its general application to society. Lance Kasel Lasam

PT&T, Lenovo Pledge 10 Laptops to Eng’g Studes Written by: Miguel Ballecer

So having vacant positions in both local council and organizations is on account of studentsbeing too focused on their individual problems and not because of losing interest or being apolitical the Engineering Student Council Elections voter turnout confirms this by recording a 69.11% voter results, surpassing the needed voting power of two-thirds or 66.66% of the faculty population. Furthermore, the call of the different organizations had a voter turnout of more than half of their members with the IEC having the highest voter turnout of 85%.

Still far from being apolitical, engineering students, although far from perfect, are still concerned of what government they want to serve them. But choosing and prioritizing one’s self and health should always come first. Afterall, a good and harmonious student body will not be possible without the presence of its healthy constituents.

and analyze and interpret those behaviors. As data is of utmost importance to companies and businesses, it is also crucial for them to extract whatever is in that information.

Photo by Jhoana Ezekielle Fidel

Through the Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Communication (PT&T) and Lenovo Philippines Inc., ten selected students from the Faculty of Engineering received brand-new Lenovo laptops.

With the assistance of Engr. James G. Velasquez, the President and CEO of PT&T, and UST Electronics Engineering alumnus, Engineering Dean Philipina A. Marcelo, Ph.D., was able to reach out to Lenovo for the request.

The laptops were granted to the faculty for the use of its students through the joint approval of Engr. Velasquez, and Mr. Michael Ngan, the President and General Manager of Lenovo Philippines Inc. Prior to the distribution, forms were sent out to the students for the screening of the recipients.

The laptops were delivered via courier service to the households of the selected students last May 20-21, 2021.

Dr. Benjamin, Co-Authors Issue Journal on IBS Reliability Assessment Written by: Lance Kasel Lasam and Allen Atienza

Assoc. Prof. Michael Francis Benjamin, Ph.D., of the UST Department of Chemical Engineering, along with Dr. Viknesh Andiappan of HeriotWatt University and Dr. Raymond R. Tan of De La Salle University published their paper titled “Assessing the Reliability of Integrated Bioenergy Systems to Capacity Disruptions via Monte Carlo Simulation” last May 11, 2021.

In this article, the researchers assess IBS reliability using risk analysis and Monte Carlo simulation, which determines failure rates by

Innovation is a good thing, but as we grow more familiar with it, we see it less and less.

This is the reality of the so-called “innovation problem” that various people have echoed recently. In their eyes, what innovation we have once seen from tech companies has diminished as of late. It has been a while since we have seen a new killer feature or component that resonated with the general public, and the latest trends are nothing more than fads which will fade after a couple of years.

To this, it should be asked, is innovation dying?

Are tech companies no longer spearheading it as they were before? Do gadgets like smartphones need more innovation? Or is this dilemma just the result of too much nitpicking?

THE ARGUMENTS There have been many features and opinions about this problem, the most prominent of them focusing on the biggest smartphone manufacturers - Apple and Samsung. Their main point is that they have not made many advancements that are not only revolutionary but are also enticing to the public, and they have gone far from their focus as they should.

According to those who subscribe to this, tech companies are no longer driving innovation. Apple is relying on its brand and status to sell repeat expensive products, and Samsung is more reliant on price and volume, not on innovation itself. They and other tech companies are stuck in limbo between development and marketing. We have advanced to the point where innovation is going to the wayside, they say. Therefore, innovation is stagnating, and thus nearing its end.

This sentiment is not new at all. As people predict a future of accelerated innovation, there are others who forecast the “end of innovation”. Others have also said that there are only a few fundamental innovations across all of history, and that there will be no more truly fundamental inventions made ever again.

THE COUNTERARGUMENTS Although we don’t feel much innovation as of late, there is still innovation going on. One of the main reasons why it is can be seen through the application of Moore’s law. This

introducing a probabilistic input to the model in question. IBS, an important and efficient system for making a sustainable energy source and maximizing biomass waste, can have a ripple and amplification effect if one component fails.

Developing IBS systems can enable a country to reduce its reliance on imported fuels. With the results showing that the analysis and simulation can determine the system’s reliability even when it suffers disruptions, engineers can be able to develop better and more reliable systems.

is the relationship that states that the number of transistors per silicon chip doubles about every two years, and it was held as a guideline for computer processor production. Now, it has slowed down and may be replaced or upgraded in the near future with the rise of nanobiology or quantum computing. However, just because innovation is becoming more incremental, doesn’t mean that innovation is dying.

From foldable, rollable, and bezel-less phones, to holograms and personal assistants, to the development of 6G network and RDNA architecture, we are still developing more advanced technologies. There is no absolute end to innovation. There may be some things that cannot be tinkered further, but there are many things that can be manipulated further.

Even if people argue that the truly fundamental innovations were already made a long time ago, there is still more innovation to come. Even if people predict the “end of innovation”, people also predict accelerated innovation. And that is because as humans, we are capable of inventing and innovation.

If this is truly dead, then we will be stuck with whatever is in store forever, which is the antithesis to our sense of progress.

Digital Art has evolved from one of the most beloved programs of Microsoft Windows called Paint to computer programs like Photoshop. We went from paint brushes with actual fibers to adjustable settings. However, one thing was clear, traditional art was more authentic. Once the first version of an art exists, it is the original and most valuable version of that art forever, and digital art was not initially designed to mimic that. Enter: NFT. What is an NFT? “When you pay for a Non-Fungible Token (NFT), what you get is the right to transfer the token to your digital wallet. The token proves that your copy of a digital file is the original, like owning an original painting. And just as masterpiece paintings can be copied and distributed as inexpensive posters, anyone can have a digital copy of your NFT.” Dragan Boscovic What is Considered an NFT? NFTs can really be anything that is considered “unique” (such as drawings, music, or even an AI), but digital art has been a hot topic recently. If people want your NFT, they do not just want your money, they want to own something out of your “collection” that you made available to auction, which is what it means to have NFTs. Other people can have versions of your NFT, but it will not be the same NFT because Ethereum (the server that manages NFTs) verifies the transaction.

Ethereum verifies if you are either purchasing the original NFT or creating an official “copy” of one.

The only way you are going to be verified as a purchaser is if you go through the bidding process, which is similar to auctioning because what you need is to bid the highest price in order to purchase it. And it is crazy to think about how much artworks are valued, whether it be an actual piece of art or even just a meme. Since its first release in 2015, a lot of NFTs have been sold, some more crazier than others. Here are some of them.

Everydays: the First 5000 Days – $69.3 million

THE CONCLUSION This “dilemma” is more of a concern of our own capabilities, on the notion that will all come to an end. However, we are smart and rational, and as we continue to have this ability, there is no end to innovation.

Things can be done, utilized, recycled, upgraded further. It is just up to the engineers, designers and the general public to come up with these crazy ideas. There have been slogans that aim to push people into innovation, like Apple’s “Think different” and Microsoft’s “Where do you want to go today?”, and it is best to keep those statements to heart.

The sentiment that innovation is reaching its end stems from surface-level observations.

We may not feel it as much as before, but innovation is alive and strong. However, it cannot be denied that there will always be people who predict a future of little to no innovation. Lance Kasel Lasam

The first Tweet – $2.9 Million

Where is the limit?

It is important to keep in mind that an NFT costs around $87.53 just to “mint” it, which is to verify if and solidify that your NFT’s owner, creator, and authenticity. That means you would have to invest money in your NFT, and would have to be sure that it is worth more than $87.53. Of course, there are exceptions where this is worthwhile, if your property is worth more than the minting price.

So far, NFTs are used in order to buy art. In fact, NFTs are already integrated into today’s art culture.

The only question is, are NFTs stopping at art? They can’t. The world has a lot of objects considered “unique” where people require ownership rights to maintain possession of them.

Music and literary works can be converted to NFTs. You can even start an infamous meme or post and gain profit out of it. Documents such as land titles and real estate ownership rights are not even out of the question. Because each NFT has a unique code, there is a future where cryptocurrency can buy ownership rights to ridiculous stuff such as memes or even serious objects such as company assets. The thought of art being bought by online money was insane to begin with, but in a few years NFTs will be able to buy you more than just a piece of art. Who knows? Maybe someone can even buy the WHOLE world with that kind of currency.

Allen Atienza

Teletigers

Simple Workouts You Can Do at Home

From Page 16

from different clans and teams, leading to a new strategy and synergy. We had to adjust to our classes, and know the strengths and weaknesses of each other.”

UST Teletigers Coach Bunggo mentioned that

Written by Laurence Arellano

there are many ways to prepare for tournaments.

“Tournaments would last almost a whole day, so we had to prepare for that mentally and physically.

Practicing with the team is the main preparation and studying how the game works, metas, and

According to multiple researches, having regular exercise can decrease the risks of having severe Covid-19 symptoms. In a study by WebMD, constantly inactive persons who contract the virus were 226% more likely to be hospitalized, 173% more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), and 149% more likely to die.

During face-to-face classes, mere walking from Ruaño to your favorite eatery in Dapitan or Noval can be considered as an exercise. Even at home, we can continue to try to be fit and healthy by doing simple exercises. You can do these workouts just with the use of your bed, chair, and other everyday items such as water bottles.

Chair Squat 1. Stand in front of a chair, your feet shoulder width apart and toes slightly pointed out.

2. Lower your back by slowly bending your knees and hinging at your hips until your buttocks touch the chair.

3. Push up through the heels.

4. You can hold items such as filled water bottles, bags, or books, as you curl your arms.

Stationary Lunge 1. Put your right leg flat on the ground in front of you and the left foot up on your toes.

2. Bend your knees and lunge, until your right thigh is parallel to the ground.

3. Push up through your right foot to return to the starting position. Repeat by switching legs.

Sit to Stand 1. With your back against a chair, stand while swinging your hands.

2. Sit down, returning back to your starting position.

3. Repeat to desired number of repetitions.

Crunch Up 1. Lie flat on your back with your knees 90 degree bent and your hands on the both sides of your head.

2. Slowly raise your shoulders until it is a few inches off the ground. Remember to always set your lower back stuck to the ground.

3. Slowly lower down, returning to the starting position.

how our enemies play.”

Illustrated by Jayvee Fulgencio

The head of the organization mentioned that camaraderie and communication are the things they learned, accepting losses and that the ‘current’

Leg Raise 1. Lie flat on your back with your legs together.

2. Slowly raise your legs up to forty-five degrees.

3. Slowly lower down to return to the starting position.

High Knees 1. Jog in place raising your knees as high as you can.

2. Repeat under a desired duration of time.

Push Up 1. Kneel down on the floor with your hands shoulderwidth apart. Your back should be straight, forming a straight line from your head to your knees.

2. Slowly lower your body until your chest is a few inches away from the ground.

3. Then push yourself up by extending your arms fully.

Step Up 1. Stand in front of a stool, bench, or stairs.

2. Step your right foot on the bench pushing on your heel to lift your whole body.

3. Step down with your left foot.

Deadbug 1. Lie on your back with your feet raised up and your legs and thighs are at a 90 degree angle.

2. Straighten your leg until your feet are inches above the ground.

3. Repeat with the other leg.

Calf Raise 1. Stand upright carrying your bag as weights.

2. With your toes pointed forward, slowly raise your heels off the ground contracting your calves.

3. Slowly return to the starting position.

Box Jumps 1. Stand in front of a stool, bench, or stairs.

2. Drop quickly into a squat position, swing your arms, and jump onto the box.

3. Land as softly as possible.

Teletigers are weak because the rebuilding phase is their team’s toughest challenge.

Sergio also highlighted that there is a lot of preparation for an esports tournament. “First is Team training, these are times when you scrimmage with other schools. Second is individual training; this is mainly the players grinding competitive solo to further improve their mechanics. Lastly is mental, there are times when players have a ‘bad day’ or a ‘bad game’, so usually a healthy practice schedule and a daily routine will help them to be stable and not overworking themselves in practice can help the players be at their hundred percent during the tournament.”

Transformed and Immobilized Sports events across the globe have been canceled or postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Esports games still thrive wherein people are still steaming and watching streams amid coronavirus outbreaks. Still, esports events have been able to continue their tournaments through online streaming platforms.

Cutero believes that the pandemic affected their training and preparation for the tournaments.

“In a normal setting, I and my teammates can meet in person to better improve our communication and teamwork.”

Michael James Gonzales, a second-year Electronics

Engineering

student,

thinks

that

esports tournaments being held online might affect or hinder their team’s performance. “I believe it depends on external factors such as bad internet, PC problems, etc.”

“Since

in

previous

years

most

of

the

tournaments were held offline/LAN, it was hard to adjust to team practices because sometimes players may not have a good internet connection.

So whenever we had the opportunity to represent the Philippines internationally, it was difficult to play due to the difference in internet speed with other countries,” Sergio added.

Legendary Moments and Epic Comeback (Left to Right) Dr. Beatriz A. Belmonte, Dr. Michael Francis D. Benjamin

Dr. Belmonte, Dr. Benjamin Co-Publish Model for Terrestrial Carbon Management Networks Written by Allen Atienza and Lance Lasam

Dr. Beatriz A. Belmonte and Dr. Michael Francis D. Benjamin, Chemical Engineering professors from UST, as well as De La Salle Chemical Engineering Professors Dr. Kathleen B. Aviso and Dr. Raymond R. Tan published their paper on Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy Journal titled “A fuzzy optimization model for planning integrated terrestrial carbon management networks” last June 8, 2021.

The model the research team created is based on biochar application and enhanced weathering, which are both negative emission technologies (NETs). NETs are used for removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, where in this case the NETs the

UST Teletigers Esports Club has had an incredible run and a long journey in the esports industry. Teletigers dominate esports games and have grabbed multiple titles in different genres of esports games in the past four years.

Richard Sergio mentioned that there are a lot

researchers chose are effective for terrestrial sinks.

Since terrestrial sinks are generally locations with high amounts of carbon accumulation, the model aimed to show the sustainable potential of biochar application and enhanced weathering.

of ways to get into the esports industry aside from

The publication is one of the first of its kind, since it reports an actual model of biochar and enhanced weathering in the same system. In a wider scope, the study is a stepping stone into equalizing the positive and negative emission of greenhouse gases. This means the more models and data that are successfully generated, the closer we are to stabilizing or even stopping global warming.

have the potential to make the organization grow.”

being a player. “You might have other talents or skills that can contribute to the esports community and this was said to me by the founder of the org that I’ve already hit my ceiling as a player but I “Just keep grinding and do your best. Focus on improving your own skills and your skills as a team player. It will be tiring and stressful, but it’s a very rewarding experience.” The Teletigers’ coach expressed.

Photo Courtesy of Glenn T. Unger

Obiena’s Record-Breaking Olympic Preparation The Summer Olympics is one of the most anticipated sporting events all over the world. It features different events such as Basketball, Football, Swimming, and Athletics. The Philippines has been competing in every edition of the Olympic Games since its inauguration in the year 1986 except when they participated in the US-Led Boycott of the 1980 games due to the Soviet-Afghan war.

The country started to join independently during the 1924 edition as it previously competed under Spain during the first edition and under the United States from 1900-1920.

in Italy booked him a ticket to the Olympics as he passed the 5.80-meter qualifying standard of the Tokyo Games.

Throughout the years, Filipino Athletes only managed to grab three silver medals and seven bronze medals across four sporting events. Boxing currently has the most with five combined medals, including two silvers, while swimming and athletics have two bronze medals apiece, weightlifting has the most recent medal which Hidilyn Diaz snatched during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“Nothing really changed actually, it’s just my training habits are the same but I push myself more as I have more motivation because of it being the Olympics. I have all the motivation to do these things that I have to do,” he added.

Ernest John Obiena became the first Filipino to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that will be held from July 23 up to August 8 this year, postponed by the pandemic. His then record-breaking 5.81-meter jump at the Men’s Pole Vault competition of Salto Con L’asta In Piazza Chiari 2019

The Electronics Engineering student’s current preparation is focused overseas following a daily schedule which includes training in the morning, doing paper works and resting in the early afternoon before having a late afternoon to night training.

In an online interview, he said that the Olympics can be considered as the final exams of the term.

Obiena joined different athletic events, breaking the National Record for both indoor and outdoor pole vaulting.

Earlier this year, he shattered the record for indoor pole vaulting three consecutive times in fifteen days.

Starting when he leaped for 5.62 meters at the Karlsruhe World Indoor Tour Meeting finishing fifth late January, a week later, he would break this record by

The Unstoppable Teletigers, Roars Louder!

Written by: John Carlo Urbano

“Puro ka na lang laro! Mag-aral ka, wag puro mobile legends!” You usually hear this from your parents when you spend long hours in front of the computer or mobile phone. On the gadget screen, your eyes were taught and conditioned to tap your keyboard like wild and insane, confronted enemies, and you need quick thinking and a swift finger to succeed.

Cutero found his way into the esports industry by having played many games during his childhood days. “In this term, we participated in Mobile Legends AcadArena Aces Campus Open and won two championships and a first runner-up placement. I also participated in the League of Legends: Wild Rift ASUS ROG University Alliance Cup as a player and we finished in third place.”

In recent years, esports has continued to rise and increased significantly as skilled competitive gaming. It has been operating smoothly and has a good platform of skilled and professional players, teams, and organizers.

John Dale Pelante, a first-year Civil Engineering student, wanted to experience competing in an esports tournament. “I participated in the National Campus Open (NCO) League of Legends (LoL) and IMC College ClashLeague of Legends. In the National Campus Open, we won 2700 Riot Points (RP), and in IMC College Clash we won 50 dollars in store credit in the Team Liquid store.”

Dominating the Battlefield UST Teletigers, known as the current kings of Campus Esports, recently conquered the battlefield as Mobile Legends team captain Lee Kevin led his team to grab the back-to-back victory in AcadArena ACES Tournament.

Valorant TGR, notched a title in Red Bull Campus Clutch and equipped for the Regional matches for Asia-Pacific (APAC) as they represent the Philippines. Teletigers League of Legends won the IMC College Clash-Philippines Team Liquid Tournament in style and became representatives as they won silver in the Asia-Pacific Regional matches.

The UST Mangtootz Warriors came out with an armor plate with finishing moves that gave them the advantage to claim victory against 25 different teams from various colleges at the Campus League Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) Battle Royale tournament - Season 1.

Having knowledge and a background in esports since he was a kid, Richard Jan Luiz Sergio, a third-year Electronics Engineering student and the current head of the UST Teletigers Esports Club, was exposed to different games and developed a competitive nature. “I am proud to say that during the current 5 months of the rebuilding phase we are starting to take back our championship form; we are currently dominating with different esports titles and our team already became numerous Philippines representatives for national tournaments.”

UST Teletigers Mobile Legends (ML) team captain and a third-year Mechanical Engineering student Lee Kevin

Third-year Mechanical Engineering student Jaztine Reignel Bunggo was exposed to competitive video games at a very young age and also participated mostly in local online leagues and collegiate level tournaments in the Philippines. “Right now, as a member of UST Teletigers, we are representing the Philippines in the Red Bull collegiate tournament and I am currently their coach in the team now.”

Defense and Regeneration It is difficult to perform efficiently in tournaments. Some tournaments are frequently surrounded by difficulties.

Prior to a competition, it is essential to equip oneself with mental skills so that one may learn to handle individual performance. Preparation is one of the key elements to succeeding and performing well in a tournament.

Third-year Electronics Engineering student Keith Ganzon realized that their toughest challenge is building and finding their chemistry as a team. “Even though everyone has good aim and movement in CODM, it’s still difficult if the game play doesn’t match up with each other.

So we really took the time to practice various scrimmages and, luckily, it was built somehow.”

Laurence Miguel Sanchez, a third-year Chemical Engineering student, wanted to find their chemistry as a team to improve their strategy and play. “We were brought

Teletigers | Page 15

reaching 5.80 meters at the ISTAF Indoor Athletics Meet in Berlin, Germany. Exactly a week later, he set another record with 5.86 meters at the Orlen Indoor Cup 2021 in Poland. He would then shatter the record anew by reaching 5.87 meters at the Irena Szewinska Memorial Cup in Poland by the end of June.

The hardest thing for him training overseas is being away from his friends and family.

“I don’t see my friends from UST. We need relationships, we need interactions with other people. It’s not really that hard training, I enjoy training, I enjoy what I do, I take pleasure in pole vaulting. I’m separated from my family and I haven’t seen them for a year and a half now, that is what I consider the things that are hard,” the 25-year-old said.

The Southeast Asian Champion also recalled that the last time he was in the Philippines was during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. He also shared that he had to fly out of the country the very next day after grabbing the gold in the biennial meet to continue training for the Olympics. Laurence Gabriel Arellano

Student-Athlete Dormitories Written by: John Carlo Urbano

UST requested student-athletes to vacate their university provided dormitories amid the pandemic to reduce university expenses last April 21.

“We continue to pay for the rental of these dormitories.

Until recently, the University has decided to vacate them in order to cut down on the expenses.”Athletics Director Fr. Rodel Cansancio said in an interview with The Varsitarian.

To prevent overcrowding of student-athletes, UST provided scheduled pick-up dates to get their belongings strictly with their coaches’ permission and the dormitory supervisor’s approval.

They were asked to vacate the said dormitories until April 30. In certain instances, those who live in the provinces and would not be able to get their belongings before the said deadline, UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) has decided to store their things in the spare rooms at the Quadricentennial Pavilion (QPav), or be distributed via courier services.

The University plans to rent the dormitories again if the situation makes it possible and the condition allows them to do so.