June - July 2020 Newsletter

06 EDITORIAL Embarking on the trail for the (COVID-19 funds) grail Nasaan na ang kaban ng bayan?

TOLENTINESTAR

T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E G R O S O C C I D E N TA L - R E C O L E T O S

JUNE - JULY 2020 | LXXVIIII No. 1

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TRUTH AS IT HAPPENS

OUR FIRST HURRAH GROWLING AND STRONG. CEN Tigers sport their cheerdance routine in fierce competitive spirit versus the six Colleges at the official opening of U-Week 2019. photo by JOCER MACALISANG

Uni studs to ‘rock the online world’

by KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

INSIDE PAGES 02 UNIVERISTY

DSA pushes thru virtual leadership training

10 FEATURE

Behind the trenches, up close on the frontline

03 UNIVERISTY

No grad rites for Class 2020

The University admin plans to utilize online platforms to connect with students and other members of the UNO-Rian community as restrictions on mass gatherings and physical distancing protocols are being observed.

Through converting student activities that are crucial for community development and holistic nourishment into a virtual set-up, Director of Student Affairs Dr. Dexter Paul Dioso, CSASS,

recommended for student leaders to “rock the online world” with school traditions amidst the pandemic.

“They [student leaders] should find ways to make the learning of students meaningful even without the luxury of face-to-face interaction and, as much as possible, conduct social activities through maximizing online resources,” he said.

Dioso shared probable scenarios like holding an online literary-musical

competition where participants will have to send a video of their performance instead of performing live.

He also added that oration and extemporaneous speech contests can be possible through Zoom and that these alterations and improvisations can make these activities more exciting.

“Just imagine a pop dance or MTV [competition] with just the manipulation of technology; combining

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UNIVERSITY

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

UNIVERSITY LAY ADMINISTRATION FOR A.Y. 2020-2021 OFFICERS UNDER THE PRESIDENT:

informed Rekoleto

Ma. Judy Legaspi, MAEd Secretary, Office of the President

Carlo Eduardo Legaspi Jr., PhD Director, Office of External Affairs

Elmer Haro, PhD Director, Planning and Quality Assurance

OFFICERS UNDER THE VP FOR ADMINISTRATION: Carmenda Leonoras, PhD Associate Director, Human Resource

Management and Development Office

Mariano Antenor Jr.,PhD Head, Information and Communication Technology Department

FLDL launches online thru informedRekoleto

Mars Olea, MSCJ Director, Security and Safety Department

OFFICERS UNDER THE VP FOR ACADEMICS: Sheila Arnibal, RN, PhD Dean, College of Allied Medical Health Sciences

Grace Lopena, CPA, MBA Dean, College of Business and Accountancy

Annabee Claur, PhD Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Ma. Theresa Chavez, PhD Dean, College of Education

Jasmin Parreño, RC, PhD Dean, College of Criminal Justice Education

Christopher Alunan, PhD, PECE OIC Dean, College of Engineering

Dennis Madrigal, PhD Dean, Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School continued on page 4

by KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

Be informed with just a click.

The University’s Fray Luis De Leon Library (FLDL) opened its online services through launching informedRekoleto, an online information literacy platform, as part of its service to UNO-Rians in the new normal, June 29.

Through the FLDL’s official website, students can access the library’s online services such as digital reference services for research, document delivery of digital contents, pick-up of books, online book renewal, and virtual storytelling.

“We are open for quick browsing or reading of books, researching and borrowing

if there are directives that undergraduate students are allowed to stay inside the campus,” Director of Libraries Sheila Dela Cruz said.

As of now, the Library caters to faculty members as well as graduate school and law students. However, Dela Cruz ensured that college students will be accommodated if they wish to go to the Library.

In addition, the Library staff is planning to create more infographics to show how the library’s e-resources can be accessed to let students be informed on how to avail the Library’s online services. Furthermore, the Library is open for students’

signing of clearance, returning and pick-up of books, and reference browsing. Details on the procedure of the FLDL online services are posted on their Facebook page, UNO-Recoletos Fray Luis De Leon Library.

Students can send their inquiries on the FLDL page or through the librarians’ verified email accounts..

FLDL will launch its online library orientation on the opening of classes, Aug. 17, alongside the Student Development and Placement Center and Research Development Office.

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UNIVERSITY

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

DSA pushes thru virtual leadership training

by KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

Welcoming the new set of University student leaders, Director of Student Affairs (DSA) Dr. Dexter Paul Dioso, CSASS, headed the annual leadership training initiative through a threeday webinar session amidst mass gathering restrictions caused by the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, July 29.

In the discussion, Dioso tackled Augustinian values and leadership, policies for student organizations, and semestral requirements of student leaders. Deviating from the usual physical attendance of the annual leadership training, Dioso said that the webinar series was as effective as from the previous years when students were physically present in the discussion.

“[With this webinar,] As far as my objective is concerned, that is to have them [student leaders] understand the Augustinian values and the policies that will guide their plans and conduct as student leaders,” he said.

UNORSSGO President Charles Gabriel Gelotin assured that he and his fellow student leaders will strive to reach the student body through online means regardless of the restrictions in physical interaction.

“The main pillar of student leadership is social interaction and fellowship. This becomes evident with various social gatherings and activities that the student government annually holds. Thus, with the advent of the pandemic, the challenge for us is how we can convert these school traditions

virtually,” Gelotin said.

Dioso then bared his plan to upload a recorded video of the discussion making it available to student leaders who were not able to join the webinar along with a written report to serve as an assessment of what they learned.

Aside from the concluded online leadership training, the Office of the Vice President for Student Welfare will also initiate segmented webinars for student leaders per organization.The meeting was attended by the UNO-R Supreme Student Government (UNORSSGO), College Councils, and members of the Campus Organization Federation who gathered via Zoom.

SKILL SHARING. UNO-Rian student leaders from different organization take part in the online training webinar initiated by the Office of the Vice President for Student Welfare. photo courtesy of CHARLES GABRIEL GELOTIN

No grad rites for Class 2020

by KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

No colors flying. Due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the University would not hold commencement exercises for the graduating students of academic year 20192020 according to Rev. Fr. Jose Alden Alipin, OAR, vice president for academics.

According to Engr.

Christopher Taclobos, MEng, university registrar, graduating students will still receive their diplomas even though there will be no commencement exercises.

“Even without the ceremony, by virtue of [the] PAASCU accreditation, the graduates may be issued their transcript of records and [receive] diplomas they earned,” he added.

The University Registrar’s Office is currently releasing diplomas as per their request.

Taclobos shared that as long as there is a prevailing pandemic and there are health protocols that restrict mass gatherings and social activities, the University will abide by the health protocols to ensure the safety of the students, their families, and the UNO-Rian community.

A video tribute for the graduates will be released through YouTube with the date to be announced by the officiating committee.

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LOCAL

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

Atty. John Paolo Villasor Dean, School of Law

Atty. Mary Jude Marvel Associate Dean, School of Law

Lucille Montalvo, MAEd Principal, Integrated School (Nursery to Grade 10)

Marisa Petalla, PhD Principal, Integrated School (Senior Hgh school)

Mona Freda Secondes, ChE, PhD Director, Research and Development Office

Christopher Taclobos, MEng University Registrar

Sheila Dela Cruz, MSLIS Director of Libraries

UNVEILED. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia leads the unveiling of the marker to officially open the CLMMRH biolab together with Cong.

Greg Gasataya, Dr. Marlyn Convocar, and Dr. Julius Drilon. photo courtesy of BACOLOD CITY PIO.

Chris Feli Joy Tajonera, MSGC, RGC

1st hospital-based level 3 biolab opens in BCD

Director, Student Development and Placement Center

Nena Samillano, PhD Director, Special Technological and Educational Programs

OFFICERS UNDER THE VP FOR FINANCE: Ma. Luisa Catague, CPA, MBA University Comptroller

Alvin Mananquil, MSCS Specialist, Management Information Ssystem

Ildefonso Obligado Supervisor, Property Ofice

OFFICERS UNDER THE VP FOR STUDENT WELFARE: Dexter Paul Dioso, PhD, CSASS Director, Student Affairs Office

Elma Lina Tejida Moderator, Sports Office

OFFICER UNDER THE VP FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS: Maribel Gonzales, RSW, MSSW Director, University Community Development Office

by CARLA JOANNE ROBLES

As Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases continue to surge nationwide, the first hospital-based level 3 molecular laboratory in the Philippines officially opened in Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) through the joint venture of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bacolod City Local Government Unit (LGU), July 11.

Leonardia said that the laboratory is an effective way to combat the virus because through it, the City can perform more tests and people can expect faster test results.

“Today, we have one of the answers to these three basic protocols on what we are supposed to do,” Leonardia said highlighting the protocols of “test, trace, and treat”.

With a turnaround time of 72 hours or three days, Drilon said that the laboratory

can perform 100 tests per day as it starts to operate.

“This is the first time that an LGU assisted the DOH in setting up a molecular laboratory,” Convocar shared.

CLMMRH biosafety officer and UNO-R faculty member CRB Glenn Salve, RMT, MSMT, MT(AMT), RN, MA/TMRS, LLB, CBO said that the laboratory is equipped with state-of-theart technology as the only biosafety level 3 laboratory outside Metro Manila.

“The lab handles the specimens collected from the City. As to other parts of Region 6, I have no exact details but they [other regions] are capable [to process specimens],” Salve shared.

He added that the services offered by the molecular laboratory of CLMMRH, as of now, are exclusive to COVID-19 cases but it can also handle other pathogens and can even cater to researches soon.

Drilon disclosed that the laboratory costs almost P30 million for building and renovation; P20 million of which was provided by the Bacolod City LGU where the P14.7 million was allotted for the renovation of the building, and the rest was for a starter supply of consumables such as test kits, extraction kits, reagents, and etc.

CLMMRH has spent about P15 million for the purchase of equipment and another P2 million for similar consumables.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia was accompanied by Lone District Representative Cong.

Greg Gasataya, Department of Health Western Visayas Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar, and CLMMRH Medical Center Chief Dr. Julius Drilon in leading the inauguration.

CLMMRH’s molecular laboratory is one of the three biosafety level 3 laboratories in the country and the first outside Metro Manila.

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LOCAL

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

BCD youth, citizens protest vs ABS-CBN franchise rejection

by CRISHA ARROYO

Showing solidarity in the fight against oppression and for the protection of press freedom amidst the rejection of ABSCBN’s franchise renewal bid, student journalists, activists, and advocate citizens of the City converged in front of ABSCBN Bacolod station and set up a solidarity wall, July 11.

Standing with more than 11,000 ABS-CBN employees who have lost their job due to the franchise rejection of the media giant by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on July 10, the Bacolod Youth Alliance

(BYA) spearheaded the creation of a “Defend Press Freedom” shrine on the walls and gate of the company’s Bacolod broadcast complex.

BYA said in a statement that they mourn the attacks against the free press. “If they can silence a media giant, they can silence all of us,” the group said on their Facebook page.

BYA expressed dismay on how history seems to be repeated by tyrants who remain in power.

“As student advocates, we stand with our student journalists and bearers

of truth in upholding our constitutional rights to freedom of expression, speech, and [the] press,” Krishna Ariola, BYA member, said.

Youth, concerned citizens left flowers and notes, tied ribbons, posted artwork, and lighted candles to display unity as the media giant went off-air.

Bacolod Youth Alliance is a youth-led movement for freedom and democracy involved in mobilizing the youth in various social issues.

from page 1

UNI STUDS TO ... individual videos into [a] creative output,” Dioso said.

Meanwhile, University Registrar Engr. Christopher Taclobos, MEng said that campus activities might be conducted as long as it adheres to minimum health protocols, such as social distancing and wearing of face masks.

Moreover, the UNO-R Supreme Student Government (UNORSSGO) plans to organize virtual activities set for the opening of classes on Aug. 17.

“We are planning to organize online games, quiz bees, and raffles that students can join [in].

We will be giving load vouchers, face masks, alcohol, and online class tools like mobile tripod and earphones as prizes,” UNORSSGO President Charles Gabriel Gelotin shared a peek at their plans for the upcoming academic year.

HOLD THE LINE. Bacolod youth stands in front of the ABS-CBN Bacolod building together with its employees as a call against the network shutdown. photo courtesy of GINO LOPEZ To l e n t i n e S t a r i s t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e g r o s O c c i d e n t a l - R e c o l e t o s

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FEATURE

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

BEHIND THE TRENCHES, UP CLOSE ON THE FRONTLINE

by ALEA JEN VILLAHERMOSA

Back in the days before this unseen villain attacked, everyone was just listlessly buzzing through their hours going straight to classes or filling up absences. Some were stringing out their time on a job for overtime pay while others hit the computer shop as part of the daily grind. Others were content with getting drunk over chitchat, chips, and drinks with friends on a Friday night - not-soextraordinary routines for another normal day until a worldwide pandemic hit the country and changed the course of everyone’s lives.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread like wildfire, infecting 18 million people and counting worldwide with no known cure and a vaccine still in the works.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health has already recorded more than 100,000 confirmed cases, as of press time, alarming everyone in the country, especially the people who are risking their lives daily under the oath to save others – the medical frontliners. These are the people greatly exposed to the risk of pathogens as entailed in their profession to address everyone’s health needs and fulfil their oath.

ON UNIFORMS AND THE COURAGE TO DO Donned with a laboratory coat over scrubs, a fitted face mask, a face shield, a pair of surgical gloves, and covered shoes, these comprise the usual get-up of medical professionals as they pave through their days in hospitals and other medical facilities attending to their patients; layer upon layer of protection and this is without a threat of a pandemic. How much more when COVID-19, a virus transmitted from respiratory droplets, took its course?

In a time not-solong-ago, medical

PACK FOR A LIVING. Nanay Vilma Villahermosa packs her bread products that are ready for delivery. photo by Alea Jen Villahermosa.

NATION’S CALL. Ma. Concepcion Osano, RMT swabs a patient in full PPE.photo courtesy of Ma. Concepcion Osano,RMT.

professionals were already stringent in observing the donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) yet as a pandemic that still troubles scientists to this day knocks closely by, PPEs continue to minimize the risk of frontliners being infected

by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and other pathogens. The wearing of layered PPE is no walk at the park as what the 27-year-old, second-year pediatric resident doctor testifies to, especially during the summer.

Outside the hospital, under the scorching heat of the sun, Dr. Anady Eleccion of Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital - Bacolod says that being in a twofold suit with her level 3 to 4 PPE is straining. “With the increased layers of protection, of course, there is also an increased level of discomfort, especially when it is used for a prolonged time,” she shares. Dr. Anady also attests that even with just a few hospital rounds of seeing her patients in an isolation tent, she is soaked in her sweat and feels dehydrated.

Even though Dr. Anady expresses her discomfort on wearing PPE, she is determined to help and to serve for another day, “As long as my body is able, I will go.”

Similarly, a 26-year-old medical technologist stationed at the Microbiology section

and a swabbing trainer for COVID-19 specimens at St. Luke’s Medical Center - Global City shares her struggle of wearing her N95 respirator.

Ma. “Iya” Concepcion Osano, RMT, diagnosed with asthma, chooses to save lives despite spending most of her 16-18 hours per day in the hospital wearing PPE. Iya says that it is even harder to breathe when she moves and talks with her mask on. “... Plus, I have to wear my [PPE] body suit so it gets hotter and I struggle to breathe even more,” she adds.

But for Iya, serving in the medical community is her calling. Though being a health professional, especially at this time, is a challenge and half of her wants to take a leave off work due to exhaustion, she couldn’t do it because she is mostly committed to helping her colleagues overcome this pandemic.

ON PROTECTIVE GEAR OUTSIDE VULNERABILITY Protective gears don’t cover vulnerability.

One might not easily see the hardships our medical frontliners have to go through every single day as they don on masks and the bravery to continue taking care of others despite having bottled-up emotions and being victims of discrimination

“We worry for our own health and that of our family’s safety, we grieve when we have patients who die, and we are hurt when we are discriminated because of our line of work,” Dr. Anady outlines her emotional and psychological stress and concerns aside from physical fatigue brought by spending 24 to 30 hours on hospital duty.

Every day is a struggle for a frontliner. Battling an unseen enemy in uncertain circumstances is already an obstacle itself. Top that with the need to take extra precaution in everything they do in order to protect themselves and their loved ones adds to the burdens they encounter.

Being a medical frontliner entails sacrifice – sacrificing your time to just attend to your patients even on twilight hours and how a simple hug or a cup of coffee with someone dear can be a risk itself. For Dr. Anady, Iya, and other frontliners, this means physically distancing themselves from their families - no hugging, kissing, and the lesser conversations, the better.

ON HEROES THAT SKIP THE CAPE BUT DON APRONS Our medical frontliners aren’t the only ones serving the people in a pandemic.

Journalists, staff of food manufacturers and food and package couriers, store employees, drivers, armed forces, and garbage collectors are some of the many frontliners who toil day in, day out in serving the community.

A 56-year-old food manufacturer in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, shares her package of hard work wrapped in her 15-year-old bakery, being among the few businesses allowed to operate in the municipality during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from March to April.

Nanay Wilma Villahermosa, the owner of the bakery, says that

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FEATURE

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

EXCHANGE A GOOD, SAVE A KABABAYAN

by CRISHA ARROYO

Taking another nail on the coffin, livelihood problems pile up on the alreadypresent heap of issues brought by threats to democracy and the rising positive COVID-19 cases as Filipinos try to gasp for a breather.

“Up for barter. Trade for anything.”

Déjà vu? Not quite. This is not a 2nd-century barter activity on the Silk Road when people traded gold, silver, and fabric with neighboring lands like China, Java, Borneo, Thailand, and other settlements; this is in Bacolod City, the City of Smiles, where the modern bartering system takes its course.

REVIVING THE CULTURE The barter system which was introduced by ancient Mesopotamia, adapted by the Phoenicians, developed by the Babylonians, practiced in different parts of the world, and handed down through several generations is now being revived on a local scale through a virtual Facebook community known as the Bacolod Barter Community (BBC) that began on May 8 and continues up to this day.

As the threat of a pandemic continuously looms, multiple Filipinos remain jobless with limited essential reserves due to the existing quarantine protocols nationwide, such as the implementation of home quarantine passes and stayat-home protocols during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Former City Councilor Atty.

Jocelle Batapa Sigue got to her thinking chair brainstorming solutions on how Bacolodnons can access goods without going through long lines in grocery stores during limited hours. Atty.

Sigue took to Facebook and created an online group, the BBC, where people can exchange goods without using money.

In the article she wrote on ANCX about the trading system, the page was designed for women to exchange cosmetics and personal items but later on accepted male members after she initially invited her friends who started inviting others, including men.

On May 8, Atty. Sigue first bartered her new liquid eyeliner for pineapple, squash, and vegetables. With BBC currently having more than 195,000 members, Bacolodnons have been bartering just about anything from housewares to fruits for sacks of rice or canned goods like how 20-year-old Psyche Dela Luna went through her old stuff, from her pre-loved shoes and jeans including her brother’s old clothes, in exchange for a tray of eggs.

Bacolodnons easily clicked with the online barter system and embraced it as a part of the new normal. With it, the spirit of giving has been knocking on several hearts in the City of Smiles.

KINDNESS OUTSHINES ALL HATE Reviving the idea of a barter system through Facebook does not only bridge people who want to trade for their necessities but also becomes a platform for spreading kindness and positivity.

Over time, the BBC has become a community not only for bartering but for charity; some users decline the option to barter their item for another item and instead give it for free to those who need it.

In a BBC post by netizen Leah Fernandez, she shared a picture of her father, Leonilo, with his banana produce wanting to barter for coffee. With that, several Bacolodnons rushed to the comment section offering not only coffee packs but other groceries as well despite the barter deal

having been closed.

Overwhelmed with the kindness of the community, Fernandez posted a picture of her Tatay receiving goods from multiple ka-barters while also stating that they shared some of the items Tatay Leonilo received to those in need.

Indian Mangoes in exchange for type A positive blood from willing donors for her mother who’s undergoing dialysis sets up Meriam Monte’s barter story.

Her post on May 26 received a lot of user replies online who agreed on the exchange.

These acts played a big part in her mother’s recovery and in alleviating their financial struggles.

Currently, the post itself reached around 3,0000 likes and almost 600 comments from users who offered help and prayers to the family.

“One of the reasons that helped my mother in recovering was when she saw that many people were willing to help and were encouraging her to get well,” Monte expressed her gratitude on the BBC page last June 5.

Another story that touched netizens’ hearts and was featured on SunStar Bacolod was when Dr. Jessica Atas, an optometrist, bartered a new electric fan to saplings of Averrhoa bilimbi locally known as Iba with 62-year old Aurora Dela Torre of Barangay Estefania.

In an interview with Dr. Atas, 28, she shared that she saw the post of Nanay Aurora’s daughter on

BAYANIHAN SPIRIT. Dr. Jessica Atas exchanges a new electric fan to Nanay Aurora Dela Tore’s Iba saplings. photo courtesy of SunstarBacolod.

the BBC Facebook page who was offering their used and defective electric fan in exchange for rice.

Many people have reached out to Nanay Aurora who gave their family sacks of rice and food products already so she decided to give the family a new electric fan to replace the old one.

BAYANIHAN DEAL Opening new opportunities while inculcating the innate Filipino bayanihan spirit hand in hand with redefining the traditional barter system as part of the new normal shape the vision of Atty. Sigue’s BBC. Large orchid plants for a sack of rice? A refrigerator for a COVID-19 testing center for a Red Cross pin?

A bowl of aratiles for branded cologne? One whole lechon in exchange for just about anything?

“Just when the country’s economy faces a potential collapse, Bacolodnons started to show the world that money is not everything,” Atty. Sigue said.

Bartering does not necessarily mean the bartered items should be equal in value, but at the heart of the BBC is for fellow Bacolodnons to help each other through a crisis, regardless of price.

On the other hand, Department

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IN THE KNOW: ON PPE THAT KEEP US SAFE

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Compiled by Joelle Mariel Paderog, Raeverly Elena Ramirez, and Carla Joanne Robles Graphics by Cristopher Villaruel

MI

This isn’t the first time the world was rocked by a pandemic. From the dreaded Black Death that ravaged Europe, Africa, and Asia to the COVID-19 pandemic that seemingly put the world on pause, healthcare workers continue to hold on to their oaths to save lives and persist in serving the people. As they fight the virus on the frontlines, what keeps them from contracting the disease?

M

What are PPE? PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are important in reducing the transmission of infection to patients and protecting healthcare workers from healthcare associated infection.

Eye and Face Protection are worn to protect the eyes, nose and mouth from contamination with blood or body fluids, or from chemicals such as disinfectants.

Full-body Gowns must be worn when there is a risk of extensive splashing of blood or body fluids. They must be changed and thrown safely.

Gloves are probably the most frequently used item of PPE.

Footwear worn to cover the foot and to protect it from spillage of blood, bodily fluids, and sharp objects.

PPE are normally worn on top of, or in addition to, normal work clothes to protect the healthcare workers and patients from cross-infection.

Goggles are worn when there is a risk of splashing or aerosols from blood or body fluids to your eyes and when using disinfectants

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MILLIO

GLOVES

Masks are rarely required to protect patients with the operating theatre or dental surgeries.

•N95 Respirators are respiratory protective devices designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. They must be disposed after use.

•Surgical Masks If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria), keeping they from reaching your mouth and nose. They must be disposed after use.

BY THE

NUMBERS

PPE used by frontline healthcare responders worldwide per month to avoid contracting SARS-COV-2 according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

30 MILLION GOWNS

1.59 MILLION GOGGLES

HEALTH RISKS

89

ILLION

MASKS

6

ON

S

Sources: Department of Health World heakth organization www.businesswaste.co.uk -Interim Guidelines on the Management of Health Care Waste in Health Facilities, Community Quarantine Units, and Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities with Cases of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) www.medpagetoday.com www.denr.gov.ph www.noharm-uscanada.org rappler.com www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

POSED BY HEALTHCARE WASTE Healthcare waste contains potentially harmful microorganisms that can infect hospital patients, health workers, and the general public. Other potential hazards may include drug-resistant microorganisms which spread from health facilities into the environment.

Adverse health outcomes associated with health care waste and by-products also include: •sharps-inflicted injuries •toxic exposure to pharmaceutical products •chemical burns •air pollution •thermal injuries •radiation burns

WHO IS AT RISK?

Staff of health care establishments

le at risk of The main groups of peop s associexposure to health hazard are the ated with healthcare waste following:

Patients in health care establishments or those receiving home care Visitors, comforters, and caregivers in health care establishments

PROPER STORAGE AND DISPOSAL In line with the Presidential Proclamation No. 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines, proper disposal of used face masks should be observed.

DISPOSAL OF PPE IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY PGH Spokesperson Jonas del Rosario, on the other hand, said that they’ve estimated that they use 600 to 800 PPE a day for a 130-bed COVID-19 referral center facility. There are about 200 to 300 healthcare workers at PGH in a day, he said, now that they’re on a skeleton workforce due to the pandemic.

Doctor Norberto Francisco, chief of Clinical Trials and Research at The Lung Center, said that their hospital can use from 200 to 500 PPE in one day. The Lung Center is also a referral hospital for coronavirus patients in the Philippines.

Personnel and workers providing support services in health care establishments, such as , laundries, waste handling on and transportati Persons transporting hazardous health care waste

Used masks from hospitals, Barangay Health Centers, and clinics are considered hazardous (infectious) waste.

Used masks from offices, work places, and homes without PUIs and PUMs may be treated as residual waste.

- The handling, transport, and disposal of such shall be carried out by the Transport, Storage and Disposal (TSD) Facility.

- Generally, to make sure contaminated trash from health care facilities don’t pose any harm to the public before going to a landfill, they are typically burned, sterilized with steam, or chemically disinfected - There is no need to burn or incinerate COVID-19 - related waste since medical waste autoclaves that use pressurized steam at 30psi for 30 minutes are known to kill any heat resistant pathogens without need for chemicals.

- Once disinfected in an autoclave, COVID-19-related waste, like any other hospital solid waste that underwent autoclaving, can then be treated as regular municipal waste and disposed according to protocol.

DISPOSAL OF USED FACE MASKS AT HOME OR IN OFFICES:

- Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.

- To remove the mask, remove it from behind and do not touch the front of the mask.

- Discard immediately in a waste container.

- Wash hands with soap and water using the proper handwashing technique.

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OPINION

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

editorial Embarking on the trail for the (COVID-19 funds) grail

- cartoon by RHEYMAR CHUA

TOLENTINESTAR T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E G R O S O C C I D E N TA L - R E C O L E TO S

Since 1947

EDITORIAL BOARD Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal Editor-in-Chief Cristopher Villaruel Associate Editor Jusalanne Matulac Managing Editor WRITERS Crisha Arroyo Leslie Marie Banaban Carla Joane Robles Krisha Marie Semellano Alea Jen Villahermosa CARTOONISTS Rheymar Chua Joshua Garita Renee Suala Carl Andro Vallejera PHOTOJOURNALISTS Joelle Mariel Paderog Raeverly Elena Ramirez Kaye Eunice Lamera,RSW Human Resource Consultant

Alyssa Marie Arceño Technical Consultant

Engr. Ashraf Khater, ChE,MEnE Technical Adviser

“Nasaan na ang kaban ng bayan?” and similar questions arise as Filipinos turn to social media seeking, pleading for answers for a seemingly impossible quest, not for the holy grail, but an answer as to where the billions of pesos for the country’s COVID-19 response specifically went to.

Since the onslaught of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the economy has now entered into a recession with prices of products and services ballooning and the people’s pockets wearing thin amidst a series of community quarantines. Five months have already passed since the country declared a lockdown and five months of waiting for a sure sign that the government is doing better in their response towards the pandemic. Newsbreak: They’re not.

As reported by the Bureau of Treasury, the Philippines’ debt has soared past the P9-trillion mark in June as President Rodrigo Duterte took out billions’ worth of loans to assist Filipinos with a pandemic at large. However, despite the skyrocketing debt of the country as part of the COVID-19 response, positive cases continue to spike and have already breached 140,000 cases. With the restrictions imposed on public utility vehicles, the wearing of face shields, and putting up barriers between drivers and backriders of a motorcycle, it seems that despite the tons of money the administration has due to their loans, no concrete, rational results can be felt by the people and the financial burden of staying safe is solely put on the shoulders of the ordinary citizen.

As advocates for fairness and transparency, Tolentine Star demands for the national government to bare a breakdown of funds outlining its delegation for the COVID-19 response for the people’s sake. With the documented inconsistencies in the COVID-19 data presented by the Department of Health, the PhilHealth probes, extrajudicial killings, and human rights issues surrounding the Duterte Administration over a few years, Filipinos are left in a daze.

We strongly urge our government officials to properly allocate the use of the country’s funds to help better the living situations of the people, especially that of the marginalized, and to use the budget for an inclusive medical and scientific approach to the pandemic, not on military tactics.

Tolentine Star adds to the voice of the masses calling for good governance, especially amidst the pandemic when the administration should be at the forefront of looking out for its citizens.

The Philippines has the longest and strictest quarantine in Southeast Asia but, despite that, the same bewilderment that haunted the Filipinos in March haunts us today as uncertainties in health, education, and work present themselves. At the end of the day, what the people need is a concrete plan to the pandemic, and as proven by countries who successfully became COVID-19 free, we don’t need to wage war with our fellow Filipinos to find our holy grail and devise solutions for this health crisis.

To l e n t i n e S t a r i s t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e g r o s O c c i d e n t a l - R e c o l e t o s

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OPINION

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

No easy cure for the pandemic of apathy Would you find it bliss or misery

DAYLIGHT SAVER to put on mute a bothersome Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal colleague or family member editor -in-chief that wouldn’t stop pestering rwaminal@gmail.com

“

Just as our leaders have seemingly put on the people’s voices on mute does not mean we should follow that same line of thinking.

you about what you should or shouldn’t do in real life just as you can on social media? Say nothing more because there’s a phrase in the Filipino language that, more or less, equates to that.

No one knows the etymology of the infamous “‘Eh, ‘di wow.”

Suddenly, it just ballooned over the internet, often used by celebrities, and managed to make its way into daily conversations; some bordering on friendly to toxic exchanges. Here’s the problem though, “‘Eh, ‘di wow.” is often used as a catchphrase to show that the person does not care about what another said ergo flashing a signal that ought to say to the other party to stop talking. With an education system that’s supposedly geared on professionalism, raising critical thinkers, and nurturing

a culture that takes pride in breeding intellectual children decorated with medals and all sorts of awards, how this smartshaming mindset managed to be tolerated comes as a shocker.

Imagine getting emotional and passionate about a topic while sharing your thoughts on it then somebody replies with a perk of an eyebrow “’ Eh, ‘di wow.” or “‘Eh, ‘di ikaw na.” condescendingly because what you said didn’t fit the kind of reply they were expecting. To some, they’ll let it slide not risking being branded a killjoy with the afterthought that it’s just part of Filipino slang and there’s no real harm done. However, it can be also a manifestation of a persisting issue in our society that we have grown so accustomed to; thinking this day-to-day interaction is merely just for gags.

The problem of apathy does not only manifest in phrases like these. Rather, apathy is

found everywhere. It manifests in apoliticism, by merely sitting idly by when met with injustice, or by refusing to engage in intellectual dialogue because, as others fondly say, “Wala ka namang kinalaman diyan.” It is an age-old problem of the human psyche that managed to creep into the family tree and rooted itself down several generations and, contrary to what most believe, should not be taken lightly. Filipinos have grown accustomed to it as a most convenient trait growing up in an environment with a colonial mentality, a society that suggests complacency is rewarded, and a people conditioned that the responsibility of thinking what is and what is not good for the country should be best left to those in seats of power.

How the government responds to the pandemic-stricken Filipinos is evident of the deeply-

continued on page 13

In between injustice and the justice system Vindicate the guilty, incriminate the innocent.

It has been more than a decade since former President Ferdinand Marcos and crimenabbing politician and former President Joseph Estrada imposed the death penalty in the country. Doing a full 180-degree swing, President Rodrigo Duterte, during his State of the Nation Address on July 27, said that he wants the swift passage of the law reviving the death penalty by lethal injection for drug-related crimes.

In a time where the innocent verdict can be easily bought by the powerful who want to escape the consequences of their crimes, those unable to defend themselves and can’t afford adequate legal service can be falsely accused and executed.

How do we maintain the fairness of putting one’s life in a death

row? As Fr. Silivino Borres, president of the Coalition against the Death Penalty, said, “Death row is a home for the poor”.

My decision to disagree with the reimplementation of the death sentence does not make me a leftist or someone who is against the government’s policies. Rather, I disagree because I believe that there will be people - innocent and impoverished, as well as their families, who will suffer from the grave consequences of the death penalty.

The current administration’s war on drugs has killed around 27,000 people according to statistics and estimates by domestic human rights groups.

Research by the Human Rights Watch and media outlets noted that people killed due to extrajudicial killings were part of that number and that

the vigilante-style killings were enacted by the police or those linked with authorities.

Kian Delos Santos, a 17-yearold high school student, who was shot dead for being involved in a drug operation encounter in 2017 is one story to be remembered that has yet to meet its conclusion. Imagine the horror of bullets raining down and taking an innocent life as part of “collateral damage”.

The justice system can’t bring back a life that has been lost; this is not a child’s play that a mere “I’m sorry” can make everything alright at the end.

This was a person’s life at stake.

The administration has not implemented a fair justice system in the execution of the drug war amidst the skyrocketing numbers of extrajudicial killings

WINGED EYELINER Jusalanne Matulac managing editor jusa.matulac@gmail.com

“

In a time where the innocent verdict can be easily bought by the powerful who want to escape the consequences of their crimes, those unable to defend themselves and can’t afford adequate legal service can be falsely accused and executed.

continued on page 13

To l e n t i n e S t a r i s t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e g r o s O c c i d e n t a l - R e c o l e t o s

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OPINION

from page 6

Behind the Trenches...

some people might have thought that she made a lot of money since her business sales went up due to lack of competition during ECQ, however, she shares that it was because of the effort put through to sustain the needs of everyone in the vicinity.

“We exchanged all our time for that [bakery]. [We did] overtime [work] - our bakers, my husband and I, and our staff have to [work] overtime,” Nanay Wilma explains.

Although her words don’t reflect how tired she actually is, weary eyes and thin lines across her face do the talking. “After the pandemic, I feared back then that, if I didn’t produce much, there would be a shortage in the products and not everyone can have something cheap to fill their stomachs with,” she recollects. Nanay Wilma then glances at the calendar on her cream-painted wall as she reminisces the ECQ days.

Indeed, a cheap price of one peso per bread can tide over the hunger one can feel in a day, especially when fazed by having little to no source of income in a time of lockdowns and social distancing leaving only a handful of silver coins inside ragged pockets rather than a coveted single blue paper bill.

Behind the layered uniform in wards and clinics, the faces hidden behind the face shields and masks by the cash registers, the employee working the clock to bring food to the table - to our modern heroes who don’t wear capes, they may have served the nation differently but they will echo the same story. That, when they look back to this catastrophe brought by the unknown and when hugs and kisses were a pleasure they were deprived of, the physical burden of working their backs off wrapped in PPE, and being with friends and family was a disaster waiting to happen, they can look back with a satisfied grin as they utter the words we long to hear, “We survived.”

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

Hindi lahat ay para sa lahat ADOBE CRASH Cristopher Villaruel Associate Editor cristophervillaruel06@gmail.com

“

Sadyang luma na ang pagkakakilanlan ng pagiging matatag nating mga Pilipino kung gayon kulang at hindi sapat ang suportang ibinibigay ng gobyerno.

Pasukan na naman subalit hindi ito magiging katulad ng ating nakasanayan.

Magiging silid-aralan ang ating mga tahanan. Magiging gabay sa pag-aaral ang ating mga magulang.

Subalit, magiging mayabong ba ang ating matututunan at magiging epektibo ba ang bagong pamamaraan ng pag-aaral?

Tila tuloy na talaga ang pagbubukas ng klase ngayong Agosto kasunod ng pahayag ni Kagawaran ng Edukasyon o DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones na patuloy ang edukasyon sa kahit anong uri at paraan ng pag-aaral. Ito’y taliwas sa hiling ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na huwag munang buksan ang klase, habang wala pang bakuna laban sa COVID-19.

Datapwa’t, pinal at tuloy na tuloy na ang plano ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon. Kung sabagay, mayroon naman daw iba’ t ibang paraan ng pag-aaral tulad ng online, offline, modular learning, at iba pa. Ayon nga sa karamihin parte nga ito ng tinatawag nating new normal sa aspeto ng

edukasyon. Pero handa nga ba tayo para dito? Para sa lahat ba ito?

Base sa plano ng Kagawaran, ang balak nila ay ituloy ang pagbubukas ng klase kahit na walang pormal at konkretong plano ang gobyerno upang mapababa ang tumataas na kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa.

Patuloy pa rin ang pagbibingibingihan sa sigaw ng masa ng mass testing at sapat na ayuda para sa mamamayan ang kasalukuyang administrasyon sa kalagitnaan ng pandemya.

Sadyang magiging dagdag pasanin pa ba ang online class sa mga magulang at kabataan sa gayon hirap na hirap na sila sa hinaharap na krisis sa ngayon?

Ayon sa ulat ng Rappler, humigit-kumulang anim na milyong mag-aaral sa elementarya at hayskul ang hindi nakapag-enrol dulot ng pandemya sa pambubliko at pribadong paaralan. Sabihin na nating may iba’t ibang paraan at uri ng pagtuturo na iniaalok ang Kagawaran na pwedeng ipatupad ng mga paaralan para sa mga mag-aaral ayon sa kanilang pangagailangan.

Subalit, sadyang hindi ito makatarungan sa mga taong mahihirap at walang panustos na kahit pangunahing pangangilangan.

Hindi lahat ay mayroong koneksyon sa Internet. Kahit may mga mag-aaral na may kakayahang mag online class, hindi garantisadong mabilis ang koneksyon at makakaya ng estudyanteng tuparin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangan sa klase.

Gayunpaman, isa ang bansa natin sa may pinakamahinang koneksyon sa Internet sa buong Asya-Pasifiko ayon sa datos mula sa Akamai Technologies’ Global State of the Internet Report.

Masisiguro ba na maituturo ng mabuti ang mga leksyon sa mga mag-aaral na kung tutuusin nga ay hirap na hirap ang ibang estudyanteng

sundin ang mga aralin sa loob ng silid-aralan,.Paano kaya kapag sa online class na?

Hindi lahat ay may kakayahang ituro ang mga aralin. Taliwas sa pahayag na mayroong ibang pagpipilian para sa mga magaaral tulad ng modular learning na parang magiging silid aralan ang iyong tahanan bilang mga guro ang mga magulang, ito’y isang pasanin rin sa karamihan.

Hindi lahat ay gustong magpatuloy sa pag-aaral ngayong taon dahil sa panganib na hatid ng pandemya subalit karamihan sa mga mag-aaral ay sadyang pikit-mata na lang magpursigi sa pag-aaral sa kadahilanang ayaw nilang mapag-iwanan ng panahon.

Hindi lahat ng guro ay handa para sa panibagong pamamaraan ng edukasyon. Hindi lahat ng guro ay kabisado ang bagong teknolohiya upang maibigay ang sapat na kalaaman para sa kanilang mag-aaral. Ayon sa DepEd, humigit kumulang 40 porsyento ng mga guro sa buong bansa ang nagkaroon ng pagsasanay para sa online teaching. Ang tanong naman ni Senador Francis Tolentino, “Kung ready na po ang 40 percent, paano naman po ang 60 percent?”

Hindi pa ba sapat ang hinaing ng masa para magkaroon ng agarang aksyon sa paghihirap na makakasalubong sa ating mga guro, mga magulang, at mag-aaral? Sadyang luma na ang pagkakakilanlan ng pagiging matatag nating mga Pilipino kung gayon kulang at hindi sapat ang suportang ibinibigay ng gobyerno. Sana’y magawan ng paraan ng mga nasa posisyon nang maging pantay at abotkamay din ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino ang edukasyon.

Kailaman, hindi naging pribilehiyo ang edukasyon; ito’y ating karapatan.

Karapatan ng lahat, hindi lamang ng iilan.

To l e n t i n e S t a r i s t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e g r o s O c c i d e n t a l - R e c o l e t o s

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No easy cure for the... rooted sense of disconnectedness our culture seemed to have cultivated over the years. In his Mar. 30 address, President Rodrigo Duterte drew criticism through his statement saying that those who died serving in the frontline during this pandemic are “lucky” to have died in service of the Filipino people.

This merely romanticizes the plight of our medical frontliners and does not attend to their concerns for better compensation and benefits as they toil day in, day out in medical facilities. To add to salt to the wound, mass testing, a demilitarized approach to the health crisis, the longpending justice awaiting highprofile quarantine violators, the controversy surrounding PhilHealth funds, and a concrete action plan for education in the new normal are among the long list of concerns raised by the

In between injustice...

in the country. With a flawed and selective justice system like ours, further proven by the lapses and human rights issues surrounding the drug war, the death penalty is another burden that the ordinary citizen has to bear.

Drug war or the death penalty; it’s never a valid option to recklessly brand people as criminals and kill them without due process of law and thus should not be lauded as an accomplishment when authorities fail to administer fairness and truth in their operations. I believe that the death penalty is inhumane and is out of the religious context, with the Philippines being a Christian country where its citizens should embrace life as something very valuable.

I would never go against my opinion if I would be asked about it over again, even if someone would put me in the situation of having me or a family member being a victim of it. I

from page 7

from page 11

masses that remain unanswered.

Just as our leaders have seemingly put the people’s voices on mute does not mean we should follow that same line of thinking.

Our freedom of speech and freedom of expression enable us to shun apathy and be voices of reason, of progressive change.

Get down your high horses and ivory towers and learn to listen – listen to ideas, to intellectual discourse, to the pulse of the masses.

Enough with the “ang dami mo namang nalalaman” mentality and the tendency to ostracize critical thought and gravitate toward fanaticism.

The people who use their platform to speak against injustice and use it for advocacy or to spur action for the common good is not “madaldal” or “mayabang”, they are merely doing what it entails to be a

Exchange a good...

Filipino - helping their fellow citizens by exposing injustice, by making this country a bit safer and more livable for everyone.

Just as there is a vaccine in the works to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no allotted silver bullet to the pandemic of a rotten social system. There is no vaccine to corruption and superiority complex from those who promise to serve the people, not their egos. December may or may not come with a vaccine wrapped in special paper and fancy trimmings but going back to normal is out of the question.

I’d go as far as to say we should not revert to normal. Because if our definition of normal was being chained to a mindset of apathy, blind obedience, and complacency, then I won’t settle for it; we should not settle for it.

from page 11

feel like it is like putting oneself on two sides of the same coin where you can be the victim of a crime and seek justice or be the victim of the flawed justice system and seek truthful justice.

Before giving thoughts on reviving the death sentence, I propose that the government should reform and reinforce the fairness and justice entailed in the Criminal Justice System to pave the way for a system where everyone is judged accordingly and justice is swift and impartial, not tools for power-play. I don’t think the death penalty will be as effective in carrying out its purpose if the justice system in the Philippines doesn’t work as a competent system yet.

Amidst a pandemic, a strong outcry of citizens pleading for help to survive every day in the middle of lockdowns and employee lay-offs can be heard.

People want the government to provide an efficient response and concrete plan to the ever-

increasing COVID-19 cases in the country along with the cries of the hungry and impoverished who are taking the most impact due to the threat of the virus and an economic recession.

Instead of reviving the law pushing for the death penalty, let us revive the country - we, more than ever, need a government that is willing to prioritize its people. We are all victims of the consequences brought by the pandemic. Adding up to the number of deaths – guilty or innocent of a crime- won’t do any good for the country when the majority of people need a solution for a clamoring stomach, a livelihood to survive the uncertainties of the times, and the assurance that they are well taken care of in a health crisis.

Life for life when a time like this counts a thousand deaths due to the pandemic, the least this country needs is another name etched on death row.

of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said during the Laging Handa press conference on July 14 that bartering is against the law. He mentioned that it was his first time to hear about this scheme that’s currently practiced by several cities across the country.

“Kailangan [mag] regular transactions tayo diyan at dapat may taxes na binabayaran.

[It needs to be in regular transactions and there should be a tax to be paid],” he added.

However, the DTI top official clarified that exchange of goods for personal transactions, and not as a form of business, is allowed.

In a statement, Atty. Sigue expressed her appreciation when DTI provided clarification on the matter emphasizing that bartering is an ancient tradition and a recognized contract under the civil code.

“Our communities collectively promote a new currency – kindness. Kindness should remain exempted from taxation,” she said.

The Digital Age has greatly boosted humanitarian advocacies today, allowing individuals to create more inclusive communities that empower the people and the BBC is no different. “The pandemic has no borders. The coronavirus has claimed millions of lives around the world. But kindness, too, has no borders. Let us #SpreadtheKindness to save millions of lives,” Atty. Sigue added.

Bacolodnons can find another reason to smile despite the difficult time the pandemic brought. Just as a smile is contagious, several cities in the Philippines established their barter communities inspired by the Bacolod-led BBC. Through initiatives like the online bartering community, Filipinos continue to prove to express warmth, optimism, and selflessness toward their fellowmen, even in a time of crisis. To this, we say, padayon!

To l e n t i n e S t a r i s t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e g r o s O c c i d e n t a l - R e c o l e t o s

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SPORTSTAR

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

STAY FIT WITH A CLICK

by LESLIE MARIE BANABAN

Admit it or not, everyone is coming up with a new alibi to skip the gym that undeniably has been part of millions of peoples’ routines. Now that fitness gyms are closed due to the pandemic, some are missing out on their local fitness action while others are trying to rev up their daily workout grind at home as community quarantine protocols take place.

According to the State of Fitness Survey during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic, nearly 50 percent of respondents reported not using any form of digital means for their fitness routines. As digital fitness has been a massive moment of behavioral change due to the new normal brought by the pandemic, data reported 86 percent of people who are using some form of online fitness or workout.

BE A PRO AT HOME For those passionate about fitness and are lucky enough to live in homes with complete gym equipment, the loss isn’t too bad.

However, those who have little to no gym gear in their homes experience a tougher time in managing their fitness needs thereby resorting to browsing through no-equipment online workout guides that can be easily accessed with a touch of a screen.

With risks accompanying the usual physical workouts involving the outdoors, many take their exercise routines at home adopting fitness regimens by celebrities or social media influencers. One might go through their social media feed and

WORTH THE SWEAT. Janelle Maraya Paderog performs a 45-second plank following a 15-minute fitness video. photo by Joelle Mariel Paderog.

come across former SexBomb dancer and online workout instructor, Rochelle Pangilinan, sharing tips on at-home fitness.

On Rochelle’s latest online workout class, exercising every morning kickstarts her everyday routine to make sure she gradually adjusts to her exercise sessions and avoid injuries.

She advises that the daily home workout may consist of brisk walking inside one’s house, squats for breaking sweats during periods of low activity, jumping jacks for cardio, dumbbells or water bottles for a muscle lift, and, lastly, a cool-down stretch to release the nerves. She shares that she does 10 repetitions of each step which beginners won’t have any problems doing.

Seeing how celebrities do their own workouts may make one desire trimming down to achieve toned muscles, a lean body, or simply to improve one’s overall health.

Are you inspired and revved up by these online workout videos? Want to try something new this quarantine? Don’t be shy and begin the workout.

Tone it up, sweat it out.

RISE OF THE ‘FITTOK’ STAR Online workouts have been the rave these past few months and videos of these are often

shared across several social media platforms. With TikTok, a video-sharing and social networking service, on the rise, short but entertaining clips of people exercising gained lots of attention from netizens.

In less than a minute, you can accomplish a lot more workouts than you’d think by following through with these short TikTok videos, often accompanied by lively pop music you can jam to while committing to being fit.

Just how fitness influencers are turning TikTok to “FitTok”, this new indoor trend represents the chance to harness seemingly endless and often lowbrow amusements and transform them into something that can improve the lives of their viewers.

These videos, in a way, deliver a message that can inspire the audience to get up and get moving and encourage an active and on-the-go lifestyle despite mostly having to spend it indoors.

Cindy Mae Teodoro, 21, is fond of watching these fitness TikTok videos and performs around five to seven clips a day as a way of keeping fit this quarantine season.

“Tiktok has [been] a great help [to me] in exercising because of their Tiktok workouts and dance challenges. It helps [me] sweat and burn calories,” she says. Cindy

also says that this is the safest way to keep our bodies healthy while being away from the gym.

GYM-TO-HOME JOURNEY As the world slowly transitions to fully utilizing the virtual world, even gyms and fitness stations are no exemption. Websites like Facebook and YouTube are filled with workout resources to cater to the needs of the mass to exercise and improve one’s overall health amidst a looming health crisis.

One example of such gyms is Anytime Fitness Bacolod that released their smartphone application to cater to their members’ workout needs even from the comforts of their homes.

Their application connects their member to a virtual personal coach who will help them keep track of workout sessions. Not only that, but Anytime Fitness Bacolod also ensures that its members are motivated to exercise and hit the home gym as they post fitness resources and motivational videos and write-ups on their official Facebook page.

Indoors or outdoors, whether it be in the old or new normal, let us always remember to appreciate and take good care of our physical health. So, get up from that couch, get moving, and drop those pounds for a healthier tomorrow.

To l e n t i n e S t a r i s t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e g r o s O c c i d e n t a l - R e c o l e t o s

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ENTERTAINMENT

JUNE - JULY 2020 VOLUME I

Role Model

komiks ni Joshua Garita

Struggle

comics by Carl Andro Vallejera

The PZ E E p n a r Qua g panahon ng

o ngayon Mga uri ng ta

quarantine

Sa halos limang buwan ng quarantine dulot ng pandemya, marami sa atin ang nakapagnilay-nilay at nakatuklas ng mga bagay-bagay na ‘di natin akalaing kaya nating gawin.

Isa ka ba sa naging biktima ng panunuod ng mga DIY videos? Nakapag-post ka na ba ng mga viral dance moves sa Tiktok? O nakatuklas ng mga bagong bagong recipe?

Halina’t tuklasin natiin kung anong klaseng Quaratinepeepz ka!

One-hit wonder Quarantine’s rising star

Sila yung mga taong nakatuklas ng bagong talento nang dahil sa quarantine.

Mga taong bored at napagdiskitahang i-expose ang kanilang sarili sa iba’t ibang gawain tulad ng paggawa ng crafts, pagguhit, o di kaya’y napa-vlog. Ang iba naman ay napilitang mag-download ng Tiktok at napasayaw ng “Savage Love.”

likha nina Renee Suala at Carl Andro Vallejera

TEAM NO-SLEEP Mga aswang

Karaniwang active at online sa gabi kung saan ang lahat ay tahimik at tulog na. Sinasamantala ang malakas na signal tuwing madaling araw upang makapag-download o makapanood ng Netflix o mag-stream ng kung anu-ano.

Sila yung mga taong binansagang “Magdalena” (tulog sa umaga, gising sa gabi).

Mukbanger

Tamang order lang o nagluto ng na-crave Naniniwala sa kasabihang “food is life”.

Mga taong naglalaway at napapasana-all kakanood ng ASMR videos kaya napapa-order sa Foodpanda o GrabFood. Ang iba naman ay nagiging Gordon Ramsay sa kusina sa kakaluto ng kung anu-ano hanggang sa makuha ang tamang timpla at marinig ang kanilang mga ninuno na bumubulong ng “ That’s enough, my child.” Proudly #Homemade.

Business -minded Open-minded ka ba?

Wala ka bang magawa pero gusto mong kumita? Sila ‘yung mga taong nag-seize ng moment at marunong mag-grab ng oppurtunity para makapag-start ng business. Ginawang market ang online platform para kumita para may ipantustos sa pangaraw-araw na gastusin sa loob ng quarantine.

the Frontliner Some heroes don’t wear capes

Mga tipo ng taong maliban sa totoong frontliner ay panay ang serbisyo sa kapwa. Namimigay ng pagkain at pangangailangan sa iba sa abot ng kanilang makakaya. Katuwang ng mga “modern heroes” na nagpapagaan ng masaklap na sitwasyon.

To l e n t i n e S t a r i s t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e g r o s O c c i d e n t a l - R e c o l e t o s

CAUGHT IN ACTION: CAPTURE THE ENERGY, CAPTURE THE DRAMA.

ABOVE GROUND. Sepak Takraw Ram Ralph Christian Enriquez lands an offensive kick sealing the championship title at the 1st Salta Canlaon Sepak Takraw Tournament. photo courtesy of ARIEL SABORDO.

UNO-R to continue athletes’ funding, decrease grant to 50% per student

by CRISHA ARROYO

Dropping by half.

A 50-percent decrease in the scholarship grant per student-athlete was decided by the School Board to be implemented for academic year 2020-2021.

Initially, the decision was to accept 60 student-athletes for scholarship applications who may avail the full amount of the grant but the school board then agreed to fund 116 applicants who are to receive 50 percent from the 14 SPORTS FEATURE

total amount last academic year.

“Still, we are very thankful to the school board because, despite the financial difficulties the University had to endure due to the pandemic, they still gave a chance to our [student] athletes to continue their studies,” UNO-R Sports Moderator Elma Lina Tejida said.

Ariel Sabordo, Sepak Takraw varsity player and second-year social work

Stay Fit with a Click Now that fitness gyms are closed due to the pandemic, let’s take a peek at fitness stories in the new normal.

student, expressed that despite the decrease in the scholarship grant, the other 50 percent is still a challenge for him.

“Other varsity players will stop studying for the time being because they cannot afford the tuition [fee] and accessing the Internet,” Sabordo said.

Applications for an athlete scholarship will temporarily stop to cater the limited slots available. However, those that were scouted by last year’s coaches will, instead, receive the grants supposedly for athletes who will stop going to the University for this academic year. As of press time, no comment was made.

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