October - December 2020 Newsletter

TOLENTINESTAR THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - RECOLETOS MEMBER, COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES

AY 2020-2021 LXXIX No. 2

TRUTH AS IT HAPPENS

A UNITED FRONT

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TOGETHER AS ONE. Student leaders drop off five truckloads of in-kind donations for individuals and families affected by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in Cagayan. photo courtesy of ONE NEGROS.

Negrense youth, orgs deliver aid to typhoon-hit Cagayan

by ALEA JEN VILLAHERMOSA AND ROMCHELLE CHRIS DANIELLE WAMINAL

Due to the onslaught of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in Luzon causing millions of Filipinos to be displaced, Recollect youth groups in partnership with several Negrosbased organizations launched a donation drive to aid those affected in Cagayan through the One Negros initiative, Nov. 16.

Andrei John Ea, Federation of

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Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders (FARSL) president and One Negros project head, shared that the initiative’s goal was to extend the Negrosanons help to Cagayan residents by mobilizing student leaders from all over Negros.

“We thought people would get confused with seeing a lot of posters [of donation drives] and would even

try to question the authenticity and legitimacy of the posters they see.

So, we came up with this idea where we gather organizations to extend our help as one. Our legitimacy will be much stronger since there will be many brains and organizations under this one initiative,” he added.

As of Dec. 1, Ea shared that One Negros was able to collect 205

boxes and 122 sacks of in-kind donations and amassed P21,231.25 in monetary donations that will be handed over to ARCORES, a nonprofit organization of Philippine Recollect schools geared towards community assistance.

“We have reached families from Sagay, Silay, Talisay, Kabankalan, continued on page 2

Mabugat lands 2nd in PLE 2020

by CRISHA ARROYO

02 UNIVERISTY

191 beneficiaries receive Noche Buena bags in Pamaskwa 2020 04 LOCAL

PIRMA Kapamilya campaign for ABS-CBN gains Bacolodnon support 10 EDITORIAL

Is there a vaccine for incompetence?

UNO-R alumnus Patrick Joseph Mabugat, RMT, MD ranked second in the November 2020 Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) with a rating of 88.58 percent, Nov. 26.

The 2014 Medical Technology Licensure Examination topnotcher shared that his only goal was to pass the PLE but it had been a bonus to be one of those in the top ranks.

“Unlike in my Medical Technology Board Exam in 2014 where my goal really was to top the Board Exam, for this one, my only aim was to pass the exam and become a medical doctor because being a doctor by itself is such a great achievement and my only wish was to give honor to my

family and help treat other people.

Topping the board is just a bonus for me, albeit a quite wonderful bonus,” he said.

Mabugat also shared that there were no secrets to his achievements but that he practiced, studied, and persevered during the review period.

“Study in whatever way works for you. There is no one-size-fits-all advice for studying. You’ve got to go with your own flow and tempo during the review period. However, I can tell you this much, analysis and reasoning goes a long way rather than just brute memorization,” he added. continued on page 03

EXCELLENCE BEYOND BORDERS. UNO-R Class of 2014 alumnus Dr. Patrick Joseph Magubat, RMT, MD. photo by DR. PATRICK JOSEPH MABUGAT.

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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Negrense youth, orgs...

Murcia, Bago, Binalbagan, and various areas in Negros. They have extended their donations to us through our collaborated organizations or drop-off points,” Ea added.

One Negros was conceptualized through a series of messages between his fellow student leaders.

“The call for collaboration just rippled out to other organizations.”

He also expressed his gratitude to the partner organizations for the efforts that led to the success of One Negros.

“I am beyond proud and blessed that we have extended all our help together with the other organizations. It’s also such a groundbreaking experience to think of this initiative as something that just started from a conversation of student leaders.”

Ea said that the One Negros initiative will continue to function as long as there is a need to mobilize donations and other modes of assistance in the future.

“It will greatly depend on future calamities but, for sure, One Negros will be an easy venue for the different organizations we have collaborated with to extend help.

This will be a long-term network but with no hopes of future calamities to happen in our country,” Ea said.

One Negros is an initiative realized through the leadership of organizations such as FARSL, UNO-R Supreme Student Government, Student Catholic Action of the Philippines - UNOR, and ADVocates’ Organization.

Among the organizations involved are UNO-Rian campus organizations, Bacolod CORE, Sowing Legacy Movement Inc., and the USLS-USG Judiciary Branch.

Typhoon Rolly made landfall on Nov. 1 in Luzon, bringing torrential rains, harsh winds, and storm surges that caused extensive destruction and affected 1.9 million people with an estimated 845,000 needing assistance according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Department of Social Welfare and Development while Typhoon Ulysses lashed Luzon on Nov. 11 with heavy rainfall and destructive winds causing massive flooding, most especially in Cagayan Valley where 3,052,049 individuals were affected.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

191 beneficiaries receive Noche Buena bags in Pamaskwa 2020

by CRISHA ARROYO AND KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

A total of 191 Noche Buena gift bags were given to the beneficiaries of Pamaskwa 2020, as part of the annual institutional Christmas party and gift-giving activity at the Oratory of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Dec. 23.

“We have worked within the collected donations from the recent musicale Caritas: One Love for UNO-R. Hopefully, we will be able to raise more funds next year so we could extend our help next year to others,” event chairperson and University Community Development Office staff Elmeer Meeynard Calimpos said.

He also shared that despite how pandemic has changed the concept of the usual program of the Pamaskwa, he believes the reason for pursuing the event was achieved.

“This pandemic has changed the

concept of the usual program of our Pamaskwa because we need to ensure that all health protocols are observed and implemented.

However, with more than 1,800 organic views from the Facebook page of the Heart Media Productions, we believe that many hearts were touched by joyful moments when our beneficiaries were receiving their Noche Buena packages.”

Novem Clarito, Education student and Recoletos Educational Assistance for Deserving Scholars (READS) scholar, shared his gratitude towards the event organizers.

“Actually, this is the first time I’ve received a gift this month.

The most important lesson during this pandemic is that we have to be thankful for whatever we have received in this time of the pandemic,” Clarito said.

Moreover, UNO-R Supreme Student Government President and Online Musicale Program Head Charles Gabriel Gelotin emphasized how fulfilling were the two-month preparations - from the online benefit concert and up until the giftgiving event.

“Representing the student body and being of service to others were fulfillments of our organization’s core objectives. Despite the challenges brought by the new normal, we are grateful to still be able to come up with physical events like these,” Gelotin shared.

Eighty-two READS scholars, 48 RESOURCE-Handumanan families, 34 security personnel, and 30 janitorial staff of the University were among those who were gifted with the Noche Buena packages.

IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. UCDO and UNORSSGO representatives together with Rev. Fr. Amadeo Lucero, OAR are handing Noche Buena packages to the beneficiaries. photo by RAEVERLY ELENA RAMIREZ.

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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Mabugat lands 2nd ...

MEETING OF THE MINDS. UNO-Rians converge in the advocacy webinar via Zoom. photo by CRISHA ARROYO.

Re;connect links growth, comm thru webinar

by KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

Emphasizing the essential role of communication, Yasmin Pascual-Dormido, MPA, one of the event speakers, highlighted its importance on achieving growth and development in an advocacy webinar entitled “RE;CONNECT” participated

by UNO-R senior high school and college students via Zoom, Nov. 28.

“If development can be seen as a fabric woven out of the activities of millions of people, communication represents the essential thread that binds them together,” Dormido said.

She also emphasized the importance of webinars tackling communication skills, especially for student leaders.

“The current limitations posed by the pandemic must show them

[student leaders] opportunities to make use of technology and their skills in communication and leadership. To reach out to their fellow young people so that they can be productive and help each other in enriching themselves intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally,” Dormido added.

With limitations brought by the online platform and the new educational set-up, University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos Supreme Student Gorvernment (UNORSSGO) President Charles Gabriel Gelotin stressed that, as the event organizers, those involved made sure to focused on the publicity and promotion of the event.

“We [UNORSSGO officers]

prepared several posters and publicity materials to encourage students in joining the event. Unlike in the face-to-face set-up where we could make the event compulsory to student leaders, our class schedules are very tight. We [UNORSSGO] also sent letters of invitation to the college councils asking them to send representatives in support of our event,” Gelotin said.

Meanwhile, Mass Communication Society Production Manager Christian John Fuentespina shared that the event gave emphasis in amplifying everyone’s voices as part of the masses.

“Our main objective was to bring awareness about certain causes to

want to see.

“Colleagues and future colleagues in the profession, let us continue doing what we can as agents of social change and as advocates for human worth and dignity. In the process, make sure to enjoy and never forget to care for yourself too. As it is ‘the self’ that we maximize to achieve our intervention goals,” she said.

Verdeprado is also an alumna of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work program of UNO-R where she graduated as a Summa Cum Laude of Class 2011 and spearheaded the creation of the Master’s Program for Social Work in the University in 2017.

Committed to community development, Verdeprado is also the chairperson of Sowing Legacy

Movement, Inc. , a volunteer-based organization sustained by a pool of students, young professionals, and organizations working together to bring about positive changes in the community.

“Our motto [in the organization] is ‘Moving the World’ and the type of legacy building that we are doing emanates from the perspective that if we want to bring inspiration and to help create a better world, we have to move now and do what we can,” she said.

Affiliated with the Securities and Exchange Commission, PASWI is a national organization for professional social workers in the country.

continued on page 12

As a graduate of Medical Technology Class 2014 from the University, his college mentors expressed their congratulations for yet another achievement.

“Patrick and the rest of the UNORian graduates who now excel in their own fields were honed by the University. Not only academically but holistically – mind, heart, and soul. Their success is our success too.

Patrick brings the name of UNO-R to the limelight not only once but twice. He brings pride and honor to the University and we will always be thankful and proud,” Medical Technology Department Head Fatima Medel, RMT, MSMT, said.

Together with Mabugat, UNO-R graduates Daryl Antipuesto, Alyssa Marie Arceño, Ma. Karina De Leon, Dyan Dimalaluan, and Kim Valdez also passed the licensure exam for physicians.

Mabugat, with the other 3,500 medical students, were hailed as physicians after taking the November 2020 PLE out of 4,704 takers.

With the initial advisory of postponing the licensure examinations for this year due to COVID-19, the Professional Regulatory Commission and the Board of Medicine pushed through with the PLE in response to the urgent need of physicians amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The November 2020 PLE is the second licensure exam for physicians held this year, while the first one was held on Mar. 8 and 9 and Sept. 20 and 21, with 800 out of 1,421 exam passers.

Social Work head awarded ‘outstanding’ in PASWI con

by ALEA JEN VILLAHERMOSA

University Social Work Department Head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado, RSW, received the 2020 Outstanding Social Worker of the Philippines in the Field of Academe award by the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI), Nov. 28.

“I am honored and humbled at the same time for this recognition. I became a Registered Social Worker in the year 2011 and, ever since, I had nothing in mind but a conscious desire to uphold the nobility of our profession, and to truly create an impact in the lives of others,” Verdeprado shared.

Moreover, Verdeprado also encouraged future social work professionals to continue doing what they can to create change that they

UPHOLDING THE VISION. Social Work Department Head and Sowing Legacy Movement Inc. chairperson Dr. Richelle Verdeprado, RSW. photo courtesy of DR. RICHELLE VERDEPRADO.

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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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

Tolentine Star shines in COPRE 2020

by CARLA JOANNE ROBLES

In its goal to deliver truth as it happens amidst the pandemic, Tolentine Star displayed its brilliance as its editorial staff bagged three individual awards and one publication award during the virtual College Press Conference (COPRE) and Awards 2020 by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region Six via a Facebook live stream, Dec. 16.

Among the winners were UNORian campus journalists Joelle Mariel Paderog, Photojournalism first placer, Carla Joanne Robles, Feature Writing - English third placer, and Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal, News Writing - Englih second placer.

“It was unexpected and I’m still shocked because I still can’t believe it. In so many years that I’ve been joining press conferences since high school, I’ve only felt the sense of belongingness in the field of journalism now,” Paderog said.

The publication also bagged the fifth place in the Best Feature Page category with a spread from its magazine Vol. 78 No. 4 with the theme “Seasons.”

“I think that the publication, as a whole, is elated to have won something in exchange for all the toiling day-in and day-out as campus journalists,” Tolentine Star Editorin-Chief Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal said.

Waminal shared that the recognition received by the members and the publication boosted the morale of those who won as well as the standing of the publication in the University.

“Kudos to the previous editorial board and staff members for the painstaking attention to the magazine which nabbed the publication a spot in the top five [of the category],” she added.

Waminal added that the win is for the publication and that through this, UNO-Rians and students in the region may be aware that campus journalists in their respective publications do not settle for anything mediocre.

“We [campus journalists] are still pursuing stories, raising awareness, combating fake news, and keeping the campus journalism spirit alive continued on page 13

REACHING MILESTONES. UNO-R recognizes Class 2020 graduates in the first part of the video series. photo courtesy of UNO-R FACEBOOK PAGE.

Virtual grad rites push thru for UNO-R

by KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

In observance of health protocols due to the health crisis, a virtual conferment of baccalaureate degrees was initiated by the University administration as a way of recognizing the achievements of Class 2020, Summer 2019, and October 2019 graduates aired via the official University Facebook page, Dec. 5 and 12.

“Your degrees, your diplomas are just instruments for you to work for evangelization, to spread the good news of God and to build the Kingdom of God here on earth. I ask you to build more lives and to build more communities of love,” University President Rev. Fr. Don Besana said.

University Registrar Engr.

Christopher Taclobos, MEng, shared that through this, the University may be able to give the graduates the assurance that their achievements are recognized by the administration.

“This [virtual conferment] is to give every graduate that spirit of professions they earned from the University. It is an assurance to the graduates that the school has recognized their capability, and that they were formed according to the philosophy of St. Augustine - Caritas et Scientia,” he said.

Taclobos also shared that they

have received feedback from the graduates with regards to the virtual conferment, such as the incomplete list of graduates and errors in the spelling of names. “[The] list is incomplete because there are graduates, particularly from the Summer 2019 and October 2019 [classes] who were inadvertently forgotten to be recommended [while] others have failed to apply for graduation,” he explained.

Mechanical Engineering fresh graduate Jim Paolo Monterola expressed that it was a good idea on the University’s part to have a virtual conferment for the degrees.

“As an engineering graduate, it really paid off my five years of hard work as a student. When I saw my picture and my name on that video, it motivated me to study more for my upcoming board exam,” he said.

However, Education graduate Ronvic Magbanua shared that he was dissatisfied with the virtual conferment and also suggested that the University should include other student awards in the ceremony.

“I think the awards and achievements of a graduate, if possible, should be included in the virtual conferment. I think everyone who has an award [in other fields] also deserves to be acknowledged,”

he shared.

Taclobos added that face-toface commencement exercises will resume in the University once a COVID-19 vaccine is made available to the public.

“Certainly there is no good substitute for face-to-face commencement exercises. But, at this time, we wanted everyone to be safe and healthy . . . We will resume our traditional [commencement] ceremony once there is a vaccine available to the public,” he said.

He also expressed his message to the graduates to be inspired by the teachings of the institution towards achieving their goals.

“Despite the pandemic, we were able to adjust our curricular requirement just for you to get the diploma you dreamt of. Let your hearts be inspired by the teachings of our institution that every student should be ‘SIMPLE’ even in the heights of his accomplishments.

Make your alma mater proud of you as you participate in the building of a bigger community where you belong.”

The virtual conferment of baccalaureate degrees was done by compiling photos of graduates in a video format and aired online via live stream.

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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Bacoleño bags 3 spots in GMEA 2020

by KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO

UNO-R faculty member and SunStar journalist Erwin Nicavera bagged three awards and six finalist citations during the Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA) 2020, Nov. 27.

In an article published by SunStar – Bacolod, Nicavera expressed his gratitude towards the award-giving body and emphasized the role of journalists during a health crisis.

“No pandemic can stop us from doing our social responsibility to the community. The global health crisis has also brought limitations to us, journalists, but no pandemic can stop us from doing our social responsibility to the community,” Nicavera said.

College of Arts and Sciences Dean and Mass Communication Department Head Dr. Annabee Claur

shared that Nicavera was a diligent and focused student in his college days. ”His success is a pride of the Mass Communication program. It serves as inspiration to the Mass Communication students. As we face the challenges of the pandemic, achievements like these play a vital role in inspiring the Mass Communication students to always strive harder to be the best of themselves in their chosen field,” she added.

Back in college, Nicavera was also president of the Recoletos Educational Assistance for Deserving Students scholars and 2010 Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association champion in Binalaybay

Nicavera won the News Report of the Year for Print (Visayas), Explanatory or Investigative Video Story of the Year for Digital (Visayas), Community Development Story of the Year (Visayas), and six finalist citations in the different categories in GMEA. Nicavera, a graduate of BS Mass Communication has worked as a Part-time faculty in UNO-R and a Business Reporter and Multimedia Specialist in SunStar Bacolod (SSB), and a news anchor at SSB Newsbits.

GMEA is an award-giving body that holds annual award ceremonies to recognize outstanding media practitioners from Visayas and Mindanao.

PIRMA Kapamilya campaign for ABS-CBN gains Bacolodnon support

by CRISHA ARROYO

Amplifying the call for press freedom, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) launched the People’s Initiative for Reforms and Movement for Action (PIRMA) Kapamilya to bring ABS-CBN back on air and to move for the protection of press freedom and the people’s right to information, Dec. 2.

In line with this, signature booths have been set up in Barangay Granada Market Booth open during Wednesdays and in Front of Limman’s Center, Araneta Street on Monday to Friday.

“I am happy to have a signing area in a much more accessible

place in the downtown area, in front of Limman’s Department Store at Araneta Street,” Eileen Hofileña of the PIRMA Kapamilya Bacolod initiative said.

According to its website, only the signatures of registered voters can be considered valid.

At least seven million signatures nationwide or 10 percent of all registered voters and at least three percent of all registered voters in every legislative district is needed for the petition.

As of press time, around 5,000 out of 30,000 signatures have been collected in Bacolod City according to

one of its coordinators.

NUJP also hosted a webinar on PIRMA Kapamilya in Visayas last Nov. 21 to inform Filipinos about their right to information and the importance of the free press, especially in today’s time.

PIRMA Kapamilya is a nationwide campaign by PIRMA, an independent network of concerned Filipinos aiming to advance reforms through the people’s initiative in response to the ABS-CBN shutdown last May 5 which affected 11,000 workers of the media giant.

Be informed. Be in the know.

University Directory UNIVERSITY ADMIN: Office of the President 433-1709 Office of the VP for Academics 433-9857 Office of the VP for External Affairs 433-2655 Office of the Director of Student Affaiirs 434-1397 OFFICES: Accounting Office 433-1434 Registrar’s Office 433-9445 COLLEGES: College of Allied Medical Health Sciences 433-3990 College of Arts & Sciences 434-9026 College of Business & Accountancy 433-3498 College of Criminal Justice Education 433-9856 College of Education 433-9887 College of Engineering 433-9823

PIRMA MOVEMENT. Bacolodnons line up to sign a petition to bring back the ABS-CBN franchise. photo courtesy of PIRMA KAPAMILYA. 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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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

MISA DE GALLO AND RELENTLESS FILIPINO CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

by CARLA JOANNE ROBLES

The mingling smell of dewy grass and oven-fresh bibingka filled the cold, dry Christmas air used to fill your nostrils when you inhale the December breeze- the utter smell of crisp holiday joy. Walking with great strides on the wet, concrete streets tinged with the flickering of Christmas lights and street lamps, you gently hum your favorite Christmas carol and smile at a friend, forgetting for a millisecond that you were wearing a mask. You breathed in what you thought was the usual coldness of the air and basked in the breathtaking awe of the bright and solemn glow of the Cathedral. Stepping foot inside its marble floor, you held out your palms as a man’s face covered with a mask and face shield sprayed alcohol onto your hands. The pandemic may seem relentless in its rampage but there is nothing that can stop the Christmas spirit and steadfast faith in Him. The simbang gabi and its rich history can be traced back to the Spanish colonial era when Spanish friars allowed Filipino farmers to hear the Mass before working in the fields in the morning. Although it is called simbang gabi, the Mass starts at the predawn hour in the morning and is also known for its popular Spanish name Misa de Gallo or “Mass of the Rooster”.

Continuing from olden times, the tradition lived on, even today. However, despite the unseen enemy haunting us and health protocols transforming tradition, the Filipino Christmas spirit remains unyielding.

STEADFAST DEVOTION For every waking hour in the wintry darkness from December 16 and onwards, Spencer Villanueva, 20, feels the nostalgia pumping through his bloodstream with what he felt was utterly indescribable. Molded by family tradition, attending the Misa de Gallo was always a must, even in the past when he had physical classes or exams later in the day. He shared that Christmas, even with the pandemic, would be strange without simbang gabi.

“Christmas would never be the same without simbang gabi,” he smiles, thinking how he had been a committed Catholic for as long as he can remember.

Along with the sacred meaning of the Misa de Gallo, Spencer and his family take to heart the widelyaccepted belief that a wish they make with all of their heart will be granted once they complete all simbang gabi Masses.

“We believe that when you finish the nine nights of the simbang gabi, God will grant your wish,” he nods, saying how it feels different when there is a wish to be granted.

The blaring Christmas carols on karaoke and the dancing candy-sized lights in the town plaza were not the only things that remind Spencer that Christmas is near. It was also the

irreplaceable simbang gabi moments.

The corners of his mouth creased as he divulged his experience despite the hindrances.

“Despite the distance [from my home to the church], the experience is priceless,” Spencer beams with his mouth lined into a cheerful grin.

However, when the pandemic struck and disoriented everyone, mass gatherings were banned and an undeniable change in society has dented tradition. Spencer’s voice slightly wavered when he spoke of the inconsistency of the health protocols from his expectations.

“I thought a lot would change, especially with the choirs and songs but, so far, only a few have changed,” he shrugged at the thought that stuck in his mind.

More than the songs, Spencer revealed that the church capacity was nearly halved with the implementation of health protocols. But that did not stop the devotion of the townspeople as Monobloc chairs were added to the exits of the church to accommodate more churchgoers.

“The pandemic didn’t stop the people from attending the Mass… I can see that the people’s devotion is stronger than their fear,” he says in awe and admiration.

DEVOTION WITH CAUTION Back when people were free to link their palms together and besos were the norm, Mc Jordan Gayaban, a sacristan of the St. Nicholas Parish Church, would be tasked to collect tithes and offerings from churchgoers but things changed when the pandemic struck. What was once his simple routine over the past few years has now shifted into something that a usual sacristan would be rarely doing during services.

“We are now tasked to scan the temperature of the people and sanitize their hands before going inside the church,” he says as he motions his hands and adds how they used logbooks for contact tracing purposes.

Simbang gabi amidst the pandemic is indeed an inspiring feat but it undeniably asks for great amounts of patience. Jordan shares how the Isabela Parish Youth Organization cooperated with the Interagency Task Force’s mandate to implement minimum health requirements and safety protocols.

“We, at the Isabela Parish Youth

Organization, have held hands to implement the said protocols,” Jordan beams in triumph on how the church maintains the minimum health protocols during Mass.

Also, he shares how he witnessed churchgoers underwent huge adjustments at the start of the predawn Masses. They had to fall in line with a massive number of people to write their names on a logbook and maintain the one-meter distance within themselves.

“It might be a little hassle but the pandemic doesn’t hinder the faith and willingness of the people to the Lord,” he smiles, relishing in the Filipino spirit of Christmas.

The usual simbang gabi most grew up with may have changed but the joy and satisfaction that churchgoers immerse themselves in as they practice tradition is incomparable to anything.

Jordan reflects on the solemnity of the sacrifice of waking early in the morning for the predawn Masses.

“We believe that our sacrifice of going to church despite the risk cannot be tantamount to the blessings that He has showered upon us,” he closes, smiling at the strength of the Filipino despite the pandemic.

IN TUNE WITH THE FILIPINO SPIRIT The holiday season means a busy time for the parish priests and altar servers but, along with the eventful days, one draws nearer to the Divinity.

Director of the Religious Education Department, Rev. Fr. Romeo Ben Potencio, OAR views the simbang gabi as a journey to prepare for Christmas.

“The essence of simbang gabi, for me, is journeying for nine days with the

PRAYERS AT DAWN. Churchgoers of Brgy. Tangub attend simbang gabi at San Antoni De Padua Chapel. photo by RAEVERLY ELENA RAMIREZ. 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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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

TALES OF THE TRADE: DRIVERS OF ONLINE ECONOMY

by ALEA JEN VILLAHERMOSA

With the advent of technology, anything can be accessed practically through a click on the screen. Be it in education, food, medicine, or shopping – everything is going swift online.

As the new normal slowly takes shape, motorcycle riders clad in a helmet and colorful long sleeve clothes plunge into the budding industry of delivery service as courier drivers. With citizens encouraged to stay at home in this health crisis, this delivery personnel makes buying from the comforts of your own home possible.

RISE OF E-COMMERCE After months of lockdowns, honks of jeepneys that occupy busy streets were silenced. The busy buzzing of people during rush hour vanished, and mall-goers lessened as people feared to leave their houses as news of a pandemic slowly reached our shores.

As physical stores closed during lockdowns, some permanently due to the economic recession, e-commerce spiked up as people turned to their screens to fill the hole of shopping and dining out the pandemic brought upon everyone.

A 2019 survey done by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and Netcomm Suisse eCommerce Association, in collaboration with the Brazilian Network Information Center and Inveon entitled “COVID-19 and E-commerce” done on 3, 700 consumers covering the countries of Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Switzerland, and Turkey, shows how the pandemic has changed the way consumers use e-commerce and digital solutions. This survey also reveals that online purchases have increased by 6 to 10 percentage points across most product categories.

Beyond the comforts of lying on our warm linens and bingeing our favorite shows while waiting for our long-awaited parcels to arrive, the circumstances of our courier drivers are a far cry from the words comfort and warm.

Basking under the scorching heat of the sun wrapped in sweat-soaked clothes or drenched in the pitter-patter of rain, they continue to ride from house to house to be of service to their community and to make a living.

With weary faces and sweaty palms, these drivers uncover the tales of their day-to-day ventures as they remove their sturdy helmets at the end of a long day unveiling their mundane hearts.

WAGE PER PARCEL Sitting down on his wooden chair, John Kenneth Villahermosa, 28, a former courier driver from October to December 2020, bares the tale of the trade with palms flattened on his thighs. “Tiring” was the word he describes the day-to-day parcel delivery. Still, he could not help but think of the salary he enjoyed after grueling hours of driving on busy roads.

As if he was in the exact scenario, he goes back to a memory of his delivery

days when he was under the searing heat with sweat-drenched cheeks as he delivers his 80th and last package of the day wrapped in a tidy red and white plastic envelope.

Through multiple twists and turns in subdivisions and guard dogs trailing by the gates, riders encounter a variety of personalities per household to earn their wage. From the household banters of buyers caught unaware that a parcel has arrived to the enigmatic temperaments of customers who just reached home, it is a Russian roulette kind of experience.

One could not deny that it is not easy to handle most customers. Kenneth says that one of the hardest parts of his work is encountering customers. “If we are assigned in a toxic household, especially if the customer is in a bad mood, they will be most likely mean to us,” Most couriers, however, hold on to the “customer is always right” mantra and this is what pushes delivery personnel to be professional in their decorum despite being yelled at.

Aside from having to be mentally and emotionally strong to face the spectrum of personalities they have to encounter per day, the seasons - rain or shine- must not hamper their services as well since their daily wage solely on the number of packages they can transport.

“Yes, [I work during rainy days] because if I deliver less, I will receive a smaller income,” he flinches his fingers as he imagined those days, especially when the location of his delivery is in areas where roads are narrow and prone to flooding.

This serves as a challenge to all riders but Kenneth continues to tread despite the heavy downpour of rain or waves of heat like most couriers in the name of work. Nevertheless, he earns a monthly gross of up to P18,000 which heavily influenced his career choice since one parcel can amount to P25.

“I chose this work before because the income is good,” he shares while reminiscing his working days when he was still a driver for the courier company.

ON CUSTOMERS AND BOGUS ORDERS Being a courier rider includes houseto-house delivery which is a risk that needs to be overcome for a daily income. And even with a wary eye, one should continue to power up their motorcycle and begin the ride.

Meanwhile, aside from online

applications for buying clothes, appliances, and other dry goods, ordering food online has been made easier with delivery apps like GrabFood and Food Panda. And unlike parcels that reach three to five days to be delivered from the seller to the customers’ homes, food orders can be delivered within the duration of 30 minutes to an hour. With this kind of ease and accessibility, scamming involving food orders is often the talk of the town.

Affecting food couriers and other consumers, scheming callers in the guise of harmless food orders were documented on social media sites. Last Dec. 16, a resident of Paco, Manila, Rome Vladimir Cuevas, was shocked to see 16 different riders parked outside his family’s house claiming that someone in their home ordered food.

“Have mercy on our Food Panda and Grab Riders… Is there a party?” he quoted in disbelief on his Facebook post, implying that someone exaggerated on orders and used his address as bait.

While the prankster remained unknown, the majority of the netizens that commented on Rome’s Facebook post had said it was most probably a prank pulled by one of their comrades in the delivery service industry. Ken Bocago, whose comment gained four reactions, shed his opinion in the comment’s section saying that it was one of their co-riders who had initiated a fake order booking.

“It’s their co-riders doing the fake booking. They’re dragging themselves down,” he remarked.

Another netizen, Ryan Balatz Maravillas, suggested in a comment on the Facebook post that food delivery service companies must verify each customer to avoid scams and to prohibit VPN (Virtual Private Network) in hiding customers’ locations.

“There should be a way to trace these bogus buyers for legal action,” Ryan stated, proposing that the location of customers should be tracked to determine fake addresses.

Amounting to P1,900, the perpetrator remained unidentified.

Because of this, the delivery drivers themselves paid it with their own money. The unbearable thought that someone still had the humor to prank delivery drivers remains unthinkable.

In this unprecedented time, all we hope for is not to burden the people trying more than their best to survive.

Knowing that the purchase of food orders are from the pocket money of drivers themselves, the one who had the guts to fake the order does not know the sacrifices and tears behind the tinted helmets our frontliners are wearing to support their families.

With almost everything relying on the convenience of the virtual platform ever since the threat of COVID-19 started, almost anything and everything can be accessed with a mere touch of a finger or the pressing of a few buttons. However, it has also become destructive both on the delivery drivers and customers.

While we complain of damaged or delayed parcels, we must try to understand the struggle our delivery drivers face in their paths as frontliners working day in and day out to deliver food amidst lockdowns, facing the perils of unknown paths and jampacked roads, and the inadequate compensation they are receiving despite the risks of their work.

Though such problems do matter, they are only superficial setbacks leading to the core of the problem, an economic recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic, panic caused by uncertainties in gearing towards the new normal, and the unjustified compensating schemes large companies offer to their employees.

As members of the same community facing different hurdles brought by the crisis, let us manifest the spirit of bayanihan that links us together despite our differences because we do not face the same demons. Humanity knows no profession and respect knows no division. Amidst this gradual economic emergence, let kindness light up the dark and chaotic world because a little act of goodness goes a long way. Make it ripple.

graphic art by CARL ANDRO VALLEJERA

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

#NasaanAngPangulo?

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cartoon by Renee Suala

national pandemic response

tween the government and its constituents

e true state of the nation

VERNANCE

10

OPINION

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

editorial IS THERE A VACCINE FOR INCOMPETENCE?

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 AY 2020-2021

Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal Editor-in-Chief Cristopher Villaruel Associate Editor Jusalanne Matulac Managing Editor DESK EDITORS Crisha Arroyo News and Sports Editor

Leslie Marie Banaban Literary Editor

Carla Joanne Robles Feature Editor

Krisha Marie Semellano Opinion Editor

TECHNICAL EDITORS Joelle Mariel Paderog Multimedia Editor

Renee Suala Multimedia Associate

Alea Jen Villahermosa Online Content Manager

WRITERS

VIDEOJOURNALIST

Trisha Shyne Cabanillas

Reinhardt Firmeza

PHOTOJOURNALIST

CARTOONISTS

Raeverly Elena Ramirez

Rheymar Chua Joshua Garita Carl Andro Vallejera LAYOUT ARTIST Karen Joy Tolosa

Kaye Eunice Lamera, RSW Human Resource

Alyssa Marie Arceño Technical Consultant

Engr. Ashraf Khater, ChE, MEnE Technical Adviser

NEWS FLASH. We are at the end of the year but things haven’t really gotten better.

Nine months into this endeavor and yet Filipinos find themselves stuck in the same predicament that has haunted us since the start of the pandemic, inaction, and complacency from our leaders. As every world leader is taking steps in ensuring the safety of his or her citizens given the current situation, Filipinos are constantly met with haphazard and draconian solutions to the pressing calls of health-centric policies.

President Rodrigo Duterte drew flak for the late responses against the pandemic despite his call for the people to put their trust in the government in quelling the virus transmission nearly two weeks after the first confirmed novel coronavirus case in the Philippines.

However, it was not just the last-minute lockdown implementation that triggered the flak but also when President Duterte downplayed the threat of COVID-19 by saying “everything is well in the country” and there is “nothing to be scared of that coronavirus thing” in a Feb. 3 media briefing two days after the first novel coronavirus-related death in the country.

Through the months, COVID-19 cases have been skyrocketing despite President Duterte’s assurance that the government is on top of things. In the middle of the world’s longest lockdown and at the height of coronavirus cases, the Filipinos were met with the draconian Anti-Terrorism Law, “shoot them dead” threats from the President himself, declining calls for mass testing while having the controversial VIP testing of politicians, even got called pasaway by the Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque at the height of the COVID-19 cases in April when in fact, data from tech giant Google LLC showed that there was a 90 percent drop of Filipinos visiting retail stores as compared to the numbers recorded pre-pandemic.

With the promise of a vaccine, this still does not serve as a silver bullet to combat the rotten political system that affects not only the health system but all facets of this society. On Dec. 16, Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III missed securing 10 million doses of vaccines from Pfizer as early as January 2021 due to an amiss in documents. As Sen. Francis Pangilinan stressed, this botched deal puts millions of Filipino lives on the line.However, despite the availability of vaccines in the market, we still must not forget the lapses the administration shown in dealing with the pandemic in the country that caused mass employment lay-offs, the romanticization of the sacrifices of frontliners, the general power tripping, to top the already existing extrajudicial killings and other human rights issues surrounding the current administration.

Tolentine Star stands with the masses in holding the national government accountable. This is the time to prioritize the people and not lash out at those who call out their haphazard and muddled plans amidst a time of hunger and desperation. We call for a government that sees the ordinary Filipino not as numbers on a chart but as human beings endowed with dignity and worthy of respect, not collateral damage to whatever powerplay is happening behind the curtains. We demand that goverment implement inclusive policies that would seek to solve not only the health crisis but tackle the potluck of problems in the country.

Let us never forget the atrocities of the current administration at the height of the health crisis by paying no heed to the call for mass testing and the general downplaying of the pandemic. In this, we must press on and continue to speak against injustices and tell the stories of the victims of an incompetent administration. With this, we hope that, in due time, hopefully not that long, the skies will get clearer and we’ll get through this.

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

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

On Behalf of the Young Adults ERIGENEIA Leslie Marie Banaban literary editor banabanlesliemarie@gmail.com

As the world combats the global health crisis, may the young adults continue to resist complete exhaustion.

Kumusta ka na?

Time and time again we are lambasted by a series of unfortunate events that manifested effects not only on ourselves but on our whole being. From the global pandemic scare, isolation from people due to lockdowns, calamities, academic workload, and tons of personal obligations,

we persistently strive to survive, becoming vulnerable to exhaustion that can lead to the degradation of the body and mind.

According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), 20 percent of over one billion youth in the world in the age group of 14-24 years old experience serious mental illness.

Learning is gaining knowledge and understanding through experience.

Compliance is submitting what is due, with or without learning from it. These two words do not mean the same thing but have confused students during these critical times.

Learning can be associated to but should not equate to compliance.

The COVID-19 outbreak brought sudden changes to our lives. There is the strict implementation of health protocols that resulted in reduced mobilization.

With these changes, every sector of society is affected, most especially educational institutions.

According to University Registrar Engr. Christopher Taclobos, MEng the University’s college population dropped by 6.2 percent due to the pandemic during the first semester of the school year.

Adapting to the demands of online learning, the University implemented the phase system where a maximum of five three-unit subjects is allowed per phase, three sessions per subject, and three hours per session, doing away with

terms per semester.

This was done to, supposedly, reduce the student load but it seems like its overall implementation is more demanding not only to the students but also to the faculty members. In this set-up, time, more or less, is seen as an opponent in education, which should not be the case.

This time, we need to double or even triple our efforts in learning on our own. Yes, instructors are there to do their jobs and try their best but then, that’s it. There is only so much one can do in a patchedup plan of a system. The rest of our learning seemingly depends on us, students.

“The deadline will be tonight.”

One more problem with this system and the new-normal education is that the deadlines could be set at any time of the day, 24/7. In the previous scheduling, students call it a day after, at most, 8:30 p.m. Now, deadlines are to be met even at midnight or during dinner time, a time often spent with family. Students are also

It includes include behavioral and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, aggressive-disruptive behavior, attention-deficit and hyperactivity problems, and posttraumatic stress disorder that are the leading causes of adjustment problems in adolescents and young people today. “Young people are at the greatest risk of a range of mental health conditions during their transition from childhood to adulthood due, in large part, to the host of physical, psychological and emotional changes which occur during this vulnerable period,” UN DESA stated.

As educational institutions transitioned to distance learning, young adults and students of varying ages were prone to potential heightened psychological stressors. In a study conducted by the Association for Psychological Science published in 2017, adolescents who spent more time online, such as social media, were more likely to report mental health issues. Explaining that students who were more likely to have a higher level of exposure to social

media have greater tendencies to commit cyberbullying and experience depressive episodes.

As a 21-year-old college student and a young adult myself, I have seen how students became more vulnerable to mental exhaustion as academic pressure continues to put weight on students’ shoulders.

As young adults continue to comply with society’s expectations to become the professionals of the future, the more they feel empty like a kid running around in circles with no specific goal.

In 2004, the reported over 4.5 million cases of depression in the Philippines but that number is likely to be much higher since many of those suffering from depression hesitate to seek help because of the stigma still surrounding mental disorders and the cost of treatment makes it worse.

This data would tell us that we must shorten the gap and open help hotlines to extend help to more diverse people. tReach out and mitigate the harm. May the twisted system be improved and sustainable mental health care continued on page 13

To Learn or to Comply?

ROYAL WIGGLES Renee Suala multimedia associate royalwiggles@gmail.com

Students should be able to become more understanding and effective to double their pace in learning and coping with the abrupt changes in the educational set-up. their parents’ children and being tasked to do chores is not out of the question. Students have their own lives at home and responsilibilities, and it should be also take into consideration.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization estimated that about 70 percent of the total student population worldwide had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, according to

educationdata.org, distance learning is more challenging to the students, especially to those who are not prepared to adapt to the demands of the new educational set-up. “Completion rates for some students can be as much as 22 percent lower than for students in face-to-face courses,” it reported. With the current system, the students could end up prioritizing compliance over actual learning, which is not right in any

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

continued on page 13

12

OPINION Why are We Afraid of Being Different?

USAYITOIDI Joshua Garita cartoonist

joshuapelaez12@gmail.com

There is nothing wrong in being different from society’s standards.

Everyone deserves to be accepted and loved no matter which part of the spectrum you are in.

For the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer, and others (LGBTQ+), coming out of their closets is difficult, especially if they were born in a community made up of the misinformed and disinformed.

To give you a reality check, stereotyping, catcalling, from page 3

Re;connect links. . . students amidst the pandemic. We wanted to give them the chance to learn and to act as an agent of change in the society. So, I can say that we were able to fulfill our desired purpose for this activity,” he said.

Rialin Yasay, a first year civil engineering student who won first place in the RE;CONNECT essay writing contest, shared that she learned the essence of communication through the webinar.

“I can say that I am glad that I didn’t choose to neglect this splendid opportunity just because of the blocks of intimidation, ” Yasay said.

“RE;CONNECT: An Advocacy Webinar” was a two-part activity which consisted of a webinar series and an essay writing contest spearheaded by the UNORSSGO in collaboration with the Mass Communication society.

and harassing the LGBTQ+ community members have been normal ever since and sadly, that has not changed until now.

In an article published by Pew Research Center senior editor Bruce Drake in 2013, he said that while there were a lot of LGBTQ+ adults who perceived that society has become more accepting of the said community, there are still others who are receiving continuous discrimination.

Drake also stated that 45 percent of Americans think that “engaging in homosexual behavior is a sin,” what more here in a very religious and uptight conservative country.

The Philippines is one of the countries where government officials oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage despite its acceptance in other countries.

Jesus Falcis, a Filipino gay lawyer who filed the petition for same-sex marriage, had fought a long battle to amend the country’s family code. Falcis petitioned to legalize LGBTQ+ civil marriage and said that the current family code is not being fair to the LGBTQ+ members.

But, in return, the Supreme Court had junked the appeal and until now we can still hear the

outcry and pleas of the LGBTQ+ community members for equal rights and justice.

If raising children and general parenting are presented in an argument, one cannot define good parenting based on sexuality alone. In 2006, a position statement given by Canadian Psychological Association emphasized that same-sex couples are deemed fit and able to raise children as heterosexual parents do. “Their [LGBTQ+ parents’] children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as those reared by heterosexual parents,” the association said. With this in mind, one may ask if the parents, straight or not, are truly practicing or even trying to practice good parenting at home.

Good parenting is based on how you teach life to a child and is not solely for heterosexuals.

It’s nonsensical. The capability of raising a family does not only rest on sexuality alone but on raising a child’s well-being.

In an article released by the Human Rights Watch, in the Philippines, students who are LGBTQ+ members suffer from bullying, physical or sexual assault, and lack of access to information about the LGBTQ+ community. Discrimination is, more or less, the most hackneyed issue faced by LGBTQ+ community members and it, ultimately, fires hate and abuse towards its members.

Meanwhile, the appeal for the approval of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression or SOGIE Bill that was first filed in August 2016 by Senator Risa Hontiveros remains to be a hot issue.

The Bill mainly focuses on anti-discrimination towards members of the LGBTQ+ community but it has many other inclusions as well.

According to DivinaLaw Underbar Associate Ma. Jiandra Deslate, the SOGIE Bill encompasses the protection against discriminatory and unlawful practices of the LGBTQ+ members. These discriminatory and unlawful practices to the

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

LGBTQ+ members include the denial of rights in accessing public services and application for a professional license, among many others. Due to the documented instances of misinformation of the SOGIE Bill, some people often complain and throw hate speech on social media without even reading and understanding the history and struggles of those in the said community.

During a House hearing last Nov. 4, Coalition of Concerned Families of the Philippines lawyer Lyndon Caña showed opposition versus the said Bill and said that the LGBTQ+ community became a “super special elite class”. Caña also said that the SOGIE Bill does not benefit the “straight community” at all. At this rate, the LGBTQ+ community is fighting for the bare minimum things, such as acceptance and protection from bias, discrimination, and violence.

I just hope that the struggles of our LGBTQ+ folk are taken into account before we make rash opinions against them. Like any other person out there, they are still humans who have rights, have emotions, and should not be treated otherwise or less because they are deemed different from society.

The world isn’t a grassy path filled with rose petals where the walk is easy, ideal for some, and sometimes, romantic. There will be thorns that could hurt and wound you. But the fact that you are born and breathing are enough reasons for you to be respected. There is nothing wrong in being different from society’s standards Everyone deserves to be accepted and loved no matter which part of the spectrum you are in.

LGBTQ+ rights are also human rights. Let that sink in. Now, we ,as the informed, must do our part in spreading awareness to mitigate the hate our friends in the LGBTQ+ community are receiving, to empower other marginalized members of our society, and to, ultimately, overcome discrimination.

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

On Behalf of...

from page 11

from page 4

actions shall be implemented.

Vulnerable young adults are like ticking time bombs. An immediate counter on this important matter should not be neglected. Not now, not ever.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “It is now crystal clear that mental health needs must be treated as a core element of our response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic” and that

governments should take into account its citizens’ emotional and mental health well-being seriously because it can impact a country’s “long-term social and economic costs.” This is considering the anxieties and what-ifs everyone is facing as an effect of the wide-scale changes the pandemic brought.

I am writing this article to amplify the voices of the many young adults and students seeking help in whatever aspect. Not only

is this a cry for help but a call for change. As the world combats the global health crisis, may the young adults continue to resist complete burnout.

Most importantly, help is what we need. Starting from our circle of friends, and families, to institutions, workplaces, and community. May our pleas be heard. Together, let our voices reverberate in volumes until someone hears and, hopefully, acts.

aspect. Students are supposed to understand and experience their lessons and tasks as a way to be molded rightly as future professionals.

With compliance alone, students would do the job but neglect digging deeper into its purpose.

The goal is to learn but it seems like the objective shifted from comprehension to merely passing without truly mastering anything.

This is the very reason why students should be able to become more understanding and effective in doubling their pace in learning and coping with the abrupt

changes in the educational set-up.

However, it seems all rainbows and butterflies until one actually gets down to it which is suddenly like getting through the apocalypse.

In these challenging times, it may seem as though we are on our own but along with growth comes some pain and heartaches.

However, I hope that the administration listens to our plea. The system is a flawed one.

It seems as though the negatives further outweigh the positives in educational delivery.

To begin with, the Philippine educational system is far from

perfect but I hope that action to improve it is being done for the sake of everyone.

Attending classes but not listening and digesting the lectures is not learning. Downloading study materials but not reading and understanding them is not even close to it. Passing requirements without doing them yourself or settling with mediocre work will not help you improve as a student and as a future professional. You may survive but you will never grow. It should not be “basta makapasar” rather “tani may maintsindehan”.

Blessed Mother which ends with her giving birth to the Savior of the World on Christmas day,” Fr. Potencio says in gentleness.

While most churchgoers during the simbang gabi would go for the celebration of the birth of Christ, there are others that go to Mass for the sake of granted wishes once all nine nights are completed. Fr. Potencio believes that it can be an expression of faith in God who grants our petition.

“Many, if not all, who attend the simbang gabi must have some petitions they ask from God and believe that their prayers will be more efficacious because it includes the sacrifice of waking up early for nine consecutive days,” he explains, adding that we must also remember that God will only grant our wishes when it is the right time.

More than the outside appearances of Christmas lights, wreaths, and Filipino lanterns, simbang gabi offers more than just the norms of Filipino society. Fr. Potencio adds that some Latin American countries also have their versions of simbang gabi

minus the cultural elements of the Philippines.

“What is uniquely Filipino in the simbang gabi would be some cultural elements proper to us like the choice of music in the Mass, Filipino delicacies eaten together after the Mass, and the family tradition of going to the Mass together,” he explains, adding how these elements form the promise to complete the nine-day Masses.

From a theoretical perspective, with COVID-19 cases skyrocketing and with it claiming more lives, mass gatherings would have been strictly banned. This could have meant no basking in the awe-inspiring beauty of cathedrals, no flickering Christmas lights dancing to the beat of the hymns, and no more Mass. Fr. Potencio clarifies that if it would have been the case, simbang gabi Masses would be done online but the feel of it would be entirely different.

“It would never be the same. Not only because virtual presence cannot truly substitute the physical presence of people but also because we cannot

receive the body and blood of Christ,” he elucidates, patiently expounding the what-ifs.

On the first day of September, most of us would start to decorate our homes with attractive wreaths and reflective balls, towering Christmas trees and, in some cases, an innovative tree made from recycled materials, and play Christmas carols in establishments and workplaces. It is through this lens that he views our sense of Christmas as both religious and cultural. It is also a more patent indicator that Christmas celebrations are truly imminent.

“When we begin to hear the ringing of church bells at dawn, we feel that we are to celebrate Christmas in no time,” Fr. Potencio closes in a calm voice.

While the distinct December breeze clings to the air and the sterile smell of face masks are all that can be sniffed, simbang gabi will always be the missing puzzle piece in the Filipino Christmas tradition. The streets kissed with the tiny bright bulbs of white and yellow, the holiday jam and caroling, and the signature Jose Mari Chan songs—all

To Learn or...

Misa De Gallo...

13

OPINION

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

from page 11

from page 6

Publication nabs ... despite the limitations the current pandemic has brought,” she stated.

Furthermore, she shared that the publication will not only produce aesthetic outputs but present the rawness of life captured through their works, whether online or in print.

“With a bit of passion and practice, these stories presented through articles or graphics contribute to the overall improvement of the outputs of Tolentine Star,” Waminal closed.

Before COPRE 2020, online campus journalism workshops were held by PIA Region Six from September to November via Zoom Meetings and Facebook Live where Tolentine Star members snagged places in the “promising” categories.

“The current editorial board made sure to make the staff members participate in workshops to improve their craft in their respective fields. Even though we’re miles apart, we still pushed through in holding and attending online journalism workshops and in encouraging the staff members to join one,” she added.

COPRE is an annual event that gathers student journalists around Region Six for on-the-spot writing competitions and to recognize and award publication outputs.

The Carrier of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc., the Eagle Publication of Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod, and the Spectrum of the University of St. La Salle were some of the publications that joined this year.

COPRE will return in December 2021 for the On-the-Spot Writing competitions and journalism workshops for campus journalists in the secondary and tertiary level with PIA-Region Six hoping to conduct it face to face.

of what makes Christmas uniquely Filipino would have been all for naught without the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Christmas is the time of strengthening our faith and personal bond with God through sharing unyielding love with our neighbors. The spirit of Christmas lives in our hearts, and without our faith, it would cease to exist. But above all that, we must remain strong because no pandemic can shake the Filipino spirit of faith and devotion.

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

14

SPORTSTAR

READY,

SET,

GAME

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

RESPONSIBLY

by REINHARDT FIRMEZA

After the smashing popularity of After the smashing popularity of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) sparked the immersion of players in an exhilarating game of teamwork, coordination, and skill through Android and iOs devices thereby amassing almost 500 million downloads and reaching up to 75 million active players since it was released in 2016. With how accessible the game is, with it being available on smartphones, no wonder it became a large contributor in becoming one of the most highly downloaded games of all time.

Aiming to foster a balance between good sportsmanship and good study habits, the three Student Leaders (SLs) Jerril Peñafiel, Dianne Padrigo, and Ken Chan established in September 2020, the Facebook group MLBB Players of UNO-R. This growing community holds events, tournaments, and even giveaways to reward the group members on the purpose of achieving their main objective of finding the calm between games and academics. But with the pandemic disrupting almost every aspect of life, how is this virtual community faring?

WELCOME TO MOBILE LEGENDS Immersed in the diverse and competitive atmosphere of the Facebook group of gamers, the members of the MLBB Players of UNO-R Bacolod City amassed a total of 290 members as of press time. Amidst these unprecedented times, leading the group with a burning passion for MLBB, Jerril Peñafiel, one of the SLs, continues to persevere to uphold their objective and inform the UNO-Rian community that online games could bring successes in both academics and gaming.

“The group was created [because of the] drive to inform students that online gaming poses no threat or harmful effects to an individual, especially if managed well, [and] that students may flourish both in gaming and academics,” Peñafiel says, clarifying on notions that gaming negatively affects academics.

Although the group remains a public and open-access Facebook group, the SLs make sure that each application is a bona fide UNO-Rian. Clicking on each aspiring member’s profile and ensuring that the applicant is a student of the University, the SLs deliberate their available information to maintain the security of the group. Allowing students outside the University would have disrupted their very identity. After being reviewed, a quick overview of their rules will be shown, including proper conduct and good sportsmanship.

“We wanted our community to grow and with that, it requires

GLORY AND HONOR. MLBB Players of UNO-R converge at a live gameplay of MLBB. photo courtesy of MLBB PLAYERS OF UNO-R FACEBOOK PAGE.

respect among the student members of the page,” Peñafiel guarantees in a benevolent voice.

Implementing these simple rules are vital for the group’s harmony and unity. While each member promises to abide by these rules, violating a single rule could mean disqualification, the least favorable of all consequences.

Despite the consequence of violation, as long as the members continue to balance proper character and good sportsmanship, there is nothing to be feared.

CODE OF MEMBERSHIP Much like any other groups in the gaming community, the group also holds giveaways and tournaments to hold the members’ attention and ramp up the group activity. On the tournaments it holds, it is also being streamed on their group page. The community also holds raffle draws involving game consumables like diamonds, the currency in MLBB, to give incentives to the group members. “[We have] raffle draws for students and some events that would drive them to excel and do well academically,” Peñafiel explains, revealing that more than typical tournaments, raffle draws attract students gamers more.

Encouragement to do better in each of their academic endeavors while relishing in the thrill of the game remains to be the leaders’ main goal yet encountering issues that disrupt this positive movement is inevitable.

Streaming tournaments require both stable connectivity and good time management to balance academics and other activities, and sometimes, these qualities are tested.

“Before we joined and applied as Student Leaders [of the group], we were aware that we must balance our time between our studies and managing the group,” Peñafiel shares, disclosing that what seemed to be an easy task in others’ eyes was a battle for himself and his fellow SLs.

SWEET REWARD OF HARD WORK The exhausting demands of online classes and of leading a community of student gamers on Facebook may all sound exceedingly difficult, however, Peñafiel divulges that time management has not only helped them get through each hurdle but also improved how they were able to manage the members and the activity within the group over the past semester.

“Time management [helped] us get through these certain challenges. We always allot a portion of our time in managing the group page and in making sure a sound environment is maintained among its members,” assures Peñafiel, adding that academics will always be a priority for them.

While healthy gaming is strongly encouraged and nurtured within the group, they have also encountered unfortunate events.

On some inopportune days, the group encounters toxic gaming qualities, such as members using cheats including piloting and the unfair use of third-party programs - a no-no in the group’s rule book.

“What the players and contest participants should never do [are the following] - cheating in any form [including] piloting, unfair use of thirdparty programs, … [and] raising intense conversation on the SLs, other players, [and] other organizers,” the rule book emphasized.

The rules state that any violations that the event attendee or group member may enact will be sanctioned in the form of penalties and disqualifications in events. These rules are enforced to keep a positive and less toxic environment for the members.

Despite the stresses that come with managing an online group, what proved to be more important for the SLs was the fellowship and camaraderie that they, along with the members, attained within the group. What they viewed was merely a small step in the group’s beginnings was now flourishing in the environment they slowly built.

“It is fulfilling to be a part of this group and to manage one. I met new friends and I am able to see friendships grow in tournaments,” Peñafiel reflects, adding how grateful and fulfilling it was to become a part of the group’s growing community.

With the continuing growth in popularity that MLBB has, the future for the group is rising in the right direction.

Their mission will never change for them. The goal is to create a balance between good sportsmanship, having fun and developing good study habits.

“We have lots of plans for this group.

We want it to grow more. Garnering more members and encouraging students that they can always do well as they play online games and while maintaining good academic performance at the same time,” Peñafiel discloses, concluding that they are looking forward to more active members and tournaments in the future.

Jerril Peñafiel and the other SLs have cultivated the culture of balance between education and gaming.

They continue to foster this for the betterment of the MLBB community and the welfare of the UNO-Rians.

Gaming will forever be a part of modern culture and the MLBB Players of UNO-R will be a part of the UNO-R gaming culture.

Gaming may be considered as one of the worst hobbies to have for some and parents may be prone to frown upon video games in general. But as long as a balance is created between gaming and practicalities, like pursuing one’s education, it will never harm the player. Like any other habit, it has its ups and downs. But as for many, gaming far outweighs the good from the bad.

Things like overcoming stress management problems, proper hand-eye coordination, and fellowship between gamers further overrides the burdens that life and the pandemic brought and may bring along.

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

15

ENTERTAINMENT

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME LXXIX

Flashback

komiks ni Renee Suala

likha ni Joshua Garita Kumpletuhin ang crossword puzzle. Isumite ang litrato nitong pahina at maging isa sa limang mananalo ng premyo mula sa Tolentine Star. Isumite lamang ito sa aming Facebook page.

Across:

Down:

4.Ang Simbang ____ ay ang idinaraos sa 1. Ang ______ Tree ay puno na sinasabitan ng madaling araw sa loob ng siyam na araw mga palamuti at ilaw para pampadagdag ng bago ang Kapaskuhan. ganda dito.

6. Siya ang itinakdang ipinanganak upang iligtas ang sanlibutan.

7. Dito ang lugar kung saan ipinanganak si Hesus.

2. Si _______ Claus ay iniuugnay sa Pasko na karaniwang kinagigiliwan ng mga bata dahil sa paniniwalang nagbibigay ito ng regalo.

3. Ito ay katawagan sa regalo na binibigay tuwing Pasko, maaring pera o gamit.

8. Ang Noche _____ ay isang salu-salo sa bisperas ng Kapaskuhan.

5. Ito ay kakanin na matamis at paboritong kainin pagkatapos ng simbang gabi.

10. Ito ay karaniwang nasa hugis bituin na isinasabit na naghuhudyat ng 9. Ito ang tawag sa imaheng pinapakita ang pagsisimula ng Kapaskuhan. kaganapan sa kapanganakan ni Hesus.

word Jumble All about Greek Mythology

by Joshua Garita

Unscramble the jumbled letters to form a word related to the theme. After you unscrambled the letters, arrange the circled letters to reveal the answer.

A mountain in Thessaly that in, Greek mythology, is the abode of the gods.

DORNUDLERW

LLOAPO

DUASEADL

BESRUCRE

DOSNISUY

RASE

DAESUM

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.

OF GRAPPLES AND FOOTHOLDS. Sunny Diego (middle) displays his gold during the awarding ceremony at the Jiu-Jitsu Pan American Championship 2020. photo courtesy of SUNSTARBACOLOD .

Diego is int’l Jiu-Jitsu champ

by CARLA JOANNE ROBLES

Bacolodnon Sunny Diego dominated the international Jiu-Jitsu stage as he clinched the championship title in the Pan American Championship 2020 Light Featherweight Division held in Silver Spurs Arena Kissimmee, Florida, Oct. 8 to 11.

Making his way to the top as the first Negrense titleholder, his signature triangle choke vindicated Diego as the endgame champion versus competitors Ramiro Morales 14 SPORTS FEATURE

of Tiburones BJJ Puerto Rico and American Ryan Cramer of Gracie Barra Arizona.

In an article published by Digital News Exchange, Diego expressed confidence that he was going to be hailed as tourney victor.

“I knew from the very start I could achieve it [championship title]. My faith was so big. I have put in the work. I somehow knew it was going to come. Every day for six months of training I was

UNO-Rian MLBB players: Ready, Set, Game Responsibly Needless to say, there is no stopping the rise of virtual communities. UNO-Rians won’t be left behind the dust as they build their very own online home.

telling myself [that] I am the champ,” he added.

With this achievement, Diego admitted that although Jiu-Jitsu may challenge egos and cause injuries, he always commits time and effort to practice this sport.

“It is the best thing that ever happened to me. One may never understand until they are deep into it,” Diego said.

Diego is the first Filipino competitor to break through the top spot at the PanAmerican Championship in history who trained under Prof. Omar Salum Jr., one of the best rooster-weight grapplers of all time.

Aside from seizing the championship title, Diego also wants his achievement to be an inspiration to his fellow Filipinos who also want to

excel in sports.

“Be driven, disciplined, focused, and work harder than everybody,” he added.

He finished his kindergarten, elementary, and tertiary education with a degree in Computer Science at the University.

He is currently the President of Gracie Humaita Jiu-Jitsu Redlands, an academy in California that teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Diego plans to participate in the next World Master Championship in December of this year to be held in Florida, USA. The Pan American Championship is one of the biggest Jiu-Jitsu events in the world and is the largest in North America.