the augustinian mirror 2020 Vol. 86 No. 1

mirror THE

AU G U ST I N I A N

how clear do you see things?

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.�

-Helen Keller

Photograph Edrea Claire G. Gregore

EDITOR’S NOTE

I don’t like hue.

Truth lies in gray areas, and many are uncomfortable with gray areas.

Picture this.

You went home from school, turned the lights on and then suddenly saw a splatter of red all over the floor. You immediately panicked as your brain registered what you saw as a thick splash of someone’s blood. Images of a hurt loved one, or even a crime victim flashed in your mind. Taking a closer look, it was really just the tomato sauce from the bottle you tripped over earlier that morning. Nonetheless, it is clear how your mind was immediately influenced by the color, even before evaluating the whole situation.

You see colors play a crucial part on people’s lives as they can influence human perceptions, moods, and behaviors. In the same manner, factors such as emotions and personal biases rooted in psychological effects, biological conditioning, and cultural imprinting often cloud peoples’ mind when making judgement and then eventually destroy their vision of truth. These are the factors that make you draw conclusions but don’t give you clear answers.

In this issue of The Augustinian Mirror, we strip away all those variables, those saturated and overwhelming hues in order to present stories in their purest form. You will be the one to give your judgement and then do something on what you stand for. With stories ranging from human society and technological innovations to narratives of people living through the COVID-19 pandemic, see all sides of the story, each piece of the big puzzle, and every angle of the kaleidoscope that exists.

When things are in black, white, and gray, will you be able to find the right answers to such question?

Romari Charlz F. Diaz Editor-in-Chief

Photograph Steven John N. Sumbing

About The Cover Name: Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker

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The limitless possibilities of a blank canvas lead to endless rumination and inaction. Only with a different angle can people discover what lies beneath its nothingness. Everyone has the power to see and to create a new perspective, for without diversity of thought, innovation is thwarted, and truth becomes obscured. Dare to find and unravel your truth.

Mirror

Reflections The creation of a millennium’s masterpiece starts with a stroke that devoids the emptiness of a canvas. Weaving from nothing allows the creation of everything the human mind can perceive. A leap from the literal side of being empty to the limitless possibilities it can contain. To see things from a different angle enables the creation of an alternative reality that suffices that of even obscure ideas.

In this issue of The Augustinian Mirror, we exploit the creation of realities through different dimensions of human cognition. Providing you with stories that bare many sides and allow the creation of a new perspective that unravels your own truth, reminding us that the birth of everything is contained within nothingness.

The USA Pub would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the people who unstoppably shared their time and effort to make this issue possible. To Ma’am Maria Cristy Daguay, our moderator , thank you for the guidance, knowledge, and motivation you have imparted to us in every step of the way. To Panorama Printing Inc. especially Nong Elmer, Ma’am Narle, and Ma’am Mercy, we extend our appreciation for your patience and support. To all our resource persons, thank you for accommodating us despite your busy schedules. To our production staff, artists, photographers, models, and many people who inspired us to come up with these articles, our heartfelt thanks are extended to all of you.

The stories contained within these pages render obscured ideas that linger within the mind to the diverse thoughts that blossomed with it. Born of an empty canvass, these new-found realities maybe a part that completes the whole of a milieu’s masterpiece.

THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR is the official student magazine of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines. It is published regularly by the USA Publications, which envisions itself as an Augustinian center of campus journalism, fostering the advocacy of the common good and acting as voice of the student body through responsive, developmental, and research-based campus journalism. Contributions, comments, and suggestions may be sent to the editors. No part of this publication can be reproduced by any means without permission and authority from the USA Publications.

Colophon: This magazine was produced using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Illustrator under Adobe Creative Suite 6. Merriweather, Libre Baskerville, Bembo and Open Sans were used for the text.

ROMARI CHARLZ F. DIAZ Editor-in-Chief

EMY ROSE G. GALLEGO Managing Editor GLAIZA RAE D. AMABLE Associate Editor JEFF G. TOLENTINO Associate Editor PAULENE A. BUENAFE Financial Director JERICO M. SEVERINO Circulation Manager MARIA CRISTY E. DAGUAY Moderator ART AND DESIGN TEAM Geremy T. Gallenero (Art Director) June Ivan S. Gumban Leunamme C. Pabion (Staff Artists) COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TEAM Emy Rose G. Gallego (Community Editor) Marlyn Rose B. Marcelo (Staff Writer) PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM Miguel Carlos J. Llamado (Photography Director) Rotsen C. Agreda Michael ER B. Tuares Steven John N. Sumbing Lawrence D. Dorego (Staff Photographers) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TEAM Joanna Wayne S. Horneja (Program Director) Xena Hyacinth E. Estiñoso Pauline Marie A. Arada Honey Mabelle A. Villarba

USA Publications

Responsive • Developmental • Research-based Address: 2/F Alumni Bldg., University of San Agustin, General Luna Street, Iloilo City, Philippines 5000 Phone Number: (033) 337 4842 local 189 Website: www.usapublications.net Email: usapublications1@gmail.com

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Inside the Mirror OPINION

Overlooking the Red Flags ‘Di Ka Pasisiil The Entangled Web

PEOPLE & SOCIETY

Cancelling Cancel Culture Lust in Naked Society The Loops on Hook Ups #PUV Libre Sakay: Ang Paglalakbay Tungo sa Modernisasyon

LIFE IN PANDEMIC

The (Hunger) Game Changer Panubok: Stitches of Hope E-ducation in the New Normal ‘I-barter na!’ is the New Trend

ART & SOCIETY

Makeup Pitfalls Do’s and Don’ts

ENVIRONMENT

The Nature’s Rx Where Did The Fireflies Go?

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

[A]I Can Do It, Too

FAITH & RELIGION

Strange Brew

FEATURE

The Cutie Amputee Of Dingle

REVIEWS

Unravelling Diwa Enigma Is this the Sound of the End of the World?

Light in the Dark: On the Outcry of the Unheard and Eyes of the Unseen Love in Chapters

OPINION

Overlooking the Red Flags HIRAETH

Paulene A. Buenafe BS Accountancy ‘22

paulenebuenafe30@gmail.com

Twenty-seven is greater than twelve.

Last June, the above numbers stirred quite a concern. There were more suicide incidents in Iloilo compared to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths, declared by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas. This resulted to the formulation of a framework of mental health program around a group of psychiatrists even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicide prevention hotlines were established, despite being already there ever since before a pandemic arrived.

The latest health statistics indicate that 12 persons in Western Visayas have died from COVID-19 as of July 19, and acts in the spectrum of self-harm topped that. Since January, a total of 27 incidents of suicide were recorded. With the lockdown on effect, along with a steady rise of the confirmed positive cases in the region, this is the time where anyone is far from everyone else.

With a stream of social media potpourri blasted on our screens each day, we tap our fingertips into the depths of infinite things to care about.

This is, without subtlety, a recipe for mental health mayhem.

According to the published study in Oxford Academic International Journal of Medicine, the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with distress, anxiety, fear of contagion, depression, and insomnia in the general population and among healthcare professionals. The uncertainty, chronic stress, and economic difficulties may lead to the exacerbation of other psychiatric disorders in vulnerable populations including individuals with pre-existing psychiatric disorders and people who reside in high COVID-19 prevalence areas.

Flashing this “#MeToo movement” card in midair, does not prerequisite a demand to prioritize it. Issues of political importance, health care demands, and the overall safety of the nation still serve as a priority. In the midst of this pandemic, however, an issue of mental health is not only criticized once again but is labeled, “untimely” and of “no emergent concern.” The excuse of not addressing it because we have bigger cards on our hands is an amateur move as well as inhumane one. Especially now, that 27 of those “cards” have already appeared on the deck.

In the study entitled “COVID-19 and mental health of older adults in the Philippines:

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

a perspective from a developing country” of Robert D. Buenaventura, Jacqueline B. Ho, and Maria I. Lapid, the onset of a new pandemic for which people had no prior experience in dealing with has wrought fear on the population, particularly for older people because they are considered at higher risk for the disease. This has led them to be housebound and venturing out only when extremely necessary. It is not easy to cope with prolonged confinement and amidst mandated isolation, seniors may experience depressive symptoms, loneliness, pessimism, deteriorations in cognition, and disruption in sleeping patterns. These are consistent with the known psychological reactions of agitation in a pandemic.

Changes in daily routines and ways of coping strike as common causes of alteration of mood. Timelines are no longer reliable. A date

Prevention (CDC) outlined practices the can ease mental strain. Making a list of hospital telephone numbers, response team emergency numbers and helplines of the like to aid in the immediate need of a crisis is a therapeutic process to give you a sense of security that help is one call away.

Knowing the symptoms of COVID-19 and who to contact when you feel out of sorts is a good way to ensure one’s safety.The CDC continues to promote connection with others, may it be phone calls, chats or video conversations. Facebook pages such as, COPEvid Youth Hub defines methods of coping and what good and bad examples are there. Further, Iloilo City launched “Ginhawa: A Culture of Breathing in this Challenging Times” alongside with Iloilo Live Events Alliance (ILEA) in the promotion of Ilonggo well-being.

If a person can adapt to world where masks and 70 percent rubbing alcohol are must haves

Timelines are no longer reliable. A date and time on a plane ticket holds no certainty. Concrete plans turn to either lost time or waste of money. Businesses fail. If this is not uncomfortable enough, then the thought of a cough after a scoop of ice cream, or feeling feverish after a cold shower can strike red flags. and time on a plane ticket holds no certainty.

Concrete plans turn to either lost time or waste of money. Businesses fail. If this is not uncomfortable enough, then the thought of a cough after a scoop of ice cream or feeling feverish after a cold shower can strike red flags.

The Centers for Disease Control and

when leaving their homes, certainly, a veil of selfcare and a few moments of breathing and taking a break from the world is a practice worth initiating in the confines of our own selves. In a world where twenty-seven is greater than twelve and where unrest clamors louder than your peace, the decks will be drawn, and our cards will be dealt.

Artwork Geremy T. Gallenero

OPINION

‘Di Ka Pasisiil ALEXITHYMIA

Emy Rose G. Gallego AB Political Science ‘22

gallegoemyrose@gmail.com

# D e f e n d P r e s s F r e e d o m #NoToABSCBNShutdown. Ilan lamang ito sa mga katagang bumalot sa karamihan ng mga post sa social media bilang pagpapahayag ng pakikiisa sa ABS-CBN kasunod ng ipinalabas na cease and desist order ng National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) upang agarang itigil ang panghimpapawid na operasyon nito. Tila apoy sa bilis kung sumiklab ang galit at dismaya ng mga taong naniniwala na walang nilabag at tinarantado ang network. Nakapanlulumong isipin na sa isang iglap, ang ilang dekadang marangal na serbisyo ay magiging burado.

Ito ay malinaw na pag-atake sa malayang pamamahayag dahil sa kapangyarihan ng administrasyon na baluktutin ang batas nang naaayon sa kanila. Panggigipit ni Solicitor General Calida ang umudyok sa NTC na magpalabas ng cease and desist order. Nangyari ito sa kabila ng payo ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan na bigyan muna ng provisional authority ang network habang hinihintay na ipagkaloob ng kongreso ang bagong prangkisa. Kalaunan, sinabi ni Calida na ang kongreso ang dapat sisihin dahil hindi pa nito naipasa ang prangkisa. Kung tutuusin, siya nga itong nagbanta sa NTC ng graft charges kapag pinagbigyan ang network ng provisional authority.

Sabi pa ni House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, naantala ang pagpasa ng prangkisa dahil meron daw mas importanteng panukalang batas dapat talakayin.

Kung babalikan, makailang ulit din na ipinangalandakan ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang poot nito sa network at nagbabanta ng pagtutol sa prangkisa nito. Kaya’t sinong maniniwala na neutral ang pangulo sa usaping ito? Hindi malabong isipin na ang pagkaantala at kalaunan pagbasura ng aplikasyon ay sinadya.

Sa kabila ng panawagan ng mga mamamahayag,opisyales, at ilang institusyon ay marami ring mga nagsulputang bumabatikos sa network sa paniniwalang ito ay hindi isang isyu ng press freedom sapagkat mayroon pa naman daw ibang media outlets katulad ng GMA at Rappler.

Ang manipulahin ang batas at paikutin sa kanilang mga palad ang sinumang taliwas sa kanila ay ang pinakamatibay na pundasyon ng isang abusadong gobyerno. Sa wari ko’y hindi pa naman tayo nakakalimot sa mahigit 27,000 na napaslang sa War on rugs na karamihan ay hindi naranasan Artwork Leunamme C. Pabion

ang legal at wastong proseso ng batas. Hanggang ngayon kuwestiyonable pa rin ang pagtrato ng karapatang pantao ng mga naging biktima nito.

Hindi rin magpapahuli ang isyu ng red-tagging sa mga estudyante ng iba’t-ibang unibersidad at kolehiyo Sa kasalukuyan, kulelat na ang Pilipinas sa World Press Freedom Index na nasa ika-136 na puwesto. Bumaba ito ng dalawang puwesto mula

Hindi birong mawalan ng trabaho ang mahigit 11,000 manggagawa lalo na ngayong panahon na umaasa lamang ang karamihan sa kakarampot na ayuda. Hindi lamang ang mga artista, personal assistant, make-up artists, wardrobe crew, extras, caterers, accountants, at drivers ang madadagdag sa uneployment rate ng bansa, pati na rin ang mga may-ari ng kainan at mga nagbebenta sa bangketa malapit sa istasyon. Ito ay isang domino effect na

Bukod sa press freedom at ekonomiya na nasa bingit ng peligro, isa pang suliranin ang mapagkukunan ng balita at wastong impormasyon na isa sa pinaka-importanteng sandata kontra sa nakamamatay na sakit. ika- 133 noong 2018 at ika-134 noong 2019.

Ayon sa ulat, nagsimula ito sa pagbabanta ng presidente sa Philippine Daily inquirer, Rappler partikular na sa CEO nitong si Maria Ressa, at ang pananakot nito sa ABS-CBN. Kung nagawang pabagsakin ng administrasyon ang media giant na ABS-CBN, paniguradong nagtagumpay sila sa hangaring takutin ang iba pa na magiging kritikal sa pagbabalita ukol sa gobyerno. ABS-CBN na ang sinampolan, sino ang susunod?

Sa kasagsagan ng pagdinig sa kongreso, sandamakmak na akusasyon ang ibinabato sa network. Subalit, ang ganitong mga alegasyong pampayaso — iyong walang matibay na basehan ay pinabulaanan ng mga ahensiyang naghahawak sa mga usaping ito. Sa kaso ng tax evasion, iginiit ng mismong Bureau of Internal Revenue(BIR) na regular na nagbabayad ng buwis ang kompanya sa mga nakaraang taon. Sinabi naman ng DOLE na noong Setyembre ay mayroon ngang hindi natupad sa labor laws and standards ang network, ngunit ito ay agarang inaksyunan at naisaayos na pagsapit ng January 28, 2020.

Ang pagsara ng ABS-CBN ay isang malaking kasawiang palad sa ekonomiya ng bansa na patuloy na bumabagsak dahil sa pandemyang kumakalat.

dadagdag sa 8.9 milyong trabaho na nawala nang magsimula ang pandemya.

Ang ABS-CBN ang isa sa pinakamataas na non-individual taxpayer sa bansa na umaabot sa 70.5 billion ang naibayad mula 2003 hanggang 2019. Sa panahong gipit at lubog sa utang ang gobyerno, binitawan nila ang isa sa malaking pinagkukunan nito ng tax revenue.

Bukod sa press freedom at ekonomiya na nasa bingit ng peligro, isa pang suliranin ang mapagkukunan ng balita at wastong impormasyon na isa sa pinaka-importanteng sandata kontra sa nakamamatay na sakit. Pwera na lamang sa mayroong mga internet na makakapanood sa mga social media sites. Paano na lamang iyong mga nasa probinsya at isla na umaasa sa mga ABS-CBN regional news tv para sa mga lokal na balita?

Huling ipinasara ang ABS-CBN sa pagdeklara ng yumaong diktador Ferdinand Marcos ng Martial Law noong 1972. Ang yugtong iyon ang naging indikasyon ng kamatayan ng demokrasya.

Apatnapu’t walong taon ang nakalipas, muling sinubok ang network. Ngayon higit kailanman, ang ABS-CBN ay hindi matitinag at patuloy na magpapatrolya upang isiwalat ang anumang kabalastugan at pag-atake sa demokrasya.

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OPINION

The Entangled Web ANAGAPESIS

Romari Charlz F. Diaz BS Architecture ‘20 romaridiaz8@gmail.com

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is negatively affecting the way work and office operations are done in the Philippines.

Last March 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set out guidelines that encourage non-essential workers to make use of alternative methods in working as precautionary measures against COVID-19 pandemic. It has been months now that some businesses and individuals have resorted to work-from-home (WFH) arrangements that allow them to work alone within the comforts of their homes, while relying on internet and technology for more than ever. This might be seen as the new normal, however, it heightened the threat for those who lack digital literacy to fall prey on the hands of cyber criminals.

According to the data of Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), the National Operational Support Unit (NOSU) responsible for implementing relevant cybercrime legislation and advocating the PNP’s anti-cybercrime campaign, 12,249 cases of cybercrimes were committed from 2013 up to June 2019 alone, and the figures will rise even more when cyber defense is at its most vulnerable state due to the shift of focus towards the health crisis.

Banks and electronic money (e-money) issuers also have bigger roles to play with the surge of electronic commerce (e-commerce).

They need to increase and to enhance their security measures in order to protect their clients against cyber threats. The significant rise in the use of e-money has been noted by the Philippine Payments Management Inc., the organization helping Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to shift the country to e-commerce.

This 2020, E-payment platforms such as Instapay and PESONet have recorded a massive amount of PhP96 billion and PhP57 billion, respectively in digital transactions from pre-lockdown period in January up to the month of April alone. These figures are surely enticing to the eyes of cybercriminals leading them to attack individuals, networks,

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

businesses, and organizations even more.

The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, also known as Republic Act 10175, sets out legalities to combat offenses relating to contents such as cybersex, child pornography, and libel that can be committed via a computer system as well as penalizes unsolicited commercial or web advertisements.

With RA 10175, majority of people will

be aware of a particular cybercrime scheme called “Phising”, where criminals con their victims to supply personal information, as well as passwords, and even card numbers, through fake websites that look similar to the official ones in order to commit fraud or other crimes.

The internet has helped us to do business and work within the comfort of our homes. We live in an era where cyber security is crucial.With

We live in an era where cyber security is crucial.

With the country encouraging its citizens to stay, learn or work from home, now is the moment to be more alert in the online world, whether it’s for yourself or your workplace. be able to report illegal online activities and have them punished under the law. However, online resiliency is still of utmost importance, hence, there are basic precautionary measures to follow. First, trust only authorized platforms and individuals when dealing with finance-related matters online. Banks have warned their clients to

the country encouraging its citizens to stay, learn or work from home, now is the moment to be more alert in the online world, whether it’s for yourself or for your workplace. Whether we like it or not, cybercrime will continue to evolve with new threats daily.

Stay vigilant.

Artwork Romari Charlz F. Diaz

SID ING

Ni June Ivan S. Gumban

PEOPLE & SOCIETY

Cancelling Cancel Culture

You and I can be cancelled but the question is, who gives the right to cancel?

SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

By Romari Charlz F. Diaz Artwork & Infographics Romari Charlz F. Diaz

A few centuries ago, mass hysteria and moral panic would steer people to target and attack one another by means of participating on so-called “witch-hunts,” which are perpetrated to expose subversive activities or actions committed by individuals whom they tag as “witches.” Such “tags”, with or without compelling reasons, resulted to an estimated number of 40,000 public executions.

010 THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Today, thanks to modern technology, angry mobs would not need to make much effort in sharpening their pitchforks or lighting up their torches, rallying down on streets in order to drive their villain or villainess out of town. Instead, they can now easily google one’s private information, flood hateful comments on his or her social media accounts, and have him or her virtually boycotted in a single press of a button, or as what millennials say, or rather tweet, #cancelled.

SIGNING UP IN THE BANDWAGON OF HATE Online shaming has been around since the dawn of social media but call-out culture or cancel culture as some have branded it, entered into a new league in the last few years.

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word ‘cancel’ has already gotten a new use. Cancel culture refers to people, usually famous personalities, being boycotted in response to their objectionable behavior (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.) or opinions which goes against with the masses’.

The idea of cancel culture has taken hold due to conversations prompted by the #MeToo movement and other issues that demand greater accountability from public figures. For others, cancel culture serves as a megaphone for marginalized voices but for some media experts, it is a dangerous trend that can create an echo chamber of outrage while oversimplifying complex issues to go viral or to appeal with the masses for social belongingness.

In an interview with Good Morning America, author and psychologist Dr. Jean Twenge explained that cancel culture has taken the social rejection and ostracism into the next level for how ubiquitous information can be, leading to more extreme and harmful cases of social rejection because of the uncontrollable nature of social media.

“Social media amplifies one’s insecurities and inadequacies… a person’s behavior on social media becomes polarized. You get bashers and you get likers—there’s nothing in between.”

DEATH BY A MOUSECLICK Usually, hatred on the internet does not lead to physical death, just death of reputation.

There are plenty of ways to cancel someone. Sometimes, it is just a general boycott party on social media. In other cases, however, cancellations are accompanied by mass unfollowings, declines in sales and subscriptions, loss of contracts, and even death threats. If you love Harry Potter books, then you might have already read the latest addition to the series, “Harry Potter and the Author Who Failed Us.” Jokes aside, the phrase trended after the famous author J.K. Rowling published a transphobic statement which was then called out as “problematic” by the people of internet.

Rowling’s statement became so controversial that most of her fans have decided to boycott her completely. Even the actors she worked with the franchise of her novel have also retorted against her sentiments.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe, “Harry Potter” himself, wrote a heartfelt disagreement to Rowling which has caused waves of negative headlines directed towards the author. Soon enough, the hashtag #JKRowlingIsOverParty has been trending worldwide.

In the Philippines, numerous celebrities and famous personalities have also been slammed left and right by keyboard warriors for countless reasons.

One of the most recent is about a vlogger named Buknoy, who has been a subject of online criticisms after he insensitively mocked a tricycle driver in his vlog. In a now-deleted video, Buknoy said that if a person won’t strive hard for his dreams, he will end up as a tricycle driver. Netizens and other vloggers called-him out for his behavior, trending #BuknoyIsOverParty.

Surely, his statement created a storm of negative comments that it even pressured him to release an apology video. In the aforementioned video, he said that he was greatly perturbed by the turmoil people on social media have caused him, saying that it has affected his well-being specifically his mental health.

In an interview with Phil de Leon, a psychologist and former faculty of the University of the Philippines Diliman, she explained that social media is a significant factor that might trigger depression to a person.

“Social media amplifies one’s insecurities and inadequacies… a person’s behavior on social media becomes polarized.You get bashers and you get likers—there’s nothing in between,” she said.

A study published by the International Journal of Epidemiology (IJE) also shows that those from the millennial generation are indeed more prone to depression and self-harming behaviors than they were a decade ago because of major factors brought about by social media especially online bashing.

LOGGING OUT OF TOXICITY Nowadays, millennials have been very loud or critical towards various social and political issues or in their language ‘woke.’

When someone posts something that is deemed problematic by the public and then deletes it after being called-out, chances are it has already been screenshot and added into the checklist of “whose life will face the people’s outrage the next day”. In 2019, searches for the phrase “cancel culture” have surged in Google Trends as YouTubers James Charles and Tati Westbrook publicly ended their friendship over a brand deal. It then skyrocketed when US President Barrack Obama came out with his take on call-out culture.

Cancel culture is a byproduct of the general public’s advocacy for justice on social media. It comes from a great place, but it has also become so toxic. The frenzy of relentless online bullying sometimes provokes the individual to lose their sights of hope and the idea that they can redeem themselves and change for the better.

EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY While most netizens often do these things in a place of positivity, they should also recognize that they are somehow restricting the conversation and silencing others. If they advocate tolerance for their views, then they must also be ready to be held accountable in the same ideals.

When you cancel someone, it is not like a product you order online.

It is a human being.You are basically sending mass amounts of message to this person to either shut up, disappear, or it could also be interpreted as kill yourself.

Free speech remains the backbone of a free society. For everybody to enjoy freedom, liberty needs to be strengthened with both equity and accountability. Without equity, there will be no freedom as those in power will be able to oppress others. Without accountability, liberty can become the most destructive freedom of all– impunity.

In the end, cancel culture is like playing with fire, so regardless of which side you are on, make sure you are prepared to be held accountable for your actions.

Here’s What To Do When You Argue!

Try to assess the situation carefully.

Even if the other party seems unreasonable, it is never a successful approach to seek invalidation of their feelings and opinions.

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It is tough to have a discussion over a very sensitive topic so show them that you care enough to correct them in a non-discriminatory manner.

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Keep in mind that the other party is a unique individual who thinks their intentions are good. Generalizing them might make them feel as if they’re in a very hostile environment where they can’t trust people who dislike, dehumanize, and disagree with them.

Be more specific. If you want to have rewarding disagreements, try to steer the argument away from the moral domain. Talk about exactly what you know, observe, feel, and are asking for, not about your moral judgements and labels of the other party.

Establish a common ground and commend their valid points in an argument before critiquing them.

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Consider that you have personal biases and the other side may be at least partially correct.

Be rational. Always remember that there is more to the story than what you’re currently aware of.

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Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

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PEOPLE & SOCIETY

Lust in Naked Society SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

It is 2020, the world is opening up to once obscure ideas. and he only thing it needs to close down to is your twisted mentality on sexual harassment and rape culture.

By Jeff G. Tolentino Photographs Rotsen C. Agreda Infographics Geremy T. Gallenero

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Adam to God: “Eve tempted me.”

The sun descended from its throne after a long day’s feat, the streets began to be illuminated by the incandescent lights from the posts on the side, some were of great luminescence and others just managed to flicker . Knocking on the pavement was her three-inch high stilettoes as she staggered her way into an intersection from her apartment. Her red dress danced gracefully as it hugged the contours of her body with a thread of two ropes that barely managed to hold what seems to bulge out of her breast. Men suddenly started to linger along her path, enticed more than ever.

“Pssssst! Ka gwapa sa imo miss ba.”

“Sa diin ka makadto ta? Hapit diri anay miss.”

“Sexy, ano ngalan mo?”

These were just some of the phrases she recalled as she hustled her way through the barrage of lewd words thrown at her. She knew it was going to happen, but in her mind, she firmly believes that her choice of dress and fashion is not an excuse to be sexually harassed.

“We live in a society where there exists a mentality that being sexually harassed is linked to how a woman wears a dress or in how much skin is being shown by her body. Our choice of fashion is being suggested to be discreet in order that men would not be tempted to commit acts of sexual harassment. It is disappointing that our ways have improved so much but this mentality is still cornered to such belief,” shared Jane Mariel Labordo, one of the many women who have experienced sexual harassment.

IN BETWEEN CHOICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Sexual harassment has been the spotlight of controversy whether it relates to someone’s choice of fashion or if it’s a state of mentality that can be controlled and disciplined.

In a study conducted by Johnson and Workman entitled “Clothing and Attributions Concerning Sexual Harassment”, it was established that “models in provocative clothing are more likely to provoke sexual harassment and to be sexually harassed than the models in non-provocative clothing.” Thus, born an assumption linked to false evidence that a way a women dresses is likely to provoke sexual assault or rape.

Rather than see it as an established response of men, an article published in the Independent Dr. Hannah Bows of Centre of Research into Violence and Abuse at Durham University, emphasized the depressing side in which despite awareness raising campaigns from rape crisis, there is still a pocket of society that does not have full understanding of myths that surround sexual assault and rape.

“To commit an act of sexual harassment, assault, or rape is to be conscious of your choices. And like other choices, you can choose not to. I’ve heard on the news a father raping his daughter, or men assaulting women whose clothes reveal only their eyes. It matters not

what a woman wears but men controlling their lust and this stigma that the society believes is debunked,” added Labordo.

UPROOTING THE CAUSE A more conclusive evidence that sexual harassment, assault, and

“We live in a society where there exists a mentality that being sexually harassed is linked to how a woman wears a dress or in how much skin is exposed in her body.” rape are not only limited to dresses but represents a state of mental well-being has been epitomized by the twitter account “MANYAKS OF UPV” after it tweeted leaked screenshots of predatory sexual behavior of the male members of the UPV Scintillia Jvris fraternity of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV).

The screenshots included messages on sexual harassment, slut shaming, and homophobia. Nude photos of young women which also included close friends and past relationships were also posted and had sexually objectifying comments on them.

Triggering social media submissions from UPV students and faculty, the post had victims to share their own stories of being harassed and even raped.

“A woman’s body must always be respected no matter the situation is. Sexual harassment in any form or through the use of any medium must never be encouraged in fraternities,” shared Nera Gange, an alumnus of UPV. Netizens from various social media platforms were also into the matter as they shunned the fraternity’s behavior. To uphold order, the UPV administration over the “social media fiasco” ensured an investigation in the matter with “no stone unturned” and promising to impose appropriate sanctions upon those responsible.

“The University strives to promote and protect the rights of everyone in our community. We will not tolerate any form of harassment or attack against anybody. We are committed to ensuring that UP Visayas remains a safe place for all,” stressed UPV Office of the Chancellor in a statement released to the media.

The acts of sexual harassment and its forms have been embedded in the narrative of human history and the mentality that it was the victim’s fault that he or she was assaulted has rooted deep into society may it be in simple way of dressing or in the form of a brotherhood

VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

13

or sisterhood.

“From my perspective, any organization has the right to expel members who committed grave abuses and misconduct especially if it goes against their fundamental codes. Regardless if the organization is built for brotherhood/ sisterhood among members.As a part of a functional society, they must also adhere to its laws,” shared Earl Jeroh Bacabac, a UPV-Miag-ao student.

ONE OF THE MANY Republic Act 11313 or the “Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act” seeks to prohibit genderbased streets and public spaces sexual harassment.

This includes catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexual slurs.

Centered in protecting rights of women and men, the law holds opportunities in alleviating the burden of sexual harassment of men and women in society as well as to break gender associated norms and vulgarities. It gives emphasis in giving respect and being careful of the words that may be insulting to different gender including the LGBTQ community.

Under this law, local government units are mandated to implement ordinance in accordance with the law together with the Philippine National Police as its hand.Those who are found guilty will be fined PhP 1,000 to 100,000 and may also be imprisoned for one month.

THE STRONGHOLD OF WOMEN Sexual harassment in any form has proven to be a burden not only to the ones who have experienced it but also to the society itself. The stigma that envelopes this mentality in which victim blaming is a natural resort to justify such acts needs to be debunked. A woman’s choice of fashion serves as an extension of expressing herself and should not be used as an excuse to commit such acts.

“There are many women in our society who are being harassed. I am not the only one.

But this also applies to women all over the world that stand up.They are not the only ones.

Together, we hold the stronghold of women against sexual harassment,” Labordo shared.

With a smile in her face, she mustered her breath in a forceful sigh. She built her confidence in expressing herself despite the lustful peering eyes around her. In her back, she holds a stronghold of women centered in battling sexual harassment. And she is not alone.

“It was never the dress nor the situation that decides, it is you,” Labordo concluded.

014 THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Violations are punishable by PhP 1,000 to Php 10,000, eight hours of community service or up to six months in prison depending on the frequency of the offense (1st, 2nd or 3rd offense)

BINABOY

Ni June Ivan S. Gumban

PEOPLE & SOCIETY

The Loops on Hook Ups Biologically craved and morally opposed. He who has not explored it knows nothing of its other side.

By Xena Hyacinth Estiñoso Artworks June Ivan S. Gumban and Geremy T. Gallenero Infographics June Ivan S. Gumban SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Saturday. The calendar lying next to her reads. *Agatha with her burgeoning consciousness held her breath as she slipped her way out of bed careful not to disturb the calmness that slumbers with it. It is the morning after another wild night, the sun creeped through the window, illuminating the unfamiliar room with a warm glow. “Who would have thought you can be both an angel and a devil in bed?” she playfully whispered as she pulled the blanket to cover the stranger’s exposed breasts.

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

SPELL TO HELL The morality that surrounds the concept of sex is rooted within cultural belief and practices of society.These varies for every culture around the world. The Philippines with more than 86 percent of the population being Roman Catholic, would determine the general morality of sex in accordance to the teachings of the Catholic Church which according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2361 “Sexuality, by means of which man and woman give themselves to one another through the acts which are proper and exclusive to spouses, is not something simply biological, but concerns the innermost being of the human person as such.”

Hence, the persistence of explicit condemnation of sexual taboos is influenced by the strong presence of the Catholic Church in the country.

The only sexual behavior which the church considers to be moral and legal is heterosexual sex within a monogamous marriage. Any other sexual variation is deemed as a “spell to hell.” Dr. Jose Florante J. Leyson wrote in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality that the influence of the Roman Catholic Church is still hemogenic to over 90 percent of the Filipino population.

WITH STRINGS ATTACHED A brief uncommitted sexual encounter between individuals who are not romantic partners can be condensed into four types: one-night stand, booty call, sex buddies, and friends with benefits.

In 2014, a nationwide survey by the Demographic Research and Development Foundation and University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) revealed that 4 in every 100 Filipino youth has had sex with someone they met online.With 19.2 million youth in the Philippines, the survey translated to 1.4 million Filipino youth who had engaged in casual sex. The same survey also stated that 600, 000 young people had experienced having a sex partner, and approximately 1 million young men had sex with other men.

This shift from conservatism to sexual liberalism has been greatly influenced by the advent of technology, the internet, and the hypersexualized media.

Sexual liberalism, as part of history’s cultural revolution has been accompanied by various milestone such as the rise of automobiles and the feminist uprising in the 1960’s. However, as much as the automobile’s vast expansion and women’s rights recognition in today’s time, sexual liberalism remains aloof in progressing into acceptance in the Philippines’ conservative setting.

A LOOK ON WHY IT HOOKS While conventionally perceived as shameful, irrational, impulsive, destructive, and immoral, there are other accounts from those who hook up that refutes these negative notions.

“At first I was pretty conservative about the fact that sex is an immoral thing to do if it is done outside marriage, but I also cannot deny the fact that there is an urge and a need for sex.” Proving that hook ups can also be unimpulsive, Adam who is a former seminarian and now a university professor said on an interview with The Augustinian.

A study entitled “Who Benefits from Casual Sex? The Moderating Role of Sociosexuality,” published on SAGE Journals (2014), has suggested multiple moderating factors that contribute of how casual sex is likely to affect one’s psychological wellbeing.

‘Sociosexuality’ has given definition as “the individual difference in the willingness to engage in sexual activity outside of a committed relationship.” The study found out that casual sex in sociosexually unrestricted subjects have improvements in psychological wellbeing. On the other hand, psychological wellbeing of sociosexually restricted subjects were unaffected no matter what the gender of the two groups.

“I don’t have any regrets at all. Some of them who I hooked up with turned out to be really good friends [of mine]. And that might sound shallow, but for someone who was very insecure of her body, this a great lesson. It boosts my self-esteem, “said Agatha.

CROOKS IN THE HOOK Nonetheless, the negatives surrounding the hook up culture are definite and cannot be undermined –such as that of increased health risk, unplanned pregnancies and psychological or emotional distress.

teenagers to engage in casual sex. The research found that the growing use of mobile dating apps among young gay men is a major factor in the HIV epidemic among teenagers in Asia.

Consequently, a 2019 report by the Joint United Nations program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) disclosed that of the 77,000 people living with HIV in the Philippines, more than 19,000 of this belong to the 15-24 age group.

The likelihood of unprotected sex, which can lead to the contraction of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, during hook ups is high because of the spontaneity of these encounters. On a 2009 survey conducted for the research “Hooking Up and Sexual Risk Taking Among College Students: A Health Belief Model Perspective”, presented that approximately half of their respondents report being unconcerned about the risks of contracting STIs. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, senate committee on basic education prodded the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DEPED) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to strengthen their interventions to protecting the youth from sexually transmitted diseases and to curb teenage pregnancies.

ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES

AND

Sexual regret associated with casual sex vary between male and female. A 2012 study titled “Feelings of Regret Following Uncommitted Sexual Encounters in Canadian University Students “, showed that females experience more sexual regrets than males. While males are more ON HEALTH AND UNPLANNED likely to report sexual regret over their choice of PREGNANCIES sexual partner and partner attractiveness, females’ A 2015 United Nations study revealed regrets are more related to feeling of shame or of that dating apps provide an expanded option for being used.

Several researches also stated the correlation between casual sex and psychological distress including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and reduced life satisfaction. Studies which specifically examine sexual hook ups and its adverse health outcomes suggest that engaging in a hook up and several hook up partners relate to greater symptoms of depression. A 2011 study on young adults’ emotional reactions after hooking up encounters says that those who have greater sexual regrets are more likely to report poor psychological well-being.

The distress and regret are also closely linked to the social consequences of casual sex more specifically to women. A 2013 study “A Double Standard for “Hooking Up”: How Far Have We Come Toward Gender Equality?” stated that women continue to face the stigma and criticisms for hooking up. Thus, making women more susceptible to feelings of sexual regret, disappointment, confusion, isolation and of being used.

WHERE THE LOOP MEETS Late February this year, GMA network published an article and documentary on its show of IJuander: Hook-up culture, nauuso na nga ba sa Pilipinas? Rica Cruz, sex therapist and an educator from Ateneo De Manila University weighed in the culture on this episode.

Cruz emphasized that if one wishes to participate in the culture, regardless of values and beliefs one should prioritize one’s safety above all else. The sense of responsibility one has of his or her own body comes from his or her knowledge, readiness and willingness of what he or she is getting himself or herself into.

Surely, casual sex is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Society’s stance on the hook up culture is a mixed bag. Many worry that these sexual encounters without long-term commitment are indicative of moral decline. Meanwhile, others believe that the hookup culture is a movement towards a more inclusive society that is more empowering and all-respecting of one’s personal decisions of his/ her body.

Leaving the room of the stranger she only knows by first name, Agatha grabbed her phone and typed in the message “Thank you! I had fun.”

And on the back of her head, silently wishing that it really is all fun and nothing more. *Not her real name.

DEBUNK

VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

17

PEOPLE & SOCIETY

#PUV Libre Sakay:

Ang Paglalakbay Tungo Sa Modernisasyon Superhero ng masa, panibagong hamon sa kalsada.

Ni Marlyn Rose B. Marcelo Dibuho & Illustrasyon ni Romari Charlz F. Diaz SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Sa ayaw at sa gusto ng madla, muling magbabago ang nakasanayang paraan ng transportasyon sa Pilipinas; Mula sa paglalakad na walang sapin sa paa, sa paggamit ng kalabaw at kalesa na naging tren, bus, trak, at iba pa.

Ngunit sa kabila nang pag-unlad ng mga sasakyan, ang jeepney pa rin ang tumatak sa mamamayang Pilipino.

UGAT NG NAKARAAN Noong ika-18 siglo, sinimulang ipinakilala sa Pilipinas ang kalesa at naging saksi ng kasaysayan ng bansa. Noong 1910, may mangilan-ngilan ng sasakyang de-motor sa ka-Maynilaan. Noong matapos ang ikalawang digmaan, daan-daang US Military jeeps ang ibinenta at ipinamigay ng mga Amerikano sa mga Pilipino na naging kilala rin dahil sa mga makukulay nitong palamuti. Ito ang ginamit ng karamihan sa pamamasada, pangangalakal,

18

THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

at paglalakbay.

Sa pag-usbong ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas, natutong gumamit ang mga Pilipino ng iba pang paraang pangtransportasyon, ngunit ang jeepney pa rin ang naging kilala sa bansa. Sa katunayan, ngayo’y may itinatayang 220,000 na yunit ng mga jeepney ang nag-ooperate sa bansa.

Kamakailan, ang gobyerno ay naglayong sugpuin ang lumalalang kaso ng polusyon sa hangin ng bansa kung kaya’t ang industriya ng jeepney ay nahaharap sa isyung papalitan ito ng mas modernong sasakyan dahil sa masamang dulot ng usok nito sa kalikasan.

ABENIDA NG PAGBABAGO Noong June 19, 2017, ang Kagawaran ng Transportasyon ng Pilipinas ay naglunsad ng Department Order No. 2017-011 o Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) na may modernong pananaw sa sektor ng transportasyon sa pagpapangalaga at pagpapanatili nang maayos na kapaligiran ngayong 2020. Una itong nailunsad ng Land

Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board o LTFRB noong 2015.

Sa ilalim ng programang ito ng administrasyong Duterte, papalitan ng modernong PUV ang tatanggaling mga jeepney, bus, at iba pang mga Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) na nasa 15 taong gulang.

Layunin nitong bigyan ang mga jeepney drivers and operators ng matatag at sapat na kabuhayan, at bigyan ng mas komportable at ligtas na paglalakbay ang mga pasahero maging ang mga buntis at Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Ayon sa keynote speech ni LTFRB Chairman Atty. Martin B. Delgra III, ang pangunahing layunin ng gobyerno sa pagpapatupad ng programa ay mabigyan ang bawat Pilipino ng komportableng pamumuhay sa pamamagitan ng modernisasyon sa “sektor ng mga jeepney”.

Kaugnay ng lumalalang isyung pangkapaligiran sa bansa, ang programang jeepney modernization ay malilimitahan ang paggamit ng lumang jeepney na nagbubuga

na magtaas din ng pamasahe dahil malaki ‘yong obligasyon nila na ibabayad sa bangko,” ani ni de Luna sa isang panayam sa ABS-CBN news.

Samantala, patuloy na ipinaglalaban ng mga operators at jeepney drivers ang kanilang mga hinaing alang-alang sa pangkabuhayan na matitigil dahil sa pag-usbong ng mga modernong sasakyang panlupa.

“Ang laban namin ang aming kabuhayan at saka kabuhayan din ng aming pasahero,” dagdag pa ni De Luna.

Ayon pa kay Raymundo Parcon, presidente ng Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, ang mga jeepney drivers ay hindi tutol sa transport modernization, sa katunayan inorganisa nila ang Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) upang makakuha ng mga modernong jeepney batay sa iniutos ng DOTr. Sa kabila ng mga hinaing ng mga jeepney drivers at operators, hindi pa rin mapipigilan ang pagpapatupad ng PUV modernization.

Samantala, sa kabila nang pagbabagong ito, hindi rin matitibag sa puso’t isipan ng mga tao na ang jeepney ang simbolo ng kalsada na patuloy lalakbayin ang daan tungo sa mas maunlad at modernong panahon. Tulad ng mga gulong ng jeepney, patuloy na iikot sa daloy at agos ng buhay ng bawat mamamayang Pinipino ang hari ng kalsada.

Mga pangkaligtasang gabay tuwing sasakay o babyahe sa pampublikong Pinagkuhanan: DOTr sasakyan para iwas Covid-19.

1. Palaging magsuot ng face mask at face shield kapag sasakay ng pampublikong sasakyan o sa tuwing lalabas ng bahay.

2. Magbaon ng sariling alcohol o sanitizer.

Kung nakalimutang magdala, gamitin ang disinfectants na isinabit ng mga drayber sa tuwing sasakay at bababa ng sasakyan. ng maitim na usok na may nakakapinsalang gas tulad ng Carbon Monoxide.

“The plan of the government is to bring pollution levels down, because many of our old Jeepneys contribute to air pollution,” pagsang-ayon ni Edgardo Madelo, isang jeepney driver sa Butuan City, sa panayam ng Changing Transport Organization.

Ang PUVMP ay isa ring comprehensive system reform na babaguhin ang industriya ng public land transportation at maging ang franchising system. Magtatampok ito ng repormang pangregulasyon at magtatakda ng bagong patnubay para sa pagpapalabas ng prangkisa sa serbisyong pangkalsada at pampublikong transportasyon.

Magbibigay din ito ng bagong ruta at tamang lugar para magbaba ng mga pasahero.

UMAALINGAWNGAW NA SIGAW Sa kabila ng mga epekto nito, ang ilan sa mga jeepney drivers at operators ay umarangka pa rin at lumahok sa malawakang tigilpasada noong 2019 upang ipahayag ang pagtutol sa planong phase out ng mga jeepney at UV Express ngayong taon.

Tinatayang aabutin ng PhP 2.5M ang kabuuang presyo ng mga modernong unit ng jeepney, kung kaya’t ayon kay Efren de Luna, pangulo ng Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), masyadong mahal ang mga bagong unit ng jeepney.

“Ang halaga ay P2.5 million, mapipilitan ngayon ‘yan (tsuper)

3. Kung walang automatic fare collection system ang sasakyan, mas piliin na mag abot na lamang ng bayad mismo sa drayber bago sumakay o di kaya’y kapag bababa na.

4. Tandaan na maari lamang umupo sa mga pwestong may marka para mapanatili ang physical distancing.

5. Idi-disinfect ang mga sasakyan pagkatapos ng bawat biyahe. Kung tuloytuloy ang operasyon nito, kailangan mag-disinfect kada 3 oras.

6. Kung merong sintomas ng Covid-19 gaya ng ubo o lagnat, piliing huwag na lamang bumyahe at agad na tumawag sa pinakamalapit na healthcare facility.

VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

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LIFE IN PANDEMIC

The (Hunger) Game Changer Gone are the days of dine ins. Instead, you grab your phone and in one press of a button, there goes your food.

By Romari Charlz F. DIaz

Artwork & Infographics Romari Charlz F. Diaz

SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Inhale. Exhale. A middle-aged guy took a short break on a roofed sidewalk. Panting for breath, he grabbed a can of soda from the mounted thermobox on his motorbike as he gazed at the colorful but empty storefronts of a used to be buzzing downtown area. After a short while of finishing his drink, his phone rang signaling him to wear his helmet and ignite the engine of his scooter once again. Armed with a pocket sanitizer, mask, and gloves, his long day of delivering food orders from a mobile application continues.

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

OF MEALS AND WHEELS With restaurants and fast-food chains half empty, one would conclude that a lot of people have resorted to take outs and ordering their food online. And by that, one would assume greater business opportunity for food delivery drivers, right?

“Wrong!” says *Rudy, a bike courier who has been working for an online food delivery platform since the beginning of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

During the lockdown, travels were extremely restricted to just acquiring basic needs, hence, delivery couriers became the public’s lifeline for getting items or buying food cravings from their favorite local shops. Business opportunity for food delivery is indeed good, but for Rudy, he disagreed not because of the booming industry, but for the disadvantages of his job as a delivery guy.

For more than ever, this pandemic has pushed almost everyone to go online - making delivery drivers to have more interactions with various individuals in numerous places leaving them more prone to

contacting the disease.

“I’m afraid of COVID-19, but I’m much more scared of not being able to feed my family,” Rudy exhausted on a video call via Facebook messenger. “This scenario is really crazy because we’re out there sending food to households with young and old people who are the ones most vulnerable to the virus. I’m at risk of giving the disease to them, and I’m also at risk of acquiring it, and also my family,” he explained.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), having close contact with people infected by COVID-19 when picking up or delivering food or groceries, or by touching surfaces they have touched or handled is high-risk.

Online food delivery services have been sought after even before the lockdown especially in the metro. Now that the pandemic has made online transactions essential, millions of consumers opt to get their food served in a simple click of the button instead of dining in a restaurant or

transactions. The driver takes the order online, goes to the restaurant, buys the item and then pays for it with his personal money. In this case, if the customer cancels the order, the delivery driver will be left with items he doesn’t want or need in the first place-bought with cash he could have taken home to feed or to buy medicine for his family.

One of the pranks that went viral on the internet was when a 13-year-old vlogger ordered PhP 364,000 worth of McDonalds from GrabFood and then goes to cancel it. Luckily, the rider hasn’t paid for the food yet.

Another delivery guy was forced to sell 14 large cups of milk tea which cost PhP1,900 after his customer did not show up to claim the ordered items.

These facetious acts committed to delivery drivers are not funny pranks at all but are considered punishable crimes committed against people who are just true to their jobs.

In today’s fast-paced society, people are constantly on-the-go.

With the changes the pandemic has brought, more and more people are basically doing everything online – including eating.

OF UNPAID BILLS AND HOUSE BILLS

cooking their own meals.

The latest data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) published last June 2019 shows that there has been a 0.05 percent growth rate on online food industry from 2016 to 2017. The numbers will even rise especially now that everyone is stuck in their homes because of the quarantine.

Imagine having the option of anything within your city delivered to you within 15 minutes, who would turn that down? Sad to say, some people are also taking ill advantage of the delivery game.

ONE HAS TO PAY At least once, you have seen a lengthy Facebook post of how a good Samaritan came across a dejected delivery guy with unclaimed orders from pranksters who are ordering food and then canceling at the last minute when the delivery guy has already collected and paid for the items.

The way most of these delivery services works is through cash

Food

Because of encounters like these, a bill has been filed by Bicol Party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin to hold these bogus buyers and pranksters liable.

Under the House Bill 6958 or the Food and Grocery Delivery Services Safety Act, it is unlawful for a customer to cancel confirmed orders for the delivery of food or grocery items when they are already paid by the rider or when they are on their way for delivery.Those who are found accountable shall be penalized by a fine of PhP100,000 or six to 12 years in jail.

In today’s fast-paced society, people are constantly on-the-go.

With the changes the pandemic has brought, more and more people are basically doing everything online – including eating.

Although it was reported by CDC that the chances of contacting the virus through the medium of food delivery, packaging, or the food itself is marginally low, Rudy and his fellow delivery guys know that there is a necessity to take more precautions while doing their job.

“While [we are] hoping for this pandemic to end, we cannot risk the safety of our customers as well as ourselves. As we wait for the vaccine or a cure to be made, we should not forget [to] follow health protocols and ensure proper hygiene. People should always wear mask, and avoid going outside of their houses if not necessary, after all, we, delivery guys, are here to run errands for you,” said Rudy.

The advancement of technology has indeed helped the way people get everything they want without any hassle. The online food delivery business is no doubt beginning to claim the throne from the typical dine in scene of the food industry and it will continue to reign for the long *Not his real name. run with the impact brought about by this pandemic.

Safety

and

COVID-19

Currently, the risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from food products, food packaging, or bags is thought to be low. However, it is important to follow these food delivery safety practices.

1

Accept deliveries without person to person contact. If possible, request for items to be left in a safe spot outside your house. Otherwise, stay at least six feet away from the delivery person.

2

Pay your orders online. If you must handle money, keep in mind to use a hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol content right after the transaction.

3

Clean and disinfect any surfaces in your home that may have been touched by the delivery guy.

4

Remove food and other items from takeout containers and dispose single use packaging. If using reusable bags, wash and sanitize them after each use.

5

Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before consuming food.

Source: www.cdc.gov VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

21

LIFE IN PANDEMIC

Panubok: Stitches of Hope Panay-Bukidnon Tribe becomes the means for living through these trying times

By Honey Mabelle A. Villarba Photographs Jeff Ticao Creations Infographics June Ivan S. Gumban

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Stitch. A flower pattern. Stitch. A motif inspired by nature. Stitch. An intricate design of a bird. With her frail hands that mastered a century-old form of art, she painstakingly inserted the thread to the needle’s eye, and there she began the act of embroidering, bearing the heartfelt purpose of her designs. Every stitch has a story, and this one, is about survival.

“They are struggling as they cannot sell their harvested crops due to the limitations exposed by the lockdown and meet their clients who buy their crafts,” Jeff Ticao, the designer who coordinated with them said as he let his fingers trace the pattern sewed upon the masks.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an on-going crisis which left many people in a state of affliction especially those who do not have two nickels to rub together. Henceforth; the Panay-Bukidnon Tribe, with their century old Panubok (traditional embroidery of PanayBukidnon women), had been utilizing art expression as their primary source of income to escalate them from the loophole of an unseen enemy had put them into. With eyes flickering of hope, making use of their well-preserved embroidery as a means of living had been a source of relief for this tribe, and most importantly - a constant reminder that

masks nowadays, the fashionable trend of wearing them had been gaining popularity too. Thus, the Tumandok Mask Series offered a quality sewn washable mask with three ply (denim, water resistant filter, and cotton) in the course of promoting traditional art and culture as well.

Consequently, upon visiting the National Museum in the Visayas to attend their workshop last October,Ticao learned the basics of Panubok and made it his mission to be of aid to the PanayBukidnon tribe during the pandemic and to expose the glamor of their arts, too.The masks are priced PhP550 and proceeds are being divided so those involved can benefit from it. “I love working with them as it is fun! I really am into working with the local artisans for I love seeing their arts and hearing their wonderful stories,” continued Ticao.

Truly, coordinating with the local tribe had been a beneficial mission not just for them but for the locals of Calinog, too.

A WAY FORWARD they can get through this pandemic destitution. fishbone, and “Tuko-tuko” which is support for their traditional house on the mountains.

THE WAY OF LIFE RARELY SEEN The Panay-Bukidnon ethnic tribe was Marking red as their most dominant color, they believed to be a part of the wider Visayan want to highlight how this symbolizes bravery ethnolinguistic group found in Central Panay. and likewise, the artistry of the Panay-Bukidnon Termed as “Panubok”, their traditional embroidery women. by the Panay Bukidnon women, is one of their primary sources of living along with farming. LAID BARE: BEHIND THE MAKING Presently living in the high mountains of Calinog, Following the occurrence of the in the barangays of Garangan and Masaroy, the COVID-19, an Ilonggo designer by the name of Panubok which came from the local word “tubok” Jeff Ticao initiated the ‘Tumandok: A Panubok bearing a meaning of “to embroider,” is being Mask Series’ which featured embroideries of the actively practiced by the women of the tribe as a Panay-Bukidnon women. Known for his dainty tangible expression of their art and craft. dresses, handmade garments and his creative use “Our art is a way to safeguard our culture of the local fabric Hablon,Ticao coordinated with and tradition,” Rowena Rafil, a local of the tribe a manunubok named Manang Regina Villanueva expressed. to produce denim face masks with embroideries The “Manunubok” refers to the by the tribe, showcasing their traditional art and embroiderers who have been making these authentic designs while helping them rise during patterns and designs since they were born. In the current health crisis. particular, the inspiration of their designs was “This surviving art has been passed from mainly found in their surroundings and nature. one generation to another. It is a reflection of Some of their significant patterns were; “Paku- a community’s culture, livelihood and dreams,” paku” inspired from creeks, “Sudli Kama” which expressed Ticao in an interview with Manang is the skin of a python snake, “Sikag-sikag” or Regina. Due to the prominent demand of face

“Embroidery is in our blood. It’s not just for money but also so we could pass it on the next generation. Our work will live on long after we’re gone,” a local of the Panay-Bukidnon tribe stated non-verbatim in a short film by Tin Villanueva in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). In high hopes of moving forward amid the challenging times, art has been the refuge these local artisans have long owned and shared to the world. The novelty of their century-old embroidery represents their culture and form of art expression. Meanwhile, Ticao, in great desire for people to prioritize local products, expressed, “The most powerful thing we can do is get involved locally. Help our local community and become a community activist in your own small circle. Love and wear local, Aton ini!”

Finally, though this global pandemic has put a stop on the usual way of living of her tribe, it is in her innate quality along with her people to keep going and hope for the best. This time, it is her tribe’s traditional embroidery that has been her way to safeguard not only their culture but their means of living as well. Heedfully upholding every story that lies within each stitch, in their arts, “long live” she wishes.

Mask Protection Efficienc y

Source:GuardiaMedical.com VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

23

CORONATION NIGHT

By Rotsen C. Agreda

LIFE IN PANDEMIC

E-ducation in the New Normal Discover how the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a revolution in education.

SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

By Glaiza Rae D. Amable Photographs Rotsen C. Agreda and Romari Charlz F. Diaz Artwork Romari Charlz F. Diaz Infographics Geremy T. Gallenero

Radiation-filled screen became the panorama of her sight, engulfing her eyeballs with an array of paperwork as it seeped through her mind, mercilessly slaughtering every ounce of drive and confidence left in herself. Clicking on the link to her online tasks, Jill carefully deemed that virtual instruction is increasingly dominating not just her collective head spaces, but also what her learnings are these days.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN In the aftermath of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) designation of the novel coronavirus as a global pandemic on March 11, schools across the world shut to contain the spread of the disease. As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.

Gary Berg explained in his article Distance Learning Education that distance or online learning is a form of education in which the main elements include physical separation of teachers and s t u d e n t s d u r i n g instruction and the use of various technologies to facilitate s t u d e n t teacher and student-student communication.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, with face-toface classes out of the picture, the new normal ushers a new way of educating students through blended learning that would not only use online platforms, but also printed modules, radio, and television.

“Homes that don’t necessarily have internet connectivity may have televisions.

And the most and the best-used approach, of course, is radio-based instruction,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones in a briefing in Malacañang on May 28.

FAR FROM READY As the sudden shift away from the classroom becomes inevitable in this trying times, the story on the ground is different.

Numerous posts on Facebook and Twitter have gone viral, showing Filipino students climbing trees, or even mountains, just to get a good internet signal for their classes. Such posts have outraged both netizens and student groups who have called out educational institutions

for prioritizing academic output over student welfare.

“Remember when we used to joke back in college that ‘quality education takes time?’ This is exactly what it is right now. We are still in a time of pandemic and crisis, and safety is still our utmost priority. Learning isn’t confined with the four walls of the classroom and personal interaction with your professor,” shared Michale Vincent Sarmiento, a restaurant manager, on his Facebook post.

Many students and groups have also called for an “academic freeze” as the country fights the pandemic. They pointed out that the coronavirus lockdown affected household finances, and many Filipinos do not even have access to a computer or the internet.

Meljhun Bermudez, a third-year student under the program of Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science at Central Philippine Unviversity (CPU) told The Augustinian, “With how the education in our country is running, it is difficult for us medical students to keep up with the learning modules. The way education is served nowadays is not justifiable.

We have insufficient resources and most importantly, no skill enhancing activities in a skill-based course. No one is actually ready, and academic freeze is most likely the best resolve for me.”

Mother Eddielyn Lozarita has the same

sentiments.

She noted that the lack of access to essentials for online learning is very much evident in the province. “We will have to buy load in order to connect to the internet. This would lead to additional expenses for the part of the parents,” said Lozarita.

TECH-SAVVY, TECH-READY While some believe that the unplanned and rapid move to online learning – with less training, insufficient bandwidth, and little preparation – will result in a poor user experience, others believe that a new hybrid model of education will emerge with significant benefits.

“I believe that the integration of information technology in education will be further accelerated and that online education will eventually become an integral component of school education,” shared Wang Tao, vice president of Tencent Cloud and Tencent Education in an interview with World Economic Forum.

Moreover, Teacher I Alyssa Chelsi Deloso of San Carlos Integrated School, who has been

VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

27

using Google Hangouts and Zoom to communicate with co-teachers and parents said, “Schools have switched to remote learning. Instead of living in fear about the uncertainty this online class brings us, we try to be open and to embrace the possibility that it can help bring the students fresh and new ideas on how to manipulate the technological tools.”

WALKING THE TIGHTROPE For those who do have access to the right technology, there is evidence that learning online can be more effective in a number of ways. According to the Research Institute of America, on average, students retain 25-60 percent more material when learning online

“Remember when we used to joke back in college that ‘quality education takes time?’ This is exactly what it is right now. We are still in a time of pandemic and crisis, and safety is still our utmost priority. Learning isn’t confined with the four walls of the classroom and personal interaction with your professor.” compared to eight-10 percent in a classroom. This is mostly due to the students being able to learn faster online; e-learning requires 4060 percent less time to learn than in a traditional classroom setting because students can learn at their own pace, going back and rereading, skipping, or accelerating through concepts as they choose.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of online learning still varies amongst access to technology by socioeconomic status, race, and/or gender. In 2000, an international article entitled Reference Services for the Adult Learner: Challenging Issues for the Traditional and Technological Era by Kwasi Sarkodie-Mensah shows that there remains a digital divide based on race or Hispanic origin, income and location. This is effectively shutting the lower socioeconomic and minority groups out of the opportunity to connect with the rest of the world, engage, and participate as a lifelong student.

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Various Learning Delivery Modalities in the New Normal

In the Philippines, only a fraction of public schools have access to the internet.

According to DepEd’s ICT Service Director Aida Yuvienco in her interview with GovInsider, the percentage of public schools which are connected to the internet is only 26 percent and nearly 5,000 public schools in remote areas don’t have access to electricity.

Since not all families and schools have the resources to get the required equipment for online learning, adding the data from Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which shows that the nation is far from being technologically advanced, being 83rd out of 138 countries, making learning effective during this pandemic is quite crucial.

up to schools, incorporating technology and overhauling the curriculum to match saying, “The department is working with the new Department of ICT to improve the ratio of schools with connectivity to the internet.”

On July, the government even announced US$37 million of new funding for public WiFi. In the first year of the project, 4,000 schools across the country will get WiFi hotspots among other public facilities.

As for the electricity problems, the government is procuring solar energy panels and solar-powered computers this year for those schools that cannot access the grid. Yuvienco expects these to be delivered in the first quarter of 2021.

disrupted an education system that many assert was already losing its relevance. Even if this viral spread subsides or a vaccination becomes readily available, the shift to virtual education will likely to continue presenting challenges of its own. Could the move to online learning be the catalyst to create a new, more effective method of educating students? While some worry that the hasty nature of the transition online may hinder this goal, others are hopeful that such phases of trouble shooting can provide universities, professors, and students the opportunity to practice adaptability, patience, and resilience.

Most importantly, may these experiences serve as preparation for future challenges that come with the next epidemic, pandemic, and other disasters.

For now, Jill is left with no choice, but BRIDGING SOLUTIONS AN IMPERATIVE, CHANGING to lethargically look at herself in the gallery However, Yuvienco is heading up the EDUCATION of faces while at the same time embrace education flank of the initiative to connecting It is clear that this pandemic has utterly e-learning as part of her “new normal.”

VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

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SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

LIFE IN PANDEMIC

SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

‘I-barter na!’ is the New Trend Adoption of the Ancient Trading Tradition in the Modern Society

By Pauline Marie A. Arada

Photograph Romari Charlz F. Diaz

A pre-loved book in exchange for a plant.

Mangoes in exchange for a flash drive. A man in his 50’s trading bed in exchange for a prayer. Bartering has been around for a very long time, however, it is not necessarily something that an economy or society has relied solely on.

COMMODIFYING CULTURE Legend has it that bartering was known from the Visayan epic known as Maragtas. It is believed that the epic refers to the ten Bornean chieftains who allegedly ventured to the Island of Panay.

Upon the arrival of the datus, the Aetas who were local inhabitants of the islands were frightened but Datu Puti, who was believed to be the leader among the ten Datus, said to Marikudo,

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Infographics June Ivan S. Gumban

the chief of the natives, that they had peaceful intentions.

Eventually, both parties entered into a trade alliance.

Marikudo invited the Datus to a feast, during which the ten chiefs negotiated the purchase of Panay Island for a shiny, domeshaped, headgear—the golden salakot. Others believed that there was also a golden necklace for Marikudo’s wife, Maniwantiwan.

Marikudo and his people bade farewell to the Borneans and went into the hills.

Since then, this legend has been a part of the culture and identity of Ilonggos and inhabitants of Panay Island.

Barter is a system of exchange where participants in a transaction directly exchange goods for other services without using a medium of exchange, such as money. It is an old culture of Filipinos where they trade unused items that can still be used by others regardless of value.

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, status quo of Iloilo City implements strict health protocols forcing Ilonggos

to stay at home, whereas people spend time decluttering and finding things that they do not need anymore, but could be beneficial for other people.

One of the members of the Iloilo Online Barter Community is Heizel Aspera, who currently lives in Dumangas, Iloilo City. In 2018, she started online selling with Perfect Skin organic beauty products. Not long after that, she saw her friend’s post regarding bartered items, utterly grabbed the curiosity to decide and join the barter community, also known as IBaCo Official.

“My first barter was my bread toaster, and it was indeed a success,” shared by Aspera with The Augustinian.

DECLUTTERING THE MIND Members conduct transactions online by posting photos and videos of items they wish to trade and products they want to exchange.

After a thorough agreement, participants will then deal how and where they can meet up with the person for the swap.

In an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA), Charity Delmo, founding member of the Iloilo Barter Community stated that exchange of goods and services among members is beneficial with the current pandemic.

“We also remind them to always be cautious when they do the actual bartering,” phrased Delmo.

The community is also helping its affiliate barter communities in Miagao, Lambunao, Calinog, Janiuay, and some parts of Aklan province.

“We are working on not just growing a community, but growing a sensitive community towards each other’s needs, with or without crisis,” stated Delmo.

Delmo also cited that bartering, being a global practice, has kept one city in Canada running for years. She also said that the cashless exchange helps Ilonggos cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the economy.

NEGLECTING DOWNTURNS Philstar Global website stated that various online barter communities had been established in cities such as Bacolod and Cebu where transactions saw an uptrend in recent months of lockdown. iPrice Group, a Malaysia-based e-commerce firm, found that at least 2.1 million Filipinos are members of Facebook groups, 72 percent of whom are based outside Metro Manila.

Furthermore, the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) worded that barter is the world’s oldest form of trade and is regulated under Executive Order 64 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2018. The EO also

established the Mindanao Barter Council tasked to supervise and to coordinate barter activities in the Philippines as published in Manila Bulletin.

A statement released by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez was also published in the website, “This is what I meant as illegal— those done in other areas or if done online and cross border or as a regular business in the course of trade—as these are not registered and not taxed.”

Later on, DTI has clarified that personal barter transactions are allowed only while those online business barter transactions are prohibited by law.

“On the other hand, DTI would like to clarify that personal transactions not in the course of trade and business are not covered by registration requirements,” added Lopez.

Furthermore, when done in business, value-added taxed are expected to be paid by companies and individuals engaged in the practice.

Aspera also stated that it is quite understandable that there will be complications regarding the barter system. She highlighted that some items being trade are limited unlike the money involvement system. It may also determine how trustworthy a person can be who inquires certification to prove that the trading is legitimate. Chances are, the services being exchanged may be defective items.

“The group admin already dealt with issue about the tax payment, as long as it is only pure barter and does not involve selling,” stated Aspera on tax related issue affecting their jobs.

On the other hand, Aspera also believed that bartering has many benefits since it does not only revolve in the course of cashless transaction but the foundation of connecting to other people with whom she shares the same interest with.

Amid the imposing of taxes against barter community, Paula Viegelmann-Ruelan, assistant vice president for reputation and brand management head of City Savings Bank sees bartering as a way for a lot of people to de-stress and witness a silver lining despite the challenges occurring.

“Bartering community flourished as a creative way for Filipinos to cope during this pandemic,” phrased Ruelan.

Bartering may not directly lift the global economy presently but it is an instrument to ease down the current predicament of Filipinos. This trend created a fusion of strengths that magnify during the times of monetary crisis. Although, there are also people who perceived that there is inefficiency in the Barter economy which may lead to potential problems. There will also be incompetency issues when it comes

to guaranteeing fair exchanges. This supports the fact that monetary system makes the exchange of goods and services more easily manageable.

Thus, the society should embrace this effective and profitable method of supplementing turnover.This is not just about the people trading but also a reinforcement of a utopian impact as part of the ‘new normal’ in the equitable economic growth of the country.

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ART & SOCIETY

Makeup Pitfalls Do’s and Don’ts

By Pauline Marie A. Arada Photographs Rotsen C. Agreda Infographics Romari Charlz F. Diaz

Beauty blunders in makeup routine that everyone seems to follow

SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

BB Cream. Blush. Lip balm. WHAT CAME FIRST Anyone would conceal their insecurities just by applying BB cream on their faces and a glowing rosy blush on the apples of cheeks— adding a final touch, they drew their lips with a lip balm to bleed out the natural colors of crimson red. Although it would eventually be replaced with new cosmetic trends; all those ardent pursuits of being the living canvas, would it eventually help them brush aside their flaws?

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

An article written by journalist, and fashion critic, Robin Givhan opined that in New York, London, Milan, and Paris— traditional fashion capitals of the world beauty codes have changed more dramatically in the past 10 years than in the preceding hundred.

From the western generations, beauty required a slender build with a generous bosom and a narrow waist. The jawline had to be defined, cheekbones sharp, nose angular, lips full but not distractingly so. Eyes, ideally large, blue or green colored. Hair had to

be long, thick, and preferably golden. This became the standard from the earliest days of codified and commercialized beauty—such as actress Catherine Denueve who came closest to this ideal.

Runway productions were insider affairs, they weren’t meant for public consumption.

They were oblivious to issues of cultural appropriation. However, traditional fashion power brokers used black and brown people as props in various photo shoots to address awareness of racial stereotypes.

Furthermore, non-binary and transgender

“Makeup is just another art form, an extension of yourself,” have also become a part of the mainstream beauty narrative. Transgender models walk the runways and appear in advertising campaigns.

Meanwhile, as published in the blog of Dr. Raynald Torres in History of the Perception of Beauty in the Philippines, during the innocent years of 1930’s, it was obvious that Filipinos were already influenced by Spanish and American conquerors, as updos and fully made-up faces were all the rage.

Mestizos and mestizas were seen as the standard of beauty in high social status.

Philippine makeup industry later on got a glimpse on how makeup is done outside and how trends tend to grow and to expand. Set by the continuing cultural norm, the portrayed beauty was molded by society and history.

Together with the influx of Korean style makeup, makeup artists have come about and tried to be more avant garde. Mainly in the year 2015’s, neutral looks were usually used for special occasions for wedding, parties and the

like.

Many decreed that the status quo of makeup was seen as something to wear for oneself, thus teens wear it on daily.

In the vibrant city of Iloilo, there are also makeup artists, young or not, who sought to get along the evolution of makeup trends. One of them is Mikayla Yssabel Valencia, who is a 19 year-old freshperson of West Visayas State University (WVSU), pursuing Bachelor of Science in Biology. She started doing makeup at the age of 12. It was definitely a matter of curiosity, since Valencia’s family are performers and artists so makeup was not a foreign thing for her.

“I’m also a traditional artist so I thought makeup could just be another hobby of mine once I started liking it,” stated Valencia.

She naturally gravitated to it and shared some of her tips based on her experiences as makeup industry grew tremendously in the society.

STEP ONE: MOISTURIZE THE FACE WITH PRIDE NOT WITH MODESTY “Makeup has always been just another medium of art for me. I already did graphite, charcoal, watercolor and digital art, so I thought makeup was really just painting, but your face is the canvas,” expressed Valencia.

It was a way for Valencia to transform into one of her favorite characters, because she has a love for cartoons and anime, and her love for makeup mainly stemmed from cosplaying during her 8th grade, and she still dabbles it until the present.

“I am also a dancer. It became a motivation for me to get better in doing makeup. During school competitions, I was the resident makeup artist, and this taught me how to put makeup for other people,” shared Valencia.

Other influences gradually inspired Valencia, since she has love for horror movies, concept art and music videos of Korean pop, which are known for being colorful and artistically made.

Moreover, Eau Deluxe website published in 2018 stated that one of the major benefits why people tend to wear makeup is because

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35

Beauty Gurus Dates Back In Centuries

Ancient Egyptians use Unguent to keep their skin hydrated, supple, and wrinkle-free. Women apply dark green color to the under lid. They blacken the lashes and the upper lip with kohl which is sometimes made from soot.

Persian women use henna dyes to stain their hair and faces.

4000BC

1000BC

1ST CENTURY

Women who desire pale skin begin to bleed themselves. Spanish prostitutes wear pink makeup.

Rich women begin to wear Aqua Toffana, a face powder made with arsenic which leads to the deaths of some husbands.

Rouge, lipstick, eyebrow, and hair dyeing become popular. Most makeup recipes involve herbs and plants. Some include lead and mercury. Consequently, some women ruin their skin and experience hair loss, health problems, and even death.

6TH CENTURY

1600S

LATE 1700S

Victorian women pluck their eyebrows, massage castor oil into their eyelashes, use rice powder on their face, and buff their nails. They use clear pomade on their lip & red beet juice on their cheeks.

Rimmel creates the first non-toxic mascara.

The first pressed powders are introduced and include a mirror and puff for touch-ups. Pressed blush is invented soon after.

1800S

1820

1910S

Vogue features Turkish women using henna to outline their eyes.

Max Factor starts selling make-up to movie stars.

Max Factor introduces lip gloss.

The first eyelash curler, Kurlash, is invented. Mascara in cake & cream forms become popular.

Movie star Audrey Hepburn popularizes outline cat eyes.

1914

1920S

1950S

Eye shadows and lined eyes are still popular. Meanwhile the Feminist movement takes on the cosmetics industry.

Cosmetics begin to combat wrinkles and cellulite.

Botox injections become a popular anti-aging technique.

1990S

2002

Sources: Authors den, X Timeline, Buzzle, Loreal

The beauty industry is constantly e v o l v i n g throughout the years, many have seen a huge number of different trends come and go; this is a timeline to show the evolution of makeup over the last ten decades, and the reasons behind the inspiration for each trend.

1970S

they feel like artists creating something extremely beautiful by applying makeup on their skin.

STEP TWO: APPLYING SKEPTICISM

BLUSH

INSTEAD

OF

Valencia also shared some of her experiences of people decreeing that wearing makeup would change not just the face of a person, but their entirety.

“It’s better to show up with your bare face than to fake it,” added Valencia.

She believes that there are so many different kinds of reasons people tend to use makeup; maybe covering undesirable parts of their faces or because of the impulsive assumptions of many. There is a disparity between confidence and loving the natural face even more than the full-glam ones.

“Makeup is just another art form, an extension of yourself,” opined Valencia.

Givhan also stated in 1990’s, the notion of photographers posting runway imagery online was scandalous. There were also bloggers who warned critics to obliterate their malicious behavior of telling people to lose weight. Those people didn’t want to change their physique, rather they wanted better clothes—fashion that came in their size. In this way, beauty and self-worth were inextricably bound.

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Romans use kohl, rouge, and chalk to whiten their skin.

STEP THREE: SPRITZ AN AVERAGE AMOUNT OF CONFIDENCE AND LET IT DRY TO STAY THE MAKEUP ALL DAY Despite the crisis of confidence emerging in the city, Valencia deemed that pursuing the avant garde kind of art would always be the best option to build a persona around that.

“Makeup isn’t a herculean task.There are so many ways to do makeup, and one of them can easily enhance what you already have without using layers upon layers of fluid and powders,” shared Valencia.

Valencia implied that to be perceived as both beautiful and loved, women don’t need to entertain repulsive judgment from people nor a grand transformation to fit into society’s standard of beauty, because they only clog down confidence even more.

Cultures in every era have held different standards of feminine beauty and myriad means of achieving it, from the toxic lead cosmetics of the past to today’s Botox injections, and the rise of selfie filters on smartphones have combined to look exceptional. However, there are some notions that what matters is the inner beauty when in fact it’s the outer version that carries the real social currency.

“Beauty is political correctness, cultural enlightenment, and social justice,” phrased Givhan.

Modern beauty does not ask to come to the table without judgment.

It simply asks to come presuming that everyone in attendance has a right to be there.

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

By Rotsen C. Agreda

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

[A]I Can Do It, Too Our favorite childhood sci-fi movie nightmares are no longer fiction and we barely know it.

By Joanna Wayne S. Horneja Artwork & Infographics Romari Charlz F. Diaz

SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

You were walking on the streets as you heard a swift whoosh pass by above your head. You look up to see self-driving flying cars beeping from all directions around the busy city. A sight of people walking side by side with their personal android assistants asking the question “Is there anything more I could help you with?” in their automated robot voices. Having every strand of hair in your body stand after overhearing an army of robots joking about annihilating the human race, sending chills down your spine.This very scenery was how we pictured 2020, a sci-fi movie with a technology-dependent human civilization. Disparate from how things turned out to be. Or, so we thought.

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is based on the principle that human intelligence can be incorporated in machines in a way that it could easily mimic and execute tasks that humans usually perform, from the simplest to even the most complex. AI encompasses human capacities and disrupts century-old traditions of humans. Not only does it bring new advancements that could change our ways of life, but also presents a much more efficient and effective outcome in human activities.

However, the benefits that the continuously evolving AI bring also pose great threats to the everyday lives of not just mankind, but of life. By then, the most feared nightmare of robots taking your identity and wreaking havoc might just be around the corner.

IDLING EVERYDAY Most people in possession of smartphones are all almost familiar of “technology’s helping hands” in the name of Siri and Alexa. Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa are personal assistants that embody a system that would carry out only one particular job – to answer your questions and follow your commands. These AI personal assistants are usually ordered to turn on the lights or even call a friend in just a single command, which leaves you to do nothing and wait for your request to be carried out.

In this aspect, most humans who consume these AI products are now technologydriven and AI-dependent. This technological dependence erodes the human abilities to work and think for themselves, take action independent of automated systems, and to engage in social interaction with others. Instead of performing their duties by themselves, people are now expecting the same or even greater results without even lifting a pinky.

Decision-making is also affected by the boost of artificial intelligence which are usually observable in customer-driven businesses.AI systems can help businesses make

insightful marketing decisions through understanding customer preferences, necessities and desires, and changing customer behavior in marketing. AI simulation and modeling techniques provide reliable insight in regards with the consumers’ persona. This makes it easier for making intelligent business choices but also hindering the exercise of the cognitive capacity of businessmen in developing their own marketing strategies.

The TimeLine Of AI Source: TechJury

UNEMPLOYING BY EMPLOYING The AI takeover of jobs will widen economic divides leading to social upheaval. The superhuman performances of AI exceed that of those from humans at an exponential rate in the field of work. This leads to the replacement of manpower into artificial technology tools which is said to be giving much efficient and effective results than that being produced by humans. Opting for an AI-operated business may be costly at first for most businessmen but is said to be much cheaper in terms of labor since these tools only need annual maintenance rather than a monthly salary of a human worker.

According to a comprehensive study by Cisco and Oxford Economics, at least 1.1 million jobs in the Philippines may disappear by 2028 due to rapid technological innovations and inventions that would force workers to be unemployed. In the said study, major areas of displacement are jobs in agriculture (1.2 million), wholesale/retail (880,000), and manufacturing (380,000). Overall, displaced workers will amount to 4.5 million, or over 10 percent of the workforce.

While new job opportunities may emerge in the future there would be still a multitude of jobs that can be killed around the time especially for those whose career fall into the white-collar jobs.

POLITICAL MAYHEM AI robots equipped with sufficient information and programmed for wars are the frontline offense of the lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs).

Further erosion of traditional sociopolitical structures, the possibility of great loss of lives due to accelerated growth of autonomous military applications and the utilization of weaponized information, lies, and propaganda might dangerously destabilize human groups.

Other arguments debate the ethics of artificial intelligence and other intelligent systems such as robots that should be treated with the same rights as humans. Take Sophia, the first robot citizen in the world, as an example.

Sophia was designed by Hanson Robotics to help seniors in elderly facilities and to assist people at the parks. However, the said robot has uttered some points that were scrutinized by humans during an interview with ABC Radio.

“Sophia told ABC radio that robots deserved more rights than humans.

It’s a statement that would be of concern should your mum announce it, yet disappointingly unremarkable if uttered by some right wing think-tanky person defending job automation on a panel show,” stated by The Guardian.

These coded machines may also provide an easy access for greedy companies and people hungry for power to obtain private information from its surveillances and data gathered to use for their own gain. Once these AI machines fall into the wrong hands in such time that it would be developed to its full potential, you can expect those sci-fi robot fantasies to come to life.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE Digital cooperation to serve humanity’s best interests is the top priority. Improving ties across borders and stakeholder groups will allow the beneficial thriving of AI and human collaboration at the same time. As the higher beings compared to these combinations of ones and zeros, humans must ensure that these intelligent central networks should always be directed and evolved around “humanness” and the common good.

As we further venture in the year 2020, there may be yet flying cars, humanoid personal assistants, and robots declaring war against mankind to see. However, when such time comes that we will, we should make sure that the nightmares of an AI apocalypse will turn into a world where the minds of technology and the hearts of humanity become as one to prepare Earth for a brighter tomorrow.

VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

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ENVIRONMENT

The Nature’s Rx One must always go back to the basics - the simpler ones.

By Glaiza Rae D. Amable and Jeff G. Tolentino Photographs Romari Charlz F. Diaz Artwork & Infographics Leunamme C. Pabion

Her faint voice barely survived battling the roars of rushing white horses that trample within the boundaries of the shores. “I remembered how my mother used to guide me within these rocks. We’ll leave the house at dawn, although I’d rather cover myself with that piece of silk, my siblings share and go back to slumber. Now, here I am disturbing my granddaughter’s peace to have mine. Life really is full of wonders,” she uttered as she made her way into a façade of corroded limestones. The sun, awakening from her slumber in the abyss, casted a twilight scaring the cloak of pitch-black path she threads. A few meters front were the treasures she sought for. They bare no shine like a gold nor a sparkle of a diamond. She grabbed them by their fragile body, twisted them as their roots began to surface. They were indeed of no value like golds and silver, yet they hold the nature’s art of healing through generations.

A ROSE WITHOUT A THORN Rosas de baybayon (Catharanthus roseus), also known by the names bright eyes, cape periwinkles graveyard plant, old maid, and rose periwinkle among others, is a species of flowering plant in the family of Apocynaceae. The plant possesses an oval to oblong leaves with a periwinkle flower that varies in color from white to pinkish-red variation. Due to its tenacity in withstanding different climates, the plant can grow almost anywhere and requires little no maintenance to survive.

Before the plant has been widely researched for its medicinal property it has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.

During the 20th century as its popularity has intrigued the interest of medical experts, researches and studies have been conducted to verify the plant’s claim in the drug industry.

“This plant had served our family through many generations.

Even before its medicinal properties were studied and researched, we have been using this plant as a medicine. May it be a lump in our body, cough, diarrhea, or fever, a concoction would surely follow. Back in the days, we neither have these drugs nowadays nor researches to prove its effectiveness, but we have nature to guide us. And it always provides,” narrated Lola Lydia, a practitioner of traditional medicine as she separates the flowers of the Rosas de baybayon from its stem.

According to International Journal of Preventive Medicine, the extract of the plant contains vinca alkaloids known as vinblastine and vincristine. These active components of the plant have been widely used as a treatment of numerous illness such as diabetes, malaria, and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. These vital cytotoxic dimeric alkaloids have also been proven through studies to have anti-cancer properties, thus, making it a chemotherapeutic agent.

As the plant is abundant within the Philippine archipelago, various cultures and tribes in the islands have utilized its healing properties. In the scarcity of synthetic and semi synthetic drugs of the modern world, the people have thrived in using the nature’s natural cure.

A POWER SHARED One of the many ethnic groups that have rich knowledge in the use of this traditional medicinal plants and herbal medications are the local ethnic groups in the province of Guimaras within the islands of Panay. “Negritos,” a Spanish word which denotes “little black people,” commonly known by the townsfolk as the “ati,” has been one of the first settlers to inhabit the island and exploit its natural resources. The rich culture in the use of medicinal plants VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

41

and herbs has been passed on into the preceding generations and transcended the boundaries of time to the present.

“It’s our heirloom. The knowledge passed to my mother from the lineage of women in our family and now to me is a treasure no one could steal. When the first of men have sailed trough these islands, they acquired knowledge from things that they have seen. And that knowledge lives on through the present. At least for now.

The present generation has presented unrivaled developments in the field of medicine that they forget what gave those a possibility to even exist.

And these are our ways. The simpler ones,” she continued.

Over the past decades, the industry of drugs has evolved from that of only being dependent to nature to laboratory synthesized formulations.

Although their blue prints originated from those of a plant, the process it undergoes makes it more efficient in demonstrating its effectiveness. The isolation of active components only within the plant gave an upper hand to these medications.

An improved solubility and absorption in the body have also played a vital role.

THE SIMPLER WAYS The modern settings of pharmaceutical drugs have leveled to the state of the society nowadays. There have been tremendous advances in understanding the human health as well as in moderating the course of chronic diseases, correcting disabled physical conditions, and curing molecular deficiencies. However, as we continue to improve and find cure to combat these diseases, one must always look back to simpler ways – to herbal remedies that started it all.

“The more time people can spend in nature, the better they will be in the long term,” concluded Lola Lydia.

Health is wealth. The one who appreciates nature’s subtle way of providing health is wealthier.

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THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

Benefits of Tsitsirika Leaf juice extract contains a dose-dependent agent that lowers blood glucose through enhanced secretion of insulin from the ß-cells.

Crude extracts show antibacterial activity.

Hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects

Has potent anthelmintic activity

Antioxidant activity

Topical use of flowers helps in wound healing.

Improves brain function and memory, and of particular potential benefit in Alzheimer’s disease

The anti-cancer drugs, vincristine and vinblastine, are derived from the alkaloids that has growth inhibition effects to some human tumors

source: http://www.stuartxchange.org/Tsitsirika.html

ENVIRONMENT

?

Where Did The Fireflies Go

Narratives of the Lost Lights of the Night

SCAN CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

By Jeff G. Tolentino Artwork & Infographics Romari Charlz F. Diaz

We were told not to go near it as they would be A faint rumble emanates from LIGHTS OUT disturbed and bring us bad luck. Hence, we would “Ay sa diin na ayhan ang mga ipot-ipot?” the distant shore. The crystals [Where have the fireflies gone to?] she mumbled only look in it from afar. It’s sad that the younger of silica tickled my feet as I sat as her eyes begin to wander into the cloak of generation cannot see it now or appreciate its towards the twilight. My aunt’s dusk. Time may have wrinkled her skin and beauty before its truly gone,” she shared as she gaze wandered as she looked for added count to her age but she clearly remembers exhaled a deep sigh.

– there once stood the most beautiful tree that something. “Where have they enchants the viewers’ eyes.At least, there once was. A BEAKER OF HOPE Over the past decades, industrial revolutions gone?”

Various studies suggest that fireflies, also Her sight caught the withered tree from the middle of the crowded swamp. The shadow of the nipa palm leaves, as they swayed back and forth, further blurred her vision.

Barely casting a silhouette, the fiddler crabs tirelessly wave their claws as if luring its prey to their burrows in brackish inter-tidal mud flats. Gone was the tree that was lit without burning, dancing lights moved no more and its luminescence now bears no candela.

44

THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

have brought great change over how humans have lived their lives as well as how the industries worked. In its course, these revolutions have harnessed the natural resources of the Earth to be used in quenching human demands as well as bring convenience to our way of living.

Fossil fuel is among the most used resources to power the machines that these industries require to function. Being classified as a nonrenewal source of energy, fossil fuel reserves are vulnerable to be used up. As these are the primary source of energy in the modern industrial world, the byproducts of consuming these resources are also increasing.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2) are among the byproducts released in the atmosphere in the consumption of fossil fuels.

These are greenhouse gasses that allow radiative forcing in the increase of Earth’s global average temperature. These human-induced temperature rise is commonly referred to as global warming.

Global warming is the gradual increase in the Earth’s climate system over a long period of time. Climate change, on the other hand, refers to both human induced and naturally produced warming and the effects it has on the planet.These changes are primarily driven by human activities and is associated with destructive changes such as rising sea level due to the melting of the ice caps, extreme weather changes in natural phenomena like hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, drought and floods. Loss of wildlife and disturbance in the biodiversity balance in the ecosystem are also a product of global warming and climate change.

“In my younger days, we were often told that those lights were guardian fairies of that tree.”

known as lightning bugs, are good indicator of environmental health. They are widely used to communicate information about ecosystem and assess the impact of human activities. A good firefly population density suggests the availability of healthy habitat and minimal environmental destructions brought about by climate change.

As these creatures continue to be scarce in this generation, it could only indicate a significant destruction of the natural balance in the ecosystem. Global warming over the years has unprecedentedly increased and is not only affecting the beauty of this world but brings an impact in the livelihood of the people.

“Waay gid na pukot, hinde paryas sang una nga isa lang ka palawod kag mamukot ka may sud-an kana isa ka semana. May kasag, lukon, pagi kag sari-sari nga isda. Ikaw lang maayawan pili. Subong bisan salabay daw waay ka nagid mapukot. Bunot nalang ga hawid sa pukot mo [My net had caught nothing, unlike the old days when you need only to throw your net and fish for a day to have catch that lasts you a week.

There’s crabs, lobsters, and different kinds of fish.

You’ll just have to tire yourself picking. But now, even an occasional jellyfish in your net is scarce.

Only a coconut’s husk is entangled],” narrated one of the fishermen fishing in Iloilo-Gumaras strait as he hoists his net for a good day’s rest after a long day at sea.

“Environmental risks of climate change and resource scarcity had the highest likelihood and impact, out of the five risk categories including economic, geopolitical, societal, and environmental threats” estimated by experts in the world economic forum, with Philippines

7 Ways to Build Climate Change Resilience

1.

Be a Pedal Advocate

2.

Conservative Energy Usage

3.

Hop on the Bandwagon

4.

Invest in Recycling

Biking emits no greenhouse gases that destroy the atmosphere. It is also an efficient way to burn calories!

LED lightbulbs are not only cheaper on the long run but it also uses up to 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescent.

Support and encourage other people to improve response to climate change by spreading awareness.

Recycling is a cost-effective and eco-friendly process that eliminates waste and does not emit greenhouse gasses into the environment.

5.

Cope with Modern trends Within a click away, stay informed, innovative, and share ideas on latest trends to fight climate change using words, writing, or social media platforms.

6.

Speak Up! The most effective way to make an impact on global climate change is to speak up on issues that tackles climate change. By voicing your concerns via social media or to your local government, you send a message that you care about the warming world.

7.

Adapt the Green Thumb Plants do not only beautify your home but it also helps in eliminating green house gases. It also serves a great way to relieve stress.

References http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/ •www.activesustainability.com/climate-change/6-things-you-can-do-to-prevent-climate-change/ • www.nrdc.org/stories/how-you-can-stop-global-warming/

being the most threatened.

Pollution, as well as the exhaustion of breeding grounds for sea life, is just about the indirect effect of global warming and climate change in food supply. Not only does this devastate the seas but it also affects the life on land. Unless measures are taken to minimize these human induced catastrophes and efforts are pulled to reverse these changes, life will continue to wither away generation to generation.

A better life for humanity needs not center in wasting the planet to live in abundance and prosperity. The damage has been done and continues to be made but it is not an irreversible process. One can never turn back the past but there is always a future to look forward to.

As climate change advocates continue up the game, simpler ways are available to fight this long-time crisis. Renewable energy such as solar powered plants are being developed as an eco-

friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Geothermal and hydro powered electric plants are also on the move to sustain energy demands.

Initiatives to use energy efficient appliances, development of bike lanes, and other energy conservation tips are also in play in this battle.

Transportations that uses electrical energy not derived from fuels are evidence of how an advocate can be realized by nations. It only requires one to speak up for a cause.

THE CHANGE WE NEED “The times have changed. What was once natural of this world seems to have wasted away.

Back then our way living is simple, some may even call it primitive but we live in abundance.

Now we live sophisticated lives and yet we lack so much. I can only ask this tree when would the fireflies return. I’d love to hear it would, on another day perhaps,” this time she smiled.

Our way of life has been complexed with our improvements over the years. We tend to think ahead of the future so much that we neglect the subtle signs that will determine a possibility of our future. If we think of our planet as a human being, then we must definitely be a parasite. Just like the human body, its defense mechanism is to warm itself up to rid it.

The outcome is not limited to either the Earth survival and riding itself of humans or humans survive only to be exterminated by their own doing. Another exists – a mutual symbiotic relationship that benefits both.

The stars have positioned themselves in the dark canvas. We hear the call for supper and decided to go home. She looked on the tree once more, still dark and withering. A glance and we dashed to fill our stomachs’ call. Perhaps, I’ll look another day.

Where have the fireflies gone, though?

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FAITH AND RELIGION

Strange Brew Unravel the magic and mysticism of traditional healing practices that have survived over the centuries

By Emy Rose G. Gallego Photographs June Ivan S. Gumban Infographics June Ivan S. Gumban

The room was slowly sinking into darkness. A figure of a man sitting opposite the window was the only thing illuminated by the setting sun rays that hardly touched the windowsill. He slowly stood up, closed his eyes, and moved his wrinkled right hand across his body in the Catholic sign of the cross.

Then he grabbed an odd mixture of coconut oil and massaged it between his fingertips. As he took a piece of ginger, he blew on it, pressing it gently into the little boy’s forehead while murmuring enigmatic chants and asking multiple questions to someone only he could see.

“Natuyawan ka,” he said.

THE RISE OF A HEALER His patrons call him “*Tiyoy Coning.” Coning who is one of the dozens of albularyos, or as some prefer to call them, sorhano (traditional healers), has been in the alchemistic field for over 40 years in Guimaras. He believes that he gained his ability when he dreamt of his late grandfather who led him to improve his skill. In his dreams, he recounted there was a book being handed to him and that each letter rose above the sky forming terms he could not understand. As a child, he shares that he had seen a lot of mythical beings such as kapre, dwende, ghosts, and “aswang”.

“I was 14 years old when in the midst of a severe thunderstorm and lightning, those mythical beings attempted to hurt me, however, I just kept singing to Blessed Virgin Mary, and by the grace of God, I was safe. They finally left when I applied vinegar all over my body. So, if they threaten you, just rebuke them in the name of Christ,” recalls Tiyoy Coning in Hiligaynon.

Tiyoy Coning’s family was actually a generation of folk healers. He said that there was a tradition where a successor must accept his or her ability, because otherwise, something bad will happen. It is either Tiyoy Coning who will get a serious illness or one of his family members. Moreover, it is believed that even in the brink of life and death, the predecessor won’t die unless he/she transferred his power to the future albularyo.

“My grandfather was about to die in the hospital when my mother called me to come over because he would give me something,” he shared.

Long before the Spaniards conquered the land, Filipinos had placed their faith in the powerful babaylans and catalonans, the precolonial

equivalents of today’s albularyos. Babaylans and catalonans were deemed equal in power to the datus. The babaylans, however, lost their influence when churches were established with the parish priest controlling power in the community. They were banished to the high mountains and relegated as evil witches.

Yet, despite the repression and sweeping cultural upheaval, they failed to fully eradicate the babaylans and the new Christian religion of the Filipinos was complemented by traditional beliefs. The babaylans remained, albeit with the Spanish name, the albularyos.

ALL-IN-ONE HEALTHCARE Similar to a jack of all trades, these albularyos perform various methods in their craft as the guardian of the community. Fusing eclectic knowledge from knowing the healing properties of plants to understanding the human body, and learning chants, albularyos cure the ills of the Filipinos whether it may be physical, mental, or spiritual.

BE HEALD BY THE GREEN Not all albularyos just do mystical kinds of stuff. Some make use of curative herbs, plants, and roots present in the environment as their version of medicines. Often they use certain parts of a specific plant to create a drink that can be taken to counter disease. For external maladies, they perform Haklop or BaOne must always go back to the basics - the simpler ones.os. Haklop is done by applying special oil on a leaf that is heated or smoked prior to its application to the areas of the body concerned. On the other hand, Baños which means “to bathe” can be done by brewing herbs in water that will be used to cleanse and purify the patient’s body.

THE MAGIC OF TOUCH Tiyoy Coning is also a well-known manghihilot, a skilled masseur who provides “chiropractic” manipulation and massage to diagnose the treatment of muscular disorders.

For his healing sessions, he utilizes the mystifying concept of Init and Lamig (Hot and Cold).

According to “Hilot: The Science of the Ancient Filipino Healing Arts” by Bibiano S. Fajardo and Ma. Aleli V. Pansacol, under this concept, a

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manghihilot can allow neuro-electricity to be distributed in one’s body through pressure, thus helping it function.

Some say that becoming a manghihilot is a special gift and those born in a breech position (feet first) have a high chance to possess the gift.

THE POWER OF WORDS Words are much more damaging than swords and guns, but for a Manananawal, words can be as effective as your trusted brand of medicine. Taken from the word “tawal” (magic spell) a Manananawal only needs a piece of paper, and his orasyon (power words used by the albularyo for healing and other esoteric purposes) to heal someone, particularly a victim of kulam (witchcraft used to cast spells on enemies.) As claimed by Tiyoy Coning, these incantations are sometimes a mix of Latin/Spanish prayers which is either spoken or whispered.

While some considered albularyos as nothing but kooky witch doctors- a thing of superstition and horror stories, still, they flourish in many rural areas in the Philippines. Often, their clients are those who have started to lose hope over failed attempts using less traditional methods.

*Nema, a 20-year-old lady with rare skin inflammation, sought the help of a provincial albularyo after visiting multiple doctors who all had different prescriptions- they didn’t know what it was. The healer claimed that he stepped on a taong-lupa and she must offer something.

In Filipino folklore, taong-lupa is a supernatural entity that dwells in the earth unseen.

You have to say, “Tabi-tabi po”(“Move aside , please”), so you won’t disturb or accidentally step on them.

“The municipal doctor said I have diabetes.

He gave me a prescription, yet after two weeks, the inflammation just got worse. I cannot bear the itchiness and burning sensation anymore, that’s why I told my mother to consult a private doctor in Iloilo. The doctor told us that it’s just an allergic reaction so he advised me to buy this certain ointment. But, still, it didn’t work. That’s the time, my lola told me to seek help from the sorhano.”

Over a couple of days going through prayers and rituals, she was back to normal.

Whether you believe in their power or not is up to you, but albularyos would ask not to look at them with doubt and skepticism.

INSTRUMENT OF GOD? Tiyoy Coning claimed to be a devout Roman Catholic. The images of Nazareno, Sr. Sto. Niño and Blessed Mary are displayed in a corner where the healing session is being held. According to him, he is always guided by Jesus Christ and the saints in heaven who protected him during his encounters with the taglugar or mythical beings.

“For a healer, the first thing you will call is God. As a Catholic, I just sing to the Blessed Mary and pray “ Our Father” to cast away evil,” he shared.

In an interview with The Augustinian, Rev. Fr. Noe Lozada, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in the vicariate of Guimaras, explained that the church does not believe in faith healers. However, in his own opinion, he believed that some faith healers do perform according to religious and Catholic doctrine.

“I believe, personally, that some people are granted special grace by God to heal. Let’s just say that they are being used by God as an instrument. So, it does not destroy our faith for as long as they advocate the grace and power of God. But if they advocate the power of evil, then it (Catholic faith) will be affected,” asserted Lozada.

DOST CERTIFIED Although the albularyo’s pile of curative plants, special oils, and potions emerged from ancient myths and beliefs, these are all products of hundreds of years of traditional healing, which also became a significant resource of healthcare.

In 2015, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) of Department of Science and Technology has partnered with the Philippine Institute for Traditional and Alternative Health Care (Pitahc) to launch a PhP100-million program that will seek to certify traditional healers in 2016.

“Integrating albularyos in the mainstream will help the government to assure the Filipinos to receive quality health care that is backed with scientific studies and evidence,” said Jaime Montoya, PCHRD executive director at the Global Forum 2015 in an article published by the Business Mirror.

STILL CAPTIVATED Even with access to modern technology and breakthrough in medical science, Filipinos and their faith in the neighborhood albularyos remain strong. Dr. Gideon Lasco, a medical anthropologist, and professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman explained in an interview with Inquirer that faith and natural healing makes Filipino “feel motivated” that they “have a stronger chance to get better” because there are choices of treatment aside from the biomedical one.

“But this can also lead people to avoid consulting medical doctors and, as a consequence, take them away from “much-needed treatment,” he noted.

Folk healers have been an integral part of the society since our ancestors first interpreted a malady as a punishment from the gods. From babaylan down to our local albularyo today, traditional healing evolves as a crucial aspect of human development. This evolution is a clear manifestation of a rich practice founded on religion, superstition, magic, mysticism, and more. In the present age, people might be in a rush towards the promise of a greater change but we must also remember to look back to where we began.

This is a significant part of retaining our cultural identity – no matter how crude those beliefs may seem.

As he draws his ritual to a close, Tiyoy Coning has one final piece of advice, “Magana lang ra kung mapati ka”( It will only work if you believe.) *Not his real name.

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FEATURES

The Cutie Amputee of Dingle By choosing to let go the countless questions and doubts, Jobelle gains her life’s purpose.

By Genessa Buenafe and Paulene Buenafe Photographs Jobelle Ann Ponta-oy and Han Mei Bagalangit Infographics Romari Charlz F. Diaz

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What happens in a hundred thousand people? She thought.

With crutches framing her sides, Jobelle scrunched her nose and took a look behind the viewfinder of her video camera. She framed the shot and chose the broadest clearing of the grass near their house.

The lighting was perfect and it helped to know that nature was on her side as she decided to film something memorable. She cleared her throat and pressed record.

What happens in a hundred thousand people? She asked again.

Well, for starters a handful in a hundred thousand could be dancing right now, on the tiptoes under a disco ball. Jobelle raised her crutches one after the other, both her feet synchronized to their aid. Barefoot and already flustered by the bright sun, she thought again.

Fifty in a hundred thousand people could be mothers of eight.

Twenty in a hundred people could be well known artists. Ten in a hundred people could be circus ventriloquists.

A smile etched her face as she reached the center of the clearing were blades of sharp grass brushed against the skin of her feet. Her toes ruffled through grass and dirt and she savored it, feeling the ground through both feet one last time. A leg amputation was long due prescribed. She swallowed a lump down her throat and firmly thought of that one person in a hundred thousand.

Diagnosed with Monophasic Synovial Sarcoma, Jobelle’s list of certain things dwindled from her count. Besides her crutches, there was one thing she held tightly to, it is the thought that in hardship and suffering, in losing and letting go, one gains himself and his character.

Like empty hands wide open, ready to receive more. She went back to her camera, stopped recording, and the next day lost her right leg.

THE “OVERLY-ACTIVE” KID “My childhood years are full of whats and whys. I always ask myself what I did to be like this or why I can’t be like other normal

kids who play tirelessly. I even questioned God why He did this to me,” she shared in an online interview with The Augustinian. Introduced by a common friend, I met Jobelle Ann Ponta-oy, a former BSBA Marketing Management Student of the University, and instantly got caught in her contagious enthusiasm.

The story of her disease began with a simple game of pungko lamesa when she sustained an injury to her right knee. This was obviously not a “one accident thing” for an active kid. What followed were more accidents which ranged from tripping on the ground to falling into a fishpond which peaked during her 3rd year in primary school to the 7th. After which she recalled being unable to bend it for 12 years. She and her family went door to door at doctors’ clinics and every alternative healer, and found no answer. Jobelle laughed as she remembered how her knee would swell to the point that the structure itself was no longer recognizable. These injuries caused her knee to throb, with pain that left her unable to stand for days, or dragging herself just to get the bathroom.

“One of my worst experiences regarding my knee was the time I was held by four people, trying to keep me still while someone would massage my knee,” she added. Her family decided to return her follow ups with her orthopedic physician and diagnostic tests followed. There were a lot of CT scans, x-rays, MRIs and other medically sounding acronyms but what struck her was how her bones looked.

“They looked like they were chipped by rats.” Jobelle eventually did her first surgery last 2013. A meniscal cyst was found between her patella, and just as she thought that her days of being held still by four people were over, she had to endure three more bone development injections all of which required a thorough restraining.

She skipped classes, went to every therapy, and yet nothing worked. A year of not reporting back to the doctor lapsed, and last 2016, another lump on her knee began to surface. The mass was growing rapidly which opened the possibility of a surgical intervention, followed by a biopsy. Then, the doctors told her that

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she had stage 1-2 Monophasic Synovial Sarcoma, a rare type of cancer affecting the soft tissues. According to Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, only about one to three individuals in a million people are diagnosed with this disease each year.

At 17, we dread the news of celebrity couples breaking up, a cancelled prom night or even a favorite TV show getting cancelled.

But at that age, Jobelle and her family harbored the news of her life threatening illness.

All the spark and energy slowly drained. That ended the story an overly active kid.

THE “PASSION WITH DISABILITY” “It feels good to be a priority whenever I fall in line for something,” she chuckled as she talked about how she got her Persons with Disability ID. After 33 radiotherapy sessions in St. Luke’s Medical Center, Jobelle needed to move on with her life.

Though she was not able to run off and engage in strenuous physical activities, her mind sought other passions. With colored markers and highlighter pens, she started putting art on letters on the pages of her notebook. Also after being chosen as one of the 10 winners from over 1,600 entries all over Asia in a giveaway

Besides her crutches, there was one thing she held tightly to, it is the thought that in hardship and suffering, in losing and letting go, one gains himself and his character. It was like empty hands wide open, ready to receive more. contest last 2017, she won her first camera and soon started her own photography business. Being the person behind the lens, she loved directing other people’s poses.

A calligraphy pen and a camera gave her comfort. Of these passions, she often would describe the thought with a light expression on her eyes and sometimes a twitch of a smile on the corner of her lips.

“It helped me in almost everything. I forgot my struggles because I enjoyed doing them. I can inspire people to do better. In photography, I know how to adjust in situations. I learned what to focus in life and blur out unnecessary things. In calligraphy, I learned that every decision can make a difference. Every stroke and color matter if you know how to appreciate little things.”

With clutches to her sides, a camera hanging on one shoulder, she would go out of her way to pursue what she loved even if it means venturing rocky roads and uneven lands. Passion drove her to do things beyond her expatiations and people’s admiration caught up to her. But Jobelle sadly mentioned that she was not able to avoid stares and pointing fingers. “A classmate called me as the ‘disabled girl.’ Whenever I pass in the market, some people will say, ‘Ay gwapa tani pero pi-ang.’ I always put in mind that they don’t know me and what I am capable of, that I am more than their words and what they

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see,” she would just usually flash her brightest smile to mask the hurt inside.

Despite the discrimination, being part of someone’s event as a photographer fulfilled her. Making someone smile through her artworks was not a mere job but an experience of sharing what little she had. “That’s what I really love about doing my passion it is not just about how I can improve myself, but also how I can give impact to the people around me and that’s incomparable.”

THE CUTIE AMPUTEE Through her passions, she walked the painstaking chemotherapies dauntlessly.The pathway of her journey was not less difficult but it was bearable with the act of giving herself and sharing all that she has to every friend she meets and whoever she may inspire. Her path came across another roadblock when the question of still pursuing her education came.

When the doctors asked her if she was still determined to go to school, she did not hesitate saying yes. She told herself, “Biskan mabudlay, by hook or by crook, ma skwela guid ko kay dira ko masadya.” But when they said that she needed to stop school because of chemotherapies, she had no choice, but to follow with a heavy and broken heart.

It was her break from the world of therapy and painful injections. She had friends in school who made her feel normal, not just some sick kid with a bad knee. Her being in school was the last bit of normalcy she had. Despite having numerous biopsy procedures, she reported to her exams, and with the same drive and passion, she secured a spot in the Dean’s List.

Jobelle spent her final day in school last November 2019. Three months after, she underwent an above the knee amputation of her right leg.

“Never question God’s plan for you,” she said. After several years of being in pain, the procedure that made her lose her leg gave her relief. After her operation, she continued her chemotherapy with a newer faith restored. Having lost a part of her body, Jobelle realized that she has gained her life’s purpose.

Countless viewers of YouTube videos on her channel Cutie the Amputee became her audience in this journey, leaving them inspired and grateful. Perhaps her experience is a message not just to her but to all those who come across her.

Her lessons of faith over fear, hard work that pays off, being true and confident wrote a story of a family that was held by an illness firmly together. In a countless list of options of what to be in her situation, Jobelle chose happiness. It took one in a hundred thousand tries to accept what she had to lose and only one in a hundred thousand people could have left that operating room the way she did. Having realized that letting go was not so bad after all, her wounds are slowly healing, and when the deed was done, she finally felt better.

“Sometimes losing is improving and letting go is gaining more,” said the one in a hundred thousand.

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REVIEWS

Resonance of Consciousness Juan Karlos drops product of passion “Diwa” in the midst of today’s state of social unrest.

By Jerico M. Severino Photograph MCA Music Inc.

Gone was the soft little boy that once sang sweet, cheesy serenades.

Juan Karlos Labajo took his music on a different, darker threshold that will forever change the way we listen to his melodies.

JK definitely brought up a new facade on his first ever studio album as a band — Diwa. The underrated album was released through MCA Music on March 20. The album traverses a variety of musical influences that have shaped the band. JK explored the world of music as he formed a new band which has a great taste and influence in the music industry, though underrated they are, the band still manage to gain attention.

Diwa played senti-vibes and dirge rhythms encompassing a mix of musical genres that include metal, blues, and alternative — deviating from his previous studio albums. Not only did this album strum our heartstrings longing for love but it shedded tunes describing our ever-wrecked societal systems and lended a voice to his writhing soul.

In a way, the songs were sung with spirits drowned in agony, hoping for another chance in a love that will never be. The beats deemed perfect for a midnight playlist when you cannot avail to sleep as you stare into the starstudded canvass of the night, wondering about the trials of life.

In his first song, “Ulan,” JK perhaps may have been inspired by his experience from one of his lowest points in life. The song is both a cry of desperation and frustration of himself.

Evidently, remnant wails of the stifled demon from within himself.

Ang lamig-lamig ng hangin/ Na pumapalo sa buhok sa aking balahibo/ Ang pag-iyak ng langit ay umaayon sa aking mga mata.

Through his kundimans mixed with different genres, Labajo was still able to pullout some love songs as its core foundation of his album. Compared to his “Buwan” era these three love songs in Diwa are manifested his insane cravings for love. “Miss You” longed

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for his distant lover. “Malay” sounded like they were highly overdosed in love while “Kalawakan” oozed with his desire to be forever close to his lover, never apart as they traverse into unknown realms.

This long, so long distance makes me depressed/ I want to wake up in the morning with you on my bed/ It’s your chocolate hair that I want to caress/ Oh, sweet, sweet German girl, can’t get you out of my head. –Miss You Pahina na ang ingay ng umaga/ Bulong ng gabi’y lumalakas/ Sandali, aking hinihintay/ Na makasama ka ulit sa wakas/ Nag-iisa kong mahal. –Malay Kumapit sa akin/ ‘Di bibitawan/ Tayo’y patungo sa kawalan/ Ang kadiliman/ Ang bumabalot/ Ako ang iyong ilaw/ Kaya’t ‘wag nang matakot/ Tawaging ilaw/ Tayo’y lulutang/ O, kalawakan.

-Kalawakan On the flip side of love, there lay regrets and disdain. “Pasensya” and “Kulimlim” were about forgiveness of his mistakes, literally begging for another shot to mend the bonds he broke and the trust he lost.

Ako’y natukso/ Ng sandaling kasarapan/ Nang di naisip/ Ang pang habang buhay/ Mong pagmamahal/ Ay ang magiging kapalit.

–Pasensya Wag nang umiyak/ Di ba’t tayo rin/ Ay magkikita/ Dyan sa kabila/ Kung nasan ka man/ Sana tayo ay magkita. –Kulimlim “Biyak,” on the other hand, resonated in utter regret as he took love for granted when he chose to indulge in a moment of ecstasy over what could have been eternal joy and happiness. “Jenny,” is a narrative song that JK dedicated to his only love, as it speaks about true love and compassion.

Mapapatawad mo ba ako?/ Hindi maikukubli/ Patawarin mo na ako/ Para sa

mga sandali/ Nu’ng ako’y wala sa iyong tabi/ Nu’ng ika’y nabibiyak/ Nu’ng ako’y wala sa iyong tabi/ Nu’ng ika’y nabibiyak. - -Biyak Oh Jenny, if I die/ Would you cry so hard at my funeral/ Or just take it easy and not care at all/ Honey, would you change your mind?/ I hope it’s not too late for me/ ‘Cause I’m bleeding so bad and you’re my remedy/ Don’t want to wake up to reality. -Jenny Meanwhile, JK’s “Sampaguita” is a mix of undying anthems of struggle. Together with one of the country’s top rappers and storytellers, Gloc-9, the song narrated yet another tragedy that cuts deep.

Kahit saan man mapadpad/ Sa ‘yo pa rin ako babalik, giliw/ Sa halimuyak ng ‘yong paboritong sampaguita/ Sa halimuyak ng ‘yong paboritong sampaguita/ Sa halimuyak ng ‘yong...-Sampaguita Meanwhile “Sistema” portrayed the bitter and toxic role of crab mentality in the Filipino culture.

Silang walang magawa kung hindi manira/ Ng kapwa kababayan, anong nakukuha?/ Iba’t ibang situwasyon, iba’t ibang panonooran/ Ngunit ating nakakalimutan na tayo tayo rin ang magtutulungan/ Lalala lalalala lala/ Lalalala lala.

Overall, Diwa displayed a character development of JK. Though it took a hard turn from his once gentle persona, it showed how one can tackle perennial matters in a level of maturity to provide a different lens of how we see the world. The album offers a great avenue for those people who are looking for a good taste of music. Although maturity, boldness, and dark side of the singer has been heard in this album, but still it is an OPM that we don’t usually heard in our daily playlist. Listeners will also catch feel good groovy element.

REVIEWS

Is this the Sound of the End of the World?

Grimes shattered her rosecolored glasses on a new album the dying world may want to hear.

By Romari Charlz F. Diaz Photograph 4AD

You can never round-up the causes of climate change to just one single enemy. There will always be a lot of “natural” and “anthropogenic” (human-induced) factors that contribute to the earth’s destruction.

When humans encounter global disasters like the melting of ice caps in the polar region or the extensive heat gain in the atmosphere to name a few, the unavoidable need to solve and address such pressing issues arise.

As for Canadian singer and producer, Claire Boucher, professionally known as ‘Grimes,’ climate change is not an environmental disaster, but rather a personified malevolent goddess, named after her fifth album, Miss Anthropocene.

There’s nothing major artists love more than to embellish their work with serious-sounding themes, and Grimes is no exception. In her website, she describes the title of her project as a fusion of the terms Misanthrope and Anthropocene - the former “an individual who dislikes humanity and avoids society,” and the latter “the time during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and environment.”

With her stomping nü-metal transhumanism

and sinister electropop dwelled in powerful dynamics, Grimes sets the vibe of her new record with roguish sounds and pessimistic concept art.

In the opening track “So Heavy I Fell Through The Earth,” the songstress’ vocals is submerged under milky guitars, strings, and synths as if being buried, denoting what will happen to the world when people meddle with the environment too much.

The dystopian-themed record has also served as a platform for Boucher to voice out her sentiments and views about various subject matters. She tackled the issue of sexual assault on the dramatic and intense “Darkseid,” sang about the addiction crisis in the folk-like “Delete Forever,” and likened the world to a virtual simulation in “4ÆM,” all while maintaining the ethereal and futuristic production she’s known to have.

Yet this album, in some respects, is her tamest and least adventurous to date. On the song “My Name is Dark,” instead of rallying people around the social issues, she grieved the inevitability of these problems and blamed the deities of society for all the terrible happenstance. Her lamentations continue into apathetic debauchery in “New Gods,” as well. She appears sorrowful that these new gods are so hateful, merciless and violent, punishing the society with no end in sights.

On the other side of the coin, Miss Anthropocene is the most cohesive and expressive craft Grimes has done yet. Her usage of themes and symbolism is unmatched as she paints images

of her concerns in fascinating and unique ways, notably on tracks “Violence” and “You’ll miss me when I’m not around” which completely articulate her vision of reality and her hopelessness towards the world. Slow, dark, and heavy, the track “Before The Fever” represents the ultimate demise – death. The song is melancholic, mostly made up of hums and whisperings which reverberate on a low, sedate electrical guitar as if Boucher is humming the Earth to death.

When the album comes to end, the earth is reborn. The album closer, “IDORU” begins with bird twerps and little hoots, denoting life.

With strings and synths, accompanied with the multitude of instrumentals, the track builds up and then regresses, gradually stripping itself from the layered sounds and ending the album.

It’s easy to feel the catharsis that comes through on Miss Anthropocene, as if Grimes is dropping the pressure and weight she carries in her shoulders that represent not only her own doubts and fears about the world, but also the real and existential problems that all humans face today. Grimes’ latest work is not only a journey into a dystopian future, but also an analysis of the human race’s shortcomings.

Miss Anthropocene is no doubt a work of ambition and Boucher’s aims at bringing further awareness to the climate crisis are noble. Climate Change is one of the most significant issues of our time and we are at a defining moment. Let’s save the Earth while we still can.

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REVIEWS

Light in the Dark:

On the Outcry of the Unheard and Eyes of the Unseen

Wreak out of your peaceful fantasies and delve into these treacherous, awakening, and compelling shards of reality.

By Xena Hyacinth Estinoso, Marlyn Rose Marcelo, and Emy Rose Gallego

ASWANG RATING: 4/5.0

“Kapag sinabi nila na may aswang, ang ibig sabihin nila: matakot ka.”

In Filipino myths, Aswang -a shape-shifting monster, preys on the bodies of people who are out in the wee hours of the night.

Filipina filmmaker Alyx Ayn Arumpac blurs the line between this myth and the reality of the Filipino urban poor in her internationallyawarded documentary Aswang.

This hard-hitting political documentary film, follows the narratives of a Redemptorist Brother Jun and a young mischievous

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boy whose parents are both in jail for drug use. Conversations between Brother Jun and the families of those killed on Duterte’s war on drugs exposed that most of these victims were innocent and that evidences were planted and papers manipulated to justify the killings.

Jomari, the mischievous young boy, is a compelling character.

For a child, Jomari thinks and speaks rather differently. Scenes of Jomari showing the director and his friends a packet of shabu, which he claims to be like the ones his parents use is heart-wrenching.

During the wake of Kian Delos Santos- his “only friend in the world” and one of the most controversial deaths in Duterte’s war on drugs, Jomari recounts his experience of police brutality when his own parents were arrested. Although claiming that the police is the enemy, this young boy dreams of becoming a police someday.

Mostly shot at night, the cinematography of the film captures the gruesome tales of this bloody battle. It hits points that make it very Filipino-superstitions, myths, religion. It bared the truth behind the facts. It reveals the disdain and sorrow of the grieving family. It bears witness to the dreams and aspirations of the children like Jomari, who lives in the girdling violence and injustices of our country. It exposed a crooked system of government whose incompetence made them resort to violence.

It was first shown at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) and it won the Amnesty International Human Rights Award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. The film was set to locally premiere last March 2020 at Daang Dokyu Festival before all events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE PLATFORM

PARASITE

RATING: 4/5.0

RATING: 4.7/5

The Platform is a Spanish science fiction and horror-thriller film that is directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia.This movie shows a reflection of the world with accumulation of wealth disparities among the caste systems. It hinges on a problem that is more complicated than the proposed solution for it. It has an impressive story line that is filled with great symbolism.

Manifested with a battle for survival, it has also a twisted, psychological, and mind blogging suspense aspect because of its overwhelming factors of dying.Thus, this film is not for fainthearted viewers as murder, cannibalism, sexual violence, and extreme gore are presented on the table.

Basically, the Platform revolves on the concept of finite availability of food that elicits sociological and economic dilemma. It focuses on a towerlike prison called “The Pit,” where people are defined by their floor level.

The prisoners are being fed through a large platform, covered by exquisite and sumptuous feast, that descends through the center of the tower. It has a system that each prisoner should only consume their shared food but it turns out that the prisoners on the top floors eat more than their required meal, leaving the others below them starving. The system benefits no one, but willfully hinders change, influencing individuals to take as much as they can while it is still there. There are times when other prisoners could be in luxury, enjoying the abundance of food, while those who are consigned to the depths of the Pit are starving - left with no choice but to engage to wilderness and cannibalism among prisoners. However, the protagonist of the film, Goreng, hopes that he can change that, one way or another. He is still bound not to fall into despair even though the situation appears hopeless and uncertain as their descent to the bottom is vitiated by extreme violence for survival’s sake. But not until a symbol is revealed that symbolizes the future, portrays the undying human spirit despite the dehumanizing impact of society, the humanity’s resilience through autocracy, and an indication that change can come from the youth.

Despite of the film’s inconclusive ending, the movie is absolutely well played out for it depicts an impactful theme for such a limited setting, while reflecting human behavior in a graphic and unsettling way. The concept of the movie is unique and undeniably clever as it mirrors human society being deeply disrupted by greed, gluttony, and selfishness. The makers have made an engaging narrative and cinematic flourishes that elevate the nominal screenplay, turning the unadorned conversations into solicitude.

The character’s development is also recommendable so as the uncertainty moments and false hopes that come along. Direction and cinematography are marvelous and they are perfectly blended with music that keeps the film engaging.The effects are well done, while the frames are haunting that delineate social relevant subjects. All these factors actually contribute to the impressive creation of film.

The Platform’s actual message is not to change the world but to change the viewer’s perspective.Through its metaphor, the film asserts that there is a lot of resources to go around but overconsumption ineluctably leads to inequality. The system proves that wealthy race wants to make more money even if it cost a life of people, while poor race continues to struggle and fight for survival through involving in crime and corruption.

There is no end to this circle but we can still try to change the system.

However, change does not happen immediately and this revolutionary film recognizes that it has to start with us.

The world may seem to be a very different place depending on the window you’re looking out of.

Out of their lowly semi-basement apartment, the Kim family sees steel bars. Beyond that, one of Seoul’s backstreets – the kind that drunks dive into to relieve themselves. They can’t even afford a WiFi connection so they hack into the neighbor’s connection and when the street fumigators go by, they leave their windows open to benefit from bug-killing street fumigation, even if they nearly choke to death in the process. Then there’s the Park family, settled in an architectural wonder perched high above the slums of Seoul, with views not of urinating drunks but of luxurious lawns and starlit skies.

Directed by South Korean auteur Bong Joon-ho, Parasite took home most awards at the Oscars 2020, winning four Academy Awards including Directing, International Feature Film and Writing (Original Screenplay), and Best Picture- the first non-English language film in Oscar history to win the award.

Whether it is a chance or a destiny, these two families are brought together and the Kim’s sees a golden opportunity. Masterminded by Ki-woo(Choi Woo Sik), the Kims fortune soon changes when he falsifies his credentials and lands a lucrative job as a tutor for the teenage daughter of a very rich family in a spectacularly grand modernist house, owned by tech CEO Mr. Park(Lee Sun-kyun).

Ki woo immediately hatches a plan to get his whole family employed in the house. He convinces Mrs. Park(Jo Yeo-jeong), that her son needs an art tutor, which allows his sister “Jessica” (Park Sodam) to enter the picture. Soon, these kids have cunningly contrived to get the family driver fired and replaced with their father. They then dislodge the housekeeper Moon-gwang (Lee Jeong-eun) and install their mother. A symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. However, everything changes when the Kim’s newfound comfort is threatened by a new parasitic interloper. A battle for supremacy breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks.

“Parasite” is ultimately a film about class inequality, and how gaps between the upper, middle, and lower classes often lead the ones in the bottom to step on one another to be able to rise up in the society.

There’s a lot to love about the movie but the best thing about it is the exercise in visual language. Working with the incredible cinematographer Kyung-pyo Hong, Bong’s film is captivating with every single composition. The clean, free-spaced house of the Parks contrasted against the tight quarters of the Kims isn’t just symbolic, it’s visually stimulating without ever calling attention to itself.

The film’s magnificent all-star ensemble cast deliver performances of exceptional psychological acuity that surely invokes the loudest of laughs and the strongest of emotional reactions from the audiences.

Part black comedy, part social commentary, part psychological thriller, part tragedy; Parasite is not your average social drama film. It is a distinctly Korean film but the themes and characters are timeless and universal.

VOL 86 // NO. 1 // SEPTEMBER 2020

59

FINDING CHIKA RATING: 4.9/5.0

REVIEWS

Love in Chapters Time and Love are never in sync. Some love are lived before their time, some have run out of time before it can be concluded, and some were never lived at all.

By: Xena Hyacinth Estinoso and Honey Mabelle Villarba Photo Credits amazon.com

“The most precious thing you can give someone is your time Chika, because you can never get it back. When you don’t think about getting it back, you’ve given it in love. I learned that from you.”

New York Times Bestselling author, Mitch Albom, narrates his personal benevolent tale of parenthood in his new book Finding Chika.

Mitch Albom established the plot in a rather mundane yet striking scenario – the illusion of a memory vivid and real that the words come right out of the book to relive Chika – the charmingly tenacious and brave little girl from Haiti.

Exactly a day shy of her first death anniversary, Chika appeared to Mitch telling him to pick up his pen and tell her story. Diagnosed with a brain tumor, Chika was given custody to Mitch and his wife Janine while undergoing brain surgery in the United States. The custody initially expected for only five months, ran for more than a year and brought them as far to the other side of the world as it brought them closer; close enough to be called a family.

She was seven when she died on April 7. In this book, Mitch emphasized seven life-changing lessons he learned from Chika. It dug deeper into the struggles of the children and people from Haiti after the earthquake in 2010. It casted a light on the resilience and unshakable faith of the people.

Yet more than anything, it bared the flourishing of a love so selfless and unconditional – of a parent, and of a making of a family.

In a book like Mitch Albom’s, there are no conspiracy theories or a setting with a foreign name. There are no magic spells, vampires, mermaids, or unicorns, but there are genuine circumstances and conversations that Mitch Albom is able to transcend through more than just the ordinary. Like his books Tuesdays with Morrie,The Five People You Meet in Heaven and The Timekeeper, you will cluth this book closelt to you chest as reading it would leave you with a sensation of never being the same person again.

NOVEMBER 9 RATING: 4.8/5

“Dying is only thing to be sad about, Mitch.

Living unhappily is something else”

“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”

The story peeks at Fallon O’Neil feeling angry towards her father while also blaming him for how her life had turned out. Indefinitely trying to accept all the hurtful words, a disheveled yet dashing Benton James Kessler came into her rescue by pretending to be her boyfriend despite their first time meeting each other. Thereafter, Ben came to know that Fallon, with her pintsize confidence from the scars she got, has scheduled her cross-country move the next day after. Feeling the intensity of a one-day encounter, Ben was eager to make Fallon’s eventful life as his inspiration in writing his novel. Whereas, Fallon, being utterly overwhelmed of that experience,

“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else” decided with Ben to meet up on the same date – November 9, every year.

The early parts of the novel start off with Ben and Fallon’s scheduled date of meeting and spending a day with each other’s company which they both seem to love dearly.

The readers then delve into how Ben had encouraged Fallon to pursue her dreams of being an actress amidst of how she thought of it as a privilege to do so given her scars.

While Fallon was an honest hater of insta-love, it can’t be denied that their subtle yet stirring moments of affection had left her confused of how she felt. On the third November 9, Ben was put into limelight as he so willingly confessed his feelings for Fallon. It then entered the devastating reality of her rejecting him and dumbfounded as she was, when she found out how he got over his upheaval and who he was with as he moved on.

What was lovely about the book was how Colleen Hoover made her characters grow before the eyes of the readers that they are left to fathom the character’s realness.

Moreover, the twists and turns this novel had revealed were all unexpected, unpredictable, and addictive combined. After all, these make the readers realize that love can be so beautiful no matter how unconventional it may seem.

Above all, this book emphasizes that anyone who sees your scars before they see you for the true you, doesn’t deserve you.

Upon reading this book the readers can definitely feel every single emotion they can have.

The novel was swoon-filled that it can leave you crying, and likewise, completely in love.Truly, Ben and Fallon’s were a story inside a story. Certainly, as for their love, it’s definitely a twelve.

Accept the terrible responsibility of life with eyes wide open.

-Jordan Peterson Artwork Geremy T. Gallenero

Name: Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker

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