The Augustinian - Volume LXVIII - January 2022

the

Augustinian

WHAT’S INSIDE

VOLUME LXIX • NUMBER 1 • JANUARY 12, 2022

NEWS • PAG E A 3

NEWS • PAGE A7 Comelec projects 65M voters for 2022 polls

University houses vax site USA opens its doors to serve as a vaccination site for both residents and non-residents of Iloilo

Responsive • Developmental • Research-based

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

EDITORIAL • PAGE A8 Juan of the Many Six long years after Duterte took control, the chain has yet to be broken and has only gained new links.

Registered voters for the 2022 national election reaches 65 million, exceeding the expectation of the Commission of Elections.

PHASE TO FACE. Fourth year Medical Laboratory Science interns of the University of San Agustin attend limited physical classes at Medical Laboratory, Mendel Hall.

USA PUB PHOTO • ROTSEN C. AGREDA

TRANSITIONS AND DECISIONS USA pilots face-to-face classes with MedTech, Nursing Programs

Pursuant to the Commission on Higher Education joint Memorandum Circular with the Department of Health No. 2020001 (CHED-DOH JMC No. 2020-001), the University of San Agustin conducted limited face to face classes in programs of BS Medical Laboratory Science and BS Nursing of the College of Health and Allied Medical Professions (CHAMP), October 11 to August of 2022.

The CHED-DOH JMC No. 2020-001 presented guidelines on the gradual reopening of the campus of Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) for limited face-to-face classes during the COVID-19 pandemic in which the university was able to secure a Certificate of Authority.

“The goal here is to let the students undergoing internship acquire sets of skills while we

have this COVID 19 pandemic threat. Several measures like engineering controls, personal discipline, and all others must be constantly checked and maintained to prevent any local transmission. However, there is a call and unwritten rule for all those directly involved in the conduct of limited face to face to observe all protocols even personal discipline (observe

BUILT FOR PROGRESS. The construction workers continue to thrive as a result of the pandemic’s need for additional laboratories, equipment, and other infrastructures. US A P UB P HOTO • ANG EL G RAC E O. OC TOSO

USA expands infra upgrades B Y NI COL E ROS E D . F E N ITA Pointing towards attaining a higher level of accreditation, the University of San Agustin continues to thrive with its structural project plans and facilities as part of its strategic plans.

University President Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, O.S.A explained that the growing number of students each year enrolled in programs requiring laboratories and the need for additional

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school to home contact only as much as possible) to prevent local transmission,” shared Cyruz P. Tuppal, PhDNS, DNS, DMS, MSN, MASPED, MHA, MBA, PGDRDM, RM, RN, LPT, dean of CHAMP. While on the conduct of the internship, several guidelines have also been set by each course to secure the safety and health of the students, with 304 enrollees for the MLS program and 197 students from the Nursing department.

“We adhere to the IATF guidelines and the CHED-DOH JMC 001 S 2021 to mention, like wearing of required PPE, observe LEARNING

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amenities must be prioritized for the institution to become presentable and conducive for learning.

“All the things that we do here are still grounded on the strategic plans of the University, (and) we want to be the best in the region and country,” said Comendador in an interview with The Augustinian.

Despite efforts to refurbish and restore, the university’s focus has temporarily shifted as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic.

At a time when the school felt laboratories were sufficient, the matter was not given attention despite efforts to renovate and restore the buildings.

“But with the pandemic, we really shifted our focus to put more laboratories. Before pandemic, there’s already a plan to put up a student center adjacent to the hotel. It was already approved by the board.

When pandemic came, we have to shove that away as we have seen that it is not a priority,” said Comendador .

UPGRADES

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Iloilo City eyes herd immunity

BY S H E R G E N Q . V I LLA N U E V A To instill protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) amongst Ilonggos, the Iloilo City Government continues its urge of getting the public vaccinated to achieve its mission in reaching herd immunity.

As of November 15, the city has fully vaccinated 323,949 persons, reaching 96.65% of the total target population of 525,000 which includes 425,000 residents and 100,000 non-residents.

“While we have included some from the province who are working here, we really need to ramp up the vaccination so that we can say we are achieving herd immunity,” stated Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas n his Facebook post.

Moreover, through the city’s invested efforts on free and walk-in vaccination rollouts, around 364,609 persons, which is 108.78% of the target population, have already received their first dose.

“For me, [the herd immunity is] i m p o r t a n t because this will be a step closer for all of us towards

going back to the real normal with face-to-face classes and the freedom from [having to wear] face masks,” shared 18-year-old Vhee Militar, a fully vaccinated Augustinian.

Furthermore, several regions in the Philippines have similarly declared their objective for herd immunity to reduce the spread and acute effects of COVID. “Herd immunity is completely necessary to end this pandemic. If most of the population were to be immune from this virus, chances are the virus will mutate to a lesser strain. Herd immunity is also necessary to save the lives of people who are immunocompromised or from people who cannot receive the vaccine since if the virus can be stopped by an

immunized individual chances are the virus wouldn’t reach more people anymore and that includes saving the lives of people who cannot protect themselves from the virus.

[It] is necessary, and it can be attainable only if and only if the entire community cooperates,” stated Immunology and Serology Clinical Instructor IMMUNITY

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SHOT OF PROTECTION. A city health worker administers a booster shot of Astrazeneca at the University of San U S A P U B P H OTO • R OT S E N C. AG R E DA Agustin Gymnasium.

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INFOGRAPHICS • DYLAN JACOB K. SUAREZ

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A2 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

UNIVERSITY NEWS USASG, SAWO lead KasanAg 2021

RETURNS

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physical distancing of 1.5 meters, and hand hygiene before and after engaging in an activity,” stressed Jose G. Perez Jr., RMT, MSMT, LPT, academic supervisor of the graduate and undergraduate programs of the MLS. Adapting to the restrictions and guidelines set by InterAgency Task Force, both the MLS and the Nursing department have adjusted contact hours of the interns and students to meet curriculum requirements.

“Only professional courses with skills laboratory and/or RLE components shall be included in the limited face-to-face classes.

All skills laboratory and RLE classes will be conducted inside the university, specifically in the Nursing Arts Laboratories.

Students will only attend for four (4) hours for their limited face-to-face classes. It will be divided into two (2) sessions or shifts: Morning session starts at 8:00am-12:00pm and the afternoon session starts at 1:005:00 pm,” shared Viella Tolosa-

Balbon, MAN, M.A.Ed., RN, academic supervisor, Nursing Program.

The MLS program has also adjusted the duty hours for the internship as well as the duty rotation.

“The MLS internship will be held at the USACL, and two (2) simulated Medical Technology Laboratory rooms.

For the USACL, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Clinical Microscopy & Immunology & Serology. For the two (2) simulated Medical Technology Laboratory rooms, Histopathology and Blood Banking. We will follow the 5-10 cyclical schedule.

Five days of limited and ten days of virtual meeting for the next two semesters,” explained Perez.

While the two programs were able to secure authority to conduct limited face-to-face classes, challenges were faced in the process. One of those was the cost of the RT-PCR testing.

“For RT-PCR testing, parents, students, and faculty were concerned on who will shoulder the RT-CPR testing

TELEMEDICINE. USA Health Services Unit provides dental and medical consultations to personnel and students.

USA PUB PHOTO • ANGEL GRACE O. OCTOSO

TeleHealth caters Augustinian consultations

BY J EFF G. TOLENTI NO Addressing the challenge of the Augustinian community to access medical consultation advice amid pandemic, the University of San Agustin Medical Clinic launched its TeleHealth program geared to provide online consultations to the Augustinian Community.

Continuing the initiative begun by the university’s former Chief of Health Services unit, the TeleHealth program has officially started to cater to students and faculty with medical problems.

“The TeleHealth started through text and calls for employees who are here during the pandemic last year, and it

was not until around September [2020] when they conceptualize the formal TeleHealth consultation platform,” shared Dr. Evangeline Barbara Go, chief of the Health Services Unit of the University.

USA TeleHealth appointment that can be seen on the university’s official website was made available in December. However, it was only

FILE PHOTO • USA FACEBOOK PAGE

Instilling this year’s core value, Caritas, through the celebration of the Augustinian community, the University unfolds KasanAg 2021 with the theme, #USAKaGugma, from November 13 to December 3.

The festivity commenced on the 1667th birth anniversary of Saint Augustine of Hippo, patron saint of the University, advancing to two other main events: Tatak Agustino and KasanAg sang Paskwa, the USA’s Lighting Ceremony.

“The event expresses the theme #USAkaGugma that showcases our various passions - arts, sports, academics, service - in the University. It also reminds us that we are one in the Love of God, who is our One Great Love, that continues to inspire purpose,” said Jerimar Jeric Anatan, Coordinator of the Recognized Student Organizations and in-charge of the celebration, in an interview with The Augustinian.

In the first main event from November 13 to 14, the ceremonies are as follows: Eucharistic Celebration, Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) General Assembly, #USAKaGugma Webinars, Theater Matters: #LoveHues, and Augustinian Wellness Ride.

“The ‘KaSanAg 2021’ idea was brought up due to the go-signal of the annual Christmas activity of the University, which is ‘KaSanAg sang Paskwa’. And from there, we’ve come up with various programs which lead to that. It all starts from the Birth Anniversary of St. Augustine (November 13), TATAK Agustino (November 19 and 26), and KaSanAg sang Paskwa (December 3),” added Anatan.

Moreover, for the Tatak Agustino, on November 19, the Sulat-Awit Agustino (Song Writing Competition) and Tinig-Tindig Agustino (Advocacy Vlog Competition) were conducted live on the USA Student Government (USASG) and USA Student Affairs and Welfare Office (SAWO) FB page.

“I decided to partake in this Sulat-Awit Agustino event because I wanted to share my gifts to the world [and] let them hear the words that come straight from my heart. Being a part of this contest made me realize that many people support me and love me for who I am. Now, I know in my heart that I did my best and made a difference,” shared Mary Zhinlei G. Lorania, a competitor of the Sulat-Awit Agustino.

Meanwhile, from November 20 to 21, Lakas Agustino (SAGE Clash) was held live on the San Agustin Golden Eagle Esports FB page, and on November 26, Dulaang Agustino 2.0 (USA Virtual Play Festival) and Guhit_Agustino (USA Digital Art Competition) took place.

“The reason I joined is that I wanted to explore new fields and also because I love acting. I am very happy to participate in the contest as it is all about love and charity.

Being a participant in this contest is a great honor, for it also means that I am of help in advocating and influencing love and charity,” said Kristina Marie Sison, a participant of the Dulaang Agustino 2.0.

Furthermore, the University organized a raffle draw with the theme, “Share Your Light!”, as part of KaSanAg sang Paskwa and for the cause of supporting the eight advocacies, namely, Research and Development, Augustinian Formation, Scholarships, Human Resource Development, Infrastructure Development, Sports and Youth Development, Culture and the Arts, and Protection of the Environment.

USA PUB PHOTO • ROTSEN C. AGREDA

B Y S HE R G E N Q. VIL L AN U E VA

IN THE NAME OF LOVE. Rev. Fr. Frederick Comendador, OSA, led the Eucharistic mass with the emphasis on Caritas as God’s means to uplift others.

fee considering that it is a bit expensive (ranging from Php 2,500. 00 to Php 4,500.00). The university had an agreement with the local government unit of Iloilo City through the USWAG foundation wherein both faculty and students can avail of the free RT-PCR testing before the start of the limited F2F classes or as the case applies,” expressed Balbon.

Stressing the importance of laboratory skills and face-to-face education in the medical field, Jules Filly B. Baldon, President of the MLS Internship Officers, shared his sentiments.

“Despite the risks entailed with the resumption of limited face-to-face system, it cannot be denied that hands-on experiential learning is a great necessity for medical students as it will ensure that they will be equipped with the proper training and skills that they need for their future profession or as they join the healthcare working community later on and can keep up with the new processes related to health especially managing new emerging diseases like COVID-19 which the online setting cannot offer,” Baldon shared.

UPGRADES

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In addition, Fr. Comendador further enumerated the major and minor constructions that is currently taking place in the university including those that have already started before the health crisis occurred a few years ago.

“The PMT (PharmaMedTech) building, the recently finished NAL (Nursing Arts Laboratory), the University Museum and Archive, additional laboratories for engineering and architectural courses, computer laboratories, additional covered walks, expansion of the canteen in Sambag Campus, renovations of comfort rooms, and the STP (Sewage Treatment Plant). We are really hopeful to finish all of these by the end of the academic year or within the year,” thus said Comendador.

Regardless of the ongoing constructions with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the university has also encountered several problems that halted the progress of these projects where

by March of 2021 that the program was made available for students and faculty.

“The Telehealth program is about having an online consultation of their choice [faculty and students]. It could be through voice call, text message, private message, email, or through the use of video conferencing platforms,” explained Go. During health consultation sessions, various medical conditions were given aid and advice in the comfort of the patient’s home.

“We cater appointments for the dental clinic or the clinical laboratory and some with conditions like chest pain, cough, pain during urination and among those complaints, they ask and make appointments through TeleHealth,” shared Go. Among the students who availed the Program was Emy Rose Gallego, a fourth-year BS Political Science student.

“The telehealth service provided by the university was very beneficial to me during the height of the pandemic. I was treated without the fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus,” shared Gallego.

Among the challenges encountered in the conduct of the TeleHealth programs were poor internet connectivity and conflict of schedule.

“The internet connection is the number one problem. So sometimes, when video conferencing gets laggy, I opt to change to voice call instead,” shared Go. Concluding from experience, Go shared that one should not be complacent of the common symptoms like a cough to self-diagnosis and as much as possible consult a health professional.

“The students and faculties should not be complacent of the common symptoms that they feel, as such may be more than just a cough or an allergic rhinitis to avoid the spread of the virus [COVID-19],” concluded Go. The TeleHealth program aims to expand its reach to the Augustinian community through the creation of a website.

intensified health protocols are to be held responsible.

“There have been a failure of the contractors to finish their projects on time. Supply chain was affected as they failed to supply. Another is labor problems as some of the laborers came from other provinces and are affected by the lockdowns, [...] and also the funding,” added Comendador.

Meanwhile, the University President also disclosed some of the prospective plans in the future which consists of putting more elevators on buildings with four floors and above, installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, generators, extension of the library, additional parking spaces, and the construction of an adoration chapel.

IMMUNITY

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Francisco Avanceña Gangoso Jr., in an interview with The Augustinian.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City continues to reach the goal by conducting house-to-house

and workplace inoculation and utilizing vaccination sites such as Ateneo De Iloilo, University of San Agustin, Central Philippine University, University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo City National High School, and Megaworld Festive Transport Hub, Robinsons Jaro, and SM City.

“We received vaccination in our workplace because we are frontline workers, and it’s nice that we don’t have to worry much about the process.

This herd immunity needs cooperation from all of us because it will improve our lives and work here in the hospital.

As front liners, we also continue to encourage other people to get their vaccines,” thus said Rose Marie Villanueva, a nursing attendant at Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC).

It has also been reported that 27, 283 minors have already been vaccinated when the inoculation for children ages 1217 kicked off from October 29 to November 16, both for residents and non-residents studying in Iloilo City.

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

USA appoints first lay, woman VPAA B Y H A NN AH JH AN YL L E C. PO Marking a moment in its 116-year Ilonggo history, the University of San Agustin appointed Dr. Regina Aileen May Vergara as the first lay and woman Vice President of Academic Affairs, April 20.

The designation was approved by the USA Board of Trustees, with the endorsement of Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA, the University President, and the deliberation of the General Advisory Council.

“She [Dr. Vergara] was instrumental in many of the milestones we reached in the University, especially in the accreditation, and her familiarity with the system and where we want to be [regain autonomous status] were her edge from other candidates,” opined Comendador.

Prior to becoming VPAA,

Dr. Vergara had served as the University’s Director of Strategy and Quality Management Office for four years, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) for two years, and Academic Supervisor of Chemistry Program for two years, and before delving into education, was the Head of Operations of Atom Chemical Company, Inc. for ten years.

“Based on my background in accreditation, one important thing is for the different academic units to maintain quality in curriculum and instruction,” remarked Vergara.

In her tenure, she has

encouraged the accreditation of all programs and introduced the Annual Curriculum and Management Plan, which prompts the different Colleges and ancillary units to systematize the planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities and programs.

“I have also been focusing on improving curriculum management, which starts from curriculum review to instruction to student assessment and looking into the possibility of offering and maintaining new programs,” she further stated.

In addition to Vergara, Circular No. 16 s.o. 2021 listed new friar-administrators as part of the customary four-year reshuffling efforts of the University.

“The administrators I have met have been sensitive to our

needs, so hopefully, I could garner support for future activities, programs, and proposals,” commented USA Student Government President Mary Divine De Villaluna on the new assignments.

Villaluna also noted that the appointment of the first woman VPAA is another step to reaching the United Nations’ Fifth Sustainable Development Goal, Gender Equality, as it shows that women can sit in administrative positions.

“Through the leadership of Dr. Vergara and the friaradministrators, we want the University to be responsive to the needs of the times, improve in the areas of curricular instruction and research, and enliven and inculcate the Augustinian spirit,” Comendador concluded.

University houses vax site

BY A T H E N A C H RI S T Y L. S O LE D A D

JABS FOR THE MASSES. USA offers facilities as vaccination centers for efficient vaccine rollout in Iloilo City.

USA PUB PHOTO • ANGEL GRACE O. OCTOSO

The Iloilo City COVID-19 vaccination drive came knocking on the doorsteps of the University of San Agustin, to which the university willingly opened the doors of the USA Gymnasium to be used as a vaccination site for both residents and non-residents of Iloilo on June 17, 2021.

Both the USA Gym and the covered court were used as the main vaccination sites, wherein a one-way foot traffic is used to regulate the entrance and exit of visitors.

“On behalf of the people of Iloilo City, I would like to thank Father President, faculty and staff, and the University of San Agustin community for allowing us to use the university gym as a vaccination site. Salamat guid sang madamu! Bato Iloilo,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas in a Facebook post.

The University’s vaccination site primarily served the faculty members, students, and their families, although their doors are also open for the elderly and people with disabilities who have difficulty accessing major vaccination centers.

“I really love USA [as a vaccination site] because it was well-ventilated, tools and equipment were well-provided, so we were very comfortable at the venue. Our vaccination process was very organized, and we were able to finish everything after 30 minutes,” said Jester Jay Kiunisala, a USA faculty member who had his first dose at the University’s Gym. Starting November 2, 2021, the university opened its gates to minors who want to get vaccinated, offering Pfizer for the 1st dose roll-out, still taking place in the covered court and gym.

USA Little Theater joins EU virtual festival B Y E M Y R OS E G . G AL L E G O

FILE PHOTO • USA LT & TEATRO EUROPA

Thriving amid the pandemic, the University of San Agustin Little Theater (USALT) was selected as the first and only group from Western Visayas to participate in Teatro Europa, a virtual theater festival by the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines, August to September 2021.

Sixteen theater companies around the country showcased European plays, with the USALT performing the Polish theater play “Śnieg” (Snow) by Stanisław Przybyszewski last August 14.

“At the start of the pandemic, live theater has been closed to the public. But performing in the midst of the pandemic goes to say that the show must go on. Likewise, art has always been a creature of its own time I guess we were able to maneuver the tides of the new normal and come up with our own forms not only

to become alive, not only to survive but more importantly to thrive,” said USALT Director Eric Divinagracia.

As the USALT shifted from stage to screen, Divinagracia talked about the company’s journey of transferring a show to a virtual scene.

“What you actually miss is the live action and reaction between actor and audience,” shared Divinagracia. “It’s just a matter of changing your perspective and embracing your platform and your form so that you can always transform your performance to affect your

audience.”

To bring the 1903 piece up to date, the theater group integrated contemporary elements into the play.

“We did a lot of discussions and meetings. We further discussed on how we adopt this play into modern and into our own Like LT [Little Theater] touch. So, we decided to make the play into something modern and a little bit localized.

You can see that we used a lot of Hiligaynon jargons,” said Performance Coordinator Anthea Dulfo.

Renz Isaiah Inquit, USALT’s Project Lead emphasized the friendship between the Philippines and the EU through the featured plays: “Theater is very important diplomatic tool because we get to share ideas, different cultural perspective between

the Philippines and different European CountriesWe learned Poland through the making of Snow and at the same way we try to incorporate a touch of Filipino values, settings, [and] nuances into the Polish play.”

A series of webinars with prominent theatre directors was also held during the Teatro Europa season to explore the connections between Philippine Theater and European Theater.

“As the online world is brought to theater, this event wants to introduce diverse European stages into the Filipino stages,” said Ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines Michele Boccoz on the event’s Press Conference.

USALT’S Snow full video performance can be streamed on Teatro Europa’s official Facebook Page.

STAGE TO SCREEN. The USALT performs the Polish theater play SNOW during the Teatro Europa 2021.

A4 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITYNEWS NEWS w

USA-ALE beats nat’l average

BY ME R YL B. BA BOL “Now they have exceeded our expectations!”

Academic Supervisor, Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of San Agustin (USA) AR. Antoine Geoffrey Coo evaluated the 88 percent passing rate of USA’s new Architects as higher than the 72 percent national average as 15 out of 17 first time takers passed the August 2021 Architect Licensure Examination (ALE).

“Most of the time, we are around 68-75% passing rate for new takers. This is the first time that we had this high percentage which is

88%,” said Coo. In a remote interview, he also highlighted that USA board takers constantly met the passing rate for the past years with the help of having quality training in their two-year apprenticeship before taking up the board exam.

“So, the training of the student, the training of the person is really important, because it goes hand in hand with the learnings they get and it really reflects which students had good training in their apprenticeship from those students who did not get proper training in their apprenticeship,” added Coo. On the other hand, two of the newly ALE-passed Augustinians talked about the struggles they encountered on their way to realizing their dreams.

“It was crazy, but more than being happy, I just feel relieved that not only me but also all

of my classmates were able to overcome it and passed the exam.

Considering all of the challenges in our journey, from Taal Ashfall last January 2020, CoronaVirus, Delta variant, 3 canceled flights, 4 exam postponements later, finally, finally, architects na kami,” said AR. Pleiades Marie C. Arada.

Meanwhile, AR. Geufre L. Emmanuel advises aspiring architects to focus on the goal ahead, emphasizing that “What you choose to focus on becomes your reality.”

“Anyone is capable of doing all of these and be their better

selves, all it takes is the right focus, taking that first step, and pouring your heart to make your dream a reality. The process will get tough along the way but as long as you have set your sights on the end goal, nothing and no one can stop you from attaining it,” stated Emmanuel.

The high passing rate of the BS Architecture graduates of the University serves as a huge accomplishment for the few architect aspirants to continue the rate they are aiming to increase in the consecutive years.

SanAg reaches out to IP communities B Y PI A V I C T O RI A E . G RAZ A

FILE PHOTO • JOHN PAUL PETROLA

University of San Agustin- Center for Heritage and Indigenous Cultures (USA-CHIC) celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Month through the promotion of the documentary film, online events, and exhibition of cultural products of several IP Communities in Iloilo and Capiz, October 23-31.

With the theme, “The Journey of Indigenous Peoples for Genuine Recognition, Respect, and Self-Governance,” this weeklong activity highlights the IPs’ battle for recognition, respect, and self-governance within their cultural groups, a significant way to raise awareness about their culture and struggles.

“This set of events of celebrating with the Ati Communities, and getting to know them especially through the film, is one way of promoting understanding to their community with a hope to eradicate totally the marginalization of their community,” said Dr. Clement Acevedo, director of USA-CHIC. The program started with ‘Ati Ako’ documentary film produced

by USA researchers John Paul Petrola and Rosa Zerrudo in partnership with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and National Culture for Indigenous People (NCIP) that reflects the life of the Ati Community in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro.

“In this film ‘Ati Ako’, it is one way of showing or making people aware of the struggles for cultural recognition of the Ati People. We are aiming to improve their socio-economic well-being, health conditions, and cultural identity where we can see in the film as they cope up with the demands of city life,” said Petrola.

Along with the film, a showcase of cultural products from the IP communities in the municipality of Lambunao, Dumarao, Capiz; Nagpana, Barotac Viejo; and Lanit, Jaro was held last October 25-27 at Festive Mall Iloilo, followed by a webinar at the Panublion Museum in Roxas City on October 30. “’Most of the cultural activity and research focusing on the culture are a bit silent but, in the university, we are not. The pandemic did not hinder us to have this film shown, did not hinder us to help the IP Communities,” added Petrola.

The celebration ended with another film showing last October 31 premiering on Youtube, with Dr. Acevedo sharing his gratitude to all the people who made this event possible.

“Besides the mandate of the CHIC, Dr. Jonel P. Saludes and Fr. President Frederick Comendador really desired to be of help to the Ati Community which reflects the Augustinian value of reaching out to the marginalized peoples. Without them, it will be an uphill battle in trying to help our brothers and sisters,” said Dr. Acevedo.

CHARITY AND CULTURE. USA-CHIC sets up an Ati cultural product display at Festive Walk Mall, Iloilo.

RETURN DEMOS. Augustinian Nursing students start in-campus Related Learning Experience (RLE) classes at Aguirre Hall.

USA PUB PHOTO • ROTSEN C. AGREDA

CHED grants virtual, limited f2f internship

BY HECTOR O. COFREROS Due to restrictions posed by the COVID19 pandemic, the University of San Agustin downshifts its student internship courses to virtual and limited face-to-face, following the guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The Admissions, Scholarships, and Placement Office (ASPO) shared with The Augustinian the status of the internships in the university, detailing the modifications it has taken to ensure the safety of its students.

“Last second semester of the academic year 2020-2021, student interns had their internship with various partner companies.

Companies were endorsed to ASPO and was checked and verified in DOLE Philjobnet. These companies also submitted their company profile and Business Permits.

This was done to guarantee that the companies are [legitimate] to ensure the safety of our student interns,” the ASPO wrote in reply.

Meanwhile, following the approval of CHED Regional Office VI, the university also started to implement limited face-toface internships on some of its programs under the College of Health and Allied Medical Professions.

“The BS Medical Laboratory Science (BS MLS) student interns

for the 1st semester ay 20212022, fortunately, was allowed, and they conducted their face-toface internship with the approval from CHED RO6. The BS Nursing program was also approved faceto-face internship with the BS MLS,” shared ASPO. The Augustinian reached out to students and faculty members from different academic programs affected by the shift to virtual internship setup.

“It was both easy and difficult for me as the internship was done online; I was in the comforts of my home when it started. There was no hassle in going to the workplace or problems if whether or not I could go home as early as possible, but at the same time, it was also difficult in a way that we didn’t get to have a lot of experience directly. It would be nice if the OJT were done face-to-face, even if it is in a limited amount of time,” stated Jel Galicia, a fourth-year BS Pharmacy student, pondering on the comfort and disadvantages of virtual internships.

For Reyner Cawa, a fourth-

year BS Psychology student who is yet to take his virtual internship next semester, he would personally want to have face-toface training with safety protocols in place.

“Knowing the current situation of Iloilo City as it is slowly reducing the number of active and new cases every day while vaccinating the Ilonggos, I’d personally want to have a face-to-face internship with safety protocols. I think having an internship in a face-to-face setting would help us more in gaining experience as to what our profession does in a real-life setting,” said Cawa.

Moreover, for Rhoda GarzonCampillan, academic supervisor of the AB Communications program, the virtual internship was quite challenging to be implemented at first but was successful.

“The program needs to revise the internship manual to cater to the new normal. There were a lot of preparations, but I am super grateful as the AS of the program that the virtual internship was successful. Our students did not apply; but instead, they were assigned. The AB Com program is the one who scouted for the internship venues,” shared Campillan.

Additionally, Campillan shared with The Augustinian

how she monitors the students under her department who are taking their internship, given that everyone is at a remote setup.

“I was always part of the virtual meetings between the students and our partner institutions, so I have the chance to monitor their performance. I also established a strong working relationship with the Internship Supervisors, and so they always make it a point to communicate with me the progress of the students,” added Campillan.

In correspondence with Dr. Arnold P. Anceno, Regional Education Supervisor of CHED Region VI, the Commission on Higher Education highlights the possibility of face-to-face student internship given the recent developments and consultation with the higher educational institutions and local government units.

“The Commission on Higher Education and Department of Health and IATF has issued JMC 2021-001 on the guidelines for Limited Face-To-Face classes during COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, through a series of Town Hall Meetings conducted by the Commission with the different HEIs and LGUs concerned in the country, the expanded Limited Face-To-Face classes will include all programs,” wrote Anceno.

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A5

UNIVERSITY NEWS UNIVERSITY NEWS

FRAMEWORK OF SUCCESS. The University started Magnetic Resonance Laboratory construction at Blanco Hall.

USA PUB PHOTO • ANGEL GRACE O. OCTOSO

Visayas’ first nuclear magnetic lab rises in USA B Y H O NE Y MABE L L E A. VIL L ARBA To build researchers’ competency in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in Visayas and Mindanao, and provide walk up, remote operation, and data acquisition access to the spectrometer, the University of San Agustin housed Visayas’ first-ever NMR Laboratory in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology’s Tuklas Lunas Program.

Rowena Cristina Guevara, undersecretary for Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), discussed that Tuklas Lunas program enables the DOST to harness the country’s biodiversity to develop supplements, herbal drugs, and functional foods.

“The NMR facility will

be used to study the physical, chemical, and biological properties to determine molecular identity and structure of materials in the ‘Tuklas Lunas’ (drug discovery) program of the DOST,” said Guevara.

DOST funded the establishment of the NMR Laboratory in an effort to

capacitate the Tuklas Lunas Development Centers from Visayas and Mindanao.

“The proposed infrastructure and training shall equip the countryside human resources to become leaders in drug discovery to bring globally competitive products that benefit Filipinos,” said Fortunato de la Pena, DOST secretary.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jonel Saludes, associate vice president of Research and Global Relations and Director of Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development, said in a virtual interview, that this instrument will allow people to discover

new antibiotics or anti-cancer agents that are Filipino made.

“Filipinos will now be able to discover new medicines either from natural sources or synthetic sources because this instrument allows us (scientists) to identify exactly what components are found in those plants or marine organisms because it could read fingerprints of compounds and identify them without confusion and with high certainty,” said Saludes.

Saludes also added that having the lab puts the University on the map of internationally competent research, which equates to being at par with other universities abroad, especially in terms of research capability.

“This is the first in Visayas and Mindanao; there is nothing like it. However, in universities abroad, it’s a standard instrument; the moment they are a research university, they have this kind of instrument,” added Saludes.

Furthermore, Saludes clarified the misconception of linking the word “nuclear” in NMR as parallel to radioactivity, which according to him, most people are familiar with.

“Nuclear in NMR is coined from the term ‘nucleus.” In NMR, we study the nucleus of the atom, but the atom does not need to be radioactive.

It’s just that in layman’s term, they relate nuclear with radioactivity, which is not the same,” he concluded.

According to him, the DOST allocated PHP 132 million for the NMR, with more than PHP 100 million amounting to the instrument alone.

The NMR laboratory is expected to fully operate and open its doors to public access

by December of 2022.

University triumphs in ChE confab

BY E U GE N I E A. BA LU R A N In the virtual 82nd Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers National Convention with the theme “AcChElerating Collaboration: Chemical Engineers in the Forefront of Post COVID-19 Pandemic”, Engr. Charmaigne Luz D. Jamandre, ASEAN Eng, FPIChE and Engr. Felicidad N. Altalaguire, FPIChE, Ph.D. seized victory last September 15 to 17.

Jamandre, the convention chairman for the event hosted by the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE)’s Davao Chapter, was awarded the highest title as Internationally Recognized Chemical Engineer on day two of the convention and took an oath as New National President PIChE for 2021 to 2023 on day three.

“As a convention chairman, I am to lead the process of organizing the national convention,” shared Jamandre.

USA Chemical Engineering Student Society (ChESS) President Lorenz Inri Banabatac shared his feedback of the event.

“Despite being online, the committee-in-charge made all efforts to minimize technical problems, which resulted to a smooth flow of events. The troubleshooting was top notch and the communication between the teachers and student was greatly established,” said Banabtac.

Meanwhile, Engr. Altalaguire was awarded as Senior Specialist Chemical Engineer which requires a minimum of seven years of experience within a specific specialization.

“As a former dean, Doc. Altalaguirre is liable for the activities in the COT department. She is very hands-on in every academic or curricular activity, and together with Engr.

Jamandre, as a current PIChE president, this event became possible with great leadership and skills,” Reynee Shaira Matulac, former president of USA ChESS, shared in an interview with The Augustinian.

Moreover, Jamandre and Altalaguire work as educators, particularly Altalaguire being the former dean of the College of Technology’s Chemical Engineering department which prompted students to share their insight.

“Their efforts to the event motivated me to do well in my studies inspite of the current online set up. Seeing the faculties giving their all at the National Convention stirred my drive for the chemical engineering course to overcome the obstacles we face during online classes,” Banabatac remarked.

Additionally, Jamandre after reflecting on the joy and hard work to these successes, she imparts her encouraging words for students and aspiring chemical engineers.

“For my students and aspiring chemical engineers, continue to follow your dream of being a chemical engineer, be a catalyst of change and aspire for more learnings and remember always that chemical engineering touches everything,” Jamandre concluded in the interview.

PolSci webinar tackles West PH Sea dispute

BY PAU L IN E MAR IE C. ARADA With over 300 participants from different universities and organizations across the country, University of San Agustin’s Political Science Society hosted “Treading Charted Waters: A Conversation on the West Philippine Sea,” aired live via zoom and USA-PSS FB page, August 28.

“The webinar aims to discuss in detail the issues pertinent to the West Philippine Sea by providing insights about the global effects of the tensions in the area and explaining sovereign rights of the Philippines concerning the matter,” stated Roger Ric Amador, fourth-year AB Political Science student, former vice president internal of the USA Political Science Society.

Vice President Leni Robredo graced the discussion with her opening remarks, followed by Atty. Justice Antonio Carpio’s talk of the history of maps and official treaties determining the Philippine territory’s extent; historical truths, as he emphasized, that are relevant in the current dispute over the West Philippine Sea. “We invited experts on the topic. Retired Justice Carpio discussed the history of how China gradually took over the West Philippine Sea, its effects on the Philippines and neighboring countries, and explained the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal on the issue,” said Amador.

In addition, Dr. Rosalie Arcala Hall, the following resource speaker, spoke about national and foreign policy and

Chinese government to respect the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal to maintain peace in the region.

This is because other countries are ready to take on China, whereas our government disregards our arbitral tribunal win. Thus, our win signifies our ownership of the West Philippine Sea,” opined Amador.

Furthermore, Dr. Joao Serra Pereira concluded the symposium with a lesson on the fundamental concepts, facts, and solutions from his topic’s perspective; he then proposed taking measures to gather public opinion regarding the issue. Finally, Dr. Joao Pereira discussed the possible effects of the tensions in the WPS on a global scale.

“It is important to take part in conversations that matter. This webinar aims to educate with accuracy and credibility in the topic that can gravely change our outlook in society so that we may involve ourselves in the process of development,” concluded Amador.

Philippine-US military relations, stressing the Philippines’ partnerships that strengthen the country’s territorial defense potential.

“I stand against the inaction of our government to assert our sovereign rights in the WPS. It has resulted in a hard time for the fisherfolk in the area, a series of harassment to passersby by the Chinese, and violations of international laws,” claimed Amador, stressing the hope for the country to select the rightful leaders with the upcoming elections to exercise sovereignty.

According to Amador, the insistence of China in the West Philippine Sea is alarming as they pose a threat to the peace of the international community, which could escalate into more complications; the military presence in the area, they threaten the livelihood of the local fishermen and the passage of vessels as they aggressively deny access.

“It is now important to TERRITORIAL RIGHTS. University of San Agustin’s Political Science Society pressure the invited esteemed speakers, hosting discussion on territorial disputes.

FILE PHOTO • USA POLITICAL SCIENCE SOCIETY

OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME. The AB Communication program gains valuable life insights from the Father of Indie Films via Zoom meeting. FILE PHOTO • AB COMMUNICATIONS

AB Comm archives Kidlat Tahimik’s Films

BY SAM A N T H A T H E A D . ABI E R A Philippine National Artist Kidlat Tahimik virtually turned over his films to the University of San Agustin, AB Communications Program, October 6.

Eric Otyeza de Guia, popularly known as “Kidlat Tahimik” or “Silent Lightning,” is internationally recognized as an independent filmmaker and the Father of Philippine Indie Films.

“I want to share what’s inside me, and it’s not the outer spectacle,” shared de Guia at the event on his purpose of creating films.

The AB Communication program of the University, only in its early years, felt honored and happy that of all universities that offer the same program, they were chosen by Kidlat Tahimik to store his works.

“It hits me in a special way

because he chose us [the AB Communication program] to be the recipients of his works, and as the AS (Academic Supervisor) of the program, I am happy that it happened during my time,” said Rhoda Garzon-Campillan, MDC. Kidlat Tahimik’s approach in filmmaking is unconventional as he tackles issues and stories of ordinary Filipino people that are not given importance in the mainstream media.

“Filipino filmmakers should not always conform to how Hollywood sets the trend for what a great film should be. The Filipinos should give their films a sense of national identity because

we are unique and is in different places. It’s time for us to give our films, our culture, and arts identity of its own,” shared AB Communication student, Ruben Java.

Some of his famous works include “Who Invented the Yoyo?

Who Invented the Moon Buggy?”

(1979), “Turumba” (1983), “Why Is Yellow the Middle of the Rainbow?” (1983-1994), “Orbit 50: Letters to My Sons” (19901992), “Japanese Summers of a Filipino Fundoshi” (1996), and “Balikbayan #1: Memories of Overdevelopment Redux” (2015).

“I want the younger audience to understand that filmmaking is not about the gloss, the looks, the extravagant effects, etc. What’s important is you were able to tell your story,” concluded Kidlat Tahimik.

A6 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

LOCAL NEWS

Iloilo beefs up River Replenishment Program

BY E U GE N I E A. BA LU R A N

FISHING FOR LIVING. Residents living near the Esplanade 4 fishing early in the morning, reaping the benefit of the city’s project.

USA PUB PHOTO • ROTSEN AGREDA

Iloilo, Guimaras to pilot hybrid rice planting

City councilor pushes uniform trike fare B Y O S CAR MAR I G . FAJAR D O Councilor Romel Duron, chairman of the committee on transportation and public utilities, eyes amending the 21year old fare rate ordinance of the city.

Due to several complaints from the commuting public regarding fare overcharging by tricycle drivers and operators, he proposed an ordinance imposing fare increase to all tricycles-for-hire in this city, amending Regulation Ordinance No.00-143.

“Makaluluoy gid ang aton nga mga traysikol drivers and operators at the same ang mga pasahero nga ginasukot sang sobra sobra,” said Duron in an interview with Iloilo Metropolitan.

Furthermore, the proposed ordinance received a variety of responses from public vehicle drivers.

“Depende man sa distansya kung lapit okay lang ang kinse pero kung malayo, pirde guid kami kay de-gasolina amon gamit ya,” said alias Nonoy, 45 year-old tricycle driver from Muelle Loney St. Meanwhile, daily commuters like Michael Felizarte from the district of Mandurriao, expressed his affirmations and support to push through the ordinance.

“I am in favor of the P15 uniform base fare since it prioritizes the best interests of both the drivers and commuters especially in these trying times,” said Felizarte.

Meanwhile, Ogatis said interventions for other provinces in the region are covered by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program.

“In support to the program on high-yield rice variety, free seeds and fertilizer were distributed to farmers under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Program (RCEP) and the Bayanihan Rice Resiliency Project 2,” he mentioned.

Furthermore, three bags of fertilizer are provided to farmers with each bag of hybrid seeds through the voucher system, allowing them to access inputs from DA-accredited agri-suppliers in Western Visayas.

“Bag-o guid para sa amon nga mga mangunguma ang sini nga programa sang gobyerno, pero kabay pa nga makabulig gid ini sa amon nga mag patubas labi na guid subong nga damo nagasulod nga bugas halin iban pungsod diri sa aton (This program of the government is new to us farmers, but I hope this will help us to yield especially today that numerous rice varieties are entering here from different places),” shared Jun Malcon, 39, resident of Sibunag, Guimaras in an exclusive interview with The Augustinian.

RICE TO RISE. A farmer tending to his crops for their last cropping of this year at Sta. Monica, Oton, Iloilo. USA PUB PHOTO • ROTSEN AGREDA

Iloilo electoral supporters campaign prexy

BY SYRELL DOANNE V. NI ETES To express their full support for their executive hopefuls ahead of the May 2022 elections, supporters of different political groups in Iloilo City began campaigning for their presidential bets.

Iloilo Youth for Leni (IYFL), a youth organization formed by volunteers from various areas in Iloilo that seeks to campaign for Presidential hopeful and Vice President Leni Robredo, organized activities such as palugaw (an event that serves rice porridge), pa-ice cream, and many more.

“We already conducted a palugaw in my hometown in Leon, pa-ice cream in Plazoleta, and are giving away Leni Pins from the Dapat Si Leni group,” said Arriane Jade Cams, founder of IYFL. The group also stated that they do not share the same funds with the Office of the Vice President, and thus considered a fund-raising activity to help provide funds for their future endeavors.

“As youth volunteers, we

don’t have enough budget and resources to host big events and activities. So, as of now, we are volunteering with other group volunteers like Doctors for Leni, Lawyers for Leni, Educators for Leni, DapatSiLeni, Robredoiloilo, and many more,” added Cams.

On the other hand, Bukluran ng mga Batang Maharlikan (BBM) Youth Iloilo Chapter, a youth organization that campaigns Senator Bongbong Marcos Jr., launched an activity called “Random Mobile Food Meal”, which caters to people by the streets.

“We cater to the homeless, beggars, sikad and tricycle drivers, anyone in particular, and later on, we turned it into barangay-based, catering 200 to 400 participants per distribution,” shared Larry ‘Lars’ Lao, founder and adviser of BBM

Youth Iloilo.

The group also clarified that they are not a paid youth organization channeled through local politicians.

“They [youth] are all volunteers; community service is still the top priority of this group rather than political affiliation; BBM Youth Iloilo Chapter was created to inspire the youth, the experience and the joy of giving and sharing and at the same time develop their personality and

social skills,” added Lao. Meanwhile, COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez reminded the public to focus on choosing candidates that have the best qualities and intentions to run the country.

“Now you need to start thinking about what the country needs, which candidate can bring us closest to filling those needs, and what you can do to help your chosen candidates win,” remarked Jimenez.

USA PUB PHOTO • ANGEL GRACE O. OCTOSO

B Y S YR E L L D OAN N E V. N IE TE S To increase the yield of rice farming communities in Visayas and to contribute to the attainment of nation’s rice sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) selected Iloilo and Guimaras provinces as target areas for the Rice Hybridization Program this year.

According to James Ogatis, DA Region VI information officer, hybrid rice would contribute significantly to boosting rice production.

“Eventually nag-increase gid ang yield sang aton mga farmers using hybrid rice varieties. That is why this year with the tandem of Iloilo (and Guimaras) as pilot areas for the hybridization program, nagalaom ang DA ma-adopt sang mga irrigated areas nga magtanom sang hybrid rice (Eventually, the yield of our farmers increased using hybrid rice varieties. That is why this year with the tandem of Iloilo (and Guimaras) as pilot areas for the hybridization program, the DA hopes the irrigated areas would adopt planting hybrid rice),” said Ogatis.

Further, Agriculture Secretary William Dar confirmed in a memorandum circular that hybrid rice planting has an expected yield advantage of at least one ton per hectare over traditional inbred seed varieties.

“The report of the performance of hybrid rice indicated a clear yield advantage over the certified inbred seed varieties, with farmers getting [a] yield advantage of up to five tons per hectare (hybrid yield of up to 12 t/ ha) and provinces having average yields of up to seven tons per hectare,” remarked Dar. Dar also stated that data on the performance of commercial hybrid rice seed at the municipal and provincial levels should be disseminated for the utilization of the farmers.

“In the future, the National Rice Program and Philippine Rice Research Institute should apply the PRISM (Philippine Rice Information System) in monitoring the performance of hybrid rice varieties for more accurate and more objective yield monitoring,” added Ogatis.

Iloilo City Government released approximately 2,300 fingerlings of sea bass, popularly known as Bulgan, into the Iloilo River on September 27 with the most recent work done on November 16 with over 1,700 bulgans added.

Headed by the City Agriculturist Office in joint effort with the Iloilo City government, the dispersal of the fingerlings seeks to aid in the replenishment of the Iloilo River to provide a source of livelihood for the citizens.

“Dako gid ang role sang aton nga Iloilo River kay diri nagakuha sang pagkaon ang aton nga mga pumuluyo especially subong nga may Covid-19 pandemic [Iloilo River has a big role since it is here where our locals get their food especially now that we have the COVID-19 pandemic],” shared CAO Head Iñigo Garingalao in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.

However, fishes are not added into the river at random as Garingalao explains that there are certain aspects that need to be taken into consideration when selecting what species of fish to release.

“We tried different varieties sang mga isda sang una but we were warned nga indi pwede ang mga carnivorous kag gapangaon sang mga kalan-unon sang iban nga isda. What the mayor really wanted is may mga nagakalain-lain man nga isda sa aton Iloilo River para indi lang basta-basta mga simple nga isda [We tried different varieties of fish back then but we were warned that we can’t add carnivorous fish or the types of fish who would eat the food of other fishes. What the mayor really wanted is a variety of fish so it isn’t just simple types of fish,” stated Garingalao .

In line with these ceaseless efforts, Mayor Treñas proudly shares his sentiments in social media about his joy when fisherfolk share pictures of their catch which further supports the progress towards the project’s aim of benefiting the citizens.

“A decade ago up to now, we are dispersing juvenile fishes in the river to provide a livelihood to the citizens of Iloilo City who mostly rely on their daily living by catching fish in the river. Amid this pandemic, I am so happy to see that some of our fellows are able to have some good catch. As we revive the Iloilo River back to life, let us all enjoy the bounty that it can offer,” said Treñas in a social media post.

However, despite the continuous efforts of replenishing the river’s resources, Michael Baquilar, a well-known angler and a part of the fish dispersal efforts, emphasizes that there are rules and etiquettes observed among anglers when it comes to fishing sustainably.

“Ginahambalan ko di mga angler kung ma-kwa niyo gagmay pa, mga age niya 5 months up to 6 months, gamay pa na, teh ginabalik namon kay para ang mga isda gadalagko. Ang mga gapang-net na, nagapang-laya, ginasaway namon kay indi na pwede, illegal ina. Instead nga mag-dagko ang isda, gamay pa, kwaon na na nila. Mayo kung isa lang ka bilog makwa nila, teh damo na. Kis’a may ara na pulo kabilog, may tag-walo, may tag-beinte, kundi dali maubos ang isda diri [I tell the anglers that if you caught small ones, aged 5 months up to 6 months, it’s still small, so we return them so the fish can grow bigger. Those who use nets, we tell them off because that’s not allowed, it’s illegal. Instead of big fish, they’ll catch small ones, too. It’s fine if they catch just one but they catch many. Sometimes they catch ten, some catch eight, some even catch 20, so the fish here are quickly exhausted],” remarked Baquilar on the rules of fishing and the illegal use of nets.

ELECTION BETS. Aspiring political candidates for the 2022 natonal and local election stars campaign through posters and tarpaulins in Iloilo City.

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A7

NATIONAL NEWS

Nat’l ID registrants near 36M mark

B Y ME R YL B. BABOL Facebook creator CEO Mark Zuckerberg, announced last October 28 the rebranding of his renowned firm Facebook to Meta, which highlights the corporation’s rising objectives in the social networking and virtual world.

According to him, the word Meta comes from a Greek word that means “beyond” and that for him it symbolizes a new chapter to a story and that there is always more to build.

“I’m proud of what we’ve built so far, and I’m excited about what comes next - as we move beyond what’s possible today, beyond the constraints of screens, beyond the limits of distance and physics, and towards a future where everyone can be present with each other, create new opportunities and experience new things”, added Zuckerberg.

The rebranding of the company came with a new company logo that looks like an infinity-shaped symbol slightly skewed yet still bears their trademark blue gradient color.

“The Meta symbol was designed to dynamically live in the metaverse — where you can move through it and around it. It can take on infinite textures, colors, and movement, capturing the creativity and imagination of a 3D world”, claimed by Meta’s design team in the company’s blog post.

The parent company name change to Meta reflects Zuckerberg’s aspiration for the next phase of social technology but the timing of the company’s name change was rather a surprise in the midst of lawsuits and negative press.

“Timing is a critical part of executing a rebrand well, and there’s too much noise around Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg right now. The Facebook brand equals the Zuckerberg brand”, said Allen Adamson, co-founder and managing partner of the brand marketing agency Metaforce and an adjunct professor at the New York University Stern School of Business in Morning Consult.

It can also be remembered that even the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out to shut down Facebook’s operations in the country, as multiple fake accounts on his support was shut down which aggravated him to make the threat.

“We allow you to operate here hoping that you could help us also. Now, if the government cannot espouse or advocate something which is for the good of the people, then what is your purpose here in my country?” stated President Duterte in The New York Times.

Marketing professor Prashant Malaviya of Georgetown University’s M c D o n o u g h School of Business also said that “Facebook” will always be present in headlines and will not disappear soon despite its rebranding efforts.

IDentity. Ilonggos register for Philippine Identification System ID at Robinsons Place Iloilo. USA PUB PHOTO • ANGEL GRACE O. OCTOSO

BY HECTOR O. COFREROS The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) verified that 35.9 million Filipinos have already been registered in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) as of October 8, indicating that it is on track to meet its goal by the end of the year.

Duterte bans Cabinet from Pharmally probe

BY H AN N AH J H AN Y L L E C . P O

Despite alleged anomalies in the government’s pandemic supplyrelated dealings with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, President Rodrigo Duterte barred cabinet officials from participating in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation, November 18.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, in a budget hearing with the Department of Justice (DOJ), notified the Senate of the president’s decision to reject their appeal to review and dissolve the October 4 memorandum enacting the ban on the grounds of unconstitutionality.

“Yes, your honor, the [justice] secretary discussed this with the executive secretary a number of times, and the executive secretary said the president was standing firm on his directive to all executive officials to no longer attend the committee hearings,” replied Senate Finance Chair Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara to Senate

Minority Leader Sen. Franklin Drilon to which Drilon forewarned of future presidents possibly issuing similar orders if the memorandum is left unopposed.

Executive officials had been present at the blue ribbon inquiry hearings headed by panel chair Sen. Richard Gordon, which began in August, before Duterte began condemning the probe, declaring it a waste of time for the [executive] officials.

“You can cite in contempt, pero ako na magsabi na ako ang may utos na hindi mag-attend, I think I can do it as president, and if there is an abuse of authority there or exceeding the authority of

In his testimony before a budget hearing, NEDA Chief Karl Kendrick T. Chua stated that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the program’s principal implementing agency, expects to cover 50 million people under the National Identification System by the end of 2021.

“Our target by the end of the year is 50 million. We are confident that we will achieve that despite the challenges of the pandemic,” said Chua.

Moreover, Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda P. Bautista said that the PSA has also adopted an institutional registration strategy to reach out to individuals from both public and private institutions to register.

“In the same manner that we reach out to local government units to assist in the registration of lowincome households and the

general population, our efforts also extend to reaching out to middle-class and upperclass income families for them to register to PhilSys via institutional registration,” said Bautista.

Meanwhile, during its launching in March this year, President Rodrigo Duterte reflected on the advantages of PhilSys and encouraged the public to register.

“As we pursue this long overdue project, I ask every Filipino to give PhilSys a chance so that we may maximize the advantages of a universal and secure database that will make transactions more efficient and our lives more convenient,” said Duterte.

The national ID is printed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and continuously distributed by the Philippine Postal Corporation.

the reasonable time that the Congress conducts a hearing, I will limit you to what you can do with the Executive Department of the government,” said Duterte, in a taped September 14 statement.

Roger Ric Amador, a fourthyear Political Science student, former vice president internal of the USA Political Science Society (A.Y. 2020-2021), and former College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) board member (A.Y. 2019-2020), regarded the move as the President protecting the executive officials from being negatively impacted from the case and as a precursor to government losses in finances and credibility.

“What would be required in this [case] is a leader that emphasizes transparency and accountability with true public service intentions for the country and setting these [principles] as

FILE PHOTO • ABS-CBN NEWS

Zuckerberg rebrands Facebook to Meta

BLUES OF CONTROVERSIAL BANS. Duterte forbids executive officials from attending Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on Pharmally. standards for future leaders could steer the country to a better path,” said Amador.

The Senate initially began scrutinizing the issue after the Commission on Audit (COA) released a report outlining abnormalities in the utilization of Department of Health (DOH) pandemic response funds, including the “unsupported” transfer of Php 42 billion to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

Comelec projects 65M voters for 2022 polls

BY O S C A R M A R I G . FA JA R D O

REGISTRATION EXTENDED. Voter applicants await their turn to register for the 2022 Philippine National and Local Elections.

FILE PHOTO • YOU VOTE

The number of registered voters for the May 2022 elections has once again surpassed the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) expectations, with the official total approaching 65 million.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez announced on an online forum that the number of registered voters has already surpassed 63 million as of the end of September.

“Our initial projections were 59 million but right now we are almost at 63 million projected registered voters for 2022 with roughly 4.5 million new registrants already in the books,” said Jimenez.

The poll body official also reported that the number of new voters has exceeded four million.

“Roughly 4.5 million new registrants in the books. This is incredible considering that there is a pandemic” added Jimenez in a virtual town hall discussion.

Meanwhile, around 51% of registered voters for the 2022 polls are represented by the young Filipino voters. Adolf Aguilar, chief of DepEd’s Youth Formation Division, said the youth’s vote has the power to influence the elections.

“This big chunk of voters really hold a potential power that can greatly influence the outcome of our national and even local elections...

Key issues tackled in every election directly relate to matters that affect all of you - your future employment, the services you get to enjoy, an honest and people-centered governance, and quality education,” shared Aguilar.

As the number of registrations continues to rise, influential people reminded the public to exercise their right to vote and be vigilant in choosing which candidate should they shade their pens on this coming May 2022 elections.

“We should exercise our right to vote by choosing the right candidates through examining their true intentions for running and their capacity to perform their role in the government because in the end, we are still the ones who are going to suffer if we are going to elect incompetent candidates,” remarked President of the USA Political Science Society, Kharme Therese Surmion.

A8 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

EDITORIALANDOPINION

Juan of the Many E D I T O R I A L

On the heat of the 2016 presidential elections, out of the many promises made to the Filipino people, a man with his words, determined to be the breaker of chain to the eternal plight of the Filipino people, has captured the heart of the voting population. Faced against a foe in empires of the country’s political dynasties, a man down south with a proud city to boast has toppled competitors to leash the Philippine power in the next six years. Such man was Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and six long years after he took control, the chain has yet to be broken and has only gained new links.

Within the first year after seizing the pinnacle of power in the political hierarchy, the Filipino people fractioned into the wing of other political parties are yet to settle, thus creating a problem for the new administration.

Duterte, to fully exercise power and unite the divided Filipino people, has reached out to various political leaders for a truce to start healing and “forget about the travails of elections.”

However, two years later, the sworn adversaries and critics of the Duterte regime have either recalled themselves into hiding out of fear and, for some who fought until the end, are now locked behind bars. Such example was former senator Leila de Lima.

Furthermore, the administration’s blatant attacks on known critics have only proven that what the government had wanted was an unchecked and uncriticized government. The use of social

media pawns in the likes of Esther Margaux Justiniano Uson, known as “Mocha Uson,” to engage the social media community in destabilizing dominant political parties by hate propaganda plots and fake news is in itself sufficient to say that the end has not justified its means. The hopes of Juan of the many who voted for transparency and good governance were locked with its critics.

On ruling of the Hague international arbitration court in the West Philippine Sea, riding the Filipino people’s sentiments to the country’s ancestral lands, Duterte, in his height, asserted dominance to reclaim the lands belonging to the Filipino people. Brave words of riding a jetski to the Spratly Islands and planting the Philippine flag to the contested territory was perhaps a promise many Filipino had held into, and six years later, the Philippine flag has yet to reach the lands the Filipinos govern and the country’s ancestral territories wastes away in the hands of modern foreign invaders.

Another choice of Juan of the many who sank within those seas.

In all of the promises of the Duterte administration, the fight against illegal drugs in the country was among the most controversial and infamous legacy the man from the south will leave behind. One of the most accomplished programs of the administration is to cleanse the Philippines in the use of illegal drugs. After six years of deadly counternarcotic operation, the Philippine

Drug Enforcement Agency has recorded over 6,000 drug crime suspects killed during police operations. However, independent research conducted by the International Criminal Court has estimated around 12,000 to 30,000 individuals, including those of extrajudicial killings in Duterte’s war against drugs.

Moreover, the so-called “cleanup” of the government in the illegal drug trade industry of the country has reaped thousands of loved ones from their family with their innocence spoiled over “nanlaban” justification by police officials. One of those was Kian delos Santos, 17, and a student who was killed in 2017 and was later proven innocent by legislative probes in 2018.

Duterte’s legacy to end the illegal drug trade in the country might be in the choice that has driven the public to vote for him as their president. Still, the killing of innocent minors and crimes against humanity of murder was a choice that never existed to be chosen by Juan of the many.

Over the six years of Duterte governance, the administration’s transparency was countlessly questioned by various journalists whose responsibility was as watchdogs of the government being the fourth estate of society.

Countless times too, have these individuals and organizations have faced threats and criminal cases pressed by the government. The closure of ABS-CBN after being denied renewal of the station’s 25year broadcast franchise has dramatically diminished the

power of the press to inform the public of the critical aspects of the Duterte administration. The network called out by Duterte to have been biased on airing campaign ads during the 2016 elections and has also been a keen follower and critic of the administration’s controversial war on drugs.

Furthermore, Maria Angelita Ressa, a FilipinoAmerican journalist and CEO of Rappler who recently been awarded as the first Filipino Nobel Prize laureate, has also faced cyber libel charges in her feat to criticize, document, and inform the public of the administration’s governance.

The oppressive acts of the government towards its critics are in opposition to what Duterte has promised to the Filipino people during his election campaign of leading a government for the Filipino people. Thus, the conviction of the administration’s sworn nemesis is a threat meant to silence, a promise broken to a vote from Juan of the many.

As the end of the Duterte regime comes close, the date in the 30th of June 2022 may have been an end of an administration but not for the ballooned dept of the country into which every Filipino is obligated to pay in the following years. In the June 2021 audit, the World Bank recorded the Philippines ’ debt at 3.07 billion dollars, an equivalent of 11.92 trillion pesos, the highest among all country borrowers globally, surpassing the manageable threshold of 60 percent, considered as the manageable level among

emerging economies. A debt that will be left behind by the debtors, with the burden of repayment being passed on to future generations of Filipinos.

A non-existent choice in the campaign promises but an unavoidable responsibility of Juan and the many.

In the coming elections, many of the promises by the past administration will become again in the words of a new presidential candidate. That of a different tone, and them of different faces. It may come from a candidate whose legacy denies that of the sins of his

father or that of a woman who sees to continue the feats of the liberator and the many others of various political color. The difference in those promises will come in the choice of the masses. The one who will yet again claim and leash the hierarchy of the Philippines’ political power will come from the selection of the Filipino people.

And the true reform and change beyond the words that will be said will be determined by the difference in the choice that Juan of the many will make.

ARTWORK BY JOSHUA PATRICK SANTILLAN

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

USA Publications Responsive • Developmental • Research-based

EMY ROSE G. GALLEGO Editor-in-Chief

JEFF G. TOLENTINO Managing Editor GLAIZA RAE D. AMABLE Associate Editor PAULINE MARIE C. ARADA Associate Editor MARIA CRISTY E. DAGUAY Moderator ART AND DESIGN TEAM : Geremy T. Gallenero (Art Director), Kendra Felizimarie P. Magsico, Joshua Patrick C. Santillan, Alexandra Rose D. Libar, Dianne Nayeli Montero ,Krystal Jean S. Silao,Carl Evans H. Jover, Dylan Jacob K. Suarez PHOTOGAPHY TEAM : Rotsen C. Agreda (Photography Director), Jedro L. Cawaling, Angel Grace O. Octoso, Benz Xedric D. Puig COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TEAM : Pia Victoria E. Graza (Community Affairs Director), Meryl B. Babol, Athena Christy L. Soledad CREATIVE WRITING TEAM : Nicole Rose D. Fenita (Literary Editor), Oscar Mari G. Fajardo, Shergen Q. Villanueva PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TEAM : Hector O. Cofreros (Program Management Director), Eugenie A. Baluran, Diorizze D. Perania DIGITAL MEDIA TEAM : Hannah Jhanylle C. Po (Digital Media Director), Samantha Thea D. Abiera, Syrell Doanne V. Nietes

Augustinian the

THE AUGUSTINIAN is the official student newspaper 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.

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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.usapublication.net Email: usapub@usa.edu.ph We encourage you to recycle this publication. Let’s help save the environment.

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GLAIZA RAE A. AMABLE

BS MLS ‘22

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As unemployment slightly increased in September 2021 due to strict quarantines and weather disturbances, so did scams in online payments and transactions, resulting in more complex and difficult-to-detect fraud incidents.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 8.9 percent of Filipinos are left jobless by the pandemic, making online job offers and invitations tempting. On the other hand, the more techsavvy would immediately spot several cautions in the request, including an unusual phone number, an unknown sender, unidentified firms or companies, and ambiguous job descriptions, which are all directed to a website through a link - a dubious tactic used by click-bait scammers.

“These types of messaging might mislead in a country where unemployment and digital misinformation are rampant,” Senate Labor Committee Chairperson Senator Joel Villanueva cautioned in an interview with Rappler, adding, “Apart from being an irritating intrusion into one’s privacy, such SMS offers on overseas employment violate rules in labor placement, an industry

that the government carefully controls to protect job searchers from being exploited by unlawful recruiters.”

Moreover, the Security Bank Corporation shared that they have also seen an increase in online scams as people are looking for business opportunities due to limited sources of income. The most common is “phishing,” which involves sending emails that appear to come from a reputable firm to obtain private information to gain access to one’s digital financial accounts.

Other types of digital frauds include “smishing,” which uses SMS text messages, and “vishing,” which uses voice calls that appear to be from legitimate businesses. In the end, no employment was given, and everything was a hoax to steal and profit from the recipient’s financial information.

The extensive healthdeclaration forms, which individuals had to fill out with personal information before setting foot in any venue, could be a way fraudsters gained access to contact information.

It is true that these are to limit exposure to sick people who have been identified, but they are also vulnerable to privacy

violations because they are collected randomly and packed into generic boxes with no government oversight on where and how they should be handled.

WHILE BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY FIRMS INVEST EXTENSIVELY IN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE SECURITY OF THEIR ONLINE SYSTEMS, CUSTOMERS BEAR AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR ACCOUNTS AND TRANSACTIONS. Even if the National Privacy Commission (NPC) has disputed that the stolen data came via contact-tracing forms, who can blame people for having legitimate concerns?

Was there ever a conscious effort to protect the data, and if so, how successful was it? Such questions remain unresolved as an NPC official claimed that illegally obtained mobile numbers were orchestrated by a global organized syndicate rather than through contact-tracing procedures.

While the administration is still trying to put its act together to safeguard the people, customers have been urged by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) to be extra cautious to the increasing

sophistication of online scams.

While banks and other financial technology firms invest extensively in efforts to improve the security of their online systems, customers bear an equal amount of responsibility for the safety of their accounts and transactions.

The public should check the legitimacy of messages and emails they receive regularly; protect their sensitive information; and be cautious with their online activities, such as refraining from posting photos of documents containing sensitive information that online fraudsters could skim.

Furthermore, policymakers must safeguard the general people against cybercriminals.

For instance, a need to pass certain bills currently pending in Congress, such as the proposed No Call, No Text, and No Email Registration System Act, which would make it illegal for nonregistered numbers to use an automated dialer or any other electronic device that could send messages to phone numbers.

Through such legislation and sanctions, cybercrime would be deterred, and disciplinary action would be administered.

The online job offers look enticing enough these days, with a daily salary that is much more than industry standards and easy access to the provided links, but one must be wary of texts, emails, or phone calls that lead to bogus websites that one can unintentionally click. Such links, as the NPC mentioned, “need personal action.”

A9

ARTWORK BY J OS HUA PATRICK S AN TILLAN

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

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NAGBAGONG ANYO NG KOLONYALISMO ALEXITHYMIA

EMY ROSE G. GALLEGO

AB PSCI ‘22

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“Oh my God, visiting the Philippines changed me!”

“Filipinos are the best people in the world?” “Filipino malls are insane” Ito ang nagbagong mukha ng kolonyalismo.

Kailan lang ay naging maugong na usap-usapan sa social media ang di-umanong paglalapastangan ni Nuseir Yasin ng sikat na Facebook page na Nas Daily, kay Whang-od, ang kilalang mambabatok ng Kalinga na ginawaran ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA) ng Dangal ng Haraya sa larangan ng Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Nilantad ni Grace Palicas, apo ni Whang-od na wala umanong permiso mula sa mambabatok ang pagsama ng kaniyang tradisyonal na pagta-tatoo sa Nas Academy ni Yasin. Wala pang isang araw nang pumutok ang rebelasyong ito, ay mahigit kalahating milyon na ang nabawas sa mga followers ng Nas Daily, karamihan dito ay mga pinoy na nagalit sa hindi paggalang ng vlogger sa kulturang Pilipino.

Maliban sa Nas Daily, marami pang naglilitawang mga vlogger at influencer, karamihan mga dayuhan, na pangunahing nilalaman o content ay tungkol sa

kulturang Pilipino. Sa unang tingin,pagdiriwang ng kultura ng bansa ang kanilang layunin.

Giit ng iba, naging pasyon na nilang makipag-ugnayan sa mga Pinoy dahil napamahal na sila sa kultura nito, subalit, sa ilang pagkakataon ay suntok sa buwan ang mga ito, sapagkat isa lamang itong bitag sa mga Pilipinong manonood.

“Pinoybaiting” ang tawag sa taktikang ito. Ayon kay M.A Buendia, isang Pilipinong vlogger at podcaster, ito ay isang “marketing strategy” ng mga content creators upang akitin ang mga Pilipino na manood ng kanilang video.

“Foreign YouTubers exaggerate reaction videos to our singers [and to] TV shows and films involving the Philippines in their plotline,” sabi niya sa isang tweet noong January 2020.

Watawat ng Pilipinas, sobrang nakakagulat na ekspresyon, naglalakihang titulo na sumisigaw tungkol sa nakakamanghang bagay sa Pilipinas ang laman ng thumbnail o ang maliit na imahe na makikita habang naghahanap ng mga video na panonoorin.

Madalas, ang pokus nito ay paulit-ulit na paksa tulad ng reaksyon sa ating mga palabas, talento, mga lutuin, at kahit

“DIGITAL CREATORS, HINDI MASAMA ANG PAGPAPAHALAGA SA ISANG KULTURA NA HINDI SA INYO. SUBALIT, KAPAG ANG PAGPEPRESENTA NITO AY GINAMIT PARA LAMANG MAKALIKOM NG LIKES, FOLLOWS, AT VIEWS, ITO’Y ISANG PAMBABASTOS.” mga shopping malls.

Halos maniwala na tayong sobrang interesado at mahal talaga nila ang ating kultura, pero ang totoo, ang ilan sa kanila ay hindi naman talaga seryoso at walang pakialam sa kapakanan ng mga taong tampok sa kanilang kuwento.

Tanging views ng mga Pilipino lamang ang habol nito.

Syempre, kapag maraming views, malaki rin ang kita.

Bakit nga ba Pilipino ang kanilang punterya?

Simple lang, uhaw tayo sa “global validation.” Gusto natin ang atensyon at aproba na natatanggap mula sa ibang lahi. Sa kasamaang palad, ito’y naging daan upang mas lalo tayong mabiktima ng pananamantala sa kultura.

Sa panayam ng news and media company na reportr. world kay University of the Philippines Sociology Professor

Samuel Cabbuag, ang global validation ng mga Pilipino ay nag-ugat sa kasaysayan ng kolonisasyon nito. Ayon sa kanya, naging sunud-sunuran at binabalewala ang mga Pilipino sa napakahabang panahon, kung kaya’t ang ilan ay nagaasam ng pansin at pagkilala mula sa ibang kultura.

“It’s more of narerecognize tayo, na meron pala tayong something na recognizable. Gusto natin magkaroon ng mas pantay na pagtingin sa mga kultura.“It’s more of equality in terms of sa pagtingin na tayo ay isang grupo o isang bansa na may sariling language, na may sariling kultura, na may sariling set of values. I think doon nanggagaling yung sinasabi nilang need to be validated,” sabi ni Cabbuag.

Isa ring dahilan ay nangunguna ang mga Pinoy

sa paggamit ng internet. Sa pag-aaral ng research firm na Hootsuite at We Are Social, sa nakalipas na anim na taon, ang Pilipinas ang numero uno sa listahan ng mga taong nagbababad online. Ang mga Pilipino ay gumagamit sa arawaraw ng humigit-kumulang 10 oras at 56 minutos sa internet at apat na oras at 15 minuto naman sa social media.

Digital creators, hindi masama ang pagpapahalaga sa isang kultura na hindi sa inyo.Subalit, kapag ang pagpepresenta nito ay ginamit para lamang makalikom ng likes, follows, at views, ito’y isang pambabastos. Kailanman, hindi naging batayan ang aprobal at atensyon ng mga dayuhan upang madagdagan o mabawasan ang pagiging awtentik at mayaman ng kulturang Pilipino.

Bilang mga mamamayan

na pinagkaitan ng pagkakataon na pagyabungin ang kultura dahil sa ilang siglo ng pananakop, nais naming makitang tinatangkilik ang aming kultura dahil kayo ay tunay na interesado dito, hindi lamang dahil ito ay malakas ang benta.

Bilang konsumidor ng internet, kailangan rin na maging responsable tayo sa ating tinatangkilik online.

Ipinapakita ba ng video ang ating kultura sa isang wasto, magalang, at responsableng paraan? Talaga bang pinaguusapan ang Pilipinas o ito’y nakasentro lamang sa kanila?

Matuto tayong sayasatin kung ang isang video ay nagpapahalaga sa ating kultura, o tinuturing lamang itong gatasang baka. Kapag patuloy tayong magbubulag-bulagan, tiyak na lalo pa tayong magiging target ng pananamantala.

INCONVENIENT CONVENIENCE STARGAZER

PAULINE MARIE C. ARADA

BS PSYCH ‘25

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Two years have already passed since the outrage of the global pandemic. Two years has it been since students hid behind their pretentious, sleep-deprived condition and those consistent midnight depredations they had to encounter because of the excessive work in e-learning.

And here comes the notion where students enroll not because they want to learn but because they don’t want to be left behind. Of course, educational institutions wish for the best, but they forget that students are humans.

This school year, 2021, USA introduced a new setup; alternative online classes for cycles one and two. Cycle 1 courses will only provide activities and coursework assignments during the designated cycle one week, while cycle two methods will do the same. This is “supposedly” to avoid overlap and to grasp more focus on one cycle only per week.

“I thought the new setup would be a relief for us, knowing that we would have much time to study before facing that set of subjects again. However, it took me a hard time to cope, knowing that we have so many activities

to deal with that long time, which sometimes overlap the schedule of the next cycle,” said Pia Victoria Graza, a sophomore BS MLS student.

Each course, both synchronous and asynchronous classes, will be implemented, as this is to ensure that the students shall have enough time to complete their activities and assignments without interfering with the allotted time for other courses. This will also require the teachers to meet the students on time, limit the teachers’ class hours, meet the students twice a week, maximize the three-hour lecture period, and give activities after class hours.

Most concerns of the students’ experience with their professors are either the activities given during synchronous and asynchronous classes or professors setting deadlines on their assignments that are not within their scheduled cycle.

According to the USA College of Arts and Science survey, they scrutinized the experiences that the students have had with the status quo.

Such questions pertain to how knowledgeable the students

are with the setup, how often students forget their lessons because of the alternating schedule of classes, and their opinion on whether they would like to continue with the current configuration.

“I hope the VPAA would bring back last year’s setup because we’re already tired of following one deadline after another. I am no longer learning; I have not understood the lessons as much as I would have last year,” asserted a student from the survey of the College of Arts and Science.

The latter then suggested some improvisations for the students to ease the dreadful amount of work they had to do; the maximum number of the given tasks assigned to each course or teacher. In that way, the students can still manage to do their activities, coursework, and assignments without compromising learning and will not be vulnerable nor prone to further burnouts.

“This cycle allows me to manage my time and activities more because if I cram, the activities for the following process will add up. But then, there are times that most of our

“IT FEELS LIKE WE’RE ATTENDING CLASSES FOR THE SAKE OF COMPLYING WITH OUR GIVEN TASKS. WE’RE NO LONGER LEARNING,” time focused on the exercises without knowing that we were left with no time to study.

Therefore, I hope there will be minimal activities to focus more on learning-based education,” added Graza.

The pandemic has been shaping the course of education ever since it happened, shifting from an unfamiliar space of online learning with teachers trying to replicate traditional classroom methods to a virtual limited face-to-face class.

Unfortunately, this is just one of the many situations that the universities have to offer, as the “unknown” is still rampant until this day.

Each year, students doubt whether or not to have an academic break. A one-week academic break will always be inadequate as the workload, and shifts of both the students and

the teachers continued to pile up; some educational officials thumbed down this directive, entailing that classes must continue despite the quantity of their coursework.

Students have always battened down the constant struggles as they are the most vulnerable in this situation.

Before, everyone decreed that education was a gateway to a progressive future; now, it becomes a dead weight—a burden, itself.

“It fels like we’re attending classes for the sake of complying with our given tasks.

We’re no longer learning,” added another student from the survey of the College of Arts and Science.

According to Sensei Adorador of Rappler, private and state universities are still finding gap solutions to provide

a quality education for all. Still, the quality is heavily dependent on the level of digitization and resiliency against the outbreak.

Not only how accessible the e-learning will the problem revolves, but when the students fail to tread their feet as a matter to keep going with their strained mental health, as they cope with learning requirements in this time of crisis. These only exacerbate the learning situation.

“Students enroll not because they want to learn, but because they don’t want to be left behind. Therefore, they attend online classes and answer their modules and course packs, not because they want to learn but because they need to comply with these requirements to get a degree and diploma,” claimed Adorador.

A10 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

SPECIAL REPORT

IN PURSUIT OF TRANSITIONAL VISION Foreseeing face-to-face classes amid COVID-19 challenges

BY NI COLE ROSE D. FE N I T A AN D H A N N AH JH A N Y LLE C . PO

One thing

I would like to share is my

experience with the new system of schedules this year. It is actually much more stressful and it is hard to cope with at times.Example of it is when an assignment for a cycle 1 subjects overlaps during cycle 2 and that causes much stress to us because there are also tasks that cycle 2 subs are giving, naga sampawsampaw sila sa isa kag isa, which causes more stress. @octoNOT I think that some professors need to be more considerate

towards

their

students

with

regards to delegating activities, and to limit the activities on their scheduled time only.

Ma’am/Sir, isa lang po ako… @MissingInAction-MissingInstructions I would like to share is about sa teachers nga wala naga discuss, and then nubo-nubo pa mag hatag maski wala naga discuss.

And mag give instructions is so unclear and unapproachable at times. May times nga mangakig sya kay wala daw kami nag sunod instructions, where in fact kulang-kulanga mn and late na siya mag give sang complete instructions. @ItDontMakeCents I think it’s important to have transparency with the tuition and miscellaneous fees.

Those $$$ are a great mystery. @ThisIsNoToDrills The possibility of face-to-face classes are high, but are we really ready for it? I’ve visited the campus recently and constructions are still ongoing. We might be able to maintain our distance from each other and protect ourselves from COVID, but how lenient are we to ignore the external disruptions?

Got an issue to share? Perhaps, an opinion? Don’t be afraid to voice out. Write in English or in vernacular; we don’t mind your grammar either. You can make a change by sharing to us your concerns. Let it be heard (or read) here in the Inbox. Send your message to our official Facebook page.

DISCLAIMER. All words stated above are products of our readers’ freedom of expression. These words, therefore, do not reflect the editorial position of the USA Publications and its individual staff members.

With 2.83 million cases reported in November 2021, the Philippines remains one of Asia’s most severely impacted countries by COVID-19. However, vaccination campaigns, mask use, and physical separation have all resulted in a decline in infection rates, allowing institutions and the economy to gradually reopen.

GEARING UP Under alert level three, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), in charge of the country’s COVID-19 response, approved restricted, face-to-face classes. CHED issued a similar announcement with the addition of a mandate to modify institution premises in accordance with the government agency’s standards, subject to 50% indoor capacity, fully vaccinated students, teaching and non-teaching staff and personnel, and no opposition from the affected LGUs. Relative to this, the University of San Agustin updated its facilities based on the minimum standards on CHED’s guidelines and garnered permission for classes on-site for medical technology and nursing courses, given the necessity for practicum in the field.

Additionally, the Office of the President issued Memorandum Order No. 47, s.o. 2021, outlining contact tracing, containment, isolation, sanitation, and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage protocols for faculty, staff, and students to follow in order to minimize the possibility of infection and spread, at least on University property.

Implementing a one-way traffic system, physical separation in classes, limiting the number of students or workers permitted in a facility, plastic barriers, and signage throughout the campus all contribute to this effort.

“There are also guidelines from CHED and other regulatory bodies. We need to check on them from time to time and apply them to the university setting. [...] you may see handwashing stations, checking of temperatures, logging ins, quick response (QR) codes for contact tracing,” remarked Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA, University president.

Similarly, he highlighted that the University has been holding frequent meetings to monitor the compliance of several policies designed to guarantee the health and safety of faculty, staff, and students. The crisis management team, founded in 2020, coordinates these preparations and initiatives in advance of the start of school.

ON WIDENING THE GATES Since October 25 and November 6, respectively, the University has been conducting limited face-to-face classes for Medical Laboratory Science and Nursing programs and is now shifting its focus to

courses of engineering and architecture programs. It has also been constructing temporary laboratories for the said courses targeted to finish by year-end.

“We are counter-checking programs that have been granted

by CHED [and] checking the readiness of our laboratories. With the other requirements, I think we are now ready,” said Comendador.

He also disclosed that what the administration has done is complementary with preparation for the face-to-face classes as the emergence of the pandemic calls for the need to retrofit the school’s facilities.

Relative to self-protection, the management also surveyed to assess the vaccination status of its students, teaching and non-teaching personnel, and administrators.

Specifically, it inquired the brand, dates of administration of dosages, and the willingness of the survey taker to be vaccinated or get booster shots.

Furthermore, student leaders from the University of San Agustin Student Government have also taken moves in ensuring that the Augustinian student community is well-informed of the university’s developed policies in the virtual setup.

“We serve as the auxiliary arm of the University administration in reaching the students, specifically in the dissemination of the University vaccination survey form,” said Ruby Joy Dazo, the USA Student Government (USASG) Vice President for Internal Affairs and a Medical Laboratory Science student.

Dazo also noted that despite the varying effectiveness rates, vaccination serves as the greatest weapon and shield against the virus and the key to herd immunity.

“Herd immunity allows our bodies to become immune [or] resistant to certain diseases and viruses, [which means] it will slow the spread, and, eventually, people will no longer be susceptible to the virus. It requires a large amount of the population, greater than the threshold, [for] our lives to [begin] going back to normal,” Dazo added.

Lyle Fatima Calagsing, a professor from the College of Commerce (COC), shared similar insights, citing that though individuals may have multiple reasons for vaccine hesitancy, one should acknowledge that vaccines allow one to protect the community.

“Having booster shots for all faculty members is important to comply with health and safety protocols and [for the overall] readiness of each department as well,” Calagsing expressed.

Moreover, other school offices and students also took part with the USA Medical Clinic, coordinating with the USA Red Cross Youth, releasing a similar form for the second installment of the #USAkaGugma Webinar

Series entitled Vaccination 101 Defeating COVID-19.

ILOILO CITY IN FOCUS The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD), in the last quarter of 2021, classified Western Visayas under alert level two. As of November 14, the locality recorded 6,617 active cases out of 144,472 cumulative ones, and of these cases, 3,636 were verified deaths.

Mass vaccination drives in various sites, one of which was the University, assisted in flattening the curve with 292,788 fully vaccinated individuals as of October 15 and 336,248 first dose receivers as of October 14.

Vaccination measures stemmed from more lenient protocols against the virus. They reopened various non-essential businesses such as personal care establishments, gyms, and movie houses, given the public observe physical distancing and wear masks outdoors. Additionally, in its quest to achieve alert level one, the city ramps effort to reach 50,000 vaccinations among minors by the end of November.

“We have vaccinated a total of 6,439 minors in Iloilo City vax centers. I call on parents, school heads, guardians, PTA officers, and barangay officials to get our minors vaccinated. We need to give them protection so that they will be ready for face-to-face education.

The city will do its utmost to make vaccination easy for everyone,” voiced Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo City mayor, in an interview with Rappler.

AUGUSTINIAN ON-SITE INSIGHTS Challenging as the current system is, medical and practical programs such as BS Medical Laboratory Science and BS Nursing require laboratory lessons and the necessary skills, competencies, and abilities. Virtual laboratory sessions, virtual microscopes, and virtual practical exercises and tests had become the norm.

With authorization granted by the University to conduct limited face-to-face seminars, various adjustments were made, including vaccinations and enrollment in health insurance programs such as PhilHealth.

Jose Perez Jr., RMT, MSMT, LPT, academic supervisor of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program, shared that the MLS internships will follow a cyclical pattern of five limited face-to-face meetings and ten virtual meetings. “[The] flexibility of the schedule will be observed without compromising the Health and Safety Protocols of the Institution in complying [with] the CHEDDOH Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021 – 001,” Perez commented.

Meanwhile, Dazo stated that the continued limited faceto-face classes are optional, and students who do not choose to take the risk were offered to take a leave of absence, which may be reclaimed at any point if they choose to participate in the internship. In addition, the number of interns conducting laboratory activities at the University’s Clinical Laboratory was limited and supervised to ensure appropriate physical

distance. In contrast, other requisites such as interviews were conducted online.

“A series of meetings were also [conducted] to properly orient the students and their parents of the changes made for the limited face-to-face classes. It is no longer the usual set-up that you stay next to your classmates and perform tasks together. This time, each intern works [on their own] in cubicles, and of course, carefully don PPEs [for protection] against COVID-19,” mentioned Dazo.

On the other hand, Calagsing disclosed that professors from other departments are waiting for advice from the Office [of the President] regarding the implementation of limited faceto-face classes.

LEAPING FORWARD Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of San Agustin has been aiming to offer quality education in Virtus et Scientia to its students and provide facilities that are instruments for learning.

As it faces challenges brought by the virus, it strives to protect all those under its wing – students, faculty, staff, administrators, and personnel.

“It cannot be denied that there is no 100 percent assurance in whatever we do, especially since we are not creating a bubble around the University. While we might be able to protect everybody while inside the campus, every time a student or teacher leaves the premises, that is another story,” Comendador opined.

Commuting through public transit, wandering in regions with unintentionally infected passersby, infection from frontliner relatives, and unreported cases are all unpredictable but likely elements to consider.

Nonetheless, Comemdador maintained his confidence in the University’s ability to implement safety measures appropriate for the campus’s size that would safeguard students and faculty and reduce infection rates in the event that someone contracted the virus.

Sharing the same desire for normalcy, Dazo urged the Augustinian community to adhere to the University’s three core values, Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas, in its duties to society.

“Like St. Augustine, let us be proactive in searching for the truth, the facts, and the real benefit of having vaccinated.

Not getting vaccinated affects everyone - without enough numbers of the population becoming vaccinated, it is impossible to reach ‘herd immunity,’ and that means the pandemic could continue indefinitely,” Dazo advocated.

After nearly two years of synchronous, asynchronous, and modular classes, the idea of pursuing face-to-face classes amid the pandemic is a source of contention, with students, teachers, staff, and administrators weighing the advantages and disadvantages and expressing diverse perspectives.

Finally, whether the University becomes ready or continues to be uncertain in its pursuit of face-toface education is contingent upon the participation and willingness of all Augustinians.

A RT WO RK BY GER EMY T. GA LLE NE RO

@recycle1-recycle2

The pursuit of high-quality, inclusive education, one of the most profoundly impacted aspects of the pandemic, is on the verge of another rebuilding. Following a year of synchronous and asynchronous distant learning classes, universities in low-risk areas are doubling down on compliance with the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) guidelines for conducting restricted face-to-face classes, with some undergoing pilot tests. However, the question remains whether or not the University of San Agustin is prepared to reopen its doors to students, faculty, and staff.

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SPORTS

LONG STRIDES FOR GOLD POTTER

HECTOR O. COFREROS

BSMM‘21

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MAPAIT NA TAGUMPAY. Gold Medalist EJ Obiena handang magretiro dahil sa mga paratang ibinabato sa kanya ng PATAFA.

“Magreretiro ako” Obiena sa PATAFA B Y M E R Y L BABO L

Ipinahayag ni Philippine National Athlete Ernest John (EJ) Obiena ang kaniyang balak na magretiro sa pagiging isang pambansang atleta kapag hindi umano babawiin ng Philippine Athletics Track and Field Associaton (PATAFA) ang alegasyong ibinato sa kanya, Martes, Nobyembre 23.

Sa isang pahayag, iginiit ni Obiena ang pagkagulat sa pabago-bagong isyung ibinabato sa kaniya ng PATAFA mula sa

pagdespalko umano niya ng pera na kalaunay humantong sa hindi niya pagbabayad sa tamang oras sa tagasanay nitong Ukranian na

si Vitaliy Petrov sa nakalipas na tatlong taon.

“PATAFA accused me, in writing, of committing serious cries of embezzlement and outright “theft” of monies intended for my coach, Vitaliy Petrov. After Vitaliy himself appeared live in the press conference on November 20, refuting these allegations, now they suddenly changed the written accusations.Instead of admitting they were wrong, they now change the subject: Now the issue is, apparently, I perhaps did not pay Petrov ‘on time’”, saad ni Obiena.

Ayon sa kay PATAFA President Phillip Ella Juico sa pahayag nito sa ANC’s Headstart, pinabulaanan nito ang naging pahayag ni Obiena at kinumpirma na nakapagbayad na umano ito kay Petrov ngunit patuloy nitong kinukuwestiyon kung bakit nahuli ng pagbayad si Obiena sa tagasanay nito kung mayroong mga liquidation forms na isinumite sa nakalipas na tatlong taon.

“Ang tanong bakit may liquidation noon na binayaran noong 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021?

Ngayon, iyon ang gusto namin malaman. Anong nangyari,” ani Juico.

Inamin naman ni Obiena na hindi nga ito nakapagbabayad sa tamang oras dahil nahihirapan ito sa dami ng mga dokumentong dapat niyang iproseso para mabayaran ang

kaniyang buong kasamahan.

Giit pa niya, “I have already admitted I am a pole valuter---not an accountant” sa inilabas nitong pahayag sa kaniyang Facebook account, “The real question is, why doesn’t PATAFA do their job and pay the coaches directly allowing me to focus on training rather than accounting? They put all the burden on me to perform all administration which I truly believe is not my job”, dagdag pa ni Obiena.

Nagpahayag naman ng kanilang saloobin ang Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) na nais nitong magkaroon ng pagninilay-nilay at paanyayahan ang dalawang kampo na magharap upang mailabas ang katotohanan sa likod ng isyung nag-tinta sa industriya ng sports sa bansa.

“We now demand the parties to refrain from issuing statements to the public and on social media. We hope the imposition of this moratorium will allow this proposed dialogue a chance to help all of us arrive at a proper resolution on this matter”, pahayag ng PSC. Sa usapin naman sa pagsasampa ng kaso ni Obiena laban sa PATAFA, sinabi nito na handa siyang maghain ng kaso laban sa mga paratang ibinabato sa kanya.

“I will clear my name. I will raise all legal challenges

In the past two years, nothing has made us prouder as Filipinos and a country as a whole than seeing our national anthem played for the first time in the Olympics. The credit goes to the Filipina weightlifter, Hidilyn Diaz, who won the first-ever gold medal of the Philippines in the summer games.

Diaz was very determined to get that gold. But it was not only that her determination that lifted the heaviest weights in the competition at that time. She lifted the soul of a nation that was still enduring torment by a pandemic.

However, this was not just Diaz’s moment. This moment was also for Filipino athletes who added three more medals placing the Philippines in the 50th place in the over-all medal tally. This is, insofar, the best performance of the country in all of its 97-year history participating in the modern games.

But beneath the glimmer and shine of the medals lie the tale of the struggle of the Filipino athletes.

Over the past years, people have rallied to the government to grant sufficient fundings for athletes competing and representing the country in the international sports competitions. The government itself has even acknowledged its insufficiencies in funding its athletes. Perhaps, the hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in 2019 by the Philippines became an eye-opener to everyone.

The hosting of the 30th SEA games by the Philippines in 2019 was surrounded by controversies and criticism mainly on corruption allegations on the seemingly unexpected delay in furnishing the venues in time of the arrival of the athletes and the start of the games. Criticism fired back to the government when images of unfinished structures being hammered still for completion and press conferences that were held on unfinished concrete walls.

Possibly, one would also easily remember the controversial 50-million-peso cauldron that was lit days ahead the opening of the games. Former karate champion Gretchen Malalad has blasted the Philippine government’s “extravagance” in the multimillion-peso cauldron that could have been spent instead for developing the athletes to help them compete well in the games.

and I want this to put into a court of law where all evidence must be exposed. Patafa keeps saying they have a signed written complaint from Vitaly Petrov. Vitaly claims the exact opposite”, ani Obiena.

Dagdag pa ng National pole vaulter, “Clearly, I am not

wanted” sa kaniyang pahayag, “Just say the word, and I will formally retire from Philippine Athletics and being any part of PATAFA”.

Sa kasalukuyan, si Obiena lamang ang tanging Asyanong pole vault record holder at pang anim sa buong mundo.

the launch of the Unitas League, SAGE Clash, and numerous other advocacy-driven events.

While the pandemic posed a threat to a lot of organizations, it was like feeding season for the Golden Eagles. “The pandemic as a whole particularly boosted our motivation as a team, and esports, in general, isn’t inhibited by its presence,” commented Jose Miguel Garin, the current president of SAGE. “We made the value of consistency an important factor in our capabilities to adapt and change to the situations of the unpredictable environment of the university...we made it a priority to be updated and made sure that the team was going forward with projects at a consistent pace.”

CLEAR SKIES AND NEW HORIZONS SAGE Esports foretells clear skies just beyond the horizon as they set their sights on new quests and stay consistent with their flagship events from the previous year, slowly expanding as they dominate more arenas. In addition to organizing educational panels for the future, the team is also strategizing how they are going to develop and implement an efficient program that will allow student-gamers to join en masse.

Equipped with valor and victory, the Golden Eagles continue to hold their heads high and spread their wings as they aim for the gold advantage amid new horizons.

Journey to the Mainstream “An eagle uses the storm to reach unimaginable heights.” -- Eric Thomas When a storm brews, the eagle would fly straight into the relentless winds, using the challenge and pressure to rise to greater heights. Challenged by countless storms since its genesis, the San Agustin Golden Eagle Esports have been widening their vision of the map as they continuously expand through the years.

THE MULTIPLAYER MISSION San Agustin Golden Eagle (SAGE) Esports is the official esports and gaming organization in the University of San Agustin - Iloilo, routinely competing in tournaments and games with students from universities all over the country. A journey first embarked in 2019, they have climbed steep mountains and descended valley lows to give life to their vision of an on-campus community where its members are instilled with the #NotJustPlay mindset.

“I see esports as an industry where people who are not as privileged as we are can actually put a name for themselves [...] the people who went pro used to play in computer shops. I see it

as an industry that would provide platforms for these people to help their families,” said Kathlyn Marie Lim, a member of SAGE Esports and one of the people to be awarded the e-sports scholarship in the country.

Because of this, they tirelessly incorporate values of education in their events and projects by sharpening the skills and talents of the student-gamers in areas like multimedia design, management, hosting, shoutcasting, and e-sports.

By giving them experience now, they are priming these young gamers to be the industry leaders of tomorrow, brought up by leaders who engage, educate, and empower them in every way possible.

FROM EAGLETS TO BIRDS OF PREY SAGE Esports was co-founded in 2019 by the then-Senator Earon Philip Villamora and Senator Kenneth Sean Barredo of the USA Student Government (USASG), hatched by the combined efforts of the Office of the Student Affairs, the Vice President for Augustinian Formation and Mission, and USASG. During the term of the cofounders, the first-ever e-sports tournament in the University of San

Agustin was initiated, which they cleverly coined “E-trams”, swiftly followed by another one during the University Week.

After Villamora and Barredo’s term, new eagles emerged to continue what they started and push the organization to greater heights. They gathered one fateful April night, and it was then that the Core Team of what was then called the Golden Eagle Esports Organization (GE Esports) was assembled. They are Jose Miguel Garin, Paul Arnel Bautista, Brian Keith Blancaver, and Josine Elinor Luison.

The completion of the Unitas League 2021 was a challenge for everyone which meant that it was a surmountable feat that eventually led to their perch on the Augustinian Formation and Mission (Augustinian Passion Projects) and the Top 20 in the 2021 TAYO awards.

The League of Legends competitive team, led by Brian Blancaver, soared through rough storms as they rose to be regional champion and national runner-ups.

“The most memorable part of being part of SAGE is the people... we all come from different courses, and gaming brings us together,” said Lim, recounting the moment when the Eagles had a taste of

US A PUB PHOTO • JE DRO L. CAWALI NG

BY AT H E N A C H R I S T Y L . S O LE D A D

triumph. “I remember when we supported our League of Legends Team in their championships...we were on the Discord call, we were screaming because we actually won,” With the help of AcadArena and their seasonal invites to the highly esteemed ESI Digital Conventions, SAGE was also able to send out a total of six delegates: Jose Miguel Garin, Earon Philip Villamora, Kathlyn Marie Lim, CJ Sean Gerard Lao, Ronald Dilla II, and Paolo Bautista.

PVP: PLAYERS VERSUS PANDEMIC Despite the barrier brought by the lack of face-to-face interaction, SAGE Esports was able to check off a number of goals, including

Augustinian the

Volume LXIX • Number 1 JANUARY 12, 2022

SPORTS

RISE OF A PRO. An Augustinian swimmer during the Intramurals 2019 propels himself to an extremely competitive level of swimming, hitting the water with indomitable spirit and will.

USA PUB PHOTO • ROTSEN C. AGREDA

BACK ON TRACK I loilo C it y p er mit s c o n t a c t s po rt s B Y S YR E L L D OAN N E V. N IE TE S A ND S H E R GE N Q. VIL L AN U E VA After almost two years of being placed under quarantine due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Iloilo City has now authorized contact sports’ return under the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Alert Level 2 classification for the rest of November. already planning the schedule of events regarding the return of contact sports.

“Yes, maamat-amat na kita balik. Pero emphasize ta nga those who can play are only the fully vaccinated athletes. Wala man sa gina discriminate ta ang wala, but this is just to make sure we are following the health and safety protocols sang syudad,” said Jungco Sr. He also added that they are already outlining the possible list of sporting events before 2021 ends.

“Gina meetingan pa ini following the release of Mayor Treñas’ EO. May ara kita mga

FILE PHOTO • E RIK DE CASTRO

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas authorized the move with Executive Order No. 137, which warrants the return of contact sports and other recreational venues if athletes are fully vaccinated and that authorities impose minimum health protocols.

“The City Government shall only entertain applications for the holding of sports events where all participants thereof are fully vaccinated,” announced Treñas in his EO. Furthermore, Executive Assistant for Sports and Youth Mr. Rudiver Jungco Sr. confirmed the recent development and is

POLITICS OVER SPORTS. Manny Pacquiao officially retires from his boxing career and files candidacy to run as president of the Philippines.

Pacquiao retires from boxing, pursues presidential bid B Y OS CAR MAR I G . FAJAR D O Philippines’ boxing legend Manny Pacquiao officially announced his retirement from the sport on September 29 to focus on his political career.

The multi-division world champion and senator’s declaration, made at a news conference in the Philippines, marked the end of a legendary 26year pro career that began in 1995 when he was 16 years old and weighed 106 pounds.

“I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over,” said Pacquiao.

In a video posted by Pacquiao’s verified Facebook page, the boxing legend described retiring as the hardest decision of his life, since it gave him the chance to fight his way out of poverty and the courage to change more lives.

“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ted Lerner, a United States sports journalists

sporting events sini nga tuig nga pagahiwatun and we are also planning for the return of the Dinagyang Cup men’s basketball,” he said.

Meanwhile, Karl Ronald Demon, an Augustinian basketball player, commented that the return of contact sports would help him engage with proper training that could further enhance his skill in his field of sports.

“This means a lot to me since it will make me engage again in sports which will help me to enhance my skills that have been kept for such a long time because of the pandemic; this will also provide an opportunity for us players to strengthen our relationship as a team since we are back to play with one another,” shared Demon in an interview with The Augustinian.

believes that Pacquiao will be remembered as a legend not just in boxing but of the sporting world.

“In the future his name will be sort of synonymous with greatness, in the level of Michael Jordan or people who have transcended their sport and become like mythical legends.”

As he prepares to register as a presidential candidate, Pacquiao has vowed to tackle poverty and corruption in a bid to win over voters with his ragsto-riches story.

“I think the odds are, at this stage, stacked against Senator Pacquiao,” says Lucio Pitlo III, a research fellow at Manila-based think tank Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation. “His experience in politics is still up for question.”

In his southern hometown of General Santos, where support for the boxer is running deep, news of his retirement was met with mixed emotions.

“I am happy because he will be able to spend more time with his family, but I’m also sad because he will no longer bring pride to General Santos,” 24-year-old Anna Rodriguez said in an interview by The Japan Times.

REDRAFTING TO WINNING. University’s Esports Team rise as AcadArena’s LOL tournament champion with quick FILE PHOTO • SAN AGUSTIN GOLDEN ESPORTS game plans amidst unexpected drafts.

SAGE emerges as AcadArena’s LOL tourney champ

BY PI A V I C T O R I A E . G R A Z A San Agustin Golden Eagles (SAGE) eSports Team outperformed its 32 opponents emerging as victors in AcadArena’s Visayas-Mindanao League of Legends Conference Season 2, March 7-April 10, 2021, with a passionate desire to forcibly destroy the foe’s nexus amidst the rout.

Kickstarting the game with a 2-0 best of three win over University of Iloilo’s UI Assassins, SAGE advanced to the Winner’s Bracket finals against University of St. La Salle’s USLS Rektikano, but lost 2-1, relegating the former to face the Losers Bracket contender, which Anton Miguel Naranjo, SAGE’s coach, believes it is the end result of the game plan he originally thought of.

“During the game vs USLS Rektikano Esports in the first meeting, I was casting the match, I left a game plan for the team but changed during the draft. There came a point where the team was supposed to pick Aphelios and Thresh, one of the members wanted to pick Graves instead and the combo of ApheliosThresh didn’t come through since one got banned, this led to a 2-1 loss,” said Naranjo.

With their well-equipped

draft effortlessly dashing the opponent on a 2-0 ‘clean sweep’ against JBLFMU Hydra of John B. Lacson in the semi-finals, the USA’s pride made their way to the grand finals.

“Mostly draft, the team just had an easy time considering how well our drafts were and the execution was flawless vs JBLFMU Hyd ra,” added Naranjo.

Igniting the grand finals with a comeback game between SAGE and Rektikano in a best of five series, SAGE scored the first game with a kick from Adrean “USA Pardsgg” Raganas on Lucian, 6/4/9. However, SAGE set off Rektikano to use Galio and Kalista combo on game 2 which led the opponent to steal the deal in a 1-1 slash.

“The pressure from the global presence of the Galio was too overwhelming at the end and got us a loss during the series.

Afterward, they readjusted the

draft to make USLS Rektikano Esports feel uncomfortable with the draft, playing for scaling top side and keeping Kalista at bay just enough for us to win via solo laners. Pards specifically dominate the matchup at mid,” said Naranjo.

Judd “USA Keynshi” Gayem on Graves, 7/1/7, headed the team on Game 3 making sure to grab a win while “USA Pardsgg” threw a monster move which eventually put them into a success. The Eagles soared high until Game 4, giving the team a 3-1 swing towards being this year’s LOL Champion.

“Losing never exists in the team’s vocabulary. It becomes a learning lesson to everyone,” said Brian Keith Blancaver, Team Manager of SAGE LOL team as he told the players to set their buckles up for their future clashes.

After the virtual awarding, SAGE decided to take a two-month break from the limelight to rest and equip themselves unto the next tournament.

Augustitnian the

Volume LXIX JANUARY 12, 2022

USA PUB PHOTOS • BENZ XEDRIC D. PUIG

FEATURES FOLD

PINTA: LIFE ONTO THE LIFELESS B r ingi n g f r e e d o m , ho pe, lo v e, and s ens e o f c ommun ity thr ough a r t flyover bridge.

BY EUGENIE A. BALURAN Iloilo City, dubbed as “The City of Love,” has had its local artists turn the tides against the blank and mundane concrete structures into a maze of surprises. In almost every corner, every turn, a piece of an artist’s soul is hidden in its crevices as the Iloilo City Government’s mural project was initiated October of 2019 by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas. With over 20 mural pieces, they soak the walls in colour with their figures serving as a modern testament to the history of the Ilonggos. Each piece tells the story of the past and present to provide a gentle reminder of what the future could be.

A SUMMARY OF OUR LIVES DURING COVID-19 IN COLOUR The pandemic has swept the nation off its feet, dragging communities through the painfully rocky and long winding roads of hardship and loss.

One may ponder if there even is anything to remember from the past year in the first place.

And yet, the artists’ society group known as Baysulangpu has done exactly that with their 100-meter mural making a name for itself right across SM city in Mandurriao.

“Ang general theme niya lang is to promote Iloilo city heritage sites and as well as to incorporate COVID pandemic subong. It’s also a representation for the frontliners and also the mayor himself and ang iban pa gid nga naging backbone sang fight ta subong for COVID and it was also nice man because that mural was also a visual representation of how artists can relay what they also want to say to our fellow Ilonggos [The general theme is to promote Iloilo city heritage sites as well as to incorporate COVID-19 right now. It’s also a representation for the frontliners and also the mayor himself and the others who became the backbone of our fight for COVID and it was also nice because that mural was also a visual representation of how artists can relay what they also want to say to our fellow Ilonggos],” Giah De los

Reyes, Baysulangpu member, explained in an interview with The Augustinian.

OUR FRONTLINERS In the junction between the streets of Jalandoni and Ledesma, 14 portraits standing tall and proud line the walls as another note amongst the melodies of praise sung for the modern-day heroes. The idea was tackled by Iloilo-based muralist Ronn Bulahan and his team from ABAY (Artista ng Bayan) and Cycling HeARTS. Close-up portraits of frontline workers have been meticulously laid against a blank white background, bringing the harsh vibrancies of the eightto-nine-foot portraits forward.

It includes portraits of medical staff, government officials, and policemen just to name a few and is a dedication to honoring the work they’ve done serve and protect from the perils of the unseen enemy.

“Parang giving honour bala sa ila nga efforts sa pandemic kag gusto namon ipakita man sa public nga sila gid mismo ga frontline so sila gid ang nagaubra so dapat nga hatagan gid sila recognition [It’s like giving honour to their efforts and we wanted to show the public that they are the ones at the frontline and they do the work so we should give them recognition],” Bulahan explained for the central theme of the mural.

WHAT’S INSIDE PAGE B 2 1 TIMELESS WORK, TIMELESS SUCCESS It has always been St. Augustine’s works that consistently fueled Fr. Alfeche’s

BRIDGES AND FLYOVERS Walls were not the only targets for the overflowing ideas that local artists simply could not put a stop on. The 500-meter Drilon Bridge along Muelle Loney St. within Iloilo’s city proper was revamped by Ronn Bulahan and his 10-man team. Decorated in abstract shapes that came in a variety of colours, the once plain structure now radiates vibrancy The 316-meter flyover at General Luna Street is another piece of the city that has been enriched with Ilonggo culture and is a celebration of colour despite hardships of life by the Baysulangpu art group. On the pillars is where the real magic happens as Baysulangpu’s artists took to decorating the concrete material with illustrations of historical landmarks and iconic tourist spots.

“Mga establishment di sa Iloilo nga mga halin pa sang una.

Mga muni nga concept ang gin propose para sa project nga ni para mas ma highlight ang mga muni nga lugar sa mga Ilonggo [The establishments here in Iloilo from way back then.

These were the concepts that were proposed for the project to highlight these places to the Ilonggos],” Edwin De los Reyes, Baysulangpu member and the main artist of the mural explained the theme on the

THE ART TO THE VIEWERS, THE ART TO THE ARTISTS Art becomes a catalyst for the awakening of people’s spirits in being reminded of the pride that comes with being part of a certain community. There is integrity and beauty in the reality that local artists have been given a platform and in turn, their works encourage the rise in creativity and passion of young minds pursuing the field.

“The highest form of art is the art that empowers people. Ang akon lang gid nga ma advice is that you should create something that we can resonate with in our work and that you should not seek validation from people [The highest form of art is the art that empowers people. My advice is that you should create something that we can resonate with in our work and that you should not seek validation from people],” Giah De los Reyes remarks as a reminder to young artists.

The art to the artists is a different take from the art to the viewer and through the eyes of the modern day heroes, they speak their truths. In an interview with Rowel Balino,

a policeman, he expresses appreciation for the pieces.

“Syempre, na-feel ko gid nga na-recognize ang mga efforts namon kag tungod sina, nagtaas pa gid ang amon morale sa paghimo sang amon trabaho [Of course, I truly feel that our efforts are recognized and it increased our morale in doing our work],” Balino stated.

However, with art being a subjective matter, not everyone has the same interpretation or sentiments. In the eyes of Chryzel Rose Bermejo, a medical technologist, she meets murals with skepticism.

“I acknowledge that these murals serve as a tribute to those at the frontlines but personally, this remains futile to what is really needed by the medical workers right now to which I speak more for the Medical Technologists who are undeniably undervalued and uncredited for the service that they give. Medical health workers face not only the physical hazard brought about by the virus, but also experience mental and emotional toll to a stretch which is painfully regarded as “heroic” and not what it really

is: exploitation,” Bermejo shared in an interview with The Augustinian.

Furthermore, with the bigger issue of underpaid healthcare workers still ongoing, thanks alone understandably cannot help the plights of our health workers in Bermejo’s point of view.

“Until health workers who remain to be among those lowest paid are given just compensation and benefits, I will continue walking without gazing upon the wall,” Bermejo concluded to her interview.

In a time where it feels like the darkest parts of the Illonggos’ lives have just begun, the efforts of those who seek to uplift their fellow men are what make these pieces special. While the opinions on these works vary, it may continue to be a medium of expression for the artist and send stronger messages to the onlooker.

Paint fades but the memory of these murals remains against the test of time. The city of love continues to prosper and the artful maze that Iloilo city has become is proof of that.

VOLUME LXVIII • NUMBER 2 • SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

PAG E B 2 3 The Archer by Paulo Coelho Paulo Coelho has once again highlighted the process by which a purpose can develop into a passion through effort and commitment.

PAG E B 16

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PEDALING CULTURE UNTIL THE FUTURE. More than its metal gears and spinning wheels, bicycling breeds a community of enthusiasts and a culture worth checking out.

Ilonggo artists show their inventiveness and creativity in the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art’s Timplada: The Art of Ilonggo Cuisine exhibit.

ILOMOCA’s Timplada: Tickling Tastebuds with Ilonggo Cuisine

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FORUM

THE VOTE 2022 W h a t r eally m at t ers i n the el ec ti o n?

Shiemee Joenim Schlieske BS Pharmacy Professor

BY THE PR OGR AM MAN AGEM ENT TEAM

What really matters in the election?

A few months left leading to the 2022 national elections, discussions about politics have started to boil out either in the streets or in social media. Debates are everywhere as much as aspiring candidates for national positions are throwing mud on each other’s campaigns. Perhaps, with all of what has happened in the past three years, this election has paramount consequences in our lifetime.

THE PANDEMIC Undoubtedly, the COVID 19 pandemic has disturbed everything in the society – economy, labor force, social security, healthcare system, etc. It also displaced the government’s focus realigning billions of pesos of the national budget to pandemic response and vaccination efforts alone, leaving the Philippine treasury bleeding out. According to Philippine authorities, lockdowns caused the Philippine economy to lose at least $3 billion or at least 150 billion every week. Meanwhile, the total outstanding debt of the country ballooned to P11.166 trillion as of June 2021.

THE RETURN OF THE MARCOSES Perhaps, the controversial about

most the

coming national elections, aside from the pandemic, is the participation of Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator and his namesake, in the race for the presidency. In the past five years, Marcos Jr. has been contesting his claim that he won the vice presidency in the 2016 national elections. However, in a decision promulgated by the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal dated February 16, 2021, it has dismissed the electoral protest of Marcos against the sitting vice president, Leni Robredo.

ATTACK ON PRESS FREEDOM Either if anyone is in favor or against it, nobody will never forget the closure of ABS-CBN, one

“I think the performance of these politicians during the pandemic. People have seen first-hand who are those who really went above and beyond to help the Filipinos in need, especially the frontliners, displaced workers, and the poor. It was difficult for everyone during that time, even upto now; however, it’s also a wake-up call for us to decide who are those politicians are really genuine in public service.

of the biggest broadcasting networks in the country, due to the denial of congress to renew its franchise to operate. It has been a tale in history that ABS-CBN was first shut down in 1972 at the onset of Martial Law, and no one has ever imagined that it will happen again in this lifetime. Perhaps, in the least sense, no one foresaw that the shutting down of ABS-CBN was time with the ravaging of the greatest health crisis in the world.

Above are just some of the topics that somehow will make an impact in the coming elections.

Each voter, through the ballot they shade, has unique preferences on how they will judge their future to be. As every voice matters, every vote counts. In connection with this, The Augustinian reached out to different individuals and asked them what issue matters to them the most that would determine their choice in the coming elections. Here we present their voices.

Since the education sector is transitioning from remote to limited face-to-face classes, I am much worried that I might not be able to participate in this gradual transition considering that businesses are still in its lowest state. Over the years, small businesses inside the public market weakens as the number of “talipapas” in the barangay rise. People resort to not going to public market anymore and choose to buy their commodities in the talipapa for their convenience.

This leads to the closing of some business in the market due to bankruptcy. If someone could address this issue considering the convenience of the people in the barangay as well as saving the businesses inside the public market, i would definitely support that individual since my family is experiencing this current issue.

The issue that I consider that matters to me most is the issue on terrorism. For me, it is important to elect someone who has a solid plan in addressing terrorism and insurgency.

Angelo Ordanel Student, BS Biology

The country faces a myriad of issues - of which the current administration downplayed either as a joke or took them lightly - unmindful of the moral responsibility towards their constituents. As a health worker, health and human rights crises are the crucial subjects that a candidate must address with a strategic plan. The direction should be clear and welldefined; and the need to walk the talk.

Chryzel Rose Bermejo Teacher at College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Educationt

Mine would be disaster risk reduction, rescue and mitigation. Ever since the pandemic the current government’s measures didn’t help in the long run and I felt as if although no one was really prepared for the pandemic, we could have improved on that area considering we are a disaster prone country and have alotted more funds for disaster risk management, not just the usual like military and education. Take the Typhoon Yolanda and Marawi Siege victims for example. They’ve not fully recovered. If we focus on mitigation, it could help avoid long-term adverse affects in our communities.

Aliyah Crista Bartolome Board Member, Junior Association of Medical Laboratory Science)

Efrain Kevin Ares AB Political Science 3 Student

We have our own opinions and outtakes on political stance when choosing our preferred candidates for elections and the factor/s that would affect my view would be their education, values, and how they perform their jobs whether they are in position or not.

Education background for me is one integral part for a candidate to be credible since it would speak volume to their words and decisions when providing solutions that’ll benefit the community they are serving upon.

Additionally, their values will provide a framework for the Filipino people and how they act whether in position or not will give us the view on how they much they are willing to give to push through their ideals for the betterment of their community and/or the nation.

Jeremy Vallota CHAMP Senator-Student; BS Pharmacy 3

I would vote for someone who has a concrete plan against COVID-19. It has been two years since the pandemic and we are still behind when it comes to COVID-19 resiliency because the government’s approach has been ineffective and inefficient. It’s high time we elect competent leaders who will provide SCIENTIFIC response that can mitigate the effect of this pandemic not only to our health, but also to our economic, social, and even political lives.

Atty. Jordana Mari Jaco Faculty Member, College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

B15

Weaving Threads of Resilience

BY HANNAH JHANYLLE C. PO

Snip. Snap. Whoosh. Bold colors, delicate patterns, thick lines - as the strands of thread intertwined with each movement of dexterous fingers, she spun a plethora of stories, her mind racing.

It is human, Patty reasoned, to take a step back while the pandemic unravels the fabric of normalcy.

However, incorporating it onto a new canvas, such as a business, is Augustinian.

Typing the final knot, she eyed her handiwork – a cloth mask with a metal nose wire – fingers trailing across the fabric before tossing it to a growing pile of miscellaneous items. Phone on hand, she typed up a quick message, receiving a quick “Thank you” after a ding. Another order accomplished, she grinned, moving to another item.

IN THE THREADS OF ADVERSITY “When the pandemic happened, I first began reselling cloth facemasks from a friend’s mom, an artistic seamstress, as a side [hobby]. The business has since evolved from that,” shared Maria Patricia “Patty” Flores, in an interview with The Augustinian. When not immersed in Messenger notifications of orders and purchasing new bolts of fabric for production as the mind behind Tahi PH, she reads modules and accomplishes class activities like any other fourthyear Marketing Management student at the University of San Agustin would, only with a busier schedule than most.

While most other students would stop at the initial plan, Patty’s zeal, passion, and thoughtfulness cemented her desire to go further with the venture.

“I realized that I did not need to stop with helping one Sastre [seamstress]. I could do more by gathering and outsourcing, considering that many were laid-off due to a lack of events and customers,” she expressed.

Relative to this, an October 15, 2020 news article published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that 6,146 individuals in Western Visayas alone had lost their jobs since March of the same year due to the pandemic.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also noted that 108 and 539 establishments had shut their doors and reduced their workforce, respectively. Among the various industries in the country, those belonging to service, tourism, arts, transportation, sales, construction, maintenance, and manufacturing suffered the most.

In this sense, Patty’s decision to contact and recruit seamstresses willing to sew facemasks and eventually other products possibly alleviated the financial headaches experienced by some families in her locality, Oton.

“Tahi is a social entrepreneurship business as its contributions go beyond providing temporary solutions to eradicate the identified ills of the community. While her end goal is to earn out the venture, her success is defined by how it benefits communities of interest,” opined Jessica

Fadriga, the academic supervisor of the University’s Business Administration and Entrepreneurship Program and one of Patty’s professors.

CRAFTING A NEW WEAVE Taken literally, tahi is a Hiligaynon word for making or mending something with a needle and thread, reminiscent of how its namesake’s products are carefully designed and handcrafted. Given its language use, it also projects authenticity and harkens back to the business’s local (Ogtonganonan) origins.

“Way before high school, I knew I wanted a business named ‘Tahi’ and had saved the name on my iTouch notes should an opportunity arise [like the pandemic]. However, I was undecided on what kind of business I wanted or what products I would sell – bags, clothing, or shoes,” said Patty.

Starting June 25, 2020, during the brunt of the pandemic, Tahi PH began selling facemasks, though not under the brand name. While sales were satisfactory as masks were in high demand, Patty saw possible growth in extending the business’s product portfolio.

Hablon, a product and an act of weaving together locally sourced fibers like cotton, abaca, piña, and jusi, was the first line extension idea that reared its head, considering the sheer amount of hablon weavers in Oton. However, as an advocate of environmental preservation and protection, Patty wanted to be more than another local fashion brand.

Rather, her business could be an avenue to promote such ideals and lifestyles as well as affordable slow fashion and local economy stimulation.

With this in mind, Tahi PH settled with katsa or canvas, an organic, biodegradable, multi-purpose,

and eco-friendly local cloth, an idea inspired by a Palawanbased brand. At its core, katsa is crafted from upcycled flour sacks, which, when used properly, helps lessen the amount of waste in an area.

“I remember chatting with an old friend from high school, the owner of the biggest bakeshop in the [Iloilo] city. We talked about having her as my supplier for flour sacks, something Tahi PH later became sikat [famous] for,” reminisced Patty with a smile.

Relative to the use of katsa, Oscar Luiz Hallarda, a USA College of Commerce Board Member, one of Patty’s classmates and friends, and a Tahi PH customer, regarded the business as instrumental to the ever-growing sentiments on environmental conservation and the promotion of local brands and products.

“One of its debut products is the Tahi Face Mask, which eventually spawned several variations.

The seller, Patty herself, is very accommodating and open to her customers, which makes transactions smooth, easy, and convenient,” he mentioned.

KNOTS IN BETWEEN Tahi’s conception and growth are not a cutand-dry tale, especially since the business began operating during the businesshazardous pandemic.

“At first, managing the business was convenient as it mostly operated on social media. I could sell products from my couch or bed and entertain customers and prospects any time of the day.

However, the pandemic is not without its own slew of problems,” imparted Patty.

One issue she shared was the closure of establishments t h a t

rely heavily on physical outlets to attract customers. Such relates to many fabric stores, her source of thread and patterns, that could not survive with their primary source of income being barred because of the case against special events and mass gatherings.

Even before the COVID-19 was named a threat, pure brickand-mortar stores had slowly gotten less traction with the emergence of many online businesses and sites that offered cheaper alternatives and, at times, shipped internationally.

If a brand wanted to increase its young audience, it needed a strong online presence.

Another problem was customer behavior linked to some customers canceling their orders due to shipping fee increases or wanting to see and feel the actual product before making a purchase.

On the surface, increasing shipping fees may seem like a business seeking to lure in potential customers with affordable prices and later snatching profit from shipping. The truth, though, paints the pandemic as a significant player in the price fluctuations. Specifically, it is connected with transportation restrictions, container shortages, and high demand.

“We would pop up in bazaars and engage in a bit of personal selling, but because of COVID-19, sometimes, the locality would be placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ),” she added.

HEMMING IT ALL TOGETHER Financial, competitive, social, political, environmental, and economic – in all honesty, an entrepreneur’s life

is one paved with risks and rewards in varying measures.

“Starting a business, especially in the current volatile environment, is both a great feat and a big gamble for anyone, experience notwithstanding, but as I realized over the years, you cannot waste time mulling over the ‘what ifs,’” asserted Patty.

In her case, though the brand name had been established years prior, Tahi was first a side hustle that had no clear business plan. It was a hobby and an extra source of income while other students burned time watching movies on Netflix and YouTube. In time, she fell in love with the business and the people she had helped and connected with through it.

“If you are a beginner looking to start a business, a sole proprietorship would fit the bill as it allows you to make decisions and learn from mistakes without anyone else being around to dictate the flow or soften the blow. I may be pushing you to be brave but remember to start a business because you love it,” she revealed.

Additionally, she warded against focusing on profit and sales in the starting line. Rather, the main priority should be building relationships and networks, meeting new colleagues, and gaining experience in the industry. It is through t h e s e long-term

investments that a business may prosper.

In its part, the University, in addition to its professional courses, internships, and research and community engagement opportunities, exposes students to various training, workshops, and competitions to enhance business acumen. It also has linkages to private companies and government agencies that the students may tap.

“Tahi, for me, is already a success with its positive reputation, but I do not intend to stop here. I will continue to innovate and improve the brand because there is always room for growth,” she declared.

The bottom line is the world continues to undergo a crisis of health and unexpected change.

Much like business itself, to tread it is to embark on a perilous journey with no clear way across. To an Augustinian, it is another challenge to overcome.

Snip. Snap. Whoosh. The sounds started again. Patty beamed a needle on hand, and let her fingers dance, spinning threads of resilience.

USA PUB PHOTOS • TAHI FB PAGE

Em bro i d e re d in the pan demic - str icke n I l oil o is T ahi PH, a can v as of A u g u st i n i a n c r e a t i v i t y a n d e n t re p r e n e uri a l s p i ri t

B16 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

FEATURE

PEDALING CULTURE UNTIL THE FUTURE Ex pl o r i n g t h e f e rv or that see p s t h r o u g h t h e hear ts o f I l o n g g o s

BY SHERGEN Q. VILLANUEVA

She muttered a prayer under her breath, all while gripping tighter on the handle. Since the prevalent spread of the coronavirus disease, she only saw the wonders of Iloilo through her screen, through the Facebook stories that her friends shared. But now, she will be living that fantasy, that whimsical nature of changing landscapes through each pedal. As she continued cycling, the scent of life and the harmony of the city brushed her senses. “It’s been so long,” she said, “I missed this.”

As she reached Esplanade at the side of the Diversion Road, other bikers were waiting for her, with their prismatic shades sitting on their heads.

“How could I blend in?” she thought, her introverted self slowly kicking in. She was just invited by her old classmate, so this is the first time she is meeting another circle of friends. However, after several rides, there became no gap anymore, and friendship blossomed.

“As we ride together through the ups and downs, the sympathy for our fellow riders grows deeper. We would know what each other needed without saying it at this point because our trust for each other is sufficient, just what we needed,” shared Vhee Militar, a senior high school student of the University, on her experience of meeting new friends through cycling.

USA PUB PHOTOS • JEDRO L. CAWALING

When the sky still glowed with nightlights, and the sun had yet to swiftly ascend in pale gold, she was already up as she prepared her gears for that breakthrough moment she had been waiting for. She then wiped the pandemic-induced dust off her bicycle, put on her new helmet, and held firmly on the handlebar grip. After checking the brakes and other essential parts, she finally opened the gate of their house, and just then, the early breeze greeted her like an old friend. As she got out of the village, she looked at the path surrounded by street and vehicle lights, appearing in a bokeh effect to her morning vision.

“Biking made us realize that every challenge, however harsh, will always be more colorful when you are with your friends. Just like when we ride, the beautiful scene at the end will be more beautiful if you are watching it with the special people in your life.”

THE FIRST PEDAL Bicycles were first introduced in Germany when Karl von Drais, a baron also known as the Father of Bicycle, made a controllable two-wheeled contraption with no pedals in 1817.

He named it Laufmaschine, German for “running machine” and it was also famously called the “swiftwalker.”

Later on, around the 1860s, Pierre Lallement, Pierre Michaux, and Ernest Michaux presented a preliminary model with pedals fastened to the frontal wheel. This was then the first one to be called a bicycle.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, before the Americans came, bicycles already played a role in the lives of Filipinos. By 1920, an ordinance was passed by the Philippine Commission on the use of bicycles as a vehicle. Moreover, it stated that lights must be used when dark and bells when crossing intersections. It was also around this year that bicycles boomed in Iloilo City as bike stores started opening. In the 1933 Augustinian Mirror, the advertisement of the Iloilo Bicycle Store at Iznart

Street owned by K. Yoshida was displayed. Back then, the University was still called Colegio de San Agustin.

IN ALL ASPECTS Before the heightened predicament of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, cycling already made its way as the people’s remedy in all aspects of life.

“I started cycling before the pandemic, but I was not committed to it. I only used it for my transportation to school, to save money from the fare, and because it is eco-friendly,” shared Irwin Acir Samulde IV, a senior high school student from the University.

However, as the pandemic rose to its peak, cycling leaped in the same direction as well. People have reconnected to the beauty of cycling and its value was exalted even from those who have not shown any liking to it at first. “[Cycling] is the most affordable means of transportation.

Bikes are way too cheaper compared to motorcycles, need less

maintenance, and need no fuel thus [fewer] expenses and more savings. Biking is also good for our health. It keeps us fit and healthy. And with regards to transportation during this time of the pandemic, cycling is the best way to travel because there is less to no risk of getting infected by the virus compared to riding public transportation,” said John Baldwin Tingson, a teacher from SPEDIntegrated School for Exceptional Children (SPEDISEC) who cycles to work.

Since public transportations had been limited and all the other restrictions had not been lifted, people started relying on cycling and its provision of easier commutes and unmatched leisure.

Tingson added that through cycling, he can save 1,200 pesos a month compared to public transportation.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) Be Active Campaign emphasized that physical activity should be regular to circumvent the risk of underlying diseases that potentially increase the susceptibility of COVID-19 such as stroke, diabetes, and heart failure.

Since social distancing was imposed, people of all ages have spent most of their time sitting in one position and area all day long.

Therefore, many Ilonggos also began the cycling craze for health purposes.

Moreover, the business in cycling improved more in the pandemic.

Many bike repair stops have been established within the usual routes of bikers. The industry also spiked since other people also aimed for more enhanced and aesthetically pleasing bikes. “[On] March, COVID

set the City on ECQ. The demand for bicycles spiked and from then on, the pursuit to meet the bicycle needs of every Ilonggo [became] my goal. With perseverance, hard work, and determination, I have shown results [all while] experiencing the worst and best possible in business.

Due to restrictions brought about by the pandemic, the demand to provide the needs of Ilonggos in terms of biking as a means of transportation was too high. Iloilo Bike Shop strived and looked forward to providing different brands of bicycles in Iloilo,” shared Bryz Cuenca, owner of the Iloilo Bike Shop which offers retail and wholesale bicycles, parts, accessories, repair, maintenance, scooters, and lifestyle equipment services.

This enthusiasm that became so embedded in Ilonggos cannot just be a phase of fashion and route challenges but a lifestyle that is practically designed to advance every area of living.

WHY ILOILO CITY? Since 2014, Iloilo City has already held Bike Festivals where everyone gathered to celebrate and be unified in the passion of cycling. As the fascination and support of the local government became evident, the metropolis was dubbed as the “Most Bike-Friendly City” in the Philippines in the 2018 PhilBike Expo by the PhilBike Awards. Wilfredo Sy Jr., one of the leaders of the local biking community, represented the City and received the award.

“As I see it, the people are the true champions of the [bike-friendly campaign] here in the city.

We have very passionate bikers and bike groups, who see cycling not just as a sport, not just a hobby, but as a lifestyle and a mode of

daily transport,” stated Sy. The City is appraised due to its 11-kilometer protected bike lanes, especially the painted ones on the Diversion Road that is also surrounded by plant boxes and the famous “cherry blossom” of Iloilo. This is part of the 2014 project that was fronted by former Senate President Franklin Drilon with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). “[Because there are] lots of tourist attractions, restaurants, bike stops, wide roads, support of the local government for [the] cycling community, and of course bikers supporting one another,” said Tingson on why Iloilo City is perfect for bikers.

The biking community is expected to progressively grow over time, especially due to the tourism spots of the City. As of September 2020, under the Federation of Iloilo Cycling Organization, there are already 60 groups. Moreover, two ordinances have been passed in honor of the importance of biking namely Ordinance 2014-193 which requires government and non-government buildings with existing parking spaces to provide a safe bicycle parking zone, and Ordinance 2016-299 which designates the West Diversion Road with bike lane protection.

Surely, the twowheeled culture that became frenzied in Iloilo City will not just be a passing fad or a sideline, but a major contributor of redeeming people back to an energetic physical lifestyle and clarity of mind. As we lunge forward and combat every roadblock in our way, this not-sonew custom of the Ilonggos will bring us to a unified pedaling towards the future.

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

B17

DAPLIS NG TAPANG AT TAMIS

Somewhere between the cheers and constant support is the entitlement that fuels obsession.

B Y PI A VICTOR IA E . G R AZ A Mariing pinino ang mga butil na siksik, pinuno ng nagkakandarapang kulo ng tubig, hinalo ng malumanay hanggang dumaplis sa ilong ang kaniyang halimuyak- natatangi at walang kapantay.

Arabica. Robusta. Exelsa.

Liberica. Ito ang apat na uri ng butil ng kape na talamak sa bansa. Sa pagpatak ng bukang liwayway hanggang sa pag dungaw sa dapit hapon, kape ang pumapawi sa ating pasanin.

Hindi alintana ang pagkawala ng bagoong at tuyo sa mesa sapagkat tapang ang nananaig sa malumanay na paghigop.

Dumating man ang iba’t ibang uri ng inumin habang hinaharap ang modernisasyon, hindi kailanman lalamig ang kapeng sinubok ng panahon.

SIGLA NG DALAWANG SIGLO Nakaukit noong taong isang libo at walong daan ang pamamayagpag ng Pilipinas bilang isa sa apat na malalaking bansang pinagkukunan ng kape. Lumipas ang ilang taon

at tinamaan ng ‘coffee rust’ o halamang singaw ang mga butil ng bansang Africa, Brazil, at Java na nagdulot ng pagbagsak ng kanilang imperyo, at pagbibigay daan sa dominasyon ng Pinas bilang sentro at tanging produksyon ng kape.

Umagos ang biyaya sa mga magsasakang uhaw habang patuloy na uminit ang pagtaas ng ekonomiya at agrikultura sa bansa ngunit hindi nagtagal ang sikat ng araw sapagkat natamaan rin ng singaw ang butil ng pagasa. Ayon sa Philippine Coffee Board, natuon ang pansin ng mga magsasaka sa ibang pananim dahil sa lubhang pagkalugmok sa produksyon ng kape.

“When coffee rust hit in 1891, the remaining Lipa coffee farmers abandoned this crop and shifted to alternative agricultural products. Since Batangas was a

major producer of coffee, this greatly affected national coffee production. In two years, coffee production was reduced to 1/6th its original amount. By then, Brazil had regained its position as the world’s leading producer of coffee.”

Naudlot man ang kadakilaan, patuloy pa ring nagsusumikap ang bawat Pilipino na pagyamanin ang lupang umusbong sa ating kasaysayan.

Ito ang nagpapatunay na hindi lamang dugong Pinoy ang dumadaloy sa ating ugat dahil sumasabay rin sa agos ang inuming kasangga ninuman- ang mainit na kape.

ANIM NA DEKADANG TIMPLA Ang paghain ng tasa ng pagasa simula 1954 ng tinaguriang isa sa mga pinakamatandang

kapehan sa syudad ng Iloilo, ang RJ Kapehan na mas kilala ngayon bilang Jean & Juv’s Coffee House ay nag-iwan ng pagkakakilanlan sa panlasa ng mga Ilonggo mula noon hanggang ngayon.

Taas noo nilang ipinagmamalaki ang kanilang timpla na hango sa lokal na butil na mano manong ginagawa ng may ari na sina Gng. Jean J. Dela Cruz at kanyang yumaong asawa na si G. Romeo Dela Cruz.

Bitbit ni Gng. Dela Cruz ang pamamaraan sa pagluluto kung saan mariin niyang binusa at pinakuluan ang butil hanggang kumawala ang singaw sa kusina.

Unti unti nitong sinasayaw ang kapihan hanggang pupukaw sa iyong pagkatao ang kaakit akit na sariwang amoy at aroma.

“When I entered the place, I felt the homey vibe since the people are very welcoming. I can really see on the corner the intricate process of how they make their best-selling coffee.

This place is a haven since I felt relaxed, satisfied, and chill,” saad ni Angel Octoso habang nakangiting iniinom ang kapeng nagpaparamdam ng kaginhawaan sa kanyang nadarama.

Ayon kay Gng. Dela Cruz, apektado sila ng husto ng pandemya ngunit ang pagbabalik ng kanilang mga suki ang pumapawi sa kanilang nadarama.

Naghahain na rin sila ng iba’t íbang pagkaing mainam ipares sa kape. Ang siksik na halimuyak

ng lokal na kape ang legasiyang iniingat ingatan ng kapehan.

“The legacy will be the ingredients and process of preparing our very special native coffee. We will pass this down to our future generations so that we can preserve the culture of making native coffee.”

Ito ay hindi lamang simpleng pahayag ni Gng. Jean J Dela Cruz, may-ari ng Jean & Juv’s Coffee House sapagkat napatunayan na ng kanilang anim na dekadang serbisyo na tuloy tuloy ang pag agos ng kape sa bawat taong hangad ang tanglaw DALAWAMPUNG LIBONG KAPE-SANAN Habang mariin nating tinatahak ang bakas ng nakaraan, hindi natin namamalayan na binabaybay na pala natin ang dapyo ng kasalukuyan. Dito mas urbanisado ang pamumuhay at lahat ng bagay ay maaaring maisakatuparan sa teleponong maalam. Sa pagdampi ng hintuturo sa malaking iskrin, isang pamayanan ang unti unting bumuklod.

Itinatag noong 2019, pumapalo na sa dalawampung libo ang miyembro ng isang kapemilya sa

ARTWORK BY GEREMY T. GALLENERO

Negative Too Can Be Positive Breaking Free from being COVID-19 Positive

BY DI ORI ZZE D. PERANI A In her pitch black room, she is praying for heavens to ease her heart. Her hand rifles to her pockets to take the beeping phone. The brightness of the gadget showed her burdened face until a comically pained expression followed with the result she got: Positive. Today, being negative becomes a sliver, where light enters and penetrates the darkness away.

STARTING AT THE MIDDLE An Ilonggo nurse for three years - Aya, had been anticipating this day to come. After tallying days and fixating at the wall clock’s right hand inside her room, finally, the sun’s heat welcomes her with an embrace.

The branches waltz gently with the wind of early October, scratching at one another’s wooden fingers. A leaf fell down her brown hair. She heaved a deep sigh, hopeful outside Jubilee Hall for her second swab test.

She firmly closed her eyes when a narrow stick of a short plastic rod made its way inside her nostrils. The absorbing cotton at the tip of the rod touched the insides of her nose— taking a sample for testing.

“As a nurse, I have no experience in spearheading the RT-PCR test, but I am aware of the lack of resources and other challenges in the healthcare this pandemic”, Aya shared.

Aya confessed that at home, she’s isolated. She’s living under the same roof with her aging mother, a diabetic older brother, and petite younger sister, yet the walls must be in permafrost, separating her.

Her mother probably thought that it was her fault. She assumed that she must have caught the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after she headed to the public market, where most people never followed health and safety protocols.

“Spreading the virus without taking any precautions is graver than having yourself aware of being tested positive in COVID-19,” the 26-year-old nurse of Iloilo City asserted but with no ill feelings to her mom or whoever caused the difficulty.

Aya recalled that after scooping her pillows down, she opened her social media accounts. Her heart turned a little somersault in her chest when her phone beeped. A day after swabbing, she got the result of her PCR test. While silently praying to all saints and with shaking fingers, she opened the message.

To her disdain, the result is positive, again.

CONTINUE AT THE BEGINNING She has suffered physical, emotional, and mental health issues because of what happened. Aya admitted that there were days that she thought she would not wake up the next day.

“Physically, the first three days are the critical ones for me.

Emotionally and mentally are the hardest part.” Aya mentioned.

They were vaccinated. Her family got infected in mid-August but

survived after 14 days in the facility. As a middle child, she remained as the strong rope that kept the family from falling because of the disease. Her family was tested negative but after seven days, she felt the symptoms.

“My brother is diabetic, and my mom is getting old. It could have been worse to us if we never took the chance to be vaccinated.” Aya stressed.

RETURN TO THE MIDDLE Here she is now, with hands hugging herself into a ball and eyes trying to hold the tears that are about to pour down. The next day, October 4, was her birthday. God might be wearing black, she assumed.She spent almost another week, tallying days and eyes fixed at the wall clock’s right hand inside her room. Déjà vu sounds nostalgic, yet Aya wanted to burst out from that cycle.

“It is important to follow all the precautionary protocols that the trusted body in health and government is broadcasting.

You also need to check your heart and well-being to survive this pandemic”, she suggested.

THE END IS ANOTHER BEGINNING She found herself doing another swab test. A very familiar feeling of desperation cloyed her as the wet cotton touched her nasopharynx.

Every movement of the clock turned sadness into a degree worse than that. She looked like someone ready to jump out of a tall building. And on the thin thread of survival, she’s barely hanging on. She grew numb to pain. However, she shared, “Despite what happened to our family, I am thankful that we got vaccinated. I have a friend,

Facebook na ‘Kape Ta, Iloilo!’

Dito, malaya ang bawat isa na magbahagi ng kahit anong anggulong dumidirekta sa anino ng kape, kapehan, at mga magsasakang handang maghain ng butil sa mesa. Sa kabila ng mga sikat na inumin, nanindigan si G. Winston Lee, patnugot ng nasabing grupo na hindi kailanman matatakpan ang aninag ng matapang na butil lalo na’t siksik ang pagmamahal ng mga Ilonggo sa kapeng puro at purok.

“Iloilo is one if not the most dense Coffeeshop in the country,” ani ni G. Lee. Sa kabila ng kasikatan at lawak ng madlang nasasagamsaman, mas nananaig ang pagkakapatiran ng bawat miyembro. Ayon kay G. Lee, sumasagawa sila ng pagbibigay regalo tuwing pasko at handaan.

and his family doesn’t want to get vaccinated. They lose a family member because of the virus.

They are open to the idea of being vaccinated now.”

She added that the majority preferred Pfizer and Moderna because of their 90% effectiveness. Aya suggested that it is one of the factors that affect the number of people getting vaccinated. However, she is very particular about trusting Science and stopping the proliferation of the media that shares fake news about vaccines.

As a professional herself, Aya discussed, “I am part of the team that vaccinates people. We are patient in making the masses understand that some people have a fever after a few days of injection because the mRNA of the virus is introduced to the body so that antibodies form to boost their immune system. They are not COVID-19 positive because of that.”

THE START OF HOPE October 9, 2021: Her phone beeped and Aya fished the phone in her pockets with hands trembling in utter need to rise from the ashes. Her pulse, the throbbing of her heart, the sudden jerk and palpitation lit up the once dark room that caged her for a month. An entire disco of lights surrounded the word: NEGATIVE. “Believing that vaccines can protect you 100% then later on learning that you got tested positive due to COVID-19 is not yet the end of the world. Learn to fight. The world has so many things to offer for you to give up and lose yourself because of the tiny little thing called a virus.” Aya finished with conviction and trust that everyone will see the light that flickers in the end.

Aya has experienced the pitfall of the pandemic. Her room became a deserted and a claustrophobic place to be in.

Regardless, her being tested negative for COVID-19 after many tries became the fundamental reason why she looks at the world positively.

USA PUB PHOTOS • ANGEL GRACE O. OCTOSO

FEATURE

BEYOND THE BLEAKNESS

BY HECTOR O. COFREROS AND ANGEL GRA C E O . O C O T O S O

The pandemic came like a thief in the night stealing and stalling the progress of contemporary human civilization. No one ever expected that all of a sudden, the world will succumb to such crisis. Everything changed. But despite the burden we carry in our shoulders, we must never forget that there will be light at the end of every darkness. We must rise above from every crisis that will come in our way. We free ourselves from the barriers that once restrained us and continue to move from what was left behind. We will rebuild what was destroyed, open what was closed and join hands together even we are still standing apart.

U SA PUB PH OTO S • A N G E L G RAC E O. O C TO S O A N D JEDRO CAWAL IN G

PANORAMA

B20 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

FEATURE

Balasa ng Kapalaran

Somewhere between the cheers and constant support is the entitlement that fuels obsession.

BY ME R YL BABOL Sa bawat pag-latag nang baraha ng tarot, ito nga ba’y nagsisilbing daan o balakid sa iyong kapalaran?

Minsang napadako si Ayla sa pista ng bayan ng isa nitong kaibigan at doon ay magkasama silang pumasok sa parke na puno ng indak, halakhak, at mga tugtuging tiyak ay madadala nag iyong katawan sa ritmo ng awitin. Sumalubong sa kanila ang nakakabulag na mga ilaw na siyang kumukutikutitap sa dilim ng gabi at ang nakabibinging ingay ng mga musika na siyang bumati sa mga namamasyal. Sa ‘di kalayuan ay maririnig din ang sigawan at hiyaw ng mga tao habang naglalaro sa perya.

Sa kabilang banda, napunta sina Ayla sa isang sulok na kung san tila mapapansin ang katahimikan ng paligid kahit pa napapalibutan ito ng mga malalakas na tunog ng musika.

Masyadong mataimtim ang sulok na para bang may isang tinig sa hangin na inaakit ang kanilang sarili na pumaroon. Napansin ng magkaibigan ang isang babaeng nakaupo, katapat ang maliit na lamesang may nakalatag na kung ano-anong makukulay at makikintab na mga bagay. Sa isang iglap, biglang nagtama ang kanilang mga mata kasabay ang pag-ngisi ng babae sa kanila habang unti-unti nitong inilalatag ang baraha sa mesa.

Naranasan mo na bang maglaro ng baraha? O kaya naman ay nakapanood ng isang magic show na kung saan pinapapili ka ng salamangkero sa mga barahang nakalatag sa iyong harapan at maiiwan ka sa pagtataka kung papaano niya ito nahulaan? Ang mga disenyong spade, heart, diamond, at club ay siya nang ating nakasanayan na nagsisimbolo ng ating kapalaran.

Subalit, hindi lamang ito ang uri ng mga baraha sa mundo.

Sa likod ng mga baraha ng dinumerong kulay itim at pula ay may nakausling baraha ng kapalaran o mas kilala sa tawag na tarot cards.

are based on a painting and then it centers on the thoughts and opinions on the possible incidents that might happen to a person, but I also don’t know if it will happen or not, only if we manifest it”, saad ni JP. Binubuo ang isang deck ng tarot cards ng 78 piraso at bawat isa dito ay may nakaguhit na ilustrasyon na may kaakibat na kahulugan na siya namang pinagyayaman ng isang bihasang mambabasa ayon sa kaniyang natutunan at sa bugso ng kaniyang intuwisyon. Ang mga barahang ito ay nakahati sa dalawang parte: ang Major Arcana at Minor Arcana. Mayroong 22 cards ang Major Arcana na siyang nagsisimbolo ng mga karaniwang tema ng buhay, mga aral na dapat malaman, ang impluwensya ng karma, at ang daan sa kaliwanagan. Nagtataglay ng isang kuwento ang ang mga barahang ito kapag naisaayos ng ayon sa mga numerong nakalagay. Ang mga baraha sa Major Arcana ay nagsasalaysay ng kuwento ng paglalakbay ng isang mangmang (Fool’s Journey) na kung saan ito ang pangunahing karakter na naglalahad ng kaniyang paglalakbay kasama ang mga makakasalamuhang tagapag-gabay na magbibigay aral sa kaniya patungkol sa agos ng buhay.

Sa kabilang dako, ang Minor Arcana naman ay binubuo ng 56 na cards na kung saan ay sumasalamin sa mga pangayari sa buhay. Ang mga barahang nakapaloob dito ay naglalayong magbigay kaalaman at gabay sa mga pang-araw araw na pangyayari sa isang tao at kung paano ito nakakaapekto sa kanila. Ang mga sitwasyong nahihinuha s a

MITOLOHIYA NG TAROT Sa unang tingin, tila ay mamamangha ka sa ganda at disenyo ng bawat piraso ng baraha ng tarot na para bang mga karakter sa mitolohiya at astrolohiya.

Katunayan, ang mga tarot cards ay unang ginawa para maging instrumento sa laro ng tarot sa bansang Italya subalit sa pagsapit ng taong 1785, nagkaroon ito ng mas makabuluhang pagagamitan Isang Pranses na occultist na nagngangalag Etteilla ang siyang naglathala ng posibleng kaugnayan ng tarot cards sa astrolohiya at mga sinaunang alamat ng bansang Egypto na mangyaring may mas malalim na kahulugan sa likod ng mga ito.

Ayon sa isang panayam kay alias “JP”, na siyang nagsisimula pa lamang aralin ang mahiwagang mundo ng tarot reading, nakakabighani di umano ang mga kayang ipabatid ng mga tarot cards sa buhay ng isang tao kung kaya’t napagdesisyunan nitong pasukin ang mahiwagang mundo ng tarot.

“Actually, the tarot cards

ARTWORK BY DIANNE NAYELI B. MONTERO

pagbabasa ng mga barahang ito ay hindi permanente at pwedeng magbago ayon sa takbo ng buhay na pinili mong tahakin.

Sa kasalukuyan, naging mas kilala ang tarot cards sa tulong ng internet at social media na siyang umi-engganyo sa manonood na subukan ang mga tarot reading sapagkat malaking tulong umano ito sa mga may gustong malaman sa kanilang kapalaran. Mayroon din namang mga taong ginagawa ang tarot bilang pinagkukunan ng pangkabuhayan.

Ayon sa binansagang propesyunal na tarot reader na si Patti Woods sa kaniyang panayam sa Business Mirrror, ang pandemya ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit kailangan ng mga tao ang tulong ng tarot reading. “Tarot readings have always been popular because people have a need for something less clinical (and cheaper) than therapy, and more objective than just talking to friends”, giit ni Woods.

LARO NG PANGHUHULA Hindi maikakaila na hitik sa hiwaga at mahika ang ating mundong kinagisnan kung kaya’t makikita pa ang mga bakas ng gawaing salamangka ng ating mga ninuno na naipapamana sa mga sumusunod na henerasyon.

Ang impluwensya ng mga nakakatanda ang nag u-udyok sa mga kabataan na subukang tuklasin ang hiwaga sa likod ng tarot cards.

Tunay kang maiiwan sa pagtataka kung papaano napuna ng mga simpleng piraso ng papel ang mga nangyari sa kanilang buhay at ang bagay n a

aasahan mo pang darating.

Subalit, hiwaga nga ba o itim na mahika ang nakabalot sa bawat baraha ng tarot?

Ayon sa isang panayam kay alyas “Aali”, naging tulay ang kaniyang ina sa pagtuklas at pagkabighani niya sa tarot cards kung kaya’t napilitan itong subukang magpabasa ng kaniyang kapalaran. Dagdag pa ni Aali, nagsisilbing gabay at kaliwanagan ang tarot cards sa kaniyang maging buhay ito man ay tungkol sa mga pangarap sa buhay, pag-ibig, pagkakaibigan, o mga isyu na kaniyang kinakaharap.

“I turn to tarot whenever I feel the need for clarity.

There have been many times where numbers and situations have matched exactly what was delivered to me during my reading for me, tarot cards are more like guidelines than gospel”, saad ni Aali.

Sa isa ring panayam kay alyas “Shai” isinalaysay nito na mismong ang kaniyang ina umano ang humihikayat sa kaniya na subukang magpatarot reading at kinakailangan na may ibigay siya na kapalit kapag mayroong mga tao na nagbabasa ng kaniyang kapalaran.

“My mom is a believer in tarot reading and stuff. [I was] confused at first because the readings are almost accurate.

After that, I kind of started to believe in tarot readings and my mom also told me that whenever someone does a tarot read for you, you need to give them something in return”, ayon pa kay Shai.

HIWAGA O LAGIM? Likas na sa mga mata ng tao ang mga kagamitan kagaya ng mga baraha, iba’t ibang kristal, mga nakatirik na kandilang makukulay, mga munting manika, at ang bolang kristal bilang pagsasalamin sa paniniwalang nakabase sa mga enerhiyang nakapalibot sa ating mundo. Datapwa’t maraming mga kabataan sa ngayon ang nabibighani sa taglay na hiwaga ng tarot cards, meron namang tutol sa paniniwalang ito.

Ang paniniwala sa tarot card ay taliwas sa mata ng mga tinaguriang mensahero ng Poong Maykapal. Sa isang panayam kay Fr. Patrick Paul de Castro, Academic Supervisor ng Pilosopiya sa University of San Agustin, mariin nitong isinaad ang hindi pagsang-ayon sa gawaing ito sapagkat taliwas ito sa itinuturo ng simbahang Katoliko.

“As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic church or say CCC especially number 2115, states there that any practice which equalizes cult powers because it’s also a form of a cult practice whether to inflict harm or to manifest some good are condemned as contrary to religion. It also says there that these practices are generally considered as mortal sins not only penial sins but mortal sins.

So, any invocation of the devil would clearly be considered as mortal sin”, ani Fr. Patrick.

Taliwas ang gawaing ito sa itinuturo ng simbahang Katoliko sa kadahilanang isa itong anyo ng gawain ng kulto na nababalot ng itim na mahika.

Maituturing na isang kasalanan ang pagsamba sa ibang mga diyos at diyosa at ang panghuhula ng kapalaran.

“So, in one way or another, as I said a while ago we invoked the name of Satan or any dark p o w e r that is

against the teaching of the Catholic church. Mao na ang ginaprohibit sang church because once you invoked the power of Satan you inflict harm not only to yourself but also to others, so the stand of the Catholic church is very clear. It is prohibited”, mariing diin ni Fr. Patrick sa mga maling dulot ng paniniwala sa tarot cards sa atin.

Dagdag pa niya, hindi lamang nakakaapekto ang pagkahumaling sa tarot cards sa ispiritwal na aspeto ng tao kung ‘di sa lahat ng aspeto mapapisikal man, emosyunal, o sa atin mismong pag-iisip.

Payo naman ni Fr. Patrick sa mga tumatangkilik at sumusuporta sa mga gawain ng kasamaan; “My advice is to obey the teachings of the church because obedience is a virtue that we must all practice” Sa patuloy na pagbabago ng ating mundo, hindi ibig sabihin nito na nabura na ng tuluyan ang mga makalumang paniniwala dahil para sa iba, hudyat pa lamang ito ng pagsisimula ng matagal na pananahimik ng mga kuwento ng nakaraan. Kasama sa pagunlad ng ating lipunan ang mga paniniwala at kulturang napukaw mula sa pagkatulog ng mahimbing sa isipan ng mga nakakatanda at ngayon ay nagbibigay liwanag sa kabataan ng kasalukuyang henerasyon.

Ang pagkabighani at paniniwala sa tarot cards ay nakadepende sa isang tao at sa mga impluwensiyang nakapaligid dito. Ang mga taong malugod na lumalapit para magpakonsulta sa mga baraha ay hindi nakakaiba sa diwa ng nakararami subalit hindi lamang ito naaayon sa mata ng iba. Ang linyang “wala namang mawawala kung susubukan’” ang parating lumalabas sa bibig ng mga taong desperadong makahanap ng tulong at pag-gabay sa mga hinaharap nila sa buhay. Ang iba namang tumatangkilik dito para sa pansariling libang at interes ay siya namang mga taong gustong malinang ang kanilang kuryosidad at gustong subukan ang kanilang magiging kapalaran. Subalit, lahat ng ito ay pawang walang katuturan at siyang nakabase lamang sa pagiisip ng isang tao. Ang labis na paniniwala at pagtangkilik ay may kaakibat na kahihinatnan na siyang lubos nilang kahaharapin.

Sa pag-upo ni Ayla sa maliit na silyang nakalaan para sa kanya, hinarap nito ang babaeng hindi mawala-wala ang guhit ng ngiti sa kaniyang labi. Nakapagtataka man ay hindi na bago sa kaniya ang ganitong sitwasyon dahil talamak na kung saan ang ganitong gawain. Lingid naman sa kaalaman ni Ayla kung ano ang nag-udyok sa kaniya upang umupo sa harap ng misteryosong babae, napadapo naman ang atensiyon nito sa mga barahang nakalatag sa harapan niya. Magkahalong kaba at pagkasabik ang kaniyang nararamdaman habang pilit dinadama ng kaniyang mga kamay ang baraha, at sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay muling nagtama ang kanilang mga mata at sabay binigkas ng babaeng kaharap niya ang mga salitang “Gusto mo bang malaman ang iyong kapalaran?”.

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

B21

FEATURE

TIMELESS WORK, TIMELESS SUCCESS A Religious Augustinian inspired by the great teachings of St. Augustine

THE STORY BEHIND Fr. Alfeche is an advocate of broader and more profound knowledge about the life of St. Augustine. Fascinated by Augustine’s innovative ideas on language, skepticism and knowledge, will and emotions, freedom and determinism, and his way of doing philosophy, Fr. Alfeche wanted to introduce him as an influential figure with his commitment to the truth of biblical revelation. He found the answer in writing. Because of this, he translated The Life of Augustine into Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a languages and authored a book entitled My Two Families.

Launched virtually last October 16, these books are manifestations of Fr. Alfeche’s love for Augustine and creating pictures with his words. “I have been interested in St. Augustine’s

beliefs, his family background, and how he lived his life since my days as an Augustinian seminarian when I first started reading some of his works. I wrote a thesis entitled The Problem of Evil as tackled by St. Augustine for my Licentiate in Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas. I also did a paper on St. Augustine’s System of Values for my master’s degree at Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Belgium.

In addition, I wrote on his ideas on The Groaning Creation and Its Hope in the Resurrection of the Body for my doctoral dissertation at the same University. Meanwhile, My Two Families offers brief accounts of my life experiences as well as reflections on how I

reacted to events and phenomena that impacted my life from birth,” shared Fr. Alfeche in an interview with The Augustinian.

FOR THE LOVE OF WRITING Before bringing The Life of St. Augustine to native languages, a Filipino translation was already written by Professor Felicisima Campos. However, this was a translation from the English language by F.R. Hoare. This perhaps aggravated the hope of Fr. Alfeche to do a straight translation from original Latin – the first of its type. “This book is a real contribution to Hiligaynon ad Kinaray-a literature,” commented John Iremil Teodor, literature

writer and scholar of De La Salle University.

Aside from advocating Augustine’s life and literary outputs, Fr. Alfeche further shared he would like to continue the work of the Spanish Augustinian friars who were assigned to some of Panay’s parishes back in the 1600s and 1800s, such as Fray Alonso Metrida, who published Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya Hiligaya y Haria and Fray Raymundo Lozano, who wrote Flores ni Maria Santisima, a translation from Spanish to Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a.

“I would like to inspire my Augustinian friar brothers to share their ideas and discoveries in writing. They may inspire many

GO BACK IN TIME In his authored book My Two Families, he believed it would be prudent for him to write his biography while he still enjoys the clarity of his mind. “I completed mine when I was seventy-three years old (I am now 74 years old and showing signs of mortality) and completed it while quarantined

UNBOUNDED FAITH Despite the shortcomings Fr. Alfeche has encountered when publishing his books, his modest contribution of Ang Kabuhi ni San Agustin and My Two Families heightened the source of life brought with a holistic approach depicting faith, realism, and retrospect of his twilight years as an Augustinian Religious.

When he finished the last words he needed—just adding the final touch of his masterpiece, Fr. Alfeche was enthralled by his anthology, mesmerized by the turnout of everything he planned.

Those lines of compassion that he wrote, not be known but to know himself.

an avenue wherein, they can utilize their voices to make a change in the world through advocating on social issues that are not taken much attention by the people of power.

In the midst of the global crisis, the pageantry continues to strive to put its mission into action through the empowered women behind the success of every event.

teachers and students to write literature in the academe if they start doing so. More research could be published and distributed, not just in science but also in other sectors. The University is basically a place where new ideas and research are developed and published,” added Fr. Alfeche.

Pageantry Thriving Amidst Crisis Pageant In dus tr y Emb r a c i ng Cha nge

BY SAMANTHA THEA ABIERA

The arena is filled with pounding hearts, blinding lights, and thunderous applause and yells from the crowd as gorgeous and confident Filipinas emerge off the stage, ready to bring home the crown--this was the state of beauty pageants prior to the pandemic. Everything changed when the crisis hit, it did not only challenge the event organizers, but also the determination of the contenders to do most of the work by themselves PAGEANTRY IN THE NEW NORMAL “The restrictions brought about by the new normal made it [the preparations] a little difficult, we had to take swab tests every time there’s an activity, but eventually, we got used to it, shared Ann Roxal Palmares, Miss World Philippines-Iloilo City 2021.

Palmares took home the award for Best in National Costume with her batchoyinspired dress from La Paz during the competition.

In an interview with the Augustinian, she talked about her preparations for the epidemic and the difficulties she had along the way.

“The preparations were difficult during this pandemic, especially since

we were limited with time and resources. In pageantry, you usually have to build your own team, and having one is not enough, at least for me. It is just something that would help us politically in the pageant, but when it comes to more concrete and specific training, you need someone you can trust from your pasarela, styling, make-up, Q&A, or question and answer, photoshoot, personality development, etc,” explained Palmares.

PASSION AND PURPOSE The challenges brought about by the crisis did not become a hindrance to Miss Philippines Earth Water 2021, Rocel Songano. Instead, it motivated her even more to

join pageantry as the event has not only helped her as a person, but it has also become her stepping stone in taking action to change the world through her advocacy which is the preservation of the Iloilo River. She also shared how she struggled to identify what her purpose was.

“I really asked and prayed to God [about it], and there was a sudden magical moment where I felt like he placed his hands on me and equipped me with all that I needed saying that I can do it.” Expressed Songano.

The week after the experience, she received a message inviting her to join Miss Philippines Earth 2021, that was then she realized that the purpose she was searching for was in pageantry.

VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS There is more to pageantry than the glitz and glam. People perceive the event as a showcase of beautiful, confident and intelligent women from various cities and provinces, but for Iloilo City’s Aliwan

Festival Digital Queen 2021 representative, Coleen Beatrix Alcarde, the competition paved the way for the voice of the voiceless to be heard. She emphasized the relevance of the competition even amidst the crisis by stating that, “The pageants right now are our way of really bringing our voices out there and I am grateful to be part of it and the wonderful women who are really striving to make a difference in the world. Maybe someday that difference that they introduce in the world to society will become a norm and be very helpful for us.” said Alcarde.

Even to this day, misogyny and genderstereotypes exists.

People perceive women as weak and soft and that they’re only good for being a house wife and keeping the family in pack— but there is more to women that just how the society views them as a pageantry has paved the way to prove them wrong.

Pageantry is not just inspiring and motivating women to feel confident on stage but it has also become

FILE PHOTO • SONGANO AND ALCARDE

U SA P U B P H OTO S • AL EXAND R A L IBAR

A Religious Augustinian inspired by the great teachings of St. Augustine “I am not a writer; I always find it painful to put my ideas into writing,” asserted Fr. Mamerto Alfeche, OSA, as he sat back on his desk. The confused look on his face became visible than it was before. He scribbled in different kinds of words, finding the right ones to begin his masterpiece. He held his pen, his brain churning to come up with the answers he was seeking forthwith— scribbled, and then he felt like it was not the right one yet. It has always been St. Augustine’s works that consistently fueled his ardent pursuit of grasping the latter’s thoughts and the entirety of it.

He stopped in his pace, then went over it again. The next thing he knew, he officially published four books.

USA PUB PHOTOS • ROTSEN C. AGREDA

during the pandemic. So, it’s been an ideal opportunity for me to think about how I’ve interacted with others and with my Creator throughout the last seventy-three years. What St. Augustine did in his later years of life – seeking happiness in the company of his fellow monks and the service of the Church when bad elements besieged it – was what inspired me to write my biography, which also includes some of the events of his life,” he expressed.

Along with his short narrations, he also wanted the public to recognize the things that he had gone through, both victories and hardships, saying, “I also wanted my relatives, future generations of our clan, fellow Augustinians, acquaintances and friends, vineyard colleagues, and many others, to know about my struggles and wins in living my life as an ordinary citizen and as an Augustinian. So, I considered writing many of them - my evaluations and reflections in light of the Bible, St. Augustine’s teachings, and the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of St. Augustine.”

B Y GL AI Z A R A E A M AB L E A ND PA U L I N E M A R I E A R A D A

B22 Augustinian the

Volume LXIX January 12, 2022

FEATURE

ILOMOCA’s Timplada: Tickling Tastebuds with Ilonggo Cuisine The m idpoint of culture and craftsmanship

BY BY ATHENA CHRISTY L. SOLEDAD

Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) and headed by Ms. Janine Cabato in partnership with Megaworld Foundation and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The project includes an Iloilo City food map, educational Livestream programs on the ILOMOCA Facebook page and Youtube Channel, and an art exhibition in ILOMOCA’s Hulot Gallery at Casa Emperador, Iloilo Business Park, that will run from October 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022.

Years ago, the Iloilo City Government was

DISHING OUT THE DETAILS Timplada is a three-part project where Ilonggo culture, craft, and cuisine intertwine.

It is organized by the Iloilo

The Crown We Pass A golden crest, too powerful, it glows and transforms.

B Y D IOR IZ Z E D . PE RAN IA From the far side, kings and queens bask under the glitz and glamour of their kingdom. Yet, in places without the coveted iron throne, there lie the unrecognized royalties toiling the soil, staring at the neglected walls of their office, or grasping the thin air of the crowded slums in the metro.

FOR EVERY JUAN Ervin knew that the power was in the invisible crown in his head. Wherever he went, he keenly watched everyone wearing a crown as powerful as those who sit on the throne of monarchical governments. He has always felt like a king in his way.

But every other Juan he knew was consumed fighting against the claws of poverty. The crown that can make the best changes remains invisible in their eyes.

“The determinative factor in the context of choice of the Filipino people as regard the election of officers is in status, and with status, the advantage of time,” Caro asserted in an interview with the Augustinian.

He recognized that someone like him was privileged to scrutinize the candidates for election.

However, in a different light, most minimum wage earners were more concerned with their economic well-being resulting in abandonment to exercise their political rights.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance stated the same,

declaring that economic hardships in people influence political participation negatively, directing people to focus on meeting their needs rather than engaging in any political inquiries.

Ervin Gedmaire Caro, 23, is a BS Foreign Service graduate (2020) of the University of San Agustin and is expected to finish Juris Doctor in 2025 on the same campus. He had less than a year of experience as a paralegal in Endure Medical, Inc. He is part of a team conducting activities through Zoom and Discord about economic policies, elections, and suffrage rights.

Caro believed in the preservation of the blood-stained crowns of democracy that our ancestors have fought. The steps that he and others took were to protect it from cronies of corruption.

Before the interview, Ervin joined a zoom meeting to support his advocacy for human rights, social justice, and good governance. The fire transcends with his unrelenting efforts to maximize his privileges to reach the grassroots levels of society.

He is aware that voter education is challenging in the Philippines.

“As students of law or students who had the opportunity to be educated, be an instrument to be the social communicators of truth,” Caro said with conviction.

Caro pointed out the people in slums and remote places in the mountains whose voices remained as whispers.

“Majority of the Filipino people may have limited access to information through the internet as the access to the latter remains a challenge in our country,” the gentleman concluded that if candidates are not creative and assertive to reach these people, they may lose votes.

Several sources backed up the Filipino’s problem with connectivity to engage in social media and politics. A study in the Asia Pacific Journal of Business Review regarding the average internet connectivity of the Philippines pointed out that the country trailed behind, ranking 104 among 160 countries. A similar report by the Asia Foundation confirmed that the Philippines rank as one of the lowest due to the nation’s geography, outdated laws, and policies.

Ervin mentioned that others are fighting to survive their daily battle. With the gusts striking their windowpane nearby, Caro might have stormed for his life as

City as a “cooking pot” of various interesting dishes and their origins.

“We stretched ourselves to include the educational programs and the food map because we believe in supporting the application for LGUs UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy,” Cabato said in expanding their project to include the food map and educational programs.

Instead of starting from scratch, ILOMOCA decided to collaborate with and improve the efforts of the Iloilo local government units to put Iloilo City on the pedestal as the home of numerous mouthwatering dishes that are deeply rooted in tradition and culture.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU? The art exhibit features popular and sentimental Ilonggo dishes reimagined into unique paintings, carvings, and other artistic crafts. With diverse mediums and perspectives, the artists serve top-tier Ilonggo dishes and snacks like batchoy, pancit molo, chicken inasal, KBL (Kadios, Baboy, Langka), laswa, tambo, bayebaye, ibus, batwan, and more.

“It was supposed to be based on their [the artists] personal choice of their favorite Ilonggo dish, most preferably something that is an heirloom dish,” Cabato explained.

She defined an heirloom dish as either a recipe passed on through generations within a family or something very

well, forgetting politics if poverty keeps on plummeting him down.

THE INDELIBLE INK His first experience of the election was in 2016 in Tigbauan, Iloilo. He remembered how much of a milestone it was for a teenager to receive the famous indelible ink.

“I always value my right to vote. I have the crown, and therefore, I have the power to choose who will best represent me,” Caro said in hopes that his vote would steer a giant ship in the direction of a better society.

During the 2019 midterm elections, Caro shared that he was in an internship in Pasay.

Without hesitation, he booked a ticket to return home and vote in their precinct, stating, “Suffrage is that important to me as it is through this right, democracy is preserved.”

The law student’s vintage experience is an air of melancholy despite that. Ervin recalled the foggy ignorance of people because of money and fame during traditional elections.

Caro’s experience remained true at present with what Philippine police chief Guillermo Eleazar warned on June 4, 2021, that vote-buying this 2022 elections would be hard to detect now following the emergence of e-wallets due to the pandemic.

“Fame and fortune governed the prevailing reality of election in our jurisdiction, but a beacon of hope shining brighter than those remains in the hands of those who are privileged,” Caro said with hands clasped to a prayer for the privileged to heed the call to help

FILE PHOTO • ILOMOCA

It is well-known that Ilonggos have a knack for curating unique and savory dishes from local ingredients, straight out of their backyard gardens. Paired with their impressive talents in arts and crafts, Ilonggos manage to impress not only the eyes of the beholders but also their rumbling stomachs.

Inspired by the inventiveness and creativity of Ilonggos as shown in their food and art, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art decided to use this as the catalyst for their next project, Timplada: The Art of Ilonggo Cuisine.

thinking of ways on how to brand Iloilo City as a place of food and planned to push for the application to be a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy. With this in mind, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art originally conceptualized Timplada last year as part of their application for the National Commission for Culture in the Arts Competitive Grant 2021.

According to Janine Cabato, Project Head of Timplada, the art exhibit was the only requirement for the application. However, ILOMOCA decided to widen their impact by including an Iloilo City Food Map as well as virtual food-inspired education programs in the form of Facebook Live, which they call “Merienda Talks,” aiming to help spread the word about Iloilo

familial and has a personal and sentimental value to them. This ties the Ilonggo dishes to the tradition and history of Ilonggo families, conceptualizing cuisine as not only a part of our culture but also a treasure to be passed down to worthy familial hands.

The educational live streams revolved around food preparation and the significance of cuisine in Ilonggo culture and included some activities to lighten the atmosphere and encourage interactive hands-on learning despite the pandemic.

They cater to audiences from all walks of life and different parts of the world.

“We have no restrictions

in terms of age when going to the art exhibit... for the Merienda Talks, our livestreams, we have different activities,” Cabato explained.

The online setup would further expand their reach as they put Iloilo City onto a national and global stage for its cuisine and heritage, and both are part of every Ilonggo’s identity.

“Art reveals who we are and who we long to be.”

These powerful words by Edwin McManus reflect the beauty of Timplada and how it emphasizes the ties between Ilonggo cuisine, crafts, and culture. Should one wish to unearth the depths of Ilonggo cuisine or oneself, the Timplada exhibit will reflect its answer.

their fellowmen.

platform, plus there are updates over Twitter in less than a minute,” he shared.

Ervin stretched himself and exited the zoom meeting. Flashes of realization rapidly move in his growing mind. One quotation that he imparted to the publication: Heavy is the head who wears the crown.

The saying remains true to the next leaders of this sovereign.

But for Ervin Gedmaire Caro, it is true as well to the Filipinos. The burden of voting for the right candidate is not simple.

“I urge everyone to give justice to our right of suffrage by choosing the best candidate who can best represent our cause, our aspirations, our ideals, and lead the nation to glory. Vox populi est suprema lex,” he ended.

Ervin already saw the horrors of people not recognizing the gold and diamonds resting on top of their heads. He never wanted to see the Filipino people lose their crown in the 2022 elections.

THE CHALLENGE OF TODAY “Social media is proven as an effective medium to deliver information faster than traditional media. Like a double-edged sword, it may be a source of information or fake news, persuasive surveys or rigged surveys, propaganda or an actual program, and the list goes on,” Caro said calmly, aware of the number of fake news online.

A neuroscience study about the socioscientific perspectives on fake news in the era of social media among Generation Z Filipinos in the Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies concluded that exposure to fake news affects the critical reasoning of the exposed people. The study supported Caro, highlighting that social media causes the increasing number of disinformation and misinformation but also the answer to the problem.

“I use Twitter due to less number of trolls on the said

FILE PHOTO • ERVIN GEDMAIRE CARO

“Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together.” -- Guy Fieri

B23

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

SPECTACLE

The Archer by Paulo Coelho BOOK 2020 GENRE:

CONTEMORARY FICTION

NO. OF PAGES:

160

BY PA U LI N E M A R I E C . A R A D A

FILE PHOTO • GOODREADS

The Bow. “The bow is life: the source of all energy.”

Paulo Coelho has once again enlightened a framework of how purpose becomes a passion through hard work and dedication— willingness to go beyond the pitfall and expect the wrong turns that fate has to offer in return.

The Archer introduces Tetsuya. The man was once known for his famous artistry with a bow and arrow. A boy desperately comes to search Tetsuya as he illustrates how archery depicts the meaning of life.

Coelho’s book suggests that a life constricted by fear of rejection is not a life worth living. Instead, one must take risks, build courage, and embrace the

unexpected journey fate has to offer. The boy’s eyes seemed to be begging to practice until he knew how to achieve the necessary precision as someone who inspires the student to discover a knowledge he already has in himself.

Tetsuya then explained the way of the bow.

The Arrow.

“The arrow is the intention. It is what unites the strength of the bow with the center of the target.”

However, with The Archer’s case, not everyone is pleased with the metaphor and how it becomes a veritable example of living a life, searching for unpredictable answers.

Many decreed that the words of wisdom sounded completely barren and

pretentious. On the other hand, some loved the somewhat “abstract illustrations.” At first read, anyone might think it is a simple book about archery, but it’s much more than that.

The way of the arrow is to teach manners to focus, meditate, become one with intention, and be strong within oneself.

The latter depicts behind those lines of risky ventures of what it is like to draw the bow as it releases the arrow-traveling a long road from the movement of the bowstring.

The Archer, without the bow and the target.

“From then on, the archer becomes his bow,

his

arrow, and his target.”

Nevertheless, Coelho heightened that living a life constricted by fear of rejection or failure is not a life worth living.

Instead, one must take risks, build courage, and embrace the unexpected journey fate has to offer.

“The time has come, therefore, to meet your bow, your arrow, your target, and your way.”

Read the first chapter. Give it a day or two to let the lesson unfold itself within before it becomes a part of yourself; to find the archer within you.

FILE PHOTO • SPOTIFY

“Each arrow flies differently. You can shoot a thousand arrows and each one will follow a different trajectory; that is the way of the bow.”

Electoral Circus On-Screen MOVIE 2015 GENRE:

COMEDY/DRAMA

DURATION:

160

B Y S A M AN TH A THE A ABIE RA

Time Warp to Sweet 60s

American director David Gordon Green’s film Our Brand Is Crisis exposes the strategies used by political campaigns in 2002. It is an adaption of the political documentary of the same name released in 2005 and tells the story of an American political strategist who worked on the Bolivian presidential campaign in 2002 that helped the country win the election.

The story begins with a brilliant political strategist, “Calamity Jane” Bodine (Sandra Bullock), coming out of uncoerced retirement to beat her professional archenemy, Pat Candy (Billy Bob Thornton), who happened to be working for the opposition.

Jane Bodine was hired by the Bolivian presidential candidate, Castillo (Joaquim de Almedia)— by the time Bodine came into the picture, he was close to losing the presidential race against Rivera (Louis Arcella), who was on the top of the polls.

The way Green directed the film was exceptional as it has taken into account the role of political strategist in electoral campaigns through the characters of Jane Bodine and Pat Candy. Despite being shot in 2015, the production design made it look like it was shot in the early 20s when the actual events took place. The first few scenes have shown how tough the competition was between two electoral candidates and how far the strategist would go to make their clients win. It was directed in a way that even a person who is not interested in politics would understand and see how it really works.

The way Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton portrayed their roles was amazing in such that even the audiences could feel the tension between the two characters and get

excited whenever each of them pulled a stunt that would destroy each other. The competition between the two went down-and-dirty in such that professionalism and ethics have been disregarded revealed the ugly truth behind politics.

Furthermore, the video emphasizes that Almedia’s branding was his toughness, which resulted in the coining of the phrase “The Brand Is Crisis.” As a result, the plan was to persuade the public that, no matter what fights or crises the country faces, presidential candidate Castillo is uniquely qualified to fight for the people because of his characteristics.

Apart from that, the film’s historical context is pertinent and relevant in today’s world, particularly with the type of administration that the Philippines is currently under. Filipinos voted in the country’s 2016 presidential elections for a leader who many will fear and feel terrified by, without considering the consequences for the country and its population. The fact that the 2022 Presidential elections are approaching, and that the contenders are already heavily campaigning as early as now, has provided us with an insight into what presidential campaigns are often like.

“A leader must be a father to his people. I’ve always believed that. Sometimes, a

ALBUM 2021 GENRE:

ALTERNATIVE/INDIE

NO. OF SONGS:

160

BY D I O R I Z Z E D . P E RA N I A Lana del Ray is a lyrical genius that structured her songs with her signature 60’s cinematic melody and simple piano notes. She made her album of three pre-released songs, same with poetry in personal journals. She made it in a way that listening to her masterpieces felt like floating in a calm river surrounded by wildfire along a burning forest. Chilling and letting go of control when everything is falling apart.

FILE PHOTO • WARNER BROS

father has to be strict with their children for their own good.

Those people back there, they don’t understand that,” said Castillo to one of his campaign volunteers, Eduardo (Reynaldo Pacheco), after speaking with the indigenous people of the country protesting against him.

As the film ended with Castillo winning the campaign elections and people protesting

against him on his first day as the President of Bolivia as he failed to keep his promise to his people--the fate of most elected officials, the movie is definitely a must-watch. It does not only show the reality of politics, how they work, but it also shows the consequences of poor decision-making in selecting the people to put in position on.

Like every artist that is up for soul navigation and expression, she dropped music without proper promotions. She released an album last March.

Unstoppable that she is, the Blue Banisters was released this October 22, 2021. Her first three songs - Blue Banisters, Textbook, and Wildflower Wildfire have very personal lyrics written from her life.

Her songs are not for commercial music that is relatable to the majority. The tracklist is about her alone.

Lana del Ray’s songs are likened to a siren in an ocean, luring an explorer to dive deep and get lost to her soul.

Her album cracks the emotional color spectrum as it subtly shows how Lana suffered abuse from her mother, and her father did nothing about it resulting in Lana’s daddy issues and searching for men similar to her father that can correct his dad’s negligence.

Highlighted in the chorus of Textbook, “You’ve got a Thunderbird, my daddy had

one, too. Let’s rewrite history, I’ll do this dance with you.”

Known for her songs that center around tragic romance, the lyrics from Blue Banisters, “You can’t blacken the pages with Russian poetry and be happy,” screams about how she freely flies with her songs about melancholia while curtailing her pain behind her smiles.

The singer’s Wildflower Wildfire is the most sensual.

She sang it in a way that she was blowing warmth of love to any listener’s cheeks. It is sung in a way that causes tension and sexuality. Her songs start softly and end with notes that offer something calm but full of power. It is almost like gradual torture that is still bearable.

She gives an album that offers the sensations of a melancholic life in the countryside.

Her album is a contemporary gateway to the most romantic yet hurtful experiences of love and romance in the past. A kind of pain beyond what handwritten letters can offer.

find the difference

SPECTACLE

SPIRIT ANIMAL

SNOOZE

HUMANS—A GIANT, HAIRLESS COPY OF RACCOONS WITH SOCIAL

BY KRYSTAL JEAN S. SILAO

BY KENDRA FELIZIMARIE MAGSICO

augustinian crossword

HUMANS—A GIANT, HAIRLESS COPY OF RACCOONS WITH SOCIAL SKILLS

ACROSS

DOWN

1. What do learners search for, according to USA Vision?

2. This is the surviving work of the university’s patron saint, St.

3. Symbolizes love and charity - the first rule of St. Augustine.

Augustine of Hippo that serves as his autobiography.

7. The university’s color that stands for courage.

4. Which Augustinian value means embracing both love of God

8. One of the country’s oldest campus publications from the

and all neighbor.

University of San Agustin.

5. DefensorSantiago The university’s alumna became the first

10. People who are alumna, professors, students, and others

Asian to be elected as judge of the International Criminal Court.

associated with the University are referred to this.

6. Part of the sporting affiliations of the university.

9. The University of San Agustin mascot 11. The university’s color that stands for victory over evil in this world.