Hinirang

EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF

Editor-in-Chief

Niña Mae C. Oliverio

Associate Editor

Elyssa Kallila Marie Y. Degamo

Managing Editor-Administration

Diane Rose G. Baynos

Managing Editor-Finance

Jonalyn V. Omania

Creative Director

Jane Frances P. Latorza

News Editor

Rufino Rico L. Jamisola

Features Editor

Jonathan M. Ricardo

Opinion Editor

Ejay D. Villaver

Co-Opinion Editor

Eiver Ky C. Villegas

Literary Editor

Juan Enrique D. Reboquio

Property Administrator

Samantha Mae A. Murillo

Online Editor

Rey Martin B. Rio

Online Editor / Photographer

Ayn E. Nazareno

IT Administrator / Illustrator

Divine Gain U. Estrada

Art Director / Illustrator

Kent Michael S. Telebanco

Writers

Ava Donalie A. Ferolino

Trixcy D. Clar

Photographers

Astrid Niña T. Vidal

Christian A. Mananguite

Graphic Artists/Layout Artists/Illustrators

Hannah Vanessa O. Mondilla

Karina Adel A. Vestil

Jane Frances P. Latorza

Publication Adviser / Technical Guidance

Mr. Joworski B. Alipon

Assistant Moderator

Rev. Fr. Glynn C. Ortega, OAR Moderator

Rev. Fr. Persuiz Joseph M. Decena, OAR

ABOUT THE COVER

VOLUME 74 | A.Y. 2022-2023

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE-RECOLETOS

BEHIND THE COVER

Producers

Christian A. Mananguite

Rey Martin B. Rio

Ayn E. Nazareno

Photographer

Christian A. Mananguite

Assistant Photographer

Astrid Niña T. Vidal

Hair

Kristine Taneo T. Arquillano

Make up

Summer L. Demol

REACH US

For comments, reactions, suggestions, and contributions, contact us at:

Loving our country does not require blind martyrdom. In this semester’s issue, FORWARD introduces new and progressive ways of expressing nationalism as chosen ones who shall treasure our motherland. e-mail: forwardpublications@ usjr.edu.ph

facebook: facebook.com/usjrforward

instagram: @forwardpublications

READ FORWARD ONLINE!

Read the latest FORWARD Magazines and Folios online at www.issuu.com/usjrforward

ABOUT US

The FORWARD Magazine is printed every semester and once every summer under the name SOLSTICE. It is managed and published by FORWARD Publications, Ground Floor, San Agustin Building, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Magallanes Street, Cebu City. FORWARD welcomes contributions from Josenians such as formal/ informal essays, poems, short stories, artworks, and photographs.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine shall be used for any purpose except when allowed by the law without prior explicit permission from the FORWARD Publications.

illustration by Hannah Vanessa O. Mondilla

On Loyalties and Royalties

Who is a Filipino?

When answering that question, it is easy to say that Filipinos are those born in the Philippines. If we refer to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Section 1 of Article IV states all the qualifications of being a Filipino. Meanwhile, Section 2 says that Filipino citizens are those “natural-born citizens who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship.”

In other words, it is easy to answer the question, “Who is a Filipino?” if we look at the constitution. But when we ask ourselves that question without reading the constitution, how do we answer them? How do we prove ourselves as people in the Philippines? More so, how do we show love to our country?

For this second semester issue of FORWARD magazine, we present topics that may be familiar to you. Printed on every page of this magazine are write-ups that discuss matters concerning the Philippines.

Reflect on why some Filipinos leave the country for greener pastures. Ponder why xenocentrism is always a prevalent issue of concern in the Philippine society. And dwell on why some Filipinos tend to be the worst critics of their fellow Filipinos.

With the influence of foreign countries, the Filipino identity is almost becoming a blur. However, when it comes to shows that reflect the talents of our fellow citizens, we quickly take credit and show pride that an item is a product of a Filipino, especially when recognized by many audiences.

Regarding our education system, one of the relevant issues today is the K-12 curriculum. Though the system has developed and improved compared to its first run in 2012, some students still have issues with how some things turned out.

As you scan through the pages, read the words that may drive you to think about the present Filipino identity and the Philippine status quo. May you find reasons to acknowledge what we have and honor the uniqueness of our motherland which made foreign people adore the Philippines.

2nd Semester 2022-2023

Ang Magmahal Nang Dahil Sa ‘yo

The plight of local farmers has always been dismissed, but with the country’s struggling economy, the solution lies in showing them the Filipinos’ utmost support.

The Philippine inflation soared higher than ever, hitting a 14-year peak of 8.7% in January 2023. Although the inflation rate eased down to 8.6% in February 2023, the onions’ skyrocketing prices are still felt by every Filipino household.

According to the Department of Agriculture’s monitoring, white and red onions were sold for as high as P600, which costs more than a kilogram of meat.

Onions have long been a staple in Filipino meals, usually paired with garlic; these two are the base of many dishes which is why the killer prices of onions ranging from P400-P600 per kilogram affected many.

It is a known fact that onions have become a luxury, with poor Filipinos having a hard time coping with the sky-high prices and the already emaciated peso shrinking.

As Filipinos continue to weep at the rapid rise in the cost of living, one cannot help but ask the question: How do you love a country whose future seems dire and bleak?

The truth is, recovery is out there, the ingredients to a booming economy are in the country’s soils, except that they are difficult to find if a country has a government that is in denial of needing them in the first place.

It is better to face the reality, the root cause of the “Golden Onion” quandary is the ongoing shortage—which the government finds the solution to be elusive.

Adding to this, the administration’s first step was to import more onions to address the shortage, but this is merely a band-aid solution.

The prices are still as high, and the ones suffering the most are the local farmers.

The Philippines is an agricultural country, and the Filipinos are in the best position possible to have an agriculture-driven economy. However, some countrymen continue to dismiss the significance of local farmers to the Philippine economy.

Proof of which is how farmers from various provinces, such as Occidental Mindoro, were “forced” to sell their onion produce for as low as P8-P15 per kilogram.

The reason is the lack of cold storage facilities in the province to store their crops, and due to the fear of the crops rotting,

they give in to whoever wants to buy them, even if it is at a disadvantaged low price.

The glaring problem lies in poor planning, resource mobilization, and lack of support for local farmers and their crops. Instead of paying just compensation for them, fellow Filipinos take advantage to satisfy their own pockets.

When will people ever realize that the farmers are the backbone of this country?

The continuing importation of onions and other crops, and the unclear support and programs for the country’s farmers make it evident that some Filipinos do not value the agricultural sector as a pillar of our economy.

The government defends that the reason for importation is that the local produce does not meet the demand, but the farmers’ appeal tells a different story.

Kaakibat Provincial Cooperative Council chairman Ramon Silverio delivered the farmers’ concerns on the unjust trade price of onions and other crops.

According to Silverio, local farmers are capable of meeting the demand of the country, and that their maximum harvest could satisfy the shortage that we are experiencing.

Until now, the farmers are asking for protection from the government to bring up the farm gate price and lower importation—the reason why they struggle.

However, hesitation is present on the farmers’ side because they fear that their earnings will not be enough. The low price they are forced to stamp onto their products and the importation are the main problems.

The government should provide not merely immediate solutions, but map out long-term solutions to avoid another record-breaking inflation spike in the future.

People must focus on solutions that could make the farmers prosper. They should see to it that the Philippine agricultural sector is strengthened.

Loving our country does not have to be one-dimensional. Loving our country does not entail blind martyrdom. Loving our country can be in the form of fighting for our Filipino farmers—the very same people who make the Philippines survive.

DISCUSSION

FRACTURED FILIPINO IDENTITY

by Niña Mae C. Oliverio

Illustration by: Karina Adel A. Vestil

“I want to have a light skin tone so I can be prettier.”

“I prefer to buy products from that country because they’re more durable and high in quality.”

These are some lines you might read on the internet or hear from the people around you. This inclination to value other countries’ cultures over one’s country is called xenocentrism.

Jasmine Montemayor (2015) from the University of the Philippines Los Baños defines xenocentrism as “the acknowledgement and patronization of a person in any foreign feature,” which can be seen in clothing, delicacies, movies, and “can also be patronization of foreign characteristics and traits.”

Xenocentrism is rampant among us Filipinos, because we are very active when it comes to supporting other countries in terms of products, music, tradition, physical appearance, and the like.

Beauty Standards

The Philippines is a woven country, having been colonized multiple times. Hence, there is no wonder that the Filipino culture is a mixture of different cultures which becomes evident in the Philippine dialects, traditions, and sometimes, physical appearances.

The skin color of most Filipinos is in the shade of brown, especially those who are of full-descent. There are also Filipinos who have a white complexion. Their skin color is sometimes assumed as people who are of Chinese descent. However, the desire to become whiter has become extensive through the years.

Preferring “white beauty” may be traced from the Spanish colonizers who linked Filipinos with dark skin to the lower class while those with light skin are in the upper class (Madarang, 2018). Consequently, the idea of dark-skinned individuals being inferior to light-skinned people surfaced—this has been one of the prime concerns that the status quo is facing. Some Filipinos with a dark complexion would want to achieve

a light skin so they could feel more confident than they ever were.

In an article from CBC News in 2021, Madeahl Yamyamin, a Canada-based Filipino, said that she felt “satisfied” and “confident” if her skin was lighter, especially since she was raised in a Filipino culture. Hence, she received skin-lightening treatment every week.

Meanwhile, there are people who may be forced to achieve a lighter skin because of the pressure from their surroundings; sometimes, from being bullied.

In a 2021 Inquirer article by Czareenah Dagasdas, she shared her experience in Canada as well. Their family was processing some papers and got interviewed by an employee in a government agency. She said the government employee asked her, “Why are you so dark?”

“That was the first time I was made to answer a question about my skin color. It felt like I had committed a crime,” Dagasdas wrote.

To note, she is a full-blooded Filipino with a natural “dark skin tone.”

She tried using a skin-lightening soap; eventually, she achieved a fairer skin, but she was still in “disbelief” since it was still not enough for her peers. “In my peers’ eyes, if you were born dark, you were pretty much a second-class citizen, and nothing could change that,” she said.

It is sad to learn that we have become so squeezed with the thought that having a whiter and fairer skin makes someone prettier. Achieving that kind of skin is good for those who

We have become so blinded by the standards set by our society that we almost forget to acknowledge that we have a distinct beauty of our own to the point of rejecting what we can offer and setting aside our identity.

want to enhance their beauty. However, lightening one’s skin in order to put an end to the bullying they receive from their peers is a different story.

Products and Infrastructures

Based on Montemayor’s study in 2015 (Legitimacy of Philippine Sovereignty), there have been quite a number of xenocentric practices that the Filipinos do, especially on products and infrastructures.

For instance, in 2013, the store Kultura Filipino, which supposedly sells Philippine-made products, had “exhibited Santa Claus and other Western items,” as per the blog by Harner (2013).

In terms of infrastructure, based on observation, people often prefer other countries’ designs on buildings, houses, and other facilities. For example, when building a house, other people would choose the American-style house. When it comes to parks, other local governments would choose to have a Singapore-like output.

Fractured Identity

As a country that has been influenced by foreign countries: Spain, Japan, China, and America, exercising non-Filipino practices is not new. It has become a part of the culture, however, people must not forget that the Philippines has always had its unique traditions, practices, and cultures.

As time revolves, Philippine culture also evolves. Filipinos adapt to new norms that are far from conventional.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to have lighter skin, if that can make one happy or if it is the only way for someone to feel confident about their appearance. But, if the desire for a lighter skin is due to society’s pressure, people are making someone neglect their natural beauty—even worse, their identity.

One should remember that the medium to deep skin color (morena/moreno) shines differently. People of all colors must be celebrated.

If we have nothing good to say regarding someone’s appearance, we better keep our comments to ourselves. No one deserves to question their looks just because it does not meet society’s standards.

There is also nothing wrong with idolizing how foreign countries design and construct their systems and facilities because the Philippines always adapts.

In hindsight, we should not forget our roots as Filipinos. We must evaluate our choices. Too much preference for other

cultures’ things and practices can mean that we are rejecting what our country can offer.

Even if we do not have a monolithic identity of what a Filipino is, we must go back to the values that we hold dear—that is, family. At least, there is still something that holds us together, and it does not have to be a ssmonolith identity.

TO DREAM A DREAM

by Eiver Ky C. Villegas

Graphic Design by: Kent Michael S. Telebanco

Our blood runs free—we are Filipino. In our veins is that of the brave and valiant martyrs of the old. Lapu-Lapu and the first defiance, GomBurZa with their martyrdom, and Rizal with his wit and wisdom. The freedom and progress they fought for are now elusive in this modern age.

The Filipino questions: Is it right to be hopeful in the midst of an economic crisis? Are we still allowed to dream of tomorrow?

Where We Are

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the country’s inflation rate is 8.6% in February 2023. Commodities of the common Filipino folk are at an all-time high, job opportunities remain scarce, and the minimum wage stays all the same.

Meanwhile, the top office of the Philippines has seen fit to bring 70 people on a trip to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum in January 2023. Did other countries send equally big delegations? The answer is no. Transportation woes have never been more pronounced in the first quarter of this year. The proposed phaseout of old jeepneys was met with an outcry when the government announced that only modernized jeepneys would be permitted to operate.

Amid all these problems, daily living has become a challenge of survival for ordinary people. In this economic state, one cannot help but wonder, what of the dreams we have? Is life in this country still worth pursuing?

The worsening state of the country in terms of compass, and the degradation of the premium on human rights has led many to question: Is this country still worth the pain?

Revisiting Dreams

Filipinos have been proving themselves time and again; be it in academics, sports, or the arts, we find ourselves excelling. Despite all these, the brain drain phenomenon has been apparent over the years. More so today, brain drain in the Philippines has long been studied in the academe.

In a published study by the International Labor Office in Geneva, they said that “since the early ‘70s, the Philippines has been experiencing a ‘brain drain’ phenomenon with the migration of highly skilled physicians, teachers, seamen, mechanics, engineers, and others.”

Do we get to blame them for attempting to find greener pastures?

Opportunities in the country have not been so kind. With the lack of support for academic endeavors in many fields, scholarly pursuits are better done in institutions abroad that support them.

With all these, kids are still taught to dream big, reach for the stars, and never lose hope. To always be on the lookout for the chances that may come their way. In this economy, where food prices are skewed upwards and have no signs of

The generation of the 2000s has reached a pivotal moment in their lives. Commonly referred to as the Gen Zs, they are now in their early 20s, fresh from the confines of their universities and undergraduate studies, but met with wave upon wave of life-altering events in the country.

The millennials, on the other hand, older with more experience on their hands, are also caught in the crossfire of worsening situations in the country. Dreams, as it appears, have turned into a chase of where you could get a better chance of surviving.

We stand proud as the chosen Filipino; with the blood of the brave who resisted the colonizers, and now, we stand at the crossroads of where to go. Do we stay and hope for the best? Or is it fair to fly from the nest and find ourselves a place to land thrive?

It may be a little too early to think that this country has no hope, that staying is a hopeless cause of martyrdom. For now, the people have to decide; that their decisions and support be critical, and maybe, finally, learn the consequences of the choices they make. It is not too late to dream a dream for a better Philippines.

HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL

by Ejay D. Villaver illustration by Divine Gain U. Estrada

For the past 23 years, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community and its allies have been pushing for the passage of the bill that seeks to prohibit and penalize discrimination based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE), otherwise known as the Anti-discrimination Act.

While the support for the bill is immense, the religious groups’ opposition puts the equality bill in limbo—delaying and stalling its progress for more than two decades since its first filing. Staunch conservatives in the legislative branch, who often cite religious rights, have hindered it from moving forward, dubbing it the longest-running bill under the Senate interpellation period in Philippine history.

In a predominantly Catholic country, should the rights and safety of the LGBTQIA+ community be held hostage by the country’s dominant religion?

Confusion

Aside from the snail-like pace of the legislative process, dangerous and terrible misconceptions about the equality bill fester online. One of the chief complaints against the bill is that it is a stepping stone towards the passage of same-sex marriage.

According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), there are 16 SOGIE bills filed in the House of Representatives, but none of the provisions include or seek to legalize same-sex marriage.

Contrary to popular belief, it does not grant “special rights” to the LGBTQIA+ community either. The law is not exclusive to the queer community because everyone has SOGIE. This means that people who identify as cisgender and heterosexual will enjoy the same rights under the law.

It is not a luxury; we are talking about basic human rights.

The principal author and sponsor of the bill, Senator Risa Hontiveros, stated that “equality is not possible if it does not include everyone.”

Currently, there is no national legislation that would protect LGBTQIA+ individuals from discrimination in the Philippines. Now, more than ever, equality must be prioritized for stigma thrives in intersections of oppression.

As stipulated in the bill, “The State recognizes the fundamental right of every person, regardless of sex, age, class, status, ethnicity, color, disability, religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation or gender identity, to be free from any form of discrimination.”

On the bill’s explanatory note, Hontiveros was explicit on the cases of discrimination on one’s SOGIE. Among them were the “experiences of transwomen who were being denied the right to express their gender identity in schools and in the workplace,” “transwomen who were forced by authorities to appear masculine before their passports could be renewed,” and cases of “gender non-conforming students who were being bullied in schools affecting their performance and ultimately their access to education.”

Coming Out

In November 2022, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr., who is also a Bible Baptist pastor, introduced a bill called the “Heterosexual Act of 2022” that sought to recognize, define, and protect the rights of heterosexuals to express their views on homosexuality and practice their religious beliefs.

Moreover, he went on to weaponize religion to justify homophobia and transphobia. Abante Jr. writes, “If, therefore, we seek to ‘grant’ and/or ‘protect’ rights to homosexuals, bisexuals, transgenders, and queers, in the spirit of justice, equity, and fair play, we must also grant and/or protect rights to heterosexuals who are the actual and direct creations of God.”

The bill drew flak from various groups, dubbing it a “joke of a law.” Atty. Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” Diokno took to Twitter, saying, “The proposed Heterosexual Act only served to legitimize the very real oppression experienced by the LGBTQIA+ Filipinos now.”

Hence, this bill is exactly why the country desperately needs the SOGIE Bill because people like Abante Jr. blindly ignore the fact that the community has been oppressed for millennia, while heterosexuals are seen as the norm.

Though not properly documented, the hate crimes and genderbased violence directed toward LGBTQIA+ people are real.

Clearly, the move to implement the bill is not an expression of religious freedom, but an apparent manifestation of religious oppression.

Acceptance

Being in a country molded with conservative roots brought by religion and tradition, it is not surprising that this bill has been delayed for so many years already. To deny the passage of the Equality Bill is to deny all Filipinos protection from SOGIE-based discrimination.

What makes it ironic, and even scary, is that the very system that promotes love and acceptance is used to propagate hate and conflict.

Beyond pride month, it is frustrating to think that society constantly pushes the marginalized community back into hiding and invalidates the struggles that they have experienced for a very long time.

The queer community continues to face violence and inequality every day because of who they love, how they look, and who they are. Nobody should live in fear of being their authentic self. Gender identity and sexual orientation are fundamental facets of who we are, and neither should be the cause of prejudice.

Discrimination should have no place in our country. Our laws should leave no space for hatred.

No more delays. Let us renew and prioritize our fight for ALL sexualities and genders—human rights for all

To our senators and representatives, as public servants, we must strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity and service to our fellow Filipinos. The debates surrounding the bill have already been thoroughly addressed, answered, and any misconceptions have been clarified.

May you reflect on your actions and decisions before taking office, as it is essential to uphold the values and principles that define us as a nation of Filipinos.

GOLD FOR GOLD

by Jonalyn V. Omania

Telebanco

Despite impressive records of victories, athletes who represent the country with distinction face a lack of financial support. They are only acknowledged by the government when they succeed; celebrating them and claiming the credit for their hard work. Our gifted athletes have had no genuine opportunity to have their grievances addressed, causing them to settle with the bare minimum treatment in their sport.

The Cry for Financial Support On National Athletes

Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petocio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial stunned the world by capturing four Olympic medals in weightlifting, and boxing respectively in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics despite the government’s lack of financial support. The government relies on these players’ triumphs despite repeatedly declining to support them, handing them over to the private sectors in exchange for voluntary funding. Instead of responding to the athletes’ requests for financial support from the national fund, they allowed the athletes to confide in private sectors, which they should not have handled alone.

“I literally became shameless,” a brief yet powerful remark by Bince Operiano, a nine-year-old Bicolano. He was named the 6th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Champion on November 12, 2022. The entire country was boisterous, and praises poured in. However, the same country that is now ecstatic about a new victory was the one that deserted the Bicolano prodigy.

It is an irrefutable fact that athletes who strive for national honor must pass through the needle’s eye before receiving enough backing to compete on behalf of the Philippines abroad. Despite their sincere desire to return home with the gold, their appeal for help will go unanswered if they lack the necessary connections.

Graphic Design by Kent Michael S.

Professional athletes who proudly represent the Philippines endure a lack of financial assistance despite their outstanding track records. Is it the same with the student-athletes?

This is not the first case of this in the Philippines; in fact, many athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Diaz, para-athletes Edwin Villanueva and Adrian Asul, boxer Eumir Marcial, and Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez, are overlooked and will only be acknowledged if they receive the highest glory. A persistent issue in Philippine sports has been the weak or nonexistent backing from the government and sports organizations. It seems like they should first win a news-breaking prize before being recognized.

Although some people claim that poverty does not hinder success, if we have to be honest, it does impede many things, including a person’s road to the top. This problem is being downplayed since it is presented as “resilience” and seen as motivational.

Should we really continue to not hold officials accountable for failing to provide adequate assistance despite economic recession?

Imagine a thin but smart nine-year-old boy sleeping on the chilly airport chairs, enduring the environment, and overcoming loneliness and dread while being separated from his father for two days. He must accept this difficulty and enter the competiti with a heavy heart and tearful eyes, even though it is neither ideal nor comfortable.

Operiano initially felt overwhelmed and lost because no one else was watching him play. His father was able to raise enough money with the aid of Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando Cabredo and Oas Vice Mayor Hector Loyola to pay for his flight to Thailand, which eventually inspired him and helped him secure the gold medal. Ben Operiano, the chess player’s father, revealed that in order to save money for his son, he had to set aside his vices and swallow his ego.

Being a “pride” in our country is expensive, which is really a tragedy.

This incident is a slap to the government as it shows how little they value the young Filipinos’ talent. Another young athlete should not be found sleeping in an airport, and no stone should be left unturned in order to provide enough money for their child. It is a heartbreaking scene, but rather than serving as inspiration, it should be a wake-up call to everyone about the harsh realities of being a front-runner in this nation.

In any sport, success depends on careful planning, mental training, and reliable financial support. Universities are the first places where athletes are neglected, which makes it difficult for the nation to find and develop talented athletes who can compete on a national level.

Insufficient Budget On Student-Athletes

Student-athletes are students who participate in organized sports while also pursuing their academic studies. The experiences of being one can be challenging, as it requires a significant time commitment and a high level of dedication and discipline

to balance academic responsibilities with sports training and competition.

There are potential benefits to being a successful student-athlete, such as the opportunity to receive scholarships or other forms of financial support, or to gain recognition and exposure that could lead to future opportunities in sports or other fields.

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Glynn C. Ortega, OAR, Director of the Athletics Department of the University of San Jose-Recoletos shared that the athletics fee of P470 is not enough to cover all the expenses for the athletes.

“With the existing athletics fee, dili gyud siya enough to cover all the expenses that we need for our athletics program, and I believe it is not only the athletics program that is included in the budget proposal but there are also other expenses for the athletes,” he said.

According to Dr. Lorecito Sy, Assistant Sports Coordinator, the Athletics Office had to use their personal money to provide for the athletes’ needs since the athletics fee is not enough as it was based years ago before the pandemic when there was still a lower percentage of inflation.

“The cost of mga food and equipment are very very high already. That’s why if we say if the athletics fee is enough, it is not enough,” he said.

On the other hand, a fourth-year Bachelor of Physical Education student expressed that in his four years of being a student-athlete, despite receiving their allowances late, the school provided the necessities needed whenever they had a tournament.

“Yes, naay [delay] pero makahatag man jud sila [on the] exact allowance [needed] namo bisan delay sila usahay,” he said.

Athletes’ Safety Net

Participation in sports can provide opportunities for personal growth and development, such as building self-confidence, leadership skills, and a strong work ethic. It can also provide a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among peers, and a way to stay physically active and healthy.

The experience of being a student-athlete can be both challenging and rewarding, and it largely depends on the individual’s personal goals, interests, and abilities. It is important for student-athletes to prioritize their academic success while also pursuing their athletic goals, and to have a strong support system of coaches, mentors, and peers to help them along the way.

Winning in national and international athletic tournaments inspires young student-athletes and gives them pride. There is a strong notion that if the government provides them with a suitable training facility and financial support, we can generate more competent athletes who have high potential in the sports industry and would do much to make history throughout the world.

2nd Semester 2022-2023

Filipino Identity: It

by Samantha Mae A. Murillo Illustrations by Jane Frances P. Latorza

plastic pollution by Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment in 2015.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro, quoted studies that “there would be more plastics than fish by 2050, while oceans would be overheated and acidified if people fail to act now.”

To think that the country’s marine environmental issues are only one of the evident affairs, how much greater could there be among those issues pushed to the sidelines?

“It’s more fun in the Philippines,” or so they say.

The Philippines is known for its tropical beaches, hospitable people, and feel-good vibe. However, behind such great things screaming the nation’s identity are issues, complications, and changes, which seem to create a facade concealing the darker side of the country.

Pageantries

When it comes to beauty pageants, Filipinos have always been enthusiastic and supportive of our country’s representatives, rooting for them to bring home the crown. Unfortunately, Filipinos are also quick to drag them down.

Tourist Attractions

The Philippines is widely known for its breathtaking tourist attractions and beautiful beaches, such as El Nido in Palawan, Boracay in Aklan, and Bantayan and Daanbantayan in Cebu.

The country is dubbed Asia’s Pearl of the Orient for its culture’s richness and landscape’s beauty.

In 2022, the Philippines won double World Travel Awards (WTA), including its fourth straight WTA as Top Leading Dive Destination—a title it first won in 2019 in the annual awards to celebrate excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.

Despite being awarded with many other notable recognitions, the Philippines continues to be the third largest contributor of marine plastic waste, with over 750,000 tons of plastics ending up in the ocean annually, according to a report on

On January 15, 2023, Celeste Cortesi represented the Philippines in the 71st Miss Universe competition in New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately, Cortesi failed to enter the Top 16, breaking the semifinal streak of the Philippines in the last 12 years.

Miss Universe owner Anne Jakkaphong revealed through the YouTube channel of Miss Universe 2022 judge Olivia Quido that Filipino fans were surprised that they were not in the Top 16.

After the results, Filipino viewers left degrading and malicious comments towards Jakrajutati, and other contestants, while others were quick to disown Cortesi for her performance.

Author Jeslen Tesoro shared his opinion in Philippine Daily Inquirer, saying, “We become the most supportive when fellow Filipinos make it to the international scene, yet at the same time, we become the most toxic, sharpening our red claws as

is not all that

The promising heritage and rich culture of the Philippines call for glorified celebrations, however, the fancy brands are also seamless fronts to mourn over.

we drag other people down.”

This prominent Filipino behavior of “dragging others down” not only stains our identity but also cultivates a toxic culture, slowly being normalized in society.

Aside from that, the Philippines has also always been known for its heavy traffic congestion and unsystematic road intersections.

Metro Manila, in particular, ranked 8th among the world’s cities with the longest hours spent in traffic, according to a study by insurance technology site GoShorty. Meanwhile, traffic in Cebu is certainly an issue going on for a long time already. The concerning part about it is that it worsens with each passing year.

Mark Allen Rio, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management student, expressed his experiences, struggles, and concerns as a commuter. He is from Barangay Tulay, Minglanilla, and it takes him at least 50 minutes, and at most, one hour and 30 minutes to arrive at the USJ-R Main campus, “depending on traffic.”

Traditional Jeepney

Traditional jeepneys, being an everyday public transport, remind Filipinos and non-Filipinos of our unique identity.

Tracing back, jeepneys were made at the end of World War II, when Filipinos started recycling scraps from America’s military jeepneys.

Aside from the cultural relevance of jeepneys, they are also known to be affordable and convenient.

The jeepney fare, which used to be only P7, now costs a minimum of P11. Moreover, traditional jeepneys are usually hard to catch, defeating the purpose of convenience. The new advancements being pushed on our transportation systems without properly addressing the root cause of the issues have only driven the well-beloved jeepneys to the junkyards and scrap shops.

“There’s almost no chance for you to sit since there are a lot of older people who commute as well whom we give empty seats to, so expect to stand for the entire trip,” Rio complained.

Furthermore, the Josenian commuter said that many other student commuters from Minglanilla and even farther areas experience the same things as him.

“At this point, it has become routine for us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t welcome any improvement,” Rio added.

Meanwhile, a newspaper columnist from SunStar Cebu, Atty. Elias Espinosa, stated that the traffic problem grows along with the population in an article posted on February 1, 2023.

“As the population grows and the economy becomes increasingly vibrant, the traffic congestion also worsens because more people can afford to buy cars or motorcycles, but the size of Cebu City’s roads remains as it is,” he said.

Atty. Espinosa also wrote, “The dream of Mayor Rama to make Cebu City reach the Singapore-like status would be useless if the traffic problem is not addressed.”

Call for Acknowledgment

The Philippines is known for good things, however, we should also recognize that these good things could also hold darker things behind them.

Modern Jeepney, BEEP

Bus-Jeepneys, commonly known as BEEP mass transports, were launched in early 2019 and can now be seen everywhere along the roads of Cebu City.

Though modern jeeps could be more comfortable for commuters, this jeepney modernization program by the government not only erases the cultural identity of Filipinos but also screams anti-poor, affecting the smaller jeepney drivers.

We have to concede that this country has a lot of issues that are yet to be resolved and important matters that are yet to be openly discussed.

Is it truly more fun in the Philippines?

To be a Filipino is to acknowledge that the Philippines is not all that.

PH Educational Curriculum: Progressive or Regressive?

by Diane Rose G. Baynos

Graphic art by Divine Gain U. Estrada & Karina Adel A. Vestil

From MaJoHa bloopers to clips of Filipino kids not knowing the past forms of simple English words, how much more can we take before initiating reforms to addressthe PH educational crisis?

Over the years, we have observed incremental changes in the Philippine education system. The goal has always been simple: improve the quality of education in the country.

With the halt of physical learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, educational growth in many countries has been hampered, more pronounced in developing ones. As per a report from the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the K-12 basic education system failed to provide efficient programs for online, hybrid, or remote learning throughout the year 2020. This eventually resulted in over a million students dropping out of school as education became more inaccessible.

In April 2022, during the height of the pandemic, teen housemates on the reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother made waves in cyberspace and ignited concern. When they were asked to identify the abbreviation of the three Filipino Catholic priests who were executed in 1872, the housemates answered “MaJoHa,” mindlessly combining Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.

The answer is, obviously, GomBurZa, having been taught in Philippine history classes since grade school.

In an article from Inquirer, one netizen reportedly noted, “[K]ids want to have their own YouTube channels and have one million followers on TikTok but forget the people who sacrificed their lives so that we can have our freedom.”

In a separate case, a Facebook clip uploaded by a user named “Willgutz” mirrored a worrisome academic distress among Filipino youth.

Posted last December 2, 2022, Willgutz asked several Filipino kids the past forms of various English verbs, such as “say,”“lead,” and “dance.” Unfortunately, responding to such simple questions seemingly entailed immense brainpower, as the kids didn’t know the correct answers.

The video went viral, garnering over 2.8 million views, 55,500 reactions, 6,900 comments, and 15,400 shares.

One netizen commented, “Not funny. This is alarming. This is one of the most basic [E]nglish lessons taught in school, probably during 3rd or 4th grade. And I presume, most, if not all, are already in their higher years? Education crisis is real.”

Both instances sparked debates and led the majority of Filipinos to question the effectiveness of the educational curriculum in our country, as the learning crisis continues to surface.

However, beyond the staggering effects of the pandemic, the education crisis in the country had long existed way before the disruption of COVID-19.

According to the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics 2019 (SEA-PLM), students in the Philippines barely met the required skills in language and mathematics. Only 10% of Filipino students passed the minimum reading standard, while only 17% attained the minimum mathematical standard required at the completion of primary school.

The pattern suggests that the Philippines still has a long way to go before fixing the ever-present problem in the academe. This poses the question: Is the Philippine educational curriculum progressive or regressive?

With the students being the most affected populace in this issue, FORWARD asked four Josenians from different year levels to express their sentiments about the current education system.

On Progressiveness

It is fair to say that there have been different factors to consider when weighing if the current education system is progressive or not.

Here, a first-year student pointed out some of the lapses in the curriculum that she deemed “regressive.”

“On a personal level, it is honestly regressive. Our educational system here in the Philippines has long been bombarded with controversies up to this day. The overworked and underpaid teaching staff, stagnate quality of education, and inefficient facilities and equipment that [are] vital to support the nation’s learners [are] undeniably outrageous. Hopefully, there should be reforms and improvements in the curriculum as well as the standard to help not just the students alone but the educators as well.”

- Marianne Audrey Pinili, BS Psychology 1

The Role of SHS

The implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) program in 2016 was one of the most notable and contentious reforms made in our educational curriculum. It aims to equip the students with the necessary skills for work and allow them to participate in international assessments, among others.

Now, did SHS stay true to its mission?

“SHS was implemented to have a competent labor force where SHS graduates can now become employable, become internationally competitive, and to help students prepare for college–especially in choosing a program and in crediting minors. With these objectives, not everything was successfully fulfilled. The SHS program did help most students in choosing their preferred college program with the help of the SHS strands, it also helped students learn important skills like research—making their college experience a lot easier. However, minor subjects are till not credited in college, what was taught [in] SHS is still taught in college just with a different course name. I have seen a lot of SHS graduates that were able to enter the workforce but, there is still that stigma that students that graduated college are more professionally-competent. Implementing the K-12 program

was not a bad idea, it’s actually advantageous, the problem lies [in] the planning of the Philippines’ education sector. We just need to speak up for improvements for the betterment of our educational system.”

- Celine Kier Fuentes, BSBA Marketing Management 2

Relearning Subjects

The curriculum at the tertiary level has been aligned with the K-12 program. Some subjects taken in SHS were supposed to be credited upon entering college.

However, it seems not to be the case.

“I keep on questioning why some subjects still exist while in fact these were already taken during our SHS days. I feel sad that we still have to spend money and effort for an entire semester on the subjects that we already took during SHS. I have nothing against the subjects and teaching personnel since they try their best to deliver the topics, but it feels draining once they tend to demand more time and effort from us when we already finished the subjects way back in SHS.”

- Jemwel Clint Bagazin, BS Accountancy 3

Towards Sustainable Education

“There should be a collaboration between the government agencies together with the school sectors to address the needs of the students not just in urban but also in rural areas.”

- Helen Grace Badon, BS Accountancy 4

As the Philippines remains consistent with poor educational rankings and inadequate student performance on a global scale, the need to reform the system is now more pressing than ever.

While there have been notable efforts from the government to at least alleviate the ongoing crisis in the academe, the undertaking of the educational plans is still subpar and needs further improvement.

The Filipino youth continues to be the symbol of hope for the country. But for them to bloom and fully reach their potential, the system must also be catered to their needs and lean towards progressiveness.

And for this to happen, the system must also choose the youth—the chosen ones.

To All The Choices We’ve Made

by Niña Mae C. Oliverio

Ano kaya ang pakiramdam ng mahirang? (How does it feel to be chosen?)

Ano naman kaya ang pakiramdam kapag ikaw ang maghihirang? (How does it feel when you are the one to appoint?)

In life, we make choices, and sometimes, we are part of the choices. Deciding the best among the given choices might be tough at times. We cannot easily pick if we are to choose, especially if that choice may put our life at stake. Unless we want to rush our decisions, making a choice will never be difficult.

To some, making a choice might be simple. They don’t sweat over it if they don’t want to waste time. Others take a while before falling to a conclusion because they had to figure it out thoroughly. However, some people are forced to come up with a choice because they are under pressure, or they are told to do so.

We all make choices every day.

When we start our day, we ask ourselves, “What should I do first?” or when preparing our breakfast, we make a choice on what to eat or cook.

Before we enter college, we have to make a choice on which degree program we should pursue. Some would choose their dream program, while others would choose practicality. We also make choices on which university or college we should attend.

When seeking for a job, we decide which company we should choose. Some would choose a company that gives a good amount of compensation, while others would prefer a healthy workplace.

During elections, we make choices on who will be our country’s next leader. We scrutinize their backgrounds and achievements. We test their abilities through conversations and debates. And the process of scrutiny goes on.

We also make choices in relationships, romantic or not. We decide which person we allow to enter our lives. We decide which person we allow to see our vulnerable side. We decide which group of people we think are healthy for us.

Nicolette Noce (2021) once said, “We make good choices when we are rational, when we weigh the pros and cons and when we trust in ourselves and not only outside sources.”

The choices we make every single day allow us to shape ourselves. These choices allow us to live the life that we want, and the life that we dreamed of.

Even if making a choice can put us into turmoil, it also has a positive impact. When we make crucial choices, we tend to think critically because we don’t want to disappoint ourselves. We are afraid that what we have chosen might fail. What if things would not go the way I wanted it just because I made that choice? Making choices may be hard, but it is the way to test our decision-making.

On the bright side, there are also simple choices that we thought would not make any difference, but they turned out to become a significant part of our life.

I could have chosen Journalism in 2019, but I want to write news and make films at the same time. Hence, I chose Communication since it is broader. Back then, I only thought of the choice that could help me get through college.

I chose my comfort zone, but it didn’t come easy. The important thing is that I never regretted my choice. Tears and rainbows came along the way, but everything shaped me into who I am today.

Lastly, let’s not forget that there is one thing that we don’t have to make a choice—being born. It is being who we are. We are special. We are chosen. We are chosen to live in this world. Under certain circumstances, we make choices for ourselves and not for the people. We should not regret being born.

We make choices because we are living our life. These choices can either give us happiness or disappoint us and gain lessons in the end.

To all the choices that we have made, may we learn something from them and learn a lesson as we look back on the days we were making our decisions.

There is no denying that diverse degree programs are perceived differently in terms of value, demand, and relevance. This is reflected in the number of academic resources provided, scholarship availability, and job opportunities.

Such an issue is not foreign to the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R). From lack of necessary resources to gaps in academic discounts, students could not help but feel “less prioritized” with their chosen degree programs.

Josenian Setting

The lack of teachers and classrooms for Josenians are two of the most persistent problems in the University, made more profound during the comeback of faceto-face classes. But these lapses can be particularly felt among students whose degree programs have fewer populations.

A second-year English Language Studies major said that the shortage of available classrooms is one of their top concerns.

“It is disappointing that this circumstance disrupted most of our major subjects’ class schedules, making it difficult for us to secure a room…it would be best suited to have fair access to classroom utilization for all programs with structured preparation and coordination among all school departments,” they said.

Meanwhile, another second-year Psychology student also expressed her concern over the lack of teachers

Degree Programs that Matter Or Not

provided by the University.

“There are circumstances when professors with a Ph.D. status are not present for our major subjects and the number of Psych students are not catered well by the school…The amount of expenses we paid for this degree all for it to be exploited and not well-managed at all is disappointing,” the student said.

This is further amplified by a Philosophy major, who said that they often lack professors for their major subjects.

“I think this is also due to the lack of philosophy graduates. There might be hardly anyone to hire in the first place,” the student said, indicating that the problem is systemic and goes beyond the corners of the University.

Unfair Discounts?

The stark contrast of academic discounts between the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and non-PRC degree programs has gone on for many years.

While it is understandable that the University needs to invest more in future professionals with licensure examinations, other students expressed that this is one of the factors that contributed to their burden.

“I feel like my course is not so much prioritized in this University compared to those with PRC/Board exam courses. This is evident in the disparity of the current academic discount,” a Josenian said.

In the new criteria for the academic discounts, students with PRC degree programs can avail of a 100% academic discount including the miscellaneous fees, while those from non-PRC programs can only avail of up to a 75% tuition fee discount, excluding the miscellaneous fees according to the grade cut-offs provided by the scholarship rules.

Furthermore, students who shifted from a PRC degree program to a non-PRC will no longer be able to avail of the academic discount.

With students exerting the same amount of effort in their academics despite the

difference in their degree programs, many feel that their concerns about scholastic discounts are not entirely baseless.

On a Larger Scale

In most instances, degree programs in the field of humanities and social sciences are those that suffer low enrollees and receive little to no support in the academic world.

The Asian Development Bank and the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted the Youth Education Investment and Labor Market Outcomes Survey in 2017 across 238 schools offering Senior High School (SHS) in the country. The results revealed that the availability of specific SHS tracks and strands was hampered by a lack of qualified teachers, such as those in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS) strand.

In response to the sentiments of some Josenians who feel that their degree programs are undervalued, Vice President for Academics Rev. Fr. Jose Alden Alipin, OAR, said that the University must innovate and “make our programs relevant” to the market and global needs.

“We have to also give them attention and try to make them feel that although there are only [a] few of them in the program, they belong to the greater part. While a student is enrolled in a program [at] the University, he or she is a Josenian. He or she is part of the community,” Fr. Alipin remarked.

Students repeatedly observe the declining value and appreciation of many degree programs. This, together with the associated misconceptions, present such a problem not only for the University but also for the Philippines.

Loving the country in the truest sense requires advancing together and making sure that no one is left behind. Giving everyone equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their chosen degree programs, is one of the many approaches to making this happen.

In a world designed to accommodate science and mathematics, where do humanities and social sciences stand?

Illustration by Hannah Vanessa O. Mondilla

There’s bravery even in the kindest manner of expressing our love for our country.

We are the chosen.

Only one nation in the world has the right and privilege to call itself Pearl of the Orient Seas. Jewel of Southeast Asia, glittering through eons past despite the ravages of its oppressors, of its own countrymen, of time and of forgone tribulations.

Greatly inspired by our national anthem, Hinirang directly translates to “chosen.” A normally overlooked word we have absentmindedly sung through the thousands of times the Lupang Hinirang blares through scratchy speakers in school assemblies. A portrayal of what modern nationalism ought to look like. One that challenges the problems that comes with the ever changing Philippine status quo amidst its convoluted state of differing beliefs and principles.

Its people, fractured between the seven thousand six hundred and forty islands that form their home, still yet brim with pride to call themselves Filipinos. Regardless of what petty differences in culture, creed and class we may have, our cause is clear—we are the chosen, and we shall rise from every fall to prove our worth to the waking world.

In centuries past, our forefathers staked our claim to our land through bloodshed. For every drop of freedom to be won, rivers of blood flowed as mortal combat was joined by oppressor and oppressed alike.

Now, we are free, but for what have we used that freedom for? What legacy have we carved into our Inang Bayan, that we shall leave behind for generations to come? Has it been one so blighted, so stricken, that legions of chosen willingly betray, denounce, leave it behind, unwilling to tend to a garden so overrun by blight and weeds?

Hinirang stands the test of time as its core message maintains that of loving one’s own. From what was once nationalism that was comprised of misplaced fear and misguided strength, now spreads a gentle love that promotes growth, harmony, and prosperity. A stand contrary to its violent past.

To that end, we must evolve. The waking world needs more than bloodshed, bullets and destruction from the chosen. What we need is a breath of fresh air, a lighter point of view compared to the dark undertones of rebellion and revolution exemplified by textbook definitions of patriotism.

Thus, FORWARD Publications presents this semester’s production, HINIRANG a fresh look of nationalism via vibrant and soft concepts accompanied by a dash of modernity to symbolize its prevalence in the contemporary world. This iteration aims in aiding the Josenians in having access to and shaping an informed opinion on important matters with which they should be concerned.

All this entails responsibility, which is the mark of true and everlasting nationalism. As the chosen, we must seize our destiny, and tend to the only country we have been blessed with.

Tayo ang hinirang. Tayo ang pinili na lalaban para sa ating bayan.

do you miss the fire?

by Elyssa Kallila Marie Y. Degamo

Do you miss the fire when it starts to rain? Do you miss the light when dark’s in the lane? Or do you miss the country for its peaceful reign?

One of Asia’s oldest democracies, the Philippines, is embedded with a rich history of resistance to social oppression and colonial control. Before our country was colonized, we had our unique civilizations, bound by a strict chain of laws that our ancestors followed. There is a system in place that most Filipinos respect and abide by.

It is safe to say that although we were ignorant of the possibilities of other races, we had complete independence.

Our ancestors started missing the fire when it rained. It rained with people trying to take away our identity— converting us into someone we’re not. Nevertheless, today is not any different. Foreign luxuries already blind some people, and they forget to look back.

This is the same with the never-ending issue of the West Philippine Sea. China’s so-called “nine-dash line” map, which includes the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, claims the majority of the South China Sea.

Instead of fighting for what should be ours, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said they are yet to establish a “compromise” to allow Filipinos to fish in the contested West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, the “nine-dash line,” which demarcates about 80% of the West Philippine Sea, was found to be illegal by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. However, China is still disobeying the ruling.

Our ancestors fought to take back our motherland. Indeed, they succeeded, but our hearts never returned. We are already stained with various influences and have become products of hybrid lineage. This is not entirely bad, but if changing is on par with forgetting the past, people need to think twice.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but what if you’re not in the tunnel? Darkness lurks in every corner. 70,000 were detained, 35,000 were tortured, and 3,200 died during the martial law that former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. imposed from 1972 to 1986. They represent one of the darkest eras in Philippine history.

Some Filipinos believe those were the days of the New Society. Because of its alleged order and discipline, Marcos Sr. called it one of the “finest years” of the Philippines. While it is true that infrastructure spending surged during that period, it left the Philippines highly indebted until now. This also led to some individuals referring to the years under martial law as a “golden age.”

Today, many issues also place the country in the dark. Many problems plague the Philippines, including unemployment, drug and alcohol addiction, poverty, and lack of education. The predicament of young people is made worse by recent issues such as the increasing number of street children in urban areas, pedophilia, child abuse, incest, rape, and forced labor, all of which are highly disturbing.

Let’s find the light in the dark by paving the way to salvation. Awareness and a strong commitment to human rights and participation in advocacy-driven causes are necessary.

A peaceful reign now might be impossible, but it will be, won’t it? The toxic positivity that Filipinos hold is quite deadly to the core. Some people have promoted the culture of happy thoughts and good while dodging accountability. That shouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Let’s face the fact that our country is like a machine that needs unclogging.

Although there was a time when all seemed at peace, this cannot be applied today. There are still unending drug wars, oppression of the freedom of the press, COVID-19, political killings, and terrorism, among others.

These unending issues keep on burning and obstructing the path to a peaceful reign. The long road to peace is characterized by development and letdowns. Sustainable peace and good local governance would significantly help.

Despite all these, the Philippines continues to be our homeland. Although it’s already tainted, it remains to be our sanctuary. We need a spark to change it all because even a small action can create great things. After all, the fire that our ancestors made started with a single spark.

are you a modern pinoy?

by Elyssa Kallila Marie Y. Degamo Graphic Design by

The Pearl of the Orient Seas, the Philippines, has always been rich with culture and traditions from years of being held colonially. All are shaped by the influences of the past.

Although the past might not be rainbows and butterflies, the silver lining lies in our traditions.

The Filipinos have carried on with their way of life over the years. Filipinos living in a contemporary society coexist with an expanding industrial economy. This was established to foster development in the country.

We’ve truly evolved into hybridized modern pinoys. Are you one? Because if you are, these traditions should be familiar to you.

harana para sa iniirog

As the song asks, uso pa ba ang harana? Traditionally, A male would serenade and court a woman outside her window at night with harana

At present, things are significantly different because technological exposure has changed how we think about dating. Contrarily, harana is done in the form of singing and playing music with Spanish influences on a guitar. The man often asks his friends or even the best guitarist or haranista in the neighborhood for help. We would love to experience that again, right? It’s a romantic way to profess someone’s love, after all.

Being a modern pinoy is a hybrid of all the colonial influences, but forgetting the Filipino traditions is already a different attack. Are you slowly becoming a modern pinoy who doesn’t look back?

CULTURE

Today, the conyo Filipino kids ask, “Is serenade still in style?”

tabi-tabi po: superstitions

For Filipinos, believing in mythical creatures is natural. When we were young, many of us learned to say “tabitabi po” when passing a big tree, a termite mound, an anthill, or any rural area. This is an expression used to avoid the disturbance of supernatural entities.

Given the tales of people who disrespect the spirits and end up being cursed and ill, asking the spirits for permission to pass by is a modest price. But do people still believe these stories, given that many buildings built today were formerly forests?

bayanihan para sa kababayan

Before people started arguing about their land titles, Filipinos in the provinces used to erect a hut on a little plot of land they claimed as their own. Since most of their house was made of lightweight materials like bamboo and palm, they just carry everything with them.

The act of the entire community banding together and carrying houses to move them from one location to another is known as bayanihan. Today, we can’t see that anymore because aside from land titles, who would carry a house made of cement and hollow blocks?

paninilbihan: traditional acts of service

Another age-old courting tactic involves the man doing manual labor for his lover’s family. This sincerity is based on activities like gathering water from the well and cutting wood for cooking. He does this to show that he can support her and for the future children they may have.

Men had a lot of work to do for the lady they loved in the past. Today, it’s also good that women can make the first move for the person they love.

paaso in cemetery

The elderly used to burn plants or fragrant incense to appease ghosts, bring wealth into the house, and ward off evil spirits. Grass, herbs, or sweet incense may be burned in front of a grave to create smoke for visitors to pass through before leaving the cemetery.

Smoke is said to separate the dead spirits from the bodies of the living. After all, who would want an evil ghost inside of them? No one, right?

smearing chicken blood, not icing

An elder traditionally smears fresh chicken blood on the birthday person’s forehead to bless them and dispel bad fortune.

The celebration usually includes chicken, similar to making a sacrifice in exchange for wealth. This way of celebrating birthdays is kind of forgotten since people tend to get more creative in throwing celebrations.

Certainly, it’s not a bad thing for Filipinos to slowly cope with change. Embracing and extracting its essence for us to keep up internationally can be a good kickstart for progression. However, as modern pinoys, let’s not turn a blind eye and forget our roots because, after all, there are Filipino traditions that are uniquely designed just for us.

Midya Natin ‘To: Modern Media That Reignite Our Nationalism

by Rufino Rico L. Jamisola and Eiver Ky C. Villegas

With the emergence of various modern media, Filipinos have the contingency to be deftly influenced by foreign culture, and may come to a point of a cultural identity crisis. Nonetheless, many Filipinos still work together to reignite their fellowmen’s nationalism with the use of modern media.

“Kaya paborito ko ang programang ‘to, eh. ‘Di lang kalidad na nilalaman ang binibigay, kundi pinapaalab din nito ang pagka-Pinoy ko!”

Maria Clara at Ibarra

For several months after its showing, “Maria Clara at Ibarra” had been the talk of the town, and even the online world.

This GMA Network television series was based on the two provocative novels of Jose Rizal: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

The story’s plot went about a young woman who is hopeless for the Philippines, then time-traveled to 1880s Manila after reading the magical novels of Rizal.

Despite portraying the dark past of the Philippines during the Spanish colonization, citizens of different ages were hooked by the series because its approach was non-didactic. It showed a modern twist and presented various elements of romance, comedy, drama, and patriotism, along with a lean implementation of film technicalities.

The director and screenwriter must have rigorously studied and understood those novels of Rizal. Zig Dulay, as the director, was surely acquainted with his job in securing the accuracy of the series, as seen by how smoothly the scenes went since its premiere. Moreover, Suzette Doctolero, the screenwriter, had extensive knowledge of the Filipino language, especially during the series’ period, as perceived by the actors’ beautiful delivery of the lines Subsequently, one of the most acclaimed elements in the show was the costume and styling, which was integral in driving the narrative. As seen in the actors’ specific costumes, it could be inferred that the designers and stylists had been true to the garments used during the novel’s era, such as Klay’s silhouette and ballshaped skirt, and all those fits and accessories of the other actors.

With the show’s way of presenting history, many youth and students may already have learned so much about Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

The youth must have learned to stand for what is right and just for the majority, and have been reminded of the sacrifices of Filipino heroes for the country to have the independence that it has obtained at the present time.

Anito: Defend a Land

Little did everyone know, a group of Filipino web developers had already released a video game in the early 2000s.

Being the first Filipino-published video game in 2003, Anito: Defend a Land Enraged is a role-playing video game where the players are challenged to build and manage their base and units in the battle. It was created by a Manila-based group of web developers called Anino Entertainment.

Like any other video game, it focuses on combat and exploration, with the player’s use of ranged weapons that originated in the Philippines. The enemies do not only range from humans but also Filipino mythical creatures such as the “tikbalang,” a half-human and half-horse hybrid that is believed to play pranks on travelers in the wild until they get insane.

A player needs the mouse and keyboard to control their characters in their battles.

The video game is played single-player, which means the player does not have party mates in the game.

One great thing about it is that the characters’ names are purely Filipino, as they are identified as Agila (current Philippine national bird), Maya (Philippine national bird until 1995), and Bantay (a nickname for guard dogs). The players have the chance to choose their characters according to their strength, agility, health, and chakra.

I-Witness

i-Witness has never been triumphant in the different awardgiving bodies for nothing.

Having been dubbed as the longest-running documentary series in the Philippines, i-Witness started premiering in 1999. It is a Philippine television documentary show produced by GMA Network and GMA News TV, and is now hosted by multiawarded journalists: Sandra Aguinaldo, Kara David, Howie Severino, and Atom Araullo.

In 23 years of continuously producing thought-provoking stories on television, i-Witness has garnered more or less 30 awards and recognitions from prestigious local and international awardgiving organizations. This is because of the quality output that the show releases, as well as the brilliant people composing it.

The production team deserves to be given the honor for their commitment to their roles, as risking themselves going to the wilds or to hidden places takes a lot of courage. They even get along with the people they meet there, sharing candid conversations with them, while the natural sounds in the area are heard on the television.

With the issues and hidden treasures divulged on the show, i-Witness is home to information for the people and the government to show that there are so many issues that they usually overlook and need to give attention to.

New System, Same Traffic Errors

by Ava Donalie A. Ferolino and Jonalyn V. Omania

Many Josenians seek convenience when it comes to enrollment, paying school fees, and most especially viewing grades. With the advancement of technology, the University has developed an integrated system for students’ accessibility.

In this article, FORWARD sought answers for Josenians experiencing the same errors with the new payment system, enrollment process, and concerns with their reflected grades.

Online Enrollment

Josenians find it fast and easy to enroll online; however, they have encountered some errors as they try to enroll their loads. A third-year student from the School of Arts and Sciences shared their experience with online enrollment.

“After na-approve ang akoang subjects, naa’y message na ni pop-out na ‘Please secure clearance from SAO (Student Affairs Office—now called Student Welfare Office (SWO)).’ It stresses me out since wala man ko’y violations so far and it caused me na late ma-enroll since di pud madawat akong enrollment fee since blocked ko sa SAO,” they said.

The online integrated system existed even before the pandemic for students to have easier access to student information. Does it really make it convenient for Josenians?

Photo

by Ayn E. Nazareno

According to the University Comptroller, Mr. Dexter Joseph Cuevas, CPA, during the time of Atty. Jesus Velez, then SAO Director, the reason why there was a pop-up message instructing students to proceed to the SWO is that the student may be a returnee, and some are student leaders that have pending liquidations with the SWO.

Payment System

This semester, Management Information Systems (MIS), formerly known as Electronic Data Processing (EDP), launched the new Integrated Payment System for Student Information System (SIS). This is for Josenians to have a more convenient way of paying for their school fees without having to go through long queues and waiting times.

The intention behind changing the payment system was to have real-time posting because the one used before took two to three days before payment is posted.

In December 2022, the University announced that they will streamline the process of paying online, and introduced the new SIS. For this, the University partnered with Maya (previously known as PayMaya)—a financial services and digital payments company based in Metro Manila.

In January 2023, the system was in full swing for the enrollment of the second semester. Students can now pay their school fees and have them posted in real-time, with the convenience fee of P50.

However, irregularities have been visible in the first month of using the newly-launched payment system.

“The new payment system is kinda hassle. There are a lot of steps needed to take for it to be verified compared to the old payment method which is hassle-free and fast,” a Political Science student said.

“Dako ra kaayo ang 50 pesos nga convenience fee,” an Engineering student also complained.

In response to this, Mr. Cuevas reiterated that the purpose of the new payment system is to have a hassle-free transaction and lessen the burden on the students’ part.

“In fact, if you don’t want to pay the convenience fee, then it’s up to you because our tellers are open if you don’t like to pay the 50 pesos convenience fee because it is not reasonable on your part...But, you have to pay for the transportation costs, you have to queue the line here. The mere fact of giving you the convenience fee [is] because you want [it] to be convenient,” he further explained.

Mr. Cuevas expressed that they have tried to bring down the convenience fee because it was originally on a percentage basis but they were able to bring it down to P50.

Additionally, University Vice President for Finance, Rev. Fr. Leopoldo Estioko, OAR, voiced that they will be working on haggling it down lower than P50.

“Kung daghan sila mo-pay [using Maya], we could lower the amount of the convenience fee,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr. Cuevas encouraged the students to explore Maya and what it is all about.

According to Mr. Cuevas, two things could be found in this section. First, the “Current Balance” which reflects the student’s balance as of the moment. Second, the “Balance at Cut-off” which refers to the student’s balance at the end of the preceding semester.

Adding to this, he clarified that if the student has paid their dues even after the cut-off, there should be nothing to worry about. What students should focus on is the “Current Balance” part of their accounts.

“The students would worry about the Current Balance kay mao ma’y pinaka-current unya pinaka karon na balance, amo ra na gipakita ang [Balance at] Cut-off for purposes of clarity,” he added.

Mr. Cuevas also stated that this information could be seen on their Facebook channel. They understand the importance of knowing the difference between the two, which is why they are working on disseminating the information to the students.

Revisiting Records

“Nganong dili man mailisan ang grado kung naa sa SIS? System error daw.” This was a complaint by an International Studies student at the end of the academic year 2018-2019, and the same issue still exists this school year.

The head of MIS, Mr. Alexander Omangay, explained that changing grades in SIS is a really long process, which makes it hard for the teachers to do so.

“Ang buhaton jud nato ana is from the instructor mo-submit sila through [the] department and then the department submits it to the Registrar’s Office. Usahay ang department mao pud ang nakalangan sad sa vision sa collection. Then once ma-submit sa Registrar’s Office, then amo na i-endorse sa VP-Academics for approval,” Mr. Omangay said.

It takes more than two or three steps before grades are reflected, which is why changing them on the system is not an easy task to do.

To contest, Mr. Omangay stated that if the students really want to have their grades changed to the updated ones, they could approach their instructors and the instructors would have to go through the process.

With regard to other issues on SIS, Fr. Estioko expressed that the system is evolving, and there will be improvements in the features in the months to come.

“We want to improve our service to the students and employees. Same sa system, ga-evolve pud na siya because we want to improve the University, so we also improve the services,” Fr. Estioko assured.

As of writing, changes and improvements of the MIS are ongoing as the system only had a limited time of preparation when the pandemic started.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

ERROR 404: Student Manual Not Found

by Ejay D. Villaver and Rufino Rico L. Jamisola

Mananguite

The student manual is a book containing the guidelines, policies, and regulations of the University, which is used as a resource document for any course of action and decision in case of misdemeanors.

Along with the numerous impositions done by the previous and current administrations at the University, the Student Welfare Office (SWO), formerly called the Student Affairs Office (SAO), guaranteed to release a revised edition of the Student Manual 2012. However, 11 years later, the promised edition is still “not found.”

With this, FORWARD conducted a series of interviews with the Ad Hoc Committee, composed of the administrators and representatives of the Supreme Student Council (SSC), to delve into the absence of the revised student handbook.

Photo by Christian A.

The promise of a revised student manual has been heard for years by generations of Josenians. However, the pages have never seen the light of day. What went wrong?

Revisiting Records

In the Publication’s first semester issue in the academic year (AY) 2017-2018, then-SAO Director, Atty. Jesus Velez planned to distribute an updated manual. However, due to the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) change of guidelines and incorporation of the Anti-Hazing Law and the SSC Constitution and Bylaws, they had to “adjust the target time.”

Before 2019, the University allotted P100 for a hard copy of the manual under miscellaneous fees, as per the students’ school fees breakdown. Meanwhile, during the implementation of online classes, the Accounting Office charged P40 per student, given that they only provided a soft copy.

The last edition of the manual was in 2012. Despite the absence of its distribution, the University keeps billing newly enrolled students.

According to the University Comptroller, Mr. Dexter Joseph Cuevas, they have not received any instructions from SWO to eliminate or suspend the collection.

“Kami man gud sa Accounting, we are charging it because that is the official charge. So, it is not our responsibility whether you have received your manual. It is outside our office already,” he said.

The SWO is the head department responsible for the overall production of the student manual. Their role has been to gather, verify, and arrange the handbook’s contents.

In-charge

In an interview with FORWARD, Mrs. Maria Jennifer Estrella, the current Student Discipline Officer, stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was a major factor as to why the manual was delayed.

“The revisions were really hard to finalize since there were many things that came up due to the pandemic. The work on the revisions was put on hold as we grappled with the shifting to the online platform,” she said.

She also noted that the meticulous revisions in some institutional policies in terms of academic matters, the new learning modalities, and the changes in the delivery of services by the different service offices and support units in the University contributed to its extended delays.

To clarify its status between its last production (2012) and the year before the onset of the pandemic (2019), FORWARD tried to reach out to Atty. Jesus Velez, through Mrs. Estrella. However, since he already had his early retirement in 2022, he declined our request.

Atty. Velez was the SAO Director from 2008 to 2022.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nelbha Iglesia, Director of the Student Development and Placement Center (SDPC), explained that during the pre-pandemic, she followed up several times with the concerned office about the release of the improved student manuals, but receive no definite time of release since it has to be further reviewed.

“We waited because we were also asked by the students, ‘Miss, when can we have our manual?’ I requested a soft copy instead during the pandemic pero the response was, ‘It will be subjected for approval’ kay there were still changes daw na we needed to make,” she said.

Dr. Iglesia added that in the first semester of the AY 2018-2019, the SDPC was able to assist in the distribution of the 2012 edition of the student manual because their department was handling Guidance 1 classes, where students were oriented on the University’s student services, support units, and rules and regulations.

She pointed out that the manuals they circulated to the students were only excess from the last production.

Responses

Mrs. Estrella extended her apologies to the Josenian students for the continued delay in the production of the handbook.

“We are currently working hard on the completion of the student manual. We owe it to you, dear, Josenians, since of course, you paid for it and it is really part of the deliverables of our office. We are trying our best to serve you better on this matter at the soonest time possible,” she said.

She also assured that the revised manual would be coming out before the end of May 2023.

On the other hand, Ms. Lingoria Pingul, the University’s Chief Librarian, stated that the students can expect the manuals to be produced in the second semester of the AY 20222023 or Summer 2023 because it is one of the documents to be exhibited in the upcoming evaluation of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU).

With the unending revisions, side workloads of the committee members, and hindrances made by the pandemic in the past years, the updated student manual is 11 years overdue.

As the handbook’s production is ongoing, may the Ad Hoc Committee accomplish and distribute it on the promised time. The Josenians deserve to touch the manual’s pages that they paid for.

No more delays. It must be prioritized.

Let the manuals be found.

2nd Semester 2022-2023

A Slump at the Top

by

The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) has long been recognized as a prestigious institution that provides quality education to its students. It has established a reputation for producing top-performing individuals across diverse fields and has been honored with several awards by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

One noteworthy recognition was the award of the Plaque of Institutional Programs Excellence, which recognized the University’s five programs that had achieved Centers of Excellence, including Teacher Education and Information Technology, and Centers of Development for Accountancy, Business Administration, and Industrial Engineering.

However, with the impacts brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in the curriculum, and higher level of difficulty in exams, Josenians and non-Josenians have questioned whether USJ-R’s “quality education” continues to thrive, or whether it struggles to recover from the slump.

Board Exams, Passing Rate, Topnotchers

USJ-R offers Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) degree programs, such as Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA), Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED), and a range of Engineering programs including, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and Civil. The University also has its own review centers, such as the Certified Public Accountant Review Center (CPA-R) and the School of Law.

Meanwhile, the University rejoiced as a Josenian alumna placed seventh in the October 2022 Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT) Elementary level examination.

USJ-R Vice President for Finance, Rev. Fr. Leopoldo Estioko, OAR, expressed his joy after the School of Education (SED) finally had its topnotcher during his term.

“I was really waiting and praying when I arrived here until last year, so about three years waiting na maka-top pud sila Kay gamay lang gud sila na population, maka-focus ang faculty,” Fr. Estioko said.

Aside from waiting for topnotchers from SED, Fr. Estioko has also been expecting topnotchers from USJ-R’s Accountancy program, noting the “decline” of the department’s topnotchers.

“I was expecting to have topnotchers from Accountancy. Parang karon, nag-decline ata ang topnotchers,” Fr. Estioko said.

In response to this, Ms. Kristine June Uy, CPA, Director of CPA-R, said that the passing percentage of USJ-R in the Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA), one of the most difficult board exams in the Philippines, is not actually a “steady decline,” but a “trend.”

Trixcy D. Clar and Samantha Mae A. Murillo

Photo by Astrid Niña T. Vidal

USJ-R has always been academically on top of its game, especially when it comes to board exams and topnotchers. Over the years, is the University’s “quality education” still standing on both its feet?

“The highest passing percentage we had was way back [in] May 2018. So taas jud ta’g passing percentage adto, about 70 percent or so, and then after that in October 2018, ni-dip siya but it’s usual for USJ-R to have a lower passing percentage every October because, in the old school calendar, our season is really May,” Ms. Uy said.

“But if you compare that with the national passing percentage, there is only one time nga ni-below ta og national percentage and that was October 2018. Other than that, USJ-R has already always been performing above [the] national passing percentage,” she added.

Furthermore, there were no LECPA board exams in May 2020, October 2020, and May 2021 due to the pandemic. The LECPA only resumed in October 2021, but the Board of Accountancy did not declare topnotchers since the schedule of exams per testing center was different during that time.

Ms. Uy said that the postponement of LECPA was one of the reasons why USJ-R was not able to produce any topnotcher from USJ-R BSA batch 2019-2020, saying that it stopped the “momentum” of many potential Josenian LECPA topnotchers.

Undergraduate Studies

Dean of the School of Business and Management (SBM), Dr. Edgar Detoya, CPA, believes that undergraduate studies provide the foundation and help the graduates prepare for the board exams, while the CPA-R assists.

The USJ-R BSA program introduced the integrated system in 2006, intended for fifth-year BSA students. The integrated system is the conduct of classes in a review style, where the subjects are patterned after the review subjects, which are also patterned after the board subjects.

“Pagsugod gyud sa integrated, mura’g nakit-an jud sa school nga na-improve gyud atong board examination ratings. It’s just a necessary birthpain,” Ms. Uy said.

Despite the integrated system being helpful, Ms. Uy admitted that it is “not yet a perfect machinery.”

“We have to adjust as well to the changes in the demeanor of the students and the changes in the generation. While I am proud of the integrated classes and how it is being handled, I also see that there can still be things na ma-improve pa niya,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dennis Anthony Kilongkilong, the dean of the School of Engineering (SOE), has long held a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement in all aspects.

“We are preparing ourselves to be competitive, to face the real world, and the best that USJ-R could offer [are] experiences, not only academics but also co-curricular, extra-curricular activities,” he said.

As for the change in curriculum in AY 2018-2019, USJ-R is yet to see its impact on the graduates in the board exams this 2023.

Incentives

Effective on May 26, 2010, USJ-R provides cash incentives for Josenian topnotchers on PRC Programs.

The top one receives P150,000, the top two to four receive P100,000, the top five to seven receive P75,000, and the top eight to ten receive P50,000.

Despite the impressive awards, it seems that USJ-R is not so vocal in promoting them.

Vice President for Academics & Research, Rev. Fr. Jose Alden Alipin, OAR, claimed that the University is not that “aggressive” in awarding topnotchers.

“USJ-R is very conservative in giving the rewards, in the reward system that we have unlike the other schools,” he added.

Moreover, Fr. Estioko said that incentives are motivators for students to do academically well, but he admitted that USJ-R could not be on the same level as other universities in providing incentives.

“I’m sorry to tell you that we could not be up par with other universities giving their topnotchers with kotse. But we recognize them,” he said.

As for non-PRC programs recently introduced to USJ-R in 2021, such as the Registered Business Professional examination (RBP), and Registered Marketing Professional examination (RMP), Dr. Detoya acknowledged that the University has produced promising topnotchers.

In fact, USJ-R was hailed the “Business School of the Year” in February 2022 by the Junior Achievement-Philippines. The award is given to universities whose graduating students have taken the RBP exam and provided that at least 70% of the total number of takers have passed.

Despite USJ-R’s performance in non-PRC programs, the cash incentives are still limited to the topnotchers with PRC programs.

Vision

While the University is aware of the decreasing number of topnotchers, USJ-R remains steadfast in its commitment to providing quality education. The University recognizes that producing topnotchers is merely an added benefit of its dedication to providing a comprehensive and rigorous education to all students.

“Having a topnotcher in every licensure examination to me is just a bonus. Unsaon man na nimong naa kay top one pero below national ka? CHED will always look at the national passing rate, ang topnotchers kay on the side note na lang na,” Fr. Alipin said.

Fr. Estioko added that the focus of USJ-R for the past years is not on the results, but on the input.

For future enrollees, Fr. Estioko promises students who plan to review different programs in USJ-R that the University will not only offer the good, but the best.

Fr. Alipin also assured that USJ-R offers quality Christian education, ensuring that the individuals that they produce are quality graduates and highly employable.

Artists Who Honed the Filipino Identity

by Juan Enrique D. Reboquio and Rey Martin B. Rio Illustrations by Jane Frances P. Latorza

Art tends to be omnipresent in today’s society, especially with the limitless reach brought by the advent of technology. From what used to be a niche ecosystem, the emerging definitions that aided the paradigm shift in the arts grew into a community that sees talented minds from all over the world showcase their varying beliefs, mantras, and philosophies.

publisher and entertainment company, famous for superheroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and many others.

Ever seen artworks of Ghibli scenes and characters with an added Filipino twist? That’s the work of visual artist Bastinuod from Busay, Cebu City. The name, “Bastinuod” is a combination of his nickname “Basti” and the Cebuano word “tinuod,” which means “real.” At first glance, you might get hooked on his pieces, but when you look closer, you’ll see details that evoke a message and highlight pressing social issues in our country.

brand Vans and produced his beloved masterpiece.

originated in Quezon, Philippines. Notable acts of which are his multiple singles as well as his recent album, “It’s All Smiles.” He’s also known for his collaborations with international artists Charli XCX, co-Dirty Hit labelmates, the 1975, and Beabadoobee.

appearance in the Vogue Philippines edition a year before. This muse marked the return of a Filipino in the fashion show after nearly two decades in the saturated runway industry. Slay, kween!

Model. The VIP clients who have worn Amato’s masterpieces are nothing short of Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce.

nominated for other prestigious international awarding bodies, such as the Golden Globes and the British Academy of Film and

Works of art can be enjoyed or appreciated daily, apart from the ordinary. It is also essential for expressing social thought and identity. These ten Filipino artists, who hail from their respective fields of expertise in the intricate world of arts, give the country pride with their milestones and represent a step in the right direction.

DISCLAIMER: The issues presented are solely from the Josenians. It does not reflect the views and opinions of the publication.

Office ping-pong

Gikan accounting, padulong registrar, padulong sa department, pabalik na pud sa registrar, padung napud sa department…Hahay, sa kadugay aning mga proseso kay mura nako’g kada adlaw nag-campus tour.

“Pa-open time, mam!”

Nganong kasagaran aning mga majors namo kay open time? Ubay-ubay pud nga mag huwat para ma-settle ang schedule, halos mag-prelims or midterms na. Mao pu’y bunga sa mga conflict sa schedule nga hapsay na unta.

“Nag-inventory nami dae, di nami mamaligya”

Gutom kaayo samot na og hapon-gabii. Ganahan ta mangita’g kaon pero sirado na ang mga tindahan bisa’g naa pa’y mga night classes human sa alas sais. Ang ending? Walay sulod ang tiyan or maahat ta’g palit sa atbang.

Confusion iz da solution

Samok na gani ang canteen, init pa gyud kaayo, ‘nya mahal pa ang mga baligya. Pare-parehas raman unta og baligya ang mga stall pero ngano’ng lahi-lahi og presyo? Unsay ingredients sa uban, tallano gold? Grabe kamahal ang uban stalls ‘nya pwerting gagmaya sa serving, madala ra og usa ka hungit.

Grades request taxation 101

Nagdumog gyud ang announcements samot na karong face-to-face. Pero ang pinaka nindot? Announcements nga last minute na usahay wa pagyu’y klaro. Sa dungogdungog ra pa gyud mahibaw-an. Malipong na man pud ta ani sa kalibog sa sitwasyon oy. Ah paita!

Pasarela la guardia

Dili mani masabtan ang mga guard oy. Usahay di gyud ta pasudlon tungod sa pa-sexy nga gi sul-ob nga crop top o nasobraan ka mubo na mga dress. Pero inig makasulod na, ubay-ubay pud ang nakit-an nga nakalusot. Asa ang hustisya diri?

Camille Anne A. Bongbong BS Tourism Management Cover Model

BA

Editor-in-Chief (A.Y. 2022-2023)

Y.

BA Communication

Associate Editor (A.Y. 2022-2023)

BS

Art Director

(2nd Semester, A.Y. 2022-2023)

IT Administrator

(1st Semester A.Y. 2021-2022)

BSBA Marketing Management

IT Administrator

(2nd Semester, A.Y. 2022-2023)

Art Director

(1st Semester A.Y. 2021-2022)

Ni ña Mae C. Oliverio

Communication

Elyssa Kallila Marie

Degamo

Kent Michael S. Telebanco

Computer Science

Divine Gain U. Estrada