Cyclus Terminus

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

Samantha Mae A. Murillo

Features Editor

Harriette Mae L. Labrada

Opinion Editor / Co-Features Editor

Eiver Ky C. Villegas

Literary Editor / Property Administrator

Ejay D. Villaver

Online Editor

Jonathan M. Ricardo

IT Administrator / Illustrator

Kent Michael S. Telebanco

Art Director / Layout Artist / Illustrator

Divine Gain U. Estrada

Probationary Staff

Adriane Josef E. Cabase

Astrid Niña T. Vidal

Ava Donalie A. Ferolino

Ayn E. Nazareno

Christian A. Mananguite

Hannah Khrystel G. Almendras

Hannah Vanessa O. Mondilla

Juan Enrique D. Reboquio

Karina Adel A. Vestil

Rey Martin B. Rio

Rufino Rico L. Jamisola

Treasha Mae P. Puray

Trixcy D. Clar

ABOUT THE COVER

To break the cycle is to be free. In this semester’s issue, FORWARD brings you the image of freedom and movement—movement towards new systems; leaving behind the shackles of rotten cycles.

Systems must change—and cycles must be broken.

VOLUME 73 | A.Y. 2022-2023

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

ABOUT US

Publication Adviser / Technical Guidance

Mr. Joworski B. Alipon Assistant Moderator

Rev. Fr. Glynn C. Ortega, OAR Moderator

Rev. Fr. Persiuz Joseph M. Decena, OAR

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.

BEHIND THE COVER

Producers

Jane Frances P. Latorza

Eiver Ky C. Villegas

Diane Rose G. Baynos

Photographer

Eiver Ky C. Villegas

Make up

Christian A. Mananguite

Karina Adel A. Vestil

Model

Sheena I. Durano

REACH US

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

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

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 Jane Frances P. Latorza

The Shackles of Cycles

From traditions, families, friends—to government and society, there are numerous cycles that we want to end. While some cycles help us grow, there are also some that hinder us from moving forward.

When talking about being vocal and being active, there is no doubt that today’s generation is on the front line. We have become active in identifying loopholes, anomalies, webs of disappointments, inconsistencies, toxicities, as well as unhealthy habits that hamper us to flourish.

Gone are the days that we endure the repeating patterns that suffocate us. Gone are the days that we are passive and submissive to crucial issues that affect us.

The FORWARD magazine is finally back after two years of having no published physical issue due to the lockdowns and strict COVID-19 protocols. Through this issue of the magazine, we identify different recurring patterns that need to be broken.

We always want change, but change will never happen if we keep on pointing out the disparities without providing ways on how we can address them to cater to the change that we want. Besides that, in breaking the cycle, we have to be fearless. This is not the time to sit back and let things be, especially when it is hard to grasp anymore.

Remember the events in history. Even if we have the modern-day “Marites” who deliver relevant and non-relevant information to people, we have to be responsible for checking facts, with or without credible sources of information.

Therefore, critically read the discussions pertaining to development, environment, and the government. Reflect and ponder on the issues that have emerged in the immediate shift to face-to-face classes. Moreover, get to know the new yet familiar faces of the new administrators.

In this age of information, everyone is equipped with various resources to gather knowledge and facts, so determine relevant loops that seem to have no end, and scrutinize ways on how to break them.

Through this comeback, we hope that we have brought you substantial insights to chew over. See through the cycles that intoxicate the progress of people, and map out ways to break them!

RED LIGHT

With the journalists’ safety in the previous and current administrations loom over the country, what does it take to make the fourth estate still relevant amidst the threats?

The journalists, referred to as the “fourth estate” or the fourth branch of the government, provide transparency and balance between the government and the citizens. Their role is crucial in providing the country’s people with all information about the state.

In recent years, threats to the journalists remain rampant that these watchdogs of society are being “red-tagged.” In the Philippines, red-tagging has been used for years as part of the government’s campaign against the communist party, New People’s Army (NPA), which started in 1969.

Subsequently, according to the Human Rights Watch, among the government’s “counterinsurgency efforts” include “publicly accusing” activists, journalists, and politicians of being involved with the NPA.

While this “counterinsurgency” effort is reasonable, there is no fair treatment for the journalists as the watchdogs of society. A journalist’s job is to report whatever anomaly there is in the government, so people should expect that these individuals would report what the citizens of the country must know about the movements in the government.

Several journalists have been red-tagged even from the previous administration, and one of the notable names resurfacing anywhere is Maria Ressa of Rappler. Ressa was red-tagged by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, the person who also red-tagged former Vice President Leni Robredo.

According to an article from CNN Philippines, Ressa said that Badoy called her an “enemy of the state” and tagged Rappler, which Ressa founded, an “ally” of the Communist Party of the country. Besides that, Badoy also called her names on social media. Badoy is also the spokesperson of anti-communist task force.

Consequently, Ressa filed a complaint where she penned, “Respondent Badoy’s actions constitutes red-baiting: her constant posting on Facebook about my alleged alliance/ affiliation with known communist groups such as the CPP, the NPA, and the NDF, and that I am allegedly an ‘enemy of the people’ or a ‘mouthpiece of enemies of the state’ are not only false but create a real threat to my life, security, and liberty.”

Tagging and calling people “communists” without proper basis indicate that there is no longer a safe space for journalists to perform their job in the country. In the same way, people want the journalists to tell the truth, and if the latter report the truth, if not red-tagged, they would still be deemed as “biased.” In worst-case scenarios, the next stage the journalists will face is death. Hence, just like a soldier, a journalist’s other foot is also in the pit or in Filipino, “Nasa hukay ang isang paa.”

If telling the truth is a crime, then the journalists would be on the front line. This loop of placing them in thorns for reporting what should be reported must come to an end. If the fourth estate is considered to be one of the crucial pillars of a nation, then the state should let them dig, investigate, and scrutinize the disparities.

Web of Disappointments

by Diane Rose G.

Electing a new set of government officials comes with uncertainties, doubts, and anticipation as their decisions would determine the state of the country for the next few years. What could possibly go wrong in a nation that is ruled by the late dictator’s son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with the daughter of the previous president backing him up?

In May 2022, the Marcos-Duterte tandem secured a landslide victory in the national elections, amassing 58.77% of votes for the presidential race and 61.53% for the vice-presidential race. These figures can be translated to the expectations set by the majority of Filipinos who voted for them; ever so hopeful that a better and more united nation would take place for the next six years.

Almost half a year after assuming office, progress is yet to be felt among the Filipino people. If anything, several sectors have worsened, which are particularly reflected in our day-to-day struggles such as increasing transport fares, rising prices of goods, and the invariably deteriorating value of the Philippine peso.

For ordinary Filipinos, commuting has been taking a toll on their daily lives. In September 2022, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved raising fare rates, which took effect on October 3, 2022. Apart from dealing with the increasing transport costs, commuters have to bear the effects of the jeepney shortage in different areas of the country.

Relatively, the high food and commodity prices have augmented the economic difficulties of our countrymen due to the depreciating value of the Philippine currency as it closes to P59:1$ in October of 2022. Additionally, data also shows that inflation soared to 8% in November 2022, a significant upsurge from October’s 7.7% record.

With these alarming statistics, it is essential to assess the level of competency and actions taken by the Philippine government in the past months that greatly influenced the status of our country today.

Priorities in Shambles

Amidst the pile of problems faced by the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. still managed to attend a lavish party with many other newly-elected senators last August 6, 2022. A day prior to this event, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the inflation rate for July 2022 was 6.4%.

To revel and have fun in the middle of a crisis—when the people that you swore to help are suffering—is a blatant form of insolence and betrayal.

The time allotted to join a party could have been used for a much greater purpose, such as scheming plans to resolve systematic issues and national concerns. While the officials we elected sang their hearts out to “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,” Filipinos cried for help due to economic woes.

Baynos illustration by Jane Frances P. Latorza

The loop of ceaseless disappointments in our country has been more apparent over the past years, leaving us with no option but to scrutinize the people ruling the web.

More questionable ventures continue to arise as first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos posted the groundbreaking ceremony pictures for a new catering area at the Malacañang Palace on September 15, 2022, as reported by Inquirer last September 19, 2022.

Instead of spending the money on funding meaningful projects for the Filipinos, it seems that our government officials are prioritizing a catering area at the Palace that only benefits the rich. The government seems to repeatedly forget that the tax we pay is not theirs to spend; we pay taxes to ensure that they actualize the plans they had envisioned for our country and its citizens.

Public officials are called “public” for a reason. They are meant to serve us; not the other way around.

A Tangle of Misplaced Appointments

Marcos Jr. earlier appointed himself as the agriculture secretary, one of the most vulnerable sectors affected by the worsening inflation. This action was described as “a worrisome sign for his country’s food self-sufficiency amid a looming crisis,” by Trinh Nguyen, a top-ranked regional economist in Hong Kong.

Accordingly, an article from The Manila Times reported that such self-appointment could divide the attention of the incumbent chief of state. It would be difficult to do both presidential and departmental duties, which could have fatal effects in both areas.

Furthermore, Marcos’ recent appointments have raised brows and boggled the minds of most Filipinos. This is following his decision to appoint former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Camilo Pancratius Cascolan as undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH).

Aside from his lack of expertise in the said sector, the netizens reasoned that Cascolan’s background in law enforcement may not be of much use to him in his current position at the DOH.

Moreover, other arguable appointments include Vice President Sara Duterte’s position as the Secretary of the Department

of Education (DepEd). The VP vowed to fix the Philippines’ educational system under her term if DepEd is given an additional P100 billion for its 2023 budget, on top of its P710 billion funds, as reported by Rappler in September 2022.

Included in the said budget is the controversial P150 billion funds, which was questioned by numerous netizens and minority groups alike. On a separate occasion, VP Sara had also previously proposed a P500-million confidential fund for the Office of Vice President; the purpose remains a mystery until now.

To be a competent leader means to uphold the importance of transparency, and clearly, we are yet to observe that in the current administration. A glaring question, however, remains: when exactly will this happen, if not now?

It is saddening that we must constantly demand the bare minimum from the officials who once promised to serve us to the best of their capabilities. So long as the people who rule the web continue to prioritize themselves, others are bound to hang by a thread for survival.

We now carry the burden of weighing a choice that makes a huge difference: do we stay in the same web of disappointment that has been the root cause of our collective suffering, or do we end the long-existing system and create a new one that, for once, empowers the Filipinos in limbo?

It is time to end this apparent loop before we sink deeper into the web—before we fall prey to the people who are not supposed to be our predators in the first place.

The decision is ours to make and that is something that even those officials at the top could not take away from us.

After all, the Philippines deserve to have a government that works with and for the Filipinos.

The Spin of Six Years

by Elyssa Kallila Marie Y. Degamo illustration by Kent Michael S. Telebanco

Around 40 years after a massive revolt ended the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines, the Marcoses once again reclaimed the highest position. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. (PBBM) won 59% of the votes in the May 2022 elections.

Under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, PBBM declared that he would run for Presidency in the Philippines and had a landslide victory. He was the first to be elected by the majority since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1986.

The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s Presidency coincided with the great Pacific Asian economic boom. The Philippines was also considered one of the greatest models of the political and economic success of the Third World countries. However, during Martial Law, the former president restricted the freedom of the press—curtailed civil liberties, and had control over different media establishments.

The clampdown involved public utilities and companies running electricity, telephones, and air travel. Seven television stations, 16 national daily newspapers, 11 weekly magazines, 66 community newspapers, and 292 radio stations were taken down. Amnesty International estimates thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands were tortured and imprisoned after Marcos Sr. imposed Martial Law on September 21, 1972.

The Preliminaries

The victory of PBBM in the Philippine presidential election was a solid indication of the political dynasties’ continued dominance in the country. Moreover, the prominent winners of this year’s elections are families, not political parties. This means that political dynasties have a strong foundation during elections, despite the burden of legal liabilities they hold.

According to CNN Philippines, Marcos’ “unsettled estate tax” is now believed to be worth $3.9 billion. PBBM and his mother are the late dictator’s court-approved executors. Marcos has repeatedly denied the unresolved tax matter and asserted that he is not involved in current investigations into the wealth of the Marcoses.

Imelda Marcos, PBBM’s mother, was found guilty of corruption in 2018. She illegally funneled state cash to private Swiss foundations she established as Manila’s governor under the late president’s rule. However, an appeal to the Supreme Court is still pending, and she never served her time in prison.

PBBM’s son was elected as a congressman, while his first cousin was endorsed to become the future speaker of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, the country’s Vice President is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. His younger son was elected mayor of Davao City, the former position of both Duterte and his daughter Sara.

Alan Cayetano will serve alongside his sister Pia Cayetano, whose senatorial term ends in 2025. The Cayetanos are the most powerful family in Taguig, the nation’s flourishing commercial and financial hub. In the local context, there are also Durano in Danao City and Osmeña and Rama in Cebu City.

Despite the controversies and historical discrepancies dominating the headlines, is the cycle of the Marcos regime still worth the spin?

Economic Recovery?

PBBM declared he had “ambitious” economic goals for the country when he assumed office. Despite the growing inflation, public debt levels, and a battered currency, the Philippine economy has yet to reach a dead end. Even if 100 days are insufficient to improve the economy significantly, any short-term initiatives taken by the Marcos administration could substantially lessen the financial hardships of many Filipinos.

Trading Economics reported that after rising to 7.7% in October 2022, inflation increased to 8% in November 2022. The increase was widespread, with higher prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages, apparel and footwear, and housing and utilities.

Although the economic administrators claim the levels are still reasonable, the levels placed the state’s finances in danger. One reason is that growing debt would need more tax dollars for debt servicing, leaving less money available to fund the President’s proposed reforms and initiatives.

The recent surge in the dollar caused the peso to have difficulties, pushing the local currency to “new lows.” As things stand, a depreciating peso is bad news for the domestic economy’s ability to recover from the pandemic, mainly because the nation utilizes the dollar to pay for imports like oil and various raw goods. Businesses and firms shift this additional load to consumers to cover their costs, another cross to bear by the common Filipino.

Foreign Relations: The Irony

Although PBBM never apologized for the crimes committed by his family in the past, with the brutal record of the dictatorial rule of his father, the United States has seemingly courted the current President.

The Biden administration sent Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman to meet with him in Manila, and although PBBM still faces a contempt of court charge in the United States (US). During their meeting, Wendy Sherman informed PBBM that he is now exempt from the previous charge, paving the way for a future trip to the White House.

Former President Duterte never visited the US during his presidency, although he had rebuilt strategic ties with Washington. However, PBBM declared China as the country’s “strongest partner.” It angered the Philippine defense establishment, which warned of China’s growing incursion in the West Philippine Sea.

Of Chess Pieces and Pawns

PBBM has been filling important cabinet positions with patronage candidates with little to no experience, whose tight ties to the ruling powers have sustained monopolistic practices. There are also appointed individuals who still face potential criminal investigations, which adds to the atmosphere of impunity in the nation.

He appointed Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio as Secretary of Education, although she has no background in this field. He appointed Manuel Bonoan, Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways and President of San Miguel Corporation Tollways. Despite Conrado Estrella III’s history of being connected to a corruption scheme, he appointed Estrella for agrarian reform. Even a film director, Paul Soriano, was chosen to serve as the presidential adviser on creative communications, a position which has not been previously present.

With the circumstances and issues in the current Marcos administration in 2022, is it worthwhile to flip the political system around for another cycle?

(Re)defining Development

by Ejay D. Villaver illustration by Kent Michael S. Telebanco

Does tearing down a century-old market serve the public interest? Or does it serve the Cebu City government’s Singapore-like fantasy?

The trend to privatize government-owned businesses, operations, and property is not new in the status quo, especially among developing countries. However, social, economic, and political problems will inevitably emerge when privatization becomes the easy way out to cover up the government’s inaction and inefficiency.

On July 18, 2022, demolitions at the Warwick Barracks and Freedom Public Park started to give way to the Carbon Market privatization based on the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) signed by the Cebu City government and Megawide Construction Corporation (MCC).

A group of vendors, the Carbonhanong Alyansa alang sa Reporma ug Bahandianong Ogma sa mga Nanginabuhi (CARBON), expressed their opposition to the project because the market has always been the place where Cebuanos rely on affordable goods and has provided small entrepreneurs their means of living.

With their stalls razed to the ground, where would the vendors go?

The Beginning of the End

The Carbon Market JVA dates back to January 2021 when the late former Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella inked the contract with MCC. However, the agreement was authorized without a public hearing and comprehensive discussion with his councilors, most of whom failed to read the entirety of the JVA.

Moreover, the Cebu City Council also did not consult with the primary constituents, the vendors, whose livelihoods stand to be most directly affected by the settlement.

In a bold move, the CARBON Alliance and other vendor groups organized strikes, rallies, and sought legal means to nullify the contract, but to no avail.

It can be recalled that then Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama vowed to draft a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that would “cure” the JVA of its defective provisions. Among them were the insufficiency of required documents, the inclusion of lots that the city does not own, the city’s pittance of a share of market revenues, and the demolition and conversion of Carbon Units 1, 2, and 3 buildings into a world-class commercial hub.

However, in July 2022, more than a year after Rama’s acknowledgement as City Mayor, CARBON released a statement that the supplemental MOA has “no essential difference” to the original JVA on the grounds that it fails to address the concerns raised by the local vendors.

“...it is clear that the MOA is an instrument of deception intended to frustrate those who are against the privatization of the Carbon Public Market,” reads a portion of the statement.

Instead of alleviating the Cebuanos’ misfortunes in the middle of economic instability, the local government hastily approved the contract without a public dialogue. The move clearly manifests that their decision to modernize Carbon is in the interest of big corporations rather than the public.

To that end, it remains the main reason for the CARBON Alliance’s continued resistance to the JVA.

The Cost of the Singapore-like Dream

On the flip side, those who support the modernization plan justified that it needed to be redeveloped, because, for ages, it has been left in a “poor” condition. Anne Marie Ariosa, the chairperson of the CARBON Alliance, admitted in a FORWARD interview that the government’s reluctance is to blame for the wet market’s disorganized and polluted state.

She said that the vendors’ monthly rental fees should have funded the maintenance to establish a clean, safe, and organized public market—which raises the question: where did their taxes go?

Circling back to the contract, the renovated market cannot accommodate all the 6,000 vendors, given that the project would only cover 10,030 sqm of land out of 26,110 sqm. To rub salt in the wound, there is still no guarantee that the vendors will have

stalls in the new market since the Market Authority has yet to forward the promised master list of registered vendors to the City Council, as of this writing.

Another criticism leveled against the JVA is that some vendors dread the yearly increase of stall rentals once the private company operates the market. Because world-class facilities come with world-class prices, it will soon force vendors to inflate their prices to compensate for their profits, sharing the burden with their consumers.

Unsustainable Development

On one hand, it is convenient to believe that change is always desirable in the name of development.

On the other, in this context, development only focuses on the facade without thinking about the domino effect of the imposition of price hikes to the local vendors, consumers, and satellite markets reliant on Carbon. Everyone whose lives are built upon CARBON will have their taste of the ramifications of the privatization.

With this, is the city’s vision of transforming Cebu into a Singaporelike city worth it by tearing down a century-old market forsaking its heritage and cultural value? More importantly, does renovating Carbon into a world-class market address the root cause of poverty in the city?

For generations, we elect leaders who promise us a better future only to be served with sub-par courses of action that yield more problems than solutions. As much as we want to progress as a community, we do not want to continue the cycle wherein the marginalized sectors always get the short end of the stick.

The redevelopment marks the end of an era of a market for people from all walks of life. Nevertheless, this is not the time to mourn this loss as the public continues to spark a revolution calling for sustainable development.

As of writing, some Carbon vendors continue to struggle, trying to stay afloat for their survival in the interim market, while others bide their time waiting for their suit against Megawide and the Cebu City government to unravel.

Until then, the struggle continues.

Eroding History

by Eiver Ky C. Villegas illustration by Jane Frances P. Latorza

Slowly, like the soft earth from the mountainsides driven by rainwater down the slopes, the collective memory of the Filipino is purposefully eroded. Historical revisionism and denialism pervade and thrive in the confines of our online communities; and this erosion did not happen at once— Washington Post references to a research on it, noting that it has been happening decades ago.

The Climate

Today, the Philippines is yet again under the rule of a Marcos: the son of the late dictator, his namesake, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. A gruelling campaign towards the presidential race that lasted for months was essentially claimed by the Marcos-Duterte tandem, thanks in part to the systems of disinformation that proliferated the online spheres.

In an article from Harvard International Review, data revealed that ‘for those who have not experienced the regime, the brutal legacy is not as clearly linked to the Marcos name. The dictator’s son has achieved popular favorability through major revisions to his family’s history. On the campaign trail, Marcos Jr. claimed that he would restore a past sense of greatness that was once true under his father’s leadership with his slogan, “Together we shall rise again.”

This phenomenon has been in the forefront of research and data-driven analyses. In a published journal in the Asia-Pacific Journal on Human Rights and the Law, Pangalanan, Fernandez, and Tugade (2018) provides how “in the Philippines, it is not only success but also social memory that is fleeting. Ousting the dictator Marcos was worth risking life and limb in the trenches, yet unworthy recollecting from the opulence of swivel chairs and keyboards.”

Journalism and the practice of its ethics today are at odds against the barrage of information online. The amount of information, much of it unverified, overwhelms the capacity of legitimate news agencies in ensuring that data and facts are not twisted to fit certain narratives. This, paired with a system of disinformation, pushes the fading boundaries between truth and fantasy.

The Downpour

A simple YouTube search on certain keywords would yield astounding results: from videos that claim truth about the tale of the Tallano gold, to behavioural analyses of the President’s actions, there is no lack of resource on this end.

In this post-truth era, our foundations of history and collective recollection of events are being tried and tested. The question now is: do we withstand the test of time?

The Guardian found that “YouTube is a major conduit of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide and is not doing enough to tackle the spread of falsehoods on its platform, according to a global coalition of factchecking organisations,” said an article published January of 2022.

This, along with the climate of disinformation in multiple social media platforms, have allowed certain families to distort and even reshape the truth to their own versions, that fit the narrative they seek to establish in a post-truth era.

Vloggers and social media personalities now have their own claim at what they posit to be absolute truth. Without the processes of verification and factual triangulation, content is digested by audiences who fall prey to these systems.

American lawyer Thomas Jones, who personally interviewed the late dictator and victims of the Martial Law said in an interview with Japan Times that “People of the Philippines, they still don’t know the facts.”

In the same publication, Josefina Forcadilla, 66, one of the detainees mentioned in the Amnesty report, recalls the short memory that seems to plague the Filipino people.

“My family can’t help but ask, why do Filipinos have short memories?” she said.

She was 17 when she fell victim to the atrocities of Martial Law: sexual abuse, abduction, and torture in order to elicit answers from her. The article continues that “she and three other siblings were eventually arrested.”

“Her elder sister was assaulted and died in detention, her brother was tortured and another sister gave birth in prison.”

The Erosion

Today, millions of Filipinos subscribe to a version of truth that deviates from historical and documented records.

31 million Filipinos cast their ballots for another Marcos, a testament to the eroded value of the historical weight that our past carries.

Much of this collective faded memory is owed to the results of systemic disinformation, often armed and funded by entities who benefit from such. In a published research by Ong and Cabanes (2018), it reveals the way people and a complex system of paid “workers” function as trolls to incite divisiveness, or just to purely distort truths.

“The problem of disinformation production goes deeper than any one caricatured hero or celebrity villain; it is systemic, deeply rooted, and entwined in the cultural fabric of Philippine society. Behind the madness is an invisible machine: industrial in its scope and organisation, strategic in its outlook and expertise, and exploitative in its morality and ethics. At the helm of the machine, the chief architects of disinformation hide in plain sight, wearing respectable faces, sidestepping accountability while the public’s moral panics about trolling are directed elsewhere,” Ong and Cabanes provides.

This historical denialism has plagued not only the Philippines, but the entire world. In 2006, an English author named David Irving was sentenced to three years in jail for his denial of the Holocaust. Irving was a Holocaust denier and a Nazi apologist, and had written that the recorded deaths during the Holocaust did not happen. Even the most known and recorded events in our history, some still attempt to distort and even deny its existence.

The gravity of the events of Martial Law should be treated with the same gravity as we do with the quintessential historical events in our history. Despite overwhelming data and research on the atrocities of the late dictator, many have been led, and more are still being tricked into believing short-form videos that say otherwise.

Winston Churchill wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” It is only through the staunch stance against denialism do the Filipinos ensure that the same horrors of the past would not come to haunt the present, yet again. The erosion of our history and collective memory has to be remedied and stopped before the entirety of who we are, of the scars we bear as the Filipino people, are replaced by riddles of disinformation orchestrated by the ones in power.

The erosion must stop, before a deluge complete overwhelms and overtakes what semblance of truth and integrity our beloved country still retains.

Uphill Battle in Climate Action

by Niña Mae C. Oliverio

Vestil

The call to climate action has been hovering around for years; however, it seems like the call still remains a call. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the 2022 climate change report in April and this urged a number of scientists from 25 countries to stage a protest.

The Scientists’ Plea

The report of the IPCC in April 2022 has alarmed the Scientist Rebellion, an organization of scientists who are “activists from a variety of scientific backgrounds.” It said that rapid and deep cuts have to stay at, or below, the 1.5

2022-2023

degrees Celsius target of global warming. Subsequently, IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee said in a press release by IPCC that “We are at a crossroads.The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and knowhow required to limit warming.”

Meanwhile, the Scientist Rebellion was infuriated. They wrote a statement in a form of a letter which was published on their website. They said that “current actions and plans are grossly inadequate, and even these obligations are not being met.” This is contrary to the “liveable future” that the IPCC Chair assured. There were over 1,000 scientists from 25 countries who staged the protest. Most of the letter’s signatories came from countries in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Moreover, they also said that “there is a growing fear amongst scientists that simultaneous extreme weather events in major agricultural areas could cause global food shortages, thus triggering [a] societal collapse.” At the end of the day, it would always go back to the government’s approach to issues like this.

The Status Quo

The Philippines’ current administration should reflect on the scientists’ protest and call for immediate climate action. Ironically, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., has called on nations to launch a unified effort against climate change.

In September 2022, during his address at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters, Marcos Jr. said that “Climate change is the greatest threat affecting our nations and peoples.” He also said that “The effects of climate change are uneven

Graphic art by Karina Adel A.

The call to climate action has been hovering around for years; this call will remain a call if we just rely on the government for the change.

and reflect a historical injustice: Those who are least responsible suffer the most. The Philippines, for example, is a net carbon sink, we absorb more carbon dioxide than we emit. And yet, we are the fourth most vulnerable country to climate change.”

The President added: “This injustice must be corrected, and those who need to do more must act now. We accept our share of responsibility and will continue to do our part to avert this collective disaster.”

Marcos Jr.’s statement was on point but as of writing, there have been no actions made to address the issue of climate change and related environmental issues. In the events of climate action, environmental protection would often follow. This can be reflected in his reaction after the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng which hit the Philippines hard in October 2022.

When the Bangsamoro region recorded a high number of casualties from the typhoon, the President left a statement that vexed the Filipino community. He said, “It will be important for us to look back kung bakit hindi natin naagapan ito. Bakit hindi natin sila na-evacuate ? Bakit ganiyan ang casualty, napakataas?” (It will be important for us to look back on why we were not able to aid this? Why were we not able to evacuate them? Why is the number of casualties so high?)

The call for environmental protection and reservation in our country is overdue. Climate change affects everything, especially disasters. Hence, it must have been good if the leaders of our country realize the importance of their participation in protecting the environment.

Climate Change Mitigation

During Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2022, he shared that part of his priorities is to address climate change impacts by prioritizing renewable energy and lowering electricity prices.

His plans and words sound promising, but a visible output is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, in a video shown at the University of the Philippines Diliman during a cultural protest in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Martial Law, international climate activist Greta Thunberg remarked that “There can be no climate justice under Marcos.”

“We stand in solidarity with Martial Law victims, seeking justice for human rights defenders who seek the democratic rights of the people and climate justice,” she added.

An Uphill Battle

There had been leaders who are fit to stand with the environmental defenders in our country like the late Gina Lopez. However, the people seated did not give her the hands to fight with her in taking action against climate change and environmental protection. Therefore, one must remember that we cannot wait forever for the government to take action.

Even we humans are agents of environmental destruction, so we must act. We do not wait for those in power because most of the time, they are only better at speeches to appease the audiences.

Scientists and environmental activists constantly remind people to participate in any initiative in the call for climate justice. Additionally, if people think that everything is getting better in the environment, or that soon enough, climate change will lessen—they must ponder again.

Protests would not happen if the main issue is resolved. This speaks to climate action. We are not getting any younger and environmental protection is still in the cycle. The call for climate justice is getting deafening.

We should not mirror the things our country’s leaders do because they could fail to see how we exactly live. If we wait for them to take action, especially in climate and environmental protection, we suffer. We are not asking for attention-grabbing speeches because words will remain words unless action is taken. This behavior must come to an end.

Prices on the Rise

by Ejay D. Villaver

Graphic art by Hannah Vanessa O. Mondilla

In October 2022, the value of the Philippine peso dropped to 59 pesos per dollar, hitting the 12th all-time low of the peso of the year, according to the market-digested recent economic data on dollar reserves and foreign investments.

Inflation began to rear its ugly head again, with its annual data soaring to 8% in November 2022, marking the country’s fastest inflation in 14 years since November 2008, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority. From there, it has continued to surge with no signs of backing down.

Economist Alan Shipman stated that inflation hits different socioeconomic groups to varying degrees. Students, in particular, are experiencing a higher inflationary rate because the cost of their necessities are among the highest categories of price increase.

With the University of San Jose-Recoletos opening its gates for full face-to-face classes, most students feel the effects of cost-ofliving increases considering that the rise of prices hit the middleclass hard and the lower-class even harder.

Nonetheless, a dark cloud of uncertainty looms over the lives of college students as they dread the worst inflationary times. With the declining purchasing power, FORWARD asked Josenians how it affected their daily life.

Josenians

“I think the inflation that is occurring in our country is really disabling. The fact that I can’t buy as much as I did before with the same amount of money is the least of the consequences but it is still one of the devastating consequences. I have to tighten my pockets and save if I really want something and somehow find a way to make excess money circulate in order to grow. Additionally, as a part of a family that engages in business, inflation becomes really burdensome and overwhelming. We have to find various ways to keep our business floating so that we can pay our bills and buy our necessities.”

- Windy Batomalaque, 1st-year BA Philosophy

“I really think that the current inflation rate that our economy is facing is greatly affecting ordinary Filipinos like me and my family. Although I am not financially independent, seeing my parents struggle to pay for my tuition & provide my daily allowance including my transportation fees, greatly affects me.”

- Farah Rabanes, 2nd-year BS Hospitality Management

With another Marcos rising to power, the concern among Filipinos on the challenges of inflation continues to rise.

Josenian Dormitory Residents

“Inflation raises the costs of students’ needs, such as housing, food, and transportation, and will push up tuition rates, making it more important for us students to spend less and earn more when possible if necessary.”

“As a student who chose to live and study far from my home despite the inflation crisis today, I believe that it is beneficial on my part. My living expenses have more than doubled, but that doesn’t change the reality that the value of the dollar relative to the peso has increased. In other words, inflation has a good effect on students who are supported by parents who work overseas, in my opinion. On the other hand, people in rural areas encounter the opposite. They have trouble creating budgets and reducing their power when making purchases.”

Josenian

“Being a working student who’s doing everything to make ends meet while studying is difficult already. With the rising inflation, it makes it harder for me to budget the money I make. Recently, my expenses shot up drastically, and I need to cut back on some of my basic necessities just to cope with the rising food prices, apartment rent, and electricity bills. Also, now that we are in a face-to-face class setting, I need to consider the transportation fares.”

“Inflation has affected my budgeting drastically—tuition fees, transportation fare, school materials, and food. Knowing that I have less control over inflation, I ensure to keep a budget tracker so I can adjust my finances depending on the inflation and as needed.”

As the Philippine economy continues to be in shambles, it cannot be denied that poverty has worsened. This may be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukrainian war, and the devastating effects of typhoons. Hence, the role of the government should not be overlooked.

Unless the national government shapes up its economic recovery efforts, the severe economic scarring could further shove millions of Filipinos to the ranks of the poor. As the current administration continues to enjoy lavish lifestyles, the common Juans are working twice as hard as they were before to make ends meet.

This should be a call for our leaders to see that the changing status of our economy should not be taken lightly, despite them telling us the opposite. The change in the national economy constantly affects the lives of the people, and this should be addressed with concrete solutions.

It is not too late for us; those responsible for the mismanagement and inaction in addressing the issues of the economy should be held accountable.

Working Students

- Alexa Gabrielle Camingao, 2nd-year BA Journalism

- Sharisse Pedrosa, 2nd-year BA Marketing Communication

- Neeya Mekaela Fortunato, 1st-year BA Political Science

- Rea Mae Fugoso, 2nd-year BS Medical Technology

It’s Not All the Time “Cultural Appreciation”

by Niña Mae C. Oliverio

Featuring the Philippines, the Filipinos, or the Filipino culture in vlogs is a great way and strategy to make the Philippines known to others. However, in this age, it can be used either as a form of cultural appreciation or capitalization. This strategy is termed “Filipino baiting” or “Pinoy baiting.”

In an age where entertainment is achieved in just a few clicks and touches on our smart devices, we get to enjoy videos of our preferences. As audiences, contents that are “clickbait” tend to tease us to watch the published content that intrigued us. With this, we have the inclination to watch it to pacify our curiosity. This is how “Pinoy baiting” is inspired.

“Pinoy baiting” is an internet slang for a marketing strategy exercised by content creators to target and attract Filipino audiences to gain views rapidly, especially on YouTube. However, the case is that these content creators are not Filipinos. They are often foreign vloggers who use the Philippines or the Filipino culture for clicks and benefits, albeit having a fraction of knowledge about the country or its citizens. Consequently, this is something that can infuriate some Filipinos.

While non-Filipino people earn the merits, the Filipino culture is also being exposed to viewers worldwide. If foreign content creators choose to feature Philippine-related content, there is nothing wrong about it. If they appreciate our culture that much, then it is great; but, there has to be a distinction between using the Philippines for appreciation, and using the country and its culture for capitalization and profit.

Through the years, YouTube has been one of the social media platforms often used by social media users. In the Digital 2021 Report by research firms Hootsuite and We Are Social, the Philippines remains on the top rank as the country whose citizens spend the most time on social media. This indicates that some content creators can expect a pretty large number of viewers from the Philippines, especially whenever our country is featured or mentioned in their titles or thumbnails. Some content creators exercise this strategy, but to be clear, not all international content creators do things like this.

For instance, in 2021, Israeli vlogger Nuseir Yassin (popularly known as Nas Daily), has irked the attention of the Filipino community for putting up an online masterclass on “Nas Academy” which features Apo Whang-Od, the notable Kalinga tattooist from the Butbut tribe for 80 years.

However, Whang-Od’s granddaughter Gracia Palicas revealed that it was “a scam.”

In an article by Inquirer.Net in August 2021, Palicas wrote in her deleted Facebook post that Whang-Od was not aware of Nas Daily’s contract—referring to the tattoo workshops. She claimed that other people take advantage of Butbut tribe’s culture and pleaded to stop disrespecting the legacy of her grandmother.

In YouTube, a channel must reach at least 1,000 subscribers for the monetization of content. In 2020, Google reported that there are over 40 million YouTube users aged 18 and above in the Philippines. This data shows that Filipinos have eventually become a significant part of the number of views of any video content.

It is a great honor that the Philippines is featured by foreign people in their content, but if it becomes a way to garner quick engagements, and earn subscribers and views, that is definitely another story. The Filipino people are supportive. We are quick to react and adapt to fads and trends. We also get excited about the content that entails something about a representation of Filipino pride. Therefore, it must have been better if content creators featured the Philippines from their honest interest in the country and not for money and fame.

If this Pinoy baiting cycle continues to run, we would not be able to discern well if content creators truly appreciate our culture. Social media users have to watch thoroughly if vloggers using Filipino content are authentic with their intention—whether they truly love our country or not.

Filipinos must also see if the content is well-researched and accurate. Meanwhile, for content creators, they have to remember that taking advantage of the supportiveness of the Filipinos could become a form of exploitation. We Filipinos tend to express our authentic reactions to things that excite us, so we also deserve to be appreciated genuinely.

Content creators have to be responsible for whatever they want to publish. Featuring a country’s people or culture is a crucial matter, and even regardless of their intention, any type of cultural baiting is not something to be amused of.

EMPTY TABLES, EMPTY CHAIRS

Graphic art by: Treasha Mae P. Puray

It’s always enervating to be subject to the same, tired, draining cycles. The ones affecting our teachers and classrooms’ availability are no exception.

The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) places great emphasis on providing its stakeholders with quality Christian community-oriented education, as an institution branding itself as a center for excellence placing utmost priority on student services. However, with the return of face-to-face classes, comes the return of practices concerning teachers and students that have persisted even before the pandemic, along with some new problems— which all run counter to USJ-R’s promise of quality for its students.

Lack of Teachers

Through the years, it is a common sight for teachers to be unavailable for subjects in the first week or even a month of the class. This cycle has been notoriously practiced before and during the lockdown throughout the colleges of Cebu, even when attendance should be easier through an online modality.

Subsequently, FORWARD has observed that in some departments, it has come to the point that some classes begin far past prelims and even midterms. This would then inevitably lead to an incomplete synthesis of the lessons in a given class, or a rushed discussion that ultimately does not cover all the important points needed for students to excel in their fields.

Anent to this, Faculty Association Incorporated President, Dr. Roberto Cabardo, and Chairperson of the Department of Journalism and Communications, Dr. Mila Mae Caballero, tackled these issues in interviews with FORWARD. Both mentioned that a teacher’s assignment to their respective class largely depends upon the fulfillment of its required student density, which often reaches an adequate amount late into the semester. Factors abound that contribute to this, such as students enrolling and entering the class rosters late.

Dr. Cabardo further posited that competition between state and private universities has contributed to the shortage of teachers.

“...If I were in the place of the teacher or a prospective applicant for a teaching job who is now facing or torn between a public university and that of a private university, I would really choose to be in a public or state-run university because pay is higher, and then not to mention that the load may be even lighter,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Caballero said that issues with part-time teachers in the department were a contributing factor. While their experiences are greatly sought to properly equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in competitive environments, it is a possibility that they would commit to their full-time work, eventually leaving their part-time jobs. This presents a problem given replacement teachers are not easily integrated into the institution, having to go

through the lengthy application process. Furthermore, classes that do have teachers experience a far greater number of students than is applicable in a given class roster. Some of the factors which cause this are the inclusion of graduating students and READS in a roster. Given the special nature of their schedules and workloads, accommodations are made in order to ensure that none of them are left behind, even if it means going past the maximum load of students in a given section.

Lack of Available Classrooms

In terms of classrooms’ availability, some classrooms, especially those on the fifth floor, were not renovated until the very moment that classes were about to begin. This caused inconvenience for those who were supposed to use the classrooms or even just mere passersby on that floor. This was done despite the significant period of time before face-to-face classes resumed.

It is also dismal to note, for both FORWARD and the faculty, that other classrooms are not fully equipped in providing a safe space for their users in the new normal, with requisite air purifiers still unavailable. Given the possibility of outbreaks still looming despite COVID’s lessening influence, it is paramount that these fixtures be provided for.

Moreover, it must also be noted that the renovated classrooms on the fifth floor were also reallocated into laboratories for special use, as part of USJ-R’s efforts to prepare for accreditation. This effectively reduced the number of available classrooms for students for general use.

For these issues, the rapid transition at the beginning of the school year also played a role in this problem. “...The original plan of the administration… of Fr. Maspara (the former University President) was really to have a blended situation so that there will be those who will be meeting in person, but the rest of the days or weeks, they will have to be online. But when the new administration, led by the incumbent President now assumed power, that was changed to full face-to-face… Because of that, some rooms were not ready and so the departments or the schools will have to look for rooms or if not, they’ll have to revert to virtual class situation because there’s no space for the students here to conduct an in-person class,” Dr. Cabardo stated.

While these explanations and remedies are much appreciated, it still must be said that we students need to get the most out of what we pay for. Given that USJ-R promises us quality Christian community-oriented education, it must be true to its word and deliver, whether it be through the proper, timely conduct of the classes that it offers or the properly scheduled repair and adequate provision and usage of its facilities.

There’s an inevitable comfort in conforming to cycles. This comfort causes another cycle to emerge, leading to another endless loop. Call it tradition, way of life, standards, or habits—cycles have many names. Whether we grew up with it, influenced by our peers, or read from the latest article, cycles are what we lean to as a safety line, the comfort zone. Cycles continued because people are already used to it, but that should not be enough reason to keep it going.

In science and biology, cycles are essential for life to sustain. These are key processes for the growth and stability of the environment. However, in a different context with negative connotations, cycles are endless and insufferable; bottomless and restricted. This sequence of recurrence has created a domino effect. Once people are already used to these waves, it’s hard to get out.

Cycle of generational poverty. Cycle of apathy. Cycle of addiction. Cycle of corruption. Cycle of toxicity. And many more.

Breaking a cycle is a huge leap of faith—uncomfortable and uncertain. It requires a great amount of courage to stand against these suffocating cycles. These continue to go around because they are already grounded. However, these only add up to a loop of oppression that the marginalized are experiencing. In the status quo, we must understand that we have the power to break from these cycles. We have the power to fight these tides.

This time marks the beginning of eradicating the cycles that are beneath us. We should let loose and break free from all the shackles of yesterday. People must stand tall and break the redundant cycles of restriction and detainment. Let’s take a blind bargain and end the pattern of negativity. There may be cycles that are regrettable necessities, but to examine if these cycles do more good than harm is the call of the people.

The Republic of Marites

by Elyssa Kallila Marie Y. Degamo

Whenever hot “tea” is brewed and served online, we call for her name. Whenever the latest updates pop up on social media, she digs up and tracks different scoops. And whenever trends set the mood, she elaborates and spreads them to the mass.

She’s none other than the infamous Marites.

In Filipino pop culture, the trademark of gossip or tsismis, hearsays, and telltales stood out during the pandemic. It got a colloquial name—Marites, an amalgam of “Mare, ito ang latest!” Internet users already exercise the Marites culture, as this refers to the “ tita-next-door” who spends almost all the time of her day spreading rumors to her neighbors.

During former President Rodrigo Duterte’s public address on May 11, 2022, he quipped about the Philippines becoming the “Republic of Marites.”

“Lahat ng tao may tsismis, babae at lalaki. Noon sa mga babae lang ‘yan…Kung gusto mo ng tsismis, marami ako. Lahat ng ano…This is a Republic of Marites na ngayon eh,” he joked.

By context, the understanding of gossip bearers is directly linked with women before. This negative relation of the women’s discourse has many scholars refuting this “pejorative and gendered association.”

This is because the dichotomy between the political and public aspects (connected with men) and the domestic and private aspects (associated with women) served as the foundation for the term.

In the country, there are those in the entertainment industry who has gained fame due to their controversial scoops. Personalities like Cristy Fermin, Lolit Solis, and Inday Badiday earned the top spots on the list. Even male personalities like Xian Gaza hopped on this, which disproved that only women gossip and talked about anything.

People deem tsismis as entertainment, but little do they know, it has affected us Filipinos with the false information it may bring. This cycle has been going on and on, but some are still nonchalant about this.

With definite attack, tsismis should not be equated to any academic or scholarly disciplines such as history, which is an essential facet of Philippine development and civilization.

Filipino actress Ella Cruz, who played the role of Irene Marcos in the controversial movie, Maid in Malacañang,

made a bold statement that history is like gossip. This has earned massive criticism in social media.

“History is like tsismis. It is filtered and dagdag na rin, so, hindi natin alam what is the real history. Andoon na iyong idea, pero may mga bias talaga,” she opined.

As students and professionals who studied history, this is a big slap on our efforts and understanding. Like what Ambeth Ocampo countered on the young actress’ statement, “History may have its bias, but it is based on fact, not opinion.”

The essence of storytelling lies in its visual correspondence. Eventually, it shifted to oral traditions, wherein stories were passed down by word of mouth. Some parts were added, removed, or completely changed. Since then, stories have strayed away from their original tone.

However, with the technology and advancement of recordkeeping, information is already fact-checked. Despite this innovation, people are still spreading false information with the intent to falsify details. Hence, the Marites.

Unlike before, wherein people could not preserve the exact details, it is a given today that it is easier to tell factual information.

Despite this, the cycle of information being added, removed, or completely changed has set its gears again. However, it’s time to break this cycle.

We should take information from unreliable sources or tsismis with a grain of salt. This is the kind of society we are in now. People are more likely drawn to different trends and cultures set online, may they be harmful or not.

Ironically, tsismosas had negative connotations before. But now, when they see them, people laugh to their hearts’ content, shrug them away, and simply label them as Marites.

With this, to those biased to the truth, let’s take everything we read and hear with skepticism. In the online setting, let’s think before we click because as long as it keeps people entertained, they neglect the long-term effect that it may bring.

Let’s eagerly spread awareness because the rebirth of factual and truth-bearer Marites must commence.

What’s Their Chika?: GTKY with the USJ-R Admin

by Jonathan M. Ricardo and Samantha Mae A. Murillo Graphic art and Photos by Hannah Vanessa O. Mondilla, Astrid Niña T. Vidal, and Karina Adel A. Vestil

As the new cycle of face-to-face classes dawns on us, let us greet the faces, old and new alike, of the newly elected school administrators who shall guide us for the next term! In this feature, FORWARD presents them to you, fellow Josenians.

The S in Fr. Celiz’ middle initial stands for “service” because his life definitely centers on serving God and His people! A proud Ilonggo from San Miguel, Fr. Celiz has been an altar server since third grade, knowing the way of life in the Church at such a young age. Moreover, he was also a Boy Scout leader in elementary. With these, who would’ve thought that the University President was once a shy boy? Yes, Fr. Celiz admits that he also struggled back then, but thanks to his young endeavors, he learned how to serve and lead. As much as he strives to serve others, he also does not forget to take care of his own health. Fr. Celiz’s guilty pleasure (which he must not feel guilty about!) is to maintain a healthy figure through exercise, short walks, and food development.

“It’s always a good feeling when you help others; doing good to others. That’s probably the best way and can really make you happy,” says Fr. Celiz on service as his happiness. Newly appointed in the position, he promises to make USJ-R’s curriculum relevant and level up the school, including the International Organization for Standardization accreditation, among others.

WOULD HAVE BEEN: A FARMER

If ever Fr. Celiz did not take up priesthood, you would probably catch him farming all kinds of veggies and crops in his hometown in Iloilo. Besides growing up in an agricultural environment, guess what enlightens him to be a farmer?—in case you’d still miss it, Fr. Celiz wishes to do it again in the name of service!

President: Rev. Fr. Eduardo S. Celiz, Jr., OAR

While others still had to contemplate when asked to write on a paper what their dream was, Fr Limchaypo knew from the get-go that he wanted to be a priest. How rare is it to be young and have already figured your life out? Repeat after me: Sana all, Father! But this time, I bet we could all relate to him as his guilty pleasure is Netflix and beaches! He says that there are many good beaches in Tabuelan and that even if they’re far, he’s willing to “sacrifice” for them. Same, Father, same. Also, like most of us, he’s familiar with Netflix’s “Tudum’’ in its intro. While we usually go for K-Dramas, Fr Limchaypo prefers meaningful shows which he could take inspiration from for his homilies.

For almost all his life, Fr Limchaypo has served as the Vice President for Student Welfare. Now that he’s in a different position, he’d do his best to make the USJ-R employees happy since he believes that “if we have a happy workplace, we have a happy University.”

WOULD HAVE BEEN: A MILITARY MAN

VP-Administration: Rev. Fr. Antonio S. Limchaypo, OAR

First is a priest and second is a soldier. The latter is Fr Limchaypo’s second ambition—I mean don’t we sometimes have back up plans just in case? While in the seminary, he took the entrance exam of the Philippine Military Academy and blessedly got accepted! But with his mom keeping the results from him, it took him quite long enough to know he got in through the local newspapers. He perhaps would’ve entered into his second dream, but nonetheless, it’s not a lost opportunity; he’s still a soldier of God!

As the new cycle of face-to-face classes begins, a new set of Lay Administrators takes the reins of USJ-R. Let’s get to know them a little more closely, Josenians!

VP-Finance: Rev. Fr. Leopoldo V. Estioko, OAR

Hailing from La Carlota City, La Granja, Negros Occidental, Fr. Estioko has always had an eye for the arts. Blessed by God not only in his call to vocation in a young age but also in his skill in painting, Fr. Popoy, affectionately named by his peers, has put brush to canvas and created a collection spanning several communities—available soon, hopefully, for viewing, once he has collected a good number! As it stands, his guiltiest pleasure is dancing—one he can no longer enjoy, given the limitations of his age, but one he definitely still wishes to enjoy, to keep himself healthy and active with.

Now in the fifth year of his stay and his second term as Vice President for Finance, Fr. Popoy implores the Josenians to be more loving and to find God’s love, especially in the Eucharist. “I want them to love Jesus because in finding Jesus, we find joy,” he expresses.

WOULD HAVE BEEN: A DOCTOR

Much like many of us seeking success in the medical field, Fr. Estioko once had aspirations of his own to become a doctor. However, as God called him to service, he also realized how fulfilling it is to treat his fellow men’s spiritual woes. “I wanted to become a doctor of medicine. However, I think this is higher to become the doctor of the soul,” he expressed.

Behind the new Vice President for the new office for Identity, Formation and Mission, belies a sweet tooth, and the soul of an avid bookworm. In his spare time, Fr. Decena loves eating chocolates and cakes, with his fellows immediately calling out “Oy,FatherPers,cake!” when it’s on the menu. Unfortunately, with his diabetes keeping him in check, Fr. Pers has had to cut back—but he doesn’t mind much, thankfully. Apart from this, Harry Potter and Rick Riordan fans should be delighted to know he’s been binging these books and more for years—even in times when ebooks didn’t exist, and he had to print photocopies of his books to cope!

WOULD HAVE BEEN: A VETERINARIAN

As it turns out, Fr. Pers grew up closely with pets in his life, being both an avid fan of pigs and an erstwhile dog owner during his time in the seminary. Aside from caring for seven dogs during his seminary stay, albeit later on committing them to the care of the people back at home, Fr. Pers has always admired chubby pigs. He even collected statuettes of pigs to fill his room, and took care of one before he entered the seminary!

VP-Identity, Formation & Mission: Rev. Fr Persiuz

Joseph M. Decena, OAR

Hailing from the island of Laoang, Northern Samar, the new Director for Student Welfare has had a long and happy career in priesthood, having been one since 1991. Surprisingly, he has also told FORWARD that he greatly enjoys drinking in the company of his good friends, and especially with his father, who himself is an avid enjoyer of drink and merriment!

Returning from his previous tenure as Vice President for Student Welfare back in 2012-2015, Fr. Ortega is glad to have returned to the cool and happy atmosphere that is USJ-R.

WOULD HAVE BEEN: A MUSICIAN

Director-Student Welfare: Rev. Fr. Glynn C. Ortega, OAR

Having been exposed to religious life through his experience playing the guitar and keyboard in his church band, Fr. Ortega would have totally been a fit for the next OPM bands had he chosen not to take the priesthood path. Apart from the keyboard and the guitar, Fr. Ortega is also skilled at using wind instruments such as the flute and saxophone!

Admiring the carabaos in his hometown in Negros Occidental, collecting seashells by the river, and compiling verses from the bible and books of all kinds—Fr. Coja does the cutest, most random things of all! Having reached almost 49 years in priesthood and about to spend his golden 50th in 2023, Fr. Coja could no longer ask for more! He’s content doing what he can at the moment as well as reminiscing about his younger years.

As someone who has truly enjoyed and learned from his youth, Fr. Coja encourages everyone who was once his age to just live their life. “They should not forget the Lord, and to pray for guidance and inspiration to enlighten their mind. Do good…do good. Golden rule noh, golden rule,” he says.

WOULD HAVE BEEN: AN EDUCATOR

Fr. Coja’s father said that ‘there was no money’ in being a priest and originally wanted him to be a teacher. But when he was ordained as one, he was quick to say “Ah, forget!” and was entirely happy for his son achieving his dreams. Awe! Nonetheless, Fr. Coja still took BS Education in USJ-R, and got to teach Religious Education, Spanish, Nursing, and HRM—what an all-rounder!

Director-Center for Religious Education:

Rev. Fr. Hernando D.

With their work and position, we always see them busy with things here and there. But beyond their priest life, lie their fun stories, and even personal struggles. It’s important to understand that our OAR priests are humans like us too, and sometimes, they enjoy a good chika with the rest of us.

Coja, OAR

Rev. Fr. Eduardo S. Celiz, Jr., Oar as a farmer

Rev. Fr. Antonio S. Limchaypo, OAR as a military man

Rev. Fr. Leopoldo V. Estioko, OAR as a doctor

Rev. Fr. Persiuz Joseph M. Decena, OAR as a veterinarian

Rev. Fr. Glynn C. Ortega, OAR as a musician

Rev. Fr. Hernando D. Coja, OAR as an educator

Salamat Nalang Sa Lahat: Pinoy Media and Entertainment That Ended Too Soon

by Samantha Mae A. Murillo

“What could be their new show?” “OMG! My fave couple uploaded a new story!” and “Can’t wait to know what happens in the next episode!”

Our anticipation over some of the Philippine media and entertainment whatabouts has come to an end. Some of the country’s best television networks, hottest couples, and classic teleseryes bid farewell to their fans. Common denominator is: these things ended too soon!

On May 5, 2020, the Philippines seemed to freeze dead as ABS-CBN officially went off-air in both television and radio operations after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) released a cease-and-desist order against the network.

With over 60 years worth of service, who would’ve imagined that one of the nation’s historical TV networks would suddenly step down from the limelight, especially in the middle of the pandemic?

The announcement and non-renewal of the contract was a big shock to the country, with fans and even non-fans trending #NoToABSCBNShutDown and #DefendPressFreedom in the top three topics on Twitter PH. Other journalists and personalities from its rival GMA Network were also among those who stood as one with ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN was home to many fond memories. From their noontime comedy shows down to their primetime teleseryes, they were hits that captured the hearts of many.

Aside from that, ABS-CBN had many well-known journalists who were more than willing to offer their lives and reputations on the field.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ Global Impunity Index 2022, the Philippines is the seventh most dangerous country in the world for journalists, and seeing that many of ABS-CBN’s journalists always searched for and only delivered the truth shows how truly committed they were.

Moreover, the shutdown displaced 11,000 employees, putting them in jeopardy during the pandemic.

The network’s shutdown had such an impact, that even if it’s already 2022, people can’t just stop talking about it.

It’s hard to accept that we’d no longer have to hear Kuya Kim’s iconic “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang” in TV Patrol, and witness their journalists’ brave, commendable, and even klutzy on-screen moments.

From time to time, we still can’t help but miss ABS-CBN on free TV. So, we continue to reminisce about the good times we’ve had looking up to the network. But at the same time, we have to dismiss the idea that ABS-CBN will still be back to the way it was and how it made us feel before its shutdown.

2. Relationships

Inside and beyond the social media world, many cried out that 2022 is definitely the year of break-ups, especially with all the celebrity split-ups happening from left to right, minute by minute.

Co-producing hit songs, sharing a best friend and lover dynamic, and enjoying a threeyear marriage, what could ever go wrong with these two lovebirds?

Famous Filipino singer-songwriter Moira Dela Torre, known for her heartbreaking songs

Graphic art by Jane Frances P. Latorza and Kent Michael S. Telebanco

1. ABS-CBN Free TV Franchise

such as “Malaya” and “Kumpas” had broken up with her husband, Jason Hernandez due to his cheating incident, which created quite a big buzz online. True to her songs, Moira could relate best to her tragic lyrics.

Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriquez have also been an ideal loveteam both on-and-offscreen for years. Unfortunately, the actors’ marriage did not end up like in the movies they starred in. This sometimes lets us ponder if love is still around, alive, and kicking —or is it only beautiful when scripted?

Model Maureen Wroblewitz and singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo were another cute couple who shared with us their intimate moments in their socials and even through the latter’s YouTube music videos such as “Buwan” and “Demonyo.” The singer penned in his parting message on Instagram, “Magka-ibigan na ngayo’y matalik na magkaibigan.”

Star athletes Alyssa Valdez and Kiefer Ravena did not only make fans scream in their respective sports, but also with their chemistry as a couple. However, just like how the ball does not always reach the hoop or the other side of the net, relationships don’t always end in victory.

We once looked at these couples and muttered, “sana all.” But behind their sweet photos and tear-jerking wedding vows is also an imperfect couple who argues, cries, and leaves. They may be famous stars, living a life completely different from ours, but like any other, they’re still humans with issues to sort out on their own. Perhaps, we should not religiously idolize and set these celebrity relationships as the “standard.” Instead of concluding 2022 as a year of break-ups, why not call it the year of new opportunities, healthier relationships, and a better version of ourselves?

“Nus-a pa man ni mamatay si Cardo?”

Whether you’re an avid fan of the Filipino TV series or have no single idea of its storyline, pretty sure that like your grandmother, you know Cardo Dalisay just as much. Ang Probinsyano remake starring Coco Martin was a remarkable series, and carved its name in the industry.

We joked about wanting it to end since many scenes were too dragging already, different characters have suddenly entered and gone, and Cardo was still surprisingly alive even after multiple near-death experiences.

Now that the series is finally finished, funnily enough, it leaves us in awe.

For most of us, we have journeyed with Cardo from elementary until college. The series started on September 28, 2015, and ended on August 12, 2022. Basically, it’s as if we grew along with the main lead.

The laughs were good, too. Apart from Cardo’s “immortality” meme craze, his Paloma crossdress was also one for the books and for the Facebook shared posts!

Besides, we’ll miss the thrill of Cardo catching his prospects and putting his life on the line as Lola Flora, played by the late Susan Roces, prays the rosary for an entire episode.

Thank you for your service, Cardo! (And for the good memes.)

“Dear Charo…”

Can you imagine never hearing this again on Saturday evenings?

After 31 years of running on National TV, Maalala Mo Kaya (MMK) aired its final episode last December 10, 2022.

MMK is one of the best things local TV has ever served. The inspiring stories, the superb acting, and the golden lessons are one of a kind—I don’t think we’d ever get the same feeling from other shows like it.

We’ll surely miss guessing the MMK episode’s title while sobbing non-stop, as we munch on our chips.

Years from now, maaalala mo pa rin ba kaya ang mga tagos-pusong kwento bigay ng MMK?

Farewell, MMK. You ended too soon.

3. Ang Probinsyano

4. Maalala Mo Kaya

Fear-to-Face Classes 2022

by Samantha

On September 12, 2022, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Main and Basak campuses officially opened their gates to Josenians for full face-to-face (F2F) classes. This decision by the new and current University Administration left students, faculty, and parents concerned whether the risk of COVID-19 was taken into consideration.

According to the latest survey conducted by the University, the Student Welfare Office provided that 5,478 out of 9,726 students from Senior High School and College departments were vaccinated. As proof, they were asked to upload a copy of their vaccination card through their Student Information System portal.

After a few weeks of physical meetings, alerts of COVID-19 cases have already been reported within the school. Among them were from the School of Education (SOE), School of Computer Studies (SCS), and Department of Psychology and Library Information and Sciences (DPLIS).

Mae A. Murillo and Ejay D. Villaver Photo by Christian A. Mananguite

The University finally resumes face-to-face classes after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Is this a wise move knowing that the risk of COVID is still around?

Consequently, the matter raises the question: When USJ-R appeared on local headlines for full F2F setup, was the Institution truly prepared?

On Preparations

Though USJ-R’s preparation time was limited, the University managed to prepare in accordance with the clinic and the USJ-R COVID Team’s health protocols.

From the Josenians’ miscellaneous fees, 250 PHP was allotted for a sanitary kit consisting of alcohol, hand soap, wet and dry tissues, and facemasks to mitigate the spread of the virus on-campus.

Temperature checkers were also installed at the entrance of both campuses to ensure that everyone who enters is placed in a safe environment. Furthermore, isolation rooms are available for students and faculty who might exhibit any COVID-like signs and symptoms.

According to Dr. Feli Rose Domugho-Paracuelles, MD, USJ-R Health Services Department Head, the clinic has been prepared since the pandemic, but the problem lies on the protocol.

“Transition mansiyafrom online to F2F, so atonginitial protocol, more on katongprotocol pag-pandemic…medyonaglisodjudsiyaregarding sa unsaonpag-implement, kayfull F2F nabayasiya,”Dr. Paracuelles said.

Initially, the University opted to implement the Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) scheme, where in-person setup would be combined with online and asynchronous modalities. Hence, strict physical distancing has to be observed, given the ongoing pandemic.

However, during full F2F classes, this was not exactly followed due to the lack of rooms and limited campus space, among others, making it difficult for USJ-R to implement the social distancing measure.

Lockdowns

For the crucial part, if symptoms of COVID such as fever, cough, and colds are observed, students, faculty, and staff are advised to notify the clinic and their department head. Once confirmed positive, the patient will be advised to quarantine themselves for five days to one week under the observation of the clinic through a monitoring sheet.

To prevent further contamination, the University clinic will recommend a granular lockdown that will then be approved by the University President for the whole department or block, depending on their discretion.

In compliance with the health protocols, Dr. Jestoni Babia, dean of SOE, advised teachers during their class suspension to provide synchronous and asynchronous assignments in lieu of the traditional F2F classes. However, a third-year BS Psychology student raised their concern on the departmentwide lockdowns.

“Ni-result siyaogdakokaayonatrouble kayangmgaminor subjects nadili Psych-relatedkaynagpadayonogklase.Mostly samga professors atona time sa DPLIS,nakabalorasila,”they expressed, noting that the problem lies on other departments not being properly informed.

To which DPLIS Chairman Mr. Leo Antiporta replied, “Wanakokabalowhen it comes to that one kayamonagiignanangclinic and secretary sa SAS nga

we will be having our lockdown. AngamobaissiSASorsiclinic nasiguro maka-inform sateachers.”

Dissemination Problem

Aside from the disconnection between the deans and the clinic, the latter is also packed with many other responsibilities.

As of writing, the USJ-R COVID Team has no Contact Tracing Committee and some crucial members have abruptly resigned, causing major problems and forcing the clinic to shoulder the responsibilities. Meanwhile, the clinic also acts as the Surveillance or Risk Assessment Team.

“...The contact tracing should be kanaganingmasnaayaccess satanan departments pud.So maona,lisodmangudkunggikansaclinic, busy na bayamidaan[unya]dilibayamika-contact trace judsamgastudents,”Dr. Paracuelles said.

According to Mr. Antiporta, they did not release any memorandum so that the issue would not reach other departments and cause panic among students.

“There was a directive that when it comes to this kind of information, we’ve been told that it is alarming and we will not give undue anxiety to our students, so we followed. Angamolangintention why we need to have that, so that we can disseminate fast[er] the department is [in] lockdown, ” he said.

Meanwhile, a third-year Psychology major countered with, “I don’t think effective sadsiyangai-hilomkaydetrimental kaayoangpag-disseminate sa information samga professors ngagi-lockdown kaynaayna-positive. ”

They also added that their classmates have no idea about the others’ sudden absence, unaware that they were advised to skip classes by the school because of a possible virus contact. With this, the students were not able to take precautionary measures since the issue was silenced.

Implementation

It can also be recalled that during the second week of F2F classes, the Psychology department was under a granular lockdown. However, despite the prohibition, some of the students from the affected school still went to the campus even though they were advised not to—defeating the purpose of the lockdown.

“During University Days, walaraypurpose ang lockdown kayangmgaguards kaykompyansarakaayosilasapagpasudsamgastudents kayupon entry, dimangihaponi-check ang degree program,”a Psychology student said.

Dr. Paracuelles came to the University guards’ defense saying that contact tracing is not as effective because the Safety Security Department does not have enough manpower to check every student’s degree program as they enter the campus.

To solve this problem, Dr. Jovelyn Cuizon, dean of SCS, shared that there is an ongoing development of Radio-Frequency Identification that would alert the guards if the student is under monitoring and should not be allowed in school premises.

“We’re doing everything for the safety and welfare of our students. Our University is always looking ahead for the students. I’d like to assure that the students are well-taken care of,” Mr. Antiporta said.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Trouble in Information Paraphernalia

by Diane Rose G. Baynos

V. Omania

Many students utilize the library as a vital resource because it is home to reliable pieces of information. It is an essential tool to help students with their academics, including research, data collection, and other educational pursuits.

With the library fee being the second highest school fee in the University, Josenians anticipate an excellent and prompt library service. However, FORWARD received several complaints this semester about its facilities and convenience. In this article, the Publication clarifies these issues and brings them up with the heads of the immediate offices involved.

Accessibility

As the University shifted to a full face-to-face setup for the academic year 2022-2023, several adjustments were made to ensure a safe environment for all teaching and non-teaching staff.

and Jonalyn

Photo by Adriane Josef E. Cabase

The library is one of the reliable sources of information in helping Josenians in their research and data collection, are the resources still accessible like how it used to be?

One of those is the library, which implemented several protocols such as reservations and setting appointments before availing their services.

While some appreciated the efforts of the library to maintain the safety of the students against COVID-19, students noticed that other protocols are unnecessary and only add up to tedious processes.

“Dili siya necessary [reservation], instead of reservation, constant monitoring nalang ang buhaton nila on the number of people currently staying in the venue for health protocols and social distancing purposes. Walay pulos ang [pag]-reserve kung pwede ra ka same day mo-fill up sa Google form then same day sad ka mosulod sa library,” a third-year BSBA Operations Management said.

According to the University’s Chief Librarian, Ms. Lingoria Pingul, the purpose of the reservation is to control the number of students in the library and for contract tracing.

“[Ang] reservation namo kay by appointment para dili bitaw magdagsa tanan, para ma-control namo, contact tracing siya. Para dili pud crowded kay kato bitaw first [day of classes], September 12, nidawat mi’g walk-in. Dili naman nuon makalingkod ang mga [students] unya magtabi ra sa library ba, so dili gyud siya ang purpose sa library kay for research baya,” Ms. Pingul said.

However, a student from the Computer Engineering program, Wayne Rondina, stressed the advantages and disadvantages of the library reservation.

“The reservation scheme may seem conventional in terms of following standard protocols of limiting students, but for me, it does not quite completely guarantee the students’ access to the library, because again, it is limited. The uncertainty of students’ need to go to the library does not always coincide with its availability,” he said.

Apart from the library reservation, acquiring books also requires long processes. Students are now prohibited from getting books directly from the shelves.

“I would like to search for books kanang mag-scan gyud…Like sauna pwede ‘nya karon kay dili na since off-limits na ang mga books sa students so dili gyud ka ingon nga maka-explore jud,” said Erika Mayubay, a sophomore Accountancy student.

Ms. Pingul affirmed that the students are not allowed to get the books directly from the shelves; they need to inform the librarians about it to avoid contamination.

“Dapat sa appointment nila, kung gusto nila naay mag-research, ila nami ingnon didto inig appointment nila kung unsa’y gamiton para i-prepare namo. So butang nana sa table nila, kami ray uli kay amo pa man na i-disinfect, naa man tay book sanitizer,” the Chief Librarian said.

System Errors

The Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is one of the facilities offered for students to easily locate various books inside the library. However, the majority of the students are not aware of the existence of the said system, more so how to use it.

Meanwhile, students who knew about the OPAC frequently experienced system errors whenever they tried to access it.

A third-year student from the School of Allied Medical Sciences shared that the OPAC is often unavailable and lacks resources.

According to Ms. Pingul, OPAC is accessible online, but the students need to renew their OPAC accounts. She also acknowledged the OPAC’s unavailability, especially in the Basak Campus.

The Chief Librarian explained that the system errors in OPAC are heavily rooted in the server’s bugs. She revealed that the library needs to buy a new server to minimize the system downtime to provide a more functional OPAC system for the students.

Another concern of the students is the unavailability of e-resources because they still need to reach out to the library before getting their login details. Some argued that it is better to receive the online details upon enrollment, where all Josenians will be given equal access to the online resources.

In response to this, Ms. Pingul assured that they would integrate the e-resources into the Learning Management System (LMS) before the first semester ends. She said that she already raised the matter with Dr. Jovelyn Quizon, dean of the School of Computer Studies and the one in charge of the LMS.

Plans for Upgrade

The library plans to make all of its resources accessible to students this academic year. However, there would be no renovations to be made yet due to a failure in securing a budget during the pandemic.

The Chief Librarian also said that they would not expand the Main library since they will focus more on the upcoming Quadricentennial Campus of USJ-R, which is still under construction as of writing. The last major renovation in the Main library was made in 2002, the same year it established a library-integrated system and airconditioned services.

Apart from the physical attributes of the library, one major issue is the quality of books. Josenians noticed that the archives and outdated books are of a greater number than the new ones.

“Sa kadugay nako sa San Jose, wala koy nakita na changes sa library and nagkadugay kay mura’g outdated na ang uban books in the library and maybe siguro because of the pandemic, na-limit sila sa resources unlike before na puno and daghan books gyud ang library,” a fourth-year Computer Engineering student expressed.

Ms. Pingul reasoned that most of the books could not be discarded due to the contents’ research value.

However, the library is slowly adapting to digitizing the library books so students can easily access the books that they need; but the library can only digitize several pages due to copyright policy.

Changes and further developments in the library are yet to be observed in the coming years, with students expecting improved services that will make their payments worthwhile.

The Uniform Woes

by

The resumption of the full face-to-face setup in the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) was a welcome change to many, but posed challenges and hitches along the way.

As enrollees for the academic year 2022-2023 rose to 8,328, new students flocked to USJ-R-based tailoring shops to order school uniforms for face-to-face classes. However, several months have passed, and yet the majority still haven’t received their uniforms.

Students’ Perspectives

Josenians from different departments voiced their concerns regarding the procurement of school uniforms. Most of them feel pressured because the University might require the wearing of school uniforms soon; some are getting tired of donning civilian clothes, while others agonize over the long overdue product that they already paid for.

A third-year Entrepreneurship student expressed disappointment with the much-awaited school uniforms.

“Dilikohappy kayganahannamanjudkomagka-uniform naba…unyamura’gmasuyapudkosa

Diane Rose G. Baynos and Eiver Ky Villegas

Photo by Ayn E. Nazareno

The transitions from face-to-face pre-pandemic, to online, then back to face-to-face setups have posed many challenges to Josenians, including the struggles to get ahold of uniforms for the new students.

ubanngadilinasilamag-civilian [kay]dilinamaglisodunsaysul-oton,” said the student.

It would take approximately three to six months before they can get their uniforms, according to a sophomore Psychology major. “I remember three to six months pamakuhasince wapadawangtelawhich is provided by USJ-R.”

Prior to the pandemic, the process of acquiring school uniforms only lasted for at least a month, with thousands of students already being catered.

In an interview with Clothestime’s owner, Catherine Paran, they were only able to produce 200 sets of male uniforms as of November 12, 2022. Female uniforms, however, are more scarce; there are only about 50 clothing materials for skirts and around 236 left for long sleeves. Some of which are leftovers from the academic year 2019-2020.

Clothestime has been the official boutique partner of USJ-R since 2004, mainly in charge of the uniforms for the College and Senior High School departments.

Meanwhile, the Entrepreneurship major questioned the slow-paced distribution of school uniforms.

“Nganongwalasilanag-order daanbefore pasa pandemic?Mura’g kompyansalangsilanadugaypaangface-to-face [classes]…Dapatkatong pag-pandemic palangnag-start nasilaogstock ganiogmgauniform kay akojudgi-expect nanaanasilaymgastock daanperowalapaman.”

In response to this, Paran explained that the clothing supplier of USJ-R had temporarily shut down during the pandemic due to declining customer demand.

The University’s main supplier of uniforms is based in Taiwan. The fabrics and materials ordered are delivered to Manila, which will then be shipped to Chester Enterprises Inc., a fabric distributor in Cebu. The deliveries are already etched with embroidery and exclusive USJ-R patterns that signify the official branding of the University.

Paran further clarified that the lack of fabrics is beyond their control. “Wajud mihold ana…Kungtahilang,pilara’ypagtahikungnaalang[angtela].”

While other students openly convey dismay over the delayed uniform distribution, some also showed compassion and understanding.

“Kayaranakoi-understand although dugaynasiyana[pag]-wait. Of course dililangakoanggitahianoguniform, daghankaayo[mi].Gi-explain man pudnilanawalapapudsilaytelabitaw…so okay ra,” said Carlito Bercero Jr., a Financial Management student.

However, Bercero Jr. is also looking forward to better uniform procurement processes in the next academic year.

“I do hope for the next school year katongmgafreshman maginghanda naang school to provide telabitawso that makasul-otdayonsilaogmga uniform 1 month or 2 months gikansapagpatahinila,” he said.

The Scarcity in Context

In an interview with Mrs. Jennifer Estrella, a Student Activity Officer from the Student Welfare Office (SWO), she echoed the woes of the lack of material for uniform production.

“Angavailability sa materials gyudmao’yproblema,kaykatongpandemic, na-stop gyudsila,kananga,resources sigurosapabrika,” Mrs. Estrella said.

In an announcement from the official Facebook Page of the USJ-R Student Affairs Office, the boys were required to wear their uniforms starting December 1, 2022, and was then changed to December 5, Monday.

The announcement was met with questions from the most affected populace: the students. Mrs. Estrella, however, explained that they had to make certain adjustments to best cater to the students in accordance with the constraints on the availability of the cloth from Chester.

“We are starting with the gentlemen gyudnoh,naka-deliver na, so ongoing naang production or pagtahinagyudsauniform, perodipagyudsiya ing-anakadaghan…angsupply. Karon,nag-slow down nasadkaymura’g nahurotnasadangkatongfirst batch ngana-deliver nga cloth for the gentlemen.”

Further, Mrs. Estrella supplied that Chester Enterprises was only able to provide the cloth for the men first.

The decision to start the mandatory uniform-wearing was also in part, spurred by their observation that when the sizing and the tailors were already available in the lobby area of the University, some students simply forwent the sizing.

For those who have no uniforms yet but have had their sizing done already, she assured that they could get slips from the SWO for their exemption upon entry in the University.

Meanwhile, Supreme Student Council President Latrell Matheau Fernandez said that on behalf of the council, they are ready to mediate and aid the students should major concerns arise after the resolution that no violations will be recorded, as long as students have been able to comply with the sizing and have secured an exemption slip already.

“It was not a concern addressed at an earlier time unta, walasiyana-foresee na concern, so mao to when they saw the problem, nag-lenient pudsilasa students, nadililangma-violation bahala’gmag-civilian attire kathe whole week, it’s okay,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said that their role as of now is to encourage students to process their uniform sizing as soon as they can. He added that the concern is indeed pressing, but they are also on standby when it comes to issues raised to them.

Moving Forward

While some factors are beyond the University’s control, certain decisions from the past months have contributed to the woes of uniform concerns.

Some students asserted that the University must ensure advanced preparations before abruptly implementing a full face-to-face setup.

“If nag-implement mandiaysila’gface-to-face, edidapatkanangprepared na pud ang tela ahead of time,” said Lady Shania Galanido, a sophomore Psychology major.

It can be recalled that earlier in July 2022, the University planned to implement a Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) scheme. However, in mid-August, the University announced the conduct of full face-to-face classes for tertiary students.

The University Administration may devise well-crafted decisions to prevent this problem from happening in the future, before it becomes a series of familiar lapses. The Josenian body reserves the right to demand more a organized institutional system throughout their stay in USJ-R.

TEN TOXIC CYCLES THAT NEED TO BE BROKEN

by Samantha Mae A. Murillo and Jonathan M. Ricardo Illustration by Divine Gain U. Estrada

Some of the worst things in the world have always come in cycles. Whether it’s the smallest things that get under your skin or the most grievous patterns that lay waste to entire countries, one thing is for certain: we must put an end to these cycles, however strongly embedded they may be.

Thus, FORWARD presents you, Ten Toxic Cycles That Need To Be Broken.

Are your parents truly proud of your achievements because they genuinely care about your growth as an individual? Or are they only proud of you doing better in life because they can’t wait for you to achieve their unfinished dreams? Pressuring your child to graduate the soonest possible or demanding more than half of their bare minimum salary—this one is for the breadwinners, honor students, only children, and everyone in between being made as their parents’ human insurance plan.

2.

Women are not inferior to men. Driving for pick-ups, paying for dates, and making the first move—women can do what men can, too! Even Queen Taylor Swift agrees, pointing out the patriarchy in her All Too Well 10-minute version masterpiece.

Roaming around, high school boys ooze with swag in their baggy shirts and trendy shoes, or teenage girls walk with confidence in their wolf hair and goth dresses, only for their self-expression to be mocked as a joke fashion. Everyone is allowed to wear whatever makes them happy. Sorry, but it’s not “jejemon,” you might just be a judgmental background character.

1.

3.

It’s quite common during family gatherings where aunts and uncles of age, instead of asking how you have been doing in life, go straight to asking when you’d bear a child with your partner. Perhaps it’s time for families and friends to understand that not everyone is ready and willing to be pregnant just because one is a woman who has a guy by her side. A woman’s purpose and worth are so much more than breastfeeding babies.

“Gwapoha niya oy, mao ni siya akoang pilion!” “Ka-char sa iyang panulti uy, diri ta bet!” Between such shallow standards and people with years of experience in the field, it’s a sorry yet common sight on election day to see people pick the flashy showbiz personalities over the bloodied but unbowed veterans with years’ worth of skill and experience under their belts. Given the continued suffering this has brought us, it’s easy to see why this practice has to go.

5. 6. 7.

“Naa rana’s ulo nimo oy!” “Just be happy! Stop being so sad!” and “You’re being overdramatic!” are only some of the token lines used by peers looking down upon people in moments of mental vulnerability. Given the continuing lack of resources and awareness in society regarding mental health, it’s easy to see why it’s continued to be downplayed, resulting in potentially fatal effects.

It has been long held by generations that moving out of the country to escape all the problems one finds within it is the most surefire career path. Armies of nurses, domestic workers, engineers, and doctors migrate once they land opportunities to work outside. But all this happens without them realizing that when they leave, the social cancers in their Inang Bayan continue to fester. With their absence, a dwindling number of people are left behind to pick up all the pieces. This cycle of driving away our workers because of close-to-zero opportunities in the country has to be remedied.

8.

Sore throat? Head pounding with fever and migraines? Hacking cough brought about by the cold rain? No matter! Vicks VapoRub, Efficascent Oil, White Flower, Panyawan Liniment Oil and friends are there to cure these illnesses along with cysts, tumors, diabetes, eczema, tooth decay, heartbreaks, and many more! Backed by scientists and endorsed by experts, these herbal oils are sure to be the solution when there is no prescription!

(No Approved Therapeutic Claims.)

9.

When will people understand that complimenting plus-sized women in crop tops for their “confidence” is not a compliment? Or asking naturally skinny people to “eat more” is not an act of care? Body shaming comes in subtle ways too, and it’s disappointing— especially when those who are vocal in spreading body positivity are also the ones commenting about other people’s figures. Come on guys, it’s the 21st century!

10.

We’ve all been there. “Sauna, pait gyud kaayo among na-agian, dong/ day!” your wizened old grandparent begins, before regaling you with tales of how they braved rocky terrains, fearsome forests, ravening wild animals, and raging rivers just to get to school. Or how they were not on their phones 24/7, and that’s because they didn’t exist during that time! Whichever the case, one thing’s for sure: the oldies aren’t going to be outdone.

Got nothing good to say? Might as well keep it to yourself. These cycles have been around longer than forever. It’s time that we stop tolerating toxic comments and mindsets just because they are family and friends. Break the cycle!

The same cycles continue to grind us down, from generation to generation. It’s time to put an end to them, however great and small.

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

No Stambayanan: Nowhere to go

Quadrangle, lobby, lingkod sa hagdan, asa naman ta ani? Taas pa kaayo atong vacant, di na pwede mo-standby sa library kay nag-limit sa number of students nga pwede makasulod sa library. Naay study lounge pero di pud ta maka-study kay alimuot ug saba. Manguli nalang kaha ta? Makakita ta og vacant rooms nga pwede mag-standby pero after an hour or 30 minutes pahawaon nata kay naay magklase. Asa man ta padung ani?

Way Aircon sa Canteen: Pre-heated Oven

Mamalit man unta ta og lunch nato pero ngano mura’g kita’y nahimong sud-an? Grabe ba kainit, sa kasinaw sa atong nawong pwede na magprito. Naay mga aircon sulod sa canteen pero wala gyud gipaandar, di man siguro na guba? For safety purposes, to avoid the spread of COVID-19… nag-social distancing diay sa sulod? Wala man, maypag i-on nalang na kay mao ra gihapon sturyaa.

Slow Uniform Production: MGA JOSENIANS—WALA NG OOTEDE?!

Unsa naman buwana, wala pa gihapon ang uniform? Hurot na ang among mga OOTD, wala nami’y ma-post sa among IG story. Maabtan nalang siguro mi og second sem nga wala pay uniform. Sige og follow-up pero ang rason kay wala pay tela, nag-shortage na diay tas tela ron? Mangdonate nalang kaha mi og tela? Nanambok nalang mi og hinuwat, wala gihapon.

Mahal Canteen, Gamay Serving: The serving is not weak, the canteen is strong 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.

Huot sa Hallway!: MARITES: MARI ANONG LATEST? LATE NAKOS TEST! Kada human nalang gyud sa klase—huot, init, alimuot, ug saba kaayo ang hallway. Unsa man? Skwelahan ni or merkado? Samok kaayo tan-awon nga daghan studyante magkumpol-kumpol sa hallway, magtabi, mag-TikTok, kusog kaayo og katawa. Dili unta himuon og “chikahan” ang hallway. Agi-anan na, wala na buhata para dira mo mag reunion sa inyong mga amiga ug amigo. Mga mhie, hallway na, dili chika all the way. Imbis nga moingon ta og “Yes, I did my best” makai-ngon hinoon ta og

“Pastilan, late nakos test!”