Issuu

the 2021 team presents

eat your greens

and plant

them too

05 06 07 09

the music menu a letter from the editor contributors the galleries

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i imagine healthy vegan recipes it’s easy to be green we are the daydreams art as a catalyst for sustainability and social impact fluorescent hearts thrifting in manila! movie recs indigenous filipinos and the environment blow out your candles! fever dream

hey this is us i guess

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When creating a publication centered on the lives and feelings of the school, the fact that we are all stuck inside is pretty hard to ignore. This issue celebrates our connection to nature and the environment, and the joys that you can never get sick of, like fresh fruits, sunsets, blooming flowers, the way light and shadows dance or that moment when the sun peaks through the leaves and twinkles. Listen to our playlist, flip through the pages and enjoy!

the music menu 7:00 AM Animal Crossing: Wild World Promise of the World Joe Hisaishi, Howl’s Moving Castle Fairy of Shampoo dosii Great Fairy’s Fountain The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Lost Woods The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Splendor Aarigod

Can you put a price on nature? On that feeling when you look over a mountainous landscape and breathe in? The air is crisper; there’s no pollution, noise, nothing. It’s almost preposterous how different it is. The feeling of nothingness that manifests itself into a lack of responsibility seems like a privilege now, as we sit in our worries and fester in our rooms. Maybe that is the most priceless notion that humanity has to offer.

In December, I went to a little island, with the most beautiful plants and trees that climbed through abandoned houses. I was so desperate to soak up as much of the world outside, that I got up at 4am so I could go to another island and watch the sun rise. Any interaction that I had with the elements felt unreal, like sorcery or something.

I hope that as you flip through the pages in this book, you let yourself be immersed in a story about escaping our This is how we learned the impor- heads and exploring environmental tance of greenery. I remember telling magic. the Winston members, “We’re going to have an issue about nature!”, and was To my Winston family: I love you guys! met with blank faces. To be honest, I Thank you for working so hard on your myself didn’t know how to express it pieces, and I hope you love this as much creatively either. It took us a while to as I do. Thank you to Kiri, for keeping get started because we couldn’t remem- me on track and working tirelessly to ber the whimsical beauty of the world. make this issue what it is. Finally, thank you to the BSM community for your Thus, ‘Eat your greens and plant endless support! them too’ was born. Green represents growth, balance, and health. An allur- The name of this issue might be ing colour that holds so much power, yet lengthy, but it represents a calm only even as I’m writing this, the only green offered by nature. ‘Eat your greens and I’m seeing is the tarpaulin that covers plant them too’: for when you just want the construction across the street. to get away from your busy life and bask in the earth’s beauty.

Ananya Suri Editor-in-Chief

Kiri Diep

Managing Editor

Marco Siy

Caitlin Co

Heidi Vontobel

Tonee Garcia

Chris Lim

Xiying Tham

Jewel Ornido Writer

Isabella San Pedro

Akshat Bohre

Ella Sy

Fenella Bird

Piper Yu

Photography Director

Marketing and Service Learning Director

Senior Editor

Writer

Writer/Model

Rachel Yu

Art Director

Video Director

Creative Director

Writer

Lucy Cliff

Alaire Dominguez

Ariel Wilk

Anita Villanueva

Alexandra Siy

Anika Syhau

Gabrielle Ong

Adrian Tan

Photographer/Model

Graphics

Photographer

Graphics

Photographer

Coco Leather Photographer

You’ll notice our photos have no set location, time or really even group of models. Aside from the fact that we can’t be in school, celebrating the little joys and the green around us isn’t something you can stage. Enjoy the photos our photgraphers have taken whilst traveling or staying at home!

Lucy Cliff

i imagine Xiying Tham

My lead pencil scratches against the misshapen surface of the overused wooden table, engraving meaningless scribbles of sorts as I try to pay attention in class. The same digitalised, monotonous tone drills through my head, its dullness echoing into one ear and spilling out the other. I am at a loss. In a futile attempt to retrace the professor’s method, I squint my eyes and focus on the screen, the fluorescent blue-light prompting a headache that rings throughout my skull. With a heavy sigh, my fingers haphazardly trail across the trackpad, the metal emanating a coolness that sends a shiver down my spine, once more reminding me of my disappointment stuck within the walls of my house. I swipe, brushing my fingers as the screen follows. In front of me, a newfound darkness of another app eases my eyes, my pupils dilating as I find something of interest. Despite my initial protests, my eyes are now glued onto my laptop, never once flinching as I reach for my mug filled to the brim with over sweetened coffee. The liquid lolls upon contact with my lips, its frugality no longer being taken into consideration ever since my adaptation to lockdown life. My eyes hastily glance at the clock, taking note of the time left before my break. I look up, calculating. Much to my exasperation, another day passes with me remaining in my chair, in front of the illuminated laptop screen. I look up to the barren ceiling, its whiteness reflecting into my eyes. A sore sight. My arm loiters, draping from the backrest as I close my eyes. I imagine.

A gentle breeze, grazing against my porcelain skin, eyelashes fluttering from its tenderness. The smell of the clear blue skies, the feeling of crystal-clean air…those are such sensations that I had almost forgotten. Reminiscing those days of liberty. The viridescent lushness of the trees providing shelter during the summer heat, the dew damp against my shoes as I walked on the green grass early in dawn. Birds with their wings of freedom carrying the wind within their feathers, imprinting the blue skies with their presence as they take on a new journey. I take a deep breath, yet it is cut short. My memory is clouded as I am reminded once again of the situation— a mask around my face trapping such nostalgia, its constraints leaving me to neglect such freedom. The green scenery I imagined is no longer. Sickness, illness, jeopardy; for these are the greens I see, painting lives as it steals innocent hopes. My eyebrows knit together, futile wishing to see the panorama once again, ridding the thoughts of the sickly green that infect my thoughts. The walls around me are suffocating. I pant, desperate for a breath of the crisp air-

Kiri Diep

I snap my eyes open. Once again, I am greeted by the sound of the alabaster ceiling, its screeches provoking a headache to pound against my skull. In an attempt to divert my current affliction, I walk over to the edge of my room, peering out of my window. I immediately acknowledge the lack of vehicles swarming the asphalt roads. People by the sidewalks. A bicycle or two. The heat emanating from the glass window that frames my finite view of the outside causes me to be overwhelmed with a new feeling. A mellowness. And maybe, just maybe, I can sense the grass below growing greener, the skies above no longer darkened. Before I know it, the picturesque scene lulls me to a feeling of convincing contentment.

Alaire Dominguez

As a vegetarian, I always get comments like ‘I could never stop eating meat!’, ‘don’t you miss meat?’ and ‘do you feel like you’re missing out?’. But honestly, after learning how to cook for myself, I can gladly say that I neither miss meat nor do I feel like I am missing out on good food just because I do not consume meat. I would like to share two of my favourite vegetarian recipes that are relatively easy to make at home! (Both are vegan as well!) The first recipe is vegetarian Filipino Lumpia. Many recipes vary, but mine is based loosely on the traditional recipe which contains: garlic, onion, carrots, green onions, black pepper, garlic powder and soy sauce. Other recipes include raisins or potatoes, however, all ingredients are up to your preference. All recipes have a great standard to follow. To maake this dish vegetarian, simply swap out the meat with plant-based ground meat. I recommend Beyond Beef if you prefer a ‘leaner’ texture, while Omnipork is much ‘fattier’. To make it less oily, I choose to spray my lumpia with oil and air fry for 10 minutes, at around 200°C. If you don’t have an airfryer, you may deep fry it as normal.

My second recipe is a variation of Eatwell 101’s Garlic Mushrooms Cauliflower Skillet. The original recipe calls for butter or ghee, however, I ended up using vegan butter, Nuttelex. Similarly, you may just use olive oil. Out of convenience, I use canner button mushrooms for this recipe. I loosely follow the instructions here, occasionally adding more or less spices based on my preference. This dish is best served with quinoa or roasted potatoes.

Jewel Ornido

it’s easy to be green Isabella San Pedro Climate change: an apocalypse slowly killing the world. And to whom do we thank for this? Plastic. Every year, we produce approximately 300 million tons of plastic worldwide, which is equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. Why do we do this? We’re killing the planet we call home to make cigarette butts, plastic beverage bottles, straws, food wrappers, grocery bags— the list never stops. Not only are we killing our planet, but we are killing ourselves as there are up to 1 million reported deaths every year due to plastic waste. If you have that one friend who uses plastic constantly but is also aware of Earth’s demise, the phrase ‘Reuse, Reduce, Recycle’ can help persuade them to be more cautious if they plan on buying unrecyclable plastic. Reduce Reduce is to limit the size or amount of something you have to avoid having unnecessary items. The reduction of plastic use lessens the greenhouse gas emissions, furthermore reducing global warming. By following the simple practice of depleting your plastic waste, you are saving raw material and even contributing to the solution of a serious worldwide problem! One simple solution to reducing your plastic use is by buying a reusable water bottle. This way, you don’t have to repeatedly buy plastic water bottles and you get the extra benefit of having your water stay cold for the whole day. Reusing is reducing.

Reuse Repeatedly using an object so that you don’t buy a new one. By repurposing an item you no longer need, you are rejecting the un-environmentally friendly waste management alternatives and limiting the need of material or fossil fuels needed to produce a new item. Not only does this save money, but this also preserves the environment and natural resources for the future generations. We can all be involved in this practice and minimize the amount of plastic we use. For instance, a total of 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills and incinerators every single day due to people throwing them away and immediately buying a new

Art by Anita Villanueva

To stay sustainable, and even save some cash, I’m going to give you three examples of how to make better use, or replace, the common plastic bottle. First, you should reuse your plastic water bottle and go to a nearby water fountain to refill it. This is a great way to have an affordable reusable water bottle and show your appreciation to Mother Nature through a small simple action. Recycle Recycle refers to altering an object found no longer practical into a useful item. When you recycle, you are helping decrease the air pollution and water sources used. For every ton of paper you recycle, 13 trees are saved. This is immense help considering only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled on Earth. Approximately 8 million pieces of plastic are thrown into the ocean daily and 5.25 trillion macro and micro pieces of plastic can be found in the ocean, with 46,000 pieces in every square mile of the sea. Due to this, every year a total of 100 million marine animals die from plastic, with 100,000 of them killed due to entanglement. We can all make a huge difference by recycling.

For example, instead of littering your plastic products on the floor, you need to make that extra effort to throw it into a recycling bin. In California, for every job in recycling collection, eight jobs are created through manufacturing the recycled resources into another product. The energy saved from recycling one plastic bottle can power a computer for a whole of 25 minutes. Imagine how many computers you can power by recycling ten plastic bottles! In conclusion, you can adjust your habits towards plastic to be sustainable and help save Earth. Repurposing items is a great way to start these good practices. Small actions have big effects. It’s easy to be green!

Kiri Diep

Marco Siy

Look at me straight into my eyes and tell me you don’t believe in magic. How could you? Fairytales and wild dreams are just the stuff of childhood make believe. Now, leave yourself, open your eyes and look out the window What is it that you see? A small ant crawling up your window? A multitude of life? An entire atmosphere to aid our breaths? Now, breathe out and expand… Our address is a blue-green marble Coincidently formed when swirling gas and dust collided We rotate around a fire drenched ball, in perfect melody with 7 other marbles. Yet out of 8 marbles that are lost deep inside an endless void, And somehow, we are here. Maybe it was a spell Or a whisper from a wishing well Or maybe, it was just perfect timing But somehow, just somehow Mountains pierce through the ground Oceans roar wild and whisper calm And just somehow you are here. Right now. Now tell me, Can’t you see? You and I… we are the fairytales. Our marble is the only one that holds the powers that only fairytales know of.

Lucy Cliff

Gabrielle Ong

Kiri Diep

Anika Syhau

Lucy Cliff

Coco Leather

Piper Yu

Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) to use Arts as a Catalyst for Sustainability and Social Impact in the Philippines

Art by Alexandra Sy

Art is vital to achieving a country with provinces so populous, yet so poverty-stricken that positive change. Harbouring one of the most vivacious art scenes in the world, the Philippines draws on its rich, diverse culture and vibrant history to instil a collective “national” identity within the artworks of Filipinos. For many, art holds intrinsic value, going beyond entertainment to inspire, inform and, above all, provoke us. In this article, sustainability and social impact are defined by the concepts of sustainable youth development (including behaviour), as well as health and wellness to describe the ability of NPOs to use art as a catalyst for positive change. Filipino organizations have begun harnessing the power of art to help transform our society, doing so without fanfare, spotlight, and financial profits. The Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS Philippines) is one example of a non-profit initiative that explores the potential of the arts in achieving more equitable outcomes in society. Their background story is unfortunately all-too-familiar:

they are unable to allocate resources towards nurturing the literacy skills necessary for the next generation to flourish. Moved by the tale of one man’s ability to create a meaningful impact in “The Man Who Planted Trees,” founder Gigo Alampay sought to publish his painting adaptations entitled “Elias and His Trees.” His exhibition would eventually sell out and increase the accessibility of art and art initiatives to “promote children’s literacy, explore national identity, and deepen public appreciation for Philippine art, culture and the environment” in the local community.

Art has the ability to change mindsets and encourage people to build more sustainable communities One inherent fallacy in the way people are addressed lies in the way they are treated like machines - assuming that factual evidence will result in a rational, and logical decision. For example, if you were given multiple reasons why “x” activity was bad for you, you were

expected to stop engaging in it. However, this is rarely the outcome, and in the case of exacting change, people will often overlook or disregard the negative effects of sustainability and social impact, due to a lack of “connection” and understanding. It is then these mistaken methods of communicating that made achieving sustainability and social impact much more difficult. In response, Christian Tiscornia, the founder of Amartya - An argentinian NPO seeking to promote sustainability - spoke of integrating creative and artistic principles into the educational system to foster a “culture” of sustainability, rather than simply using statistics as a means of persuasion. He focuses on the children’s mindset and behaviour; believing that if they prioritize the culture of sustainability, they will take the ethos with them into their lives and bring improvements that those in charge are currently failing to make. In the Philippines, CANVAS has strived to use arts as a means for advocation, unifying initiatives such as Karapatan (meaning Rights) as a stand to recognize the human rights each individual is entitled to, but are often cast aside or ignored in favour of other priorities.

As a part of the project, 95 artists each set out to capture their own interpretation of the modern definition of human rights, and what it meant to be “human and Filipino” in an artwork, prodding the audience to reconsider and change their perspectives on the unacknowledged topic. Artist Renee Avila, described her piece as one where “the impartial and swift justice that watches over our motherland is realized” while another Aiya Balingit says hers “represent women...to symbolize their courage in fighting against maltreatment and oppression.” These artworks not only promote a greater awareness and appreciation for Filipino art and culture, but also encourage reflection and debate on social issues. CANVAS’ contemplation and discussion on social impact and sustainable development have catalyzed progress and given perspective in the Philippines to address issues and generate positive change.

Personal Opinion and Insights I considered some crucial questions about fostering sustainability through the arts while developing my viewpoint on NPOs potentially utilizing arts as a catalyst for sustainability and social impact, such as:

“What are the most effective and impactful art-related activities that encourage long-term sustainability?” “To what extent is art capable of articulating sustainable growth and wellbeing among youths?” “To what extent are artists and their communities critical in creating inclusive communities?” Despite a strong desire for sustainability and confidence in the power of art to affect change, I believe there are substantial differences in worldview and how it is implemented. Eventually, I concluded that the issue of persuading others to implement sustainable and socially impactful methods does not begin with forceful change, but rather with broadening our collective awareness of the many social issues through the arts.

fluorescent hearts Fenella Bird

My heart is like a tornado Brewing a storm in my belly

She roars and rumbles She cracks and crashes She bursts and hurts until, she’s silent Silent like the sound of a page being turned Silent like your quiet whispers in my ear Silent like your soft kiss on my lips 33

Adrian Tan

Then she flies, Flies up into the aurora and dances with it’s fluorescent magic. Where freedom finds her and pulls her in Bonding it’s soul with hers Then, explodes. Explodes into a million colorful glass-like fragments Raining down upon the earth. 34

Kiri Diep

Adrian Tan

@ukayorbeukayed on IG

My thrifting obsession has swallowed my closet whole. Not a single nook or cranny of my wooden cabinet is safe from my ever growing second-hand collection. I’ve thrifted over 300 pieces of clothing and although there are some truly regrettable pieces, I am beyond content with my bizarre wardrobe. I cannot express enough how incredible thrifting is. From vintage tees and high quality denim to genuine 2000s brands, thrift stores have everything for everyone! Thrifting is almost an adventure of sorts; explore through the grittiest parts of Manila and discover precious, invaluable pieces! Every week ensures a new selection of sustainable clothing to delve into. It’s arduous work but nothing beats the thrill of finding a really good piece at a really affordable price.

Lucy Cliff

Thrifting is the ultimate way to fight against fashion pollution and reduce fabric waste! Fast fashion brands are the fourth largest industry pollutants. It’s also a great way to give back to small Filipino businesses. Thus, here are some tips and tricks for thrifting in Manila! 1. Wear the raggiest clothes you own. A lot of thrift stores don’t show their prices and mostly make it up on the spot. They’ll charge you whatever they think you can afford. 2. Be super super nice! They’re more likely to give you a discount & they might show you where all the good stuff is! 3. Bring a buddy! There are a ton of clothes to go through. 4. Bring tote bags so that you don’t need to use plastic bags. 5. Go the last week of the month which is when items are at their cheapest or alternatively, go at the start of the month, which is when new stock comes in. Ella Sy

Movie

Princess Mononoke, Hayao Miyazaki

Treeline, Patagonia

Hayao Miyazaki is arguably Japan’s most famed director in recent times. Known for his whimsical and enchanting stories, paired with mesmerising animation, Miyazaki’s movies are well loved by both children and adults, and Princess Mononoke is no different. Many of his movies have a pro-environment message, but this is especially hammered down in Princess Mononoke. The main message of the movie is the importance of humanity living in harmony with the environment. Open yourself up to an amazing soundtrack, incredible visuals and leave thinking about how you treat the earth. Many of Studio Ghibli’s films have an environmental message so if you enjoyed this, go watch some more!

This stunning short film by Patagonia follows a group of skiers, snowboarders`, scienties and healers to three different locations: the birch forests of Japan, the red cedars of British Columbia and the bristlecones of Nevada, where they explore the secret life of trees. It sounds strange on paper, but watch the film (available on YouTube) and realize how much history and life flows through each tree.

Life of Pi, Ang Lee

My Octopus Teacher, Criag Foster

Life of Pi is, at the surface, a wonderful telling of the connection built between a boy and a tiger after both survive a ship wreck. But as we look deeper, it morphs into a story about our survival instincts as humans and how sacrifices of our humanity must be made in dire situations. This movie is meaningful and scenic, with a light touch of magical realism.

An exploration of the unusual yet heartwarming relationship between a man and an octopus. Through the documentary, we witness the progression of their relationship and the octopus gradually trusting the man, allowing him to experience his life under the ocean. Through a complete sensory medium of expression of life underneath, it conveys the message of how different his life was in comparison to the octopus' as well as shares life lessons he gained through the observation of the octopus' routine. If you appreciate dramatic yet heartfelt documentaries, it is worth giving this a try!

Recs

winston x glob

indigenous fili environ

Akshat Bohre

In light of our highly globalized and technologically advanced societies, it is easy to forget that the world is full of indigenous people. According to estimates from (wherever they got this statistic), there can be anywhere between 370 million to 500 million indigenous people scattered across the globe, which means that around one in every fifteen people are indigenous by heritage! One group of indigenous people that fascinates me is the Batak tribe. The Batak people live in the rainforests of North Eastern Palawan in the Philippines. They mostly depend on hunting, gathering and fishing. Okay, that seems rather ordinary. You may ask: why have I decided to choose this tribe? Out of the 17 million indigenous tribes that exist in the Philippines, why the Batak in particular?

Well, the Batak have an interesting belief surrounding plants that truly fascinates me. They believe that the plants, rocks, rivers, and even the weather, are all part of a spirit. This is part of the reason why the Batak people hate conflicts.

bal awareness

ipinos and the nment Unfortunately, this tribe is critically endangered. Since the 1900s, people began to migrate to the traditional regions that the Batak people inhabited. This consequently led to the resources and land of the Batak people to diminish. In the 1930s, although the government attempted to reserve the coastal plains around the island, these were soon settled and overrun by migrants in the 1950s. The Batak tribe was forced to move inland, far away from their original home. Their new settlements also had vastly different nature, meaning that they had to earn income through different methods. These included harvesting and selling non timber forest products, like tree raisins and honey. Many commercial collectors argue that the Batak had no legal right to extract these resources. However, on the other hand, many conservationists think that the Batak are helping significantly towards environmental conservation, as they have a much more sustainable way of collection than regular commercial companies. According to a 1990 census, there are only 450 Batak people remaining. Luckily, many government initiatives have emerged, giving the Batak a more stable and modern way of life. This has allowed them to survive and thrive, despite the forces that hinder their livelihoods. Hopefully, the end is far away for one the oldest and most environmentally caring tribes in the Philippines.

Kiri Diep

Fenella Bird

Kiri Diep/Ananya Suri

Alaire Dominguez Fenella Bird

blow out your candles!

I’m a year older today. The first time my eyes opened was supposed to be a few minutes after I was born But they’re still screwed shut and I am too scared to open them There might be something missing. The first time I said a word was supposed to be at 1 But my tongue remains a chunk of meat Wriggling as it creates useless sounds A part of me is still waiting to appear. The first time I fell in love was supposed to be at that Sweet Sixteen But my emotions are one, indistinguishable, forgettable Fleeting feelings that do not matter Now before I cut my heart and eat my cake, I’ll blow my candles out and wish for something truly special this year A consciousness created for me.

Ariel Wilk

Fenella Bird It was at midnight that we met In the strange gap before sleep Running through the aurora lights Your eyes, ocean filled marbles Your lips, soft hills Our consciousness, one It was at midnight that we met In the strange gap before sleep Running through the aurora lights Your eyes, ocean filled marbles Your lips, soft hills Our consciousness, one

fever d

You told me to meet you where the earth and sky shake hands Where the ladybugs mourn for their sisters The special space between them and infinity The special space for us It was then that I realized… This earthquake in my heart rumbles the desire for passion.

Coco Leather

dream

Ariel Wilk

Anita Villanueva

thank you for reading!

hey this is Editor-in-Chief Ananya Suri When I was a toddler, one of my brother’s favourite cartoons was Popeye the Sailor Man. Since I wasn’t able to talk, I would also be forced to watch this negative IQ sailor beat up some bad guy and save his girlfriend (super heteronormative tbh). But if there is anything I took away from the show, it’s that spinach makes you strong, and I’ve been called strong-headed ever since I was a kid. I’m sure Popeye had something to do with that.

Managing Editor Rachel Yu Okra is cool. Like me, obviously. It’s versatile and can blend in in various cuisines and dishes. I like to think I’m like okra in that way. Plus, they’re super gooey on the inside and even though I won’t openly admit it, I’m just the same. :)

Senior Editor Chris Lim My favorite colour is crimson red and I love eating spicy food. I would go so far as using spicy toothpaste if it existed. I’m also very annoyingly talkative and sometimes spice is the only thing that can get me to shut up.

us i guess Art Director Kiri Diep I really tried to think of something a little bit more ~spicy~, but chinese cabbage is all that came to mind. As an avid fan of soup (all soup), noodles, hotpot and the likes, chinese cabbage is a staple, and I think everyone would agree!! I love it and though some people may forget about it, those who really love Chinese cabbage are loyal fans (my cousin even wanted to buy a little jade figurine of chinese cabbage once). Video Director Caitlin Co Mangoes may be basic, but they taste really good, ripe or not, alone or with other stuff on the side. It’s sweet and sour at the same time, somewhat like me I guess. lol Also, when I was a kid, my mom would make mango float with graham crackers, condensed milk, and cream. To this day, it’s one of my guilty pleasures. :)

Photography Director Marco Siy “*Po-tay-toes!* Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew... Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.” Things you can do with potatoes: 1.Boil 2.Mash 3.Fry 4.Stew 5.Roast 6.Bake 7.Vodka 8.Gnocchi

Marketing and Service Director Heidi Vontobel When my mum gave me a rambutan for the first time I thought I couldn’t eat it. Seriously, who would want to eat all that hair? And that’s basically me- someone with very wild hair. But inside, I’m as sweet as it gets <3