ABOUT THE COVER Who are you? What purpose do you serve? What do you want to be? What do you mean? It means what it means. Like words that are continuously born and reborn in the English dictionary, every child that spawns in this world are new words that create their own meaning. As the rule of writing dictates, there is a perfect word for every nuance of thought—every word has a degree of severity and has a unique meaning of its own, regardless if it has synonyms or not. Hence, no two words are the same, and even synonyms do not mean the same thing. Analogous to this, a child is not a copycat of life meant to be spoon fed with fallen dreams and broken aspirations. Similar to the idea that synonyms (words that are perceived to mean the same thing) do not mean the same thing, a child is not doomed to mean the parent’s purpose. For every kid is special unique, so let no label define them. Child, you are your own person. You have your own mark in this world, so you have a destined distinct void to leave behind. It is simply just not the same without you here. You are what you have, but each word will always have synonyms and synonyms, despite not meaning the same, recognize each other’s meaning. They, too, understand the pain you suffered, the chaos you caused, and the things you had to endure just so you can make it this far. In a way, there will always be people who carry a meaning close to yours, and you will inevitably cross paths with them. They will understand. From then on, you don’t have to be alone anymore. Analogous to words, different people have different meanings. So let me ask you again: What do you mean? Cover by Audrey B. Diaz Words by John Clarenze C. Macalintal
PERSPECTIVES SYNONYMS 6 Tales of Venus 5 Subtle 8 Little 12 The Nature Nurture Controversy 9 Behind These Faces 14 Stranded 11 Repetition 16 Everybody Breaks 28 Happiness is Perfection 22 You are Your Own Geniuses 29 Two Scientists Walk into a Funeral 30 Touch Me Not LITerary 32 Not Now, Not Ever 33 The Great Divide 44 Monkey See, Monkey Do 45 Field of Line FEATURES 46 Good, Luck 48 Is all Just or Fair? 18 Sir Gali: His Physics Forces, His 49 Universe Kindness, and His Selfless Heart 50 The Voyager 34 Lipa Chronicles: A Guardian Unbeknownst 38 Pride March 2019 40 A Shot at Privilege 42 Iron Fist
Commercial FINAL FINAL.mp4 Secret IMG_2918.JPEG IMG_2916.JPEG IMG_2917.JPEG Definitions from Oxford Dictionary 4
Downloads KANON101 The.Secret. CAEPSTOEN Code.2019.720p. BluRay.x264- [YPS-PM].mp4 Nuances are responsible for the differences in meanings of synonyms. They describe the degree of severity and depth of sense that separates light and heavy meanings, which segregates sad and depressed. It is with practice of expression that humans are able to perfect their aim in acing what to tell because sometimes, what we say does not align with what we feel. This causes an expression-emotion mismatch—the leading cause of misunderstandings. popcorn 5
SILAHIS Audrey B. Diaz [email protected] Tales of Venus I cried. No one dared to look. No one to reduce hell population. Know that that is bothered to ask. No one seemed to care. In not a woman’s problem—they are not objects. moments that no one sees me when I need Let men be tempted not as sin beckoning but them to look is where I find why they avert because women are ethereal and there is no their gaze. They are not looking into my eyes. stopping that. They are looking at something under them— under my face, under my neck, under my Let them be tempted, and let them suffer collarbones. over the fact that they won’t be able to get women in the light they see them in. Let them I say no. fancy Venus. They are the last proof that men I find out that that word was not made want a deity they cannot have. for me when they finish—that there are things I was made for and things not for me. My They say evil is woman, but prove them vocabulary was not the only thing limited— wrong. Do good. People claim this to avoid it was what I wore as well. They said to swallowing their sins of oppressing women wear something that curtained curves, but and that they have built a society ruled in sometimes they want skin. patriarchy—the killer of matrons. It was as if a body was made catalyst of something tempting and evil—that her The Bible, the book of holiness, has been existence was danger. depicting women as one thing. It is when you Well, dear, she is everything but wrong look closely and not read it as something and nothing but right. Female is a danger so all knowing that you see it—women as the embrace it and never tread lightly. Step on pinnacle of evil and temptation. Not any eggshells because this time women know different from this are the concepts of that they are everything society said they Hinduism wherein the female’s duty, not were. only as a wife but as a human, is to bear Danger is female in every aspect for they the children of her husband and believe that are solace, unlike some who knows only fury they are worth nothing more than the roles and never heart. Women are balanced and burdened to them. kind, they are everything people deprived them of. They are menace in a sense that You would think that after long years the wrath changes its name to delicateness. of women suffering from the same deadly They smile at who hurt them as if saying disease of stagnation by the hands of men, “Dare look into my eyes with yours who never society has healed itself of this poison by the looked at me before. Do you see what I am? knowledge acquired through time but no. The I am everything you have claimed me to be disease has worsen, has become invisible to and more.” the eyes of all—even to the oppressed. Society Let men be scared for beauty is power. has normalized the concept of vandalizing a Temptation is female. You see, to be a woman by plastering lewd images of them woman means to mandatory control wants on billboards, portraying the female body as temptation in different TV ads, and telling the public that that was how life worked. 6
Break the stigma that the gloriousness Illustration by Daryelle Naomi Nastassja M. Guerrero between one’s legs is all they are good for, made for and good at. Being a woman requires accepting that people, men specifically, think that they have the responsibility to dull all sharp edges into worshipped curves. No. Say no because this time, you can. If they cannot handle a simple prick, then, that is their problem. Society has always put women on a pedestal of beauty, expecting everyone to follow an image. Chop off your hair—cut it short, wear bold makeup, wear anything you want, do not care. You are your own person, not the evil they have told you are, not the temptation that’s supposed to exist for others. If someone is offended by the claims, then stay offended. Care will never be yours to receive. Women have endured so long and could only take so much. Stay offended, stay angry for all of this is true. Realize that and find change in you because this is what female looks like—free. 7
THE NATURE NURTURE CONTROVERSY Words by John Clarenze C. Macalintal We are what the stars are made of. We are what makes up the universe. You are the result of the universe’s unfolding, of There is a catch though. There is always a catch. the melting comets burned by the sun’s impeccable You exist, but you are trapped between genetics and radiance, of the inevitable asteroid clashes that have environment. You may not know it, but they are everything swiped life off of the planet, of the successful and long that control you. For now, you do not own yourself. You awaited birth of the first living organism that generated are the result of the intertwining genetic combinations the endless evolution of life, of the punishing survival of your parental generation, and everything you have in of the first unfortunate humanoids, of the constructive your double-helix is everything that you can deal with, discovery of human society. Every step has led to you for now. being born. Truth be told, your success is pre-determined by the Now, you unconsciously savor the end-result, genetics lottery that you have no control of. The rich live ignorant of every effort that has failed, of the tiresome to sustain riches, and the poor live to suffer in poverty. trials that almost led to the surrender of the proponents Whether you belong to a fortunate social class or not, of your life. You have the freedom that our heroes once you will struggle. Life is truly unfair, but the bonds of fought for. You are who Jose Rizal and Antonio Luna destiny that bind potential can be broken as it is the died for. You are the proof of history and evolution as environment we thrive in that twist, tangle, unravel, you have won the race for life. Look above you, the breaks and connects our fate. sun and the moon are the same interstellar beings Cleopatra once looked upon. The Earth you stand on is Though the settings of life are not fair and we all the same planet Alexander wanted to conquer. You are play a track-and-field game with different starting pulled by the same gravity that once awoke the asleep points, it is still possible to get out of the dark places we Isaac Newton when the apple fell on his head. spawned on. Not all of us are given favorable starting positions. We may not know how to run, but that does You are alive and breathing, and you mean life not mean that our displacement is absolute. You can to someone. Understand that even the slightest of outgrow your cages and transcend your realities. You changes could have altered the way you are. The just must find an environment that will refine you. slightest adjustment could have led to an incurable error leading to the non-existence of you, yet here you So go ahead. Explore. are, existing. You may not like it, or will it and you may Do not be afraid. or may not have wanted it, but you exist. 12
Illustration by Eseankier Ritcher O. Cuevas 13
EVERYBODY BREAKS Words by Christine Kaye D. Librada According to science, pressure is defined as the What if pressure exposes the deepest of secrets as it quantity by how much force an object applies towards digs through the layers of a human character? As pressure another. It is relevant and significant in many situations as crushes whatever wall a person has built, they have nothing it is part of what has allowed people to break boundaries else to fight with and no one else to fight for, but themselves. and understand limits. It is what gives us knowledge of What if pressure pierces through the emotional well-being how to control things. It is how we can calculate how much of someone? What then when pressure does not serve its force is required for a shovel to dig through a soil, how purpose, when the only main intention is to strengthen one’s much pressure a blade needs to pierce through material resolve but instead, pressure pulls everything apart? What or how much strength a ball needs to travel to where it is happens when the pressure is too strong, stronger than a intended to be. person can endure? However, like all things, pressure requires moderation. Then pressure overpowers and it destroys. What happens when there is too much or too little? What happens when it is endorsed in the wrong place? There Pressure is only meant to press, to influence, to push, will be complications when the receiver cannot sustain to drive other people to explore outside their comfort zones, the amount of pressure the provider exerts, or when the so they may break their boundaries and surpass their limits. provider does not provide enough pressure for the receiver It is not meant to reveal. It is not meant to make someone to resist. That’s the thing with pressure; the victim is always vulnerable. Pressure is not meant to break. to be blamed, and burden always belongs to those who break. Nevertheless, we cannot change the fact that it exists in our society, in our family, with our friends. So what do we Pressure, furthermore, comes from different parts of do? We strive to realize how to be our own person, know our lives. They start from family, religious beliefs or the lack who we really are underneath the illusions they’ve drawn, thereof, friends, academic standards, and social norms. and start exploring to find the right environment that can The world will always try to break you. Society will make make ourselves, in their most genuine forms, grow. you concede. Your parents will bend the way you think. Your friends will curve the way you are, and if you don’t agree Now, go ahead and be the only one to create your with the way they deform you, they will abandon you. Then, tension to advance. Define your goals, so they may never you will belong to the distorted broken and alone, they who be tainted by anyone again, Achieve them, for success shake, tremble and falter at the memory of discard. will taste sweeter like no other that victory is your honest hunger satisfied. We, nevertheless, are unique individuals who have outgrown different environments, so we developed personalities nobody else can own. Our thresholds of pressure have different metrics, and our metrics, subjective. However, opposite to how different things handle pressure differently, we are all the same. Everybody breaks. There is no exception. Understand this; what may be acceptable for you, may already crush others. What you can shrug off, may resonate with me until I die, but what has bent me then could’ve broken you, and what has broken me then could’ve killed you. Remember. 16
Illustration by Eseankier Ritcher O. Cuevas 17
Beyond the resistance of air, any physics problem could easily be answered by a specific formula of structurally sounding variables. Beyond school life was a father that was resounding with forces beyond physics. His name was Sir Galileo Casala, and, no, he didn’t invent the telescope, but he explored something beyond time and space. He showed to the Lasallian community the way to teach and touch the depth of the human soul with concepts and ideas that don’t stray afar from the irreconcilable reality. According to the Laws of Motion, everything that is in motion will continue in motion unless an external force acts upon the moving body. With this, no stranger to the speed of light travelling in a vacuum, everything happened so quickly. In just a blink of an eye, the unthinkable happened. However, little did people know that, scientifically wise, someone in motion will always have a trace, a mark into which it has made its path. Indeed, Sir Gally, before passing away at the age of 47, made sure that he didn’t just pass away so easily, for the life he lived was full of memoirs that the entire community would never forget. 18
From friction to electromagnetism to all the science concepts that Sir Gali has taught in his 25 years of teaching in De La Salle Lipa, he made sure that such technical terms would not just be words but as living testament about life being intrinsically amazing. As physics is a subject that tries to answer life’s hows and whys, the veteran teacher didn’t just teach why a bowling ball and a feather would fall at the same time at the same height in a vacuum; rather, he taught, as well, how understanding such phenomenon will give rise to the idea that the value and capabilities of someone shouldn’t just be primarily based on the outside appearance. True to the definition of a teacher, he was someone who valued the intelligence and individuality in each student, even transcending different perspectives and mindsets, so as to nurture them into becoming more responsible and productive citizens. Going to the Discipline Office in an ordinary school day, you would have been offered snacks by Sir Gali. In his eyes, having a violation doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a bad person with no future. He would even inspire you to change for the better and assure you that he will always be one of the proudest ones cheering you up on the green carpet come graduation day. Strolling down memory lane, he was someone who would rather spend time and find joy with students who needed counsel. He, along with other grade moderators, redefined the position into someone you can really count on when you needed help. From the words of countless teachers, Sir Gali was blessed to have the ability to sense people who are stressed and in pain. In whichever workplace he would be assigned, he’d unhesitantly ask you questions about how your day was. Indeed, he would not even let any second in a conversation be filled with negativity. Unknowing to all, Sir Gali was a person who would rather concede in any argument, even if he was right, just to avoid conflict with others. As vibrant as he was, he would not brag his doctorate degree nor how fast he finished his masteral for he would rather be silent than arrogant with his fellow colleagues. 19
Born to an underprivileged family, Sir Gali’s family life was filled with so much struggle and sacrifice. In her tearful words, his mother Virginia Casala shares that ever since Sir Gali was a child, he already showed extreme persistence to both excel in education and help his family. Entering first grade at 5 years of age and finishing elementary as a valedictorian during his elementary days, Sir Gali would never forget people who were there with him alongside his journey. “Bagamat hindi mayaman, si Gali ay hindi kailanman nakakalimot. Mas pipiliin niyang wala nang matira sa kanya, mayroon lamang siyang maibigay sa taong nangangailangan,” Virginia added. Despite facing challenges of life all at the same time, he would still give sufficient time for his wife and his two children aged four and two. From his jokes to his advices to his compassionate smile, Sir Gali never considered anyone as his enemy as his friends told. From foolish students to ungrateful classes, he would do his best to make everyone smile while doing his job despite the possible backstabs from people who weren’t pleased with him. Living true in the Lasallian mission, he would spend hours in his office and in the corridors talking to people with his cheerful personality telling them to reach for their goals with a constant pat on the shoulders signifying his unwavering support. In his selfless heart, he would never empty on words of wisdom and come the time that you are involved in a case, he would see beyond the situation just to help you straighten your ways. Combatting a heart disease for almost 7 years, Sir Gali really had a brave heart. As his best friend, Sir Adel de Ocampo, of the Science Department recounts the pain behind the warrior’s vibrant personality, Sir Gali’s choice of not having angioplasty surgery was one of the biggest decisions the then-Physics JHS teacher had made just to avoid spending hundreds of thousands of pesos in medical operations. “Mas pinili ni Sir Gali na huwag magpa-angioplasty kasi sobrang mahal at ayaw niyang maging pabigat sa ibang tao kaya naman tiniis niyang makipaglaban at makipagsapalaran sa kanyang sakit sa puso,\" Sir Adel shared. 20
As a person who was born and raised to become an instrument of discipline and positivity, Sir Gali, in his persona, didn’t just enforce people to be better. He showcased to the whole community what it meant to show kindness and love. “Kayo’y magbabait,” a phrase Sir Gali used to tell students in a manner of optimism that despite students having to face many problems at school and perhaps even home, he still has his eyes of hope and compassion to other people. From the hundreds upon hundreds of lives he has touched, he truly was an angel sent. On the life of a teacher, a discipline officer, a father, a friend, a husband and a co-worker, his life was dedicated to serving others up until his last breath - when the Creator, himself, made his verdict to make the moving body be at rest. Indeed, as the first law of motion suggests, he has done enough, he is now alongside the angels of God in heaven for he has already fulfilled his mission on earth to teach, to touch, and to transform lives. 21
Happiness is Perfection The queue for the Grim is always long. the local garments factory, and volunteering People used to stand in lines, taking in religious congregations. Just what exactly did the Guardians do? water and meal-in-a-pills with them in case of thirst and hunger. Some brought their work Mary was advised once in a phone call, but realized their efforts to be productive “Cheer up. There’s more to life than sulking,” were fertile; the Guardians won’t return their Despite her friends’ attempts to make her possessions back after the cleansing. An feel better, they weren’t exactly supportive. heirloom ring, which Mary’s father wore, What Mary wanted was someone who’d be wasn’t even an exception. Cases of line with her and tell her that it’s okay, that what cutting and the ruckus it brought lead the she’s feeling is normal. For god’s sake, her Guardians to change the system. Thankfully, father died and The Republic dare say that to people now wait in rows of steel seats as grieve is abnormal! However, maybe... there is queue numbers are called via LED monitors. indeed something wrong with Mary. The queue for the Grim, nevertheless, The monitors flash Mary’s queue number remains long and perhaps, even longer. and she’s minutes away to being back to normal. The stories were right; the Guardians Mary wonders why people are so do take away all their clients’ possessions. determined to get rid of their negative They had Mary change into a dress which emotions. What’s so bad with sadness, fear, she later figures as a patient’s hospital gown. frustration or shame? The Republic insists, The next moments went like a blur to her. The “Citizens, you must not hesitate to cater Guardians recite a series of instructions, so to the services of our Disposal Center. The smoothly Mary can tell they know what they Guardians will cleanse and lift your spirit up.” are doing. They inject two serums into her Even Mary’s parents recommend the Disposal bloodline; one that ensures positive feelings Center when you feel down for days. They say are secured and intact from the extraction, it’s the “easiest remedy” as if your frustrations and the other, well, is anesthesia. The equates to a hangover, a tooth swelling, or cleansing begins thereafter. worse, a disease. The Guardians wake Mary up for the Eventually, Mary finds herself a month disposal ceremony. They say that her negative later, queuing for the Grim. She now belongs feelings have been completely sucked out of to the crowd of eager customers she has her system. In front of them is a round portal, been observing for years. She packed two the height of an ordinary door. Finally, it’s sets of meal-in-a-pills and a bottle of water the Grim, a realm where negative feelings just in case it takes her a day to be called. are thrown out and isolated. The Guardians She’s curious. How will the Guardians make instruct her to throw the sphere, which her feel normal again? contained all her negative feelings, into the Grim. Once done, Mary is given set of fresh Her father passed way due to heart clothes, escorted out of the room, and even attack. The sudden death wasn’t easy for at the exit, the Guardians reminds her of their Mary to take in—shock, grief, pain, longing, good cause, “The Republic is grateful for your depression—yet her mother, after just one taking part in the mission to make the world visit to the Grim, had already “resumed a better place.” her life as a normal citizen.” She’s back to attending dance fitness classes, working in CHARMAINDER Charmaine C. Estabas [email protected] 28
SCHRÖDINGER’S DUDE Aedrian Joshua O. De castro [email protected] Two Scientists Walk into a Funeral Two scientists walk into your funeral: You want the biologist to tell your a biologist and a physicist. You want both weeping father that you have hydrogen in scientists to step up to the podium and speak your cells, iron in your veins, and calcium in at your funeral. your bones. The very elements that make up your body were once forged in a massive star You want the physicist to talk to your that beautifully scattered its remnants into grieving mother about the first law of the galaxy to make all life and matter. The thermodynamics, that no energy is created physicist will tell him that you are as much the in the universe, and none is destroyed. You universe as a neutron star, a black hole, or a want your mother to know that all your energy, nebula. Even more, you are the universe’s way every vibration, every joule of heat, every wave of experiencing and knowing itself. You want of every particle of her beloved child remains your father to understand that while you live with her in this world. The physicist will tell in this universe, the universe lives within you. her that the warmth that flowed through you in life is still here, and amidst the energies of You want the physicist to explain to your the cosmos, you gave it all you’ve got. naive children that the tiny yellow ball in the daytime sky and the twinkling lights in the You want the biologist to remind your night sky are not shining beautifully for them, sobbing siblings that at one point in your they just are. The physicist will tell them that lives, you were only one single cell inside your this planet is not comparable to a speck of mother’s womb. From a single cell, you divided dust in this expanse of the universe, yet they into fifty trillion cells that fulfill specific tasks are truly free in a universe-sized playground. for the greater good of keeping you alive. You May the physicist let them realize that they want your siblings to know that there comes happen to exist at an excellent time, able to a time when your biological processes break be in awe about a universe filled with endless down, and the trees send its roots abroad, stars and planets and have plenty of time and pierce your body. Let them know that before the universe turns out its lights. the Earth, that nourished you, will claim your growth and you will be among some of the You hope that at the end of the scientists’ finest people who walked this world. eulogy, those who love you will understand that in the great, grand scheme of things, You hope that the physicist would step we're a tiny, momentary speck that was able down and walk to your brokenhearted spouse to marvel at itself for this precious little blip of and tell her that all the photons that ever time. If our life is all we get to experience, then bounced off your face, all the light whose it's the only thing that matters. If the universe paths were interrupted by your smile and by has no meaning, then we get to get to decide the strand of your hair, have raced off like whatever it means. We might as well light up butterflies, their paths forever changed by the faces of those we come across, so when you. May the physicist let her know that all the our time is out, we leave with more smiling photons that bounced from you have gathered faces than when we started pondering. in her eyes, traveled in her optic nerves, and will exist undyingly in her memory. 29
MARIA KLARO Maria sophia andrea E. Rosello [email protected] Touch Me Not I feel so stupid. Who am I even kidding? I and I fought for it. It wasn’t an easy battle, but am stupid. I’m spiraling, and here I go again in I’m not one to give up. this never-ending loop of agony that shouts at me at every meter drop. Shit. I know this world Amado. The teacher. He taught me a lot. is cruel, but that is why I must live through it; He even got me closer to God. He was so I can’t just stand still while the world screws nice, or so I thought so... There wasn’t a day me sore over and over again; hasn’t it already in our relationship that he didn’t lie to me. I done enough? was so stupid to believe and take him back day after day, lie after lie, I couldn’t help it. I am a worker of love. People laugh at me, Where’s the sin in falling love, right? But he call me names because of what I do for love; got tired and so did I. He eventually left me, prostitute, call girl, comfort woman, pokpok but we still keep in touch. Then came, Japs. even, and I just don’t care. I have to work; no, That douche. Don’t even get me started with I need to work. I have no other choice. In this him. Womanizer. Had this crazy itch in his economy? With this ruling class? Everyone pants all the time. Oh, does that man make gets fucked over once or twice. my blood boil. Fucking trash. As a working woman of pleasure, I am Oh! Before anything else, I forgot to belittled and seen as filthy, crude, inhumane, introduce myself. I even got to the dickheads but quite the contrary, I am still human; I am that hurt me before my own identity. Ako nga still aware of the power of love, the love of pala ang tanging ina, ang Inang bayan. power, the swallowing of melancholy, the radiance of happiness, and the heavy pang of Other than being the home of the pain. wildest of winds, it is publicly known that my government has beaten Magdalene I’ve loved before. Maybe thrice, four for being such a big whore. Stripped off of times? justice for every Filipino. Worn out with other countries sucking my own riches out of my Spitz. Not the most beautiful name but own nip. Coerced to swallow the laws with he was my first love, longest one too. He dripping load. Banded the minds blind as the had a catch; sure, he was sweet but only government humped my lifeless body. Forced like peppermint candy; his sweetness faded to open the pearl of the orient to penetrate as time went on. He had this way with me. I with bulky boats to create their very own port. felt hostage; chained to be a slave for him, to Ejaculated with my own countrymen for them come at his beckoning call, to only follow him to serve other countries and felt up gradually at his own set of rules, I felt that there was with rising rates. no escape. I didn’t have my freedom anymore. It was always about him and only him. We You know what, there will come a day, I’ll stood side by side in front of the camera just disappear, be gone; I’ll just be this rotting taking false pictures depicting our “Happily post-paradise of those who once lusted Ever After”, without him even telling me that it treasure. was all just for his self-portrait. I needed out, 30
Illustration by Daryelle Naomi Nastassja M. Guerrero 31
Not Now, Not Ever Welcome to Feilübin! five Corvettes and five Fast Attack Craft to The Pearl Orient of China. reclaim the area. It has been a day since the China’s Suddenly, boom! One of the FAC was declaration of war against the Philippines. hit by missiles which came from the Chinese Everything is tragic as the country is on the warships. This angered the marines which led verge of becoming a province of China. It all them to fire back. It was a total chaos on the started a month ago, when the investigation sea as ships of the two countries sunk and of the sunken Philippine fishing vessel hundreds of people float unconsciously in ablazed tensions between the two countries. the fiery water. After an hour, the battle ended The ruling favored the Philippines as it was and the Philippines won desperately with discovered that the Chinese ship intentionally only a ship left. They were able to reclaim the hit the vessel Gem Vir-1 and did not rescue Scarborough Shoal, but it was not the end. the Filipino fishermen afterwards. The This was only the beginning. captain and the crew of the Chinese ship was sentenced of imprisonment but was later The world was rattled as the Chinese freed due to the plea of China president Xi government declared war against the Jinping. Duterte agreed in exchange for China Philippines and up until now, the Philippine to help the crash victims as he believed that president was silent. He was left devastated this will strengthen the country’s relationship being betrayed by his so-called \"new friend.\" It with China. Many Filipinos were disappointed is only a matter of time until China deploys its of the president’s decision saying they were army and machineries and launch a full-attack shocked but not surprised. endangering the lives of about 100 million Filipinos. It is only a matter of time until the Two weeks after the agreement, the Philippines become Feilübin, its Chinese term Chinese government deployed more and more as a province of China. All of this can happen of their ships in the territorial waters of the at once if our leader would still choose to be Philippines; however, the president was not a blind puppet of a ferocious dragon hungry alarmed. “We shouldn’t be scared. This is only from gold and glory. part of the joint exploration. We get two-thirds of the oil. They get one-third of it,” Duterte said No one wants to suffer another century in defense of the Chinese’s action. The people in the hands of its enemies. War is neither were dismayed and worried as their leader attractive or bewitching. It is monstrous and transforms into a puppet of China day by day. obscene as its very nature is suffering and slavery. If it really comes to the point where Then, the Chinese broke its promise we will fight, do we have what it takes to as they began to build facilities and survive? The answer is indefinite as it is by infrastructures in the rocky outcrop of experiencing this wrath will we only know Scarborough Shoal. It was heavily guarded whether it is our last stand. However, one by at least eight small military ships denying thing is for sure; a single thread of hope can fishing access within the territory. This turn the tables upside down. We were once alarmed the Philippine government as it toyed by foreign lands, but our love for the clearly violates the tribunal ruling in the country sparked the revolution for freedom. South China Sea. They tried to talk to the Once again, when the time comes, we must Chinese government but was only ignored be ready because the Philippines is not a as if they don’t want to communicate. The province of China. It will never be a part of Philippine Navy then send its military ships- China. Not now. Not ever. GET IT? Lanz William A. Macuha [email protected] 32
YOUNG AND YEARNING Ydnar Yvann L. Oriño [email protected] The Great Divide As the minutes tick by the pounding opinions on highly sensitive subjects such clock, the countdown towards midnight as reproductive rights. Those discussions dwindles fast. Late night news programs are likely to happen within families and provide plenty of topics that serve as friends resulting to differing opinions and conversation starters for a lot of Filipinos. sometimes causing people emotional pain News about the increase in inflation rate can and separation. Indeed, heightened levels turn people into mixed emotions with some in of political arguments are unfortunate for disarray while others in a comfortable bliss. everyone as they genuinely affect friendship Consequently, something about successful and question one’s own place in the society. police operations involving casualties might produce satisfying feelings to some while In order to solve heated arguments others would be in a worrisome cry towards especially in political and societal issues, the end of cruel means. As such, the political people must give into the idea that eradicating divide in the country is undergirded by a deep differences can only be done if people would moral and ideological divide. try to empathize with the struggles unfamiliar to him or her. As such, judgement must not In acountry that has majority of its citizens be casted out just based on the fallacy that being Christians, people are conservative with if someone is not with you then they are what they choose to believe in and whom they against you for indeed humans must enable will segregate themselves with. Similar to this, themselves to see things from another's having a strict religious background will make spectrum. one against legalizing same–sex marriage, while having a liberated family background Bridging the gap among various political would make one a pro-choice type of person. loyalties, people must aim towards being Meanwhile, the fundamentals of the beliefs of pro-humanity rather than just being pro- one person originate well from what he or she government. This is because history tells us experiences and perceives in real life. that if a person’s political stand would just lean towards the government then, it shall With that in mind, families bonding show us the tales of how Germans gave the together with a common purpose might world Hitler, how Russians gave us Stalin and tackle on topics that can affect their how Iraq gave us Saddam. Meanwhile, having relationship with each other such as financial a stand of pro-humanity in political issues will status, education, and even societal issues. give us the likes of Mandela and Gandhi. Moreover, it is undeniable that disputes would arise from the differences in perspective for People would continue to argue unless each individual. But digging dipper into this, there would be this unifying force that would history itself was not without disputes. pass down genuine judgement in each argument. With this being said, the endless Since the beginning of time, men have cycle of argument and rebuttal, that we see fought gallantly towards supremacy through too often these days, will continue to exist various ideologies in which they attest as unless people would be able to keep emotions true. Documents even state that the world in the calm zone. wars emerged due to differences in beliefs and philosophies. Up to the present-day era, Political ideologies are a direct reflection the world is still in great divide with regards to of your core values. It isn’t about trying to issues confronting day-today challenges from convince others of the rightness of your birth control to abortion to legalizing divorce. stand and the wrongness of theirs. Having a political stand means caring for humanity On the other hand, the world feels as and stating that hope is still possible despite though it is constantly being bombarded with irreconcilable differences. 33
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Started in 1996, an annual local event that brings together and binds the queer community in a parade of pride. https://mmpride.org/ 39
A SHOT AT “If these [mining] companies pursue their plans, our PRIVILEGE ancestral lands will be destroyed. And of course, the only hope we have for our future generations lie on our ancestral Words by Katrina Janina M. Recto lands [because this is where we made schools for them],” thus, said Femia Culliamat, a Lumad elder in an interview Far too often Filipinos, particularly those that live with Rappler’s MovePH. outside of Mindanao, forget their privilege; they forget what they have and tend to look at what they do not. In addition, Gleeza Belandres, a Lumad student in Unconsciously, people ask: Why can’t I buy that bag my Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood batchmate has? Why didn’t I have a better test score Development (ALCADEV), mentioned that the reason why after an all-nighter, while my classmate who studied she was provided education was because of the efforts of last minute got a perfect score? Why can’t my mom just her parents and elders to take it upon themselves when the allow me to spend a night-out with my friends on Tuesday government’s service did not reach them. night? Why, despite years of pleading for the education and rights that my community deserves while supporting But as they unceasingly stand their ground, members the President, do indigenous peoples still get killed? of the Armed Forces of the Philippines continue to bomb However, perhaps the last question does not frequently Lumad schools and kill their school administrators and appear in self-reflection. Lumad elders, after gathering the community to watch. It may have never occurred to them that the Lumad In September 2015, a paramilitary group gathered community still battle for the rights to their ancestral 2000 residents from the village of Diatagon in Lianga, land, or it may have appeared in their Twitter timelines Surigao del Sur, and shot Dionel Campos and his cousin one time, retweeted it, and that’s it. Privilege. Do people Datu Bello Sinzo. That is after stabbing Emerico Samarca, really understand the depth of it? executive director of ALCADEV, in that area. Since the government and mining companies have Their rights as Lumad and as human beings continue discovered the resources that can be extracted from the to get trampled by the government and the children, who lands of indigenous peoples, it has been the former’s they claim as their only hope, suffer from it. objective to profit from it, even at the expense of killing its inhabitants. Femia Culliamat added that their community walks in fear and worry because President Duterte, whom Lumad, a Visayan term that means “Born of the they thought will save them from poverty and lack of Earth,” make up 61% of the Indigenous Peoples in the education as he had promised before the 2016 elections, Philippines. Lumad ancestors have preserved culture and have uttered far too many times that he will order to tradition, as well as their lands even when the Philippines bomb Lumad schools as he accuses that it teaches the was colonized. With the discovery of the potential of their children to be subversive and rebels. land, it has been their duty to protect it along with their rights. 40
In a press conference after his 2017 State of the because what the Indigenous peoples are fighting for Nation Address, Duterte said, “I will use the Armed is something a lot of Filipinos already have and so, they Forces, the Philippine Air Force. I will bomb all of you [in earn a mere jibe at being an inconvenience? the Lumad schools including your structures]. Because you are operating illegally and you are teaching the “[Despite seeing my uncle, grandfather and children to rebel against government.” community elders get shot] I get my strength at thinking that they are never really gone and what they have done Just recently, 55 schools were shut down by the for the community is something I want to continue,” Department of Education, and the number of Lumad expressed Gleeza Belandres, Lumad student. farmers getting killed continue to rise. Lumad children watch as violence against their communities unfold. Today, various protests to save ancestral lands are emerging while most have endured even as protesters Filipinos have a collective responsibility in overseeing are forced to surrender. Where these protesters come if the rights of the minorities are observed. Unfortunately, from says a lot about privilege, but it says a lot more the very people who preserve the Philippine culture are on their will to rise beyond it and see realities bigger neglected. Is it because the privileged only choose which than them. part of the culture they want to involve themselves? Is it Illustration by Marco Alejandro Villapando 41
Blood soaked amidst Sudan’s relentless pursuit of National Democracy IRON Words by Lance Carlo J. Mendoza Re-Building Burnt Bridges With their unrelenting crusade to bring democracy to Sudan and political power to its With cries for justice and reparations louder than ever civilians, the fierce Sudanese protesters headed to before, an uneasy verbal deal regarding the leadership of the heart of their nation in the city of Khartoum last Sudan was reached between the TMC and the civilian Jun`e 3 and form a large sit-in, as a brave attempt to protesters on July 5. An 11-member sovereign council overthrow the military government. was established and comprised of 5 civilians, 5 military members, and a civilian to be mutually agreed upon by Unfortunately, in a violent display of their power the two sides. This council will essentially overlook the and authority, the ruling Transitional Military Council transitional government that will lead the shift of the (TMC), headed by their Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Sudanese government into a democratic system. launched an unprecedented open-fire campaign on the pro-democracy protesters present at the sit- The transition itself will last for 3 years and 3 in, leaving a horrible trail of bloodshed. Sudan saw months, wherein the presidency will rotate between, first, hundreds of unarmed civilians dead, with precise the military for 21 months and then the civilians for the estimates unknown due to the complete blockage of remaining 18 months, leading to a democratic election Internet access that occurred soon afterwards. for said presidency soon after. A cabinet of ministers to be appointed by the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) This brutal crusade on democracy has also as well as the formation of a legislative council were also extended to other inhumane acts committed terms included in the deal. against the protesters and civilians, most notably the occurrence of mass rapes headed by memberts However, perhaps the most important detail in the of the RSF on men and women alike. Reports of deal is the independent investigation to be conducted into Sudanese doctors estimated that approximately 70 the events of the 2019 Sudanese coup d’etat, including people became victims of sexual assault during the the Khartoum Massacre. Many accounts of the unjust Khartoum Massacre. acts by the RSF and demonstrators buried ones that couldn’t see the light of day due to the Internet blockage Upon disclosure of the details of these harrowing and subjugation of media during the unrest. One could reports of rape by the RSF, Activist Dalia Roub, a only hope that the investigations will deliver the swift member of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party, justice yearned by every Sudanese and will serve as the denounced the acts as attempts at demoralization first significant step in mending the broken relationship in of the campaign for democracy. He said, “The the nation of Sudan. symbolism behind the rape of women is very substantial. It’s aimed at breaking society.” Global Perception and Intervention The violent crackdown launched on the pro- Eventually, the threat to democracy that this democracy citizens and the complete subjugation massacre displayed caught the eye of not only high- of mass and social media proved to be one of the profile celebrities such as Rihanna, George Clooney most brutal and aggressive campaigns set by the and Ariana Grande who all have voiced their support to Sudanese government. This was against the presence the victims, but also the United Nations (UN) and major of democracy in Sudan and the emergence of civilian democratic governments around the world such as the autonomy amongst the Sudaneses masses. United States. The US, in particular, have sent diplomats headed by Donald Booth, the newly-appointed US state A global outpouring of support soon followed envoy to Sudan, to negotiate and craft a “peaceful the revelation of the massacre on social media. An solution” to the unrest that has devastated the Instagram post honored the memory of 26-year-old country. Moreover, the African Union (AU), which has Mohamed Hashim Mattar, after being allegedly shot momentarily suspended Sudan’s membership in the dead during the initial crackdown of RSF in Khartoum. wake of the crisis, has also sent their own diplomats to The colour used to honor his death, blue, was help with the negotiations. immediately picked up on as the emblem of Sudanese unity. Various businesses and social media users used it along with the hashtag #BlueForSudan to support the victims of the unrest. 42
Illustration by Eseankier Ritcher O. Cuevas 43
Illustration by Marco Alejandro Villapando Crescit Literary 44 Just Now Monkey See, Monkey Do. Monkey See Monkey do The Monkey I’ll talk about Try to guess who Monkey saw online How beauty was defined He continued scrolling and scrolling With a task he had in mind First was Facebook Monkey did not have many likes “Only two hundred and twelve? Not enough to pass the hype!” Twitter was second And oh there’s a trend All of the people are flexing He worries how to blend? Instagram came next Were monkey saw a man and a lady Dressed with designer clothing With “must have” Gucci Monkey got jealous So Monkey thought “Monkey needs to copy!” So everything he saw he made his parents bought Monkey’s socials blew up The more likes he gained He’s now an “influencer” His impact became a continuous chain Monkey saw it on media And Monkey did what he can do But now he’s just a copy of a copy And I hope that monkey isn’t you. Words Kristel Izza May C. Datinguinoo by:
littpad Field of Line. Words by Ghia Alessandra A. Coronel Illustration by Eseankier Ritcher O. Cuevas Read As the sun rises, and you’ve come to witness How too little may be too much for your own eyes to see Vast, and caving, a world never ending Impending in chaos, sky collapsing There’s nothing that you need to know but the truth, that much is certain Although in this race against time, everything is a burden To breathe is now a strenuous effort Should the struggles of life serve as some sort of comfort? Tomorrow is the one thing that will forever remain debatable There is nothing to ensure how much it will turn out to be unstable Never ending hurdles thrown at your face Wake up, challenge reality with a grin upon your face. 45
“Lady luck will smile upon you today,” said my ecstatic cousin as he reads the piece of paper embedded within his fortune cookie. As a man of science and a firm believer in the concept of merit, I have always dismissed luck as nothing more than a sorry excuse for dudes to blame their misery on circumstances they find them- selves. They do that instead of shifting their train of thought to their inability to pick themselves up and transcend their realities. Good, Luck With this, I find it confusing that those who find success are the ones who attribute their climb to the top to this abstract state of being blessed with fortune. I mean, am I the only one who finds it Words by: ridiculous that an intangible supernatural force, which our minds can only comprehend, is somehow Lance Carlo J. Mendoza paving a flowery path for us towards the pot of gold at the very end? Good or Luck? As I begin to wander off again, a loud cry of “You’re one lucky man!” brought me back to reality as if my very being was encoded to snap at these kinds of boisterous mumbo jumbo. Illustration by: Dhale Clifford M. Campos “Brother, are you all right?” said my brother Hugh. “Of course I am. Just dozed off for a second there,” I replied back. I recognized the voice of that loud cry. It was my relentless cousin, Nate, celebrating my older brother, Hugh’s promotion. Now, Nate here, well, let’s just say he’s my polar opposite especially when it comes to this luck thing. Frankly, I think he is deluded. Would you believe that your milestones aren’t there because of your own blood, sweat, and toil? Isn’t that a total dismissal of your pain? People work hard for the things they achieve. “Exactly, you were there at the right event at the right place at the right time,” Nate muttered. “All of the odds that day were in your favor. You entered the right lottery, at the right place where they were giving out that right combination of digits, and thanks to the good Lord above, you were right there just to receive it. Of course, you wouldn’t have been there if I didn’t nag you to death but you catch my drift. Are you really going to push the notion of coincidence that far?” he explained in a serious manner. “Yeah, it could still be mere coincidence,” I said nonchalantly. “Well, how about your brother’s promotion? Wasn’t he fortunate enough to be presented with an invaluable opportunity to pick up the slack of his fellow employees and show his boss that he’s ready to ascend the ranks in the company? If he hadn’t gone to work that day and did that, well, we might not be here celebrating, am I right?” Nate said, sternly defending his side. I could no longer contain myself, “How dare you dismiss Hugh’s hard work? He got that from pushing himself to get better everyday! I will not allow you to undermine all his efforts!” Hugh, who was there the whole time watching, came to calm us both down. “Merit and good fortune come hand-in-hand, guys,” he started, “Yes, success is the fruit of hard work, but sometimes, we cannot deny that in this unpredictable world of ours, having some luck can definitely come a long way.” With that, I found myself lost in questioning. LitPad Is it better to be good or lucky? To finally get the answer to that, well, good luck. 46
Good, Luck Words by: Lance Carlo J. Mendoza Good or Luck? Illustration by: Dhale Clifford M. Campos LitPad 47
r/Literary r/literary // Words by u/Maria Sophia Andrea E. Rosello Is all Just or Fair? I remember my first time walking into court. I was so young and naive; I had no idea why there were some huge men dragging my father in front of so many people. I saw the faces around scrunch up as my dad walked in front of them. There were whispers, inaudible because of how many they were, but I did hear one, “What kind of man would do that?” Shivers went up my spine, my father was a good man. He would always carry me up on his shoulders, bring me to bed when I fell asleep on the couch. It made me think I had some supernatural-teleportation-skills growing up. He was like a superhero to me, shielding me from constant danger, doing his utmost best in keeping me safe, but it seemed like I was the only one who could see that, the only one. We were a happy family. My parents both only had me and, while others would assume that it would spark jealousy between them, I actually had quite a nice childhood. My mom would be present most of the time. She told me she was busy a lot; I understood. She had thousands of friends, and billions of stories. She was interesting. My dad, however, didn’t agree with me on tha— the sound of the hitting of a gravel breaks my train of thought. “The jury finds the accused guilty.” “The verdict is unanimous.” “Mr. Ramirez, a jury of your peers has found you guilty of murder in the second degree of your spouse, Mrs. Roberta Ramirez. Sheriff, please take this man into custody.” He was just trying to save me; he was my hero. Illustration by Eseankier Ritcher O. Cuevas But life really isn’t fair. It just isn’t. 48
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