NOISE VOL. 66 NO. 4

Art by JAZIEL ANN V. SEBALLOS

FOUNDED 1956 facebook.com/thespectrumusls · [email protected] VOLUME 66 NUMBER 4 · NOVEMBER 2021 KYNAH RHEA B. FUENTES HANA PATRICIA RAJ E. HAUTEA Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor IVEE E. MANGUILIMOTAN PATRICK N. BILLOJAN Managing Editor External Affairs Director Creative Director ANGELA A. CORONEL Newspaper Editor DREXEL JOHN N. AMIT Assistant Newspaper Editor KRIZZIA RICCI T. NEPOMUCENO Magazine Editor LANCE CHRISTIAN M. JUAREZ Online Editor MERYL C. SIGATON Literary Editor IMMALIE ROSE E. CAFIFGE Photos & Videos Editor KARL BRIAN T. MARQUEZA Layout & Graphics Editor MIKEY VINCENT T. VICENTE Newspaper Writers Photojournalists ALAN S. VILLANUEVA JR. KEILAH N. BALDOMAR ALYSSA NICOLE T. MAQUIRAN PHOEBE DAIDOJI Q. JABONETE ANNA MARIA J. VILLANUEVA MA. MICAH DEARIELLE V. TRAJERA Magazine Writers Videographers ADRIANNE H. SAPLAGIO KYLE JOBE B. DE GUZMAN GABRIEL M. LEZAMA RODNEY A. JARDER JR. ELIZABETH D. FERNANDEZ Illustrator Online Writers JAZIEL ANN V. SEBALLOS ESTHER JOYCE M. LIMBAÑA JHUNE N. TINGSON Layout & Graphics Artists Literary Writers GERICO T. GUANCO PERLYN JOY L. SUGANOB FERRY LYRA B. FRONDA EJ NELL VOEN A. FLORENDO Editorial Assistant ZALDY MAR L. LAVADA JR. MA. KRISTINE JOY R. BAYADOG Web Administrator Moderator CHRISTIAN DOMINIC L. LEDESMA MICHAEL V. BAYLOSIS The Spectrum is the Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle. Its editorial office is located at the Coliseum grounds, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100; it can be reached through the telephone number, (034) 432-1187 local 172 and e-mail address, [email protected]. All rights reserved. No part of The Spectrum may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Media Corps. All contributions become The Spectrum property and the Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to edit all articles for publication.

Editor’s Note

An unwanted disturbance triggers a decoding- About the encoding mismatch. This is authenticated by the Cover fluctuation of sounds—primarily those that interrupt and irritate our auditory perception. Yet even the deafening Bathed in the coarse sands of interference, silence of the wee hours produces incessant ringing in we prime our gaze towards silence: a our ears; even the absence of sound resonates much too suspension of stimuli, a held breath— sharply. an impossible respite. Though the possession merits a pushback, it’s only in Albeit further complicating how this concept is our acceptance where these winds wane. determined, the Shannon-Weaver’s communication As will we, the Noise persists to be. model is never wrong for putting in another crucial idea The cold splits and fractures crack through like in its linear model and for arguing that it essentially shattering glass and root themselves deeper comes in two factors. Whether internal or external, it and deeper to our very cores. We may shrink sparks uproar in the thoughts and speech of humans. down to the abrasiveness of the hissing and the snarls of the sounds, but we should never bow. Hence, noise is not necessarily audible. Attempt to stitch back the reality in place. Ground and grasp it tightly lest it rips Quite contrary to how others perceive it, it’s the you apart along with it. Face the static; inaudible ones that chaotically stitch disorder in our you are in more control than you think. entity. Compared to ear-piercing noises, these are felt. Consider now the resentment you’ve been longing to pour out but preferred to hold in—those words left unsaid leave your facade unscratched, yet it cracks a piece within you. Think about the times when you were physically, mentally, and emotionally strained but were too reserved to get it off your chest at home—those silent whimpers bearing the most excruciating pain. The commotions concealed within humans unceasingly entangle more threads, thereby ruining one’s purpose of existence. Notwithstanding this cacophony, we jostle with life amid appalling reverberations. The persistence to stay afloat amid the chaos is what keeps us alive. And as we get used to it, our ears learn to filter out the static. Adding noise to the picture destroys the linearity of Shannon-Weaver’s model. Similarly, if humans embrace such a notion, we will be cognizant of the reality that life itself is non-linear—that it gets complex and unpredictable no matter when. Shutting off all the unwanted disturbances in our life—within and without—can’t drive out noise in perpetuity. It is here to stay, to toughen life’s complexity and unpredictability, and to guarantee a well-balanced, meaningful existence to humanity. KYNAH RHEA FUENTES 66th Editor-in-Chief



Art by PERLYN JOY L. SUGANOB & JAZIEL ANN V. SEBALLOS

Blitz How long has it been since we’ve been here? Trudging through this sea of static, we held our conviction’s candle to the darkness—only to find torrents of nihilism. We knew that the only way is forward, but in an abyss, how would we know forward? A subtle cacophony of dronning and buzzing hovers over us like vultures. Disoriented from this gnawing against our ears, we struggle to take one arduous step after another. There is no other option with time’s arrow as our compass and warden. Staying still is for corpses, after all. Everyday, we squint at a light at the end of a tunnel we cannot escape from. After being accustomed to so much stimuli, being in pure silence has never been so horrifying. Who knew that a screeching silenace could make each of us feel so small? The fragility of life; the nihilism in routine; the people turned statistics—we aren’t just anxious or terrified, we are all in quiet, numbing agony. With a bloodied scythe looming over our heads, we get up from our beds all the same, all typical, all mundane. Vulnerable but unflinching. How much longer do we have to go? We may not know, but the static can only go on for so long. There is nothing we cannot endure. *** The Spectrum would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the following: Sir Michael Baylosis for his enthusiastic support and guidance throughout this year; to Anastasia Alcantara for capturing the chaos in our cover; and to IMPRESS Quality Printing for their steadfast service. And of course, we thank you, dear reader, for bearing the static with us. We hope peace comes your way soon. Art by PERLYN JOY L. SUGANOB

NOISE

DISCUSSION When the Flame Dies Out A discussion piece exploring the journey towards the death of a passion—highlighting the possible reasons, factors, and circumstances that come into play—and the eventual path towards recovery. Words by ANNA MARIA J. VILLANUEVA Art by JAZIEL ANN V. SEBALLOS To have lost or to be lost? THE SPARK OF INTEREST Everyone has been there. Whether There is always a first time for it was a loved one’s death or a bad everything; however, it is a matter of breakup, the concept is all too familiar. taking the first step. It is ingrained in Loss is and will always be an inevitable one’s psyche that everyone is destined part of life. Now, what happens to do something, and it is up to the when it is the loss of your passion for individual to discover what that is. This something? If you are one of those leads to trying new things, hoping that who have always known what to something will stick in the long run. pursue since the beginning, well, good for you. For others, it is an entirely The spark of interest can appear different story. through varying methods at different times in life. It can be the thunderous Depending on the individual, the cheers at the stadium during one’s journey towards finding their passion first goal in a football game, getting is a franchise of sequels, reboots, chosen to do a solo performance or even rewrites—all defined by at a recital, or embarking on a new circumstances in life. There is no one business venture post-retirement. recipe for pursuing a passion. It is a Ultimately, there is no expiration date matter of taking the chance, seeing for finding one’s passion. Like a timely where it goes, and overcoming the sign from the universe, it can appear at setbacks. the most random opportunities. 10

FINDING THE MOMENTUM depleted that one feels they can For example, someone with After a period of trial runs, one no longer maintain themselves a harmonious relationship with emotionally or psychologically. exercising will be able to freely realizes this might just work. What were engage in a fitness session while once casual hobbies and interests Additionally, the challenges can being able to enjoy other aspects of have now turned into something come from within. Gaither highlighted their lives. Compared to an obsessive promising—things they excel at and the lack of personal achievement relationship, wherein they feel genuinely enjoy. An example would be and overworking until it turns into compelled to always work out even if the “child prodigies” who are usually a boring routine. Such was the case they are sick. put under the care of the best teachers during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and programs upon showing great wherein people struggled to motivate Having an obsessive relationship potential, maximizing their innate themselves while being confined at with one’s passion leads to its downfall. talent. home. Perhaps time and maturity have Upon realizing this, a moment of also taken the wheel, with people reflection washes over: “Did you Discovering one’s potential in a naturally growing out of things. The control the activity or did it control particular field can be a “Eureka!” dilemma boils down to accepting this you?” Life is now at a crossroads— moment. People can begin to make reality and letting go. where do they head to next? changes in their lives, ultimately THE BURNOUT THE SPARK OF HOPE prioritizing this newfound passion of theirs. Game plans are mapped It is time to face the music: the fire It is time to start anew. Now, it out and goals are manifested. Hope has been extinguished. Emptiness is back to square one, and that is beams on the horizon—what more can starts to sink in, making one reflect okay. It could be an opportunity to one ask for? on the amount of time they spent realign one’s priorities or to rekindle a WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH pursuing their passion—or what they harmonious relationship with what was thought it was. once loved. When that spark comes Eventually, the twist and turns begin. back, one can choose to pursue an Whether it would be contemplating to Canadian researcher Robert entirely new thing or a variation of fully pursue this endeavor, deciding to Vallerand and his team proposed a interests, such as athletes becoming continue despite the lack of fulfillment, dualistic approach towards passion: coaches or musicians turning into or finding the sense of motivation harmonious and obsessive. Harmonious producers. amid a pandemic—one’s quest towards passion results from an autonomous pursuing their passion gets put to the internalization, wherein one is willing The death of a passion does not test. to engage in an activity without any signify the end of the road—however, it contingencies attached. Obsessive could end up being a gateway towards External factors start to interfere passion, on the other hand, stems from finding what you were truly destined in the journey such as lack of time or an activity’s unhealthy internalization for. Everyone has different timelines, peer pressure. Family physician Clark into one’s identity because of pressure ebbs, and flows in this journey towards Gaither cited emotional exhaustion as and attached contingencies—such as fulfillment—that is life, isn’t it? To have an indicator of an upcoming burnout, social acceptance, high self-esteem, or lost, to be lost, and in the right time… defining it as being emotionally even money. to be found. S “To have lost, to be lost and in the right time... to be found.” 11

SOCIETY War for Public Mind: The Power of Propaganda An article that tackles how propaganda has transformed over time and how it is now being used to brandish power in unconventional ways—cunningly pushing conformity for misdeeds in the society. Words by FERRY LYRA B. FRONDA & ALAN S. VILLANUEVA JR. Art by MA. MICAH DEARIELLE V. TRAJERA & MIKEY T. VICENTE Only the strong and history. Following the Athenians’ ruthless breathe to see first application of the concept in another day—that was the games and theater, it was ordained cruel reality presented by the Catholic Church to describe to humanity in the past its strivings to falsify the Protestant where fistfights, sword code of beliefs in the 1600s. It was strokes, and gunshots only in later times that the word ruled over the world, until embodied a deceitful and subversive words brought mankind undermeaning, as nations used it together. And yet, although to band together the populace in these have ignited peace and wartime. reason in our minds and hearts, they left a trail of smoke that The Nazis were the most notorious continues to blind us until now. in capitalizing on propaganda to Here’s the ironic bolster their power. Through posters, truth: As easy as it is film, radio, newspaper, and even for communication to children’s books, they seized the press enlighten and unite in order for their vision for Germany people, it is just as quick to gain acceptance and to instill for it to alter the truth and prejudice against Jews. tip the scales of justice towards depravity. Hitler wrote that to reach the summit of its objective, propaganda Propaganda isn't a must “be limited to a very few points newfangled idea; the war and must harp on these in slogans for man's minds dates until the last member of the public back to the dawn of understands what you want him to time. Concerted efforts understand by your slogan.” The to psych up attitudes effects fade if one abandons this idea and opinions have been and tries to be multifaceted. For him, made to promote a cause it was not about decency or truth but or movement from the of success in cultivating a “national outset. Looking back, the community”. word \"propaganda\" has a long and illustrious And if you think this widespread distribution of specific ideas has not 12

set foot in the Philippines, then you of other candidates) during the and circumvent online security can't be more wrong. For a country campaign period. measures. As this has transformed into that was under the clasp of many a problematic information war, our colonizers—from which the most As a scheme of promotion, individual decisions can significantly prominent were the Spaniards—the bandwagoning or currently known drive trends that may determine what Philippines was denied not only as FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), is an proliferates online and what does not. of its culture amidst oppression, integral technique of political and but of education and expression social campaigns in a democratic state When we watch the news or read among other rights. But, through and media-savvy societies like ours. online posts every day, we should the courage of its founder Graciano Propelled by algorithms, this form bear in mind that what we see is only a Lopez Jaena as well as our national of campaign compels individuals to portion of the story, if not a complete hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the propaganda hop on a popular train of thought by sham. Unless we train ourselves to movement’s newspaper La Solidaridad swarming them with many who think think critically, this information will was founded. The publication gave similarly. This creates a psychological bypass our logic and will simply the Filipinos a voice to call out for trigger for some to join the online make us roll like obedient dogs change over the corrupt religion rallying mob, which is difficult to resist. readily accepting what is fed to us. and government of our Spanish Re-establishing our free will in this conquerors in the 19th century. Moreover, Facebook was seen to sickly cage of systematic manipulation be a strategic element of Duterte’s should be our focus as most of Propagandists exhibited the election and term. So-called troll our information is designed with urgency for reforms through pen, farms were being employed to devise psychological knowledge in mind. brush, music, and speech as an multiple fake social media accounts information campaign and an attempt that uploaded political publicity As the May 2022 presidential to elicit sympathy. However, after the and attacked critics—gas-lighting election looms over, everyone has colonizers rejected their petition, they and fabricating thoughts. The large become more armed when entering were unable to sustain a solid front. number of trolls paid to spread the seemingly endless crossfire of Majority of its members belonged to disinformation gave the public a false arguments and dubious claims of the upper class, so they still had to sense of assurance about what was truth. Without structural changes be mindful to protect their personal really true. to avoid super spreader events as interests. Aside from insufficient the campaigns shift online, harmful funds to continue the operations, In the international context, content and falsehoods are likely to petty conflicts also hampered the Facebook had to terminate a Chinese increase. The conflict will now be over movement’s success. disinformation campaign that who has the most appealing narrative aimed to promote politicians who and who has control over it—giving Even though propaganda started favored China, such as the Philippine them the power to write what history by empowering our predecessors, president, last September 22, 2020. was, is, and will be. S it has grown into a convenient Dubbed as the “Operation Naval poison that is irresponsibly wielded Gazing” of social media analysis ''Even though by present-day Filipinos through firm Graphika, the network utilized various media platforms. From hundreds of false accounts and propaganda started being a political campaign tool, TV profiles intended to trick people into by empowering commercials and social media posts accepting their deception. our predecessors, have become effective in political it has grown into a assassinations. One ninstance is the The ubiquitous social media convenient poison unreasonable franchise shutdown platform is seemingly becoming a that is irresponsibly of media giant ABS-CBN last powerful tool for indoctrination while wielded by present- year that had somehow become cementing political control. This day Filipinos through a clear example of the dark side shape-shifter, if left unchallenged, can various media of a systematized expression of dramatically revise the socio-political platforms. information. The network carried landscape of our country. a biased disposition towards the Philippine president through For years, fighting propaganda broadcasting an advertisement with has become a game of whack-a-mole. a negative presentation of him and In truth, our ways of dealing with dishonoring his paid advertisements it have remained unchanged even by not airing them (along with those though some can easily manipulate 13

HILIGAYNON Sa Pihak Sang Balabag Ang paghangop sa nanuhaytuhay nga balabag sa komunikasyon sang mga Pilipino nga may sari-sari nga lenggwahe kag diyalekto. Ginsulat ni IMMALIE ROSE E. CAFIFGE Dibuho ni PSALM JULES D. SABANDAL kag JAZIEL ANN V. SEBALLOS Pagbutlak sang adlaw alas sais impunto sang aga, Sa tiyempo kung diin bantog ang sinamo-samo nga ang mahumot nga kape ang gilayon nga gakasimhutan, kultura sa probinsya sang Negros, isa sa madamo nga samtang ang mala-ambahanon nga tunog sang silhig bukog butang ang lapnag nga pagkinalain-lain sang mga diyalekto kag balita sa radyo nga ginapatukar sang tupad balay kag lenggwahe nga masami nga gakabatian sa tagsa- ang una nga gakabatian. Indi man madula sa eksena ang tagsa. Ayhan, sa palamangkutanon kung ano mas luyag nagatumpok nga mga marites—patimaan sa mga nanay nga nga lenggwahe ang gamiton sa matag-adlaw, pilion bala wala untat nga naga-tsismisanay asta tungang-adlaw. Kung sang katawhan ang ila tumandok nga lenggwahe? Sa pihak kaisa, amo man ini ang ginasuguran sang paglalisay, indi sang pag-usisa kag paghinuring-huring, pagahangpon paghangpanay, kag pag-ilinaway kapin pa kung indi mag- ang sabat sa pamusod sang lugar nga gindak-an sang mga ilintsindihanay. Negrosanon. Diri magasulod ang kapuslanan sang kinaadman sa mga Kung aton paminsaron: Ngaa ayhan may pag-ugyon nagabalabag sa epektibo nga komunikasyon agud bisan sa gihapon ang duwa ka ga-istoryahanay bisan luntad sari-sari man ang lenggwahe ukon diyalekto nga ginausar, ang nagabalabag sa komunikasyon kag naglain-lain ang may ara sa gihapon sang paghangop kag kahilway sa pag- ginausar nga lenggwahe kag diyalekto? Makatingalahan, istoryahanay. indi bala? 14

Ang mga balabag sang komunikasyon ukon ni Jonathan Davila, isa ka manugbinalaybay, maestro sa communication barriers ang nagahupot agud indi mag- lenggwahe, kag Artistic Director sang Santermo Writers intsindihanay ang mga katawhan sa pagpakigsugilanon kay Group sang University of St. La Salle. Suno pa sa iya, bisan sa bisan nagapalareho man ang lenggwahe nga ginagamit huna-huna, ginapabutyag ang kinaandan nga lenggwahe. ukon indi, posible nga matabo man ini gihapon sa kada paghambalanay. Pila sa mga nagabalabag, mapa-online Kung aton lantawon, may pagka-anggid ang mga man ukon personal nga pakipagstorya, amo ang buron nga lenggwahe kag diyalekto sang mga Negrosanon. Tumandok mensahe tungod sa sala nga pagmitlang kag doble nga sa Bacolodnon ang malulo nga pag-Hiligaynon, apang buot-silingon, kulang nga komento, pisikal nga tublag, kag paglab-ot sa bagatnan kag aminhan, naga-amat-amat iban pa. sulod ang lenggwahe sang Bisaya kag Hiligaynon nga may diyalekto sang pagka-Bisaya. Pila lang ini sa madamo pa Suno sa lokal nga manunulat kag manughimo sang nga ehemplo, amo gani diri naton mapamatud-an kung ano pelikula nga si Mark Garcia, indi kasablagan ang paggamit kadamo ang lenggwahe nga nagakabuhi sa nagakinalain- sang mga Pilipino sang nanari-sari nga lenggwahe. “May lain nga mga rehiyon sa Pilipinas. Isa lang ka parte diri ara kita sang Tagalog bilang kabug-usan nga ginagamit ang Negros, ayhan pa gid kung pagatun-an ang iban nga nga lenggwahe.” Dugang pa niya, ang mga Filipino lenggwahe kaangay sa Ilocano, Waray-waray, Kinaray-a, nga lenggwahe ang padayon nga naganuhaytuhay, sa Bicolano, Bisaya, kag iban pa? kabilugan. Sa pihak sang mga huyog nga balabag kag indi palareho Luwas sini, madugay na nga ginagamit sang kadam- nga lenggwahe, dala sa madamo nga solusyon ang tatlo an ang pagbayluhanay sang lenggwahe kag diyalekto, nga kinahanglan naton ubrahon: (1) mamangkot; (2) apang sa madamo nga sayop sa pagtamod tuhoy sa diri magtuon; kag (3) himuon pundasyon ang ginasiling nga nga konsepto, wala nila nahibaluan nga may kinalain ang mga lenggwahe. duha. Sa sugilanon ni Ruanni Tupas, isa ka sociolinguist kag manunudlo sang lenggwahe halin sa University “Tan-awon naton ang lenggwahe subong sa tuburan sang College London, ang lenggwahe ang pamaagi para gahom kag ekspresyon—pundasyon [kag] palatukuran sang makapagkomunikar ang mga tawo. Sa piyak nga bahin, layi kag institusyon. Kung kaisa, indi kita makatalupangod ang diyalekto naman ang paggamit sang pareho nga nga ang ginagamit naton nga lenggwahe naga-apekto lenggwahe apang may kinatuhayan lamang sa tono kag sa aton paminsaron,” ginpahayag ni Davila pagkatapos iban nga mga pulong. niya gin-mensyonar ang kaangtanan sang pagtuon sang kaugalingon nga literatura. Kung amo, bilang Negrosanon, ano-ano nga mga lenggwahe kag diyalekto ang hapos maintsindihan sang Sa pagpreserbar sang lenggwahe kag diyalekto sa tunga kadam-an? sang globalisasyon, aton kilalahon ang gahom sini paagi sa pag-ulikid sang ginhalinan kag paggamit kag pagtipig “Sa akon eksperiensya, nahibaluan ko nga kalabanan nga sang kaugalingon nga lenggwahe bag-o ipasa sa sunod lenggwahe sa Pilipinas may pagkaangay kag kaangtanan sa nga mga henerasyon. Labi sa tanan, tinguhaan naton nga isa kag isa, amo nga hapos ini tun-an ukon intsindihon paagi aton madumduman nga sa pihak sang mga balabag, may sa pagpamati. Kung halin ka sa Visayas, mahangpan mo yara sang taytay tuhoy sa epektibo kag madinalag-on nga nga ang lenggwahe sa rehiyon naga-inangutay,” komento komunikasyon. S 15

Photo Courtesy of VANESSA MAY JONTONGCO HUMAN INTEREST Children having Children A human interest article featuring the trials and tribulations of a teenage mother. Words by MA. KRISTINE JOY R. BAYADOG & ALYSSA NICOLE T. MAQUIRAN In a society that is critical of pregnancy news this month. She side dish—until she had no choice but premarital sex, teenage pregnancy is suddenly wasn’t sure whether the to break the news. a hot topic on reunion tables, church weeks of fatigue and nausea were sermons, and many other occurences. mere coincidences, as it could’ve After the unexpected confession, Women’s capabilities to foster life can easily been part of her premenstrual Vanessa’s mom became emotional. be deemed taxing, yet on the other symptoms. But wait—it had also been “She had so many questions and I hand, fulfilling. Although pregnancy at two months since she last had her could never find the right answers,” a young age can be thought of as an period. she sighed. But as a mother who must unplanned mistake, motherhood is a support her daughter, she set aside choice that a woman makes daily. With every gestation article her frustrations and braced Vanessa for she skimmed, Vanessa feared that the trials of motherhood. A typical teenager, young Vanessa it wasn’t just anxious butterflies was a liberated girl who loved going occupying her stomach. Fed up with However, the pre-flawed out with friends. Spending her days the constant worrying, she took the relationship with her dad became at school and her nights drinking test and watched as a second red line permanently strained when he cocktails; her house was but a pit stop. appeared. “My mind was racing the only gave her a withering look and She never put much thought into these moment I saw those red lines,” she proceeded with the silent treatment activities until one day, she found recalled. upon hearing her admission. Despite herself nauseously retching over her the initial reactions, Vanessa was breakfast. Waving off her two-week At 18, she expressed how worried grateful that she didn’t have to keep sickness for the flu, she didn’t think she was for her parents’ reaction to her anything a secret anymore. With that, anything was off. pregnancy. Though Vanessa’s parents she braved through her pregnancy may not have picked up on the signs, with her mom who became more In true Gen Z fashion, it all started her mother’s friends were quick to sniff supportive of her. with a horoscope reading. Vanessa out the symptoms like bloodhounds— reread hers for the month when her fatigue, an imperceptible baby bump, The next challenge for Vanessa was eyes zeroed in on a phrase: Expect a sudden burning hatred for a random to inform her school. Gathering all the 16

''We may have Living in a traditionally conservative sex education is fundamental because country, Vanessa didn’t have to be it highlights the need of contraception disappointed our clairvoyant to know that knives would use, so it can prevent teenage parents, but let’s adorn her back. pregnancies or even the transmission not remain as of sexual diseases. disappointments. “It doesn’t really bother me because I already expect people to At a time where the youth is more courage she could muster, the first judge me,” she shrugged. Instead of active, liberal, and entitled to their teacher she confided in was her then focusing on the negative comments, personal lives, teenage pregnancy Personal Development teacher and Vanessa opted to redirect her should still not be normalized. school guidance counselor. Vanessa attention towards her child and her However, it should not be prejudiced also talked with Liceo-De La Salle’s dreams, as the young mother knew against either. Bearing a child at a Discipline Officer, who then raised the that her circumstance was simply a young age is usually deemed the expectant mother’s concern to the setback and not a hindrance to her teenage mother’s fault for being Principal and Vice Principals. success. reckless and irresponsible, but looking back at Vanessa’s experiences as “I was talk of the town for a while Now, there’s nothing more precious a student leader and committed since I was known for being an to her than her own star—her daughter volunteer worker may show that outstanding student and an active Tala. Missing out on the opportunities it’s not just from pure rebellion but youth leader,” Vanessa mused. Amidst of her youth was not that huge of the lack of proper sex education in the backlash, she was comforted by the an issue because the young mom learning institutions. administration’s empathy towards her believes that whatever will be, will be, situation. She was advised to prioritize and she would never trade her “Tala” The young mom encourages her her health instead, with the office for anything. fellow teen moms to not give up and assuring that she could always resume always be reminded that there is her education when she was ready. Three years later, Vanessa is always going to be someone who will now a first year Bachelor of Arts in see them as the most amazing person Being a mother and starting her Communication major. Her priorities in the world. own family had always been part of have changed since she became a the plan—Vanessa just didn’t expect mom, but one thing is certain: she will “We may have made a mistake the milestone to happen so soon. make sure that Tala is at the top of all for having them too early and Abortion was quickly dismissed, as her priorities in life and school. unprepared, but it’s never too late the teenager believed that all life is to make things right. We may have precious and knew she had to face the Nonetheless, she also wished there disappointed our parents, but let’s consequences of her actions. was proper sex education that could not remain as disappointments,” she have guided young mothers like her encouraged. “Continue your studies, According to a study by the about safe sex. To her, being a mom is go get that degree, and secure a Department of Health and the rewarding, but being a teen mom is a better future for your child. Let’s University of the Philippines, the completely disparate story. Increased redeem ourselves, momshies!” S country has roughly 15 million solo parents, with 95 percent—14 million—of these being women. Vanessa was no different. “I was really worried about my child not having a father,” she confided, “but eventually, I realized that it’s okay and it happens.” To make ends meet, she used 17 the saved portions of her allotment to kickstart “Sinag Tala Finds”, an online venture where she sold various products on Facebook. Fueled by determination, the young mother managed to raise enough money to support her prenatal needs. Vanessa shared that she is also a beneficiary of the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2002, which was helpful whenever her daughter was hospitalized.

NEWS-FEATURE “This Way to the Zombie Safe Zone”: Our Path to Herd Immunity Words by ALAN S. VILLANUEVA JR. An article reliving some events Art by MIKEY VINCENT T. VICENTE transpiring amid the vaccination program in the Philippines. 18

It was an ordinary time—rushing Our human instinct telling us to positive cases and forced us back into in and out of our homes, bumping band together has been especially tightened quarantine statuses and into friends and strangers, and spot-on as our allies throughout the rebranding our country as a high risk experiencing life head-on were the world have helped supply us with the area last August. Aside from the threat norm until a looming enemy preyed metaphorical guns and bullets for posed by the variant, the Philippines on us. With time’s passage, our once our counterattack. Following the first also faced the dissatisfaction of cowering adversary spared no corner vaccine donation came additional underpaid health workers and the in the planet as it crept into the air support like several friendly purchase occasional depletion of vaccine we breathed, making the thought deals and the delivery of more than supplies, which have heavily hampered of being in a zombie apocalypse 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines from our path to safety. no exaggeration. Unlike sci-fi logic, the World Health Organization’s however, the undead we’re fighting COVAX facility—an initiative which Our struggle to bring back the are far stealthier and nimbler—the aims to provide equitable vaccine comfort of the world we once knew coronavirus disease (COVID-19). But access. Aside from this, various local and escape the monstrosity craving our war for asylum has ensued with government units have designed our flesh continues to be daunting. global vaccination efforts. programs to expedite inoculations The confirmed COVID-19 cases in like Imus’ house-to-house vaccination the Philippines as of October 21 Within almost two years of its stay, and Makati’s incentivization of elderly reached 2,740,111, with 65,835 active COVID-19’s teeth have sunk deeply in people receiving vaccine shots. cases. Additionally, the sanctuary we the Philippines as reflected in how it seek may still be far from our sights limited education and other primary On the contrary, fending off this with 24,694,717 people or only activities to online operations, stole seemingly undying disease has been 22.41 percent of the population fully livelihood opportunities, and took no easy task, because in a wrestle of inoculated as of October 19. lives. Despite this, President Rodrigo sheer numbers, our might alone may Duterte continued promising hope not be enough. As normally seen But hope isn’t completely lost. San in the arrival of vaccines. And on in fictional creations, zombies can’t Juan, the least populated city in Metro February 28, the Filipino people were evolve, but COVID-19 truly begged Manila, has fully vaccinated 78 percent presented with this long-awaited hope to differ by spurting into numerous of its population and obtained herd in the form of 600,000 Sinovac doses variants which threatened the immunity or the indirect protection donated by the Chinese government. effectiveness of the existing vaccines. from an infectious disease through vaccination or developing immunity With numerous COVID-19 variants through infection, on August 9. At our unexpectedly popping out of own pace, our provinces and cities nowhere, we have found our backs can also attain herd immunity, which against the wall more often than we would not only weaken the threat of could imagine. This was certainly the pandemic but allow our return to the case when the Delta variant, a the life we have been longing for— unchained, unafraid, and undivided. highly contagious coronavirus mutation, brought along a In a world where air and land are held captive, where comrades and horde of foes are unknown, and where our hands are tied, danger could close in on us whenever it pleases. With every city and every isle surrounded by mindless zombies once found in comics and TV series, escape may seem futile; but though our nemesis may be swifter, the battle will only be lost when we stop moving forward. S 19

2021 VACCINATION TIMELINE Source: RAPPLER 1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER MAY JUNE MARCH APRIL May 1 June 1 Declaration of Sputnik Quezon City signed March 1 April 9 V vaccine's continued Ordinance No. SP-3024, Start of vaccine rollout 17 national public and national use despite granting a P2,500 daily private colleges and Brazil’s rejection of the allowance to volunteer March 2 universities offered vaccine health workers and Appearance of 13 to set up vaccination paying for their food, \"common\" and \"minor\" centers within their May 5 transportation, and adverse events (sore campuses Moderna's vaccine got other necessities at arms, headache, rashes, emergency use approval vaccination sites nausea, and increased April 10 blood pressure) among Two-week suspension May 6 June 8 the vaccinated of AstraZeneca’s The Philippine Senate Approval of Pfizer and vaccine for people started its internal BioNTech's vaccine March 12 below 60 years old to vaccination program for administration on AstraZeneca vaccine's study linked adverse its employees adolescents aged 12 continued distribution events to 15 despite its suspension May 8 in Europe for blood clot April 16 Eight mild adverse June 14 reports Inclusion of judiciary events (body ache, DOH signaled for LGUs workers, teachers, injection site pain, to start vaccinating the March 19 public utility workers, rashes, back pain, A5 priority group or the FDA granted emergency internet and cable headache and dizziness, indigent sector if there use authorization for service workers, and increased blood was sufficient supply Sputnik V vaccine the media, and the pressure) appeared diplomatic community among the Sputnik V June 18 March 21 to the A4 priority vaccine recipients DOH advocated The Philippines and group continued use of India reviewed a May 28 Sinovac's vaccine potential vaccine April 22 Inclusion of outbound continued analysis of the agreement to help FDA proposed a overseas Filipino case of 350 Indonesian produce local vaccines law to allow their workers and family health workers who were in the future quick approval of members of health infected experimental drug use workers in the A1 or top during a public health priority group June 21 emergency Vaccinated Moises Padilla residents April 23 received three kilos of Imus, Cavite launched rice as an incentive house-to-house vaccination drive 20

''[T]hough our nemesis may be swifter, the battle will only be lost when we stop moving forward. 3RD QUARTER AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER JULY August 4 September 1 October 2 PhilHealth publicized the Health workers held a The Office of the July 3 COVID-19 vaccine injury demonstration outside Vice President DOH conducted compensation package the Manila DOH and Capas, Tarlac reorientation sessions with an application compound, demanding municipal government for vaccinators to period from March 3, the release of overdue vaccinated 500 Aetas ensure protocols are 2021 to March 2, 2026 benefits and Duque's obeyed after botched resignation October 4 vaccination reports August 8 DOH announced Manila launched 24/7 September 3 continued analysis on July 4 COVID-19 vaccination FDA announced the decline in cases in Manila City operations to give the amendment of 14 regions government launched 250,000 jabs daily Moderna’s vaccine midnight vaccination during the ECQ and emergency approval to October 15 drive for market address the Delta variant cover adolescents aged Vaccination for minors vendors and drivers 12 to 17 years old aged 12 to 17 began August 9 in the country with July 29 San Juan City reached September 9 over 1,000 children Malacañang clarified herd immunity FDA recorded 242 with comorbidities that Duterte's order with second doses breakthrough infections shot with their first to keep unvaccinated administered to 78% of or infection occurrences dose persons at home had its 126,347 population despite being fully not been enforced yet vaccinated October 18 August 15 The Bureau of Bacolod launched its September 29 Corrections recorded \"drive-thru\" COVID-19 Health Undersecretary only 10% of convicted vaccination program Cabotaje projected prisoners were vaccine rollout vaccinated August 23 for minors with Russia's Sputnik Light comorbidities to start October 21 vaccine got emergency by October 15 in Metro CHED announced use authorization Manila that vaccination is not required for limited face-to-face classes of college students 21

SOCIETY Snakes, Ladders, and Brick Walls A realistic insight on the misconceptions and actual causes of the gender pay gap. Words by ELIZABETH D. FERNANDEZ Art by JAZIEL ANN V. SEBALLOS Imagine—if you will—slaving over The last of those three aspects is the plain misogynistic discrimination or a huge group project worth half most well-known and, in extension, the blatant exclusion of benefits due your grade for a major subject. Now, the most polarizing. Countless to identity. However, while gender imagine getting a lower grade than feminist posts have emphasized discrimination is very much a prevalent your peers just because your work and condemned the said gap, while issue, it is not the sole reason for didn’t seem to be as “complex” as others deny its existence, crediting the a gender pay gap. Rather, it is a theirs (even though you all exerted the difference of pay to job choice. This kaleidoscope of gender expectations, same effort). This is what the male- highlights the width of the opinion norms, age, race, and job description female gender gap is like. spectrum and how misunderstood and that contributes to the (narrowing) nuanced the subject really is. disparity today. Regardless of reason, Defined by the European Institute one fact remains true—the gender pay of Gender Equality as the disparity “Women make 77 cents to every gap does exist. between women and men in terms man’s dollar.” of their levels of access, rights, That is not to say plain gender or benefits, the gender gap can This pseudo-fact has been heard prejudice in the workforce is non- encompass several aspects including by many and accepted by many existent. In fact, barring education, sports, education, and, of course, pay. more, with the majority crediting it to skill, and experience, women still 22

''It is not that women do less work overall, it is that women do less paid work than men. have a disproportionate chance be less present in the workforce, to earn a higher wage. Known as subsequently widening the pay gap. the “unexplained” pay gap, no The reason for this absence? Children. other socio-economic factor can be attributed to this inequality but A majority of young families see the building their careers. Added to this, misogyny. mother as the primary homemaker, is the establishment of workforce essentially cutting her career short initiatives to include more women One prevalent case of this sexism to instead focus on nurturing. Men, in the aforementioned competitive was in 2018 when a group of medical on the other hand, settle into their fields of science and finance. In fact, schools in Japan was found to be breadwinner roles and have more the World Economic Forum reported manipulating exam entrance scores opportunities to advance up the that the Philippines has closed 79.5 in the favor of men. Tokyo Medical career ladder. percent of the Economic Participation University, Kitatso University, and and Opportunity gaps in 2021. Juntendo University all admitted to The truth becomes startlingly clear Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), in purposely aiding male candidates. in this regard. It is not that women do particular, are mostly women. These From reasons like women naturally less work overall; it is that women do OFWs bring back a large chunk of retiring earlier in life to claims of men less paid work than men. money through remittances to support needing the added advantage since families back home, while spouses women “mature faster”—the inequity is Added to this is the issue of gender assume the caretaker role regardless clear to see. stereotypes. The maternal stereotype of gender. of women cripples them when trying Nevertheless, other factors do to obtain high-demand and high-risk In the end, the current economic contribute to the pay gap—the largest jobs that require longer sporadic climate makes the truth easier to being the traditional role of women as hours. In the mind of hiring managers, see—financial desperation does not child-bearers. Women aged between these positions cannot be fulfilled by discriminate. 20 to 30 years old were found to women who have obligations at home. Furthermore, women are typically Either way, the gender gap is here delegated more empathy-driven roles and will remain for years to come. in the job market such as teachers, Realistically, the gap cannot disappear nurses, and childcare workers without reforming entire societal while men tend to dominate more structures and gender norms. It is “aggressive” fields like engineering, only through assertive strides towards software development, and finance. equality of all genders and identities Incidentally, due to the perceived that we can truly advance as a nation “larger effort” required, male- and as a race. When all is stripped away dominated occupations pay more. at the end of the day, who are we all but slaves to an ever-winding machine? S However, in the light of economic, political, and educational progress, the gender pay gap has actually been shrinking. Whether by personal choice or financial reasons, more women today choose to settle down later in life and instead focus on 23

MISSION FISSION Photo by PHOEBE DAIDOJI Q. JABONETE 24

ENVIRONMENT A zero-emission carbon-free tomorrow An environmental article looking into nuclear energy as a viable long-term solution alongside renewables to growing electricity costs and environmental sustainability in the Philippines. Words by MERYL C. SIGATON Art by PERLYN JOY L. SUGANOB Once regarded as the quintessential source of mainstream efficient technological solutions like energy, nuclear power promised to resolve mankind’s nuclear energy might just pull us out from the climate various environmental, technological, and economic crisis. plights. But the pinned hopes failed to reach envisaged heights. Or could it? As it turns out, manifesting physics into Majority of all the nuclear reactors were built engineering is enigmatic and expensive. Still, record between 1970-1985, when oil prices skyrocketed, highs and new extremes are not slowing down. The leading to commercial interest in this form of energy. disastrous chain reaction of global warming amplifies Shortly afterwards, the world entered a sort of pre-existing challenges, leaving no continent atomic reluctance following the Three Mile Island untouched from its effects. accident in 1979 when a reactor partially melted due to equipment failure and the ineptitude of Climbing sea levels and competition for resources plant operators. This made many private companies slowly fuel political unrest, displace millions, and worldwide apprehensive to keep exploring nuclear sink entire districts. Such threats put mankind in energy. a precarious position, but immediate action to 25

''Nuclear power has prevented around 1.84 million deaths and may spare 7 million more according to a 2013 study by NASA. Because investment and innovation halted everyone’s mouth and still without support from then, replacing aging nuclear reactors in many the local community. countries may still take a decade or longer to finish and are ultimately not viable without subsidies. Although BNPP has never produced a kilowatt With worldwide demand for electricity expected to of electricity, Php 40 million is still spent annually triple by 2040, nations look for a way to satiate their for its maintenance and preservation. Many worry country’s necessity. about the potential recurrence of corruption, citing the involvement of the Marcoses during Largely turning to coal-fired power plants its construction in what was considered a fiscal considering the price and abundance of the nightmare. But not going nuclear now would resource, subscribing countries—including render debts even more unrealistic. Getting BNPP the Philippines—have been under increasing out from its more than 35 years in limbo will give environmental opposition. Nonetheless, as the silent it the opportunity to graduate from encumbrance death parade of coal and oil is gradually being and stop guzzling Filipino pockets. brought to light, nuclear energy looks more alluring by the day and thus, is progressively gaining public Considering the many gleaming benefits of traction. nuclear technology, its fatal pitfalls foil it from getting straight A’s. Lethal radioactive waste aside, From an environmental perspective, utilizing there is the threat to national security with nuclear nuclear energy is not only emission-free, but also power plants being an all-around danger as practical as it can back up the inconsistencies of potential weapons (or tools to create weapons) of solar and wind. And not to mention, it can save mass destruction. lives. While the promises of alternative nuclear According to a 2013 study by the National technology cannot yet be ascertained, burying Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), hazards is still appealingly more rational to many nuclear power replaced energy that otherwise rather than pumping them into the air the world would have been generated by fossil fuels and kept breathes every day (for now, at least). No energy out about 64 giga tons of greenhouse gas emissions source is perfect. All require time investment and from the atmosphere. In turn, this prevented around technological innovation to assure reliability and 1.84 million deaths and may spare 7 million more consistency in our trajectory for the ultimate goal— should the momentum keep rolling. the absolute replacement of energy with electricity. How quickly the different green technology will Even so, it has to pick up the pace. Nuclear be ready is not something that can be predicted, energy meets only around 10 percent of the world’s unfortunately. So ideally, nuclear and renewables energy demands today, and even renewables are should not be seen as opponents but altogether not enough on their own. Should nuclear energy good solutions as cleaner energy sources. With completely go offline, the missing capacity will be at least 40 years before we can fully switch to replaced—at least in part—by fossil fuels. “renewable electricity”, opting for nuclear will save more lives than it destroys, minimize or That said, the Philippines is openly considering completely eradicate future unprecedented the viability of establishing nuclear power as a catastrophes, and prevent the havoc our man- means of addressing the nation’s energy security made global warming will wreak. and equity. However, the long winding history of intertwined politics, business, and never-ending Heavy reliance on coal, oil, and gas to keep controversies surrounding its first and only (non- civilization going makes it difficult to transition operational) nuclear power plant continues to away from them. But at this point, with the prevent a nuclear era in the country from taking off. worsening climate and the risks it poses, any technology that has a chance of contributing to a Electricity could be generated for as low as Php solution may just as well be pursued in haste. No 1.80 per kilowatt should the Bataan Nuclear Power great human endeavor is an easy challenge, nor Plant (BNPP) be rehabilitated. But it would be like is it without risks. But when has that ever stopped resurrecting an exorbitant ghost, a white elephant, mankind? S from an era long gone—now with a bad taste in 26

HUMAN INTEREST Life as an Empty Hourglass An article featuring the stories of two dementia caretakers, and their experience in taking care of these unique souls. Words by GABRIEL M. LEZAMA Photos by PHOEBE DAIDOJI Q. JABONETE 27

Forgetfulness is a natural that soon evolve into an unthinkable was an especially painful first-hand development. As we continue to age, and harsh way of life. experience. we tend to forget some events, people, or God forbid—work deadlines. It can These symptoms spiral into a In Haydee’s case, she took care be an irritating feeling when you open hopeless decline over the course and watched over Angelina Valero- Google and forget what you wanted of seven stages. The first stage only Acha—her sister. Originally working at to search up, opting to default to shows brain wave changes while a farm she owned, Angelina was the YouTube instead, or that familiar pang symptoms start as early as the second main breadwinner of her family, having of idiocy when you can’t recall why you stage, where they begin to misplace three children with her husband. Some entered a room. For some, however, things—although this could just be a time in 2011, however, the stress of this irritation is replaced by an entirely sign of old age as well. The third stage work led to a deficit of sodium in her different feeling instead: one of comprises short-term memory loss, body; as a result, she gained early somber confusion and hopelessness which is why dementia can only be symptoms of dementia. every single day. diagnosed as early as the fourth stage, when the person has already forgotten At first, Angelina only forgot how Rather than simply forgetting, present dates and times. The fifth, to do household chores and didn’t people diagnosed with dementia are sixth, and seventh stages only serve to recognize some of her own friends, practically locked out of their own worsen the symptoms, with the person but as time went by, she slowly forgot memories. They know it’s there, but beginning to lose memories of their her own family and even how to go their minds can’t access it. address, the identities of their loved home at one point. At night, she would ones, and forgetting how to do basic see white figures visiting her room A term used to describe an unusual human activities, respectively. and would ask Haydee in the morning loss of memory, persons with dementia where the people in white went. may often find themselves confused It can be heartbreaking to watch at every turn, wondering why physical this gradual decline, especially being A search from the Alzheimer’s church on Sundays isn’t something unable to do anything to stop it. For Association noted that hallucinations that happens right now or being told the loved ones of these unfortunate are indeed one of the symptoms of that it’s September when they thought souls, one Haydee Valero-Heyasa dementia, appearing within or after it was March. It’s small things like these and one Shane Anne Tepino, this the middle stages. “It hurts to see 28

''The present will matter to them more than anything. someone’s foundation degrade like Shane Anne Tepino. She used to work that,” Haydee painfully admitted. as a food vendor and would often Instead of reprimanding her sister, she assist her husband by making and decided to be gentle and forgiving to selling food for their workers. Shane her. would always accompany her to places whenever she could, wanting to see Acknowledging the hallucinations her grandmother at work and at home. are a good way to validate the demented person’s emotions, as It was around 2018 when Christina it allows them to feel welcome to slowly started to misplace objects talk more about it. In the case of the within the house. Soon, the condition people in white, Haydee would tell her began to eat away at her mind as she sister that they already left instead of gradually forgot how to do day-to-day trying to convince her that the people activities such as eating and finding in white did not exist in the first place. her way around. Angelina would sometimes hum For Christina, one of the most one of her favorite songs from years complicated moments at the peak of prior, despite not knowing what her dementia was when her husband the name was nor any of the lyrics. died. “When we told her that grandpa This ties in with the common trait in was gone, she would cry, but then it persons with dementia being able would stop abruptly and she would to remember decade-old events but just go on about the rice she left being unable to recall day-to-day cooking at home,” Shane expressed. At activities. “I start humming it with this point, Christina couldn’t remember her, because it makes her happy, her own husband anymore, and this and it makes me happy too,” Haydee development devastated her family, recounted, understanding that knowing that it was only a matter Angelina still remembers her to some of time before everyone else was degree. forgotten too. Unfortunately, Angelina passed “I felt hurt when she got worse 29 away some time ago when the because she couldn’t recognize affliction rendered her unable to us anymore,” Shane recounted. breathe. While Haydee and the rest of Eventually, her family understood that her family mourned and lamented the if Christina didn’t have dementia when loss, they’re able to take comfort from her husband died, then she would the fact that her suffering is finally over be devastated and depressed with and that she can now fully rest. this knowledge. It was then that they resolved to take care of her and take The later stages of dementia can time to understand her until the very be truly devastating for everyone end. involved. Seeing someone forget how to perform actions they’ve done their While dementia is an uphill battle, whole lives is immensely painful to there are moments of solace to be watch, more so to experience. No one had, from them recognizing their could ever imagine forgetting how children for a brief moment, humming to chew food, not recognizing loved their favorite songs, or when they’re ones you’ve known for decades, or finally able to rest. Although the even failing to recall how to breathe, person can no longer remember and yet these are the final struggles amidst all the confusion, they still that people like Christina Tepino had feel, know, and understand important to face. memories to them. While the past is now an out-of-reach memory for Another unfortunate soul that fell these people, it only shows that at that into the clutches of dementia, Christina moment, it’s the present that matters is watched over by her granddaughter, to them more than anything. S

COMMUNITY Looking back on our Lasallian golden days Memories of Lasallian pastimes, experiences, and places during face-to-face classes. Words by PATRICK N. BILLOJAN Photos by KEILAH N. BALDOMAR Days turned to weeks and weeks turned 2. La Salle jeep rides with Riverside and to months, and in the blink of an eye, we San Agustin students are still here after a year—stuck on the same ride, waiting for this rollercoaster to stop. You know what’s worse than getting a low score on your quiz? It’s having Apparently, college can either be your Riverside and San Agustin students with best or worst stage in life. You will meet you in a Shopping-Lasalle-Libertad jeep. people that you wished you never met, Those glaring eyes while the jeep makes experience things that will haunt you its way near Jollibee will haunt you for forever, and visit places that you never days, but fret not. Just like any confident imagined going to. However, I am certain and competent Lasallian, simply say “La that being enclosed in your room only to Salle lang ko nong Gate 1.” But if you are see faces on the screen for almost two years a scaredy cat, just drop your loser self at was not the way you imagined college life Bangga Shell. to be. At least we don’t have to stand in 3. Organization offices line for so long just to have our attendance checked during Animolympics anymore, University Student Government, Senate, but it’s different for those who enrolled just COMELEC, school publications, and to miss the flight they booked for. other academic/interests clubs make up the college life of some who go beyond Whether you long for it again or haven’t the realm of academics. Right after class experienced it yet, here’s a list of Lasallian dismissal, student-leaders used to go experiences that would surely touch that directly to their third homes to rant and lost memory in you. break down for five minutes before going 1. After parties back to work because they still have an “org work” deadline to chase. Now, Discord, Animolympics and University Week. Zoom, and Google Meet have become their These events are only two of the many virtual offices—and they still rant about how highlights of every Lasallian’s life. But the tiring and unrewarding this online setting is. thing is, the real fun is at the end of the 4. Long breaks rainbow—the after parties hosted by the different colleges after the said events! It’s not the rush of activities and quizzes Dancing, drinks, strawberry-scented fog, that stress out and rattle Lasallians the and that one bebang friend surely complete most—it’s the long break after that first that night out after a week-long bardagulan subject that drives all of them crazy. After with the other colleges. 30

''It has been two years already since we started this up and down ride and we are still unsure when this will end, but this experience certainly left us with one important message: Cherish things while they last. eating their lunch for only 30 minutes to an hour, the question that even the smartest students can’t answer arises: “Pa diin ta?” Some study for the next subject, visit go-to tambayan places near the campus, play competitive games in TNC, Mineski, or Battle Station 8, while others just can’t get over the question, spending that long break thinking of a hundred different ways to end their monumental suffering. 5. CC Chicken Skin Supremacy Friday is the best day of every college student’s life because it’s the last day of classes for the week (unless you spent your whole allowance, leaving you with a tight budget on that day). Life hack: if you’re on a budget and are looking for a student-friendly meal inside the campus, any Lasallian would recommend you to try the chicken skin in the Nursing Cafe. Every USLS student has been saved by this P45 meal one way or another—that’s how it has cemented its name as one of the legendary meals in the campus. Chicken Skin Supremacy indeed. In the same way as any other college student, we all wanted our college years to be filled with warm memories, but with the pandemic shaking our usuals, we are left with nothing but hopeful thoughts. It has already been two years since we started this up-and-down ride, yet we are still unsure when this will end. Certainly, this experience left us with one important message: Cherish things while they last. Days may have turned into years and events may have turned into memories, but the list will go on—not now, but in the following years and events to come when we meet again in the hallways we once called home. S 31

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Behind the Spikes: Into the looms of COVID-19 variants and mutations A layman-friendly scientific article Words by about the underlying processes ZALDY MAR L. LAVADA JR. behind the emergence of & JHUNE N. TINGSON COVID-19 variants and the varying Art by degrees of danger they pose. MIKEY VINCENT T. VICENTE 32

It is daunting to wage war against ''Variants are inexorable as they will the unfamiliar labyrinth of an unknown combatant. Coronavirus continue to naturally pick up threads of disease (COVID-19) variants have mutation and further emerge as even since protruded and drove the global more strapping biological threats. death toll to unfortunate heights, yet from whence do they come from? likely occasions. Among these, the virus can keep spreading. However, notoriously infectious Delta variant there is a slim chance that such Alleviating the steep upsurges has been briskly spreading, highly process will have random errors in the number of COVID-19 cases contributing to the spikes in the during the replication of the genetic required immense collective efforts statistical curve of active cases. material, causing alterations in the from both the nation and its people, new virion. The process is called resulting in massive economic Delta’s rapid spread was mutation, and the progeny, or the repercussions, drastic sociocultural particularly imposing, as it newly formed virions with novel and lifestyle changes, and tens of propagated 50 percent quicker than genetic identity, are called variants. thousands of deaths. Alpha strain which was already 50 percent more infectious than the Mutations usually have minimal Peaking at approximately 190,000 initial SARS-CoV-2 strain, according effects on the progeny. It could active cases, the second COVID-19 to Yale Medicine epidemiologist manifest in ways that are either wave during the first quarter of 2021 Francis Perry Wilson. This heightened advantageous or detrimental to the gained traction from medical and transmissibility is flustering to all survival of the variant, ranging from microbiological experts, and the age groups, especially unvaccinated the modification of integral structures expected yet sweeping emergence individuals who are more and increased tolerance to extreme of the virus’ variants was one of the vulnerable. Particularly, the hap of temperatures, to other attributes that hypothetical underlying reasons on this phenomena is spawned by an increase the transmissibility of the how the country’s curve was hit so individual virus particle called a virus. hard. virion. As a strategic surveillance Variants have gained clinical and When a virion successfully measure to monitor, characterize, public notoriety after foreign and infiltrates a living cell, it initiates a and geographically locate different national studies, remarkably those specific set of mechanisms which all variants of SARS-CoV-2, the World from southern Denmark, pioneered culminate into one ultimate goal—to Health Organization developed a the elucidation of the huge threats hijack the cellular machinery so the classification system, composed that they pose. With extensive research, a network of scientists was able to monitor these emerging variants and have discovered that the virus could, in fact, develop new traits which are usually benign but could also be severely threatening in less 33

of three categories. With respect variant has novel genetic identity surges in the number of COVID-19 to the degree of the variants’ which is either foreseen or identified. cases and mortalities, making it one transmissibility and their potential A notable example is the Lambda of the only four VOCs in the world; to negatively impact the current variant, which was found to possess the other three being the Alpha, countermeasures against them, evasive features against autoimmune Beta, and Gamma variants. the following categorizations were responses and vaccines alike but was devised: generally considered as less deadly Variants are inexorable as they will Variants under Monitoring (VOMs) than the Delta variant. continue to naturally pick up threads Variants of Concern (VOCs) of mutation and further emerge into COVID-19 variants categorized even more aggressive biological as VOMs have altered genetic Variants which fall under this type threats. However, we can also release information which could possibly have all the criterion features of a VOI our own variants of action that are pose health risks to identified but are also linked to the occurrence powerful enough to overpower communities in the future, but further of one or two of the following the existing provocations: getting evidence-based assessments are still virological characteristics on a vaccinated and conventioning a required. An example is the Variant global scale (as backed by extensive well-balanced lifestyle to strengthen B.1466.2 which caused an infection meta-data comparative analyses): one’s immune response and wrestle spree in Indonesia, reaching the (1) heightened transmissibility; against these disease-causing 1,000-mark within the month of (2) has caused alterations in the organisms. identification. presentation of the infection in the Variants of Interest (VOIs) clinical landscape; or (3) partial or After seasons of grim milestones absolute evasion and/or resistance to and hard-to-swallow statistics, With heightened transmissibility, present therapeutic options. modern science, cooperative increased severity, and possible citizenry, and good governance still resistance and/or evasion to A number of studies have found shine a glimmer of hope upon us all treatment, this type of SARS-Cov-2 correlations between the presence that the curves will lie low and the of the Delta variant and the steep people will again rise—scathed but victorious. S The World Health Organization developed a classification system to categorize COVID-19 variants according to their actual and potential negative impacts to a specific geographical location. A COVID-19 virion is expected to mutate once every 11-15 DAYS 34 35

SONITUS Photo by KARL BRIAN T. MARQUEZA 35

SOCIETY CONSENT FOR THE AGE OF CONSENT Unearthing the 91-year-old Revised Penal Code with the recent passing of the Senate Bill No. 2332, which raises the age of consent from 12 to 16, in the Congress. Words by KYNAH RHEA B. FUENTES Photo manipulation by KYLE JOBE B. DE GUZMAN & MIKEY VINCENT T. VICENTE Sexually abusing a child is legally and morally acceptable countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the country. At least, that’s what the Revised Penal Code (ASEAN)—which is also one of the lowest in the world, (RPC) of the Philippines indirectly suggests for determining second to Nigeria at 11. statutory rape at 12 years old. Yet with all those crippling and troublous events from Since 1930, children have been subjected to severe the start of the pandemic until now, the only good thing to human rights violations as sexual abuse and exploitation be considered is the recent passing of Senate Bill (SB) No. cases continue to surge at an alarming rate. Even with 2332 on its third and final reading—the 27th of September numerous concerns raised, the age of consent was never 2021 now marks the beginning of a new era for more prioritized by the Congress as much as other issues. efficient child protection. According to the lawmakers, the country already has enough laws against child abuse, so they saw no urgency Now approved by the Senate, SB 2332 or “An Act in this matter. Contrarily, the establishment of those child Increasing the Age for Determining Statutory Rape and protection laws did not take into account the increase in the other Acts of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation to Protect number of child rape cases each year—not to mention those Children” is currently in the works to becoming a law that not reported out of fear, shame, and the lack of reliability to would raise the age of consent from 12 to 16 years old. Both the people around them. chambers in the Congress—the House of Representatives and the Senate—are to convene for provision of conflict What a shame to be a Filipino and to know that the settlements before President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval will Philippines has the lowest age of consent among the be sought for the last phase of the legislation. 36

With this victory for child welfare, however, flashbacks of traumatic experiences for some unfortunate little ones seem to have happened just yesterday. Real-life cases such as that of a 12-year-old who became a sex slave for a 37-year-old adult neighbor and his friends over the course of four years, a 7-year-old girl physically and sexually abused by her stepfather, two sisters who were sexually coerced by their father and brother, and a lot more cases trailing behind leave marks of trauma for the rest of the victims’ lives. Undeniably, the Philippine government has been putting its back into implementing numerous child protection legislations. To mention a few, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the Anti-Child Pornography Law, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act are existing laws that keep Filipino children from any forms of abuse and exploitation. But perhaps the most important governing law for child protection ever since has been the Republic Act 7610 or the \"Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”, which was passed on June 17, 1992, and covers almost all cases of abuse. But regardless of all that, the country still preferred to adopt the outdated policies of Europe in the 1200s-1800s through the presence of the Republic Act No. 3815, which defines rape as “having a carnal knowledge of a woman”. Based on the code, rape is a private act or a crime against chastity only under a few circumstances. It is rape when a man has sexual intercourse with a woman through force, threat, or intimidation. It is rape when the offended party is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious. It is rape when the offended party is under 12 years of age, even without the presence of the aforementioned circumstances. Closely analyzing these specifications in the code, it is unfortunate to discover that the aforementioned penal code that would supposedly protect Filipino children from sexual assault is ironically the same law that propels them to be vulnerable to abuse. Flaws in the law are found through how rape is defined and the circumstances it entails, especially with the subtle exclusions of rape cases for boys and the age of consent. Rape cases involving girls are given much more attention than those involving boys. Despite not having logical bases for the identification of trauma caused by rape according to the sex of the child, the old law obviously provides biases to females as rape cases involving them have much heavier consequences. The classification of rape against a female child carries a heavier punishment of reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment while the case against a male child would take the prision mayor or six to 12 years of imprisonment only. If anything, this existing condition could actually encourage predators to look for male victims instead since the punishment is lighter. 37

Despite calls to adhere to international standards and to keep up with the new and progressive views on childhood development, carrying on with the age of consent at 12 gives child sex abusers ways to easily get away with rape. This has long been debated, especially by child rights groups, yet the country appears to be eager to follow the old European suit. Although it is signatory to United Nations agreements—the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, among others— the country disregards its international obligations by keeping the low age of consent. With the reformation of the SB 2332, certain major changes were made including: raising the age of consent from 12 to 16 (in consideration of the discernment of the children as well as the traditional Islamic law for early marriages); amending the language of the law to be gender-responsive; and incorporating the Romeo-and-Juliet or the close-in age clause (which seeks no liability for rape if sexual relations are consensual, non-exploitative, and non-abusive and if it happens between two minors whose age difference is not more than four years). A duration of 91 years of impunity for child abusers is beyond endurance, and it’d be the greatest shame for us Filipinos if we would not pass into law such a landmark bill which would genuinely protect the welfare of the innocents. Regardless of this, our responsibility as concerned citizens covers taking action to stand against rape culture, because after all, absolutely no one is entitled to any forms of sexual abuse, harrasment, or assault. S ''[...] the aforementioned penal code that would supposedly protect Filipino children from sexual assault is ironically the same law that propels them to be vulnerable to abuse. 38

DISCUSSION Here are some of the most popular NO, YOU DON’T HAVE psychological DADDY ISSUES complexes and how you’ve been using Words by HANA PATRICIA RAJ E. HAUTEA them wrong. Art by PERLYN JOY L. SUGANOB I swear, if I see one more 13-year- The term is so often used online old on Twitter flexing her “daddy regarding anything remotely sexual issues”, I will actually deactivate my that its inherent meaning has become account. blurry. When women like older men, when they’re overly clingy with their Don’t get me wrong—psychology partners, or when they seem like making its way into the mainstream is they only care about sex—they’re a double-edged sword. On one hand, automatically tagged with the “daddy mental health and getting therapy issues” diagnosis. aren’t as stigmatized, but on the other hand, it’s honestly painful to watch At first glance, Dolores Haze from people throw around terminology the novel-turned-film Lolita seems they don’t understand just because like the poster child for this complex. it’s trending. Although psychological This 12-year-old girl was coerced into complexes are relatively new to stan a (very physical) relationship with a Twitter, they’ve long since been tropes pedophilic man old enough to be her in media and film, so let’s find out dad (and surprise: she has a terrible what these complexes really are with a relationship with her actual father). In few familiar examples, shall we? her defense, though, she didn’t really know what was going on. had all the reason to believe that the But in actuality, people universe revolved unknowingly link the term around her. to someone, usually a female for some reason, Before her who has attachment issues. character development in Mean While “daddy issues” may not be Girls, Miss George could definitely a legitimate psychological term, a be labelled as someone with a “father complex” is. Originally coined God complex. But while this isn’t by Sigmund Freud, its meaning diagnosable, narcissism is (it’s called has evolved throughout the years Narcissistic Personality Disorder). and is now described by medical website Healthline as someone The former may not be a with unconscious impulses and legit personality disorder, associations that stem from a poor yet they both share a relationship with their father. It really lot of common traits: doesn’t have to be sexual at all! an inflated sense of self, a tendency to gaslight, THE FATHER COMPLEX THE GOD COMPLEX a lack of empathy, unsuccessful long-term Alright Gen Z babies, listen up: Now, now, who better to embody relationships, and a “Daddy issues” is not a real thing. this complex if not the one and only Regina George? Hot, popular, tendency to disrespect and filthy rich—this iconic queen boundaries, among others. Sound like your ex yet? 39

''It’s honestly painful to watch people throw around terminology they don’t understand just because it’s trending. they actively look for flaws in so dangerous because you’d place other people. Doesn’t the Evil yourself in situations or relationships Queen from Snow White fit the that you know will cause bill here? She’s so insecure in you suffering. her appearance that she literally tries to murder the only person A similar concept more beautiful than her. The Evil to this is the victim Queen had an inferiority complex; no complex. Someone one can change my mind. with this feels like everyone MARTYR/VICTIM COMPLEX is out to get them—they refuse Finally, we get to one of the to be responsible trickiest ones. Now, if you had a for their problems, martyr complex, you’d be big on and they’re often so overly critical of others, THE INFERIORITY COMPLEX among other damaging behaviors. As a deeply flawed This one is probably the least character, Bojack Horseman from the misused in this list, and it’s got to do self-titled show Bojack Horseman with how common a trope it is. We’re embodies a lot of these traits. He’s all aware of how this is associated stubbornly pessimistic, is as attached with low self-esteem as well as to grudges as he is to his alcohol, and feelings of inadequacy or struggles hard with holding himself inferiority. As a result, you’d accountable. often compare yourself with others and seek validation And there we have it! At this from other people. point, you’ve seen how these familiar psychological complexes manifest But what you may not themselves in our behavior. Use this know is that an inferiority information carefully and take it with complex can also manifest in a grain of salt—there’s a lot more to other ways. Sometimes, people them than I could fit into a two-page who seem overly confident article. You now know better than to or narcissistic may actually use these terms lightly, and perhaps be subconsciously masking their you can take this opportunity to feelings of not being enough, so evaluate yourself for any harmful traits you need to address. self-sacrifice and service to Trust me, there’s no shame in others at your own expense. It admitting you’re flawed. We all are. can be an unconscious thing, but you’d constantly want to feel (TLDR: Yes, you have issues, and like “the victim”. This is honestly no, they aren’t daddy issues.) S 40

FILIPINO HOW TO GAIN FOLLOWERS? READ TO FIND OUT! Isinulat ni IVEE E. MANGUILIMOTAN Obra ni TRIZIA C. HASSIM Exposing the roots of the Pinoy baiting marketing strategy. “TRYING JOLLIBEE FOR THE FIRST Ayon sa pagsisiyasat ng mga TIME!” kompanyang nasa linya ng social media management na Hootsuite at Isa ka ba sa milyon-milyong We Are Social’s, humigit kumulang Pilipino na minsan nang nalinlang apat na oras ang ginugugol ng mga na panoorin ang mga bidyong may Pinoy sa social media kung kaya’t ganiyang pamagat? Minsan mo na nangunguna sa buong mundo ang bang ikinagalak na napagtutuunan mga mamamayang Pilipino bilang ng pansin ang arkipelagong bansa isa sa mga pinakaaktibo sa internet at natin? Namumutawi ba sa iyong social media. Animo’y kabalintuaanan kaibuturan ang pagiging Pinoy tuwing ang ganitong resulta ng pagsisiyasat ipinagmamalaki tayo sa mga ganitong sapagkat nangunguna rin ang nasyon lagay? sa mga bansang may pinakamabagal na internet speed—ngunit heto tayo’t Kung ikaw ay napatango, tiyak na madalas manalo sa mga bertwal nabiktima ka na rin ng ''Pinoy baiting''. na paligsahan. Sa ganitong lagay, Lubhang tanyag ang mga ganitong kung isa kang dayuhang influencer bidyo sa bansa kaya naman ay halos na sinusubukan pa lamang ang magkandakuba ang mga vloggers o industriya, talagang influencers, na kadalasa’y dayuhan, matutukso ka’t sa paghihimok sa ating mga Pilipino maeengganyo upang panoorin ang kani-kanilang na himukin ang content sa iilang social media platform mga Pilipino. tulad ng YouTube at Facebook sa Hindi naman sa pamamagitan ng pagkabit ng mga nilalahat natin mapang-akit na pamagat. Dahil ang mga dayuhang rito, umugong ang “Pinoy baiting” vlogger, ngunit sadyang o ang karaniwang paglikha ng mga kapansin-pansin lang dayuhang “content creators” ng ang iilan sa kanila na iba’t ibang midyum na may layong ginagamit lamang ang maengganyo ang atensyon ng mga popularidad upang Pilipino. Pinagkakakitaan ng mga manloko ng mga Pinoy. dayuhang ito ang libu-libong Pinoy para sa agarang kabantugan kahit na kadalasa’y wala silang alam sa ating kultura at katauhan. Bagama’t maaring ipalagay na bulag tayo sa atensyong nakukuha natin mula sa kanila kahit na mukhang walang saysay ang mga bidyong ginagawa nila, karamihan sa atin ay galak na galak pa sa tuwing naitatampok ang Pilipinas. 41

Isang konkretong halimbawa ang Ngunit kung mamarapatin, baka paghihinagpis sa kamay ng mga nakaraang isyu na kinasangkutan ni nga uhaw lang ang mga Pinoy sa Kastila, Amerikano, at Hapones kung Nuseir Yassin o mas kilala bilang Nas tinaguriang “foreign validation” buhat kaya’t mahalagang isapuso’t isaisip Daily. Sa kanyang paglunsad ng Nas ng paniniwalang mas nakakaangat na ang kinaiingatan nating kultura ay Academy o ang pang-edukasyong ang mga kanluraning kultura kaysa hindi nararapat na maging “content inisyatiba, kasama ng iba pa niyang sa sariling bayan. Maaaring bilang for clout” lamang. Matuto sana mga kasamahang vlogger at isang nasyon, wala tayong kumpiyansa tayong matukoy at matugunan kapag influencer, ipinahayag na kabilang si sa sariling atin kaya’t nabuo ang nasaksihan nating nakakabahala na Whang-Od, ang pinakamatandang #PinoyPride at #GalingPinoy upang ang pagtrato ng mga influencers sa tattoo artist o mambabatok sa buong mapunan ang ating insecurity o ating kultura. bansa, sa gaganapin nilang online walang kapanatagan. Sari-sari ba course. Subalit sinalungat ito ni Gracia naman ang napulot nating kultura Panawagan ito na maging kritikal Palicas, apo sa pamangkin ni Whang- sa ilang daang taong pagsakop ng ang Pinoy sa anumang content ang Od, sa isang Facebook post na ‘i-scam’ iba’t-ibang dayuhan sa bansa, tiyak madaanan nila sa internet at social ito at wala silang pinirmahang kontrata na maaring balisa pa rin tayong mga media. sapagkat hindi nagkaunawaan si Pinoy sa tunay nating pagkakakilanlan. Whang-Od at ang kampo ni Yassin. ''[...] baka nga Dagdag pa ni Palicas na ikinababahala Sa isyu ng Pinoy baiting, maiiugnay niya ang harapang pagsasamantala ng rin ang teorya ni Edward Said, isang uhaw lang ang dayuhang vlogger sa kultura nila. tanyag na propesor ng literatura mga Pinoy sa sa Columbia University, ukol sa tinaguriang “foreign Kung tutuusin, makakabuti sana orientalismo. Ang konsepto ng validation” buhat ng sa tribo Kalinga at mga Pinoy ang orientalism ay isang uri ng pagtingin paniniwalang mas lalong pagpapalaganap ng mayamang sa Asya at sa Gitnang Silangan na kung nakakaangat ang historya’t kultura ng pambabatok. saan ang parehong lugar, kasama mga kanluraning Dahil pasalin-salin lamang sa bibig na rin ang mga tao at kulturang kultura kaysa sa ang pagpapasa ng kultura ng mga nabibilang rito, ay nakikita bilang sariling bayan. katutubong Pinoy, malaki sana ang “lugar ng romansa, mga kakaibang maitutulong ng online platform upang nilalang, nagmumultuhang alaala, at Kakaiba’t halu-halo man ang dumami ang magkainteres ditong tanawin.” kasaysayan at kulturang Pinoy, matuto at pagyamanin pa lalo. nararapat pa ring pakitunguhan ito ng Maihahalina na ginagawa itong may dangal at paggalang dahil parte Ngunit taliwas rito, nawari ng mga katwiran ng kulturang kanluranin ito ng pagkatao ng bawat Pilipino, netizens na ang tanging pakay lang upang “igapos ang mga kolonyal na saan man silang bahagi ng mundo. pala ni Yassin ay upang lumawak ang subheto” para burahin ang tunay na Tandaan na higit pa sa kulturang Pinoy kanyang online reach; walang bahid naratibo ng mga mula Asya at Gitnang ang pagkain ng Jollibee at balut o ng interes sa kultura natin. Silangan at palitan ng kanluraning pagpuri sa naglalakihang malls. Sa pagtingin (o imperyalismong oras na may content kang makita na Marahil, dahil umiiral na kaisipang pangkultura). Sa kaso ng Nas Daily kahina-hinala, mas maiging kilatisin #PinoyPride at #GalingPinoy (ang \"Pinoy baiting\", mabubura ang itong mabuti at isipin: Hanggang pagmamalaki sa kahit na anong naratibong Kalinga o Pinoy habang dito lang ba ang maipagmamalaki ng parangal na matanggap ng bansa pinagkakakitaan lamang tayo ni Yassin. Pilipinas? S sa pangkawalakang entablado), Isa itong tahasang pang-iinsulto hindi maipagkakailang malaki ang sa ilang dekadang tradisyon ng naging ambag nating mga Pilipino sa katutubong Pilipino. popularidad ng mga content vloggers at influencers sa mga platform tulad ng Madugo ang naging kasaysayan Facebook at YouTube. ng Pilipinas: puno ng kahirapan at We Are Social and Hootsuite said Filipinos spent an average of 4 hours and 15 minutes each day on social media. In contrast, the global average for social media usage was 2 hours and 25 minutes. -ABS-CBN 42

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SOCIETY Olympia’s Flame Burns Brighter In Your Chest A look into what made this year’s Tokyo Olympics so special. Words by ELIZABETH D. FERNANDEZ Photos courtesy of Philstar & The Manila Times With a history of fiery competition and global sportsmanship, the Tokyo Olympics 2021 had the opportunity to bridge apparent divides among people in an isolating pandemic. However, with countless pushbacks on the event itself, it became apparent that the athletic showcases alone would not revitalize the weary world. Rather, it was the athletes themselves, who not only came with impressive physical prowess but also flames of passion within their hearts, set to alter the course of the sports industry’s future forever. 48

Held in an unprecedented time, Hidilyn Diaz made Philippine history this year’s establishment of the by championing the country’s first-ever Olympics faced more challenges gold medal. Becoming an inspiring idol than its predecessors. Conducted in for the masses, she used her platform Tokyo, Japan, a survey from the Asahi to contest sports industry oppression, Shimbun publication showed that exploitation, and lack of nationwide over 80 percent of Japanese citizens support. Diaz, a weight-lifting champion preferred further postponement that had won two silver medals in the (despite being a year late already) 2008 and 2016 Summer Olympics or even cancellation of the event. prior, had long been asking for financial With rising COVID-19 cases within and government aid for local athletes, the country, the fear of opening up who had no access to basic equipment borders amidst the risk of an outbreak and even fewer opportunities to realize was palpable. Protests and political their talents. scandals sprung up across Tokyo days leading up to the opening ceremony. “They demand so much from us yet One such brazen act included a they give so little,” Diaz pointed out in woman attempting to douse the an interview with Sports5, explaining Olympic torch—a powerful physical a poem she wrote about hypocritical and metaphorical demonstration expectations and the lack of tangible of revolt against the government’s help. decision to continue the games. The prolific weightlifter actually The flame persisted and with resorted to sourcing her own sponsors billions of dollars on the line, less via social media for her to attend this than a thousand physical spectators year’s Olympics. When news of this watching, and dissent outside of the spread, it drew ire from the sports crowd, stadium, the show went on. especially because it pointed out flaws like the bias of support towards specific To placate worries of COVID-19 sports in a lucrative yet niche industry. infection surges from incoming Comments calling her ungrateful and international athletes, Olympic officials presumptuous were the milder of the promised regular testing and strict lot, and in hindsight became thoroughly social distancing. The Olympic Village redundant as, in the end, it was Diaz who was established and essentially was able to lift the Philippines to the first became an isolated bubble in the place pedestal. form of a communal space for all international visitors. Residential areas, While Diaz became the poster child a dining hall, and multiple gyms were of perseverance and success, she was provided for the athletes to ensure not the only athlete to bring home a comfort and safety. medal. This seemingly worked as, despite There was also Nesthy Petecio subdued celebrations and fanfare, who bagged silver in the women’s whatever distraction the Olympics featherweight boxing division. The hoped to accomplish was apparent fact that two women were able to win through television screens across the Olympic medals in stereotypically world. For the first time in forever, masculine sports (weightlifting and there was mutual interest and boxing) also subverted gender discussions about the extraordinary stereotypes, showing that everyone and feats of the participating athletes. Avid anyone can be interested in different sports fans, casual spectators, and kinds of sports regardless of gender patriots hoping to see their country and background. Meanwhile, Carlo triumph—the reason one was tuning Paalam and Eumir Marcial won silver into the games did not matter. What and bronze in the men’s flyweight and mattered was that, for a while, the middle boxing divisions, respectively. hearts of the people were once again connected and spirits were lifted. These advocacies of integrity and strength persisted throughout the But for all the awe-inspiring athletic games, overshadowing the physical performances, it was the dignity of the performances—especially in the face attending athletes that truly touched of one of the greatest mental health the audience. discussions ever. 49

''Comments calling her ungrateful and presumptuous were the milder of the lot, and in hindsight became thoroughly redundant as in the end, it was Diaz who was able to lift the Philippines to the first place pedestal. When seven-time American Olympic medalist Simone Biles announced that she would withdraw from the gymnastics event, fans worldwide were shell- shocked. A barrage of disappointment, judgment, and anger flooded social media—all of them telling her to “get it together”. Biles, however, did not budge from her decision, citing that her failing mental health was much more crucial and would actually hinder her team’s success. Biles’ candor brought to light the very real issue of the mind-to-body connection that athletes need to fulfill before performing. In gymnastics, this mental- physical disconnect is called the “twisties”—a mental state where gymnasts lose their sense of space and dimension, making risky tricks and maneuvers even more dangerous. “It’s the craziest feeling ever. Not having an inch of control over your body. [You] literally cannot tell up from down,” Biles revealed on her Instagram stories. Others stood to defend Biles’ decision, attesting to how dangerous poor mental health truly is for an athletes’ body. From American softball pitcher Cat Osterman to swimming legend Michael Phelps, many struck a chord with Biles’ frustrations of having the world’s expectations on one’s shoulders, seemingly becoming show-horses for the audience’s entertainment. “We also have to focus on ourselves because, at the end of the day, we’re human too,” Biles shared to The Associated Press, emphasizing that sports is both a physical and mental hurdle. The Tokyo Olympics became so much more than a presentation of a country’s might. It allowed true discussion of the unfair expectations and abuse that athletes face. It became a stage of unity, empathy, and understanding that bridged gaps of isolation and apathy in the name of sportsmanship, showing that humanity’s flame continues to burn brighter than ever before. S 50