La Estrella Verde September - November 2020

UPHOLDER OF TRUTH. HERALD OF CHANGE. September - November 2020 Volume 5 Issue 1 Stranded. In the middle of wind, rain, and agony. Art by Evalene Vianca De Jesus. Self-care Week draws mixed student feedback VPASSA: “time management”, key to maximize the event Krizia Isabelle Dela Serna and Giannina Ruidera After its implementation on Sept. 28-Oct.2 Student Activities Coordinator Alhona good feeling can be transmitted to others,” and Oct. 26-30, the Self-care Week program Narzabal stated that the Self-care Week Narzabal explained. received varied responses from DLSU-D program was intended to help students High School (HS) students with timeliness maintain their health, conducting activities In addition, Vice Principal for and academic load as crucial factors that would help develop student interests and Administrative Services and Students during the event. personal commitment. Affairs (VPASSA) Josephine Cruz clarified that students are not required to attend “The designed activities are intended to the scheduled activities but are still promote ways to take care of ourselves…[t]hat encouraged to participate. is why this program encourages everyone to maintain a healthy relationship so that this Self-care, see page 2 Stcuodnetnintus’eWs deeeskpciteeledberlaatyiosn Franchez Cassandra Escander and Kristtina Kumabe After multiple postponements caused by frequent announcements of class sus- pensions, the Student Council (SC) pushed through with the FUSE: Unity Amidst Adversity general assembly, concluding the Students’ Week celebration on Nov. 27. Inundation. The conundrum of providence and well-being. According to SC Secretary Rhoswen SC Vice President Janina Sunga also Art by Leica Gwyneth Mendoza Servida, the SC moved the date of the explained the reason for the postponement Students’ Week celebration from Nov. 17 of the “We Strand Together” activity on Nov. to Nov. 27 due to recent calamities and the 23, which was due to schedule conflicts of the pending approval for the project proposals. project head. “We decided to delay the Students’ Week “[O]ur schedule was filled up and (we) were celebration in light of Typhoon Ulysses. busy preparing for the General Assembly. [I]t affected a lot of us students and on what The project head (of We Strand Together was supposedly the first day of the event, our had prior responsibilities as) a student and proposals were yet to be approved so we (had (they were) handling a lot during the event,” to cancel) some events and (reschedule) the Sunga stated. dates,” Servida said. Students’ Week, see page 2 4 Editorial 7 Features 8 Green Ink Sound check: Are we really audible? The peak of the podium

2 La Estrella Verde NEWS September - November 2020 DLSU-D HS cancels Self-care, see page 1 Entrep Bazaar for A.Y. 2020-2021 “[W]e are not demanding [students] to Ayeesha Kimberly Cellona and Princess Pravika Rai immerse themselves in the Self-care Week activities. What we are actually giving are just This academic year’s Entrepreneurship Bazaar will not push through due to the risk of options na para lang magkaroon ng kakaiba sa Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection, as confirmed by Entrepreneurship Bazaar Organizer ginagawa nila,” Cruz explained. Melanie Reyes and HUMSS/ABM/HE Academic Coordinator Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo. Moreover, Cruz suggested that practicing According to Reyes, the Entrepreneurship (kapag) okay na ‘yung (COVID-19) pandemic,” time management could help students Bazaar was removed from the list she added. maximize the Self-care Weeks. of the requirements for the Applied Students’ feedback Entrepreneurship subject, rejecting the “Siguro kailangan lang ng ating mga estudyante possibility of an online bazaar. Students expressed their disappointment na talagang gusto ma-experience ang self-care… “Even (with an) online Entrep Bazaar, on the cancellation of the Entrepreneurship medyo ayusin ‘yung time management…i- (it’s) not possible…kasi it will be very difficult Bazaar, as Franco Plaza (TVL12) stated that schedule natin [ang assessments], ‘yun siguro ang on the part of the students especially do’n sa the event could have helped students improve maganda gawin ng ating mga estudyante para hindi part na actual manufacturing and selling (of) on their business skills. nag-pa-pile up ‘yung ginagawa nila,” she stated. products,” she stated. Consequently, Reyes clarified “[A]s…someone who experienced (the DLSU-D HS students commended the that subject teachers replaced initial Entrep Bazaar)…it is a loss of said program, as Gerald Dizon (ABM24) requirements with business proposals opportunity for us students, because… mentioned that the event managed to provide as suggested by the Department of we can improve our skills in creating students with more vacant time for school Education. Moreover, the completion of products and…how to earn profit,” and home tasks. discourse activities through the SAP Plaza stated. Business One software will be required, which “I think it did its part on the difficulties can be used by students as a work credential. This was supported by Nikita Muñoz (of) students since not only (did it give) more “[E]very Wednesday and Saturday (STM23), stating that students still had time…with no worries of synchronous class, [for a] total of 30 hours for the (second a different learning experience with the but also it gave time to relax para sa mga term of the first semester), [students] alternative requirements and activities. students,” he said. will perform simple bookkeeping [in SAP Business One] or…record simple “I appreciate the alternative (projects)… Furthermore, Amaranth Jann Latorre business transactions,” Reyes added. provided, although it is not the same (HMS13) praised the event for helping to Furthermore, Eullo clarified that this (experience) as what we were supposed to balance her daily tasks. year’s Entrepreneurship Bazaar is still have,” Muñoz stated. “on hold” and will only be continued “[The Self-care Week] (encouraged) a by next school year. However, Joaquim Cruz (ICT21) shared healthier balance between (my) school and… “[H]indi siya safe, so we’ll only have (a) his dismay but still supported the decision to personal life. I managed my time well (to) physical bazaar sa Robinsons [Place Imus] cancel this year’s bazaar. avoid burning out,” Latorre stated. “I think that an online bazaar (could have However, Mariel Joeylou Bulaon (10I) been) possible, but…it would (be) difficult noted that the second Self-care Week was to implement so they decided to cancel it mostly used for accomplishing requirements entirely,” he explained. compared to the first Self-care Week. Students’ Week, see page 1 DeniseMangasim(ABM23)alsosupported “(The first Self-care Week) was very the statement, claiming it was timely for helpful physically, mentally, and emotionally. Moreover, Servida shared that the SC was students who are struggling academically. (Meanwhile, the second Self-care Week was dealing with pressure on holding it online, not) effective for me, because it served as (a) since the Students’ Week is considered as one “The (general assembly) was not only week…full of assessment[s] and (did not) of their muchly anticipated events. entertaining but timely as well, it addressed the give us a chance to rest,” she explained. (students) that are encountering (difficulties) “Students’ Week is usually a big event with regards to the academe,” Mangasim added. This was supported by Abigael Salonga which takes hours upon hours of planning, (STM25), suggesting that the second Self-care so remembering these past celebrations and Despite this, Maria Ericka Canites Week should not have been held during the the memories we made…definitely puts (ABM22) admitted it was different end of the first term. pressure on us to make this year as exciting from previous celebrations as the and memorable,” she added. energy of the audience was not felt, “It would be much effective if the (second Students’ feedback especially for the performers. Self-care Week was not) scheduled (during) the [last week] of the (first) term, [because] Meanwhile, students shared their “We are used to a big and loud crowd… students used the (second Self-care Week) in insights on the recently concluded coming up on stage and performing, we order to submit all the requirements needed general assembly, with Jabez Ryan are used to being with our classmates and for term (one),” Salonga recommended. Mateo (STM111) stating that the cheering each one of us. [N]ow, it (was) hard event worked to unite students as to do those,” Canites stressed. Narzabal added that committing to the Lasallians through entertainment, despite the service towards the students’ welfare would given circumstances. Moreover, Sofia Louise Buenafe (HMS11) ensure the success of future Self-care Weeks. suggested that the program could’ve been “It was nice to see different kinds designed to be more interactive. “(The) feedback will be an avenue to of works coming from our fellow create activities that would suit the needs schoolmates and classmates. [F]or me, it “It was quite entertaining and the of the students. We are all struggling and was a good way to showcase the talents programs fit the online setting. [H]owever, I still looking for good practices to (learn),” of every Lasallian, since it not only felt like they could’ve done more in terms of Narzabal stated. serves as entertainment but as an interactivity on the day of the event. [T]hat inspiration and motivation for the was the essence of (previous general other students,” Mateo stated. assemblies), and it’s one of the things that made it so enjoyable,” Buenafe said.

September - November 2020 NEWS 3La Estrella Verde Transisyon sa online setup, ininda ng student orgs Guidelines, epektibong promosyon, mungkahing solusyon ng admin Mary Pauline Castor and Mikaela Angela Reyes Upang matiyak ang pakikilahok ng estudyante sa mga online na aktibidad ng High School (HS) student organizations, ipinayo ni Vice Principal for Administrative Services and Student Affairs (VPASSA) Josephine Cruz na siguraduhing nakakaakit ang mga promosyon nito habang sumasailalim sa transisyon ng patakarang online. “[I]f you’re doing an activity, we have to “We maximize the potential of the online “[We] (had) a tough time…preparing proposals, make sure that (it) has a very good (promotion) activities [through the guidelines] and (look) at it as creating ideas that (can) substitute the (original) para makahikayat tayo ng members because we an opportunity to learn forward,” sabi ni Narzabal. activities, recruiting new members (and) holding can’t require (student activities) kasi hindi tayo events and activities,” sabi ni Hu. academics,” aniya. Dagdag ni Cruz na natitiyak ang pagsunod sa mga guidelines sa pamamagitan ng online Dagdag ni HS Commission on Election Ibinahagi naman ni Cruz na hamon sa random monitoring kung saan sinusubaybayan Legal Head Bernadine Queppet na pagsasagawa ng online activities ang student ang mga aktibidad ng bawat student organization. malaking tulong ang guidelines sa pagpapasa participation, bagama’t nasisigurado ang ng proposals ngunit hindi lahat ng nakasaad pagkukusa ng mga mag-aaral kahit mababa “[W]e are always asking for the (online meeting) dito ay kinakailangan. man ang bilang ng aktibo. link so that kapag nag-random monitoring kami, me or Ms. [Narzabal] could join the activity,” “I don’t think all requirements stated (in) the “[N]atutuwa naman ako na… paliwanag ng VPASSA. guidelines are needed since students are not going to umaabot ‘yung mga views natin minsan use equipment or venues during this time,” aniya. ng 200-300…pero assured ka na ‘yung Sa kabilang dako, ibinahagi ng mga kanilang attendance is really their own volition,” estudyanteng tagapamahala ng mga Ayon naman kay Lasallian Patriots Dance ayon sa VPASSA. organisasyon ang kanilang karanasan sa Company President Luis Praxedes, may mga nasabing guidelines. salik paring sumasagabal sa bisa nito. Bukod sa promosyon, idiniin ni Student Activities Coordinator Alhona Narzabal na Ipinaliwanag ni Lasallian Peer Facilitators “[The online guidelines] (are) relatively okay. makatutulong ang Guidelines on Holding Vice President for External Affairs Hannah However, communication with…administrators are Student Activities sa transisyon ng mga Hu na isang pagsubok ang transisyon sa also affected by the [internet connectivity] problems… organisasyon sa pagdaraos ng online activities. sistemang online ng mga organisasyon kahit causing the approval of proposals to take more than ito ay sumasailalim sa guidelines. (five) weeks,” ani Praxedes. OnlisnaegCitPnAaRngFpesatnivdaelm, iydaaraos Ayeesha Kimberly Cellona and Princess Pravika Rai Tinatayang ngayong Disyembre itutuloy ng DLSU-D Senior High School ang Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions (CPAR) Festival upang bigyang pagkilala ang mga mag-aaral sa iba’t ibang larangan ng sining, ayon kina CPAR Festival Organizers Cyra Dime at Mikaela Yap. Binigyang-diin ni Dime na ang CPAR Ayon kay Yap, malabong matuloy ang Connection Found. Against the surge of the sky’s weight, Festival ay pansamantalang bubuksan sa Battle of the Bands dahil sa kaunting bilang knowledge refuses to let its light get washed away. mga estudyanteng may kursong CPAR, na ng mga sumali kung kaya’t hindi na ito Art by Jericho Rasheed Celestino gaganapin online at magsisilbing pagkilala itinuturing na paligsahan. na lamang ng mga nilikha sa bawat kategorya ng sining. “(Mayroon) kaming criteria na [i]nilabas but then it’s more of a filtering or selection of the “[I]t’s still a competition, pero more on best entries that we will display or showcase,” recognition siya for the students kung (kanino ang) paliwanag niya. best submission[s],” aniya. Puna ng mga estudyante Gayunpaman, binanggit ni Dime na ang Ipinahayag ni Alexandra Jhane Cruz short film ay ang magiging highlight para sa CPAR (ABM23) na ang mga kategoryang inihanda Festival, na umiikot sa temang kalusugan para sa taong ito ay maganda para sa mga at pag-asang maipakita ang kakayahan estudyante upang mabigyan ng atensyon ang dito ng mga sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa sining at kultura ng Pilipinas. asignaturang Christian Values. “[I]t’s great for us to give more attention to an art “[I]sa sa mga theme na [i]pinapakita sa event and to the Philippine culture at the same time. short film (ay) hindi lamang ‘yung (experiences) We all know…everyone has their own creativity, yet a nila sa pandemic, also in-a-apply (din) nila little competition isn’t bad,” ayon kay Cruz. ‘yung Lasallian Values in their everyday life,” dagdag ni Dime. Dagdag pa dito, ikinatuwa ni Germary Luz Daymiel (HMS22) ang pagsasaalang-alang ng Samantalang nilinaw ni Dime na ang CPAR organizers sa pagdiriwang bilang isang kategoryang Regional Dance ay ipinagpaliban pagkilala kaysa bilang kompetisyon. na sa inihandang programa dahil sa mga komplikasyon sa pagtatanghal. “[I] don’t mind…considering our situation right now, not everyone has the exact same “[K]ung (titingnan) natin (ay) medyo resources and…could give their best output[s] matrabaho and when it comes to Regional which would be unfair if it was still considered (as) Dance…it really involves physical interaction,” a competition,” aniya. pagbibigay-linaw ni Dime.

4 La Estrella Verde OPINION September - November 2020 La Estrella Verde EDITORIAL The Official High School Student Publication of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Are wSoeurnedallcyhaeuckd:ible? EDITORIAL BOARD As students continue to face difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, the One La Salle A.Y. 2020-2021 for Human Rights and Democracy organization alliance spearheaded a petition to implement an academic break amongst De La Salle schools in the Philippines. It manifests how students amplify EDITOR IN CHIEF their voices against unjust and flawed systems, however, there are instances where institutions rob John Ethan Casela them of their freedom of speech—silenced and labelled as mischiefs. ASSOCIATE EDITOR Vince Daniel Papa The commencement of A.Y. 2020-2021 during the pandemic has always been questioned. MANAGING EDITOR Students nationwide have expressed their dissent in the academic year, pleading for an “academic Stephanie Nicole Rabacal freeze” and being vocal about the difficulties of online learning. Alas, some authorities silenced those who vocalize their opinions through manipulation and threats. COPY EDITOR Mary Abigail Manalo Although the University claimed to be “100 percent ready”, students experience dilemmas presented by the distance-learning setup. As the Philippines has the lowest cell site density in Asia, NEWS EDITORS not everyone possesses enough equipment for their synchronous and asynchronous classes. These John Ethan Casela, Vince Daniel Papa factors compromise the educational approach given that a stable internet connection plays a major role in the new setting. Students deserve good schooling and have a right to demand for quality SPORTS EDITOR education. Krizia Isabelle Dela Serna Lasallians expressed their distress as they fight against their overloaded Schoolbook to-do list— FEATURES EDITOR several have accumulated three-digit sums of pending tasks, even at the beginning of the term. While Stephanie Nicole Rabacal their desire to learn ignites amid all situations, the pressure of piled up assessments is burdensome and demotivating. LITERARY EDITOR Josephine Punzalan Furthermore, the youth unites to address the lack of compassion towards the health and wellness of those resisting to win the battle. Students speak against faulty ART EDITOR institutions not because of negligence nor indolence, but to demand for action to improve Kristen Faith Maala failing educational systems. PHOTO AND VIDEO EDITOR Ollie Alexandra Lanzar Despite several universities hearing out students, multiple entities claimed that the cries were too loud. “You invoke your freedom too much.” Officials play the red-tagging card to instill fear on those WEB EDITOR who defy them. These instances screech ears as if these oppositions forcibly point the microphones Jezzyrae Maglente to us (speakers), causing feedback and doing nothing but intensify the noise. RADIO PROGRAM MANAGER Ramil Benedict De Jesus It’s not the youth, who demanded for change, that caused turmoil. As institutions continue to helplessly blame, threaten, and manipulate students, their urge to continue practicing their right to NEWS speak will only grow. Zoe Airabelle Aguinaldo, Mary Pauline Castor, Ayeesha Kimberly Cellona, Franchez Cassandra Escander, Let the administration get a taste of their own medicine. Remember, it will be their blunder to point their microphone on us. It will always be the mic-holder who retreats when the Kristtina Kumabe, Princess Pravika Rai, feedback resounds. Mikaela Angela Reyes, Giannina Ruidera SPORTS Guen Marie Sapinit FEATURES Gabrielle Marie Antenor-Cruz, Jedd Rudolf Caldo, Francine Angela Dela Fuente, Erin Ruth Flores, Andrea Kristine Lazaro, Elaine Samantha Olona, Sophia Angela Silva, Ma. Ladeevie Tamonan, Zhaine Louise Toledo LITERARY Marcea Alcala, Shane Lira Laliag, Paulyn Dianne Laude, Anina Jiliana Manuel, Berenice Ann Medina, Mariah Jichelle Nokom, Ara Janine Palecpec, Phoebe Denise Santos, Sophia Angela Silva, Frances Nicole Umbao ART Nikki Alexis Antonio, Chynna Ysabelle Brugada, Jericho Rasheed Celestino, Evalene Vianca De Jesus, Maria Sophia Emelda Initorio, Leica Gwyneth Mendoza, Denise Preclaro, Rania Marie Pucan, Franz Maverick Vicedo PHOTO AND VIDEO Elisha Jezreel Ang, Shielo Mariel Camaganacan, Janet Maria Nessa De Alba, Dylan Lipardo, Angela Belle Lumilan, Jazmine Levana Sico, Tricia Faye Velasco WEB Raliyah Aivah Blancaflor, Joanna Elaine Desiderio, Anina Jiliana Manuel, Jeremy Ray Milca, Jan Anthony Murillo LAYOUT Christina Renea Canlas, Angienette Laurza, Jan Anthony Murillo RADIO Ria Bagoyo, Johann Michael Caayao, Denise Gabrielle Calingasan, Marymar Caya, Kristina Rose Eramiz, Karl Denise Gagatiga, Naumie Imura, Martha Stephanie Patricio, Kate Danielle Ronquillo, Jhannie Lynne Saulog ADVISER Din Rose Mirar La Estrella Verde has its editorial office at Room JHS241, High School Complex, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, DBB-B, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4115 Telephone: +63-2-7795180, +32-46-4811900 to 1930 local 3302 Email: [email protected] Facebook: /DLSUDLaEstrellaVerde Twitter: @LeviofLEV Contributions, comments and suggestions should be addressed to the Editor in Chief and should bear the writer’s full name. Articles may be edited for clarity and space.

September - November 2020 OPINION 5La Estrella Verde Karera ng self-paced learning Œuvre d’art mga mag-aaral ng STEM: halos hindi Gayundin, mayroong mga gawain na nagbabago ang bilang ng gawain dahil sa dapat gawin ng pangkatan. Tila nawala na Mary Abigail Manalo bawat pagtatapos, lalo lang madaragdagan ang ang pakay ng self-paced learning sa pagbibigay gawaing ibinibigay. Bagama’t responsibilidad ng mga gawain na ito, dahil hindi naman S ino dito ang may pending assessments sa ng mga estudyante ang mag-aral, magkahalintulad ang tulin ng bawat mag-aaral. Schoolbook na mula sa nakalipas na nagdurusa ang kalidad ng ating edukasyon May mga estudyante na mabilis makatapos buwan? Kung mayroon ka pa, hindi ka nag- dahil waring “quantity over quality” ng gawain, kaya’t kapag nakikita na nila na iisa. Inaasahang malaking kaginhawaan sa may pangkatan, maaaring madaliin nila ang estudyante ang pagtatapos ng unang termino, “ang sinasaligan ng ating paaralan. kanilang mga kagrupo na hindi naman sabay subalit parang lalo pang bumigat ang ating sa takbo nila. pasanin sa pag-aaral. Isa sa mga nagdudulot Upang makamit nito ang nakapangdududang self-paced learning ang layong Bukod pa sa stress na dulot ng assessments, na nakalahad sa ANIMO Strategy ng ‘humanizing online napawawalang-bisa rin ng Schoolbook DLSU-D High School. education’, hindi gamification ang layunin ng self-paced learning. solusyon na Maaaring magbigay ito ng pagganyak at Ngayong new normal, sumunod ang self-paced lamang, gantimpala sa pagtatapos ng bawat gawain, karamihan ng mga asignatura sa unang kundi gawing ngunit nagdudulot din ng panggigipit ang termino ayon sa self-paced na pamamaraan student-friendly bawat sulyap sa leaderboard. Sa aking mga kapwa ng pag-aaral. Sa bawat araw, tungkulin ang ating sistema.” estudyante na nakararamdam ng presyur dahil ng bawat estudyante na magsikap upang kadalasang nasa ibaba ng leaderboard, hindi pag-aralan ang mga leksyon at tapusin ang tamang pagurin at madaliin ang inyong sarili mga gawaing nakatakda sa Schoolbook. sa paggawa ng assessments para lamang sa iilang Ngunit tunay ba at epektibo ang sistemang puntos at badge. self-paced sa pag-aaral natin? Hindi maikukubling nahihirapan Nag-aaral ka man sa sarili mong tulin, ang lahat ngayong pandemya, lalo na ngunit kung kabilang ka sa mga taong mabagal sa paaralan. Ngunit sa kabila ng ating ang pag-unawa sa mga aralin at gawain, ikaw din kasalukuyang sitwasyon, karapat-dapat ang mahihirapan sa huli dahil matatambakan na mabigyan ang mga mag-aaral ng lang ang mga ito. Sa pagpatak pa lamang ng magandang kalidad ng edukasyon. Upang taunang panuruan, mahigit 60 assessments ang makamit ang layong “humanizing online bumungad sa akin sa Schoolbook. education”, pakinggan ang hiyaw ng mga mag-aaral, hindi solusyon na self-paced Maaaring mas makauugnay dito ang lamang, kundi gawing student-friendly ang ating sistema. Cope with the blues Indeed, some students took breaks to Learning is not limited to academic texts; Naninilakbo compensate for the hardship they experienced in fact, experience is a better teacher. When during the first semester. On the contrary, tough times come and schoolworks are Josephine Punzalan most students used the self-care weeks to catch up on their lessons and comply with “draining you, take a moment to pause. C onstant changes have been usual their school requirements. Either of which, now as we try to brace the new both didn’t match the activity’s main objective. Self-care means “me” normal. Some tried to use their voices for time—a time for you to those who weren’t heard, but have you It takes a lot of practice for people who are cry, to laugh, to think, listened to the voices inside your head? I experiencing breakdowns, anxiety, depression, to eat, and to regain bet most of us didn’t, merely because we and other mental struggles to cope easily. passion, without bearing don’t know how. DLSU-D was not able to elaborately discuss any stress.” what self-care is and what students should In the Academic Year 2020-2021, do to overcome the blues. The mission was Try to see the beauty in things, not through DLSU-D held Student Self-care Weeks exemplary yet it lacked efficient action plans. toxic positivity, but in a different perspective. wherein synchronous classes were dismissed. Rather than looking at the glass as half empty, The said activity was held to encourage Aside from taking a break from try to look at it as half full. students to take a break and prioritize their Schoolbook, students should lessen the use health—most especially their mental health. of social media as much as possible. You Somehow, it is still deemed taboo but we can watch movies, read good books, listen cannot deny that a lot of students have been to the latest music trends, rediscover your mentally unstable amidst the pandemic and passion and hobbies. Self-care means “me” the online learning setup. time—a time for you to cry, to laugh, to think, to eat, and to regain passion, without bearing any stress.

6 La Estrella Verde OPINION September - November 2020 Campus (op)Press(ed) Freedom From the It does not stop there. In some other editors were requested to submit a copy Fossils cases, school officials would even censor of the final output to the administration. articles. Even the College Editors Guild Though I did not experience it myself, it Edcel Derick Padulla of the Philippines raised concerns on the blatantly shows how school administrations Commission on Human Rights Philippines overpower a campus paper. Given that the Anyone here who had been part of a couple months ago against more than articles are not even news or opinion articles, their school publication? If you have, a thousand violations of the spineless these people are already censoring such then you might know about the numerous journalism act, including censorship. The outputs. It was not just censorship, but a attacks on campus press freedom—some are very law which aims to protect and preserve clear attack on campus press freedom and the even happening as you read this. You might journalism at the campus level is not doing law that should protect these people is be familiar with the Campus Press Act of anything, and it is scary knowing that these nowhere to be found. 1991, but with this fangless law, repressions people who are upholding the truth are continue within the pillars of the school. silenced, repressed for the sake of a clean It might be hard due to our current situation, but a house bill addressing the As a student-journalist and former “reputation for the administration. current loopholes in the two-decade act editor of a publication, let me share what is is already filed. Though justice is yet to really happening behind the freshly-printed They may silence the be served in these freedom attacks, there newspapers. It’s no secret that officials will messengers, but they can is something to be hopeful about. We always protect their image. When critical never silence the might be in an unfamiliar situation right articles about their events raise concerns, they message.” now, but journalists should never stop will look for loopholes in the editorial process fighting for freedom even at the instead, knowing that they need to maintain This year, a release of a literary folio was campus level. If journalism is already a good reputation. It is a clear repression on halted after the editors resisted an attempt compromised here, how much more at the the publication’s freedom to be autonomous of pre-publication censorship wherein the professional level? with their articles. School officials meddling with its process is already an attack on the law Fighting for press freedom is fighting for where journalists would be powerless because the community. No matter what censorship the decade-old act is too vague. officials can do, truth will always prevail. They may silence the messengers, but they can never silence the message. Inside Scoop Static signals Ollie Alexandra Lanzar Jezzyrae Maglente

September - November 2020 FEATURES 7La Estrella Verde The peak of the podium Erin Ruth Flores Art by Chynna Ysabelle Brugada Standing in front is a formidable mountain blocking the path of all climbers. Before even reaching the peak, some hesitate and falter back. There are those who attempt to mount it, but withdraw due to the harsh environment that faced them. According to Sean San Pedro (TVL11), how much you practice, there will be [a time a good support system is essential for an “Public speaking helps us form connections, individual to cope up with the mistakes influence decisions, and motivate change.” “where we mess up].” they have made. “[I]sipin mo na binigay mo However, it may be one of the most dreaded na (ang) lahat pero ‘yung (mga) kaibigan mo forms of communication, as stated in an Still, public naman o (ang mga) tao sa paligid mo ayaw article by the University of Pittsburgh, speaking can be kang suportahan,” he said. “(That will shatter) “Most people experience some level of learned through your confidence.” speech anxiety when they have to speak in hard work and front of a group. In fact, public speaking is perseverance— A climber might also come across many people’s fear.” a tiring trek to hindrances to their ascent towards the peak Uphill climb reach the peak.” as they continue. “[People] should be humble (in a way) na (open) ka for mistakes at kaya Without a stable footing, many fall down Confidence in oneself also plays a huge (mong) i-accept na ‘di ka perfect,” Marco Paez the alps. Humanities and Social Sciences factor in avoiding these encounters. “The lack (ABM21) suggested. faculty Geordan Carungcong shared why of confidence can lead to paralysis from fear,” some climbers lack the bravery to overcome San Pedro said. Stammering, mental blocks, “(The best) thing to do in such situations the mountainous fear of public speaking. and freezing up are some of the obstacles is to continue and don’t show them that “Maaaring hindi sila nabigyan (ng chance) o along the way. “It’s very common to have you (messed) up,” Rutor mentioned. platform (para) makapagsalita,” he continued. those mental blocks or stuttering moments,” There are some instances that people “For instance noong bata (sila), maaaring hindi Yujiro Kanisawa (STM26) mentioned. won’t even notice a person’s error because (sila) napipili sa recitation.” Roadblocks like these could hinder climbers of how quickly they pick themselves up. from reaching the crest, but it can’t fully stop Accepting the mistake might help an No matter how firm the foundation a them from persevering. individual to continue moving forward. climber has, they could still fall down the Grabbing the ledge Mistakes could happen to anyone, maybe incline without proper gear and equipment. even to the most prepared. “People are afraid [to speak] because they Ascending the summit with a negative *** know that (what they say) won’t be as good mindset could become troublesome to as (what people) expect it to be…so they people. Carungcong mentioned, having “[H]indi lang siya basta talent, isa rin siyang just don’t try it because of (their) lack of bagay na pinaghihirapan o pinapraktis, parang confidence,” Jonah Agregado (HMS12) sports,” said Carungcong. A person may be said. Because of this, individuals might find born with vast amounts of talent in public public speaking as a daunting task to do. speaking. Still, just like almost everything in This lack of confidence may lead to losing life, public speaking can be learned through one’s footing, resulting in their eventual hard work and perseverance—a tiring trek to drop. Most could not recover from the reach the peak. said fall—however, there are a few that continue onwards. As a fearsome mountain blocks the Trips and mishaps way, those who are faint of heart faltered and never returned. However, there are It might be a perilous journey up the some that faced the many challenges it slope as climbers may encounter dangerous delivered and continued on to its peak. It things along the way. “I think [mistakes] may be true that public speaking seems like can happen to anyone,” Dominic Rutor a steep mountain to climb. Nevertheless, (HMS21) elaborated. “I think no matter with a good support system, confidence, and enough practice, anyone can reach the top of the summit.

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