La Estrella Verde November 2017 - April 2018

La Estrella Verde The Official Senior High School Student Publication of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas UPHOLDER OF TRUTH. HERALD OF CHANGE. November 2017 - April 2018 Volume 2 Issue 2 Track SCs Winning performance. ABM 26’s T’nalak Festival was hailed as the Regional Dance champions during the Student’s Week 2017 at Ugnayang La Salle. Photo by Miguel Martin Saligumba. address student concerns USC VP recommends central council for SHS Sean Patrick De La Cruz Due to recent stumbles concerning the performance of Track Student Council Science, Technology, Engineering, Festival (LSF) Celebration criticisms, the SHS community. (SC) officers, with some students unrecognizing their presence on student body and Mathematics (STEM) Track saying that the planning phase was Moreover, Technical, Vocational, involvement, Track SC presidents faced concerns on their projects for the current President Ryan James Bawasanta difficult for their part, as the first academic year, in hopes of providing reasonable grounds on said issues. has given his response to Lasallian month of the year was hectic for and Livelihood (TVL) Track SC, see page 15 DLSU-D SHS gears up for grad, ball for pioneer batch Arjielene Javier “We would make sure that the graduation ceremony would be special and memorable,” said Graduation Committee Chair Jemily Mamayson when asked on the details about the first DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) Graduation Ceremony, which will be held on May 29 at Ugnayang La Salle. Smile of winners. Del Rosario (left) and Guevarra (right) hold their awards from The Manila Times Campus Press Awards. Photo by Miguel Martin Saligumba Mamayson revealed that the University a specific discipline, recognition for has already made plans for the graduation work immersion, research, award for The Manila Times recognizes Lasallian journalists rites, but she said that they can’t disclose organization achievement, loyalty, and Leiddy Hazel Peñamora definite details yet. “As for the details or special awards for students who stood preparation we are making, I don’t think out in different off-campus competitions. La Estrella Verde (LEV) student journalists continued to prove their journalism skills in the national area, as Klensch it’s something we can reveal, because it Guevarra and Katherine Anne Del Rosario bagged the Best High School Photography English category and Best High School has to be revealed on the graduation day, There will also be an award for Literary Piece English category, respectively, in The Manila Times Campus Press Awards on March 14 at Discovery Suites, but rest assured that we will do our best the most distinguished SHS student Ortigas Center, Pasig City. to make it special,” she added. who epitomizes the ideal Lasallian graduate who excels in academics, a Guevarra’s photo “Begin with said tilt. “I was overwhelmed and #GT418 event last July. Meanwhile, Mamayson shared that the dedicated leader, and an advocate of the an end in mind” and Del Rosario’s happy kasi ‘di ko siya ine-expect since When asked about the story behind University will adhere to the Department environment and social transformation. short story “Secrets in Suburbia” ‘di ko alam na sumali pala ‘yung LEV sa of Education’s (DepEd) graduation The name of the award is yet to be bested other entries from various competition,” said Guevarra, adding the award-winning shot, Guevarra theme, “Mag-aaral ng K to 12: Handa finalized, according to the Awards student publications from Luzon, that she was shocked when her fellow replied that she was only doing sa Hamon ng Buhay (K to 12 Learners: Committee. Visayas, and Mindanao, receiving photojournalists started sending their her duties that time. “Nung nakita Ready to Face Life’s Challenges).” She plaques of recognition, and full congratulatory messages. ko ‘yung kinalabasan nung pic, I was also revealed that they are processing Graduation and Yearbook fee scholarship from The Manila like, ‘Eto na ‘yung…pinakahinihintay significant matters on the upcoming Moreover, the committee has also Times College. Guevarra’s photo was the banner ng mga Grade 12 students: (ang) Baccalaureate Mass to be held on May 23. photo of LEV’s July-October 2017 grumaduate,’” she said. announced the official costs of fees to In an interview, both of them issue, which shows the Senior High When asked for details about the be spent by the pioneer batch. Students expressed their astonishment, as School (SHS) student leaders and On the other hand, Del Rosario possible commencement speakers, would have to pay a total of P3,800 for neither of the two knew that their administrators pressing the buzzer for also shared a glimpse of her award- Mamayson said that they are yet to the graduation fee, which includes the works were LEV’s entries for the the graduation countdown during the winning piece. She described the story finalize the said matter. alumni fee, graduation photo package, Awards and Recognition toga rental fee, and other graduation MNL Times, see page 2 expenses. Additionally, Yearbook Faculty- In an exclusive meeting held on March in-Charge Jose Apollo Mabini stated 21, the Awards Committee disclosed that those students who would opt to integral matters on various set of avail SHS Yearbook have to pay P2,000. recognitions to be given to students, who When asked about the possible date of had shown exemplary performances the graduation pictorial, Mabini said that in a certain discipline. These awards it is set to materialize on the third week include academic excellence, leadership of April. award, outstanding performance for Graduation, see page 2 04 08 11 17 Editorial Two years for Features The line between O and A FOCUS Road to Forever? Literary “Pepe” brighter tomorrows Never-ending construction

2 La Estrella Verde NEWS November 2017 - April 2018 SBI students shine in Luzon Research Congress Bawasanta as Best Research all the existing researches in the SHS Presenter classes. Bawasanta hailed as Best Research Presenter Meanwhile, Bawasanta outweighed On the other hand, Bawasanta Xander Lauren Cipriano other 12 Luzon delegates, as he was expressed his gratitude to all the hailed as Luzon’s Best Research people behind their triumph in said DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) marked a notable performance in the research area as five students from Presenter, under the Scientific and congress. “Dine-dedicate ko ‘yung Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) major in Biology (SBI) were invited for an oral Experimental Research Category. He award ko kay Almighty God, to my presentation of their research in the first ever Luzon-Wide SHS Research Congress held on March 24 at the added that there were 200 research co-researchers kasi ‘di namin mabubuo University of Saint Louis, Tuguegarao City. entries at first, until it was trimmed ‘yung research without their efforts, down into respective categories. sa mga research teachers namin, kay The research entry, entitled The Emelio Januto III. Practical Research 2 subject and was Sir (Antonio) Mercado, Miss Cath Growth Effects of Ipomoea batatas According to STEM Coordinator recommended by their professor When asked about his experience (Umipig), and ‘dun sa mga kinuhanan (L.) Lam. (Kamote) Leaf Pellet Engr. Antonio Mercado. “Now, their in the congress, Bawasanta said that namin ng insights regarding our to Oreochromis niloticus Linn. Jovele Baccay, she couldn’t contain her research adviser is Ms. (Catherine) he felt pressured as he was tapped to research,” he stated. (Nile Tilapia), was authored by the happiness and excitement when she Umipig. We informed the group of be the research presenter of the entire following SBI23 students: Ryan James got the good news about the status Ryan to submit their abstract. Luckily, institution. Meanwhile, he added that It could be noted that this was the Bawasanta, Archie Dela Cruz, Freia of said paper. When asked about the the organizer accepted their paper,” it was also overwhelming, as their first time DLSU-D SHS engaged in a Dela Cruz, Raymond Digma, and story behind the study, Baccay shared she added. study was chosen to compete out of research-affiliated competition. that it was a product from the students’ Graduation, from page 1 Office. As for the theme of the much anticipated gathering, it would Graduation Ball require students to wear any black or On the other hand, the University champagne suit or tuxedo for males and ball gown or long gown for is also set to hold a ball for the females. graduating batch, which will be held on May 21 at Ugnayang La Salle. Dadap also mentioned that the Graduation Ball is not compulsory to According to Graduation Ball graduating students. Committee Head Joseph Mirvin Dadap, interested students must pay P800 until April 30 at the Accounting Photo by Miguel Martin Saligumba. MNL Times, from page 1 in various journalism convergences recently. “I am, of course, very LEV wins big in The Journ Project as a depiction of a usual Filipino proud of the both of them and the Charliemagne Asuncion household told from the perspective whole LEV, not only because it’s a of a young girl, who realized that her national competition, but the one La Estrella Verde (LEV) student journalists have once again sealed their “We are already making a name, neighbor was experiencing domestic who recognized their potential is an competencies in the journalism field as they have bagged three plaques and four both for LEV and DLSU-D SHS. violence and was enduring it secretly. established national publication,” medals in The Journ Project (TJP) held on Feb. 17 at Tanghalang Julian Felipe. LEV’s achievements are, in a way, she said. Eullo also mentioned that achievements of Senior High, because When asked on the inspiration of other winners are renowned student LEV conquered all group tilt, as they gave their own version of we provide opportunities for student the story, Del Rosario said that she publications in the country, and this is competitions, as they were hailed “Bakit Delia” using different materials journalists to hone their craft,” knew someone who was experiencing something that LEV can be proud of. as champions in the Public for their sound effects. LEV News-in- Eullo said. the same thing. “I feel like I need to Service Announcement (PSA) Charge Lance Angelo Mejico was also tell her story somehow,” she stated. The Campus Press Awards was Competition and On-the-Spot Radio hailed as the Best Voice, besting four This marked the first recognition of Del Rosario added that she wanted to organized by The Manila Times, the Drama Contest. other contenders. LEV for 2018, following their notable write about something that was already country’s oldest existing English wins in different national, regional, imbued in the society, especially in the language newspaper, and the The PSA, which tackled the concept On the other hand, LEV also and division media conferences in the Filipino community. Manila Times College. “Filipinos first,” also earned the garnered runner-up places in the previous year. People’s Choice Award after garnering individual competitions, as Jennifer LEV Adviser Jesser Eullo expressed more than 25,000 views and over Santos and Klensch Gueverra placed Pioneered by the Broadcast her pride for the constant wins of LEV 1,700 reactions in a span of one week. second and third for the On-the-Spot Journalism Program Council of PSA Director Maeca Louisse Camus Feature Writing and On-the-Spot- the College of Liberal Arts and Prefect launches new guidelines also secured the Best Director award, Photography contests, respectively. Communication, TJP was participated for tardiness, absences beating the other three directors. in by various student journalists from LEV Adviser Jesser Eullo expressed different senior high schools in Cavite. Policies received mixed reactions Moreover, LEV’s Radio Team also her delight and pride on the recent flaunted their creative styles in the said achievements that LEV received. Gayle Josrel Esquida With the aim of enhancing students’ punctuality, Prefect of Discipline Albert John Puchero reinforced the new policies for tardiness and absences after deliberations with the Senior High School (SHS) Student Handbook Drafting and Completion Committee. VCFAS weighs in on SHS students’ Subsequent to the newest guideline, Jervic Alven Rico (ABM25) said. enrollment complaints a student will be considered late if However, some students said s/he arrives within the first 10 minutes Leiddy Hazel Peñamora for a 1-hour class, first 15 minutes for that the recent policies help them a 1.5-hour class, first 20 minutes for a in different ways, and make them Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) each sem, sana naman maglagay sila ng 2-hour class, and first 30 minutes for a more disciplined and more sensible Deodoro Abiog II addressed various criticisms of DLSU-D Senior High upuan,” one student shared. The said 3-hour class. Meanwhile, a student will individuals. “(These)...will train us School (SHS) students regarding the enrollment process, stating that student, who stood for two hours be marked as absent if s/he arrives for our future, to act professional... they could work hand-in-hand to tackle certain issues. straight, also added that a simple after the aforementioned time frames. and to be more responsible [with monoblock would do, as long as they regards to time],” Mikaela Asuncion According to Abiog, the Accounting only pay their fees at their “own could take their seats while waiting for When asked on the specific reasons (ENG24) stated. Office and SHS administration are in convenience.” “If people followed their names to be called. behind the said policies, Puchero proper coordination regarding the their schedule, then, probably, stated that it only prepares the students Moreover, the faculty members enrollment procedures every semester. the line wouldn’t be that long,” Meanwhile, some students also to be ready on the responsibilities that also commended the latest rules for When asked about the reasons behind Abiog added. suggested that adding new counters they have to deal with in college as tardiness and absences, emphasizing the long lines during the enrollment Criticisms could make the transactions faster. these rules are similar to the rules in that it gives a deeper significance period on Jan. 8, Abiog said that the When asked about the said matter, the tertiary level. to the moral responsibility of the SHS and college students all came at It could be remembered that Abiog clarified that they are not Reactions of the SHS community students. “Coming to school is a very the same time, which aggravated the the enrollment process for the planning to increase the number of important thing, not only by passing situation. “The enrollment of senior second semester of A.Y. 2017-2018 enrollment counters. “They can pay The newest guidelines, however, the class,” Christian Values professor high is supposed to be December... has received numerous negative [their tuition fee] online. There are earned positive and negative feedback Rey Garrido stated. Had all senior high students enroll in reactions from the SHS community. many channels [on] how to pay. So, from the SHS community. December, the lines would not be that you don’t really have to fall in line… Puchero clarified that the reinforced long,” he added. Some students complained about because there are other payment Some students considered the rules guidelines will be a preparation for the heat and others cut the line in centers,” he emphasized. as a bit inconvenient, especially if the implementation of the Student He also mentioned that most of the order to pay first. They also shared they have some personal matters to Handbook, which will be fully students and parents are completely that there were not enough chairs, Moroever, Abiog shared that he is accomplish. “Being late doesn’t mean effective next academic year. He also disregarding the schedule set by the causing some to stand for about five yet to attend an evaluation meeting you’re irresponsible, it’s just...that there added that they had come up with office and the administrators, as they hours. “We’re paying (almost) P50,000 with the Accounting Office, and (are) circumstances [and]...students the said rules as a response to the assured everyone that they would raise have personal matters to deal with,” concerns and strict orders of the adjustments if necessary. Department of Education. CLASS HOUR/S 1 hour 1.5 hours 2 hours 3 hours MINUTES LATE 10 mins. 15 mins. 20 mins. 30 mins. Minutes Late. The new standard late minutes as formulated by the Prefect of Discipline.

November 2017 - April 2018 NEWS La Estrella Verde 3 Gusali ng SHS, muling maaantala Gradual phase-out ng JHS para sa SHS, kumpirmado Andrea Oesmer Muling maaantala ang pagpapatayo ng gusali ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS), sapagkat patuloy pa ring nakabinbin ang pinak- abagong edipisyo ng College of Engineering and Architecture (CEAT) na dapat sana ay nakatakdang simulan noong Enero ngayong taon. Ginawaran ng parangal ang mga manlalaro ng SHS noong nakaraang Honors Assembly. Kuha ni Caryl Mae Soler Ayon kay Vice Chancellor for Finance naman ni Abiog at Junior High School and Administrative Services (VCFAS) (JHS) Director Cristina Padilla ang SHS orgs, apektado sa paglisan ng Grade 12 Deodoro Abiog II, nakatakda silang lumalaganap na usap-usapan ukol sa magsagawa ng konkretong plano unti-unting paghihinto ng operasyon Beatrice Katherine Aguilar ukol sa gusali ng SHS pagkatapos ng ng JHS upang magbigay daan sa konstruksiyon ng gusali ng CEAT, na mga estudyante ng SHS. Dagdag pa Aminado ang mga namumuno sa iba’t ibang organisasyon ng DLSU-D Nang tanungin kung ano ang maaaring matapos sa susunod na taon. dito, ipinahayag ni Padilla na para sa Senior High School (SHS) na malaki ang magiging epekto ng pag-alis ng mga gagawin nilang hakbang upang Ibinahagi rin ni Abiog na sisimulan ikabubuti ng sistema ng Unibersidad mga kasalukuyang mag-aaral ng Grade 12 sapagkat kaunti lamang ang masolusyonan ang problema, pa lamang ang pagtatayo ng bagong ang nasabing desisyon. “The university mga kasapi nilang miyembro mula sa Grade 11. pinaliwanag ni Mabini na kinakailangan edipisyo ng CEAT sa Abril, taliwas is a tertiary university, and it wants to focus nilang mangalap ng mga bagong sa kanyang pahayag sa nakaraang on programs which are very similar to the Ilan sa mga organisasyong La Estrella Verde miyembro na maaasahan, responsable, isyu ng La Estrella Verde (LEV Vol. 2 tertiary programs. And the senior high school maaapektuhan ay ang Student Council Sang-ayon rin si LEV Editor in may kakayahang magplano, at handang Issue 1), kung saan kanyang ibinahagi programs are the ones which are very similar (SC), La Estrella Verde (LEV), SHS tanggapin ang positibo at negatibong ang pagpapatatag ng gusali sa unang with the tertiary program, so the school Yearbook, at Sports Athletic teams. Chief Micah Juliana Montano sa nagaganap sa kanilang mga proyekto. buwan ng 2018. decided to focus on the senior high school,” malawakang epekto ng pagtatapos sa pagsasaad niya. Student Council SHS ng mga Grade 12 sa naturang Athletic teams Gayunpaman, siniguro naman ni Ipinahayag ni Science, Technology, pahayagan. Aniya, mahihirapan Sa kabilang banda, isiniwalat rin Abiog ang pagkakaroon ng sariling Kaugnay nito, nakatakdang matapos ang mga kasalukuyang Grade gusali ng naturang departamento. ang operasyon ng JHS sa pang- Engineering, and Mathematics 11 sa pangangalap ng bagong ni Sports Moderator Alex Balbio na “Having their (SHS) own building, yes, that akademikong taong 2020-2021, kung (STEM) Council Adviser Aron Dave manunulat at patnugot na bubuo apektado ang iba’t ibang sports athletic is part of the master plan. But the year, the kailan magtatapos na ng Grade 10 ang Umali na posibleng mahirapan sa sa LEV. teams sa pag-alis ng mga manlalaro design, how many floors, etc., all the details mga kasalukuyang Grade 7 na mag- pamamalakad ang mga namumuno mula sa Grade 12. might not yet be available now, because we aaral. sa susunod na taon, sapagkat isang Kaugnay nito, nagbigay naman siya will still go into the planning, the designing, Grade 11 lamang ang kasalukuyang ng payo para sa mga kasalukuyang Ayon sa kanya, dominado ng mga etc.,” paglalahad niya. Samantala, muli namang sinubukan miyembro ng STEM SC. miyembro at mga nagnanais lumahok Grade 12 ang mga kasalukkuyang ng LEV na hingan ng pahayag si sa naturang organisasyon. miyembro ng iba’t ibang koponan. Gradual phase-out ng JHS Buildings and Facilities Maintenance “Maaapektuhan in the sense na isa Nang tanungin kung ano ang hakbang para sa SHS Director Architect Dennis Pontanilla, lang ang may ‘experience’ sa pagiging “Bukod sa kanilang galing at husay na kaniyang gagawin sa susunod na ngunit tumanggi siyang magbigay ng [parte ng] SC. Kasi ngayon, established sa kanilang mga larangan, importante pang-akademikong taon, ipinahayag Sa kabilang banda, kinumpirma detalye sa naturang isyu. na ‘yung working relationship ng isa’t isa, din ang kanilang commitment at passion sa niya na bukod sa pangangalap ng especially since majority sa officers ngayon pagsali. Hindi sapat na may kakahayan bagong miyembro, maari rin silang Web Editor ng LEV, bagong ay officers din last year,” paglalahad niya. lang kung hindi naman sila handa na magbigay ng scholarship, kung miyembro ng isang nat’l youth org gawing prayoridad ang kanilang mga kakayanin ng ilalaang pondo. Gayunpaman, may tiwala naman responsibilidad sa organisasyon,” Leiddy Hazel Peñamora si Umali na madami mula sa pagsasaad ni Montano. “If the fund will allow siguro recruitment kasalukuyang estudyante ng Grade of players, [magbibigay ng] scholarship Pasok si La Estrella Verde (LEV) Web Editor Maeca Louisse Camus 11 ang may kakayahang gampanan SHS Yearbook athletics if possible…We cannot recruit sa 11 bagong miyembro ng Junior Council-National Executive Board ang mga mababakanteng tungkulin. Samantala, aminado rin si Yearbook outside without any scholarship…kung (JC-NEB) 2018 ng Children’s Museum and Library, Inc. (CMLI). “Tiwala naman ako na madami sa meron sanang scholarship, we can recruit current Grade 11, and sa susunod na Faculty-in-Charge Jose Apollo Mabini bigger players coming from the outside Ayon kay Camus, matagal na batch ng Grade 11 next school year, ang na lubos na mahihirapan ang kanilang school,” pagsasaad ni Balbio. niyang hinahangaan ang naturang may potensyal na maging magaling na organisasyon sa susunod na taon, organisasyon, sapagkat naglalayon leader,” paglilinaw niya. sapagkat 13 sa loob ng 14 na kasapi sa itong magtaguyod ng kapakanan at Yearbook ang magtatapos na sa Mayo. pag-unlad ng kabataang Pilipino, sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang Cajandab, hinarap ang batikos ng mga patimpalak, eksibisyon, at pantas- aral. Dagdag pa niya, hinubog siya ng estudyante sa clearance signing CMLI na makisama at makisalamuha sa mga kabataan, sa pamamagitan ng Lexi France Angeles mga kompetisyon at mga pantas-aral. Bumuwelta si Assistant Registrar Cecilia Cajandab laban sa pambabatikos ng mga Nang tanungin ang kanyang Camus. Kuha ni Miguel Martin Saligumba estudyante ukol sa sistema ng pagpirma ng mga student clearances nitong nakaraang reaksyon noong nalaman niya ang semestre, na sinabing nagbigay na sila ng sapat na konsiderasyon sa naturang isyu. anunsyo, ibinahagi ni Camus na Kaugnay nito, nag-iwan din siya magkahalong tuwa at kaba ang kanyang ng mensahe para sa mga nagnanais Ayon kay Cajandab, matagal na guro na by section ang pagpasa ng Sa isang panayam, ibinahagi rin naramdaman, sapagkat kaakibat nito na maging miyembro ng CMLI sa niyang inanunsyo ang mga detalye clearance ang isa sa mga kadahilanan ni Cajandab na mayroon pang ang malaking responsibilidad na dapat susunod na taon. Ayon sa kanya, tungkol sa mga dokumentong ng matagal na pagpirma. mga estudyanteng hindi pa tapos niyang pagbutihin. mahirap, nakakakaba, at nakakapagod kinakailangang ayusin, na tila sa pagpapapirma ng kani-kanilang ang proseso, ngunit kanyang ipinaalala binalewala lang ng mga estudyante. Samantala, kinuwestyon naman clearance. “Hanggang ngayon nga, “…Kabado, kasi malaki ‘yung na hindi dapat malimutan ng mga “September o October palang ay sinabi ng ilang estudyante ang pahayag ni mayroon pa ring mga estudyanteng responsibility na panghahawakan, and all kabataan ang dahilan kung bakit nila na namin sa mga estudyante at advisers Cajandab na kinakailangang matapos naghahabol ng requirements nila,” eyes are on us din since we’re the 60th batch ninais sumali sa naturang organisasyon. na papirmahan na nila ‘yung clearance ang clearance bago makapag-enroll para paglalahad ni Cajandab. ng JC-NEB,” pagsasaad ni Camus. “You joined this organization to empower, nila,” pagsasaad niya. sa ikalawang semestre. Pinabulaanan lead, and inspire the youth with great ito ng ilang mag-aaral na sinabing Kaugnay nito, ipinahayag rin Kabilang sa kanyang mga excellence, all for God and the nation,” Kaugnay nito, ipinahayag rin ni hindi naisakatuparan ang naturang niya na mas magiging mahigpit responsibilidad ang pagdalo sa mga paninindigan ni Camus. Cajandab na hindi lang sila ang may panukala, sapagkat walang hiningi na ang kanilang opisina ngayong pagpupulong na ginaganap linggo- kasalanan sa nangyaring proseso, ang Accounting Office na clearance semestre, sapagkat katapusan na ito linggo, kung saan pinagpaplanuhan Isang taong maninilbihan si Camus sapagkat mayroon ding ilang mga noong sila ay nagbayad ng matrikula. ng akademikong taon. Dagdag pa nila ang iba’t ibang proyekto na bilang parte ng JC-NEB, na may guro ang mabagal sa pagpipirma ng dito, muli namang pinaalalahanan kanilang pamumunuan. adbokasiyang hubugin ang kakayahan mga naturang clearances. Sinagot naman ito ni Cajandab na ni Cajandab ang lahat ng estudyante ng mga kabataang Pilipino. sinabing binigyan na lamang nila ng na magpapirma ng maaga, upang Samantala, ipinahayag naman ni Sang-ayon naman dito si STEM konsiderasyon ang mga estudyanteng maiwasan ang pagkaantala ng Camus na hindi niya maaaring ibahagi faculty Maurice Olivier Baylan, na makapag-enroll ng maaga, kahit wala kanilang mga dokumento. ang mga detalye sa pagpasok sa CMLI, sinabing ang kagustuhan ng ibang pa silang clearance na naiprepresenta. ngunit aminado siyang mahirap na proseso ang kanyang pinagdaanan bago makamit ang naturang posisyon.

4 La Estrella Verde OPINION November 2017 - April 2018 La Estrella Verde EDITORIAL The Official Senior High School Student Publication Two years for brighter tomorrows of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas After two years of going through a novel, untested, and grueling experiment What lies ahead of us? EDITORIAL BOARD designed for “better futures”, the first batch of senior high school (SHS) A.Y. 2017-2018 students are now poised to brave the next step of their journeys―may it be Obiter Dicta what you want to do with your life after tertiary education or seeking employment. The K-12 curriculum boasts a rather SHS, you may find these posts stressful, Micah Juliana Montano hefty notion; however, two years do not seem to be enough time to actually Micah Juliana Montano rather than something encouraging and EDITOR IN CHIEF prepare SHS graduates for “brighter tomorrows”. inspiring. If this is the case, then you As I was writing my last column have to let yourself stop for a while Nathan Kristoffer Manikan SHS, which encompasses Grades 11 and 12, refers to the additional two years for La Estrella Verde (LEV), Frank and breathe. Shut all the voices and ASSOCIATE EDITOR in the country’s basic education cycle that was implemented nationwide in S.Y. Sinatra’s “My Way” played over and expectations down and just listen to 2016-2017 under Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic Act 10533). over again in my head, and it got me your own heart. What do YOU want to Jean Geibrielle Romero It covers the last two years of the K-12 program where the students will take up a little teary. Although, it’s not actually do? Where do YOU want to go? MANAGING EDITOR core, applied, and specialized subjects under a track of their choice. Its objective the end of me yet, but soon, we will be Warren David Saga is to ensure that by the time students graduate after Grade 12, they will have the passing over LEV’s legacy to the next You have to understand that COPY EDITOR standard knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to go to college, or to start batch, and that soon is very near. Oh, choosing what university and course to Lance Angelo Mejico working in the industry. how I remember how we started from take is one tough and dreading decision NEWS-IN-CHARGE scratch—literally nothing. to make. It can also be as pressuring In recent months however, concerns regarding the readiness of K-12 graduates and as compelling as you think. But, is Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring have started coming up, generating a buzz both online, and off. Many netizens, Well, aside from the aforementioned it really a university that will determine FEATURES EDITOR particularly SHS students themselves, have expressed their opinions, with some transition of the editorial board of stating that the two additional years of SHS did not produce college-ready LEV, a great switch is also about to “one’s future? Wynona Raechel Magnaye students, and instead “nobody has [the] motivation to go to college anymore.” happen in the lives of the Grade 12 SPORTS EDITOR Moreover, another stated that the K-12 curriculum wasn’t able to do its job of students, as this is the last semester Shut all the Elaissa Bautista producing “efficient, skilled, and work-ready” students, instead yielding “sleep- of their senior high school (SHS) voices and deprived, mentally drained, and depressed” students. These claims are quite life. Moving along with the season of expectations LITERARY EDITOR alarming, as numerous people were in agreement. ACT Teacher Representative college applications, the graduating down” Romeo Christopher Avila France Castro also stated that K-12 graduates will not have easier access to job SHS students took several college opportunities, contrary to DepEd’s promise, adding that even college graduates entrance tests (CETs) to try their shot Being able to take the course that ART-IN-CHARGE “have a hard time looking for jobs with decent wages… how much more do we in their dream university/universities. you want in the university that you’ve Leerick Bautista expect from Grade 12 graduates?” Most of them applied for the Big 4 always dreamt of—wow, what a concept. LAYOUT EDITOR Schools in the Philippines, University But. if things don’t go the way that you Miguel Martin Saligumba The K-12 curriculum, and the additional two years of SHS were laid out of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila have planned or imagined them, it is PHOTO EDITOR with good intentions, understandably. It has had its benefits, as some subjects University, De La Salle University, okay. It doesn’t mean that you are not Maeca Louisse Camus commonly taken in the first or second year of college have already been taught in and University of Santo Tomas, for as good or as smart as those who have SHS, decreasing the number of units to take in college. It has also given students different reasons, such as: (1) quality of passed. It’s just that God has better WEB EDITOR learning experiences that are not confined in the four walls of classrooms, as education, (2) facilities and innovations, plans for you; trust Him and His ways, Kiela Aivory Fonte Grade 12 students are required to go through work immersion as a requirement (3) diverse range of courses offered, darling. And one day, you will realize RADIO PROGRAM MANAGER for graduation, equipping them with knowledge and basic industry skills on (4) university organizations, (5) cost of that it was worth it. their chosen field. However, in the process of producing future-ready students, fees, and (6) career opportunities. NEWS important personal aspects such as the physical, mental, and emotional aspects So, to my fellow Grade 12 students, Beatrice Katherine Aguilar, of these students are sacrificed. SHS students have described their “guinea pig” Every now and then, we see posts graduation is fast approaching. Are Lexi France Angeles, Charliemagne experiences to be filled with anguish and turmoil that have took a toll on them, from our friends who have passed their you ready to face the next chapter of Asuncion, Xander Lauren Cipriano, Sean multiple times. Some even have stated that K-12 didn’t make them college-ready CETs and have their minds settled your life? Patrick Dela Cruz, Gayle Josrel Esquida, at all, as it made them more undecided on the programs they will pursue for already for what they want to pursue Arjielene Javier, Andrea Oesmer, tertiary education. in the future. And maybe, if you are someone who’s still uncertain with Leiddy Hazel Peñamora Perhaps a better way to ensure that SHS students are more enthusiastic of FEATURES pursuing their desired undertakings upon graduating is to invest more on providing them with knowledge in the working environment of their chosen Kristine Mae Evangelista, fields, in lieu of the tremendous amounts of academic outputs they are expected Leenarc Ashley Delos Reyes, to produce, even though some are not even relevant to their desired fields. In Jennifer Santos, Zion Jil Villela doing so, not only do SHS students become more well-equipped future workers, they are also exposed better to their potential professions, and are allowed to SPORTS cultivate their passions in the process. Ensuring that K-12 graduates are also Angelica Alcaraz, Ingrid Del Rosario, given good job opportunities, through the government’s efforts, after their completion of SHS could also motivate students to enter the workplace and be Franceska Nicole Canquin, productive citizens of our country. Gian Elrich Sandoval The K-12 curriculum and SHS have had its ups and downs. However, these LITERARY speed bumps do not spell the end for the K-12 learners’ journeys towards Liana, Bongao, Geraldine Rambano, success. Through further improvement on the system, continuous efforts of Elli Isaiah Amado, Katherine Anne del ardent educators, and unbridled passion in the minds and hearts of students, we will be able to secure a better future and a brighter tomorrow, with K-12. Rosario, Blesilda Mae Padolina, Kim Nicole Toledo, Sofia Clyde Vinuya Method to The Crime of Speaking One’s Mind the Madness ART this act is often punished by the that matter, out of his educators, the campus? Wouldn’t that lessen the Cris Matthew Canada, Jennifer Diola, Nathan Kristoffer Manikan administration itself, even when administration, and the school. amount of “rants” more effectively the student has a sensible reason and efficiently, and benefit both Ailene Joyce Puzon, Ayumi Wada Show of hands, everybody. to say his piece. With this, I think it Additionally, what exactly is the parties, compared to silencing the Raise your hands if you’ve held says a lot about how oppressive an point of monitoring students’ social students, invalidating their concerns, LAYOUT disappointment towards an instance administration is when it cannot even media lives, as with Twitter and and even punishing them for it? Wella Jean Mae Abobo, Willem Dominic that occurred, within the grounds take criticism from the very people it of our beloved University, that you should be serving, which, in the case “Snapchat? Yes, understandably, one’s Suppressing voices isn’t discipline, Dimas, Angelica Marie Dionisio, wanted to offer your two cents and of the administration in question, are it’s tyranny. Does it honestly make Izabelle Mari Siarot say something but were too afraid of the students. Suppressing voices our University look better if the PHOTO being reprimanded by doing so. Now, isn’t discipline, administration needs to extinguish any if that seems familiar to you, then Yes, at times, some students’ it’s tyranny” form of disagreement towards their Juvilee Galacgac, Klensch Guevarra, congratulations, you are aware of the comments get a little bit overboard actions? Quite the opposite, friends. Mark Fernan Ignacio, Princess Mijares, crime of speaking one’s mind. and too harsh already, and in no way discipline should extend even outside should this behavior be encouraged. the campus. However, is this really In no way is one side more correct Mary Joyce Simon, Caryl Mae Soler It’s no secret that all administrations However, if a student is expressing his something an administration should than another, for both have their own want to keep their reputations as clean or her sentiments in a non-derogatory trouble itself to do? Why not start share of flaws and faults. So, let’s VIDEO as possible. However, the thing is, not manner, then why must it be censored? with providing more professional bridge the gap. Instead of animosity Martha Ann Abesamis, everyone will find themselves satisfied Do you think a student would just and quality educators, holding more and punishment being both sides’ Nadine Claire Bautista, Leila Gomez, by everything an administration does. make a comment on how, for example, activities that will both benefit and respective first moves, why don’t Take for instance, our own University’s some of his professors spend more be of the students’ interests, looking we try establishing a better sense of Julian Patric Semilla SHS students. It’s no rarity that students time dressing themselves up to look after the students’ welfare, and communication, one wherein both RADIO tend to flock to social media to speak good rather than actually providing implementing better policies to help parties know how to bravely share their minds, or as condescending quality education just for the heck of avoid untoward incidents within the their sentiments, and also respectfully Elli Isaiah Amado, Regina Noreen Arahan, people would say, “rant” whenever it? No! He gives a piece of his mind listen to that of the other. Speaking Charliemagne Asuncion, Sophia Therese something unpleasing for them occurs, because he knows what he deserves one’s mind should never have been a particularly when it comes to their as a student, as a paying student for crime to begin with, and I hope that Cano, Christian Geoffrey Capistrano, educational experience. Unfortunately, one day, it will not be, anymore. Xander Lauren Cipriano, Nia Sara Marjael Masbad, Lance Angelo Mejico, Ciela Andrea Roasa, Blesilda Mae Padolina SENIOR CORRESPONDENT Jason Ybarrita ADVISER Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo La Estrella Verde has its editorial office at Room 311B, Hotel De Oriente (College of Tourism and Hospitality Management) De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, DBB-B City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4115 Telephone: +63-2-7795180, +63-46-4811900 to 1930 local 3402 Email: [email protected] Facebook: /DLSUDLaEstrellaVerde Contribution, 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.

November 2017 - April 2018 OPINION La Estrella Verde 5 On answering back Separated Council BtheotsweeeWnords building and showing trust. It is about doesn’t define the other, and they will Beyond Sound coming from the three councils making and helping them grow as never forever be right. Waves in the Facebook group are being Jean Geibrielle Romero successful individuals. posted, despite it containing the same To the adults, there would be Lance Angelo Mejico information. W“Aba, sumasagot-sagot ka na ngayon!” It is a big deal for Filipino families instances where you are the ones hat’s wrong with defending whenever the younger ones try to who are wrong, and you need to For two consecutive years, we are Second, this federalism-like council yourself ? What’s wrong in answer or talk back to their parents accept that. Set aside your pride. being governed by three different creates a tendency for a certain event explaining yourself ? When did it or any elders. People often see this Your child is more important that Track Councils who have provided to be one track-centered. One great become illegal to say your side on as something disrespectful. People your ego. Learn to apologize and say us school affairs that unleashed our example is this year’s LSF Celebration. an incident? Most Filipino children expect you to respect everyone older sorry to your child. This would help potentials and greatness. They are Most of the programs that were have experienced getting scolded than you, simply because they’re them trust you more and be open to the minds behind the school activities created are in favor of STEM students, for answering or talking back to older. Age can be a factor to show the you without fear of being scolded which momentarily distanced us and there were limited programs their parents. experiences one has, but it doesn’t or something. This would help them from the academic world and have intended for other tracks. Additionally, necessarily give anyone the license to grow as a person, and learn that enlivened our slumbered spirits. But there were no activities allotted for Indeed, it’s true that it is not right be respected; respect is earned, and being mature is by accepting your despite the perseverance that they ABM and ADV students for the for kids, or any child, to talk back to own mistakes and knowing when to have shown for their projects, they whole duration of the LSF week. This their parents, that they must always “is not just given to anyone you meet. say sorry. still received criticisms from the SHS tendency is really possible with this listen to whatever their parents say community, due to their failures to do kind of council, as they tend to focus and never disrespect them. But Listen to them. Listen to them, let them speak, let their jobs flawlessly. sometimes, it is their parents who Let them speak.” them explain themselves. This is the “on their own fields of specialization. seem to forget to listen to their only way you can better connect and Personally, I agree that our Student children. They think that being Being an adult or someone older understand your children; it is one Council hadn’t raised a solid and It’s the time for respectful is being obedient, and not doesn’t mean that you are always of the best ways on how you can flawless school affair, especially this change...to break obeying means disrespecting. It is right, that you always do good, and show your trust to your child, and academic year. Most of their projects divisions.” never about being disrespectful, it is that you are better than the younger on how to build a closer relationship are comprised of cluttered events, about being disobedient. ones. with them. ..Let them feel that their rushed preparations, and repetitive And lastly, it affects their relationship thoughts matter, that they’re someone programs. For me, the Track Councils with other council members. As I Showing authority over your “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na worth listening to. After all, they are lack a lot of unity and harmony, which have observed, our Track Councils children or to young ones is not bad, kami.” Elders justify themselves with not just somebody else, they are your may be the cause of these noticeable are distant with each other, which since it instills in their minds that this statement. Children before could own children, your own blood. deficiencies. But we couldn’t put all the affects their goal of harmonizing the they need to show respect to those have even experienced various ways blame of these imperfections on them. SHS community. They seem to be around them. But let us remember of disciplinary actions done by their Remember that listening to them Based from my observations, not disconnected, which resulted to split that they also have the right to be parents because of answering back, doesn’t mean tolerating them on having one supreme council for the decisions and segregated programs. heard; it is never wrong to stand up trying to explain themselves. People answering back and disobeying SHS community made them divided Well, they can’t unify the whole for what you believe in, as long as need to accept and learn that whatever you. Listening to them is somehow and disunited. Obviously, this does not student body, if they are not unified you’re in the right track. This isn’t they have experienced before doesn’t training them to learn to stand on only affect their personal relationships, themselves. about letting them make excuses for always apply today. One’s generation what they know and believe is right, but it also affects the common good whatever they did, it is about making and to stand for themselves because of the entire student body. I wrote this article not to rebuke the a healthier relationship between after all, we cannot always be on their deficiencies of our student leaders, parents and children. It is about side to protect them, no one will But aside from that, this present but to raise awareness on what is defend them except themselves. government has to be discussed by happening, and what might possibly the administration, as there are several happen with the existing type of Experiment 747: Lab Report effects that are visible, and might emerge student government that we have. in the future. Truth be told, it is the time for change. Devoir versus to spend more money for tuition fees. which students engaged in different It is the time to take action. It is the Delight This is why the “senior high school” is jobs suited to their chosen courses. First, this led them to experience time to break divisions. Sometimes, most commonly denoted as a burden As a devastating result, employers will miscommunication in their projects. too much quantity affects the quality Warren David Saga to the Filipinos. Despite its existence be hesitant in accepting, or, worse, The cluttered Students’ Week 2017, of certain things. What we need is for a few years now, it is still being will not accept K-12 graduates at all, controversial Intramurals, and not a quality of quantity, but to have a Experiments aren’t only conducted criticized by the common folk. deeming them unequipped with the apathetic LSF 2018 Celebration are the quantity of quality. by scientists—students, teachers, necessary skills needed for jobs. This results of said factor. Also, there are people of curious and answer-seeking The implementation of the act led will leave those hopeful students and times where separate announcements minds, and the like—they can as well. the supposed-to-be-high-school- families with a broken promise—a And they don’t always have to be done graduates into a fork in the road: shattered Erlenmeyer flask, which anOdf dreevmooluctriaocnises in laboratories, nor are they required to one path leading to college, the only meant one thing: the experiment involve test tubes, graduated cylinders, other to employment. Since there are was a failure. The Unscripted when you are a teenager in this country and chemical explosions. Sometimes, evidently quite a huge number of low- of masked democracy. they involve government officials, an income and impecunious people in Experiments do not guarantee Elaissa Bautista entire country, and fourth year high the country, the latter path sounded success. That’s why they are being When Jose Rizal said that “Kabataan school students—Grade 10 students, I reassuring, with its ability to vaporize done in the first place—you are testing Igrew up with words being the ones ang pag-asa ng bayan,” I think he did mean. This particular experiment is the two years’ worth of college education, something to see if your hypothesis is to destroy me and, at the same time, not intend to say “Kabataan ang pag- K-12 Program which, I am confident therefore requiring a lesser time to right, regardless of whether it yields put me back to pieces. asa ng bayan, pero sundin mo lahat ng that you are familiar with. Tell me, how land a job for those who do not want fruitful results or unfortunate failures. sinasabi ng nakakatanda sa iyo kasi sila does it feel to be a lab rat? to pursue a bachelor’s degree. But, risks are needed to be weighed I was told a lot of times as a child lang ang nakakaalam ng tama.” Teenagers and taken into account to identify if that I must not stop myself from nowadays have strong spirits of We’ll get to why you were just referred Unfortunately, their dreams were the venture will be worthwhile and not saying anything I wanted to say, democracy, using every opportunity to as an animal in a short while; let’s crushed, like the air crushing a soda can regrettable. In the event that the risk because freedom of speech was one of they can get to speak their minds first discuss said experiment’s origin. in an air pressure experiment, when, concerns most of the nation’s citizens, the perks of a democratic country— out, despite being argued by the more The Philippines, with its steadfast recently, the Philippine Chamber of people overseeing the experiment something I did not realize the experienced citizens of the country. attempts towards development and must be of broad knowledge and importance of, until I became a student desire for global competitiveness, “(Experiments) keen discernment to successfully journalist. My previous teachers told Hindering democracy just because strives and exerts visible efforts to ascertain if it is worth conducting or me that words can be mighty, just we are younger and less experienced achieve said goals. The year is 2011, don’t always have not, and must consider everything like how our national hero, Jose Rizal, does not connote righteousness. This and the government noticed that to be done in and everyone that would be affected brought sweet independence to us should be the perfect time to welcome almost all countries worldwide have labs... Sometimes, in the process. through his writings. the new generation of influencers and something in common with their they involve education: they all have 12 years of government Does our government fit into I always thought words were my “game-changers which starts within us: basic education instead of 10. Seeking officials, an entire said description? Others might not ally, until one day, in junior high to be on the same level, on May 15, country, and...high agree. They wanted a shortcut to the school, when I respectfully stood in the youth. 2013, former president Benigno school students” future, but it was a shortcoming that front of our principal to speak up Aguino III approved the Republic Act they produced. It is not the Bunsen about some of our class’s concerns I wanted to become No. 10533, or the “Enhanced Basic Commerce and Industry declared burner’s fault that dismay was brewed regarding our school’s system and new more than just a Education Act of 2013”. that K-12 graduates are seemingly not instead of satisfaction. regulations. After being the talk of the person” work-ready, despite the two years of entire faculty for weeks because I was It, unfortunately, ensued a added secondary education, which Analyze this risk: millions of politely speaking up about something I Protests headed by college students widespread backlash from the citizens, included in its curriculum specialized students across the country, who believed in, I realized that the words I from various universities across the who argued that it is unfair for those and applied subjects distinct for each were supposed to head to college once thought were free—were actually country, young and fresh ideas from who would not be affected or are track, and an immersion process in after four years of high school, but caged. The people who taught us the emerging activism in the arts, and “safe from the curse”, referring to took a roundabout route and, instead, freedom were the same people who even histories being brought back to the batch of students who graduated had two more years added, waving suppressed us. life through veracious journalism— fourth year high school year 2016 and goodbye to hundreds of thousands all brought to life by the 21st century earlier, since they are able to proceed of money, with the promise of a It was distressing how I wanted to Filipino youth. to tertiary education sans the two- chance at employment afterwards, become more than just a person. I year inclusion. The apparent problem hoodwinked and said to that they wanted to be influenced and, at the At the end the the day, revolution is that students (or more particularly, are not yet ready for and worthy of same time, I wanted to influence others. comes in a form of democracy, their parents/families), therefore, who jobs—is it worth it? But, slowly, as I went to the long ride, and democracy comes in a form of are unwillingly affected, would have I learned that the influence I always revolution. For the country and the people’s desired will be challenging, especially sake, I truly hope it is.

6 La Estrella Verde OPINION November 2017 - April 2018 Tamaantgretpimrepsleanntagsysoinnigang Unpopular opinions in a nest Metered Verbosity “Ay, ganoon pala sila?” Ang hitsurang magalang, at hospitable ang mga Bird Life understand the latest news you’ve read makikita ng mga manonood, kung sa Pinoy, kung hindi ay ipinagmamalaki online, but someone could sum it all Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring telebisyon man ito, ang magtatakda rin dapat natin ang hitsura ng mga Kiela Aivory Fonte up in a thread. It has also become a kung natanggap na ba natin ang ninuno natin. norm in Twitter where people share Sa araw na mababasa mo ito, sariling atin. Twitter has become the nest of insights from effective hacks to mind umere na ang teleseryeng Bagani, Ngunit may naiwang tanong sa people tweeting about their blowing history facts. na kung saan bida si Liza Soberano. Alam naman natin na kayumanggi, ere: bakit hindi pa ibase mismo sa unpopular opinions. Before Twitter Noong nakaraan, samu’t saring tweets pango ang ilong, at siguro may mga pre-colonial na Pilipinong istorya updated, a new user will start as an Some users would say, “Twitter at posts ang naglalaman ng opinyon sa makapal ang labi ang isang tipikal na at mitolohiya ang lahat ng elemento egg, and his tweets will represent his is not toxic if you follow the right teleserye, pati na rin sa pagganap ng Pinoy. Hindi man natin maikakaila sa teleserye? Bakit kailangan pang bird life. As the number of Twitter people.” We might not get to pick the iilang artista. Kung titingnan, naghatid na patuloy pa ring pinagtatawanan at panindigan na ito ay kathang-isip users grew, people became more open people we work with but we get to ito ng kontrobersiya, dahil lumabas hindi maiging tinatanggap ang mga lamang? Na ito ay isang mundong with their thoughts. From tweeting choose to follow the people who will ang isyu na hindi naman daw Pilipino katangiang ito. Ngunit sa paggamit nakabase sa piksyon? Hindi isang rason what has happened about their day, empowerall genders. These people si Liza, na naging ugat sa pagsagot din ng social media, tahasang ipinapaabot ang paggamit ng piksyon upang hindi throwing shades, and spilling teas, will enlighten us about humanity, ng naturang artista. ang mga opinyong kailangang maging responsable sa paghahatid ng to finally speaking up about their equality, and other issues that we don’t marinig. Kailangan marinig ng lahat kamalayan na dapat tanggapin ang opinions. Not only has Twitter really understand. Nagbunsod ito ng pagkapanganak ng na ito na ang oras sa pagkamit ng mga tipikal na karakteristik ng isang evolved, but the people using it as panibagong meme na pinagpiyestahan Pinoy. Mapa-katotohanan o kathang- well. Since then, Twitter has become Let’s make Twitter become our ng netizens. Paunahan sila sa pagiging “Hindi isang rason isip man, ang mga impormasyong the home of woke people. witty sa pag-tweet patungkol sa ihahain ay siyang magtatakda sa kung “Twitter is paboritong pagkain bilang isang ang paggamit anong daanan ang lalakaran ng isang People started to bicker about basehan sa pagka-Pilipino. Siguro sa ng piksyon” indibidwal. sinigang or adobo, pineapple on pizza where drama isang buwan ng pag-ere ng Bagani, (which has always been an issue on happens” laos na ang isyu ng sinigang at maayos na representasyon nating mga Lahat naman tayo ay may kalayaan Twitter), avocado being overrated, pumapatok na rin ang teleserye na ito, Pilipino sa media. Isang kahibangan na sundin ang ating imahinasyon, and the flourishing OPM bands. And source of education other than pero ang isyu ng representasyon, na ang pagtutol dito sa pagsabi ng, pananaw, at pinaniniwalaan, pero here’s my unpopular opinion: Twitter the school and observe what’s ngayon ay patuloy na binubuksan, ay “Bakit noong mga naunang Darna, kalakip ng kalayaan na ito ang is where drama happens. It’s a nest happeningin the different parts of hindi malalaos. ‘di kayo nagsalita?” isang adhikain na magsimula ng full of preaches, receipts, aesthetic the world. Let us socialize and talk isang pagbabago para sa isang pictures with lyrics on it, lock screens, about everything that matter, even the Ang representasyon ng isang lahi sa Mulat na ang iba sa atin at unti- maayos na lipunan. Ang likhang and astrology. Twitter can literally underrated and overrated ones. Let mga plataporma ng media ang nagiging unti na nilang nilalakasan ang gawa ng dila at salita, kamay at make Libras fight the Capricorns. us continue to keep our culture and daan upang maibahagi ang kultura kanilang mga boses. Hinihingi na imahinasyon, ang magiging daan preserve the things that represent our nito sa iba pang lahi. Bawat aksyon ang tamang representasyon para upang maisakatuparan ang pagiging As unpopular opinions bud on history. at desisyong gagawin ng karakter, sa ikabubuti ng ating lahi. Hindi Pilipino natin. Twitter, people get to share about ang pananamit at pananalita, ang lang dapat maisalamin na mabait, what they like or dislike. They make As time goes by, people are getting buong katauhan nito, ang maaaring Kaya, kakain ka na lang ba ng polls about the latest trends, and turn more aware about everything and maging isang salamin upang masabi sinigang upang masabi na Pilipino ka? petty quarrels into an entertaining everyone by just scrolling through ng nakatanggap ng impormasyon, Matanong lang. argument. Not only has Twitter been their timeline. People are getting a place for leisure, but it has also more confident about their unpopular Down the drain become a spot for latest controversies. opinions and, when the right time comes, these unpopular opinions What’s the I have studied at De La Salle, not classrooms. . It is important that we are up-to-date could grow and improve our Sitch? once have I experienced a classroom We should be getting quality facilities in political and social issues because, as perspectives in life. with a functioning TV. It even got Filipino citizens, it is our responsibility Wynona Raechel Magnaye to the point where the room had no with functioning utilities just like we to contribute and protect our county. TV at all. We had to improvise with were promised. According to a study, Twitter is just another gateway to The stench of dirty water that projectors. the learning environment a student is voice out your thoughts and discover greeted me as I entered the room, in is just as important as the teachers different perceptions. You might not as always, made even my eyes puke. Therein lies the problem. We, loyal, they have. Universities shouldn’t shy A trip to the bathroom was always paying students, are forced to adjust to away from these problems but instead an adventure. our situations and find a way to make try to fix them for the benefit of their it work. We pay almost P50,000 per clients. I took in my last breath of fresh air semester, only to be provided with before charging into one of the stalls. waterless bathrooms, flashing ceiling “Why should Around two minutes was all I had lights, caving ceilings, broken down before I pass out from lack of oxygen. ceiling fans, and defective TVs. Surely we adjust?” I went straight to business; time check: this isn’t what we paid for, or, more 30 seconds left. correctly, what our parents paid for The initiative of the university to change also lies in us. We have to If I wasn’t raised with bathroom Aside from the [roughly] 30,000- help the school so that it can help us. courtesy I might’ve made it, but peso tuition fee, students are also As students, we need to respect the unfortunately, I was. I pressed the charged with several payments that equipment and facilities we are using. handle to flush any evidence of my cover the use of facilities and other Technically, these are still owned by presence. Silence was all that followed. miscellaneous items. Every semester, the school, so we should learn to take With no choice, I breathe in the we are credited with an additional care of it and return it to the proper bathroom air and tried flushing again, 10,000 pesos yet there seems to be no manner. If we save the school money but it was all in vain. improvement in the state of the utilities on repairs and maintenance, they can and equipment we are given. Albeit we use it on new, functional, and much Enter the realization that, once are not given the breakdown of these needed equipment. again, there was a problem with the costs, the university compensates by water pressure or the water supply creating programs and installing new Keep in mind that these things will itself, which meant no water in technology to appease the crowds by still be used by other strands and the bathrooms. Coming up to my giving them tangible developments. students. Learn to take care of the second year at the University, the stuff and not vandalize any school situation doesn’t surprise nor bother One example is the free WiFi. property. Maybe then the university me anymore. I have become all to Established only last year, the free can make investments on things we familiar with the occasional “water WiFi provides Lasallians in the West actually need, so that our money shortage” in the comfort rooms, but I Campus with internet connection doesn’t just go down the drain. shouldn’t be. in hopes of aiding their education. However great this service is, we Just like any student, I pay my should not be satisfied by a few minor tuition fee to study at the school. upgrades when the funds could be used So, why are there still facilities that to advance the much-needed utilities provide substandard service for the such as broken screen projectors or money I pay? lack of proper air conditioning in the And it’s not just the toilets. I can “proudly” say that for all the semesters

November 2017 - April 2018 OPINION La Estrella Verde 7 fForosmsiltshe Eyes on reforging ridiculed for what you do, or scared games or applications. You are worried what used to be to underwhelm. You keep looking playing it again bears no good results Jason Ybarrita around to see all these great people since many have already progressed responses to the particularly peculiar consistently pursued back then are whom you share the same interest and reached endgame. How lightening It could have been some sort of ones—early on. It surely is something either currently bordering the to-be- with rally with great outcomes, and could it be to be able to live out your a fruit of curious thoughts, a to get excited about or be proud of forgotten zone or are, as it turned out, sometimes, it is just somewhat a passion without doubts, pressure, strangely knee-jerk moment, or a very whenever we achieve goals within the just nothing more than a figment of crippling reality check. or fears. compelling pull from that seemingly scope of our avocation. More often harmless guitar, which someone had than not, our hobbies and passion “what used to be. And as days roll in, you move on. I remember one night. In some oddly given you of all the imaginable begin to hold power over us that they In sporadic moments or after ten timely fashion, I had what I could call gifts to give, that made you pick it incrementally become our source your heart years, you might remember. The way an “adult conversation” with someone up, fiddle with the strings, attempt of inspiration, a safe haven and will do the you feel so pumped up just thinking I just met on my way home. The recipe to learn how to play it and eventually a go-to getaway. talking” about getting home to finish your for the talk is the usual: “I’m taking this be rad with it. It must have been painting, the beat of your heart when course, but I don’t know if years from now, I something you have seen the grown- Being able to revel in the pleasure “I used to draw years ago. Things happened, you are about to pin all your hopes would still be approving of my past decisions ups do during your springtime days and satisfaction brought about by our so now I’m just admiring those who do.” for that one shot, the settling in of in life.” He said some things I have of discovery and adventure, or in individual passion is the down-the-line nerves before your turn in a singing heard before, but I was really enticed reversal, something you have heard as ideal. No matter how easy or difficult, People usually get sidetracked by competition—those things happened. by his life story—on how after he the latest trend among the youngsters our pursuit to get better at it becomes many circumstances that require Those feelings existed. graduated, he was still able to do the of today. With your interests piqued more evident through the times. You full attention and effort. The first thing he genuinely loves because he and the need to experience at the see it in the way your friends become thing that might come to mind is Some learn that they are better latched onto it. And that’s somewhat vanguard of your track of thought, focused whenever they try to land a your academics, but albeit it is, every at something new. And what’s comforting to know that there is still you decide that carrying out whatever perfect skateboard stunt, or in the story is different. Every reason is of good is that they are enjoying it a chance to reforge forgotten paths. you have in mind might be the only way their shoulders sag whenever they substance. You might have found wholeheartedly. Some desire to trace Even with just an inkling of hope, form of absolution in sight. This fail to take a single win in an online another thing to focus on. You might back what they have left behind, and this passion you used to love and do is how some come across a hobby game. We treat them as personal as have been dealing with a situation perhaps relive it. But even as the need might still get a second life. Things that morphs into a passion, a calling we can, because a part of us already that diverted your interest. You might comes back with force, the fear is just might not be the same way, but as or a journey. belongs to it. have been discouraged to continue, as strong. Fear that maybe it is too long as you realize that it is what you late—or too soon. truly enjoy and adore, your heart will We discern our love for writing, That is why it is quite saddening do the talking. dancing, singing, playing, or any and nostalgic that as we go through It is a state of impasse. It is like a activity that has drawn our attention— a period of conception, we realize game you used to always play, but now, from the generic what-is-your-hobby that those things we enjoyed and you are debating whether to delete it or just let it sit between your other Heads Up Dream phase out Miguel Martin Saligumba Leerick Bautista

8 La Estrella Verde FEATURES November 2017 - April 2018 The line between O and A Zion Jil Villela Growing up as Filipinos, we are traditionally taught to accept that there are only two ways to identify ourselves: a man or a woman, and nothing in between. As the LGBTQ community rises in the modern society, the concepts about gender have grown into more complex ways in identifying individuals. One can call their self as genderqueer (also known as non-binary) or the people who do not identify as either a he or a she. Yet in this society, identifying and still lives in the comforts of blogs. in a different light. Commonly raised Checking the Xs and filling Our generation also seems to be yourself with the names and labels If embraced, Mark John Quilatan, a as Christians, gender is usually seen the O’s more accepting to new concepts about you are associated with is highly SHS faculty member, said that, “Isa as male and female only. In this point gender identity. In the 2017 GLAAD regarded. For generations, the natives sa pinaka-[posibleng] mangyayari is that it of view, being somewhere in between House Bill No. 4982 or the “Sexual Accelerating Accepting Report, of the Philippines has always been will create more conflict.” He clarified the lines of the two is wrong and is Orientation and Gender Identity and millennials have the higher possibility Filipino for men and Filipina for that he stands for gender equality and considered a sin. Expression (SOGIE) Bill” is eyeing to to identify members of the LGBTQ women. But how about the non- believes that equality should “go for be birthed in the laws of the Philippine community. The younger generation binary people who see themselves in all genders.” “When it comes to religions, isang land. The Bill provides provisions for of Filipinos are also perceived to be the line between the two? part siya kung saan natin hinuhugot ang equality of every person of every more open and more accepting to the X in between But Filipinx is still considered a moral values natin,” Sociology major gender identity and protection from new concepts of gender. strange term in the Philippines, as and SHS faculty member Christian discrimination. One’s gender identity The term “Filipinx” (pronounced most identify as Filipinos, and gender Catinguil explained. He, however, will be hopefully safe as hands of “Sa observation ko ngayon...[in] this as fi-li-pin-ex or fi-li-pinks) is an neutrality is not widely understood. believes that no matter what religion malicious people who unequally justify generation, mas nagiging educated ‘yung emerging concept as the non-binary Identification of Filipinx may cause a person is in, he/she can accept new their beliefs will be tied up and be put mga tao when it comes to gender,” alternative for Filipino or Filipina. quite a stir on the traditional outlooks concepts on gender. As a generation, behind bars. Catinguil stated. He observed that in Anyone can identify as a Filipinx as it of some Filipinos. SHS students are open-minded in his classes, some don’t care about the doesn’t follow any traditional binary In an x-ray vision the concepts of gender because of Also one of the latest initiatives gender of his students’ partners. For gender identity. education. “Dahil sa education, ang mga to promote new concepts in the him, it means they are more accepting The modern concepts of gender tao ay mas nagiging liberal and nagiging Philippines is by installing gender- and open-minded regarding their AnneMarie of the blog “Formation are still taboo in the Philippines. more open,” Catinguil added. neutral restrooms for all gender classmates’ genders. of a Filipinx American” is one of the Men are usually seen as “macho” or identities. This is a step to promote first people to raise awareness about a really strong masculine image, and That’s why now, the Philippines tries anti-discrimination towards the *** the use of the term. This concept is for women, having a Maria Clara or to hold on and is slowly taking steps LGBTQ community. People who It still boils down to this: the similar to “Latinx,” the alternative for a feminine image is the standard for into accepting new concepts, though have felt discrimination even inside SHS students of the University is Latino/Latina. Both cultures are using everyone. The phrases “kababae mong held closely by tight-knit tradition the restrooms felt a huge relief as they aware about the concept of Filipinx. the male variant as the gender-neutral tao” and “kalalaki mong tao” are also and values. With these steps, it will are given the freedom to go to gender- Appropriating Filipinx as a gender- forms if there are no non-binary used to point out a person’s difference be easier for Filipinos to reshape our neutral washrooms and restrooms fluid term for Catinguil would only terms on a noun. from the norm. culture into a more accepting and without the fear of disgusted looks be a confusion, and just for the sake open one. and discriminatory statements. of making it nationalistic. He also But truth be told, it hasn’t established Another thing is that religion plays added, “This term is nothing but an itself in the communities of the a major role in seeing these concepts influence from other countries, and Philippines, especially in the Senior is not really born out of our own High School (SHS) of the University, culture,” he uttered. As for Quilatan, “Filipino” encompasses both Filipino and Filipina, which, according to him, is because the place we live in is the one who nurtures us. In the bigger picture, there’s already equal representation for both genders. So he suggested, “Why not settle to its most basic form, ‘di ba? Call someone “tao” if you want. That’s as neutral as it gets if they want.” “Sa observation ko ngayon...[in] this generation, mas nagiging educated ‘yung mga tao when it comes to gender,” Art by Wella Jean Mae Abobo

November 2017 - April 2018 FEATURES La Estrella Verde 9 Culture stroll Jennifer Santos and Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring Art by Wella Jean Mae Abobo One may say that as new members of the society are arising, it can gradually result to a new culture that sets apart generation from generation. And maybe, when a senior high school (SHS) student strolls along the path passing through the JFH/CTHM kubo area, or on the ramp by the payment counters in front of waiting clients, or at any hallway or road in the campus that is expectedly filled with humans, they unconsciously ask: “Pangit ba ako? Kapalit-palit ba ako?” Kidding aside, SHS students being in general, Mabini also said that “it how else can change occur if the “Nagiging trend na ito sa mga millennials (or part of Generation can change the Lasallian Senior High people who can potentially instigate kabataan: lahat ng nakikita nila Z) have been endlessly talked School students’ approach and attitude it are silenced?” She believes that one sa mga social media ay tama.” about in any occasion there may be. towards culture.” shouldn’t be afraid to voice out their Their changed behaviors and how opinions and thoughts as long as they everything transforms into a “new” With this, Balayao thinks that media have the right knowledge and just be culture are always a part of small talks. becomes an important role to the respectful. Hall of mirrors millennials’ identity. “It…influences people, either good or bad… Though it may be evident in social In this generation, the first thing drastically,” she said. This platform media that millennials are loud and that comes to mind are selfies, and, continuously produces millennials to a proud with their voices and opinions, if translated into something deep, new upbringing, a new lifestyle. That’s Mabini argues that they, particularly vanity. With the rapid emergence why Mabini sends a message that the post-millennials, let their actions of new and modern standards “culture can also influence the people do the talking. “The way they think mostly maintained by teenagers, to have some information that can be and [how] they see things in our today’s generation has long been learned and shared.” society, whether it is positive or self-conscious but, at the same time, negative, their actions can [be] put into shows too much pride on one’s self. As he also observed that the SHS words by means of understanding students of the University tend to know them; answering the questions ‘what’, However, in the words of Shekinah everything because of the Internet, ‘why’, ‘when’, and ‘how’,” he said. This De Villeres (ABM23), as she is they now have information influx. “Ang shows that in an aisle where voices are “sometimes, a vain person,” being mga estudyante ay parang sponge, absorb raised, proper reasoning and critical self-conscious is acceptable. “It’s na lang nang absorb,” he stated. thinking are needed. actually okay to be self-conscious as long as you’re not hurting anyone. The information influx effect, In all of this, SHS students then also And, this trait is an essential part of according to Ryan Foote, talks about have the characteristics and culture of maturity as well,” she said. creating and processing information while taking into consideration the millennials. Sheina Balayao (STM13) agrees to comprehension of this. Actually, it’s this as well. As part of this generation, Dr. Finn she sees vanity as part of the norms. Mabini also added, “Nagiging trend na Majlergaard’s Although, having it in a millennial’s ito sa mga kabataan: lahat ng nakikita assumption culture is unhealthy. “I think that’s nila sa mga social media ay tama.” that all really deteriorating in terms of millennials building up one’s self-confidence,” Now, as various issues also “are not she explained. circle around media nowadays, it manipulates culture identity. much Vanity may be something that is only In the corridors, the SHS different with each other” since they associated with today’s generation, but students share stories and even possess a global mindset. It is not only Jose Apollo Mabini, a Humanities and experiences in life and academics, in the University that this culture is Social Sciences (HUMSS) faculty of which somehow summarizes their thriving, it is also within the nation DLSU-D SHS, sees it as a part of a culture. And their Critical Thinking and the world. A generation has its culture since it’s a value. “Vanity, for and Media and Information Literacy own identity, and millennials are no me, is a folkway, wherein it can be classes can be of help for them to be exception. considered [as] fashion or a fad,” he informed and educated about media, said. This then shows how when they culture, and life. Still, Mabini reminded So, maybe when a SHS student pass through the halls of life, their the Lasallians, “The use of Internet strolls around the halls, roams on faces mirror various sides or stories can promote positive and negative the corridors, and even passes by embedded within their culture. effects to change our behaviors.” the aisles, he/she unconsciously ask, Corridor of stories Aisle of voices “Pangit ba culture namin? Kabago-bago ba talaga ‘to?” And the answer lies in Stories of millennials are then The rampant debates and arguments a place where everything comes from posted, broadcasted, and shared are not only happening in classroom and is understood—the human heart through social media. This somehow settings, but also in a nationwide and soul. shapes and manipulates the current scale. It is with this generation that generation, especially in the society becomes open to raise their Philippines, where roughly 48 million voices and lay down issues to be are social media users, according to addressed. Though the generation’s We Are Social in 2016. With media hypersensitivity was raised in a recent exchanges of tweets, Winona Alindogan (ABM13) asked, “For

MAGALING by Ayumi Wada BADUY by Cris Matthew Canada SINGLE by RC Avila DISTORTION HANAHAKI DISEASE by Ailene Joyce Puzon by Ailene Joyce Puzon LUCKY by RC Avila

Photojournalists: Miguel Martin Saligumba, Maeca Camus, Juvilee Galacgac, Princess Mijares, and Maryjoyce Simon Layout artist: Leerick Bautista Road to Forever? Never-ending construction Roads are the way for places to connect. They serve as convenient pathways in our everyday destinations. These roads are greatly used by humans in their everyday lives, and because of that, obstruction in the use of these roads happen because of the need for repair. Unlike our TVs, the reconstruction of roads takes a lot of time and effort. As we all know, the Philippines is a country where vehicles are used in a great extent. We are also known to be one of the countries that experience the worst traffic in the whole world. Imagine living near a road being repaired. Experiencing gridlock in its best form because only a lane from the original two is available. Traffic is not the only problem; the air becomes filled with dust making it harder for you to breathe. Who do we blame for this? The contractor? The government? The workers? It really differs depending on how well you know. But one thing’s for sure. The long duration of reconstruction is a hassle for everyone.

12 La Estrella Verde FEATURES November 2017 - April 2018 A walk-through on woke culture Leenarc Ashley De Los Reyes Art by Leerick Bautista Admit it or not, we check our social media accounts first thing in the morning. It’s like a daily routine of scrolling, checking, and knowing past and present trends. Yet, things that can spice up our day are the speculations battled within by social media users, especially the millennials and Generation Z, or the “woke” people of the society. “Woke” in today’s context is commonly should know, and be informed by the news “Maganda na nakikita, nararamdaman, at nayu- people who are vulnerable to be empowered with defined as “being aware of systematic injustices given by others,” Decerry Paulme (ENG25) utilize natin ‘yung improvements sa pagkalat ng truth and justice. As most of the issues presented and prejudices, especially those that are related to said. Twitter, or social media in general, houses information needed para maging socially aware.” by the society are more on human rights and human rights.” In layman’s term, it’s like having known influencers such as Juan Miguel Severo, Although issues sprout out as we are called equality despite of differences, being woke helps social awareness and being able to speak out your Jai Cabajar, Keikamatsu, IrishDDizon, etc., hypersensitive, Martinez defends that the society in performing service to others by letting them judgments. Yet, out of all the words that can be who deeply advocate social consciousness by can’t blame a person’s hunger for change while know the true state of each predicament, and used, why woke? their thoughts and views. Twitter’s accessibility being in an oppressive system. The way how this how we can contribute in creating social order. openly exposes users to various opinions and new culture propagates consciousness supports The term originated from the movement insights, which makes one walk on the path of one’s society in undergoing setbacks for us to be As the society continuously pushes people to #BlackLivesMatter, which surfaced in 2013, consciousness and “woke-ness.” In this arising more perceptive and knowledgeable. pick their own sides, being vigilant and conscious because of the death of Trayvon Martin, an culture, it can be observed that the DLSU-D awakens the woke-ness within us. One can African American who was shot and wasn’t given Senior High School (SHS) students are also “As a Lasallian student and student journalist, make a change in securing the freedom of their any justice. People started to remind each other involved with this trend of being woke, as most I think I owe it to the community to spread fellowmen. Not just Lasallians, millennials, and to stay woke or aware of the inequality and racist of us are also seen sharing or “tweeting” our awareness about certain topics that concerns Generation Z, but all who care for their society. system that the United States has. As of today, it insights on different issues. society as a whole, especially those who are became the way to a great cultural understanding ill-informed,” Katherine Anne Del Rosario As it somehow becomes a trend, millennials because of much more appreciation on the Woke culture strides to obtain equality among (HPS22) shared. She holds firmly that being part make sure that being woke becomes a relevant culture of others. The “woke culture” is then the people of the society, and aids in developing of the woke culture can contribute in carrying thing in the community. Setting their own imbibed by us, both by Filipino and Lasallian the sense of consciousness and concern to the out the Lasallian value of the students. As one stand by having deeper understanding and millennials, and not just only where it all started. issues in the society. Awareness then conditions of the values of being a Lasallian is zeal for appreciation on the rights of the people brings the SHS students to be active members of the service, defined as integral salvation of persons, change to the society. It doesn’t just set up a “Twitter helps me to be informed and to society. According to Gale Martinez (SOC21), especially the poor and the excluded, it guides trend; it plants a culture that guards everyone inform. It helps us spread facts that other people from society’s crisis. Problem-melting smiles “Filipinos are defense, with her genuine desire to give Kristine Evangelista him a friendly hand. Being groupmates not afraid for a school project, she helped eased In a world full of differences, there is still a trait that stands out the most—the to show off his nerves as, apparently, Junior lacks cheer and joy that Filipinos bring. themselves” in his public speaking skills. Too precious, one would say, the families. And some also say it’s because most is that Filipinos seem so chill about Art by Leerick Bautista “We just kept in contact over the Philippines has been ranked as the third of Filipinos’ resilience—they are known life. He stated that Korean students are Christmas break and New Year and happiest country around the world. to never back down at anything. really serious about studies and they it was all easy going from there,” she Filipinos have been the kind of people have no rest, unlike the Filipinos, who explained. Geraldine has been speaking who really smile brightly despite life’s We’ve seen smiles too much in our are intelligent yet do not forget to rest English with her online friends so the problems. It was as if the Philippines lives—from frames to polaroids—but and stay happy. language was a breeze for her. Junior, was buzzing of honey and bees, that a Filipino’s smile, that has nothing but on the other hand, when seen with the sweetness of each smiling face is the thought of wanting to make other “Filipinos are not afraid to show Geraldine and company, has been a something that will be engraved in people happy, is something that can themselves,” Junior knowingly stated. great sight, for many of his classmates each and everyone’s hearts. But the make any problem melt. And Junior He is amazed on how the Filipinos have seen the progress on how well he question remains unasked, why are Rivera (HMS11), who has been in the are not shy to dance, sing, or even has adapted to the place. Filipinos happy? Philippines for almost three years now, play instruments. And within the years could testify to that. he has been here in the Philippines, Geraldine also stated that their Ironically, at the same time, almost Junior has learned to grasp on how to classmates were really open about a lot 800,000 people have taken their life “They were really welcoming, and be happy like the rest of the Filipinos. of things, and it amazes Junior. So now every year due to suicide, according it’s true that they are always smiling,” The University has been a home for Junior takes all of his courage to be to a fact sheet published on January he genuinely uttered. The smiles, for diversity as incredible Lasallians broke as open as them, creating a wonderful of this year by the World Health him, are really heart-warming and the barrier of locales and foreigners. clique of friends, not minding the Organization. What would have made noticeable, too. However, Junior had a Junior himself is not an exemption. He differences they have. Filipinos so happy that sometimes they difficult time approaching the Filipinos is now surrounded by his classmates are mistakenly called as “people who for he can’t speak Filipino and speaks who turned out to be wonderful people, His time in the University has helped are high”? Some say it is because of the little to no English. When asked about and is indeed something that can’t easily him in various ways, maybe even Vitamin D that the tropical sun gives, how he approached the students, he be granted to someone who came from knowing what happiness really is. Junior which boosts our happiness hormone— revealed that he actually had a hard time a different country. has become someone who knows no serotonin. (The funny thing is, Filipinos thinking of a topic to talk about with his boundaries, and has been partaking on are gravely in big hatred of the heat, classmates. Just like Geraldine Rambano, a the road to happiness with his friends resulting in a frown instead of a smile.) Filipino and a classmate of Junior, who and family alongside him. Filipinos are Some say it’s deeply rooted from “solid” “There’s really no difference [between] is one of the people who broke the indeed happy, but Lasallians have shown Korea and the Philippines for me,” he barrier the Korean boy put up for his him another side to the great merriment said. What really catches Junior’s eyes the of the Philippines.

November 2017 - April 2018 NEWS FEATURES La Estrella Verde 13 Mula kaliwa: Betilla, Pugay, Fernandez, Managuelod, at Taguas. Ipinamalas ng Pulse, mga estudyante sa ika-11 baitang, ang kanilang galing sa pagsasayaw. Kuha ni Princess Mijares Pulse, bagong dance group na inaantabayan sa DLSU-D SHS Charliemagne Asuncion Patuloy na lumilikha ng ingay ang dance group na Pulse bilang katangi-tanging grupo mula sa Grade 11 na nakipagsabayan sa mga mananayaw mula sa Grade 12 sa iba’t ibang pagdiriwang ng Unibersidad tulad ng Students’ Week at Intramurals 2018. Naging sunod-sunod ang partisipasyon sayaw ng kanilang grupo. “We use the differences of “Our grooves (come) Nagsimulang mabuo ang naturang grupo ng naturang grupo sa iba’t ibang aktibidad ng each other to fill the gaps of one another. Pulse is different nang sila ay nagkakilala sa Dance Club ng institusyon, matapos nilang padagundungin ang for we are not just an ordinary dance group...we are [a] from the pump [of] DLSU-D Junior High School. Kwento ni Pugay, entablado noong Acquaintance Party nitong family,” dagdag pa ni Pugay. our hearts that you hango ang pangalang Pulse sa nakaimprentang nakaraang Disyembre. call ‘pulse.’” pangalan sa isang speaker na kanilang ginagamit Sa isang panayam, iginiit naman ni Pugay na sa pag-eensayo. Binubuo ang Pulse ng anim na mahuhusay na hindi nila kahinaan ang pagiging isang Grade 11 mananayaw sa Grade 11, na kinabibilangan nina na dance group, bagkus ay nagsisilbi itong hamon “‘Pulse,’ as we know, is what we feel when blood Carina Mari Taguas (ABM12), Phillip Powelle sa kanila upang higit pang paghusayan ang travels through our (bodies). We dance with our hearts, Pugay (STM14), Cherry Mae Betila (HMS11), kanilang mga talento. that (pump) the blood through our bodies. Our grooves Ray Managuelod (STM15), Lorraine Gabrielle (come) from the pump [of] our hearts that you call Fernandez (STM13), at Mark Angelo Fabella Samantala, itinanggi naman ni Taguas ang ‘pulse,’” dagdag pa ni Pugay. (HMS12). di-umanong kompetisyon sa pagitan ng mga mananayaw ng Grade 11 at Grade 12. Sangayon,walapangnakalinyangperformance Ayon kay Pugay, isa ang pagbibigay ng ang Pulse bunsod ng iba’t ibang iskedyul ng mga kanilang buong lakas at puso sa entablado sa “Kasi ang tinitingnan namin is ‘yung sarili po miyembro, ngunit bukas ang kanilang pintuan sa kanilang mga sikreto sa pagsasayaw, kung saan namin…nag-co-compete kami sa sarili namin na mga pagkakataong makasayaw at makapagbigay itinuturing nila ang bawat indak bilang huling dapat mas better ‘yung next performances namin. We ng ngiti sa komunidad ng DLSU-D SHS. aim to be better,” paglalahad ni Taguas. Art by Willem Dimas Epekto ng TRAIN Law sa komunidad ng SHS, nararamdaman na Xander Lauren Cipriano “Epekto nga ba ng Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin?”—tanong ito mula sa mga mag-aaral ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS), ukol sa di-umanong epekto ng bagong panukala sa bansa, kung saan naaapektuhan maging ang presyo ng mga bilihin sa Unibersidad. Sambit ng ilang mga estudyante, kapansin- Aniya, kinailangan din nilang magdagdag-singil “...kung ginagamit ang iba nilang pagkain, sapagkat napapanahon pansin ang biglaang dagdag presyo ng ilang sa presyo ng mga paninda nilang juice nitong ang ilan nilang sangkap. “‘Yung ibang items pagkain sa loob ng Unibersidad. Ayon kay Shen nakaraang Pebrero, sapagkat tumaas rin ang ‘yun sa business, kasi, katulad ng mga ibang vegetables at prutas... Javier (HMS11), napansin niya ang pagtaas ng presyo nito sa merkado. magiging ‘price seasonal,” pagbabahagi ni Hernandez. isa sa mga ulam na kanyang binibili, na umangat taker’ ang buyer. di-umano ng P10, na dati’y P35 lamang. Kaugnay nito, higit naman itong ipinagtibay Bibilhin pa rin nila Samantala, ipinaliwanag naman ni ni Ian Cruz, may-ari ng Mila’s Diner, na kahit tumataas.” Accounting and Business Management Dagdag pa dito, ibinahagi rin ni Trish Regis sinabing malaki talaga ang itinaas ng mga bilihin, professor Norman Gomez ang epekto ng supply (ABM11) na hindi lamang pagkain ang tinaasan partikular na sa mga sugar drinks. “Malaki yung at demand ng mga nasabing produkto. Aniya, ng singil, bagkus ay umangat din ang presyo ng increase, parang per bottle ng mga 500 mL, around nakadepende sa produkto ang naturang epekto, ilang inumin na kanyang binibili. “‘Yung dati P4,” pagsasaad niya. sapagkat iba’t iba ang magiging kalalabasan nito. niyang (inumin) presyo [ay] P25, tapos ngayon, “Kung pang-household consumption lang, s’yempre P28 na,” paglalahad ni Regis. Gayunpaman, nilinaw naman ni Cruz na mababawasan ‘yung demand niya. Pero kung hindi pa gaanong mararamdaman sa ngayon ang ginagamit ‘yun sa business, magiging ‘price taker’ Samantala, kinumpirma naman ni William pag-angat ng presyo ng mga pagkain, sapagkat ang buyer. Bibilhin pa rin nila kahit tumataas,” Hernandez, kinatawan ng may-ari ng Jefcees, mababa lamang ang porsyentong itinaas nito paglalahad ni Gomez. na tumaas na ang presyo ng kanilang mga sa merkado, taliwas sa pag-aakala ng mga inumin, partikular ang softdrinks, noon pang estudyante. “Marami lang talagang parang nagte- Matatandaang nilagdaan ni Pangulong Enero. Dagdag pa ni Hernandez, kinailangan take advantage sa TRAIN Law, nag-i-increase,” Rodrigo Duterte noong ika-19 ng Disyembre nilang punuin muli ang kanilang mga stocks, dagdag pa ni Cruz. nang nakaraang taon ang Republic Act No. sapagkat naubos na ang suplay ng ilan nilang 10963 o TRAIN Law, na epektibong ipinatupad mga sangkap, katulad ng mga powder juices. Sinang-ayunan rin ito ni Hernandez, na simula noong Enero 1 ngayong taon. sinabing hindi pa masyadong apektado sa ngayon

14 La Estrella Verde NEWS November 2017 - April 2018 Students’ Week 2017 receives mixed feedback from SHS community Lexi France Angeles The much anticipated Students’ Week 2017 celebration, which unleashed diverse talents and potentials of the Senior High School (SHS) students, received a combination of praises and criticisms from both the Grade 11 and 12 students. According to some students, the Acquaintance Night. Grade 11 and 12 students danced the night out in the closing party of Students’ Week 2017. Photo by Caryl Mae Soler. week-long celebration served as a ground in unfolding their innate Week and Intramurals try-outs, various complaints and criticisms of days to prepare,” Saflor said. He [pumapasok] tuwing Students’ Week, potentials and abilities, which was which caused various complications. SHS students. added that contestants should have katulad last year, so ngayon, may the main goal of the said event. expected a time pressure from the purpose na sila sa pagpasok,” Saflor “Maybe, the reason why some According to Saflor, the head committee, as it would test explained. “The event actually helped me students didn’t participate [in the] announcement regarding the their competency and reveal their improve my skills in a way that I was Students’ Week [activities] this year contests was already posted in the potentialsin a given time frame. Despite negative criticisms, Saflor able to find genres that I have yet was because it was the same week DLSU-D SHS Lasallian Facebook owed the success of the event to to find,” singing contestant Kristine when the try-outs for Intramurals Group on Nov. 17, a month before When asked about details on the faculty members, SC officers, Evangelista (HMS11) said. She also were done,” Ariane Francesca Estira the celebration. He also affirmed the scheduling conflicts, Saflor and the SHS students themselves. added that the celebration helped (ICT22) stated. that they had already extended the stated that it was an idea of Sports “I am looking forward for next her gain friends, knowledge, and given deadlines, as they moved it Moderator Alex Balbio. “Sinabi rin year’s improvement, imparting more self-confidence. On the other hand, ABM/GAS/ from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4. “In total, ni Sir Alex na ginawang gano’n kasi opportunities to execute a unique HUMSS President and Student the contestants were given 17 may mga students talaga na hindi event,” Saflor added. Meanwhile, some Grade 12 Chair Kristian Saflor addressed students also mentioned that there was an improvement in this year’s Students’ Week compared to last year’s celebration, as it offered a wider variety of contests for the SHS community. “I think the advisers and the head organizers of the program, as well as the student organizers, are well-prepared, wanting to serve better activities that the students will enjoy, especially (since) there are new members of the DLSU-D SHS Community— the Grade 11,” Edrea Ramacula (HPS21) stated. Negativities However, the event also received negative feedback from some students, due to rushed preparations for some competitions. “Considering the song writing contest, I had to make the song for, like,two days, which is a pressure. It was enjoyable, but at the same time, I felt like the time to make it is not exactly [enough],” Evangelista said. Some students also slammed the overlapping schedules of Students’ “I am definitely proud SHS Lasallian joins 11th APLYC of the achievements of our students, especially Andrea Oesmer because we are a new Senior High School” With the aim of building networks among Lasallian youths, DLSU-D Senior High School’s (SHS) Reine Joshua Cruz (EDU21) participated in the 11th Asia Pacific Lasallian Youth Congress (APLYC11) held on Dec. 3-9 at DLSU-D. Br. Richie praises SHS achievers, Cruz, along with John Benedict for street children, local jails, and urges students to strive for the best Silla and Israel Pajarillo from the more. They also had several sessions University’s Junior High School and with the Lasallian Brothers, and Arjielene Javier College departments, respectively, some APLYC alumni, which focused attended the youth congress on how they can help the least, lost, “Continue inspiring us (the DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) administration) by pushing that gathered over 130 Lasallian and the less. yourselves (student achievers) to become the best that you can be,” said DLSU-D Board of Trustee delegates from the Asia Pacific Br. Richie Yap FSC, when asked about his message to the SHS achievers, who have shown Region, such as Australia, Hong When asked about his relationship exemplary performances in the academic, sports, leadership, and journalism fields during the Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, with his fellow Lasallian delegates, A.Y. 2017-2018. Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Cruz admitted that there are various Papua New Guinea, Singapore, barriers at first, but these didn’t stop In an e-mail, Yap expressed his need to challenge your peers as well, the students opportunities to compete Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and them to form a strong bond with each pride and delight in the different so that they too will become achievers and showcase their gifts,” he shared. the Philippines. other. “Masaya kasi kahit galing kami achievements the SHS students in their own unique ways,” Yap said. sa iba’t ibang bansa...nakita pa rin namin have been receiving recently. “I am It could be noted that DLSU-D According to Cruz, his involvement ‘yung pagiging Lasallian namin...as one,” definitely proud of the achievements He also reminded the achievers to SHS students have been recognized in the said congress helped him to Cruz said. of our students, especially because always keep their feet on the ground, in different journalism and sports know himself as a Lasallian and how we are a new Senior High School,” he stating that they should always remain competitions, conquering the national, he can apply the meaning of the Moreover, Presidential Management said. humble in their victories and hopeful regional, and division ranks. Student five-pointed Lasallian star in his own Office Director and APLYC in their defeats. journalists from La Estrella Verde life. He also added that the congress Spokesperson Jose Ritche Bongcaron Yap also challenged the students received 99 awards in the Honors paved a way for him to be aware on shared that the congress’s main goal to further enhance their skills On the other hand, Yap also Assembly for their performances how he can create possibilities for the is for Lasallian youths to learn from and aptitudes, saying that their expressed his satisfaction to the SHS in different journalism conferences, poor and neglected individuals. “Isa one another’s culture and experiences, accomplishments won’t just serve administration for giving the students while varsity teams received 75 awards ito sa mga naging hakbang para makilala and serve communities through the as an honor to them, but also a the possibilities of exploring and for their notable performance in ko ’yung sarili ko as a Lasallian,” Cruz camaraderie that they have built motivation to their fellow Lasallians. honing their individual capabilities. various athletic leagues during the first stated. among themselves. “As Lasallians, remember that you “It was good that there was support semester of the academic year. from the administration in providing In an interview, Cruz also revealed APLYC is an ordinary Lasallian that part of their activities was a gathering which usually happens community exposure, wherein they every two years, with its main goal of were assigned to various communities teaching the youth on how they can and institutions, like boarding schools exercise the Lasallian principles, spirit, and core values.

November 2017 - April 2018 NEWS La Estrella Verde 15 CHEATING X CUTTING X XXX XXX XXX XX XXX XXX XXX XX Art by Leerick Bautista Bilang ng kaso ng pangongopya, cutting classes, bumaba Mga kaso ng pag-inom, tumaas Gayle Josrel Esquida Bumaba ang bilang ng mga kaso ng pangongopya at paglabas ng kampus ng walang pahintulot sa komunidad ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) kumpara noong nakaraang taon, paglalahad ni Prefect of Discipline Albert John Puchero. ng mga estudyante ng SHS, hindi Ayon kay Puchero, ang paglalabas katulad noong nakaraang taon ng kanyang opisina ng konkretong na kapareho lamang nito ang patakaran ukol sa tamang pagproproktor ng mga guro tuwing “Icohnovpeerswaitthiotnhtehatsticker ng kolehiyo. may pagsusulit ang maaaring Pagtaas ng kaso ng pag-iinom na di-umano’y nakainom. Taliwas ito talakayan sa mga estudyante ang dahilan ng pagbaba ng mga kaso ng sa mga kaso noong nakaraang taon, pinakamagandang solusyon upang pangongopya. kung saan isa hanggang dalawang kaso maidisiplina nang wasto ang kanilang ng pag-inom lamang ang naitala. mga pagkakamali. “Mas mahalaga Nang tanungin naman sa posibleng para sa akin ay personal conversation that rason ng pagbaba ng kaso ng cutting Kaugnay nito, ipinahayag naman I do para sa mga student... I hope with classes, ibinahagi niya na dulot ito ni Puchero na magsasagawa sila ng the conversation that I have, [it will be] umano ng kanilang pagpapatupad I have, [it will be]Samantala, ibinahagi rin ni Puchero koordinasyon sa lokal na pamahalaan, more than enough for them to realize their ng pagkakaroon ng iba’t ibang kulay sa isang panayam ang kanyang pagka- upang masugpo ang nasabing isyu. mistakes,” paglilinaw ni Puchero. ng sticker para sa mga sasakyan more than enoughalarma sa patuloy na pagtaas ng mga “That is one thing that we have to look into Sa ngayon, patuloy namang kaso ng pag-inom ng mga estudyante. as a university, in coordination with the local for them to realize binabantayan at aaksyunan ng Office Dagdag pa niya, nagkaroon ng report government,” pagsasaad niya. their mistakes” of the Prefect of Discipline ang mga mula sa mga guwardiya na mayroong kasong nabanggit. mga estudyanteng pumapasok sa klase Idiniin rin ni Puchero na ang pagkakaroon ng mabusising STEM SC clarifies LSF 2018 ‘limited programs’ Beatrice Katherine Aguilar “Everything was planned out until a last-minute change in the University activity that greatly affected the time schedule of [the] SHS (Senior High School) activity,” said STEM Student Council Adviser and Lasallian Festival (LSF) Committee Head Aron Dave Umali, when asked on reasons behind the limited activities for this year’s LSF. According to Umali, there were was a “real challenge,” considering celebrate their youthful years,” he said. minimal activities for SHS due to the first month of the year was hectic Bawasanta added that the planning conflicting schedules, stating that for the entire SHS community. “… phase was also difficult for their part, they have made some adjustments, January was the month that everybody as it was given to them during their particularly in schedules and venues, was busy for the preparation for [the] holiday break. in order to pave way to various Intramurals week,” he stated. programs of the different colleges. The SHS LSF 2018 was a four- “We also had...some difficulty in Meanwhile, STEM Student Council day celebration, which was shorter planning, as our original plans [were] President Ryan James Bawasanta also compared to the five-day festival not able to materialize since there are addressed the said issue, saying that during the previous academic year. some guidelines that (are) yet to be what they had prepared was all for the Nevertheless, it showcased the established in the SHS,” he added. benefit of SHS students. “We focused students’ talents in regional dance, on the things that would benefit us… band, vocal, and short film-making On the other hand, Umali also said without risking the students’ mental competitions, as well as exhibits, expos, that prepping up the said celebration health, and still having the time to forums, and industry exposures. SC, from page 1 Accountancy, Business, Management, Humanities President Mark Angelo Dela Cruz said that one masuportahan, ma-supplement [ang] needs of their and Social Sciences, General Academic Strand step towards establishing better cooperation students,” he said. President Shawn Andrei Gonzales addressed (AGH) SC was better relative compared to the could be a change in the existing SC system controversies on Intramurals 2018, admitting STEM council. of the SHS Community. He stated that having Having a supreme council was part of the that their council lacked adequate cooperation, one supreme government could be a ground in initial plan for the current academic year as which affected the organization of some events. This sentiment was confirmed by Bawasanta. improving and unifying the SC members. revealed by TVL Track Council Adviser Patricia Relationship with SC members “…Mahirap ang komunikasyon ng aming council Lina, but this was shelved due to scarcity of time sa iba pang council sapagkat malayo ang office nila “For me, maganda na meron mga Track Student and resources. She added that this would require When asked on his relationship with his (ABM/HUMSS/GAS and TVL) sa office ng Councils, pero mas magiging maganda siya kung meron them to form political parties, which involve fellow council members, Gonzales stated that STEM Track, kaya ang palitan ng impormasyon ay tayong magiging under isang umbrella council, parang different aspects that have to be considered and he experienced minor problems with the TVL hindi ganoon kaayos ang pagdaloy,” he said. USC ng Senior High…dapat meron talagang nag-o- discussed in a longer period of time. “Hindi pa officers at times. oversee, na siya yung nag-u-unify [sa SC Officers],” talaga siguro ngayon ‘yung panahon ng magkakaroon Meanwhile, AGH Track President Kristian he mentioned. tayo [USC for SHS]…nagsisimula pa lang tayo, siguro “Meron kaming dapat aasikasuhin [for Saflor clarified that they are trying their best to pagtagal-tagal pa,” Lina added. Intramurals], pero hindi naasikaso nang maayos dahil communicate with other councils effectively, to In an interview, Dela Cruz also shared the nga nawalan ng cooperation ‘yung [TVL council].” achieve a higher quality of service for the student benefits of having a central council in the Meanwhile, Dela Cruz emphasized what USC body. “From the given current happenings, I can tertiary level, which could be applied to the can bring to the SHS community once it pushes Meanwhile, he also said that their camaraderie say that we are really trying our best to be in good SHS community. “When it comes to activities, through. “The USC’s main job is to voice the with other Track SCs was good, but admitted terms despite our distinctiveness,” Saflor said. the USC, less talaga kami sa activites, kasi we student’s concerns…USC will be the channel that they were having several problems in USC VP recommends solution don’t want to interfere sa mga Collegiate Student or the medium on how the student can say their communication, specifically with the STEM Council (CSC), kasi basically CSCs are the ones concerns, na makakarating siya sa administration,” Track officers. The University Student Council (USC) Vice who’s providing events and programs para Dela Cruz emphasized. In an interview, Gonzales also revealed that communication between his council and

16 La Estrella Verde LITERARY November 2017 - April 2018 Hidden Truths Geraldine Rambano Aveil of light turned the back of his seeing the driver look at his general direction assumptions, but the driver kept on blabbering they got out of traffic. He took solace in sticking eyelids red. He stirred and grabbed on the passenger side seat. He nodded back, on about things that were irrelevant to him, like his earphones on and grabbing his ID from his onto the dusty dashboard for leverage, mumbling affirmative when he remembered his women’s safety and school girls being a target for bag. The driver kept saying something after he shuffling in his seat as he pulled his bag tightly manners. He’ll berate himself about not meeting the crooks in the area. Things about not falling did this, but he didn’t care anymore. on his lap. Context came to him through bits and the driver’s eyes later. That was rude of him. asleep on the passenger seat of a jeepney, about pieces. He was running late for first period, he’d getting groped, kidnapped, raped or robbed. Another lurch, his stop. He jumped out of the slept through a good ten minutes of his alarm His mother didn’t like when he was rude, she jeep and shouldered his bag. blaring right at his ear. Traffic jams. had very rough hands and harder broomsticks. “Maraming ‘studyanteng nakakatulog sa biyahe, ate. Okay lang naman umiglip, pero sa panahon natin “Ingat ka, iha, ah!” He blinked the sleep out of his eyes, squinting The driver took his response as an invitation to ngayon…” Feeling the warm sunlight creep sweat up through the vertigo. They were stuck in a traffic talk. He hated these types of people, regardless the back of his neck, he stepped into campus jam, if the smoke blowing in his face was any of the intent of their babbling. Growing up, he He kept on nodding—the driver had good and pretended not to hear. Every step forward indication. If you lived in this country long learned that the ignorant always assumed that intentions—not bothering to mask the fact that was him recovering his balance for the day, to enough, traffic jams may have been more alive their good intentions wouldn’t end with bad he was uninterested in the conversation the remember who he is to himself and what he is to than patriotism. results. moment it started. Though most of it couldn’t other people. One wrong word and he was out. exclude him, it was still irrelevant to him. With a minute to spare before second period At the very least, they were nearing his stop. The driver said something about how he started, he tried to remember he was himself. “Gate one ka, ‘di ba?” the driver asked. He shouldn’t be falling asleep during commute, The whole vehicle lurched, the gas pedal glanced up at the rearview mirror of the jeep, knowing the area. He could almost see them propelling them forward as the road cleared in agreeing with each other when it came to front of them. The conversation stopped when Nilamay, Nilamay Puting Simbolo Sofia Vinuya Bles Padolina Palaging gumagala rito ang mga espiritu. Sa halimuyak ng bulaklak na aking binibili, Kapag bumibisita kayo sa mga museo Sa tuwing dumaraan sa bangketa, o sa mga lugar na napapalibutan pa ng Kung saan bumabalik sa akin ang mga bato, andiyan sila, nagbabantay. Matagal na sila alaala— rito, kaya matutong rumespeto. Alam nila lahat ng nagdaan sa lugar na ito. Bawat saya. Bawat Katotohanang pilit itinatago sa isang pighati. Alam nila gamitin ang bawat kanyon sampaguita. at mga istorya sa likod ng mga obra maestra. Kaya nila ilahad ang buong kasaysayan kung Limang taon simula nang ako ay mamulat. gugustuhin mo. Unang nasilayan mga kabata kong nanghihikayat, Nandiyan lamang ang mga espiritu. Malimit silang makikita sa mga eskinita, kung saan Bumili ng bulaklak kanilang inilalako, palaging mayroong bakas ng mga bagay na “Pangkain lang po,” sambit ng mga ito. hindi maganda ang mga sahig. Kahit sa kalsada Hanggang sa lumaki ako at nagka-isip, na puno na ng poste ng ilaw, naroroon sila. Ang mga mata ko’y nanatiling nakapikit. Naghahanap ng hustisya sa kanilang pagkawala, Tuloy lamang ang pagbili bawat linggo, hindi makapaniwala na natiyempohan sila ng Ng sampaguitang ating naging simbolo. paghina ng liwanag. Minsan, napagkakamalang Pero ngayon, unti-unti ko nang napagtatanto, kaisa sila ng usok at alikabok. Gaano man kaaya-aya ang mga talulot sa May tinatanging hiling ang mga espiritu: ang paningin, pag-alaala. Ayaw nilang natatakot tayo sa kanila O kung gaano ito kabango kung amuyin, sapagkat, kinakailangan munang lumimot upang Hindi na nito maitatago ang realidad ng mga mawala ang takot. Sa halip, nais nilang maging gabay para maging buo ang katawan at kalooban batang Pilipino. natin na harapin ang mas nakakatakot kaysa sa Kahit kumakalam ang mga sikmura, kanila: ang hinaharap. Sa ilalim ng araw na nakakapaso’t nakakasilaw, May sumisilay na ngiti sa bawat bulaklak na ibinebenta, Iyan ang katotohanang pilit itinatago sa isang sampaguita. Art by Wella Jean Mae Abobo

November 2017 - April 2018 LITERARY La Estrella Verde 17 MEMORANDUM BayPas (Bayang Lumpas) FOR : Provincial Director S Elli Amado na parang pag-asang unti-unting kinulong ng Cavite Police Provincial Office a pamamagitan ng pagsibol ng hangin sa nangalawang hawla, General E Topacio St. dalampasigan, at ako’y napaluhod nalang dahil wala na siyang Poblacion 1-A, Imus, Cavite ako’y napatungo sa aking pinanggalingan. FROM : Chief of Police, SPS Hindi mawari kung nasaan ang dating tagpuan, natanaw na tala. SUBJECT : The Break-In/Shooting Incident That Resulted to the na nagtataglay ng tiyak na kaginhawaan. Ngunit, sa ganitong pagkakataon para sa tulad Death of JUAN DELA CRUZ Ngunit ako’y biglang tumilapon, kong umaasa, nang nakarating sa hinahangad na paroroon, isang kalabit ang natamo mula sa ngumingiting DATE : February 11, 2018 na para bang sinakluban ng sako ang tinatamong bata, kinabukasan, sabay pakita ng kanyang natatagong pagkabihasa, 1. On February 11, 2018 at around 1:00 in the morning, residents of Kalye St., Baryo, Cavite at walang awang binugbog ng mapait na paglipas sa larangan ng kaibuturan ng pagiging makabansa. woke up to sounds of screaming from the Dela Cruz residence—seemingly an argument between ng panahon. Ang kanyang ngiti’y tila ba’y nakakahawa, two men—followed by three gunshots. The suspect then fled from the scene and was promptly Ano na nga ba ang nangyari sa minahal kong Sabay tulo ng luha sa kanyang kanang mata. pursued by bystanders, and was later identified as PEDRO SANTOS, 28 years old, married, farmer, nasyon? “Wag kang mag-alala,” ang kanyang wika, and resident of Malakas Village, Baryo, Cavite. Upon arrival at the scene, JUAN DELA CRUZ, Tila ba parang isang ibon na nalaglag mula sa “Bayan man ay lumipas, ako’y patuloy na 32 years old, single, market vendor, and resident of Kalye St., was found on the floor with several kanyang katipon, gunshot wounds in his chest. He was rushed to the Baryo Hospital but was pronounced dead on walang habas na sinayad ang balahibo sa bubong kakaripas.” arrival (DOA) by the attending physician thereat. ng nalagas na bansa, 2. The suspect did not put up a fight, but was crying and praying fervently when he was brought to the station. “I did not mean to shoot him. I really didn’t. I was just so angry—I was not Everyday Shadows thinking!” He was asked repeatedly why he did it, but he refused to answer. “Real men don’t tattle,” Liana Bongao he insisted. Dive not into what made all the difference Rather in what was once the What remains a problem left unattended, a 3. According to MARIA BERSAMINA, cousin of Pedro Santos, Dela Cruz did not pay united front potential slaughter Santos for the rice he harvested the day before, claiming it had low quality and “wasn’t worth the Neither discrete nor hidden, our shadows thrive 150 pesos”. However, Santos had a sick daughter, and he needed the money to buy her medicine. To act with competence and not just damaged off fear He allegedly tried to talk to Dela Cruz and ask for the money, but the latter refused to cooperate. ignorance Perhaps pitifully lyrical but still here This was when the screaming began. The Senior Inspector took this as a cue to investigate Santos’s And forego what can easily be undone background, and found out that he did not actually have a daughter, but a 4-month-old son. The naïve sense of security one would relish Isn’t but a dream far gone, sailing across 4. On the other hand, NEZAIDA MARTINEZ, neighbor of Juan Dela Cruz, claimed it was uncharted waters a spat over a woman. Apparently, Dela Cruz had slept with Santos’s wife. Martinez believed Santos And what we’re doing is something dark and learned about their clandestine relationship and was enraged. She even declared having seen Mrs. something hellish Santos sneak out of Juan’s house before her husband came. However, the CCTV footage showed a cat running off into the night instead of a woman at around 12:50 in the morning. 5. Meanwhile, ISABEL SANTOS, wife of Pedro Santos, firmly denied the affair and said she suspected that both her husband and Dela Cruz were involved in drugs. She claimed that ever since he met Dela Cruz, Santos had acquired a “funny scent” and was once grumbling about the former not paying him back. However, further testing and investigation on Dela Cruz revealed that he neither used drugs nor had any in his house. 6. At this point, the Senior Inspector started to realize that she must not rely on hearsay and that chismis will get her nowhere in solving this case. 7. The weapon used in the commission of the crime was surrendered to the station and the cadaver of the victim was moved to the Regional Crime Laboratory Office for autopsy. 8. Progress Report will follow. KATHERINE ANNE DEL ROSARIO Senior Inspector “Pepe” Kim Nicole Toledo Blue stands for the willingness to sacrifice oneself White is liberty and equality. The white and pure for freedom, peace, truth, and justice. In a clouds hovering above witnessed his life—the serene state, his feet marched towards his way he ignited light, the way he fought, and the final stance; without any remorse crippling inside way he craved for freedom. “Consummatum est,” him, without any guilt, and with the burning passion in his chest, he looked up once again and he spoke, as he closed his eyes. adored the pearl that he had always fought for. Red stands for courage and patriotism. “Fuego!” The firing squad heard the command and every bullet pierced into his body—he decided to turn around to see the firing squad that had a vivid mission to end his life. The golden sun with eight rays symbolizes unity, democracy, and sovereignty. His body betrayed his commands; instead of facing the firing squad, it turned to the right—directly to the morning sun. He saw the revolution that was bound to happen, the thirst he let his countrymen feel. Art by Ayumi Wada

18 La Estrella Verde SPORTS November 2017 - April 2018 Lady Patriots sweep ISVL, take home 3rd title Ingrid Del Rosario The DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) Lady Patriots showed no fear, as they demolished the St. Francis of Assisi College (SFAC) Bacoor Lady Doves in a thrilling championship match, 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, at the Imus Institute of Science and Technology (IIST) Gymnasium on March 4. “Teamwork talaga, ta’s communication, tapos scoring a total of six points in the second set that Solid defense. Del Rosario and Tono obstruct compact spikes from opponent all for the Gold in ISVL at IIST, March 4. Photo by Mary Joyce Simon konting angas, kasi ‘yung confidence talaga ‘yung secured them the win, 25-23. nagdadala sa amin,” said team captain Jubilee ready to kill, pumping out consistent spikes and also hailed as the part of the ISVL Mythical 6. Anne Del Rosario, who also bagged the title of As the third leg went underway, Cuaresma of aces that left SFAC in a daze, allowing the Lady The victory against the provincial team Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the league after the Lady Doves built up her own wall at the net, Patriots to bag the championship crown, 25-22. scoring 8 aces, 8 attacks, and 2 solid blocks. shutting down attacks from the Lady Patriots, marks the Lady Patriots’ third Championship keeping her team alive by securing the set, 22-25. Apart from the glory of the title, three of the this season, including the CDAPS and CISAA The Lady Patriots came out swinging, Lady Patriots, setter Ethel Tono, and outside titles, and cements their legacy as the first SHS pummeling their opponents with loaded services With the wild cheers of the crowd boosting hitters Sophia Hapa and Auby Protacio, were Women’s Volleyball team. and strong attacks, making the Lady Doves their confidence, the Lady Doves were able to struggle to return the ball. drag out the game and even the score at 15, all in the fourth set. SFAC crawled up to tie the match, but with another service ace, Del Rosario clinched the Rivaling the player’s energy, the Lasallian crowd first set, 25-21. erupted after Lady Patriot Sophia Hapa smashed through the block of the giant Cuaresma to Coming into the second set, jersey number score, turning the tide of the game. 9 of La Salle, Auby Protacio, was all fired up, Since then, the girls were on the prowl and Patriots settled for 3rd in ISVL Fight to win. Balomaga and Dizon fight over the loose ball against AMA at ULS on March 21. Photo by Caryl Mae Soler Ingrid Del Rosario The DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) Patriots open up the day with a win after AMA Titans sweep DLSU-D’s facing the Seven Seas Academy (SSA) Seasians in the Battle-for-Third match of NCRAA debut, 69-83 the Inter School Volleyball League (ISVL), 25-22, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, at the Imus Pauline Meneses Institute of Science and Technology (IIST) Gymnasium on March 4. Kicking off their first game in the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA), “Sinimulan ulit namin sa maayos na depensa, atake, the DLSU-D High School Patriots were thrashed off by the AMA University Junior Titans at usap. Nung nakuha na namin ‘yung momentum, after being dominated by a 14-point deficit, on March 21 at Ugnayang La Salle (ULS). tinuloy-tuloy namin ang ingay sa court, at ‘yon ang nagpanalo sa amin,” stated the captain Yukio The cagers of both squads played a tight run beforehand. Irald Balomaga, Donneether Dizon, Estrella, when asked on how they survived the in the first quarter, with the Patriots gaining and Ian Suasba helped the team get back on track, last set. the five-point advantage at 5:36. After calling a yet the Titans were dominant the game with a 62- time-out, the Titans stretched their momentum, 52 advantage at the end of the third quarter. The Patriots had a slow start, struggling to find snatching the lead from the boys in green, ending their timing on blocks and defenses; they were the quarter at 24-22. To start their run in the last set, the Patriots able to turn things around after maximizing their took advantage of the Titans’ fouls, courtesy of offense on the service line to gain the set, 25-22. Opening the second quarter, the Titans played Rasheed Taban and Renz Miranda’s free throw tight defenses and banked shot after shot. points. Despite the Patriots’ efforts, a second- In the second set, the team was now ready for The last three minutes saw AMA marking and chance shot in the last minutes of the game the attacks of the Seasians, and showed solid maintaining an eight-point lead, leaving the secured AMA’s victory, capping the game at 83-69. defense on the net and on the floor, 25-21. Patriots struggling to keep up with the Makati- based squad, trailing at 36-47 at the end of the Ian Blasquino gave the team a “thumbs up” Coming into the third set, the Seasians flooded first half. despite the loss and the lack of preparations. “To the court with fast plays and powerful spikes be honest, hindi talaga kami prepared sa game... Pero that silenced the Patriots and gained them the Determined to bounce back, the Patriots rallied despite the loss, still, nabigyan namin ng magandang set, 25-19. shots by the latter end of the third quarter, despite game ‘yung kalaban namin… We can’t promise the AMA establishing a firm 10-point advantage win, but we’ll promise to do better and perform Starting the fourth set was once again tough above them and several miscommunications the best of what our team has in store,” he ended. for the men in green and white, but an attack from the captain, Yukio Estrella, brought back the spirit within the team and continued to soar until they had secured the spot for the third runner up of the ISVL. Aside from winning the third place, Estrella was also hailed one of the league’s Mythical 6. Defending Flight. Latag and De Pedro attempt to stop a drop at the IIST Gymnasium, Feb. 28. Photo by Miguel Saligumba SPORTS FEATURE Green Incredible Hulks outlast Red Flaming Stallions Tinte, malikhaing linya ng mga Pilipino Pauline Meneses Nicole Canquin The Green Incredible Hulks dominated the court as they won gold in both the Basketball Boys and Girls divisions of the Intramurals 2018 against the Red Flaming Stallions at Ugnayang La Salle. Matatandaang kabilang sa palarong Pinoy noong nakaraang Intramurals ang patintero. Isa ang patintero, na tinatawag din bilang harang-taga, sa mga kilalang The Lady Hulks spiked up to the Hulks first faced the Red Flaming maintained momentum despite the laro sa Pilipinas na hindi nangangailangan ng kahit ano pa mang instrumento. Ang standings, leaving the Yellow Blazing Stallions, defeating them at 59-52. The tight defense and offense shown by pinakalayunin ng larong ito ay ang maharangan ang kabilang koponan sa pagdaan. Titans and Black Daredevils early in team jumped up to the semi-finals, the Flaming Stallions, and claimed the the eliminations. After redeeming reigning over the Black Daredevils championship at 73-62. Jayson Gono Maaring laruin ang patintero ng tatlo Kapag mayroong nakatawid at themselves, the Lady Daredevils with a 20-point advantage at 78-58. was awarded Most Valuable Player, hanggang limang manlalaro. Nararapat nakabalik sa pinagmulan na hindi once again competed with the Lady amassing 24 points. na pantay ang bilang ng miyembro ng nahuhuli ng mga taya, madadagdagan Hulks, losing to a 20-point deficit by Outshining the Blue Shark bawat koponan. Kailangang gumuhit ang puntos nito. Magiging taya naman the end of two quarters. The Red Defenders at 53-46 in the semi-finals, ng markang parisukat bago mag- ang mga tumatakbo kapag mayroong Flaming Stallions battled with the the Red Flaming Stallions faced the umpisa ang tunggalian. Ang salitang isa sa kanila ang mahuli ng kabilang Lady Daredevils for bronze, finishing Black Daredevils to a close fight for patintero ay nagmula sa salitang tinte koponan. them over with a 23-point advantage the championship, almost gaining an na ngangahulugang linya. Tatayo ang at 39-16. overtime at 65-63. bawat kalahok sa likod ng linyang Ang unang grupo na makakakuha sa ginuhit, samantalang maaari naming pinag-usapang dami ng puntos ay ang The Lady Stallions faced the Lady Facing off once again, the Red tumawid ang taya na nakatayo sa gitna siyang tatanghaling nagwagi. Hulks for the gold on Feb. 8. Gel Stallions rallied the championship sa iba pang linya upang mapadali ang Malabonga led the squad to victory, against the Green Hulks to a tight run pagkakataon na mahuli ang kalaban. Tunay ngang makikita sa ating finishing at 35-17 and garnering 27 at 7:55 of the fourth quarter, courtesy kultura ang pagiging malikhain at points, and was crowned the Most of a fouled lay-up and free throw by Dapat makatawid at makabalik ang masayahin. Maging ang isang simpleng Valuable Player of the Division and Alfred Katipunan, tying the game at mga kalahok ng kabilang grupo na laro ay sumisimbulo sa pagiging became one of the Mythical 5. 50 all. The two teams scored hoop hindi nahuhuli ng tayang koponan. magaling ng mga Pilipino. after hoop, but the Incredible Hulks Garnering the first slot of the were able to break away after two waiting game, the Green Incredible consecutive three-point shots. They

November 2017 - April 2018 SPORTS La Estrella Verde 19 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL SWIMMING I am very thankful for being part of DLSU-D This last school year for me is [a] really... boys’ volleyball team. The team helped happy but...sad year as well, because I’ll me develop my sense of responsibility and soon be a college student with different/new leadership... As the Team Captain of the classmates and professors to be with. This will boys’ volleyball team, I will have no regrets be the most memorable year of my high school As seasons change “ “SPORTSFEATURE life, since this is another big step closer to my Wynona Magnaye knowing my junior teammates will acquire the success, since I...[wanted] to have better skills perseverance, attitude, and equal treatment and more...knowledge and understandings in that I have shown to each one of them, in and any aspect of life.” out of the court.” – Alyza Balleza – Gwen Alejos, Team Captain “ “Masaya dahil sa dami ng naglalaro WOMEN’S BADMINTON ng volleyball sa school, isa ako sa mga pinagkatiwalaan...na i-represent ito. Malungkot “Faith is the key to confidence and success. dahil eto na ang huling taon ko dito sa SHS. When playing, you should never give up and Hindi ko naibigay sa team ang inaasam namin just shout it all out. Errors are part of the game. Take your time and learn from your mistakes, one by one.” na championship. Pero hindi na din naman – Chanel Buenaventura Art by Willem Dimas “masama ang natapos namin sa mga sinalihan It is always with great honor and pleasure All great things come to an end. naming liga. Green and white forever!” playing for our school. I wouldn’t have my As the season closes, the DLSU-D Grade 12 of the University in the athletic scene. In return, – Reine Joshua Cruz last playing year any other way, thanks to my Patriots will have to face their greatest challenge La Salle has served as a two-year home to the teammates. Best of luck, athletes. Animo!” yet: bidding farewell to their Lasallian family. Although they only bonded for a short period – Gerlyn Aytalin of time, the teammates have been through the “ “Patriots, and provided each and every one of highs, the lows, and everything in between, sharing countless memories and triumphs. them with unique and memorable journeys. Leaving behind their legacy and their juniors, the Being the pioneer team of the Senior athletes of DLSU-D look back on their ride and High School (SHS) and garnering several share a few of their sentiments about their years. championships and recognitions, the Grade 12 students have a hand in shaping the reputation Like seasons change, the off-season brings the inevitable departure of the seniors, but their achievements and legacy will never be forgotten. MEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S BADMINTON My last year was filled with excitement, My last year was memorable, because of all pressure of ending our high school careers the happiness and hardships that I have gone with a blast, hopes for the future. I am grateful through with my teammates, like the CISAA for all our supporters, especially our coaches finals. Honestly, I’m really thankful and feel and trainers, our families, and of course, my blessed for my teammates because we bond, brother, Dereck Stephenson. I’ll never forget the road trips, the games, the trainings, and the experience of having your teammates as your train, laugh, etc., and we treat our TEAM as family. I know that my boys will do well on the a FAMILY, and I hope that everyone of us will next following years. I would also like to thank succeed in pursuing our dreams in our life.” DLSU-D for blessing me with this opportunity.” – Pholee Carandag Happy ako [na] naging part ako sa isang – Dexter Stephenson, Team Captain I am so thankful that I got to play with my team na competitive and, at the same time, team even after my injury. My only regret is I fun to be with and professionals. Mami-miss ko feel like I didn’t give my all, I could have done ‘yung bonding with my teammates, and ‘yung more. But I am happy that I got to experience a mga tawanan, crucial games na naipanalo game with my teammates one last time.” namin together, and, s’yempre, ‘yung overall – Renz Miranda experience.” WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALLMy last playing year was lit! ‘Di ko aakalain – Luis Bangalan na makakauwi kami ng maraming gold...from CDAPS up to ISVL. This team became a family to me. My most unforgettable part is ‘yung “ “mga ngiti at tawa ng mga ka-teammates ko everytime na may laro at nanalo, at sa training “ “din...their tears kapag nahihirapan na and kapag may regrets sila. Ito talaga ‘yung pinaka- na-engrave sa heart ko.” – Jubilee “Bilay” Del Rosario, Team Captain Para sa’kin, sobrang fulfilling na may titles kayong ibinigay sa school niyo, at dahil sa pagsisikap at tiwala ay na-achieve namin ‘yon. Hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yung hard trainings, home and away games, lahat ng tinuro sa’min ni coach para mag-improve kami, at lahat ng tao at bagay na tumulong sa’kin para mas mag-grow ako, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga teammates ko.” – Auby Protacio Blue and Red Blue domination Sharks with their skills. Nevertheless, the Sharks match with a different end, and won against the hailed as kings The Blue Shark Defenders reign the Kickball dominated the field and their proud crowd Shark Defenders. and queens of had been building their morals as they face the kickball Boys Division as they swept all of their games Colossal Hawks. Arriving at the finals, the team faced a huge and defeated the mighty Orange Colossal Hawks, disadvantage going head-to-head with the Ingrid Del Rosario 10-7, in the DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) Both teams and both crowds were putting undefeated Orange Colossal Hawks, who held a The Shark Defenders and the Intramurals 2018. their hearts out through the game, but as the last twice-to-beat advantage in their arsenal. Flaming Stallions snatched the Kickball inning entered, the Shark Defenders pulled away championship for boys and girls division, The Shark Defenders had a tight match against and brought home the bacon, 10-7. The team settled with the mindset of one respectively, in the DLSU-D Senior High their first opponent, the Green Incredible Hulks, Red team on the rocks game at a time and played against the Colossal School (SHS) Intramurals 2018. but powered through the match and showed Hawks with no fear seen on their faces, proving dominance after the game. After being beaten by the Blue Shark Defenders effective in the first match as they outran the in their first match, the Red Flaming Stallions Colossal Hawks, 7-6. Their streak continued, as no team could come were hungry for revenge and dominated their close to the prowess of the Grade 12 team, lined opponents. As the players were scorched from the beating out every opponent to easily secure their afternoon heat, the do-or-die game started. With spot in the finals. A rematch between the blue and the red saw juices still left in their tanks, the Stallions had the more determined Flaming Stallions set the the upper hand and cemented their spot in the Serving as their final hurdle, the Orange championship circle, 7-5. Colossal Hawks put up a fight and surprised the Defenders, Hulks dominate SHS Intramurals volleyball Gian Eldrich Sandoval The Blue Shark Defenders and Green Incredible Hulks swept the competition and overpowered the other teams in the Volleyball Boys and Girls competitions, respectively, as they bag gold in the second DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) Intramurals held on Feb. 5-9 at the Ugnayang La Salle. Defenders vs. Hulks Rain Albao, Cruz, Fabian, and Januto of the from stealing the first set that easy, 24-19, the 6, with Ledesma earning the title of Most With no plans of losing their winning streak, the Defenders all took a place in the Mythical 6, with ladies in red showed no signs of stopping as they Valuable Player for this year’s competition. Cruz also being awarded as the Most Valuable fire another four points, hoping to get a deuce, Chiara Caraig of the Lady Stallions also made Defenders peppered the Hulks in a compelling Player of the competition. Vincent Adornado 24-23, but it did not deter the confidence of the it to the Mythical 6. 25-7, 25-17 victory in the championship game of of the Hulks was also awarded as part of the Lady Hulks as they still managed to steal the first the Volleyball Boys competition. Mythical 6. set with a slim two-point deficit, 25-23. Lady Hulks vs. Lady Stallions The blue team seemed to put up a The Lady Hulks continued to execute flawless volleyball clinic, as the players leaned on Hungry for the title, the Lady Hulks showed plays and service aces, gaining the upper hand of their vast experiences and played through the no fear against the Red Flaming Stallions, the second set, 11-3. game with ease. clinching the championship title with a 25-23, 25-20 triumph in the finals of the Volleyball The seesaw battle between the green and red Displaying their prowess, Juro Cruz, Vince Girls competition. dragged on as the Lady Stallions continued Fabian, and Emelio Januto II of the Defenders to score points off of the continuous errors executed whopping spikes combined with the The Lady Hulks had a good start in the first committed by the green team. team’s strategic plays, which helped them seal set with consecutive service aces fired by Tonette their victory. Ledesma that helped them gain an early 12-point Service aces coming from Angel Hapin of advantage, 13-1. the green team covered the series of mistakes The Defenders dominated in the first set; amassed by their team, which helped them get showing no mercy, they ended the set with an The Lady Stallions did not lose hope, as they back on track and build their momentum, 21-15. 18-point advantage over the Hulks, 25-7. were able to catch up on the Lady Hulks with a series of smart plays and a few errors coming Seeing the title at arm’s reach, the Lady Hulks Not showing signs of giving up, the Hulks from the green team. made no room for errors, leaving the red team in fought hard to keep the game going, but the the dust to snatch the set, 25-20. Defenders continued attacks and fast plays Bombing five points to stop the Lady Hulks ended the second set with 25-17, hailing them as Ledesma and Andrea Eunice Valdez of the champions for this year’s SHS Intramurals. Lady Hulks obtained a place in the Mythical

November 2017 - April 2018 Volume 2 Issue 2 Patriots pull off history-making wins in 2017-2018 sports season Wynona Magnaye Despite being the new team on the block, the DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) athletic team pulled off an epic season, taking home 19 golds, 8 silvers, and 8 bronze titles, in only their second year, making history as the SHS’s pioneer team. Under the watchful eye of Sports runner-up title. Luis Bangalan also career, Paez could lead the DLSU-D Moderator Alex Balbio, the DLSU-D claimed the first runner-up spot in the table tennis team to a new level. jocks brought out their killer instincts CDAPS-AL 2017. in every game, reaching no lower Floating in glory Smashing through than the semi-finals in their battles in With Coach Joven Racelis taking various competitions such as the City Veterans Jericho Milagrosa and of Dasmariñas Private School-Athletic Alyza Baleza both racked up four the team under his wing, the Men’s League (CDAPS-AL), Dasmariñas golds, two silvers, and one bronze Volleyball team reached new heights City Meet, Cavite Schools Cultural medal each. Under the management of by winning silver in CDAPS-AL 2017, and Athletic Association (CAVSCAA) Coach Vernon Himor, the DLSU-D and bronze in CAVSCAA and CISAA league, Cavite Inter School Athletic Swimming team has taken off and 2017. Bringing their experience from Association (CISAA) league, Inter started making a name for itself. their JHS days, the six new recruits School Volleyball League (ISVL), and A slam dunk from Grade 11 brought a new vibe to National Basketball Training Center the team, which helped them up their (NBTC) Northwest Cavite League. Despite the loss of their big man game in this year’s season. Kicking off Renz Miranda, the DLSU-D Cagers were unfazed going into their second Soaring high Joining forces with the Junior High season as a SHS team. With the Marking an awe-inspiring season, School (JHS) team, the DLSU-D guidance of Coach Arnold Olivarez the DLSU-D Lady Spikers took Booters earned the championship and the blazing spirit of their team home three championship titles from title in the CDAPS-AL v2017, and captain Dexter Stephenson, the green CDAPS-AL, CISAA, and ISVL. Team moved forward to be hailed as third and white Cagers added the CISAA Captain Jubilee Del Rosario was runner-up in the Dasmariñas City 2017 second runner-up, City Meet celebrated as the Most Valuable Player Meet 2017. Coach Shiela Tablangcora 2017 first runner-up, and CDAPS- in all three leagues and, along with proved that hard work and dedication AL 2017 championship title to their libero Faye Villalobos and setter Karyl made a difference, giving her time to long list of achievements. The good Chiquito, was part of the CDAPS- train the team and practice drills well fortune kept coming, as Miranda was AL Mythical 6. Sophia Hapa and into the night. able to return mid-season and help Ethel Tono also received additional Smashing through the team reach the semi-finals of the recognition in the CISAA league and, NBTC 2017. with Auby Protacio, gained a spot in Also taking the role as their head Rallying on the ISVL Mythical 6. Coach Raymond coach, Balbio led the DLSU-D Ramirez, only on his second year of Badminton team to glory in all Sole SHS representative Mykaila coaching, couldn’t be prouder and their leagues. The Lady Smashers Arrianne Paez displayed her prowess in attributed their wins to “The Big 3”: were able to land two team-event table tennis and made La Salle proud in teamwork, communication, and self- championships from CAVSCAA her first playing year as part of the SHS confidence. and CISAA 2017, as well as two team. The Lady Paddler hooked two Seizing the title of Overall singles championships care of Nicole championship titles from the CDAPS- Champion in CISAA 2017 was the Gernale. Of course, the men didn’t AL and City Meet 2017, as well as a icing on the cake for the DLSU-D sit back and took home their own bronze medal in the CISAA 2017. With Patriots, cementing their name in the team-event championship and first one more year left in her high school record books. With the beginning of the off-season, the teams are taking a well-deserved break before hitting the SHS athletes’ medal count. Photos by LEV Photo Team. court to prepare for another season. Newbies come from behind to reign Intramurals 2018 Orange Colossal Hawks hailed champions Pauline Meneses Expressing various responses to the jaw-dropping results, the Orange Colossal Hawks were crowned as the overall champions of the DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) Intramurals 2018, reigning over the Green Incredible Hulks (first runner-up), Red Flaming Stallions (second runner-up), Blue Shark Defenders, Yellow Blazing Titans, and the Black Daredevils, during the closing ceremony on Feb. 9 at Ugnayang La Salle (ULS). Scores courtesy of TVL Student Council. Photos by LEV Photo Team With their significant triumph in moves. The Orange Colossal Hawks as the first runners-up, while Shane the Cheer Dance and Hiphop Dance and Green Incredible Hulks emerged Jhastin Picson of the Black Daredevils Competitions, placing first runner-up as the first and second runners-up, and Sidra Mirza of the Yellow Blazing in both events, together with James respectively. Titans claimed the third spot. Zagada winning Mr. Intramurals 2018 and runners up finish in other team The Yellow Blazing Titans, on the Filling the MTH Covered Court, events, the team accumulated a total other hand, was declared as champions ULS, Track and Field Oval, and the of 1,600 points after their 200-point in the much-awaited Hiphop Dance Olympic Pool, ball games, Philippine deduction and sealed their victory. competition, followed by the Orange games and individual/dual sports Colossal Hawks as the first runner-up, simultaneously ran over the course of Another rookie team who won and the Green Incredible Hulks as the the whole week, from the afternoon a special award was the Black second runner-up. of Feb. 5 until the morning of Feb. 9. Daredevils, who was named as the Most Disciplined Team. The The Orange Colossal Hawks and It should be noted that most of the Daredevils received the lowest the Blue Shark Defenders reigned in sports events were won by the Green deduction of 100 points. the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2018 as Incredible Hulks and the Red Flaming Big wins James Zagada of the Orange Colossal Stallions, with the two teams leading Hawks and Kristel Ibarra of the in the first and second places before Intramurals 2018 witnessed wins Blue Shark Defenders took home the point deductions on attendance from all the six competing teams. The the titles, garnering 96.67% and 99% and other violations were given. With Blue Shark Defenders took home the of the judges’ votes, respectively. On the Hulks’ 600-point deductions and Cheer Dance competition with their the other hand, Bruce Riñosa of the the Stallions’ 300-point deductions, heart-stopping stunts and dazzling Blue Shark Defenders and Monica the two teams dropped to the second Montaño of the Black Daredevils rose and third places, respectively.