Grade 11 – STEM BLK.

THE EQUIPOISE
Compilation of Articles
GROUP 1
Jonel Cerillo Monica Jean Diolata
Editor-in-Chief Photojournalist

John Aeron Bisco John Aeron Bisco & Jonel Cerillo

Associate Editor Layout Artists

Cloie Ann Tricia Lorete Staffs:

Managing Editor
Vince Harley Arao
Alaine Madrona Christopher Lopos
News Editor Carl Angelo Loria
Derick Earl Loria
Paul Anjelo Milagrosa Anthony Magdaong
Feature Editor Sean Mancera
Jonel Mantes
Jason Llamera Jhojen Marco
Sports Editor Mark Mendones
Shane Carl Mimay
John Joshua Llaguno Kathlyn Artiaga
Science & Technology Editor Jeanette Babasa
Charlmagne Margaux Ibañes
John Lester Abiera Jasmine Llandelar
Cartoonist Shane Arla Lomibao
Trisha Joy Miñas
Sophia Cabahug Maria Madelyn Nidea
Opinion Editor

Ms. Angelica Fontanosa

 FEATURE

GENERAL TOPIC: THE TRANSCENDENCE OVER LIMITATIONS IN MOVIES

Movie: Titanic

Love as a Lifeline to Transcendence

Jeanette Babasa

―Promise me you‘ll survive. That you won‘t give up, no matter what happen. No matter how hopeless.‖
—Jack

Titanic was filled with dreams, undying hopes, and pounding excitement, not until a grievous scenario
had happened. With just a snap, the enormously built ship started to collapse. Titanic was then filled with
fright, deafening screams, piercing cries, dying hopes, and broken dreams.

The movie isn‘t about the ship itself. Titanic had bridged two innocent young hearts who found love in a
perfect place, yet in a wrong time. The story revolved between Jack and Rose.

Right at that moment, their affection for each other had started to unfold. However, their love affair had
ended very shortly. They had witnessed how a gigantic iceberg had struck the ship causing it to sink, but
the two young individuals were still unbreakable.

Jack and Rose proved that their love was meant to conquer everything.

The tragedy was dealing with death but because of love, limitations does no longer exist for the both
them. Death is freezing but Rose‘s love for Jack was burning. She proved that their love was eternal that‘s
why she chose to fight down to her last breath in order to transcend with the obstacle even if Jack would
no longer be with her side anymore.

Love isn‘t just about sacrifices. Love can be a source of strength and motivation that will respond unto
your mind and body to keep pushing forward towards the light leaving the scars, pain, and mischief
behind.
Feature

Mighty Goal

Jhojen Marco

Life is like a game. We humans always wanted to win this game even though it is very tough. Winning is
like it is the only matter that make up our lives. Is it really the only matter? Does winning make a
difference in our life? Does winning proved that we‘re good at something.

There‘s this man named Rocky Balboa who sees himself like a bum and moron. He is a boxer who wants
to prove to himself that he is not bum or even a moron. In order to prove that he needed to fight the
heavyweight champion. Before the fight rocky thinks that he‘s not good enough to fight the champion.
Then he realizes that he doesn‘t have to win the fight to prove to himself that he isn‘t a bum. He trains
and thinks of what strategy he will do. After the fight he didn‘t care about losing because he has proven
his own self-worth. In games there‘s two things. It is about winning or losing. We have to accept and stay
silent that we lose or we have to celebrate that we win. In the movie it‘s not like that, it is about winning
or losing but you prove to yourself that you‘re not like the person you know.

In the movie ―Rocky‖ winning is not the only thing or matter that will make up our lives and it doesn‘t
proved that we‘re good at something because rocky didn‘t win but he‘s able to prove to himself that he‘s
not like a person he knows.

In our life it‘s not about winning or losing, it‘s about winning or learning. Learning because even if you
lose you have learned a lot and it helps us to be stronger and to satisfy our goals just like winning.
Feature

Movie: Toy Story 1

Ambiguity of Transcendence

Paul Anjelo Milagrosa

A thick fog, where the false beliefs and ideas had lurked, surrounding the eyes of everyone causing them
to be blinded and keeping them isolated from others. The imitation of reality in our mind, but capable of
doing the impossible. Unfortunately, affecting yourself as a social being in the true world.

The movie "Toy Story 1" had featured this as an internal conflict portraying Buzz Lightyear. He believed
himself as a spaceman - a living entity and not a toy for children's amusement mean - different to other
toys as they knew their real identity.

"You are just a toy, you will forever be limited to being a toy," "stop with your fantasy and start playing
the role of your existence," said Woody.

Accepting that limitation will not make him weak and disabled but leading his consciousness to the
reality he is living - same to us, humans. Realize what we really are and we could be happier with the
other creations and rinsing our eyes out of the blurry fog. In the end, we could reach our satisfaction as
we grasp the truth for our limitations are not the real obstacle but our false perceptions.
Feature

Filipino Philosophy as a Means of Having Success

Anthony Magdaong

Filipinos.

They are famous for their characteristics such as hardworking and their outstanding personality that
attracts even foreign people. Achieving their dreams with their ideas and philosophies that is remarkable
for a Filipino.

"Always facing challenges with a goal in mind, strive to achieve and believe for it will be."

Creating a world where everyone is happy and no one loses their way because they are guided by
philosophic ideas and not just their desires as humans. Filipino philosophers valued visions for they
believed that success can be achieved by the power of one's ideas.

Many people who have gained success say that they acquire what they desired not just for themselves but
everyone. They believed, worked hard, and their ideas that pursue them to continue.

Not only those who have achieved great success valued ideas. Even normal people, we help each other for
the sake of the common good which will contribute to country in a way that we can.
Feature

The Giver: Setting Bounds to Surpass

Cloie Ann Tricia Lorete

I had to take a walk outside the building and breathe some air or my mind would be a display on
museum labelled as "ABSTRACT."

It has been set that each person is bound to portray a role in a society but what if that role is ordained
and limited only to certain rules?

Jonas, a boy with a special ability and intellect is mean to be the next "Receiver of Memory." As
someone who lives in a futuristic society which tries to relieve its citizen its feelings and freedom to
ensure fairness and equality, he has a very important task to guarantee that he is beyond strong on many
aspects in order to secure a better future for his people.

"The essentially self-transcendent quality of human existence renders man a being reaching out
beyond himself," Viktor Frankl quoted.

Upon receiving different memories of people from various places be it the past, present or future, it
gave the Receiver emotions which he finds difficult to deal with like wars, famine and poverty. He felt
pained and came to a point where he wanted to give up, but instead of losing himself, he made it a wake-
up call to take an action.

Sometimes, the Heads of a society does not also know to what is the right thing to do. On the contrary,
the people should also be vocal to their issues and concerns or otherwise, no proceedings will be made.

If the role you intend to do is limited but you are beyond that perimeter, then you are bound to set
another limit and surpass it all over again until you achieve your purpose not just for mere excellence but
also for self-satisfaction.

I found myself holding a cup of coffee inside a bus. Finally, I am going home.
Feature

Movie: Pursuit of Happiness

TITLE: Pursuit of Happiness

Anthony Magdaong

Let's open up our mind. Think. Is struggles really made for us to give up or for us to continue and be
strong? If nobody believes you can't achieve what you want, would you still continue? What is the true
meaning of success?

So many struggles but Chris Gardner didn't let it consume him. He keeps his promise to achieve his
dreams facing many hardships with unwavering courage and strength for his son.

"Don't ever let somebody tell you can't do something... You got a dream, you got to protect it... If you
want something, go get it. Period."

He's financially incapable of supporting his own family losing his properties and his wife. Even though
the only person that's beside him was his son, he still pursued his dreams. A philosophy in life. What's
remarkable of his story was not just his hard work, but also he is a good father to his son. Even if they are
financially poor, he supported his son and spoil him with his love and values.

They have something that ties them together, love. True love and happiness can be found also in our
family. Casting words not only our minds but only our heart could understand. Struggles that surpasses
your limits not only physically but emotionally and mentally. If nobody believes in you, continue to move
forward because only you can decide what your future could be. Surpass the struggles that has given to
him not just for yourself but for the one he loves. At the end, it is worth to do, because seeing your loved
ones happy and doing what your passion is the true meaning of feature.
Literary

An Odyssey to Make You Mine: "Highness Order"

Paul AnjeloMilagrosa

Noises urging everywhere surrounding me

Buses pass cars with instantaneous speed
Without any delay to see
People like animals running a stampede

Business by business
People meet people
Destinations from east to west
Crowds, a colony with one goal

Streets witness this real life movie

One another has own conflict
Blockbuster actors they could be
Stories with thousand breaks and twists to its final peek

Men play a "player by player"

In an endless mode of this life cycle
But, somehow in somewhere
A Grinch living alone from all

A mysterious man in isolated world

In kingdom, he's king without his fellow people
Only silence in his four- pillared-home can be heard
With heartbeats of a hearthstone of his rude soul
Darkness will only shiver with dim light
Literary

An Odyssey to Make You Mine: Last Journey

Paul AnjeloMilagrosa

The king has began miles of walking

At the second time, following the highness order,
Reaching out and discovering
At last, steps away from his kingdom's border

Leaving the treasures in the castle stored off guard

A sacrificial expedition for another treasure hunt
Emotions mix inside while the killer thoughts bombard
Taunting himself and suppressing these ideas - becoming a blunt

Blinded by the maiden with the unceasing love

"Love at first sight," a childish mean of fairy tales
In his way, there were houses of bricks, stones, woods, and slabs
Beside the grey pavements were pauper males

A different story - another side of life

They are weak, laying, and waiting for charity
Accustomed into it to survive
The king being ignorant for he had lived in prosperity

Shocked, bewildered, got stuck in his position

More awful than a dreadful battle
Asking himself a question
"Why did they ended up chained in this obstacle?"

Pity shivers down to his deepest part

His soul bring himself
Causing him to make the good-deed-art
Giving them some of his hoard wholeheartedly

He needs to move on for his mission

A sail is waiting for him to aboard
Having no answer with the question
Joining back the princes and princesses' world

Royals adorned with luxurious things

An affair they had all attended
Dancing with grace along the theatrical music hymn
But the whole scene that night obliterated

Follows a hasty change of light

Passing through different medium decreasing its speed
Then forming figures registering to his sight
It was him - a crybaby, a boy, alone, a lost kid
The king put his consciousness back in its phase
Life is cruel, unpredictable, and changing
He was in the track of a pointless race
For the maiden was not true - a Nemo or nothing!

His mind won over him, the game of foolish bluff

The poem is the game and the king is you
Though being happy is easy but the true one is tough
To understand life with its all point of view

Thinking the maiden was found in the first part

And pray to meet again using the wishing time
But who's the "you" you are talking about?
Only in imagination - an odyssey to make "you" mine.
Literary

An Odyssey to Make You Mine At 11:11

Paul AnjeloMilagrosa

Night, a familiar dark sky

With no stars to gaze
Covered with clouds in a rainy face
But the light from the moon still passes by

Busy streets turned into silent vacuum

In meantime, city lights took over to lantern
For workers will sleep to their safe but lonely room
To prepare for tomorrow's bounty they should earn

In space, earthly lights are stars

Blinking with the atmosphere
But not scattered; concentrated into this sphere;
And a man-made built by dollars

As the night goes deeper and deeper

Few lights would disappear
Like stars should be when its death is near
Tells human has fallen asleep - a tiresome-day reliever

A normal scene of life where mankind leads

In this oblivious behavior of human
Some will not rest, just lay down instead
They will just think all night and wait for the rising sun.

The king who used to live for his own

Became a knight for a mission
Thy heart is his reason
For the princess and the love overgrown

It was just a moment that gave him a glimpse of joy

In a second their eyes had met
For a stranger with shield made of steel and alloy
He can still feel the warmth of embrace against it

He's not waiting for the sun to rise

It was just for a time
A privilege to make wish without a Genie and a pantomime
All in his sanctuary lies

Hands waving round and round

One for minute another for the hour
Like a fairy will grant wishes using her magic wand
His imagination played in spotlight will eat the dark and soon devour
The feelings burst inside him
Reminiscing the moment he saw her
Exactly the clock turns to 11:11 of the night with hopes together
And a wish he sounded only in his mind for hearing it could be a sin

He who only knows the wish the king have said

But one thing is for sure despite of this confidentiality
In that wish, inside of the wise mind in his head
The maiden lies beneath that touches his heart tenderly
Feature

Caught in the Middle

Jhojen Marco

Life is a characteristic that distinguishes physical entities and biological processes. Life has conquered
every square inch of Earth, but when the planet has formed, it was a dead rock.

How did life get started?

Almost everyone believed that God did it. As we all know, He created us and all the living things.
However, some people specifically the scientists and the biologists say that all living things are composed
of cells - it is the basis and start of life.

What's the real reason on how life starts? And which one we should believe?

It's our choice on what we should or should not believe. Life has limitations and it will end someday but
some people believed that there's life and death. If reincarnation is true, then after life ends it will have a
new chapter of the another beginning of life.

Caught in the Middle. If life gets started, how will it ends? Or does it really have end? It is up to you what
to believe.
Feature

A Real Intuition to Life

Paul AnjeloMilagrosa

One of the best things on early mornings is the sound of the birds chirping. The trees are swaying along
the wind and the light passed through the window. A beautiful ambiance portraying the natural view of
the environment.

There's a brown hut along the way before entering a children's park. Although it was built years ago, it
could still serve as a resting place for tired kids after playing.

Everything we can see is neither good nor bad in its prepositional form. In other words, it is about how
the society accepts each creation be it good or bad depending on the existing ethics.

For instance, a knife is a helpful tool for cutting. However, using it for a murder is a bad thing.

Realizing the good and bad of life, there's no such thing or in between making it mysterious. Thus, it is
about the life forms see life themselves.

In addition, it is the way we think that force our decision to act according to our problems.

The children are wearing their genuine smile as they swing back and forth like a pendulum. I keep staring
on a chrysalis, a caterpillar's pupa, hanged tight in a Guava tree.

Mrs. Kim, my Science teacher when I was on fourth grade told me that a full-grown butterfly has
wonderful wings. However, it's life span last shortly for a day.

"Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."

My friend, Odessa, had told me this quote. Having a good or bad life will always be a choice. Just like a
butterfly, we should live in a noble way no matter how short it is.
Feature

Death: Termination of Life

Jeanette Babasa

Life gave you the capacity to think, feel and most especially to love. It taught you to grow, to believe and
to enjoy everything throughout your life long journey. It made you realize your true purpose and
existence but life is neither endless nor infinite, it needs to have an end and that end is death.

A guitar without its string is nothing.

You, as an entity lives to succeed. You strive for your purpose to satisfy your existence in this world.
You aim to accomplish your purpose to have a true meaning of life.

"Live your life to the fullest," they say, because you‘ll never know what may happen next. Maybe one
day, you‘ll wake up in a cage being imprisoned in a dark vast of space surrounded with thorns and
burning flames where you can‘t even move or speak sending chills down to your spine feeling tormented.
It‘s like a living hell, it‘s like you‘re facing death.

―Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it," said Haruki Murakami.

You cannot escape death and you cannot do anything about it. However, you are free to live your life with
all your heart while you still can because no one can stop you unless you hold yourself back. It‘s better to
die living your life than be a prisoner all the rest of your life.
Sci-Tech

Anxiety and Depression at the Touch of a Button

Jasmine Llandelar

Once you‘re asked to give insights about mental health issues, depression and anxiety will probably come
into your mind. Even if they‘re often discussed and talked about, people cannot yet determine the
difference between the two. It may be because of a misconception that when we experience depression
we‘ll automatically experience anxiety and vice versa though depression is not caring about everything
unlike anxiety which is caring about everything.

Depression and anxiety highly affect ages, which can be considered as having awareness of their living
and surroundings, but technically, at the age from adolescence to adulthood, these mental health problems
are most possible to be experienced. Prevention and early intervention are important to reduce these
burdens so during childhood and adolescence, it is necessary to avoid stress, have a healthy lifestyle, and
have a good social support. Which factor greatly contributes to depression and anxiety?

As of now, which is considered to be the ―Digital Age,‖ technology is one of the greatest contributor to
some mental health issues. Technology is everywhere and is an essential part of our everyday lives.
According to Ofeom‘s 2017 figures, 94% of adults in the UK own a mobile phone, and over three-fourths
of those are smart phones. These phones are used to communicate, download entertainments, engage in
social media and the list goes on. This only proves how people are becoming overly dependent or even
addicted to their phones. A recent research showed that a mere separation from our phones can cause
significant stress and anxiety. Another research has show that high level of engagement with phone may
physically change our brain structure and its functions. Technology makes us anxious and stressed. What
specifically are these stressors?

Perpetual distraction-we are constantly distracted to the persistent notification driven to interrupt our
chores just to check those notification. Next is irregular sleep. It is when you get to bed to sleep but
suddenly want to check your phone for something but later on, you‘ll realize that you‘ve already
consumed too much time and got a hard time to sleep. Third is work or life balance wherein because of
having a phone you can easily be contacted for your additional works that you can‘t have spare time for
rest. Another is the ―#FOMO‖ which stands for ―Fear of Missing Out.‖ It is having the anxiety of to miss
the latest happenings in your social media or any event that you like to see or be a part of. Lastly is the
social comparison wherein you have to check other accounts to compare yourself with others. For
instance, you‘ll think that the other person is prettier, smarter, and so on.

Depression and anxiety are one of the most persuasive emotional problems which people experience but
having a holistic or philosophical wisdom and critical thinking can help us face and tackle these self-
defeating emotions. Depression is an emotion which lives in the past while anxiety is a future-oriented
emotion. Having a philosophical way of thinking will help you conclude and realize that you must
abandon the past, live at the present and start creating a successful future. We must not let this ―Digital
Age‖ affect our way of living.
Sci-Tech

Depression: A Deeper Concept

John Joshua Llaguno

Like heart disease and diabetes, depression can be highly debilitating, even fatal: but unlike heart disease
or diabetes, it is poorly understood and heavily stigmatized. People with depression are often seen as
failures or losers, too feeble or lazy to pick themselves up or pull themselves together.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. If you feel the way you do, it‘s most probably because
you tried too hard or took on too much, so hard and so much that you made yourself ill with depression.
In other words, if you feel the way you do, it is because the world is simply not good enough for you. You
wanted more, you wanted better, and you wanted different, not just for yourself but for all those around
you. If you‘re a ―failure‖ or ―loser,‖ that‘s only because you set the bar much too high. You could have
swept everything under the carpet and pretended, like what most people do, but you had the strength and
integrity to admit that something was missing or something was not quite right. So rather than being a
failure or a loser, you should address yourself as someone ambitious, truthful and courageous.

Unlike heart disease and diabetes, depression can have a silver lining. Crushing but depression can
present a precious opportunity to identify and address deep and difficult life problems. Just as physical
pain evolved to signal injury and prevent further injury, so depression may have evolved to remove us
from distressing or damaging situations. The time and space afforded by depression encourage us to
reconnect with our bigger picture, and reconsider how we relate to ourselves, others and to the world.

In short, depression could be your way of telling yourself that something is seriously wrong and needs
working through and changing or at the very least, processing and understanding. Sometimes, we can
become so immersed in the humdrum of our everyday lives that we no longer have the perspective or
opportunity to feel and think about ourselves.

Thinking deeper, depression can lead us to a more refined understanding or ourselves, our lives, and life
as a whole. It will also help us become aware of our mortality and freedom. By meeting this difficult
challenge, we‘re able to break out of the prison which has imposed among us. Discover who we really
are, and be able to give deeper meaning to our lives.
Sci-Tech

Philosophical Antidote

Mark Mendones

Anxiety is a reaction to stress that has both psychological and physical features. The feeling is thought to
arise in the amygdala, a brain region that governs many intense emotional responses. As neurotransmitters
carry the impulse to the sympathetic nervous system, heart and breathing rates increase, muscles tense,
and blood flow is diverted from the abdominal organs to the brain. In the short term, anxiety prepares us
to confront a crisis by putting the body on alert. But its physical effects can be counterproductive, causing
light-headedness, nausea, diarrhea, and frequent urination. And when it persists, anxiety can take a toll on
our mental and physical health.

So why do people experience anxiety about such future possibilities? Well, because they rate some
possible outcomes as highly negative. If, for example, you didn‘t give a damn about passing the exam or
getting an A, then you wouldn‘t worry about it. But if you tell yourself that it would be terrible, horrible,
and awful if you didn‘t pass, then you will invariably be anxious about your performance on the exam.
Typically, such reasoning is only consciously thought in fleeting, elliptical, fragments such as ―my life
would be over,‖ ―How awful,‖ ―I couldn‘t stand it.‖ But you can easily fill in the gaps if you realize that it
follows this form: If such and such possibility happens, it will lead to such and such (chain of) negative
consequences, which would be awful, which I couldn‘t stand. Clearly, if you tell yourself such things,
then you will create undue stress and defeat your own purposes by making it harder to concentrate and
perform well on the exam. So is there anything you can do?

If you push yourself to formulate the premises of your thinking, it is then possible for you to refute them
with a little critical thinking, that is, prove to yourself that they are irrational. ―Well, for one, my whole
life is not likely to be destroyed even if I fail the exam. So, it wouldn‘t be so horrible after all. It‘s not like
I am going to be put up against a firing squad or anything. And maybe I can‘t stand a Mack Truck coming
at me at 100 MPH, but surely I can stand to flunk an exam and still survive!‖ By talking to yourself in this
way, you will have taken an important step in overcoming your anxiety. However, at this stage you are
likely to experience cognitive dissonance. This means that you will intellectually appreciate how
irrational you are being; but you may still be (cognitively and biologically) disposed toward worrying. So
what can you do now?

At this level, you can get philosophical and construct a philosophical antidote. Philosophical antidotes
help you to overcome irrational emotional reasoning and point you toward attaining appropriate moral
virtues. In the case of anxiety, the virtue in question is courage. As Aristotle would tell you, courage is the
golden mean between being too afraid and not afraid enough. Anxiety involves being too afraid, so a
philosophical antidote would help you to get closer to the golden mean of courage.
Sci-Tech

ANXIETY AS A DEFENSE MECHANISM

John Joshua Llaguno

Anxiety is a physiological state characterized by cognitive, physical, emotional and behavioral

components. These components combine to create feelings which we typically recognize as fear and
worry. Anxiety is accompanied by physical sensation such as heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain,
shortness of breath, stomachaches and headaches.

The cognitive component will naturally lead to danger. Our body‘s emergency reaction prepares to deal
with such danger. Blood pressure, heart rate and sweating increases, blood flow is increased and immune
and digestive systems are inhibited.

Externally, signs of anxiety may include pale skin, sweating, trembling, and pupil dilation. Emotionally,
anxiety causes a sense of dread or panic and causes nausea and chills. Behaviorally, both voluntary and
involuntary may arise directed at escaping or avoiding the source of anxiety and often maladaptive, being
most extreme in anxiety disorders.

However, anxiety is not always pathological or maladaptive. It is commonly emotional along with fear,
anger, sadness, and happiness and it has a very important function to survival.

Anxiety might help be a protective mechanism designed to prevent a person from engaging in potentially
harmful decisions or behaviors. After experiencing stressful events or encounters, we experience anxiety.
This phenomenon will help us in our future decisions. Naturally we‘ll refrain ourselves from doing it
again. This is how anxiety is possible to become a natural defense mechanism.
Sci-Tech

Virtual Life: Social Media Perception

Cloie Ann Tricia Lorete

Tethered to technology, we are shaken when that world 'unplugged' does not signify, does not satisfy. Our
society sits here more than 20 years later with tablets and cellphones and electronic gadgets---seduced by
the lure of the blue light glow----we have never been more linked and more connected to a virtual reality
that many of us can no longer live without.

The long-term psychological impact of social media on individuals and their individual "self" remains to
be seen. But there is one thing we do know. Our daily lives have been digitized, tracked, and tied up in
metrics. Our real selves have split into online avatars, profile pictures and status updates.

A 2011 clinical report on "The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents and Families," published
in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, was one of the first to raise the
issue of "Facebook Depression" among young people worried that they were not accumulating enough
"friends" or "likes" to their status updates.

Some people use social media to create something that distracts people so much from their real lives and
become so involved in the reality they have created that they do not want to work with their own issues
anymore. They also want to brand themselves and sometimes get lost in branding oneself the way they
want to be perceived, that what they present online is not who they really are.

It is not that the ability to network this way is a puzzle. I think we tend to think the technology is what is
causing the problem but we just have a new way of expressing an old problem. This is a new way to
disconnect from your family, partner or loved one, but it is just a new form of doing an old thing. May it
never be an avenue to expecting more from technology and less from each other?
Opinion

LOOKING DEEPER

Teenage Pregnancy: A Discussion

Sophia Cabahug

Being a teenager can be pretty tough. You are experiencing a lot of changes and figuring out who you
want to be.

They say that, ―Angkabataan ay angpag-asangbayan.‖ It means that we are becoming the role model for
everyone especially for the young ones and they are looking forward to us to help our nation become
better. But how can we stand for this if we, the youth, are the reason why teenagers nowadays are
involved to teenage pregnancy and as the years passing by it is increasing?

It becomes a serious topic and we need to give action for this. There are many reasons why teenage
pregnancy is very rampant nowadays. They say that it all begins at home and that‘s true. Since everything
begins at home, automatically the parents‘ obligations are to guide and support their children‘s needs.
Therefore, the first reason is lack of guidance. Since some other parents were very busy on their work,
they haven‘t enough time to talk to their children and check them if they are doing good. It leads them
from freedom. They are free to do whatever they wanted to do in their lives without limitations. They
create their own government that only themselves allows doing it. But there are some other parents who
have never been lacked of giving an advice but in the end their children is the one who didn‘t follow and
created their own mistakes. Peer pressure enters. Aside from they are not been guided by their parents,
being hardheaded, the only person they can talk to is their friends. Having friends is not bad but
sometimes having a friend can put them in danger or difficult situations. It leads them to do something
that can affect their future. Something that they haven‘t been experienced will allow when by their friends
to do it.

Those are the reasons why a teenage pregnancy is very rampant nowadays. How can we prevent teenage
pregnancies? To all the parents out there, just be there for our children. Guide them always and support
them in everything that they do. And for all the children or teenagers, know first why you‘re in school and
studying hard—it‘s because of fulfilling your dreams and become successful in life. Always keep that on
mind.

However, there‘s nothing wrong about having a boyfriend but always know your limitations and keep on
reminding yourself to prioritize first your studies. ‗Cause there‘s nothing more important than a person
who finished their studies.
Opinion

HEAD HELD HIGH

Face, Preclude Discrimination

Sophia Cabahug

The world has always been faced with different problems and issues especially, discrimination.

It is one of the most discussed topics nowadays and throughout history. In human social behavior, it is a
prejudiced treatment. Some people are so judgemental; they keep on judging or degrading others. They
treated other people unfairly or badly just because of his or her religion, gender, color, nationality,
sexuality, race, age, disability and ethnicity. They did not even think what would be the effect of their
actions and every words they are saying to the person or people who feel discriminated.

The negative effects of discrimination to them are, they are losing their confidence, they became scared of
socializing with other people because of judgements, and some are attempting or committing suicide
leading them to death.

We as a human, living in this world, we should value and respect everyone around us. Be sensitive, think
before you say or take action. Treat each other equality. No to discrimination because it has no good
effect to everyone. Spread love and let us fully and truly accept and appreciate everyone for whom and
what they really are. In addition, always remember the golden rule ―treat others as you want to be
treated.‖
Opinion

ASK ONESELF

Why Do Some Families Suffered?

KathlynArtiaga

Why do we suffer? Poverty is the reason why all children and families suffer from their basic needs and
also providing their own houses.

Is it because of many corrupt officials? Unbiased treatment between poor and rich families? Or the
minimum wage of an employee?

Technically speaking because of this some reasons families are affected. Because of poverty they tend
and tempted to do such things that may result to misunderstandings and different crimes. Many of the
families especially here in Philippines are suffering, even though the government has a different platforms
and remedies in order to solve this issue. However, why is it there are so many families are suffering from
this kind of situation?

We cannot blame them but instead we can help them by giving them a chance and opportunity to
progress.

We need each other‘s help in order to stop this from happening.

Opinion

MAN AS A FELON

Involvement of Teenagers on Crimes

KathlynArtiaga

We are in modern days all the things we used are technology we technologically advance compare to the
80s or even 90s.Teenagers now a day are very prone to crimes such as rebels, cyber bullying, scandalous
issues, etc.

Teenagers are weak in terms of emotional health they are easily get involved and depress in such things
they encountered compared to the adults which they can easily handle those situations they can
encountered. Teenagers need a proper guidance by their families or even their close friends. That is why it
is there responsible to take care and also to protect what is the state of his/her child.

As a teenager, we must know either the consequences of our actions will be good or bad result. In
addition, do not used your curiosity in doing such things, also, always take a decision wisely before doing
anything because it may result to misunderstanding if not taken accordingly.
Opinion

SMASH DOWN

Repercussions of Social Inequality

Maria Madelyn Nidea

We live in a world were not everyone has the freedom to do as they wish.

Social inequality limits the freedom and the things others can do. It happens and occurs until now.
Favouritism is one of the reasons of having inequality, at the same time social inequality is the cause of
less confidence of some people.

Many people live in fear of being who they are because of the consequences they might face. Social
inequality is a major issue in today‘s world. It is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for
different social positions within a group or society. We have the ability to socialize with others but why it
is others complain and judge them.

Why there‘re some people belittled the ability of others? As the creation of God, who equally loves by
our creator, we have to treat other people equally. We have to help others to build new things that they
can make, do not small them, treat others as our family, not our enemy so that the social inequality ends.
We are not born perfect; we are born to do what is best of our effort. Learn to appreciate them. A lot of
people don‘t realize that although things are improving with time, inequality is still prominent in our
society.
Opinion

HEARING WORDS HAVEN‘T SAID

Confab towards Depression

Maria Madelyn Nidea

Suffering takes place when we patiently endure unpleasantness, discomfort and pain.

It can be experienced physically or mentally. It is normal to feel sad or irritable every now and then but if
this feeling do not go away or become so intense,that, you feel overwhelming hopeless and helpless, you
may be suffering from depression. Depression is a serious and depilating mood disorder that can change
the way you think, feel, and function in your daily life, causing problems at home, school, and in your
social life.

Nowadays, there are a lot of people committing suicide because of being depressed. They end their lives
for them to be free for the problems that they are facing which is not a right or good decision. It can be
hard to put into words exactly how depression feels and we do not all experience in the same way.

We have the freedom to live our lives well or not temporality challenges us to make choices that will be
good for us and the people around us. Even though it can feel like the black cloud of depression will
never lift, there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself deal with symptoms, regain your balance
and feel energetic, more positive and helpful again.

Whatever your solution, it takes real courage to face death and step back from the edge. Although we are
oriented towards our death, death is not the goal of life; the challenge is to live a meaningful life.
Depression is not your fault, and you did not do anything to cause it. Still, you do have some control over
feeling better.
Opinion

FAITH: SCIENTIFIC VS. RELIGIOUS

Origin of Humanity

Jonel Mantes

The origin of man had been a mystery to the early civilization and until the modern times.

So many people tried to give their explanation based on either Science or Religion. Christianity, Islam,
and Judaism have similar creation stories which refers to the first book of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis).
According to Genesis, God created the world in six days together with humans made in His image. It is
stated there that humans were fashioned out of clay, Adam and Eve being the first male and female. Some
people find it odd to say that man was made out of clay, they just could not believe it and so continue to
search the key to the mystery.

Science, particularly in the field of geology and anthropology, offered findings and theories relevant to
human origins. These findings counter-attacked traditional religious accounts of humanity. Charles
Darwin, an English naturalist, discusses human evolution in his ―Origin of Species.‖ It tackles fossil
evidences and also shows the zoological relationship of man to primates. Many scientists including
Darwin believes that we are closely related to gorillas and chimpanzees that takes evolutionary pattern
until Homo sapiens sapiens or modern man emerged.

It is truly confusing to choose which side would you believe in, but if you will dig deeper, you will realize
that it is not Science and Religion is at war, instead it is our mind at war itself. We do not have to choose
between these two. What should we do is to bridge Science and Religion for the progress and for the good
of human being.
Opinion

UTILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY

Human Relationship with Nature

Jonel Mantes

Humans become the most voracious consumers in all of nature.

We demand so much from nature. Our shelters, clothes, cars, gadgets and establishments take a huge
effect on the natural environment. Think about the construction of a stadium. How many trees, animals,
and other living and non-living organisms have to be displace from their natural habitat or even
destroyed, just so people can watch concerts and sports events. Indeed, our existence is far the most
expensive way of being compared to that of other species. Human population has ballooned rapidly, 7.7
as of 2019 to be exact, and so had the demand for natural resources. Humans only came into existence
about 200,000 years old. The dinosaur have roamed to the planet for millions of years before we arrived,
but they never caused this much damage to the biosphere.

It is then makes us think how can a young species such as ours push a 4.5 billion old planet into its
extinction in such a short span of time? We view nature as an object to behold, possess, dominate, control
and exploit. Our wasteful and environmentally unsustainable way of life can be interpreted as a form of
mass suicide. Year after year, we create more and more ways to destroy ourselves with how we live our
lives. The earth is the only place in the known universe that allows our species to live comfortably.
Imagine how difficult or even impossible life would be if we live in a world that does not have an
atmosphere like ours.

In other words, we must admit that the Earth is the only place we have and it generously provides us with
everything we need to exist. We should open our eyes to see the value of nature apart from its use for us.
As the only being capable of intelligent and moral stewardship, we have the responsibility to take care of
nature. We should pay respect to nature and subordinate greed to love and utility to responsibility.
Opinion

PINPOINTING

Aspects of Being Successful

Shane Carl Mimay

Does being rich always mean being successful? Many people are dreaming to have a plenty of money and
to be rich. In their perspective, they considered that as successful human. But for me, it is not.

Some people are rich because they won the lottery. Some people are rich because they inherited from
family. Some people are rich because they worked hard to get it.

Success is not always about money. It is about achieving goals and aims. Good athletes are successful at
what they do, but it does not follow that they will be rich, a lot one more amateurs such as Olympians.
Some people become wealthy through achieving their goals, but is usually superficial to what they
originally set out to achieve. That was their success, not the wealth it brought. That happened to be a
bonus. Money to a lot of people means everything, especially when you don't have it.

However, it is not the all-and-all of life. Being successful is also relative. We all have our own goals and
dreams and if we achieve them, we can feel we are successful. Being successful means having a rich life.
The term ―rich life‖ has little to do with money and far more to do with having a life that feels fulfilled.
That may often be a life, which is rich with a good family life, good friends, and having the kind of
success in life I hoped to have. A doctor may find satisfaction knowing he has helped people lead a
healthier life and a lawyer may feel satisfaction knowing he has helped people with life's problems. The
average person may feel he was a good carrier and provided a nice life for his family.

Those things are what make someone successful. Some of the richest people we have known were really
miserable inside. Money is not happiness and money is not success.
Opinion

FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS

Love: Stability, Patience

Shane Carl Mimay

Which is more important, to love someone madly or being loved by a person intensely?

Love someone madly to being loved by the same person intensely. But the problem here is the moment
we start loving someone madly we start taking them and their love for granted. At least in most of the
cases I have seen this. At the very same time if someone love you intensely, there won't be any limit for
anything that person would do for you and then you will start taking them for granted, so there is a
balance required.

Talking about marriage, I don't really think love has a very important role to play in marriage and I am
sure of you will not agree to this point at all, but for me I see ―marriage‖ is all about understanding,
compromising and supporting. Understanding your partner like the way you understand each and every
one.

Compromising in debates and discussions, exactly like the way you do at your work, because you know
either your boss will not listen or you will wait for the right time to hit it again. Supporting is like
supporting your challenges because you know that they will support you when you will need that.

So, when someone you love madly will take advantage of this because they know you aren't going
anywhere, exactly like your boss know you can't go anywhere and when someone loves you intensely you
are nice sure you are the boss.

What I am trying to tell you: love require balance and the moment you lose the balance is the moment you
start losing love. Be practical in choosing a partner.

Patience and stability is all you need. Love will find its way out.
Sports Opinion

NOT AN EXCUSE

Succeeding with Disability

CharlmagneMargauxIbañez

Not two people walk in the same path.

One will be stable and one can face a large crisis in their life. There are times in life when we feel like
giving up. Athletes come across a lot of circumstances and challenges that conspire against our way and
make it difficult to move forward.

The idea of people with disability being able to participate in sports and physical activity is not
uncommon. In many countries, opportunities exist for people with disabilities to showcase their skills and
interest in sports.

Sports can play a key role in people‘s lives, with or without disabilities. But some amateur athletes, gave
up easily and feel the pressure of being a disabled person. They lose the chance of improving and let their
self-esteem down. One of the problems is discrimination; they are able to feel the discrimination of some
people that causes to let their passion be at worse. Next is the lack of self-confidence, because of their
disability they are not confident enough to trust their selves even if they have an interest in sports. Some
of these factors keep them from achieving a title as sports athlete because they give up easily.

Though some disabled athlete gives up without achieving anything, some of them also didn‘t let their
disability hinder their passion in sports. They set an inspiring goal to help other disabled athlete to pursue
their dreams on becoming a true athlete. They are able to develop their perseverance and learn to fight
despite their disability. They believe that they can succeed.
Sports Opinion

TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Athlete‘s Perseverance

CharlmagneMargauxIbañez

An athlete persistency during a game, training, and socializing is a part of nature in sports.

Perseverance in an athlete‘s life is a skill that every athlete must develop in order to succeed. A
transferable skill-set that helps with time management, achieving long term goals, and learning the
invaluable lessons of life and sport‘s inevitable mistakes and setbacks. But in some way, some athlete
seems to have a trouble in developing their perseverance and overdo their greed. Losing their passion of
having a fair fight because of the fear of losing, hinders the success of every athlete.

An athlete must be passionate about their sports of choice. Throughout their athletic career, they will
experience peaks and plateaus. Even during a peak, athletes will have things they are training to improve
upon. Developing perseverance is required to achieve a larger goal. Athletes need more encouragement.
They need it to pursue their passion in sports. By this, it will develop the perseverance of the athlete.

A growing athlete‘s mind without a proper support and impassionate on their sports tend to use their
perseverance in the wrong way. They will tend to be persistent to cheat and win unfairly.

So the essence of being passionate to their sports is that their perseverance and determination will help
them to achieve much more goals. Athletes need support and encouragement. Perseverance will help the
athletes fine-tune their athletic skill sets. If the athlete receives this kind of attention, they will sets a clear
specific athletic intention and it is easier to persevere, identify when a goal is achieved, and know when
it‘s time to set a new goal and never give up.
Sports Opinion

A THRONE TO HOT SEAT

Gilas Pilipinas: Paradox?

Vince Harley Arao

The appraisals of citizens towards Gilas Pilipinas had given rise to change due of the bench-clearing
brawl with Australia Boomers happened at the midway (4:01) mark of 3rd Quarter of FIBA World Cup
Asian Qualifiers, July 2, 2018 held at Philippine Arena.

Behind the scene

In accordance to FIBA, Australia Basketball (AUB) ruled out the usage of racist language like ―monkey‖
before and during the ballgame. This made the temper of the Gilas player Roger Pogoy exceeds. As a
normal response to stimuli, the act of man is to recoil and take payback to the action made towards them,
for he is aware and can feel. The only wrong is that Pogoy doesn‘t think right that causes the brawl.

However, on an interview, the AUB standout and said to their statement that there was no discriminatory
and racist language used by their players during the match.

On the game, AU player, Daniel Kickert elbowed the head of Roger Pogoy that triggered the incident.
The father of Japeth Aguilar was caught throwing chair to an AU player and Allein Maliksi caught
punching an AU player.

Meanwhile, Daniel Kickert of AU, who instigated the brawl, was slapped with five-game suspension.

Upshot

The Malacañang Palace, Harry Roque, said, ―...that‘s the worst I have seen.‖ He added, ―Well, it should
never have happened that‘s why it‘s called sports.‖ Because the philosophy of sportsmanship is focused
on maintaining the fair play between the players.
Sports Opinion

Nude Gaming

Cloie Ann Tricia Lorete

Sport has always been viewed as competitive forum that allows for participants to learn lessons and gain
benefits as an outcome. As in life, people have to make a decision based on many different factors as to
how closely they will adhere to the rules that govern the game of life.

Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of both ancient philosophy and Olympic sport. A leader's
athletic prowess, according to the view of the times, reflected their ability to leadSport was seen as an
inquiry, a methodologically process by which we learn the objective truth of a person's athletic potential
by actualizing it in athletic competition. Aristotle emphasized physical activity as an ethical
responsibility.

Influences are present from teammates, coaches, parents and one's own expectations that will play a
crucial role in how an athlete will decide to play and one must have a high level of integrity to withstand
the pressures that form and to make decisions for themselves. Whether they decide to adhere to the
structured rules in a given competition, the decision should be theirs and not be formed or carried out
because of the influence of others and external factors. Once this criteria is established, it will become a
motive and foundation for the many decisions that will be made.

Ethical decision-making plays a role in athletic participation. Every individual will face the pressure to
cheat and to gain an advantage in an unfair manner. Cheating must be discouraged at every level of sports
organization, league, association and team.

In order for competition to be fair, rules must be governed and kept. Success must be determined based on
performance within the confines of the rules and not by winning and success solely. Natural outcomes
must be encouraged not just for mere sports but also for the improvement of individual meaningfully to
facing life situations in a battlefield called reality.
Sports Feature

Humby: Perseverance unto Victory

Jason Llamera

A human being is conscious that he/she is limited because he/she is constantly connected with his/her
body. But this athlete wasn't limited by his disability.

Baxter Humby, a kick boxer, wasn't born without one of his hands, but he had to have his right hand
amputated at birth below the elbow after it got tangled with the umbilical cord.

Instead of not engaging in sports, he has thrown himself into kickboxing, and he started competing in
martial arts at 17 and, already an accomplished runner, competed for the Canadian Paralympic National
Track Team in 1992 and in 1994. Two years later, he won the Canadian Super Welterweight Kickboxing
Championship.

Humby hasn't limited himself to work inside the ring. Because his disability was only determined by his
consciousness. Consciousness is the state or quality of awareness, or, of being aware of something within
oneself. But he didn't let his consciousness decide what he'll do. Besides, he persevered to do what he like
and achieved his victory.
Sports Feature

Kobe Bryant: Black Mamba, In!

Vince Harley Arao

Kobe Bryant, as a competitive basketball player has inspired many players for generations, as well as
normal citizens.

He is known to have an unbreakable mentality; he strives in becoming even more successful no matter
what just like what a human person should always think and do. Named as ―Black Mamba,‖ and being
called in the title the ―Greatest of all Time‖ or the "GOAT" next to Michael Jordan, had people saying
that Kobe's achievements could be easily achieved by anyone.

Some people even debate if he even has the skills for being called a "unique" player. Some people when
asked about Kobe's cleverness in basketball saying, ―I could do that.‖ However, some say, "He is a
superstar; he deserves to be in the hall of fame."

On the modern era, people always tend to look at your flaws before even getting to experience what you
have really gone through. As a personawith self-conscious, I think that we should always respect people
for what they have achieved in their lives life whether, it is little or big. Because, practically, saying and
looking for others flaws will not make you better than them.

I remember when Kobe said his philosophy in life: "It is easier said than done because I think we all have
dreams." For me, it meant that for every dream or goal you have, you must work hard to achieve it.
Sports News

MESSI IS BACK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ACTIONS!

Christopher Lopos

Lionel Messi is considered as one of the greatest player of all time. His magnificent speed, composure,
control and strength are hard to replicate, that has many qualities that fused in one. We are always told to
try and live without regret but the best player on the planet shows us how helpful it can be. Lionel Messi
of Barcelona celebrates his second goal against Eibar during Spanish La Liga soccer match, Saturday Feb.
22, 2020 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Messi did not have to feel regret for missing a shot in order
to find out he cared about winning the game , but few thing in life are straightforward as sports. For the
things that are more complicated, we can use all the guidance we can get. We cannot allow our desires to
be a winner to be diminished achieving success before and he believes there is a room for improvement in
every player

Lionel Messi is back on top form during the game. Messi had failed to score in four league matches
before Barcelona hosted Eibar, but the forward was back to his best as he scored four times as part of 5-0
rout that gives hope for his team to be back from the off-field problems that have hurt the club this year. It
is a sign that the team did something wrong, or didn‘t do something that they felt was right. Sometimes
that means outright failure. Other times means failure through succeeding in a way you don‘t agree with.
His teammates are not being distracted by these issues and the team carries good momentum entering the
match against Napoli.
It was proved by winning six of its last seven matches in all competition under coach GennaroGattuso.
The legend conveyed something that if you want to win the war it‘s better to lose first .Whenever you fall,
learn from your mistakes and then get back up.

That‘s the reason why his hat-trick was intense after good pressing by Ivan Rakitic. Ivan said to Messi
that, ―It‘s important that he is at his best,‖ ―When he is playing well, it‘s better for all of us‖. They made
four straight league win that ease some of the pressure on the team specially to their president
JosepBartomeu, who was jeered by part of the crowd amid one of the club‘s worst institutional crises.
They include a divisive coaching change and public conflicts between players and club directors. Yet
Saturday‘s victory helped the team to prove that they can be on top of La Liga.
Sports Opinion

HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENT

From Simple to Something Big

Jason Llamera

Top sports achievers will be honored in the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association
Annual Awards Night, for making the country proud in 2019 which is expected to be staged in the first
week of March at the Manila Hotel.

The highlight of the affair is the awarding of the Athlete of the Year honor, handed out by the country's
oldest media organization. It is headed by President Tito S. Talao, sports editor of the Manila Bulletin.

Filipino athletes made their presence felt everywhere in 2019, from Southeast Asia to the world stage. It
was worth their hard work and perseverance. It was all worthwhile.

Team Philippines won the overall championship of the Southeast Asian Games for only the second time
in 42 years of competing in the biennial meet, while Carlos Yulo became the first Filipino and Southeast
Asian to win a gold medal in the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

Lady boxer Nesthy Petecio also won a first ever gold when she ruled the featherweight division of the
AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia.

Meanwhile, Ernest John Obiena distinguished himself as the first Filipino to qualify in the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics when he surpassed the Olympic qualifying standard in men's pole vault by ruling a tournament
in Chiara, Italy.

These sports heroes and heroines are expected to lead the various personalities and entities to be honored
on this special night by the country's sports writing fraternity. Really it is amazing on how a single
achievement can take you anywhere, from little to something big. Their time spent on their own passion
paid off on this one big main event of their lives.
News

2019-nCoV Outbreak: Racism and Xenophobia Spread Faster than the Virus

Carl Angelo Loria

The latest disease that affects people in different parts of the world is known as the Novel Corona Virus
or the 2019-nCoV, characterized as respiratory illness benign as common cold and other more extreme
complications that leads to pneumonia which was found out to be originated in Wuhan, China last
December 2019, whereas people are not just affected in terms of health but also in their social interaction.

There were 40,500 people infected in the world, 910 were killed, and 3,400 had been recovered. In the
Philippines as of February 10, 2020, the DOH has probed a total of 314 patients for possible 2019-nCoV
infection, 261 patients under investigation and 50 had been discharged. Only one Chinese nationality was
reported to die in the Philippines due to the virus making it the first victim to die outside China. The first
case of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines was the 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, China who was tested
negative in acquiring the disease has been discharged last February 8, 2020, but her husband died due to
severe complications of pneumonia making him the 2nd case of the virus. The 3rd case was found out
also to be tested negative in the 2019-nCoV was a 60-year-old Chinese nationality and has returned to
China, according to the DOH (Janella Paris, February 10, 2020).

The spread of 2019-nCoV had led to racism, stereotyping, discrimination, xenophobia not just to the
Chinese people but also in the East-Asian nationals making it hard for them to interact with other
countries. Chinese people throughout the world are feeling the effects of bias and ostracization due to
virus-related fear. News had scattered all over the world blaming them for the root of the disease. Also,
media is responsible for spreading misinformation and enforce racial stereotypes, thus promoting fear
(PreetiSuturu, February 11, 2020). In Canada, Chinese Canadian citizens are experiencing discrimination
through social media example of this is the video of a young Chinese woman using chopsticks to bite into
a whole bat, which went viral and was picked by some media outlets. However, the woman said that the
video was filmed three years ago in Palau, a Pacific Island Nation, rather than in China. Comments on
social media also degrade Chinese immigrants saying they should be blocked in Canada (Larry Heng,
January 30, 2020). In UK, a Chinese student is reported being avoided in the halls of their university out
of the fear of infection (The Inquirer, January 30, 2020). Temporary travel ban, to the mainland China and
special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, has been imposed by the Philippine government
to curb the spread of the virus (Janella Paris, 02-10-20). Because of this temporary travel ban the citizens
from the said countries had to stay in Philippines to prevent being infected. But as they stay in Philippines
discrimination were poured out to them.

"It is really important to understand that someone's nationality alone is not a risk factor for Coronavirus,
unfortunately, fears of the virus is feeling anti-Chinese racism around the world..." Dr. Nicole Alexander
Scott of state Health Department said (G. Wayne Miller, February 3, 2020).
News

Love of a ‗kuya‘

Handmade royal blue gown stuns netizens

Shane Arla Lumibao

A Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education student from Western Mindanao State University made a
stunning gown for his sister, Lu Asye Oyao, prom last February 14,2020.

Maverick Francisco Oyao recently knows that his sister will be joining the Junior and Senior prom this
February. He thinks that the gown would be very expensive. They do not have enough budget that will be
fit for Php. 3,000.00. This made him think what if they make a gown instead maybe they can save on it.
But he doubted himself since knew it would be difficult.

After a few days, his sister made up her mind to join so that is when he felt determined to start his
mission. Maverick searched on Google and YouTube to look for inspiration to his design. With the help
of their mother, he exerted his effort, time and dedication.

When everything was done, he was so happy of the outcome that was far beyond expectation. The gown
in Royal blue is in satin material with a crisscross design on skirt using a white satin ribbon. His support
and love for his sister fuelled him to achieve something from his skills
News

Woman plays violin while undergoing a brain surgery

Trisha Joy Miñas

Dagmar Turner, a 53-year-old violinist from the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra in Southern England
played her instrument as surgeons remove her brain tumor.

Turner, has been battling from a brain tumor since 2013 decided to conduct a brain surgery for her tumor
removal.

Professor KeyoumarsAshkan, consultant neurosurgeon at King's College Hospital in South London said
in an interview with ITV News, "Turner's tumor is on the right-hand side, so it will not affect her right
hand. However, it will affect her left-hand side.‖

The area is close to the part of the brain that controls the micromovement of the left hand, which is
required to regulate a violin's pitch and timbre.

The medical team proposed that Turner be woken up midway through the procedure and play her violin to
ensure that her musical abilities were not damaged during the tumor removal.

Waking her up during the surgery greatly helped the doctors monitor whether those parts were sustaining
damage and to ensure that her coordination was not being affected.

"The violin is my passion; I've been playing since I was 10 years old," Turner said in the hospital press
release. "The thought of loving my ability to play was heart-breaking but being a musician himself,
Prof.Ashkan understood my concerns."

The surgery was a success.

Ashkan said, "We managed to remove over 90 percent of the tumor, including all the areas suspicious of
aggressive activity while retaining full function in her left hand."

It is rare for a patient to play their instrument during surgery to let alone follow their passion.
News

Security guard holds dozens of hostage in San Juan City

The Joker of Philipines

Trisha Joy Miñas

Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City was the site of a reported hostage-taking incident that is still
unfolding as a press of time. The popular shopping mall was placed on a lock-down on March 2, 2020
due to a day-long hostage crisis.

A man was shot and at least 30 people were held hostage by a "disgruntled" security guard who was
sacked from work of the said mall. The hostage-taker, Archie Paray, shot one of the guards as he entered
its administration office on the second floor, according to San Juan City Mayor, Francis Zamora.

Zamora tackled to the suspect and convinced him to come out without bringing his gun and hand grenade.
The mayor said that the hostage taker demanded an audience with fellow guards and media.
After releasing his hostages at past 8PM, Paray faced the media and uttered his sentiment on why he held
hostage the individuals.

Paray accused that there is an unfair treatment, abuse and corruption in his security firm, (SASCOR),
Safeguard Armor Security Agency.

The mall had been placed lockdown following the hostage-taking incident. According to the Greenhills
management, most of the hostages were mall employees and vendors and the management's priority is to
ensure safety of the employees and the public.

"I'm very thankful that everything ended up peacefully," said Zamora. Not just 30 people were held
hostage but for about 60-70 people, he added.

Paray said he had already apologized to the hostages when he was still holding them, and he also added
that what had happened should be a lesson to other employers.

The suspect was brought to San Juan Police Station so that formal charges will be filed against him.

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterward speaks according to his action.

"Bakit napakadagsa ng tulong ngayon, samantalang noong nakikipag-usap pa ako sa inyo dinededma niyo
lang, wala kayong ginawa, binalewala niyo lang," said Paray during the video call.

"The need of justice grows out of the conflict of human interest."

News

Heart Evangelista Wears P20 Headband from Quiapo at Paris Fashion Week

Alaine Madrona

Heart Evangelista just proved she can look expensive in whatever she puts on.

Wearing a headband, she bought from Quiapo that‘s worth less than P20, the Kapuso actress still
appeared stylish and slayed her attendance at the recently held Paris Fashion Week.

In her recently uploaded Vlog, Heart proudly showed off the gold headband while she was preparing for
the Georges Hobeika show.

―So this is the Quiapo headband. Php. 70.00 for four pieces. Nakarating na siyang Paris,‖ she said.

Heart paired the cheap-but-great-find piece with designer brands such as the Hermes bag and Versace
outfit.
News

Suspect in rape-killing of special needs girl in Quezon

PWDs are more prone to abuse

Derick Earl Loria

A rapist linked to the killing of a 10-year-old autistic girl was killed by police in Tagkawayan, Quezon
province on Wednesday after he supposedly resisted arrest.

According to police reports, Mauro Gravamen, 52, was cornered by police officers at his hideout, where
he attempted to throw a grenade at them before he was put down in self-defense. Reports said the girl had
been raped both before and after her death, which was linked to signs of severe trauma to her face.

"We saw there were signs that she was hit hard in the face," Police Master Sergeant Aurelia Garcela from
Tayabas Child Protective Services said.

''PWDs believed to be helpless, It is true that PWDs are more prone to abuse and more likely to be victims
of crimes against chastity and property and it is the problem of all PWD because many think that they can
pick on PWDs because PWDs are believed to be helpless due to their condition."

"PWDs are not considered as credible witnesses for crimes against ther person especially those with
psychosocial disabilities. PWDs are considered to be unreliable and unable to identify properly when
accusing a suspect, especially those with visual and hearing disabilities," Lazaro said, saying these only
contributed to the likelihood that of PWDs falling victim to similar crimes.
 or QUALITY NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE.
Heart Evangelista, Filipina actress, wears a 20-
Peso headband during her attendance on Paris
Fashion Week on February 24 – March 3, 2020.

NO TO NCOV! People are wearing their mask as

the number of infected patients continuously increases
due to the 2019-nCOV outbreak which originated in
Wuhan, China on December 2019.

THE LOVE OF A KUYA. Maverick

Francisco Oyao (left),Bachelor of
Culture and Arts Education student,
made a stunning gown for Lu Asye
Oyao(right), his sister’s prom on
MUSIC IS LIFE. Dagmar Turner,53-year-old February 14, 2020.
violinist playing her instrument during her brain
surgery in King’s College Hospital.

―AM I SPECIAL, OR
NOT?”KayceeDabel, 10-year-old
autistic girl was raped and killed by a
52-year-old man, Mauro Gravamen in
Tagkawayan, Quezon Province on Feb.
21, 2020.
 PHOTO ESSAY

Persona: Actuation of kindness

By Monica Jean Diolata

*photos were taken by the compositor

ACT OF PHILOSOPHIZING: A Question in a Photo
by Jonel Cerillo

*photos were taken by the compositor

In the midst of peaceful walks, I wonder of things, I reflect, I ask oneself. I try to find a
satisfying answer/s for my delving inquiries. However, often, questions are left unanswered and
stay on the vastness of mind.

CULLAT—Daylight: the point of new beginning.

LEGAZPI—Life they say, is like a ride. Going
places; a travel, a journey. However, can a I asked, “If there’s twilight—where all things
end—will daylight or new beginning must rise?”
person be at two places at a time? I just wonder.
What if? (02-21-20) (03-02-20)

BAÑAG—A time for myself: a time to think. Will

CULLAT—Twilight: the period when days end I be able to lit like the streetlights, in this life
and the dusky nights begin. Do all things must surrounded by darkness? (03-03-20)
have an end? (03-01-20)

For being an Existentialist, life is full of

queries. Nevertheless, what matters most is to
seek and find the right answer on the questions.

SAGPON—On the same route, I took the pace

around 9:00pm taking photos. In a sudden, a
question popped up: What is good of being
good, when the society itself is blind? (02-25-20)