Reach for the Stars
english,
Literary (Submission): 2 Tales Before Bedtime
Once upon a time, in a kingdom faraway, there lived a king.
He lived in a kingdom had two wives and seven children. He was known for spoiling his children, letting them to study wherever they want and eat whatever they want. Despite this, they were never contented with their lives.
Since becoming king, his people have been divided in their opinion of him.
The first group praised and loved him for his power and wealth. The other group considered him a dictator, abusive of power and murderer.
The rebels were killed.
That night, the king bid his family good night. The king felt safe as he drifted off to sleep, his family by his side.
And he lived happily ever after in his paradise.
The end.
Once upon a time, in a kingdom faraway, there lived a farmer.
He lived in a small hut with his wife and two children. He was known to work hard for his family. He wakes up very early in the morning to start with his tasks for the day. At noon, he sends his children to school and picks them up before sunset. He’s happily contented with his life.
Since the coronation of the new king, farmers have been displeased with him. Farms were sold to big companies favored by the king. This caused the farmers to rebel against the king’s administration. He joined other people in the street
The farmer was killed.
That night, the farmer bid his family goodbye. The farmer felt defeat as he drifted off to sleep, his family in tears.
And the farmer never lived after.
His end.
english,
Unfold.
Loose grasp of anything you hold
Lay yourself on the dry meadows
Beside a faintly greening tree
Just below orange skies
Take a breath,
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Take a leap,
Jump into a furrow so steep
Let all else fade and abandon your mind
Lay yourself in an endless bliss
Lose thought of the fall upon reaching the ground
Unbound.
You won’t.
You shall not hit the ground with a forceful thud
Nor will you drown in a shaft of sinking pools,
Only land as light as thin air
And continue to glide through the gleaming abyss
Holding out arms
You shall fly free
You shall fly free
Holding nothing but spirit
And continue to soar in a world of your own
For only it is the upright reality that can be felt
By turning upside-down
Or the beam of light that can only be shined
In the vastness of dark,
You shall only see the rest of the world
When you close your eyes
You will.
Literary (Submission): You Will
Unfold.
Loose grasp of anything you hold
Lay yourself on the dry meadows
Beside a faintly greening tree
Just below orange skies
Take a breath,
Close your eyes
Close your eyes
Take a leap,
Jump into a furrow so steep
Let all else fade and abandon your mind
Lay yourself in an endless bliss
Lose thought of the fall upon reaching the ground
Unbound.
You won’t.
You shall not hit the ground with a forceful thud
Nor will you drown in a shaft of sinking pools,
Only land as light as thin air
And continue to glide through the gleaming abyss
Holding out arms
You shall fly free
You shall fly free
Holding nothing but spirit
And continue to soar in a world of your own
For only it is the upright reality that can be felt
By turning upside-down
Or the beam of light that can only be shined
In the vastness of dark,
You shall only see the rest of the world
When you close your eyes
You will.
english,
I want to
soar the skies.
Fly,
high,
just high enough to reach the stars.
I want to be
of the heavens.
Become something
celestial,
surreal,
ethereal.
Fly.
I want to fly
and touch the sun,
stay in my chosen paradise.
But my heavy heart
holds me
down
yet again.
Down,
on the dry ground,
I wait,
dreaming of
brighter days
and higher places.
I’m scared,
terrified even,
of flying
only to fall
and crash
before I even reach the heavens.
I’m scared
to float away
and lose touch
with the ground,
when my skies are full
still with uncertainty.
Scared,
I might be,
but I will
jump
and take that leap of faith,
if
and only if
you say I can.
I want to
soar the skies.
Fly.
Can I?
Will I?
Literary (Submission): I Want To
I want to
soar the skies.
Fly,
high,
just high enough to reach the stars.
I want to be
of the heavens.
Become something
celestial,
surreal,
ethereal.
Fly.
I want to fly
and touch the sun,
stay in my chosen paradise.
But my heavy heart
holds me
down
yet again.
Down,
on the dry ground,
I wait,
dreaming of
brighter days
and higher places.
I’m scared,
terrified even,
of flying
only to fall
and crash
before I even reach the heavens.
I’m scared
to float away
and lose touch
with the ground,
when my skies are full
still with uncertainty.
Scared,
I might be,
but I will
jump
and take that leap of faith,
if
and only if
you say I can.
I want to
soar the skies.
Fly.
Can I?
Will I?
english,
A mansion lined with diamonds
Floors made of gold
Filled with wonders, every room
Is this paradise?
The ocean with roaring waves
Salty breeze
Sand beneath my feet
Is this paradise?
A long and tiring hike
Reaching the summit
Claiming your victory
Is this paradise?
An oasis with flowing water
Death of thirst
Cool water in this heat
Is this paradise?
Silences, full of meaning
Exchanging looks, full of bliss
Thinking of what I could’ve been and what I could be.
Is this paradise?
Sincere smiles and hearty laughter
Remembering the little things
Knowing deep down that I am happy and I am free
This is paradise.
Literary (Submission): What I Want to Be
A mansion lined with diamonds
Floors made of gold
Filled with wonders, every room
Is this paradise?
The ocean with roaring waves
Salty breeze
Sand beneath my feet
Is this paradise?
A long and tiring hike
Reaching the summit
Claiming your victory
Is this paradise?
An oasis with flowing water
Death of thirst
Cool water in this heat
Is this paradise?
Silences, full of meaning
Exchanging looks, full of bliss
Thinking of what I could’ve been and what I could be.
Is this paradise?
Sincere smiles and hearty laughter
Remembering the little things
Knowing deep down that I am happy and I am free
This is paradise.
english,
A white lotus of stone
Roots digging through
The petals one by one shine
As the moon reaches its peak
The white petals glow of brilliance
The shine reflects the moonlight
It shatters reality, like a feather
Delicate, but purposeful
As the moon sinks, the petals fade
The once shining is now dimming
Unstoppable darkening of the light
As the sky lightens, the lotus dies
The sun rises once again
Another lotus is born
Born to shine brighter than any other
Born to die like any other
The lotus was born,
Cherish it until moonset
The lotus will die,
Cherish it until moonset
Literary (Submission): Moonlit Flower
A white lotus of stone
Roots digging through
The petals one by one shine
As the moon reaches its peak
The white petals glow of brilliance
The shine reflects the moonlight
It shatters reality, like a feather
Delicate, but purposeful
As the moon sinks, the petals fade
The once shining is now dimming
Unstoppable darkening of the light
As the sky lightens, the lotus dies
The sun rises once again
Another lotus is born
Born to shine brighter than any other
Born to die like any other
The lotus was born,
Cherish it until moonset
The lotus will die,
Cherish it until moonset
english,
Literary (Submission): This Room
It is yet another desolate night. I am once again stuck in this dimly lit room with nothing good to do. But even if I’m left with my favorite things, I do not have the energy to use them.
The bowl of food, left alone since lunch, is still sitting on the floor next to a wide cup filled with water. I would have to suffer a couple more hours in the company of little ants who have greater appetite than me. I normally would be mad at them for taking my prized food, but now, it doesn’t matter – nothing does.
Dear, oh dear! How long do I have to endure this loneliness? How can I keep my sanity with nothing to hear but the monotonous whirring of this tall electric fan? If the television was left turned on, it could have distracted me from this familiar glum feeling that I have yet been accustomed to. If only I could read the clock and set an alarm until the time when--
Wait! Am I hearing this correctly? Are those clanging of metal keys?
...
Bam!
Yes, that's the gate. She's finally here.
"Arf, arf!" I bark.
She walked towards me to pat my head and say, "You missed me little boy, didn't you?"
The room turned bright.
english,
Years came and went,
Yet I am still here.
Waiting…
Waiting.
From dusk ‘til dawn,
I toiled in anticipation.
Hoping…
Hoping.
Perfectly designing,
Crafting my own paradise.
Plotting…
Plotting.
Still the paradise I build
Is never quite right.
The skies are still gray.
Deafening silence at night
On my bed, all alone,
I stare blankly in distress.
Wondering…
Wondering.
And then it hits–
No matter how much I try,
Or how much I weep,
I can never create a perfect paradise.
For a paradise cannot be built,
Nor can it be forced.
A paradise is a gift from God
And it can only ever be found.
Literary: Gift from God
Years came and went,
Yet I am still here.
Waiting…
Waiting.
From dusk ‘til dawn,
I toiled in anticipation.
Hoping…
Hoping.
Perfectly designing,
Crafting my own paradise.
Plotting…
Plotting.
Still the paradise I build
Is never quite right.
The skies are still gray.
Deafening silence at night
On my bed, all alone,
I stare blankly in distress.
Wondering…
Wondering.
And then it hits–
No matter how much I try,
Or how much I weep,
I can never create a perfect paradise.
For a paradise cannot be built,
Nor can it be forced.
A paradise is a gift from God
And it can only ever be found.
edgewright,
Literary: Experiencing Fantasy
Walking while listening to music
In a place surrounded by tall and bright buildings
Feeling the cold breeze of a calm night
I am free, I am happy
I then stumble upon a rooftop
Looking at a majestic skyline accompanied by a bright moon
A somber and smooth jazz song plays in the background
I am relaxed, I’m filled with glee
A second passes and I find myself relaxing by the beach
Quiet and alone as I hear the waves hitting the shore
Enjoying the sunny but windy weather
I am calm, I hope for more to see
A snap of a finger leads me to be driving fast
Open road with no other cars and no rules
Shifting through gears and stepping on the gas
I am unstoppable, I feel time moving quickly
Everything goes dark, I end up in a bed
In a familiar room as the sun rises
With my phone repeatedly ringing loud
I gain consciousness, sigh, and look at a nearby clock
I was free, I was happy
english,
Literary: Bliss
Soft grass beneath my feet,
Fragrant flowers that smell so sweet,
Butterflies and bees, everywhere
All flying, wandering here and there
Small chirps and buzzing
Fills the silence of everything.
And the heat of the sun,
Touches me while I run
A place of calmness and relaxation
Where you can spend a vacation,
To find peace of mind,
Or just waste some time
Here is where I stay,
Under the clouds I lay.
Alone with no disguise,
Here in my paradise.
Fragrant flowers that smell so sweet,
Butterflies and bees, everywhere
All flying, wandering here and there
Small chirps and buzzing
Fills the silence of everything.
And the heat of the sun,
Touches me while I run
A place of calmness and relaxation
Where you can spend a vacation,
To find peace of mind,
Or just waste some time
Here is where I stay,
Under the clouds I lay.
Alone with no disguise,
Here in my paradise.
mariel diesta,
Opinion: Death Penalty: Hustisya nga ba talaga?
"Alam niyo, anti-poor ang death penalty. Ang nahahatulan lang ng death sentence ay ang mahihirap, at alam naman natin na ang issue ng death penalty, hindi yan ang sagot sa krimen.”
Ang pahayag na ito ay binanggit ng tumatakbo sa pagka-senado na si Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno sa Ikaw Na Ba? The DZMM Senatorial Candidates' Interview.
Noong taong 2016, inahain ng House of Representatives ang Senate Bill no. 42 “An Act Re-instituting the Death Penalty in the Philippines.” Tinalakay nito ang mga pagbabago na ipatutupad sakaling maibalik ang parusang kamatayan sa mga mapatunayang nagkasala sa batas. Ang pangunahing paraan ng pagpataw ay ang lethal injection. Ang mga sumusunod na krimen ang kabilang sa mapapatawan ng parusang death penalty:
• Treason
• Qualified Piracy
• Qualified Bribery
• Parricide
• Murder
• Infanticide
• Rape
• Kidnapping and serious illegal detention
• Robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons
Naging isa sa mga pangunahing usapin ito na ginamit sa mga debate sa pagkilatis ng mga tumatakbong senador. Ayon sa sinabi ni Chel Diokno, ang death penalty ay maaaring gamitin laban sa mga mahihirap. Makikita ito sa mga nangyayari sa kasalukuyan. Isang halimbawa ang Oplan Tokhang na naglalayong magbawas ng krimen sa pamamagitan ng paghuli sa mga drug pusher at pag-rehabilitate sa mga drug users. Sa kabila ng tila magandang layunin ng programa, ang mga hinihinalang drug lords o pinuno ng mga sindikato ay nauugnay sa mayayaman o may posisyon sa gobyerno. Ang mga makapangyarihang ito ay hindi naaaresto o naiimbestigahan. Sa halip ang mga mahihirap na drug pushers at users na “pinaghihinalaan” pa lang bilang suspect o person of interest ay napaparatang “nanlaban umano” kaya madalas na napapatay sa akto ng paghuli sa kanila. Inonsente man ang marami sa mga ito, hindi pa rin nakakamit ang hustisya sa pagkamatay nadamay. Ilang halimbawa ng napatay sa laban kontra droga ay sina Kian Delos Santos at Carl Aranaiz na mga menor de edad pa man din. Ang hustisya ay pinapaburan lamang ang mga mayayaman dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng kakayahang pinansiyal ng mahihirap upang makakuha ng mahusay na abogado. Karagdagan pa ay ang koneksyon ng mga taong ito sa mga may kapangyarihan at may mataas na posisyon sa gobyerno.
Ang paghahaing maibalik ang death penalty ay bunsod ng isang insidenteng nangyari kamakailan. Nitong nakaraang Marso 11, 2019, naging mainit na balita ang tungkol sa marahas na pagpaslang sa 16 taong gulang na babae sa Lapu Lapu City Naging usap-usapan ang balitang ito dahil sa pagkalat sa ng mga larawan at artikulo nito sa iba’t ibang network ng media at maging sa social media. Dahil sa pagpukaw ng simpatiya ng mga tao sa biktiam ng krimen, umigting ang usapin sa pagbabalik ng death penalty.
Ngunit tunay nga kayang naipapataw nang maktwiran ang death penalty? Kung babalikan ang nangyari noong taong 1982, nagkaroon ng isang kaso ng panggagahasa kay Pepsi Paloma, kung saan nadawit sina Vic Sotto, Tito Sotto at Joey de Leon. Sa taong iyon, umiiral ang death penalty sa Pilipinas. Ngunit sa naturang kaso, hindi napatawan ng karampatang parusa ang mga kinasuhang gumawa ng krimen hanggang sa nabaon na sa nakaraan ang nangyari. Hindi na nahalungkat ang mga ebidensya at halos wala na ring maalalang testigo. Ngayon, ang mga nabanggit na kasangkot ay mga komedyante, nakikita sa TV at may posisyon pa sa gobyerno.
Sa isa pang banda, may ilang opinyon din na nagsasabing sa death penalty, tila ba hinahayaan natin ang kriminal na makatakas pa sa kasalanang ginawa niya sa pamamagitan ng pagpatay sa kanya. Usap-usapan ngayon sa social media na mababaw na parusa ang kamatayan dahil sa oras na siya’y patayin, hindi na niya magagawang harapin pa ang krimen na dapat niyang panagutan.
Dagdag pa na ang death penalty ay hindi maaaring bawiin, hindi tulad ng pagkakakulong na kung saan kapag napatunayang inosente ang isang tao, maaari siyang pakawalan.
Huwag nating kalimutan kung gaano kagulo ang sistema at kawalan ng hustisya dito sa ating bansa bago natin sabihin na pabor na tayo sa death penalty, dahil maaaring maparusahan ng death penalty ang isang tao para sa krimeng hindi niya naman ginawa. Kahit gaano ka-ideyal ang isang panukalang batas, lagi nating tingnan ang konteksto at mga pangyayari sa ating lipunan. //ni Mariel Diesta
editorial,
Editorial: "Charged" with Charging
As UPIS students, we have undoubtedly used our gadgets for multiple purposes – completing requirements, passing them through email, contacting teachers, etc. Because of this, we have become dependent on charging our mobile devices and laptops to meet those needs. Hence, most of us rely on charging through different sockets spread around the school.
The UPIS Handbook recognizes charging as a form of “unauthorized use of school property and equipment”. After teachers reported that charging in the school has become rampant, the UPIS administration decided to take action.
During the flag ceremony last March 5, Assistant Principal for Administration Prof. Portia Dimabuyu reminded the UPIS 7 – 12 student body that charging is a “violation” of Rule 4.3 of the handbook, causing mixed reactions among the students.
According to Prof. Dimabuyu, some students charge their gadgets for non-academic purposes such as playing games and using social media, among other activities. In addition, charging consumes electricity, and the school only has limited resources.
It should be noted that the use of power outlets is a “violation,” since we are not officially given permission to do so. However, we must recognize our right to the use of facilities for school-related activities.
As stated earlier, many of the students’ requirements are technology-related such as researching on the internet, making an infographic, coding a website, or writing and editing a thesis. All of these need gadgets, and such gadgets are also in need of charging. If their battery runs low, charging in school will help students finish their requirements.
Moreover, if we are deprived of power supply, then these gadgets will also drain faster. This means less time to complete and submit requirements, much to the dissatisfaction of our teachers.
Besides this, students will also need to charge their phones in case of emergencies. If they need to contact their guardians in short notice, they would need to use their phone to do so.
If they have been using their phone all-day for requirements or for any other purpose, they might not have enough battery to make the call or send a text. Charging is therefore essential to this particular need of students.
Prof. Dimabuyu has said explicitly in an interview that the administration understands the needs of the students, and that all students also need to charge their gadgets to work on their requirements. She said that even teachers need to charge their equipment to accomplish their work.
She also said that according to the student handbook, only unauthorized charging is not allowed. If we go by this logic, so long as we ask for permission from a teacher to charge our gadgets, charging, for a valid purpose, would be allowed in the school.
We suggest that the school allocate certain areas for charging, specifically the library or specific hallways. A lot of students prefer to study in both the library and in the hallways, and often need their gadgets to do so.
Allowing charging inside the library will not only increase the convenience for the students studying, it will also allow supervision over gadget use while charging since there are teachers and librarians in the library.
Although to be on the safer side, as students we must also cooperate with the admin to enforce discipline in our actions. Yes, it may sound unreasonable at first to hear that charging is not allowed, but by giving it some thought, it is evident that they are only trying to control the use of gadgets within school premises.
If it is clear to all of us now that we may charge at school for academic and emergency purposes, then there should not be any more traction from our part.
Instead, we should be able to cooperate with the admin's flexible implementation of the policy by doing our part in controlling ourselves from abusing the right to these privileges. To put simply, we must only charge in school for valid reasons.
cedric creer,
Opinion: Filipino language and culture curriculum - isang magandang programa para sa mga Pilipino
Photo credit: Ria Estilón
Simula sa taong 2020, dadami na ang eskwelahan sa Alberta, Canada na mag-aalok ng Filipino language and culture program sa kanilang kurikulum. Alinsunod ito sa naging pahayag ni Premier Rachel Notley noong Pebrero 7.
Ayon sa kaniyang naunang pahayag, ang komunidad ng mga Pilipino ang isa sa mga pinakamalaking populasyon na patuloy ang mabilis na pagdami sa kanilang lugar na nakatulong sa kanilang workforce at lipunan. Ang paggawa ng isang K-12 Filipino language and curriculum raw ay makatutulong upang masiguro ang paglago ng nabanggit na komunidad.
Ang Filipino language and culture curriculum ay kasalukuyang inaalok lang sa hayskul sa nasabing lugar. Ang ilan sa mga paaralang nagpapatupad nito ay ang Calgary Catholic School District, Edmonton Catholic Schools, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools.
Sa hiwalay na pahayag ni Education Minister David Eggen, binanggit niya ang halaga ng programa. “Providing learning opportunities for students in a variety of language programs helps youth maintain their heritage, strengthen their cultural identity and build language and literacy skills.
Strengthening language programs based on local need and demand can be an effective tool in addressing racism. In fact, this is one of the ways we’re acting on the feedback we heard, and commitments we made, in our government’s anti-racism consultations and report.”
Sa kabilang banda, ang programang ito ay hindi mandatory. Ibig sabihin, hindi lahat ng eskwelahan sa kanilang lugar ay kinakailangang magkaroon ng ganitong programa. Ang mga opisyal ng eskwelahan ay may kalayaan sa pag-aalok ng language program na sa tingin nila ay pinakakailangan ng komunidad na kanilang kinabibilangan.
Positibo naman ang naging tugon ng komunidad ng mga Pilipino sa Canada. “The official declaration of having the Filipino heritage language in the curriculum of Alberta schools is a historic gift by the Alberta government to the Filipino community. This strongly demonstrates the respect for a culture’s diversity and uniqueness through its language. Programs like this instill pride in students and their heritage, and results in active and engaged citizens,” sabi ni Dolly Castillo, isang Filipino community leader sa isang pahayag.
Kung titingnan, malaki ang maitutulong ng programang ito sa mga Pilipino sa Alberta, Canada lalo na’t may hindi bababa sa 170,000 na mamamayang bahagi ng Filipino heritage ang nakatira dito. Maganda itong hakbang upang mas mapagtibay pa ang relasyon ng Canada at Pilipinas. Ang magandang relasyong ito ay isang paraan upang masiguro nating kinikilala ang mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa.
Sana ay tuluyan itong maging mandatory upang mas lumawak ang sakop ng programa sa buong Canada. Kung mas mapapalawak ito, mas maraming Pilipino roon ang makakukuha ng benepisyo dahil magkakaroon sila ng akses sa programa. Makatutulong din ito sa mga Pilipinong ipinanganak sa Pilipinas pero lumaki sa Canada para hindi nila makalimutan ang kanilang sariling wika at kultura. Makatutulong naman ito sa mga taong may lahing Pilipino upang magkaroon sila ng kaalaman sa kanilang pagka-Pilipino. Mahalaga ito upang lalo pa nilang makilala ang kanilang sarili at ang kanilang pinagmulan.
Magsilbi sana itong inspirasyon sa ibang mga bansa upang magkaroon ng pantay na pagtrato sa ibang lahi para matugunan ang isyu ng racism. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, hindi pa rin nawawala ang isyu ng racism sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, mas makikilala ang ating wika at kultura. Makatutulong ito upang mabigyang representasyon ang ating lahi ng sa gayon ay mas makilala pa tayo at mabigyan ng pantay na pagtratoi. Sana lang ay magpatuloy pa ang programang ito dahil isa ito sa mga hakbang tungo sa pagkakapantay-pantay. //ni Cedric Creer
aldric de ocampo,
Opinion: Isang Opinyon sa mga Opinyon
Photo credit: Ria Estilón
Madalas tayong maglabas ng saloobin tungkol sa anomang bagay na makita natin sa paligid araw-araw, mapamabuti man o masama. Likas kasi sa atin bilang mga tao ang magkaroon ng opinyon, dulot ng ating kakayahang mag-isip at kakayahang magpasya para sa ikabubuti natin.
Maaaring makita sa iba't ibang paraan ang pagpapahayag ng ating mga opinyon. Halimbawa na lang ay sa isang tsikahan sa pagitan ng dalawang magkaibigan. Maaari rin sa pamamagitan ng isang pormal na anyo tulad ng artikulong binabasa mo ngayon. Pero sa kasalukuyang panahon, dahil nabubuhay na tayo sa “Digital Age,” maaari na ring maipahayag ang mga opinyon natin sa social media.
Noong March 16, nag-post sa Twitter si Miguel Luis Valenzuela (@Boytutoy), isang alumnus mula sa Batch 2015, ng isang edisyon ng “Unpopular Opinion” tungkol sa UPIS.
Ang “Unpopular Opinion” ay isang trend sa Twitter na may simpleng layunin na malayang makapagbahagi ang mga netizens ng kanilang mga hindi popular na opinyon sa iba’t ibang bagay. Bilang isang gimmick, marami ring gumagawa ng iba't ibang edisyon nito upang lumabas ang samu't saring opinyon ng mga netizens sa nabanggit na social media website.
Noong una, ni-reretweet lang nila ito para maipahayag ang kanilang mga opinyon na unpopular, ngunit nang makalipas ang panahon, naging tampulan na rin ito ng mga rant at pahayag na may patama sa mga kinaiinisang gawain ng mga tao, tulad ng ilang palakad o pinatutupad na patakaran ng awtoridad, kahit maraming sumusunod dito. Marami ang nahikayat na magtweet dahil sa nabanggit na kalayaan at sa kawalan ng restriksyon sa trend.
Ganito rin ang nangyari sa edisyon ng UPIS. Marami ang nag-retweet na alumni at mag-aaral ng paaralan na naglabas ng kanilang mga saloobin. Minsan ang mga pinatatamaan ay iba pang mga mag-aaral, at minsan naman ay ang sistemang umiiral sa paaralan, kabilang na ang mga namamahala sa institusyon.
Gayunpaman, sa kabila ng lahat ng “rants” sa Twitter, mas mabuti kung lahat tayo sa UPIS ay makikitungo nang maayos at constructive para magkaroon ng kaukulang kompromiso sa pagitan ng mga nagtutunggaling interes.
Una sa lahat, hindi opisyal na paraan ng pagtugon sa mga isyu sa paaralan ang pagpapahayag lamang sa social media. Oo, maaaring isang personal at pribadong ideya lamang ito na ibinabahagi sa isang server na may kalayaang magpahayag ang kahit sino, ngunit maaari lang ding matabunan dito ang mga hinaing na pwede namang maresolba.
Mayroon naman din kasing iba pang mga higit na epektibong opsyon para sa pagpaparating ng mga hinaing at mungkahi sa paaralan. Isa na rito ay ang feedback form na programa ng PKA. Maaaring ilahad ng mga mag-aaral dito ang kanilang mga saloobin sapagkat ang organisasyon ng PKA ang tumatayo para sa kabuuan ng mga mag-aaral ng UPIS. Ibig sabihin, kung may isyu o nais ipatupad ang mga mag-aaral sa paaralan, kakailanganin nila itong gawan ng aksyon bilang bahagi ng kanilang responsibilidad.
Ang paglapit din sa Media Center ay isa pang opsyon para sa paglalahad ng mga isyu at mga posibleng maging tugon. Katulad na lang sa Opinion Section, may responsibilidad at obligasyon ang mga manunulat nito na ipahayag ang mga napapanahong isyu at ang kanilang saloobin tungkol dito. Hindi lamang nito natutulungang maging kritikal ang mga mag-aaral, natutulungan din nito na gawing pormal ang pagpapahayag ng mga ideya.
Ang isa pang pwedeng lapitan ay ang admin o faculty ng UPIS. May mga pagkakataon talagang kailangan na ang direkta, pero maayos at constructive, na pakikipag-usap sa mga awtoridad ng paaralan. Maaaring magpadala ng isang liham o mag-set ng appointment ang mga miyembro ng paaralan sa mga guro o namamahala upang makapaglaan sila ng panahon para matalakay ang mga isyu at mungkahi sa pagpapatakbo ng sistema.
Sa isang banda, may rason din naman kung bakit ayaw lumapit ng mga mag-aaral sa mga nasa kaukulang posisyon.
Marami rin kasi ang natatakot na mapahamak nang dahil sa kanilang saloobin. Dahil unpopular nga ang mga opinyon nila, madalas na kumokontra ang nakararaming tao dito, kabilang ang mga awtoridad. Para sa iba, naiisip nilang mas mainam na sa social media na lang ito sabihin dahil wala masyadong may hawak o nakapaglilimita sa mga sinasabi ng mga mag-aaral dito.
Kung gayon, makikita rin ang pagkakahati sa pagitan ng mga namamahala at pinamamahalaanan. Hindi dapat umiiral ang ganitong klase ng pagkakahati.
Hindi naman din sa dapat wala na ang hirarkiya, sapagkat nakatutulong naman talaga ito sa sistematikong pamamalakad ng institusyon. Ang binanggit na pagkakahati sa kapangyarihan na dapat mawala ay tumutukoy lang sa kakayahan ng bawat isa na makatayo at makapagpahayag nang malaya tungkol sa sistema.
Nasa posisyon man o wala, dapat may kapangyarihan at kalayaan ang lahat na maging bukas para sa kritikal na pagpapahayag. Dagdag pa rito, dapat nagkakaunawaan pa rin ang lahat nang walang pagkiling sa kung kaninoman kundi sa katotohanan para maging produktibo ang sistema. Kahit sa core values ng UPIS, makikita ang kahalagahan ng katotohanan sa institusyon.
Ang pagganap din ng mga awtoridad sa mga gampanin at responsibilidad nila, tulad ng pagiging transparent sa impormasyon, ay mahalaga para sa maayos na pagtugon sa mga isyu ng paaralan. Nagsisilbi itong magandang pangunahing hakbang para sa pag-iwas sa iba pang mga isyu. Bukod dito, hindi rin magkakaroon ng isyu kung sa simula pa lang ay walang nagpasimuno nito.
Sa kabilang dako, kailangan din ng mga nasa posisyon ng kooperasyon mula sa mga miyembro ng paaralan para maitala ang mga mungkahi at mga hinaing nila. Halimbawa na lang ay kung may mga aberyang napansin ang mga miyembro ng paaralan sa institusyon, mabilis itong maisasaayos kung mapababatid sa mga guro at admin nang pormal at maayos.
Kung dumadaloy nang maayos at nakararating sa magkabilang panig ng namamahala at pinamamahalaanan ang mahahalagang impormasyon, nabubuo ang isang malinaw na pagkakataon para masolusyunan nang maayos at komprehensibo ang mga isyu na ikinahaharap ng paaralan. Kung nagtutulungan tayong lahat at ginagawa natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para sa pagpapabuti at kompromiso, mabilis na malulutas ang mga isyu na nangingibabaw sa UPIS.
Upang matiyak ang pagkamit ng tunay na pagbabago na makakabuti para sa lahat ng miyembro ng paaralan, kailangan ang isang kultura ng pakikitungo na bukas at maunawain na progresibo para sa lahat.
Guro man o mag-aaral, lahat naman tayo ay may pagkukulang. Maaaring hindi natin napapansin sa sarili kung saan talaga ito matatagpuan, pero ang ibang tao ay nandiyan para makita ito. Ito ang rason kung bakit ang kritisismo nila ay mahalaga rin sa pagtataguyod ng isang mas malawak na pananaw sa halip na isang pagninilay-nilay lang na nagdudulot ng makitid na pagtingin.
At sa huli, kung haharapin natin ang mga pagkukulang nang maayos at magiging tapat tayo sa pagsulong ng mga bagay na mas makapagpapabuti para sa ating mga sarili, magbubunga rin ito ng marami pang mga mabubuting bagay na nakatutulong din sa pag-unlad ng UPIS. //ni Aldric de Ocampo
aldric de ocampo,
Opinion: Bridge the Gap between Interests and Responsibilities
Photo Credit: Ulap Coquilla, Cyñl Tecson
Milk tea, fast food, soda, and chips. What do these popular comfort foods have in common? Other than being unhealthy when consumed regularly, their containers are found in heaps, discarded and abandoned on the Katipunan-UP Town Center footbridge.
On your way to and from UP Town Center (UPTC) via the footbridge a few weeks back, you may have been assaulted by this wave of foul-smelling rot and greeted by these mountains of waste.
“Where o where might these vile wastes have originated?” you may ask. Why from us of course! Since we are the ones who regularly use the footbridge, we, too, are the ones collectively responsible for the state of the footbridge.
From the student who wants to buy school supplies at the mall, all the way to the contractual salesperson who is returning home after work, one way or another, we have all contributed to this littering phenomenon by the consummated act itself, or by negligence.
While the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) may have official responsibility for the upkeep of the footbridge, we should not rely on them to do all of the dirty work. Their workers usually work under brutal circumstances and blazing heat daily, with mediocre pay to compensate them for their labor.
Since we are contributing to the state of the footbridge, we are charged with the responsibility to help them maintain it.
We would not even need to exert that much effort to clean and maintain the footbridge if we were all law-abiding citizens who do not discard our trash wherever we so please.
Is it so difficult to keep our trash on us until we find a proper place for disposal? Are we so lazy and selfish to point that we would place our own convenience above the convenience of the greater masses? If so, we have a much bigger problem than these mounds of trash.
We should learn how to discipline ourselves on proper trash disposal, for if we want change to actually happen in society, we must be able to begin with ourselves.
A shining example of this mindset is JV Sangalang, an undergraduate of the University of the Philippines who noticed the deplorable state of the footbridge and decided to do something about it. On February 28, Sangalang and his friend set to clear the footbridge of waste. There, they chanced upon two members of the UPTC staff who were sent to clean the footbridge after the shopping mall received a complaint. Together, they cleaned the footbridge.
At the end of the day, they successfully removed four plastic trash bags worth of rubbish from the bridge. Up until now, only minimal amounts of waste and litter can be seen on it due to their efforts.
As fellow isko and iska, we must remember that we too uphold the values of honor and excellence in the academe. What better way is there to express these than doing our part as members of the community like what Sangalang and his friend did for the footbridge?
Cleaning up after public and private spaces not only improves aesthetics, it also prevents diseases or pests from spreading. In addition, maintaining discipline is an act that strengthens our principles as people, which simultaneously brings us closer to a higher quality of life. In short, hygiene gives us more benefits than troubles in the long-run.
Keeping the trash to ourselves or picking up the litter from the streets specifically, as mentioned, are small steps with big effects that can be done by anyone. Though they may seem insignificant at first, they do show their effects when done habitually and in cumulation.
For the DPWH, it would also be well to have community bins and signages installed on public areas such as the footbridge in hopes of mitigating the issue.
To top it off, even if no one outright asked any of us to step up and do something about this problem, our efforts and contributions still make up what our society is now. No matter how simple, believe it or not, it is our decisions as the people to determine the fate of the environment and society we live in, for better or for worse. //by Aldric de Ocampo and Gabe Ulanday
aldric de ocampo,
UPIS Holds Forum on Sexual Harassment
Prof. Bernadette Villanueva Neri (left) holds her certificate of appreciation with Prof. Brenson Andres (right) after her lecture on sexual harassment. Photo credit: Joy Asuncion
What is sexual harassment?
Section 5 of the UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code of 2017 (UP ASH Code) states that sexual harassment occurs when an authority figure or peer either: asks, commands, or wishes for sexual favors in exchange for something, with or without consent. However, when you ask other people what sexual harassment is, they can’t seem to pinpoint its scope and definition.
With the goal of raising awareness of sexual harassment among UPIS students, a forum was held at the UPIS 7-12 Auditorium last February 28, from 12 - 1pm.
Prof. Bernadette Villanueva Neri, former coordinator of the UP Diliman Gender Office, was invited as a speaker. She talked about the nature of sexual harassment and recent statistics of cases on record.
The most recent is from the Philippine National Police (PNP) back in 2014, which stated that 24 adults and 8 children get sexually harassed each day. Prof. Neri said that this is still considered a conservative statistic, since a lot of people in the Philippines don’t report it when they are sexually harassed.
Prof. Neri also talked about policies written to protect people from sexual harassment such as RA 7877, or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, and the UP ASH Code.
Various students from grades 7-12 attended the forum, despite it being mainly organized for the Grade 10 students on their third quarter Social Studies course relating to gender studies. Its primary aim was to expound and deepen the discussion of the course, Prof. Brenson Andres, Grade 10 Social Studies teacher, said. Thus, Prof. Andres, in coordination with the Gender & Development Committee of UPIS, chose a topic not yet discussed in class to be presented to the students.
“Maganda yung may mga ganitong forum dito [sa UPIS] kasi relevant siya (It's good to have these kinds of forums here in UPIS because it's relevant),” said Bree Catibog, a Grade 10 student. “Relevant [siya] kasi even for us students, we have to know where to draw the line…and I think it's important for us to know na we aren't alone, especially sa hard situations (It's relevant because even for us students, we have to know where to draw the line…and I think it's important for us to know that we aren't alone, especially in hard situations).”
Prof. Neri also mentioned the Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH), who handles cases of sexual harassment in UP Diliman, during the forum. For concerns related to sexual harassment, here are its contact details:
Address - 2/F Benton Hall (beside Lagmay Hall) M. Roxas Ave., UP Diliman
Phone - 981-8500 local 2465 or 2466
Website - www.oash.upd.edu.ph
Email - oash@upd.edu.ph
Facebook - UP Diliman OASH //by Joy Asunción and Aldric de Ocampo
gabe ulanday,
Since March 6, 2019, a massive water rationing crisis has gripped most of Metro Manila. This meant days of low water pressure topped off with routine water disconnections.
In fear that this crisis will persist until August, many are demanding someone or something to blame. The Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) both maintain that the crisis is due to severe El Niño which is causing the water levels of La Mesa Dam, the Metro’s source of water, to reach a critically low level of 69 meters.
However, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, contradicted this. If it is indeed El Niño responsible for the dam’s critically low water levels, Angat Dam, which was at the time at normal levels, should also be suffering critically from the El Niño as well. However, Angat Dam is only now nearing critical levels after having its demand increased due to La Mesa Dam’s shortage.
What’s the real reason behind this shortage then? Marikina Representative Bayani Fernando, at a House hearing, pointed to logistical issues caused by poor management. He said Manila Water does not have pressure-regulated valves to regulate their water flow. Such valves could be used to more effectively and evenly distribute water even with a water shortage.
Another issue of incompetence is that as early as 2018, Manila Water predicted a water shortage by 2020. Why was nothing done to potentially alleviate, mitigate, or preempt this prediction?
So far, Manila Water has presented inaction, incompetence, and excuses. However, to their credit, Manila Water president and chief executive officer (CEO) Ferdinand dela Cruz publicly apologized and admitted personal guilt before the same House hearing.
President Rodrigo Duterte has presented Manila Water with his “shape up or ship out” ultimatum. He refuses to listen to Manila Water’s excuses and demanded that they immediately fix the crisis or else face contract termination. He is even considering purging MWSS officials if the situation persists.
The President ought to follow through with his warnings for the two companies are government contractors tasked to serve the people. Failure to do so is to go against their mandate to provide for and ensure the well-being of the Filipino.
Instead of finding effective solutions to the crisis, Manila Water and the MWSS are pointing fingers at each other and at God and El Niño. They would not even be in this situation if they prepared for this instead of sitting on their hands when they foresaw it in 2018. These points have shown that Manila Water and the MWSS are not fit to continue their roles as government contractors.
On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the human right to clean drinking water. This means that citizens should not be forming block-long queues to avail water from a fire hydrant. They should not have to clean themselves with alcohol-soaked rags after returning home from a hard day at work. They should not have to pay their hard-earned pesos waiting for a non-existent water service to be delivered to them.
The people are rightfully angry about their current situation for Manila Water and MWSS serve the people, at the leisure of the people. Not the other way around. //by Gabe Ulanday
Opinion: Where’s Our Water?
Photo credit: Ria Estilón
Since March 6, 2019, a massive water rationing crisis has gripped most of Metro Manila. This meant days of low water pressure topped off with routine water disconnections.
In fear that this crisis will persist until August, many are demanding someone or something to blame. The Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) both maintain that the crisis is due to severe El Niño which is causing the water levels of La Mesa Dam, the Metro’s source of water, to reach a critically low level of 69 meters.
However, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, contradicted this. If it is indeed El Niño responsible for the dam’s critically low water levels, Angat Dam, which was at the time at normal levels, should also be suffering critically from the El Niño as well. However, Angat Dam is only now nearing critical levels after having its demand increased due to La Mesa Dam’s shortage.
What’s the real reason behind this shortage then? Marikina Representative Bayani Fernando, at a House hearing, pointed to logistical issues caused by poor management. He said Manila Water does not have pressure-regulated valves to regulate their water flow. Such valves could be used to more effectively and evenly distribute water even with a water shortage.
Another issue of incompetence is that as early as 2018, Manila Water predicted a water shortage by 2020. Why was nothing done to potentially alleviate, mitigate, or preempt this prediction?
So far, Manila Water has presented inaction, incompetence, and excuses. However, to their credit, Manila Water president and chief executive officer (CEO) Ferdinand dela Cruz publicly apologized and admitted personal guilt before the same House hearing.
President Rodrigo Duterte has presented Manila Water with his “shape up or ship out” ultimatum. He refuses to listen to Manila Water’s excuses and demanded that they immediately fix the crisis or else face contract termination. He is even considering purging MWSS officials if the situation persists.
The President ought to follow through with his warnings for the two companies are government contractors tasked to serve the people. Failure to do so is to go against their mandate to provide for and ensure the well-being of the Filipino.
Instead of finding effective solutions to the crisis, Manila Water and the MWSS are pointing fingers at each other and at God and El Niño. They would not even be in this situation if they prepared for this instead of sitting on their hands when they foresaw it in 2018. These points have shown that Manila Water and the MWSS are not fit to continue their roles as government contractors.
On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the human right to clean drinking water. This means that citizens should not be forming block-long queues to avail water from a fire hydrant. They should not have to clean themselves with alcohol-soaked rags after returning home from a hard day at work. They should not have to pay their hard-earned pesos waiting for a non-existent water service to be delivered to them.
The people are rightfully angry about their current situation for Manila Water and MWSS serve the people, at the leisure of the people. Not the other way around. //by Gabe Ulanday
news,
Mga mag-aaral ng 3-6, nagpakitang-gilas sa Marahuyo 2019
TALENTADONG MGA BATA. Malalaki ang mga ngiti ng mga batang
nanalo sa variety show ngayong taon. Photo credits: Tracy Mondragon
Idinaos ang Marahuyo o 3-6 Variety show sa Bulwagan noong ika-14 ng Pebrero, 2019, pangatlong araw ng UPIS days.
Nagmula sa Kinder hanggang Grado 6 ang mga kalahok dito. May dalawang kategorya ang patimpalak: solo at group. Parehong nagkaroon ng pitong pagtatanghal sa bawat kategorya. Pinakita ng bawat kalahok ang kanilang talento sa buong UPIS 3-6. Sa solo category, maraming mag-aaral ang kumanta ng mga sikat na awit gaya ng “A Million Dreams.” May ilang mag-aaral din ang solong sumayaw. Sa group category, may mga grupo ng mag-aaral na kumanta nang acapella, umawit ng may accompaniment gaya ng ukulele, at mayroon ding mga nagsayaw habang kumakanta.
Sa pagtatapos ng kompetisyon, pinarangalan si Maria Arabella S. Dizer ng 4-Malunggay para sa solo category. Siya ay tumugtog ng piano habang kinakanta ang Fight song. Para naman sa group category, nagkampeon ang grupong Violet and Pink na kinabibilangan nina Marteena Leona B. Darantinao, Lian Kaith V. Esguerra, Javick NC S. Corpuz, and Arianni Beatrice I. Vargas mula sa Grado 2. Sinayaw nila ang Ddu Ddu ng Blackpink, Baam ng Momoland, at Switch it up ni Lavaado. //ni Tracy Mondragon
english,
Literary (Submission): This World
World of immense beauty
Home of humanity
Earth, I weep for thee
Never did I think to see
Terror attacks here and there
Homicidal killers without a care
Endless are the battles fought
Wartime talks have been for naught
Over culture, people fight each other
Race divides one another
Legislations belittling minorities
Demolishing barriers not a priority
Insufficient global resources
Subjective judicial processes
Freedom of speech denied
Unscrupulous politicians who lied
Crushed was our peaceful nature
Killed was the future
Extreme will be the price
Destroyed was the paradise
de bourbon,
Literary (Submission): My Paradise?
Have you ever felt this feeling?
As if you were…
Floating high above the air,
with your feet above the ground.
Where angelic voices sang,
and served as your background music.
Everyone around acted differently,
greeting you with a smile.
Ending their goodbyes with a high-pitched voice.
As if from a musical number.
Even your surroundings seemed funny.
With the sunlight beaming
Towards every beautiful thing.
Giving them that golden hour light effect.
Then, at the end of the day,
you finally ask yourself.
Am I in love? Is this feeling
what they call a drug from paradise?
But maybe you thought wrong?
Because that floating feeling,
will make you daydream.
Often in times you least expect.
In the middle of class
when your teacher calls out your name.
And then asks you the answer
To the question you didn't hear.
The angelic chorus, which
youve always heard, wll soon haunt you.
Because you'll hear the
same tune every day.
As if you pressed
the repeat button.
After a while,
you'll come up with a song name
for the background music.
And you'll entitle it “Migraine”.
Soon the people around.
Will get awkward towards you.
Well, what do you expect?
You look so confused with that floating feeling.
And the sunlight…
Oh, the sunlight.
It gets even brighter.
And everything turns hot and sweaty.
At the end of the day.
You'll regret ever having felt that feeling.
booooottledmayo,
Literary (Submission): A Letter to All
Contentment. Peace. Harmony. These words are usually related to one’s image of a paradise. It’s a place full of happiness and is absent of any negative emotion and distress. It’s a place where everyone can simply enjoy living their lives without worrying about anything else.
Some people say that paradise exists in the afterlife and one will be able to reach this place if they live a good and lawful life in this world. This is the reason why some people do good deeds, to fill up their “Good Person Quota” and enter this utopia. Others say that paradise does not necessarily have to be up there, but can be found here, in this plane. They say to just keep on being happy and keep on spreading your love and good vibes to be able to find your paradise.
However, I can’t keep with a smile on my face knowing that some people could not feel or experience the joy that I can. Not because they are not trying hard enough, but because they have bigger problems to address. Some kids are forced to work under the sun instead of going to school because their parents can’t provide for their basic needs. Some young girls, on the other hand, can never live a normal life because they were sold like cattle to a madman.
How can I live with the knowledge that crocodiles are gobbling up the people’s money and using them for their own selfish desires? Or that some people have to fear the law, the body that’s supposed to be protecting them because their skin color’s darker and different from most?
How does one live with the knowledge that some people can’t proudly show their colors in fear of rejection from people who promised to love them for whomever they may be? Or that some men have to keep on swallowing their tears in order to look strong and not be picked on, or that some women always have to worry about getting home safely at night in fear of getting jumped and dragged into the shadows, never to be heard from again?
Yes, paradise could exist in this plane, but not under these circumstances. In order to give everyone the comfort and mirth that everyone deserves, we should all get up and do good, not to fill up our “Good Person Quota”, but because that is what we should do.
bean,
I had a dream
One of dreamy gaze
And dreamlike comfort
Being lost in the arms of a daydream
Someplace warm
The warmest home
A fire burning, warming my icy heart
Wrapped in the warmth of paradise
However it slows
The beating is slowed
Paradise whiters and time slows to a halt
And I’ll wake up
I don’t want to, but I’ve woken
I walk to nowhere in my waking days
Paradise is never here when I’m awake
Literary (Submission): You
I had a dream
One of dreamy gaze
And dreamlike comfort
Being lost in the arms of a daydream
Someplace warm
The warmest home
A fire burning, warming my icy heart
Wrapped in the warmth of paradise
However it slows
The beating is slowed
Paradise whiters and time slows to a halt
And I’ll wake up
I don’t want to, but I’ve woken
I walk to nowhere in my waking days
Paradise is never here when I’m awake
cerise peony,
Iniibig kong masilayan ang paraiso.
Palasyo sa pagkurap ng aking pilik-mata
Isang bahagharing may yamang ginto sa dulo
Medalyang bubulag sa walang muwang na bata
Tinta ng dugong kinabukasan daw ng pulo
Iniibig kong makasama sa paraiso.
Taun-taon, sinusubukan kong unawain
Asoteang himlayan nilang mga agila
Malapit tahakin, pero malayong abutin
Kaya nakisiksik nalang sa ibaba nila
Iniibig kong maramdaman ang paraiso.
Nasaan ba ang mga tala, ang sansinukob?
Wala ‘ko sa tuktok, kaya ‘di sila makapiling
Anong kaway man, nasa labas pa rin ng loob
Nababaliw na ako, kanilang pinarating
Pero naiiba ‘to sa bawat kakilala
Siguro hindi lang ako isa sa kanila
Literary: Ang Inibig Kong Paraiso
Iniibig kong masilayan ang paraiso.
Palasyo sa pagkurap ng aking pilik-mata
Isang bahagharing may yamang ginto sa dulo
Medalyang bubulag sa walang muwang na bata
Tinta ng dugong kinabukasan daw ng pulo
Iniibig kong makasama sa paraiso.
Taun-taon, sinusubukan kong unawain
Asoteang himlayan nilang mga agila
Malapit tahakin, pero malayong abutin
Kaya nakisiksik nalang sa ibaba nila
Iniibig kong maramdaman ang paraiso.
Nasaan ba ang mga tala, ang sansinukob?
Wala ‘ko sa tuktok, kaya ‘di sila makapiling
Anong kaway man, nasa labas pa rin ng loob
Nababaliw na ako, kanilang pinarating
Pero naiiba ‘to sa bawat kakilala
Siguro hindi lang ako isa sa kanila
english,
Literary: Barangay Life
Walking through what Filipinos call an eskinita, you'll see the ground covered in moss and uneven concrete. On its side, the blue pipelines, if damaged, will be repaired by what you can tell as a temporarily wrapped rubber cloth. The houses along the eskinita blend perfectly with the color of the pavements, being made out of concrete and all. Few are colored, with the paint faded from the drippings of brown rain because of the rusty metal roofs. When you walk, you have to walk slowly, otherwise, you could slip into the flowing suds and bubbles from the neighbors’ laundry excrete. Hangings of clothes, blankets, even underwear will be seen from the window bars. The road cracked and filled with wet cement and blackened gums flattened by the tires of the cars or footsteps.
The aroma of food is always mixed, a hint of fish, egg, or broth depending on the weather. Every other morning the garbage truck will come and you’ll see hankies flying about covering the noses of passengers. Smoke from cars, grill outs, and cigarettes will make you cough. The soapy smell of hanged laundry, animals such as dogs, cats, and rats may come astray, with them an unbearable stench of their droppings and fur. Some nights, as you pass by, the smell of liquor will emit from the group of men in chairs, or on occasion, women, with them comes either a prepared feast of sisig and chicharon, or just your average easy-to-prepare pancit canton.
From afar, you'll hear someone singing in the videoke, and after, elder women nagging the singers with a much more annoying high-pitched squawk; Cars rumbling, motorcycles whirring being close to the road and all; Children's gay laughter soon turning into brawls and fits of crying; and the busy chit-chat of both men and women, in either agreement or defiance. Soon, when all of this has ended, which rarely happens, there will come footsteps, it may be your own or that of others. When that too is gone, only the sound of trash hitting the road will be left, rolling about in sync with the cold sooty air acting as if it were tumbleweed.
Yet deep in the night, after all the merry-makings, nose pleasantries and wonderment will be silence. It is somber and mellow, but no matter how enticing and stimulating it is, you'll always look forward to the next day.
Yes, this may sound simple, and to some, the exact opposite of beauty and wonder. But to me, this barangay life is a joyous and pleasant splendor, with packed adventures every day.
To me… this is paradise.
feature,
Serenading
With food
Using your own creativity!
Feature: A PROMising Night.
Imagine your schoolmates, stress-free in their tailored suits and extravagant gowns dancing through the night. A rock band lively plays as people eat from the all-you-can-eat buffet. It’s that time of the year again, a very formal event approaches and it’s called Prom.
Prom, also known as Promenade. It is a formal dance which started in the 19th century of American universities and colleges wherein graduating students, donning their formal attire, celebrate in a formal dance for their upcoming graduation. In the 1940s, however, younger Americans requested that proms be held for them. Finally, when the 1950s came, the post-cold war economy allowed American high schools to hold proms. Today, proms are still celebrated and are usually held in the high schools' gymnasiums, if not hotels or country clubs.
Teenage couples slow dance in their formal attire while a pianist plays for them during their prom in the 1940s. Retrieved from: https://www.vintag.es/2016/12/pictures-of-high-school-proms-in-1940s.html
Almost all high schools in the whole world have proms as a tradition except for certain countries. One example is in India where they don't have proms due to the conservatism of their culture. However, Indians do have a similar annual social gathering called "Dandiya Raas Night" in high schools and colleges where, instead of formal attires, students wear traditional Indian clothes and dance more lively than those usually done in American proms.
Students in their traditional Indian attires dancing during Dandiya Raas Night. Retrieved from: https://www.whatsuplife.in/kolkata/blog/dandiya-raas-nights-garba-events-kolkata/
Unlike Indian high schools, the UPIS Prom follows the American traditions. The program consists of formal slow dances and the Cotillion, and different performances from students. Prom in UPIS used to be held in February. However, due to the calendar shift, which moved the start of the school year from August to June, and the shift of the UPIS Days from December to February, proms are now held during the month of April.
Students of UPIS Batch 2020 and Batch 2021 socialize during last year's prom themed "Grandeur" at the Silver Lotus Hotel. Photo taken by James Tolosa.
In UPIS, the event is only for Grade 9 and 10 students and outsiders are not allowed. This is because the main objective of prom is for the two batches to be able to bond with each other.
Another feature of UPIS Prom is the freedom to have a prom date. This allows the students to prompose to or ask another student to be their date for the prom.
Promposals are the source of news and buzz in the days and weeks leading up to prom. You can usually tell a promposal taking place by sudden squeals of joy or noisy teasing in the canteen or the ramp area. People think it’s an easy thing to do. In fact, students usually think that the larger the audience, the higher the chances of getting a "yes". However, this is a questionable way to ask because the “yes” garnered from a public promposal could have been caused by public pressure.
If you want to enjoy a PROMising night with your prom date, here are some suggestions for you. We’ve listed down some of the few ways people have done a creative and cute promposal as alternatives to the public promposal.
Serenading
An acoustic guitar is being played in a dark room. Retrieved from: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/search/serenade/
If you don’t want to be SINGle in the upcoming prom, how about SING a song to your desired promdate. Serenading would be an easy way for you to prompose. But you must remember, your promposal aims to get the attention of one person, not the whole class or the whole school. So instead of doing this outdoors, do this privately.
On the other hand, even if you’re not musically inclined, you can still make this work! By serenading, you're showing how much you're willing to go past your limits to convince your prom date. Just remember that you are not serenading to get an audience, but to get the person you like to spend prom night with you.
With food
A promposal being done by giving a burger with the question "prom?" written inside the box. Retrieved from: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/search/serenade/
When it comes to food, most people would not hesitate to accept. However, if they see the word 'prom' first, before they realize that the food is being given to them, chances are that they might take a minute before they decide. So if you choose this option, try to hide the purpose of giving food to your hopefully soon-to-be prom date and surprise them first. Also, it'll have a higher success rate if you cooked the food yourself.
A promposal is being done with the essence of baseball, lights, and sweets. Retrieved from: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/search/serenade/
Unlike the first two ideas, crafts might make your promposal more memorable to whoever you're asking to prom. Crafts are not edible unlike food and it doesn't last for only two to three minutes unlike serenading. Other than that, crafts really show how much time and effort you're willing to give just to get the "Yes" from the person you're promposing to.
These promposals are just three in a million ways to prompose, the creativity of it varies from person to person, there is no secret to that. Therefore, choose the way that represents you the most and remember that the attention you are seeking is from a person, not from a crowd.
Wrapping it all up, prom has a come a long way since the 1940s and since it’s coming up fast, make sure you’re ready. Aim to joyfully spend the night with people whom you are closest with or you want to be close with. After all, it only happens twice in your UPIS high school life, so make the most of it! //by Ned Pucyutan
james tolosa,
Buhay ni Maria Rosa Henson, ginunita sa Dulang Nana Rosa
PATALASTAS. Nakapaskil ang isang tarpaulin tungkol sa mga detalye ng dulang Nana Rosa sa harap ng Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero Theater. Photo credit: James Tolosa
Nanood ang ilang mga mag-aaral at guro ng UPIS ng Nana Rosa noong Marso 9, ganap na 10 n.u. sa Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero Theater ng Palma Hall (UP Diliman).
Ang Nana Rosa ay isang two-act play na dula tungkol sa buhay ni Maria Rosa Henson. Siya ay isang Pilipinang naging comfort woman noong pananakop ng mga Hapon. Bukod sa paglalahad ng kanyang naranasang pang-aabuso, binigyang-pansin ang kanyang family background at laban sa pagkamit ng hustisya.
Nagkaroon ng talk back pagkatapos ng dula upang mapalalim ang mensahe nito. Ang nag-host dito ay sina Eudes Anthony García (Assistant Dramaturg), Ina Azarcón-Bolivar (Head Dramaturg), at Issa Manalo López (Assistant Director).
Narito ang starring cast ng Nana Rosa para sa Marso 9, 10 n.u:
Ayon kay Eunice Ruivivar, isang manonood mula sa UPIS, "I can't help myself sa sitwasyon ni Nana Rosa... sobrang na-overwhelm ako... [pero] siyempre, natutunan ko na responsibilidad [nating] manindigan sa mga karapatang-pantao... 'wag din nating kakalimutan ang nakaraan."
Para sa Grado 10, ang pagsaksi sa dula ay upang mapayaman ang kanilang mga talakayan sa Araling Panlipunan. Nakatulong din sa panunuring pampanitikan (SK Filipino) ng Grado 11 ang dula. Bukod dito, nanood ang mga estudyante sa Grado 12 na naka-enroll sa Filipino Drama upang sila ay magkaroon ng ideya sa tanghalan.
Ang Nana Rosa ay isinulat ni Rody Vera sa direksyon ni José Estrella. Nagsimula ang pagpapalabas nito noong Pebrero 27 at inaasahang matatapos sa Marso 17. Pinamunuan ng Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) at UP Playwright's Theater (UPTT) ang mga isinagawang paghahanda para sa dula.
Itinanghal ng mga nasabing organisasyon ang dula bilang pagdiwang sa UP Diliman Arts and Culture Month 2019: Lakad Gunita sa Lupang Hinirang at ika-27 na season ng UPTT na may temang HUDYAT: Pagkilala, Pag-alaala, Pagpapahalaga. //ni James Tolosa
alyssa avila,
UPIS, kampeon sa Patinikan sa Panitikan
TAGUMPAY. Tinanggap nina Alliyah Suyo (dulo, kaliwa) at Gabrielle Santiago (ikalawa mula sa kaliwa), kasama si G. Carlo Pineda bilang tsaperon, ang mga gantimpala sa kompetisyon. Photo credit: G. Carlo C. Pineda
Nagwagi sa “Patinikan sa Panitikan” sina Gabrielle M. Santiago at Alliyah Faith D. Suyo ng University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) noong Marso 5, 2019, sa Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Quezon City.
Inorganisa ng Adarna House ang naturang inter-school literature quiz bee na nasa ikalawang taon ngayon upang hikayating magbasa ang mga estudyante at hamunin ang talas at galing ng isipan nila tungkol sa panitikan at mga manunulat na Pilipino.
Kinatawan ng paaralan sina Santiago at Suyo, mula sa 9-Iron, na binasa bilang paghahanda ang mga librong inirekomenda ng Adarna House tulad ng mga klasikong “Noli Me Tangere” at “El Filibusterismo,” mas bagong inilathalang young adult novels gaya ng “Woman in a Frame” at “Jumper Cable Chronicles,” at ilang artikulo mula sa National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
“Kapag alam niyo po ‘yung sagot, masaya, pero ‘pag di po alam, nakaka-frustrate, kasi ‘yung iba pong sagot kailangan super exact. Kung nagkulang lang po kayo ng 0, kunwari, dimension 48, kailangan po dimension 048, mali na po agad ‘yung unang sagot,” sabi ni Suyo. Nakatutuwa at nakakakaba ang karanasan, dugtong niya, dahil pinagkatiwalaan sila ng mga guro na mayroon silang kakayahang makipagsapalaran dito.
Unang nagsagawa ng eliminations na nilahukan ng 24 na piling mag-aaral mula Grado 7-10 (dalawang kinatawan sa bawat seksyon) sa UPIS Audio Visual Room (AVR) noong Pebrero 11.
Matapos manguna sa eliminasyon, nakaharap nina Santiago at Suyo ang mga pares ng estudyante na kinatawan mula sa 24 na kalahok na paaralan sa Metro Manila at Region 4-A sa semi-finals noong Marso 5.
Sa final round sa parehong araw na top 5 schools ang kasali, nagapi nila ang De La Salle University–Laguna Campus, Del Pilar Academy, Assumpta Technical High School, at Divine Light Academy.
Bilang mga kampeon, bawat isa sa kanila ay nag-uwi ng plake, laptop, flash drive, pocket wifi, cash prize na Php 10,000, mga pagkain, at mga libro. Ginawaran din ang paaralan ng isang plake at mga aklat.
Ito ang unang pagkakataong sumali ang UPIS sa naturang paligsahan. //nina Alyssa Avila, Yel Brusola, at Pamela Marquez
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