Showing posts with label aldous dela pena. Show all posts

Feature: Devour: A Gallery Walk through Man’s Avarice



To eat greedily is to devour.

Katti Sta. Ana, through her ceramics and stone wares, illustrated how people consume flora and fauna, in her exhibit fittingly entitled “Devour.” She highlighted humanity’s relationship to flora and fauna, especially man’s greed, and eventually, abuse. She emphasized that these will lead to the diminishing number of flora and fauna, specifically in the Philippines.

SENOR KALAW. This sculpture of a Kalaw, an endangered species of a bird that can be found in the Philippines that symbolizes him as a hunter’s prize, is found on the 2nd floor landing of the UP Vargas Museum. Photo credit: Rachel Siringan
In the beginning of the gallery, an unglazed stone sculpture stands atop two stacked metal cages. The stone sculpture shows a kalaw wearing a business suit and a watch. The kalaw, an endangered species of forest-dwelling birds in the Philippines, is said to be a natural timekeeper of the farmers, as associated with the wrist watch on the sculpture. Due to deforestation and hunting, their numbers have diminished. The metal cages and the sculptures’ position relative to the cages symbolize how kalaws are hunted to be prized possessions, as well as a source of income. The metal cages can also be seen as an image of a skyscraper that symbolizes modernization and leads to deforestation in many parts of the country. The human phallus suggests a kalaw owner’s pride. The kalaw’s business attire also signifies how they are servants to businessmen.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND. Sculptures of three dogs in different positions show their different emotions towards each of their situations. Photo Credit: Hazel Romero

As you enter the second floor, you will be greeted with sculptures of three dogs in varying positions. One of the dogs lies on its back, waiting for someone to scratch its belly. This exemplifies a dog’s role as a pet and a family member in a household. Another dog is poised for an attack which indicates its role as a guard in Filipino homes. The last and most disturbing dog hangs on the wall like meat seen in markets. This hints on dog-eating culture in some parts of the Philippines and the festival in China called the Yulin festival where thousands of kidnapped, stolen, and captured dogs are eaten.

BON APPETIT. A dining set includes three different chairs and a glass table that exhibits “live” fish on the table similar to those in Chinese restaurants. Photo Credit: Hazel Romero


To the left of the second floor, you will find a simple dining set with a table and three chairs. Looking closely at the table, you will find ceramic fishes trapped in a maze-like aquarium. This artwork brings to life the atmosphere in a Chinese restaurant where diners can pick live fish to be cooked and served to their tables. This exposes the poisonous cyanide fishing technique used to catch these fishes alive, which causes a decrease in the population of fishes and the destruction of corals. The aquarium symbolizes a human’s small intestines where digested fish go through. Not only does it mirror the danger caused by cyanide fishing, but also the slavery that aquatic animals experience in the hands of humans.

Paintings and photographs of farm animals from Jorge B. Vargas’ collection hang as you stroll around the hall. This gives the feeling of being surrounded by animals and flowers used only for human consumption. Aside from being used as sources of food, farm animals, like chickens, pigs, and horses, also serve different purposes. Chickens are used for cockfights and horses are used in kalesas. This symbolizes the use of animals as mere objects for mankind’s convenience.

Lastly, as you enter the room at the end of the hall, you will feel intimidated by the peculiarity of Queen Devour, a life-sized sculpture sitting at the end of the room. She is made of ceramic and crowned with a reptile. She sits blankly on her throne surrounded by leaves. Her upper body is covered with roots and her skirt is made of peacock feathers. Upon her feet lies a dead sow. As you walk through the room, you will see her collection of elegant lady slippers. By looking closely, you will be able to observe ceramic orchids of different species in the form of slippers.

THE QUEEN. A life-sized sculpture of a “Royal Highness” made out of a ceramic that represents an avaricious queen. Photo Credit: Hazel Romero

Queen Devour is a representation of Imelda Marcos as implied by the collection of shoes. It vivifies how humans get a hold of flora and fauna to use as commodities. Soon, these species become endangered due to the exploitation of their commercial value.

These artworks do not have mere aesthetic value but also feed our minds with knowledge. They also serve as an advocacy or visual representation of what is happening around us. Aside from appreciating these works, let us never forget the message behind it.

Katti Sta. Ana’s Devour ran from November 3 to December 1, 2017 at the 3rd floor of the UP Vargas Museum.

Visit the UP Vargas Museum for future exhibits. //Aldous dela Pena, LM Gacad, Zach Jugo, Hazel Romero, Rachel Siringan

Opinion: Bye-bye Net Neutrality, Bye-bye Internet Freedom





December 14, 2017 marks the day when the fate of the internet will be determined. This is when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States of America (USA) will vote regarding the repeal of net neutrality. President Donald Trump’s FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai, is advocating the dismantling of preexisting Net Neutrality rules from the country’s Title II of the Communications Act.

Net neutrality, long story short, refers to the inability of internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict their customer’s freedom to browse the internet. It ensures an equal rate of data transfer for each website on the internet. So, should net neutrality cease to exist, it would allow ISPs to bundle up websites and dictate which of those are accessible to their users at a given time.

Due to the nature of these companies as businesses, such an opportunity would prompt them into creating packages wherein those that allow access to more websites cost more. Another potential strategy would be the inclusion of other websites for additional fees. It is observable that these are similar to the mechanics of a cable company, where access to more channels is directly proportional to the cost of the service. Which shouldn’t be the case, as the internet was made primarily for communication and the exchange of information, unlike cable television, which is primarily constructed for entertainment purposes. In a sense, it will destroy the freedom of information.

Without net neutrality, large internet based corporations such as Google, Yahoo!, and Bing have access to faster rates of data transfer, while smaller-based corporations and simple domain owners will struggle to maintain their sites, or worse, phase out, all because of the fact that they will have lower priority in terms of internet connection.

This issue is alarmingly relevant, because even though the vote itself is limited to the USA, take note that the majority of internet based companies are USA-based, meaning that the outcome of the vote may affect their customers outside the country. In addition to that, it might cause a domino effect where a similar law will be passed in other countries. If that were to happen, this site itself, Ang Aninag Online, will be greatly affected. This, and other independent sites will either be forced to join a major company, or be left with little to no access to its audience.

Aside from this, the monopoly that those major companies will have once net neutrality is lifted will be devastating. They will have the ability to manipulate the contents of what they want to show, what they can block or censor, and what they can be paid to show. When net neutrality is lifted, the endpoint will be a rich man’s game with the masses’ freedom of access as the game pieces to further their own endeavors.

The internet was created in order to link the entire world to a central hub for information that is accessible to anyone and everyone. Because of this, the mere idea of limiting a person’s access defeats its very purpose, not to mention that such an action will only benefit a select number of people. After all, as Tim Berners Lee, the man who “invented” the internet, tweeted back in 2012: “This [the internet] is for everyone.’ //by Aldous Dela Pena and Raymund Creencia

Opinion: An Overview of Six Years



Photo Credit: Jem Torrecampo

Every year, the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) experiences several changes—new teachers, new students, and new facilities. For this AY 2017-2018, one of the biggest changes is the transition to a new administration.

It has been a month or so since Dr. Ronaldo M. San Jose, the UPIS principal from June 2011-September 2017, passed the administration reins to Dr. Lorina Y. Calingasan, a Social Studies professor at UPIS and UP College of Education for 20 years.

As Dr. Calingasan and her team take over, let us take a look at the UPIS students’ perception of how Dr. San Jose was able to perceive the principal’s herculean responsibility in the last six years.

A First Time for Everything

Of the many tasks designated to Dr. San Jose, the implementation of the K-12 system in UPIS was, in hindsight, the most daunting. This change brought with it challenges like the development of a new curriculum and new learning materials and the need for new teachers, among others. Such matters were taken into consideration during Executive Committee (ExeComm) meetings with him at the helm. The organization into academic tracks, the current crop of core, cluster, and interest courses, and the inclusion of on-campus and off-campus internship programs were the products of these meetings.

In addition to the meticulous task of organizing room assignments and class schedules for the now 13 UPIS batches was also addressed under Dr. San Jose’s administration. In addition to this, his administration also started addressing the challenges brought about by the recent calendar shift, wherein the start of classes was moved to August instead of June.

However, there have been moments that the first times didn’t last for very long. For example, one can remember the Commuter’s Pass which was supposed to be used by students who commute on their own so that they may be allowed to leave the school grounds after class. Although the Commuter’s Pass continues to be in use by elementary students, it has proved to be short-lived and inefficient for high schoolers as it wasn’t carried out consistently. Another example would be the implementation of Pink Slips. Teachers issued this slip in an effort to regularly inform parents when their child’s attention regarding tardiness and incomplete uniform, among others, was called. This too was fleeting due to inconsistencies.

Another first for UPIS students was the modification of the UPIS Week to UPIS Fair, because of the fact that it was shortened by two days. The UPIS Fair now consisted of three days, with the fourth being the Lantern Parade. This was because the UPIS Week was deemed too long and full of breaks in the middle of the days, and therefore was seen fit to be shortened to save time, money, and energy. Yet a minor miscalculation occurred in the fact that even though it was an annual event that concerned all students, they had little influence in the decision. What was possibly lacking was the communication between the administration and the students. Decisions could have been explained better to the student body in order to welcome a different perspective and to adjust accordingly with the help of their insights. The student council and the various organizations in the school do exist, not only to unify the student body, but also to create a bridge amongst the whole UPIS community, students, teachers, staff, and admin alike.

On the other hand, there have been significant changes in UPIS that have received great results. Even though it was heart-breaking to leave the old buildings of UPIS along Katipunan Avenue, it was a fresh experience for the high school campus to be relocated inside the UP Campus and for elementary classes to finally resume in the newly-renovated 3-6 Building. The relocation had a rocky start, with various issues with infrastructure but one can see that a lot of effort is being made to make the school better for the students. Recently, the UPIS gymnasium was built to aid student athletes in their training. The elementary and high school canteens were renovated to accommodate the increased number of high school students. The auditorium and Bulwagan are also currently being improved and will hopefully be utilized by the students next semester. Infrastructure-wise, the weaknesses have been pointed out and are gradually being addressed.


Beyond the Four Walls of the Office

If one asked Dr. San Jose’s or Sir SJ’s students who he was as a Math teacher, they would dub him a very amicable and effective educator. He starts the first day of class by giving his students random names which he soon replaces with their real names once he gets used to them. Despite being the principal, the atmosphere in his classroom is always welcoming and engaging. Should you pass by him in the hallways, he is certainly approachable, and one can confidently go up to him and say hello or have a quick conversation.

Despite this, some students also found that his presence was rarely felt by others, as most of the time, students only see him every flag ceremony, in special announcements, during select classes, or when one actually enters his office. It is hardly expected of him to do so, given his busy schedule, however the friendly interaction between a principal and his or her students could not only make one more likable, but also foster a productive cooperation between the two parties regarding administration.

One would argue that this isn’t a principal’s job per se, but for the students to see him, and even fellow members of the faculty, staff, and the administration, at academic competitions or athletic events as a sign of support whenever they represent the school could boost their morale. This also creates an avenue for the principal to understand the students’ experiences and to empathize with them, which could lead to decisions more suited to their needs. But despite the lack of direct connection between Dr. San Jose and the students of UPIS, his time and attention were always dedicated for the improvements and changes that will help the school as a whole.


More Mountains to be Conquered

The previous administrations under Dr. San Jose had a lot on their plate with the relocation, the calendar shift, the K-12 program, and all the other various projects they have done. Not every single problem can be addressed within a limited amount of time. There is more to be done. Because of the K-12 program, there is a significant need for human resource. The school needs more teachers to accommodate the amount of students and more instructors for the specialized cluster courses and electives that have branched out because of the new system.

With that also comes the need for more materials and facilities for the classes. There have been notable additions to the equipment that can be used in school, especially for the Practical Arts Department, yet this can still be furthered with the acquisition of necessary equipment for the student athletes and the various courses and electives. These are all concerns that may hopefully be given attention with the coming of a new administration.

Overall, Dr. San Jose’s run as principal is commendable. Even though no system is ever perfect and despite the rollercoaster of changes that UPIS has experienced, it cannot be denied that many of the changes implemented under his administration will benefit the school well beyond his term.

On that note, the student body is optimistic about the changes that will come with Dr. Calingasan’s administration. Dr. San Jose has left big shoes to fill, but with the help of the new members of the administration and the faculty and staff, the responsibilities and obstacles can surely be addressed with efficiency. The implementation of rules and regulations in the institution will be top priority. With a strong principal at the wheel working with a united administration, consistency and improvement won’t be as hard as it looks, because after all, it is they who make a strong foundation for a strong UPIS.//by Hillary Fajutagana, Hannah Manalo, LM Gacad, Aldous Dela Pena

Opinion: A Different Kind of News



Photo Credit: Jem Torrecampo 

“History repeats itself.”

This is an adage that, until now, continues to prove true and relevant.

One of the most discussed issues regarding Philippine news today is the growing problem of fake news. However, because it is a heated topic right now, another issue has not been given enough attention: the repetitiveness of the news.

This is not inherently a bad thing. Repetitiveness may be used by the media as a tool to remind people of certain issues that are not being addressed by the people.

However, therein lies the problem. When the news discusses issues such as corruption, crime, and various other national issues over and over again, we must ask ourselves: why does this keep happening?

Some would blame the media for utilizing news for publicity. It is as if news nowadays is made only to find out what the people will react most to. Through that, the media could use the issues to attract more readers and viewers, whether it is about the government or the country as a whole.

But even then, it is still the duty of those in the news industry to make sure the people know about corruption, crime, and other national issues. When a news agency brings to light such societal problems, it is so that people are informed and can act accordingly, actively trying to find solutions to said problems. The fact that these issues keep coming up means that they have not been resolved. If there is repetitive news, there are repetitive issues and repeat offenders.

For example, it is a known fact that the Philippines has a high level of corruption. Transparency International, a global organization against corruption, gave the country a score of 35 out of 100 in its Corruption Perceptions Index last 2016. The lower the score, the more corruption there is in the government, which means that the Philippines remains highly corrupt.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos led a dictatorship and let the nation suffer for his own personal gain yet he is buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and his family continues to be active in politics.

Former President Joseph Estrada participated in jueteng and stole from the nation for himself and his underlings but he is currently duly-elected mayor of Manila.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was involved in the Hello Garci electoral fraud scandal but is now in Congress.

The list goes on, and on, and on. Many government officials are corrupt yet remain in the political arena. It is annoying as much as it is offending. This cycle of repetitiveness also extends to the dirty reputation of Philippine politics and the proliferation of crime and the loss of countless lives in the country.

Each of the aforementioned scandals sparked nation-wide controversy and gossip, which headlined the national papers for weeks on end. Seeing these again and again for the nth time makes people wonder: is there anything else going on in the country besides all these issues?

The repetitiveness of the news is a symptom of a wider problem: people do not act.

People do not act, and because of that the country remains in the same situation. However, it is apparent that for every person who cares, there are many who don’t. What’s disappointing is that some of those who are in the seat of power and have direct influence on these issues do nothing. There is no moving forward this way. One cannot push a boulder up a mountain when everybody else is dragging it down.

It is a common notion for people to be indifferent towards issues that do not affect them or do not seem to directly affect them. If they do act, it often means that they could benefit from it, or they are directly impacted by it. Otherwise, they’d rather stay out of other people’s business, hiding behind a wall of sympathy for those affected. Sometimes encouraging others to take action, while still doing nothing.

This apathetic behavior further encourages the problems within the country to propagate. And when the problem manages to become way too huge to handle, people should begin to realize that it is already past the time to act. Even then, it may be too late.

And yet, we mustn't give up hope.

Not everyone is ignorant and indifferent towards the nation’s issues — there will always be people working towards progress. And many do know that the country is in dire need of change.

Certain parts of our society are actively working for solutions to bring these problems to a halt. It is up to us, the majority of society, to go and help them, even if others refuse to.

This solution has always been said time and time again, but it is true that information is key. Spread the truth, enlighten others. The goal isn’t to persuade but to empathize with others, to make people realize how we really all are in the same boat. If one person goes down, the rest will follow.

It’s also not bad to try to convince the game changers, those who have a direct influence in the government or private organizations, to also take a stand. Speak up for what is right and don’t stop until they start fighting for change in this country as well.

Especially for the students who are studying now. There is a future ahead of you. Perhaps right now, it is difficult to spark widespread change. However after you’ve finished your studies, after you’ve learned what you need to learn, you can use it to be the change this country needs. Give the world a different kind of news, the one it’s been waiting for a long time. //by Craig Aquino, Hillary Fajutagana, Aldous Dela Peña, Philip Jocano

Sources:
“Philippines”. Transparency International, January 25 2017. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/country/PHL on October 3, 2017.
“Philippines - Corruption”. Global Security. org, (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/philippines/corruption.htm on October 3, 2017.

Grade 12 students begin practicum



UPIS Batch 2018 was deployed to various on-campus internship sites last August 23.
As a major part of the school's K-12 curriculum, the internship program enables the students to apply the skills and knowledge acquired from Kinder to Grade 11. It also provides a venue to explore their preferred occupational roles and to develop proper work attitudes.

DAY 1. The Institute of Civil Engineering orients its interns on the branches of the field and functions of the site on their first day. Photo Credit: Institute of Civil Engineering.

For the first semester, students undergo on-the-job training in various UP Diliman institutions.
Each track has five internship sites, namely the College of Architecture, University Health Service, Marine Science Institute, Institute of Civil Engineering, and the Diliman Interactive Learning Center for the Applied Sciences and Engineering Track; the University Food Service, Home Economics’ Tearoom, University Hotel, Bahay ng Alumni, and Balay Kalinaw for the Business and Entrepreneurship Track; and the College of Arts and Letters, College of Mass Communication, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, Diliman Information Office, and College of Social Work and Community Development for the Social Sciences and Humanities Track.

PLEASE COME IN. Interns from the Business and Entrepreneurship Track prepare themselves to enter and work at the University Hotel. Photo Credit: Ms. Laarni Cabrales


ON-AIR. DZUP, the official radio station of UP Diliman, welcomes the interns from the Social Sciences and Humanities Track in the College of Mass Communication. Photo Credit: DZUP
Students must fulfill 100 hours of deployment in their respective sites. On-campus internship is expected to conclude on November 15.

The program is made possible with the full support and active participation of partner institutions and companies.

Students will be deployed to off-campus internship sites in the second semester. // by Aldous Dela Pena, Rachel Siringan

Opinion: How to Make Your Own Opinion


Photo Credit: Jem Torrecampo


“Trans people just seek attention.”

“White washing isn’t even a real thing.”

“I don’t care what you think.”

These are the kinds of comments, usually characterized by their innate sense of aggression and one-sidedness, that uneducated opinion makers create. Statements like these are merely based on their personal beliefs and baseless stands on the topic at hand. They try to get their points across however they can, just for the sake of it, lacking facts and evidence to back up their claim.

Most people think that an opinion is the same as a rant or a tirade. People on the internet not only state their feelings without sufficient evidence, but they do so in an extremely violent manner. Sometimes it even comes to the point that rebuttals are only given to attack the opposition’s image, an ad hominem, as they say. There can be no better representation of these instances than those you will see in the comments sections of social media sites, especially Facebook. You may try to see for yourself, but be warned: you may feel their obtuseness tug at your very being.

This is why this article exists. This is to teach our fellow students how to properly state their opinion, with the help of mass communication theories.

To properly start your opinion, you must first address the situation. This creates the foundation that serves as the borders of the argument. This is to make the issue clear to everyone and to prevent further arguments from straying too far from the situation. One mass communication theory that goes well with this is the Priming and Framing Theory. Priming is stating the current situation to emphasize its significance to the audience, and Framing is taking a specific perspective on that situation that is most relevant to the stand you will make.

The next step is to state your stand on the issue or situation. You first gather facts and research about the stand that you want to make and verify it. Then, you state your stand, backed up by the evidence and research that you found. It’s that easy! Most people forget about the research part and think that making an opinion is only about stating what you feel about the matter at hand. And they’re horrifyingly wrong. To blindly state information that has no real basis is just like spreading fake news or gossip which helps no one, not even you and your opinion.

However, taking a stand is the step that some are afraid to properly make and can be explained through a mass communication theory: the Spiral of Silence Theory. The Spiral of Silence states that people are afraid of being isolated when they take a certain stand, especially when it is an unpopular opinion. They tend to stay silent about their thoughts, further supporting the stance of the majority and choosing to ride the bandwagon. Because of this, there may come a time when a person’s purpose is no longer to properly take a stand, but to try to wipe out the opposition.

We shouldn’t be afraid to speak out, as long as the claims are supported with sufficient evidence, because your opinion can affect the views of many. According to the Hypodermic Needle Theory, what the audience sees through the media has an immediate effect, and with the constant development of technology, one’s dependence on media only becomes greater. With this, we should become aware of what we are saying and how we say it.

In the Two-Step Flow of Communication Theory, there are opinion leaders who give their own interpretations to a situation and then share these interpretations to the opinion followers. If this is correct, then we should try to become opinion leaders whose opinions are based on facts and evidences and not gossip and unfounded accusations. We should educate everyone on how an opinion is properly made so that those who are close to us, those we interact with in school, and later, the whole country may know how to properly state their opinion on issues that are important for the welfare of the nation and us, its citizens.

Now go out there and share your knowledge with the world. Become an honest and respectable opinion leader, because it seems like the world needs more people like that. //by Raymund Creencia, Aldous dela Pena, Rad Pascual

Spoof Opinion: Bigyan ng Jacket!






Eto na. Majinit na naman at naghahari na ang panahon ng baskil. Nagiging swimming pool na lahat ng sulok ng katawan at naghahalo-halo na ang amoy ng UPIS students na para bang insenso na handog sa mga diyos sa itaas. Mmm. Chawaaap diba?

At siyempre hindi magpapatalo ang UPIS sa init ng panahon, kaya naman para sa Ikaapat na Markahan, nilabas ang bagong summer uniform na talaga namang fashion statement dahil sa magkapares na round-neck shirt at slacks or skirt, complete with black shoes.

At para sa mga reklamador na gustong malaman kung bakit pa nagkaroon ng summer uniform, ang masasabi lang namin d’yan, mahalaga kasi ang uniform. Kapag naka-uniform, mukhang united, ‘di mukhang squammilou. Ito ang nagsisimbolo ng pagkakaisa natin. One for all and all for one tayo, isa lang ang suot ng lahat at lahat ay isa lang ang suot. Bet?

Sa pagkakaroon ng summer uniform, hindi maipagkakailang mapapatanong ka, bakit walang rainy uniform? Bakit walang polo na may hood? Paano naman ang cap na may maliit na payong sa itaas? Baka puwede naman ang kapoteng uniform na may new and improved patch ng school? O di kaya naman ang in-demand na black rubber boots na may newly-patented logo ng UPIS na tulad ng sa Converse?

Sa isang bansang tropikal at madalas na sinasalanta at hinahambalos ng mga bagyo, hindi ba’t bilang mabubuti’t masisipag na mga estudyanteng ginagawa ang lahat para sa kinabukasan ng bayang iniibig, dapat handa tayo sa mga ito? Lalo na’t upang hindi masakripisyo ang ating nakapakahalagang edukasyon? Kinakailangan nating matuto para sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan, at makakamit natin ang maximum potential natin sa pag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng kasuotang angkop sa kasalukuyang panahon na sinasagisag ang sipag, utak, puso, tiyan, balun-balunan, sikmura, at bilbil. Pak para sa bayan.

Para sa mga panahong basang-basa sa ulan, walang masisilungan, at walang malalapitan, importanteng meron tayong panangga sa ulan tulad ng umbrella, ella, ella, ella, eh, eh. Mahalagang mayroon tayong uniform na naaayon sa panahon, para iwasan ang magkasakit because health is wealth!

At hindi ba’t nakatuon ang K-12 program sa globalization? E di when winter is coming, kakailanganin natin ng pang-#SweaterWeather na uniform o kaya naman raccoon coat. Para ‘di cold, diba?

And talking about cold, paano kapag sumapit na ang Pebrero at panahon na ng mga puso? Malamang sa malamang, mas malamig pa yun sa winter. Kasi ang lamig ni crush sayo eh.
Kung magka-uniporme ba sa panahon ng pag-ibig, iba pa ba ang uniporme ng umaasa at ng paasa? Iba pa ba ang uniporme ng halaman sa umiibig? Pero, may uniform naman kasi talaga para sa panahon ng mga puso. Kung sa summer uniform ang round-neck shirt ang panlaban sa init, utak lang kailangan mo sa Pebrero. Utak. Utak lang sapat na. ‘Wag mo kasi isapuso bes. Masasaktan ka lang. Huwag mong dibdibin, utakan mo na lang.

At bakit naman wala ding uniform sa Halloween? O kaya Pasko? O sa Andres Bonifacio Day? O sa Chinese New Year? Eh sembreak? Bakit walang sembreak uniform?! Napakahalaga ng sembreak, bakit walang uniporme ang UPIS dun?!

Bakit ba namin ipinaglalaban ang iba’t ibang uniform na ‘to? Bakit ba namin ipinaglalaban ‘tong rainy uniform na ‘to? Bakit kailangang bigan ng jaket ang lahat? Sa totoo lang, di rin namin alam. Pero kung may summer uniform naman kasi, why not rainy uniform? Masaya lang isipin na kapag nagkaroon tayo ng rainy uniform, tayo ang kauna-unahang unibersidad na mayroon nito! Let’s get to it UPIS, alam niyo na ang isinisigaw ng aming mga puso. #UPISRepresent // nina Aldous dela Peña at Hannah Manalo 

Opinion: Definitely not Clickbait: Fake News





Do you believe everything you read on the internet? On Facebook? On news sites? One source feels more credible than the other, right? But what if I told you that they are almost one and the same when it comes to delivering information?

Have you heard of the word “clickbait?” This type of online content is quickly becoming a trend and its effects are only getting worse through the continuing time that it is not monitored and controlled. Clickbait is the exaggeration and stretching of information to invite more audience for various reasons such as for more views or fame. Though this minor attention-grabbing strategy seemed to pose little to no threat, its recent trend brought forth a more dangerous counterpart: fake news.

In a nutshell, fake news is proliferated by websites and newspapers shamelessly lying to people and declaring hearsay as fact just for people to share and further increase their audience. It is extremely dangerous because people send wrong information to other people. Worse, this kind of news can act as an agent for people to change their opinions and stands on certain topics, some too powerful and too precious to just manipulate, like votes and business transactions.

When a person receives fake news through a social media site, he/she will soon believe it is true, spread the word to his friends, and after little to no time at all, a large number of people will be spreading false information. Fake news isn’t just strong: it also spreads like wildfire. For example, back in 2007, a blog named Engadget stated that the Apple iPhone 4’s release would be delayed from June to October. Less than 15 minutes after the article was posted, Apple’s sales dropped by approximately 4 billion dollars. Yes, 4 billion dollars. This just proves how strong fake news can be.

But why do we have this problem? Why are these people and companies giving us stretched and exaggerated information? Are they simply just bad at what they do? Isn’t reporting reliable news their job? Well, that’s the problem. Because reporting reliable news isn’t their job. They’re not in the news business, they’re in the advertising business. Most companies or web pages we encounter don’t make money from the news that they make, they make money from the advertising companies that sponsor them. They just need good stories, or in this case, enticing titles, to attract the people to go on their website and see their advertiser’s products.

Most of what we see online are advertising platforms. With this in mind, we should consider thinking twice about the kinds of articles we read. And if this isn’t enough, the only way to differentiate fake news from authentic reports is to do the research ourselves, like checking for the consistency of the news, the credibility of the source, and so much more.

This isn’t just relevant for students, this is relevant for everyone because of our ever-increasing dependency on technology and the internet for information. Being aware and staying vigilant with what we read and consume on the web is extremely essential. Through this, we can help lessen the spread of false information and start raising awareness on what is true among the information that we receive every day. // by Aldous dela Peña

Opinion: Cheating: The Misleading Quick Fix



Photo credit: Jem Torrecampo

Cheating has always been a common problem among schools, and with the help of technology, students are finding new ways to cheat. Before the internet came to be, cheating usually involved having small pieces of paper with notes or answers discreetly written on it, discussions with other classmates during exams, or simply looking at other people's papers.

But now that the internet is a couple of taps away on our cellular phones, students are now introduced to a different way of cheating. Sometimes, students take advantage of the privilege given to them when they need a bathroom break, and some even exploit the lenience of their teachers when it comes to using cellular phones during classes.

With internet connection, the whole cheating game has changed. But why do students cheat in the first place?

From a macro-perspective, cheating can be viewed as a side effect of cramming, especially when we are given time to prepare, study or do the tasks given to us which we take for granted. We underestimate the time needed to absorb information and overestimate our capabilities to absorb everything in one quick grind. But the stress and the pressure that comes with it hinders productivity. Once the due date comes, you use your emergency mobile data to cheat on tests, or even plagiarize outputs so that you have something to write or pass to your teacher which you see as one less thing to worry about. But on an even larger perspective, students cram because they have poor time-management skills.

Instead of allotting our time for studying and other academic requirements, we use it instead to play games or go on social media because we think there’s still time left or we know there are easier ways to pass. Most of us can’t handle too much stress so we either drop everything and just do whatever we want instead. These lead to choosing one of the easy way outs: cheating. With cheating, you get passing grades, and it takes little to no time to accomplish.

Another common motive for cheating is our twisted view of success. For so long, we have looked at grades and marks as figures and numbers and we think that having higher marks will lead to more favorable circumstances in the future. We all look at grades as the measurement of our intelligence, to the point that students will do everything to be "smart." It's ironic, really. In the process of trying to be so-called smart, having good grades loses the essence of making people truly wiser because they are gained through trickery.

Students have also found another way to cheat by freeloading. They survive effortlessly through leaching on their groupmates, without providing any kind of assistance in group works. The grade, in this situation, came from the hard work of the cheater’s groupmates and yet he/she receives the same mark. The cheater has then effectively earned marks they do not deserve.

We shouldn't look at grades like this. We shouldn't focus on just getting good grades. Rather, we should focus on learning as much as possible. Yes, cheaters may get higher marks, but most of the time they will lack the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to be effective in whatever field they wish to pursue. Cheaters can't cheat through everything. Eventually people will recognize the cheaters and that won’t bode well for them.

Also, if the internet is a few clicks away, this means that information is easily accessible. We should maximize what we have and what we can access to learn from it. We should be looking up more important things than how to be a better cheater. Because cheaters take advantage of other people, while those who learn and study help others by sharing their knowledge. We should build a world where we have each other's backs to help us all achieve greatness, not one where we step on each other to be greater than everybody else.

What then can we do to change our current circumstances for the better? Simply put, action should be taken regarding this issue because students should go to school to learn how to improve, not to learn how to cheat. For the students, I know cheating is easy: easy grades, easy aces, easy to do, easy everything. But this world isn’t easy. If we cheat now, all we’ll ever learn until we graduate is how to cheat. This will lead to how to cheat on people, colleagues, the authorities, everyone. Let’s not pave the way for a future of cheaters. Let’s pave the way for learners, innovators, and leaders because we’re so much more than just no-good cheaters.

Now that we know that there is the pressing issue of cheating present in the school, we must take action. In this, the students greatly need the support of the teachers and staff. They know more about the students and how to handle such situations, thus the students are urged to change their ways through seeking help from those who can help them the most.

In conclusion, we must remember that grades and figures do not exclusively define success; we must also remember that integrity is a key to true and honest success. We must learn to utilize the time given to us and not take it for granted. As the internet amplifies our access to information, we must be critical in choosing how we use this convenient privilege. Those who cheat may have a head start, but in the end, they will be the last to finish. The students who cheat only instill in themselves trickery. Those who gave effort to learn will be the true witnesses of progress and success. Those who study and learn instill in themselves the knowledge they can share with others and not ways to take advantage of other people. Through this, they will be able to help oneself and others for a better future for all and not just for one.

It’s not too late. We can all still fix this problem. Those who cheat should stop, those who don’t should not allow those who do to continue. Remember that cheating is a choice we make and not one others can make for us. The authorities should guide us to a better and fairer future. The cheating game is one we shouldn’t play, because if we do, we are all doomed to be cheated out of a better life experience. // by Aldous Ayal O. dela Peña
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