THE VARSITARIAN P.Y. 2020-2021 ISSUE 01 & 02

VOLUME XCII / NO. 1 & 2 · NOVEMBER 20, 2020 · THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS · Manila, Philippines

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HOME IS WHERE THE ARCH IS UST WELCOMES 13,778 FRESHMEN THIS YEAR

ART BY ATHEA MONIQUE Z. GALA, CHRISTINE ANGELIE P. ORINES, RAE ISOBEL N. TYAPON

FULL STORY ON PAGE 14

NEWS p.2

Zoom in, BB Collab out

EDITORIAL p.6

WITNESS p.5

Rethinking ‘enriched virtual mode’

Amid Covid-19 pandemic,

We have to think and work past survival mode and keep an eye on the learning curve that can be drawn up out of the current experience. It’s not and never should be a one-and-done school year. There’s a lot to learn.

‘Dungaw’ replaces La Naval procession

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NEWS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

ACTING EDITOR: LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN

No more Blackboard Collaborate:

UST law alumnus is new House speaker UST ALUMNUS Lord Allan Velasco was installed House speaker after 186 lawmakers declared the position vacant and ousted Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.

The Marinduque representative was elected on Oct. 12 during a session at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City, as lawmakers were barred from entering the Batasang Pambansa where Cayetano held a news conference.

The same 186 lawmakers who elected Velasco in a session outside Batasang Pambansa voted to officially install Velasco as speaker on Oct. 13. Cayetano announced his “irrevocable resignation” shortly after.

Velasco earned his law degree from the University and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2005.

The Thomasian lawyer worked at the Supreme Court, first as court attorney and then as judicial staff head.

Velasco also served as the provincial administrator of Marinduque as well as the chairman of the Marinduque chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Velasco was one of the recipients of the Gawad Thomasian Alumni In Government Service

UST’s virtual classes shift to Zoom THE UNIVERSITY has allowed the use of the popular webconferencing platform Zoom for synchronous classes after students and faculty raised connectivity concerns over the official Blackboard Collaborate Ultra platform.

In a letter dated Sept. 25, the Office of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs (OVRAA) said the University would include Zoom in the choices of webconferencing platforms starting Oct. 1.

The validity of Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, developed by a Washington-based firm, ends on December 15, 2020, it said.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof.

Cheryl Peralta said the University was prompted to include Zoom after getting negative feedback from students and faculty members on Blackboard Collaborate.

“One of the recurring feedbacks that we received was incompatibility issues of Blackboard Collaborate Ultra with

weak or intermittent internet connection which is experienced by the majority of faculty members and students […] We also received feedback requesting for Zoom to be included among the options for video conferencing inside UST Cloud Campus,” Peralta told the Varsitarian.

Peralta said Zoom, developed by a Nasdaq-listed tech company based in California, would be an addition to the existing platforms available in the UST Cloud CamZoom PAGE 8

VELASCO (PHOTO GRABBED FROM LORD ALLAN VELASCO’S FACEBOOK PAGE)

Award in 2018.

In 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte brokered a term-sharing deal between Velasco and Cayetano.

Cayetano was supposed to serve as Speaker for 15 months, and Velasco for 21 months after that. Cayetano however turned his back on the deal and suspended House sessions last week to prevent Velasco from taking over.  LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN

ZOOM IN. A Thomasian attends a class via Zoom. (PHOTO BY ARIANNE MAYE D.G. VIRI)

‘University should be a safe space’

CSC, Hiraya presidents hit sexual harassment

POPE FRANCIS AND ARCHBISHOP CHARLES JOHN BROWN (VATICAN NEWS PHOTO)

PH gets new apostolic nuncio POPE FRANCIS appointed American Archbishop Charles John Brown as the new apostolic nuncio to the Philippines last Sept. 28, making him the 18th papal envoy to the Philippines.

Brown succeeds Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, who left in November 2019 when the Pope appointed him as the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations in New York.

Brown arrived in Manila on Nov. 29.

He was welcomed by Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado.

The apostolic nuncio serves as the ambassador of the Vatican to the Philippines and plays an essential role in the appointment of bishops. He is also the dean of the diplomatic corps.

This is the 60-year-old diplomat’s third assignment after he was appointed nuncio to Ireland in 2011 and Albania in 2017.

Brown was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of New York in May 1989.

In 1994, he became a member of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for promoting and defending the teachings of the Catholic Church.

In September 2009, Brown served as adjunct secretary of the International Theological Commission, which helps the Vatican in examining doctrinal questions of major importance.

Brown was elevated to the rank of archbishop

by Pope Benedict XVI in January 2012.  J. P. L.

“I hope educators, and students alike, learn [that] rape is never the victim’s fault and shall be taken seriously.”

—Robert Dominic Gonzales UST CENTRAL STUDENT COUNCIL (CSC) PRESIDENT

BY LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN

Gonzales

ENRIQUEZ, O.P.

Borja

CENTRAL Student Council (CSC) President Robert Dominic Gonzales called on professors and students to treat rape as a serious matter.

“I hope educators, and students alike, learn [..] [that] rape is never the victim’s fault and shall be taken seriously,” Gonzales tweeted.

UST Hiraya President Judy Clariz Borja said the University should become a safe space where victims and survivors of sexual harassment and violence could open up without being blamed or asked to forgive their abusers. “[T]he most important thing that we can do is direct them to safety […] it took a lot of courage to seek help, so in return let us listen, don’t invalidate what happened to them, and help them seek justice,” Borja told the Varsitarian.

“The process is hard, but with organizations, local and central student

councils by your side, no matter how tough the process may be, you will have them to fight and stand with you,” she added.

On July 29, the UST Engineering Student Council released a statement condemning sexual harassment, citing complaints filed in their college.

Gonzales also reminded students of the importance of following the proper procedure in filing cases, and not post photos or videos indiscriminately. “[L]et us also be prudent when it comes to posting/publicly sharing these videos so as to avoid repercussions on our end. It is still best for us to proceed with the proper avenues of filing complaints,” he said.

Under UST’s guidelines on synchronous sessions, posting of pictures, videos and/or audio recordings of virtual activities on social media without prior approval of all participants included is prohibited. 

NEWS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

456 Thomasians doctors pass board exams amid pandemic

Journalism students lead ‘V’ on its 92nd year

THE UNIVERSITY yielded 456 new doctors this year in the March, September and November 2020 licensure examinations for physicians.

November 2020 exams

The University also ranked fifth among top-performing schools in the November 2020 PLE,, where four Thomasians made it to the top 10.

UST posted a 95.61-percent passing rate, with 436 of 456 examinees making the cut. This was lower than

the University’s 99.31-percent mark (430 of 433 examinees) in the September 2019 examinations.

Adrian Emmanuel Teves led the newest batch of Thomasian physicians with an 88.58-percent score, the second-highest among 4,704 exam takers nationwide. He shared the spot with Patrick Joseph Mabugat of the University of Saint La Salle.

Thomasian Henrick Ryan Fong placed third with an 88.33-percent mark. Florence Marie Maramba (88 percent) and Mark Dumago (87.67 percent) ranked sixth and ninth, respectively.

Former Varsitarian features editor Juan Carlos Moreno was among those who hurdled the exams.

Jomel Lapides of the University of the Philippines-Manila emerged as this year’s topnotcher, with a score of 88.67 percent.

Cebu Institute of Medicine was hailed top-performing school after posting a perfect passing rate, with all 138 takers making the cut. It also recorded a 100-percent passing rate in the September 2019 examinations.

The national passing rate in the November 2020 examinations slid to 75.21 percent (3,538 of 4,704 examinees) from 84.96 percent in September 2019 (4,006 of 4,715 examinees).

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) decided to push through with the second batch of physician board exams due to the “urgent need” for physicians amid the Covid-19 crisis.  CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPALI

ART BY JAN KRISTOPHER T. ESGUERRA

Both batches of this year’s physician licensure examinations were deferred due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first batch, originally scheduled for March, was held in March and September this year.

The second batch, usually scheduled for September, was held from Nov. 10 to 11 and 15 to 16 this year.

Two Thomasians landed on the top 10 of the March and September 2020 physician licensure exams (PLE): John Marlon Lintan, who placed second nationwide with a score of 88 percent, and Erika Anne Pañgan, who secured the seventh spot with a score of 87.08 percent.

UST’s passing rate in the March and September exams slid to 86.96 percent or 20 out of 23 examinees, from a perfect passing rate in March 2019.

Maria Carla Buenaflor of the University of the Philippines in Manila topped the batch with a score of 89.17 percent.

Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation was the sole top-performing school.

The national passing rate in the March and September exams was 56.74 percent or 800 out of 1,410 examinees.

AND AHMED KHAN H. CAYONGCAT

Dominican gets 1.167 GWA, named Batch 2020 valedictorian A DOMINICAN from the Faculty of Sacred Theology emerged as this year’s valedictorian, after obtaining the highest general weighted average (GWA) of 1.167.

Siddharta Bayona Chiong, O.P. led Batch 2020, who graduated amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He earned a summa cum laude distinction.

“Excellence is a virtue, and virtues are forged out of our daily struggle. [O]ne of the things I did right was to choose to be part of this Dominican Thomasian community,” he said in a pre-recorded valedictory message during the virtual send-off ceremonies for Batch 2020.

Chiong said he dedicated his award to his “tight-knit” Ecclesiastical Faculties community, his family and his closest friends who believed in him and supported him, and to God who had brought him to where he was “because of His grace and mercy.” “[A]s I have been nurtured by my Alma Mater, I realized that it is my turn to pay it forward. After all the graces we have received, it is now our turn to share it to the wider society. […] We are equipped to contend with the challenges of life, and so, take pride of that, because we have been imbued with unend-

ing grace,” he said.

UST Vice Rector Fr. Isaias Tiongco, O.P. led the opening Mass for the virtual send-off ceremonies at the Santisimo Rosario Parish, reminding the graduates to be bearers of truth by helping others, and inspiring them to acknowledge Jesus’ love and presence by their words and actions. “[W]ith the other virtues and skills you have developed over the course of your academic training, you are well-equipped with tools that can enable you to stand head and shoulders with those who have carved a reputable name for themselves in society and in their chosen industry,” Tiongco said in his homily.

Michelle Rizza Ong, the Batch 2020 salutatorian from the Conservatory of Music, also delivered a pre-recorded speech.

“It was that eagerness to learn and discover myself alongside my friends and professors who shared the same love for the field that fueled my grit, persevering and believing that I am capable regardless of the results, which I embraced as long as I know that I’ve given my best effort,” Ong said.

University administrators and faculty and college deans gave their send-off messages to the graduat-

ing batch.

Prof. Cheryl Peralta, vice rector for academic affairs, lauded the Thomasian graduates for rising above the fears and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic and continuing to pursue their dreams.

“This pandemic has developed a new breed of resilient Thomasians whose unwavering commitment to excellence amidst diversity will serve as [their] armor as [they] join the workforce,” Peralta said in her message.

Vice Rector Tiongco lamented how the pandemic had prevented UST from holding the traditional passage through the Arch of the Centuries — symbolic of the graduates’ academic achievements and milestones as Thomasians — as well as the colorful and boisterous baccalaureate ceremonies.

“The sparks that will glitter your life from now on will be more than enough to contain and even break the number of artificial sparks that last only a few minutes. It will be God who will bestow you those authentic brilliant moments that can last a lifetime,” Tiongco said in his message, concluding the send-off ceremonies.  CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPALI

Chiong

3

TWO JOURNALISM students will lead the Varsitarian, the official student publication of the University, as it reached its 92nd year.

John Ezekiel Hirro from B.A. Journalism program will take charge as the publication’s editor in chief.

Katrina Gonzales, who is taking up her master’s in journalism at the Graduate School, returns as associate editor.

Journalism junior Laurd Menhard Salen was appointed acting editor of the News section.

Third-year journalism student Faith Yuen Ragasa was retained as editor of the Sports section while medical technology junior Ahmed Khan Cayongcat was named Special Reports editor.

Jiselle Anne Casucian, a communication arts junior, will handle the Features section anew.

Joenner Paulo Enriquez, O.P. of the Ecclesiastical Faculties was named editor of the Filipino section while third-year journalism student Mariel Celine Serquiña will handle the Witness (religion) section.

Journalism junior Miguel Louis Galang was named Science and Technology editor while music theater major Ma. Jasmine Trisha Nepomuceno is this year’s Circle editor.

Jan Kristopher Esguerra, a third-year architecture student, was appointed art director.

The News section is composed of third-year journalism students Charm Magpali, Christine Joyce Paras, Jamilah Mae Angco and sophomores Jacqueline Martinez and Joanne Christine Ramos.

This year’s sports writers are journalism juniors Rommel Bong Fuertes, Mark Ernest Villeza, James Paul Gomez, Anna Clarissa Barlam and Nina Angela Mikaela Cruz.

Philosophy junior Nuel Sabate and sophomores Kimberly Hipolito (communication arts), and Charlize Gabriel Linantud (accountancy) were named Special Reports writers.

Artlets Jade Veronique Yap and Ma. Dyanne Mirasol Reyes will write for the Features section.

Juniors Leigh Anne Dispo (economics) and Sofia Bernice Navarro (journalism) will write for the Literary section.

Third-year journalism student Ma. Alena Castillo and Nursing sophomore Sophia Sadang are this year’s Witness writers.

Education junior Caitlin Dayne Contreras and Katherine Anne Escarilla of the College of Science will write for the Science and Technology section.

Nolene Beatrice Crucillo of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, speech language pathology junior Allaine Nicole Cruz and psychology freshman Larissa Mae Tan are this year’s writers for the Circle section.

Art section incumbents Catherine Paulene Umali, Rae Isobel Tyapon, Gwyneth Fiona Luga and Karl Joshua Aron will be joined by Athea Monique Gala and Christine Angelie P. Orines this year.

Advertising arts sophomore Bea Angeline Domingo and medical technology junior Samantha Nichole Magbuhat are this year’s Filipino writers.

Third-year students Camille Abiel Torres (journalism), Renzelle Shayne Picar (advertising arts), Arianne Maye Viri New editors PAGE 8

4

NEWS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

UST Hospital to open Covid-19 testing lab UST HOSPITAL Chief Executive Officer Fr. Julius Paul Factora, O.P. has announced that the hospital would soon open its own coronavirus disease (Covid-19) testing laboratory.

The testing laboratory will be capable of conducting reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, the most accurate test in detecting coronavirus particles. “[A]fter weeks of consultations with our lawyers [and] various revisions of the memorandum of agreement […] I’m glad to let you know that it is on its final revision and subject to the approval of the board of trustees […] within two months’ time we will have our own RT-PCR testing laboratory,” Factora said in his “State of the Hospital Address” at the UST Medicine Auditorium on Oct. 26.

The hospital was also able to bring down the cost of the test to P5,000 per swab per patient from P8,000, with results released after three to four days, he said.

Factora said that a few days after he assumed office, he looked for

ways to make RT-PCR tests available as the hospital did not have “proper artillery to face Covid-19 head-on.” “[W]ith the leadership of our medical director, in less than a week, we were [able] to talk to a company that was willing to invest — that means zero cost for the hospital — and provide our very own RT-PCR laboratory,” he said.

The testing laboratory would be housed in a trailer truck to be parked outside the hospital, he said.

Factora said the hospital had increased its capability to conduct swab tests.

“We have finalized a deal and [signed] with different diagnostic centers that are willing to take in our patient specimen for Covid testing,” he said.

The hospital management recognized that having its own RT-PCR laboratory was a “must and a social responsibility,” he added.

The private division of UST Hospital on Leon Ma. Guerrero Drive. (FILE PHOTO)

Other matters discussed by Factora were the opening of the new hospital building, implementation of new policies and the purchase of a new line of machines.

The “State of the Hospital Ad-

dress” marked Factora’s 100th day in office.

Factora, regent of the College of Nursing, took over as hospital CEO from Fr. Manuel Roux, O.P. last July 17 in a leadership revamp.

Artlets prof is 2020 Marshall McLuhan fellow THE CANADIAN Embassy in the Philippines and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) on Oct. 9 named Artlets professor Christian Esguerra as the 2020 Marshall McLuhan Fellow.

The Marshall McLuhan Award is given annually to a Filipino journalist who exhibited excellent work in the preceding year.

Esguerra, an anchor for the ABS-CBN News Channel, received the award at the end of the virtual Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Seminar (JVOJS), an annual event organized by the CMFR. Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter MacArthur lauded Esguerra’s “passion for the craft [that] transcends new platforms and whose proficient mastery to discover and explain the facts restricts the space for disinformation to thrive.”

The award is named after the Canadian communication scholar and Catholic intellectual Marshall McLuhan, who coined the phrase “the medium is the message” and predicted the rise of the “global village” because of electronic media.

Philstar.com Editor in Chief

Camille Diola was the recipient of the 2020 Award of Distinction from CMFR. Aside from Esguerra and Diola, this year’s JVOJS panelists included ABS-CBN journalists Chiara Zambrano and Mike Navallo, GMA News’ Raffy Tima and Rappler’s Lian Buan.

In March, Esguerra will travel to universities across Canada and the Philippines to deliver lectures.

Last year, Esguerra received the award of distinction from CMFR. Esguerra, a two-time editor in chief of the Varsitarian and a cum laude journalism graduate of UST, is also a researcher at the UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and the Humanities.

No meekness in journalism

In the panel discussion, Esguerra highlighted how “people in power” had used the pandemic to control the flow of information.

Esguerra said efforts by the news media to clarify issues and hold public officials to account were evident, but some practitioners were meek and tended

ESGUERRA to “fall for the spin of people in government.”

“Cowardice and timidity have no place in journalism, especially today,” Esguerra told the Varsitarian.

Esguerra said journalism schools should “instill the right DNA in future journalists so that pushback won’t be optional but a default reaction.”

The Marshall McLuhan Fellowship was first awarded in

1997. At least 21 journalists have been named fellows, including Sheila S. Coronel (Columbia Journalism School and Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism), Yvonne T. Chua (VERA Files), Ed Lingao (TV5), Carolyn O. Arguillas (MindaNews), Cheche Lazaro (ProbeTV), Rappler multimedia journalist Patricia Evangelista, and Rappler editors Glenda M. Gloria and Miriam Grace A. Go.  LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN

Para sa Makabagong Panahon.”

The group presented a 10-minute pre-recorded video via Zoom.

De la Dingco said Nueva Vizcaya was “blessed with a geography and climate that allows for the production of export-quality crops on par with the Cordillera Administrative Region.”

“Farm tourism in Nueva Vizcaya is currently in its infancy stage and… after careful research, the team, together with our coaches, decided to push through and conceptualize plans and ecommendations that will aid CTHM students PAGE 8

LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN

FILIPINO

‘Gamitin ang Wikang Pambansa sa panahon ng pandemya’

CTHM studes win best marketing plan in UP meet A PROPOSAL by a group of College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) students to boost Nueva Vizcaya’s farm tourism to cushion the Covid-19 pandemic’s economic impact won best destination marketing plan in the 2020 University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism (UPAIT) Tourism and Hospitality Conference on Nov. 21.

Isabel de la Dingco, Henrietta Mariano, Kimberly Simangan, Antonio Tiong III and Ma. Vanessa Anne Valencia bested 13 teams from nine schools with their marketing plan, “Asenso Novo Vizcayano: Agrikultura at Turismo

Dr. Charito Malong-Consolacion, a nursing professor, was named medical director while pulmonologist Dr. Julius Caesar Dalupang was named assistant medical director. 

NANAWAGAN si Arthur Casanova, tumatayong tagapangulo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), na gawing pokus ng pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (BWP) ang kontribusyon ng wikang Filipino sa gitna ng pandemyang Covid-19.

“Inaasahan po ng KWF na maging focus ng pagdiriwang ng BWP ang mga saliksik at talakay hinggil na pandemyang coronavirus upang makapag-ambag tayo sa pagbangon at pagsulong ng ating bansa sa inaasahang Bagong Normal ng ating buhay,” wika ni Casanova.

“Wika ng Kasaysayan, Kasaysayan ng Wika” ang tema ngayong taon na may sub-tema na “Ang mga Katutubong Wika sa Maka-Filipinong Bayanihan Kontra Pandemya.”

Binigyang-diin din ni Casanova na dapat gamitin ang wikang Filipino sa talakayan, forum at diskurso sa mga napapanahong paksa sa lipunan.

“Lalo pa nating paigtingin ang mga gawaing magpapatotoo na ang ating wikang pambansa ay mabisang nagagamit sa mga mataas at malalim na diskurso sa lalong mataas na edukasyon na nagpapatunay na intelektuwalisado na nga ang wikang Filipino,” wika niya.

Ipinaalala rin ni Casanova na dapat bigyan ng pantay na pagpapahalaga ang mga wika sa bansa kabilang na ang mga katutubong wika.

Hinati sa apat na lingguhang tema ang BWP: “Pagtangkilik sa Katutubong Wika bilang Pagpapahalaga sa mga Pamanang Pangkultura sa Panahon ng Pandemya,” “Katutubong Wika: Wika ng Pagtugon at Artikulasyon ng Bayanihan sa Panahon ng Krisis at Pandemya,” “Kasaysayan ng Wika, Wika ng Kasaysayan Kamalayan sa Kasaysayan sa Pagsasawika ng Karanasan tungo sa Bayanihan sa Panahon ng Pandemya” at “Ang mga Katutubong Wika sa Maka-Filipinong Bayanihan Kontra Pandemya.”

Ipinagdiriwang mula ika-13 hanggang ika-19 ng Agosto ang Linggo ng Wika sa bisa ng Proklamasyon Blg. 186, serye 1955 na nilagdaan ng Pangulong Ramon Magsaysay.

Nagsimula ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa batay sa Proklamasyon Blg. 1041 ng Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos noong ika-15 ng Enero 1997.  CAITLIN DAYNE A. CONTRERAS AT BEA ANGELINE P. DOMINGO

CTHM students Isabel de la Dingco, Henrietta Mariano, Kimberly Simangan, Antonio Tiong III and Ma. Vanessa Anne Valencia

WITNESS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

EDITOR: MARIEL CELINE L. SERQUIÑA

Amid Covid-19 pandemic

‘Dungaw’ replaces La Naval procession THE LA NAVAL grand procession was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Marian devotees still flocked to Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City to mark the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval on Oct. 11.

The ivory image of La Naval de Manila, placed on its boatshaped carroza, was instead brought to the portal of Santo Domingo Church for the solemn “dungaw,” as Dominican friars chanted the Litany in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Latin.

The practice dates back to the 18th century, when the image was brought out of the old church in Intramuros to seek blessings for the galleons docked near the banks of the Pasig River before their voyage to Mexico. The dungaw also happened after the great earthquake of June 1863 in Manila.

The La Naval feast commemorates the victory of the severely outnumbered and ill-equipped Spanish and Filipino forces against Protestant Dutch invaders during a naval battle in 1646.

The image of Our Lady Of the Rosary of La Naval was canonically crowned in 1907 and was declared patroness of Quezon City in 1973.

On Oct. 1, Filipino Dominicans enthroned the centuries-old image on a boat-shaped carriage, instead of in the traditional “baldacchino.”

The act symbolizes Mary’s courage to sail the battles of life and hope in God’s love and protection despite adversity, said Fr. Roger Quirao, O.P., prior of the Santo Domingo Convent, in his homily during the Mass for the enthronement, which starts the nine-day novena for the feast of La Naval de Manila.

‘Sana all’ In the fiesta Mass, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco exhorted devotees to keep their spirits up despite the pandemic and emulate the Blessed Mother’s unity with God’s plan.

Ongtioco used the slang ex-

Traslacion cancelled for first time FOR THE first time, the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene will be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Manila city government announced on Friday.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said public health protocols must be prioritized to ensure the safety of devotees.

Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector and parish priest of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, said, in a past interview with the Varsitarian, following safety protocols was a must inside and outside the church.

Coronel said being “pastorally creative” was the Church’s response to the pandemic.

“Although we are people of faith, we follow science, also the statistics. Nandun tayo sa clinical research, data-gathering. Pinagkakatiwalaan natin ang ating pamahalaan para alamin kung ano ‘yung nakakabuti sa atin,” Coronel told the Varsitarian.

(Although we are people of faith, we follow science, also statistics. We believe in clinical research, data gathering. We trust our government to determine what is good for us.)

The Traslacion is held every January 9.

Devotees walk barefoot from the Quirino grandstand to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene to commemorate the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from San Nicolas de Tolentino Church inside Intramuros to Quiapo Church in 1787.  MARIEL CELINE L. SERQUIÑA

Devotees flock to the Santo Domingo Church on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval on Oct. 11. (JOENNER PAULO L. ENRIQUEZ, O.P.)

pression “sana all” to the amusement of devotees.

“Sana all [tulad ni Maria] na maging tanda ng pag-asa, kagalingan, at daan ng pagkakaisa [ngayong pandemya]. Sana all sa Misang ito tumugon sa ating mahal na ina at humingi ng tulong sa Panginoon upang katulad ni Maria, tayo’y maging daluyan ng Diyos sa kanyang pagmamahal,” Ongtioco said in his homily.

(I hope everyone could be like Mary who is a sign of hope,

healing and unity during the pandemic. I hope everyone in this Mass can respond to the Blessed Mother and asks for God’s help, for like Mary, we can be an instrument of God’s love.)

Echoing Pope Francis, the Cubao bishop urged the faithful to take on a new perspective amid the Covid-19 pandemic and constantly seek God’s help.

“Pitong buwan na tayong naka-lockdown […] parang nawawalan na tayo ng pag-asa

pero mali ang ating pananaw, ang ating approach. [D]apat huwag tayong mapagod humingi na awa, ng tulong, at ng pagmamahal sa Diyos,” said Ongtioco.

(We are already in the seventh month of lockdown and it seems we are losing hope but we have a wrong perspective and approach.

We should not be tired of asking for mercy, for help and for love for the Lord.)

Dungaw PAGE 7

‘God does not take evil sitting down’ MANILA Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo warned that government officials who engage in extrajudicial killings and the perpetuation of political dynasties would soon be held accountable, for God is just and does not “take evil sitting down.”

“Nawawala na ang kanilang pananaw sa sila ay katiwala lang, [but] there will be an end to abusive leaders … who do not practice the stewardship that is theirs,” Pabillo said during the morning Mass in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Santisimo Rosario Parish on Oct. 4.

(Officials have forgotten that they were only tasked to be stewards but there will be an end to abusive leaders … who do not practice the stewardship that is theirs.)

Pabillo urged government officials to dispense justice and kindness in serving the public.

“My dear people and leaders

5

“Nawawala na ang kanilang pananaw sa sila ay katiwala lang, [but] there will be an end to abusive leaders… who do not practice the stewardship that is theirs.”

—Bishop Broderick Pabillo MANILA APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR

of our people, we are so blessed as a country and as a nation, let us bear fruits that remain and are not washed away in waves and sands of time. The fruits that remain are justice and goodness,” he said.

Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., director of the UST Facilities Management Office, also called on Catholics to emulate the Blessed Mother’s trust in God amid various challenges.

He said the Blessed Mother remained faithful to the Lord even to the point of death on the cross and even during the Resurrection.

“Even though we are in this pan-

demic and even though problems and challenges come in our way, we know that God stays with us. Mary is journeying with us as we pray the holy rosary every day,” Austria said during his homily.

Parish priest Fr. Paul Talavera, O.P., who gave the concluding message, said that even if this year’s celebration was different from the previous ones, it was “equally meaningful especially as we learned from our experiences from the pandemic.”

Due to Covid-19, the traditional procession was canceled. Devotees

BISHOP BRODERICK PABILLO PHOTO BY CAMILLE ABIEL H. TORRES

were also not allowed to join the motorcade and were advised to wait for the image to pass by their area instead and pray the rosary.  MARIEL CELINE L. SERQUIÑA

Dominican seminarians compose hymn for Mother Francisca A COMPOSITION of three Dominican seminarians was chosen as a hymn for Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo, founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in the Philippines.

Br. Joenner Paulo Enriquez, O.P., Br. Jaymar Capalaran, O.P. and Br. Jimbo Mendejar, O.P. released “Madre Francisca,” the third hymn for Mother Francisca, on Aug. 24.

It was released alongside the songs “Francisca de Manila” and “Mauni Francisca.”

According to the seminarians, the song follows a “meditative and prayerful” melody.

“The intention of the composer is to provide a melodic tone so that the members and affiliates of the Congregation of Siena meditate on the life and virtues of Madre Francisca through the lyrics; likewise, to pray through her intercession,” the Dominican brothers said.

They added that the song depicts how the lay and faithful should live up to the example of Mother Francisca. “[Inaruga ni] Madre Francisca ang mga kababaihang walang boses sa lipunan at ang mga kabataang naghahanap ng masusumpungan. Maliit man ay ginawa niya ito dahil alam niyang ito ang itinakdang gawain para sa kaniya,” they said.

According to Enriquez, the Filipino editor of the Varsitarian, the plight and hard work of the ordinary people served as his inspiration in writing the hymn.

“Ang talagang naging inspirasyon ko sa pagsulat ng tulang ito ay ang mga ordinaryong tao na may mga maliliit na gampanin dito sa lipunan ngunit ginagawa pa rin nila ito ng may buong puso’t pagmamahal,” Enriquez told the Varsitarian.

Mother Francisca joined the Dominican Order as a tertiary in 1682.

With three companions, she founded the Beaterio de Sta. Catalina de Sena de las Hermanas de Penitencia de la Tercera Orden on July 26, 1686, and became its first prioress.

The congregation was approved in 1688 by Master of the Order Antonio Cloche. Today it is known as the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, which runs several schools and foundations. Hymn PAGE 7

6

OPINION

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

EDITORIAL

Hot Take AHMED KHAN C. CAYONGCAT

When journalists take the side of liars Presenting facts and their context through the discipline of verification is among a journalist’s long list of duties. So when “journalists” resort to transcription and call it “journalism,” they help peddle propaganda or abet disinformation, a clear disservice to the public and the profession of truth-telling.

Contrary to diehards of President Duterte who defended Joseph Morong for merely transcribing in toto the former’s vicious tirades against Vice President Leni Robredo, the broadcast journalist wasn’t practicing neutrality. He wasn’t refraining from taking the side of either leaders. He was simply not doing his job. He violated the foremost requirement in journalism: separating chaff from grain, lie from truth. In effect, he wasn’t neutral.

By helping peddle the lies of Duterte, he was taking his side. He was taking the side of liars.

While it was not surprising to hear cock and bull from the President, it was alarming to see journalists irresponsibly and plainly reporting his lies without providing necessary fact-checking and context.

Parroting lies without providing context can cause misinterpretation and can be easily weaponized by spin doctors to mislead the public for personal and political agendas.

On that same night, the GMA reporter was burned at the stake for live-tweeting—without fact-checking—Duterte’s false claims against Robredo. To some extent, what Morong did was not wrong; he was merely stating what had happened and what Duterte had said. However, even a neophyte journalist would know how problematic and irresponsible merely parroting Duterte’s defamatory declarations is—especially in AT a time when disinformation is rampant.

Former Varsitarian editor in chief Christian Esguerra put it very well when he said that when a journalist descends into the simple job of transcription, he “surrenders his role as a journalist.” It is true. Indeed, journalists should be more critical with the information they handle.

Parroting lies without providing context can cause misinterpretation and can be easily weaponized by spin doctors to mislead the public for personal and political agendas.

Liars PAGE 7

Decalcomania

Rethinking ‘enriched virtual mode’ CONSIDERING all the goodly motives and our lowered expectations, and no matter how much it’s taking to run it, the switch to “enriched virtual mode” is an opportunity to rethink and get better.

Born out of our venial Covide-19 cluelessness and frantic struggles in the middle of the previous term and through a vanished summer break that followed, the University’s total online shift is running like it’s been set up to just help everybody get by. We get that. We all – administrators, professors and students -- just really have to admit to that, for our mutual absolution, to be able to take a good look, optimize and think ahead better, and because it’s useless pointing digital arrows at each other, especially at this harrowed time.

Already pushed to our virtual corners by a worldwide pandemic and given the current economics and other extracurricular uncertainties, we have no option but to salvage whatever is left of the school year and make the most out of what the current circumstances allow and move forward -- through and beyond our electronic screens. We have to make this work.

A total shutdown of an admittedly faulty educational system may be defeatist and heave more dark clouds of despair over a season of dwindling scholastic faith. Despite all the flaws and the madness, it may still be wiser to try a few tweaks here and there. Nobody really wins in a default, because nothing gets tested and proven. Too, nobody can just ignore the fact that more than half the current crop of students come from the initial batches of the K-to-12 system that, for good or bad, has already delayed their tertiary education by two years.

After a decade and a half of an e-learning program and other Thomasian digital pursuits, and now in the middle of a quarantined school year, where are we and where are we headed?

It doesn’t help that some professors, for either a lack of essential millennial skills or a dearth of talent or effort, relegate synchronous classes to readathons of their PowerPoint presentations and copy-pasted materials. Asynchronous arrangements don’t fare any better, as students are required to just read and study slides and other materials that can be Googled a n y w a y.

Online classes, as the Central Student Council president Robert Dominic Gonzales recently told the Commission on Higher Education, had become a “compliance issue rather than a learning matter.”

To take all the adjustments as simply a desperate measure to survive in the name of academic implementation is short-sighted.

If such perceptions and attitudes persist, the program and instructional lapses and other woes so far, like the terrible virus that caused them, will decimate a year already blighted by a plague of natural and man-made calamities.

As technology is evolving very fast, adaptation in education is crucial. A 2018 LinkedIn projection, for example, indicated that around 85% of the jobs that present-day students will be doing in 2030 “have not been invented yet.” Continuing and forward-looking instruction is mandatory in preparing and conditioning a workforce for

Editorial PAGE 7

Editor in Chief Chief Associate Editor Associate Editor

NEIL LAURD JOSHUA MENHARD N. SERVALLOS B. SALEN Acting OnlineNews Coordinator Editor AHMEDYUEN FAITH KHAN WEI H. N. CAYONGCAT RAGASA Sports NewsEditor Coordinator KLYRA V.KHAN AHMED ORBIEN H. CAYONGCAT Acting SpecialSpecial ReportsReports Editor Editor FAITH YUEN JISELLE ANNE WEI C.N. CASUCIAN RAGASA Sports Features Editor Editor JISELLECELINE MARIEL ANNE C.L.CASUCIAN SERQUIÑAFeatures Witness and Editor Circle Editor JOSELLE CZARINA JOENNER PAULO L.S.ENRIQUEZ, DE LA CRUZ O.P. Filipino Patnugot andsa Witness FilipinoEditor MARY JAZMIN MIGUEL LOUIS D. M.TABUENA GALANG Science Chief Photographer and Technology Editor JURYJASMINE MA. P. SALAYA TRISHA Art Director L. NEPOMUCENO Circle Editor JAN KRISTOPHER T. ESGUERRA Art Director

FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Advisers Adviser

JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser

Malacañang and misogyny, DepEd and miseducation President Duterte displayed again his vicious misogyny and terrorist language when he lashed out at Vice President Leni Robredo for upstaging him in coming to the rescue of typhoon “Ulysses” victims of Cagayan. Noticeably incommunicado and missing at the height of the crisis, Duterte made up for his absence by fuming against Robredo, spewing lies and ugly threats that only underscored his guilt over his gross dereliction of duty.

“Do not compete with me. Do not start a quarrel with me,” President Duterte said, seemingly irked at the vice president who has been at the forefront of relief operations during typhoon “Ulysses” which caused flooding in parts of Luzon including Metro Manila.

Duterte also made lewd comments and sexy remarks about Robredo.

Noticeably incommunicado and missing at the height of the crisis, Duterte made up for his absence by fuming against Robredo, spewing lies and ugly threats that only underscored his guilt over his gross dereliction of duty.

FOUNDED JANUARY 16, 1928

JOHN EZEKIEL EUGENE DOMINIC J. HIRRO V. ABOY, O.P.

KATRINA ISABEL C. GONZALES KATRINA ISABEL C. GONZALES

KATRINA ISABEL C. GONZALES

NEWS Charm JamilahRyanne Mae B. C. Angco, Magpali, Charm Laurd Ryanne Menhard C. Magpali, B. Salen,Jacqueline Camille Abiel B. Martinez, H. Torres Christine Joyce A. Paras, Joanne Christine P. Ramos SPORTS Anna Malic Clarissa U. Cotongan, M. Barlam, Rommel Nina Bong Angela R. Fuertes MikaelaJr.,Cruz, Rommel Bong R. Jasmin Fuertes Roselle Jr., James M. Monton Paul R. Gomez, Mark Ernest V. Villeza SPECIAL REPORTS Kimberly Joenner Paulo G. Hipolito, L. Enriquez, Charlize O.P., Gabriel Camille L. Linantud, M. Marcelo, Nuel Angelo D. Sabate FEATURES Ma. Dyanne JasmineMirasol Trisha L.P.Nepomuceno Reyes, Jade Veronique V. Yap LITERARY Leigh Anne E. Dispo, Sofia Bernice F. Navarro FILIPINO Caitlin WITNESS Ma. Alena Dayne O. A. Castillo, Contreras, Sophia BeaT.Angeline Sadang P. Domingo WITNESSBea FILIPINO Ma.Angeline Alena O. P. Castillo, Domingo, Joenner Samantha PauloNichole L. Enriquez, G. Magbuhat O.P., SCIENCE Mariel ANDCeline TECHNOLOGY L. Serquiña Caitlin Dayne A. Contreras, SCIENCE Katherine AND TECHNOLOGY Anne L. Escarilla Miguel Louis M. Galang, CIRCLEJade Nolene Veronique BeatriceV.H.Yap Crucillo, Allaine Nicole C. Cruz, CIRCLELarissa NoleneMae Beatrice C. Tan H. Crucillo, Neil Paolo S. Gonzales ART Karl Joshua L. Aron, Athea Mariane Monique Jane A.Z.Cadiz, Gala,Alisa Gwyneth Joy T.Fiona del Mundo, N. Luga, Jan Kristopher Christine Angelie T. Esguerra, P. Orines, Gwyneth CatherineFiona Paulene N. Luga, A. Umali, Catherine Rae IsobelPaulene N. Tyapon A. Umali, Rae Isobel N. Tyapon, Sophia R. Lozada PHOTOGRAPHY Francia Nadine Anne Denise M.M. Deang, Arizabal, Jean Renzelle GilbertShayne T. Go, Renzelle V. Picar, Shayne V. Camille Abiel Picar, H. Torres, Bianca Marvin Jolene John S. Redondo, F. Uy, Arianne CamilleMaye AbielD.G. H. Viri EDITORIAL Torres, ASSISTANT Marvin John Jessica F. Uy, C. Asprer Arianne Maye D.G. Viri EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jessica C. Asprer

Despite the meager budget of the Office of the Vice President, Robredo employed quick response and effective coordination via social media, helping many victims as a result.

Refusing to personally take credit, Robredo ascribed the success of the relief efforts to her staff and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

As the hashtags #LetLeniLead versus #NasaanAngPangulo trended online, it’s no wonder that Duterte found himself ranting on his Malacañang vlog entry about how he was bullied like a kid.

But all the people wanted was accountability.

She wasn’t upstaging the country’s Chief Executive; in fact, she was proof that the government was working and doing its part in calamities. So why was the President so angry at her?

All shapes and sizes

Actress Angel Locsin, who played “Darna,” the Filipino superheroine in the 2005 GMA television series of Mars Ravelo’s classic komiks, has lately done superhero acts worthy of a Darna: she protested the government Shaming PAGE 13

OPINION

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Editorial FROM PAGE 6 the demands of the future. Those that are primarily involved in the system and its workings should optimize and allow for more flexibility, look much farther, and work even smarter.

Education, like most other domains under what the World Economic Forum refers to as the “fourth industrial revolution,” is being reimagined. Traditional instructional and learning methods are ever being challenged amid changing environments and technological capabilities. Like it or not, education is taking the digital highway and slowly abandoning the brick-and-mortar establishments of the past.

We have to think and work past survival mode and keep an eye on the learning curve that can be drawn up out of the current experience. It’s not and never should be a one-and-done school year. There’s a lot to learn.

Liars FROM PAGE 6 Have we not learned yet from the dangerous disinformation campaign peddled by the assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office?

In their book “The Elements of Journalism,” American journalists Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel said journalism’s first obligation is to the truth. “Good decision-making depends on people having reliable, accurate facts put in a meaningful context,” they said.

The concept of “journalistic truth,” they said, is a process that begins with the professional discipline of assembling and verifying facts. The American Press Institute adds to this: “As citizens encounter an ever-greater flow of data, they have more need – not less – for suppliers of information dedicated to finding and verifying the news and putting it in context.”

Journalists should stick to one common goal, which is similar to the Dominican motto: Laudare, benedicere, praedicare. Paraphrasing the slogan, the journalist’s job is to check disinformation and ferret out the truth, while praising and preaching it.

In these trying times, a “journalist” should not be mere mouthpieces of an administration that has attained quite a notoriety for engineering lies and deception.

Duterte already has the almighty Palace spokesman Harry Roque and the trolls of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. People like Morong should not add themselves up to the troll farm of the President while carrying the pressman’s badge. We need journalists and truth-seekers, not pretenders and Palace interlopers.

Dungaw FROM PAGE 5 Dr. Carmina Fuentabella, a Covid-19 survivor and a resident physician at UST Hospital, led the traditional Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval.

Starting April, the replica of the image of La Naval is placed in front of Santo Domingo Church every morning for public veneration from 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.  MARIEL CELINE L. SERQUIÑA

7

What does it mean to be God’s stewards?

Sincerely Adamant MARIEL CELINE L. SERQUIÑA

“Some would say the depletion of natural resources and the scrapping of the earth’s surfaces for ‘quality-of-life’ upgrades are part of global development, but doing so without plans for rehabilitation is no different than looting.”

AFTER TYPHOONS “Rolly,” “Quinta” and “Ulysses” ravaged Luzon, leaving some parts of Metro Manila, Rizal and Cagayan submerged in roof-level floods, it brought a sense of déjà vu to some of us who had experienced the “Ondoy” disaster in 2009. Eleven years have passed since “Ondoy,” and here we are, still facing typhoons whose deadly power has been intensified by climate change.

Climate change is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as a “significant and long-lasting change in the Earth’s climate and weather patterns” which is usually associated with global warming. Pope Francis in his second encyclical Laudato Si, in which he laments the environment’s degradation, describes climate change as a “global problem” with grave environmental, economic and socio-political effects.

The most affected by this global problem are developing countries such as the Philippines, which is visited by some 20 typhoons annually.

As these typhoons rampage through the country, the same things happen over and over.

Filipinos move into congested evacuation centers, wait for heavy rains and strong winds to subside and wait in hope with ample prayers.

“Filipino resiliency,” indeed.

As Taylor Swift said in her song “Exile,” “I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending.”

Climate change may be inevitable but hu-

man activities greatly contribute to its worsening.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Dec. 10 situation report, “Ulysses” caused more than P7 billion in agricultural damage and almost P13 billion in infrastructure damage. It affected more than 1.2 million families, left 101 people dead and injured 85 others.

Even Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba admitted after the onslaught of “Ulysses” that the flooding brought by the typhoon was a summation of the wrongs done to the environment.

He said forest denudation in the Cordilleras and the Sierra Madre, unauthorized mining and riverbed siltation aggravated the flooding in Cagayan.

In 2019, Robert Watson, chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, said in a United Nations forum that the “destruction of biodiversity and ecosystem services has had reached levels that threaten our well-being at least as much as human-induced climate change.”

The widespread removal of trees causes soil to hold less water and causes disturbances in the water cycle, leading to abnormal changes in the climate.

Some would say the depletion of natural resources and the scrapping of the earth’s surfaces for “quality-of-life” upgrades are part of global development, but doing so without plans for rehabilitation is no different than looting.

Yes, progress and development are essential but not at the expense of other species; they should not be treated as mere consumable resources. God may have given us the gift of intellect and free will but we must never forget that we are His stewards tasked to safeguard and nurture His creation. Quoting Laudato Si: “Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years. Yet we are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with His plan for peace, beauty and fullness.”

Pope Paul VI in his apostolic letter Octogesima Adveniens in which he called for the involvement of all human beings in solving issues on justice and peace, noted that despite the Church’s support of society’s “effort” to cope up with the demand of human needs, being responsible stewards of God’s creation is as important as the goods we produce and consume. It also urged the development of moral consciousness to check the capitalist ideology of progress just for the sake of progress.

Illegal mining and illegal logging were seen as the primary sources of flooding and landslides in the Cagayan and Isabela provinces during “Ulysses.”

How many more typhoons does our country need to suffer the wrath of before we realize and acknowledge that the destruction they cause stem from our abuses?

It is the time to be accountable, to establish firm Stewards PAGE 13

‘Tatay Digong’ should stop playing favorites Eye Level LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN

“If Duterte does not quit playing favorites, it will no longer be a surprise if Filipinos end up with ‘daddy issues’ by the time his term finishes.”

LIKE A parent who plays favorites, President Duterte’s government continues to neglect the needs of healthcare workers and favor the military and police, his “errand boys.”

Medical workers may be at the front lines in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, but they are definitely at the back of the line in receiving benefits and proper compensation.

In November, healthcare workers from the Philippine General Hospital staged “Black Friday” protests, calling for the release of the promised Covid-19 hazard pay and special risk allowance made by the government six months ago.

Filipino Nurses United, a national organization of Filipino nurses, also held a protest in front of the Philippine Heart Center for the release of overdue wage increases and benefits pursuant to Republic Act No. 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, which Duterte signed last January.

It was then revealed in a Senate hearing that as of Nov. 24, more than 16,000 medical front-liners from the public sector had yet to receive the hazard pay appropriated for them under the now-expired “Bayanihan to Heal as One” Act. Medical professionals have worked hard while exposing themselves to Covid-19 risks and even death, yet they have remained uncompensated and undervalued for their services.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has rolled out nearly P8-billion worth of year-end bonuses and cash gifts for policemen nationwide.

ART BY CHRISTINE ANGELIE P. ORINES

This is how Duterte fathers the country—by playing favorites. Unfortunately, the medical heroes on the front lines are not on the receiving end of his fatherly love.

“I need a healthy military and police kasi ‘pag magkasakit lahat ‘yan, wala na akong maasahan, wala na tayong mautusan kung gawin ‘to, gawin doon,” Duterte said in a televised address as he underscored the need for state forces to be vaccinated.

“Try to understand the police and the military. They are really the errand boys of the Republic,” he added.

Duterte’s fixation with state forces, which has been obvious from the beginning of

his term, extended to the country’s anti-Covid response, so much that a public health crisis has become a national security issue, with military officers dominating the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the campaign becoming protracted—and very expensive—with no end in sight.

Even his Cabinet and Covid-19 task forces are predominantly composed of retired military men. The latest appointee was Carlito Galvez Jr., whom Duterte picked to oversee Covid-19 vaccine logistics and processes as vaccine czar.

The chief executive also made it clear that state forces would lead the vaccine operations with military camps serving as vaccine warehouses.

While Duterte assured that medical professionals were among those to be prioritized in the country’s vaccination program, it is downright improper and completely unwise to exclude health experts in spearheading the vaccine operations.

Sooner or later, Duterte’s heavy reliance on armed institutions will go wrong as a square peg will never fit a round hole.

The earlier he retires his obsession with the armed services and start crafting plans grounded on rational decisions, the sooner the country can put the pandemic behind it.

If Duterte does not quit playing favorites, it will no longer be a surprise if Filipinos end up with “daddy issues” by the time his term finishes. 

8

OBITUARY The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Fr. Sonny Ramirez, founding preacher of ‘Siete Palabras,’ laid to rest FR. ERASMO “Sonny” Ramirez, O.P, one of the founding preachers of “Siete Palabras,” was laid to rest at the Santuario de Santo Domingo in Quezon City on Oct. 12. He was 74.

Ramirez’s death was announced by his alma mater, Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila, through a Facebook post.

The Dominican priest passed away 21 days before his 75th birthday.

Ramirez was known for his sermons in “Siete Palabras,” the traditional Good Friday reflection on the Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ.

He was one of the founders of the Oasis of Love Charismatic Community, along with actor Christopher de Leon.

Also known as “The Singing

Priest,” Ramirez was famous for his rendition of “Sino Ako,” which he sang in several retreats and seminars.

Secretary General Fr. Jesus Miranda, Jr., O.P. dubbed Ramirez as “the Filipino mass media evangelist.”

RAMIREZ’S WAKE (PHOTO BY JOENNER PAULO L. ENRIQUEZ, O.P.)

“Fr. Sonny [would be] the one to admit that his life story was always beyond himself. His life is a reminder that the Catholic Church in the Philippines always finds ways to bring the message of salvation. In Fr. Sonny’s case, it was through mass media,” Miranda wrote in a Manila Times column.

“When St. Dominic de Guzman founded the Order of Preachers in the 13th century, its sole mission was to preach the message of Jesus for the salvation of souls. Fr. Sonny’s preaching brought many souls back to the loving embrace of God. May St. Dominic and all the Dominican saints welcome Fr. Sonny into eternal life, which he preached in his life as a Dominican,” Miranda added.  M.A.O. CASTILLO

Thomasian chemist Trinidad Palad-Trinidad, 73 DR. TRINIDAD Palad-Trinidad of the UST Graduate School passed away on Sept. 17, 2020. She was 73 years old.

She died due to pulmonary embolism or a blood clot in the lung, according to her family and family doctor Irene Ubungen.

Trinidad, an alumna of the College of Science, received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1968. She also taught food science at the UST Graduate School.

She became a career scientist at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2002.

From 2004 to 2006, she served as nutrition scientist at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a United Nations agency conducting studies on nuclear energy.

She was a recipient of the Out-

standing Chemist Award from the Professional Regulation Commission in 2007 and the Achievement Award for Research in the Medical Sciences from the National Research Council of the Philippines in 2012 for her work in the field of chemistry. She was also awarded the DOST-FNRI Award of Recognition.

Trinidad’s studies on iron absorption from Filipino food and regional meals were used as basis for the development of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake for Filipinos in 1989, 2002 and 2014.

She was also one of the authors of a study on nutrition and obesity among Asian youth, published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2011.

She was active in government projects on food and health, contributing in projects including “The Technical Working Group on

Functional Foods,” “The Technical Review Committee for the Clinical Practice Guidelines on Prevention,” “Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis in the Philippines,” and “The Body Composition Studies.”

In 2008, Trinidad was an Outstanding Thomasian Alumni awardee for Science and Technology.

“She’s a very loving sibling, mother and grandmother in the household. I may just a niece but she treated me like a princess, and moments with her won’t be forgotten,” her niece, Jessica Trinidad told the Varsitarian.

“She is very dedicated to her work, very detail-oriented and works for excellence. She doesn’t just work, she genuinely takes it seriously and makes sure that her studies may benefit all, that’s why she is very well-known,” she said.

Priscilla Samonte, a former student of Trinidad, said in a Facebook

TRINIDAD

post, “[She was] my mentor who has given so much and loved and inspired so many.”

Trinidad PAGE 12

Zoom FROM PAGE 2 pus, which still include Google Meet and Microsoft Teams to provide “more options for users depending on the functionalities needed aside from video conferencing.”

She also said the immediate rollout of Zoom was done to give faculty members time to archive lectures done in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra ahead of the expiration of the license.

“By having a time allowance before the expiration of the current tool until December 2020, we are giving teachers time to archive lecture recordings done in BB (Blackboard) Collaborate and allotting time for training them how to integrate Zoom inside their courses,” she said.

The Educational Technology (EdTech) Center announced the process of Zoom account activation via the UST Gsuite email, which will be valid for 30 days after receiving the email.

UST subscribed to two types of licenses for Zoom meetings, the University “Pro” subscription for Faculty Members with teaching load for the current semester, and University basic subscription for on-leave faculty members, guidance counselors, librarians, non-academic staff and students.

The pro subscription includes unlimited time and a maximum number of 300 participants, while the basic subscription has a 40-minute duration with a maximum of 100 participants.

The OVRAA will issue guidelines to secure synchronous learning sessions conducted through Zoom, in addition to guidelines earlier disseminated for other video conferencing platforms.  LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN

Edgar Lee, UST architecture professor, 64 FORMER UST Architecture professor Edgar Lee passed away on Monday, Nov. 16, due to a complication from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 64 years old.

His death was confirmed by his spouse, Lynette. According to her, Lee’s oxygen levels went down even with the aid of an oxygen machine.

Lee graduated from the old Mapua Institute of Technology with a degree in architecture and space planning in 1978, and obtained his master’s degree in construction management from

the University of the East in 1984.

He began his teaching career at Mapua and later taught at Far Eastern University, College of the Holy Spirit in Manila and Assumption College.

He began teaching at the UST College of Architecture in 1999.

He retired in 2018.

Lee brought his UST students to national architecture competitions.

In 2009, he coached UST students Jeff Ian Bernaldez, Michael Earvin Germino, Manuel Hermano, Sarang Lim and Vanessa Villegas, who won the Jurors’ Choice

LEE

in the GK-Metrobank Designer Village Challenge.

“Until his last moments, most of his energy went to replying and checking on his former students, relatives and family,” wife Lynette told the Varsitarian.

Tributes and messages from former students and colleagues poured on social media.

“Rest in peace, Sir Lee! Never naging boring ang class kapag ikaw ang prof. You always made all your students laugh,” Dennise Cruz, Lee’s former student at the College of Architecture, said on Facebook.

Lee PAGE 12

Artlets history, Asian Studies professor Carlito Dalangin, 72

DALANGIN

ASSOC. PROF. Carlito Dalangin, who taught history courses and became head of the Asian Studies program at the Faculty of Arts and Letters, died on Oct. 24. He was 72 years old.

Dalangin succumbed to chronic kidney disease and other underlying illnesses, according to his family.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree in science education at Western Philippine Colleges in Batangas in 1973 and finished his master’s degree in history at the University in 2003.

Before teaching in UST, he taught Christian Living Education at St. Joseph Academy in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro from 1970 to 1971.

Dalangin taught in Artlets begin-

ning 1976 and retired in May 2012.

He also taught history to secondary students at Meycauayan College in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

“His students remember him as someone who taught them to appreciate history. He taught [students] as if they were watching history unfold before them,” his daughter, Mary Ann Carolyn Dalangin told the Varsitarian.

“He was very compassionate, he was looked upon by students as a father figure and that is what made [his students] respect him,” she said.

Che Artuz, a former student of Dalangin, described him as a “mentor and inspiration” to his students.

“With all the stories of the past, he was able to share with us the

lesson that we could and should influence the present, and then eventually change the future,” she added.

Travis Mark Pallera Santiago, also a former student of Dalangin, said: “I truly admired his intelligence, humility, and compassion towards us … he treated us [with] compassion … I will surely miss him forever and I am very thankful for his teachings and guidance to us.”

Lawyer and Artlets professor Danielito Jimenez, Dalangin’s friend and colleague, told the Varsitarian: “While he was one of the senior faculty members then, he was unassuming and supportive of his colleagues even with new faculty members like me. Dalangin PAGE 12

CTHM students FROM PAGE 2

in establishing farm tourism as a main tourism product of the province and utilize it as a strategy to re-introduce the province’s tourism industry,” de la Dingco, the team leader, told the Varsitarian.

The marketing plan has three phases: preliminary activities, introduction and execution of farm tourism activities and plans and recommendations.

“We are hoping that [tourism] in Nueva Vizcaya will bounce back and meet the changes of the ‘new normal’ and become an industry that will truly help the people,” de la Dingco said.

The team was coached by Asst. Prof. Christine Fajardo, CTHM alumnus Arnulfo Butiong and competition project head Jame Mercado.

University representatives Mariztel Adan, Mary Cucio and Al Reile Dela Torre also won second-runner-up honors in the travel brochure-making competition.

The UPAIT Tourism and Hospitality Conference is an annual national interschool forum designed to prepare students for tourism industry work.  NOLENE BEATRICE H. CRUCILLO AND JOANNE CHRISTINE P. RAMOS

CIRCLE

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

EDITOR: MA. JASMINE TRISHA L. NEPOMUCENO

All-women UST team participates in int’l film competition

9

UST Tiger Radio joins World College Radio Day FRONTLINER STORIES, the shutdown of the country’s biggest media network, the importance of voting and shift to online learning were on the list of issues discussed by Tiger radio jocks.

(PHOTO FROM THE MOVIE TEASER)

A SHORT film by UST alumnae was among the works featured in the 2020 Lift-Off Global Network Sessions (LOGNS).

“Golden” was created by Isabel Reyes, Pauline Linsangan, Lynette Pamintuan, Patricia Calaguas, Corheinne Colendres, Aira Bugna, Arrienne Enriquez, Francine Aspa and Kathleen David.

All members of the group were UST communication arts alumnae.

“Golden” revolves around the life of a student who turned to gambling after losing her scholarship.

“She needs help, but instead, she’s kicked out of her scholarship because her teachers (the very same people she was told to trust) took advantage of her because they know that she could not do anything,” Reyes said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

Corruption is one of the main themes of the film.

“We didn’t want to create something cliché or something ‘easy and simple.’ We wanted a challenge and so we ventured into crime,” Reyes said.

“Golden” was produced by an all-female crew.

“Gusto namin ibida the fact na

The movie poster of “Golden” (GRABBED FROM FYTWMBAF FACEBOOK PAGE)

all-women production team kami.

I believe the empowerment we’re talking about is already evident behind the camera; gusto namin mag-reflect yun sa film,” Reyes said.

“Golden” was released via the online streaming application Vimeo last Aug. 23. Nolene Beatrice H. Crucillo ood in Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival.  NOLENE BEATRICE H.

The movie poster for “Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert” (right) and a still from the film’s trailer (bottom)

UST Tiger Radio Facebook page cover photo

“Talking about the frontliner experience is a must... We have to honor them for the work that they are doing during this pandemic.”

The official logo of this year’s World College Radio Day

—Anton Supe STUDENT JOCKEY

around the world, and maybe [students] want to be part of it too, especially those who plan to have a career in the media and broadcasting industry,” Resubal said.

UST Tiger Radio was one of three stations from the Philippines that partic-

ipated in the World College Radio Day. The other participating Philippine radio stations were DZUP from the University of the Philippines and Radyo Katipunan 87.9 of Ateneo de Manila.

World College Radio Day, founded in 2010, drew student radio stations from more than 40 countries.  N. B. H. CRUCILLO AND N. P. S. GONZALES

CRUCILLO

Thomasian-made film participates in Cinemalaya “ANG GASGAS na Plaka ni Lolo Bert,” directed by two Thomasians, was among the participants in the 16th Cinemalaya.

The film was directed by communication arts alumnae Janina Gacosta and Cheska Marfori.

“Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert” is about an old man whose life revolves only around his house, and a widower who runs a vinyl store.

“It’s also a story of love and

“Talking about the frontliner experience is a must,” Anton Supe, one of the student jockeys who participated, told the Varsitarian. “We have to honor them for the work that they are doing during this pandemic.”

Supe worked with the show’s executive producer, Jade Alaoria, to gather stories from frontliners, and shared them with listeners.

“At the end of the show I reminded the listeners that before they go out of the house for leisure, they should think about the frontliners who are struggling everyday, especially the medical workers,” Supe said.

Sophomore behavioral science student Naomi Tolentino gave study tips, along with a quick mental health guide that can help students during online learning.

“In reality, there’s a significant amount of students who are having a rough time with online schooling at the moment, because of the responsibilities that we have to deal with at home, school, and even work,” Tolentino said.

“I wanted to ensure that my topic will resonate with people, and that their experiences and emotions are validated,” she added.

The list of speakers also included Thomasians AJ Velasco and Alysia Petras.

UST Tiger Radio’s on-air head, thirdyear communication student Micha Resubal, said World College Radio Day encouraged people to listen and support college radio. “[The event aims] to raise awareness that many college radio stations operate

second chances,” the directors said in an interview with the Varsitarian last year.

“We wanted to create a story that sparks a message of hope to every person stigmatized with the condition.”

Gavista and Marfori won the Best Director award during the CinesPectra in 2019.  NOLENE BEATRICE H. CRUCILLO

Research project aims to rediscover works of nationalist composer Julio Nakpil UST RESEARCHERS have launched a project to rediscover, record and publish the works of Filipino nationalist composer Julio Nakpil.

The Julio Nakpil Music Project, under the UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and the Humanities (RCCAH), aims to carve the revolutionary musician a spot in the memory of the Filipino.

“Nakpil was an organic music intellectual who broke down stereotypes emancipating not only his people but also their music from the bonds of colonialism,” said RCCAH Director Assoc.

Prof. Maria Alexandra Chua, head of the Julio Nakpil Music Project.

Nakpil, who fought alongside Katipuneros and Andres Bonifacio during the Philippine Revolution, was a self-taught pianist and composer, and was one of the first Filipinos to make a living out of music.

Among his best-known works are “Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan,” commissioned by Bonifacio, who intended it to be the national anthem.

Nakpil was also the composer of “Amor Patrio” and “Pahimakas,” dedicated to Jose Rizal, whom he highly regarded.

“His creative genius was no doubt revolutionary, and it is in his music that we witness the impulse to give birth to

JULIO NAKPIL (PHOTO COURTESY OF UST RESEARCH CENTER FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES.)

Filipino music,” Chua said.

In August, the Julio Nakpil Music Project Team presented a rendition of Nakpil’s “The Cry of Balintawak,” with former Conservatory of Music dean Raul Sunico playing the piece.

The project is part of RCCAH’s Salikha Creative Grant funded by the

Commission on Higher Education and National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in cooperation with Bahay Nakpil-Bautista Foundation.

Nov. 2 marked the 60th anniversary of the composer’s death.  MA. JASMINE TRSIHA L. NEPOMUCENO

10

FEATURES The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

EDITOR: JISELLE ANNE C. CASUCIAN

CTHM dean elected board member in int’l accreditation agency

CTHM DEAN GEZZEZ GIEZI GRANADO (PHOTO FROM THE UST WEBSITE)

COLLEGE of Tourism and Hospitality Management Dean Gezzez Giezi Granado has been elected member of the board of directors of the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE).

“I believe that the vote of confidence is not much on my qualifications, it is more on the name and integrity of our beloved UST,” Granado told the Varsitarian.

“I am so eager to share with them our topnotch and world-class enriched virtual tourism and hospitality education because I want to learn from them as well, especially on how they cope with virtual teaching and learning,” Granado said.

In 2015, CTHM gained full membership status in THE-ICE after undergoing accreditation.

Established in 2004, THE-ICE is an international accreditation and quality assurance agency with a global network of higher education institutions.

The election was held on Nov. 11 during the group’s general membership meeting conducted on the Zoom web-conferencing platform. 

(PHOTOS GRABBED FROM MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PAGE)

Thomasians join Miss Universe PH Five Thomasian beauty queens represented their respective cities in the 2020 Miss Universe Philippines national pageant held in Baguio City on Oct. 25.

Riana Agatha Pangindian of Pasig City, who graduated from the University with a degree in biological sciences, made it to the top 16 finalists out of 46 candidates.

“I was really humbled to be part of the Top 16 and it was a proud moment for me,” Pangindian told the Varsitarian. “I feel really grateful for the growth I went through after nine months of being in the pageant, and during a crisis such as the pandemic,” she said.

A licensed professional teacher, Pangindian pushed her advocacy for the well-being of teachers amid the pandemic.

“I believe teachers have a direct influence on students and so if our teachers are healthy in all aspects, especially mentally, it will create a more sustainable impact on the generations to come,” she said.

Travel management cum laude graduate Zandra Nicole Sta. Maria of Pasay City said she was grateful for the messages of support even if she did not make the cut.

“My name is not known to everyone, but I slowly paved my way to becoming a dark horse,” Sta. Maria said.

Both candidates said joining the pageant in a time of pandemic was challenging, as they had to

shoot their own videos over the nine-month course of the pageant due to the lockdown.

Pangindian and Sta. Maria were confident Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo of Iloilo City would do well in the international pageant.

“She is deserving, kind and very eloquent. I’ve seen most of her interviews and she really performs well,” Sta. Maria said. “I can’t wait to see her slay in the international pageant.

Krizzia Lynn Moreno of Camarines Sur, who is also a travel management cum laude graduate, Mari Danica Reynes of Cagayan Province, who graduated from the University with a degree in communication arts and College of Tourism and Hospitality Management alumna Faye Deveza of Quezon Province also entered the competition.  M.J.T.L. NEPOMUCENO

NOLENE BEATRICE H. CRUCILLO

California legislature renames highway to honor late Artlets professor

CTHM student council pres named nat’l director

ALICE BULOS BATACAN THE INTERIM student council president of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management has been elected national student director for tourism and hospitality education and research of the Junior Tourism and Hospitality Management Association of the Philippines (JTHMAP) last Sept. 21.

Stephen Batacan will serve a one-year term.

“I will share the learnings and training that I had in our University because I know that this would be of great help,” he told the Varsitarian.

JTHMAP is a national youth organization for tourism and hospitality management students in the country. The election of officers was held last Sept. 19 through Zoom and Google forms.  NOLENE BEATRICE H. CRUCILLO

THE CALIFORNIA legislature has approved a resolution naming a highway after the late Faculty of Arts and Letters professor Alice Bulos, who dedicated over 40 years of her life to community service.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 165 changed the name of a stretch of State Route 35 in Daly City to Alice Peña Bulos Memorial Highway in honor of the late Thomasian.

“We see the influence of Alice Peña

Bulos throughout our communities, as well as in elected local and state government leadership. [I]t is my honor to carry the legislation that celebrates her legacy,” California assembly member Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) said.

The Alice Pena Bulos Memorial Highway signposts will be installed in 2021 and will be the first highway to be named Artlets professor PAGE 12

Thomasian named fellow of People Management Association of the Philippines A THOMASIAN was accredited as a “Fellow in People Management” (FPM) on Oct. 23 during the 57th People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Annual Conference.

Reynald Ryan Barrion, who obtained his undergraduate degree in philosophy in 1996 and master’s in business administration in 2008, received the distinction from the Philippine Society of Fellows in Peo-

ple Management under PMAP. “This will be an inspiration to continue my advocacy for strategic HR (human resources) and workplace spirituality,” Barrion said.

Barrion is vice president for human resources of Great Learnings and Beyond Management Consultancy. An officer in the Army Reserve Command, he holds a Diplomate in Strategic Human Resources Management and Development from the

Ateneo de Manila University. He is also co-founder of Lapis at Kwaderno Para sa Kabataan, a non-profit group that helps children.

This year, only three individuals made it to the rank of FPM, increasing the total to 146 since the association was founded in 1987.

PMAP is the premier association of human resource practitioners in the country.  MA. JASMINE TRSIHA L. NEPOMUCENO

BARRION

SPECIAL REPORTS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Mental health issues, activism rise among youth amid lockdown PROLONGED quarantine has affected the mental health of the youth while civic engagements and student activism increased online, Thomasian researchers said in a webinar series titled “QuaranTEEN.” Asst. Prof. Dennis Coronacion, chairman of the Department of Political Science, said faculty members conducted research on the problems the Filipino youth were facing because of the pandemic.

“According to the International Labor Organization 2020 (ILO 2020) global survey on the youth and the Covid-19 pandemic, the problems created by the pandemic for the youth are pervasive, systematic, deep and disproportionate,” Coronacion said.

Data from the ILO showed that anxiety or depression was “probable” in 16 .7 percent of the youth, aged 18 to 29, and “possible” for 50.2 percent.

“Mental well-being during the [Covid-19] crisis is shown to be correlated to some extent with age, with younger groups experiencing poorer well-being outcomes… young people (aged 18 to 29) disproportionally reported feeling never or rarely relaxed,” the ILO report stated.

“These results are likely to be the result of the widespread school and workplace closures affecting young people, as well as worried related to their health and that of family and loved ones,” the report stated.

Prof. Allan de Guzman of the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSEd) said the quarantine might have dangerous consequences on the youth.

“While staying home is a safe practice, once it is prolonged, it might also give negative effects [among young people] whose development is at stake,” de Guzman said.

De Guzman also said the government should assist families by identi-

POSTER OF WEBINAR SERIES ‘QUARANTEEN’ fying programs that could support the youth.

“The government through the different agencies must be able to identify support programs online or face-to-face to better, of course, support the Filipino youth during this difficult time,” he said.

Resilience among the youth

Political Science faculty member Froilan Calilung said the pandemic would bear positive effects on the youth in the long run.

“I think there will be some positive

effects, I guess resilience is one of them.

In the monograph research that we published, one chapter is solely devoted to how the Filipino youth is able to rise over the pandemic,” he told the Varsitarian.

Calilung said the youth were able to cope with and explore things and activities they did not know or have done, like engaging in online businesses.

“Having experienced this situation at least in their lifetime has taught them valuable lessons that they can Mental health PAGE 12

Flood risk management should consider societal changes — expert DISASTER management and spatial planning expert warns of behavioral and social changes in flood risk management under climate change in a webinar held by the UST-Simbahayan Community Development Office last September 26.

Chia-An “Andy” Ku, a professor from the National Taipei University, said better planning in risk management should consider the changes within the society and the communities.

“In some research, they only speak about the impact of climate change and floods but people realized that the behavior of humans and changes in land-use caused not only climate change but also socio-economic changes,” Ku said in the virtual forum of AlerTomas 2020.

“So risks are not only caused by climate change but also changes in policies and population, they are interacting with each other,” he added.

Ku stressed the importance of hazards, vulnerability, and exposure in improving the simulation accuracy of the models based on qualitative and quantitative methods.

“Develop different scenarios that we can do to understand what will happen if we can do something. We

UST maintenance staff work on the drainage system project inside the University. (PHOTO BY MARVIN JOHN F. UY) can not see accurately the future but we can do something by making predictions and simulations,” Ku said.

Ku urged the public to think about the impacts of land-use politics, risks assessments, and management processes at the local level.

“Before we plan a city, we should think first about the risks before we allocate those for land uses, we should have a comprehensive risks assessment,” he said.

Flood risk PAGE 13

11

Cult-favorite restaurants in UST struggle to survive amid Covid-19 pandemic FOOD BUSINESSES around the University are struggling amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with some forced to close after years of operations.

Chiquitos owner Celine Tabia told the Varsitarian in an interview she was forced to close her Tolentino Street branch due to lack of customers and the inability to negotiate for a lower store rent.

“Since mas malaki `yung rent kailangan ko siyang i-close para mag down-size, at `yong cash flow na natitira sa business mapaikot at eventually makapag-survive,” she said.

Chiquitos Laon Laan branch continues operations for the sake of the employees even if it is no longer profitable, she said.

“Mas malaki pa `yong malulugi mo kesa mag-open ka. Ayun, so ngayon nago-open na lang ako para sa mga tao ko, hindi na ako nage-expect ng profit ngayon kasi medyo mahirap talaga,” she said.

Leo Sioco, one of the owners of Dimsum Treats and Karaage Koto, said the transition of the University to online classes led to the loss of their eateries’ primary patrons.

“Since the majority of our market are really students, it was a really big hit for us,” he told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Four Dimsum Treats branches were closed. Only the store on Dapitan Street remains open, he said.

Karaage Koto at Padre Noval Street was also closed and its Dapitan branch was merged with Dimsum Treats.

“Out of the existing five branches, we were forced to close four, for the meantime kasi nga the direction is towards online learning na nga,” Sioco said.

Challenge to MSMEs

College of Commerce and Business Administration Dean Leonardo Canoy said medium, small and micro enterprises (MSME) would find it difficult to operate during the pandemic given the loss of customers.

“Most of the small businesses around the University will close shop considering that the primary consumers are no longer in existence. The chances to sell in order to cover expenditures and liabilities are very low,” he told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Canoy also cited problems such as insufficient collateral, limited credit histories and banking relationships, inadequate financial records, lack of business plans, and high interest rates.

“Even prior to the incidence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the small business owners were already perennially and persistently burdened by the above mentioned reasons,” he said.

He said the pandemic only worsened the difficulties of MSME owners.

“The presence of the virus only ex-

acerbated the situation and may lead to sudden demise for most, if not all of the small businesses,” he said.

Department of Trade and Industry data as of May 2019 showed that 99.56 percent of business establishments in the country were considered MSMEs. Going online for survival

Canoy said that for MSMEs to survive, business owners must “redefine” their target market, since students who were their primary customers won’t have classes at least until the remainder of the year.

“There is a need to reassess the target market they need to pursue relevant to their product offerings,” Canoy said.

“Most of the small businesses around the University will close shop considering that the primary consumers are no longer in existence. The chances to sell in order to cover expenditures and liabilities are very low,” —Leonardo Canoy COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEAN

He also encouraged businesses to establish online presence.

“If their business can adapt to be present in the virtual market, and communicate through social media then tap the possibility of being inclusive in the market, the probability of sales might be there,” he said.

Erick Liwag, in-charge of Taste from the Greens’ operations on V. Concepcion Street, said the store was able to survive because of the delivery service platform of Grab Food.

“Noong May, pure Grab lang, walang walk-in. Sa business, bumaba talaga kasi halos 90% estudyante [ang customers],” he told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Grab Food delivery man Jericho Cabuñas said in an interview with the Varsitarian his income increased Cult-favorite PAGE 13

ART BY CATHERINE PAULENE A. UMALI

EDITOR: AHMED KHAN H. CAYONGCAT

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COMICS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

ART DIRECTOR: JAN KRISTOPHER T. ESGUERRA

ANG TAWAG ATHEA MONIQUE Z. GALA

BEHIND THE SCENES RAE ISOBEL N. TYAPON

FRIDAY MORNING CATHERINE PAULENE A. UMALI

Artlets professor FROM PAGE 10 after a Filipino-American in the United States.

The city council of Daly City in 2019 passed a resolution to name the Serra Station Townhouse Project Community Room after Bulos.

Filipino-American activist

Known by many as “Tita Alice,” Bulos dedicated her life to empowering many generations of Filipino Americans through civic participation.

In 2016, the late ex-mayor of San Francisco Ed Lee said Bulos was considered as the “Grand Dame of Filipino American Politics.”

“She unified Filipino American politics, understanding how powerful the collective voice could be in advocating for the community.

She made raising that voice easier through the Filipino American

Mental health FROM PAGE 11 Grassroots Movement, a voter registration drive to bring more Filipinos into the political process,” Lee said in his speech at Bulos’ memorial service in 2016.

Bulos’ influence includes forming the Filipino American Grassroots Movement and co-founding the state Filipino American Caucus and Fil-Am Democratic Club in San Mateo County.

She served as regional chairwoman of the National Filipino-American Women’s Network and board member of the National Asian Pacific Democratic Council.

“To ensure her legacy did not end with her, she mentored young leaders to continue advocating for those who could not advocate for themselves,” Lee said.

From 1993 to 2000, she became the first Filipino-American appoin-

tee of US President Bill Clinton to the Federal Council on Aging. She was a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1995.

Before she was an employment counselor in Sacramento, California, she served as a sociology professor and head of the UST Sociology Department.

She obtained her master’s degrees in social and behavioral science from the University.

Bulos and her family moved to San Francisco and later to Sacramento in 1972. She founded the Thomasians USA Alumni Association in 1987.

She spent many years as a San Mateo County resident. She died of heart failure in 2016 at the age of 86.

a member of the journalism faculty and an anchor at the ABS-CBN News Channel, has been appointed assistant publications adviser, joining Mr. Felipe F. Salvosa II, who heads UST’s bachelor’s and master’s programs in journalism. Both are former editors in chief of the publication.

To qualify for the Varsitarian, the staff went through a three-level selection process consisting of two examinations and a panel interview.

Members of the Varsitarian Selection Committee included three former Varsitarian editors in chief: Esguerra,

UST CCWLS Director Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo and lawyer Eldric Paul Peredo of the College of Commerce and Business Administration.

Also in the committee were Assoc.

Prof. Ralph Galan, assistant director of the CCWLS, Palanca award-winning poet Paul Castillo, also a CCWLS fellow, and philosophy faculty member Levine Andro Lao, who is also executive assistant at the UST Office for Grants, Endowments, and Partnerships in Higher Education and former Varsitarian managing editor.  LAURD

 NOLENE BEATRICE H. CRUCILLO AND MA. ALENA O. CASTILLO

New editors FROM PAGE 3 (medical technology), Francia Denise Arizabal (political science) and civil engineering sophomore Marvin John Uy comprise the Photography section.

Jessica Asprer, a third-year journalism student, remains the publication’s editorial assistant.

Joselito Zulueta, former Philippine Daily Inquirer Arts and Books editor, a member of the journalism faculty and resident fellow of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (CCWLS), remains the V’s publications adviser.

Asst. Prof. Christian Esguerra, also

MENHARD B. SALEN

OBITUA RY Trinidad FROM PAGE 8 Lucila

Bance, a fellow professor and former director of the Counseling and Career Center at the University, said Trinidad was “a very compassionate person, a caring friend. May she rest in peace in the loving arms of Blessed Mama Mary in God’s kingdom.”

Her remains were interred at the

Lee FROM PAGE 8 Gwendellyn Samonte, another former student, said: “Lee was one of the kindest architects in the UST College of Architecture.”

Noelissimo Guererro, Lee’s former classmate, said there was “never a dull moment with him, in or outside the classroom.”

Lee’s remains were cremated on

We would talk

Dalangin FROM PAGE 8 about al most an yth in g. Back th en , we were in on e big facul ty room an d h e woul d regul arl y ch eck on us as wel l .”

His rem ain s were crem ated at S eren e Garden s Crem atorium

take with them in their lifelong journey,” he added.

Calilung said the pandemic also helped in strengthening the Filipino family as it created ample spaces or avenues for parents and siblings to mingle and communicate on a personal level, even out of necessity.

“Lockdown became a way for parents to ‘get to know’ again their children and for the children especially the teens to open up communication lines with their parents,” he added.

Prof. Joel Adamos of the RCSSEd said Facebook emphasized the youth’s civic engagements through online means.

“Facebook is a tool to learn and participate in civic activities; it directs links between youth’s internet use and civic engagement, and develops positive traits in connection, competence and contribution,” he said.

Adamos also said there was a need to develop and strengthen digital citizenship skills among the youth which could be emphasized in the “Media and Information Literacy” subject in the senior high school curriculum.

“The youth needs to be able to transcend from the regular use of Facebook to purposive use of Facebook and this may be done with the help of schools, parents and communities,” he said.

Calilung said universities should enhance students’ digital citizenship by improving the digital infrastructure as connectivity depends on both software and hardware.

“Investments in the form of software procurement that will enable seamless and effective conduct of studies even on a digital platform is a must,” he said.

Surge in activism

Anthony Divinagracia, a political science lecturer, said

youth activism surged during the quarantine because inequalities became more apparent.

“Limited mobility and connectivity issues affected their school and family lives, which to them redounds to an issue of curtailment of certain individual rights that they were enjoying before the onset of the pandemic,” Divinagracia told the Varsitarian.

Divinagracia, a former Varsitarian editor in chief, commended Thomasians for calling for a one-week suspension of classes due to the onslaught of typhoons which the University heeded.

“It is a kind of activism that tested their moral judgment and how personal values can be translated to look after the welfare of fellow Thomasians who were greatly devastated by these series of calamities,” he said.

Divinagracia said the youth he interviewed were aware of the policies being implemented by the government and saw them as ineffective.

“Duterte’s military-led solution to the Covid-19 crisis largely was viewed by the respondents as a ‘dramatization of the crisis’…

The analysis of the data revealed that the respondents were very much aware of the government’s response, not just through mere enumeration,” he said.

Divinagracia said the youth’s awareness was due to being more exposed to the problems, but he warned of “confirmation bias.”

“While they are pushing for legitimate concerns as students and individuals, some of them may also tread the path of confirmation bias, or simply choosing the details that affirm their personal beliefs and judgment,” he said.

QuaranTEEN was a three-day webinar series conducted by The Political Science Forum and the RCSSEd through Zoom meetings from Nov. 23 to 25.  NUEL ANGELO D. SABATE, KIMBERLY G. HIPOLITO AND CHARLIZE GABRIEL L. LINANTUD

COMICS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

13

KAPANGYARIHAN NG YAKAP CHRISTINE ANGELIE P. ORINES

KINAKAYA, MA GWYNETH FIONA N. LUGA

CLUTCHMASTER 6000 KARL JOSHUA L. ARON

Flood risk FROM PAGE 11

Cult-favorite FROM PAGE 11

Jared Gunting, Environmental and Crisis Engineer of the Facilities and Maintenance Office, said the University is already constructing solutions to solve the flood problem within the campus.

“We all know that the University’s vicinity is prone to flooding, so to provide [a] solution to this, there is an on-going drainage project inside the University to contain excess rain-water, to temporarily hold and control it,” he said.

Gunting reported that the project is 70 percent complete and would improve the flood problem in the University. Its expected completion is in 2021.

Gunting also said the University considers sustainability in all its projects. The new campuses being constructed will rely on a deep-well water system.

“In addition to the sustainability efforts, these new campuses, General Santos and Santa Rosa [campus] will utilize deep-well water which is cost-efficient for through this we are utilizing effectively our natural resources,” he said.

The webinar was the last and forth installation of AlerTomas 2020 with the theme, “Jubilee for the earth, a kindling response for the restoration of creation,” a month long celebration of the Jubilee Year of Creation.

Ronald Castillo, the coordinator of the event and a political science professor, said the month-long event aimed to promote sustainable and zero-waste development that is based on research.

“We do not just do community development because this is what we think it is. The community development that we are doing right now is based on research, based on facts and is even published,” he told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Castillo also said the webinar series is significant amid Covid-19 pandemic which promotes appropriate planning without waste.

“We are here in a pandemic, we need good plans, we need proper actions.

As we face the pandemic, it’s not just simply about facing the health concerns, economic concerns, it’s also about facing the health of the world,” he said.  NUEL

during the enhanced community quarantine in March because people were encouraged to stay at home.

“Medyo lumakas naman `yong Grab noon, lumakas [kita namin], kasi walang lumalabas kundi kami lang,” he said.

Cabuñas also observed that Grab Food delivery men increased during the quarantine period, resulting in competition.

“Dumami kami, kaso humina naman kita, kasi binigyan din ni Grab ng opportunity `yong walang mga trabaho,” he said.

In an interview with The Straits Times, Grab Philippines Public Re-

ANGELO D. SABATE AND CAMILLE M.

BEATRICE H. CRUCILLO AND MA. ALENA O. CASTILLO

MARCELO

lations Manager Arvi Lopez said the online platform experienced a “fourfold increase” in deliveries since the quarantine started.

Tabia of Chiquitos however said the volume of orders from Grab Food was not enough for her to continue operations, so she resorted to selling sauces and chicken chops.

“Sa Grab, meron naman pero kulang pa rin, kahit anong effort ngayon sa sales na dumating kulang pa rin talaga kung ico-compare mo siya sa pre-Covid,” she said.

“Nag-come up kami ng bottled sauces at saka frozen chicken chops,

Hymn FROM PAGE 5

Mother Francisca died on Aug. 24, 1711 and was buried within the compound of Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros.

Her road to sainthood began in 2002, on the initiative by the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin. In July 2019, she became the second Filipino Dominican sister and foundress to be raised to the status of venerable.  NOLENE

2008, mag-12 years na, so UST alumni who are familiar with the products, [ngayon] kine-cater nila,” he said.

Tabia and Sioco vowed to reopen their branches after the pandemic and when face-to-face classes resume.

Many other food businesses around the University are still operating, such as 24 Chicken and dimsum eatery Angkong, which operates through online deliveries.

Big players Jollibee on Asturias Street and McDonald’s on Padre Noval have ceased operations.  NUEL ANGELO D. SABATE AND CAMILLE M. MARCELO

Shaming

Stewards FROM PAGE 7

policies in ensuring the protection of our ecosystem, and to listen to experts for sustainable and inclusive solutions. Again, quoting Laudato Si: “The problem is that we still lack the culture needed to confront this crisis. We lack leadership capable of striking out on new paths and meeting the needs of the present with concern for all and without prejudice towards coming generations. The establishment of a legal framework which can set clear boundaries and ensure the protection of ecosystems has become indispensable; otherwise, the new power structures based on the techno-economic paradigm may overwhelm not only our politics but also freedom and justice.” 

with that, nakatulong naman siya sa sales,” she added.

Tabia said she even tapped tricycle drivers for deliveries to help the community.

Sioco of Dimsum Treats and Karaage Koto said they were able to survive due to many resellers.

“For the past few months, madami kasing inquiries sa online selling, [so] we started offering package selling to communities,” he said.

Sioco said most of their retailers were Thomasian alumni who liked their products.

“Siguro kasi, our store opened in

FROM PAGE 6

shutdown of ABS-CBN network and helped raise money in the anti-Covid 19 relief drive.

In April, Locsin’s donation drive raised P11 million.

The money was used to provide food packs, face masks and other personal protective equipment for health front-liners.

She also provided temporary sleeping quarters outside of hospitals for nurses and doctors.

Perhaps because of her support for ABS-CBN and her condemnation of the President’s statements against health workers, Locsin may have been the target of disinformation.

The Department of Education (DepEd) was criticized for a module that described Locsin as “an obese person” who always eats fatty and sweet food, watches television and does not have any physical activities.

According to the World

Health Organization, obesity is defined as “an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.” It is used to classify adults with body mass indexes equal to or greater than 30.

These facts weren’t mentioned in the module where Locsin was said to be “obese.”

The module said Locsin was obese because she kept on eating “Mang Inasal” chicken, a reference to the fast-food chain of which the actress is an endorser.

At the least, all of these claims aren’t correct or scientific ways to teach the condition of “obesity.” Locsin and her commercial endorsement were obviously mentioned by the module simply to ridicule her.

DepEd released a statement apologizing for the body-shaming module; they claimed that it was not part of their self-learning modules which would have been quality assured by the DepEd Central Office.

DepEd explained that the assessment was an assessment created by a teacher using the academic freedom she enjoys. But academic freedom should not be used to irresponsibly tag personalities to certain labels, especially when Locsin’s weight gain was the effect of medicine she was taking for a spinal injury.

Locsin called DepEd out for “distancing itself from the issue,” ignoring the fact that they are introducing ideas of discrimination and demanded the teacher apologize to his students for bad conduct.

Degrading Locsin is not a proper exercise of academic freedom. DepEd should not defend its teacher but reprimand him because he was not teaching properly and scientifically the condition of obesity, but merely ridiculing someone who had a weight problem. Obviously, he was singling out Locsin out of malice or a perverted sense of humor. The teacher should be fired for abetting miseducation and violating educational ethics. 

14

NEWS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Despite pandemic, enrollment rises by 4.2% THE UNIVERSITY student population increased by 4.2 percent in Academic Year (AY) 2020-2021 as classes went full virtual.

“May pandemic na nga, binagyo ka pa. Talagang bilang estudyante ang hirap magfocus sa studies ngayon,” he said.

Phoebe Baula, a student from the College of Fine Arts and Design, said that aside from feeling drained, she also thought a lot about students who were “left behind.”

“Not everyone has the same facilities that will enable them to execute their plates to their full potential... This set-up wouldn’t be a problem if you are privileged,” she told the Varsitarian.

Data from the Office of the Registrar showed that 42,045 Thomasians were enrolled as of Oct. 21, an increase from the 40,378 students recorded in Term 1 of AY 2019-2020.

UST’s freshman roll however saw a 17-percent decline to 13,778 this year from 16,767 last year.

The Faculty of Engineering welcomed the most number of freshmen with 1,016 new students.

The College of Science and the College of Commerce and Business Administration followed with 723 and 688 first-year students, respectively.

‘Extend compassion’

‘Enriched virtual mode’

As the University’s first full-virtual semester neared completion, Thomasians raised concerns over the “enriched virtual mode” of learning amid calls for an “academic freeze” on social media platforms.

Christian de la Cruz, a student from the College of Architecture, said online classes were more stressful than faceto-face classes as he had to deal with issues like unstable internet connection and power interruptions, as well as distractions at home.

“After our class, instead of doing my requirements at night, I tend to sleep due to exhaustion. Online classes require a lot of sitting and long exposure to the computer’s radiation which are not healthy for our body,” de la Cruz earlier told the Varsitarian.

A UST student attends an online class via Zoom.

The recent spate of typhoons that hit the country also made things difficult, he said.

Mica Sese, a third-year medical technology student, said online laboratory courses were not as conducive to learning as face-to-face classes.

“As a third-year medical technology student whose classes are supposed to be skills-based and must be performed in the laboratory, I do not think that our

PHOTO BY FRANCIA DENISE M. ARIZABAL

skills will be honed enough in online classes compared with being able to experience it in the actual setup,” she told the Varsitarian.

“With the recent typhoons that hit our country, it became even more difficult,” she added.

Sese said the challenges hindering the enriched virtual mode of classes made learning “futile.”

Oliver Sto. Domingo, a biology

student, also said it was a challenge to learn skills in online laboratory classes.

“Ang hirap na may mga laboratory subjects kami na ginawang online so instead na maranasan namin siya, mga virtual simulations, interactive simulations na lang pinapagamit,” he told the Varsitarian.

Like Sese, it also became difficult for the biology student to focus on his studies because of the recent typhoons.

Central Student Council President Robert Dominic Gonzales earlier called on professors and students to “extend compassion” after several videos allegedly involving UST students and professors circulated online.

In two separate videos, professors were seen berating students with internet connection problems.

Gonzales said the council would assist students in filing complaints. He also reminded students to be “prudent” in sharing videos of online classes.

On May 26, the Rector announced that UST would shift to an “Enriched Virtual Mode” of learning for the first term of AY 2020-2021, where online and offline remote learning strategies would be utilized by faculty members amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

UST will to utilize the mode of instruction in the second term of AY 2020-2021, the Office of the Secretary General announced on Dec. 17.

The term was set to end on Dec. 18, 2020.  LAURD MENHARD B. SALEN AND CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPALI

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Alumna joins team tasked to build nanosatellites A THOMASIAN has joined a group of satellite builders who will undergo training on nanosatellite engineering in the University of the Philippines (UP).

Angela Clarisse Chua, an applied physics alumna, was included in the second batch of scholars of UP’s Space Science Proliferation through University Partnerships (STeP-UP) program.

Chua was assigned as the group’s missions lead. Along with seven others, Chua will undergo training to build the country’s fifth and sixth Maya satellites.

“I am hoping to inspire more Filipinos to take up STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), especially space-related courses,” Chua told the Varsitarian.

“I hope na hindi na magiging hadlang yung ‘lack of opportunity’ dito sa Pilipinas para sa mga physics or STEM graduates gaya ko. Ngayon na nag-start na tayong mag-build ng space industry, sana mas maraming Filipinos yung mainspire magcontribute sa new space program natin,” she added.

In a story posted on the UP Diliman website, Chua shared that the STeP-UP Project could be a “good opportunity to take part in the space science field of the country. “ Gio Asher Tagabi from Quezon City (project manager), Chandler Timm Doloriel from Surigao del Norte, 2nd Lt. Genesis Remocaldo from Clark Air Base Pampanga (structure, antenna deployment), Anna Ruth Alvarez from Misamis Oriental (communications subsystem),

Angela Clarisse Chua Joseph Jonathan Co from Valenzuela (subsystems lead), Ronald Collamar from Bulacan (AIT lead) and Khazmir Camille Valerie Macaraeg from Quezon City (communications subsystem lead) complete the second batch of

STeP-UP scholars.

Each will pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering at the UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute.

The first batch of STeP-UP schol-

ars, with the help of Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology, developed the Philippines’ first locally-built nano- or cube satellites Maya 3 and 4 in 2019.

The pioneering batch plans to hand over Maya 3 and 4 to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency for a possible launch in 2021, while the new batch aims to complete Maya 5 and 6 in 2022.

“Though it is very much smaller than its predecessors, [the Maya nanosatellites’] importance to communication and disaster-related concerns is not diminished,” the UP website quoted UP College of Engineering Dean Ferdinand Manegdeg as saying.

According to the UP website, these nanosatellites weigh barely over a kilogram in mass each but can ‘contribute considerably to the country’s economic, territorial and disaster risk reduction efforts.’”

Maya 1, the prototype of the Maya line of nanosatellites, was created by Filipino space engineers Joven Javier and Adrian Salces and launched into space in 2018.

It is equipped with cameras with wide-angle and narrow-angle lenses, radio transmitters and data collection tools.

The STeP-UP scholarship is a component of “Sustained Support for Local Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement,” a government-funded program that aims to build research and technologies on satellite development and operation in the country.  CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPALI

Medbio juniors top nat’l genetics quiz bee THOMASIANS emerged as champions in the 10th National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest (NIGQC) hosted by the University of the Philippines-Los Baños Genetics Society on Nov. 21.

Medical biology students Juniors Von Nivo de Leon, Joe Anthony Manzano and Jemillano Ordoñez garnered 52 points in the competition to outclass participants from 13 other universities.

The quiz bee was themed “The battle against Covid-19: Securing genetic differences and building immunogenetic barriers.”

The team was guided by College of Science faculty members Russell Venturina and Irvin Rondolo.

Rondolo said the team had to catch up with recent topics on Covid-19 and immunology as the students failed to finish the genetics course syllabus last semester due to the pandemic.

“To make amends, the team exerted so much effort to read up-to-date journal articles related to Covid-19 and other applications of immunology, aside from the basics of genetics,” Rondolo told the Varsitarian.

The NIGQC is an annual competition that aims to raise the appreciation and inclination of college students toward the science of genetics.

It was the University’s first time to participate in the event since 2016.  JAMILAH MAE ANGCO, CHRISTINE JOYCE PARAS

SPORTS

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

EDITOR: FAITH YUEN WEI N. RAGASA

15

Thomasian Judoka snags bronze in world tourney

TANCONTIAN UST Jins team captain Miguel Baladad pulling off a mid-air turning side kick in his video entry for the 2020 ATF Online Speed Kicking Championships. (PHOTO GRABBED FROM YOUTUBE)

UST jins haul 24 medals in int’l taekwondo tilt THOMASIAN JINS finished with an 6-8-10 gold-silver-bronze medal tally for the Philippines in the 2020 Asean Taekwondo Federation Online Speed Kicking Championships, October 3.

UST’s Justin Kobe Macario and Micoh Manalo bagged gold in their respective senior male categories while Gianne Chiong secured a gold in the senior female welterweight division.

Nicole Labayne, Stella Yape, Heza Serapio also took home gold medals in juniors’ play.

“Just goes to show na may ibubuga talaga ‘yong mga lower batches namin and excited talaga ako sa pwede nila

ma-accomplish for UST in the near future,” team captain Miguel Baladad told the Varsitarian.

Along with Baladad, senior players Darius Venerable, Laizel Abucay, Russel Villanueva and junior team members King Alcario, Eljay Vista, Rodolfo Ramos and Sean Dueñas went home with silver medals in their respective events.

The bronze medal winners were Justin Agno, Rommel Pablo Jr, Aidaine

Krisha Laxa, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Abigail Fernandez and Jasmin Maoirat.

In the junior categories, UST Jins Raven Pablo, Geriane Pineda, Aron Bangayan and Jheizer Fernandez settled for bronze medals as well.

“Iyong difference po ng competition before and ‘yong online competition namin ngayon is wala po coach na nagga-guide samin physically,” said rookie Laxa.

The 2020 ATF Online Taekwondo Speed Kicking Championships was hosted by 2020 MVP Sports Foundation.  MALIC U. COTONGAN

PNP FROM PAGE 16 Necessary documents secured

All individuals, including coaches, players and managers from the UST group were of legal age and had secured documents prior to their Sorsogon travel, according to the report.

These included consent waivers, certifications from respective local government units (LGUs) declaring the participants were not persons under monitoring, negative Covid-19 test results and travel passes issued by the Metro Manila PNP director.

Sorsogon’s city health office also okayed the Tigers’ trip.

‘Bubble’ was Covid-free

The report noted that under the joint administrative order (JAO) released by the Department of Health, Philippine Sports Commission and the Games and Amusements Board, intrazonal movement within “moderate-risk” or “low-risk” areas for the purpose of “health-enhancing physical activities” was considered essential travel.

While persons under the age of 21 were subject to strict home quarantine under the IATF’s omnibus guidelines, an exception was provided for those “accessing essential goods and services.”

The JAO also allowed interzonal movement as long as the participants secured the approval of the LGUs concerned and comply with existing laws and health guidelines.

Conduct of physical activities and sports was “highly encouraged” to be done within “areas of domicile.”

The police report concluded that no team practices were held within Ayo’s domicile and that all actions performed

by Ayo “were in accordance with the health protocols and guidelines” released by the IATF. “Because of their strict compliance with the government regulations and protocols, both national and local, they have maintained a Covid-free environment in their house and farm and all the players upon departure from Sorsogon have been certified… as Covid-

symptom-free,” it read.

A THOMASIAN Judoka represented the Philippines and bagged bronze in the World Sambo Championship in Serbia.

Golden Judoka Sydney Sy Tancontian was the lone Filipina that landed a podium finish.

“Matagal rin po na walang competition kaya overwhelming po yung atmosphere. ‘Yong iba po sa weight category ko, nakikita ko po sa mga past competitions. Yung 1st and 2nd match ko sa Srs. division eh nakalaro ko na po sa past competitions,” Sy told the Varsitarian.

Bulgaria’s Gabriela Gigova tied Sy for third in the womens 80 kg division, while Ukraine’s Vasylynalryna Kyrychenko snagged silver.

Russia’s Olga Artoshina took home gold.

The veteran Judoka highlighted that competing during the pandemic was a new experience.

“This win is unique kasi, amidst the situation, I still had the chance to compete and showcase my abilities for my coaches, to also assess kung saan pa po ako pwede mag improve,” Tangcoctian said.

“This win is unique, kasi amidst the situation, I still had the chance to compete and showcase my abilities for my coaches, to also assess kung saan pa po ako pwede mag improve.”

—Sydney Sy Tancontian Tangcoctian represented the country in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games where she bagged bronze in the women’s Kurash event.

The Lady Judoka was also the first Asian to snag bronze in the World Sambo Championship last 2018.

The three-day event was held last Nov. 6-8.  ROMMEL BONG R. FUERTES JR.

UST trounces UP in online chess tune-up

Trip voluntary

According to Ayo’s statement in the report, he came up with the idea to engage the Tigers in farm work after a parent asked him to take custody of an unnamed UST player after losing employment amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Then director of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Fr. Janel Abogado, O.P. initially declined the Sorsogon trip.

UST eventually allowed Ayo to hold the activity but gave the instruction that no funding would be released and the activity would be “purely voluntary.”

Ayo resigned as UST head coach on Sept. 4. He was banned indefinitely from the UAAP for allegedly “endangering the health and well-being of the student-athletes under his charge when he conducted the training during a government-declared state of emergency.”

Eight players have left the Growling Tigers since the Sorsogon “bubble” issue unraveled. 

THE UST Male Woodpushers demolished the University of the Philippines Men’s Chess Team, 51-31, while the Female Woodpushers bowed to the Lady Maroons, 29-47, in an online tune-up rematch Sunday.

UST’s Antonio Almodal, Julius Gonzales, Chin Lim, Lee Palma, Venz Kwan, Melito Ocsan Jr., and Edsel Vosotros triumphed against Maroons Brent Alanan, Jan Batula, Michael Olladas, Mark Marcellana, Joemarie Resurreccion, Joshov Rosarda, and John Vito Cruz in a blitz game.

“Actually yung composition ng men’s team natin ngayon eh kaya talaga nila mag-champion sa UAAP,” UST coach Ronald Dableo told the Varsitarian.

In women’s play, Glenderlyn Añana, Jamaica Lagrio, May Ann Alacantara, Eula Dela Cruz, Maycydel Fajardo,

Marylaine Lumacad, and Vanezza Villamil lost to Lady Maroons Jallen Agra, Jee-ann Barry, Ynna Canape, Precious Ferrer, Geraldine Guyo, Jarel Lacambra and Justin Macapuno.

“Malaking factor po samin na malapit na finals and marami din ‘pong requirements sa school, kaya nahihirapan kami na mas mag focus sa training,” UST Female Woodpushers captain Añana said.

The game was held at lichess.org, an open-source chess server, which the UST chess team used since Covid-19 lockdown protocols were implemented.

UST and UP held their first match on the same platform on Nov. 8, where the Tigers emerged victorious.

The Male and Female Woodpushers settled for silver and bronze, respectively, in UAAP season 82.  NINA ANGELA MIKAELA CRUZ

Ayo FROM PAGE 16 training “bubble” he allegedly conducted for some of his places despite the pandemic quarantine.

The league’s decision was based on UST’s finding that he had “endangered the health and well-being of the student

athletes under his charge when he conducted the training during a government-declared state of emergency.”

Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero later cleared Ayo of any violation of existing health protocols,

citing the investigation of the provincial police.

Ayo, who had resigned before the UAAP decision came out, said the police findings would provide a “big boost” to his appeal.  ROMMEL BONG R. FUERTES JR.

Julius Gonzales (right) in a UAAP match against an opponent from the Ateneo de Manila University (FILE PHOTO)

INSIDE

Sports

UST jins haul 24 medals in int’l taekwondo tilt PAGE 15 Thomasian Judoka snags bronze in world tourney PAGE 15

The Varsitarian NOVEMBER 20, 2020

FOR REAL-TIME SPORTS UPDATES, FOLLOW:

@VSportsUST

FARE THEE WELL,

GOLDEN TIGERS

CANSINO

BY JOHN EZEKIEL J. HIRRO

THE UST Growling Tigers’ offseason has been eventful, to say the least.

A quick recap of what had transpired: CJ Cansino transferred to the University of the Philippines, Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao moved to De La Salle University and Brent Paraiso and Rhenz Abando became Letran Knights.

Former head coach Aldin Ayo, who earlier resigned, was also banished from the UAAP. But even though he has been made scapegoat for UST’s Sorsogon “bubble” mess, which led to the dismantling of the core of the team he had brought to the UAAP finals last season, Ayo said he still takes pride in his former players.

In a rare interview after his UAAP exit, Ayo defended his former players and said he still considers them as his own.

“They are still my players, although nasa ibang teams na sila,” Ayo said in the radio program Power and Play.

“I became their coach and sa akin, gusto kong maging successful sila and I wish them luck.”

He also expressed support for the players’ decision to leave the team.

“May mga nagsasabi na may mga decision na hindi maganda ‘yung mga players, we have to understand also the players. Gumagawa din sila ng mga sacrifices, eh. And they took the risk,” Ayo said.

“Kasi kung tutuusin, okay na sila dito sa UST. Okay na sila dito. ‘Yun pag-alis nila, they’re going to take a risk, and pwedeng maging advantageous and puwedeng hindi naman,” he

AYO

ABANDO

added.

Ayo however admitted that what had transpired since the Tigers’ massive fallout was “unfortunate.”

“It was very unfortunate for us because binuo namin ‘yung team na ‘yun. We sacrificed a lot. Maraming nag-invest doon sa mga players.”

“Pero things happened, eh. Wala ka namang masisisi, wala namang ibang dapat gawin but to move on,” he said.

Of UST’s UAAP Season 82 team, only league most valuable player Soulemane Chabi-Yo, Dave Ando and Sherwin Concepcion opted to remain.

PARAISO

What’s next for Ayo?

Having been indefinitely banned from the UAAP, Ayo was tapped to coach the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas team that will represent the Philippines in international FIBA 3×3 basketball tournaments.

“I’m very grateful because for me, this will bring another dimension to my coaching career,” Ayo said during his introductory press conference.

“Throughout my coaching career, it was the full-length of the court, but this time will be different. I can’t wait to try out new schemes for half-court,” he added.

Ayo will coach Manila Chooks TM, a rebranded Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup champions Zamboanga City Chooks.

But does the prized coach have his sights set on a UAAP comeback? “‘Pag dumating yung tamang panahon,” Ayo said. “Right now, one at a time muna.” 

BATALLER

NONOY

FOR THE LATEST COVERAGE ON THE UAAP VISIT www.varsitarian.net/sports

Ayo ‘grateful’ as UST backs UAAP ban appeal FORMER UST Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo on Nov. 14 said he was grateful for the University’s support behind his UAAP ban appeal, which a high-ranking UST official said was “too harsh.”

In an interview over Power and Play, Ayo expressed confidence that the ban would be rescinded by the UAAP. “I am confident dahil wala akong nilabag na any violation.

Makikita naman nila yan sa appeal ko,” he said.

UST threw support behind Ayo, who led its men’s basketball team to the UAAP finals in Sea-

son 83, as it backed the coach’s appeal in October.

“UST has endorsed the letter of appeal of coach Aldin Ayo subject to the qualification that it stands by the report of its fact-finding committee,” the official told the Varsitarian on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter publicly.

“We strongly believe that the penalty imposed by the esteemed UAAP board (was) too harsh.”

Ayo was earlier banished from the UAAP over a Sorsogon Ayo PAGE 15

PNP: No team practice in Sorsogon ‘bubble’ ALMOST a month after being banned from the UAAP indefinitely, resigned UST head coach Aldin Ayo was cleared by a Sorsogon City police report of any violation of the government’s health protocols.

Ayo was not liable for any violation of health and travel guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, according to the report dated Sept. 23, a copy of which was obtained by the Varsitarian. “[T]here was no UST-sanctioned basketball team training conducted in the domicile of Mr. Aldin V. Ayo nor was there any prohibited basketball activities conducted by his guests outside of his residence and within the jurisdiction of the Province of Sorsogon,” it read.

The Tigers’ Sorsogon trip focused “farm training” through agricultural activities, including seminars on agricultural businesses, livelihood

Tigers in the alleged UST Sorsogon bubble. (PHOTO UPLOADED BY THE GROWLING TIGERS OF UST FACEBOOK PAGE)

programs and tree-planting, the report said, refuting former team captain CJ Cansino’s allegation that players held team practice and 3-on-3 scrimmages.

“The actions performed by former UST head coach Aldin V. Ayo [were] in

accordance with the health protocols… as per existing [IATF guidelines].”

The police report was certified by Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero.

PNP PAGE 15