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Eviction Demolition

By: Winona Marie Paragayo & Krislain Medalle

12 HUMSS

Demolition is one of the fears of every illegal settlers or the squatters who are staying in an area or land that is not their own. It's hard to think that for how many years you've been staying on a place or house where a lot of events and cherished memories happened since you were born and until you grow up as an adult will just be gone and destroyed over half a month for a governments project. The owners or facilities have the right to demolish it and give a relocation area to those people who are involved and affected.

The people in Barangay pasil was devastated of the information that they have received last 2017 and even up to this day. The area of Riverbank or the river side was the target of the demolition and some houses was already started to destroy. The barangay officials were gathered before to agree wether they should let the riverside to be demolished or not.

It was a matter of decision that the officials had to contemplate thoroughly. From their observations, the place was habitally unsafe mostly due to the location and pollution. "Di makaya sa sa sapa ang volume sa tubig gikan sa bundak na uwan. Tungod sa pag semento diritso sa drainage which malawom ang Sapa Niya moawas sa river wall.", Councilor Wendell Fuentes said. In addition, the reason why they have to demolish the place is for disaster readiness. "Since lisod siya sudlan og firetruck. Advantage pud nga ipahawan ang place and butngan og bridge para in case kung naay sunog ang firetruck kay maka access dayun." Councilor explained.

Approximately there are between 100-200 people living in the river side. As we can see, Pasil is a busy place and populated. Honks from every jeepney coming from each places, vendors from every corners is busy selling their goods and people are busy doing their own work. Establishment and especially houses are close to each other due to lack of land and it is usually done with light materials like wood. They try hard to earn enough money to provide their daily needs and feed their hungry stomachs, so basically, their economic status is poor. It was pronounced that the poor people existing on that area have no choice but to accept decision of the officials to proceed in demolition process for the sake of safety.

The barangay officials tried their best to help those people who are affected in the situation and have given them the power to select wether they relocate to the chosen relocation area or receive the financial assistant. "Gipapili sila if relocation or financial assistance but mostly chose the relocation didto sa Quiyot Pardo. "Councillor said. But unfortunately, the government did not prepare the place that is planned." , Councilor Fuentes stressed.

This problem was added to the situation. The people depend and expected that the place was already prepared by the government. "There is no water or electricity plus they have to commute 20-50 to get in the place since the place is far away from the street.", Councilor Fuentes stated.

The government explained that it is going to be a big process that needs large funds to create and fulfill the whole program. Now the barangay officials is still continuing this project and few people have already decided to go on with financial assistance instead of the having the uncertain relocation.

This situation is not only happening in barangay pasil but also some barangays out there who's place is going to be demolished soon. People are affected in this kind of action leaving no choice but to go on with the relocation provided by the government, unsure and not clear in giving the exact help that the people wanted. "Ang masulti nako sa naapektuhan is to cooperate nalang jud ug mo sakripisyo. Kay nagbuhat na sila ug letter na dili sila mu sugot pero pildi gihapon sila kay proyekto man sa gobyerno." Councilor said.

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“The Termination of livelihood in Pasil”

By: Winona Marie Paragayo & Krislain Medalle

Demolition is one of the problems that some barangays are facing right now. Illegal settlers or the squatters are the people who are staying in area or land that is not their own. So, when the owners or facilities try to get the land, they have the right to demolish it and give a relocation area for those people who have build the place over a period of time. The problem in Barangay pasil is the demolition of the houses near the river side called river bank. The barangay officials have been gathered since 2017 to decide whether they are going to demolish the place or not. They have seen that the place is not safe for the people to live especially when heavy rain occurs. "Di makaya sa sa sapa ang volume sa tubig gikan sa bundak na uwan. Tungod sa pag semento diritso sa drainage which malawom ang Sapa Niya moawas sa river wall.", Councilor Wendell Fuentes said.

Another reason why they have to demolish the place is for disaster preparedness. "Since lisod siya sudlan og firetruck. Advantage pud nga ipahawan ang place and butngan og bridge para in case kung naay sunog ang firetruck kay maka access dayun." Councilor explained.

Approximately there are between 100-200 people living in the river side. It was pronounced that the people have no choice but to accept the demolition process for the sake of safety. The barangay officials tried their best to help those people who are affected in the situation and have given them choices weither they relocate to the chosen relocation area or receive the financial assistant.

"Gipapili sila if relocation or financial assistance but mostly chose the relocation didto sa Quiyot Pardo. But unfortunately, the government did not prepare the place that is planned." , Councilor Fuentes sstressed. This problem is added to the situation. People are expecting that the place is already prepared by the government for them since they don't have a permanent place to stay and their economic status is poor. "There is no water or electricity plus they have to commute 20-50 to get in the place since the place is far away from the street.", Councilor Fuentes stated.

The government explained that it is going to be a big process that needs large funds to create and fulfill the whole program. Now the barangay officials is still continuing this project and some people have already decided to go on with financial assistance instead of the having the relocation.

This situation is not only happening in barangay pasil but also some barangays out there who's place is going to be demolished soon. People are affected in this kind action from the government without trying to provide exact needs that the people wanted. The relocation area is not properly done for the people who badly needs a place to stay. "Ang masulti na ko sa naapektuhan is to cooperate nalang jud og mo sakripisyo. Kay nibuhat na sila ug letter na dili sila mu sugot pero pildi gihapon sila kay proyekto man sa gobyerno." Councilor said.

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Testimonial For CREOTEC

By: Maxine Therese Angus

CREOTEC Philippines Inc. is the chosen center for our work immersion as required by DepEd for Grade 12. CREOTEC is located in Lapu-Lapu City and although while it was a hassle to go back and forth to the center and to the city, it was depicting real life as you may never know where the company you will work for is far from home you may need to sacrifice a few hours of sleep and patience to endure the long traffic hours. We all know that the work life is very different from the school life and sometimes people have a hard time adjusting, not for CREOTEC. CREOTEC has a warm and friendly ambiance with staffs that is just equally as warm and friendly. They are not difficult to approach and they do not fail to flash a warm smile. The supervisors, more specifically Mdm. Murphy and Ms. Claire, were very approachable and are always more than willing to guide us with our tasks if we were confused by it. The canteen staff too was also very approachable, cooked good meals, and always took suggestions as to what food to serve the following day. (If I must be honest, I miss the canteen and its staff the most). But even if they were friendly and approachable, rules were still rules and they were strict about it. It was a MUST to be there on time and you should not be even a minute late, which was easy to follow because of the training from school, and we had to time conscious especially during break time. We also had to quality conscious of the work that we were producing for the day and how we manage our time to finish the daily tasks given. To cut to the chase, CREOTEC Philippines Inc. is a very good place for a work immersion. As they help the students get used to the working environment and because of that, everyone enjoyed the work immersion. CREOTEC Philippines Inc. made us believe that working is fun and not stressful and dreaded; it made the students on work immersion see a glimpse of near future. CREOTEC Philippines Inc. is a wonderful first time work environment for students and it has given a very positive impact on the students about working.

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Autobiography

By: Lyka Marie Umaran

Lyka Marie O. Umaran is my name and I was born 14 weeks premature on the month of love, February 18, 2001 in Gullas Memorial Hospital. I am the eldest daughter in a family of 5, I have 2 siblings. We were raised by our grandparents in Lilo-an Cebu, because Our parent needs to work in the city. When I was four years old way back 2005, I started to go to preschool in Lilo-an. At first I was afraid and shy enough in making friends because I don’t usually go out in our house. I just stayed at home and play alone with my toys or sometimes together with my siblings.

After how many months my mother got pregnant to my fourth sibling and we were so happy when we knew that it was a baby boy. Our family was desperate to see him. When my mother gave birth to my brother our family rejoiced and loves him so much. But sad to say after one year and eight month my brother passed away.

My parent decided to transfer us in the city so that they will be the one who will take care all of us because my mother regrets so much on what happened , that she is not on my brother’s side when he needs a mother’ s care.

I transferred school and honestly it was not that easy to adjust into another society but as time pass by I learned to make friends again and start a new life. It was on March 23, 2013 when I graduated elementary.

On my first day of school on my junior high at CIC-Cebu I felt nervous. I was surrounded with new faces, new environment and new attitude. I remembered the day that everyone need to introduced yourself in front of my new classmates but this time we are all girls. I was ashamed that time because I need to speak English but I told to myself I will make it this first day and the on following day until I can adjust and embrace myself. On April 28, 2017, I had my Moving up Ceremony. It was a happy yet sad moment for all of us, we finally moved up but it is also the time to say goodbye to someone who is closed to my heart for how many years.

For me Junior High school life is the best memory of being student. This is the time when I totally realized that life was full of mysteries. Mystery is term of experience because at this stage of my life. I have a lot of experience that mold my personality. That I can treasure through the journey of my life.

On my Senior High I felt mixed of emotion excited and nervous. Excited in the sense of I will gain new experience, new friend and new teachers. Nervous, because some said that senior high school is more stressful and many task to accomplish and I don’t know if I can get through this stage of my life.

I enrolled to Humanities and Social Sciences as my academic track. I experienced a lot of failures in this stage of my life especially on balancing my time as a student and as a volunteer catechist in Lahug Elementary School. Having this experience really helps me build my relationship with God and how to have patience to someone. After how 8 months of being a teacher catechist I decided to set aside my passion so that I can focus on my study because at this time I need to have good grades in order to have a scholarship next school year. Right now, I am on my 12th grade. We just had our work immersion last October 14-25, 2019. It was an 80 hours’ work immersion in Creotec, It was totally fun and challenging and that work immersion gives me an outlook in the near future Job I can have. It was a great work experience because it teaches me on how to deal with life and on how to think critically and creatively in doing a task.

In life there are many types of challenges we can experience that’s why we need to be strong and learn to focus unto something that makes you happy .There are no shortcut to success , all things are connected. Do the things that you think it’s the best for you and if you ever fall down you must learn to stand up by your own and always remember that everything happens for a reason that’s why don’t give up because tomorrow is another day and always remember that God is always with us.

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Data Privacy

By: Flordemay Mollaneda

What is the essence of data privacy? Data privacy is having the ability to consent to what can be shared about your personal information to third parties. This means protection of all kinds of information, be it public or private. Not like before when people take for granted the sharing of information with others without the consent of the affected persons, Data privacy protects one’s information through added consent when sharing information. What makes data privacy so important is that it gives people a safe and private environment in a digitalized world that has everything online and ease in access.

How would you feel if an unknown person took a screenshot of your photos and have it printed? The worst part is it was shown to other people. That unknown person took a screenshot, printed it and showed it to other people without my consent. Yes, this situation happened to me. It was the last week of August 2019 when my family and I went to a resort in Tabuelan. As usual, what other people do, I posted pictures from our little getaway. A week later, I was called to the office for someone took a screenshot and printed my picture wearing a swimsuit.

The person assigned showed me the photo and I was shocked. I felt like my rights are being violated. Data Privacy Act is a very sensitive issue these days because of all the advancements happening in the digital age and laws have been implemented regarding this issue. If you were in my place, you would also feel uncomfortable and feel like your rights are being violated. No one would feel happy to know that pictures of themselves have been screenshotted, printed and showed to other people without your consent. Pictures are part primary list when you speak about personal information.

I acknowledge that the school has rules and I’m cool with it. But, there is a higher law which is the law of the state and the international law which is Data Privacy Act. The law of the state and the international law is much more powerful that the law of the institution I am in. I am willing to accept the consequences prepared by the institution made for me and as a matter of fact I already accepted it. But don’t you think that the people behind the screenshotting and printing of my pictures should also accept the consequences since they have violated the law of the state and the international law?

I was very devastated when I heard about it. I then went and made an appointment with my relatives who are lawyers. I first went to my aunt, Atty. Lorenda Amion then to my uncle, Atty. Bienvenido Baring and last to my cousin, Atyy. Merry Baring. I consulted them regarding my situation and all of them agreed that my rights were being violated and the action taken was a violation to the Data Privacy Act.

Atty. Lorenda Amion said “The person who took a screenshot and produced your pictures without your consent is a candidate for investigation. Even the person who is holding or possessing your picture right now is also a candidate for investigation.”

“The collection of personal data must be a declared, specified, and for legitimate purpose and further provides that consent is required prior to the collection of all personal data. It requires that when obtaining consent, the data subject be informed about the extent and purpose of processing, and it specifications”, Atty. Merry M. Baring said.

“The law provides separate penalties for various violations, most of which also include imprisonment. Any combination or series of acts may cause the entity to be subject to imprisonment ranging from three to six years as well as a fine”, Atty. Bienvenido Baring said.

I hope everyone practices the right conduct of Data Privacy. Also, we must be very vigilant and we should put an eye to protecting our personal data. We must be very careful of our actions when it comes to obtaining or processing or using someone else’s personal data. We should be aware of the laws and policies of our state. In our own little actions we must already practice right conduct to prepare ourselves for the future and to keep ourselves safe from violating the laws. Always remember that “ignorance is not an excuse to the law”.

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Reflective Essay

By: Flordemay Mollaneda

As the saying goes “Just like a flower, friendship blooms and wilts in the passing of time, but as humans gifted with a sense of maturity, true friends endure the seasons of life.” During elementary days, on my second grade I met this girl named Eleora Dzune M. Cortes. She was a girl from the first room to the right which was exactly next to my classroom. We were not given the chance to be classmates; however we were able to get familiar with each other since we attend the same school. On the third grade, Eleora transferred to another school. By that time, we lost contact with each other. My older sister, Nina Marie E. Mollaneda is classmate and a very close friend of Eleora’s older sister, Dasha Leann M. Cortes. The two are very close friends; they often go out and hang around together. The two older sisters’ close relationship signified our connection and brought to us the fruit friendship.

In the span of 8 years, Eleora and I crossed paths again. This time, I found out that the two of us are going to the same school and taking the same academic track which is Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS). We easily got along since we were familiar with each other and became close friends. On the second semester of eleventh grade, we became seatmates which paved the way for us to build a stronger bond with each other.

While we were seatmates we chitchat a lot and there came a time when we talked about our academic goals, dreams, ambitions and happiness in life. At that time, we promised each other to support one another with our goals, dreams and even their own personal achievements in life. We swore to treat each other without any stain of insecurity and insincerity. Since the both of us are candidates for the honors list, we do not see each other as a competition. Instead we help each other and work hand in hand to bring out the best of our potentials. We slowly became each other’s number one support system.

There and then, we realized that through our memories and misadventures that came along our way, we envisioned a true friendship that blooms and wilts like a flower.

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Data Privacy Act of 2012

By: Flordemay Mollaneda

With the rapid growth of information technology and population of internet usage, more than 1.5 billions of people use internet and email today. Information technology will be increasingly used to collect personal information with consequences that are potentially both beneficial and harmful to individuals.

The strict privacy legislation of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 is to protect the fundamental human rights of privacy and communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth. In the context of the rapid growth of the digital economy and increasing international trade of data, the Philippines has strengthened its privacy and security protections. The Data Privacy Act applies generally, with some exceptions to persons and legal entities handling personal information. The law has an extraterritorial scope that applies not only to companies with Philippine branches but also when processing equipment located in the Philippines. “Personal Data processing is allowed subject to adherence to the standards and accountability as what the Philippine Law takes the approach. The act specifies that the collection of of personal information and must be stated, defined and valid intent and further provides that prior to the collection of all personal data and well consent is required.

Mr. Miraflor D. Mollaneda, the speaker and representative of Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion Cebu of Data Privacy Act stated that “Privacy refers to the right of an individual/s to determine when, how and to what extent his or her personal data will be shared with others. Personal information is defined, in general, as any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual. Privacy is concerned with the collection, use storage, access, flow, sharing and destruction of personally identifiable information.” “Privacy is the right of individuals to determine how much data can be shared and to what extent”, he adds. “Data protection refers to national laws drafted to protect the confidentiality of personal data of a country’s citizen or citizens. There is a growing concern amongst countries about data privacy”, Mr. Mollaneda said.

Atty. Lorenda E. Amion stated that “Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act is a law that seeks to protect all forms of information, be it private, personal, or sensitive. It is meant to cover both natural and juridical persons involved in the processing of personal information”.

“In 2012 the Philippines passed the Data Privacy Act 2012, comprehensive and strict privacy legislation to protect the fundamental human right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth. Republic Act. No. 10173, Ch. 1, Sec. 2)”, Atty. Amion said.

“The collection of personal data must be a declared, specified, and for legitimate purpose and further provides that consent is required prior to the collection of all personal data. It requires that when obtaining consent, the data subject be informed about the extent and purpose of processing, and it specifications”, Atty. Merry M. Baring said. He also stated that “The Philippines law takes the approach that the processing of personal data shall be allowed subject to adherence to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality.”.“The law provides separate penalties for various violations, most of which also include imprisonment. Any combination or series of acts may cause the entity to be subject to imprisonment ranging from three to six years as well as a fine”, Atty. Bienvenido Baring said.

The law is still in its infancy, response to violation reports are non-existent. Case in point, We discovered a massive violation by an online payment channel where sensitive data like email, name, address, phone number, policy amount, etc are out in the open. Possibly millions are affected. No wonder companies continue to violate laws. As any government agency in the Philippines, red tape is prevalent and most laws are for show only. By having these laws in paper somehow elevates the country to higher level in the international stage, or so they thought.

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Autobiography

By: Flordemay Mollaneda

My name is Flordemay Mollaneda. I was born on May 2, 2001. I was born on a hot summer afternoon, when even time seemed to stand still, in my native home Cebu City. I am the fourth and youngest daughter in a family of five. When I was four years old way back in 2005, I started to go to school. I was very excited since all my sisters are already in school except me. My father enrolled me in Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion Cebu for nursery where all my sisters are also enrolled in. I I do not remember much of my early childhood, but my mom said that I was a very active, curious, and communicative child. I would ask dozens of questions each minute, even without waiting for the answers.

I was six years old way back in 2007 when we learned my mother was pregnant with a baby boy, the only boy in our family. Everyone was so happy about it. On my elementary years, I accepted some of the seven holy sacraments. On second grade (2008), I received the sacrament on Holy Communion. On my sixth grade (2013), I received the sacrament of Confirmation. It was on March 27, 2013 when I graduated elementary.

My junior high school years were very fun and full of good and happy times. I have friends who I made so much good memories with. My junior high school life went smooth and easy. On my tenth grade, I belonged to the Alpha Company which we called ourselves, Alpha Wolves. Alpha Company felt like home to me. It was also this time that I received my TESDA NC II for Bread and Pastry Production. I really loved baking even though our TLE subject required so much time, money and effort. On April 28, 2017, I had my Moving Up Ceremony. It was a happy yet sad moment for all of us, we finally moved up but it is also time to say goodbye to our old classmates.

My Senior High School years started off fine. I enrolled to Humanities and Social Sciences as my academic track. I met a lot of new people from different places. Now, I am on my 12th grade. We just had our work immersion dated October 14-25, 2019. It is an 80-hour immersion. It was really fun and challenging. The rides to creotec made the experience wholesome. We sing inside the van or talk about how our days went. The work immersion made me realize that we should be certain of our chosen career path as early as now.

An old saying goes, “A life with a goal is a life that is whole.” Be positive and show everyone that your life is whole. I am certain that my degree will become my ticket to a better tomorrow. I want to become a renowned lawyer in the field of criminal law.

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True Narrative

By: Flordemay Mollaneda

Mr. Miraflor D. Mollaneda, the speaker and representative of Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion Cebu of Data Privacy Act stated that “Privacy refers to the right of an individual/s to determine when, how and to what extent his or her personal data will be shared with others. Personal information is defined, in general, as any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual. Privacy is concerned with the collection, use storage, access, flow, sharing and destruction of personally identifiable information.”

“Privacy is the right of individuals to determine how much data can be shared and to what extent”, he adds.

“Data protection refers to national laws drafted to protect the confidentiality of personal data of a country’s citizen or citizens. There is a growing concern amongst countries about data privacy”, Mr. Mollaneda said.

Atty. Lorenda E. Amion stated that “Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act is a law that seeks to protect all forms of information, be it private, personal, or sensitive. It is meant to cover both natural and juridical persons involved in the processing of personal information”.

“In 2012 the Philippines passed the Data Privacy Act 2012, comprehensive and strict privacy legislation to protect the fundamental human right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth. Republic Act. No. 10173, Ch. 1, Sec. 2)”, Atty. Amion said.

“The collection of personal data must be a declared, specified, and for legitimate purpose and further provides that consent is required prior to the collection of all personal data. It requires that when obtaining consent, the data subject be informed about the extent and purpose of processing, and it specifications”, Atty. Merry M. Baring said.

Atty. Bienvenido Baring stated that “The Philippines law takes the approach that the processing of personal data shall be allowed subject to adherence to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality.”

“The law provides separate penalties for various violations, most of which also include imprisonment. Any combination or series of acts may cause the entity to be subject to imprisonment ranging from three to six years as well as a fine”, Atty. Bienvenido Baring said.

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Halsey: Pop’s most outspoken teen

BY: Flordemay Mollaneda

Ashley Nicolette Frangipane born September 29, 1994, known professionally as Halsey, is an American singer and songwriter. Halsey is noted for her distinctive singing voice. Her music is categorized as indie pop ballads, usually based on her personal experiences. Halsey gained attention from self-released music on social media platforms which led to the growth of her career. Halsey started writing music when she was seventeen, and in 2012 she began posting videos to social media sites such as YouTube and Kik, and in particular Tumblr, under the username of se7enteenblack. Halsey is often compared to Lana Del Rey, another star born on the web, because of her cinematic arrangements, tales of doomed romance, and grandiose melodrama. However, where Lana mythologizes, never straying too far from the confines of a carefully crafted aesthetic, Halsey remains blunt, confessional and shows her true colors with an emotional authenticity not typically heard in her contemporary counterparts. To say Halsey lets herself be an open book would be an understatement. As a biracial, bisexual feminist who also openly discusses her bipolar disorder with no firewall and no filter. Halsey doesn’t only uses her voice for good music but also for awareness. Sometimes, being a pop star is about more than just producing massive hits. That's definitely true for Halsey, who has spent much of her career creating fun, music for fans, as well as speaking out and advocating for what she believes in on a regular basis. Whether it’s a series of tweets or a speech at a major event, Halsey has become known for using her platform to talk about the issues she cares about.

Back in 2017, Halsey penned a love letter to the LGBTQ community for Billboard Pride in honor of Pride Month. The singer said thank you for the support she's received from the community. “And so I shout it. As loud as I can. In my lyrics. In my art. In a rainbow flag waving across thousands of pixels across my stage,” she wrote. “I shout it in the faces of the oppressors and I shout it hand in hand with both my beautiful young fans, and the queer folk that I look up to everyday.” In the rise of the #MeToo movement, Halsey took to the stage at the 2018 Women’s March in New York to read a poem she wrote for the event, titled “A Story Like Mine.” She emotionally spoke about her numerous experiences with sexual assault. After the speech, the star sent a message to the world, saying that hers is far from the only story like this. “Listen, listen and then yell at the top of your lungs. Be a voice for all those who have prisoner tongues,” she said. “For the people who had to grow up way too young. There is work to be done.”

As a result of her own attempted suicide at age 17,Halsey participated in the mental health and suicide prevention awareness campaign called "I'm Listening", which was hosted by radio network Entercom and broadcast live on September 10, 2017.

Halsey is a feminist. After the 2017 Women's March, Halsey sent out a tweet that promised to donate one dollar to Planned Parenthood for every retweet it received. She ended up donating $100,000 to Planned Parenthood.

In yet another stunning speech, Halsey debuted and performed her poem “An Inconvenient Woman” to a room full of industry women at Glamour's 2018 Women of the Year event. The poem details a number of different scenarios where women ask to be treated equally and are called “inconvenient” for it. But the star ended her poem by reaching out to the women watching, saying that their inherent “inconvenience” is what makes them great. “I’m here to say that I’m not sorry for being…inconvenient. You were not put on this earth to make everybody else’s life easier. So please, be inconvenient,” she said.

After a Vogue interview where Victoria’s Secret’s chief marketing officer said that transgender and plus-sized people should not be included among the models at the company’s world-famous fashion show, Halsey had enough. Following her performance on the pre-taped prime time fashion show, the star took to her Instagram to let her fans know that what the company was doing was not okay with her. Before asking her fans to give their money to GLSEN, an LGBTQ+ non-profit organization, she let it be known that these statements were not okay. “I have no tolerance for a lack of inclusivity,” she said. “We stand in solidarity, and complete and total acceptance is the only ‘fantasy’ that I support," she said.

Halsey is more than a name and a singer. Halsey has used her platform to promote social justice. Halsey becomes the voice of the voiceless not only through her songs but also through her speeches and advocacies even though it means putting her career at risk.

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10 Days, 240 Hours, 14400 minutes and 864 000 seconds

Travelogue made by: Ayessa M. Gula, 12 HUMSS

Lapu-lapu is a beautiful place wherein the shrine of one of the bravest heroes in the Philippines was located and where the place is named after him. In fact it is a land where people wanted to see its beautiful sea and once you travel in that place it would be difficult to leave its beautiful and wonderful sceneries.

My section which is the grade 12 HUMSS together with the 12 STEM-A were the first batch to travel in Lapu-lapu in order for us to spend our work immersion in Creotec for two weeks. We are accompanied by senior high advisers as well as our principal. There are 5 vans and we are divided and grouped by our adviser into 3. At exactly 7:00 am our vans are ready to travel to Ibo, Lapu-lapu City.

As we travel along the roads, we passed the Ayala Centre Cebu, though the roads are usually occupied by vehicles and it is traffic at that time, we manage to enjoy the ride due to the air conditioner inside the van that cools down our body, the chit-chats after the rosary and the travel prayer and the music that made us sing along together though our voices aren’t that good to hear. The sunlight passes and reflects through the tinted glasses and shines our faces especially towards those who are near the window pane making us shout the word “selfie” and is perfect for the caption “sunkissed”. When we passed by SM Mall which is in Mabolo, the traffic is a little bit heavy. As I looked at the mall, there are already lots of people going in and out and I realized that shopping towards the concept of us Filipinos are not only on the neither afternoon nor night but also at morning.

In Mandaue, you’ll believe the word forever, because of the traffic that we encountered since many people were looking for Jeepneys in order for them to go to their work or to their schools. Even if our van has sound proof which means our voices cannot be heard outside and we can’t hear the noises outside, we barely hear the “beeps” sound of the Jeepneys, as we asked this, kuya Roy which is our van driver told us that if we heard it, it means that the horn of the cars and other vehicles were too loud that even the sound proof vehicles can hear it.

After that very long traffic, we met the roads that have many hotels, apartments, nice houses and hospitals. One of them is the Bai hotel which has blue glasses that if the sunlight is going to touch it you can see that its color is sparkling like a water sometimes you’ll think of it as made of precious blue stones that would made you love the color blue. Since we travel for almost 35 minutes my vanmates would decide to close their eyes for a while, but since I don’t want to miss the view I always look outside the window to see the plants, and houses. The roads going to the new bridge of Lapu-Lapu has trees between the roads. When we already passed the bridge, all of my vanmates opened their eyes and waited for the most awaited view. The sea. Since it was a sunny day the waters of it were sparkling and were dancing together with the sun and the clouds were like paintings that you wanted to see for almost every day. As we now arrived in our work place, the security guard of the company greeted us with a very wide smile and a short but nice morning message which is the “have a nice day”.

Inside the Creotec, you can smell the fragrance of Downy Passion on the floor, meaning the building is well-cleaned. Inside our orientation room may be small but as you open the lights it was very bright as if the room was very happy meeting us. As we walk through the rooms, we observed that it was named after the famous landmarks in Cebu and Lapu-lapu City. Our facilitator which is Madam Murphy is a very good person, she always taught us to be a good employee and you can’t feel that she is a facilitator instead you can feel that she’s a mother caring for her children since she is very gentle. We stayed there in 3 days for our training and lecture. For 7 days, is for the hands-on works with Mdm. Prado which is inside the computer room. It has the smell of new computers and the smell of the air conditioner. It was very cold and because of that we need to wear our jackets. Since there are no internet connection to other computers, we are instructed to do our works manually which is very tiring. We were very happy Mdm. Prado and Mdm. Murphy told us that during break time we are allowed to neither watch our favorite movie nor do everything we wanted to. My classmates were watching movies, like Korean dramas, horror movies and even romance. Since I already watched those movies at home I decided to search for documentaries and horror stories in my computer because fortunately I am one of those users who can connect the internet.

Now let’s go to their canteen which is located outside the building; it doesn’t have a big space that will accompany every one of us. There are only 6 tables that is why we are given schedule on each classes on what time we need to eat our snacks or lunch, but what made me happy is that they are selling foods in lower price compare to our school canteen, the food is not just cheap but is also delicious and worth it. My most favorite food that they sell is the porchop, it’s only 40 pesos and the size was so big that will make you request for more rice.

For 10 days I always see the beautiful scenery, taste the delicious foods and meet our good and cheerful facilitators. As we ended that short but memorable days of work immersion, before we went to our van to go back in our school I closed my eyes and remember the first day I went inside the building and how the fragrance of that will always make me remember of Pia Wurtzbach’s advertisement. I will never ever forget how the foods taste and how every employees of Creotec treated us with. By the day we travel going back to our school, I took a video of the place, and as I hold my cellphone, I smiled widely and I whispered to my mind that I promised to go back in this wonderful place, because it made me realized that life is very beautiful and wonderful through the scenes that I’ve encountered every day.

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BULLYING ON STUDENTS

BY: AYESSA M. GULA AND ROELLYN ESCOTO

12 HUMSS

When you mentioned bullying it is something that is very common towards teenagers and showbiz or famous figures. Bullying is an open-ended and willful misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behavior that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over entirety or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

The DepEd or the Department of Education has commended Department Order No. 40 which systematized zero tolerance for violence against children and authorized the CPC in all public and private schools. It added information relating to the identity and personal circumstances of the bullies, the victims, or the witnesses shall be treated with utmost confidentiality by the Child Protection Committee (CP)C and the school personnel. The department also obtained the announcement of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, which requires schools to submit copies of these policies to the district offices.

"The Department also encourages learners who experience or witness bullying, abuse, or retaliation to speak up and report verified incidents to their peers, parents, teachers, and the appropriate authorities for proper intervention," DepEd said in a statement Friday.

One of the current bullying matters here in the Philippines was in Catanduanes when a 15 years old boy was being hit with a wood just because he refused to give the bullies his allowance already. He sustained a blood clot in the head aside from a fractured skull after he was mauled by older schoolmates in Bagamanoc Rural Development High School. He was unconscious when he was first rushed to the Bagamanoc rural health unit.  Another one is from one of the famous school in the Philippines which is in Ateneo. An athlete student beat up another student inside the comfort room, he never stopped the beating even though there were students taking videos of him. Lastly, was here in Cebu, in a public school where a little boy was asked to give 1000 pesos per week and if he won’t give, they would beat him up until he bleeds.

“I am very sad about the report of the elementary student towards their Elementary principal. As the adviser of the one who bullied, I feel like I am responsible of the happening. It feels like I failed to guide him and discipline his attitude, it feels like I am a failure” Mr. AM said, a Night High School grade 10 adviser.

As for 2016, there is an increase rate of bullying not just here in the Philippines but all over the world. Rates of bullying vary across studies (from 9% to 98%). A meta-analysis of 80 studies analyzing bullying involvement rates (for both bullying others and being bullied) for 12-18 year old students reported a mean prevalence rate of 35% for traditional bullying involvement and 15% for cyberbullying involvement. 33% of students who reported being bullied at school indicated that they were bullied at least once or twice a month during the school year, a higher portion of female than of male students report being bullied at school (23% vs. 19%). In contrast, a higher percentage of male than of female students report being physically bullied (6% vs. 4%) and threatened with harm (5% vs. 3%). There must be a level continuity and frequency to the display of aggression. While available statistics vary in the Philippines, this much is certain according to studies: back in 2010, roughly 2.7 million students suffered bullying victimization each year with 160,000 choosing to miss school because of it.

When a person is bullied he, she will start to do things like like there would be changes in sleep patterns, changes in eating patterns, frequent tears or anger, he or she becomes withdrawn or starts stammering and would probably feels like he is always alone. He will become aggressive and unreasonable. He would refuse to talk about what is wrong, and would develop a phobia in facing people.

“Year 2013, my youngest daughter was being bullied here in one of the famous international school. I never knew it until someone reported me that she saw my child outside the school with wounds. I asked her but she never answered me properly, she just suddenly told me that she doesn’t want to go to school anymore” a teacher whose name should does not want to be told but let’s just call her Mdm. Desto, a former grade 6 adviser in a public school here in Cebu.

Kids who are bullied can experience negative physical, school, and mental health issues. Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience the following which are Depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood and he may also beat his wife or child.

People that would suffer bullying may develop psychological disorders and the most common of them is depression. A student may feel unwanted everywhere that he may start to feel that no one would protect or love him because of what he is suffering right now. This leads to suicidal thoughts and then suicide. We are encouraging people to stop bullying to end this chain which can end someone's life. In the Philippines in the Philippines a study that states that about 50 percent of Filipino students are bullied in school and they started to have the symptoms and signs of depression and one-fourth of their population decided to end their life.

“She really did suffer anxiety and panic attack, there is also a time that she would breath hardly when arriving her classroom” Madam Desto added

There is a recent news about the suicide because of bullying. Due to its sexuality  a 17-year-old Sophia Santos came out as bi in a Facebook post, classmates mocked  due to her appearance, sexuality, and gender identity, even telling Santos she should take her own life. She died on January 24, just months before her high school graduation.

“It’s been so hard to think and unbelievable, what happened to our family,” Czarine wrote on Facebook. “To all the students who bullied my sister because of her appearance and gender, may you all find peace of mind. You destroyed someone’s future. You destroyed a family… Words can kill a person.”

When a person is a bully he possessed these things like get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently, have unexplained extra money or new belongings, blame others for their problems, don’t accept responsibility for their actions, are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity.

“I was very angry when I knew that my grandchild bullies someone in school, I was so schocked because the one that he introduced me as a friend was actually the student that he bullied. He asked for the notebooks of his classmate, he won’t copy notes but he wanted to throw it in the toilet bowl.” Mrs. Melon said, a grandmother of the bully

“Teachers, students, and parents should cooperate in this situation if you wanted to stop bullying. It is also very important to have an open communication to it.” Sir AMsaid.

“I guess the proper thing to prevent bullying is to be matured enough in thinking your actions” J. E Ephraim, a University of Cebu grade 12 student said.

“Talk to their child always and have time to them make sure to give them proper guidance, I guess that is one of the best way to avoid that issue” Madam Desto answered.

DepEd Order No. 55, series 2013 (DO 55 s. 2013), or the “Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10627 (R.A. 10627) Otherwise Known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013,” on the other hand requires all public and private schools to submit a copy of their child protection or anti-bullying policy to the Division Office. The same shall be submitted to the Regional Director in addition to the requirements for an application for permit to operate and/or recognition as prescribed by the existing rules of the Department. Rule IV of DO 55 s. 2013 underscores that the bullying prevention program in schools shall be comprehensive and multifaceted, and shall involve all education stakeholders and personnel. Schools shall develop intervention strategies like counseling, life skills training, education and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and psychosocial well-being of victims, bullies, and other parties who may be affected by the bullying incident. Private schools that fail to comply with the requirements of R.A. 10627 or of the IRR may face penalties under the law.The Department also encourages learners who experience or witness bullying, abuse, or retaliation to speak up and report verified incidents to their peers, parents, teachers, and the appropriate authorities for proper intervention. Any information relating to the identity and personal circumstances of the bully/ies, the victim/s, or the witness/es shall be treated with utmost confidentiality by the CPC and the school personnel.

Sources:

https://www.deped.gov.ph/2018/12/21/statement-on-prevention-of-bullying-in-public-and-private-schools/

https://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/index.html

http://www.newnownext.com/filipino-teen-bisexual-suicide-bullying/02/2018/

https://www.change.org/p/philippine-government-anti-bullying

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Unforgettable years with him

BY: Ayessa Gula

I studied in a public school when I was in kinder until in elementary. On my youngest days which is in kinder, I met this boy who played toy cars along with other kids same age as ours. This boy has white complexion and chubby cheeks. My first impression to him is that he was a spoiled brat who doesn’t want his toys to be touched by others. I was staring at them until I hold one of his toy cars, he was holding it also and shouted at me and said “Girls are not allowed to play boys’ toys” so I replied at him while holding my waist “Why not? Besides I hate playing Barbies” I can’t forget how he looks at that time. “Are you a lesbian then?” and I replied no. he don’t have other choice but to just let me play with it since the other kids were looking at him. That was the first time we met with each other until we met again when we are already in our first grade, he was my classmate. We never knew each other back then that is why he called me “kaduwa sa toy cars” meaning my playmate in toy cars, when he saw me, later on, he introduced himself as Jeff.

As time passes by we became close towards each other, we made awkward and embarrassing moments together, like going to the old hunted comfort room in our school and ran as fast as we can until he slipped on the floor and hit his face, instead of crying we both laugh. We throw papers at each other until I hit my teacher on her forehead and called my parent’s consent. We used our classroom’s broom and make it as a witch’s broomstick used in flying because that is what we saw in Harry Potter’s series. As I reported in our science subject instead of putting it in a serious way we both laugh until the period was over, our parents were both called since we never listened to the teacher and disrespected her instruction. During 5th grade we stole malunggay plants on the guard’s garden so that we will give it as a gift to our paralyzed classmate, we both ran as fast as we can until the principal caught us. For short, we never completed the year without our parents being called. I realized that I became dependent to him. I can’t do my works without him, and as what they observed I became an energetic, healthy girl when I’m with him, he was my asthma medicine, and if he is not there with me I always had my asthma attack.

When we were in grade 6 we’re both sad because we are in different group in the competition in song interpretation. My members were very lazy and don’t have the energy to practice and we are always left behind. I was not in the good mood at that time and I always frown at them, I even heard that the parents were backbiting me that I made my group mates stressed out and acted like a dumb person who just wanted to become a leader without good ideas. He suddenly approached me and cheered me up because I wanted to back-out already in the competition but since my grades are failing, we need to do our best to pull our grades up, in order to do that we need to present a wonderful song interpretation. He sat beside me near the Jose Rizal statue of our school. “Be patient and hold on, 4 months to go we’re going to graduate and we are going to meet new friends already. In your new school you will meet students same as them. Have you remembered the times when you told me that you wanted to become a good leader, achiever and officer like Grace and you also want the teachers to trust your abilities? How can you do all the things if you can’t even handle that simplest challenge? You are such a weakling you know that?” and I replied him saying “I don’t like my group, honestly. Can I transfer in your group?” he was very angry and shouted at me “what? I think you don’t have the courage to hold on your members since I wasn’t there. Are you that dependent on me? Am I your father? Look, can you be independent for once? We are going to be separated when we reach high school, I will study in UP and you will be studying in a Catholic school, you know you are a weak dumb girl” I understand that he was one of the smartest student in our whole school that is why the way he make conversations to others are in a smart way but the way he talked to me at that moment feels like he was an adult. Since I was so immature at that time I told him that we are no longer friends. I want everyone to at least see me as someone who can be like Therese, our school’s valedictorian. It may be impossible to win but giving the best may erase its negativities. When the announcement of the winners is already posted I can’t believe that my group mates won and I was the one who lead them. His mother congratulated me so was he.

We are on our separate school when we are in high school, but our conversation was still strong, after the fighting incident we just talk without me saying sorry. Our conversation stopped as we reach in grade 9 since we are both busy in school, I can’t contact him and I can’t searched his Facebook account but still he became one of my inspiration in studies. May 2019, I went to national bookstore to buy 3 books because my sister instructed me to buy some. There was a familiar face I saw on my left side and I wasn’t wrong because it was Jeff. We both hugged each other and smiled widely, we both talked our moments in our school, how we manage to survive and I even told him that I became a CAT office, a Student Council and I even passed the scholarship. He congratulated me and hugged me again and told me “Very good, you know why you did it? Because you are you”. A girl with a long legged and a chineseface went near him and hold his arms tightly, he introduced his girlfriend to me and after that we wave goodbye. As I went home I saw a status on my Facebook that he added me.

The way he inspired me may be in an insulting way but it made me realized that I should not be dependent to people around me because we don’t know if they stay longer on our side. His words are painful as I’ve remembered it but it gives me the fact that things with pain and sorrow brings lesson to you, they are the so called blessing’s in disguise. True friend spits out things that would hurt us but behind us are things that you can’t believe you possessed.  I also realized that he never holds a grudge on me when I never say sorry at him. No matter what happens to each of us we will remain happy of what success we have right now.

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SCHOOL SOCIETY

By: Roellyn Escoto and Ayessa M. Gula

12 HUMSS

School is an educational system wherein we are engaged in learning and we are able to learn new things that would enhance our knowledge and ideas that later on will be the key for us to have understanding towards life and also the key for us to be ready when it is our time to work. We are guided by the adults, which is our parents and teachers. As we spend the year in studying at school, we met different people that gives vital part of growing up and gives essential part towards our social and emotional development.

School is the same as our society. Students are grouped into different social categories. These different categories are the high class and low class. The high classes are also divided into 3 types, the school leaders or the popular one, the smart students and the bullies. The low class is also divided into 2 types, the average people and the loners and silent-types which are getting bullied.

These two social categories have one type that brings a problem towards the school society and these are between the bully and the one getting bullied. The thought that school should be our second home changes and it serves as a prison of fear and nightmare towards Jerry.

“My classmates usually tease me as a grotesque kind of person that people would laugh at. When it is already time for me to enter the school campus it makes my body run cold and I would break out in cold sweat. I was very afraid and since they were judging my physical appearance I think that it is my fault that they bullied me. If I am not that ugly this won’t happen”

As the one getting bullied feels anxious towards studying in the school campus, the bully feels opposite on what the one getting bullied felt. Wawing, a bully, shares his feelings as he hurt and bully students.

“Being the bully is similar to the thought that you are not just the main star of the school campus, you are the coolest student ever. Popularity is very important to me, it makes people develop in their mind that you visible in their sight, as I did this act it gives me a positive vibes towards my appearance.”

Despite the positive answer of Wawing towards his own description on himself as a bully, he shares some negativity about his actions that made him racked with guilt, sadness and hatred at himself. “As I bully different students I realized that what I did was never considered as cool because what I did to the students was the same as the thought that I was destroying their good moments and memories as a youth. What I really did to everyone was a sign of immaturity. I should really change this attitude”

On the other hand, Jerry was able to cope up everything and made us realize that we should fight back and never surrender. “Back then, because of bullying I decided to stop when I was in grade 4. As I get older I learned that I should never listen on what they said. What I need to do is to believe and have confidence build on my inner self. I decided to report those students who bullied me to the principal and because of that they paid their consequences. They may think of me as a grotesque person, in my mind we are all beautiful and handsome. I should stop myself in being afraid. If I fell, I should learn how to stand again, if I won’t face every battle it means that I stop in fulfilling my dreams.”

They arestudents that belong to the different categories in the school society, the good thing is that behind those challenges, fears, guilt and sadness that they’ve felt they realize and are able to reflect everything that had happened in their past. They both give us the idea that we must be confident and we must learn to look and feel what others felt because we may forgot that we are stepping and purposely crushing their emotions because of our selfishness or focusing on popularity.

Jerry believed that we shouldnever fear and we should be strong. “Everyone should empower and develop self-esteem, believe in yourself and never be afraid to fight back, remember that no one deserves to be bullied and if someone bullied you, it is not your fault.” As the interview of Wawing ended he added some lessons that he realized. “When you bully a person, you are insecure of what he has, remember that a bully is the weakest person because they chooses people who they think that would never challenge them back and this means that bullies are one of the lowest social categories.

These amazing stories of difference state that one of the weapons to destroy this social categories and the bullying case is to learn that we are all equal. No one is superior, no one is in high or low class and nothing is invisible towards our eyes. Remember that we both have our own dreams. Why would we destroy other’s dreams if we ourselves know the feeling of someone doing their best to cope everything up?

May it be a reminder to us that school is where people started to build up their dreams, it is where cooperation and friendship is found. There are no social categories within because what we are able to find in there are unity and equality stating that we all belong to one category and that is the hope of the country.