#joshua crisologo

[mwplanet]

The Best World Cup Final in History?

A recap of arguably the most intense World Cup Final of all-time

By Joshua Crisologo

Lionel Messi heading Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup

Photo via Reuters

On December 18, the 2022 FIFA World Cup came to a close; displaying a final that will be cemented as one of the best football matches in history. 

The World Cup Trophy was hoisted by Argentina, who defeated the previous champions, France, in a match for the ages. The final score was 3-3 after extra time, with Argentina winning 4-2 on penalties. 

Lionel Messi, one of the greatest football players of all time, scored the first goal of the match through a penalty in the 23rd minute. As celebration erupted, Argentina increased their lead through Ángel Di María’s goal in the 36th minute. Argentine jubilation filled the stadium that held 88,966 fans as halftime approached. The score was 2-0.

Fans of France had their hopes of a title slowly slip away until the French were given a penalty. Kylian Mbappé scored the penalty in the 80th minute with poise as the chances of a French comeback rose. Just under two minutes later, Mbappé added the equalizer for France off of an amazing volley, tying the score at 2. France was back in the game. Since the score was still tied at the end of regular time - the 90th minute - the match moved into extra time, which consisted of two 15 minute halves.

In the first half of extra time, Messi showcased his magic as he rebounded the ball into the goal in the 109th minute, making the score 3-2. Yet France bounced back once again as Mbappé scored his third goal of the match through another penalty in the 118th minute, earning himself the first hat trick (scoring three goals in the same match) in the World Cup finals since 1966. The score stayed 3-3 until the end of extra time, which meant that a penalty shootout would decide the winner. Argentina came out as the victor in penalties, as Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty. 

Argentina was awarded the World Cup Trophy as the awards ceremony proceeded. The FIFA Young Player Award, awarded to the best player who is at most 21 years old, went to Argentina’s Enzo Fernández. The Golden Glove, awarded to the best goalkeeper, went to Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez, who made an amazing save in the finals near the end of extra time. The Golden Boot, awarded to the player who scored the most goals, was given to Mbappé, who scored 8 goals throughout the tournament. Lastly, the Golden Ball, which is given to the best overall player in the World Cup, was awarded to none other than Messi himself.

Mbappé, despite losing the World Cup, has only just turned 24. Already having earned a World Cup trophy back in 2018, the French superstar has a long and bright path ahead of him. On the other hand, the World Cup trophy is the latest piece added to Messi’s arsenal of awards - one of the only pieces he was missing. As Messi approaches retirement, it would be a shame if he wasn’t able to become a world champion. With the World Cup and another Golden Ball in his hands, Messi has only fortified his status as one of the Greatest of All Time.

[mwplanet]

Defying the Odds

Predicted to finish near the bottom, the Toronto Raptors managed to exceed all expectations

Photo via Sports Illustrated

By Joshua Crisologo

On October 19, 2021, the team at sports journalism site Raptors Cage made a few bold predictions. “I’m calling the Raptors at 38 wins on the season,” said Drew Clutchey. 38 wins would translate to around the ninth or tenth spot in the NBA’s Eastern Conference–a seeding known for mediocrity. “My prediction is that the Raps will finish with a 40-42 record, slotting them in at the ninth spot in the East, and unfortunately, they will lose in the play-in tournament,” stated Neeraj Varma. 

At the beginning of the 2021-2022 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors were projected to tread around the 8th to 12th seeds throughout the year. The Raptors were doubted by many sports analysts across North America; the playoffs were supposed to be out of reach for them.

Yet here the Raptors stand, exceeding all expectations this season. The young team–led by Fred Vanvleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby–finished with a 48-34 record, earning them 5th place in a tight and stacked Eastern Conference. The team’s unexpected success can be attributed to exceptional teamwork. The 2021-2022 Raptors are the second team in 46 years to have five different players average at least 15 points per game — a balanced attack. Out of curiosity, what was the first team? The 2020-2021 Raptors. 

Another factor for the team’s achievement was the emergence of Scottie Barnes. Being the 4th pick in the draft, the rookie exceeded all expectations. Scouts reported that he was a project — a great player who would develop over years. However, Barnes showed up in his first year, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Barnes was the only rookie to place in the top five in total and per game points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks; rightfully earning him the Rookie of the Year award.

Surprisingly, the Raptors have won 48 games, rarely playing at their full potential. The team has been plagued with injuries throughout the season; Core player Anunoby played only 48 out of 82 games, while VanVleet and Siakam missed around 16 games each. Considering that the top team in the East has 53 wins, it makes you wonder how much more wins the Raptors would have without the injuries.

However, the regular season is only one piece of the puzzle. Finishing in the top eight teams of each conference means competing in the playoffs with a chance of winning the NBA championship. The Raptors faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. "Toronto is getting swept, write it down." said Hall of Fame NBA player Shaquille O’Neal. The first three games were plagued with hardships–Scottie Barnes and Thaddeus Young became injured, while Gary Trent Jr. faced an illness — causing the Raptors to fall to a 0-3 deficit. Once again, the Raptors were faced with expectations that they were going to be swept.

No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit. Despite this hardship, the Raptors won the next two games, pushing the series to a game six. Only 13 other teams have forced a game six in NBA history when trailing 0-3 in the playoffs. The series was not expected to go that far but, unfortunately, the strong-willed team came up short in this game. Once again, the Toronto Raptors defied expectations. 

Though they came up short in the first round of the playoffs, the Raptors are not done. The determined team has a bright future ahead. With the exception of Young, every player on this year’s Raptors team has not been in the NBA for over five years. This Raptors squad will play and grow together for years to come. The future of the Toronto Raptors is certainly in great hands. 

[mwplanet]

Ward’s Stop the Stigma Week: A Summary

Breaking the barriers surrounding mental illness together

By Joshua Crisologo

Stigma occurs when people attach shameful, negative labels to someone with certain intersectionalities. This can include the invalidation of mental illnesses or defining someone by their illness. Stigma surrounding mental illness can lead to people hesitating to get help, induce feelings of isolation and shame, and damage self-esteem. Experiencing the impact of stigma can lead to hopelessness. To promote and ensure mental wellness in our communities, stigma surrounding mental illness needs to be stopped.

To help open up the conversation about mental health, Mary Ward began Stop the Stigma week on Monday, April 4th. The past week has been filled with engaging activities that follow the Stop the Stigma movement; a motion that helps break down the barriers and stereotypes surrounding mental illness. 

The first day consisted of a Kahoot in the cafeteria, which spread awareness and information about mental illness. By being educated, we can all contribute to creating a respectful and safe environment for everyone. Additionally, an announcement was made to explain why people should not be afraid to openly speak about emotional struggles they may be facing.

Tuesday’s theme was about how music affects our mental health and how celebrities can go through the same hardships we do. A fun game of Finish the Lyrics was held at lunch, in which songs from influential artists in the area of mental health were played.

Photo by Warrick Bruan

Words of Affirmation filled Wednesday, as Pictionary was played in the cafeteria. Students guessed which photo represented each different phrase of affirmation, such as “I am loved.” Through the use of words of affirmation, we can let each other and ourselves know that we are loved, respected and appreciated. Additionally, buttons began to be sold in the foyer that represented the Stop the Stigma movement.

Photo by Charlize Marshall

The main highlight of Thursday was a symposium streamed by the TCDSB and broadcasted in our cafeteria. Guest speaker and mental health advocate, Asante Haughton, shared a passionate and emotional speech on creating strong, supportive, and inclusive communities by bringing strength and positivity towards relationships. Thursday was also Green Shirt Day. By wearing green, you showed your support for mental health!

Photo by Warrick Bruan

Friday ended the week with an amusing session of karaoke at lunch! Buttons sales concluded–being sold from Wednesday to Friday–with proceeds donated to charity. Near lunch, Ms. Sanderson also brought Mr. Darcy, a therapy dog, for Stop the Stigma week. Smiles were everywhere during period three!

Photo by Arun Siji

Overall, Stop the Stigma week was a huge success for Ward! Each day provided meaningful insight and awareness into the topic of mental illness. We hope that going forward, we can all work together to create a safe space and strong community for everyone–free from the stigma frequently attached to mental illness. Thank you to all the student leaders and teachers that worked so hard to make this week meaningful and successful, and thank you to all the students who participated. Together, we can stop the stigma.

[mwplanet]

A Cursed Love Story - A Review of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (spoiler free)

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 combines action, animation, and dialogue together to create a stunning movie.

Photo via Showbiz Cheat Sheet

By Joshua Crisologo

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a movie adaptation of the side-story manga series of the same name. Directed by Sunghoo Park and adapted by studio MAPPA, the film was released in North American theaters on March 18, 2022; in both English dub and Japanese with English subtitles. The movie is a prequel and side-story to the hit anime Jujutsu Kaisen, which was released in October 2020. 

The film follows the tragic story of Yuuta Okkotsu, who lost his childhood friend, Rika, in a traffic accident. Ever since the incident, Rika has haunted Yuuta as a fierce, demonic spirit. Yuuta is unable to control Rika when it comes to her rage–leading to several bloodbaths. As a result, Satoru Gojou intervenes, and sends Yuuta to Jujutsu High School; helping him learn to control Rika and free himself from the curse. Yuuta embarks on a journey to familiarize himself with the spirits–later realizing that curses are not the only threat to his safety.

The technical aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 are outstanding. The voice acting was on par, as the voice actors excellently used their talents to convey the raw emotions of characters throughout the film.  Megumi Ogata performed an exceptional job conveying the emotions felt by Yuuta within key scenes, such as in the film’s climax. In addition, Maki (Mikako Komatsu) and Toge (Kouki Uchiyama)’s voice actors excelled in their special moments. In terms of the soundtrack, the film uses the right tracks in key moments of the story to intensify the emotions felt by the audience. Lastly, the animation of the movie was standard for studio MAPPA–absolutely stunning. The flawless animation provided depth to each scene of the movie. Fight scenes left me in awe, while simple landscape shots took my breath away.

One of the most important elements of an enjoyable movie is a memorable and intricate plot. Jujutsu Kaisen 0’s plot is both. Experiencing how Yuuta’s journey unfolds throughout the film is a sight to see. The action-packed scenes and impactful conversations within the film would not be as effective as they were without the interesting plot. Additionally, the movie utilizes character development fantastically regarding Yuuta and the supporting characters. Seeing how Yuuta and his relationships grow throughout the story was heartwarming. 

Despite the overwhelming positive feedback that I and many critics have for this exceptional film, no movie is perfect. Jutjutsu Kaisen 0 exhibits flaws within its soundtrack and plot execution. Though the soundtrack was fitting, the tracks used were nothing special–it rarely stood out to me, even within crucial moments of the film. Additionally, there are gaps in the way the film’s plot was executed. The way the film progressed felt episodic; it felt like I was watching a fast collection of episodes rather than a free-flowing movie. Moreover, there were also a few plot holes that were noticeable near the end of the film. Lastly, the movie rushed through Yuuta and Rika’s relationship development at the beginning; I felt like I should have cared more about Rika, however, their relationship failed to click with me.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0’s rough plot development and plot holes are made up for with the film’s stellar animation, intricately executed fight scenes and fleshed-out characters. For these reasons, I believe the movie deserves an 8.5/10. I really enjoyed watching the movie, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys the series in general.

[mwplanet]

Welcome Back, Mary Ward Planet!

With a new team of fantastic journalists and artists, we are excited to bring to you our new initiatives

By Karissa Cruz and Ysmael Mendoza

Throughout the month of October, Teacher Supervisor Mrs. Powell and Editor-in-chief Karissa Cruz interviewed many candidates for the Planet’s executive positions. Together, they chose a diverse group of students across all grades for the 2022-2023 Mary Ward Planet Executive Team. Some are previous Planet members and others are brand-new additions to the team. Rounding off the Editors-in-chief is Ysmael Mendoza who joins Karissa as Co-Editor-in-Chiefs. To start off with our section editors, our World Issues editor is Shauri Taylor. The Planet’s Life section editor is Erika Nanquil Munoz.  Next is our WACT section editor; Emmanuele Reyes.  Justin Mikhail Espidido follows as our Sports section editor for this year. Our last section editor is  Angela Lin, for Community. This year’s Planet’s Redactrice is Drea Abungin. Our Planet Relations is Franchesca Dairo and our Planet Webmaster is Joshua Crisologo. The Creative Spaces section editor for this year is Katrina Ross Rodriguez, while this year’s Art Editor is Bianca Daganato. Finally, our Junior Editors for this year are Fynley Clarete, Aby Villasis, and Daphne Da Costa. We are all extremely excited to be the Planet executives for this year and are looking forward to showing you what we have in store!

Our main goal for this year is to rebrand. We want to make our blog and our Instagram account look more modern and more appealing to fellow students and teenagers. As you can see, our blog is outdated and needs some renovation. As a result,  a major part of our rebranding plan is to renovate the blog by updating our executive team, finding a better way to showcase our previous issues and changing up our aesthetic. Our Art Editor is going to create a new header and logo, while our Planet Webmaster is in charge of renovating the blog. We really want to grow our blog and the first step is renovating. Additionally, we are putting more focus on our Instagram account as well. The same logo for the blog will be used as our new profile picture for our Instagram account; @mw.planet. Along with our Planet Relations, we want to create aesthetically pleasing Instagram posts to draw people in and promote our work! We will also be using our Instagram account to promote many fun and engaging projects, so stick around for those! Overall, with this rebrand, we want to bring you a new Mary Ward Planet and expand our team’s amazing work to an even more amazing audience!

Now that we’re finally back to a completely in-person year, we decided to give the paper a chance to truly shine. Some exciting things that we have planned include a section in our Creative Spaces for writers and editors to share their own personal short stories/essays, in addition to a Reddit-themed section in Creative Spaces. Our newest feature called “Am I in the Wrong” is inspired by the new segment by Words from Ward, and story submissions will be open to all Mary Ward students. Students are encouraged to anonymously submit stories where they felt that they were in the wrong. We will be accepting submissions until November 21st, so submit your stories as soon as possible! In addition to our physical issue initiatives, another one of our goals is to introduce streeter interviews with different Mary Ward students on our Instagram, as well as create tri-annual news recaps on the happenings throughout our school community. 

Overall, our plan for this school year is to bring new initiatives to our award-winning newspaper, recognized by the Toronto Star, to help give back to the students. All students are welcome to contribute by writing an article or submitting creative pieces to our creative space submission box! For any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to message us on our Instagram account, @mw.planet. We’re so excited for you to see what we have in store for our upcoming issue this December. See you soon!