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the tagline “Kung wala ‘yon, wala ito.” Ms. Susan Fe and Ms. Fidel Saldoval described how BMB works hand-in-hand with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in creating and maintaining projects, such as the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City EACH ORGANIZATION, despite their varying advocacies, called for the support of the AC community in their projects and encouraged everyone to volunteer. THE SECOND part of the forum began with an opening prayer led by METTA and an introduction to the speaker by the Finance Vice President of the school, Ms. Melanie Diaz. The keynote speaker was Mrs. Jen Santos, a former SCB-A President of AC and Saint Marie Eugenie (SME) Award recipient, who was sent in the place of Hon. Gina Lopez. She works with ABS-CBN’s Bantay Kalikasan, which helps

empower communities throughout the Philippines.HER TALK began with the topic of “Building the Country from the Bottom Up” in which she emphasized the need for Genuine Economic Growth that could only be achieved through social justice and area development.

She spoke passionately about irresponsible mining and its irreversible effects on the environment, thus presenting a video which showed the various sinkholes that came about and the communities affected due to overexploitation of the country’s resources. SHE THEN focused on

zone mountains in the region and their annual projects, which include tamaraw counting and tree planting. THE THIRD PRESENTATION was from FEED, which raises funds to support programs that fight hunger and malnutrition. Mr. Bogs Bolangan shared the story of his wife and his advocacy and listed down the details of the organization’s programs and projects. FOURTH CAME a familiar face to the community. Ms. Lee-Ann Canals, a TLE teacher in AC, talked about the school’s new Laudato Si’ committee. She showed a teaser of the committee’s plan for the school year, which is about saving resources by following a daily plan. LASTLY, the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) shared three commercials promoting the preservation of the country’s various species using

Ms. Sophie Antacio not only helps save the environment by using natural and biodegradable products (Messy Bessy. She also joins another organization called the “HOUSE Project”, which sends young people to school to finish their education.PHOTO AND CAPTION BY FRANNIE APOSTOL (11-B3)

Mr. Bogs Bolangan and his wife has partnered with FEED in order to spread about their advocacy on Hunger and Malnutrition.

PHOTO AND CAPTION BY FRANNIE APOSTOL (11-B3)

Ms. Grace Diamante, who is the representa-tive for Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (MBCFI) mainly focuses on the protection on the country’s biodiversity

through their annual projects.

PHOTO AND CAPTION BY FRANNIE APOSTOL (11-B3)

Kung wala ‘yon,

wala ito.

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Ms. Lee-Ann Canals introduces the school’s new Laudato Si’ committee, presenting a teaser on how students, teachers and staff can contribute and save resources by following a daily plan.PHOTO AND CAPTION BY FRANNIE APOS-TOL (11-B3)

Mrs. Jen Santos presents what our Mother Earth is currently going through, calling the Assumption Community to start taking action. She says that even small and simple actions matter in order to save our common home.

PHOTO AND CAPTION BY FRANNIE APOSTOL (11-B3)

If we love the environment,it will surely love us back.

how Bantay Kalikasan helps groups in the Philippines by encouraging locals to profit on the eco-tourism in their area. She enumerated various model communities, such as Ugong Rock in Palawan – which is a 75-foot rock formation with caves and passageways inside that one can use to trek to the top of the formation, then zipline down – and Iwahig in Puerto Princesa, a place where one can go firefly-watching and boating down the bioluminescent Iwahig River. The people in this area benefit largely from the profit generated by these attractions.She also spoke about the projects initiated by Bantay Kalikasan, such as their initiative to save La Mesa Watershed, a source of water for over 12 million Filipinos, and their cleanups of the various esteros of the Pasig River. Afterwards, she reached out to the students, encouraging them all to make a change because “if we love the environment, it will surely love us back.” THROUGH THIS FORUM, these representatives sparked a sense of initiative in each person listening in hopes that those present in the forum may be able to save what’s left of this country. As seen on the forum, it will not be easy to do so due to all the political

conflict, but Ms. Melanie Diaz called for everyone to never lose hope and instead be that hope. For she quoted one of St. Marie Eugenie’s words, and we quote back her statement, “If you love our environment, keep pushing for change

because, as St. Marie Eugenie said, ‘Love never says, “I have done enough.”"

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Ablaze The

SpiritMISHA JAO (11-B2)

As one of SCB-A's biggest projects, one can say that Spirit Week is one of the most awaited events of the school year. Spirit Week is a fun-filled week where selected students from different batches gather to showcase their talents through lunch games and varsity performances! History Spirit Week has been a tradition wherein, at the start of the school year, the student body celebrates the varsities in order to encourage them to do well in their training and upcoming competitions.

Many Activities Spirit Week 1718 started on September 17 and ended on the 22nd. There were many activities that busied students throughout the week – one of them being DACorate, which was a batch competition wherein students decorate their whole floor as a way to show their AC pride.

Another activity was the lunch games, where both students and teachers participate in various activities and performances! The most awaited activity, however, was the culminating activity of the week, the Pep Rally, which took place in the 2nd Floor Sports Complex. The event started with the Best Cheer, where each batch did their best to chant their cheers louder than everyone else. Following soon were the varsity performances. Captains and their partners chose the songs they were going to use for their performances beforehand. Different varsities also had lunch and afterschool practices before their performances during the Pep Rally. They even went as far as to start planning during summer. There were also various short games in between the performances in order to keep the student body alive. The SCB-A requested volunteers from the crowd to participate. Some teachers joined in as well. At the end of the event, they awarded the winners for DACorate and Best Cheer. They also awarded the overall winner – the Batch 2019.

To conclude, Spirit Week was an incredibly meaningful event, not just for the varsity players, but for all the students. Spirit Week was an event where all students were able to bond and cheer for their friends who are in the varsity.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SARAH GORDON (11-S1) |

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features

FOUR-TIME SENIOR Jazz National Dance Champions of the National Dance Competition (NDC) from 2011 to 2014, the members of Metta Dance Theatre (MDT) have proven themselves to be worthy competitors to other teams aiming to achieve wins of their own. However, last school year and the year before had been the team’s fall from grace, as they fell from

their consecutive gold wins to a bronze in 2015, and a fourth place finish in 2016. A bronze medal would be an astounding achievement for another team, but for the team that expected their 5th consecutive and a final gold medal in NDC, the placement was, admittedly, a disappointment. FOLLOWING the results of the previous year, Coach Jun became stricter during training hours. The

team was subjected to more core workouts, with more reps and sets of different sit-up variations. Apart from core strength, Coach Jun also sought to further improve their arsenal of turns, with the members having to do 8 consecutive fouettés and pirouettes, two difficult turns requiring advanced technique, during training. “There are times when I’m so tired and want to go home to do school

requirements.” Yani Castillo (11-H3), the current clubhead of MDT says. “But my teammates are the ones who motivate me to do well.” Following the event, the members of the team have gotten much closer to each other and help one another whenever someone would make a mistake. This closeness also adds to the team’s morale, as they encourage each other throughout all the

| PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARI GASCON (11-H2) CONTINUATION IN P.16

Grace: Metta Dance Theatre’s Fall and Redemption

CLUBS

SOFIA NAGRAMPA (12-H3)

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hardships that come with being a part of a dance team whilst juggling a typical high school student’s life. “Every time we try do a hard step and we can’t do it, we would always shout, ‘GO GIRLS! GO MDT!’ and it really motivates me to get through the dance,” Castillo explains. SKILLED DANCERS are made from experiences that require more than the perfection of the art form – experiences that also require the toughness of the mind and the tenacity of the heart. With the team’s more difficult training regimen packed

Metta Dance Theatre have also performed in SY1718’s BED Fair. Additionally, videos featuring the team’s rehearsals, as well as other projects of METTA are posted on the Metta Assumption Theatre Facebook page every week.

into their once a week club and twice a week after-school meetings that last an hour and a half long, as well as their added closeness that contributes to the development of the skill and technique of each individual member, their efforts have not gone to waste, and their vast improvement is more than evident. Going forward, Castillo says that the club’s new goal is to gain more support and recognition from the school. “We want to show the school our talents to our fullest potential.”

Skilled dancers are made from experiences that require more than the perfection of the art form

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARI GASCON (11-H2) |

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1ST ISSUE FACETS features

EVERY DAY, we are welcomed by our CLADs for morning talk. Our day starts with their warm smiles as we close our eyes for Christian meditation. Some of us may go in late, causing disruption while in the spirit of prayer. They start our day with their genuine patience, parental instincts, and their happy aura. THEY HAVE VERY unique styles of teaching. One of my teachers use humor. When I say humor, it's not the humor that we are forced to laugh because he is a teacher. He has a teaching style that gets the attention of students, the way he teaches never bores the pupils, but at the same time, he makes information enter our brains. Some teachers use illustrations that suit the students' interest, example is when a teacher flashes a picture of a boy band in the powerpoint. That way, they caught the students' attention which gives them the cue to discuss. ASSUMPTION COLLEGE is known for quality education. As expected, the way teachers are nurturing the pupils' mind are impeccable. They are the type of persons whom we respect like the way we treat as our own family members and friends. They make an effort to build unbreakable bonds among students that we will carry on even after our journey in Assumption College. AS TEACHERS of diverse techniques,

the way they teach is definitely different. Some teachers tend to be strict when it comes to reprimanding students, but others discipline us with more gentleness and tenderness. Other teachers are overflowing with humor, they are the types to be the students' constant topic. Those teachers have super high hypes every time they have their classes. Either strict or humorous, we cannot deny the fact that all teachers in AC are remarkable, right? WELL, WHEN WE say Assumptionistas, we can't help but to think about prim and proper ladies. Our reputation would not be this good if it weren't for the guidance of our teachers. Teachers in Assumption College have all one goal: make us better women of faith and action. In order to achieve that goal, they have to be more than just a part of our giant squad. They have to stand up for their responsibilities and duties as a teacher of the Assumption. This is what they all have in common. Though they are keeping a keen eye on making us better women, they are all always open to be our friend, our sister, our brother, or our parent. IN CONCLUSION, our teachers are so much more than being our teachers. They are one of those gifts that God gave us to be in the right path. They are the arms that hold us upright after we leave the comfort of our homes. They are the people who are molding us to be better than they are right now. They are the people that we may not know we are in debt of. We can never be thankful enough for them so might as well cherish them while we still hear that bell every day at 7:15 AM.

TEACHERSAPPRECIATION POSTBY BEATRIZ ANDRINEDA (7-2)

ILLUSTRATION BY JUSTINE BELLO (11-H2)

vars

ity

feat

ures

watch out for SWIMMING and TAEKWONDO

in our next issue

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1ST ISSUE FACETS features

INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION BY MARGARET LEE (11-B1)

One of the many activities to watch out for involves the varsity, which compose of Assumption athletes working hard to earn gold for the glory of our school. This year, the varsities include Tennis, Hardcourt, Swimming, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Football and Basketball. Each sport has their own unique tactics and rules as well as having their own specific training area in the school. You may catch them at the San Lorenzo tennis courts, the Assumpta Court, the Sports Complex and the swimming pool. Each varsity program is closely supervised and guided by their team's individual coaches and Ms. Aiah Atun, the Program Officer of Sports.

ILLUSTRATION BY KARA SANTIAGO (10-1)

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The Philippines is still young;it is still building itself, learning from its mistakes.

HIS

TOR

ICA

L The Conjugal Dictatorship: Golden Age of the Philippines?PIA CRUZ (9-4)

This was not the first time a state of martial law was declared in the Philippines.

On September 21, 1972, Former President Ferdinand Marcos declared a state of martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus all throughout the country in Proclamation No. 1081. Opinions on this time in Philippine history vary. One rampant view being that the 21 years when Marcos held power was the “Golden Age” of the country. This opinion is particularly popular with Millennials who cite various economic and socio-cultural evidences. They mention that the Marcos term gave way to an “infrastructure boom”, with the construction of the San Juanico Bridge between Leyte and Samar, the Philippine Heart, Kidney and Lung Center, and many other projects. The Peso-Dollar Exchange rate was reportedly 1 Piso to 1 Dollar, an indicator of a progressive economy. The state of the people at the time was one of obedience to the government and the law, sometimes even called “the most peaceful time in Philippine history”.

Bongbong Marcos, son of the former president, stated in an interview that the EDSA revolution that toppled the administration “interrupted” the economic growth, and the country would’ve been “like Singapore” if the people never revolted. This stand is one that is undoubtedly wrong and grounded on biased information. The decades under the Marcos dictatorship are not even close to being deserving of the title of “Golden Age”.

The so-called “infrastructure boom” had to have a spark - a starting point - to set it off. That “spark” was the multi-million loans taken by the government from external sources to begin building the projects planned by the government. Those debts are still being paid today by a portion of the taxes of the Filipino masses. Some evidence even points out that President Marcos deposited some of the borrowed money in his bank accounts all throughout the world. The focus given to infrastructure caused a neglect of manufacturing, one of the most profitable enterprises a country could have. This, in turn, resulted in low employment rates, a glaringly obvious sign of a declining economy; one given the reputation of the “sick man of Asia”.

In the sector of society, Filipinos were definitely not at peace. Any sign of subservience, lack of loyalty or questioning the

“Now, therefore, I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines, [...] do hereby proclaim, [...] a state of martial law in the Mindanao group of islands [...]. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall likewise be suspended [...].” reads Proclamation No. 216, declared on May 23, 2017.

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administration - no matter how small - would be a valid reason for arrest, especially without the writ of habeas corpus. Arrest could mean detention, torture, and even death.

One Filipino subjected to such arrest was Liliosa Hilao, a student journalist during the time of the Marcos Administration. She frequently wrote about her thoughts on the administration, and they were usually in a negative light. She was abducted by drunk soldiers one night and never returned home. Her body was found “butchered”, tortured and raped. She was the first recorded student activist to die in detention of the military.

Archimedes Trajano was a student of MAPUA during Martial Law and a contemporary of Imee Marcos, the daughter of the president. When she had been given the position to head the Kabataang Barangay by her father, Trajano questioned whether she

truly deserved the position and was right for the job. He stated that if she had not been the president’s daughter, she probably would not have stepped up for the position. He also questioned the multitude of human rights violations linked to the Marcos administration. His body was found beaten almost beyond recognition, most likely tortured 12-36 hours before death.

These are just two of many cases of human rights violations, yet these serve as more than enough evidence that the Philippines under the Marcos Administration was definitely not “the most peaceful time”.

The EDSA Revolution was not a hindrance to the “economic growth” and “socio-cultural peace” that the Marcos regime brought about, but rather a stand—a reply and a cry against the injustice and corruption of the time. The Philippines did not have its Golden Age under Ferdinand Marcos.

The Philippines is still young; it is still building itself, learning from its mistakes. It has yet to experience a period of true economic and socio-cultural growth progressive enough to call its “Golden Age”.

Even so, it faces the danger of lapsing back into its past with the actions of the Duterte Administration.

AC has taken its stand against the regression of the nation in many ways, one being the reevaluation of the actions of the Marcos administration.

Do not let history repeat itself. Now more than ever does this nation need critical thinking.

The conjugal dictatorship under the Marcoses is decorated with unpaid debts, human rights violations and denial of freedom of speech. Is this really the Golden Age of the Philippines?

features

ILLUSTRATION BY KEISHA STOKES (11-B3)