JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 JESUS IS LORD COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC. HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT YEAR 12 NUMBER 1

INFORM & EMPOWER Youth ‘flunks’ Aquino BY JONIE AGAS

If governance were a subject in school and the youth sector were his teachers, President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III would have earned a “failing grade.” This was how the student organization National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and Kabataan Partylist (KPL) expressed their dissatisfaction over Aquino's performance for the past 100 days since he assumed office in July 9. Such dissatisfaction stems from Aquino's plan to privatize the education system and massive budget cuts for the education sector. “Singko ang ibibigay naming grade. Bagsak,” said NUSP secretary-general Vanessa Faye Bolibol, referring to the failing grade in most colleges and universities in the Philippines, in an interview with the Visionaries. “The first 100 days are very crucial in setting the tone of the path [Aquino’s] administration would take, and so far, this is not ‘daang matuwid’ but a highway to hell,” Bolibol said. “[Aquino's] administration has not shown any radical difference from previous administrations,” said Victor Villanueva, political affairs officer of KPL, in an interview with the Visionaries on October. “He merely reinforced those policies that

YOUTH 3 Children dressed as people from different nations perform at the 32nd anniversary of the Jesus Is Lord Church at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park in Manila on October 29. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, along with various politicians and heads of churches, attended the celebration. Story on 2. EJAY MANALANG Party loyalty divides SG JILCF bags BULPRISA district crown anew BY JONIE AGAS TALLY OF BULPRISA MEDALS HIGH SCHOOL BY KATHRYN JEDI BAYLON LEGEND Halfway through the school year, Student GOLD SILVER BRONZE Jesus Is Lord Colleges Foundation, Inc. Government (SG) President Pierre Allan (JILCF) defended its overall champion title Santiago admits facing struggles in leading ACADEMICS and was once again hailed as the champion the new set of SG officers. DISTRICT PROVINCIAL of the Bulacan Private Schools Association “Siguro kaya ako nahihirapan, bukod sa GENERAL INFORMATION (BULPRISA) Education District II Meet karamihan sa mga officers ko ay galing sa SCIENCE held September 15, 16 and 17 at Colegio de ibang partido, first time ko'ng maging head Roma in Balagtas, Bulacan. ng [lahat ng] head ng mga clubs sa buong SPELLING BULPRISA is an annual competition school,” said Santiago. among private schools in Bulacan in the For the SG this year, five positions are CULTURAL fields of academics, culture - literary, visual occupied by the Pamumunong Aktibo POSTER-MAKING and performing arts - and athletics.The at Garantisadong Epektibo Alay sa mga Bocaue school netted 16 gold, 6 silver, and Estudyanteng Aangkin ng Pag-asenso (PAG- DECLAMATION 14 bronze medals in Academics and Cultural ASA) Party, Santiago’s party. The remaining events in preelementary, elementary, high ORATION ten positions are held by the Lingkod At school and college combined. Kaagapay sa Adhikaing Ikasusulong ng TALUMPATING DI-HANDA The athletic team brought home the JILians (LAKAS) Party, which was headed greatest number of medals: 41 gold, 6 silver, by standardbearer Gracelyn Simon. TULA and 15 bronze medals. “Major na dahilan [ang] sobrang intact MR BULPRISA Last year, JILCF also grabbed the sila, hindi ako makapasok,” said Santiago. championship crown, with a total of 24 PARTY 3 MS BULPRISA gold, 17 silver, and 19 bronze medals.

INSIDE Our stand on human Program to enhance Short fiction on RP football moves on rights violations reading skills eternal friendship to ASEAN Cup OPINION 4 FEATURES 6 LITERARY 8 SPORTS 12 2 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 News

2 HS scribes First SG election forum advance to regional journ tilt guides students vote Two staff members of the Visionaries made it to the top three of their respective This event is a first in SG history in JILCF, Cubos said that before the forum, she categories at the Divisions Secondary BY JONIE AGAS which was organized by the Visionaries and observed that students were coming up Schools Press Conference (DSSPC) held SG adviser Lucilla Cubos. with their choice of candidates without October 27 and 28 at Mariano Ponce For the first time, high school students In the three-part program, a panelist fully knowing those particular candidates' National High School in Baliwag Bulacan. at the JILCF had the chance to question from the Visionaries staff and members of capability. Managing editor Arvi Orsolino was Student Government (SG) candidates the audience asked questions regarding the “Pero no'ng lumitaw 'yong forum, nabawi awarded Best Radio Scriptwriter in English, before they cast their votes. parties' platforms and candidates' reason 'yong mga pasya. May mga ilang estudyante besting four others. Photojournalist Elois The 30 candidates from the two for running in the election. Each candidate akong naobserbahan na dati ang gusto nila, Anielle Roque landed second for her work competing parties Pamumunong Aktibo was given two minutes to respond. si Candidate A, tapos n'ong narinig nila in Photojournalism in Filipino. at Garantisadong Epektibo Alay sa mga The first part was alloted to candidates 'yong pagpapalitan ng kaalaman, lumipat Orsolino had been ranked second in Radio Estudyanteng Aangkin ng Pag-asenso for secretary, treasurer, auditor, business sila d'on sa isa,” she added. Scriptwriting in English at the district level (PAG-ASA) Party and Lingkod At Kaagapay manager, and year-level representatives. Cubos also compared this election forum Press Conference on September 14 and 15. sa Adhikaing Ikasusulong ng JILian In the second part, the public relations to debates and fora held for the national Roque on the other hand had bagged the (LAKAS) Party, headed by their respective officer candidate were given their turn. elections. seventh plum for her category at the district standardbearers Pierre Allan Santiago and The third part, which was given to the “[Isinisiwalat] ng mga kandidato kung level. Gracelyn Simon, faced the 1,000-strong candidates for president and vice president, ano 'yong mga plano nila, kung bakit sila Both Orsolino and Roque are advancing high school student body as they answered ran on two question: 1) Is experience a tumatakbo. Nakatutulong iyon nang malaki to the Regional Secondary Schools Press questions on their platforms and current factor on being a good leader; and 2) Is sa mga botante,” she said. Conference which will be held in San issues in an election forum at the JIL Prayer gender relevant to becoming an effective Fernando, Pampanga on December 16 to Garden on July 8, a day before the election. leader. 20. Only the top three in each category will represent Bulacan to the regional level. PARTY FROM 1 SG Adviser Lucilla Cubos said having but later declined. Besides Orsolino and Roque, three this kind of situation is normal. The Visionaries also contacted another others out of the nine-sudent delegation “Politics is politics. In all areas of politics, LAKAS ng JIian member, Public Relations of the JILCF to DSSPC found their Santiago cited an incident when he makikita natin 'yang ganoong klase ng Officer Maxine Aquino, but she is yet to way to the top ten of their categories: reprimanded an officer, the rest of the situation,” said Cubos. reply to our text message as of press time. associate editor Samuel Edelson Santos, officers begrudged him. According to Cubos, all the problems The SG had their meeting last September fourth place, Sportswriting in Filipino; “Kapag galit ang isa, galit ang lahat,” said that have been mentioned by Santiago are 6 regarding this matter—specifically, the photojournalist Joyce Cabello, fourth place, Santiago. just experiences for him to learn from. division of labor in the organization. Photojournalism in English; and associate “Hindi nila ako makilala as head nila, The Visionaries contacted auditor Jayson “We talked about the problem. Despite editor Micah Angeline de Jesus, sixth place, hindi nila nirerecognize 'yung authority Alano, a LAKAS ng JILian member, to the problems, everyone is willing to serve,” Featurewriting in Filipino. ko. Feeling ko kasi hindi sila nasanay sa comment on the issue. He initially agreed to said Cubos. “They will forget whatever Visionaries adviser Rafael Cañete was mahigpit na pamamahala,” said Santiago. answer our questions through text message partido they belong to,” she added. awarded Fifth Adviser Highest Pointer in Filipino, while JILCF was hailed Ninth School Highest Pointer. About 40 public and private high schools from all over Bulacan competed in this Bro. Eddie prays for hostage-taking victims annual Olympics of campus journalism in the country. Sen. Enrile, politicians grace JIL 32nd anniversary No tuition hike JIL Founder and Spiritual Director Bro Eddie Villanueva led a mammoth JIL at JILCF crowd and guests in praying for the eight Hong Kong tourists who lost their lives BY ARVI ORSOLINO during the bloody hostage-taking at the 32 Anniversary of Jesus Is Lord Church, Oct Despite the trend of increasing tuition 29. in schools nationwide, tuition at the JILCF The JIL Anniversary was held at the remains same as last year. The number of Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, the enrollees, however, dropped. same site where the August 23 Manila JILCF has kept its tuition at P 11, 569 hostage tragedy took place. per year. The miscellaneous fees is P 6, “Let the curse be broken in our land,” 405, including the P 1,000 increase for the said JIL founder and spiritual director Bro. Scholastic Reading Inventory program. This Eddie Villanueva as he claimed healing can be paid through four payment plans, and peace for the families of the victims of including P 1,700 per month. the said tragedy. “Naja-justify naman ang mga bayarin Politicians and heads of various religious kaya tama lang. Kailangan din naman ng groups attended the JIL Anniversary. school ang improvement,” said Mrs. Junelyn Present during the event was Senate Basagan, mother of a JILCF student. President Juan Ponce Enrile. Another parent, Mrs. Lucy Vallespin, said, “Bigyan kayo ng Panginoon natin ng mas “ Kumpara sa ibang school [private school], matibay at masigasig na pananampalataya ito na 'yong pinakamura,” said by Mrs. Lucy upang matulungan pa ang ating mga Vallespin, referring to JILCF. Drawing inspiration from the biblical times, aperformer blows a horn to start the celebration - this kababayan upang isulong at pairalin ang time, a carabao horn. EJAY MANALANG. Meanwhile, the number of enrollees at matibay na paniniwala sa Panginoong the JILCF for the academic year 2010-2011 Diyos dito sa ating bansa. Nang sa gayon Representative Abegail Ferriol who read Bible Society, Bishop Dan Balais of dropped to 2, 039 from the 2, 210 of last year. ang ating gobyerno ay maging matino, the House Resolution commending JIL for Philippines for Jesus Movement, Pastor From 1, 293 last year, high school enrollees matuwid, malinis, makabayan, makatao, at its 32 years of service to the Filipino people. Ed De Guzman of Intercessors for the decreased to 1,197. makatarungan ang kanilang pamamahala,” League of Governors of the Philippines Philippines, Pastor Paul Chase of Alabang “Siguro, dahil din sa hirap ng buhay the Senate President said. president, Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso New Life in Christ, Apostle Renato Carillo ngayon kaya 'yong iba [estudante] nag- Enrile were joined by Teschnical Umali Jr. and Puerto Princesa Mayor of Jesus Our Shield Worldwide Ministries, transfer sa public school. 'Yong iba naman, Education and Skills Development Edward Hagedorn were also present. Pastor Art Ferriol of Pentecostal Missionary tumigil muna sa pag-aaral,” said High School Authority Director General Joel Villanueva, Respected heads of different religious Church of Christ, Pastor Emilio Henares Principal Mrs. Rosalinda Rodriguez. Citizens Battle Against Corruption organizations also joined in the celebrations of River of Life in Bacolod, Pastor Joshua Partylist representatives Sherwin Tugna including Roman Catholic Bishop Deo Bontogan of Life Touchers Ministry, Pastor and Chona Gonzales, Bocaue Mayor Iniguez of the Archdiocese of Caloocan, Entoy Sintos of Jesus Miracle Crusade, and Jon-Jon Villanueva and Kalinga Partylist Bishop Leo Alconga of the International Bro. Danny Navales of Ang Dating Daan. JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 3

Jonie Agas & Narom Santos SECTION EDITORS

Youth 'flunks' Aquino, Pacquiao, 47 others write slams educ policies FROM 1 teacher wage hike bill allow private corporations' foray into social services such as education.” BY CHRISTINE MAE CRUZ Private-public partnership Boxing champion and District of In his first State of the Nation Address Saranggani Representative Emmanuel on July 26, Aquino hailed public-private “Manny” Pacquiao co-wrote a bill that seeks partnership (PPP) as his administration’s to raise public school teachers' salary. main economic policy. PPP would allow Filed by Alliance of Concerned Teachers foreign and local corporations to invest, (ACT) Partylist Representative Antonio operate and own infrastructures and Tinio, House Bill 2142 or “The Public facilities which should be operated by the School Teachers Salary Upgrading Act,” government, including roads, water supply, provides for the increase of entry-level and public schools. public school teachers' salary from the But progressive groups such as NUSP current minimum of P 15, 549 per month and KPL see PPP will do more harm than to P24, 887. good. “It’s a way of the state to abandon its Should this bill be enacted into law, it will responsibilities,” said Bolibol. benefit teachers from public elementary Both Bolibol and Villanueva said and secondary schools, as well as those in privatization in the education system can state universities and colleges. result to budget cuts and increase in tuition “We are pleased that Rep Pacquiao in state-owned colleges and universities, and accepted our invitation to co-author the in turn slim down youth’s chances of having bill. It only shows that Rep. Pacquiao is an affordable and quality education. one with the fight for our teachers welfare,” Bolibol cited data from the National Rep. Tinio said. Statistics Coordinating Board (NSCB) Besides Tinio and Pacquiao, 46 other showing two out of ten high school representatives are listed as co-authors of graduates enter college, and eight out of the bill. ten college students drop out of school – “ I am glad that we, teachers in public are the reason being the high cost of tuition and given importance by having this bill, " said other fees, Bolibol said. Mrs Erlinda Cruz, a teacher at Taal High TEACHER’S CHAMP. Along with Representative Antonio Tinio of Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Partylist School in Bocaue. " I hope those who are in (left)and 46 other lawmakers in the Lower House, Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao authors a bill that Budget cuts private will enjoy the bill, too," she said. seeks to increase the public school teachers’ salaries. ACT PARTYLIST. NUSP and KPL also deplored the insufficient budget allotted to the education sector by the Aquino administration. The 2011 National Budget of P 1.4 trillion allots P207 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd), which is 18 per cent Bunlo youth cast votes on SK election higher than the P 175 billion of last year. Still, this is not enough, Villanueva said. BY KATHRYN JEDI BAYLON The P 207 billion is P300 billion short of the six percent of the country’s gross Youth aged 13 to 17 of Baranggay domestic product, which the United Bunlo in Bocaue casted their votes at Nations (UN) prescribes as the minimum Bunlo Elementary School during the amount a government should allot to its Sangguniang Kabataan election on education sector. October 25. Villanueva also criticized Aquino's target The voting period lasted for seven hours, of 18, 000 new classrooms when public and was immediately followed by ballot schools need 152, 000. Data from the KPL counting. Lyssa Marie Barrera won the also show public schools need 103, 599 SK chair post, who will lead the seven SK teachers and 92 million textbooks while councilors Aleeza Nicolas, Mark Adrian the government would only provide 10,000 Balbin, Jayson Jose Jasmin Juat, Zedy teachers and 32 million textbooks. Ann Agapito, Aljon Cruz, and Almilyn On the other hand, state-owned Tuazon. universities and colleges (SUCs) will get The SK election is simultaenously held P23.4 billion, which is 1.7 per cent lower with the baranggay election every three than the P23.8 of last year. years. Of the 112 SUCs, 25 of them will receive budget lower than what they proposed, A DIFFERENT LESSON. On the first day of the semes- including: the University of the Philippines tral break, youth voters all over the country went to public schools to participate in the SK election —a real-­ with a budget cut of P1.39 billion or 23.11 life lesson on democratic governance. ANIELLE ROQUE per cent; the Philippine Normal University, with a budget cut of P91. 35 million or 23.59 per cent; and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, with around P23 million budget cut or 20. 53 per cent. Bocaue prepares for typhoon season These budget cuts will greatly affect students as 36 per cent of college students BY KATHRYN JEDI BAYLON Duhat, Bunducan and Batia, which are On September last year, typhoon Ondoy in the country study at SUCs & JENNY LYN FRIAS all more elevated and less prone to flood ravaged Central Luzon with heavy rain and In his 2011 National Budget message on than the other 16 baranggays, will serve as submerged the region in floodwaters, the August, Aquino said that his administration The municipality of Bocaue is ready for evacuation centers. most disastrous typhon in recent years. will gradually decrease the budget of SUCs any typhoon, be it as strong as Ondoy. The disaster board has also acquired two In Bocaue alone, Ondoy left with five to compel them to be more self-reliant, able Public awareness and ensuring the rubber boats which will ferry people to people dead. to generate their own funds. availability of rescue equipment are the evacuation centers. The typhoon also washed out entire “[Universities and colleges] provide two major preparations by the Municipal Relief goods such as rice, instant noodles ricefields and fish ponds that made up half the [professionals] a country needs for its Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) and canned goods will be distributed to of the 3,108-hectare town. This prompted development, so the government must for the coming typhoon season. people, said Sacdalan. “Ang ginawa namin the local government to distribute free rice support them,” Bolibol said. According to MDCC deputy Rod Sacdalan, dati ay ipinaubaya na namin ito sa mga seedlings, fingerlings and fish nets among the staff of MDCC has been visiting schools baranggay captains. Dahil sila lang ang farmers and fisherfolks. in the town to orient students, teachers and nakakaalam kung sino ang mahirap at For typhoon-related assistance, residents For mor news, visit the official web parents about safety during a typhoon, such mayaman sa lugar nila. Kaya gumawa kami of Bocaue can call the MDCC hotlines 692- site of the Visionaries: as evacuating their houses. ng stubs na siyang ibibigay sa mga taong di 1234 and 09166674302. www.visionariesonline. Should the flood reach a dangerous kayang bumili ng kanilang makakain sa wordpress.com level, the baranggay halls of Baranggays panahon na iyon, ” he said. 4 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 Opinion

EDITORIAL A culture of violence

We live in a society where violence Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's legacy. third, with 40 per cent of its people has become the norm. On the other hand, President Aquino's agreeing that it is all right for jail officers On November last year, 57 people - attitude towards human rights violations to use torture on detainees. Israel, where most of them journalists - were mass- is troubling. A week into his presidency, ethnic conflict is widespread, ranked murdered in Maguindanao. The grisly five people were killed -three journalists first with 53 per cent of Israelis in favor manner with which it was done by its and a 61-year-old leftist activist - all of torture, while wartorn perpetrators made it the worst election- cases of extrajudicial killings. However, I r a q r a n k e d related violence in the Philippines in the President has yet to order any second, recent years. investigation into these cases. with Come November 23, a year will have The Oplan Bantay Laya, which was 4 2 p e r passed since the Maguindanao Massacre originally a military program created cent. but no one have been proven responsible by Arroyo to quell armed leftists groups This is the kind of for the crime. Members of an influential but have been reported to commit cases society that the youth of political family in Maguindanao have after cases of HRVs in the countryside, today will come of age into - a been detained as suspects but observers continues to this day, with no one of society were the law is but of the case say the development of the its members even held responsible for a fiction and violence legal proceedings have been slow. A key those allegations. prevails. witness of the case, a former lawyer, was Despite complaints of torture by the However, this should killed one week into President Aquino's military, the 43 doctors and health not be the case. First, the presidency. workers doing volunteer work in government should take On July, international news channel Morong, Rizal remain in detention. concrete steps to end Al Jazeera aired a video showing a Also, the families of the seven farmers HRVs in the country. Filipino cop mauling a detainee. killed in November 2004 by the military The Aquino Then on August 23, the nation had a in Hacienda Luisita have yet to see administration should dismantle front seat to a what have been called by justice served. And the farmers who Oplan Bantay Laya and investigate the media as a "bloodbath." continue to toil and till the land owned every military and police officers A former police officer hijacked a by the Cojuangco-clan - of which involved in HRV cases. tourist bus carrying 20 tourists and President Aquino is a scion - have yet Much of the root cause of dissent one tour guide from Hong Kong, and to receive the land entitled to them by against the government is poverty, so four Filipinos. Nine people were killed - the law. the government should also resolve eight Chinese tourists and the hostage- Social science textbooks like to hail to make education accessible to every taker himself. Filipinos as freedom- and peace-loving Filipino youth and strengthen local These are only what the mainstream people. But the current situation of industries to create stable jobs beyond media could cover. There have been human rights in the country disprove the contractual ones. numerous other cases of human rights such claims. Could violence persist As his mother former president violation all over the country. Besides in our society because we condone it? Corazon Aquino became the symbol massive graft and corruption in the Consider this: In 2006, 25 countries were of Filipinos' freedom after 20 years government, the 1,190 cases of human surveyed by the international channel of Marcos' dictatorship, President rights violations (HRVs) incurred British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Aquino should strive to make his during her term since 2001 would go regrading their attitude toward torture administration the catalyst of down in history as former president in government jail. Philippines ranked geniune social reform.

COMMENTARY MICAH ANGELINE DE JESUS COMMENTARY NAROM SANTOS Indecisive Bullies, beware President Benigno Aquino’s presidency as how much they deserve the land. The number of cases of bullying and an inferior view of the self doesn’t gave an inch of hope to the farmers of It’s been six years since the massacre in schools have blown up and is still amount to anything good in the future Hacienda Luisita. Though he belongs to happened in the hacienda. The cause— increasing. Hoping to end this situation, Often, bullies prey on those who are the Cojuangco clan, they believe that he farmers who defended their rights to the Ako Bicol Partylist (AKB) has filed perceived to be weaklings: introverts, will do his job well and to give them land they tilled and get paid for with an House Bill 2361or the Anti-bullying Act crybabies. When they reach their adult the justice they rightfully deserve. Or so amount that can hardly suffice for their of 2010 on September 2. The bill seeks years, bullied students may have a hard they thought. basic needs. Many were killed yet still, to penalize the crime of bullying or any time socializing with others, unable to Almost 200 days have passed since after six years of waiting for a legitimate type of harassment a student may get cultivate healthy relationships. the President promised to distribute the action, none has received justice. from other students or even from his or As stated on the Anti-bullying lands of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) in Second, under the Universal Law her teachers. act, a bully will be held liable for his July to its farmers, or should I say, to its of Human Rights, no one should be Being bullied hinders students’ abuses but will be sent to a juvenile rightful owners. But since that day, any infringed of his right because of his focus in their studies. Traumatized by rehabilitation facility, in compliance to hope for justice be served and the land or her social status, which means their painful experiences, many such the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act which seems to be dwindling. farmers have rights equal to that of students stop going to school. AKB states children who are below 18 years Last September 14, after the mediation the stockholders; that is why I see no representative Rodel Batocabe said, can’t be detained in jail. hearing, the farmers of HLI arrived at reason for the President to deny the “Quality education is absorbed by the Essential to ending bullying in schools the People’s Camp in Tarlac hopeful famers their right, just to protect his students if such education is given in is the constant communication between that the 4,100-hectare land would be family’s interest. an atmosphere of equality, safety and parents and their children. Parents distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries The farmers of HLI have spent civility, and this can only be so if there should keep an eye on their children after learning from the lawyers of the six years expecting. For them who is balance in power relations among when they start to act strange - they can Cojuangco family that they are open to have experienced carnage because of students.” either be victims of bulling, or they are land distribution. However, the lawyers asserting their of rights is worth the Bullied students also isolate the bullies themselves. denied this the next day. President’s immediate - and above all , themselves from others, in their fear A school should be a nurturing place, This calls for an appeal to the President fair - decision, unmarred with familial that they will experience the same not a breeding ground for future to make a resolute decision now. loyalty. humiliation. If bullying teaches a youth criminals and victims. Well, for two things. Until justice is served, His Excellency anything, it’s to distrust other people. First, the farmers deserve justice just will remain indecisive. They think of themselves as inferior, JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 5

A pocket-sized life guide LETTER TO THE EDITOR HE SAYS, SHE SAYS for boys and girls

More appealing The official high school student publication of the Jesus Is Lord Colleges Foundation, Inc. stories, please EDITORIAL STAFF

I would like to commend the members Micah S. Sevilla of your staff for covering almost all EDITOR IN CHIEF events where JILCF was involved. However, as a concerned JILian, I Micah Angeline A. de Jesus would like to present some suggestions Samuel Edelson E. Santos The Visionaries breaks its silence and discusses whether schools on areas that I think you need to ASSOCIATE EDITORS improve on. should tell the youth the truth about how babies are made. First, please make the articles in every Christine Mae G. Cruz section appeal more to the common Arvi Orsolino JILian. I have observed that many MANAGING EDITORS students skip the news section in favor of the feature section. SECTION EDITORS I also think that the Visionaries should release an issue earlier in the school year Jonie Agas HE SAYS so that every JILian receives his or her Narom P. Santos own copy. And please release a second NEWS Why not? issue. Gabriel Theo Basilio SAMUEL EDELSON SANTOS Aloysius Alipio Kathryn Jedi Baylon IV-Bright Morning Star FEATURES

Many believe that sex is too mature a topic for the youth - I’m Pamela Louise Francisco Thank you for commending us on LITERARY talking about elementary and high school students. However, as our efforts. It is our duty as members of the student publication to chronicle Adriel Arevalo social problems arise, it’s high time that grown-ups guide young significant events related to our school SPORTS and the community - but we do people on this essential aspect of being human. appreciate such pat on the back. Glennyfer Buan For the Visionaries' 12th year, the staff Reniel Joseph B. Cruz The number of those having within a youth's understanding should has resolved to be more critical, which Jenny Lyn Frias health problems like Acquired be taught him or her. Beyond these, a means articles will not include only Jeremie Lorenzo Immunodeficiency Syndrome(AIDS), well-meaning effort to educate could reports of events, but also analyses of Chelsea Natividad Human Immunodeficiency Virus go awry and mislead the youth to the society within which these events REPORTERS (HIV) and other sexually transmitted sexual problems such as unplanned take place. We are also taking a stand diseases are increasing. Equally pregnancy. on pressing social issues, such as human ART alarming are the proliferating social Not everyone agrees with teaching rights violations and sex education. As problems such as sexual harassment, sex education, though. The Philippines for the quality of the articles, we have Diel Micah de Afria pornography, prostitution, human being a Catholic country, the loudest strived to make everything published HEAD PHOTOJOURNALIST trafficking, to name a few. And often, opposing voice belongs to the Catholic here truthful, accurate, fair, and of it is the youth, with their exploring yet Church. Yes, sex education is not the course, engaging. Joyce Cabello aggressive tendencies, who are most absolute cure to overpopulation and We can cite various reasons why for Elois Anielle Roque vulnerable to these dangers. other sex-related social issues; then the past few years, the release of the first David Kyle Laggui Thus, the youth should be afforded again, nothing is. But Filipinos still issue have always been delayed, or worse, Renneth Navarro proper and adequate knowledge on should give it a chance. in a year or two, nothing was released at Emi N. Lesadio their sexuality. Sex education is more than a purview all. It was an interplay of various factors, PHOTOJOURNALISTS Adolescence is the most appropriate of schools. For it to succeed, other including the staff member's academic time for a youth to learn about sex. insitutions such as the family and the work load conflicting with those as a Edwig T. Paguia However, some limitations should church should participate. student journalist - things that every HEAD ILLUSTRATOR be imposed. Only those things well student publication across the country experience. Francheska Marie Pangilinan Yes, we will release a second issue. Jemimah Rose Antallan The staff of the Visionaries assures you Honey Grace Alfonso SHE SAYS that we will keep in mind every point ILLUSTRATORS that you raised. Teaching it is fine, but... Rafael Carpio Cañete The Editors Thomas B. Perdigon MICAH ANGELINE DE JESUS ADVISERS

Rosalinda C. Rodriguez Should sex education be taught in schools? Visionaries joins PRINCIPAL, HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Yes. social media ADDRESSES However, it must be taught in a way that it won’t open doors to bandwagon OFFICE 101 Bunlo, Bocaue, Bulacan promiscuity among the youth, which is at odds with the Christian EMAIL [email protected] Yes, the Visionaries has its own WEBSITE visionariesonline.wordpress. value of remaining chaste until marriage. Facebook page. Send us your message, com post your comments on our wall, and join discussions at www.facebook. I also observe that children now are themselves. Their attentive guidance com/visionaries. And have we told you very curious with sex. I hear grade of their children is the first step we have a Wordpress blog too? school children blurting out ‘green’ to solving social problems such as jokes, or jokes with sexual innuendoes, overpopulation. without any hesitation at all. They think Contributions sex is nothing but a laughing matter. Thus, teachers of sex education should keep in mind this current attittude Got a question you’ve been asking but no of the youth toward sex, and handle one has dared to answer? About family, classroom discussions in a way that friends, school or just anything that has they don’t drift to titillation. been running in your mind? Send us your The Visionaries welcomes Besides the school, sex must also be question at contactvisionaries@gmail. contributions from its readers. Send discussed at home. No other person is com. We will choose one which will be your feature articles, essays, short in a better position to clarify children's published on the next edition of He Says, stories, photographs and digital art at questions about sex than their parents She Says. [email protected] 6 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 Features

The Endangered Pinoy Bookworm BY MICAH ANGELINE DE JESUS

Meet Charlene. A sports-minded teen, the student's skills using a unit of measure According to the 2007 Readership Survey anything about the average number of times Charlene would rather spend her time called lexile. conducted by the Social Weather Station a Filipino reads in a particular period. playing sports than doing less active things, A student start out with SRI by taking for the National Book Development Board, The average number of books a Filipino like reading. a computer-administered exam, which 83 per cent of Filipinos say they read books reads in a year is seven, the survey says. “Nauubos na yung time ko sa studies at scores have a corresponding lexile. With - still a seemingly large number, despite What Filipinos lack in practice, they computer games, nakakalimutan ko nang this lexile as basis, a student then engages the seven per cent drop from the 90 per make up with their attitudes. The survey magbasa, ” she says. in appropriate reading activities. cent in the last survey in 2003. Of this, 96 also shows that 80 per cent of bookreaders Here in JILCF, a lot of high school One activity requires the student to per cent say they read non-school books believe books are important not only for students share the same attitude towards select a book from a collection arranged (NSBs), or those books not used in schools studies but for everyday life as well. reading. If not sports, most prefer playing according to their lexile numbers. After such as textbooks. online games or watching TV to reading reading a book, she takes another computer- With these numbers alone, one could A book for a grumbling stomach a novel. While others just don't feel like administered comprehension exam. The easily say that what academics are ranting The oft-cited reason why Filipinos' love reading at all. whole activity takes place at the library about the Philippines being a nation of non- for books is yet to bloom is poverty, the “A huge number of them [students] where the collection of lexile-marked books readers is nothing but an exaggeration. Philippines being a developing country. read only because it's required in class, or and computers are located. But nothing can be further from the Can a book appease a grumbling stomach because they have to prepare for a quiz or a Reading activities of SRI aren't always as truth. The survey says that of the 96 per has become a common wisecrack that puts long chapter test; still, others do not read at big as a room. An acitivity material can also cent who read NSBs, only 19 per cent buys bleeding-heart bibliophiles' argument to all,” says Shirley C. Bernardo, Head of the come in smaller packages, such as a kit the the books. The highest number, 42 per cent, rest. Even the SRI meant a P 1, 000 increase English Department. size of an apple carton. Instead of books, the claims they acquired their books as gifts. on miscellaneous fees of high school SRI kit contains articles printed in folders. Forty-one per cent borrows books from students at JILCF. Reading by the Lexile The articles also come with tests with others, while 27 per cent borrows books But boy, are the rewards of reading This sorry state of reading habits - or the questions in varied areas, such as reading from libraries. priceless. lack of it - has prompted JILCF to partner comprehension, vocabulary and writing. What is lacking in the survey is any Bernardo puts it this way: “We [Filipinos] with publishing company Scholastic to At the end of the school year, the students question about frequency, such as how often have yet to learn and realize that reading implement a reading program which seeks take another SRI exam to assess whether do Filipinos read in a week, or even how serves a variety of purposes : [for us] to to “foster a love reading among JILians,” she has improved or not. often do they give books as gifts - anything be informed, to have a pleasurable form of Bernardo says. to support the previous numbers. recreation, to validate our prior knowledge, She is referring to the Scholastic Reading Collective disdain for books The survey also tries to establish a to enrich our experiences of the world.” Inventory (SRI), which measures the The situation in JILCF reflects that of relationship between a Filipino's frequency Filipinos should better realize these soon, reading comprehension of students from the larger Filipino culture. Booklovers of reading and her family's and friends' because they are missing a lot. kindergarten to high school. The SRI have long lamented the dwindling of their own frequency and his freqency of accessing evaluates a student's reading skills and number, as this collective disdain for books other media such as television and the recommends reading materials suitable remains entrenched in the cultural pysche. Internet. The findings, however, do not tell The Book in the Age of Facebook

Goodreads DailyLit Described by its makers as a book- Want to read Gabriel Garcia Marquez' cataloging website, Goodreads allows its magnum opus but don't have a hundred users to put together a virtual library, and years of solitude to finish it? Try reading it write reviews for each book. Other users from your email, where you can't miss it. can view and comment these reviews, as DailyLit does just that: once you subscribe Goodreads is also a social networking site to the website, it delivers your book of - yes, bestselling authors Paulo Coelho and choice to your email in parts every day. Neil Gaiman are in Goodreads, and they Most of the books available in DailyLit keep a blog here. Similar websites include come from Project Gutenberg, a free online Shelfari and LibraryThing. archive of books. WWW,GOODREADS. COM WWW.DAILYLIT.COM JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 7

Kathryn Jedi Baylon & Gabriel Theo Basilio SECTION EDITORS

ABA, NAGBABASA PALA ANG PINOY BOOK REVIEW KATHRYN JEDI BAYLON Filipinos’ reading behavior in a glance

Per cent of Filipinos 96 per cent say Stainless love and say they read books they read non- 83 school books (NSBs) brown, bony knees

The youngest literary genre today is not off the girl he was crushing on if she sees The Bible 67 % and romance children’s literature but young adult (YA) him riding his family’s old-fashioned jeep. literature. He reaches the point when he does not Though literary works tackling the want to ride on the family jeep anymore, novels 33 % are the widest- triumphs and travails of youth have been worried about the possible ridicule of his around since time immemorial - think friends. Hamlet by William Shakespeare and The Philip's story is an eye-opener for me. read books Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger - it Sometimes, I find myself like Philip whose was only in the 1970’s that literary works happiness depends on material things, specifically made to appeal to teenage as if my life would be better if I get the Per cent of 42 per cent , the readers started coming out in the market. latest gadget in stores. Many people my highest number, get The recent years saw the renaissance of age share the same problem. I hope the NSB readers young adult literature. It started with the youth realizes that material things are not their books as gifts Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and is the measure of happiness, but it is our who buy books now reaching its peak with the Twilight saga relationship with our family and friends 19 by Stephenie Meyer. that is paramount. But all these can be said only of YA At the end of the story, Philip realizes literature abroad, especially in the United that no car would ever come close his States. Here in the Philippines, YA literature father's stainless love for him. is almost non-existent. In most Philippine Tagalog 58 % and English 48 % schools, libraries don’t have any space for YA Brown , bony knees literature. Reading novels is a requirement, While Stainless deals with materialism, but the novels assigned are often written for the story “My Brown Bony Knees ” are the widest-read languages adults which most teens, if not all, find hard presents the issue of body image, which to appreciate, let alone understand. Thus, many girls can relate well to. Claire badly teens now seemed to have developed a fear wants to join her school's cheering squad Per cent of NSB readers who believe books are important not only in Bagets: An anthology of 80 school but in daily life as well Filipino young adult fiction Edited by Eugene Evasco and Carla M. Pacis Average number of books Published by the University of the Philippines 7 read by a Filipino in a year Press in 2005

Based on the 2007 National Book Development Board Readership Survey THEYAYAS.WORDPRESS.COM

of reading literary works. but her “brown, bony knees” keep her from Who says reading is dead? ARVI ORSOLINO scoured the If by chance YA literature manages to joining. Claire thinks that it would be such World Wide Web for these book-oriented websites to prove catch young Pinoys' attention, they are an embarrassment if others would see her often foreign ones. Go the nearest bookstore knees. that the book is alive and well in the advent of the super and you will surely find at the top of its Then one day her friend, who was medium Internet. bestselling YA lit list works about vampires, supposedly the cheerleder on top of the but never about manananggals. human pyramid, sprains her elbow in an I myself prefer reading foreign literary accident, which prevents her from joining works to those written by a Filipino writer a cheerleading event. The squad then asks and dealing with Filipino culture. At least, I Claire to take the place of her friend. She used to. That is, until I came across Bagets: then becomes the girl on top of the human An Anthology of Filipino Young Adult pyramid, an experience which was beyond Fiction. her dreams. Filipiniana.net Edited by Eugene Evasco and Carla Pacis, This story inspires me to value my body Bagets is a collection of 16 short stories as I was born with it. My body would A Philippine website, Filipiniana. - eight in Filipino and another eight in not land me a job as a model in a fashion net, also gets its resources from Project English. Two of them resonate in me more magazine, but that would not stop me Gutenberg. Like the Project, Filipiniana. than the rest. from achieving my goals. Like Claire, I will net is an online archive, but keeps only find myself standing on top of the pyramid books on Philippine history and culture. Stainless love of my dreams. Want to read the Noli and Fili in original “Stainless” is a Filipino short story that Living the teenage years is not a walk in Spanish? Filipiniana.net may as well be talks about the relationship between a the park. Struggles come and go. But what the site to go to. teenager and his father. Philip Mondragon is important is that we teens learn how to is insecure about his friends who drive their handle them correctly with the guidance own cars. The only vehicle that his family from our parents. And of course, it will also owns is a owner-type jeep with a stainless help to read YA literature, which guidance metal body. comes in the form of stories. Philip feels he does not belong if he doesn’t have his own car, and he will turn WWW.FILIPINIANA. NET 8 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 Literary

A duck. A tree. A friend. A SHORT STORY BY MICAH ANGELINE DE JESUS alivemagazine.com

It was the first day of school when I met I was just seven years old when I met this Her name is Sophia Isabelle. Because her it rained, we played with the clay from the her. She was wearing this signature spring only person who understood me. She was name is so long, I called her Sophie. muddy ground around it. collection blouse, chic white pants and a pair our neighbor and the only person around “You’re it,” I said, panting. Everything was perfect until one day. of stylish flats. Since then, I have noticed who would still play with someone like me. “Okay. Here I come. Run for your life! ” that people give her this “what-planet-did- Well, back then, I loved playing with mud. she would say as she ran after me. Before we knew it, it was already you-came-from” look, not because she I loved to create pots, cakes and buildings “Catch me if you can! ” I teased. Christmas season. A day before our looks like an extra-terrestrial creature but from them. This was the reason why other I never felt such joy when we were together. Christmas vacation, I waited for her at our because of her otherworldly beauty. Not a kids wouldn't play with me. They thought Laughter filled our own little world. We ran tree. Much to my surprise, it was her nanny single day would pass without almost all of that I was dirty to be with, they who and laughed and played all day long. who came instead. our campus' boys getting head-over-heels were children of super clean parents who This became our daily routine. “Rosette, she did not expect it to be infatuated for her. This person is Elle. wouldn't let dirt touch even the tip of their this early. Her grandfather is a rich and “Hi Elle!” they would always say. It's as fingers. We even went to our school playground influential person and she wants them to if greeting her is an achievement—higher But one fateful day, while I was forming one time to play. It was located at the back live with him. He's dying. She wanted to than the academic ones. mud into a ginger bread man, I felt a tap on of the school building. A mango tree stood see you but she couldn't,” Yaya Inday said in I could imagine their eyes heart-shaped my shoulder. there. Big, fat, golden mangoes hung from her thick accent. and popped-out just like those in anime I will never forget that moment when I its branches. I tuned her out. characters. saw the most beautiful smile I have ever “Wow, they seem to look like they’re I didn’t want to hear anything more. I was How I just rolled my eyes at these seen. She enthusiastically scooped a handful asking us to eat them,” Sophie said. just a kid. How was I supposed to handle this people. of mud and created a mother duck. I was “Yeah! I think they would be enough for situation? And for anyone's sake, I was just “You’re just envious. Other people don’t thrilled. our merienda,” I giggled. a seven-year- old kid who wanted someone like you the way they like Elle,” a fat, short- “Do you want to help me make her “So, what are we waiting for? Come on!” to play with. I just wanted a friend. haired classmate would tell me. ducklings?” she asked. Sophie exclaimed while tagging me towards Since then, I've never heard from her. As for me, I didn't really care. They just I was dumbstruck. the tree. And since then, I've never stayed nor even didn't understand me because aside from She took hold of my hands. Soon, she was From that day on, that became our tree. dared to look at our tree. my parents, only one person in this world teaching me how to make Mother Duck’s Under its shade, Sophie and I would Seven years have passed since that tragedy had appreciated me for who I really am. ducklings. watch the sun setting on the horizon. When at the tree. I was in high school now. JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 9

Pamela Louise Francisco SECTION EDITOR

“The Fruit Pickers under a Mango Tree” by Fernando Amorsolo. Image from Frazer.com I didn’t want to hear anything more. I was just a kid. How was I supposed to handle this situation? And for anyone’s sake, I was just a seven-year- old kid who wanted someone to play with. I just wanted a friend.

One time, a nerdy looking girl approached I could overhear some of my classmates stay within a five-meter boundary from me, took even a glimpse of that horrible tree. me. voice their envy for her. But she didn't and that person is Elle.” There was no mud around it anymore. “Hi! My name's Rebecca. You can call me mind. That was all I managed to say after hearing The place was cemented years ago — for Becca for short,” she said, giving me her “Hello there! How was your day? Mine’s my classmates for the nth time daring her development, as people say. hand, expecting a handshake. been great. I hope yours too, because God to make friends with me. Elle was quiet. But Before I could continue on my way, I Here's what I did: I closed my eyes and loves you so much!” she would say to our I can see in her eyes that she was about to saw someone standing under the tree. It turned my back on her. classmates who were then gossiping about cry. was Elle. “ Becca? Who cares? I don't need her,” I her. Surprised by an unusual response, my I just shrugged my shoulders. “Can't you She held something in her hands. It was thought. classmates bit by bit loved her. My classmates just mind your own business?” I hissed at a clay duck and it looked familiar. What I did to Becca soon spread around crowned her as the most beauti—I mean my classmates, then walked away. “Do you want to help me make her and the next thing I knew, I was the meanest affable person in class. After that incident, I felt a bit relieved ducklings?” she stuttered, crying. girl in class. A tall, slim meanie. Many times too, my classmates would because I drove another invader away from That moment, my mind played a I hated myself. I hated myself for still dare her to befriend the person who would my world. Besides, I don't need her as a flashback of my childhood. being entrapped in the memory of the past. rather stay in her world of talking to herself friend. Elle. Sophia Isabelle. It' her. I hated her, for leaving me. and wallow in bitterness than to share her Or so I thought. After a minute of deafening silence Then came Elle. thoughts with them. that seemed to last forever, I regained my She was a transferee in my school this “Come on Elle, talk to her,” our classmates The month of December was coming composure. I pushed the gate and walked year. would chide her. and I hated it. A day before our Christmas towards her. I felt the same joy I felt the She's a weirdo. Well that's how I classify Every time this happened, I could see vacation, as I walked down the school day I first saw her. her. I thought that she belonged to a family Elle's hesitation in her eyes. grounds, I passed by the mango tree. I There was only one thing I was sure of of weirdoes, I mean it was because she was “Does she think I will eat her alive?” I suddenly felt some force pulling me towards that moment: she was my only friend. And stunningly and nerve-wrackingly lovely. thought. “Well, I better tell her I don’t eat it. I didn’t know how. that was the only thing that mattered. She’s queer. people. I just drive them away.” I walked closer to it until the only thing “Nice duck,” I said. Instantly, everyone in my class gravitated But the taunt just became too much. that separated me from the tree was the towards her; not because of her looks but “I am issuing someone a temporary school’s hind gate. because of her friendly nature. restraining order which means she should It had been a very long time since I last 10 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010

In the fast-paced busy streets of the year old shaggy-haired friend who wears a kayo? mahihirap? suburban Bocaue live children who, like loose gray shirt and Raphael, Jason’s older This time, it was his brother who Raphael: Opo. many of the Filipino kids, strive to live. sheepish smiling brother who stands in his answered for him. They are three of those who are trying to red Spiderman shirt and island shorts. Jason:Umuuwi lang po sa’min yan [kapag] The Three Mcdosketeers survive in a place where nobody seems to Entering the fast food, our three little magbibigay ng pera sa nanay ko.Nagdi- Being the best of friends, these three care. guests went hurriedly to the playground dishwasher din po kasi kami. voluntarily shared their craziest experience In the pursuit of modernization, upstairs. They ran excitedly to the place as V: Eh, ‘yong tatay nyo? Saan nagta- about their great jump off a jeepney. Bocaue has been building commercial if this day was the last day of their lives. trabaho? When the three were to get off the vehicle, infrastructures such as mini stores and Meanwhile, while they were playing, we “Sa rice mill po, taga-gawa at deliver ng the jeepney started to move as Jerome was fast food chains. One of the most popular bought their food at the counter—three harina,” Raphael disclosed. about to go out. So, he had to jump out fast food chain here is McDonald’s—a chocolate sundaes for three special kids, we V: Ilang taon na nga uli kayo? the jeepney for him to not lose touch of place where on-the-go people rely for their thought. Jerome: Ako eight po! his friends who had already got out of the breakfast or any meal of the day. We chose our table; it was near a bench Our minds went wild with his answer for jeepney. These children, however, don't eat inside. where a figure of McDonald sat. We served his unbelievably petite body doesn’t fit that Jerome: Nagawa ko rin po ‘yon. Pero po They stay outside and beg for food. They them their food and they served us their of an eight-year old’s. pagulong-gulong lang po ako! don’t have hectic schedules. What they have story. V: Eight years old ka na? Bakit parang The three boys giggled. is the urge that they have to work in order ang liit liit mo naman? Jerome: Sabi niya bababa raw po kami don to live. Family and School With that, Jerome just gave us a hearty sa may Baliuag, hindi po ako nakababa… Meet Jerome, Jason and Raphael— three Visionaries: Kailan kayo nag-start laugh. pagulong-gulong po ako sa kalsada! (He street children whose lives are seen through mamalimos? Next to answer was Jason. He said he was tried to narrate what had happened at that the glass walls of McDonald’s. Jerome: Dati pa po. now ten years old. time but ended up mumbling his words in V: Nasaan yung mga magulang niyo? Raphael did not respond when his turn to between his breaths.) Before our interview with them, we went Jerome: Nasa amin po. answer came. Suddenly, being the liveliest V: Buti hindi ka nasaktan. through an unlikely experience. We have to V: Ano trabaho nila? kid among the three, Jerome answered for Jerome: Wala, bato-bato ‘to eh! (He said be on their schedule before we could meet Jerome: Tatay ko, po nakakulong. him. proudly while thumping his chest with his them. Well, we weren’t smart—we went V: Bakit s'ya nakakulong? Jerome: Trese na po ‘yan. Hindi na po hand) there during lunch time—the time when “Wala po,” Jerome answered evasively. It nag-aaral ‘yan e. V: Hndi nga? Bakit, matapang ka ba? they are taking their bath at a nearby river was an unfeeling response coming from a Looking across the table, we saw three Jerome: Opo. to resist the heat of the sun. child who’s trying to avert the subject by young kids in their thin bodies — bodies V: Paano ka naging matapang? Fortunately, we saw a little boy named fixing his eyes on his ice cream as if the that did not fit their real ages. Jerome and Jerome: Pinagsusuntok po nila ako para Jerome. His shirt was full of blotches and desert was his only way to escape. Jayson are both in grade two in a Biñan maging tigasin. holes. His face was full of smudges too. But Knowing that he was no longer Elementary School behind all these things, he wears a hopeful comfortable with the matter, we shifted our Behind Jerome’s Dream smile that can be seen even through his attention to Jason and Raphael. Doctor Raphael, Guard Jerome and Earlier, Jerome avoided the topic about eyes. We asked them where their parents were Officer Jason his father’s imprisonment. However, this “Pwede ka ba naming ma-interview?” and they told us that they both stayed at As children, they also visualize themselves time, his feelings would not let him so. At first, he hesitated. But, when we told home. We were supposed to ask the next as professionals someday. To have their V: Bakit ba ulit nakulong yung tatay mo? him that we’re treating him a meal at McDo, question when Jason interrupted us with coffee and lunch breaks, to log in their time Jerome: Nagnakaw po kasi. he enthusiastically agreed. his kuya’s situation. cards and to work in white-walled offices V: Kaya pala ayaw mo sa mga As we have told earlier, we have to meet Jason: Eto po hindi na umuuwi. and not in the grubby streets is their image magnanakaw.. their schedule. V: (to Raphael) Bakit hindi ka na of their future. Jason: Iiyak na yan! Jerome told us to just come back at umuuwi? V: Anong pangarap n’yo? Jerome, realizing that his tears were around three to four pm so that he can be Raphael: Doon po ako natutulog sa may Jerome: Jerome po rubbing out his fearless image, suddenly accompanied by his friends. garahe. Jason: Pangarap daw. broke into laughter while wiping the tears Though uncertain, we agreed and the V: Bakit ayaw mong umuwi? Jerome: Gwardya with his hands. He cackled as if this would next we knew, we just closed a deal. But before Raphael could answer, eager Para po walang magnakaw be a façade of his pretention as a tough The Interview beaver Jerome butt in. V: Eh ikaw (Jason), ano pangarap mo? little man. When we came back we were surprised at Jerome: Wala daw po’ng pagkain sa Jason: Pulis. V: Mahal mo ba yung tatay mo? how many his friends were. They gravitated kanila! V: Pulis, bakit pulis? Jerome: Opo. Mahal ko po. towards us when they learned about the Defensively, Raphael hurled back an Para po makatulong sa mga V: Lahat sila mahal mo. Kaya mo treat. answer, jutting his chin as a sign of pride: nangangailangan. ginagawa lahat ito? We don’t know what to do so, we held Raphael: Walang pagkain, e lagi nga V :Ikaw? (to Raphael) Jerome: (nod) a tete-a-tete for a moment. During our kaming may pagkain. Raphael: Doctor For these three kids, we wish that theybe conversation, we’ve come up with the To cut the tension, we broke into their V:Bakit doctor? the last generation of Filipino kids who will decision that Jerome will have to choose conversation. Raphael:Para makatulong sa mga may experience the life which is bound by the among them his closest friends. V: So Raphael, bakit ayaw mo pa ring sakit glass walls of fast-food chains—seen yet And so he chose to be with Jason, his 10- umuwi kahit may pagkain naman pala V: Gusto mo bang tulungan yung mga not even bothered to be looked at. JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 11

Adriel Arevalo Sports SECTION EDITOR Volleyball boys beat rival after long wait, 3-1 BY SAMUEL EDELSON SANTOS fourth set making a lot of deuces. This was the crucial set of the match. The JILCF High School Boys’ Volleyball One point to go for the JILians, 28-27, team was finally hailed as the BULPRISA then the glitch started. The first referee District II champions after winning an made a bad call. Coaches from both teams intense championship match against started to protest regarding the call. their strongest rival St. James Academy After all, the problem was fixed and both on September 16 at Colegio de Roma in sides agreed to call “dead ball”. No points Balagtas. The scores were 25-10, 20-25, 25- were awarded to both teams after the 19 and 29-27. previous rally. It was the second time when JILCF and The match resumed with JILCF having JILCF volleyball boys devoured SJA met head-to-head for the crown. But the advantage over SJA. Yet it was another Richgolden Shower Montessori Spartans now, it was a complete turnover for the long rally for both teams with powerful and emerged champions in an easy straight JILians who won the tournament. exchanges of the ball. Team Captain Allen set win, 25-15, 25-13, and 25-19. A clash of teams both undefeated, JILCF Mendoza, though was hurt the previous As early as the first set, the boys with 4-0 and SJA 3-0 — because of bye). rally, and bounced back, scoring the final from Bunlo displayed their strength in Jam-packed first set for the JILians as they point and ended the match, spoiling the blocking. The towering block of Samuel started the game really strong dominating hopes of SJA as he pounded the ball on SJA’s Santos and Lauro Pangilinan proved to be the Jameans who scored only ten points in court with a bang. indestructible giving the team the edge in the first set, 25-10. The team finally had the championship securing the first set. Turnover came for the Jameans in crown after waiting for six years. They will The team carried over the momentum the second set when the JILians became compete against challenging teams in the to the second set, adding good reception complacent and lost their communication Provincial Meet as they represent District that gave their setter AJ Samson chance to amogn each other. They gave away points II. distribute efficient sets to his attackers. for SJA through their errors, giving the It was not a bad news for the other teams “Kakausapin ko 'yung mga kakampi ko at Jameans the chance to grab the second set. that lost the whole tourney, though. Head saka dapat kasi focused ako,” said Samson Coach Edmon Martin gave some Coach Edmon Martin recruited some about how he handled the tempo of the pointers before starting the third set, “Mag- players from other schools to join their team game as the team's playmaker. He was later ingay kayo…kunin n’yo na ‘tong third set, for the tournament in the Provincials. hailed as Best Setter of the tourney. ”he told his charges. He also made some Jameans Kit Kelly Cruz (setter), middle Isaiah John Tobias of JILCF and Spartan adjustments in their defense especially the blocker Ernest Esteban and lefty spiker Mark Alcambot both have their own use of their libero. Harry Domingo (utility) joined the team After hearing some reminders and including the star player from the bronze instructions, the boys brought back their medalist team, Bethel Christian Academy, great dominance and secured the third Timothy John Bernardo will all be part of set. their team to represent not only JILCF but Carrying the momentum after leading District II in the BULPRISA Provincial FLY. Junior player Enrique Gaspado jousting with SJA's lefty attacker Harry Domingo was one of the SJA two sets to one, the boys had a hard Meet to be held in Sacred Heart Academy, highlights of the championship match of volleyball boys at BULPRISA Distict Meet. DIEL DE AFRIA time playing this fourth set. Sta. Maria, Bulacan. The scores were too tight the whole JILCF shooters triumph at Tamaraws' turf

BY ADRIEL AREVALO Labastida, who was crowned Most Valuable Player of the tournament, was JILCF cagers overcame a shaky start unable to finish the game after a collision to rout Chiang Kai Shek College, 91-84, under the basket to cause a right foot and win the first ever iTam Invitational sprain. Head Coach Ariel Esquivel was Tournament held at the Far Eastern called for a technical foul but JILCF held University Indoor Gym last July 17. on to the lead, 69-62. CKSC showered JILCF with two early In the last two minutes of the game, three pointers to take an early lead at 8-0. CKSC started trading shots with JILCF. But JILCF provided rock-hard defense But the gap started to widen for CKSC to stop CKSC’s three pointers and at the after missing 5 of their shots. JILCF took same time, attacking from inside. the crown with a seven point advantage, John Emmanuel Labastida scored seven 91-84. points to conquer CKSC, 22-16 in the first Due to the loss of their star player, quarter. Rolando Agustin quickly took over. His JILCF’s intense defense withstood a crucial lay-ups and his 25 points were CKSC mini-run in the second quarter. important to seal the game. Sean Carlo Mark Adrian Balbin, who scored 9 of his Benedicto also played a key role as his 18 17 points in the second quarter, led JILCF points were crucial for the win. to a 44-39 lead at halftime. “Nahirapan kami dahil din sa mga role It rained three pointers once again for ng players. Lamang din kami. Sa height, The JILCF Men's Basketball team conquered their counterparts from International School of CKSC to tie the game at 52 all but quickly lamang kami. Masisipag lang talaga ang Montessori in three quarters at the BULPRISA Distict Meet. ISM surrendered to JILCF at 1:25 left on recovered after Balbin sank both of his mga kalaban namin,” said Esquivel. the clock. DIEL DE AFRIA free throws.

FOOTBALL FROM 12 Filipinos’ love for basketball dates back asset. If given the proper training, we could knows? We could be the next World Cup the time colonization of the Americans be a powerhouse in “the beautiful game” Champions. Football superstars such as Cristiano who introduced the game to us. Since and get more media attention around the Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kaka, and David then, basketball have been the unofficial world. RP FROM 12 Villa do not exist in our country’s sports sport the country, what with makeshift Our football team, ranked 152nd in waiting for us in the group stage. But I am vocabulary. But try mentioning LeBron basketball courts in every streetcorner in Fédération Internationale de Football very satisfied with my team's performance James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade the Philippines. Association (FIFA) Country Ranking as of today. I felt that they all did a great job," could generate a debate as to who among Filipinos used to shine in one competition October 2010, has been unable to participate said Head Coach Simon McMenemy, who them is the best basketball superstar today. after the other, even getting bronze in the in international leagues beyond Asia. Blame took the team’s helm two months ago. To think that the greatest football player FIBA World Championships, but that it on the country’s sports officials who Along with Laos, whom they share the top in history, Barcelona footballer Paulino was 50 years ago when speed,not height, did not even think about funding soccer two spots of the league with, the Philippine Alcantara who made 357 goals in 357 mattered most. programs to enhance Filipinos abilities. football team will face defending champions matches in his 15-year career, - 1912 to Unlike basketball, football uses speed in If given the proper attention, soccer could Vietnam, Singapore, and Myanmar in 1927 - was born in Iloilo City. order to score goals, which is our prized be a favorite sport in our country. Who Hanoi. SOURCE: AFFSUZUKICUP.COM JUNE TO OCTOBER 2010 JESUS IS LORD COLLEGES FOUNDATION, INC. HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT YEAR 12 NUMBER 1

COMMENTARY ADRIEL AREVALO Football: Let's give it a chance

One of the biggest sporting events in the world was staged in Africa’s wealthiest country earlier this year. The World Cup, considered as soccer’s most prestigious event, had the whole world stuck in front of their TV sets for a whole month by its intensity and drama. Filipinos, however, were watching another game: the National Basketball Association Finals held at the same time as the World Cup. FOOTBALL 11 JILCF rakes in BULPRISA medals BY SAMUEL EDELSON SANTOS TALLY OF BULPRISA MEDALS High School LEGEND SILVER BRONZE JILian athletes showed a stellar GOLD performance at the recent Bulacan Private DISTRICT Quantity PROVINCIAL Quantity Schools Association (BULPRISA), ATHLETICS contributing the most number in the total wins of JILCF . BASKETBALL 12 12 In the District Meet held September 15 to 17 at Colegio de Roma, the players VOLLEYBALL BOYS 12 12 managed to bag 41 gold, six silver, and 15 medals, comprising the bulk of the total VOLLEYBALL GIRLS 12 12 number of medals won by JILCF, which was later held as the overall champion of TABLE TENNIS BOYS SINGLES 1 1 1 the meet. ADRIEL AREVALO However, only the gold medal bearers, TABLE TENNIS BOYS SINGLES 2 1 including the JILCF basketball, volleyball boys , volleyball girls, table tennis, and TABLE TENNIS BOYS DOUBLES 2 badminton teams, got to represent District II to the Provincial Meet on October 14 TABLE TENNIS GIRLS SINGLES 1 1 1 and 15. The JILian athlet did not disappoint TABLE TENNIS GIRLS SINGLES 2 1 as they stood at par with other student- athletes in Bulacan when they went home TABLE TENNIS GIRLS DOUBLES 2 2 from Sacred Heart Academy in Sta. Maria, Bulacan bringing with them 26 gold, three SEPAK TAKRAW 12 silver, and 12 bronze medals. (See sidebar) First placers in the Provincial Meet will BADMINTON BOYS DOUBLES 2 represent the private schools on the Dual Meet where they will compete against public BADMINTON GIRLS DOUBLES 2 school on the last week of November. BADMINTON GIRLS SINGLES 1 1 1 JILCF tramples CHESS INDIVIDUAL BOYS 1

Joseph, moves TOTAL 41 6 15 26 3 12 on to duals BY ADRIEL AREVALO

The JILCF Men's Basketball Team proved No goal made, but RP advances to ASEAN Cup to be indestructible as St. Joseph’s College BY ADRIEL AREVALO of District IV suffered a 19-point defeat in their hands, 70-5, at the Bulacan Private 0-0. Schools Association Provincial Meet held This was how the match between the in Sacred Heart Academy in Baliwag, Philippines and Cambodia ended at the Bulacan, October 15 qualifying stage of the Asean Football Captain John Emmanuel Labastida and Federation - Suzuki Cup held at the Rolando Agustin combined together for 42 National Sports Complex in Laos, Vientiane points to lift the Jilians over SJC. on October 26 — a goalless draw. JILCF’s swift players took an early lead This result robbed Cambodian footballers’ in the first quarter, 8-3, but SJC kept hope of advancing to the next stage but themselves together as they made it a close secured a spot on the biennial league on game, 17-13 at the end of the first quarter. December for the long-embattled Team The Jilians started to push forward as Philippines. Labastida made an 8-point effort to put A deep cross from the left by Ray Jonsson JILCF in front for the whole quarter. But in the 15th minute just failed to pick out SJC wouldn’t go down without a fight as an unmarked Ian Araneta, while Phil they hit a half-court three-pointer at the Younghusband should have done better buzzer. JILCF managed to extend their lead when he fired wide of the left upright three to 11, 31-20. minutes later. JILCF managed to stay at the driver’s seat Cambodia asserted more effort in the after SJC matched them shot-for-shot, but 28th minute as Sun Supanha went directly SJC can't find a run to bring the 16 point for a goal after Khim Borey was fouled. lead down to a single digit. JILCF took the Neil Etheridge blocked the shot, Kouch third quarter, 52-36. Sokumpheak rebounded the shot and sent This was where all heaven broke loose. his header right to Etheridge’s arms. JILCF’s fast-paced game and tight defense Cambodia could have finished them off brought jitters to SJC, leading to turnovers in the 62nd minute as he was completely and easy points for the Jilians. At the end of unmarked but released it for an air ball. the last quarter, JILCF dumped SJC, 70-51. "We are successful now but we will need to Anton del Rosario of the Philippine football team overtakes a Cambodian kicker in the October 26 Their win qualifies them to the Dual Meet keep going as there are still some big teams match that led the team to the top two positions of the league. AFFSUZUKICUP.COM on the last week of November. RP 11