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Pingkian, General Santos City (2025)

01/10/2025

Before this administration even began, we knew that this academic year would be an easier one because of you. You were the one that had the passion to manage our publication to a brighter path, you always thought of the best path for our organization, and you've always been an encouraging soul that uplifts our spirit of journalism.

A publication cannot work without someone organized holding the papers, and we are thankful that you are here lending your skills and work ethic in Pingkian. Your existence is an asset to us, Ayezza. We hope that life continues to bring you warmer days, and may the blessings of journalism shine upon you.

Eid-Milad Ayezza, our circulation manager.

30/09/2025

𝐂𝐒𝐒𝐇 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 | MSU-GSC launches LEXtalk, Episode 1 explores Law and Ecosystem of Disinformation

Mindanao State University–General Santos City (MSU-GSC) officially launched LEXtalk lecture series yesterday, September 29 at the MSU-GSC College of Medicine Auditorium.

With first episode tackling history and evolving tactics of disinformation, as well as approaches to mitigate it within the Philippine legal framework, the lecture was conducted in partnership with the MSU College of Law–General Santos Extension and the Bantugen Debate and Moot Society, graced by the participation of various local institutions and universities.

Assistant Dean Atty. Donna Ann T. Balboa of the MSU College of Law–General Santos Extension, in her opening remarks, expressed gratitude to Chancellor Atty. Shidik Abantas for supporting the event and commended the Bantugen Debate and Moot Society for taking on the challenge.

On the other hand, Chancellor Abantas, in his message, described disinformation as “a defining challenge of our age” that erodes trust in institutions and blurs truth. He said the theme of LEXtalk’s first episode stemmed from this concern and stressed that defending truth requires “awareness, discipline, and the willingness to face uncomfortable realities.”

For the discussion proper, communications strategist Gian Libot, in his lecture “Lies and Likes: Navigating Digital Manipulation,” said digital platforms fuel manipulation by shaping public opinion through curated feeds and echo chambers.

In his discussion, he warned that while individuals make their own decisions, external forces continually influence them, stressing the importance of choosing what to consume based on the information that we receive from the people they follow.

Further, he also shared the roots of fake news, highlighting three categories of false content—misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation—with intent serving as the key distinction.

“The only difference between misinformation and disinformation is intent,” Libot said, noting that misinformation often spreads innocently, while malinformation weaponizes true information to harm.

Meanwhile, Atty. Jim Louis V. Ibanez, a legal practitioner and strategic executive, discussed how Philippine laws currently address disinformation. He noted that existing measures are “heavily penal in nature,” focusing on deliberate deception rather than unintentional misinformation.

According to him, libel under the Revised Penal Code, along with provisions on rebellion and sedition, was among the earliest tools against harmful speech. These penalties were later extended online through the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, with cyber libel carrying harsher terms than traditional libel. While other laws, such as the Bayanihan Act, Anti-Terror Act, and Data Privacy Act, intersect with misinformation only in limited contexts.

Hence, he pointed out that these measures are often reactive and outdated, with court cases moving too slowly to counter the fast spread of disinformation. He concluded by highlighting pending bills in Congress and foreign models from which the Philippines may learn in strengthening its legal response to disinformation.

In her closing remarks, Bantugen Debate and Moot Society Prime Minister Bai Mariza Sabdula thanked Chancellor Abantas, Assistant Dean Balboa, the resource speakers, and participating schools for supporting the event. She emphasized that attendees were not “mere participants” but bridge builders against the impact of disinformation and urged fellow Gen Zs to take an active role in curbing its spread, framing LEXtalk as a starting point for further discussions.

The initiative, envisioned as an inaugural law and public policy lecture, seeks to empower “great minds” not only to speak but also to listen, question, critically engage, and confront pressing issues of today’s society.

✍️ Maria Adrienna Bianca M. Belas
📸 Jeany Biñas

25/09/2025

𝗖𝗦𝗦𝗛 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | PSYMS holds Su***de Prevention Talk '25; COM Psychiatrist shares insights on Mental Health Awareness

Promoting hope and empathy, the Psychology Majors’ Society (PSYMS) of Mindanao State University–General Santos conducted “Tala: Guiding Lights of Hope” in observance of the Su***de Prevention Month 2025, on September 24, 2025 at the University Gymnasium.

The event commenced with opening remarks given by Hon. Fajar Aleyyha Modale, the President of Psychology Majors’ Society, outlining the purpose of the event with words of encouragement and assurance. Hon. Modale then took the honor of introducing the invited resource speaker, presenting the speaker’s listed credentials and aspirations for the event.

Dr. Kevin Patrick P. Veneracion, MD, MBA, a psychiatrist from Gensan Psych Mental Health Hub shared insights in fostering hope and raising awareness in mental health prevention relaying factual survey and research done regarding the number and percentage of the youth’s population who are struggling with mental illness.

"In a 2013 survey, more than 2,000 youth out of 11,000 Filipinos were reported suicidal. Now compared on the last survey which was done in 2023, the cases of depression and su***de attempts doubled," Dr. Veneracion emphasized.

Moreover, Dr. Veneracion takes a stand with his belief that su***de prevention is not just an individual issue, but a public health and social justice issue, emphasizing how the state of the government greatly impacts healthcare. He urged the youth to choose better leaders for a better and more responsive healthcare delivery.

"If may corruption na humaharang sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa, hindi tayo aasenso sa ating mental health care system kung binubulsa lang din naman ang pondo ng bayan," he stressed.

Furthermore, he also gave ways for the youth to be able to contribute in making the society a better one, tackling that each individual can foster a reassuring space for those around them.

"In small ways, they can be more empathetic, more compassionate to the people in their lives... how to be consistently present, and be able to be the "liwanag," source of life, source of help, sa mga tao sa buhay natin," he added.

Ending his talk, Dr. Veneracion urged everyone to be someone's Tala, a star and light of hope that consistently shines amidst someone's darkest hours. Hence, he also encouraged student leaders to create platforms for the students like them to have a space and time to ask for inquiries and advice, particularly to student leaders who struggle to provide their service in times of vulnerability.

"Sometimes the most saving light is the one that's steady, ordinary, at laging andyan," he noted.

The event, attended by the students under Psychology Departments from various organizations and colleges, demonstrated the true value of creating a safe space for the youth to share their stories and cultivate greater awareness of su***de and mental health.

✍🏻: Kristiana Geneva & Ira Beyounce Magdaluyo
📸: Dorothy Jane Cajolo
Sofia Luxel Alburo
Archie Grabillo

25/09/2025

𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻| 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗮ñ𝗮𝗻𝗴

𝑷𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒐 𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒌𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚𝒂 𝒎𝒐 𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒈-𝒂𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂 𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒂 𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔?

Ito ang mapait na tanong na hindi kayang sagutin ng Malacañang. Habang ipinagmamalaki nila ang “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day,” milyon-milyong Pilipino ang nagtatagisan ng sikmura laban sa gutom. May proklamasyon, may seremonya, may mga litrato ng opisyal na magagarbong nakaupo sa hapag. Ngunit para sa karaniwang tao, ang tunog ng selebrasyon ay hindi halakhak ng pamilya, kundi ang kalansing ng kutsarang kumakayod sa kawaling wala nang maisandok.

Kung babasahin ang Memorandum Circular 96, napakaganda ng layunin: hikayatin ang bawat pamilya na magtipon, mag-usap, at magdiwang. Ngunit paano ka makikipag-usap kung ang boses ng iyong anak ay nanghihina na sa gutom? Paano ka magdiriwang kung ang iyong hapag ay mistulang puntod—walang ulam, walang tinapay, walang gatas?

Sinasabi ng mga pag-aaral na ang isang pamilya ng limang katao ay nangangailangan ng ₱𝟭,𝟮𝟭𝟬 𝗯𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘄 para sa disenteng pamumuhay. Ngunit ang minimum wage? ₱𝟰𝟰𝟰 lamang—isang halagang parang limos, pinapasan ng mga manggagawa na araw-araw ay sumasakay ng jeep, nagtatrabaho nang lampas walong oras, at uuwi pa rin sa tahanang walang laman ang kaldero. Kaya’t hindi nakapagtataka na higit 𝟭𝟳.𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 ang nananatiling lugmok sa kahirapan, at marahil higit pa kung ang tunay na presyo ng bigas, gulay, at isda ang magiging batayan.

Tingnan natin ang mga magsasaka. Sila na nagtatanim ng palay, nagbubungkal ng lupa, at nagpapakain sa bayan. Ngunit ang halaga ng kanilang pawis ay ₱𝟭𝟰–₱𝟭𝟲 kada kilo ng palay; halagang hindi makabawi sa abono, binhi, at upa sa lupa. Samantala, ang bigas ay ipinagbibili sa mamimili nang doble o triple. Sino ang lumalamon ng kita? Hindi ang magsasaka, kundi ang mga malalaking negosyanteng tinatangkilik ng gobyerno. Kaya’t habang binabandera ng Malacañang ang “pamilyang mahalaga,” ang tunay na haligi ng ating hapag: 𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗔𝗞𝗔 ay itinataboy sa gilid, gutom, at pinagtatawanan ng sistema.

At narito ang masakit na larawan: isang batang nag-aaral gamit ang kumukulong tiyan, isang inang nagluluto ng sabaw na tila walang lasa, isang amang pinipilit itago ang luha habang iniisip kung saan kukuha ng pamasahe bukas. Sila ba ang iniisip ng gobyerno sa kanilang proklamasyon? O ang tanging iniisip nila ay ang sariling piging, sariling pamilya, sariling mga litrato sa social media?

Para kanino ba ang “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day”? Para ba sa mga pamilyang Pilipinong kumakapit sa instant noodles at sardinas? Para ba sa mga bata na natutulog na umiiyak dahil wala silang hapunan? O para lamang sa mga makapangyarihang busog na busog, na ipinapaskil ang kanilang malasakit habang nilalamon ang kaban ng bayan?

Kung tunay ngang mahalaga ang pamilya, bakit nananatiling gutom ang sambayanan? Kung tunay ngang mahalaga ang pamilya, bakit hindi sapat ang sahod? Bakit ipinagpapalit ang magsasaka sa murang importasyon? Bakit mas inuuna ang larawan ng malasakit kaysa sa mismong pag-ahon ng bayan?

Gutom ang masa—gutom sa pagkain, gutom sa katarungan, gutom sa hustisya. Hangga’t inuuna ang pera kaysa tao. Mananatiling walang saysay ang proklamasyon. At sa ilalim ng gobyernong ito, ang sabayang pagkain ay nananatiling pribilehiyo ng iilan, hindi karapatan.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲’𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹
𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗻: 𝗖𝘆𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗻

22/09/2025

‎𝐌𝐒𝐔𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐨𝐧; 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐚, 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐰 𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐚
‎
‎Nakibahagi ang mga mag-aaral ng Mindanao State University–General Santos sa “Student Walkout at Candle Lighting of Hope” upang ipahayag ang kanilang pagkadismaya laban sa mga laganap na katiwalian at korapsiyon na nangyayari sa pamahalaan, ika-19 ng Setyembre 2025, sa loob ng pamantasan.
‎
‎Suot ang puting kasuotan at dala-dala ang mga plakard na nagpapakita ng kani-kanilang mga hinaing, nagtipon ang mga mag-aaral bilang pagprotesta at pagsigaw sa kanilang panawagan para sa pagbabago at pananagutan sa pamahalaan.
‎
‎Sa isang mensahe mula kay Prof. Norman Ralph Isla, DCOMM, ang kasalukuyang Vice Chancellor for Students Affairs and Services (VCSAS), isinaad niya na ang tunay na kapayapaan ay hindi tumutukoy sa palagiang pananahimik, kundi sa pagkamit ng hustiya para sa bayan.
‎
‎“ Tungkulin nating hindi lang basta manahimik sa panahong kailangan tayo ng bayan… Kasama natin ngayon ang buong Pilipinas at nakikiisa tayo sa buong Pilipinas sa pagsusuot ng white para sa ating white Friday at sa pag-walkout. Nawa’y dumami pa ang mga katulad ninyong mulat,” wika pa niya.
‎
‎Bukod pa dito, ipinahayag din ni Prof. Isla ang buong suporta ng pamunuan sa mapayapa at di-marahas na aktibidad ng mga estudyante at hinikayat din nito ang mga mag-aaral na makilahok at isulong ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayang dahilan ng kanilang pagiging Iskolar ng bayan.
‎
‎“As well as it is peaceful and non-violent, suportado namin ang lahat ng inyong mga plano dahil naniniwala kami na kayo ang magmamana at dapat maningil sa kinabukasan na pilit ninanakaw sa inyo ng mga taong nasa puwesto. Silingin natin sila, hindi ito tama, “ aniya.
‎
‎Sa kabilang banda, naglabas din ng saloobin ang ilang mga MSUan ukol sa aktibidad. Ibinahagi nila ang kanilang paglahok ay hindi lamang para sa sa kanilang mga karapatan kundi para na rin sa susunod na henerasyon.
‎
‎Ayon kay Jouben Alegado, mula sa Departmento ng Political Science, ang kanilang pakikilahok ay hindi lang pagsusulong sa pansariling karapatan kundi maging sa karapatan ng bayan. Layunin nitong tuldukan ang korapsyong nangyayari sa pamahalaan at mulatin ang mga mamamayang sa kamaliang ito.
‎
‎“Ipinaglalaban ko ang aking karapatan, ang ating mga karapatan—mula sa kabataan, para sa kabataan, at kasama ang kabataan [na] patuloy [na] susugpo sa mga taong nasa posisyon na walang ginawa kundi krimen, krimen na korapsyon,” ani pa ni Jouben Alegado, 1st year BA Political Science (PolSci).
‎
‎Dagdag pa rito, mariing nanawagan din ang mga mag-aaral na papanagutin ang mga tiwaling opisyal at ipasailalim sa masusing imbestigasyon ang mga ahensyang sangkot sa katiwalian sa pamahalaan kagaya ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
‎
‎Sa pahayag ni Ashlee Catamco, mag-aaral ng Departamento ng Political Science, nanindigan siyang nararapat lamang na ipakita ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan ang bawat pisong ginagamit nila para sa bayan. Ang mga serbisyong ibinabahagi ng pamahalaan para sa mga sambayanang Pilipino ay higit pa sa kulang.
‎
‎“Dapat imbestigahan mula sa pinakauna hanggang sa bawat sentimo, dapat makita kung saan nalagay ang bawat piso ng sentimo ng kaban ng bayan,” saad pa ni Ashlee Catamco 1st year BA PolSci.
‎
‎Sa kabila ng katamtamang ulan, hindi natinag ang mga mag-aaral na ipatuloy ang aktibidad at isulong ang nararapat na hustiya at pagpuksa sa katiwalian ng gobyerno, sabay ang mga kawani nito.
‎

✍️ Francine Undray
📸 Justine Paul Paraz

21/09/2025

Limampu't tatlong taon na kaming nalulunod, hindi sa baha, kundi sa mga mukhang kita ang putik ng nakaraan.

Limampu't tatlong taon na kaming nagpenintensya, hindi sa aming mga sala kundi sa pang-araw-araw na pangamba.

Limampu't tatlong taon na ang aming boses, hindi napapagod sa pag-iyak at pagsigaw, kundi patuloy na bumabangon at kumakasa para sa masa.

Limampu't tatlong taon na ang nakalipas nang inilusta ang Martial Law, hindi ginto ang lumilitaw sa takip silim, kundi ang mga bangkay na itinago sa dilim.

Huwag kalimutan ang nangyari sa kanila, ating yakapin ang madilim na nakaraan, silay gabayan patungo sa bahanding kinabukasan

𝗛𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻, 𝗵𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻!

20/09/2025

𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆| 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗼 𝘀𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗱 𝗸𝗼?

paano nga ba ang kapayapaan
para sa mga trabahanteng uhaw,
bilad sa araw—
kamay na ‘sing gaspang ng liha ang kubal,
at mga paang klaro na ang ugat ng paghihirap.

nakikipagsapalaran
para sa kapiranggot na salapi?

paano nga ba ito
para sa mga estudyanteng
utak ang kapital,
at kinabukasan ang nakataya
sa pagpasok ng pamantasan—
at papangarapin na lang
lumabas ng bansa?

paano nga ba ang kapayapaan
para sa mga batang
inuulanan ng bomba,
at sinusundan ng daan-daang bala?

paano nga ba ito
para sa mga nagbabayad ng buwis—
kaban ng bayan,
na ginagasta lang ng mga opisyal
para sa mesa nilang
puno ng karangyaan?

ano nga ba ang kapayapaan
para sa mga naghihingalo,
hinahabol ang huling hininga
ng pag-asa, na kinitil
ng hindi patas na sistema?

ano nga ba ang kapayapaan
para sa mga pagod, nanghihina,
durog ang puso, kinutya, namatayan,
tinanggalan ng karapatan,
nawalan ng ari-arian?

hindi ko man masabi kung ano talaga.
sapagkat bawat tao, bawat mata,
may sariling larawan nito.

ngunit marahil… may kapayapaan,

sa gabing pikit ang kanilang mga mata,
at tahimik ang utak—
pansamantalang nakakalimot,
kahit ilang oras lang.

sa mga minsang umaga
na hindi na iniisip
kung may uulamin ba
sa susunod na araw.

sa mga segundong tumitigil ang putok,
at panandaliang kumakalma
ang dagundog ng puso.

marahil may kapayapaan
sa uring hindi tahimik—kundi lumalaban,
sa mga sigaw at kapit-bisig na protesta
laban sa bulok na sistema.

marahil naroon ito,

sa bawat sandaling tigil,
sa bawat hingang malalim,
sa bawat halakhak ng bata,
sa bawat ngiti ng mga matang
luha ang pinanghihilamos.

sa bawat bukang-liwayway
na nagbabadya ng bagong pag-asang mabuhay.

marahil ang kapayapaan
ay hindi pa ganap,
hindi pa lubos,
dahil wala ding isang
konkretong kahulugan.

pero sa gitna ng saligutgot,
hindi ito nawawala.
palaging nakapuslit
sa lubak ng ating araw-araw—
kahit ilang beses mang yurakan,

sisibol itong muli,
mas matatag, mas buo.

✒️&🎨: Paloma Vaflor

20/09/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | CEC successfully concludes Acquaintance Party 2025 ; Elites assert 'Success' amidst mishaps

In the pursuit of fostering unity and camaraderie, the College English Club (CEC) of the English Department holds Acquaintance Party 2025 with a theme "A masquerade of bonds, igniting," showcasing elegance and stylish vibes held at the Laktanan Wellness Garden, September 18, 2025.

Blessed with the good weather, the program kicked off with a jingle by each department that lighted the spirits of the Elites community. Thus, it was followed by the awarding of medals and certificates to the academic achievers for the A.Y. 2024-2025 and TESOL certificates.

Furthermore, despite facing unfortunate circumstances over the spoiled dinner causing a rattle and confusion to everyone, the party continued, having the Elites community enjoy the raffle and parlor games prepared, and danced and sang along with Arya—the resident band of Mindanao State University—igniting the energetic and untroubled nature of the constituents.

Janenah Jay Nogas, a first-year from the BAELS program, shared that amidst the inconvenience during the dinner, the council was still able to pull off a successful event for the Elites. Hence, hope that the council would still do more for the rest of the events in the organizations that the Elites community would enjoy.

"Although there was a bit of inconvenience regarding the food po, the council resolved it immediately naman, and we are still grateful for all their efforts in making the acquaintance successful. Medyo nabitin lang and nakulangan sa jamming sessions, but we understand na there were circumstances that happened. I hope the upcoming events will keep getting more fun and continue improving," she shared.

Hence, Charmaine Rose Santos, the incumbent CEC President, expressed her gratitude towards the people behind the successful event, highlighting the efforts done by the department chairperson and the constituents who extended their help in resolving the problem over dinner and assured the constituents of the council's improvement on future events.

"I am truly proud of the Elites for coming together. My deepest gratitude goes to our dedicated officers and to our English faculty, especially our chairperson, Prof. Fernan B. Lehao, for their constant guidance and support. Nothing is ever perfect, but what matters most is the effort, commitment, and service extended. May this celebration remind us that every experience, both the smooth and the challenging, helps us grow stronger together," she expressed.

Moreover, Lorah Jean Jabagat, the proponent head of the event, also conveyed gratitude towards the success of the event, stressing that the unforeseen circumstances faced will be reflected upon by the organization, seeing it as a challenge for improvement of the organization.

"It was really a hectic preparation na nagaoverlap na sa aming academic, but with all those efforts from everyone, especially with my co-officers, it leads us to a successful event, and whatever happened will really be reflected for the improvement of the organization in serving the Elites community," she expressed.

Amidst mishaps, the event successfully ended, assuring that the constituents were able to foster camaraderie and build friendship with each other regardless of the program they belonged to, foregrounding that the Elites are united.

✍️ Jeany Lyn P. Biñas
📸 Riberjan Charles

19/09/2025

Mula sa pag-check ng articles,
hanggang sa mga event na inaabutan ng gabi,
mula sa pagod sa kakaproofread—
alam namin, andiyan ka lagi.

Kaya ngayong araw na ito,
ikaw naman ang aming ipagdiriwang.

Maligayang kaarawan, Diana Maraon,
ang aming Associate Editor!

17/09/2025

𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻| 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗵.

Freshmen weren’t welcomed—they were hunted. Predators turned celebration into carnage.

It wasn’t the lights, the music, or even the crowd that turned a night of celebration into something darker. It was the creeps, the perverts, the sleazebags, the degenerate lowlifes.

Because what else do you call those who slip their hands where they don’t belong, who snap photos without consent, who shove bodies against others just to feel flesh against their skin? They weren’t misunderstood. They weren’t “caught in the moment.” They are predators—soulless, empathy drained, humanity stripped.

Rules were announced. Boundaries were made clear. Everyone knew what was right and what was wrong. Yet perverts always choose violation. They cross lines. They exploit the chaos. And that night, they did not hesitate.

A theme is not an excuse. “Savannah” does not mean you get to act like Hyenas, circling freshmen with animalistic instinct. You are expected to act like human beings. But the predators were already there, hiding in plain sight, waiting for the chance to hunt. Leopard prints didn’t invite them; their own perversion did.

And this is the truth: the night wasn’t ruined by organizers or institutions. It was ruined by individuals who knew exactly what they were doing—predators on the prowl, treating their peers not as students, but as prey. Some say they were outsiders, visitors from another university. Others whisper they were our own. But what does it matter? In the savannah, a Hyena is a Hyena, whether it prowls from afar or rises from within the herd. You are cut from the same cloth—fangs sharpened by lust, eyes trained on weakness, hearts beating only for the hunt. A true cold-blooded predator.

No checklist, no speech, no announcement will ever matter if predators continue to act without fear, without shame, without consequence. The blame is theirs. Entirely. The night of violation wasn’t born out of negligence—it was born out of perversion. The real enemy isn’t an organization. It is far worse: sinister, demonic, evil. The sleazebags who came armed with lust and spiked tumblers, eager to ruin what was meant to be a celebration.

So who do we blame? We blame the “Andrew Tate” knockoffs who see women as objects to be used. We blame the culture that glorifies predation, the media that feeds misogynists the lie that harassment and abuse are power. We blame the system.

See the bigger picture. Until these people are named, dragged into the light, and condemned for what they are, no space will ever be safe. Call them what they are, not “misguided,” not “immature,” but perverts—being perverts.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆: 𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗸𝗹æ𝗿
𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆: regine

13/09/2025

𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆| 𝗣𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗽

araw-araw sa pasilyo ng gemma,
suot-suot ang converse kong halos mabutas
na ang talampakan sa kakalakad,
dala-dala ko ang bag
na may isang notebook sa loob,
isinulat ko pa noong
nakaraang buwan.

sa unang pahina, pangarap
para kila mama’t papa.
sa ikalawa, pangarap
para sa mga kapatid.

at sa pinakalikod, sa medyo gusot
at maduming parte, nandoon ang akin:
una, matupad ang kanila,
ikalawa at panghuli, makakain ng spaghetti sa jollibee
nang hindi na nasasayangan sa ipinangbayad.

araw-araw, sa bawat hakbang,
ramdam ko ang bigat ng mga salitang nasa loob ng bag.
sumasakit na ang likod ko kakapasan,
minsan gumagaan kapag nakakatawa
kasama ang mga kaibigan.

at pagdating ng gabi,
sa apat na sulok ng boarding house,
mainit, minsan tahimik,
pero palaging maingay sa loob ng utak.

nagsisigawan ang mga boses,
ang iba nagtutulakan, nagsasakitan,
walang tumitigil.
ako mismo, pagod.
at minsan naiisip ko,
“ano kaya ang pakiramdam… sumuko?”

napaupo ako sa sahig, katabi
ang mga tumutulo kong luha.
nakita ko ang aking bag sa isang sulok,
nakabukas ang zipper,
para bang umiiyak din siya.
nilapitan ko at sinubukang isara,
pero sa loob nakita kong nagkakalatan ang mga papel.

sa isang sticky note:
to-do list
• assignment 1 (deadline later 11:59 pm)
• assignment 2 (deadline tomorrow 5:00 pm)
• groupwork (deadline tomorrow 11:59 pm)

sa isang punit na yellow pad:

1. grocery list
2. bigas 3 kls
3. itlog half tray
4. toyo 1 pouch
5. kape 3 packs

…hanggang kape lang pala ang kaya ng budget.

at sa pinakailalim, nakita
ko ang notebook. binuksan ko.
nandoon ang mga pangarap nila
sa bawat paghinga ko’y sinusubukan kong tuparin.

hinanap ko ‘yong para sa sarili ko.
nasa pinakalikod pa rin.
natawa ako sa spaghetti.
kaya dinagdagan ko:
unlimited fries, burger,
iba’t ibang kulay ng converse,
maginhawang buhay,
at “atty.” sa harap ng pangalan ko.

kahit ordinaryo ang mga kamay,
napagtanto kong may kapangyarihan pala—
ang magsulat ng mga pangarap.
at dahan-dahang abutin ang mga ito.

minsan gusto ko nalang ihinto ang orasan. kasabay ang pagod ng utak,
at hagulgol ng puso.

pero sa kabila ng lahat,
kahit mapudpod ang sapatos kakalakad sa campus,
kahit makuba ang likod kakapasan ng bag,
kahit itlog at pastil araw-araw,
kahit mapuno ang listahan ng gawain sa eskwela,
kahit katabi kong matulog ang lungkot sa boarding house,

kahit mahilo sa bus tuwing uuwi ng probinsya,
marinig lang ang boses ng pamilya—

magpapatuloy ako.
magpapatuloy akong hawakan ang ballpen,
magsulat ng mga pangarap,
at alagaan ang buhay na hawak ko.

dahil sa bawat hakbang ng mga paa,
at bawat letra sa pahina—
hindi lang buhay ko ang nabubuhayan,
hindi lang pangarap ko ang natutupad.

at kung minsan sumagi man sa isip ang pagsuko,
paalala ko sa sariling hindi ako nag-iisa.

dahil kasama ko ang mga pangarap ko, para sa sarili,
para sa mga mahal sa buhay.
at mga taong naghihintay
sa tagumpay kong tinatanaw.
lahat ng ito’y dahilan para
piliin kong magpatuloy.

dahil ang pagpapatuloy,
ay ang mismong paraan ko ng
pagpiling mabuhay.

sa ngayon,
sapat na muna ang mangarap
ng jollibee spaghetti nang hindi iniisip ang bayad.

saka na ang bagong converse,
pati ang ibang ko pang pangarap.

✒️: Paloma Vaflor
🖌: Nicole Tamboboy

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