The Forefront - Gordon College

27/08/2025

You're born to dilly dally, pero hindi rito natatapos 'yon! Subukan mo ang iyong swerte sa ibang terminal. Try mo sa PARADAHAN, ‘di ka lang basta pasahero, you're forced to learn how to fit into society to deliver empowering stories like no other!🗣

“Kuya, diyan lang sa kanto.” “Kuya, sa tabi lang po.” “Kuya, itigil na natin ‘to!” Sabi ni Juan na pagod nang makipagsisikan, pagod nang maging bystander lamang.

Mahirap naman talagang makipagsiksikan sa alam nang walohan lang, pinagpipilitang sampuan daw. Ngunit dahil walang alternatibo, sige kahit kalahating pwet pagkasyahin. Eh ang kaso, wala ba talagang ibang pagpipilian?

Barya lang sa umaga; transparency para sa pag-arangkada ng bansa. Nasa iyong mga kamay ang manibelang maghahatid sa mga tao tungo sa pagkamit ng katarungan.

“Oh isa pa! Kasya pa isa sa kaliwa!” Tulad ng nakagigising na sigaw ni manong barker, walang takot mong ipagsigawan ang katotohanan.

Kung tulad ka ni Juan na pagod nang makipagsisikan, tara na sa Terminal ng Forefront: ROOM 524 ngayong Sabado ika-30 ng Agosto, mula 8:00am-7:00pm.

Fill out the provided Google Form Link:
https://forms.gle/2a7bquexmrCtPh8L8
https://forms.gle/2a7bquexmrCtPh8L8
https://forms.gle/2a7bquexmrCtPh8L8

𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒
• Must be a bona fide student of Gordon College Academic Year 2025 - 2026
• The auditionees are welcome, with or without experience in campus journalism.
•Must be socially, politically, and culturally aware of current events.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:
GENERAL: A copy of a 2x2 Picture for the Application Form
WRITERS: Pen and creative juices
PHOTOJOURNALISTS: Camera or Phone
BROADCASTERS: Mobile device or Laptop Device for Software Editing (Premiere Pro, Capcut, etc)
TRADITIONAL ART CATEGORIES: Pencil and Coloring Materials
DIGITAL ART CATEGORIES: Phone, Laptop, or Tablet for Software Editing (Photoshop, ibisPaint, etc.)

Note: The students who pre-registered during Apertura may or may not fill out this Google Form. Please ensure that you attend the scheduled recruitment exam. Furthermore, the students who weren't able to pre-register are eligible to fill out the form.

Visit the official page of The Forefront - Gordon College:
The Forefront - Gordon College

Kitakits sa Paradahan!

27/08/2025

COLUMN | Self-Dismemberment

For a ‘BS Org’ student, the everyday dilemma is how to designate each individual segment of their body across a plethora of tasks to deliver and meetings to attend, and events to partake in across multiple organizations. Three years as a BS Org student, i.e., someone active in a boatload of campus organizations, is an experience inculcated with bursts of motivation and initiative, followed thereafter by mentally exhausting burnout and the physical toll of pulling all-nighters while high on caffeine (see the coffee stains on my teeth and the anxious tendencies?).

The fact is, you are not alone; a Deloitte study found that an estimated 70% of Gen Zs experienced burnout in 2024 due to demanding workloads. Looking back, I find a hard pill to swallow: there is a life outside of my organizations. Above all, there is a version of me that is worthy to be seen and heard outside of the work and services I render.

Take me for example: I perform for the campus’ theater troupe; produce graphics for my major’s home organization; and hold numerous head and contributor positions at the student publication. On top of these, I squeeze in on and off freelance work to support my studies. Don’t even mention the academic workload – a notoriously demanding program, at least anecdotally, that squeezes in lecture work, hours of laboratory work, and countless demonstration classes.

Especially morbid is the bloodshed during ‘hell week’: a period, usually near the end of a semester, where all academic loads pile up together with campus events that an org (or two) of mine has designated. These are times when I wish nothing more than the ability to photocopy myself. Powering through burnout is a mix of deluding myself into believing that ‘I love what I’m doing’ and convincing myself that burnouts mean that I am doing a good job. Online mental health website Psychology Today describes burnout as the feeling of mental, emotional, and physical fatigue that stems from stress.

Professionals' advice to draw better boundaries at work by learning to say ‘no’, scheduling regular breaks, and minimizing multitasking. But where does this cycle of unhealthy, fatigue-inducing lifestyle come from? What motivates a BS Org student’s martyrdom?

For one, it is the toxic behavior of tying our own worth to our ability to be productive. We subconsciously feel worthless when we have nothing on our plates. So, we seek commitments to fill that void. The preceding burnout afterwards is then filled with loathing, whispers of “maybe I didn’t manage my projects enough…” or “maybe I shouldn’t have taken that extra nap…” or “maybe I’m not good enough to work on this…”

Now that I have just a few semesters left in my BS Org career (for lack of a better term), I have learned the essence of balancing the different centers of your life in college. For the longest time, you have put so much blood, sweat, and tears into academics and org work that you practically forgot that there is still a life outside of your organizations. If you could find the energy to delegate tasks amongst the different versions of yourself, why couldn’t you find the time to work on the personal things you value? If you could spend countless hours meeting with colleagues, why couldn’t you spend more of it with the people you Iove?

There is a whole world out there waiting, outside the four corners of the office and the computer screen. Another hard pill to swallow is that your organization would not prosper if you are constantly on the brink of exhaustion – a once handy matchstick about to die out.

Still, I cherish the time and energy I spent throughout my BS Org journey. The amount of growth and opportunities through the years has been astronomical. The endless nights spent red-eyed pale in comparison to the memories I experienced, skills I acquired, and families I made along the way. I would definitely do this all over again, armed with better defenses. I would remind little me that I am a worthy person – whether I am working productively in service for the campus, or whether I’m just enjoying the remainder of my college years, days of what’s left of my dwindling youth.

When one is programmed in the cycle of toxic productivity, it becomes difficult to break out – especially when it is a cycle that’s all you have ever known. It is crucial to recognize the importance of refueling when you run out of gas. Besides, if you perpetually present yourself as a tattered shell of a being running on autopilot, will your service to the campus run just as good? | Via Lance Isaac Leon/The FOREFRONT

_________________________

This article was first published in The Forefront’s e-magazine ‘PARAluman’. Check out PARAluman via HeyZine at this link: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/701d40aeb8.html

27/08/2025

NEWS FEATURE | NAME PROTECTED: Agaton and Cerilles Among the Philippines' Most Outstanding

Two students from Aduana - Gordon College (GC) Chapter were recognized as the Most Outstanding BSCA Students of the Philippines for 2025 at an awards ceremony held by the Philippine Society of Customs Administration Students (PSCAS) Nationals on August 16 at Wind Residences, Tagaytay City.

Kris Rean Agaton was named the Top 1 Most Outstanding BSCA Student, while Renmmelle Kyle Cerilles secured the Top 3 position.

AGATON’S CUSTOMized JOURNEY
For Agaton, receiving the top honor was a moment of profound shock and validation.

She acknowledged experiencing personal doubt at the moment when she was nominated and considered her lack of extracurricular activities as a drawback compared to her fellow nominees across the country.

"I initially thought my chances of making it into the Top 10 were slim. That's why, when I received the message that I ranked number one, I was overwhelmed with happiness and disbelief," she added.

Furthermore, Agaton shared that her mother has always been the biggest source of motivation, as she’s been pushing her to move outside her comfort zone.

She revealed that, in her second year, she consistently declined opportunities for national competitions due to a "fear of failure."

"Why not give it a try? It's your last chance. I know you don't regret turning down the chances before, but at least take this one as something you can look back on in the future," her mother assured.

This encouragement helped her overcome her fear of failure.

CE-REALEST AND DEDICATION
On the other hand, Cerilles's journey to the Top 3 position was a story of significant personal transformation. He admitted that he was far from what many would call 'outstanding' and did not always take academics as seriously as he should have.

"Honestly, if you look back at past years, I was far from what many would call 'outstanding.' I used to be the type of student who would rather stand outside the classroom," Cerilles shared.

It was deliberate of him to give his best in whatever he did, and this eventually resulted in a leadership position at PSCAS-GC that took him to positions he never expected.

"This award is not just a recognition of what I achieved, but a reflection of how far I've come. From someone unsure of their place to someone willing to go beyond their borders," he reflected.

Similarly, Cerilles attributed his success to the lessons and sacrifices of his parents.

He sees them as his "greatest mentors," with his mother's resilience and his father's resourcefulness shaping his character and approach to challenges.

"They reminded me that success is never about individual effort alone, it is built upon the values, discipline, and character that we learn from those who raised us," he emphasized.

When the two were asked what they felt was the most valuable piece of advice to give to other aspiring students of the Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration, both Agaton and Cerilles returned with bits of wisdom based primarily on their own experiences.

The advice given by Agaton focused on being aware of oneself and being focused.

The cluster I valedictorian urged students to remember their "why"—the reason they started—and to make that their anchor.

"Your journey is your own. Stay focused, be patient with yourself, and trust that your efforts—no matter how big or small—are leading you somewhere meaningful," she reminded.

Meanwhile, Cerilles' message was a call to "move beyond borders."

Using the metaphor of an "aduana" (customs), he encouraged students to be brave enough to step out of their comfort zones.

Whether it is joining a student organization or taking academics more seriously, it brings one closer to discovering one's true potential, he advised the students that growth only happens when you dare to cross those borders. | via Princess Alliyah Danday/The FOREFRONT

Photo Credits to PSCAS - Gordon College’s Official page

26/08/2025

PARA saan pa ang pagiging mamamahayag kung hihinto ito’t magdadahan-DAHAN?

Ride with us as we journey together to inform and empower — driving change while beeping against lies and deception. With pens as our engine and lenses as our headlight, we will brave the traffic of injustice and oppression with PARADAHAN: Competitive Recruitment Exam.

Join us as we fearlessly steer the wheels towards genuine press freedom and uphold the truth with conviction. Take your seat as we carry the struggles of the student body, fuelling the ride towards a more empowered community.

The Forefront, student publication of Gordon College, is looking for aspiring campus journalists who are willing to cultivate rich stories, deliver news packages, and develop groundbreaking narratives on its Competitive Recruitment Exam this Saturday, August 30, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM, in Room 524.

The categories open:
News Writing
Editorial | Opinion Writing
Features Writing
Literary/Kultura Writing
Development Communications Writing
Sports Writing
Photojournalism
Broadcasting
Illustrator
Editorial Cartooning
Layout/Graphic Artists
Multimedia Artist

Fill out the provided Google Form Link:
https://forms.gle/2a7bquexmrCtPh8L8
https://forms.gle/2a7bquexmrCtPh8L8
https://forms.gle/2a7bquexmrCtPh8L8

𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒
• Must be a bona fide student of Gordon College Academic Year 2025 - 2026
• The auditionees are welcome, with or without experience in campus journalism.
•Must be socially, politically, and culturally aware of current events.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:
GENERAL: A copy of a 2x2 Picture for the Application Form
WRITERS: Pen and creative juices
PHOTOJOURNALISTS: Camera or Phone
BROADCASTERS: Mobile device or Laptop Device for Software Editing (Premiere Pro, Capcut, etc)
TRADITIONAL ART CATEGORIES: Pencil and Coloring Materials
DIGITAL ART CATEGORIES: Phone, Laptop, or Tablet for Software Editing (Photoshop, ibisPaint, etc.)

Note: The students who pre-registered during Apertura may or may not fill out this Google Form. Please ensure that you attend the scheduled recruitment exam. Furthermore, the students who weren't able to pre-register are eligible to fill out the form.

Ride where every stop leads to a story. Embark on this journey and hold on tight — for every student, every voice, and every story has a seat in this ride.

Kitakits sa paradahan!

Layout by Angelique Jose & Jherica Mhae Tormes
Illustration by Angelique Jose

25/08/2025

This National Heroes Day, we salute the giants of our past while recognizing the heroes among us today. It is as if Rizal, Bonifacio, Gabriela, and countless others whisper: Do not let our sacrifice be in vain—the freedom we fought for is now yours to protect.

We honor them not with silence, but with action—by choosing truth over convenience, service over self, and unity over division. Their courage endures in every Filipino who carries their spirit through resilience, compassion, and hope. Every honest act, every brave stand, every step toward a better tomorrow continues the story our heroes began.

They dreamed of a nation where courage outlasts fear and unity outshines division. Today, that dream rests in our hands. The mirror of our nation reflects not only where we came from, but who we are becoming. The legacy of our heroes is not behind us—it lives within us.

Graphics by Samantha Suñga

21/08/2025

𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐘 𝐀𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐎 𝐃𝐀𝐘 | 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺’𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴—𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳?

With bleeding hearts, we must admit, our mother country is an unwilling harlot. In a relentless search for pure love, she accommodates crooks cruel to her children. A beautiful, affectionate, and hospitable woman anyone can love yet, for their own good and their survival, is better off not embraced.

Her days cannot be wrapped up free of any bad news; her history cannot be rid of exhibitions of greed and folly. Her offspring, thirsting for peace and a good life since forever, only found it away from their genesis. Only maintained it by not thinking of their mother or her affairs. Only enjoyed it by not involving themselves in her downfall.

A burden, though, as much as it is a blessing—we are bound by one democracy. Today, we commemorate the death of another martyr, another believer and dreamer and fighter for this same lavish democracy. A solemn power now abused, disrespected, twisted, and neglected both by the crocs and their brainwashed prey alike. New suggestions rose, debates continue about whether to abolish or transform this system of government.

The water has been poisoned. The people are infected. The apocalypse is now.

In this status quo, perhaps the question above is not the one we should ask. Worth dying for or not anymore, we don’t need more deaths — rather, more people to wake up. Because the same person who once declared those words was also the one who spoke: “𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮, 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵.”

And, most importantly…

“𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯; 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴.”

A lot of us kept missing Ninoy’s point.

To this day, we still wait for a savior, for a messiah, for another body to fall so that we might finally rise. We all aim to rest easy, while offering just one to the heaven above for the entire country’s wish to come true. That means, stop looking for the latest politicians to idolize or whoever it is you think can change the state of the whole archipelago once they run.

If there’s one lesson we learned and we will learn over and over again across our past and in our future: freedom cannot be begged for, nor borrowed from the blood of the fallen and drained sacrificial lambs. It can only be taken back, again and again, by THOSE who refuse to surrender.

Keyword, THOSE. Together, we must look into the mirror: do we do our part when we ask for more?

The task may be heavier now because the poison has seeped deep in the exact masses supposed to resist; because disillusion has numbed so many of us. But this is precisely why Ninoy’s words remain urgent especially on his day, and why we must remember this now. The fight was never meant to rest on a single pair of shoulders. It is ours to carry, fractured we may be, though desperate to leave, we must remain.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿.

_____________________

✏️: Shermel Ramos Carlos | Feature Correspondent
🎨: Zeyrus Enriquez | Graphic Artist

20/08/2025

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | NASANAY. NAKASANAYAN. SINANAY. The Forefront's Official Television Program "Pronta Balita" is an official entry in the A-List News Broadcast Production for the 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress (YJPFC).

Watch the full broadcast by clicking the link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ZEuwTUyfL/

𝗔-𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬. Check out the thumbnail photos of the official entries in the A-List News Broadcast Production competition for the upcoming 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress.

Link here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ZEuwTUyfL/

20/08/2025

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | The Forefront's official entry for A-List Mobile Journalism (MOJO) Video entitled "...and for my final answer," for the 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress (YJPFC). This advocacy video tackles the necessity for gender expression and provides affirmative ways to prevent gender-based violence on campus.

You may watch the entirety of the video by clicking the link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CP9bN8dvY/

𝗔-𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗢 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬. Check out the thumbnail photos of the official entries in the A-List Mobile Journalism Video competition for the upcoming 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress.

Link here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CP9bN8dvY/

19/08/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐭—𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Your words symbolize deeper meanings that only few could ever fathom, and your masterpieces speak more than people could see. Your truth informs us in ways that we always admire, as your heart empowers every hoping soul around you. To your endless journey of mysteries and discoveries, may you never forget your growth—your little steps.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥?

From The Forefront family to one of the greatest campus journalists we ever had — happiest birthday, Isaac!

Always informing and empowering! 🎈

18/08/2025

LOOK | PARAluman is the official entry of The Forefront for the Search for A-List E-Magazine at the upcoming 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress (YJPFC) on August 29, 2025. The semestral e-magazine features diverse stories from the hallways of the campus to the streets of Gapo, clad in the colors of the city's iconic jeepneys.

Check out PARAluman via HeyZine at this link: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/701d40aeb8.html

𝗔-𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗘-𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗭𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬. The search for the best e-magazine aims to recognize digital magazines that excel in content quality, design, and user engagement.

Read here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/701d40aeb8.html