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This year, International Women's Day flew by like a breeze, but the greater delight it gave made everyone euphoric. Hence, as individuals wear the official color of International Women's Day—purple—to mark the day and show solidarity with posters all over town, are we all aware of what the theme is all about? Women are seen as more 'vulnerable' than men when it comes to handling climate change issues or the possibility that they refute the strength of women. Truth be told, women are more reliant on the natural resources that climate change threatens the most; with that said, the cultural belief of staying at home gives them the time to use water, firewood, and other raw goods offered by the environment. - When you hit the tab and search for poverty surveys, it states that "70% of the world's poor are women"—and clearly, if it is not factual, social media is hijacking us with the truth or mainly with equality. In fact, extant data shows that women account for approximately 50%, not 70%, of the world's severe poor—though, as we demonstrate below, this does not imply that poverty is gender-neutral. So ask, what's this relevant to the climate? As climate change fuels conflict worldwide, women and girls are particularly subject to all sorts of gender-based violence. Conflict-related sexual violence, child prostitution, and other forms of abuse to pay for debts, to be enslaved people in third world countries. This year's Women's Day is critical for achieving gender equality in the context of climate change, recognition, and celebration of the women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change.—and honoring their contribution to a sustainable future. Without gender equality, today, a sustainable tomorrow and an equal future remain out of reach. Women and girls are dynamic and effective leaders and change-makers in climate adaptation and mitigation. They are involved in global sustainability projects. Their participation and leadership result in more effective climate action, especially with the change of ideals and fighting for every gender who has been accused and abused of societal maltreatment. 𝐴𝑛 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑣𝑎𝑠 Gender equality has been suggested to boost development results for future generations, such as with climate change. When women have more control over economic and natural resources, they are more inclined to invest in their human capital (i.e., health, education, etc., wellbeing). This argument assumes chances of living a better life, having a longer life expectancy, and having a superior quality of life. 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑦 Using the concept of UN's Women as a means of combating climate change, As quoted from Abdulla Shahid, President of the United Nations General Assembly. "It is only with women and girls at the center of our efforts that we have our best chance to succeed in addressing our current and pressing global challenges. From the climate emergency to political divisions to a sustainable recovery from this global pandemic. " 𝐽𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑎, 𝐿𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑎 𝑃𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑦𝑎, 𝐾𝑎𝑦𝑎! As the Philippines' Land Management Bureau—Gender and Development Focal Point System (LMB-GADFPS) joined in commemorating this year's National Women's Month with the national theme "We Make Change, Work for Women" and a sub-theme "Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!" which acts as a memorial, a platform, and a call to action, highlighting the unique roles of ordinary Juanas in society as trailblazers and change agents. A message of hope anchored on the belief that women in leadership are the way to achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world. 𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑜𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑒𝑠 Clearly, women feel more empowered than men in this generation. Gender discrimination and inequality within everyone are elucidated as irrelevant and bold. As we empower women, gender minorities, or people from LGBTQIA+. All the denied and unprecedented individuals who have suffered from the past deserve a union to fight for what's right and break the idea of the dominance of men in whichever field it may be. Embracing individuality rather than being defined by gender roles. Together, helping the community and sustaining a better future, we make a pinky promise to uphold all of this. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Chloe Alpay Layout and Design by: Adrian Nabua References: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/announcement/2021/12/international-womens-day-2022-gender-equality-today-for-a-sustainable-tomorrow https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113532#:~:text='Gender%20equality%20today%20for%20a,ending%20the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic. https://lmb.gov.ph/index.php/57-lmb-home-page/273-lmb-joins-the-celebration-of-the-national-women-s-month-2021-juana-laban-sa-pandemya-kaya https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113532#:~:text='Gender%20equality%20today%20for%20a,ending%20the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic.

Philippine Senator Leila de Lima is one of the world’s best-known political prisoners. She is a lawyer, human rights activist, and politician. She has been locked up in a special cell for five years without trial. 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 Senator de Lima is a graduate of De La Salle University. She took her law degree at San Beda University and passed her bar exam as the top 8th examinee last 1985. She was a staff member of Supreme Court Associate Justice Isagani Cruz from the year 1986-1989, the Secretary for the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal from the year 1993-1995, the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights from the year 2008-2010, and Secretary of the Department of Justice from the year 2010-2015. She ran for Senator in the National Elections last 2016, where she was voted as the 12th highest senator candidate. She is awarded the MetroBank Foundation Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance of 2015. She is the author of Republic Act 11291, the Magna Carta of the Poor, and Republic Act 11310, An Act Institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Through her being the head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, the Philippines was removed from the US Human Trafficking Watchlist. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 Shortly after June 30, 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte took office, Senator de Lima spoke of the increasing number of suspected drug offenders killed. Due to this, the President and other state officials began a campaign of harassment, against Senator de Lima, through public statements and a probe by the Lower House on drug trafficking inside the New Bilibid Prison. Unmoved, Senator de Lima utilized her position as the then Chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights to open a Senate Inquiry into the killings committed for the “war on drugs.” She located key witnesses and confessed members of the Davao Death Squads, who were willing to testify before the Senate in September 2016. After which, the allies of President Duterte brought ten people, seven of which being prison inmates, to testify before the Congress that drug money was paid to de Lima’s driver to aid in funding her senate campaign. It was later revealed that the prison inmates who testified received benefits in jail. On February 24, 2017, Senator de Lima willingly surrendered to the authorities at the Senate, a day after the police attempted to serve the arrest warrant against her. She was initially facing three charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for the non-bailable offense of trafficking drugs. Recently her orders were changed to a conspiracy of trading drugs. If she is found guilty, she is to face life imprisonment. Senator de Lima continues to deny the charges against her fervently. She has dismissed the allegations, stating that it was attempted by the President and his political allies to silence and discredit her. On July 18, 2019, the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed sedition charges against 36 high-profile figures, including the Vice President, Senator de Lima, Catholic bishops, lawyers, and other public figures. The charges entail that the individuals are “spreading lies against the President, his family, and close associates, making them appear as illegal drug trade protectors.” These charges were filed after the United Nations Human Rights Council, July 11, 2019, voted to investigate the extrajudicial killings committed by the Philippines for the anti-drugs campaign. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 Last September 19, 2019, The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission commenced a briefing entitled “Parliamentarians at Risk Around the World” with Vicente de Lima, the brother of Senator de Lima. Last January 8, 2020, the United States Senate voted in passing a resolution to condemn the Philippines' Government for Senator de Lima's continued detention while calling for her immediate release. Last February 17, 2021, a court in Muntinlupa acquitted Senator de Lima of one of her three conspiracy of committing drug trading charges. Unfortunately, she remains imprisoned for her two remaining charges. Last March 22, 2021, Senator Dick Durbin, in his speech on the Senate floor, called for the release of leading human rights advocate Sen. Leila de Lima, who has then spent four years in prison. Finally, in a letter by Senator Ed Markey, 10 Senators wrote to State Secretary Antony Blinken to end the unjust imprisonment of Senator de Lima. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 Senator Leila de Lima is currently running in the coming National Elections in prison, as former Senator Antonio Trillanes. They conducted a successful campaign during the 2007 elections from his cell at Fort Bonifacio, where then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo imprisoned him. As she runs in the 2022 elections, Senator de Lima has specified the three main legs for her 2022 platform. “To go after Duterte and undo the measures and actions taken by his administration that undermined our democratic processes and national sovereignty,” said Senator Leila de Lima, while elaborating her the first central leg of her platform. The second leg of her platform is strengthening the country’s defenses against the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects. By doing so, she chooses to discard President Duterte’s aggressive strategy and repair the country’s public health, economic support, and disaster relief systems. Last but not least, she plans to commence the transformation of the country’s political economy. “We may need to re-define what a living wage is. Not just to ensure that wage-earners make enough to keep themselves and their families barely alive, but enough so that most, if not all, Filipinos, have enough to set aside for emergencies,” said Senator de Lima. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Cristine Nicole Pagador Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes

From the ratification of the Magna Carta of Women thirteen years ago to the vocal and impactful advocacies of organizations and figures that cemented equity and empowerment to the public psyche, we have visibly raised educational, economic, health, and political participation and opportunities for women. Though far from parity, this movement is greatly aided and given credence when we consider exceptional Filipinas who bolstered our national pride by giving us our first Nobel prize and Olympic gold. Indeed, women in the Philippines have never been more empowered. Yet despite these positive developments, various problems still plague the women of this country. The most notable is how the Philippines severely lagged in one crucial aspect of this multifaceted issue—abortion. Abortion—under all circumstances—is a criminal offense, punishable by up to six years jail time both for women who terminate their pregnancies and those who help them. While a liberal interpretation of the law may allow abortion to be performed on the grounds of saving a woman’s life and in cases such as rape and incest, its ambiguous nature can be easily used to justify the contrary. In addition to this restrictive law, Philippine society with its prevalent conservative sentiments coupled with a powerful Catholic church made the topic of abortion taboo and the act morally reprehensible. This has caused problems on numerous fronts. The realities of abortion The threat of penalization and social stigma does not deter the widespread practice of abortion throughout the country, as its main driver—poverty—is just as prevalent. Though on its way to upper-middle income status, economic prosperity in the Philippines especially among the general populace seem to be lackluster, as on average, Filipino families only earn a daily wage of ₱800. In addition to this fact, nearly a quarter of the population is considered living below the poverty line, meaning that more than 26 million Filipinos are unable to afford their basic daily needs. Thus, contraceptives, most of which cost hundreds of pesos, are essentially out of reach. This circumstance is then partnered with the discontinuation of the supply of free contraceptives by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other international donors in 2008, replaced by government programs which proved to be insufficient. Hence, many Filipino women lack necessary access to these contraceptives, causing many of them to exceed their desired family size by having more children than they want. This makes unintended pregnancy a common occurrence, where data shows that over half of nationwide pregnancies are unintended. Such a case is especially true for young, poor Filipino women living in rural areas, hardly reached by government contraception and family planning programs. These circumstances eventually lead women to resort to abortion, two-thirds of which who avail of such services are poor. In 2012 alone, 610,000 Filipino women have undergone abortions. But due to its illegality, the majority of which are done in secrecy and through highly unsafe methods, often self-induced and performed in unsanitary conditions using outdated techniques. Since these abortions are not allowed to be conducted in professional settings, over 100,000 were hospitalized, and a thousand died. This grave issue on women’s health means that on average, 70 women induce abortion hourly, eleven of which would be hospitalized, and three would die daily. Even more concerning is that despite the passage of laws such as the Reproductive Health (RH) Law (RA 10354) and the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), which ensures access to professional post-abortion care, many medical practitioners still deny rendering such health services due to their religious and moral beliefs. Worse is that this denial of service has also been extended to women suffering complications from naturally occurring medical conditions such as miscarriages, incomplete abortion, and intrauterine fetal demise. Despite the lack of legal restrictions, women are still at risk of dying when they are illegally denied needed emergency life-saving care. Evidently, while the cause such a large number of abortions is socioeconomic in nature, it is not likely for this issue to be solved through poverty alleviation and higher standards of living. The problem is not that there are too many abortions, as even if we reduce its frequency, the illegality of such act and the structures put in place to prevent it and punish people involved in it will still force women to take drastic actions. An outdated law Abortion is penalized under Article 256 to 259 of Act No. 3851 or the 1930 Revised Penal Code, which Quezon City-based women rights group EnGendeRights characterize as a “restrictive, colonial, and antiquated law that continues to perpetuate discrimination.” Describing the law as “colonial” and “centuries-old” is not an exaggeration as the law itself is a direct translation (from Spanish to English) of the 1870 Old Spanish Penal Code, the provisions of which can be traced back to the 1822 Spanish Penal Code. Hence, many argue that the context upon which the law was made was in a colonial, conservative Catholic view, one that lacks the contemporary advancements in human and women’s rights enjoyed by our current society, as it was introduced before women’s suffrage (1938 in the Philippines), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1981). In a twist of irony, while the Philippines still ban abortion under all circumstances, Spain has already liberalized its abortion laws in 2010, allowing the practice for up to 14 weeks of pregnancy on specific grounds. Other Catholic-majority countries such as Hungary and Portugal permit abortion within a given gestation time frame, while Poland, Ireland, Brazil, and Chile—also with predominantly Catholic populations—authorize the act under exceptional cases. Towards future empowerment The illegality of abortion acts as a big thorn on women’s rights and empowerment as it clashes with issues on women’s health, freedom of choice, and bodily autonomy. However, with the existence of regulations and legal pronouncements such as the Magna Carta of Women (which explicitly directs lawmakers to repeal existing laws that are discriminatory to women) and Article 41 of the Civil Code (that expresses the prevalence of those with legal personality over prenatal protection) which serves as solid foundations for the advancement of this cause, the prospects for this issue does not seem to solely lie on preserving the status quo. Staying in line with the outlook of this issue, a substantial opportunity for change would be the national and local elections in May, which may prove to be a pivotal point for the future realities of this discussion. The prime position of interest would be the president of the republic, whose candidates appear to be divided with their views. Of the five survey frontrunners, Isko Moreno Domagoso and Manny Pacquiao are firm on their disapproval of abortion; Ping Lacson says more information would be needed to make a decision, while Leni Robredo is conflicted but open to discussions. Only Bongbong Marcos expressed a clear approval for the legalization of abortion, but only for severe cases. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Patrick Rabi Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura Sources: Revised Penal Code: https://lawphil.net/statutes/acts/act_3815_1930.html Legality of abortion: https://attorney.org.ph/legal-news/35-the-criminal-law-on-abortion Unintended pregnancy and abortion statistics: https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-context-and-consequences History of the penal code: https://www.projectjurisprudence.com/2017/07/history-applicability-rpc-act-no-3815-revised-penal-code.html?m=1 Women denied of post-abortion care: World Health Organization, Medical management of abortion, 2018. RH Law: https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-10354/ Magna Carta of Women: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/08/14/republic-act-no-9710/ Civil Code: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1949/06/18/republic-act-no-386/ Abortion laws in other countries: https://reproductiverights.org/worldabortionlaws?country=ESP Presidential candidate’s take on abortion: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/01/26/2156484/abortion-option-victims-rape-incest-presidential-bets-weight-in/amp Average income of Filipino families: https://psa.gov.ph/content/average-family-income-2015-estimated-22-thousand-pesos-monthly-results-2015-family-income Poverty incidence: https://psa.gov.ph/poverty-press-releases/nid/165535 Access to contraceptives in the PH: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/facts-barriers-contraceptive-use-philippines

Palagi nga bang nasa huli ang pagsisisi? Handa ka na bang harapin ang bunga ng iyong pagpili? Kaakibat ng pakikipagsapalaran sa buhay ang magdesisyon, mandato ng pagiging estudyante ang mag sumite sa kanilang pang araw-araw na gawain sa eskwela, ayaw man natin o hindi, kailangan natin ito upang makapasa. Sa katunayan may iba't ibang uri ng desisyon: Desisyon alam mong bullseye sa ganda ang kalalabasan, dahil naisulat mo na ito sa iyong notes at imahinasyon noong nakaraang buwan at siguradong panalo ang pagkakalatag nito. Pangalawa, desisyong mapapa-sipol ka nalang sabay sabing "malas!" dahil alam mo na ang ihahandog nitong kalalabasan. At higit sa lahat, desisyon na hindi mo gusto, hindi mo naisip na mapapasayo, pero dahil binigay, baka nga para sayo kaya kukunin mo nalang, mapapa "Lord, alam kong may dahilan bakit ako nandito"’. Saan mang lupalop at sulok makikita natin ang iba’t ibang uri ng desisyon, mga pangyayaring hubog at nagbibigay daan sa kung paano tayo mamumulat sa tunay nating identidad bilang estudyante, dalisay ng karunungan at paggapang sa tagumpay na inaasam ay nakabatay sa pagpili ng daang atin mismong tatahakin. Malinaw sa ating kaisipan na ang kursong Ekonomiks ay hindi payak, dahil hinahamon nito ang kanyang mga mag-aaral na iangat ang kanilang kaalaman sa paggawa ng desisyon sa pagitan ng mga kanais nais na alternatibo maihaharap dito. Kung kaya’t ng tinanong ukol sa ekonomiks bilang kanilang “first choice” sa kolehiyo, tatlong matigas na "Hindi", ang sagot na natanggap galing sa mga mag-aaral mula sa departamento ng ekonomiks. Ngunit sino ka nga para manghusga? lahat ay may hindi tiyak na daang tinungo, mga desisyon nagawa, at sa huli? Hindi naman naging masama ang resulta. Hindi radikal na kaisipan, ngunit gagawin lagi’t lagi, para sa pansariling kalagayan, kapayapaan ng isipan. Bilang karagdagang kaalaman, inilabora ng mga estudyanteng ito ang kanilang radikal na kaisipan sa isyung tungkol sa pagsisisi—kung mayroon—sa pagkuha ng kursong ekonomiks. "At first, yes. I do not have this course in mind, given the fact that I'm not good at it and I cannot see myself in this field, but what keeps on taking away my regrets is the reality we are experiencing with–poverty, inequality, and injustice system." Ika ni Rhoane Darang ng Bachelor of Economics 3-2. Ang alternatiboong daan na siyang naghubog sa kanila sa pagkamulat sa katotohanan at tagumpay na hayag ng larangan ng ekonomiks, ay tungo sa hustisya para sa bayan, kaalamang pampinansyal at kaugnayan ng ekonomiya sa labis na pag unlad at pagkakautang ng isang bansa. Pagkakataon na malalimang maintindihan ang silbi ng ekonomiks sa lipunan na naisasabuhay niya at nakatutulong upang maging aktibo sa lipunan tulad sa usapin ng pulitika at gobyerno. Kaalamang nakamtan sa tatlong taon na ibinatay sa kolehiyo, hindi nasayang, dahil ang ideya ay maaaring papasarinlang ang bayan. “Economics will open our minds about what is happening in our economy, government and its people. It makes us understand deeper that economics is on another level.” Pahayag ni Tristan Navarrosa mula Bachelor of Economics 3-1 ng tinanong tungkol sa kapakinabangan ng kursong ekonomiks. Patunay na may mga pagkakataon ring hindi matangkad si pagsisi minsan pantay lang sila ni pagdedesisyon, pareho lamang sila ng bilang sa dalawang pila; walang nauuna at walang nahuhuli. May bungang maganda at hindi, mga pagkakataon ring bibigyan ka ng dahilan para magpatuloy. Kung sa tanong ni Heneral Luna na "Bayan o Sarili? Pumili ka! " bayan ang iyong pipiliin, ang kasarinlang para sa bayan. Giit pa ni Averilla na “nakaiimpluwensya ang ekonomiya sa paggawa ng mga desisyon sa ating buhay, dahil ang ekonomiya ay naaangkop sa lahat.” Dagdag nya pa "It is one of the key that help us be a good decision maker and financially literate" Patunay na nakita mo man ang pagsisi na kasabay ng iyong pagpili, datapwat hindi lamang salimuot ang dala nito. "There is always a cost and benefit, thus, choose where you can be the most you." Ani ni Rhoane Darang Sa wakas, may mga desisyon na hindi mo alam kung saan ka dadalhin pero kailangan mo lang magtiwala. Hindi laging kaakibat ng “no choice” ang “regrets”. May pagpipilian man o wala, gusto mo man o hindi, may matututunan ka sa huli. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Lyka Tan Layout and Design by: Dennis Amoroso

With the hope of winning the people's vote, the nine candidates flagged their platforms and stood with National Issues during CNN Philippines’ Presidential Debate held at the University of Sto. Tomas on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Candidates said that Candidates would stop corruption in practice during their administration. Almost all of them pointed to the Bureau of Customs to be investigated when asked which government agency they would investigate. The Presidential bets The presidential candidates highlighted COVID-129 pandemic plans and accomplishments. They also vowed that higher pay and incentives to health workers would be expected if elected. Candidates presented proposals for infrastructure improvements and agriculture and emphasized that investment in these sectors is necessary. Meanwhile, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could not attend the debate due to a conflict of schedule. During this time, he was in Pangasinan, busy with campaigning. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Maria Danica Esparrago Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes Sources: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/2/28/CNN-Philippines-2022-Presidential-Debate-wrap.html https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/02/27/211644/attendance-check-this-tiger-is-at-ust-cnn-presidential-debate-venue/

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” - Michelle Obama Every 8th day of March, we honor, celebrate, and recognize the beauty, strength, and remarkable achievements of women worldwide and the ongoing, persistent quest for global gender equality. As we commemorate International Women's Day, let us continue to uplift and empower all the women around us to be the brightest and greatest versions of themselves, not just today but every day. Every woman carries tremendous power and beautiful qualities that can transform the world for the better. For far too long, we have been opposing a patriarchal system and continuously challenge everyone to live a world without discrimination, stereotypes, and biases. Women have worked hard to make a reputation for themselves in the world of politics, education, athletics, economic opportunities, and many other male-dominated fields. And while women should not have had to strive so hard to begin with, their efforts to challenge the standards that formerly prevented them from becoming leaders, educators, and workers have shown that they, too, are capable of what other genders can do. Happy 8th day of March and Happy International Women’s Day! Let this day be a day where we pay tribute to women's power, talent, and humility — from our mothers, sisters and friends, women workers and leaders, and to every woman in all kinds of identities. They are not just women; they are more than society has confined them. Let HER amazing stories be told. Babae sila, hindi babae lang. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Shaira Mapoy Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes

Many schools in Manila have opened their limited face-to-face as February started, under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) permission granted. On January 11, 2022, CHED announced that Phase 2 limited face-to-face classes among Higher Education Institutions (HEI) might begin on January 31, 2022, in areas under level 3. The said date was suggested by the Department of Health (DOH) amid the country's surge in COVID 19 infection. According to CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III, CHED, and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 148-G approved the phased implementation for all programs under the Alert Levels System for COVD-19 Response. Although pilot classes have been around since January and September of 2021, Phase 1 of limited face-to-face classes started last December 2021, and phase 2 began last January 31, 2022. However, the decision to open the school for students depends on the school. Meanwhile, Polytechnic University Philippines (PUP) said that the earliest possible face-to-face class would be in October 2022 or the following academic year. Last May 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte canceled face-to-face classes until the coronavirus vaccine was available. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Maria Danica Esparrago Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes Sources: https://thepost.net.ph/news/campus/pup-to-hold-limited-f2f-classes-in-a-y-2022-2023/ https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1539761/colleges-may-resumein-person-classes-jan-31/amp https://www.google.com/amp/s/mb.com.ph/2022/01/11/ched-limited-face-to-face-classes-for-all-programs-alert-level-3-areas-to-begin-on-jan-31/%3famp https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1160009 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2721609728148194&id=1432314160411097&sfnsn=mo https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/26/no-school-until-coronavirus-vaccine-is-available-duterte

The University of the Philippines Babaylan is the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students' care group on all grounds of the State University. UP Babaylan is an association secured on the conviction that all people should be equivalent, paying little heed to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or sexual direction. The association knows about the condition of minimization of gay people in the college, precisely, and the country, as a general rule, organizing exercises pointed toward encouraging social acknowledgment of gay people. The organization means to fill in as the medium through which the privileges and government assistance of gay students are progressed and safeguarded. As they held the Drag Den IV: Unite for Love this February 25, 2021, to stand firm in what the future holds wrong. Their method for convincing and taking the battle against sexism, orientation-based viciousness, and social disparities. In line with this, this event was achieved with the help of a partnership with Motivo, Lushly, Association of Chemical Engineering Students - MCL, UP Catandungan Los Banos, UPLB College of Development Communication Freshman Council, and UPLB SIGMA RHO FRATERNITY. When we envision Drag culture, we have great outfits and stifling displays, yet the recorded setting of Drag in the Philippines stems farther than those joined. Behind the beautiful specialty of Drag is not just a display; a sort of contradiction and pride. Regardless, it is a kind of contradiction and pride describing. It came to a long history that consolidated the fight against expansionism, homophobia, and the suffering viewpoint on drag queens as ploys for unobtrusive parody. Balance and independence from segregation are fundamental everyday freedoms that have a place with everybody, no matter their sexual orientation, gender personality, or sex characteristics. Nonetheless, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals in the community can encounter stunning degrees of brutality, badgering, and segregation. We were forced with a ton of generalizing and uncountable quantities of standardized sexism in the past. As they tackle the persecution and break the shackles of the patriarchal system in the present age, it is essential to spread mindfulness as we live in a society where the arrangement of abuse happens. We as a whole experience the oppressive effects of this severe system of injustice, particularly the individuals from the LGBTQ people group, but since we feed on differences and weaknesses, not all humans endure similarly. Be that as it may, here they are, LGBTQ individuals are dashing and getting up to speed. They are showing that they can sparkle in a man's reality. The thing is, they need not bother with a man's reality. We need not bother with a man's existence. We want a world where homosexuals do things they prefer and get the stage with men equivalent to them. Furthermore, more profoundly denied and stifled than others, some can mend an overabundance to recuperate. They are people expected to adapt to approach steady minority stress; valiance will probably be their solidarity. In a culture where dangers of actual savagery, separation, social avoidance, and political imbalance are excused by the public authority, the LGBT people group experience immediate, steady dangers that their heterosexual counterparts seldom face. As the event started, they encountered some technical difficulties. But these difficulties didn't affect how explosive the performances of our local artists were. Frank Saturday sets the event's mood as he sang de javu and his composition entitled "Take It Slow." After serenading the lovely viewers, a heartbreaking story tells how difficult LGBTQ members face the danger and severe patriarchal system. As the video continues, it showed how receiving insults from people around them can lead to depression and suicide. It is not easy for them to be accepted by the judgemental society, and as they reminisce on how the murderer of Jennifer Laude, Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton receives a pardon quickly from the President of the Philippines. It is visible to many LGBTQ members how unfair the justice system is in the country where they live. After the heartbreaking story, a hot performance from our Drag Queens will make you dance even if you are sitting in your house. A heartwarming song from Joan Velasquez as she sang her own composition entitled “Pahinga, Sa Panaginip Lang Pala”. She shared a story that this song was dedicated to her friend who's also part of the LGBTQ community. But, later on, as the event continued, people who joined the raffle were waiting for the extravagant prizes that would make us feel envious. They will have the chance to win: the first place will get a tote bag from EXTRAVAGANZA, a humidifier with an essential oil set for the second place, and french press from IS OKUURR the third place. However, there is more, with the help of generous sponsors, there are additional prizes: two winners of 150 pesos e-voucher from Khoeli, three winners of 300 pesos e-voucher from Lushly, two winners of 500 pesos e-voucher from Motivo, three winners of 500 pesos e-vouchers from Commune Picks, and last but not least, five winners of DKT Gift pack and Polaris e-vouchers. This event was not just created to show how oppression and discrimination affect the individuals part of the LGBTQ community but also to show that despite the patriarchal system, they are still fighting for a better society. They show how strong they are through those colorful performances that will keep you excited. They are the most incredible performers that we have seen because they gave all their best shots to make you happy. Are you willing to join as they shout Maki-Baka, Wag Ma-shokot? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Allen Galicia Layout and Design by: Bey Gordula

The culture of impunity in the Philippines has long since been ingrained in the country’s history. Government servants who have committed crimes against the country still roam free and even run for office. One such case is of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He was convicted of several counts of tax evasion faced a disqualification case and petitions. However, he can still run for office because of his and his family’s power and influence. In fact, he is a candidate for the presidency In the 2022 elections. This is a clear sign that a new Marcos administration is possible It is not old news for Filipinos that Marcos Sr.’s term was considered the lowest point for human rights, economic stability, and political stability. When Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law in the Philippines, 70,000 people were arrested without warrants, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 people were killed. The Marcoses, until now, are still equipped with the wealth that they stole from the country; they even hold the title of “Greatest robbery of a Government” by the Guinness Book of World Records. It might seem funny that the Marcoses hold a title for their ill acts, but we cannot deny that a Marcos administration is still a possibility. The ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses has been estimated between $5 billion to $10 billion, but still, the money was nowhere to be returned to the Filipinos. They can still roam free even though there are dozens of proven cases against them—the culture of impunity is still rampant in our society. Through the use of propaganda and historical distortion, the Marcoses are still able to capture the hearts of some Filipinos. We are fed that the Philippines was at the peak of economic and political stability during the term of Marcos Sr. This is one of the arguments of the supporters of Marcos Jr. that he will bring back the legacy that his father had built, which seems to have been effective. In fact, in a survey conducted by Pulse Asia, it is shown that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is one of the frontrunners in the 2022 Philippine Presidential Elections. But on the contrary, at the end of Marcos Sr.’s regime, the Philippines’ foreign debt reached a record high of $28.26 million and armed rebellion swelled, and amplified in response to the oppressive regime. Even though the fake news and historical distortion have been debunked several times, it is worth noting that the Marcoses still have not lost their appeal and charisma; their supporters are still growing rampantly. But there is still a glimmer of hope for Filipinos. Much like it is an opportunity for the Marcoses to have power in the 2022 elections, it is also an opportunity for Filipinos to fight and prevent it. Much like how the Filipinos rallied up and headed to EDSA during the EDSA uprising, Filipinos can rally up and vote against Marcos. Through rigorous effort and on-ground campaigning, we can see that people are now able to see that in reality, instead of having a campaign of his own, Marcos Jr. is still living under the shadow of his late father—under the false and distorted reality of the Philippines’ so-called Golden Era. Through the collective efforts of Filipinos, the prevention of another Marcos coming into power is also possible. The prevention of an administration built on greed, lies, and transgressions is also possible. Never again.

Have you ever been reminded of where all that water came from? When you think of tribes, what comes into mind? On top of your head, you might imagine mountains, hidden areas, or maybe the ones you can get tattoos from. This time I’d like to introduce you to the Dumagats. The Dumagats reside in an area that is threatened to be taken from them. The ancestral site in the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve in the Sierra Madre is being made into a Dam. The planned Dam will provide 600 million liters of water. But why should we care, you might ask? Doesn’t it mean more water for us? Although beneficial for us, we exchanged that amount of water for their homes. This kind of project often displaced the indigenous communities out of their homes. In this pandemic, a sufficient and sanitized water supply is essential. The Dam has a pending construction, the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project, under the Duterte administration in the “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program. It is said that it will serve as a long-term solution to Metro Manila’s water woes. In a Report by Inquirer.Net 2021: “The construction will affect about 1,465 families, according to an executive summary on the project prepared by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau.” Aileen, a member of the Dumagat-Remontado tribe, expresses that the dam takes away their ancestral home, livelihood, identity, and livelihood. As you have learned, studying science, trees, and nature are natural combatants to floods. Largely isolated on the Sierra Madre, the Dumagats live off the tilled land and the forest, their rustic environs allowing little buffer from natural disasters. Although there are some beneficial outputs, there are also setbacks if the Kaliwa Dam is built. The China Energy Engineering Corp. has expressed its support for the project. Whereas, the STOP Kaliwa Dam Network, leaders from Dumagat communities in General Nakar in Quezon province were invited to discuss a memorandum of agreement validation and community royalty development program (CRDP) from January 24 to 29. The gnawing question: “ Do the benefits outweigh or justify the costs?” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: By: Nethaniah Jan J. Lim Layout and Design by: Joe-Mica Dobles

Especially Yours, Eleonor. Get a broken glass wine As your valentine, Starting euphoria May end in destruction. We feasted, But you cried. I charmed However, you wouldn't, We marry, But you escaped. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Allen Gallicia Layout and Design by: Cris Cudal

Feeling the warmth of the sun as we walk through the streets of a familiar street is somehow a distant memory. The sight of what once was so familiar would feel like a new scene. Where once we've spent hours of our day, would now feel like a dream so real. Nostalgic, it may seem. Most of our cherished memories as students revolve around our social life. The gala with friends after classes, the org activities everyone enjoys, the school concerts with no physical distancing in mind, and our comfort foods around the campus are some of the things we surely miss. Truly our social endeavors are part of the so-called "best four years" of our lives, and one thing I'm sure everyone hopes to experience again is the fun we have amidst the hardships. No one would have foreseen the current predicament of our learning system. We all have taken the life we had for granted. With all of our efforts to bring students back to their alma mater, the question is, will it ever be the same? Surely, we look forward to the day when our campuses will reopen. Going back to the corridors of our universities would feel like going home despite being gone for so long, and the memories of what once was our daily lives would come flooding like a bitter-sweet memory. However, with the virus still present in our environment, going back to our campuses may no longer mean experiencing the freedom we had in the years before the pandemic. Health is a far more pressing concern over students' satisfaction. With the nearing possibility of face-to-face classes in PUP, everyone's safety must be our priority; thus, our hopes for the things we miss the most in face-to-face learning may no longer happen. Yet, we can remain confident in the betterment of our current learning circumstances through the reopening of campuses. The primary goal of providing the quality education we deserve, hindered by distance learning, will soon fade. Only now do we have to consider the virus in everything we do and be wary of our role in mitigating it. Sure, maybe we can find a sense of satisfaction with how accessible the in-person student services are, finally connecting with professors and fellow students more efficiently, meeting new friends, and merely seeing the walls of our campus. But deep down, it will never compare to the life we once had. We can only hope that what once was our typical daily life will not just become a memory so blue. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Julia Torres Layout and Design by: Adrian Nabua