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No Vax, No Entry bars the unvaccinated from entering establishments. This policy also mandates every worker to at least make it to their jobs. Filipinos want to get vaccinated, but there are problems surrounding the vaccine rollouts. In a survey conducted by the Social Weather Station from September 27 to 30, 2021, about 64% of Filipinos are willing to get vaccinated. People who do not want to get the vaccine are either afraid because they are misinformed or they do not have the privilege of getting jabbed However, unlike in Manila where the vaccine rollouts were first conducted, provinces do not have much access to vaccines. Stasita, a company which specializes in market and consumer data, reported that as of November 16, 2021, about 19 million FIlipinos living in the NCR are vaccinated, either fully or partially vaccinated. Meanwhile, about 1.3 million and 600 thousand are either fully or partially vaccinated in MIMAROPA and BARMM respectively. Being the capital of the Philippines, Metro Manila serves as the economic center of the Philippines. Filipinos from all around the country migrate to Manila to look for job opportunities, making the NCR the most populated region in the Philippines. Population density of the NCR compared to the other regions is a reason why there is a vaccine disparity in the country. The vaccine disparity observed in the regions of the Philippines shows how vaccines are inaccessible in the provinces. When in fact, provinces also provide a huge chunk of the country’s consumers. It also shows how the opportunities to get jabbed are unequal among the regions in the Philippines. Even in Manila, vaccination centers are overwhelmed with people. Some even choose to go home instead of getting jabbed, because they have more important errands to attend to. The lack of information for the ordinary Filipino in regards with the effects of the vaccine causes low confidence with the vaccines. An example would be when there were reports of deaths of people who were jabbed with either vaccines from Moderna and Astrazeneca. But these deaths are just so little compared to the millions who were jabbed with the brands and still recovered. Fake news affects vaccine rollouts as well. Some have alleged that Sinovac and other vaccines have microchips in every dose. For a reasonable person, this news might sound hilarious, but for people who do not know how to fact-check or do not have access to information, this kind of misinformation can be the cause of why they do not want to get jabbed. The fear over the negative effects of the vaccines for people outweighs its positive effects, which then prevents people from getting jabbed. The role of the government and of the media is to spread information regarding the vaccine and its effects and to prevent the spread of misinformation among the population. The low confidence of Filipinos towards the vaccine causes them to not get jabbed, resulting in fewer Filipinos getting their vaccines. Because of the No Vax, No Entry policy, only few Filipinos will be able to enter establishments and consume goods that they can purchase. The lowered number of people being able to consume will therefore result in the slow flow of money in the economy. Thus, slowing the economic growth of the country. This policy will not just be harmful to the people, but also to the country itself. One could say that the No Vax, No Entry is counter-intuitive because although non-vaccinated people are prevented from going inside establishments, particularly malls, they are still exposed to people outside (unless they follow safety protocols). Vaccinated and non-vaccinated people still interact inside transportation vehicles, or those vaccinated people live with people who are not vaccinated, so they can still be infected with the virus. Note that the vaccine does not make one immune from the virus, But it is also important to get vaccinated because it reduces a person’s risk of contracting the virus and it prevents the worsening of its effects when one contracts it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura Photo Courtesy: Cris Cudal Sources: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1520380/no-vax-no-entry-in-mactan-malls https://www.rappler.com/nation/cagayan-de-oro-implement-no-covid-19-vaccine-no-entry-policy-malls-exempts-kids

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) refers to any business engaging in agribusiness, industry, and or service activities. They are categorized according to their assets, excluding land and employment size. Micro enterprises have an asset size of not more than three million pesos and an employment size of nine or less. Small enterprises hold 3 to 15 million worth of assets and 10 to 99 employees. With an asset size of more than 15 million but not exceeding 100 million and an employment size of 100 to 199, medium enterprises take the last category but the most value of available means than the other two. Republic Act No. 9051, also known as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises, promotes the potential of MSMEs to contribute to economic growth by generating more employment and establishing an industrial foundation that is self-sufficient for the country. MSMEs vary from typical retail stores to manufacturing and import-export firms, yet they are different from the existing informal economy regarding legitimacy. The former is listed in various government institutions like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗦𝗠𝗘'𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded 952,969 MSMEs in the 2020 List of Establishments, comprising 99.51% of 957,620 operating business enterprises. 88.77% or 850,127 of tallied constitutes micro-enterprises followed by small enterprises and medium enterprises at 10.25% or 98,126 and 0.49% or 4,716 respectively. Wholesale and retail trade tops the industry sectors with the most MSMEs, with repairs for motor vehicles and motorcycles at 445,386, followed by accommodation and food service activities with 134,046 businesses operating. Manufacturing constitutes 110,916 establishments, while financial and insurance activities at 45,558 mark the third and fifth spots of the leading industry sectors. The majority of the MSMEs operate in Metro Manila and Central and Western Visayas. A total of 60.33% establishments in the country are running in these locations. The concentration of MSMEs in these regions is related mainly to economic activity and population size. 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 In the emergence of the global pandemic covid-19, many businesses, including the 38% of MSMEs, are forced to cease operations due to quarantine restrictions imposed by the government. These measures severely affected the economy, as reported by PSA through the -9.5% decline of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020. The government implemented fiscal measures to serve as an economic stimulus package. The Republic Act No. 11469, commonly designated as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act signed last March 2020, allotted 52 billion pesos or around 0.3% of the GDP to assist vulnerable workers and MSMEs. In September 2020, the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Republic Act No. 11494 added support by about 1.5% of the 2020 GDP and included capital injections to state-owned banks and Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PHILGUARANTEE) that enables loan guarantee support of up to 100 billion pesos to the MSMEs. On the other hand, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) temporarily cuts credit risk weights by half and sets zero risk weight to loan exposures as assured by the PHILGUARANTEE to encourage lending and allow MSME loans as reserve requirement compliance of the banks. As the Philippine economy strives to recover from the recession, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines Officer in charge Enrico Gaveglia believes that MSMEs will play a crucial role in the country's recovery from the pandemic. He highlights that the UNDP will continue to support the government and its development partners to present solutions to MSMEs drawbacks through sector representation in policy dialogues and program planning. Gaveglia also noted that the organization is working with private sectors to ensure that MSMEs can access e-commerce education since the trend of businesses transitioning to digital platforms escalates as an adaptation to the new normal. 𝗠𝗦𝗠𝗘'𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗛 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 Despite the pandemic, MSMEs generated a total of 5,380,815 jobs that make up 62.66% of the country’s total employment. Micro and small enterprises comprised 55.16%, while medium enterprises are behind at 7.50% of the MSMEs generated work. The MSME contributed 35.7% in the 2020 GDP, wherein the manufacturing sector contributes largest at 6.87%, followed by wholesale and retail trade and repair with 6.58% and financial intermediation at 6%. Small enterprises lead the share distribution by accounting 20.5%, followed by medium enterprises’ 10.3%, then micro enterprises’ share with 4.9%. In terms of total exports revenue, MSMEs are accounted for by their 25% contribution, in which 60% of the exporters in the country came from the MSMEs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Julie Anne Duyongan Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura Sources: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19#P https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/08/28/2123064/msmes-are-key-philippine-growth https://www.ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/202-/msme-sector-is-key-to-covid-19-inclusive-recovery-for-ph.html https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/23/supplements/the-importance-of-msmes-in-the-philippines/1808048 https://mirror.officialgazette.gov.ph/2008/05/23/republic-act-no-9501/ https://www.dti.gov.ph/resources/msme-statistics/ https://business.inquirer.net/317553/how-will-small-businesses-recover-in-the-philippines

It's not beauty that defines us. You may feel diverse from others but always bear in mind that differences stand out. You may feel inadequate, but always remember that sometimes, less becomes more. You don’t need to compete nor prove anything to anyone. We’re all beautiful the perfect way we are. It’s not beauty that defines us, we define our beauty. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Moises Caleon Photographer: Dennis Amoroso

One of the first lessons I learned in economics is people are rational. They would always act in their best interest. I realized that the interesting part is by making decisions that are only beneficial for themselves. They are also able to organize society’s economic activities and allocate resources accordingly; thus, benefiting the larger society. It implies that we are in a situation where economics naturally stands for the people’s needs. Upon closing textbooks and examining the real world, it is not difficult to find cases where everything I said previously is flipped. There were cases where the decisions made by people were not beneficial and led to negative consequences that entire societies had to face. Some even led to cascading problems that affected the world on an international scale. The 2008 Financial Crisis is one of those cases. The decisions made by financial institutions like the aggressive lending of subprime mortgages to consumers, who are unable to repay, were far from being good for society as it led to massive defaults that caused lenders to lose money and bankrupt financial institutions. By taking unsustainably massive risks, we have seen a collapse that led to assets evaporating, people losing their jobs and homes, and countries with their growth rates plummeting. This is one of the instances when selfish economic activities were not for the people. But there are also instances when the opposite happens. Like when sound economic policies bring good to society—when economics brings society forward. One example is the Philippine Competition Law that promotes and protects market competition. Our decision to pass that law ensures that the well-being and interest of consumers are protected from businesses’ anti-competitive behavior. So, indeed, economics can be for the people but it requires society to move past hurdles that make it difficult to achieve. The first hurdle that societies must overcome is the inherent complexity of economics. In examining this hurdle, we will focus on economic policies. There is no one right way of doing economics that can guarantee a net positive outcome every time. What worked before may not work again, and what worked for some, may not work for everyone. It means that implementing effective economic policies takes more than just finding what worked before or for others because no two or more situations are the same. It will be misleading to assume that the factors affecting a problem in one country will be similar to others facing a seemingly similar problem as each will have its nuances. A one-size-fits-all solution does not and will never exist, for a single approach can’t take into account every variable that might have caused the problem. In 2013, there was a study that portrayed microlending, which is the act of giving small accessible loans, as a success because it increased income and consumption in Bangladesh alongside other spillover benefits. So, what is stopping all developing nations from just blindly increasing microcredits in their own countries? It is the fact that other countries were aware that each situation was different, and that they must conduct rigorous preparation and studies to make sure that the intended effect happens. It is also worth noting that some studies, like the one conducted by the Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, pointed out that there is no clear evidence suggesting that microlending improves living standards. Again, the problem highlights the fact that economics is inherently difficult and complex, as sometimes it could even give conflicting answers to almost identical problems. The next hurdle is that economics and politics are inseparable, and they influence one another. Economic situations affect political behaviors and vice versa. After all, economics traces its origins from political economy, which looks at how political forces affect economics and how the economy affects politics. Economics is largely about economic policies. Economic policies passed by institutions will always be subject to value judgments. People who are elected, who should be acting in societies' best interests, are going to decide whether they should pass policies or not. The decision, or lack thereof, results in those policies bringing changes to society. The idea that policies could be influenced by many different factors other than reason implies that unreasonable beliefs and intentions that do not always coincide with what is good for society could be a deciding factor as well. How citizens and lawmakers look at economic issues and policies will always be influenced by the political convictions they hold. This is also true the other way around: how people shape their political convictions will be influenced by what they deem true about economics. There was a time in the United Kingdom when children, who were below the age of ten, had to work in cotton mill factories and face horrible working conditions. The solution was to pass the Cotton Mills and Factories Act of 1819. The law mandated children below the age of nine be barred from working. It also included that children between the ages of nine and thirteen should be allowed to work no more than twelve hours a day. So, there was a law that defined and established child labor. This law was even criticized, not for still allowing child labor, but for being against the fundamental freedom of labor markets. Their view was that as long as both parties actively decided to engage in the transaction (when children agreed to work) they should not be hindered from doing so because barring them is against the idea of a free market. This situation shows that the way lawmakers view the world and what they consider true economically and politically influence their policies. This challenge leaves us in a spot with only problems, and in dealing with them, we have to rely on the importance of a major player in society--institutions. Institutions are important because they run society. Thus, we must always examine them critically and make sure their actions promote positive values like growth, peace, and order among many things. Institutions, particularly the government, play a very vital role in driving society towards growth and development. The challenge for them is that there is no single theory or solution that they could just apply, and it will solve all our problems. It is not like they could just implement the law and we will be fine indefinitely. Institutions must perpetually reassess what will be good for society. It is a tedious and intricate process that poses another challenge: institutions are built by individuals each with conflicting views on things, and they must work despite that fact. They should not allow their differences to get in the way of doing what is good for society. They should not allow themselves to be blinded by their political and economic convictions, especially when confronted with reason. What we should do now is to understand that institutions play an important role, and we, as citizens of a democratic society, determine who would play that part. We hold the power to choose who would run institutions. Thinking critically about the ideas and people we support will go a long way in driving our society forward. It is unfortunate that because the world is very complex, sometimes it takes more than convictions to do good. We must choose people who are both wise and virtuous that could work through problems. We must choose leaders who are sensible and capable of hearing reason. We should always remember that we can make economics for the people by taking the responsibility of exercising our power by making sure that our institutions are as just and effective as they could be. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Emmanuel Joseph Leonardo Layout and Design by: Adrian Josef Nabua Sources: (PDF) The Success of Microcredit in Bangladesh: Supplementing 'Group Lending' Explanation with Institutional Understanding Six Randomized Evaluations of Microcredit: Introduction and Further Steps Early factory legislation - UK Parliament The financial crisis of 2007–08 | Definition, Causes, Effects, & Facts | Britannica The Political Economy of Economic Policy - IMF F&D Philippine Competition Law (R.A. 10667) | Philippine Competition Commission (phcc.gov.ph)

They say the eyes are a window to the soul. So let your kindness transcend, And reach that crumbling core. Chanting that soon you'll get better. An ear to lend. A simple smile may heal. A hand to grasp when everything's lost And the warmth of a comrade Choose to be the one to light up the room. A safe space, Even the most gloomy parts, A wildflower could grow. For kindness is to appease vulnerability. To show compassion, To be humane, To be the rain, to cover the tears. Looking past one's color, One's ethnicity, One's bruises, And look at the soul. Be the blue soul, Not because of the bitter tears But to become the vast ocean. Filled with peace and understanding Welcoming drifters filled with distress. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Nethaniah Jan Lim Layout and Design by: Bea Cudal and Gerald Reyes

Some things would not go as planned, but why does it have to be in this one? Is it too much if we ask for a rewind? Life is a cycle of making choices and dealing with the consequences. And these consequences include both the good and bad ones. A person may suffer or enjoy it, but the bottom line is that they chose it and thus, wanted it. Everyone has a dream: a dream life, house, car, title, university, or even a career. Come what may, we have to get it! Achieving what we have been yearning for has become our ultimate goal. That is why when the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) opened the application process for CAEPUP 2021, thousands of students took their chances. A dream course at their dream university? That would be great. Students were allowed to list their preferred programs: first, second, third, fourth, and fifth. However, we all know that half of them were only eyeing one program—the one they put on the first slot. On the 25th of August, the list of CAEPUP passers in PUP Sta. Mesa Campus was released. Many students were devastated. Who wouldn't? They were admitted on their second to fifth choices rather than their top priority program. Thousands of dreams were shattered; failed aspirants shed countless tears, and everyone vented their disappointments and frustrations. The atmosphere was heavy and dramatic; for a brief moment, they might have mistaken themselves for Atlas, who was responsible for bearing the weight of the sky. It felt like their efforts to maintain good grades for two consecutive years had been in vain, as if everything they had done and sacrificed were all for nothing. Indeed, life is a series of making choices and dealing with the consequences. Nevertheless, what if they suddenly have to give up 'something' they have been looking forward to after invesing so much on it? Despite failing to secure a spot in their preferred programs, some students still decided to confirm the slot offered to them. We encountered students with the same case at the Department of Economics. They accepted this invitation for an interview regarding their reactions to the results and why they included economics in their five choices. According to Kyla Mae Bautista, 18, from BSE 1-1, “Noong nagsasagot ako ng application form may economics sub kami, nae-enjoy ko siya kaya nilagay ko siya sa choices ko, sa pagka-enjoy ko sa subject, feeling ko ‘yon lang siya. Pero noong nakita ko ‘yong sakop niya, ang lawak pala; ‘yon lang hindi ko siya priority talaga. Pero ayon ang binigay sa akin ng PUP, wala namang masama doon, tunog pang-matalino raw sabi ng pamilya ko, plus hindi naman ito ibibigay sa akin kung walang plano si Lord sa akin sa path na ito.” After emphasizing that she didn’t consider her situation, getting admitted in Economics a failure, but rather a blessing, Bautista added, “Dream school ko kasi PUP so para sa akin, kahit anong i-take ko, as long as sa PUP ako, okay lang ako gano’n. Umiyak ako kasi BSBA FM talaga [ang] gusto ko pero may thoughts din naman ako sa utak ko na ayon, kung para sa akin para sa akin talaga.” On the other hand, Glayzel Ann Dela Cruz, 17, from BSE 1-4, expressed her thoughts and feelings after seeing the CAEPUP results, "At that time, I was totally confused and sad. I didn't treat it as redirection at first, I feel like I have already failed myself, and I didn't have a chance to fulfill my dream. Kasi I was blinded by the thought that time na ang greatest dream ko ay maging CPA. Ayon, I am sad and masking it by being playful and naughty sa mga kausap ko. Parang ‘yong lahat ng plano at pangarap na binuo mo, biglang nabasag lahat sa harapan mo tapos hindi mo na alam [ang] gagawin. I just stared at that broken dream until I cheered myself up and think na baka redirection 'to, na baka mas deserve ko 'yong course na Economics." Nobody expected this to happen; it felt like they had been surprised. However, they are one of those people who despise surprises and spontaneous events. Thus, expecting that our initial reaction was a disappointment, it is natural to grieve: clench our trembling hands into fists, cry and scream in extreme desolation. Everyone's feelings are valid. However, some people love to think about all the possibilities. These people always expect a negative experience to occur, so they are already prepared when it happens. Raissa Igot, 18, from BSE 1-2, explained how she handled the said redirection, “At that time, medyo na-sad lang ako pero I’m a kind of person kasi na hindi siya ico-considered a failure since noong nilagay ko siya sa options ko, iniisip ko rin yung possibilities na matatanggap ako, at the same time kung ano ‘yong pwede kong gawin in the future..,” Her first choice was BS Management Accounting but she also looked into other programs that were closely related to it. Undeniably, we cannot always get what we want. Life is not always about fresh air and great sanctuaries or fireworks and city lights. Sometimes it is about how they overcome being alone in an empty place, watching the sky as the streak of lightning splits it, and hearing the deafening thunder right before the vicious storm. Either they'll get soaked and wait for the sun to rise again, or they'll roll with the punches and make an alternative shelter for themselves so they can avoid getting sick. “Plano ulit. Mahirap siya sa una, pero hangga’t may mga tao naman sa likod mo na naniniwala at sumusuporta sa’yo, kakayanin mo.” – Kyla Mae Bautista, BSE 1-1, on how she managed to move forward after realizing that she has to plan again. “Syempre, since hindi naman lahat ng gusto mo sa buhay ay mangyayari agad kaya kailangan dapat may back-up plan ka. For example, kung magpe-present ka ng presentation or magpapasa ng dissertation, hindi lang naman isang flash drive gamit mo ‘di ba? May mga back-up plan ka pa sakaling hindi gumana ‘yong isa. Rather na isipin ko na negative kasi, iniisip ko na hindi ako matatanggap mas magandang isipin ko na siya agad para hindi ako ma-disappoint and ready na ako sa haharapin ko.” – Raissa Igot, BSE 1-2, when asked for her reason on being open to the possibility of her plan being unsuccessful. In order to learn more, we have to fail. Failing will shape us into someone solid and bold—it will help us improve. Bigtime. As Mark Manson wrote in his book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK, "Improvement at anything is based on thousands of tiny failures, and the magnitude of your success is based on how many times you have failed at something." Perhaps, where we are right now is where we will truly grow. Sometimes, we might not realize it immediately, but the options that we genuinely deserve are those we tend to ignore. Moreover, in this chapter of choosing among the options, what if our first choice is not our best choice? Glayzel Ann Dela Cruz, from BSE 1-4, shared the things she learned from the application process until now that she is an economics student. "Ang natutunan ko talaga is I need patience, and I have to believe in myself. I learned that I am in this place, time, and situation for a reason. Maybe I need to accomplish something. Some things will not go as you please, so you need to create new goals and plans, no matter how small it is." Everyone has a dream: a house, a car, a title, a university, or even a career. Come what may, we have to get it. Achieving what we have been yearning for has become our ultimate goal. However, it is undoubtedly true that some things will not go as planned, and this is one of those unfortunate circumstances. Everyone is entitled to request a rewind button. However, the question is, will you have the courage to press it? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Daisy Mae Conception Layout and Design by: Cris Cudal and Dan Kurt Buenaventura INTERVIEW: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vm1R8bpiJyIUi0458Ogk0WdWNnHRkZbz/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=111051214921255963374&rtpof=true&sd=true

The recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics revealed the potential of Filipino athletes in global sporting events. Following the Filipino athletes’ success in the Olympics, it was evident that genuine support to remedy the plight of the grassroots talents in sports would bridge the gap to Olympic-like opportunities. Support comes in many ways, and even the littlest amount can elevate Filipino athletes’ potential in international arenas. With an annual average budget of Php 204 million, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) can still fall short on programs, funding, human resource, infrastructure, equipment, and research needed to enhance athletes’ performance. There is support, but we cannot deny that it is insufficient. For over 90 years since Teófilo Yldefonso won the first Olympic medal for the Philippines, Filipino athletes clinched only ten medals in the Olympics (excluding those recently won by Hidilyn Diaz and others). We take pride in our athletes, but support is absent in the process of cultivating their talents. The recent wins from Hidilyn Diaz and Eumir Marcial were made more possible as they turned to private sponsorships to make their Olympics bids financially. A promise to build a skatepark in Cebu was also made after Margielyn Didal’s victory in the 2018 ASEAN Games, but there is still no news about its development. Several sports are not even known to many Filipinos. Local talents are waiting for their turn, but it turns out they are waiting for nothing.Through more inclusive and open sports programs that promote and introduce various sports, we make sports opportunities accessible to potential talents. Through it, we make the options available within the bounds of elite and competitive sports. Considering that Palarong Pambansa players start from simple school intramurals, it continues to be an avenue of sports talents among student-athletes. But weightlifting, skateboarding among other sports, are not included in its annual events. Facilities are lacking; many rely on NGOs and private individuals' initiatives. Through sufficient funding for facilities, equipment, and coaching, we provide grassroots talents with the physical and mental training for an Olympian. Through genuine support, we encourage participation. Grassroots sports development should not entirely be reliant on government support. The collective participation of the community, schools, private sector, and the media helps discover and develop talents that otherwise would not be. But the government-led support is imperative and profound. It’s a simple nudge to push for more support in the long run. Olympic-like opportunities for talents require years of preparation, and we start by giving them to our athletes. Through grassroots sports development, we lay the foundation of a strong sports culture. And with a strong culture of sports, we are paving the way for future champions. No longer should the pride of our country beg for more help. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura References: https://www.rappler.com/sports/sports-under-duterte-year-4-high-marks-low-blows https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/cebu-city-promised-margielyn-didal-skatepark-nowhere-to-be-found https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/04/19/hirap-na-hirap-na-ako-hidilyn-diaz-asks-for-financial-help-for-olympic-bid https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2021/08/02/197357/eumir-marcial-funds-olympics/ https://www.philippineolympians.org/olympic-medalists

On the 4th day of November 1951, in a humble home in the Province of Iloilo, the first Asian Chess Grandmaster was born. After bagging home the silver medal in the 21st Chess Olympiad in France, Eugenio “Eugene” Torre was the first Asian to be hailed as Chess Grandmaster at 22 years old. His journey while defending his battles’ kings was not a fairytale to be told. In the 1969 edition of the Junior World Chess Championship, he only landed in fifth place in Final C. Two years later, in the same event, he pocketed fourth place. In 1972, he became the Philippines’ third International Grandmaster. During this year, he had won several tournaments, including the Torneo di Capodanno. It was in 1976 when he was known in the world of this tactical game. This recognition came after defeating the then World Champion Anatoly Karpov. He was the first chess player to defeat Karpov ever since he was awarded the World Championship. His stint continued until defeating Karpov in the Marlboro-Loyola Kings Challenge. Since then, Torre joined several international chess tournaments finishing strong on the tally board. He seized the top seed in the 1979 Marlboro Classic event and the 2nd Asian GMs Circuit event. He was the first Asian to qualify for the world championship in the 1980s after securing the 17th spot in the world ranking. He earned the title as the first Asian Grandmaster at 22 after being undefeated for 19 games at the 21st Chess Olympiad. And in 1988, he brought the Philippines its highest ranking in the Chess Olympiad after finishing 7th place together with IMs Rico Mascariñas and Ruben Rodriguez. He now holds the record for the most number of games played in the said Olympiad with 270 games. His last tournament was the 9th edition of the Asian Senior Chess Championship held in Tagaytay City, where he triumphed with the gold medal. He is now the first Asian male to be inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame after the World Chess Federation approved his inclusion to its list last April 19 and Polish-Argentine Grandmaster Miguel Najdorf and GM Judit Polgar of Hungary. He was a close friend of Bobby Fischer, the youngest chess grandmaster and the proponent of Fischer Random Chess. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Rizza Alarcio Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes SOURCES: https://www.espn.ph/story/_/id/31307665/chess-legend-eugene-torre-very-proud-filipino-hall-fame-induction http://worldchesshof.org/hof-inductee/eugene-torre https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/21/filipino-legend-eugene-torre-nominated-for-chess-hall-of-fame/ https://www.rappler.com/sports/eugene-torre-first-asian-male-inducted-world-chess-hall-fame

An ugly piece of clothing can (objectively) still be ugly even with a brand’s name fixed on it. There is nothing that sets apart your average ukay from Bershka, Nike, Shein, etc. what-have-you. Of course, there’s a factor of “how it’s made”. But unless, it’s Mui Mui, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Diesel, or anything that does not exude “fast fashion,” (Miranda Priestly would approve of wearing it, and) there’s nothing special in its manufacturing that warrants a possible high cost or any premium, for a fact. It’s not that average fast fashion brands are awful, but the glamor and veneration associated with these become coercive. Often, they become the standards. Often, one is naked without wearing these brands. Consumer behavior has been coerced into thinking, whatever is plastered in social media should be our go-to brand. Marketing towards certain age groups or demographics has been effective for fast fashion brands. While the money that was spent in purchasing these products is not anyone’s business to meddle with, the problem seeps from different roots. Shein, for example, has not been transparent with its supply chain. Since the manufacturing of fast fashion clothing is outsourced to foreign markets, particularly in China or other Asian countries with cheap labor markets, some have speculated that Shein, Forever 21, H&M, or any fast-fashion brand exploit workers in these countries. One Google search can confirm that not all fast fashion brands use child labor or manufacture their goods in Chinese sweatshops. But dubious market practices will still exist. Stealing design ideas from smaller competitors is as old as the fashion industry itself, and fast fashion only heightens the problem. Since supply chains are questionable, it’s hard to pin down who made what and who to blame for the stealing. While exploitation might be out of the picture, there’s no perfect fast fashion brand. One misstep and consumers might see themselves casting their peso votes to exploitative market practices or design stealers. Profit comes first among other things for these companies. Firms strive to minimize loss and maximize profits, and it seems as though these brands perfected the formula. Fast fashion brands’ supply chains are streamlined. Sometimes they do not have to market themselves, they just need a few social media influencers (or faux-influencers) to advertise for them. The series continues, and the chant goes: Shein, Shein, Bershka, Nike, and whatnot... Flex culture fueled the marketability of any brands that trust fund kids or anyone wore and used for clout in social media. Brands do not even have to try. Many influencers are open to sponsorship. As long as they have a platform, brands come and go. As long as they have a TikTok account, they can flex the brand for free. Anyone is susceptible to the demonstration effect. Unless one is a monk living atop Mount Everest with a perfectly egalitarian society, at one point in one’s life, “I want that” has been uttered. Shein, Bershka, Shein, Shein, Nike, Adidas, H&M are everywhere. There’s nothing that stops anyone from purchasing them. The marketing felt like it is the only option-- the most viable one. There are alternatives, though. An average ukay is not as bad as it seems. Just grab and find quickly. Circular market practices or the act of recycling or reusing supplies of a product is far better than streamlining manufacturing to add new products out in the market. With a two hundred-peso budget, one can purchase multiple articles of clothing in ukay as opposed to just one piece from a fast-fashion brand. Or if one is picky, some brands that practice sustainability and are cheap are out there. The fashion industry has not completely adopted the model, but a few brands that practice recycling emerged through the years. Do not be blighty unaware of the fact that fashion is art. The hyper-commercialization brought by fast fashion brands capitalizes on its attempt to become an alternative to staples of the industry and hurts smaller brands. The petit-bourgeois tendencies of people are showing, and it emerging young designers. There’s nothing so unique about wearing denim apparel or any fast-fashion clothing out there. A brand is all that it takes to “feel good” about wearing something. Unless a brand’s name is printed on the cloth itself, the tag stays inside. Writer’s note: I was listening to commes des garcon while writing. I need to watch The Devil Wears Prada. Who’s with me? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written and Designed by: Jantzen Eros Sources: Claim: Fast fashion supply chain https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/shein-called-out-for-lack-of-supply-chain-transparency-again/2021080657010 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10479-020-03703-8 https://itsupplychain.com/the-fast-fashion-supply-chain-a-strategy-of-speed/ Claim: Fast Fashion stealing https://www.vox.com/2018/4/27/17281022/fashion-brands-knockoffs-copyright-stolen-designs-old-navy-zara-h-and-m https://thecourtroom.org/how-big-fashion-brands-commonly-steal-designs-and-get-away-with-it/

Pipikit, mumulat. Yan ang buhay ko bago siya. Nakatutok, sa mundo ng teknolohiya. Naglalaro, na animo’y wala nang bukas pa. Sa tagal na nakakulong, sa madilim na selda Hindi akalain tadhana natin maglalandas pala. Sa iyong ganda baybay ang hindi matawarang saya. Batid ko noon, hindi ka na mapapasakin pa. Ngunit sa gitna ng magulong mundo. Kasabay sa kislap ng aking mga mata, Habang ramdam ang bugso ng damdamin. Andoon ka, Namumukod tangi—nakabusangot—hintay ang aking pagtungo. Habang hawak ang pangkuha mo ng litrato. Ngiti ko, ay hindi na maitatago, Nakita ko na ang aking hinaharap; Ayon siya, nakatayo. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Photographer: Mark Halim Written by: Chloe Alpay

Interpretations For the first installment of Opinionated, students were asked about their learning and personal experience while enrolled in the University. The questions aimed to assess the satisfaction of students with different services in the University. The survey was divided into three sections: Assessment to the whole PUP system, to the Department of Economics, and experience of the students. This survey will be administered again by the end of the semester. Questions were made by: Julia Torres The Opinionated segment is an inquiry into the perception of students that would not be reported. Respondents The majority of the respondents come from the First Year bracket, with a total of 56 freshmen answering the poll. First-year represents 39% of the sample. With 42 Third-year students responding, the third-year bracket comes second in terms of representation in the poll; Juniors comprise 29% of poll-takers. There were only 24 Seniors who answered the poll; the Fourth-year bracket represents 17% of respondents. The second-year bracket is the least represented group in the poll. With only 23 sophomores responding, Second Year shares 16% of respondents. Survey 1. FlexTel System Satisfaction Over 60% of respondents of the survey say that they are satisfied with the Flextel System of the University. Meanwhile, 26.2% of the respondents reported dissatisfaction with the same system. Both completely satisfied and completely dissatisfied received 6.9% of the votes. In its second year, FlexTel remains to be the only online approach to learning for students in PUP. 2. SIS Rating The Student Information System safe keeps the enrollment information and grades of students in the University. About 69.7% of respondents reported that they are satisfied with the Student Information System of the University. Meanwhile, 17.9% were completely satisfied with the website; 11% came out dissatisfied; 1.4% were completely dissatisfied. 3. Institution Management Rating Of 145 respondents, 51% reported satisfaction with the performance of the institution. This is followed by 33.8% of the respondents revealing their dissatisfaction with the performance. About 9.7% of the respondents say that they are completely satisfied and 5.5% noted their complete dissatisfaction. 4. Departamental and Administrative Services Rating The majority of the responses deemed the Departamental and Administrative Services to be satisfactory with 64.8% votes from the respondents. About 22.8% stated that they are completely satisfied with the service. Dissatisfaction ranks third with only 10.3% votes cast by the respondents. Complete dissatisfaction shares a minority with its moderate counterpart sharing 2.1% votes only. 5. Coursework Satisfaction Coursework is the lifeblood of university life. About 64% of the respondents reported that they are satisfied with the appropriateness of the coursework to the learning experience. Over 20% reported that they are completely satisfied with the coursework’s appropriateness. Both dissatisfaction and complete dissatisfaction got the minority votes of 14% and 2% respectively. 6. Assessment Criteria Satisfaction With 68.3% of votes, the respondents of the Department of Economics deemed the coherence of assessment criteria satisfactory. About 18.6% of the respondents report their complete satisfaction with the criteria. Over 11.7% and 1.4% of the respondents noted their dissatisfaction and complete dissatisfaction in the assessment criteria. 7. Student Treatment Satisfaction Over 53.1% of the respondents rated the impartiality and fairness of the treatment to students as satisfactory. However, 24.1% of the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction. About 29.7% of the respondents reported their complete satisfaction with the impartial and fair treatment. Meanwhile, 7.6% of the respondents said that they are completely dissatisfied with the treatment. 8. Student Involvement Satisfaction Satisfaction to the opportunities like joining student organizations etc. in the University ranked first with 54.5% of the respondents answering such. About 29.7% said that they are completely satisfied with the opportunities. Over 24.1% reported that they are dissatisfied with the opportunities. Meanwhile, complete dissatisfaction had 7.6% votes from the respondents. 9. Learning Experience Satisfaction The initial impression of the respondents to the learning experience this first semester was deemed satisfactory by 55.2% of the respondents. Meanwhile, 26.2% expressed their dissatisfaction with the overall learning experience. About 13.1% reported their complete satisfaction, and an ample 5.5% noted their complete dissatisfaction.

Two-track and field athletes named Emerson and Jeanette Obiena welcomed their offspring named Ernest John Uy Obiena, a.k.a. EJ Obiena, on November 17, 1995, in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. EJ unsurprisingly inherited his athletic personality from his parents as he started to take pole vaulting at the age of 8, yet, he initially invested himself in doing hurdles with his father, Emerson, who served as his coach. He took his secondary education at Chiang Kai Shek College, where he competed in various matches in 100 and 400-meter hurdles. However, this particular path is not for him as he could not meet the regional qualifications. He then shifted back to pole vaulting in his final year in high school to ensure a scholarship in college. He then took Electronics Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas, where he was qualified to represent the university in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). In 2014, EJ had a chance to interact with a Ukrainian pole vaulter, Sergey Bubka, who informed him of an opportunity to train in Italy under the same coach, Vitaly Petrov. Later that year, Obiena registered 5.01 meters and beat the national record for pole vaulting, which Edward Lasquete previously held at 5.00 meters. He was able to beat his record to 5.21 meters that year. EJ represented the Philippines in the 2015 Southeast Asian Game when he beat his record, registering 5.25, and won a silver medal. In 2016, EJ won a gold medal during the Philippine National Games Finals in Lingayen, Pangasinan, at a 5.47-meter record. That same year, he held the Philippine national record for pole vaulting registering 5.55 meters during the 78th Singapore Open Championships in Kallang, Singapore. EJ ranked 31st globally in 2017. He was supposedly the representative of the Philippines in the 2017 SEA Games, but the scariest circumstance for an athlete happened. He was doing his final vault in preparation, but his landing was not properly executed, causing him to tear his ACL; he missed the SEA Games. Yet, his grit was ignited with more determination. He had knee surgery and rehabilitation to recover from his injury. In his comeback in 2019, Obiena broke the Asian Athletics Championships record when he could do 5.71 meters during the 23rd Biennial Meet at Doha, Qatar. He also obtained another gold medal during the 2019 Summer Universiade when he set a new record of 5.76. Later that year, in September, EJ Obiena was the first Filipino athlete to be qualified in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after beating the 5.80 meters requirement for men pole vaulters. He was able to break his record by 5.81 meters in Piazza Chiari, Italy. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Obiena, the only last Asian standing, was able to be at 11th place among his strong competitors with his 5.70m mark after three attempts. He also ranked 6th worldwide. On September 12, Obiena set a new record in Asia registering, 5.93 meters during the International Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Romuel Sulit Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes References: https://www.pinoyfitness.com/2019/11/get-to-know-filipino-pole-vaulter-ej-obiena/ https://abtc.ng/ej-obiena-biography-height-world-ranking-school-birthplace-age-instagram/ https://www.rappler.com/sports/pole-vault-results-ej-obiena-tokyo-olympics-august-3-2021