VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF LOURDES SCHOOL QUEZON CITY HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

LSQC principal named new DepEd director by Jasper Cruz and Briane dela Peña

All systems go for Grades 11 and 12.At least with 90% of possibility as of the mo-ment. This bold move is underway as a series of planning is currently being done by the school in order to adapt to the new curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) which had

commenced this school year with the inception of Grade Seven. “Thefirstthingthatwedidisofcourseto conduct seminars for the teachers and the Grade Seven students about the new curricu-lum,” stated by new High School Principal Mrs. Arlyne Hope Blanco in an interview.

Further, she stressed that the new cur-riculum was formulated by DepEd intended generally for public schools but since LSQC is a private school and is PAASCU Level 3 accred-ited, “We have the leeway to further enhance and enrich the curriculum in line with the school’s mission-vision.” The top administrators are conducting weekly meetings about the K-12, trying to map out the curriculum of Grades 7-12 and also that of Grades 1-6. In addition to these, they are also contacting experts to seek assistance and guid-ance through seminars that may be conducted for administrators and teachers. She also stated that the school is consid-ering some factors with regard to the curriculum of Grades 7-10 and hopefully of Grades 11 and 12, which are the subjects to be discussed and the specialization courses to offer (technical-vo-cational, professional and arts and humanities), the resources, the facilities and the manpower.

LSQC on Senior High School

Contrary to popular belief, schools like us have the option to offer Grades 11 and 12. At the moment, public and private schools are of-fering Grade Seven for the new curriculum and Second to Fourth Year for the old curriculum

which will soon be replaced by Grades 8 to 10. It is also interesting to note that new schools may open offering Grades 11 and 12 only.“The school is not required to offer Grades 11 and 12. It’s the school’s (Capuchin friars) deci-sion whether they will offer Grades 11 and 12.” Mrs. Blanco revealed. When asked if LSQC will join the bandwagon of schools to offer Senior High School, she said, “There is a high possibility be-cause we are really planning to do so. ’Yun nga lang may mga kailangang i-consider.” She also stressed that as of the mo-mentitisdefinitethattheschoolwillbeofferingGrades 7 to 10 while there is a 90% possibility that the school will offer Grades 11 and 12. Further, the administrators are still stud-ying the set of specialized courses to be offered for Senior High, which they plan to consider as one of the factors the results of the career inven-tory tests such as the CSAT to be administered to the Grade 7 students who will be pioneering the new curriculum. The school is also looking into possible linkages with other institutions such as colleges or universities and other private organizations to help out in charting the direction LSQC plans to headoninthenextfiveyearsasitfullyembracesthe new curriculum.

Former rector takes on a higher post by Jasper Cruz and Briane dela Peña

Former School Rector Rev. Fr. Cesar Acuin, ofmcap was elected as Definitor General of the Order of the Capuchins last September in General Curia which is based in Rome, Italy. “Asprovincialminister,heisautomaticallyacandidateforanypositionwhethertheGeneralDefinitororGeneralMinister,”CampusMin-ister Fr. Wilfredo Atienza,ofmcap stated in an interview.Fr. Atienza also stated that with his six-year term, Fr. Acuin is tasked to assist the General Minister in the government and adminsitartion of the entire order as according to the Constitution of the General Curia which is approved by the General Chapter. “Afterhisterm,hecanbeelectedagainasaGeneralDefinitororGeneralMinisterorgobacktohisProvince(PhilippineCapuchinProv-ince) as a Capuchin friar,” the campus minister added. It can be recalled that Fr. Acuin’s rectorship paved the way for the formation and coining of the school thrust which is Christian Leadership and Gospel Brotherhood. It was also during this term that the High School Department was elevated to Level 3 PAASCU Accreditation.

All systems go for senior high schoolby Jasper Cruz

Former school principal Ms. Jocelyn Andaya rises in rank as she was appointed Acting Director III for the Bureau of Second-ary Education of the Department of Education (DepEd). A memorandum signed by no less than the President of the Phil-

ippines Benigno Simeon Aquino III was released last September 5, 2012 appointing her to one of the highest posts in the DepEd Central next to the DepEd Secretary and Undersecretary. Upon receipt of the information,Ms.AndayaflewhomefromAustraliawheresheiscur-rently studying under a scholarship grant from the Australian Aid just to attend to her oathtaking ceremony which was held at the DepEd CentralOfficeinPasig.ShewasinductedtoofficebyDepEdSecre-tary Luistro Armin. Newly appointed school principal Mrs. Arlyne Hope Blanco sharedinaninterviewtothePEBthatonequalificationforMs.Joyce(as she is fondly called by colleagues) to her appointment is her eligi-bilityasaCareerExecutiveServiceOfficer(CESO)whichonlyafewinthegovernmentofficialsare.Themomentavacancywascreatedfor the said position, she was considered for the said post. According also to Mrs. Blanco, Ms. Andaya is not yet assuming thesaidpositionbecausesheisstillinAustralia,currentlyfinishingherscholarshipgrant.Assoonasshereturnsandassumesoffice,shewill be installed as Director III already. Her position makes her the head of all public secondary schools in the country. Foremost of her assignments and responsibilities is the roll-out of the new K-12 cur-riculum program for all schools in the country. Mrs. Blanco also remarked that Ms. Andaya will work directly

under the Secretary of Education. Likewise, her position is permanent and career path is directly upwards ascending the ladder.

LSQC principal...| Jump to p. 15

After five years of planning andconceptualizing, the first ever campus-based radio program Titan Radio 195.5 has finallyairedforthefirsttimelunchbreakofOctober 3. According to Student Advisory Board (SAB) President Alain Lorenzo Aycardo, the Titan Radio was created to bring entertainment and to open up some-thing new to the community. This was also a good venue for the student showcase of talents especially in their oral communica-tion skills. Prior to its broadcast, the SAB conducted an audition last Aug. 28 to Sept. 7,wheresixdiscjockey(DJ)studentswhereselected from among a number of hopefuls. One of the judges Ricco Laxamana, alum-nus of Batch 2010 and now the campus- basedDJofDeLaSalleUniversityManila,served as trainer also for the team. These six DJs to be regularlyheard over the radio are Minnelle Maguyon akaDJSkye,CarloLuisMagnoakaMagnoMan,ErvanJosephFernandoakaDJE,Ga-briel Garcia aka DJ G, RyanTamondongakaDJTamandCiancarloCondeakaDJIan. Titan Radio 195.5 airs every lunch break of Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the ff. line-up of programs: Monday - M&MwithDJSkyeandMagnoMan(vari-ous genres), Wednesday - One and a Half MenwithDJEandDJG(variousgenres),Friday–HalakhakanwithDJTamandDJIan (OPM). Titan Radio 195.5 is a project of the SAB in coordination with different ar-easandofficesoftheschool.

Campus radio finally on airby John Buena and

Raphael Dizon

photo taken from DepEd

photo courtesy of Ms. Jocelyn Andaya

Spotlight: Transitus Death of Christmas Not the typical Lourdesian Hobby

Epic Love Cycle Titans: Locked and Loaded

What’s Inside

p. 8-9 p. 7 p. 14 p. 13 SPORTS

REVOLUTIONARY MOVE. The new curriculum will cover an additional two years for senior high school with specialized courses to be offered. The question is how ready LSQC will be for this enriched model.

ARMED AND READY. Former school principal, Hon. Jocelyn Andaya takes her oath in front of Bro. Armin Luistro, the Department of Education secretary in his office at DepEd Cen-tral in Pasig. Behind her are her mother and brother.

2 News JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

The Pax Et Bonum (PEB),theofficialstudentpubli-cation of Lourdes School QC High School Department, dished out a strong comeback this year bringing honor for the school with their performance in several competitions held over the last few months. Duplicating the feat last earned in 2010 in the Re-gionalPressConference,aLourdesianwentontofinishwithtwo awards. SAB President Alain Lorenzo Aycardo capped the contest season with Seventh Place in Sports Writing and Tenth Place in Editorial Writing both in English during the 36th National Capital Region Secondary Schools Press Con-ference held September 22 and 29 at the Caloocan City High School and St. Mary’s College Caloocan. The former Managing and Sports Editor of the PEB bested almost 1,000 campus journalists all over NCR that gath-ered for the annual lecture and contest for campus journalists. Lecturers and judges were renowned media practitioners and academicians. There were around 250 contestants in each category and the top ten winners were determined and awarded dur-ing the closing ceremonies last October 6. However, Aycardo’s strong finishwas not enough to earn a seat for theNationalSecondary Schools Press Conference next year as the top three winners shall only qualify for the said contest which will be held in Ormoc City either in February or April 2013. Nevertheless, Aycardo’s feat has been the biggest so far for the PEB and for the school since 2010 where Lourd-esian and PEB alumna then Features Editor Stephanie Grace SisonplacedfifthoverallinFeaturesWriting(English).

Liyab 10th NCR- Wide Journalism Seminar and Contest

61 schools all over NCR and Region IV-A had gath-ered at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) last September 19and25fortheAnnualJournalismSeminarandContestforhigh school publications. Now on its 10th year, the said event isorganizedbytheTorch,officialstudentpublicationofPNU. Several seminars on different fields of journalismwere held simultaneously followed by the writing competition participated in by selected campus journalists from different high schools all over NCR. Some of the participating schools aside from LSQC were Claret School of QC, St. Theresa’s Col-lege QC, School of the Holy Spirit QC, Manila Science High School, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, School of St. An-thony, Malayan High School of Science and St. Mary’s QC.. This year’s keynote speakerwasF.Sionil Jose,Na-tional Artist for Literature while judges and resource persons for the seminar and competitions were academicians and jour-nalists from national publications. In the end, the PEB staffers had lorded over all its counterparts when it ranked 2nd overall besting other high school publications. The overall champion was Manila Science High School.The individual winners accumulating for a total of 40 points overall were the ff.

Alain Lorenzo Aycardo- 1st Place, Editorial and Sports Writing in EnglishRoi Anton Boribor- 1st Place, Features Writing in EnglishBaron Kenneth Carreon- 6th Place, Editorial Writing in FilipinoBriane Dela Peña- 7th Place, News Writing in English

Division Press Conference

The PEB Staffers went on to beat its record of four places secured last year with the 2012 Quezon City Division Secondary Schools Press Conference held last Sept. 7, 11- 14 heldat the JuanSumulongHighSchool inCubaoandat theQuezon Memorial Circle. With a total of seven awards, the PEB managed to rank ninth overall among more than 50 schools and 100 stu-dents per category from both private and public in QC that had participated in this annual meet.

The winners were the ff. Alain Lorenzo Aycardo (First Place, Editorial Writing in English and Eighth Place, Sports Writing in English), Steven Patrick Carrasco ( Best News Anchor, Radio Broadcasting in Filipino), Briane dela Peña (Fourth Place, News Writing in English), Baron Kenneth Carreon (Tenth Place – Editorial Writing in Filipino) Third Place – Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwrit-ing (Filipino): Steven Patrick Carrasco, Alyssa Mae Medina, Coleen Lucille Recio, Louis Rodolfo Arceo, Nicole Angeli Sanggalang, Nina Francheska Caballero, Steven Rey CruzSeventh Place – Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting (Eng-

lish): Alexander Hans Collado, Jr., Briane dela Peña, Ervan Joseph Fernando, Jerome Paulo Co, Mikhail Iosef Insame, Richard Fronda, Roi Anton Boribor Moreover, Carrasco being the best news anchor for Radio Broadcasting in Filipino was selected together with stu-dents from other schools to form a team that represented the Quezon City Division in the 36th National Capital Region Sec-ondary Schools Press Conference held October 19.

YMCA Search for Outstanding Campus Journalist

Two Lourdesians were likewise recognized during the YMCASearchforOutstandingCampusJournalistsofQuezonCity held September 18 at the Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science and Technology High School.

PEB Editor in Chief Jasper Cruz was hailed Third Place in News Writing (Filipino) while Student Advisory Board President and former PEB Managing Editor Alain Lorenzo Aycardo was awarded Third Place in Editorial Writ-ing in English.

The annual search participated by 35 schools all over QC started with a lecture followed by the competition.

District Secondary Schools Press Conference

Lourdesians won big in the Quezon City District Sec-ondary Schools Press Conference held August 7 and 13 both at SMNorthEdsaandJuanSumulongHighSchool. Placing 4th overall among schools that participated, the ff. staffers who had earned places were:

Alain Lorenzo Aycardo- First Place, Sports Writing - Third Place, Editorial Writing Briane Dela Peña- First Place, News WritingJasper Cruz- Third Place, Pagsulat ng Balita- Tenth Place, Pasulat ng EditoryalColeen Lucille Recio- Third Place, Pagsulat ng Lathalain hJustin Kazuya Tajon- Fourth Place, PhotojournalismNicole Angeli Sanggalang- Fifth Place, Editoryal KartuningMikhail Iosef Insame- Fifth Place, Sports Writing Baron Kenneth Carreon- Sixth Place, Pagsulat ng Editoryal- Eighth Place, Pagsulat ng LathalainRoi Anton Boribor- Seventh Place, Features WritingRichard Fronda- Eighth Place, Editorial WritingChristian Paul Tappa- Tenth Place, Pagsulat ng Balitang Pampalakasan

Third Place, Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting in Filipino Steven Rey CruzAlyssa Mae MedinaColeen Lucille RecioNicole Angeli Sanggalang

Steven Patrick CarrascoChristian Paul Tappa

Fifth Place, Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting in English Briane Dela PeñaRoi Anton BoriborRichard FrondaNina Franceska CaballeroMikhail Iosef InsameMa. Gemina BellaJerome Paulo Co

Winning streak recorded for PEB this yearby Briane dela Peña

Lourdesians run for a cause

by Louis Rodolfo Arceo

To raise awareness and contribute to the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate our environment, Lourdesians thru the Eco Geo So-ciety participated in the Run, Ride and Roll for the Pasig River last September 30 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. According to club adviser Ms. Karen Sulit, the group ran fivekilometreswhichstartedattheQuezonCityCirclestretchingtoTandangSoraflyoverandLuzonAvenuethenbacktoQCCir-cle. She further stated, “Sa maliit na paraan nakakatulong na pala kami sa kalikasan (nature).” “It had been a heartwarming experience. I know the money we paid is totally worthy of the cleanliness of the environ-ment”,clubpresidentJakeFrondamentioned.Totakepartinthemarathon for a cause, participants have to pay as part of registra-tion. “I felt happy. I don’t know why,” shared by Allen Umali, a junior and one of the Lourdesians who joined the event. Sulit added, “Ang pinakamasaya na part ay ang maka-takbo kasama sina Kim Chiu, Xian Lim at Maja Salvador.” Ce-lebrities have also participated in the event which drew almost a hundred thousand. This was the fourth edition of the “Run for Pasig River” which started way back in 2009. The event aims to raise funds for the continuing efforts in rehabilitating the Pasig River which had long been dead due to pollution and man-made activities. It can also be recalled that in 2010 the said event had set a record by the Guinness Book of World Records after the number of partici-pants reached 116,087.

photo by Justin Kazuya Tajon

photo courtesy of Ms. Karen Sulit

UNPARALLELED. The PEB staffers clinch their way back to the top as one of the highest ranking schools in the annual Secondary Schools Press Conference.

ONE WITH PASIG. Lourdesians candidly pose for a photo as they took part in the annual run for the resurrected river.

JUNE - OCTOBER 2012 News 3

Junior student leads first term awardees; PEB staffers dominate the top three spots

by Jasper Cruz

“The action now would be in your hands. You have the freedom to choose. Never abuse that freedom because it’s God’s gift to us.” Thus stressed by Third Year student Alexander Hans V.C. Collado, top one of their level for the First Trimester in his inspirational speech delivered during the Recognition Rites lastOctober13attheMagnificatGrounds.

Collado, who is the lone recipient of the First Honors Award, led all awardees dur-ing the said event witnessed by parents of the awardees as well as the entire high school com-munity. The PEB Layout Editor and the top one of their batch last school year obtained a general average of 95.1 last trimester to qualify for the elusive honor.

The program commenced with a par-aliturgy that was presided by Campus Minister Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Atienza OFMCap followed by the awarding ceremony that included the sub-ject excellence awardees, top one of each class, academic excellence awardees and the conduct awardees. Interestingly, majority of the awardees for last term were staffers of the PEB. Moreover, the top three students of each batch were mostly from the PEB. Aside from Collado, PEB News staffer Jennus Alonte is the Top One of the Sec-ond Year level followed by PEB Features staff-er Jacob Fuentebella. Baron Kenneth Carreon and Briane Dela Pena, PEB Literary and News Editors, ranked second and third overall for the Third Year level. Meanwhile, PEB Editor in Chief Jasper Cruz and PEB Sports staffer Christian Paul Tappa were hailed top two and three of the seniors batch. SAB President Alain Lorenzo Aycardo who was the former Manag-ing and Sports Editor for the PEB is the seniors’ top one. PEB Associate Editor Richard Fron-da, Circulation Manager Rodolfo Louis Ar-ceo, Filipino Editor Coleen Lucille Recio, and Features Editor Roi Anton Boribor had landed spots as well in the elite circle of Academic Ex-cellence Awardees.

The complete list of awardees for the Principal’s Honor Roll for the First Trimester is comprised of the ff.

GRADE 7TOP1:ClaudetteJoyV.CelosoTOP2:JohnEldrickV.GuerreroTOP2:JadenG.JardiolinTOP 3:Ma. Chartelle Frances E. Dijamco

2ND YEARTOP1:JennusJ.AlonteTOP2:JacobNoelH.FuentebellaTOP3:MikeJarenB.Yap

3RD YEARTOP1:AlexanderHansV.CollaoJr.TOP 2: Baron Kenneth P. CarreonTOP 3: Briane B. Dela Pena

4TH YEAR

TOP 1: Alain Lorenzo C. AycardoTOP2:JasperC.CruzTOP 3: Christian Paul F. Tappa

Lourdesians wow audience and hosts of Showtime

by Briane dela Peña

Lourdesians have the makings of a celebrity even for a few hours only. This was after selected students were beamed live nationwide as they watched the live telecast of ABS-CBN noontime show It’s Showtime last September 22. The show is topbilled by hosts and actors Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Billie Crawford, Karylle, Kim Atienza, Anne Curtis and a lot more. Selected Lourdesians brought the school’s name on television as they joined and watched “It’s Showtime” and toured the ABS-CBN Studios in Diliman, Quezon City, September 22. Aside from being an active and cheerful crowd inside Studio 3, Lourdesians also took part in one of the show’s overrated segments “Sine Mo To”. Junior Carlo Magno and Sophomore CJ Parungao actively participated in the segment as one of the characters portraying roles in the storytelling format where they also got to interact up close and personal with the show’s hosts. Furthermore, Magno who has wowed the audience with his usual wit and comic nature has raked in P47,000. He has sang, dance and delivered lines much to the delight of the hosts, production staff and the audience. Parungao, on the other home, went home with P3,500. Prior to the livefeed,Lourdesianswentonfirstwitha tour ledby theABS-CBN Studio Tours where they explored the different studios that house popular shows such as Studio 7 (ABS-CBN News Center), Studio 8 (Showbiz Inside Report), Studio 9 (Kris TV) and the largest Studio 10 (ASAP 2012, Rated K, Gandang Gabi Vice, Toda Max, Luv U and the like). Lourdesians who participated in this activity were the Media Watch Club with selected members of Pax Et Bonum (PEB), Student Advisory Board (SAB) and Lourdes School Interactive (Team LSi). Organizing this activity was the Media Watch Adviser Ms. Charity Reyes.

LSQC commemorates Feast of St. Francis; stages Transitus in grand fashion

by Richard Fronda and Jennus Alonte

October 4, 2012—The high school (HS) and grade school (GS) depart-ments of LSQC had joined forces to commemorate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the school’s patron saint. The program commenced with the celebration of the Holy Mass in two separate venues: the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and the GS Gymnasium to accommodate both departments.

School rector Rev. Fr. Antonio Ala II, OFM Cap presided the mass in the church while Campus Minister Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Atienza, OFM Cap was at the gymnasium. Highlighting the day’s event was an agape held at St. Francis Hall in the GS Building, where the whole community with individual contributions for the food provisions engaged in a salu-salo that promoted the spirit of brother-hood and oneness among members.

Feast of St. Francis | Jump to p. 15

OPC crowns, unveils new ambassador

by Briane dela Peña And the waiting is over! All speculations were put to an end when Ms. Cheyenne Mangaliman oftheHSMathAreawasnamedthenewambassadorforthe2012OralProfi-ciency Campaign (OPC) replacing last year’s Ms. Carissa Dedase of the English Area. During the relaunch of OPC Awesome! English I Like 2012 held Oct. 15, the turnover rites ala beauty pageant revealed the two in all their elegance and beauty with their gowns, sash, crown, royal guards, escorts and body guards.Ms. Mangaliman was introduced to the student body as the newest ambassador forOPC,whileMs.DedasewasnotaletdownwithherfinalwalkandspeechasshewasescortedbyCATOfficers. InherfirstinterviewasOPCAmbassador,Ms.Mangalimanreiteratedthe use of the the English as medium of communication in all subjects except AralingPanlipunanandFilipinoaswellasinallofficialtransactionswithof-ficessuchastheadministrators’andfacultyroom.

OPC | Jump to p. 15

photo by Alyssa Medina

Image taken from TFC Live

photo courtesy of Ms. Karen Sulit

MODEL STUDENT. PEB Layout Editor Alexander Hans Collado delivers his inspirational message to the entire community as the lone First Honors awardee for the First Trimester.

YOUR SHOW, YOUR TIME. Big winner Carlo Magno not only walked home with big cash but also with big smiles from the hosts and the audience.

4 Opinion JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

Seeing through the hole

Speak out, stand up but also look out.

In order to crack down and put a stop to growing computer-related crimes and offenses such as hacking,

identity theft, online libel and online pornography that seemed like a virus slowly destroying the human system,

PresidentBenignoSimeonAquino IIIofficiallysigned theCybercrimePreventionLawof2012 (RepublicAct

10175) last September 12, 2012.

According to Sen. Edgardo Angara, one of the controversial law’s main authors, the said act establishes a

legal framework for the prevention, investigation, apprehension and prosecution of Internet-related crimes.

At the moment, the said law is on hold per Supreme Court Resolution as provisions are being scrutinized

thoroughly due to the growing public clamor i.e. the internet public.

Such though is a good start to reinforce discipline in every Filipino “netizen” for it forbids any harm

caused by illegal acts especially bullying in the cyberspace. The said act also has the capacity to help curb the crime

rate in the country, particularly that of cyber in nature therefore resulting to a more “harmonious” cyberspace and a

more conducive place to connect with other people i.e. free from cyber bullying, illegal alteration, damaging, dele-

tion or deterioration of computer data, electronic document or electronic data message as well as the introduction or

transmission of viruses.

Everything has its downside though.

The celebrated law also paves way for the seemingly curtailment of the freedom of speech as contested

at present with the provision on libel as a criminal offense. Lifted from an old edition and applied therein, it would

seem that the said move desires only for one to say all the good and keep mum to everything else i.e. criticisms and

disparagements which may proved to be offensive, injurious and libelous to an “aggrieved party”. Yes, if proven

and without basis. No, if unfounded of such and the comments are meant to provide a sense of balance only.

RA 10175 seems also vague as to provisions on “who-is-to-blame” and “who-is-liable” part. Will “re-

sharing” information or giving comments be considered libelous already? Who can be sued for that matter? Are we

referring to the original post or the subsequent shares or tweets here? Are commentaries in personal blogs grounds

for libel as well? It may be teaching us to be more careful and responsible in the kind of speech and the personal

convictions or stand to make, but it itself provides a false trap for those of us who uphold only the freedom and

democracy our country enjoys.

The judgment day may either be looming or bright though as we wait for the verdict from the Supreme

Court. At the moment, the law is rendered “frozen” for implementation. Though the Cybercrime Prevention Act of

2012hasastringofbenefits,itstillmayhavepotentialthreatsthatneedtobestrictlyaddressed.Assuch,strong

gate keeping measures must be enacted to ascertain that it will work for the public’s side and not serving the few

privileged only.

Amidst though this entire hullabaloo, Lourdesians must be reminded of the fact that there are natural laws

that go beyond man-made. Even without the Cybercrime Prevention Act and all related laws, we are reminded to

exercise freedom of speech and expression responsibly. In doing so, we attest that freedom comes also with per-

sonalcautionandrestraint.Youdon’thavetowaittobetriedinthecourtnorbesanctionedbytheAPSAOfficefor

bullying your classmate online. In short, respect for differences as well as genuine kindness and understanding for

others must still prevail even in cyberspace. After all, one can tweet, post, share or comment without hurting one or

two, much more malign or degrade one’s personality.

With or without man-made laws, let us only uphold what is right and good. Laws are formulated only

to provide further safeguard for all. In the end though, just observing the natural law itself deters us already from

breaking the man-made laws. No law though should be designed against us for that matter.

After all, laws are meant to create to protect the common good and not endanger them.

QuotingHarryTruman,apessimistisonewhomakesdifficultiesofhis/heropportunitiesandanoptimistisonewhomakesopportunitiesofhis/herdifficulties.Asthisadageimplies,oneshouldlookforopportunitiesineverydifficultyandnotlookatthedifficultyineveryopportunity.Inotherwords,weshouldviewthepositiveeven amidst the the negative and we should not focus on pointing one’s weakness but all the more on one’s strengths. On the other hand, the cliché “so many things to do, so little time” is a typical sentiment among Lourdesians whenever they get bombarded with countless require-ments such as assignments, group works, transfer and performance tasks and quizzes. Lourdesiansoften experiencemoredifficultiesfinishing these tasks in timeswhenthese are pegged on the same day or week for submission. Failure to attend to group meetings(duetotimeconstraints)forthependingperformance/transfertasksevenadd more to the endless burden.

As we advance to the next level, it is expected though that workload is all the more heavy and demanding and such necessitates additional time and effort exhorted to the fullest. Not only is it stressful and tedious on our part but also often too exhaust-ing causing dent sometimes to our health. The problem: Lourdesians oftentimes list down priorities which are less sig-nificantandurgentatthattimesuchasthosethatdonothavetodowithschool-relatedrequirements. Such redounds only to decreased time to for completion of school work. And just when all else fail, Lourdesians are left with the most viable option: cram-ming. If one will only manage his or her time well, one can drastically improve one’sself.Intheprocess,onewouldbeabletolessenoreliminatelossesordeficien-ciesbypreparing for eachdayefficientlyandallocating time formoreurgent andpriority tasks. To sum up, time and again, we will always be constantly reminded that it only boils down to one thing: balance. With this, one cannot complain always of the little time left with so many things to do. Time never runs out to begin with and time constraints can never be an excuse if one knows only to manage time. In the end, no matter how much you complain, Lourdesians must always bear in mind and heart that these things are part and parcel of our formation in life. Remember that these things gear us to a more demanding and tedious world known as college. Our workload here in high school is but short of what to expect in college. If we get used to doing things, wanting things, viewing things as easy as we do now in high school and if our quality of outputs do not “level-up” at all, we would really have a hard time keeping up in college. Our alumni and alumnae now in college would often remark how college workload is expected to be more than twice or thrice of ours now in high school. Imagine if our workload is the same with that of others, no words will ever be enough to describe our shock once we reach college and discover the harsh realities. So, what a better way to warm us up for college than to increase and antici-pate the slowly increasing workload as we step up and ascend to greater heights? This time though: think and ponder while there is time left.

Editor in chief Jasper CruzAssociate Editor Richard Fronda

News Editor Briane dela PeñaFeatures-Filipino Editor Coleen Lucille RecioFeatures-English Editor Roi Anton Boribor

Sports, Photography and Cartooning Editor Justin Kazuya TajonLayout Editor Alexander Hans Collado Jr.Literary Editor Baron Kenneth Carreon

Circulation Manager Louis Rodolfo ArceoNews Raphael Dominic Dizon, Jennus Alonte, John Gabriel Angelo Buena,

Layout Jared Mamenta, Margaux Andrea Louise Morales, Jan Gabriel Pundavela, Antonio Miguel Magtalas

Features-English Ervan Joseph Fernando, Nina Francheska Caballero, Thad Nuel Natividad, Timothy Ilog, Marco Adolfo Genuino, Rain Martin Valencia,

Jacob Noel Fuentebella, Josemaria AlipioFeatures-Filipino Edzel Gail Macasu, Nicole Angeli Sanggalang

Cartooning Jerome Paulo Co, Steven Patrick Carrasco, Maria Gemina Louzelle BellaSports Steven Rey Cruz, Christian Paul Tappa, Mikhail Iosef Insame

Photography Alyssa Mae Medina, Mark Allen Barrera, Carmela Marie Ramirez, Joshua Luis Torreda

Contributor Matthew Paaño

Jasper Cruz

This side up

So Many Things To Do, So Little Time

In the end, no matter how much you com-plain, Lourdesians must always bear in

mind and heart that these things are part and parcel of our formation in life.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF LOURDES SCHOOL QUEZON CITY HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Publications AdviserMr. Marvin de Pano

PrincipalMrs. Arlyne Hope Blanco

Office:Room103,G/FSt.FrancisBuilding,HSDepartment,LourdesSchoolQuezonCity

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Sinabi nga ni Bob Ong, “...maraming teacher sa labas ng eskwelahan. desisyon mo kung kanino ka magpapaturo.” Totoo nga na-man, napakaraming guro kung saan-saan. Patu-nay na malawak ang mundo. Kanya-kanya lang yan. Kumbaga, walang pakialamanan. Sadyang malaki ang mundo para sa maliit na tao na gaya natin. Maliit—sapagkat nag-uumpisa pa lamang tayo sa mahaba-habang tala ukol sa ating buhay. Karaniwan sa mga kabataan ngayon ang pagsas-abi ng “Bahala na!”. Isa sa mga kadahilanang pilit nating iniiwasan ay ang mga posibilidad na maaari nating harapin sa pagkamit ng mga kagustuhan natin. Hindi maikakailang bata pa

lamang tayo at salat pa sa kaalaman ukol sa tu-nay na kahulugan ng buhay. Ngunit teka, sino nga ba ang nakaaalam? Ako? Hindi rin. Isa rin ito sa napakaraming rason kung bakit mahalaga ang pamilya, kapatid, kaibigan, guro o kahit na sinong parte ng buhay ng isang mag-aaral. La-hat naman tayo’y may pangangailangan sa aten-syon at oras ng mga mahahalagang tao sa buhay natin. Hindi rin maitatangging ang mga taong ito’y minsan nang naging guro sa buhay ng ibang tao maliban sa atin. Lalong di katanggi-tangging na ikaw mismo ay nagsilbing guro—maaaring sa iba o sa sarili mo mismo.

Maraming pagkakataon sa buhay nat-ing mga kabataan ngayon ay humaharap sa napakaraming pagsubok sa buhay. Simpleng takda, pagpapamalas ng talento sa madla o di kaya’y pagbigkas ng mahabang tula sa harap ng klase ay pagsubok na para sa ilan. Karaniwa’y nalalagpasan ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pakikinig. Hindi rin naman maikakaila na ang pakikinig ay siya ring bunga ng pagkamang-mang at nang ‘di pagkatuto. Ang mga kakaya-han ng tao ay siya pang nagiging kahinaan o malala pa roo’y ang pagkawasak ng sariling buhay. Mahirap ngang maging mangmang ng sarili na ring kapabayaan.

Napakarami naman kasing daan ang maaaring landasin ng sinuman, noon na tuwid na landas ngayo’y may tamang daan. Kung wala ka ngang mapa ay marahil naligaw kana. Ang mundo’y sadyang napakalawak na kung tutuusin ay maliit lamang. Sabi nga nila, “It’s a small world”—ngunit bakit may naliligaw pa rin? Naligaw marahil kakahanap ng magiging guro nila na kung tutuusi’y lumayu-layo pa’y nariyan lang naman. Kung gaano kadali mag-ing guro para sa iba, mahirap bang maging guro para sa iyong sarili?

JUNE - OCTOBER 2012 Opinion 5

As far as we can remember, we have been asked this question a million times. Probably one of the critical yet time-ly questions asked especially these days, with our future hanging on a very delicate balance. Over and over again, I have thought, asked and craved for an answer to this unbearable ques-tion. “Ano ba ang gusto mo paglaki”? I have been drawing blanks whenever

asked of the question of the hour. What do I re-ally want to be? Let’s look at each possibility. I see myself opening a human heart beating, or slicing a brain for a possible tumor. Eww! Or I imagine myself defending a mur-derer at court. I’ll pass. Or Do I want to bear forty students for eight hours? Not really. That common “doctor, lawyer, teacher solution” re-ally gets on my nerves. Here I am complaining about my future job, the dangers of the profes-sion, the possibly low salary and the perks of being this or that. Life is just tit for tat isn’t it? Whatever hobbies you have is most likely to be the course being tackled. There will be the possibility though of having an undesired job, completely irrelevant to that taken in college. What will I

dothen?Truly,this“courseandprofession”fi-asco had been a nagging feeling I cannot shake off. For at the past ten years, I wondered with nothing being a solid answer. Yes, the Career Awareness Week had been valuable time spent, but, it simply laid out the options, but not the solution, leaving me with more decisions than ever. I just got simply confused and I am sure I am not alone. There are many being lost in the

dark, too. Actually, many say my problem is a luxury; indeed it is true. In fact, many even worry of reaching higher education. Others have their lives planned out since the beginning, caging them to only a selected purpose. With the nation having an overflow-ing supply of graduates in several programs or courses, there are still plenty with good poten-tial professions but lacking of graduates. Ironi-cally, choosing a course now becomes a guess-ing game: one wrong choice and boom! game over.

Shot In The Dark... | P. 13

Roi Anton Boribor

The Gray Area

Shot In The Dark

Over and over again, I have thought, asked and craved for an answer to this unbearable ques-

tion. “Ano ba ang gusto mo paglaki”?

Richard Fronda

Ultimatum

Carpe Diem“You only got one life. You can’t sit around waiting for your next life to begin.” - Lucille Vinson (Crazy in Albama, 1999) Gone are the days of my precious high school moments, well almost. Sooner or later, my four year stay in Lourdes will just be mo-ments that I’ll soon be looking back to. After realizing such, it came to me that I should be seizing each and every opportunity that my school gives. It is but right also to cherish ever moments that I spend in school which I’ll soon

be calling my alma mater. I may not be in perfect knowing yet how different college is going to be, but I can’t help to see myself not being cared the same way Lourdes School had cared for me for the past few years. But what can I do? Like anybody else in this society, I also need to raise myself a level higher. And I believe there’s no other more seeminglyfittingway to lightenup theheavyfeeling of leaving your second home soon but to do the things you love without having any reservations in your mind of what other people may say and grab every chance that stands be-fore you, for these chances you won’t take may be the biggest regret you’ll ever have in your life. Ourschoolgivesallthebenefitsthata

high schooler can possibly have and all activi-ties that can perk us up and help us tide through the challenges of the real world but what have we been doing? We ignore the importance of these to our existence. Further, we seem to take all of these as somewhat ordinary while the school has been spoiling its students with all their needs. On our end, we seem to over-see the reality that these things might greatly change over time particularly for the graduating students. And for that, it is but right for us to be

thankful. For the graduating batch, the days of our stay in our dearest LSQC are continuously decreasing and we can never do anything about it but to make the most out of everything that we are left with. And for the rest of the student body, who will have more time in Lourdes, cherish every moment you spend, be grateful for all the perks given. Enjoy; don’t just be on the brink of doing things just because you’re obliged to, but more importantly, do what you love. There’s no reason for you to hold back because I believe that for most people, it’s not what they are that holds them back rather it’s what they think they’re not that hinders them from what they wanted to be.

For the graduating batch, the days of our stay in our dearest LSQC are continuously

decreasing and we can never do anything about it but to make the most out of everything that we

are left with.

Coleen Recio

Ligaw na Alingawngaw

Maliit na Mundo sa Malaking Daigdig

Sabi nga nila, “It’s a small world”—ngunit bakit may naliligaw pa rin?

Briane dela Peña

Heads and Tails

Respect begets respect“Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.” —Aesop Teachers deserve respect and appreci-ation but why is it that students sometimes seem to devalue their efforts and their identities? In a typical class, it is somehow in-evitable for some teachers to exhibit traits that are unusual to their students. This may be a remarkable expression, a constant mannerism,

a certain gesture, or even a distinct accent when speaking. What some students tend to do now is to take note of these unique characteristics and the worst part is to make fun of these in their teachers. In other cases, there are also a few teachers whom students dislike usually be-cause of their strictness and meticulous attitude. These mentors are the ones primarily in their list of whom to make fun of and whom to call cer-tain names, insulting almost every time. Then, whenever our teachers discover these, expect that they would get seriously an-gry. All of a sudden, there it was: the change of heart of these students who suddenly would ac-knowledge their fault and apologize. There they are and their lies rubbing on their thick face.

As I see it, I do condemn this kind of rudeness and backstabbing towards teachers be-cause it is unjust to underestimate the way they sacrificeapartoftheirlivesjustforustolearn.They have spent tiring sleepless nights just to teach us something valuable. Some of them in the process even get sick, but still, insist on teaching. Yet, some people just do not recog-nize what teachers actually do, and the actual reason for doing such. Worse, when they get

caught, they would turn hypocrites who’d trans-form360degreesinaflashandaskforforgive-ness from the poor teacher. What most students seem to overlook is that teachers, like our parents, are genuinely understanding. Some may think that they are like monsters roaming around the school, but actually, they also get angry and at the most get hurt. While on our end, we even get offended when teachers reprimand us for doing some-thing wrong. Moreover, we think that these teachers always have the glaring eye survey-ing us always, but when you look closely at it, they only reprimand us because they just simply would not want us to go astray.

Respect begets respect... | P. 13

The point is that backstabbing is never a right way to react to our teachers and their

“unfavorable” ways.

6 Features JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

PEBsians SPEAKWhat CHRISTMAS should be and shouldn’t be

by Louis Arceo

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore,” Andre Gide once said. Change was said to be one thing in life that cannot be changed. It is itself inevitable as it will continue to come and pass away with the passage of time. `The past few months saw the Roman Catholic faith-ful a bit surprised and lost to have found changes in the pro-ceedingsoftheHolyMass.Justaswheneverychurchgoerisused to responding to the famous line “The Lord be with you” with “And also with you”, every one should by now has gotten the hang of reciting newly revised lines. As modernization takes on greater heights, the Ro-man Catholic Church, on the other hand, takes on major steps

to preserve tradition as it draws back to the olden times to strengthen ties with its faithful. At the moment, all dioceses in the country are gradually implementing the changes in the peo-ple’s responses during Eucharistic celebrations. This is to facili-tate the transition to the new English Roman Missal. To ease up the adjustment and ensure the smooth transition, the schedule of the gradual implementation happens simultaneously in all dioceses and is done monthly. The said implementation for each month are as fol-low:ForJune,“Andalsowithyou”waschangedto“Andwithyour spirit” in the greetings, Gospel Preface and Final Blessing. The revisedConfiteor,Gloria andApostle’sCreedwere alsodueforJuly,AugustandSeptemberrespectively.ForOctober,it was the new Sanctus and Gospel Acclamation. For Novem-ber, it will be the invitation to communion. Lastly, the full im-plementationwillbeonDecember2,2012,thefirstSundayofAdvent. Way back in 2002, the Episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, Holy See, promulgated the third edi-tion of the Roman Missal together with a new set of guidelines which required a word-for-word translation that was closer to the original Latin content and syntax. The International Com-mittee on English in the Liturgy and the Holy See’s Vox Clara Commission as well produced this new English translation to replace the second edition that was used since 1975. The organizations of the Church strive for accura-cy of content and form with regards to the language of origin which is Latin. This is to assure that correct content will be imparted to the people. Such, in a way or another, will contrib-utetothestrongandfirmfoundationofourfaithinthewordofGod. The gliding tides of change may be overwhelming, but the choices and actions we make as a whole community is what drives the ship to our route in life. Source: www.cubaoliturgy.org

Perfect love cannot be without equality. –Scottish Proverb That is exactly what Lourdes School aims for. And in what seemingly fittingwaytheschoolcanshowthisbyaccepting those that differ from the ma-jority. Though LSQC is a Catholic school, it would be good to know that among those under their wings are stu-dents who are actually non-Catholic. This is not an unusual case though as most Catholic schools accept also stu-dents who are of another religious orien-tation. Nuances will always be in-evitable but the Capuchin Franciscan School had proven how it can address all these that may come in the way of its non-Catholic students. Although the school may serve to be an equalizer and defender of rights, there are just instanc-es that may just place them in gray areas where those considered different are. Data from the Registrar’s Of-fice revealed that 17who are currentlyenrolled in the High School department are non- Catholics. Though there are spe-cial considerations accorded them, these students have to observe though all spir-itual or religious exercises that go with their enrollment in this school. As they say, respect begets respect. To turn those curious minds at ease, an interview with some of these Lourdesians was conducted. Here’s a rundown of what they’ve shared.

Was it difficult to mix and fit in at first considering your religious ori-entation? It is really hard to belong to a (Catholic) sectarian school where the values and virtues they instill to their stu-dents root from a different belief of mine. Apart from the mission-vision and objec-tives of the school, it was really hard for me to join my fellow classmates once they already learned how different I am. Honestly, I felt indifferent and rejected back then because some of my class-mates were narrow-minded thinking that my religion was something that really made me different or weird in a bad way but I have learned to adjust and cope with it. I also learned to change that negative feeling into something that fuels me to be better. I now feel accepted in the com-munity to the point that everyone else treats me like a normal guy though there

are still some cases where I get treated differently. – Alija Pandapatan, IV-Wisdom (Muslim)

Do you enjoy being a Lourdesian?

Yes, I really do. Being a Lourdesian, I get to experience many ac-tivities, educational trips and many more, which are very enjoyable for me. – Rain Martin Valencia, II- Piety (Methodist Christian)

Yes. I really appreciate the way Lourd-esians treat their classmates/friends/schoolmates even though they have a different religion. – Margaux Morales, III-Obedience (Protestant)

What were your reasons for choos-ing a Catholic school for your high school education?

Since I started my pre-elementary, I was already in a Catholic school and attend mass in Catholic churches sometimes. That’s why I wanted to continue my schooling in a Catholic school. Also, both my parents are Catholic that’s why I studied in a Catholic school. – Rain Martin Valencia, II- Piety (Methodist Christian)

My mom and dad didn’t consider the fact that LSQC was Catholic school. They just thought that LSQC was a good school because of the referrals it got. Its PAASCU accreditation level 3 was also something that made it a better choice for me. Before going to high school, my parents made me decide if I was going to choose a new school. Because of the friends I have gained and the memories imparted to me by LSQC, I decided not to transfer and continue my high school education here. It turns out my parents and I were not wrong to make these de-cisions. – Alija Pandapatan, IV-Wis-dom (Muslim)

How do you deal with the concepts and lessons being learned in your Christian Living classes? Magkapareho lang din naman. Yung sa’min nga lang ay nakatuon lahat kayGodatJesus.Walangsaintsanddina rin kailangan magdasal kay Mary and thelike.God/Jesusnaagad. – Margaux Morales, III-Obedience

(Protestant)I treat it just like any other subject. It was peculiar for me to study about a religion which was very different from mine but it was part of the curriculum so I had no choicebuttolearnit.Infirstandsecondyear, I thought of it as a history lesson. I studied it objectively. In my junior and senior year, I learned the lessons by heart because the lessons involved are values and virtues which I believe anyone, re-gardless of his/her religion, should beinstilled with. Regarding the reflectionpapers, I let my parents sign them and thereflectionsImakearenotbasedfromthe homilies but rather based from my experiences. – Alija Pandapatan, IV-Wisdom (Muslim)

Did you find it hard to gain friends in the process?

No, it was not hard at all. – Lea Mis-lang, III- Obedience (Born Again)

No. Gaining new friends was never and will never be a problem for me. – Mar-gaux Morales, III-Obedience (Prot-estant)

No. I have many friends in school and most of them became very curious about my religion when they learn that I’m not a Catholic though the differences be-tween being a Catholic and a Methodist are very little. – Rain Martin Valencia, II- Piety (Methodist Christian)

Do you get special or preferential treatment especially during reli-gious exercises or events?

None at all – Margaux Morales III-Obedience, (Protestant)

No, I do not. I don’t have any differ-ences with these that’s why I don’t get any special treatment. I just don’t partici-pate in the(sacramentof)Confirmationand Communion since my grade school days. I also don’t get to participate during (the sacrament of) Confession. – Rain Martin Valencia II- Piety, (Methodist Christian)

There may be some who may be stones and shells in sand; nonethe-less, these students are just like any other typical Catholic students; they study to learn, to enjoy, and to gain friends and experiences and they are not regarded as Lourdesians to be discriminated at just because they don’t have what the major-ity has. The admission of non-Catholic students in a well-known Catholic school like LSQC is a way of promoting equal-ity and acceptance just as any school should do among all students regard-less of their background. Furthermore, Catholic schools share in the mission of evangelization of the Church. They don’t have to require their students to convert to Catholicism rather they just help plant seeds of equality and goodness among all regardless of religion.After all, propagating the good always knows no bounds.

Not even religious differences.

The Christmas season is on. It is that time of that year that most of us anticipate. Christmas is a

reminder of our essence as Christians as the rea-son for the season is Christ born on the manger. I’ve asked my fellow staffers about their take on this season. What should Christmas be for us and shouldnotjustbethen?Readontofindout.

Christmas should be full of smiles and not of frowns.- Carmela Ramirez, photographer

Christmas should be a moment of togetherness not of distance.- Jennus Alonte, news writer

Christmas should be about love and happiness not hate and sadness.- Margaux Morales, layout artist

Christmas should be a time for spending qual-ity time (with loved ones); it shouldn’t be about gifts & things only.- Gemina Bella, cartoonist

Of Mixing and Syncingby Richard Fronda

Faith in the Gliding Tides of Change

KEEPING WITH THE TRADITION. The Catholic faithful will find the changes in the Holy Mass new yet just keeping up with the

photos by Mark Allen Barrera

Margaux Morales | Rain Valencia | Alija Pandapatan | Lea Mislang

JUNE - OCTOBER 2012 Literary 7

12 Deaths of Christmasby Rain Martin Valencia

On the twelfth death of Christmas,The devil sent to me

Twelve hateful peers,Eleven cowards running,

Ten doubtful wives,Nine smoking teens,Eight sinful mobsters,Seven lustful women,

Six drugs taken,Five broken hearts,

Four infidels,Three bad kids,

DEATH of CHRISTMAS

Longer Nightby Timothy Ilog

Longer night! Boring night!All is dark; all is fright

Around the hopeless timeOh boring life, so harsh and grime

Sleep in a hell place!

Longer night! Dreadful night!There’s no even a single glimpse of

lightEcstasy and peace stream so far

Evil hosts sing Hoohah!We are in the world of torn!

Longer night! Hateful night!God’s people love too slight

Each brings frown in faceAnd steals away the grace,

Jesus, give us light, oh Lord!

Happy Christmas (Love is Over)by Jacob Fuentebella

So Christmas has comeAnd what have you doneYou just made me sufferReplaced me for another

And so this is ChristmasI hope you had funNow I’m just a mem’ryIn your life I’m gone

A twisted and sad ChristmasAnd a dreadful new yearRevenge has been bangingThe door to your fear

So now it is ChristmasAnd now I am all aloneAll alone tonight...My heart cold as stone

Sad, unhappy ChristmasLove is out of sightThese couples around meSeem awfully right

Love is over

LAYOUT BY: ALEXANDER HANS COLLADO JR. JARED MAMENTA

Enter a dreadful world you’ve created and let your eyes be open to the step you must make.

photos by Mark Allen Barrera

8 Spotlight JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

picturesILAW, LENTE, ENTABLADO: Sulyap sa Buhay ni San Francisco

Mga TauhanBatang Fransisco - Jennus J. AlonteDiwa ni Fransisco - Joshua Dale D. GuerreroMatandang Fransisco - Ivan David L. Capili

Mga Kapatid ni FransiscoOnemig C. FerrerosJoven Francis F. MoralesMike Jaren B. YapMacky Andrei D. ManlapigMarvin C. So

Frederich Matthew V. SanchezVincent Angelo A. Flores

Mga Paunahing Tauhan sa VideoPedro de Bernardone - G. Antonio Boy F. Romero Jr.Pica de Bernardone - Bb. Jenevieve A. SolimanObispo Guido - G. Jairus Patrick C. Pascual

Mga MananayawLSQC Cultural Dance TroupeSilayaw Dance Troupe

Mga Iba Pang TauhanLSQC Choral Society

Direktor at ManunulatG. Julius R. Grandea

Direktor at Editor ng VideoG. Jowie B. Arellano

Voice Coach at Musical DirectorG. Angelo B. Castillo

Contributing WriterGng. Editha D. Grandea

Mga Choreographer ng SayawBb. Jenevieve A. SolimanG. Julius Br yan S. Reyes

Mga Production ManagerGng. Conchita N. PasionGng. Editha D. GrandeatBro. Rolando O. Donasco, O.F.M. Cap.Rev. Fr. Antonio B. Ala II, O.F.M. Cap.

“Ikaw ang s’yang simula, at ang katapusan. Ang siyang dahilan ng lahat ng ito. Ang tanging nakapangyayari ay iyong loob, hindi ako.”

JUNE - OCTOBER 2012 Spotlight 9

picturesILAW, LENTE, ENTABLADO: Sulyap sa Buhay ni San Francisco

LAYOUT NI: ALEXANDER HANS COLLADO JR.

“Kamatayan, ako yakapin moHindi tatakas, ako’y iyong iyoKayamanan, lahat wala akoHubad na lilisanin ang mundoSa pamamagitan ni Jesus,Iyong ipinahayag

- Fransisco”

10 Literary JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

The true spiriT Of ChristmaS

Make the Christmas alive in your heart. Let its spark of love radiate from within. For ‘tis the real essence of the celebration. ‘Tis Christmas time!

Jesus, the Hope’s Man

by Baron Kenneth Carreon

Jesus, the hope’s man, was a faithfulhappy soul,With his wooden cross and wounded toesAnd two eyes looking with love.Jesus,thehope’sman,isaprophecy,wesay,He is a poor’s son but we, Christians,Know that He is with God everyday.There must have been some faith in thatMan’s pure heart we found.For when we see it on his deedsHefinishedpreachingacrowd.

O,Jesusthehope’sman,Was alive as he could be,And we, Christians, say he could laughAnd play just the same as all of us.Thumpetty thump thump,Thumpety thump thump,LookatJesuspray.Thumpetty thump thump,Thumpety thump thump,In the green mountains.

Jesus,thehope’sman,knewThe sky was good that day,So he said, “Let’s help andWe’ll have some funNow before I go up.”Down to the village, Withbreadandfishinhishand,

Giving here and there allAround the square saying,Follow me for you can.He led us down the streets of townRighttothetrafficcop.And he only paused a moment whenHe heard him holler “Stop!”ForJesus,thehope’sman,Had to hurry on his way,But he waved goodbye saying,“Don’t you all cry,I’ll be back again some day.”Thumpetty thump thump,Thumpety thump thump,LookatJesusgo.Thumpetty thump thump,Thumpety thump thump,To the clouds of above.

The Maiden’s Sky Wanderer

by Baron Kenneth Carreon

Wind blows gently across the streets,As Christmas unfolds its tempting treats,

Chocolates begin its invasion of sweet teeth,Far from a bitter heart of great feat.Feathers slowly fall on the ground,Going against every tough bound,

To within isa grudge held for years,The root to a maiden’s tears.

Hereyesfilledeveryglancewithenvy,Like a poisonous beauty ivy,

To the sky’s carefree wanderer,A snow bird defying impermeable ether.

The sea of memories meets the shore, Imprinting once again its terrors of pain,

Deepened by betrayal and disdain,Of a beast who has the harshest roar.

Yet from a little wonder above,Her heart started to long for love,Prepared to overlook all the faults,

To with compassion which is long locked in the vaults.

Atfirst,shehesitantlytakeshersteps,But gets uplifted from her raging depths,

Her words speak of sweetness,Even to her it’s the toughest.

The two long lost friends,Finallyfindtheirwayingoodends,

Through a forgiving and understanding heart,Fromthatbird’sflighttheycanneverbe

apart.

Rudolph, The Runny Nosed Boy

by Timothy Ilog

You know Tyler, Tucker,Palmer, Barton, Clement, Chloe,Haidee and BrentBut do you recall

the most famous child of all?Rudolph, the runny nosed boy

Had a very runny nose (like a hairdo)And if you ever saw him

You would even dash out of him (like a race car driver)All of the other children

Used to laugh and call him names (like Sneezy)They never let poor Rudolph

Play in any children games (like Monopoly)Then one foggy Christmas EveSanta came to say (Ho Ho Ho)

Rudolph with your nose so runny (or itchy) Won’t you bring my gifts tonight?

Then all the children loved himand they shouted out with glee (yippee)

“Rudolph the runny nosed boyYou’ll go down in history!”

(like Columbus)

Here Come the Angelsby Jacob Fuentebella

SPOKEN: Speaking of Christmas spiritEach year, out in the streets and chan-teyThey have what they call the angels’ paradeA few years ago, while I was riding in this paradeI saw warmth on millions of facesBoth rich and poor alikeSighing for a glimpse of the nicest be-ings in the worldI can hear them cheering nowHere come the angelsHere Come the AngelsRight down the heavens is

Mr. and Mrs. Roger and all of theirteachersPulling on the reins. Bells are ringing, children singing;All is merry and bright.So sing your songs and say your prayers,‘Cause the angels come tonight.Here Come the AngelsRight down the heavens isThey’vegotvoicesfilledwithjoyFor people to be entertainedHere their voices resound Oh what a beautiful sight,So jump out of bed, shake your heads‘Cause the angels come tonight.Here Come the AngelsRight down the heavens isThey’ll come around when harps re-sound,

It’s Christmas time again.Peace and love will come to all,If we follow their light,So let’s give thanks to the Lord above‘Cause the angels come tonight.Here Come the AngelsRight down the heavens isMr. and Mrs. Rodger and all of their teachersPulling on the reins.Bells are ringing, children singingAll is merry and brightSo jump out of bed, shake your heads‘Cause the angels come tonight.“Peace and love will come to allIf we just follow the angels’ lightSo let’s give thanks to the Lord above‘Cause the angels come tonightSo let’s give thanks to the Lord above‘Cause the angels come tonight.”

A Delighting Glance

by Rain Martin Valencia

ChristmasairfilledwithgleeHigh spirits and sweet treats you’ll seeSweaters that’ll provide you warmthIt’s the year’s time to give and to love

Exchanging presents and joy to othersSharing your blessings and spreading laughters

This is what Christmas is all aboutA chance to thank the ones you can’t live

without

Children running along the streetsEyesfilledwithinnocenceandlaughteriswhat

one speaksWithout a care of the evilness around them

They celebrate Yuletide season with true con-tentment

Wealthy families lavishly celebrateWith extravaganza, children wait

These bring them delights As excitement spark with those alluring Christ-

mas lights.

Simple things coming from the heartA little favor done or a lesson to impart

Can bring meaning to us Surely Christmas day is meant to be for all of

us

Those expensive gifts which bring us much joyMaterial things that excites one’s soulThough are great and well appreciated It’s still the intentions that are counted.

Whether simple or bigCheap or expensive

It’s the thought that what mattersFor it’s what your heart utters.

LAYOUT BY: ALEXANDER HANS COLLADO JR. JARED MAMENTA

JUNE - OCTOBER 2012 Features 11

PEBsians SPEAKWhat CHRISTMAS should be and shouldn’t be

by Louis Arceo

Ang pasko ay araw ng pagbibigayan at araw ng pagmamahalan. Ito rin ang araw na lahat ay may karapatang lumigaya. Kung paiiralin natin ang pagiging makasarili, mapagmataas at mayabang lalo na sa araw ng pasko, tiyak na hindi tayo liligaya.- Gail Macasu, features writer (Filipino)

Christmas should be a special time to spend with the loved ones and those whom you care about the most; it should not be spent pining away for some-one/something you can’t have. Be contented with what you already have.- Nina Caballero, features writer

Christmas should be a time for peace and reconciliation not a time for fight-ing.- Mark Allen P. Barrera, photographer

Christmas should be the season of hope, joy, love and thanksgiving. Christmas is a get together with your family, relatives and your loved ones. Christmas shouldn’t just be the joy of receiving gifts. Let us always bear in mind and in our hearts that the true spirit of Christmas is the love that we give others.- John Buena, news writer

Christmas died in the hearts of the materialistic and worldly people and is in need of rebirth in honor of Christ’s saving glory.- Ervan Fernando, features writer

The Yuletide season has to be a time for everybody to forget hate and to recall love. Because that is the real essence of Christmas, everybody gives each other a smile in faces and hearts.- Tim Ilog, features writer

Palakad-lakad hanggang saan man ako dalhin ng mga paa ko. Tila may hinahanap ang puso ko noon pa man. Hindi ko alam kung kailan pa; basta’t ang alam ko lang, matagal na. Sa aking patuloy na paglalakad ay tila nabuhay ang diwa kong bumangon na patay na kahapon. Li-wanag na nais kong makita ang bumungad sa akin. Ito na lang ang nais pagmasdan ng aking mga mata. Parang may hiwaga na nasaksihan ko nang minsan. Sa aking walang humpay na pagdungaw sa liwanag ay may naulinigan ako. Nakahuhumaling. Hindi ko mapigilan ang aking sarili. Ang alam ko lang, nais ko itong pakinggan ng paulit-ulit. Nagulat na lamang ako na binigkas na ito ng labi ko’t narinig ng mga tainga ko. Nakaramdam ako ng lakas. La-kas na nagmumula sa akin. Mahiwaga—ito ang Wikang Filipino. Ang wika ay buhay na ng tao. Bahagi ito ng pagkatao ng bawat Pilipino. Napakalawak at napakayabong ng wikang mayroon tayo. Magmula nang matutunan natin ang alpabetong Pilipino magpasa-hanggang ngayon na hindi lang isang titik ang alam natin, maging ang iba’t ibang salita na patuloy na dumaragdag sa ating kaalaman. Marami ng suliranin ang hi-narap ng ating wikang pambansa. Mula sa “jejemon” at “Taglish” na pinaghalong Ta-galog at Ingles, gayundin ang malawakang pagsasalita ng “conyo”. Atin nga ba ito?

Maaari sapagkat sinasalita natin ito, nagiging bahagi na ito ng ating pamu-muhay ngunit hindi ito lalakas at yayaman kung hindi naman natin ito gagamitin ng tama o wasto. Sa daang bees nating pag-gamit nang mali sa ating wika’y nagiging mangmang tayo sa sarili nating identidad bilang Pilipino. Nasaan ang silbi ng ating pagka-Pilipino? Hihina ito’t di magtatagal ay maglalaho. Hindi dapat sukat ang pana-hon o oras upang tayo’y maging tunay na Pinoy. Araw-araw ng buhay nating mga Pilipino ay nararapat na maging ganap tayong mga Pilipino.

Nakatatawang isipin na kung gaano kadali nating nabuo ang isang bagay ay ganoon din kadaling masira. Sana’y ‘di humantong pa sa pagkakataong mabubulag tayo sa sarili nating kapa-bayaan, mabibingi sa sarili nating ingay at mapipi sa sarili nating kapansanan. May pag-asa pa! Ang liwanag na ito ay patuloy nating nasisilayan. Nabatid ko na nagging matatag ang wikang Filipino sa maraming pagkakataon na siya naming dahilan ng kalakasan ng mga Pilipino sapagkat ito ay ang buhay—ang hiwagang binibigkas.

Hiwagang binibigkasni Coleen Recio

Walang makita. Madilim. Biglang nasilaw sa ‘di maipaliwanag na sinag--sinag na nagmumula sa puso ng binatang yaon. Bu-mangon mula sa pagkakahimlay--iyan ang unang pangyayaring nasaksihan ng mga mata ng bawat isa. Dala dala ng mga lalaking nakakulay-kaki at akay-akay ang isang lalaki. Pinaghirapan at inabangan ng lahat--naganap ang kau-na-unahang Transitus na naganap sa LSQC High School Audito-rium. Isa sa mga pinakamahalagang pangyayari sa kasaysayan ng Lourdes. Nabuhay muli si San Francisco ng Assisi sa katauhan ni Ivan Capili kasama ng materyalistiko niyang amain na ginam-pananniG.JuliusReyesgayundinangmapagmahalniyanginanaginampananniBb.JenevieveSoliman.Buhayangmusikangummuugoy sa mga tainga at nagpapasikdo sa mga damdamin sa-bay ay ang dula ng tunay na kuwento ni Francisco. Pinangunahan

ni G. Angelo Castillo ang kaakit-akit na musikang bumalot sa tanghalan. Nang biglang dumilim, isang liwanag mula sa kwadra-dong yaon, nagsasalaysay ng nakaraan. Mahusay na ginampanan niJennusAlonteangbatangFrancisco.Nadantayanmulingilawng lente si Capili, ang unang bumida sa entablado, uubo-ubo at tila malalagutan na ng hininga. Di-matatawaran ang pagkakaga-nap. Nadala ang bawat isa mula sa bawat sulok ng awditoryum. Isang awiting nakahuhumaling ang inawit ng isang bata at si-nundan pa ito ni Alonte. Ang mga mata niya’y nagsusumamo. Sinabayan ng sayaw ang bawat kantang dumuduyan sa bawat isa. Ang galaw ng kamay at ng kanilang mga mata’y sadyang tiyak. Pinangunahan ito naman ito ni Bb. Soliman kasama ang LSQC Cultural Dance Troop. Ubo, at walang katapusang pag-ubo. Matindi ang emosyon at tunay na nabigyan ng hustisiya ang buhay ni San Francisco. Tunay na nakapukaw ng atensyon at nakaantig puso ang pagganap ng matandang Francisco. Nabalikan ang di mai-tatangging kahanga-hangang paghuhubad ni Alonte bilang Fran-cisco na nagnanais ng tunay na kalayaan sa hubad na katotohanan at hindi sa materyal na bagay. Mahusay ang galaw ng camera’t ng pokus nito. Damang-dama ang nais nilang iparating sa bawat isa. Bigla-bigla. Muling dumilim. Mula sa kadiliman, kumislap ang asul at sinundan ng dilaw. Ganito ang liwanag ng ilaw bago magtanghal ang mga ak-tor sa entablado. Sa likod naman nila’y dalawang nagtataasang kulay Carmeng mga bloke na tila nakadikit sa dingding. Kung su-suriing mabuti, makikitang ito’y pininta at hindi gawa sa papel o paper mache. Sa mismong entablado pa lamang makikita nang lu-bos na pinaghandaan. Hindi rin magiging possible ito kung hindi dahilkayG.JuliusGrandea,angkabuuangdirectorngTransitus.Dugo’t pawis ang inilaan para sa paghahanda.

Gustong-gusto ko nang mat-uldukan ang walang katapusang usapan sa paksang ito. Sa paulit-ulit na mahigit san-dosenang akdang nabasa ko tungkol rito’y nakakaumay na. Ewan ko nga ba bakit ito ang gusto kong pag-usapan ngayon. Oo, tama ka, pag-ibig nga! Kung gaano man ang pagkamuhi ko rito’y, siya rin namang pagkagusto ko. Nais ko mang tapusin ang paksang ito, hindi ko na mapipigilan ang mga pumiyok na damdamin ng kabataan ngayon, pero hindi ako kasama roon. Mas malabo pa sa mga mata ng lolo ko ang mga nilalang ngayon. Mapilit sa lahat ng bagay makuha lang ang gusto. Gaya na lang ng pagkikipagsiksikan sa dyip kahit waluhan nga lang ang upuan rito maliban na lang kung ipauubaya na ng tsuper ang upuan niya. Yung tipong nag-kakapalitan na kayo ng pawis? Saklap! May mga tao ring mapilit at tipong matanong. Nakalagay na ngang “Huwag hawakan, mainit,” at nagtanong pa rin kung mainit nga ba at hinahawakan pa. Sabi nila, masarap daw ipilit ang hindi

pwede dahil lahat ng imposible ay posible. Pero ang sabi ko nga’y lahat naman ng mainit ay lumalamig rin, antayin mo lang. Sadyang magulo. Pabagu-bago. Isa lang ang hindi bago - ang iba’t ibang uri ng taong n a g m a m a h a l . Pero paano nga ba malalaman kung in-love ka? Pasen-

sya na pero hindi ko rin alam. Ang manhid at bitter: mga pain-osente sa pag-ibig ang mga manhid. Man-hid-manhiran nga raw ang alam gawin; kunwari walang alam. Kabaliktaran sila ng mga bitter. Ito yung mga taong wagas magparinig. Malungkot at mapait raw ang karanasan nila sa pag-ibig. Yung iba rin diyan mga paasa at umaasa. Yung tipong pa-text-text, minsan nga call pa, magpapa-sweet at magpapa-miss. Siyempre yung isa, akala gusto na siya agad-agad. Hayun! Umasa tuloy. Marami nang napapahamak sa maling aka-la. Hindi rin mawawala yung mga taong sana daw dalawa ang puso niya. Marahil pwede kung magpapatransplant siya pero ang magmahal ng dalawa? Aba… sinusu-werte! Mayroon din namang mga taong nagmamahal ng taong ayaw naman sa ka-nila. Naku! Mahirap yan. Ibang usapan na ata yan. Parang siksikan lang yan sa jeep. Maaaring ipilit mo ang sarili mong mag-kasya, pero ang totoo isang kapat lang ng

puwet mo ang nakaupo, kawawa ka pa. Marami pa naman kasing jeep; nagmadali ka lang. Sila ang mga taong patuloy pa rin ang pagmamahal sa iba’t ibang paraan. Mahirap ngang ilarawan, lalo na kung wala kang karanasan. Bagama’t nakatu-tuwa na iba ang nagagawa ng pag-ibig sa tao. Daig pa nga nito ang bato ni Darna o bolang kristal at sinumang superhero. Nakatatawang pag-usapan min-san pero madalas hindi. Sa tingin ko kasi, walang magagawa ang batang pag-ibig para mabawasan ang krimen sa bansa o tuluyang mabayaran ang utang ng Pilipi-nas. Napakaraming bagay ang kailangan pang bigyang-pansin kaysa sa pag-ibig sa murang edad. Kumbaga sa mangga, hindi kaaya-aya ang mga kalburo o mga hinog sa pilit. Matapos maitanim ay masasayang lang. Mahaba pa naman ang oras sa mun-do, depende na lang kung bilang na ang mga nalalabing araw mo. Pero ang lahat ng bagay ay may kanya-kanyang pana-hong nakalaan. Ang tanong nga lang ay kung kailan. Hindi ko rin alam. Pero ang alam ko lang, mas masaya at magiging magaan ang buhay kung hindi mamadaliin ang mga bagay at ang panahon. May mga bagay na inaakala natin ay akala lang pala talaga. Tunay na napakabata pa natin para dito. Marami mang puno ang pu-putulin para may magamit tayong papel at marami pang pagsusulit ang bubunuin natin sa klase. Mas lalong marami pa ang pag-susulit ng buhay na minamarkahan hindi nga lang ng ating mga buhay na guro kun-di ng Karanasan, diwa ng isang guro para sa ating mga sarili at kinabukasan.

Ang tunay na pagsusulitni Coleen Recio

photo by Justin Tajon

Anino ng kahaponni Coleen Recio at Nicole Sanggalang

dibuho ni Jerome Co

dibuho ni Mathew Paaño

photos by Mark Allen Barrera

Ivan David Capili bilang San Francisco ng Assisi sa kanyang mga nalalabing sandali

12 Features/Sports JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

Imagine all the world’s representatives of each country were gathered and instructed to stay inside a gigantic cage at all circumstances. Then, the cage was submerged in water. The moment it resur-faces, the Filipino rep was found missing.

Wasitcorrecttoescapedeathwithouthavingourlungsfilledwithwater?HasJuanDelaCruzescaped death, or has he disobeyed the instructions to stay in the cage?

Are we on the correct path to success? Are Filipinos exerting enough to make out a life of ease for themselves?

I wish I know the right decisions in life. I think we aren’t Filipinos if we don’t have regrets; we actuallyarenotifwedon’thaveone.But,whatisseenregularlyfromJuanDelaCruziswhatwerarelylearn from. Yes, we have mistakes in the past, huge ones as a matter of fact; but just as when we are still recovering from the past that we get stuck with a new one.

Isn’titthatthefamousJuanlovestotaketheeasywayout?Onceuponatimedidhefall asleep on the job while a robbery occurred; and he was the security guard. Another instance was at a pharmacywhenJuangavethewrongmedicine.TherewasthistimealsowhenhegavetherestoftheDelaCruz family empty promises. And this happened countless times. I know that he has incurred an honest mistake, but the irresponsible part which is the sorry part is that he has never learned to take precautions the nexttimeithappened.Juanhasneverlearnedtoheedthesignsofthetimenorhashelearnedthelessonsfrom the past.

Are we on the correct path towards success and prosperity or we will just be walking downanendlesspath?Arewejusttolingerinthedepthsofhopelessnessandlaziness?IknowthatJuancan learn. He may be slow, but I know that he is capable of change. As simple as his life may be, but he can turn it to something meaningful and productive for the nation’s stability.

Now,youJuanwho’sreadingthiswrite-up.Arewechoosingtherightpath?WrongPath? Are we choosing a path? It has been too confusing for the state of our country.

Sadly,JuanDelaCruzhasalongwaytogoconsideringthathehimselfhadnottakenastepinthe path- whether right or wrong.

Weallhaveajourneytocomplete,evenourJuanDelaCruz.Therightpathdiffersfromoneanother, but one thing is still the same: mistakes are inevitable. It is more important that in the face of these, we all learn from our lessons rather than we avoid them, thus evading only self-realization that makes our journey all the more sweet.

Perhaps you know by now the latest buzz about plastics in QC? No, I’m not pertaining to the Filipino slang for “pretentious” people, but rather plastic itself, made from polymer, a chemical compound. I know that it’s already common knowledge that Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has al-ready signed an ordinance (no. 2127) which prohibits the use of plastics and polystyrene products. This means that everyone is discouraged from using plastics and styrofoam as containers in their purchase ow-ingtothefactthattheimproperuseanddisposaloftheseisoneofthemajorcausesofheavyfloodinginthe city. Plastics make up one of the biggest volume of waste or garbage in the metro and unlike paper and food, it is non biodegradable. It will take years for it to decompose; further, burning it makes it only hazardous as it is one of the biggest pollutants on air. Thus, the move of the city government prohibiting the use of plastics especially in malls, super-markets, fast food chains and even sari-sari stores is an initial step to rehabilitating the environment and de-terring further risk brought about by natural calamities. The aforesaid ordinance though isn’t just a simple “Please support our campaign” scenario of our city council. The government is actually dead serious about this. To explain this further, here’s a rundown of information that each one of us who live, work, study or is just stepping at the hallowed grounds of the city of stars should be reminded of:

Not too thick Whether you’re a concessionaire or a distinctive vendor in the wet goods section, don’t you dare useplasticnotthinnerthan15microns‘causeifyou’recaughterring,thenbereadytopayafineofPhp500foryourfirstoffense,Php1,000foryoursecondoffenseandPhp2,000forthethirdoffense. Likewiseforthethirdoffenseitdoesn’tjuststopwiththefineimposition,oneshouldalsogearupfor cancellation of one’s permit. Always remember then not to go against the rule, so as not to lose custom-ers and lose your livelihood all because of a micron higher than the standard.Be a model If you’re working in the council that drafted the said “plastic” regulation (not actually a ban), then eyes are on you peeps! It is but right that you serve as model as many would perceive that you were one of those that put the ordinance in order. Employee-violators will be given a warning from the city government’spersonnelofficeforthefirstoffense.Forthesecondtime,theseviolatorswillbegivenawarningfromthedepartmentandtheheadofofficeordepartmentandforthethirdoffensegetreadytobereprimandedandpayafineofPhp2,000.

No one is excused! If ever you happen to be in QC, then you have to go by the rules on the use of plastic. Even

though you don’t reside here, the fact that you stay in the city’s premise renders you unable to do just anything but to abide with the regulations imple-mented here. A warning shall be given to you for thefirsttimeyouerr.Forthesecondtime,you’llbefinedPhp500andforthethird,thenpreparetopay 2,000 pesos.

Care for a bag? Then care for two! Any change that anyone wants to en-force can’t entirely be put into practice overnight. It’s a slow and gradual process before the rule takes full effect especially that the ordinance isn’t really an outright ban. So, QC, at least, allows the public to procure and use plastic for a minimal fee of 2php. So, get use to be in the receiving end of the cashier pronouncing the magic words, “ma’am/ sir, two pesos po ang plastic”.And toyour annoyance and ignorance to bring your own, youshelloutanadditionalcostwhichisafineit-self for lack of. (that includes your lack of sense) Having such a directive and mandate from the city government is one effective way of ceasing one by one the causes of the continuous destruction of our beloved earth. Following the order isn’t just a mere submission to authority; it’s more of responding to the favor given to us. Yup, a favor for “safer living” and a better environment.

Sourceshttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/261544/plastics-sector-prefers-regulation-over-banhttp://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=703:plastic-and-styro-foam-ban-at-city-hall&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=362http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/272134/news/nation/palace-backs-use-of-reusable-instead-of-plastic-bagshttp://pinoy99.blogspot.com/2012/08/quezon-city-magbabayad-ka-ng-dalawang.html

“Right Path, Wrong Path, No Path”by Roi Boribor

Warning: Plastics not allowed!by Richard Fronda

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photo from Google Images

Let the games begin. The High School Annual Ball Games unraveled on August 18 at the Grade School Gym. Eight teams this year are once again destined to be victorious, four each in basketball and volleyball while others waited their turn to show their wares in this activity, which is a prelude to the multi-event school intramurals. Novel twists were injected into the traditional activi-ties most notably the opening mime from selected members of the varsity volleyball, basketball squads, Lourdes School Cho-raleSocietyandtheCitizen’sArmyTraining(CAT)officers,whopersonifiedtheevent’sthemepriortothesingingoftheNational Anthem and the entry of the blue and white school colors. Debut day excitement reached a notch higher as Si-layaw Dance Troupe stalwarts rendered an artistic interpreta-tion of the gospel song, The Prayer, which also served as the event’s opening prayer and soared fever pitch with the im-pressive display of audio visual presentations prepared by the Lourdes School Interactive and Pax et bonum staffers.

In his welcome remarks, Assistant Principal for Stu-dent Affairs Mr. Edzel Gonzales highlighted the event’s abil-ity to develop a healthier relationship among students and to heighten awareness on the importance of camaraderie while in competition. The audience got a peek of the action to come courte-sy of selected student athletes in their display of fancied moves in basketball and volleyball.

Then, Campus Minister Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Atienza, OFMCap,lightedthefireinthecauldron,signifyingthespiritof the games. Student Advisory Board president Alain Aycardo, ac-companiedbyjuniorvolleyballplayerJeremyIrigayenledtheparticipants in reciting the Oath of Sportsmanship. Principal Mr. Gervic Bautista invited the students to ponder on the laudable creativity displayed by the organizers of this year’s festivity and adhere to the spiritual values that can spread from sharing an activity that could make everyone better Christians. In a close to the day’s program, members of the Blue titans pep squad pumped up the school spirit with the Blue Ti-tan pep rally. The tussle and court wars commenced after the pro-gram with basketball and volleyball games simultaneously held in four different venues for all year levels.The ball games will continue until December where the cham-pionship games will coincide with the annual Intramurals.

photo by Justin TajonCampus Minister Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Atienza OFM Cap. lights up the cauldron signifying, “LET THE GAMES BEGIN.”

Ball games tourney kicks offby Jennus Alonte

JUNE - OCTOBER 2012 Features 13

v

How does one fall in love? Was it because of those pair of melting chocolate eyes? That cute laugh? That long-ing stare?The auraof confidence and sex-appeal hepos-sesses? Her one of a kind and utterly addicting smell? Throw away those withered red roses and those melted heart-shaped chocolates. Remove your earphones with Taylor Swift or Evanescence drowning your sorrows. Thoseflashbacksthatleaveyouhangingandexhaustedcanbe downright painful, yet fulfilling.Those boymeets girlmoments. Those undying judgement of classmates. Goose bump-filledcheesiness.Flutteringbutterflieseverymomentyou see him or her. But this is neither about bitter memories nor sweet moments, this is all about LOVE.

Crushing for you

Did you ever catch yourself smiling while looking atachaporalady?Iss/heyourtype?Iss/hethetypeofrug-ged, chinky-eyed and musically-inclined? Or the one that wears braces? Or maybe those who can do the perfect dance grooves?Didyoueverlaughatsomeonewithhis/herlamejokes? I know that once in anyone’s life you see yourselves being in this situation. With these typical scenarios in one’s life,weunderstand the feelingofgetting thosebutterflieseverytimeyouseehim/hersmilebackatyouorevenwithhis/hermerepresence. When you have a crush on someone, it just means that you have developed a strong attraction for this person. This puppy love may grow into true love or this feeling of infatuation may just fade away. So a word of caution, don’t mistaken a mere crush for true love! Moreover, having a crush can make you do crazy things like pulling an all-nighterjusttostalkhis/herprofile,orevencollectingeverypieceofinformationyoucanhave,fromhis/herscheduletohis/herFBstatusorcommentsortweetsoreventhesilliest

of them all! In short having a crush may lead to some form of obsession in the long run. But at times, the term “crush” proves to us why it really is called so, because the moment we learn our crush is already in a relationship, we can’t help but feel like we’re really crushed! But then, Caution reminds us again. It’s not yet love but just a mere attraction. Everything can change over time, so don’t give your all on it.

Falling…Oh come on?

Infatuation. Ah, there are no words enough to de-scribe this fleeting, instinctive feeling so common to ourhormone-riddled bodies. It’s the “kilig” sensation all chills downtoourspine,butterfliesinthestomachandheartbeat-ing wildly. It is also often confused with “falling in love” since they have the almost identical “side effects” but they have different endings and the former does not end up so well. Relationships, based on infatuation, have the life expectancy of a common house roach (given that it’s not harshly murdered by an angry Havaianas). Love, true love happens so rarely in the high school scene. It’s like seeing a Ferrari roaring down EDSA at 7 AM. (It isn’t happening and if it does, then you should be so darn lucky to see it and even more darn lucky to be in it!). As they say, romance is easy but true love is hard. So to all of you reading this (and I’m secretly pleased that you do), I advise you to take it slower and just live the moment. Don’t be too caught up or pressured into a relationship or jump into relationships after relationships. Remember the three-month rule? It’s supposed to be used as a time to clear our heads and get a grip into the harsh real-ity, (well that’s life!). And also don’t look for an immediate “replacement” just to see, “whose life is better now?” Often times, this results to that hollow, empty and futile feeling.

Love takes its time. It does not appear on schedule and it most definitelywon’t book itself into your life. It comesalong just when you least expect it, in the most inauspicious moment just when you needed it. (even if you’ll never know it until the next chapter).

Caution: A complete trash

Break up and move on. Thosefirstpagesofyourlovestorymightbereallyexciting. Yes, those starting stories and when it is about to end--thatfirstnightwhenyoubrokeupwithyourgirlfriendor boyfriend, it’s hard to sleep with a broken heart as much as waking up in the morning feeling different. Those recess andlunchtimepassingbythehallwaylookingathim/hertelling your subconscious, “Stop i,” and answering back, “Talk to him/her! Tell him/her you want him/her back,badly” and the bell rings. Ring! Those break-up lines just keep on repeating on your head! Ring! “Ayoko na. Break na tayo,” “Eh kailangan ko muna mag-focus sa studies ko,” or “The damage has been done. We’re done.” Oh shut up! Crying on your pillow wouldn’t be the solution at all. You’ll soon realize that days or weeks after wallowing. They say ittakestime.Itreallydoes.Thefirstweekwillbehell;thesecond may be a purgatory but the third will nor be heaven either. It takes a half of your past relationship before you can really get yourself back on track. At some point, it’s like no matter how much you try to run, you see things that make you remember that person; no matter how much you try to avoid, you will pass by and see them along the hall-ways; and no matter how much you try to hide, the memo-ries will continue to haunt you. A sort of hide and seek, you might have hidden yourself at some time but sooner or later, they’llfindyouagaineitherlostorbacktolife.

Picking up the pieces

Moving on is hard if you think it is. (Crap! But yes, it’s hard.) It will always be but not for the rest of your life. You are hurt but the story will not end there. Move forward! Some say, “I can’t live without her,” which I say is wrong. You don’t just can at the moment but you will soon. Thou shall never end your life for someone. Life goes on! But how does that quote really goes? Who knows? The quote, “Time heals all the wounds,” has its point but it’s not only time that can help you (besides the 10,000 bot-tles of beer to forget all the ….) but also the things you may go back to doing again long before your much celebrated relationship like your favorite online game that you missed (never deny), your shopping moments with your mom, hanging out with friends, bonding with the family, movie marathon with your dog and burying yourself in a pile of book: those you all missed that you can relive once more. These are not so called steps but tips of moving on. People havedifferentwaysofmovingon thoughhe/shemaynotbeawareofit.Howthiscouldbesuchunfair!Afterhe/shebrokeyourheart,you’releftfixingthisalone.(Enoughofthe drama!) Always remember that things have always a way to get back to its place and when that happens, you’ll just laugh out about the good old days. You must keep in mind that you’re moving on for yourself and not for anyone else. You’ll notice then that after a few months or more, you’ll enter a room and will meet your ex again, then you’ll just smileandwhenyoulookbackseeinghim/herlookingbackat you too, you’ll just laugh hard. Laugh it out! It’s not true that regrets are always in the end for what always takes last are not regrets but a witty story to be remembered. And that is the never-ending story of the epic love cycle.

Respect begets respect

From Page 5 (Opinion) | by Briane

dela Peña

The point is that backstabbing is never a right way to react to our teachers and their “unfavorable” ways. Instead, it is more appropriate to speak with them in the proper manner. With that, further conflict will be avoided with the problem easily solved. Negative as it is, backstabbing only degrades. Not only that, it also worsens the whole situation causing a dent in the relationship between the students and the mentors. I claim not that I have never done backstabbing be-fore, especially to teachers. However, I also claim not argue that I do not understand them. They too have a share of hardships and struggles in life just like us.

The best thing we can offer them is respect and sincere understanding.

It is just right to let them do as they wish with them-selves and not insult them, for they know better than we know, and that they deserve the appreciation for what they do. And when we see something worth the teacher’s personal attention, then let us exercise sincere expression by approaching them and speaking with them of these concerns. This holds true es-pecially to teachers whom we consider “unpopular” to us when there is no reason to regard them as such. In the end, this whole argument does not apply only to teachers. We must also learn to respect others just as how we would want them to treat us in return. Would you want to get hurt by backstabbers? Would you desire walking around with a knife wreaking you off behind you and scarring you forever? Yours is the taking.

Shot in the darkFrom Page 5 | by Roi Anton Boribor

What do I desire then? To be a pilot, nurse, engineer, architect, author, president, or a painter? I just cannot make up my mind as all these options have ended into a maze. Actually, I dream only of being rich and happy, an owner of a big modern house, a successful person basically. But a hole to this fantasy is the reality brought about by our daily lives.

So, should I throw myself to a game of chance? of choosing randomly? Do I rely on my strength, improving this, while my weaknesses become burdensome? Do I let God choose for me? Do I decide for the money? interest? skill? With college may be far yet just around the corner to any high schooler, I get more and more edgy and anxious.

Surely, time is an illusion I cannot relinquish. I can nev-er claw it back to the past nor can I state the importance of the future. I haven’t been able to focus yet on a certain path leading towards the goal of my lingering ambitions. A do-over is just a fantasy with no possibility. Picking a college, passing the board exam, graduating, moving out, having a job, falling in love: these are some of those targets that cannot be hit other than a bull’s eye.

People say that I need to slack off and relax. Yet I don’t think so. I have been resting ever since I have started high school. I need to swing back and strike hard. I personally hate being the odd one out: being the one still in the dark on what to do. Teen-agersneedtosetapathstraight,findasuitable,reasonableandworthwhile goal for now. I may not be able to see what my poten-tial can reach out there, but I am certain that doing my best today will eventually pave the road for me to continue my journey, out with the “best times of life”, and in to the “hardest times of life” i.e. college.

Though I am at the dark, having only one life to live, I am certain that I and my fellow Lourdesians and the rest of the youth who are unsound and uncertain with what lies ahead, can get back to our feet. Whether I would be an engineer or a jour-nalist or an artist or even a politician, I know that I can do the most out of these. I know now that even though I cannot pick the course to have in college, let alone pass the one I intend to attend to, God has a way to let me know what to do, strike hard, and aim for the best of what I can do.

I look around my surroundings. Nothing but darkness surrounds me. I panicked knowing there is a monster somewhere, hiding. I have a gun with one bullet. My life is determined by this shot. In total darkness, I need to aim blindly, with one chance. I know what to do: shoot. But, where? I only have one bullet; and I need to make it count.

The Epic Love Cycle by Richard Fronda, Nina Caballero, Coleen Recio and Roi Boribor

photo by Louis ArceoYou’ll notice then that after a few months or more, you’ll enter a room and will meet your ex again, then you’ll just smile and when you look back seeing him/her looking back at you too, you’ll just laugh hard.

14 Features JUNE - OCTOBER

by Richard Fronda, Marco Genuino, Roi Boribor, Rain Valencia and Mikhail Insame

Anime Animated Cosplay is a mainstay of the modern fan convention. In popular culture, it is practically a synonym for “fan convention.” Eye-popping, awestrucking costumes thrill and amaze Otakus (anime lovers) all over the world by bringing their favorite characters to life is the ultimate expression of fandom according to Carmela Ramirez, a 14-year old cosplayer who started cosplaying at the age of 12. “Cosplay to me is a dream-reality.” The sophomore student said. “You may think those characters don’t really exist in real life. Through cosplay, they come alive.” The PEB photographer stated further, “As an Otaku(anime lovers), cosplaying is very exciting and interesting. I could take a break from being myself once in a while.” Cosplay is more of a hobby and not a stepping stone to fame. The cosplaying community sees that their costumes are very well detailed and appropriate to the character that they portray. Cosplaying is not only about trying to look like the character but it is also about adapting the character’s behavior along with their mannerisms and expressions. In addition, cosplaying is not composed only of characters from Anime and Manga as most people assume as stressed by Carmela. It branches out to all kinds of costumes, to those of famous actresses/actors,comicbookcharacters,fictionalcharacters,singers,andevenobjects–liketrans-formers. It is also not unusual to see “gender-swapping” during conventions, with women playing male roles and vice versa. According to her, there are many competitions here in the Philippines that enable you to strut your stuff and bond with other cosplayers and Otakus. One of the most popular cosplay com-

petitions here in the Philippines is the Cosplay Mania which is held every year. Indeed, cosplay is a unique hobby because through this, you get to show off your creativity and express your adoration for a character. It is an unlimited creative outlet that allows you to be your favorite characters and also gives you a chance to bond and interact with fellow cosplayers and anime lovers.

Breaking in the Outbreak

With the continuously growing popularity of marathons in the Philippines, Outbreak Ma-nila adds a twist to an ordinary run. Outbreak Manila isn’t your typical marathon event wherein you run for a charitable cause or for monetary prizes, because in Outbreak Manila you run for your lives. Yes, for your own precious life. Outbreak Manila is a 5-km obstacle run with a goal of outrunning the zombie-infested courses.Youaretofinishthecoursewithyourbesttimeandatleastwithoneflag,whichrepre-sents your life, intact. In Outbreak Manila you just don’t run against time and obstacles but rather you’realsoagainsttheflesheatingzombiesstrayedthroughouttherunningcourse. ThefirstOutbreakManilawasheldinNuvali,Sta.Rosa,LagunalastApril;thesecondwasanightrunatBonifacioGlobalCityinTaguiglastJulyandlastOctober31,OutbreakManilahaditsthirdinstallmentwhichwasheldatEnchantedKingdom.Thiswasthefirsteverfunrunina world-class theme park.

Blood-tainted,adrenaline-firedadventurelovingLourdesiansgettorunfortheirlivesinthis unique kind of experience.

DJ Online

The Magnoman Show is a livestream show that airs every Friday night at www.ustream.tv. Its viewers range at around 300 every stream. Most importantly, this is a show that is hosted by Carlo Luis G. Magno, a true blue Lourdesian. TheMagnomanShowwasoriginallyinspiredfromCarlo’sdreamtobecomearadioDJ.HegotideasfrompeoplelivestreamingonlinelikeDJMoTwisteranddecidedtotryitouthim-self. CarlostartedouthisfirststreaminMarch23,2011.Onlyhisclosefriendswereviewingat the time so he felt no pressure at that time. It started out with playing songs requested by his audience and singing based on what the viewers wanted. His viewers, through time, rose slowly but surely from a small 15 to a large audience of 300. This hobby helped Magnoman breezed through the recently launched “Titan Radio” where youcancatchhimalongwithDJSkyeeveryMondaysduringlunchtime. When asked if he would recommend this kind of hobby to the rest of the Lourdesian com-munity, he said that he would. “IwoulddefinitelyrecommendthiskindofhobbytoeachandeverysingleLourdesianoutthere ‘cause through this kind of hobby, you can actually share your talent through the things you say.” The junior student stated. 300 people spend time every week to watch and witness the talent of one of LSQC’s own. Truly, Magnoman is just a proof of how talented Lourdesians are. His unique hobby has earned him this newfound fame in the end.

Extreme but rewarding

Skirmishes, Objective games, Close Quarter Battle or CQB games... whatever and however you call it. A “war game” where there are many possible scenarios is but a simple description of those into Airsoft. Even with this unique and extreme hobby, there are some Lourdesians who are indulged in. Only a handful plays this but your adrenaline will surely run in every game. Yet, this became a collectivehobbyforBatch2012alumniJaviValdes,GedOrbeta,JohnGabrielOng,JasonJuan,MarcoHer-rera,LeanEbalo,MiggyGomilla,AngeloTay,AldrinCaces,KoiPizzaroandalotmore.ItstartedwhenJavioverheard Ged canvassing on some airsoft guns and referred him after to a close a friend. Then, they decided to hold a friendly game in another classmate’s village and there the hobby started. News spread quickly about this activity with photos and status posted in Facebook, and after a week or so, the numbers increased to include other classmates and soon thereafter students from other sections and batches.ThegroupdecidedthentofindabiggerandmoreaptvenuetoaccommodatethemwhichwereinEastwood and another nearer along Frisco. The weekend habit was usually shared by the group mostly from last year’s senior class of Fortitude untiltheyfoundthemselvesplayingalongwithairsoftveteranswheretheylearnedalotfrom.AsJaviValdesshared, playing with veterans might be scary but at the end of the day, you tend to cope and eventually adapt then adopt their style and tactics. As to possible constraints, Ged warned though that playing airsoft can be costly. “You (will) need a deep pocket for the game, but surely you won’t regret playing.” Aldrin, on the other hand, shared that the collective hobby has lessened in frequency almost taking a backseat as they are mostly busy adjusting in collegebeingfreshmen.Though,theystillfindtimetoplayasagroup. In theendaccording toGed, thebenefitsarerewardingas thereare timelessvalues thatcanbegained from playing airsoft such as brotherhood, sportsmanship, honesty and fortitude as JohnGabrielwould jokingly put it this way, “You get to shoot your friend.”

Not the typical Lourdesian hobby

photo courtesy of Carmela Ramirez

photo by Alyssa Medina

photo courtesy of Carlo Magno

photo courtesy of Javi Valdes

Lourdesian Cosplayer: Carmela Ramirez

Outbreak Survivors: Lourdesians Ervan Fernando and Richard Fronda

DJ Carlo of the MagnoMan show

LSQC Batch 2012 and their unusual hobby

Find out what ticks among some Lourdesians at the moment. You may not find these your typical weekend habit or guilty pleasure but they sure are cool and unique.

JUNE - OCTOBER 2012 News 15

Guidance beefs up weeklong career awareness program

by Briane dela Peña

LSQC principal... From | Page 1 by Jasper Cruz and Briane dela Peña

New Administrators WithMs.Andaya’sdeparturefromthepost,amajorrevampwasmadeintheadministrationtofillinforthevacancy.RectorRev.Fr.AntonioAlaIIofmcaphadofficiallyappointedformerAssistantPrincipalforAcademicAffairs(APAA) Mrs. Blanco to take over as High School Principal. Mrs. Corazon Yap, on the other hand, takes over as Grade School Principal. Replacing Mrs. Blanco as APAA is Mrs. Cecilia Toledo who is still the Mastery and Enrichment Learn-ing Program (MELP) Coordinator. Meanwhile, Mr. Regidor Malabed was appointed as Research and Development Co-ordinator while Ms. Ginalyn Go returns as Coordinator for Guidance Services. On the other hand, Christian Living (CL) TeacherMs.MaryMargaretPenuelawasnamedasnewCL/VECoordinatorfortheHighSchoolDepartment. Mrs. Blanco served as APAA since 2006. Prior to this, she was HS Coordinator for Mathematics and MELP.

From Page 3 | by Briane dela Peña

“Actually, what the OPC would like to stress is for us to use the English language at the right time and the right place. You don’t have to overdo it like you speak English everywhere. Only when it is necessary. “, she expressed.Ms.MangalimanfurtherstressedthatLSQCcanbuildacultureofproficientEnglish speakers if all community members would contribute by the fre-quent use of the English language. She reminded, “Remember that the OPC is a collective effort. This will work only if we will work together.” Days prior to the said event, the OPC Committee headed by Eng-lishCoordinatorMr.MarvindePanoworkedunderstrictconfidentialityasregard the new ambassador. “We had the photo shoot in school after the issu-ance of cards. We waited for everyone to leave the campus to proceed with the activity.” The PEB Adviser added, “When asked by students as to who the mystery ambassador is, we have to mislead them thinking that it was an alumna. The program was planned well to hide the identity of the new ambassador just so to reveal her only on that day. The performers during the program did not even have the slightest idea of Ms. Mangaliman as she was not present (on purpose) during the practice.” Aside from the relaunch program and the billboard of the new am-bassador, there are several activities lined up for the OPC this year both for the employees and the students with the committee, English Area and the new ambassador at the helm. On questions regarding the choice of the OPC Ambassador, Mr. DePanoclarified,“Ms.Mangaliman’scredentialswillspeakforitself.Anyone may be tapped as ambassador, but you must have the skill, talent and thepositiveinfluence.It’salsogoodtonotethatwehaveteacherscomingfrom other areas to show how competent and well rounded our employees are. It cannot be the English teachers or the committee members always.” He added, “Who knows? A student, male employee or a group may be the next ambassador. This just has to continue so though the program may evolve. It just has to keep on leveling up.”

LSQC commemorates Feast of St. Francis From Page 3

by Richard Fronda and Jennus Alonte

After the meals, the freshmen and the seniors went to the auditorium together with their GS counterparts while the sophomores and juniors went back to the gymnasium also with their counterparts. Representatives from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), then, conducted a sem-inar entitled “Make Adoption your First Option” to improve each one’s sense of responsibility, especially of the animals housed in their shelter. It also promoted the sense of just treatment and love for the animals, an outstanding trait of St. Francis. It was then followed by a short program that featured both departments in performances where there was song and dance.

Meanwhile in several occasions, the Transitus, was held via a grand drama presentation. Traditional as it is in the celebrationoftheFeastofSt.Francis,thisyear’sstagingofamusicalplayintertwinedwithselectedscenesinfilmmode,was a huge undertaking by the school. The show had three showings: for the GS students, HS students, employees, parents and guests. The Transitus boasted of an outstanding cast composed of students, employees and alumni for its actors and production team. The theme of this year’s event is “Brother to Christ, Brother to All.” The feast day of St. Francis was also the celebration of the Friars Day from which the whole Capuchin brotherhood and congregation takes after the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi. photo courtesy of Javi Valdes

photo by Mark Allen Barrera

photo courtesy of Mr. Regidor Malabed

photo by Justin Tajon

COLLEGE MUST KNOW. Charles Vera Cruz (Batch 2009), Andrei Elinzano (Batch 2012), and Patrick Adriel Aure (Batch 2009) share insights on college life to seniors during Alumni Talk. All three are currently studying at De La Salle University.

Preparing the Lourdesians for the future professional life is the key reason of the High School (HS) Guidance OfficetoholdtheAnnualCareerAwarenessWeeklastSept.24-28withseveralactivitiesforthestudents. Third Year and Fourth Year Guidance Counselor Ms. Maolen Lagonoy stated in an interview, “The Career Awareness Week is especially designed and planned for the students to give them background on different careers that they may take, to orient and provide information about different schools that they can enter when they go to college [and]tohelpthemreflect,discoveranddecideonwhat(course)topursue.” The Grade Seven students were visited in their classes last Sept. 24 by parent professionals who talked about their professional life while three days after, they participated in a teen talk on work and play, facilitated by Mrs. Ruth Salamat, a Grade Seven parent. Sept. 24 and 25 were allotted for six professionals to speak about their respective careers and their work ex-periences during a two-day seminar in the HS Auditorium for the sophomores who dressed according to their desired professions. On the other hand, students from Emilio Aguinaldo College-Manila visited the juniors for a “Career Clinic” in their classrooms dated Sept. 25, which was followed the next day by the University Fair, a seminar on the different universities in the metro that offer a handful of programs for the students; and a talk on social graces care of English teacher Ms. Katherine Manarang last Sept. 27. For the Fourth Year students, the whole week was spent for talks from different alumni about life in college and a seminar on the world of work as well. Based on student feedback, the activities done during the said week had provided them a deeper understand-ing on different careers they could pursue at the same time information on different schools and degree programs of-fered, and that the sharing of the alumni helped them gain tips for college. Meanwhile, Ms. Lagonoy further stated that more activities await in the future and that parents may also be invited to participate.

(With reports from Jennus Alonte and Raphael Dizon)

HOLD ON TO THY FAITH. LSQC Employees perform a skit during the feast of St. Francis and the Friars’ day.

HAIL TO THE NEW QUEEN! Former ambassador Carissa Dedase crowns Cheyenne Mangaliman as new ambassador for OPC this year.

OPC crowns, unveils new ambassador

F R O M T H E L E N S

BALL GAMES OPENING

Photos by Justin Kazuya TajonLayout by Alexander Hans Collado Jr.

Locked and loaded Titans gear up for the second semester

by Christian Paul Tappa

Placing in various events not only in the field of academics but as well as in sports, the Blue Titans went on to display and manifest once again the bloodline of excellence in games last semester. After pulling up a string of both winnings and losses, the LSQC Blue Titans Midgets bas-

ketball team clinched the 4th spot in Divi-sion I of the recently concluded 2012 sea-son of the Philippine Athletic Youth As-sociation (P.A.Y.A.). The Titans managed to bring home eight victories including their win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The Eagles received two losses, one of which at the hands of the Titans. Suffering from absence of seniors during their game, the Blue Titans Jun-iors Basketball Team still played their

hearts out snatching the championship title for the PAYA Division IIIagainstPAREFSouthridge.ThestalwartsofCoachMr.JuanCarlo Alnajes fought tooth and nail with junior students as key players throwing out the game on their side with 48- 46.

Gearing up for the next semester

The Blue Titans are all up and ready with an optimistic side for a better showing this coming semester with several games lined-up.Leading the Titan squad is the Blue Titans Aspirants basketball squad is manning up for their comeback as last year’s league’s 4th runner-up in the upcoming Athletic Association of Private Schools (AAPS) Division I meet. Here in the second leg of athletic events, the Blue Titans are still one of the teams to watch out for having learned from last semester’s experience and bringing with them renewed hopes and confidence. Another in store also for the second semester for the Titans is the LSQC Volleyball Varsity consisting of elite players trainedbytheirheadcoach,Mr.MarceloJunio.TheTitanspikerswill be trying out their luck once again as they storm the court wars in the PAYA Volleyball tournament. Their resolve is to earn the championship plum. The Blue Titans badminton team, on the other hand, is still holding on to their rackets and preparing for their games ahead. The line-up will probably be coached by Mr. Eleazar Lor-enzo. Much of the action and drama are still on the line this semester. The Blue Titans wish though that the whole Lourdesian community will continue to support them as they strive to go all thewayandbethelastteamtostandattheendofthefinishline.

To culminate the Second Trimester, the annual Intramu-rals Meet, spearheaded by Sports Coordinator Mr. Marcelo Junio and the rest of the committee will be held from Decem-ber 18 to 20 after the Second Trimester Exams. AsrevealedbyMr.Junio,severalchangeshavebeenlinedupin this year’s Intrams week. This year will see a new game called Math Equilibrio, headed by Math teacher Mrs. Angelina Lumbre. The game involves the use of a set of polygons that would test each student’s ability and skill in forming another shape out of it. Further, the 100 meter sprint will now involve 3 contestants from each section instead of 2 that was observed the previous year. Another possible comeback this year is Billiards that mightt return as part of the line-up of games. The committee is also looking at the possibility of holding filmshowingduringlullsorbreakstohighlightalsosportsman-shipvalues through thefilms to show.Theauditorium isbeingexplored to be the venue for the said activity. On the other hand, this year’s line-up of games will be reduced to give way for a shorter schedule to two and a half days. Games that might take a backseat this year are Word Factory, Brain Twist-er,I-spy,Scrabble,GamesoftheGeneral,PugoRelay,ModifiedFootball and Basketball Relay. Also taking a break this year is the Search for the Lourdesian Ambassadors. Despite losing some games and the annual search for the am-bassadors, this year’s Intrams will still be bannered by popular

games under the Palarong Pinoy, board games, recreational games and athletic games. Day One will have a short and simple opening program to be followed by the much- await-ed championship for the ball games that will be held after. The top two teams of each level will face-off on a battle for the top spot to earn the title rights for volleyball and basketball. The venues though will still be the same. The Apo St. will be closed to the public on the second and third day to give way for the Palarong Pinoy and other outdoor games. The athletic gamesarenotyetincludedinthefinalline-upfortheremightbeconflictsinthescheduleoftheuseofRamonMagsaysayfieldbecauseofongoingclasses. The awarding ceremony will be done on December 21 before the Christmas Party. The same format will be observed. Each winning section will receive trophies for the ball games and banners for the other games while the Most Valuable Player of each ball game will also be awarded with the Mythical 5 for basketball and Mythical 6 for volleyball.

Loud and proud for the Titansby Mikhail Iosef Insame

The few, the chosen, the loud and the proud!

These are the words that come to mind when one thinks of the LSQC Blue Titans Squad. Headed by Sir Regidor Malabed, these highly spirited individuals are through thick and thin supporters of the school’s varsity teams often helping them energize the crowds but that is just the tip of the iceberg. If one dared to take a closer look at the Squad,

onewillrealizethatbehindthenoisemakingandallthatcheering,onewillfindthatwiththisgroupofpeople, they show rich camaraderie with each other along with the undying fortitude that cannot help but be admired. After establishing itself two years ago, the Blue Titans Squad has carried itself strong over the short time it has been established. Now, the pep squad’s main leader is senior Christine Ong. Christine, or “Tin” as her friends call her, along with vice president Chia De Guzman, secretary Ian Conde and treasurer Keith Llamado, look over the squad to make sure it’s at its peak performance every time. Sir Rheg, otherwise known to them as Big Daddy R, supports them and often takes them to Lourdes Snack for a treat as they bond together and build closer relationships among one another. Another issue seen perhaps outside the squad was the gender overpowering. Most of the population is dominated by boys while the girls stand in with only about a handful in the group. Even withafifteenmanadvantageoverthegirls,thesquadprevailsthoughthroughalldoubtstoprovethatone knows no gender to be a good pep squad member. The squad also values the presence of Big Daddy R in every performance, from Intrams openingstohighstakevarsitygames,thesquadcertainlylookstoSirRhegmoreasafatherfigure.When asked on how big of a role he plays in every performance, almost all the members said that “No SirRhegequalsNoperformanceandNoconfidence”. The squad also musters huge fortitude in the midst of negative criticisms hurled against them. These criticisms claim that they keep ripping off other school’s cheers, from the iconic “Tiger Power” of the University of Santo Tomas to the legendary “Blue Eagles spelling” of Ateneo De Manila University. When questioned about this, Sir Rheg was quick to defend that the club was young and inexperienced and given consideration on the popularity of the university’s cheers, they decided to adapt these. Sir Rheg assures the LSQC community to not worry though, as the group will look into creating more original cheers as they grow and evolve. Behind the loud cheers is a team. Behind the high morale and boost is a team effort. Behind thehighschoolspiritisalotofsacrificesandconfidence.ThisistheBlueTitanPepSquadfilledwithundeniable spirit, a tremendous work ethic and unquestionable determination. They continue to help energize our home crowds and we salute them for that.

GRADE 7Section W/LJoy 0-3Love 3-0Hope 1-2Faith 2-1

2ND YEARSection W/LMinority 2-2Purity 3-1Humility 3-0Fidelity 1-2Piety 0-4

3RD YEARSection W/LReverence 2-2Perseverance 2-2Obedience 2-2Prudence 3-1Patience 1-3

4TH YEARSection W/LWisdom 1-3Charity 3-0Fortitude 1-2Counsel 3-0Justice 0-3

All set for Intrams blast offby Steven Rey Cruz

Ball games Update

(Basketball as of Nov. 19)

photo by Justin TajonThe LSQC Blue Titan Squad

photo by Joshua TorredaKEEPING THE FAITH. The Blue Titans hope that the second semester games will finally revive the Titan spirit and glory.

VOL. XLIX, NO. 1 JUNE - OCTOBER 2012

Ball games Update

(Volleyball as of Oct. 18)

GRADE 7Section W/LLove 3-0Hope 2-1Faith 1-2Joy 0-3

2ND YEARSection W/LMinority 3-0Piety 2-1Purity 2-1Fidelity 1-3Humility 0-3

3RD YEARSection W/LReverence 2-0Patience 2-1Perseverance 1-1Obedience 0-1Prudence 0-2

4TH YEARSection W/LCounsel 3-0Charity 2-1Wisdom 2-2Fortitude 1-2Justice 1-2