Spirit of Volunteerism 2012-10-09 - PAREF Southridge School
Spirit of Volunteerism 2012-10-09 - PAREF Southridge School
Spirit of Volunteerism 2012-10-09 - PAREF Southridge School
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3 Campus News<br />
6 Cover Story<br />
7 Alumni<br />
12 Features<br />
4<br />
15 Letters to the Editor<br />
Real<br />
Linggo ng Wika<br />
Love 6<br />
Unitas!<br />
8
2<br />
eT hd ie t oR ri di ag el<br />
The Ridge<br />
We, the editors and staff <strong>of</strong> The Ridge,<br />
commit ourselves to the highest level <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
journalistic ethics. We promote among our fellow<br />
students a love for noble ideals and a desire to<br />
overcome personal egoism.<br />
We foster an awareness <strong>of</strong> social problems and<br />
encourage fraternity in keeping with the school’s<br />
family spirit. We love the truth thus we report<br />
with facts, without judging intentions, upholding<br />
the legitimate diversity <strong>of</strong> opinions in a calm way,<br />
without resorting to personal attacks. We seek the<br />
truth, love it and humbly tell it.<br />
1 By Josef Singson<br />
<strong>Spirit</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Volunteerism</strong><br />
Members <strong>of</strong> The Ridge<br />
SY <strong>2012</strong>-2013<br />
Editor-in-Chief<br />
Josef Singson<br />
Assistant Editor-in-Chief<br />
Enrico Grio<br />
<br />
Managing Editor<br />
Joshua Vera<br />
Contributors<br />
Raj Chua<br />
Jamie Katigbak<br />
Matthew Mendiola<br />
Meeko Rustia<br />
Renz Alvarez<br />
Javi Vilchez<br />
Lee Sang Jun<br />
Gian Balangue<br />
Kyle Mitschiener<br />
Gio Goseco<br />
Jairus Paul<br />
Jake Cureg<br />
Raf Villamor<br />
Luigi Arce<br />
Jomo Filart<br />
Joel Hernandez<br />
Chen dela Cruz<br />
Ken Averia<br />
Edward San Agustin<br />
Photographers<br />
William dela Cruz<br />
Martin Consing<br />
Moderator<br />
Benjie Fortunato<br />
Design & Printing<br />
Inkwell Publishing Co., Inc.<br />
ISSN 0118-0452<br />
The Ridge is the <strong>of</strong>ficial student publication <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Southridge</strong>. It is published three times in a school<br />
year with the assistance <strong>of</strong> the school’s Institutional<br />
Information Office. The opinions expressed herein are<br />
the views <strong>of</strong> the respective authors. They cannot be taken<br />
as the position <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southridge</strong> as such.<br />
SOUTHRIDGE<br />
Private <strong>School</strong> for Boys<br />
Hillsborough Subdivision, West Service Road<br />
City <strong>of</strong> Muntinlupa, Metro Manila<br />
Telephone 807-8080 • Fax 842-1542<br />
While the majority <strong>of</strong> us rested<br />
comfortably on the night <strong>of</strong><br />
August 5, <strong>2012</strong> monitoring<br />
Facebook and Twitter, wondering<br />
if classes would get cancelled,<br />
the habagat entered the country, its presence<br />
expected but the consequences, totally not. It<br />
wasn’t even a minor typhoon<br />
yet the devastation and<br />
suffering it wrought on Metro<br />
Manila rivaled Ondoy from<br />
three years ago.<br />
One week without classes<br />
left most students and teachers<br />
wondering what they could<br />
do to help amidst the disaster<br />
that shook the metropolis and<br />
adjoining provinces. This was<br />
just the tip <strong>of</strong> the iceberg,<br />
while we were at home safe<br />
and sound, thousands were<br />
sent packing out <strong>of</strong> their<br />
homes or stuck in their homes<br />
waiting to be rescued. They<br />
sought refuge into hastily<br />
organized evacuation centers<br />
inside schools and churches.<br />
We couldn’t just sit there<br />
and watch. We had to do<br />
something about it and so<br />
by the morning <strong>of</strong> August 7,<br />
messages flooded Facebook and Twitter asking<br />
for donations in cash or in kind that could be<br />
forwarded to <strong>Southridge</strong> for the eight barangays<br />
in Muntinlupa affected by the rise <strong>of</strong> Laguna de<br />
Bay.<br />
Little did we expect that one single status<br />
spread like wildfire and served as the catalyst<br />
to so many other relief drive operations.<br />
We couldn’t just sit<br />
there and watch. We<br />
had to do something<br />
about it and so by the<br />
morning <strong>of</strong> August<br />
7, messages flooded<br />
Facebook and Twitter<br />
asking for donations<br />
in cash or in kind that<br />
could be forwarded to<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> for the eight<br />
barangays in Muntinlupa<br />
affected by the rise <strong>of</strong><br />
Laguna de Bay.<br />
Within the same period other schools such as<br />
Woodrose, De La Salle Zobel, and even schools<br />
up north such as Assumption College, Xavier,<br />
and Miriam were inspired to help out as well.<br />
Students and teachers came together<br />
to volunteer hands and heart. They sorted,<br />
grouped, and packed goods in a bayanihan<br />
spirit. Here in <strong>Southridge</strong>,<br />
three groups forged an<br />
alliance to serve the<br />
community in a time <strong>of</strong> need.<br />
High <strong>School</strong> Student Council,<br />
the Grade <strong>School</strong> Student<br />
Council, and Molave Study<br />
Center brought together<br />
volunteers and connected<br />
goods to the people who<br />
needed them. The spirit <strong>of</strong><br />
volunteerism flowed like it<br />
was second nature to these the<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> Admirals.<br />
This is all good; however<br />
true volunteerism is more<br />
than being responsive when<br />
the problem comes, it’s also<br />
about being the solution to<br />
preventing the problem from<br />
ever happening again. While<br />
battling the rise <strong>of</strong> flood<br />
waters seem to be a David-<br />
Goliath act, it is still evident<br />
that social awareness and social responsibility<br />
drive us forward to national development, at<br />
times <strong>of</strong> peace and through stormy periods that<br />
wreck havoc. In the face <strong>of</strong> suffering, it is the<br />
individual student, each a Southride Admiral<br />
who is ready to serve, driven by the school’s<br />
perennial cry: Viriliter Agite!
3<br />
T h e R i d g e c a m p u s n e w s<br />
PNoy meets<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> Seniors 1<br />
By Jake B. Cureg<br />
To see the president in<br />
person is a rare opportunity<br />
in itself, but to actually to sit down and talk with<br />
him, even more so. Yet this improbable event happened<br />
on August 6, <strong>2012</strong>, a day to be remembered in <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
history. On that day, High <strong>School</strong> Batch 2013 met with<br />
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, the President <strong>of</strong><br />
the Republic <strong>of</strong> the Philippines<br />
Given this once-in-a-lifetime event, several days<br />
before the trip, the seniors were given a talk on palace<br />
protocol and the conduct expected <strong>of</strong> from a <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
Admiral front <strong>of</strong> the country’s most important man.<br />
Everyone listened intently, knowing what a serious matter<br />
this was. After all, they weren’t just bearing their own<br />
reputations, but the reputation <strong>of</strong> the entire school as well.<br />
Come the day <strong>of</strong> the trip, one could observe the<br />
effort every single <strong>Southridge</strong> gentlemen made to look<br />
his best: hair all sorted out, shoes shined, and not a single<br />
untucked shirt in sight. Everyone wanted to make a good<br />
impression. It was the president, after all.<br />
Upon their arrival at the riverside palace located at<br />
<strong>10</strong>00 Jose P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila, the students<br />
filed quietly out <strong>of</strong> the buses and into the building for<br />
security screening. They couldn’t help but exclaim and<br />
point many details <strong>of</strong> interest such as the Grand Staircase<br />
and the great narra chandeliers in the Main Ballroom.<br />
Protocol <strong>of</strong>ficers guided the Senior class into the<br />
Malacanan Heroes Hall, a surprise because the President<br />
normally entertained guests at the Kalayaan Hall while<br />
the Heroes Hall was reserved for dignitaries and guests<br />
<strong>of</strong> state. Awestruck whispers punctuated through the<br />
patient and well behaved crowd, there they were almost<br />
incredulous staring at the podium bearing the seal <strong>of</strong> the<br />
President <strong>of</strong> the Republic <strong>of</strong> the Philippines.<br />
Media crews from several news<br />
agencies arrived and set up their<br />
equipment. The anticipation <strong>of</strong> being<br />
seen on national television rippled<br />
through the <strong>Southridge</strong> crowd. The<br />
appointed time came and though it<br />
took a little longer than expected, as the<br />
saying goes good things comes to those<br />
who wait, the President came into the<br />
room with a smile, fresh from a meeting<br />
with congressmen.<br />
Everyone rose to greet him with<br />
welcome applause. Claudio Lopa<br />
made the proper introductions, and<br />
then the ball rolled on. Upon sitting<br />
down, the eager Admirals threw one<br />
question after another, topics ranged from the mundane<br />
details <strong>of</strong> a president’s life to clarifying points in the recent<br />
SONA. PNoy gracefully answered each question, all the<br />
way to the end when he was asked, “Why did you bother<br />
meeting with us, ordinary high school students, despite<br />
your very busy schedule”<br />
He simply replied, “I am a public servant. You boys,<br />
being citizens <strong>of</strong> the country, are my bosses. As any good<br />
employee would do, I listen to my bosses for feedback on<br />
my job. Thus, here you are.”<br />
The crowd erupts into a long applause, having seen<br />
this man’s down to earth nature and his sincere desire<br />
to uplift the country. PNoy ends the get-together by<br />
thanking the <strong>Southridge</strong> Seniors for their time, and<br />
in turn they render their own gratitude. Photo-ops<br />
proceeded, something everyone had eagerly awaited.<br />
Teachers and students leave Malacanan smiling,<br />
having experienced this rare and wonderful opportunity,<br />
and concretely appreciating the president and all he does.<br />
“I am a public servant.<br />
You boys, being citizens<br />
<strong>of</strong> the country, are my<br />
bosses. As any good<br />
employee would do, I<br />
listen to my bosses for<br />
feedback on my job.<br />
Thus, here you are.”
4<br />
c a m p u s n e w s<br />
T h e R i d g e<br />
REAL<br />
LOVE<br />
REVOLUTION II<br />
1 By Ken Averia<br />
Last August 31, <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>Southridge</strong> High school students trooped to the UP Theater inside the University <strong>of</strong> the Philippines – Diliman<br />
campus for Real Love Revolution II, a chastity talk headlined by Chris Stefanick and Leah Darrow. Organized by <strong>PAREF</strong> Woodrose<br />
<strong>School</strong>, it was an extraordinary afternoon where two remarkable people not only entertained, they enlightened high school students<br />
from all over Metro Manila on the importance <strong>of</strong> chastity and how popular culture has trivialized this great human value.<br />
Chris Stefanick began by rocking out on his guitar and inviting volunteers to sing in what he described as a rock karaoke. Benson Leong<br />
<strong>of</strong> Year IV-B and Matthew Mendiola <strong>of</strong> Year III-A rose up to volunteer for Don’t Stop Believing and Sweet Child <strong>of</strong> Mine respectively.<br />
Other songs followed with volunteers from other schools as Chris energized the crowd with his funny way <strong>of</strong> interacting with the audience.<br />
From the love songs he began to speak about real love and authentic relationships where sex is sacred and people aren’t just objects,<br />
they’re persons. The audience <strong>of</strong> high school students began to appreciate themselves as worthy <strong>of</strong> being loved in a genuine way, worthy<br />
<strong>of</strong> respect. He also reminded them that God wanted His Love to penetrate their lives here and now. Among the surprising bits in his talk,<br />
Chris emphasized the importance <strong>of</strong> bonding with family and socializing with friends in order to appreciate them even more.<br />
Next up was Leah Darrow, she was a contestant in the reality TV series America’s Next Top Model before embarking on a new advocate<br />
for chastity and reaching lives as an international Catholic speaker. Her talk chronicled the rocky road from small town girl to New York<br />
high fashion model and then to her own road to Damascus.<br />
Having opened about her past, the audience identified themselves with a truly remarkable woman who showed us that change is never<br />
impossible, God is a Father who embraces His children in forgiveness. She expressed how important and sacred the purity <strong>of</strong> a human<br />
being is and like Chris Stefanick before her, Leah Darrow emphasized that this gift should be reserved for ones true love in marriage.<br />
As young people continue to grapple with peer pressure, the distorted values <strong>of</strong> a materialistic media, and their own growth as, the<br />
engaging messages <strong>of</strong> choices over a comfortable life made by Leah Darrow and the revolution <strong>of</strong> the youth rebelling against false promises<br />
<strong>of</strong> Chris Stefanick are messages <strong>of</strong> hope and challenges <strong>of</strong> love.<br />
Reaffirming Life, Attending the Prayer Rally<br />
1 By Raj Chua<br />
Whoever thought that so many people,<br />
especially students, cared about life having<br />
the courage to stand up for what is right.<br />
Despite the rain, on August 4, <strong>2012</strong>, people from<br />
different walks <strong>of</strong> life gathered together at the<br />
EDSA Shrine <strong>of</strong> our Lady <strong>of</strong> Peace in Pasig City<br />
to pray and rally against the RH Bill which seemed<br />
to have been railroaded through Congress.<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> <strong>School</strong> sent a contingent <strong>of</strong><br />
high school students who willingly gave up their<br />
Saturday afternoon to stand up against the RH bill.<br />
They started the prayer rally with a 1:00 PM<br />
meditation preached by Fr. Frank Aniban inside the<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> Chapel <strong>of</strong> the Holy Family. At 2:15 PM,<br />
they left the school and made their way through<br />
Metro Manila traffic to the converging point.<br />
Periods <strong>of</strong> torrential rain and gusts <strong>of</strong> wind<br />
didn’t dampen their spirits. In the midst <strong>of</strong> a sea<br />
<strong>of</strong> red shirts, red to symbolize martyrdom for the<br />
faith, the group <strong>of</strong> more than twenty students<br />
and teachers weaved their way through the jam<br />
packed streets looking for a good vantage point.<br />
An optimistic and festive atmosphere borne <strong>of</strong><br />
music, prayer, buntings, and sharing from a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> speakers like Archbishop Chito Tagle, Bro. Mike<br />
Velarde and Dr. Lucille Montes.<br />
It was truly a sight to see, made even more<br />
special by the presence <strong>of</strong> Muslim groups who<br />
came to share their support against the passage<br />
<strong>of</strong> a law that they too felt would curtail their<br />
freedom. Dr. Quirino Sugon, a researcher at the<br />
Manila Observaory, later posted that using crowd<br />
estimation analysis, at its peak approximately<br />
60,000 people prayed and shared their faith and<br />
conviction at the corner <strong>of</strong> EDSA and Ortigas<br />
Avenue.<br />
The rally ended solemnly with Holy Mass at<br />
5:30 PM. As darkness covered the metro and rains<br />
continued to swirl through the city, the <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
contingent left in high spirits, firmly believing<br />
in prayer and the power <strong>of</strong> people who work for<br />
genuine human upliftment.
5<br />
T h e R i d g e c a m p u s n e w s<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong>’s Big Brother Experience<br />
1 By Jomo Filart<br />
In the <strong>Southridge</strong> circle <strong>of</strong> life, the upper classmen say hello to a group <strong>of</strong> young curious<br />
individuals called Freshmen. These Freshmen, having said goodbye to their previous home,<br />
the Grade <strong>School</strong>, are tossed into young adulthood <strong>of</strong> high school. To get them stoked up and<br />
ready for the year, the HS Student Council led by Faisal Tabusalla organized a bonding activity,<br />
the Freshmen-Seniors Bonding.<br />
SY 2011-<strong>2012</strong> ended with a difference due to the implementation <strong>of</strong> the revised K-12<br />
curriculum, as a result last April <strong>2012</strong>, two batches <strong>of</strong> students graduated from the <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
grade school. They are the newly baptized Year 1 and Year 2 students, both new to the high school.<br />
With two sets <strong>of</strong> freshmen in mind the HS Student Council had their hands full in planning<br />
and executing a day to strengthen ties that bind their brothers in the school.<br />
On June 21, <strong>2012</strong> the Year V Seniors took under their wings their assigned Year I bros. The<br />
next day, June 22 it was the turn <strong>of</strong> the Year IV upperclassmen to bond with their respective<br />
Year II buddies.<br />
They Year V’s and their Year I counterparts started their day with an informative talk given<br />
by Claudio Lopa on the do’s and don’ts <strong>of</strong> High <strong>School</strong>. Next came the pairing where a senior<br />
was partnered with a freshman to have as his<br />
buddy for the rest <strong>of</strong> the day. After the pairing<br />
up came the core bonding activity. Each pair shared to one another their past experiences, regrets, and<br />
possible plans for the future.<br />
As the more experienced partner, the seniors gave tips and advice to the freshmen. Over lunch the two<br />
new friends bonded even more. Then came the sports activities. Nothing like sports brings out the shared<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> triumph <strong>of</strong> winning and the agony <strong>of</strong> defeat. Truly speaking though nobody lost in this case,<br />
everyone was a winner. They participated in Ultimate Frisbee, Futsal, and Basketball.<br />
The Year IV and Year II seminars weren’t so different. Fonz David <strong>of</strong> the student council started their<br />
day with a short commentary on the virtues needed to survive and thrive in high school.<br />
Looking back everyone involved appreciated the essence <strong>of</strong> this event to springboard into a successful<br />
and enjoyable school year. Year IV and Year V upperclassmen remembered how they too once upon a time<br />
looked with trepidation at the demands <strong>of</strong> high school life. With the friendships they built on those two<br />
days, one can be secured that the transition to young adulthood is in capable hands.<br />
She Sees Dead People<br />
1 By Gian Balangue<br />
Whoever knew that a real life<br />
Catherine Willows (CSI: Las<br />
Vegas) or Jo Danville (CSI:<br />
New York) had stepped<br />
outside Hollywood fiction and was working<br />
at the University <strong>of</strong> the Philippines College<br />
<strong>of</strong> Medicine In line with June’s Virtue <strong>of</strong><br />
the Month, Hard Work, our guest speaker<br />
was someone who knew very well how<br />
hard work is needed in our Filipino culture.<br />
The first <strong>of</strong> only two Filipino forensic<br />
pathologists, Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun graced the <strong>Southridge</strong> Auditorium<br />
stage on July 2, <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
Dr. Fortun is a pr<strong>of</strong>essor at the University <strong>of</strong> the Philippines College <strong>of</strong><br />
Medicine, teaching general pathology and legal medicine. She is occasionally called<br />
on to lend her expertise to cases involving autopsies. Arguably, this CSI: Philippines<br />
setting is far less glamorous than what you see on television.<br />
In her many years <strong>of</strong> study abroad and her work in the Philippines, she has<br />
encountered many difficulties, including the temptation to simply give up and go<br />
home to an easier medical track, but she has always soldiered on with her goals<br />
in sight.<br />
During her talk, she narrated events both amusing and thought provoking<br />
that led her listeners to reflect on how steady and healthy work ethics overcomes<br />
adverse conditions. These included issues regarding sanitation around a body and<br />
the deplorable conditions <strong>of</strong> some workspaces. In one particularly memorable<br />
slide, she showed a hastily pitched tent idyllically set in a rice field. Inside was a<br />
makeshift table, a bucket with muddy water, and a tabo. Nevertheless, she made<br />
do with what was available and did her job well.<br />
When asked why she chose forensic pathology as her specialty, she replies, “I<br />
chose to specialize in a field which is underdeveloped and misunderstood in this<br />
country and it has been quite a challenge battling ignorance.”<br />
Dr. Fortun is a great role model and she serves as an inspiration to all who<br />
take the path less traveled.<br />
ASDC<br />
1 By Kyle Mitschiener and Meeko Rustia<br />
Every year, schools from across Asia<br />
gather for the Asian <strong>School</strong>s Debate<br />
Championship (ASDC), the largest high<br />
school debate competition in Asia and<br />
second largest in the world. <strong>Southridge</strong> has had<br />
an impressive record, being the first champions<br />
<strong>of</strong> the tournament in 20<strong>09</strong> and reaching the semi<br />
finals twice the following years.<br />
However this year was extremely different,<br />
we entered the tournaments as nobodies, unheard<br />
<strong>of</strong> debaters who had failed to make a name for<br />
themselves in the international debate community.<br />
In fact, as we sat in the convening room waiting<br />
for the motions to be released and we overheard<br />
people whispering, “<strong>Southridge</strong>’s golden age is over”<br />
or “Oh… we’re against <strong>Southridge</strong>, this should be<br />
an easy win”.<br />
Little did they know that we’d spent the<br />
whole summer training. We spent countless hours<br />
meeting up to practice giving speeches, sleepless<br />
nights researching on what’s going on around<br />
the world and I’ve even heard stories from my<br />
teammates giving practice speeches in the shower.<br />
Call us crazy but we were just passionate. We<br />
were going to this tournament carrying the name<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong>.<br />
In 2011, ASDC was held in Seoul, South<br />
Korea. This year, Ipoh, Malaysia was hosting it<br />
from May 31 to June 7, <strong>2012</strong>. The place reminded<br />
us <strong>of</strong> the Philippines except that it seemed a little<br />
more developed and there were a lot less cars on<br />
the streets.<br />
The first round was a good warm up round,<br />
the motion was simple and the opposing team was<br />
inexperienced. However the succeeding rounds<br />
tested the fire in our hearts.<br />
By the fourth round, the whispers that<br />
“<strong>Southridge</strong> was no more” were gone. In fact,<br />
many people from other schools recognized that<br />
our three teams were much better than they had<br />
expected, and the Philippine teams even vouched<br />
for us so that we go on with our progress. Many<br />
personally went to some <strong>of</strong> us and asked us how we<br />
were doing, some even declaring that they weren’t<br />
surprised that we did well.<br />
The record to advance to the eliminary<br />
rounds was 5-2 (five wins, two losses) and our<br />
record heading into the last round was 4-2. We<br />
needed a win; it was go big or go home.<br />
When the final tally was in how did the<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> team do One team broke 5th place<br />
into oct<strong>of</strong>inals (Kyle Mitscheiner, Paulo Abalos,<br />
and Meeko Rustia). Another team broke 3rd into<br />
novice semis (Gabby Leda, Jet Nicolas, and Thirdy<br />
Santos). Best <strong>of</strong> all, two reached Top <strong>10</strong> 3rd place<br />
(Meeko Rustia) and 5th place (Kyle Mitscheiner)<br />
Best Speakers, Individual Awards.<br />
All in all it was pretty good for a tournament<br />
whose teams came from thirty six schools, eighty<br />
teams <strong>of</strong> three debaters each, nine countries:<br />
Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, China,<br />
Indonesia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand,<br />
Sri Lanka, and India.
6<br />
c o v e r s t o r y<br />
T h e R i d g e<br />
SOUTHRIDGE, UNITAS!<br />
1 By Javi Vilchez<br />
Admirals, Unitas! Admirals, Unite! Admirals, magkaisa!<br />
Call it what you want: a spark, an ignition switch, or a battle cry. Yet<br />
these words are more than just a Helm versus Vinta taunt. For decades, this phrase<br />
has brought together Admirals to unite in accordance with our school vision.<br />
But uniting more than a thousand different guys—whose age groups,<br />
interests, and personalities vary like human DNA—is a difficult task. To do<br />
this, you would have to find a common denominator among students, teachers,<br />
administration, and faculty. Entering the picture is online social networking.<br />
A quick disclaimer: this article in no way encourages or pressures those who<br />
don’t have social networking accounts to create one. In fact, you guys are cool<br />
that way. Anyway, back to the topic at hand.<br />
Fact: a majority <strong>of</strong> students today own social networking accounts, Facebook<br />
and Twitter being the most prevalent. So why not use these websites as an<br />
instrument to unify the school As seen above, you can say “Admirals, Unite!” in<br />
Latin, and even Filipino. But the cry that echoes the loudest in this generation<br />
is the cyber-way.<br />
Take an example common to all <strong>of</strong> us: On the week <strong>of</strong> August 6-<strong>10</strong>, a series <strong>of</strong><br />
torrential rains ransacked the National Capital Region and surrounding provinces.<br />
Marikina, Pasig, and parts <strong>of</strong> Quezon City were inundated by 300 mm. <strong>of</strong> rainfall,<br />
three times the daily average; this was the heaviest in three years.<br />
We live in a cyber-age. Today, everyone has a voice and an opinion that matches<br />
it. The voice <strong>of</strong> the youth now echo loudest online. Everyone had seen images on<br />
television and the news on the calamities the storm had caused. But it was the<br />
conversations, the posts, the shares, the tweets and the opinions on Facebook and<br />
Twitter that unified millions <strong>of</strong> social network users.<br />
A picture that went viral on social networks displayed the silhouette <strong>of</strong> the Filipino<br />
Flag coupled with the words: “The Filipino spirit is Waterpro<strong>of</strong>”.<br />
Overall effect: this moving picture garnered more than 50,000 likes, along with<br />
more than 20,000 shares. Look at the viral spread, more or less 70,000 people came<br />
into contact with these photos. And if each <strong>of</strong> these people has a rough average <strong>of</strong><br />
400 or so friends on Facebook, then the audience would expand like a plague.<br />
If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine the effects this image- among<br />
dozens <strong>of</strong> others- had on those who viewed it. Pictures and words, when brought<br />
together, form a powerful duo that has the capability to educate the populace and<br />
invoke noble emotions. Thanks to posts like these, millions <strong>of</strong> people from all walks<br />
<strong>of</strong> life united by a common spirit <strong>of</strong> patriotism (AKA, the eternal “bayanihan”)<br />
worked together in serving those affected by the calamities around them, especially<br />
those in dire need.<br />
Take another post from the <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
Admirals Facebook page, calling all Admirals<br />
to donate relief goods, canned food, and<br />
potable water for a mass relief operation to<br />
those affected by the same storms.<br />
One post calling all Admirals to<br />
“Unitas!” gets shared on Facebook. Coupled<br />
with encouragements from teachers and<br />
administration- the message is sent to<br />
practically the entire school. And the viral<br />
message produced results: around 7,000<br />
people were administered to and aided<br />
through the efforts <strong>of</strong> Admirals, faculty,<br />
families, and friends through mass relief<br />
operations in the city <strong>of</strong> Muntinlupa.<br />
This is just one <strong>of</strong> many examples<br />
on how social networking—through a<br />
single viral idea—can impact so many<br />
lives. From the unity <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Southridge</strong> Admirals rose an even more<br />
unifying cry <strong>of</strong> “The Filipino <strong>Spirit</strong> is Waterpro<strong>of</strong>!” Amen!
7<br />
T h e R i d g e c o v e r s t o r y<br />
Walking on Water and<br />
Crossing Thresholds<br />
1 By Enrico Grio<br />
Strong rains, gusts <strong>of</strong> wind and loud thunder<br />
sounds, these are what woke up millions <strong>of</strong><br />
Filipinos at the night <strong>of</strong> August 5, <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
What was expected to be light showers and<br />
your ordinary dose <strong>of</strong> tropical weather, turned into<br />
a devastating disaster that left thousands <strong>of</strong> families’<br />
homeless and over sixty people dead. No one expected<br />
this to happen. Even the PAGASA, the Philippine<br />
weather center, was very much surprised with these<br />
events. Monsoons, the cause <strong>of</strong> this disaster, would<br />
always happen in the Philippines but they never turned<br />
out to be this strong or destructive.<br />
People were very much unprepared and some<br />
woke to find the water levels rising inside their houses.<br />
Others watched as the rivers near their homes rapidly<br />
becoming deeper and deeper. Waters along the streets<br />
gushed rapidly as it carried trees, trash, cars and<br />
many other things along its path. Media men who<br />
were supposed to go patrol and report about current<br />
situations were already in search <strong>of</strong> various alternative<br />
routes for many routes including major roads were<br />
already impassable.<br />
With water rising to dangerous levels, people<br />
moved fast to find a safe place to stay. Many Filipinos,<br />
who lived in affected areas, immediately rushed to the<br />
nearest evacuation center. They would bring a few<br />
clothes and food with them to help them survive as they<br />
know they would be spending the next few days there.<br />
Others even, with the danger that the rising floods pose,<br />
would no longer think about their material goods but<br />
would rather have everyone in their family safe first.<br />
In order to get to evacuation centers, many people<br />
had to cross the river-like roads and the strong currents.<br />
Local government units, the AFP (Armed Forces <strong>of</strong><br />
the Philippines), the PRC (Philippine Red Cross) and<br />
other institutions had rescue operations all over Luzon<br />
especially in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces<br />
which were hit the most. Some people had to hold<br />
on to wires just so they could cross and survive the<br />
strong currents <strong>of</strong> the flood. Other families had to<br />
be rescued from the ro<strong>of</strong>s or the second floor <strong>of</strong> their<br />
houses. Evacuation centers were their place <strong>of</strong> refuge<br />
and security from surprises <strong>of</strong> nature such as these<br />
floods. Crowded as they may be, people would rather<br />
live under such conditions just so they could survive<br />
and live another day.<br />
As all <strong>of</strong> these were happening, many <strong>of</strong> us were<br />
safe under the comfort <strong>of</strong> our dry and warm ro<strong>of</strong>s. As<br />
the rain brought devastation to millions <strong>of</strong> Filipinos,<br />
many <strong>of</strong> us, students had this comfortable feeling<br />
because our areas were not hit as hard as the others.<br />
But as one would turn on the television and browse<br />
the internet, our hearts just broke with all the suffering<br />
that we saw. Children shivering in the cold, babies in<br />
hospitals lacking electricity, families with nothing to<br />
eat or drink were just some <strong>of</strong> the things we saw that<br />
surely made our heart sink in sorrow and pity for our<br />
fellow Filipinos. Upon seeing these saddening sights<br />
we just knew we had to do something, we knew we<br />
had to help.<br />
Messages <strong>of</strong> concern flooded Facebook and<br />
Twitter. People were calling and messaging everyone<br />
they know to ask if they were alright. People started<br />
calling out for donations and volunteers. <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
too took its own initiative to start collecting such<br />
with the people staying at the Alabang Elementary<br />
school as the beneficiaries. The <strong>Southridge</strong> student<br />
council headed by chairman, Faisal Tabusalla, called<br />
out to the students for donations to brought to<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong>. <strong>Southridge</strong> students then immediately<br />
brought their donations not only to <strong>Southridge</strong>, but<br />
to other collection areas as well. Teachers and students<br />
alike waited in <strong>Southridge</strong> to help out organize and<br />
pack these goods. Msrs. Quesada, Cheng, Salazar and<br />
Peralta, who were among the teachers who helped out,<br />
went to <strong>Southridge</strong> everyday to guide the students<br />
in packing and distributing the goods. Others also<br />
volunteered to pack goods in these different areas. Time<br />
consuming and tiring as this may be, nothing can be<br />
more rewarding than the smiles <strong>of</strong> the people as they<br />
receive these goods.<br />
Mr. Quesada coordinated with the <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong><br />
Brgy. Ilaya specifically a barangay <strong>of</strong>ficer named Ofelia<br />
Carlos. Brgy. Ilaya was a badly hit area for it is located<br />
near the shores <strong>of</strong> Laguna de Bay. Water levels easily<br />
rose in their areas due to the water overflowing from<br />
the lake. When we visited the Alabang Elementary<br />
school that served as the evacuation center, we saw<br />
the unfavorable conditions that the people lived in. 2,700<br />
families had to evacuate to this school and occupy all its<br />
classrooms and basketball courts. 15 to 18 families had to<br />
squeeze in each classroom and live there for one whole week.<br />
People were crowded, sitting on the floors <strong>of</strong> the<br />
basketball court and the classrooms. They barely had any<br />
food and all the water they had was not potable. There were<br />
also not enough comfort rooms for everyone. Though they<br />
lived in such conditions, one could not help but be touched<br />
by the smiling faces they have shown. People would even<br />
call upon us to show their smiling faces and ask us to take<br />
their pictures. They looked like they were not undergoing<br />
any hardships and they were very happy with the little that<br />
we were able to give them.<br />
Though there were those who were able to go evacuate<br />
to the schools, hundreds <strong>of</strong> families were still trapped in<br />
the small side streets. These people could no longer fit in<br />
the evacuation center. They had to continue living along<br />
their flooded streets and hope that the water levels would<br />
no longer rise. The people had to build makeshift bridges<br />
above the flood so that they could still go from place to<br />
place without exposing themselves to the water and all the<br />
dirt it contained. The people, since they can no longer be<br />
accommodated in the evacuation center, were cut <strong>of</strong>f from<br />
the relief operations that were being provided in the area.<br />
We realised how difficult their lives had become when<br />
we brought goods to them. The group had to carry the<br />
relief goods across the flooded areas through their makeshift<br />
bridges as strong rains poured down on us. Though this<br />
may sound hard, it was still a fun experience for we knew<br />
we were able to make these people happy and bring hope<br />
back into their lives.<br />
Even after the storm, Mr. Salazar and a small group<br />
<strong>of</strong> students composed <strong>of</strong> Nikko Alquiros, Ross Pabalate,<br />
Andrew Sanchez, Faisal Tabusalla and Gabo Itchon went<br />
to another evacuation center, Itaas Elementary school. This<br />
evacuation center is located right inside the New Bilibid<br />
prison. There they continued to bring smiles to the faces <strong>of</strong><br />
people as they brought them bags <strong>of</strong> food and other goods<br />
as well. Even though the sky was already clear and the sun<br />
shined bright, these people still lost a lot, some even lost their<br />
homes and they need all the help they can get.<br />
People suffer but we know how to get back. It is through<br />
tragedy that we see that people still care. We see that people<br />
still have the hearts to help each other even when during<br />
ordinary times it is not the case. Perhaps this is why we are<br />
challenged with such calamities; to make us realize that<br />
people around us need our love and care. Such are the<br />
wonders <strong>of</strong> life.
Sampaguita, kalabaw at ang bahay kubo, ito ay ilan lamang sa mga bagay na ating<br />
pinagmamalaki bilang mga pambansang simbolo ng ating pagka Pilipino. Ang<br />
mga bagay na ito ay itinuturo sa atin sa paaralan bilang mga bagay na dapat nating<br />
ipagmalaki. Subalit maitatanong natin sa ating mga sarili, ipinagmamalaki nga<br />
ba talaga natin ang ating pagka-Pilipino<br />
Kahit saan ka man lumingon ngayon ay may makikita kang bahid na impluwensyang<br />
dayuhan. Kadalasan ay ikinakahiya natin ang ating bayan dahil iniisip natin na mas<br />
magaling ang mga dayuhan. Nahuhulog tayo sa maling pag-iisip na masmaganda ang<br />
mga hindi galing sa ating bansa. Siguro dahil na rin ito sa mga sinasabi ng ating mga<br />
iniidulong mga banyaga. Sa ating pang araw-araw na pamumuhay, minsan nakalilimutan<br />
na natin na tayo ay mga Pilipino at ang pinakamahalagang aspekto ang wikang Filipino.<br />
Sa paggamit natin ng ibang wika sa pag-uusap o pagsusulat, lalo na ang wikang Ingles,<br />
nakakaligtaan na natin ang ating sariling wika. Minsan nga ay nahihiya tayong gamitin<br />
ito dahil tayo ay naiiba sa pangkaraniwang pag-uusap na nakalimot na sa magandang<br />
wikang ito. Marami sa atin ay hindi na gumagamit ng ating wika sa ating mga pangaraw<br />
—araw na pag-uusap dahil maskomportable ang ating pakiramdam sa paggamit ng<br />
banyagang wika.<br />
Marahil para sa atin hindi natin nakikita ang halaga ng ating pambansang wika sa atin<br />
kaya hindi natin ito masyadong pinapansin. Sa kabilang banda nakikita ng pamahalaan<br />
ang kahalagahan ng wikang Filipino sa pagkakaisa ng ating bansa. Dahil sa kakulangan<br />
sa pagbibigay halaga sa ating sariling wika, tinadhana ng batas ang pagdiriwang sa Buwan<br />
ng Wika Pamabansa. Ang buwan ng Agosto ay itinalaga bilang buwan ng pagdiriwang<br />
dahil ito ang buwan ng kapanangakan ng Ama ng Wikang Pambansa na si Manuel L.<br />
Quezon. Sa buwan ng wika ay ipinagdiriwang ang iba’t ibang mga bagay na nagbibigay<br />
kulay sa ating buhay mga bilang Pilipino. Iminumulat sa atin na may dahilan tayo na<br />
ipagmalaki ang ating pagiging mga mamayanan ng Pilipinas. Sa ating mga pagtatanghal<br />
ng mga awit at sayaw, sa ating pagsasalaysay ng mga tula at mga kwento ay hindi lamang<br />
tayo nagkakasiyahan kung hindi nababalikan din natin ang napakahalagang kontribusyon<br />
ng ating wika na humuhulma kung ano ang ating kulturang isinasabuhay. Ipinapaalala sa<br />
atin na tayo pa rin ay mga Pilipino gaano man tayo naimpluwensyahan ng ibang bansa.<br />
Hindi dapat natin malimutan ang ating lahi at ang kulturang ipinamana ng ating ninuno.<br />
Sa Paaralang <strong>Southridge</strong> ay ipinagdiriwang ang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. Sa
uong buwan ng Agosto ay nakapaskil ang iba’t ibang dekorasyon na nagpapaalala<br />
sa atin ng ating wika at bansa. Ang Departamento ng Filipino, sa pangununa nina<br />
Ginoong Virzon Sarao, Megs Arevalo, Rod Langit, Kim Malate at Anthony De Vera ay<br />
nagorganisa ng taunang Pista ng Wikang Pambansa. Marahil ang pinaka inaabangang<br />
kasiyahan sa buong pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa sa <strong>Southridge</strong>. Ang pista<br />
ngayong taon ay inumpisahan sa pamamagitan ng isang prusisyon. Lahat ng estudyante<br />
ng <strong>Southridge</strong> ay nagsipila at umikot sa paaralan kasama ang mga imahe ng Banal na<br />
Pamilya, San Josemaria Escriva, San Jose at Birheng Maria. Pagkatapos ng prusisyon ay<br />
nagkaroon ng misa na pinagdiwang ni Fr. Jerry Quejada. Ito ay ginawa upang basbasan<br />
ng Diyos ang mga pang araw-araw na mga gawain ng mga estudyante sa paaralan.<br />
Ito rin ay isinagawa upang ipaalala sa mga estudyante ang malaking impluwensya ng<br />
pananampalatayang Katoliko sa ating kultura. Nakita natin ang karaniwang mga larong<br />
Pilipino Nakita sa mga mukha ng mga estudyante ang mga malalaking ngiti at malakas<br />
na hiyaw habang inaantay nilang mapalo ng kanilang kaibigan ang banga na puno ng<br />
kendi. Maliban sa mga ito ay mayroon ding programang inorganisa sa Auditorium. na<br />
nagtanghal ng iba’t ibang awit at sayaw Pilipino.<br />
Maliban sa mga ito sino ang makalilimot sa bahagi ng pagdiriwang na pinakainaantay<br />
ng lahat, ang kainan. Tulad ng mga nakaraang taon ay napuno na naman ang mga<br />
basketball court ng iba’t ibang pagkaing Pilipino. Ang mga parent coordinator ng iba’t<br />
ibang lebel ay nagsipuntahan at nagdala ng mga pagkain para sa lahat. Kahit saan ka<br />
man tumingin ay may makikita kang mga pagkain na nakakatakam tulad ng Barbeque,<br />
dinuguan, taho, pancit, pinritong manok at kung ano-ano pa. Siyempre wala ring<br />
nakalimot sa paborito ng lahat na pagkaing Pilipino- ang lechon. Pagkatapos magsikain<br />
ng pananghalian, nagsipila rin para sa tradisyunal na panghimagas ang mga estudyante<br />
at mga guro. Ang pistang ito ay hindi lamang nagbigay ng kabusugan sa tiyan ng mga<br />
estudyante at guro kung hindi ay nagbigay din ito ng isa na naming pagkakataon upang<br />
magkita-kita ang lahat, magkwentuhan at magkasiyahan.<br />
Ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa ay hindi nagtapos sa buwan ng<br />
Agosto. Ito ay nagpatuloy sa unang bahagi ng Setyembre kung saan nagtanghal ang iba’t<br />
ibang klase ng mga tulang Pilipino. Sa Sabayang Pagbigkas ng mga tulang Pilipino ay<br />
nagbalik sa atin ang tunay na kagandahan ng ating wika at ang halaga nito sa ating mga<br />
buhay at kultura bilang bansang may pagkakakilanlang wika.
<strong>10</strong><br />
c o v e r s t o r y<br />
T h e R i d g e<br />
NOAH’s Ark<br />
1 By Matthew James S. Mendiola<br />
Monsoon winds carrying torrential rains flowed into the country in the last<br />
few days <strong>of</strong> July. These continued to a steady rain that submerged Metro<br />
Manila and its surrounding areas by Tuesday, August 7, <strong>2012</strong>. Loss <strong>of</strong> life<br />
was not as widespread as Ondoy from 20<strong>09</strong>; however, business and school<br />
activities were suspended as thousands tried to cope with rising floodwaters. In a<br />
country visited by an average <strong>of</strong> twenty typhoons each year, is there anything that<br />
we can do to prevent losses to lives and property brought about by these natural<br />
calamities How can the government improve our seemingly inadequate flood<br />
warning system Can Metro Manila ever be flood free To answer these questions,<br />
I interviewed Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla, Head <strong>of</strong> the National Institute <strong>of</strong> Geological<br />
Sciences at the University <strong>of</strong> the Philippines – Diliman.<br />
Ridge:<br />
What is the main cause <strong>of</strong> flooding<br />
Dr. Arcilla: Flooding occurs when there is a great amount <strong>of</strong> excess water or run<strong>of</strong>f that<br />
accumulates on the ground due to the lack <strong>of</strong> natural and artificial drainage systems.<br />
Extreme rainfall is the primary cause <strong>of</strong> flooding. If a lot <strong>of</strong> rain falls over a short period <strong>of</strong><br />
time, the drainage systems would be overwhelmed. The saturation <strong>of</strong> the ground also makes<br />
an area more prone to flooding. This means that the soil is impermeable, and water can’t<br />
seep through the ground.<br />
Besides the impermeable soil, huge tracts <strong>of</strong> land are being covered by cement in the<br />
urban areas, especially Metro Manila. The cement keeps the water from seeping into the<br />
soil, and because the drains in the area are either too small or are blocked by garbage and/<br />
or illegal structures, flooding occurs. There are several other factors that greatly increase the<br />
discharge, or volume <strong>of</strong> water passing per unit <strong>of</strong> time.<br />
Ridge: Authorities said that it would take several months for floodwaters in<br />
towns around Laguna de Bay to subside. If this is true, what’s the reason<br />
Dr. Arcilla: The excess water that flows to the heavily silted Laguna de Bay has only one<br />
exit – the Pasig River. Unfortunately, sediment and garbage being carried from the dying<br />
lake clog the pipes that should have drained the excess water to the river. The government<br />
and private groups aiming to clean the Pasig River need to consider clearing the filthy pipes<br />
that pass through the river, and while this may seem simple enough, removing the waste that<br />
blocks the pipes is a long and costly process.<br />
Opening up Laguna de Bay’s other exits appears to be the best solution to relieve the<br />
lake <strong>of</strong>f its stress. However, the illegal settlers whose homes have blocked these exit paths serve<br />
as a hurdle to the government and other NGOs aiming to conserve the Laguna de Bay, such<br />
as the Society <strong>of</strong> the Conservation <strong>of</strong> Philippine Wetlands. Relocating the squatters is more<br />
complex than just identifying a relocation site. The government needs to consider providing<br />
them with a source <strong>of</strong> livelihood, otherwise they will most likely return to their illegal<br />
settlements as their means <strong>of</strong> livelihood are here in the metropolis. More than the financial<br />
issues, relocating illegal settlers also requires a great deal <strong>of</strong> political will especially as the local<br />
elections draw near.<br />
Another factor that greatly affects the flood situation is the destruction <strong>of</strong> forested<br />
areas. Trees keep the soil in place, making the ground strong and less prone to landslides.<br />
Unfortunately, most <strong>of</strong> the mountains in the country are barren because <strong>of</strong> mining<br />
operations and large scale logging, not to mention illegal logging.<br />
The foresters are the only ones who police the mountains, and there is a very small<br />
number <strong>of</strong> people patrolling the mountains. Because the foresters are mostly poor people, they<br />
tend to “hitch a ride” with the loggers.<br />
While we have enough laws to control mining and logging operations, implementing<br />
them seems to be a greater problem. The government should continuously encourage tree<br />
planting in urban areas and seriously work as the reforestation <strong>of</strong> mountainous areas in the<br />
country.<br />
Ridge: We’ve read that Metro Manila is sinking at a rate <strong>of</strong> several centimeters per<br />
year. Are we going to be the next Venice<br />
Dr. Arcilla: This is happening because <strong>of</strong> the rising sea level brought about by global<br />
warming and unregulated groundwater extraction, the method <strong>of</strong> obtaining fresh water<br />
used by many municipalities and barangays. In groundwater extraction, pipes replace the<br />
water in the soil with air, causing the ground to collapse. The local governments should limit<br />
the use <strong>of</strong> “poso” or deep wells, and consider creating municipal water distribution systems<br />
that will operate similarly to the National Water and Sewage Authority (NAWASA) which<br />
was formed with the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the production and distribution <strong>of</strong> portable water.<br />
Ridge: Do typhoons cause floods<br />
Dr. Arcilla: Our country has an average <strong>of</strong> 20 typhoons that visit it every year, and this is<br />
one reason why our meteorologists and geologists have difficult tasks. Typhoons are relatively<br />
easy to predict because scientists could already see their path through the use <strong>of</strong> satellite<br />
images. However, the amount <strong>of</strong> rainfall is more difficult to predict without the right<br />
equipment.<br />
Our scientists’ need more tools and equipment to help them create adequate typhoon<br />
and flood warning systems and make more accurate weather forecasts. The Philippines<br />
needs more Doppler radar units to help scientists predict rains and check the density <strong>of</strong> clouds<br />
through the use <strong>of</strong> infrared waves. Right now, we only have two – one in Subic and the<br />
other in Tagaytay.<br />
Doppler radars should have been bought before Typhoon Ondoy, but because certain<br />
congressmen wanted to be involved in the purchase <strong>of</strong> these radars, there was a delay in<br />
setting the budget for the Doppler radars. If these radars were bought earlier, the death toll<br />
in Typhoon Ondoy could have been reduced significantly.<br />
Ridge: Who are responsible for predicting the weather and analyzing how it<br />
impacts us<br />
Dr. Arcilla: My colleagues Dr. Lagmay and Dr. C.P. David actively helped in the<br />
improvement <strong>of</strong> the Philippines’ forecasting systems by asking Mr. Pangilingan <strong>of</strong> Smart<br />
to allow automatic rain gauges to be placed in the Smart cell sites. By doing so, the data<br />
collected from the rain gauges is directly streamed to the DOST’s Project NOAH. Project<br />
NOAH or the Nationwide Operational Assessment <strong>of</strong> Hazards was founded to make<br />
updated information on flood and weather situations accessible to the public. You could<br />
check the NOAH website www.noah.dost.gov.ph to see a detailed and accurate map <strong>of</strong> the<br />
different regions in the Philippines and their current situations through the information<br />
gathered from satellites, radars, and rain gauges.<br />
Ridge: What else can be done to further improve our systems <strong>of</strong> weather<br />
forecasting<br />
Dr. Arcilla: There aren’t a lot <strong>of</strong> meteorology graduates. Meteorology is only <strong>of</strong>fered in<br />
graduate schools and right now, it is only being <strong>of</strong>fered in two schools – Ateneo and UP. In<br />
UP, we’re also losing faculty members. We really need the people and instrumentation, more<br />
students to consider taking courses in meteorology and geology.<br />
Our country’s preparedness involves more than one body or group. It<br />
involves the active participation <strong>of</strong> everyone <strong>of</strong> people in public service, media and<br />
communication, academic and research sector, and <strong>of</strong> course, you and me. As a people,<br />
we should respect and support the government’s efforts on waste reduction and waste<br />
management. Our active participation in tree planting and reforestation projects can<br />
help tremendously. Every small act counts. If we work together, we can surely weather<br />
each storm.
11<br />
T h e R i d g e F E A T U R E<br />
Admiral Musical<br />
Ensemble<br />
1 By Raf Villamor<br />
Choosing a club is one <strong>of</strong> the more important tasks to do in your high school life.<br />
Firstly because you are going to be sticking with that club or clubs for the whole school<br />
year, and secondly, it needs to be something you really enjoy and not just something<br />
to fill in a college application form.<br />
I signed up for a number <strong>of</strong> clubs including the Ridge which is why I’m writing<br />
this article. Besides the Ridge though, I joined a small club which could have been<br />
overshadowed by a lot <strong>of</strong> the bigger clubs out there; this club is called The Admirals<br />
Musical Ensemble (AME).<br />
Being together with people who had a similar interest was all I wanted. Right<br />
now there are three violinists, a pianist, a percussionist, a double bassist, and a couple<br />
<strong>of</strong> guitarists. I myself play the lead guitar. Jamming in the music room during lunch<br />
time or in club days is one <strong>of</strong> the most fun things you can do in this club.<br />
We played our first gig as the showcase piece <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Southridge</strong> Got Talent portion<br />
during the August 3, <strong>2012</strong> High <strong>School</strong> Student Assembly. The piece was “He’s a<br />
Pirate,” from the movie Pirates <strong>of</strong> the Carribean. The audience didn’t really know what<br />
to expect, but as the first notes <strong>of</strong> the guitar beating a rhythm flowed over the crowd,<br />
a beat well known to every Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow fan, the ripple <strong>of</strong> anticipation<br />
grew into thunderous applause.<br />
The High <strong>School</strong> OpCom loved the performance so much that they invited us<br />
to perform again for the High <strong>School</strong> Student Assembly on September 7, <strong>2012</strong>. This<br />
time we played the equally popular Canon Pachelbel’s Canon in D. It was great to<br />
see everyone in the high shool, from rock headbanger to hiphop afficionado greet the<br />
classical piece with loud applause.<br />
Performing my hobby in front <strong>of</strong> the students is something I want to be doing<br />
for the whole school year and that is why I chose this club because I knew it would<br />
give me just that.<br />
The Admiral Music Ensemble is composed <strong>of</strong> DJ Navarro – double bass, Tiger<br />
Espiritu – bonggos, percussion, Gio Goseco – violin, Simon Liu – violin, Harry Kim<br />
– violin, Raf Villamor – guitar, Jambo Daco – guitar, Julianne Santos – guitar, Justin<br />
de Leon – piano, Joseph Marasigan – piano and Carlo Lajara – piano.<br />
Once in a while stories <strong>of</strong> heroic children who brave mountain<br />
routes and multiple kilometer hike through forests surface. They<br />
all seemed so far <strong>of</strong>f, it probably could happen in another country<br />
yet until a year or so ago, here in the Philippines, everyday from a<br />
mangrove encircled island, children used to swim, not trek to their<br />
school located in the city <strong>of</strong> Zamboanga.<br />
The children <strong>of</strong> Layag-Layag held their bags above their heads,<br />
bags that contained school material and a dry set <strong>of</strong> clothes they<br />
could change once they reach the shore.<br />
No student, teenager or child, city boy or small town girl,<br />
deserved to undergo such grueling struggles to receive the<br />
education that they are entitled to; circumstances have forced them<br />
but their indomitable spirit soldiers on. It was this challenge in<br />
Philippine education that attracted Jay Jaboneta.<br />
On August 3, <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>Southridge</strong> High <strong>School</strong> invited Mr. Jay<br />
Jaboneta, founder <strong>of</strong> The Yellow Boat <strong>of</strong> Hope Foundation, to speak<br />
during the High <strong>School</strong> Student Assembly on the virtue <strong>of</strong> Charity, the<br />
Virtue <strong>of</strong> the Month for August.<br />
In October 20<strong>10</strong>, while at the Mindanao Bloggers Summit in<br />
Zamboanga City, Mindano, this Filipino blogger learned about the<br />
inspiring story <strong>of</strong> the children <strong>of</strong> the island village <strong>of</strong> Layag-Layag in<br />
Barangay Talon-Talon who could only attend school by swimming to<br />
mainland Zamboanga City.<br />
Inspired, shocked, and dismayed by the difficulty these kids<br />
had to undergo to get the education thousands elsewhere take for<br />
granted, he posted a status update about their plight, and then,<br />
inspired by a friend to do more than just talk, started the Zamboanga<br />
Fund for Little Kids to raise funds to provide Layag-Layag with boats<br />
that the children could ride to school.<br />
<strong>School</strong> Boats,<br />
not a <strong>School</strong> Bus<br />
1 By Jamie Katigbak<br />
The first yellow boat was given on March 27, 2011, and<br />
the project came to be known as the Yellow Boat <strong>of</strong> Hope. The<br />
group also looks for different ways to serve the needs <strong>of</strong> the<br />
impoverished communities and has since expanded into three<br />
other communities with residents living under similar conditions,<br />
giving them yellow boats, symbols <strong>of</strong>, <strong>of</strong> course, like the group’s<br />
name suggests, hope, change, and a better world for the people <strong>of</strong><br />
the Philippines.<br />
To date 154 yellow boats have been distributed among<br />
four coastal regions: Layag-layag in Zamboanga, Isla Mababoy in<br />
Masbate, Lakewood in Zamboanga del Sur, and Matabas Island in<br />
Negros Occidental.<br />
The story <strong>of</strong> the Yellow Boat <strong>of</strong> Hope Foundation inspired the<br />
high school students. The Q&A started with a pledge from Year<br />
I students to forego their own allowance money, not asking their<br />
parents for any additional amount, and raise enough for two yellow<br />
boats. Other pledges followed suit soon after.<br />
Jay Jaboneta has had the opportunity to present the social<br />
initiative at the prestigious TEDx in Montpelier, France. International<br />
bodies such as the Reader’s Digest and the Friedrich Naumann<br />
Foundation for Liberty have likewise recognized and awarded<br />
his contribution. Hailing him as a modern day hero are Yahoo!<br />
Philippines and Geny Lopez Jr. Foundation. The World Economic<br />
Forum has also recognized him as a Young Global Shaper.<br />
The experience provoked discussion and reaction from the<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> community. If Mr. Jaboneta hadn’t done what he did<br />
and in the process astonished those who have gotten to know<br />
the project the world and those children would be a poorer place.<br />
Thank God that he did.<br />
Habagat<br />
1 By Enrico Grio<br />
“Habagat” is the Filipino term to describe what<br />
is otherwise referred to as the Southwest monsoon. A<br />
monsoon is best described as a prevailing wind bringing<br />
rain to an area. The Southwest monsoon affects the<br />
country between the months <strong>of</strong> July to September. It’s<br />
counterpoint is the “Amihan” or Northeast monsoon<br />
which blows through the country from October to late<br />
March.<br />
The Southwest monsoon is characterized by a very<br />
warm and humid weather. This warm and moist air brings<br />
heavy rainfall lasting over an extended period. This wind<br />
generally brings the rainy season to the western portion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the country. As a yearly phenomenon, the habagat<br />
doesn’t have the status <strong>of</strong> a typhoon, where an identifying<br />
name is applied.<br />
So if wasn’t a typhoon why would it render unusual<br />
destructive power The answer is simple; this was not<br />
your everyday ‘hanging Habagat’. According to the<br />
meteorologists <strong>of</strong> the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical<br />
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),<br />
the unusual strength shown by this year’s late July early<br />
August habagat is explained by the enhancement <strong>of</strong> the<br />
typhoon Haikui presence, north to the Philippine area<br />
<strong>of</strong> responsibility.<br />
Typhoon Haikui moved very slowly, this gave time<br />
for the habagat to accumulate moisture. That increase<br />
provided the deluge that rendered impassable parts <strong>of</strong><br />
Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces.<br />
Previously familiar and predictable, suddenly the<br />
habagat has shocked Filipinos—it’s something that<br />
everyone should keep in mind the next time it comes<br />
around.
12<br />
F E A T U R E<br />
T h e R i d g e<br />
1 By Lee Sang Jun<br />
K-Pop has indeed come <strong>of</strong> age. It’s no exaggeration to say that<br />
people has started to become curious about it: K-Pop is a new fresh shocking music<br />
genre that most foreigners have never listened to. For instance, if a Korean singer, like<br />
PSY, reveals his new music, the people have the urge to imitate him in song and dance.<br />
Therefore K-Pop is a brand new genre which bargains for great success in the music<br />
industry and has just emerged to be one <strong>of</strong> the newest and most viral genres <strong>of</strong> music.<br />
Some have taken K-Pop as analogous to Elvis Presley who is seen as a white singer<br />
that took on black music” Well it has made itself present among the western dance<br />
rhythms in contemporary culture, emerging as a novel brand <strong>of</strong> music which the<br />
general public must listen to.<br />
So why are the media and press, specifically in the United States bargaining for<br />
K-Pop to become more popular According to a survey, most <strong>of</strong> respondents answered<br />
that “K-Pop will bring about huge success and rampage the US as a new wave <strong>of</strong><br />
music”. In fact there are two principles explaining why that the people are so crazy<br />
about K-Pop: complete dance and repetitive song.<br />
All <strong>of</strong> K-Pop music is composed <strong>of</strong> the repetition <strong>of</strong> certain words. For instance, a<br />
song Gee by Girls Generation is one <strong>of</strong> the best songs leading the K-Pop music leader<br />
boards. Most <strong>of</strong> its lyrics are repetitive and easy to memorize, thus making it so easy to<br />
sing along to.<br />
Complete Dance is also another factor that makes K-Pop popular. Frankly<br />
speaking, Usher, Michael Jackson and the like are the ones who perform solo.<br />
However, the emergence <strong>of</strong> group-dance singers is fresh shock to the audience: Wonder<br />
Girls is composed <strong>of</strong> five members; nine members in Girls Generation; five members<br />
<strong>of</strong> Big Bang. Performing in groups and dancing in sync are what’s hip when we take<br />
a look at K-Pop. Eventually complete dance and group dance performers become a<br />
trademark in this genre.<br />
Now who are the K-Pop singers that make the fans go crazy The first would be<br />
Wonder Girls who ranked 76th on Billboard Hot Chart <strong>10</strong>0 with the entitled song<br />
Nobody. The moment this song was ranked, most <strong>of</strong> the people copied the dances<br />
and uploaded their own renditions on Youtube proving that K-Pop music has clearly<br />
reached the US music market.<br />
Another popular K-Pop singer would be 2NE1 and Big Bang who are the next<br />
generations to succeed the K-Pop propaganda. Their music is mostly known in iTunes,<br />
which is the biggest music company in the US. Especially 2NE1 is known for their<br />
peculiar style: their own ways <strong>of</strong> expressing their music. Thanks to these characters <strong>of</strong><br />
K-Pop, the world is enjoying the new genre music to add a new genre to their iPod<br />
playlists.<br />
A latest example would be a Korean rapper, PSY who abruptly bagged the<br />
attention <strong>of</strong> CNN, BBC and France press about his new music video-Gangnam<br />
Style-saying: “the Gangnam Style music video was the best music video that they have<br />
watched”; “such idea was never thought by the American people but only could PSY<br />
do so. We bargained for him to produce the more music videos to shock us”, and was<br />
able to bring an unconventional sensation to the public. His music video hit 1 billion<br />
views and CNN described his music video as “Gangnam Style goes viral”. In addition,<br />
most <strong>of</strong> singers and actors in the US extolled his music and said that “his choreography<br />
is funny and makes me want to imitate it.” Consequently, PSY has achieved a great<br />
career in the US and the world is just waiting for his next hit single.<br />
Moreover, the world prefers to listen to new genres <strong>of</strong> music instead <strong>of</strong> the old,<br />
overplayed and monotonous genres we already have. Hence K-Pop has just shown the<br />
people, what we can expect their future music industries have in store for them. In<br />
fact, K-Pop originated from South Korea and its purpose is to highlight South Korea<br />
by music, which is the means to connect them with the rest <strong>of</strong> the world. In the future,<br />
K-Pop will be on everyone’s playlists thus experiencing a taste <strong>of</strong> South Korean culture<br />
through repetitive lyrics and catchy dance routines<br />
25 Years<br />
Going Strong<br />
1 By Renz Alvarez<br />
On June 8, <strong>2012</strong>, <strong>Southridge</strong> recognized Mr. Roseller “Boyet” Bernardo and Mr.<br />
Luden Salamat for twenty five years <strong>of</strong> service. In celebration <strong>of</strong> this milestone, The<br />
Ridge sat down with Mr. Bernardo as he is a mainstay <strong>of</strong> the PE Department and a<br />
mentor to countless athletes and alumni.<br />
1. What made you enter <strong>Southridge</strong> 25 years ago<br />
To tell you the truth, my coming to <strong>Southridge</strong> was not intentional. This happened in<br />
April 20, 1987. My first priority was to look for a job as a coach. I tried going to San<br />
Beda, but the <strong>of</strong>fice there didn’t seem to pay me any attention. The reason I went to<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> was because <strong>of</strong> a man in the Total gas station nearby. I was asking him for<br />
help on where I can look for a job, and he told me about a school up ahead, and that<br />
school was <strong>Southridge</strong>. So when I applied, I was interviewed by Dr. Dumol. Later,<br />
they told me to come back Monday, and from then on I got the job as a coach in<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong>.<br />
2. What makes you stay<br />
My passion for teaching sports is what keeps me here. I was not originally a baseball<br />
coach, but instead I taught all kinds <strong>of</strong> sports like basketball and football. Something<br />
about baseball just made me feel so passionate about it. And that’s when it all started. I<br />
decided that I wanted to be a baseball coach, and the first batch I taught was the batch<br />
<strong>of</strong> Marco Benitez. This was around the year 1988.<br />
3. How does it feel being here for 25 years<br />
Being in <strong>Southridge</strong> for 25 years now makes it feel like my second home. Whenever I<br />
am here, I feel at home, because it is convenient<br />
and not only do my children study here, but I<br />
have a family <strong>of</strong> players who are willing to learn<br />
how to be better baseball players.<br />
4. What is the most fulfilling part <strong>of</strong> your career<br />
The most fulfilling part <strong>of</strong> my career as the head coach <strong>of</strong> the baseball team is seeing<br />
the fruits <strong>of</strong> my effort. By this I mean seeing the improvement in my players. It makes<br />
me proud to see the boys I’ve been training grow up and mature to be better players. It<br />
is fulfilling to see the development in their skills, and we even went as far as reaching<br />
the World Series.<br />
5. Will you continue to stay in SR Why<br />
I’ve been in SR for 25 years, and I still plan to stay. I feel like I can make a change in<br />
this school. The standard for sports in this school needs to improve, and I plan to be<br />
the one to change that. I will bring a change to the sports system <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southridge</strong> to lift<br />
the standard <strong>of</strong> performance.<br />
6. Who is your role model/inspiration for success<br />
My family is always the first one that inspires me to do better because they are always<br />
there for me. Next would be the boys I coach, because their success fuels my passion<br />
to coach them even more. I am also a team person who loves sharing his passion with<br />
others, and when I share my passion <strong>of</strong> baseball with others, it inspires me to help<br />
them become better players.
13<br />
T h e R i d g e<br />
Milk Tea, Not Just a Fad<br />
1 By Joel Hernandez<br />
Milk tea, also known as bubble tea, has emerged as one <strong>of</strong> the most popular refreshments in the last few years and<br />
has now found a big market in the Philippines. Around an estimate <strong>of</strong> 25 milk tea concessions have opened up in the Alabang area in the past<br />
two years, ranging from foreign brands such as Chatime and Gong Cha to our own homemade brands such as Bubbly Tea and Fresher Tea.<br />
There is just something that makes milk tea very distinct. It is an acquired taste that not everybody may enjoy, but certainly delicious<br />
when one grows accustomed to it. The astringent, cooling, slightly bitter and fragrant aroma <strong>of</strong> tea leaves mixed with luscious condensed milk,<br />
sugar, a wide variety <strong>of</strong> syrups and sinkers create the ideal milk tea drink. Originating from Taiwan in the early 1980’s, milk tea is a drink best<br />
served cold.<br />
Popular varieties include the Pearl Milk Tea, which consists <strong>of</strong> the milk tea and small, round-shaped tapioca balls we call pearls. Another is the<br />
Winter Melon Milk Tea, a concoction <strong>of</strong> blended sweet winter melon, black tea leaves and sweet condensed milk. These flavours are just the tip<br />
<strong>of</strong> the iceberg as there are dozens <strong>of</strong> variants to satiate the most discriminating <strong>of</strong> palates.<br />
Foreign companies such as Chatime, Gong Cha and Happy Lemon have made quite a splash in the milk tea craze in the country, but there<br />
other popular and just as delectable home-grown brands, like Serenitea and Moonleaf. Each has its own delicious, signature aromatic taste that<br />
challenges one to be faithful to a single brand.<br />
There have been brave souls who make their own milk teas at home. With the right methods and ingredients, home brewed milk teas can taste<br />
just like the pricey branded milk teas – they start at P70.00.<br />
Milk tea caters perfectly to the Filipino palate that veers to the matamis. This ensures that it’s not a fad, no you can be sure that milk tea is here<br />
to stay.<br />
Let the<br />
Curtains Rise<br />
1 By Gabriel J. Goseco<br />
Plautus returns, promising both hardships and fun for the three highest<br />
levels in high school. Last year’s Fifth Column and 14 set the bar ever<br />
so higher that there is a collective hunger to at least match, and better<br />
even, to improve on those remarkable productions, new additions to<br />
the Plautus pantheon.<br />
Season 14 features earlier playdates, the first and second week <strong>of</strong> October<br />
<strong>2012</strong>. This is due to the constricted schedules in November and December<br />
where the auditorium is reserved for other events such as the Christmas<br />
programs.<br />
By bringing the plays earlier, we avoid competition for the auditorium. Aside<br />
from this, the seniors can also focus on Fathers Day once the second semester<br />
starts. However, this change means a tighter schedule for the classes, so my<br />
advice for everyone is to budget your time. You will run out <strong>of</strong> time before<br />
you know it!<br />
Here is a little tip for the third years. When planning out practices,<br />
information is power. If people know the script well, and they also know what<br />
must be done, then they only need guidance to actually get things done. I<br />
advise everyone to be familiar with their lines and to understand the overall<br />
flow <strong>of</strong> their plays.<br />
Everyone must contribute to the overall production, but they will not be<br />
able to if they do not know what to do. A good example is my class last year—I<br />
simply love my IIIC class—even though many were distracted by, ahem,<br />
“school work” during practices, people could still follow what was going on.<br />
This proved invaluable when their contributions were needed in the middle<br />
<strong>of</strong> practice.<br />
Another piece <strong>of</strong> advice I want to give is to listen to everyone’s comments.<br />
Be it feedback or suggestions, any reactions from any member <strong>of</strong> the class is<br />
valuable. These little things can be pivotal to the production. A classmate once<br />
suggested someone to audition for a significant role last year. That someone<br />
ended up winning an award for it. It was unforeseen and it was all thanks to<br />
one who voiced out an unsolicited reaction.<br />
For all the directors and producers out there, your plays are not, and will<br />
ever be, yours alone! One valuable thing I learned last year is the importance<br />
<strong>of</strong> friendship among my classmates. Do not let people work because you tell<br />
them to, but because they actually care! When you see your classmates as<br />
friends, not drones, then you can surely make a great play. This, I assure you,<br />
will make all the difference.<br />
Finally, have fun! You are making a play with your friends, something you<br />
get to do only three times in your high school life. I am telling you, treasure<br />
these moments. Undoubtedly it will not be easy, but it does not mean you<br />
cannot have fun!<br />
There you have it. I wish everyone good luck. Let us make this Plautus<br />
season a truly memorable one!<br />
Film Review:<br />
The Dark Knight Rises<br />
1 By Chen Dela Cruz<br />
<strong>2012</strong><br />
will be remembered for having some <strong>of</strong> the best action and action comedy<br />
films in recent history. From The Avengers to Battleship, from 21 Jump<br />
Street to MIB 3, these blockbusters were successful entertainment but<br />
none carried the mantle <strong>of</strong> expectation more than Christopher Nolan’s<br />
The Dark Knight Rises.<br />
In terms <strong>of</strong> DC comics I am a Batman fan. Ever since the trailer came out I’ve had high expectations<br />
for the film and I have to say that the film blew me away. One word—AWESOME! It’s an incredible<br />
movie best appreciated on the silver screen, not on some laptop or even HDTV. Nolan’s style <strong>of</strong> filming<br />
was perfect. He is known for his gritty dark style also seen in other films such as Inception and The<br />
Prestige. If you compare his interpretation to its predecessors, Nolan’s Batman is the most successful<br />
one. He started the trilogy all the way from Bruce Wayne’s childhood. A lot <strong>of</strong> people know that his<br />
childhood was tragic because <strong>of</strong> the death <strong>of</strong> his parents. In fact it was because <strong>of</strong> their deaths that<br />
inspired Bruce to be the Batman. Nolan also gave emphasis to Bruce Wayne’s development as a skilled<br />
a fighter. In the end his vision delivered the best interpretation from Batman Begins all the way to The<br />
Dark Knight Rises.<br />
It’s been eight years since the death <strong>of</strong> Harvey Dent. Batman, played once again by Christian Bale,<br />
took the blame for Two-Face’s crimes and so is Gotham’s persona non grata. Yet that fall paved the<br />
way for a city relatively free <strong>of</strong> crime until a new danger threatens it in the form <strong>of</strong> Bane, a masked and<br />
ferociously strong villain. The encounter between Bane and Batman is the stuff <strong>of</strong> legend. How Batman<br />
rises from the dust <strong>of</strong> defeat propels the movie to a faster paced second half. A highlight in the movie is<br />
Selina Kyle, played by the scene stealing Anne Hathaway. She is delicious, a perfect foil. As Bane, Tom<br />
Hardy handily pulls <strong>of</strong>f the big buff counterpoint to The Batman. His face perennially covered by a<br />
mouthpiece, it might be difficult to understand his words on occasion, but the eyes and stance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
character speak volumes. The inclusion <strong>of</strong> a new character to the Batman mythos is John Blake (Joseph<br />
Gordon–Levitt). While the addition <strong>of</strong> his role to the DC canon is welcome, after all he is a very good<br />
actor, it is only in the last minutes <strong>of</strong> the film when we realized why his inclusion, a seeming loose end,<br />
completed the film in more than satisfactory.<br />
Plot twists will surprise the audience and make it an overall memorable and enjoyable experience.<br />
I would rate this as a 9.5/<strong>10</strong>.
14<br />
F E A T U R E<br />
T h e R i d g e<br />
Unexpected Routine<br />
1 By Joshua Vera<br />
A<br />
cool breeze rustles the<br />
leaves <strong>of</strong> the silhouetted,<br />
imposing mahogany trees<br />
that surround me. I look around,<br />
and sigh out in relief finding no one around.<br />
Carefully walking down the rough, concrete<br />
road, I ignore the distant shouts as time is <strong>of</strong><br />
the essence.<br />
I finally spot my target: a vague outline<br />
<strong>of</strong> a single floored building down the incline.<br />
Walking closer, I recognize the rusted metal bars<br />
securing the windows and faded out white paint on<br />
the walls. The shiny steel letters naming the building:<br />
“Department <strong>of</strong> Communications” is the only thing<br />
that gives contrast to the old, neglected structure<br />
right in front <strong>of</strong> me. I reach for the door and enter<br />
the building closing the door quietly.<br />
The room is bathed in darkness; a glance at my<br />
surroundings shows an old <strong>of</strong>fice, filthy folders and<br />
notebooks on the floor; I stride towards the janitor<br />
closet. I open it, close the door, and sit down on a<br />
conveniently placed chair.<br />
Reaching for the doorknob, I pull out a thin sliver<br />
<strong>of</strong> metal and insert it in a well camouflaged cranny.<br />
As I fumble around, I hear a small *click* and I sigh<br />
in relief. Swiftly the whole room starts shaking, dust<br />
falls <strong>of</strong> the ceiling, and I feel the sensation <strong>of</strong> going<br />
down. As the closet fades away from view, I slip into<br />
a reverie.<br />
My name is Santos, Gabriel Santos. My regular<br />
job is being head journalist <strong>of</strong> The Daily Mirror, but<br />
my real pr<strong>of</strong>ession is Special Operations agent <strong>of</strong><br />
the clandestine Internal Security Organization (ISO<br />
for short).<br />
In the past, the ISO’s primary task was to<br />
overthrow and dethrone governments around the<br />
world. Now however, we just spread viruses around<br />
the world to support the drug companies who<br />
produce and sell the cures, and the like. We’re pretty<br />
much the main instigator <strong>of</strong> all major conspiracies<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world: corrupting <strong>of</strong>ficials, smuggling illegal<br />
migrants, exploiting corporate networks, you name<br />
it.<br />
A sharp stop in the elevator breaks me out <strong>of</strong><br />
my thoughts and I realize I’ve arrived. A quick turn<br />
on the doorknob and I’m greeted with a resounding<br />
click.<br />
“Ah, darn it. Stuck again.”<br />
After multiple attempts the door finally gives in. I<br />
step out, which puts me in middle <strong>of</strong> the Operations<br />
Department. Sitting on one <strong>of</strong> the twelve chairs in<br />
the room, I patiently await my superiors.<br />
I notice the subtle murmurs <strong>of</strong> conversation<br />
approaching, and identify them as belonging to<br />
Department Head Lee Yee Ming and fellow agent<br />
Reyes.<br />
“Good evening Santos, sorry to call you at such<br />
a late hour,” Lee speaks as both he and Reyes take<br />
a seat across from me.<br />
“Ah, sure boss,” I didn’t want to argue anymore,<br />
especially since I was supposed to write an article<br />
on the recent financial crash in Thailand (which I<br />
personally caused).<br />
“Right. So now you’re all ‘okay’ Reyes interjects.<br />
In the past, the ISO’s primary<br />
task was to overthrow and<br />
dethrone governments<br />
around the world. Now<br />
however, we just spread<br />
viruses around the world to<br />
support the drug companies<br />
who produce and sell the<br />
cures, and the like.<br />
“What happened to Mr. Sarcastic”<br />
“I don’t have time for this Reyes”.<br />
“Alright boys, play time’s over.” Lee interrupts<br />
as he gestures to the projected screen in front <strong>of</strong><br />
us. “What we have is a major fall in the financial<br />
stocks <strong>of</strong> Petron; people nowadays are using so<br />
much energy-saving technology such as electric<br />
cars that oil companies are losing money. We don’t<br />
want that.”<br />
“What do you want us to do boss” I ask, with<br />
slight interest.<br />
“Well, we’re sending you, one <strong>of</strong> our best<br />
operatives, to infiltrate the headquarters <strong>of</strong> National<br />
Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), an Asian Electric<br />
Car Consortium, hack into their computer database,<br />
and erase all the files in their hard drives.” Smith<br />
concludes his briefing with a firm nod.<br />
And with that, I’m <strong>of</strong>f.<br />
I stand up and shake Lee’s hand, give Reyes a<br />
wave, and head straight to a room just adjacent to<br />
Operations.<br />
“Lee! What about me”<br />
“Reyes, shut up. Report to Logistics.”<br />
What makes the ISO so secret, mysterious and<br />
effective is that we are able to appear in certain<br />
places almost instantly, and disappear just as quick.<br />
We have a proprietary teleportation device located<br />
in the exact same room I’m in.<br />
I’m not exactly a scientist, but I will attempt<br />
to explain how it works. This<br />
experimental, trans-dimensional<br />
device was created by Julius Robert<br />
Oppenheimer as a by-product <strong>of</strong><br />
his research into the atomic bomb.<br />
Utilizing a gamma type radiation,<br />
the device is able to transport an<br />
object virtually anywhere in the<br />
world. There have been reports <strong>of</strong><br />
‘incidents’, but I wouldn’t want to think<br />
<strong>of</strong> them.<br />
Approaching a digital interface on the wall,<br />
I input the coordinates <strong>of</strong> NEVS HQ.<br />
“Hong Kong, China.”<br />
I press enter and then strap<br />
myself into one <strong>of</strong> the teleportation<br />
cubicles. Sitting down, I relax.<br />
Thinking as this mission as routine,<br />
I’d rather just plan out my day after<br />
the operation. The possibilities are endless.<br />
I’m bathed in green rays <strong>of</strong> light transported<br />
across half way around the world.<br />
Appearing in the apparent interior <strong>of</strong> NEVS, I<br />
take in my surroundings. I’m the middle <strong>of</strong> an entirely<br />
white hallway, with doors lining up on both sides—<br />
certainly the trademark <strong>of</strong> any corporate building,<br />
if I say so myself.<br />
Cautiously dropping my pen on the floor, I<br />
realize that there aren’t any obvious traps. Slowly<br />
but surely I stride towards the door labeled:<br />
“Mainframe Database” which seems like the most<br />
likely place to go to. I push the door open.<br />
No one inside. Clear.<br />
The room’s filled with computers, so I take the<br />
nearest one. I work efficiently, masterfully bypassing<br />
firewalls, and basically erasing their whole company<br />
from the inside.<br />
While browsing through the files, I glance upon<br />
an encrypted file, hidden among the data. It isn’t any<br />
<strong>of</strong> the regular discrete ones, this looks more like the<br />
old ISO communiqués. Curiosity getting the better<br />
<strong>of</strong> me, I open it.<br />
“NEVS,<br />
We’re sending you our most valuable and<br />
effective agent for the ‘experiment’. We trust you<br />
shall properly control and develop him. We expect<br />
significant results in five months.”<br />
“ISO Command”<br />
Startled, I realize the memo is talking about me.<br />
I hurriedly walk out <strong>of</strong> the Mainframe, and towards<br />
my origin point. I didn’t see the ropes and manacles<br />
coming out <strong>of</strong> nowhere and suddenly pinning me to<br />
the ground.<br />
Alarms blare and the room becomes bathed in<br />
red light. I struggle and reach around the restraints<br />
but I just can’t, it seems that the only thing I can move<br />
is my head. My luck runs out tonight<br />
A needle-point injection enters my left shoulder.<br />
My vision blurs as my very last thoughts are,<br />
somewhat humorously, about comic book heroes.
15<br />
T h e R i d g e LETTERS TO THE EDITOR<br />
Gino Guevara<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
I would like to suggest that your next issue focus on SR efforts to help victims <strong>of</strong> the recent floods<br />
around Metro Manila<br />
On August 11, a devastating monsoon, also known as Gener, poured down endlessly on the<br />
provinces <strong>of</strong> central and northern Luzon resulting in a nationwide catastrophe, leaving many peoples’<br />
homes submerged by the floods and also leaving them without food. Many barangays and local communities<br />
gathered and managed to donate canned goods, surplus apparel, and toiletries to those that were heavily<br />
flooded.<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> is proud to say that they took part in assisting the collection and distribution <strong>of</strong> donated<br />
material to the locals <strong>of</strong> Alabang Elementary <strong>School</strong>. The <strong>Southridge</strong> faculty, students and alumni alike all<br />
gathered in the campus grounds and worked as one family in order to make sure that the families residing in<br />
Alabang Elementary <strong>School</strong> receive the essentials that they had lost because <strong>of</strong> the heavy flooding.<br />
Being socially aware is very essential especially for the youth in their adolescence. <strong>Southridge</strong> is very<br />
proud to say that the majority <strong>of</strong> the students gathered as one loving family and helped out voluntarily when<br />
they were asked. The High <strong>School</strong> Student Council sent text brigades and contacted other people through the<br />
means <strong>of</strong> social media sites requesting that they help out sort and gather the donations during the aftermath<br />
<strong>of</strong> Gener. Luckily for the school, <strong>Southridge</strong> was blessed to have a good number <strong>of</strong> students who came and<br />
did their part in contributing to the society in a time wherein they were needed the most.<br />
In a time <strong>of</strong> calamity, especially by the rampant typhoons, <strong>Southridge</strong> will always provide more than a<br />
helping hand.<br />
Matthew Banaag (mattbanaag@yahoo.com)<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
High school has always been full <strong>of</strong> many new opportunities for people to show their talent and express themselves. But<br />
during high school there’s always been one event that gets everyone excited, Plautus. Plautus has always been something<br />
that can cause people to start pulling their hair out with stress, but it can also make people jump for joy and keep them<br />
smiling for hours. So in many ways it can be either your worst or best experience in your high school life in <strong>Southridge</strong>.<br />
First, with Plautus being extremely exciting from the very first time you get assigned as an apprentice till your final year<br />
as a senior how can it be one <strong>of</strong> the worst experiences in your life Well first <strong>of</strong> all no matter what year you’re in your class is<br />
always going to fight, whether it will be something as small as cooperating in practice or something big like what the plot <strong>of</strong><br />
the Plautus will be. Next finding time to practice can sometimes be difficult, especially if you have a lot <strong>of</strong> classmates in the<br />
varsity teams.<br />
Then again, like I said, Plautus can be a really exciting thing where you can freely express yourselves as a scriptwriter or<br />
an actor or even with the props you make. I’ve always loved how in Plautus despite all the hardships we face we go through it<br />
as a class, and even though we tend to fight each other every now and then, we somehow get through it with stronger bonds<br />
and ready to face the next challenge. Plautus is also another great way to get to know you classmates better, get to know their<br />
strengths and weaknesses and most importantly get to know them as people. Plautus truly can bring people closer together.<br />
So overall I think Plautus is a wonderful idea. Sure enough, we’re just a bunch <strong>of</strong> students without any training in theatre<br />
and the other important aspects needed for Plautus but that doesn’t mean that we can’t put up a good show. Yes, I know<br />
there are some people who are not really in favor <strong>of</strong> the idea <strong>of</strong> Plautus, but even if what we’re doing isn’t pr<strong>of</strong>essional-like<br />
and even sometimes ridiculous and foolish in the end it all comes down to the memories made and lessons learned. So far<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> has been doing a great job with Plautus and I hope that it continues doing a great job this season and the next and<br />
the seasons to come.<br />
Jet Nicolas (jet.nicolas123@gmail.com)<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
This is in reference to the Editorial: “<strong>Southridge</strong> keeps its traditions but continues to make new ones”<br />
<strong>Southridge</strong> has definitely kept Traditions, but I think we have certainly refined them. We simoly don’t keep them; we<br />
took it to the next level and added some twists. Last Year’s Fathers’ Day is a great example <strong>of</strong> this. Last year’s Fathers’ Day<br />
was not the same as the ones before it, it was different. We have learned to improve it every year, no exceptions. We have<br />
evolved Fathers’ Day into something more compelling that the whole school helped in making it the best.<br />
While I agree that we are an academically inclined school, <strong>Southridge</strong>, as far as I know, is recognized as a very good<br />
Football school. This is cemented by what recently happened to Sandro Reyes, the <strong>Southridge</strong> student who received a<br />
scholarship at FC Barcelona at Escola. <strong>Southridge</strong> has won many championships and is continuing to win them every single<br />
year. In this view, we can see that even in sports, we continue to evolve our traditions as a school.<br />
Anyways, with the MOST, we see that we have either stayed consistent or have become better. We have<br />
consistently been at the top in MOST with Thomas Manalac during 20<strong>10</strong>, Lance Katigbak in 2011, and Mike Agoncillo in<br />
<strong>2012</strong>. Mike got 2nd place and continues Soutthridge’s pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> excellence.<br />
I am pretty sure the term for the flower carpet occasion is not Corpus Christi, but it is the Eucharistic Procession.<br />
With the Eucharistic Procession, the carpets improved from last year. The carpets were more clorful, and the patterns were<br />
more explicit and beautiful Once again, we see the evolution <strong>of</strong> tradition.<br />
In traditions <strong>of</strong> the old and <strong>of</strong> the new, we as a school have certainly refined them and evolved them. We can see this<br />
trend continuing this year with the recent introduction <strong>of</strong> a new mascot. Andy the Admiral
<strong>2012</strong> Pep Rally and the<br />
New Face <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
1 By Jairus Paul<br />
It wasn’t too long ago when Jeggy Filart <strong>of</strong> Batch 2011 coined the name <strong>Southridge</strong> Admirals. This finally gave <strong>Southridge</strong> students a name to call<br />
themselves - their very own Blue Eagle or Green Archer. On September 3, <strong>2012</strong> at a similar pep rally held at the covered courts, the High <strong>School</strong> Student Council Two unveiled<br />
something even bigger: Andy the Admiral, the school’s first mascot.<br />
It’s no secret that having a physical mascot was a dream for many students. Many in the past have tried and failed to create a living, breathing, and dancing mascot to<br />
inculcate unity and love for the <strong>School</strong>. The highlight <strong>of</strong> the pep rally renewing the Vinta and Helm House rivalry was the introduction <strong>of</strong> Andy the Admiral.<br />
The program kicked <strong>of</strong>f with Captains Greenheart and Bluebeard galvanizing the primary school students with their respective house cheers. Each house showed their<br />
hearts and loyalty by shouting with great gusto. The Admirals Step Crew also assisted in livening up the atmosphere.<br />
To further stoke up the crowd, the <strong>School</strong> recognized and brought onstage the Football, Basketball, and Baseball varsity team. Among those lauded was Sandro Reyes, an<br />
exceptionally skilled Grade 3 football player recently granted full scholarship by Spain’s FC Barcelona Escola, the academy <strong>of</strong> FC Barcelona, one <strong>of</strong> the world’s best football clubs.<br />
Then Andy the Admiral came in to loud cheers <strong>of</strong> appreciation. He was garbed in a beautifully gilded Admiral’s coat and wearing the signature tricorne hat. He wore a<br />
blue band on his right wrist (Vinta) and a green band on his left wrist (Helm). The crowd erupted in ecstasy as Andy walked onstage, danced, and paraded through the mob<br />
<strong>of</strong> students who angled closer for a better look. To top it all <strong>of</strong>f, Andy made a monumental three point shot to <strong>of</strong>ficially inaugurate himself as the school’s name and face.<br />
Do not be surprised when in the next varsity game, Andy the Admiral will be there, cheering on the players and the students. He is an image that will unify <strong>Southridge</strong><br />
for generations to come.