Vol.
7 No 1
ONDOY IS GOD’S
WAKE UP CALL
—Maam Santos
Two with one stone...
DTMIERS CELEBRATE UN DAY
By Paolo Gabarda
AND DRUM AND LYRE INDUCTION
1O8 of over 186 students
of DTMI who were sur-
veyed said that they were
affected by typhoon On-
doy which came last Sep-
tember 28, 2009.
Parts of DTMI
campus also came under-
water.
“Kinakatok na
tayo ng Panginoon.
Those are signs. Nakaka-
limutan na ng tao na
magdasal...” DTMI Prin-
cipal, Mrs. Teresita O.
Santos said.
PAGASA an-
nounced that a month’s
worth of rainfall fell in
just 6 hours. NCR, Metro
Manila, Rizal, Ma-
rikina,Quezon City and
other provinces around
the Philippines are
flooded. A big number
of families were dis-
placed, hundreds were
killed and million of
properties were lost.
Continued on page 2
ALUMNI FEATURE:SISTER
For a very long time,
Doña Trinidad Mendoza
Institute had produced a
lot of graduates who came
to be the school’s pride.
The institution had been a
source of teachers, engi-
neers, accountants and
other professionals, even
politicians.
And now an
alumni has taken her per-
petual vows and become a
nun and her
November, 2009 Bulakan, Bulacan
PLASTICS
ARE MAJOR
MUNICIPAL
WASTE MGT
PROBLEM
"Hindi naman gaanong
problema yung ibang bas-
ura, yung maraming plas-
tic lang talaga. " (it is not
the other types of trash
that is a big problem, its
plastics) said Dr.
Reynaldo Gloria, of the
Bulakan Muncipal Devel-
opment Office.
The municipality
of Bulakan is trying to
pass the an Ordinance
wherein the local govern-
ment will prohibit the use
of plastics everywhere in
Bulakan strictly.
Use and improper
disposal of plastics has
already been linked to
Last October 26, 2009, a program was The school Principal said that
held celebrating the DTMI Drum and Lyre peace will only be attained if there is Global Warming and
tragedies like Ondoy
Band Investiture and United Nations Day sustainable development. She also ac-
at the DTMI quadrangle. knowledged UN’s assistance in Ondoy floods.
The construction of
Ruth Ivan Mirasol, President of and Pepeng relief efforts
Drum and Lyre opened the occasion by Mrs. Santos emphasized the sanitary landfill in Bam-
bang, Bulakan is one of
sayingn, “Life must go on." She is refer- meaning of the colors in the United Na-
ring to the past calamities and the need for tions flag: blue and white are for peace the likely solution to the
crisis.
Drum and Lyre music. and unity that can be only be achieved
Mrs. Teresita O. Santos, the school through economic sufficiency. " Gusto sana naming
magtayo ng landfill sa
principal, congratulated the A.P teachers who Selected students performed various
organized the convocation for "hitting two Bambang, ang problema,
interpretative dances on popular
birds in one shot." Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2
MARIBETH TAKES PERPETUAL VOWS
By Anna Charina Temblique
alma mater’s pride. 18, 1978. Her siblings are
Sr. Maribeth J. Vicky A. Santiago, Sam-
Antonio, a graduate of mie J. Antonio and Julie
batch 1995 had just pro- Ann A. Santiago.
fessed her Perpetual “It is thru prayer
Vows to be a nun of the that I discerned and de-
Religious Catechists of- cided that being a nun is
Mary(RCM), at the Parish what I wanted and the
Church in sta. Isabel, plan of God to me,” she
Malolos City. said. She decided to enter
She is the daugh- the RCM congregation
ter of Isagani L. Antonio when she was 19 years
and Zenaida J. Antonio. old . Continued on page2
She was born on August
 2 THE LIGHTESEEKERS
SISTER MARIBETH…
from page 1
and on her 3rd year Col-
lege in pursuit of a De-
gree in BEED in Bulacan
State University.
“At first I hid my
plan to them (my family),
I shared and asked the
help of other catechists on
what to do. Actually, I
just informed them that I
have made the decision
that I will never finish my
course and instead enter
the convent in Malolos. I
felt that they respected
and supported my deci-
sion and I believe they are
praying for my vocation,
she explained.” “Maybe
at first they were shocked
because I’m the naughti-
est daughter they have,
and maybe they thought
that it’s only a joke,” she
added.
She has been as-
signed to supervise a
Catholic school at San
Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
ONDOY...from page 1
Ondoy was followed by
Pepeng and Ramil. More
damages was wrought in
Northern Luzon. Victims
are still in various stages
of recovery.
This horror is
blamed on Global Warm-
ing. It has also been said
that the tragedy was man
made and due to people’s
ignorance or negligence.
At almost the same time
as the typhoons other dis-
asters are occurring
around the world. Two
major Earthquakes at the
magnitude of 8.0 and 7.6
respectively shook Samoa
and Western Indonesia
with the accompany of
tsunamis.
According to
Brandon Miller, the CNN
meteorologist and
weather report producer,
September is a peak of
tropical storm activity
around the world and the
Western Pacific sees
more tropical cyclones
each year than anywhere
on the globe. Four sys-
tems active at the same
time is not unusual. It is
the earthquakes that are
more peculiar.
Pagasa reminder:
announcements of storm
signal is meant to give the
public enough time to
prepare for the arrival of a
rrival of a weather distur-
bance.
By Sharmaine Salitico
DTMIers...from page 1
“UN related” songs like
“Heal the World,”
“Handog,” “We are the
World.” Games centered
on “UN topics” followed
the dance presentations.
SA PULA SA
PUTI, which was pre-
sented by Sharmaine
Salitico, is more or less
like the “pera o bayong “
of ABS-CBN. Questions
with multiple choice an-
swers were given; con-
testants have to run to the
corner of the answer of
their choice marked A B
C and D. The game was
conducted in of four sets.
The first set was for the
elementary students. It
took 8 questions before a
Grade 3 student was de-
clared as the winner. John
Cristopher Cariño, from
Mr. Francis Faustino’s
advisory class received a
medal and a gift prize.
“Wala akong masabi!
Hindi ko kasi alam na
nanalo na pala ako pero
masaya kasi may prize
akong natanggap,” Chris-
topher said.
In the second set
of the game which was
participated in by the high
school sections I-
Mercury, II-Daffodil, III-
Charity and IV-Garnet),
Wency Darrel Baltazar
from II-Daffodil bagged
the medal and prize.
“Masaya ako dahil nanalo
ako kahit di ko expected
yun. Masaya din dahil
puro kami second year
dun sa huling tanong,” he
said.
Third set was
played by I-Venus, II-
Jasmine, III-Hope and IV-
Emerald. Jade Cyril
Sevilla (from (IV-
Emerald) won. Jade was
happy to announce, “Una,
hindi ko expected na
mananalo ako dahil ang
hirap ng tanong at ang
dami naming naglalalaban
laban pero masaya ako
dahil sa huli, ako parin
‘yung sinuwerte.”
The last set was a
battle of pilot sections I-
Earth, II-Cattleya, III-
Faith and IV-Diamond.
This set was won by El-
drian Sevilla from IV-
Diamond. Eldrian has this
to say, “ Nakakabigla! Di
ko expected kasi nanghu-
hula lang ako. Na-
kakakaba dahil nung una,
akala ko yung kalaban ko
yung nanalo. Idinededi-
cate ko ito sa classmates
ko, ang Diamante.” The
second game entitled
PLAY FOR PAY was
presented by
NEWS
Lovely Mir Coloma.
Two teams of selected
students were organ-
izedand: VIOLET TEAM
with Krischelle Tayag as
the leader and PINK
TEAM with Crisanta Ma.
Ellaine Rodriguez. Ques-
tions asked consists of
vocabulary words that can
be found within the
phrase MILLENIUM DE-
VELOPMENT GOALS.
Each team member repre-
sents a letter in the
phrase. Their objective is
to “form” the correct an-
swer within 15 seconds
starting from the time the
quizmaster yells “GO
DTMIERS GO!”
Pink Team
grabbed the prize and
medal with the score of 7
points against 4 points of
the other team. “Masaya
kasi kahit nakabilad kami
sa araw, hindi naming
ininda yun at kahit hindi
kami close lahat nagka-
roon kami ng bonding at
unity. At the same time,
di lang prizes at medal
ang nakuha naming dun
sa game kundi pati na rin
new friends”, Crisanta
Ellaine Rodriguez said.
Mr Francis
Faustino and Narwin
Gonzales emceed the pro-
gram. By Ana Charina
Temblique and Lovely
Mir Coloma
PLASTICS...from page
1 Commision on Cultural
10 sq. m. lang, ang
kailangan kasi mga 1000-
5000 sq. m.." Dr. Gloria
explained.
Apparently, trash can
be a
source of livelihood. The
junkshop business is pro-
liferating rapidly as the
number of waste in-
creases.
"Labing tatlo ang regis-
tered junkshops. Tulad ng
ibang establishments,
kailangan muna magpare-
histro at magbigay ng
mga kailangang do-
kumento, makakasu-
han sila kapag hindi sila
registered." Dr. Gloria
explained.
Chemical wastes is also
becoming a problem in
Bulakan. "Kung yung
pagtatapon lang ng basura
sa ilog, kaya pa sana nat-
ing ma-control, pero yung
mga chemical wastes ga-
ling ilog Meycauayan at
Bocaue, yun ang pinaka
nakakasira." Dr. Gloria
elaborated.
November, 2009
Dr. Gloria also said that
the chemical wastes from
solution to this is the con-
struction of dike in the
Guiguinto and Bocaue Guiguinto-Bocaue area.
causes the growth of "Maganda sana kung
fishes to slow down. magkakaron ng dike sa
"Kung magpapatuloy Guiguinto-Bocaue
pa ito , pinaka maapektu- area,pero masyadong ma-
han ang mga pribadong hal, 60 million kada
palaisdaan." he added square km.." Dr. Gloria
One of the probable added.
Bulakan Celebrates 431st Cultural and
Spiritual Town Feast
By Narwin Gonzales
Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion In the afternoon of 08/15,
Parish celebrated its 431st feast Drum and Lyre Parade and
last August 15 with the theme Exhibition were held at the
"Nuestra Señora de la Asun- chuch patio where DTMI
cion, maawain at maarugang showed dancing talent. While
Ina, aliw at takbuhan patungo exhibition program is running,
sa Ama". PCY and SPPCY'S are having
As part of the celebration, their Palarong Pinoy.
Enthronement of Our Lady of "431st Pistang Ba-
Assumption was held last Au- yan"was celebrated through the
gust 1. Turn Over Ceremony of efforts of the following EXE-
Hermanidad 2007-2009 to Her- COM Members(the Commis-
manidad 2009-2011 was done sion Heads):
last August 2. Kumpil was held Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Al-
last August 8. bert Suatengco
Sub-Parish Pastoral Coun- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr.
cils showcased their best in Josph Fidel Roura
Lakambini ng Parokya. SSPC Priests: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel
San Nicolas holds this year's Villacorta
title of Lakambini 2009. SPPC Rev. Fr. Celso Fer-
Balubad was crowned 1st Run- nando
ner Up. SPPC Sta. Ana re- Hermanidad 2009
turned home still happy being Commission on Liturgy:
this year's Lakambini ng Paro- Ms. Julita Bugnot
kya 2nd Runner Up. Corona- (Choir Council/ Liturgical
tion Night was on August 8 Dance and Drama Ministry/
and the Pre-pageant was held Lectors and Commenta-
last August 2 at AA MP Hall. tors/ Knighs of the Altar/
"Paring Bulakenyo" goes Ostiariates/ Lay Ministers)
against the Knights of the Co- Commission on Finance:
lumbus in a Basketball Game Ching Madlangsakay
held at the Bagumbayan Court Commission on Social
last August 12. Knigths of Co- Communication: Elenita Coro-
lumbus wins the ballgame. nel
Mission Director of SVD Mis- Commission on Service:
sion Phils. Inc. Rev. Fr. Gerry Juling Madlangsakay
Roxas was the guest speaker of Commission on Formation:
the Symposium held last Au- Aurea Espina
gust 13. Commission on Family and
Life: Rose and Sonny Dayao
Heritage presented "Harana, Commission on Cultural
Gabi ng Katutubong Awitin on Heritage
August 12 at the Parish Commission on Youth: Jo-
Church. The chief aim of the seph Godoy
program is to serenade the au- (Sub Parish Pastoral Coun-
dience with Bulakan's Local cil Youth)
Kundimans and Dalits. The Parish Pastoral Council
said commission together with (Sub Parish Pastoral Coun-
VSE Productions, co-creator of cil)
the movie "Baler", gave a Knights of Columbus
"Balik Tanaw sa Kasaysayan In the evening of Au-
ng Parokya". The program is a gust 15, the parish had a pro-
theatrical presentation of our cession of Nuestra Señora de la
parish' history performed by Asuncion. The spiritual and
the theater artists of VSE Pro- cultural feast ended with fire-
ductions and Youth Councils. works display celebrating hap-
Novena started on August piness after sorrow, a new be-
6 every 6 am. Triduum Novena gining after an ending, and the
on August 12, 13 and 14 was promise of a happy life in
played on air by Veritas 846. heaven with God.
BULAKAN REMEMBERS MARCELO’S
113TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY
A symposium or “panayam” for the benefit of students and
teachers of different schools was held last July 3, 2009 at the
Marcelo Shrine, San Nicolas Bulakan, Bulacan in commemoration
of Marcelo Del Pilar’s 113th death anniversary
“Si Marcelo ay isang huwarang peryodista na naninindigan
at nakikipaglaban.” explained Dr. Aurelio Reyes, a guest speaker
from UP. Reyes also highlightened the idea of being a journalist
more than just a reporter of information gathered. “Ang mamama-
hayag ay nagpapahayg ng kanyang saloobin.” he added.
Atty Francisco Lava stressed the fact that Filipinos had a
happy life before the foreigners came and it was one of Marcelo Del
Pilar’s dream to see in the Philippines a patriotic economy and in-
dustrialization.
November, 2009
Cory Aquino: Untainted
Till Death
The battle cry was, “Laban!”
The so called “Icon of Democracy,” Cory
Aquino has passed away last August 1, 2009 at The
Makati Medical Center at exact 3:18am.
“She would have wanted to thank each and eve-
ryone of you for all the prayers and your continued love
and support. It was her wish for one another and for our
country,” her son, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino said.
The deceased body of Mrs. Aquino was laid in
state at the La Salle Green Hills gymnasium on Ortigas
Avenue in Mandaluyong city, where it remained for 3
days for public viewing and buried on August 5 at the
Manila Memorial park with a 9- hour funeral march.
Tons of her supporters, fans and even her politi-
cal rivals and detractors joined the funeral march. Former
President Fidel V. Ramos expressed grief over the death
of his predecessor, saying her death was a loss not only
for Filipinos but for the whole world. Her death became
a bridge of Aquino- Marcos peace.
“Dad, please take care of our mom, it’s your turn
now.” Kris Aquino said during her formal speech at the
Manila Memorial park.
Students and teachers in our school showed their
respect for the former president by putting yellow ribbon
on their IDs.
Campus “historians” share their opinions on the
late Tita Cory:
On Tita Cory being “A champion of democ-
racy?”
Mrs. Teresita O. Santos (DTMI Principal and
author) -Everyone is entitled to his/ her opinion. Her ad-
mirers were impressed by her efforts to put down the
dictatorship without resorting to violence. However, with
all honesty, I have this query in mind—“Had she not
been the wife of assassinated Senator Benigno Aquino,
would she manifest the same characteristics and would
she be that active in the struggle for democracy?” Like-
wise, I also ask myself—“Had Rizal been born today,
would he be as great as he is recognized today?
®Mrs. Viri (Philippine History Teacher) - For
me, Mrs. Aquino deserves to be called a “champion of
democracy.” When she was elected president of the Re-
public of the Philippines, she brought back democracy to
our country, and because of that we were able to regain
our freedom of speech. We could now freely express our
feelings and suggest our opinions.
How has Mrs. Aquino impacted/ influenced our
history/ society?
®Mrs. Santos
- Cory Aquino really played a great role in Phil-
ippine history. The assassination of her husband trig-
gered further the spirit of Filipino nationalism of a time
when almost everybody felt aggrieved by a long period
of military rule. Though her efforts on “peaceful revolu-
tion”, the so called “people power/ EDSA revolution”
was launched proving to be what would let the Filipino
people be united to achieve a noble goal-- struggle for
Winners’ Circle—
THE LIGHTESEEKERS 3
NEWS features
OPINION
Less Lighted Candles on All Saints Day
By Jose Paolo Gabarda
If somebody tells you that he wants to die, ask him first: Do you have the money
to pay for the high cost of dying?
As time goes by, some things change inevitably as people do. If not the environment,
it is almost if not always the economics of the situation that dictates the change.
Believe it or not, dying is also a problem for us in terms of money. Funeral homes
were cheaper years ago but nowadays life gets harder and prices of goods and commodities
are a lot higher so what more could we expect? We could expect less of everything.
“Actually, funeral service industry is not so good nowadays. To be honest, sometimes,
we have no customers for five months. And in my estimation, we only have only six customers
annually.”—Mrs. Anita S. Nicolas, a retired teacher and now an owner of a funeral home here
in Bulakan, Bulacan (Anifel) said.
Their business started in 1986 when her father first established it. When their father
died, she became the owner of the business. That was in 1992 so she has held on to the busi-
ness for the last 17 years. They have 8 branches in different places: Sta. Maria, Meycauayan,
San Jose del Monte, Guiguinto, Bulakan, Laguna, Bataan, and they have a memorial park in
Sta Maria Bulacan that serves as their main branch.
“We have a complete funeral set including embalming, lights, funeral couch, registry
stand, flowers, carpet, at delivery. Our special service includes a brass band that will play dur-
ing the funeral march.”—she said.
The prices in her funeral service ranges from 25,000 to 30,000 depending on the size,
quality, and how long will the deceased remain at home.
Mrs. Nicolas notes that nowadays people usually die at 65 years old and above; the
most common cause of death is cardiac arrest aside from old age.
“When I was a teacher, I have a co- teacher who was very close to me died. Since we
have a funeral home, I volunteered to arrange her wake. When she was still alive, she asked
me to promise her that I should give her Sampaguita flower when she die, then, after a few
days, she died, as she have said. In her wake, I remembered the promise that I gave her, but
the problem is, there is no Sampaguita flower available everywhere. When the last day of her
wake has come, finally, I found a Sampaguita flower and I immediately put in above her cas-
ket. But it was beyond my knowledge that something bad and terrifying will happen—As I put
the sampaguita flower at the top of her open casket, her eyes opened! It was so terrible! I
shouted and screamed as if it was the end of the world. And I never attempted to take a look
at her again.”
Filipino tradition and culture has also been affected by the economic crisis. As part of
our tradition, we visit our dead loved ones in cemeteries. We bring for them not only candles
but also flowers to be placed on their tombs. We also take food that everyone could share,
usually kornik, kropek, peanuts and some popular dishes the family loves. We eat, sing, play
cards, board games or mahjong and share jokes and stories as we sit around or atop the
tombs. It is a time for family reunions. It is also time to offer prayers and masses so that the
souls of our love ones would find their way out of the purgatory and go up to heaven.
Because of the economic crisis, things became lesser– less travels. less family gather-
ings, less food, less candles, less flowers, less laughter, less fun. How could we buy flowers if
we don’t even have enough funds for food or candles. What if we don’t even have money to
pay for our electric bills?
A trip to the province to visit the dead and the living family members is a perfect bond-
ing time especially for those who haven’t seen each other for a long time but what can we do if
the trip mean sacrificing the budget for school fees? Things and people change but perhaps
tradition is not that easy to transform or blot out from memory. If poverty prevents us from
keeping 100% of our tradition, there would be 85% remaining or less. Hopefully it would not
go down to 0 or our history and identity would sink into nothingness.
On All Saint’s and All Soul’s Day we could wish for less. Why not wish for... less crime,
less accidents, less criminals, less corruption, less traffic in the future. Let us bury all these
today and in centuries to come.
respect for human Aquino described She prayed hard for
rights and reasonable free- her as a moral leader. whatever decisions she
dom under a democratic Since she was a would make. That is just as
regime. very religious person, her
Mrs. Viri:- People important as becoming
main concern was always President.
who worked with Mrs.
for the good of her country.
Bulprisa Sectoral Meet
Angela Sanchez-postermaking
Rodrigo Sanchez– postermaking
Jharred Cruz– vocal solo
Jessica Ilaga– Tula
Bulprisa District Meet
Anna Charina Temblique– Spelling
Narwin Gonzales– Gen Information
EDDIS PressCon
Anna Charina Temblique– Copy-
reading
Karla Mariz Apostol– Feat. Writing
Lovely Mir Coloma– Feat/ Writing
Eldrian Sevilla– Editorial Cartooning
Narwin Gonzales– Radio Broadcast-
ing
Jose Paolo Gabarda– Newswriting
Division Press Conference
Cedric Ramos-Newswriting
Krischelle Tayag-Photojournalism
 THE LIGHTESEEKERS November, 2009
OPINION
The Lightseekers
Vol. 7 No. 1***November 2009***Bulakan, Bulacan

Editor-in-Chief- Sharmaine Salitico

Asso Editor-in-Chief- Crisanta Ma. Ellaine Rodri-
guez
News Editor- Paolo Gabarda
Feature Editor- Lovely Coloma
Literary Editor– Karla Apostol
Sports Editor- Venice Mauryn Dela Cruz
Photo Editor- Krischelle Tayag
Art Editor- Eldrian Sevilla
Circulation Manager- Cedrick Ramos
Photographer- Ellaine Mendoza
Artist- Rodrigo Sanchez

Adviser: Ronald Cruz

Mrs. Teresita O. Santos

School Principal

Editorial Twin Effects

The Psychology of Calamities
By Joy and Joyce Garcia

W
ho can forget the typhoon that killed hun-
dreds of people, destroyed millions houses Teen Colonial Mentality
and properties, submerged cities and prov-
inces? Ondoy and Pepeng brought “fame”
We are influenced by what we import from other countries. Here in the Philippines colonial
and attention to the Philippines. More serious than the incal-
mentality is alive and well. It is most evident in the existence of favoritism, in the entertain-
culable material damages wrought by these calamities, are
ment industry and mass media where anything foreign is guaranteed to receive extensive expo-
the psychological damages traumatic experiences can bring.
sure and coverage. Also colonial mentality can be seen in the high rate of consumer demand
In its worst, calamities like this can also lead to increase in
cases mental and adjustment problems. for anything “not local.”
Filipinos used to have a simple way of living but because we were invaded by different
Losing loved ones, a common effect of any major
nations our lives became more complicated. A wide variety of technologically advanced gadg-
calamity, is a primary factor that could bring on mood dis-
orders characterized by persistent feelings of sadness at first ets and equipments were introduced to us and these foreign inventions became in demand be-
cause of the pleasure and benefit we may get from using them. Through the power of modern
followed by extreme stress and depression.
technology and mass media our culture was influenced.
Calamities can cause any or several of the common
Have you noticed that the music in our times have become harder to understand?
factors that bring about mental disorder. LONELINESS
Sometimes the rhythm song is just pleasant to our ears but in reality we do not understand what
creeps in when victims misses a distant friend or loved
the lyrics really means and it is not the language barrier that is to blame. We could understand
ones. Feeling of ALIENATION may result from being cut
the lyrics; we just can’t get what the singer wants to say. But we still patronize the singers and
off from friends and loved ones. MILD DEPRESSION is
the continuing and overwhelming feeling of sadness and the songs because media is very powerful. We can’t afford not to like what media offers. Not
only that, our behaviors are influenced by the songs we hear and films we watch. We may have
lack of motivation. A calamity victim may experience lack
been a “conservative people” exist, but now we have become more aggressive and liberated.
of enthusiasm to move on and return to normal life. MILD
ANXIETY arises when the victim worries about his future. Filipino workers and entrepreneurs are really dedicated to producing quality products.
But it is not easy to compete with colonial mentality. Consumers often choose the branded im-
Mental disorder can be prevented by maintaining
ported ones over locally made products regardless of quality.
good physical health, developing wholesome outlook in life,
We should love and patronize our own. Philippines have many things that we can be
gaining confidence, learning to enjoy people and social con-
proud of. Maybe the reason why we failed is because the support we give to everything “local”
tacts, cultivating variety of active interests, conquer fears by
is not enough.
facing them, developing sensible independence, planning a
On the other side let us think the advantages brought by other countries. Modern tech-
balance program of work and play, striving balanced satis-
faction and by remembering that time is a great healer. nology can make our work easier and allow us to be updated with the latest like in music and
the movies. Don’t you enjoy 2ne1, lady gaga or the kings of pop Michael Jackson? Without
The government and NGO’s are at work to restore
importation there won’t be Lovers in Paris, Rosalinda, Twilight, and Harry Potter. These bring
most of these factors that bring about good mental health to
excitement. These serve as our inspiration to make things we can use for our own sake. Mod-
calamity victims. Therapies and techniques as well as phar-
ern imported gadgets are especially useful for us teens because these can help us in our by al-
macological preparations are also available and can be of
lowing us to have fun as we learn from it. Adaptation of something from other countries can
enormous value. Donations are also highly appreciated. But
make us better informed about what’s going on in and outside of our nation and we also bene-
what the government can’t give is our love and prayers. In
times like these we should pray harder for them and for our- fits from them so I think it doesn’t really matter. In a global community nationalism doesn’t
really matter. Or does it?
selves, for understanding, for faith and for courage.

For me life means complying with never ending We should expect

Work With It requirements: we need to eat food for survival, build a lots of obstacles on our
home for shelter and work hard to earn such money for way as we succeed
By Ian Gillan Antonio such needs. Life is a big challenge, a series of discover- slowly.
ies and innovation. No matter the situation I find myself Patrick Starfish, in
Life Matters standing at the center of, I keep pressing on and believ- a rare moment of inspira-
Life is beautiful even if
ing in a cause. My cause is to succeed and make the tion, once said,
it is not perfect. It may seem ironic, it’s a mixture of failure and most out of life. The will to succeed or fail lies on an “Everything will be ok in
success, trials and blessings. individuals jurisdiction, no one is destined to be rich, the end, if it is not yet ok,
Every person has their own way of dealing with life. to manage it poor or even famous. It is upon us on how we work it it is not yet the end”. Al-
the way they want it to be. out ways think that failures
For some, life is full of hardships and continuous Life can be compared to seeds. We need to plant and imperfections are just
frustrations, which make them, want to give up and cry. a minimum of 5 seeds to produce an apple tree. A forest additives that make life
They may see life as punishment. They therefore get of one-hundred apple trees must have started with plant- exciting and generates its
tired of believing and hoping that all of this shall pass. ing of 500 seeds. If we want to make things possible, we thrill. Don’t give up, go
They may take delight in committing crimes when they should try more than once to aim to be the best. for your goals and pursue
have lost their sense of control. Some of them may go as Life may be like a game. If you don’t know how your dreams and you will
far as killing others and ending their own life just to es- to play it you will be left stranded in one of its levels. If see at the end it is all
cape the injustice life brought to them. you fail and lose there is always a second chance. right.
November, 2009 THE LIGHTESEEKERS
OPINION
Take a Stand Out of Habit Global Warming
By Crisanta Ma. Ellaine D. Rodriguez
By: Karla Mariz Apostol
HEROES AND Hunger, panic, loss, casualties, and grieving are the common scenes in the midst of of calami-
HEROISM ties. These scenes runs counter to the happy image in which Filipinos are known for. The scenarios
worsened in just a short period of time. How could Ondoy and Pepeng do such damage?
“Mankind must put an end to a war, or war will According to Ms. Amalie Obusan of Green Peace (an environmental group), one big factor that
put an end to mankind…” This serious apprehension was declared triggers typhoons like Ondoy and Pepeng is Global Warming.
by the late John F. Kennedy before the United Nations. It was a Global warming, also known as the greenhouse effect is the increase in the average tempera-
message of concern, a warning to the world which, however, has ture of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans. It was caused by emission of greenhouse gases such as
remained unheeded. The world is in need of heroes and peacemak- Carbon dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, and Nitrogen Oxide.
ers. How do you promote peace? How does one become a hero? Human activities like burning of fossil fuel, burning of garbage, production of industrial prod-
How does one become like a Jose Rizal or a Ninoy Aquino? ucts, and even a single spray of aerosol products contribute a lot in making this catastrophe severe.
For us the words Heroes and Heroism are very fa- Without our knowledge, our air conditioner, refrigerator and other household gadgets and machines
miliar and common and never really give much attention to defin- that makes our lives more comfortable, can bring a permanent mark and destruction to nature. In effect,
ing what it is. We know the story of Gandhi, of that aged but hard- this phenomenon caused increased in the overall distribution, intensity, and frequency of extreme
working Mother Teresa, of the many beautiful deeds of countless weather events, like what had happened in typhoon Ondoy.
personalities, even our very own Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino. If the emission would not stop, this phenomenon is expected to bring chains of calamities with
Some of these deeds are well-known, most have been forgotten by a ruinous and terrible effect. Some of those would be the rising of sea level, changes in agricultural crop
materialistic world. These people dedicated their lives to the service yields, appearance of hurricanes and other extreme weather events, and detection of long-term trends
of their fellowmen to show them that this chaotic world of ours still of diseases.
harbors hopes of being rebuilt if we only choose the right direction- Scientists, in cooperation with the government had thought of possible solutions and ways to
the path so often shown to us. Are their sacrifices in vain? reduce its effects. They are looking for adaptations that would lessen the damages of these effects and
Amidst our seeming hopelessness and shortcom- geoengineering to reverse the global warming trend itself. In addition to just relying on scientists, we
ings, however, humanity has one big factor going for it- the reality could do our part by simply disposing garbage properly, avoiding the use of products containing
of God who watches our misfortunes and keeps track of our need. Chlorofluorocarbons, and being responsible and discipline we could help a lot in our own little ways.
Somehow, through the darkness, he stretches his mighty hand to put Unless we learn to love nature, we shouldn’t expect to be loved in return. Live a life that mat-
a stop to the chaos. That is why there are inspired and enlightened ters, live a life that cares not only for your self but for nature that God has entrusted to us.
individuals who steps forward for truth and hopd because they
about.inevitable effects of that
From Deep Within will be on us. Let us not allow
them to give us more hardships
Bet On It as they make us pay debt of
By Kim Rhen Palomares
gratitude for their help. Let us
By Ollysah Mae Rodriguez Young Voices and make them real servants of the
people for that is what running
Election 2010 for office is all about.The
The Real Game young ones, us teenagers In-
we can tell if presidentiables cluded, do not have the power
Who among of you can express the real you? Now Manny Villar, Mar are just playing games and to decide through our vote, but
let’s check it out. Roxas, Noynoy Aquino, Gibo trying to poison our minds. It we should have the right to
Life is like a game, very colorful and very chal- Teodoro are some of the is not the people in power who speak out about the things we
lenging. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But all you have “presidentiables” that has be- should decide. Yeah! They want or don’t like. We might
to do is to be real. That is the best way to reach your goals. Con- come well known because of might have the power. They seem insignificant but we can’t
sider life as one big reality TV show. their news exposure and the should also have the support allow ourselves to be stepped
Reality television is a genre of television program- ads that has been shown on tv. coming from our side of world. on and looked down upon. We
ming that presents supposedly unscripted dramatic or humorous The news and ads seem to give The future they are shaping is know that our future is at stake
situations, documents, actual events, It usually features ordinary them credibility but the real not theirs alone. too.
people instead of professional actors. These reality televisions fre- question still remain, Are they Let us speak up. Let We can appreciate the
quently portray a modified and highly influenced form of reality, really capable? Do they have us not allow them to play their fact that a president, as the
utilizing sensationalism to attract viewers to generate bigger and what it takes to be the next own games since the unpleas- leader of our nation, has im-
bigger advertising profits. Here in our country, the two most popu- President? Or they are they just ant and unavoidable effects of mense power and influence in
lar reality TV shows are “Pinoy Big Brother” and “Survivor.” playing jokes at our expense? that will be on us. Let us not the lives of everyone. He de-
AS we all known, in Pinoy Big Brother the contest- This isn’t a laughing matter. allow them to give us more cides matters that could help
ants live in a big house for about 100 days cut off from all contacts We would like to hardships as they make us pay improve his countrymen’s
with the “outside world except for the owner of the house. They call think that our opinion counts. debt of gratitude for their help. lives. He represents and he is
the owner “big brother” or “kuya”. Surprises, challenges and thrills In a world like ours where info Let us make them real servants the voice his nation. If he tries
has been prepared as a way to eliminate them one by one until only is cheap we are well informed. of the people for that is what to do his country harm, his
four of them remain and one of them become the ultimate winner. We would like to believe that running for office is all countrymen has the right to
Survivor is similar to PBB. The big difference is, the contestants or bring him down.
“Survivors” are in an island and the beaches and forests serve as Cameras are almost
venue for the challenges. indispensable because you get
Reality TV shows reflect reality in a way because it to express yourself as you pose
portrays the experience of meeting new friends and peers. The for pictures anytime and any-
The Way You Like ‘Em
“housemates” or “survivors” must also learn how hard life can be as where you want. Right?
they bravely face the challenges. Having an injury (whether physi- No doubt about it. By Rogiel Zedrix Valdez
cal or emotional) seems to be a normal experience. The similarity These gadgets are not harmful
ends there. Big Brother may seem like God because he sees, hears by themselves. They are useful “Climate Change”
and manages everything but he is not as loving or as careful in man- and, in some cases, necessary.
aging things. “Housemates” and “Survivors” has to experience pain They are influential as they There are 8 billion people in this world, and 8
and discomfort in front of the whole nation; real people can hide all change the way we live. The billion lives are now changing. The way we eat, we
that and seek privacy. No punishment for talking without lapels or question is what kind of influ- sleep and we live, are now changing. The life, that we
cameras. ence these gadgets are having.
There is one lesson we can get from all this. No
once lived, is not the same anymore. Can we adapt to
Are they Positive or negative
matter how hard life is, having perseverance is the first step to suc- influences to you? Do they
this change? What should we do?
cess. Life is a game. Don’t waste our time on some nonesense lead you to do Good or bad? We are the one who should be blamed; we are
things. It is up to you if you will win or lose. Are you learning to neglect given the responsibility to take care of all His crea-
other important things because tions, but we abused our privileges.Now Mother Na-
of them? ture is making us suffer for all the things we have
There is always a
Just Tell the Truth positive and negative side to
done. The wrath of typhoon Ondoy may be one of the
technology. Think before buy- best examples of the consequence of our greed.
By Reymel Anne Esteban ing something, especially a Earthquakes, landslide, high tides, and flash
gadget everybody wants to floods these things are now happening frequently.
A Person of Influence have.. Once you have it, use it While you are reading this, a person somewhere may
wisely and beware of abuse.
Let the gadgets work for you
be throwing another piece of garbage that can make us
Life would simply be boring without gadgets. But should our gadg-
ets define who we are and our character? rather than live for your gadg- suffer in the future. Isn’t that sad? When will we learn?
Our cell phone allows us to communicate with others and ets. 8 billions people are enough to make a change.
show them our love and care. We get a chance to “spend time” with Devote yourself to Let us move and work as we pray. Let us take care of
them through unlitxt or even unlicalls.With our Mp4, Mp3 we can discovering what is right. nature, of our world as if it is your life depends on it
take and store pictures, download music we can sing and dance to. Dedicate yourself to doing
good.
because it does. Our future depends on how we will be
Best of all, we get latest hits ahead of almost everybody.
united for a better world.
6 THE LIGHTESEEKERS November, 2009

FEATURE
The Aquino Couple: Champions of Democracy
By Lovely Mir Coloma

M uch news has been published and told about the life and achievements of the late former president, Maria
Corazon "Cory" Aquino and former senator, Benigno Aquino Jr. The Filipino People themselves have declared them to be
“National heroes.”
This couple would forever be associated with the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos. Ninoy was his rival. People be-
lieved that only he stand a chance of beating him in fair and honest elections. Tita Cory brought down his regime when she ran for
the presidency in 1986 and with that act paved the way for a People’s Revolution.
Their deaths would always be a source of wonder and amazement. Benigno Aquino was assassinated. More than 2 million
people lined up the streets and joined Ninoy's funeral procession which lasted for almost 11 hours. His death spelled the end of a
dictatorship. Last August 1 of the present year Tita Cory’s death shocked the nation. She has been battling colon cancer for more
than a year but when the end came a nation was still stunned. As the Aquino family declined the government’s offer for a state
funeral millions of people once again joined them in mourning from the wake up to the funeral. After so much pressure from all
around, Nonoy has just recently declared his intentions to run for the presidency.

We deeply mourn for the loss of leaders who have shown their love for the Filipino people by fighting for democracy. But
should they really be declared as National heroes? Many people may consider them as national heroes there are those who
would like to stick to Dr. Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal Alonzo Y Realonda or simply Jose Rizal. Some research about opinion over
my question that “Should Aquino couple be declared as National heroes?” and this is what I found,
“Yes. Dr. Jose Rizal deserves to be the country's foremost national hero because of his achievements. He knew that by
writing the Noli me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo thereby exposing the injustices committed by the civil and clerical officials
would put his life and his family's life in danger. He did not retract his writings because he was thinking not only of the welfare of
the present generations but also of the future generations. Through his novels, Bonifacio and the other katipuneros were inspired.
Rizal opened the minds of the people. At first, he resented the revolution for he was not a revolutionary man and he did not want
bloodshed. All he wanted was a reformation which the government did not grant. He gave his name and even his life for his be-
loved homeland believing that through his death a new Philippines would be born with the youth as its leaders. Cory and Ninoy
Aquino are one of our Philippine heroes but too far to be declared our national heroes.”
On the other hand, these are the opinions of pro-Aquino to recognized them as national heroes,
“They both fight for the sake of their countrymen and they continue it even if death is on line. I am favor in recognizing
them as our national heroes because they face the challenges of the country and they fight for the freedom of every Filipino with
knowing that they need to meet the war against with President Marcos. They did sacrifice”;
“Thank you for giving us the freedom and for without you and for your sacrifice, maybe until now we’re behind of the big
metals. They are national heroes for the youth. They seek for our sake. They let us feel that we have the right to be free”;
“They are good leaders. They are true heroes. They fought for Philippine democracy for us to have freedom.”…

Whatever or wherever side you are, anti or pro, the important point was they let us to spread our wings and let us fly. They
gave us the democracy and they let us feel to be free. Thanks to you Pres. Cory and Senator Ninoy!

Let us keep this heroic couple’s memory alive through the inspiration of these top ten Cory and Ninoy Aquino quotes:
10. “I just do whatever it is that I believe I should do, regardless of the risks to my life.”
9. “I was very privileged and really blessed with so many material and spiritual gifts that I should give back, … I should do something for my peo-
ple, but … it’s not just in politics that you can be a servant of the people, you can do it in so many other ways.”
8. “I don’t have any formula for ousting a dictator or building democracy. All I can suggest is to forget about yourself and just think of your people.
It’s always the people who make things happen.”
7. “Freedom of expression – in particular, freedom of the press – guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government, and
popular participation is the essence of our democracy.”
6. “National leaders who find themselves wilting under the withering criticisms by members of the media, would do well not to take such criticism
personally but to regard the media as their allies in keeping the government clean and honest, its services”
5. “It is true you cannot eat freedom and you cannot power machinery with democracy. But then neither can political prisoners turn on the light in
the cells of a dictatorship.”
4. “Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn’t be peace at any cost but
peace based on principle, on justice.”
3. “I’ve reached a point in life where it’s no longer necessary to try to impress. If they like me the way I am, that’s good. If they don’t, that’s too
bad.”
2. “I just do whatever it is that I believe I should do, regardless of the risks to my life.”
And the number one Cory Aquino quote which I believe is also everybody’s favorite:
“I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.”

Ninoy Aquino quotes:

10. “There has never been a single dictator in history that has lived forever and so I tell Mr. Marcos to study the lessons of history before it is too late. . . ”
9. “The great “legitimizer” of government is the ballot not the bullet”
8. “We should not depend on one man, we should depend on all of us. All of us is expendable in the cause for freedom and therefore I say stand up now and
be a leader, and when all of us are leaders, we will expedite the cause of freedom”
7. “I believe that we Filipinos could not fight for our freedom, we do not deserve it, we should not depend on the Americans, we should depend on ourselves.”
6. “What can one man do if the Filipino people love their slavery, if the Filipino people have lost their voice and would not say no to a tyrant, what can one
man do. I have not army, I have no following, I have no money, I only have my indomitable spirit…”
5. “When you condone tyranny you share in its corruption and its lowliness”
4. “The meaning of our struggle is to be able to return the freedom. First we must return the freedom so that all segments of our community whether from the
left or from the right will have the right to speak and then in that open debate in that clash of debate in the marketplace we will produce the clash between the
thesis and the anti-thesis and then we will have the synthesis for the Filipino people”
3. “I do not hold the key to our liberation, I do not know all the solutions to our many problem all I know is that if the situation continues in the Philippines,
then blood will flow, and when blood flows, there will be no victor and there will be no vanquished because all of us will be a victim of our folly”
2. “ We only ask that freedom be returned, we ask for nothing more but we will accept nothing less.”
And the number one Ninoy Aquino quote which I believe is also everybody’s favorite:
“THE FILIPINO IS WORTH DYING FOR”
“Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat at lalong-lalo na sa Panginoong Diyos, na ginawa niya akong isang PILIPINO. Talagang karangalan ko iyon, na
maging katulad niyo at maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong na ibinigay ninyo sa akin.

(I am very thankful to you and especially to God Almighty that He made me a FILIPINO. It is really an honor, to be in the same race as you, and thank you
for all aid and help you gave to me.)” —Corazon Aquino
 THE LIGHTESEEKERS
November, 2009
Galleria
OPINION Uno
A picture can paint a thousand words...

Crime
Journey Kyle Apostol

Goin’

Libertad
Eldrian Sevilla

Time
By Eldrian Sevilla

Hope
Ni Krischelle Tayag
Friendship?

Country
By Kim Rhen Palomares
Corista
 THE LIGHTESEEKERS
8 November, 2009
FEATURE
YOUNG OBSERVERS UP CLOSE AND
:
A Change of Lifestyle Ni Lovely Mir Coloma PERSONAL
In September of this present year, tragedies struck across the earth. Typhoon KETSANA
(Ondoy), formed at the 23rd of September and dissipated in a week after leaving heavy damages WITH...THE EARTH
amounting to almost $700 million in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China and our country the
Philippines. After Ondoy, typhoon Parma or Pepeng landed on almost the same areas and wrought
$250 million worth of damages. The West Java earthquake which has been measured at 7.0 magnitude
shook Indonesia last September 2 and killed at least 79 people, in-
jured over 1,250, and displaced over 210,000. The Samoan earth-
quake at 8.0 magnitude is the worst so far in 2009. How has these Who are you?
event affected us DTMiers? How aware are that these were happen-
ing? I am the third planet from the sun and
Out of 120 students that have been interviewed, 96 were home to 6billion people, around 90
aware and bothered. Here are some answers from the juniors and million of them are Filipinos, 500 of
seniors students…
“Opo, alam ko ang mga nangyari. Siguro ito na ang simula nang them are DTMIers. Since I was born
pagganti at pagbalik sa atin ng mga ginagawa nating pag-abuso sa thousands of years ago I have always
kalikasan. Dahil sa mga kalamidad na dumating, nalaman natin ang been 70% water and 30% land, I
mga bagay na kailangan natin pero inuubos natin.” ~Leizel de Luna complete one revolution around the
(IV-Emerald)
sun every 365 and one-fourth days, I
“Oo, naawa ako sa mga taong apektado. Narealize ko na
napakaswerte ko dahil di ko naranasan ang nangyari sa kanila.” rotate once on my axis every 24
~Mariel ann Juada (IV Emerald) hours. The concept of years and days
“Nakakalungkot isiping maraming trahedya ang nangyari sa and hours are meaningless to me be-
mundo. Marahil ito ay dahil na rin sa kagagawan natin na cause I was made to last forever but
nagdudulot ng climate change.” ~Rodrigo Sanchez (III Hope) through the ages the people living in
“Nakakaawa ang mga taong nasalanta at nawalan ng mga bahay at
mahal sa buhay. Sana matauhan na tayo sa mga ginagawa nating me have devised many ways of meas-
masama sa kalikasan.” ~Ellane Del Pilar (III Charity) uring time based on how I move. I
“Opo, aware po ako. Nagulat ako pero alam kong normal na ito. Sa am tilted slightly on my axis by 23 ½
paniniwala po kasi namin, totoong mangyayari ang mga bagay na degrees. That is why people living 30
ito dahil ito’y nakasulat sa bible at isa pa, ano bang magagawa
degrees above and below my equato-
natin? Gustuhin man natin o hindi, tanging panalangin lang ang
magagawa natin.” ~Zedrix Valdez (IV Diamond) rial waistline enjoy alternately sunny
“Aware po ako, dahil bawat segundo, gusto naming makasiguro na and rainy weather, those living near
wala ng bagyo at ligtas na kami sa baha at sa kalamidad. Nkakatakot at lubhang nakakalungkot.” the poles have to go through four seasons in varying de-
~Lusvi Mara Lazatin (III Faith) grees of coldness and warmth. My measurements have
“Hindi ako aware sa lahat ng nangyari dahil habang kasagsagan ni Ondoy, walang kuryente sa aming never been a problem to me but the people living in me
lugar kaya hindi ko nalaman na may iba pa palang kalamidad.” John Paul villanueva (III Hope)
“Oo naman, aware ako. Biruin mo na mabilis na nabawasan ang populasyon. Maraming namatay at are real smart. They used that to determine not only time
maraming naperwisyo. Swerte o malas man tayo, lalo tayong manalig sa Diyos.” ~Benigno Dela Cruz but also location.
(III Faith)
“Nakakalungkot isipin na maraming namatay na kababayan natin at maging sa ibang bansa na pinag- Well, how are you doing?
kaitan nang mabuhay. Hindi ko alam ang mga pwede pang mangyari.” ~Larmel Jane Palma (IV
For the past 300 years not very well, thanks a lot! The
Garnet)
“Opo, grabe yon. Pero siguradong dahil yon sa climate change at global warming kaya kailangan nat- people living in me has studied how I rotate, revolve and
ing alagaan at pahalagahan ang kalikasan.” ~Jinky Borja (IV Garnet) all but they never bothered to study my chemistry. Be-
“Aware ako, matinding delubyo ang tumama sa Pasipiko pero kahit ganoon, stay strong parin tayong ginning in the 1700’s they have been producing chemi-
mga Pilipino. Pati ang mga Samoan at Indonesians, alam kong kinakayang bumangon ulit. Marahil ay cals “alien” to me starting with Carbon Monoxide. Now
nagalit ang kalikasan. Hinihiling kong maging halimbawa ito sa buong mundo na kung ano ang kahi- carbon monoxide from forest fires is ok but when you
hinatnan kapag patuloy na sinisira ang kalikasan.”~Joonel agape De Laza (IV Diamond)
“Ito na yata ang reenactment sa mga pinaliwang dati sa SIGNOS. Grabe! Parang delubyo. Delubyo na start making that from other “strange fires”
talaga! Nakakatakot, ang hirap kalaban ng kalikasan.” ~Venice Mauryn Dela Cruz(IV Diamond) strange things happen. And then petroleum based prod-
A change in lifestyle is obviously needed. We are aware why these things are happening.. ucts came along. They create more carbon monoxide
The most important thing to do now is to have more faith in God and, to be responsible citizens of our quickly and other “alien compounds” besides that. They
nation. Expect the Unexpected, Prepare for the Worst. Reduce, Reuse, turn my rainwater into acid, burn through my ozone
layer and allow too much ultraviolet rays from the sun
touch my delicate frozen waters. Plastics worsened the
Pen and Sword—A Look at Two Heroes situation. For the first time there is an everyday material
I can’t recycle. When the people living in me took no-
August 30 and November 15 are red-lettered days in Bulakan because of two great men. Are you ticed of that they gave those events funny names like
sometimes tempted to think that one is greater, more heroic than the other? Think again.
“greenhouse effect” and “global warming.” I call it neg-
If you are going to the uppermost floor of a building, what will you prefer to use; the stairs or the ligence, ignorance, irresponsible behavior.
elevator? That sounds scary, should the people be scared?
Marcelo H. del Pilar was born and raised in Cupang San Nicolas, Bulakan,Bulacan. He You bet they should. I was meant to last forever! But
had lived in wealth and fame because his father was a former gobernadorcillo. He had the brain, people are destroying me a bit too quickly. They really
looks, and the attitude. He took up law in University of Sto. Tomas. He established “Diariong Tag-
alog”, a Filipino newspaper that aimed to spread the concept of democracy and liberty. In spite of
can’t destroy me, but they can lose the only home they
the threats he didn’t stop himself from telling the truth through pen. He became a good example have. They should step messing with my chemistry, my
and an inspiration for writers. In the end he lost almost everything he had before. Without anything, physics, my biology!
even a single centavo, he depended to others for food. He acquired tuberculosis, which later on led
and caused his Death. What can DTMIER’s do to help?
Known as Boy General, Gregorio del Pilar Y Sempio isconsidered the victor at the bat-
tle in the Tirad Pass. He was born on November 14,1875 to Felina Sempio and Fernando H. del
How about starting with a little concern in studying and
Pilar. He was the nephew of Marcelo. At a young age, he felt the need to join the fight to regain learning what makes me work? While doing that start
the lost and stolen independence.He preferred to do it through sword. He joined the Philippine picking up trash you once throw away anywhere, every-
Revolutionary forces and became its youngest General. Bravely he involved himself in series of
battles. Then came the encounter at Tirad Pass. He was a victor in fulfilling his mission to delay the where and dispose of them wisely. Learn what
American’s pursuit of Aguinaldo. “biodegradable” and “Non-biodegradable” means. Do
“Marcelo was a propagandist who tried to bring the attention to the corrupt government
not throw back non-biodegradable things to me. Keep
of Spaniards through writing while, Gregorio was a great soldier who made use of arms or mighty
sword, Mrs. Teresita Santos(the principal) said. “They may differ in ways but they have the same them for recycling later. Conserve water, conserve elec-
intention, and that is to obtain the lost independence”, she added. tricity. Water is becoming scarce because of pollution.
Two old men wanted to reach the 14th floor of a building. The one choose to go stairs to
be sure of reaching the top, the other one took the elevator to get there faster. Unluckily, they both And electricity production is one major pollution
failed. The first died of exhaustion, the other of acrophobia. It does not matter how Marcelo or source…do these before it’s too late! I’ve heard it some-
Gregorio tried to serve the country and how they ended. It is more important that their inspiration where that your SSC has projects about this matter.
remains. No one is nobler. By Karla Apostol
Please, please, please cooperate. For your sake.
 THE LIGHTESEEKERS
November, 2009
FEATURE
OPIN-
9

Strictly Stippling*

BAWAL BASAHIN ANG Ni Lovely Mir Coloma

NAKASULAT DITO!

Guardian Angel
B akit may mga taong nakapikit sa litraro? Kay Jesus ba talaga napupunta ang mga
lumilipad na lobo? Bakit halos lahat ng lalakeng superheroes nakatights? Saan mata-
tagpuan ang puso ng saging? Bakit pula ang pantalon ni Andres Bonifacio? Batung-bato ka na ba? –---
naitanong na ba sayo ang mga tanong na ‘yan? Kung hindi pa, baka THERE IS SOMETHIMG
-Eldrian Sevilla STRANGE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!
Eto ang sigurado na ako, tiyak kilala mo si BOB ONG!!! Kung hindi parin, baka THERE IS
SOMETHING STRANGE IN YOURSELF!!!!!?
Si Roberto Ong o mas kilala sa tawag na BOB ONG ay ang author ng sikat na green book, yel-
low book, black book, orange book, white book, red book at silver book. Ipinanganak si Bob Ong sa
lungsod ng Quezon, dalawampu’t isang dekada at tatlumpu’t isang lingo matapos ang Palaris Revolt.
Siya’y nagging student #3910256, teacher, writer, web developer, at jay walker bago naging web master
ng bobongpinoy.com. Nagkukuta siya ngayon sa isang bahay tatlong sakay mula sa Quezon City Hall.
(Ref. Back cover of ABNKKBSNPLAko?!)
Lumabas ang una nyang libro noong February 2001, ang “ABNKKBSNPLAko?! Mga kwen-
tong chalk ni bob ong”. Ang librong nabanggit ay ang tinaguriang green book dahil sa cover nitong
kulay green. Tungkol ito sa buhay aral ng manunulat mismo. Ang kwento ng librong ito ay sagana at
puno ng komedya. Nagawa kasi niyang balik-tanawan, ilarawan at isulat ang mga alaala ng kanyang
mga kapalpakan. Ang dating teacher’s pet nung elem., laging late nung hayskul, at nagsummer classes
noong kolehiyo, ay minsang naging guro at kilalang manunulat na ngayon. (*trivia* : Ang
ABNKKBSNPLAko?! ay gumamit ng font na kung tawagin ay Kidfont. Hindi ‘yon Comic Sans!)
Yellow book ang bansag naman sa ikalawa niyang libro na “Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ang mga
Pilipino” dahil din sa kulay ng cover nito. Nalathala naman noong 2002. Bago mabuksan ang libro,
kailangan mong isiping mabuti kung paano ito bubuklatin dahil sa parehong paraan na kung paano niya
binigyan ng pamagat ang libro, baliktad din ang cover. Kung susuriin ito, ito ang part two ng una ni-
yang libro dahil ngayon NKKBSKNTLG at nagawa mo pang baliktarin ang libro. Ipinakita niya mula
rito ang kapintasan, kakulangan at kahinaan nating mga Pilipino. Sa madaling salita, ang kapalit ng
Mighty Mouse pagbabasa ng librong ito ay ang pagbagabag sa iyo ng sariling konsensya. Nasasayo na lang kung ma-
gugustuhan mo ito o mas pipiliin mong ihagis ang libro dahil tinamaan ka at tagos hanggang buto.
-Jhoncis Garcia
Ikatlong libro naman nang sumunod na taon, 2003, ang “Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hu-
das” (black book),. Unique ang kwento na katulad ng pagka-unique ng cover at ng pamagat. Na-
kakatawa as usual at informative. Mga seryosong usupan na idinaan sa biro, ganyan ang nilalaman ng
libro. Mararanasan mong mamatay at mapunta sa purgatoryo. END. (*trivia* : Itim na libro lang dapat
ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas, walang titulo sa harap ng cover. Pero napilitang magdagdag ng label
ang publisher dahil sa utos ng bookstore.)
“Alamat ng Gubat”. Sumunod na aklat niya na naimprenta rin noong 2003. Aakalain mong
librong pambata. Kwento ito ng isang talangkang nagngangalang Tong na may layunin at mithiin.
Simple at madaling intindihin na kwento. Ngunit habang nakikilala ang mga hayop sa gubat, mapaa-
pansin na ang mga karakter ay representasyon ng bagay sa ating lipunan at ang mga likas na ugali ng
mga Pilipino. Isang simpleng kuento na nagnanais pumitik o gumising sa ating natutulog na lipunan.
(*trivia* : “Tong! Tong! Tong!” ang orihinal na pamagat ng ikaapat na libro. Ginawang Alamat ng
Gubat para sa mas malinaw na mensahe tungkol sa mundong ginagalawan hindi lang ni Tong, kundi ng
lahat ng mga hayop sa kwento.)
Disyembre ng taong 2005, lumabas ang ikalima niyang libro na “Stainless Longganisa”. Ito ang
kwento ng nagtataeng ballpen sa kahalagahan ng pagbabasa, pag-abot ng mga pangarap at tamang
paraan ng pagsusulat. Dito rin ipinakilala ni Bob ang sarili bilang manunulat. Mga payo rin na aantig sa
puso. Sa lahat ng libro niya, ito na ang masasabi kong pinakaseryoso. At ito rin ang kakaibang paper-
back na may gawaing pansanaysay sa bawat katapusan ng chapter. (*note* : Hindi ballpen ang tinutu-
koy na “Stainless Longganisa”. Wala itong ibang kahulugan bukod sa nabanggit sa libro. Pinilit iwasan
ni Bob ang kulay pula o silver sa cover para hindi maisipan ng mambabasa na may kinalaman ang nasa-
Angel 2 bing titulo sa materyal na stainless o sa pagkaing longganisa.)
-Krischelle Tayag Ang unang imprenta ng kanyang libro na “MACARTHUR” (red book) ay noong Abril 2007.
Makikilala mo dito ang barkdahan ng drug adik. Binigyang pansin niya ang realidad ng ating mundo
ngayon sa kamay ng bagong henerasyon: kahirapan at sandamakmak na krimen. Halo-halong emosyon
ang siguradong tatambad sayo. Wala man sa karakter si MacArthur pero tiyak na maiintindihan mo kung
bakit ito ang pamagat ng libro matapos mong basahin. Ito rin ang karaniwang paboritong libro ng mga
taong umiidolo kay Bob Ong. May moral lesson daw kasi at nakakarelate ang marami sa istorya lalo na
sa panahon ngayon. Nailabas kasi ni Bob ang karaniwang nagaganap sa bansa natin at gawain ng
maraming kabataan.
At lumabas na naman ang panibagong kalokohan ni Bob Ong. Mula sa kwentong chalk, kwen-
tong barbero, kwentong pulitiko, kwentong gubat, kwentong multo, kwentong basag-ulo, at ngayon na-
man ang pinakabagong gawa niya.. ang kwentong super hero, Kapitan Sino. Ito ang ikapito at latest na
libro na gawa niya. Ngayong taon lamang naimprenta at lumabas sa publiko ang Kapitan Sino. Umiikot
ang istorya sa buhay ng isang elektrisyan sa maliit na barrio ng Pelaez na si Roberto Manglicmot. Ka-
kaiba ang drama. Maraming suspense at may kilig moments din. Isang ordinaryong buhay na sa huli
haharap sa buong bayan bilang isang magiting na superhero.
Flowers
-Sharmaine Salitico hikayAtin m0 LahAt ng kakilala m0 na mAgkaro0n kahit isA man lang paboritong libro sa bu0ng buhay
nilA..dahil walA ng mas nakakaawa pa sa mga ta0ng literado per0 hindi nagbabAsa " ~Mr. Roberto
Ong.

From Mrs. Am-

paro V.
Vicente’s
MAPEH Class

Stippling is the creation of a pattern simulating vary-

ing degrees of solidity or shading by using small dots.
10 THE LIGHTESEEKERS
LITERARY
OPIN- I be-
WONDERING lieve
By: Rodriguez, Crisanta Ma. Ellaine D. By: Erika Navaro
III-faith
Why do people have to choose?
Why do we need to get so confused? I believe in love
Shouldn’t we rely on fate and let things be? Its the best thing in the world
Can’t we just close our eyes when we’re afraid to see? I believe in hope
And the changes it brought.
Why does everything have to be so complicated? I believe in faith
Why do we need to get so frustrated? The God given love
And tell me, do we really have to go through all these? I believe in unity
Can’t we be untroubled and be at peace? Together you and I
Why do we have to ask so many questions? I believe in luck
Aren’t we the one who make tribulation? Winning is hard
Can’t we avoid vexing for the sake of vexation? I believe in God
And can’t we just relax about handling the situation? Our Father above.
I believe in miracles
Sometimes we fret too much about simple things.
Tomorrow is proof
Sometimes we think of jumping off high buildings. I believe in dreams
Sometimes we lose our cool to fall and breakdown. That they may come true.
When all we have to do is calm down.
Chill.
Kapaligiran at Mamamayan
Ni : Kimberly Herera
Pangarap ko Balang-araw I-Earth
Ni: Joshua C Dela Peňa
I - Earth Kalikasang handog sa sangkatauhan
Bigay ng Maykapal na di mapapanta-
Pangarap ko balang araw ako yaong kabataang yan
Ang landas na tinatahak ay ang paraisong daan, Dito galing ang lahat ng kailangan
Mabato man o matinik itong aking daraanan, Ng kahit anong uri ng mamamayan.
Buong siglang hahawanin maruruming sukal.
Kaya’t tungkulin natin itong linangin,
Pangarap ko balang araw gayong biyak yaring Gamitin sa wastong paraa’t tuntunin,
puso, Palaging pagyamani’t pangalagaan,
Lumigaya ng lubusan, malimutan ang siphayo Upang patuloy na mapakinabangan.
Kulay rosas naa paligid, doon tayo magtatagpo,
Upang bukas ay matanaw na may kasamang pan- Ngunit hindi lamang sa kasalukuyan,
gako. Kundi hanggang sa panahong paparaan,
Ng ating maipakita’t mapatunayan,
Pangarap ko balang araw isang kahig isang tuka Na tayo’y mayroon ding pamamaraan.
Ay maglaho sa daigdig lahat sana’y sumagana
Mga lawing naghahari sabay sabay na nawala Kung anuman ang anyo’t kalagayan,
Upang itong mga sisiw sa lipuna’y bumandila. Ng ating masaganang kapaligiran,
Kasalukuyan o sa panahong paparaan,
Pangarap ko balang araw maaliwalas ang bukas
Upang ganap na mahawan ,pagluluksa ng lumipas.
Ang kabataang tulad ko nawa’y laging magkapalad
Kilalani’t dakilain nitong bagong Pilipinas.
Is this love?
By: John Alexon Dela Cruz
Pangarap ko balang araw ang bayan ko ay umunlad II-Cattleya
Sa gawaing panlipuna’t kabuhayang hinahangad
Produkto ng bawat bayan sa dayuha’y nakalantad As I stare at the sky,
I see a shooting star,
Upang walang kagutuman pagkat walang pagsa-
I think of you,
salat. And all that we could be.
I made a wish,
Upon that shooting star,
Hoping you would love me,
The way that I love you.
When I looked into your eyes,
I knew it was true,
I loved you,
And I thought you love you too.
Since then you found a boy
I wish that I was him,
But I am not,
And I won’t stop wishing for you.
Day after day
I wish you would hold me tight
Kiss me with your soft gentle lips
And say that you love me.
November, 2009
Sabi ko”Walang Kwenta!”
Kahit sabihin kong “mahal pa rin kita”
(Narwin C. Gonzales)
Sabi ko,”ayoko na.”
“Tama na, di na ko luluha.
Matapang ako, kakayanin ko.
Para sa’yo lalayo ako.”
Sabi ko,”pipilitin ko.”
“Kahit pano, naging parte ka ng buhay ko,
Kahit minsan, napasaya mo ako.
Tapos ngayon, iniwan mong durog ang puso
ko.”
Sabi ko, “masaya na ako “
“Kuntento na kong malayo sa’yo.
Alam ko mahirap magpakatotoo,
Pero tapos na, may magagawa pa ba ako?”
Sabi ko,”tama na.”
Mahirap kasing di ipahalata.
Mahina ako’t alam kong di ko kaya
Umiwas sa taong “mahal ko ng sobra.”
You are Worthy
By: Raymel Esteban
III-Faith
I’m reaching my hands to yours
Believing there’s so much more
On the Savior who gave His life
There is nothing else that’s worth of me.
Only you can mend the broken heart
Fill our hearts with your compassion
Erase complete the sinner’s past
My life was changed; you’re all that I
want
Lord breakour hearts
And let Your kingdom come
To this love that will remain
A love that never fails.
Our Savior and our King
You rose and conquer the grave
To save my soul and heal my heart
Now, I am forgiven and free.
Thank You Lord for calling me
Thank You Lord for the gift of your life
You have called me to love you above all
To give my life in exchange for Your
love.
Pinakamabuting Kaibigan
Ni: Karla Apostol
IV-Diamond
Isang bagong Kaibigan ang aking nasum-
pungan,
Kahit ano o sinoman hindi Siya kayang
pantayan,
Pinatunayan Niyang ang buhay ay may
kabuluhan,
Buong pagkatao ko’y binago Niya ng
tuluyan.
Tunay na pag-ibig sa aki’y pinaunawa,
Sa pag-intindi’t pag-unawa hindi nagsa-
sawa,
Sa kabila ng pagkukulang at maling na-
gawa,
Pagpapatawad, pagtanggapbinibigay Ni-
yang kusa.
Dito sa lupa Siya’y bumaba
Nagpakasakit, naghirap, at nagpakum-
baba,
Upang iligtas ang mundong malubha
Sa lahat ng kasalanang ating nagawa.
Kaniyang inalay ang sariling buhay,
November, 2009 THE LIGHTESEEKERS 11
LITERARY
OPIN-

Nag-iisa Ni Sharmaine Salitico

“Anak, gising na!”

Patuloy ang pagtawag na iyon habang hinahaplos ng ginintuang sinag ng araw ang aking mukha. Lumapit ang tinig at
ako’y kanyang hinagkan, hinalik- halikan at kinili-kiliti na para bang wala ng bukas sa kasiyahan.—Dito nagsisimula ang aking
araw.

Ako ang gumagawa ng lahat ng gawaing- bahay. Ako ang nagluluto, naglalaba at naglilinis. Maaga pa lamang ay ay
umaalis na si papa. Namamasukan siyang nurse sa isang ospital sa lungsod. Dati siyang nagtatrabaho bilang OFW sa Indonesia.
Stepfather ko siya, pero kahit magkaganon, masaya ang buhay naming. Kumpleto ang aming pamilya, sama- sama ang lahat,
hindi ko nararanasang maging mag- isa. Pero nagbago ang lahat sa isang trahedya. Sa isang paglisan at pagdating na
ikinabaligtad ng mundo ko:

Nagdadalang tao si mama nang magpasyang magtrabaho si papa sa ibang bansa. Pitong taong gulang ako noon. Laging
dinudugo si mama. Hirap na hirap ang damdamin ko sa tuwing makikita ko si mamang nahihirapan sa laging pagsugod sa kanya
sa ospital.

Lumipas ang ilang buwan at dumating ang araw ng pagpapa-anak kay mama. tandang- tanda ko pa nang ipasok na si Mama sa
operating room, labis ang pagdaing niya sa sakit hanggang sa nawalan na siya ng malay. Lumipas ang ilang oras, lumabas ang
mga doktor. Bakas sa kanilang mga mukha ang bahid ng kalungkutan at pag-aagam-agam sa hindi ko maintindihan na
kadahilanan. Walang patid silang nakatitig kay lola noon habang papalapit sa amin.

Lumapit si lola na animo’y binabagtas ang daan palapit sa isang delubyong paparating. Para silang mga bubuyog na hindi nagka-
kaintindihan sa pinag- uusapan, hanggang sa kumuha na ng telepono si lola. Di ko man naririnig ang kanilang pinag- usapan ay
alam kong si papa ang kanyang kausap. Nangingilid ang mga luha nang ako’y balikan ni lola.

Exam ko na bukas! Nagkulong ako ng kwarto upang hindi marinig ang ingay na nangyayari sa labas.

“Tok-tok-tok”—nagsimula na naman siya.

“Tok-tok-tok”—pangalawang pagkatok nya.

“Ano ba?!,” umalis ka nga!”—salubong ang mga kilay at nagagalit akong sinigawan ang nasa labas.

Lumipas ang ilang sandali, himala’t wala ng nanggugulo sa akin. Hanggang sa makarinig ako ng malakas na pagkabasag sa
labas.

Binuksan ko ang pinto. Nagulantang ako sa bumungad sa akin. Gulong gulo ang buong paligid, sari-saring dumi ang nagkalat,
may sulat ang mga silya, maraming punit na papel sa sahig. Nang ako’y bumaling sa kusina ay nakita ko ang pinagmulan ng in-
gay na narinig ko kani-kanina lamang. Nakita ko sya. Nakatitig pa sya sa akin, dungisan ang kanyang damit. Pumaibaba ang ak-
ing tingin, basa ang shorts nya.

“ A – ATE, G-US-TO-O LA-RO-O RE –MIE “—Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at bumilis ang tibok ng aking puso sa galit.
“Bakit kailangan ko pang magkaroon ng kapatid na “ autistic” ?” Ito ang paulit –ulit na tumatakbo sa aking isipan habang pa-
palapit sa kanya. Kinuha ko ang sinturon at pinagpapalo sya. Nag-iiyak sya sa sakit pero nagpatuloy lamang ako na parang
walang iyak na naririnig. Ang tumatakbo lamang sa aking isipan ay ang mga salitang “ Kinamumuhian ko sya.”

Hindi ko na maitatanggi ang karahasang ginagawa ko lalo na’t may mga bakas na nakaguhit sa kanyang balat. Nang mahi-
masmasan ako, nilinis ko ang buong paligid. Nakaupo lamang sya sa isang sulok at pabulong-bulong.

“ A-TE , GUS-TO LA-A-RO-O RE-E-MIE”, dahan dahan nyang pagsabi sa nanginginig na boses .

Sa isang iglap ay nakaramdam ako ng awa na ayokong maramdaman lalo pa”t sa kanya. Naramdaman ko ang isang init na
lumabas sa aking katawan ng mga sandaling iyon. Isang pagka awang ibinaon ko na simula pa noong pag – agaw nya sa buhay
ng pinakamamahal kong Mama. “ Kinamumuhian ko sya”.

Daglian akong tumungo sa kwarto. Pilit kong tinakasan ang tawag ng dugong sa akin ay dumadaloy. Ayokong makaram-
dam ng awa para sa kanya. Ayokong pagsilbihan ang taong dahilan ng kamatayan ni Mama. Galit ako sa lahat . Galit ako sa mga
taong mas piniling mabuhay ang batang yan kaysa kay Mama.

Napakaliwanag ng buong paligid. Nandoon si mama sa tabi ng aking kama. Minamasdan nya ako habang may hawak syang
kung ano na di ko mawari ang pagkakakilanlan. Hinagkan nya ako at hinalik-halikan. Dama ko ang init ng pagmamahal na ina-
gaw sa akin ng kapalaran. Bumangon ako at handa na sana syang yakapin ngunit biglang sumiklab ang usok sa aking harapan,
hindi ko na sya makita sa kapal ng usok na lumalamon sa kanya.

“ Mama, nasaan kayo?” “ Mama!”

Nagulat ako sa pagsulpot ni Remie. Kasakasama nya si Mama. Nakangiti si Remie at sinabi sa akin, “ Ate, goodluck sa
exam.” Matapos ang mga salitang iyon ay binalot na sila ng usok hanggang sa tuluyan na silang maglaho.

Nang ako’y magising, basing- basa na aking damit. May kaunting sunog ito sa laylayan. May ilan akong paso at sugat sa
katawan. Nang aking buksan ang mga mata,
“ NAG-IISA NA LAMANG AKO .”
 THE LIGHTESEEKERS Sports Editorial

Two Sec Wonder

And Entertainment
In any competitions only one will be “blessed” to
Vol. 67 No. 1Bulakan, Bulacan November, 2009 win. That’s why before the competition we are giving much
time for practices and trainings. Just like what our Basket
ball teams do before the Bulprisa.
Ranoy Grabs Gold and Bronze
at BU Right after the bell ring at 4:30 every afternoon,
when ordinary students are going home for dinner and
rest, to do home works and projects, these varsity players
Bulacan, Philippines: two wood pushers from DTMI got the
will go to the basket ball court for training and go home
chance to advance in the provincial level of the BULPRISA
after sunset. And they do it everyday even on Saturdays
meet and one of them, Cedric Ranoy grabs a bronze
for their sports clinic which is open for other aspiring play-
(individual) and gold (team) medal.
ers of the school. What for? Training again. As the compe-
tition draw nearer the training gets tougher. That’s why, it
During the District meet, Cedric Ranoy of 4-Diamond won
will be painful to lose because you know you prepared
on 4 consecutive games and loses one. He says, “ok lang,
well.
magaling talaga yung Sto. Niño eh, kaya lang nakakapangh-
inayang parin”. He won a silver medal as the 2nd placer and
“Biruin mo in 2 seconds. nakapagdribble coming
a bronze medal for team competition.
from rebound papunta sa 3 point area? In 2 sec? biruin
mo?” That was how DTMI lost its last game and the
Mrs. Vicente said,” last year kasi lumaban din si Cedric sa
provincial, ngayon ako na yung kasama nya, siguro ako chance to reach the semis. In a three point shot made in
yung lucky charm ni Cedric.” two seconds while the ball (and of course, the player drib-
bling it) has to run from one end of the court to the other.
In the elementary level, a grade 6 student, Jelyn Quintana, also won a gold medal and joined
The rules of the game say players must abide
the provincial competitions last October 15-16 at Baliuag University.
with referee’s decisions. Referee’s decisions, whether it
seems right or wrong to players and spectators, is always
Their coach, Mrs. Amparo Vicente said “magaling at may determination sila,ineexpect
ko na mananalo na sila kaso namali lang sila ng move nung nakaraan pero at least kinabahan final. When a team loses victory that way and still keep his
din yung kalaban. anger and frustrations controlled, that’s sportsmanship.
DTMI has that.
On other related events during the district meet, Norelle dela Cruz, won bronze for sin-
gle A elementary and Jhay-jhay Samonte won silver for Single B elementary.
Mr. Demet Mratin said, “masaya ko bilang coach, kasi sulit yung pagte-train ko sa
kanila, lahat sila magagaling”. Dota, Number 1 On Line
Mr. Martin was also disappointed for the defeat of JD Samonte via default (JD was
also player of basket ball and was in the game when he was called for by the table tennis offi- Game in the Philippines.
cials).”

Asianovelas, Big Hit Among DTMiers

70% of the students of a
hundred surveyed from
DTMI are fond of watch-
ing Boys Over flowers
and other asianovelas.
“Naapereciate ko
kasi yung mga nangyayari
doon,” said Ollysah Rod-
riguez from III faith.
“Bukod sa naapreciate ko,
nakaka-relate din ako sa
mga scenes,” she added.
“Ang gwapo kasi ng mga
casts ‘don at nakaktuwa
silang panoorin, actually,
kamukha ko nga si Gale
eh, hehe,” Luisa Delos
Santos said.
What happened to
Fulhouse is typical. This
Novel became a big hit
here in the Philippines.
DVDs, pictures, posters,
shirts and even notebooks
with the layout of “Full
House” cane out of the
market.
Araling Panlipunan
teachers warn that patron-
age of Asianovelas
telenovelas actually means
patronage of imported
goods, a strain to dollar
reserves of the country
besides stunting cultural
growth of the nation as
seen by tendency of local
networks to produce
“local versions” of the im-
ported ones.
Tagalized ver-
sions could also contrib-
ute to deterioration of
using the English lan-
guage.
There are some
Asianovelas that teach
good Asian values and
could be recommended
even for very young au-
diences. By Pat Delos
Reyes
Top 10 Imported and Tagal-
ized TV Series by peak rat-
ing (Starmometer)
1. Rosalinda (1999, ABS-
CBN) – 69.8%
2. Meteor Garden (2003, ABS-
CBN) – 63.8%
3. Marimar (1994, RPN9) –
61.7%
4. Maria Mercedes (1996,
ABS-CBN) – 59.7%
5. Full House (2004, GMA) –
52.0%
6. Lovers in Paris (2004, ABS-
CBN) – 45.7%
7. Stairway to heaven (2004,
GMA) – 41.5%
8. Jewel in the Palace (2006,
GMA) – 40.3%
9. My Name is Kim Sam Soon
(2006, GMA) – 40.1%
10. Endless Love: (2003, GMA) –
Rumors are circulating that the most popular pc game in
the Philippines is Dota.
There are some who would like to say that it is not true.
Still some other players of the game would like to believe that
playing it actually teaches them some very positive attitude about
life especially in the part about working as a team and using re-
sources well. All that may be true.
But shouldn’t we, at least, examine three possible bad
effects of playing Dota in particular and pc games in general?
Playing with Dota or any other pc game whether on line
or not, in a cyber café or at home means using lots and lots of
electricity.
If you are at home you might not be paying for the time
you spend playing but your parents are surely worrying about
where to get the money for things like water and electricity.
If you play outside and you are saving lunch money to
afford the game, you are in trouble.
It is time-consuming. A game that requires mastery of a
lot of weaponry including the heroes that use them could really
take a lot of time from a player. That might be valuable time to
talk to the parents, siblings and friends. Worse, that could be the
time that should be spent working on homework, projects; prepar-
ing for exams and quizzes.
You get used to violence. Now this may be hard to prove
because nobody wants to really look for evidences but if common
and casual observation is enough then no proof needed.
Players, especially the younger ones, sometimes do in
real life what they do while in the game. Worse, when they see
violence being done to somebody else they are no longer bothered
or even interested.
Life was meant to be enjoyed for real. We were not
meant to sit in front of a pc all day but to go out and play or talk
to real people, get real work done.
In the real world the strategies are simple, the role play-
ing are simple. You act like a responsible son or daughter, brother
or sister and the strategy is always to try to get along.
That should be everybody’s gameplan.