APRIL-MAY 2021
THE LAMPLIGHT
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL TEACHERS COLLEGE
FIAT LUX X OSA:
SUCCESSFUL WEBINAR “CHECK NA
CHECK! FACT-CHECKING AND THE
FIGHT AGAINST DISINFORMATION"
BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL
In the middle of COVID-19 Pandemic and the
increasing policies made by authorities that
undermines the democratic norms in the
Philippines, it is imperative for journalists to
remain critical and hold power to account, and
to always prevail the truth to the public.
To commemorate World Press Freedom Day,
the official student publication of National
Teachers College’ Fiat Lux in coordination with
Office of Student Affairs, implemented an online
seminar entitled “Check na check! Fact-checking
and the fight against disinformation" on May 11,
2021, Tuesday at 2pm-5pm via Zoom meeting
and Facebook live with distinguished guest
speakers.
Ms. Sheryl Nazareno, School Paper Adviser of
student publication in De Castro Elementary
School, and NSPC Winning Coach discussed the
History of Fact-Checking. She also emphasized
“do not believe what you see, what you read,
without verifying it first.” she also shared that
people can also use social media platform to
educate friends and relatives. She ended her
discussion with a strong message dedicated to
the youth: “Common agent of change. If you
want to change, start within yourselves and be
mad to fake news and the spreader of it by
means of educating them.”
Ms. Kai Pajutagana, MA English, Coordinator of
Academic Services of Collegio de San Lazaro,
freelance English writer/proofreader, writer of ELS
Publication, and former Editor-in-Chief of Fiat Lux
discussed the enlightened the audience with her
talk on the Basics of Fact-Checking. She discussed
an overview on the tips to verify a source through
checking the background of the source; V.I.A-
Verification. Independence. Accountability;
Triangulate or finding at least three credible
sources to verify information; read beyond the
headline; and check you biases. Answering the
audience’ question about national government to
step-up in fighting misinformation: “They should be
the one the one too encourage people—they
should be the at the frontline of the advocacy
against misinformation and fake news. They should
be the primary driver of information literacy” and
she added that it should be a collaborative effort
with people and different affiliation of government
to combat this matter.
The webinar come to an end encapsulating the
talks that this fight against misinformation is not
only an individual effort but rather an action
obliged by the public. Also, this webinar will serve
as a commemoration as well as to pay tribute
journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise
of their profession.
APRIL-MAY 2021
QUARANTINE IS NOT FOR ALL
BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL
President Duterte once again
announced on April 11, the lifting
most strict form of lockdown, called
enhanced community quarantine
(ECQ), that had been in place in Metro
Manila and 4 surrounding provinces.
The lockdown in the "NCR Plus"
coined encompassing the places in
Metro Manila and 4 neighboring
provinces such as Bulacan, Rizal,
Laguna, and Cavite – will be eased to a
modified enhanced community
quarantine (MECQ) starting Monday,
April 12, until April 30.
Due to this announcement, netizen
provoke their inner humor stating
that they felt like it’s ‘Déjà vu’ a French
term refers to a feeling that someone
has encountered the present situation
before. In fact, that it is true exactly a
year ago on March when this all
lockdown started.
IS POVERTY
A CHOICE?
BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL
First of all, if you agree with the notion
that the factors of being poor are
equivalent to poor decisions that people
made. Well, I think you should expand
your thinking more than that.
In case you missed your social science
class, I’d like you to know that our
society is encompassed with systems—a
political and economic one,
international and local. I’d like to agree
with you with the part that people have
the ability to change the way they live or
how we will live inside the system but of
course, it has limitations. These
limitations we called the ‘social class’,
every group of people are entitled to
certain access based solely on privileges
they have.
Take the following scenario as an
example: The owner of the biggest mall
in the country will only breathe and
sound asleep but still have profit the
next morning. Whilst, a fast-food service
crew or a construction worker has to
render full hours of duty or sometimes
had to overtime at work just to have
minimum or sometimes—below
minimum wage. I know that the part of
the businessman is hyperbole but you
know—how can he achieved that
without endless access from his wealthy
generations of his family.
EDITORIAL / COLUMN
While the situation is not Also remembering the time where How can we stand with the President if he
certain people in lower social class is the one in the frontline of human rights
that good, the President
has to go outside just to survive, violation? Dictating his disciples to shoot
stated various comments like those innocent citizens who just want to
and privileged people call them
threat to shoot those who survive by going outside is a no-no. How
out by saying “sumunod nalang about the extra judicial killings? The
violate the rules, while
kasi kayo.” (Just follow the rules) corruption in the middle of pandemic by
netizens responded to it as and it made clash on the internet.
Philhealth? We can also add that up to how
why these people tend to Since mostly of the Luzon area are it made us—woke Filipinos made angrier
violate is simply because “a in lockdown—schools, malls, towards the government.
hungry stomach knows no establishments, and public And if you are looking for a sign to register
transportation are closed, that for 2022 elections for change. This is the
law”. Netizens spoke out their
sign to think and evaluate the candidates
sentiments regarding the means the source of living is
deeply.
speech of the president that temporarily stopped. By that, weep
And if you’re still not angry, why not?
and rage started to arise as the
affects many, it completely
empty stomach tends to violate
divides peoples’ opinion to
protocol in order to have alms in
eagerness to oust the their mouth and food on their
president in the position and tables that should sustain them for
those who stand for the a couple of days.
president.
For that reason, I can say that
we are not in control of all the
things we have or we choose
them by choice. Don’t tell me
that farmers and fishermen are
lazy that’s why most of them
are in the lower social class.
You might say that “That is
why they need to work hard in
order for them to step up the
ladder.” I’d like to reiterate that
there are vast factors for them
to be freed from poverty. The
first factor is a no-brainer: it is
easy to climb up the social
ladder if even from the start
they have the resources, and if
the parents that raised them
are already wealthy and well
planned for their future
education in prominent
school.
The effects of this unending
pandemic to us are not the
same. Some do not have the
choice but to face the risk to
go outside for them to survive.
I cannot deny the fact that
there are some poor people
who are lazy but do not
generalize it—this statement is
for the people who are the
middle-class or self-entitled
middle class who usually say
“it's their choice that’s why
they are poor” because it is not
how it works and also keep
this in your mind that: your
chance to collapse back to
being poor is a 99% chance
than to succeed as a wealthy
individual.
And finally, tell me, is poverty a
choice?

APRIL-MAY 2021
Imagine your Korea: A Must Visit Tourist
Destinations after Pandemic in South Korea
Allow me to reckon that you have binge-
watching these worthy Korean dramas on
Netflix while staying at your homes. After long
hour shift or done at your work from home set-
up, this is your time to set your mind free if you
have been stressing out over the government or
in your school works. We cannot deny the fact
that South Korea is not only portrayed by its
famous music and film industry but they also
have a say in their tourism.
Quarantine in the Philippines is taking longer
and longer as if it is an unwanted falcon who
keeps on soaring high, while other countries are
moving forward, ours seems to can’t move on.
After several quarantine extensions, boredom
hits when you finally realize you are tirelessly
waiting for the normalcy—and then you begin to
plan on your travel. Crazy over historical Korean
dramas like Scarlet Heart Ryeo, and Eternal
Monarch? Well then, this is the sign for you to
choose famous historical sites in South Korea.
Changdeokgung Palace
Built in the Joseon Dynasty in the 15th century
around Seoul were preferred as the royal
residence. The palace consists of complex
buildings that has different purpose including
libraries, dining rooms, meeting rooms, and
other uses. You may not want to miss taking a
photo appreciating in the 78-acre Huwon or
palace garden, located behind the palace. It's
filled with pathways, green spaces, pagodas,
streams, and lakes.
FEATURE
BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL
Traditional house with storage pots in Jeonju
Once hailed as the spiritual capital of the Joseon
Dynasty now a historic city 90 minutes away from
Seoul. It is known to many ancient temples and
shrines along with Hanok village. Hanok village is a
traditional home commonly found anywhere in
Korea, a preserved ancient neighborhood.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Just like in Jeonju, Bukchon Hanok Village is a
preserved ancient neighborhood, they offer visitors
to experience to live in Hanok 600 years ago. There
are also services such as renting a Hanbok (A
Korean traditional clothing) while walking around
the village, so be sure to avail them to fully
experience walking and appreciating their history.
Bulguksa Temple
One of the Korea’s must-see Buddhist temples. A
considered the country’s most important place
due to its historical value and scenic site classified
officially by the Korean government. It is home to
seven of the country's national treasures, sacred
pagodas, and statues of the Buddha. The temple is
located on the slopes of Mount Toham in
Gyeongju, the ancient capital city of Korea. It’s also
called as "museum without walls" due to the
fascinating history of the temple.
It is guaranteed that you’ll enjoy walking with the
history while you’re on the present but please do
make sure that you’re not gonna enter into some
portal and be transported into parallel world. Also,
be mindful when visiting another country because
cultures is relative to one another. You might not
want to get in trouble, right? Excited to hop and
travel to Korea? Just wait and relax until the
pandemic comes to an end.
APRIL-MAY 2021 SPORTS

UAAP S83: “HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST”

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) recently announced that
the Season 83 will be cancelled and has no definite date until further notice due to
the restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic.
The association emphasized that they will be first prioritize the safety and health of
the student-athletes and its staff involved in different sports.
There had been reports that the league has plans to start the season in April 2021 but
as of now, no announcement was released.
“The decision will allow UAAP member-schools to plan their activities for the
remainder of the academic year, as well as their athletic programs for next season,”
UAAP said.
In the meantime, John Andrei Medrana of Adamson University Baseball Team Pitcher
said that their training-at-home is ongoing while having an online class. The system of
their training will be recorded by themselves and sent to their coaches.
“Yung training namin ay ganoon pa ‘rin, pero sariling disiplina lang talaga ang
kailangan dahil kailangan din hindi pabayaan ang pag-aaral—para rin ito sa aming
scholarship” He added.
(Our training is still the same. However, self-discipline must be practiced at all times
because we have our classes at the same time. It is also for the sake of our university
scholarship)
The UAAP Season 83 will be the first time that won’t be played since Season 8, 1945-
1946, during World War II. The UAAP was previously suspended starting 1941 and
returned in 1946.