Volume XV Issue No.

1 The Official Newsletter Publication of Taguig Science High School June-November 2019

People's Reliable Information Source Media

editorial

Cultivating famine
The nation’s food benefactors are now at an ironic brink of
starvation: only because of a negligent Senate bill
full story on page 5

news page 2 editorial page 6 opinion page 8 feature page 10 sci-tech page 15 sports page 17
'No to rice Reaping the fruits The laughing The Filipino Farm and the City: A youngster takeover:
liberalization, of misery situation Spirit Taguig pursues G11 prevails as
defend PH agri' 'Probinsyudad basketball event
-farmers living' champion

Trisha Mae Moraña
No to rice liberalization, defend PH 'agri' – farmers
H
undreds of Filipino
farmers are
rallying contrary
to rice import
liberalization
when President Rodrigo Duterte
recently signed the Rice Tariffication
Law, making them sell rice crops at a
low price while competing with the
cheaper imports – even lower than
the average cost of production.
The Rice Tariffication Law
or Republic Act No. 11203 is the
act “liberalizing the importation,
exportation, and rice trading,
seeking to provide affordable rice
for the consumers while raising
the compensation for the farmers.”
Nazka Leosala
Vague Promise
Duterte oaths teachers, gov’t workers’salary boost
this year; Lacson uncertain despite budget hike
Two days after 3,000 teachers
and government employees rallied
and petitioned for pay increase on
October 4, President Rodrigo Duterte
said the raise will happen this year
but could not say when exactly
would it take effect.
In a statement, the president
revealed that pay raise will be at 35%
or more but not double since there
are more teachers than police officers,
soldiers, and other uniformed
personnel who received their salary
increase last year.
“If I give you the timeline, tapos
I could not make it on the deadline,
I have to explain more than what
is expected of the government [If I
give you the timeline and I could not
make it on the deadline, I have to
explain more than what is expected
of the government],” Duterte added.
However, despite the
P31-billion allocation for the
Miscellaneous and Personal
Benefits Fund of the new Salary
02 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019
However, the implementation of
the law resulted to more expensive
rice for the consumers but lower
price cost for the farmers due to low
production cost.
“Tálong-tálo ang mga
magsasaka natin. Hindi ito kasalanan
ng Department of Agriculture o
National Food Authority, dahil ito
sa rice liberalization [Our farmers
are on a disadvantage, not because
of the Department of Agriculture
or National Food Authority, but
of rice liberalization],” Alyansa ng
Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon
representative Ignacio Ortiz said.
Concerning the low rice crop
prices, farmers made an appeal to the
photo retrieved from
facebook.com/VirgieBayani
Standardization Law (SSL), Senator
Panfilo Lacson claimed on October
9 that the increase would only be
possible if the lawmakers cut budget
for infrastructures.
“Maski sa 2020, baka
mahirapan unless magbawas tayo
ng budget para sa mga iba. Marami
roon iyong tinatawag na VLIP,
various local infrastructure projects.
Karamihan ito proyekto ng mga
kongresista, mga legislator sabihin na
natin [Even in 2020, it may be hard
unless we decrease the budget for the
others. There are many VLIP, various
local infrastructure projects. Most of
these are projects of congressmen,
legislators even],” Lacson replied
when asked if there are funds
allocated for the said wage hike.
The senator added that even
now, the government is also having
difficulties in funding the increased
pensions of the soldiers and other
uniformed personnel.
LEADING THE ROAD TO THE MASSES
Andrea Alipio, an alumni, marches with
the UP Anakbayan chapter in a rally
against the recent rice importation law.
government to set a minimum rate
for ‘palay’ prices to prevent farmgate
prices to reach as low as Php 7.00 –
which is lower than the prescribed
production cost of Php 12.00.
"It sounds good, that is
protection, but I will have to defer
to the ones that proposed the
measure as to the details," Agriculture
Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan
responded.
Meanwhile, The Department of
Agriculture (DA) said that they would
double the tariffs on rice imports to
help the local farmers, in addition
to the launching of the Expanded
Survival and Recovery Assistance
Program for Rice Farmers (SURE
Nazka Leosala
Duterte urges agreement on PH- China
exploration deal despite ignored 'arbitral
ruling'; Robredo says otherwise
President Rodrigo Duterte
admitted that he would push for the
60-40, in Philippines' favor, gas and
oil exploration deal with China in
the West Philippines Sea despite the
latter's refusal to honor the United
Nations-backed arbitral tribunal in
The Hague.
Last July 2016, the Philippines
sealed an arbitral victory against
China before the United Nations-
backed arbitral tribunal in The
Hague which invalidated China’s
claim to the West Philippine Sea and
affirmed the Philippines' rights.
The said deal is under the
memorandum of understanding
(MOU) on cooperation on oil and
gas development between China
and the Philippines which contains
arrangements for joint exploration in
maritime areas in accordance with
international law that was signed
during Chinese President Xi Jin
Ping’s state visit in November last
year.
Meanwhile, the said joint
exploration deal faced negative
speculations from the Philippines'
citizens and also from Vice President
Ma. Leonor Robredo.
“The basic premise should
be even before we enter into any
agreement with China, China has
first to recognize our ownership and
sovereignty over the area that will
be subject to a joint exploration."
Robredo stated while referring to the
Hague ruling which was denied by
China.
However, Retired Supreme
Court senior associate justice Antonio
PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School news
photo by Anne Lou Asuncion
Aid), which provides a zero-interest
loan for the farmers, payable in eight
years.
“We have to holistically and
systematically protect the public
and much more, the farmers, so I
have taken the necessary steps and
direction where we will enforce
legal measures to, at least, double the
current tariff of 35 percent during
these times when we have greatly
exceeded the volume needed to fill
up the slack in national rice supply,”
Agriculture Secretary William Dar
concluded.
Carpio refuted Robredo's demand.
"We don't have to state, we
don't have to require that China
expressly recognize that we have
sovereign rights. It's by the mere fact
that they come in through a service
contract, the necessary consequence
is that they recognize that the
resources there, the oil and gas,
belong to the Filipino people," Carpio
told the media.
In relation to this, Philippine
Ambassador to China Chito
Sta. Romana also reassured the
Filipino citizens' about the joint oil
exploration deal earlier by saying
that the contract of the deal has to
be in accordance with the Philippine
Constitution, Chinese Constitution
and with the United Nations
Convention on the
Laws of the Sea
(UNCLOS) before it It's going to
can be agreed upon. affect our power
"There will be
protracted or at least
supply that's why
intense negotiations. the president is
Legal experts will moving with a
have to come in sense of urgency
and see how they
will phrase it in a to move the
way that will be process forward,
acceptable to both
sides," he explained. Chito Sto. Romana
He also said
that the Malampaya
natural gas field in Palawan would
soon run out of supply so it is a
beneficial move for the Philippines to
sign the deal with China.
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news PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School
Over 10 departments face budget cuts; DOH, DepEd
raise concerns
Trisha Morana
M
ore than 10
departments
will possibly
face budget cuts
next year despite the P4.1 trillion
proposed national budget for 2020,
which is 12% higher than the 2019
P3.6 trillion budget.
The departments who
will have a decrease in their
2020 budget according to the
National Expenditure Program
Nazka Leosala
Lumad schools face axe, 'bakwit
school' opens for Lumad children
In order to help defend the
Lumad children's right to education,
Save Our Schools (SOS) Network
chose to defy the Department of
Education's order to suspend Lumad
schools and open a Lumad Bakwit
School at the University of the
Philippines-Diliman on September 2.
The term 'bakwit', which is a
vernacular for 'evacuate', was used
because the said school is for Lumad
refugees from different indigenous
communities such as Mandaya,
Manobo, B’laan, Matigsaloa who
yearns to safely learn and stay away
from the shootings and killings in
their schools and thus be coined as
'school on the run'.
“Against all odds, threats and
harassment, we will continue to
stand firm with our commitment
to uphold and protect the Lumads’
right to education,” SOS Network
Mindanao spokesperson Ruis Valle
stated.
Langlang Bay-ao, a bakwit
school student from Manobo tribe
in Davao del Norte, said that the
main goal of the said school is for the
students to someday be able to return
to their homes.
"The goal of the bakwit
school is to fight for the Lumads'
right to education and to decide
freely in order to protect our tribes
and most especially, to return in
our community," Bay-ao told the
reporters from ABS CBN News in
Filipino.
www.facebook.com/prismtshs
(NEP) includes the Departments
of Health (DOH), Labor and
Employment, Finance, Trade and
Industry, and more.
Due to this, Senate President
Pro Tempore Ralph Recto recently
revealed that he fears that the
budget cut would severely affect
the Human Resource for Health
Deployment Program (HRHDP)
of DOH which could lead to a
loss of job for 7,107 public health
The Lumad Bakwit School
is not only used to cater the basic
educational needs of the Lumad
children but also to teach them
to nurture the environment and
culture.
This was evident as the 49
students of the said school took part
in revisiting their cultural heritage
during a cultural night.
Meanwhile, students from the
Lumad Bakwit School revealed that
the military shootings in their school
caused them to have trauma after
being accused of serving as members
of the New People’s Army (NPA),
simply because they were taught to
read, write, and count.
"Trauma po. Nung una ayaw
ko magsabi sa kasama ko tapos
umabot sa time na hindi na po ako
makatulog sa gabi. Ang dami ko nang
naiisip. Parang, bata pa ako bakit ako
nakakaranas ng ganito. [Trauma. At
first, I didn't want to tell the people
around me but there came a time
that I couldn't sleep because of it. I
just kept thinking of reasons why
this happens to me]," Bay-ao said
to mention the effect of the school
shooting on her.
Bay-ao also recalled the time
when she experienced a military
shooting while marching during
her Grade 10 graduation in which
the sound of the guns became their
background song.
nurses. "7,107 public health nurses Commission on Higher Education,
ang nangangambang mawalan specifically its free tuition and
ng trabaho sa susunod na taon. scholarship programs.
[7,107 public health nurses could "Instead of diplomas, the
possibly lose their jobs next year.] government will be handing out
If not reversed, it will turn us dismissal slips. The budget cut for
into an archipelago of dismissed tertiary education is a ticket to a
nurses. It is a kind of hospital forced vacation for many public
discharge that is the most unkind,” and private college students," he
the senator stated. added.
According to Recto, the
budget cut would also hurt the
source eaglenews.ph
infographics by Joyce Dasigan
Our kababayan's health serves as the
backbone of our community that's why we
do not stop educating our parents about
the importance of getting their children and
themselves immunized
Dr. Jennifer Lou De Guzman,
Taguig Medical Coordinator
Nat'l Immunization Program
Taguig launches school-based
immunization program, dominates
NCR anti-polio campaign
Nazka Leosala
The city government of pupils and human papillomavirus
Taguig has conducted a city-wide vaccines to Grades 4 and 5.
vaccination program for pupils, Meanwhile, the oral vaccines
teachers, and educators which began for poliomyelitis were given to
on June 24 and even topped the children aged 0-59 months which
Department of Health's "Sabayang were administered in barangay
Patak Kontra Polio" in National health centers or during house to
Capital Region (NCR) after the polio house visits.
outbreak in Sept. 19. "Taguig City believes that our
According to reports, Taguig kababayan’s health serves as the
aims to immunize 19, 000 people backbone of our community that's
in the school-based immunization why we do not stop educating our
program and was able to successfully parents about the importance of
vaccinate 96, 866 children in the anti- getting their children and themselves
polio campaign, the highest among all immunized,"said Dr. Jennifer Lou
the cities in NCR. De Guzman, Taguig City's medical
"In Taguig, our children's health coordinator for the National
and welfare is a priority," the city Immunization Program.
government stated. As of July, 6,087 of the 19,000
The City Health Office provides target have already been successfully
vaccines for measles, rubella, tetanus, vaccinated.
and diphtheria to Grades 1 and 7
Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 03
 PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School news

Youth forum press for action on

environment issues
Nazka Leosala photo retrieved from
thinkbigtaguig.com

T
housands of
Taguigeños, most of
which are students,
participated
in the Youth
Environmental Forum to take part in
the discussion about environmental
issues and discern the importance of
solving these dilemmas, on October
8 at Lakeshore Hall, Lower Bicutan.
According to City
Environment and Natural Resources
Office (CENRO) Head Felix Catigay,
the said event intends to enlighten
all the sectors in the community,
including farmers, fishermen, and
even those who are not students,
about the ways on how to take care
of their surroundings and of nature.
The forum involved lectures
discussing agriculture, pollution,
waste segregation, environmental
laws, environmental sustainability,
and many other essential topics as
well as interactive booths namely
Bingwitan, Let's Segre-GAME,
River Wall of Enlightenment, and
Sagwanan sa Dalampasigan to keep
attendees occupied.
"This is a good opportunity for
the youth for them to realize what's
happening around them. At the
same time, nakakatulong sa kanila
'to para mas makibahagi sila sa mga
gawain ng ating government [This
is a good opportunity for the youth
for them to realize what's happening
around them. At the same time, this
enables them to participate more in
the activities of our government,"
Signal Village National High School
teacher Jaypee Pereda stated in a
video published in I Love Taguig
facebook page.
Pereda also added that having
this kind of conference also helps
in maintaining the order and
cleanliness of the schools.
"We became more aware of
the happenings in our environment
given that most of us - students - do
not care about what is currently
occurring in it," Jan Lyka Vargas,
a grade 11 student from Taguig
National High School, admitted
when asked about her experience
during the event.
Vargas also appealed to her
fellow students to “be aware” of the
prevailing environmental problems
and to “give importance” to the
resources the people currently have.
“I learned how to segregate
waste and how to tend to nature. It
may even be in small or simple way
but it is already an immense help
to our environment,” Chiyz John
Sumugat of Taguig Integrated School
answered in Filipino after being
inquired of his learnings from the
confab.
Meanwhile, TNHS grade 11
student Ana Margareth Turingan
also urged everyone to “take care
of the surroundings since it is the
people who will benefit from it.”
The attendees received
environmental-friendly freebies
including dried water hyacinth
bayongs, T-shirts, ID laces, and

Trisha Mae Moraña

Teenage activist calls BACKING GREEN GOVERNANCE

for campaign against Ayala Corp. vows to clean Taguig River; LGU leads drive after river fest
climate change Nazka Leosala

“You are failing us” – Climate

activist Greta Thunberg expressed
her disappointment to the world
leaders, following the latter’s
pretentious acts that their “business-
as-usual and some technical
solutions” can help beat climate
change, during the United Nations
Secretary General’s Climate Action
Summit, September 23.
Sixteen-year old Thunberg
is an activist with Asperger's
syndrome who became famous by
not going to school every Fridays
to protest outside the Swedish
Parliament while holding a sign
board that reads “Skolstrejk för
klimate” or “School strike for
climate.”
"How dare you pretend that
this can be solved with business-as-
usual and some technical solutions.
With today’s emissions levels, that
remaining carbon dioxide budget
will be entirely gone in less than
eight and a half years," she said.
She then demanded an urgent photo retrieved from
action to address the global climate thinkbigtaguig.com CULTURAL STRIDES
emergency from the world leaders
Boat rowers rage against the current as they paddle through Taguig's River
by expressing her disappointment during the annual Santa Ana Banak Festival held last July 26.
to them and accusing the leaders of
betraying her generation.
"If you choose to fail us, I say:
We will never forgive you. We will Conglomerate company Ayala government will be able to clean it," concerned communities and DENR.
not let you get away with this. Right Corporation formally "adopted" on Cimatu said. The environment department
here, right now is where we draw Aug. 31 the Taguig river as one of Manila Water also launched also emphasized the importance of
the line. The world is waking up. the water forms it will prioritize to before the commitment "Toka-toka restoring other bodies of water such
And change is coming, whether you rehabilitate with the help of the city para sa Taguig River" program where as Laguna Lake and Manila Bay. It
like it or not," Thunberg added as she government. the said concessionaire and the local also aims to make the latter available
ended her emotional message to the According to the Department government officials conducted a for swimming by December.
leaders present at the summit. of Environment and Natural restoration and information drive. Prior to this, Taguig City
During the aforementioned Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy "That is I think the intention Mayor Lino Cayetano already
summit, leaders from government, Cimatu, the clean-up operations of Manila Water, to dredge the river, advocates for cleaning up the
business, and civil society gathered will be facilitated by water remove all the garbage that are rivers by joining the other city
in New York to discuss the concessionaire Manila Water, a part embedded on the river floor," the hall personnel in removing the
transformation that is urgently of the said conglomerate. Environment secretary stated. waterlilies and waste materials
needed to address the worsening "The only way for us to The adoption of the said that accumulated on the route of
climate state while following the clean Taguig river is for us to clean river is under the Adopt-an- Pagodahan after the festival last
theme "Climate Action Summit 2019: it ourselves. We, the national Estero Waterbody Program of the July.
A Race We Can Win. A Race We
Must Win.”

04 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 www.facebook.com/prismtshs

 news PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School

newsbits

TSHS advocates for student mental health in youth dev't program

Nazka Leosala

MAJOR LEGACY
Venus Raj, Ambassadress of Elevate
Movement Inc. inspires students of various
high schools through the NotAlone program,
a youth-centered program that helps address
pressing issues that this generation is facing,
November 21.
photo retrieved from facebook.com/NotAlonePH
The non-governmental
organization Rescue Kabataan
(RK): Elevate has partnered with
Taguig Science High School to a
vision of equipping Scientians with
outlooks on mental health and
social responsibility: generating the
#NotAlone program, which was set
to happen this academic year at the
TSHS’s school grounds.
The said NGO is ignited into
the passion to support the positive
development of Filipino teenagers.
“The advocacy of #NotAlone is to
help the students of today in the
different issues that they face. I
believe that these students need
actual people especially older
people who are willing to listen to
the stories they are going through.
And hopefully #NotAlone will be
a way for the students to see that
in this world, they have people
who are willing to listen to them
and understand them,” told Franzes
Fransisco, a representative from RK
Elevate.
Grade 8 students are eyed to
be the recipients of the said program,
from whom the most cases of mental
health issues are most evident. “I
think this program will both equip
and inspire us students,” says Patricia
Michiko Chavez, a Grade 8 student.
The Program
#NotAlone exhibits itself
as a youth-centred, all-inclusive
developmental program branding
itself with an advocacy to expose
and help resolve the most tenacious
issues that the Filipino youth is
currently facing. The program
envisions its recipients as future
leaders of the society, equipped
to influence development to
future children suffering the
same dilemma, being burdened to
reach out not only to the students
individually, but to their schools,
families and communities.
The #NotAlone program
offers 5 monthly two-hour sessions,
which will include a 30-45 minutes
talk from a resource speaker, and a
45-minutee small group discussion.
In the said programme, small groups
are essential, with these groups
meeting weekly to finish certain
lessons. The goal of the program, as it
was indicated in their proposal, was
for “the students who have finished
the program [to] eventually be
trained to become facilitators of the
next batch,”.
The realities that teenagers
are currently facing are said to have
inspired the program. Crises such
as teenage pregnancy, depression,
victimization to physical and
psychological abuse, bullying, and
substance abuse which are relevant
among the current young are
believed to be resolvable with the
guidance of youth developmental
programs as such.
These training sessions will
also necessitate the involvement
of parents and teachers of the
students to further enforce a
holistic approach in maintaining the
students’ well-being.

Nazka Leosala

Taguig pushes for youth empowerment

thruYouthcon
As one of the 10-point
agenda of Mayor Lino Cayetano's
administration, the local
government managed to empower
the youth through the successfully
launched Taguig Youthcon where
1,500 young leaders gathered to
experience the festive gathering on
August 17 at Lakeshore Grounds,
Barangay Lower Bicutan.
In celebration of Linggo
ng Kabataan, the Sangguniang
Kabataan Federation of Taguig City
initiated the convention, with the
theme "Transforming Education",
where Taguigeños from different
barangays can have fun while
learning, socialize with their peers,
and listen to different speakers who
talked about their advocacies to
inspire the Taguigeños.
SK Federation President
Maryruth Roven Maximo
mentioned that the main goal of the
event is to empower the youth.
"Our goal was to simply
empower the youth. Youth
empowerment is very important and
in this event, I could say that it was a
success. We were able to share some
learnings to the youth, we were able
to engage them in our city, in our
community and I hope in your own
little ways, you could do the same,"
Maximo said in a video uploaded by
Chalk.ph.
Different speakers graced the
event including Congresswoman
Lani Cayetano who talked about
'Why Taguig invests in Education:
the story of Taguig's LANI
Scholarship Program', Michelle
Gumabao who shared her expertise
in 'Trying new things and not being
afraid to fall', Marvin Agustin who
encouraged the audience to start
a business, Atty. Joel Torres who
shared tips on how to be recruited
by a multinational company, House
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and
Mayor Lino
Cayetano who made the said
event possible.
In Mercado Del Lago,
the influencers who spoke and
inspired the Taguigeños include
Melissa and Paula Gohing
who talked about social media
and photography, Liz Uy who
discussed how to be confident,
Wushu Queen Janice Hung
who demonstrated Taichi, Ana
Domingo who taught the audience
how to do yoga, and Coach Toni
and Coach Jim Saret who headed
the morning zumba routine.
Numerous departments
participated in the event to
explain the 10-point agenda of
Taguig including the City Disaster
Risk Reduction Management
Office with their booth themed
as 'Taguigeño ako, Handa ako',
the Lake and River Management
Office with 'Save the river,
protect the lake', the Solid
Waste Management Office with
'Kalat Isiwalat', the Community
Environment and Natural
Resources department with 'Tanim
ko, ani ko', the Agricultural Office
with 'Buto ng Buhay', and many
more.
Taguigeños shared their
experience in the event through
the highlights video uploaded by
the I Love Taguig page.
"Thank you po sa nagcreate
ng event na to kasi hindi lang was initially envisioned to "gather,
kami nag-enjoy, kundi may mga inspire, motivate and encourage YOUTH
natutunan din kami na dapat action among Taguig's next EMPOWERMENT
isapuso namin at itatak sa isip na generation of leaders, professionals,
Sangguniang Kabataan
ikagaganda ng buhay namin at atind entrepreneurs, and public servants". Federation of Taguig City held
pamayanan [Thank you to all those "Ang natutunan ko po the first Youth convention of the
city in line with the celebration
who created this event because ay kung paano maging leader of Linggo ng Kabataan held
we did not only enjoyed the event at marami na po akong naging last August 17 at Lakeshore
Grounds.
but we also learned things that we experiences, nakilala, at naging
should remember in our minds and kaibigan [What I learned is how to
hearts to improve our own lives be a leader and through the event,
and the community]," Gigi Malaque, I managed to gain experiences and photo by
student from Tipas National High meet new friends]," Chezka Mae Jeremy Edera
School, said her statement. Ricaplaza, student from Napindan
One participant also shared Integrated School, stated.
what she learned in the event which

www.facebook.com/prismtshs Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019

05

I
t's the 21st century, yet the
ever-present dilemma of
the poverty rates of the
country's local farmers
still remains as a national
irony, that the Philippine government
stands ineffective of resolving. And
the disappointing series of truths
doesn't end there: on February 2019,
the Rice Tariffication Bill has been
enacted into a law, but sadly, it's
performing the exact opposite of
what laws should do for its people.
Republic Act No. 11203, or
the Rice Tariffication Law, contains
provisions for the increase of
importation of rice from the country's
neighborhood. Consequently, and
obviously, this caused a competition
in the national market, where the
local farmers' price competes with
the imported rice's price ranges
brewpoints Emman Mones
Is the Congress smuggling pork
into the national budget, again?
Let the Congress be informed:
the backs and forths of the 2020
national budget proposal are
scratching the surfaces of the
already dust-settled pork barrel
cases within the legislative branch.
The House of Representatives might
want to redecorate their offices
with a different aroma: one not of
a nostalgic, rotten pig flesh which
concerned citizens said to have
smelled reeking amidst the Congress
podiums. The outrage should not
end there: recently, the budget has
been continued with a P76 billion
budget split against the Department
of Education (DepEd), and 39 billion
pesos taken from the Department of
Health (DoH), mostly from its Health
Facilities Enhancement Program.
06 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019
The nation's food benefactors are now at an ironic brink of
which are already cheap by default.
Suffering through a choice to make
between having very little income
or nothing at all, palay prices then
fell to a heartbreaking 7 pesos per
kilo, a unit of work too little to even
imagine.
Our agricultural workers -- the
producers of the nation's food, despite
how honorable it should sound-- was
subjected to live under these types of
financial incapacities.
The palace, the Department
of Agriculture, and many other
government sectors had spoken
against this phenomenon, as
they should. But not having the
forethought of this spectacle cost the
people, most specifically our farmers,
a big amount of income. As always,
the people pay for the government's
mistakes.
The public should definitely
be made aware of this, given that
aside from overinflated pork funds,
unjustifiable budget cuts were also
made, in essential departmental
projects: such as DepEd’s Basic
Education Facilities Fund which
suffered a P69.4 billion budget
reduction, and which would reduce
the department’s funding for its
construction of new school buildings
to almost 90%; the Department of
Social Welfare and Development’s
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-
Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-
CIDSS) which will suffer a P2.7
billion budget reduction, and
the Department of Science and
Technology’s total budget by P78
Cultivating famine
starvation: only because of a negligent Senate bill
Fortunately, this downhill slope
can be shifted. Firstly, amendments
that will go against the vague and
abused parameters of these laws
must be enforced as soon as possible.
Emphasizing on the destinations
to which the tariff collected from
imported rice should be implemented,
as well as alterations on tariffication
procedures; and most importantly,
rules on importing itself, noting how
the Philippines had exceeded China
as the largest rice importing country
in Asia only because of a disastrous
law. Because of how this law turns
out, the Senate should have seen
that importation will always bring
regrettable consequences; thus,
laws that aim to protect the nation’s
agricultural sector should only
delimit to farmers’ aid, and never
million: all because a new cash-
based budgeting system, from
which the Congress shall solely
depend on the assurance that
the budget will be spent within
the fiscal year, regardless of
emergencies, and or duration.
It was only recently that
the House Speaker had reported
on the withdrawal of House Bill No.
4288, or the General Appropriations
Bill, that they had settled the tension
between Davao City's 3rd District
Representative Isidro Ungab who
filed the Bill's first reading on August
28, and Camarines Norte's 2nd
District Representative Luis Raymund
Villafuerte, who spearheaded the
bill, ruling it as "premature" due to
unfinished reading with the House
Committee on Appropriations, which
Ungab is chairman of. Come, the
blame game: who should the public
point fingers at in this feud?
Nothing but governmental
transparency: in the modern times,
when the attention of the public
can be claimed with only a few
clicks away, the government-- the
PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School editorial
cartoon by Timothy Solis
give avenues to corruption to seep
through smuggled rice transactions
that will harm more than help. If such
laws will come up to no avail, then
the law should be taken down as a
whole.
Clearly, the law’s sentiments
are not expressed in any fruitful
means. Governmental failure has
already brought a gigantic number
of farming families to starvation,
and will continue to do so, if this
law continues to prevail as it is. In
the long queue of failures that the
Senate has already set, may it finally
realize what the repercussions of
substandard law-making can bring.
Congress, in this instance-- should
practice a more modern public
information management as well.
It is not only every Filipino's right,
but a responsibility to be informed
and actively participative to political
matters; and most definitely, the
national budget should be something
that most, if not every Filipino should
know about. Leaving them ignorant
of where their taxes should go is
restraining them off of a right which
the government should even endorse,
and not limit.
Amidst any decisive impasse
such as this, the public must
always be left to decide. It is the
representatives' duties, anyways, to
be aware of what their respective
demographics tell them to vote for.
Information begets opinion: and
before the idea that their officials are
plotting on corruption again enters
the public mind, let them be informed
of where their taxes go. In that way,
lauds for the government will spread,
and not hesitating questions.
www.facebook.com/prismtshs
editorial PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School
Colors in the wind
Sean Patolot viewpoint Emman Mones
Once again, the SOGIE bill
makes its rounds and once more, it
falls by the hands of those opposing
equality.
The Sexual Orientation
Toxicity in stagnancy
and Gender Identity Expression
(SOGIE) Equality Bill is now
on the senate floor after three It is in the obliged nature of
years of struggle in the House of countries to pursue more modern
Representatives. Gaining traction efficient ways in the innocent
from the strengthened voice of the pursuit of the betterment of its
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender people. As bewildering as it sounds,
(LGBT) community and, undeniably, the Philippine government does not
Gretchen Diez’s appalling tussle, seem to express the same sentiment:
the bill is expected to pass Senate always failing to see the importance
readings in rocket speeds — or so it of modernization in keeping
seemed. consistently improving mechanisms
The bill that hopes to penalize that keep our communities running.
discrimination on the basis of Questions from both the concerned
someone’s sexual orientation and and the affected queue up in search
gender identity has, in a backwards for answers that, hopefully, will
turn of events, received gushing fulfill them better than the deficient
amounts of backlash streaming systems themselves.
from conservative groups, private It is no mystery to every
individuals and even public servants Filipino that the Philippines is left
expected to uphold the public’s with medieval information and
interest. auditing systems: from attaining
What is considered a one’s copy of birth certificate from
legislative step forward by the great the Philippine Statistics Office,
many turned to an issue of the to applying for a passport in the
debatable kind — and basic human Department of Foreign Affairs, or
decency, is not. The two-sided nature even being stuck in Metro Manila
of this debacle is troublesome. The traffic, Filipinos can treat prolonged
LGBT community has struggled waiting ours as a lifestyle. What
within the country’s discomforting is worse is how the government,
cloud of dissent for decades now through the unfortunate exploitation
constituting a need for the law to act of the media, covers this dilemma
and assist its people. Laws are made with the sentiment of Filipino
to protect the marginalized; and resiliency, even shaming them for
yet, there is little that mandates the not being patient enough, instead of
protection of this minority. addressing the actual problems.
Conditions have been less First of all, the Philippines
than ideal for LGBT acceptance should follow the globalising
within the country. The list of world into being digitalized— in
horrendous conducts against LGBT this manner, government systems
members is long and brimming with would have their speeds increase
harsh words, black bruises and, at an exponential rate, compared
sometimes, even drips blood. The to depending highly on papers
Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch and books (which it should be
has documented 164 murder cases mentioned that it is unhelpful for
from the years 1996 to 2012. 141 the environment). Information
cases of LGBT abuses have also been transmission between the nation’s
listed by it Commission on Human archipelagic constitution would be
Rights back in 2013.
thinkthrice Alex Estrella
Escaping excuses
Gabriela Women’s Party
claims that the president is the chief
propagator of a culture that degrades
and objectifies women. He is knee’s
deep in controversy from his sexist
remarks on women. Several advocates
seek to call out Duterte’s misogynistic
behavior as he has become known for
cracking rape jokes and is confident
in speaking out what he so callously
desires while he is immune from suit
over any violation of the law.
Amidst this controversy, the
senate was alarmed by the potential
normalization of the culture. And
thus, Risa Hontiveros, a senator
known for her advocacy of making
women and children feel safe in
the community, spearheaded the
Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe
Spaces Act also known as the “Bawal
Bastos” Law. The said law is dubbed as
a “game changer” since it, according
to Hontiveros, aids to promote
positive policy, behavioral and
cultural changes to end gender-based
harassment in public spaces.
The Philippines is known to
have dangerous streets since most
www.facebook.com/prismtshs
as fast as a click of a mouse. Legal
processes would not only endure
from hours to seconds, but can also
be conducted regardless of proximity
and location. All these might look as
ideal scenarios for the Filipino people,
almost ignorant to the fact that this
is reality to most of the first-world
countries we follow closely to.
That points out the difference
between the Philippines and the
other, more advanced side of the
world: it is not a first-world country;
it’s barely even holding on to being
a third world country. Amongst the
assemblage of national issues that the
nation is in at the present, sadly, being
technologically competent would not
be ethically a top priority. Established
corruption, overpopulation, and
even Filipino culture all converge
to degrading the importance of
technology as a mere luxury the
Philippines should not choose to
afford.
Amidst the despair, we see
a minuscule light of hope: the
establishment of the Department
of Information and Communication
Technology (DICT) as a separate
department from the Department
of Transportation (formerly the
Department of Transportation and
Communication), hopefully will
advocate for more digital systems for
the government offices. Apart from
this, its should not be disregarded
that local governments have their
own approaches to appropriating
technology for the improvement
of their public services: such as
integrating public announcements
to social media outlets, incorporating
Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) to their own territories — but
as much as they are appreciated,
women feel anxious walking around
the metro knowing how several
cases of stalking, staring, catcalling
and sexual harassment has been
reported. Statistics have shown that
most harassments happen to women
and members of the LGBTQ+ where
case predators are usually men. These
constrict women from doing even
the simplest activities; even buying
from the nearest store from their
home would feel like a dreadful task
to them.
The said law is not anti-men,
but should guide them to prevent
themselves from doing such acts.
Subsequently, it educates people
to become aware of their right to
self-expression and everything that
deprives people of their rights under
the law. Furthermore, the law also
aims to advocate street safety of
women.
Hontiveros established the
law to require public establishments
in setting up warning signs to
constantly remind people of the law’s
consequences. Furthermore, the
bill proposed to launch emergency
Volume XV Issue No. 1
these are not enough.
The current administration
has missed the most important
part of this plight: that is, of
course, supporting scientific
and technological ventures.
The Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) which is
central for research of Filipinos, is
dishearteningly one of the present
administration’s least priorities as
reflected in the House Bill No. 4288,
or the General Appropriations Bill,
which establishes the 2020 national
budget. Science scholarships are
undermined, and the department is
constricted to be selective in choosing
for funded research. If this continues,
the country will also prevail to be a
desolation of innovations that will
diligently paralyse the government’s
public services.
Science schools are not
exempted from the annihilation,
either: the continuing decrease in
the prioritisation of science and
technology assigns a more inferior
role to these schools, which might
mean less opportunities for their
students to thrive beyond their
school confines due to technological
scarcity, and even limitations for
them to add to the solution, too.
This carelessness will rule the
country into its retrogression; and
instead of pushing the Philippines
as a global pioneer, it would take
the nation back in time, when the
Philippines was only an unfortunate
slave to the global superpowers, with
neither will nor strength to fight for
its technological independence.
hotline numbers in case things get
chaotic. With this, people can easily
report what they have experienced.
The hardest pill to swallow for
Filipinos is the irony that the most
notorious violator of the said law is
the President himself. How will they
feel safe under this circumstance?
With the way Duterte behaves, it
would just add up their concerns.
Fortunately though, the law aims to
encourage the victims to confidently
speak out about their traumas.
No more excuses– cried by the
victimized community. The next time
Duterte talks about his misogynist
gags, it is about time for the law to
punish him for being entitled. No
one should be left out by the law; no
victim shall be left unavenged and
no predator shall be left unpunished.
If the government continues in this
venture, more women would finally
realize that they are more than what
the President speaks of them.
June-November 2019 07
 thevoice Sean Patolot
More than a laughing stock
Wars of different scents wage all across the
country: its battles against drugs and corruption
to health security and Philippine sovereignty, we
have yet to prove ourselves as victors. However, we
should not consider ourselves hopeless, for amidst
all the circumstances that take the nation down,
there emerged a weapon which endures: the well-
rejoiced Filipino resiliency, and it has yet to open
doors for the country to enter in.
It is no mystery to us all on the country’s
downward spiral. Day by day, constant anguish
fills our television screens and our news feeds.
Bewildering amounts of traffic plague the streets.
Within the Congress, politicians that -- let’s be
honest -- are of no good for the people as they
sit and wait while the country struggles. The
common worker faces threats of dismissal, ends-
of-contracts and the batons and barricades outside
their factories. It all seems hopeless and we are
left unable to help. The barrage of displeasure is
enough for a Filipino to say that there is nothing
one can do, that I, a small person, am of no help for
this big country in crisis. That is why above all else,
this virtue of perseverance should prevail, and be
upheld by us Filipinos.
In this sea of misery, the people channel their
frustration in internet jokes and casual "memes":
and who could blame them? The amount of ill-fated
news out there pointing to the wrong direction
commands a counter attack of
positive witticism.
Darkened
moods
need
to be
boosted
up. The
people’s spirit hunger for something to spark it back
into flames. With every punchline comes the small
hint of awareness from the creator and the viewer.
It sparks joy and publicity for issues all should be
aware of.
Those who fail to provide for the masses
and their perception on Internet play is a cause for
concern but we are not to blame. Their abuse of
power and fallible attempt at governing the country
is not from the Filipino trying to lighten the mood:
it is from their own neglect. Our spirit is not a
weapon for the governing to utilize and shame on
them for doing so, but our innate nature to have fun
in the darkest of times is not in itself harmful.
Resiliency in whatever form it takes does
not ignore in any sense how the country is being
overtaken by different problems: from natural
calamities to governmental failures, we are
suffering an impasse of improvement, which now
in the 21st century, every country is engaging. Yes,
the Filipinos are facing countless dilemmas, but the
story should not end there.
We should not perceive it as mere excuse for
laughing at our own problems, but rather a cultural
anchorage from which we have ventured on the
decades of national conundrums. We as its keepers
should be proud to take it as a noble brand: that we
are the strongest, and have yet to be stronger.
In this chaos, the Filipino must retain
integrity, be whole and by all means, keep itself
determined to fight on. Our resiliency does not
bring our national story to a denouncement,
it will do the opposite. It shall bring us
to prosperity where every Filipino is
wholeheartedly aware of the nation’s
struggle, but is nowhere near giving up.
cartoon by Timothy
 thehorizon Anne Ramos
The laughing situation
Filipinos are known for being resilient in
times of unfavorable circumstances. They tend to
show-off a smile instead of dwelling on a problem.
Without a doubt, it brings out how Filipinos manage
to overcome hardships with optimism.
Waking up as a Filipino makes you want to
go back to sleep instead of encountering traffic jams
while going to work or walking the streets of metro
manila feeling uneasy about what might happen
next due to various street harassment reports.
Subsequently, the war on drugs is close to admitting
failure: even the Philippine National Police is “on the
brink of surrendering.”
The traffic situation in the country is
probably one of the most common problems which
Filipinos continue to face. It has unfortunately
been pestering the metro for years now and yet the
government is still unable to fix the said dilemma.
The issues at hand have most government
units having a hard time in finding solutions to
the vast number of problems we have. Countless
adversities are encountered by Filipinos on a
regular basis.
Even other countries face tough challenges
but the country's situation has worsened to
a point where local government units are
constantly taking fire from the public. The
problem however is the government’s neglect.
How can the government respond to the
trouble that they cause Filipinos every
single day if they are not willing to
hy Solis
acknowledge the fact that there is a problem? And
the higher-ups are not the only problem here, it
is also our response to their inadequate actions.
During his presidential campaign, President Rodrigo
Duterte deceived the Filipinos by promising a life
of indulgence after decades of living in discomfort.
But, after several years of his term, critiques have
labelled the administration as ambitious, his efforts,
lacking. Filipinos are currently suffering under
the government’s broken promises as they face
countless dilemmas.
As unfavorable news circulate online,
Filipinos express their dissatisfaction through
creating memes and witty posts which depicts how
problematic the country’s system is in a twisted
sarcastic vision. Behind every post is a cry for help
in every citizen towards their experience in these
trying times. It depicts how Filipinos are willing to
fight for what they believe in as the posts are also
intended to attack the government’s disastrous
attempt at fixing things; but this fighting spirit is
overshadowed by ridiculousness and uncanny
images.
This is where the trait of resiliency is evident
among Filipinos as they continue to look at the
problem as a laughing matter instead of letting
the government work on the said dilemma. And
thus, the administration remains to slack-off since
Filipinos romanticize the idea of creating humor in
the problems the country is facing.
Filipinos should get over the attribute
of finding humor in every problem since the
government constantly hides the fact that
the Philippines has countless problems to find
solutions to. This is the time for Filipinos to
accept that the government is failing every
promise they have made from the start. For
people to finally have the courage to speak out
on how depraved the system is and not take
joy in the harsh predicament we are all in. We
forget that the country needs help and end up
blaming other people instead. It is about time
that the administration takes responsibility and
the right time for the Filipinos to unmask their
sentiments under their witty posts and demand
real change from the government.
 PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science feature
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12 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 www.facebook.com/prismtshs

 PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
feature

Padayon,
Margaret Giltendez of Taguig Science High School

soldier!
While half the world sweetly falls away under
the starry sky, the luminous moon shines down on this
Perhaps in the soldier’s eyes, the world’s universal
field of honor is not any marble-lined banquet halls
or hallways entirely constructed with the most
glimmering gold and the rarest of stones, but a learning
battlefield composed of wooden chairs, chalk-filled
blackboards, sharpened pencils, and a mind primed to
grasp and digest.
The soldier, the ever so stout warrior facing the
bullets of pressure, is equipped not with the hardest
armor and the most horrendous weapon but merely a
pen and paper, and the right mix of wits and diligence.
young iron-willed soldier as he pedals his life along its Weeo
treacherous road, moving forward while maintaining For the soldier, getting to the main locale of
balance. the action is almost as hard as the battle itself. At the
Everyday, this soldier, like everyone else, only slightest peek of the rising sun, his feet are already
has 24 hours. But unlike others wasting their time over planted on the pedals of his trusty bicycle to await
inane shenanigans, every hour counts for this soldier. the turn of its wheels. The danger and adrenaline of
For each time that ticks, he has to flick. speeding through the roads of his city, in its daunting
For two years at 12am, this mister mops and yet exhilarating glory and all, is his first contender.
ministers famished patrons. Then from the clown- Dripping with sweat in the earliest hours of the day,
themed food chain, he runs his bicycle at 6am towards reaching the establishment of the school on precise time
his pedagogical institution. Bells ringing at 1pm, he flees is already a tussle on its own.
towards home for a brief yet powerful nap. And by 3pm, Through the immaculately painted walls of the
he bolts to his tuttee's abode for the additional means. classroom, the power and pressure of learning resounds
Afterwards, session dismissal connotes his refuel. At silently and piercingly at the same time. As a humble
8pm, he dozes off some slumber only to wake up at 11am soldier tasked to give his viable best, he fights and fights
to repeat the cycle. As per the hardworking mister, and fights almost to no imminent end in the scholarly
there must be no time to waste. hours of his almost monotonous routine. Another
Overworked and overloaded, there enemy of his show itself: the assured consistency
is no denying that despite his persistence, of his motivation. After a dodge, another challenge
the soldier stumbles; his knees were gets revealed— the disturbing, heavy fear of making
aching, and his face was mud-mushed. unacceptable mistakes. Of not being enough, of not
The soldier raises his head. Before his eyes fitting with the long, tiresome list of strict standards
is an on-going chaos. Helpless, the soldier set before him. Still, the soldier paints colors. He writes
frustratedly whispers an agonized cry as he sense. He recites strategies. He gains and imparts
forcefully flounders on the ground. knowledge. He claims triumph. The soldier bleeds
Growing up, he lived an untypical life unlike excellence.
other privileged children. Together with his mom and Despite the aura of seriousness and solemnity,
younger siblings, he experienced roaming around beneath the armor of the soldier— he is a boy. A boy
the busy streets of Taguig with an empty stomach. who is very much human, a beating heart and a tireless
They collected scraps. They begged sympathies. At a spirit and an unwavering motivation. He has yet to
young age, he already witnessed the atrocious world enter a room and not induce genuine, hearty laughs
he is in - no santa claus, no unicorns, no fantasies. And over clever jokes and punchlines. He has yet to falter,
sometimes, no father. to stumble under the heavy load of academics and
His father worked away in Tagaytay when the extracurriculars thrusted upon his young shoulders. He
rest of his family were starving on the streets. His father has yet to hide the blissful glimmer of his smile, has yet
would send only 500 pesos per month to his mother. He to run out of consistent strength and bright ideas. He
has 2 younger siblings; that money is obviously never has yet to not lift even the lowest spirits of those around
enough. So all his life, he was forced to do something him with all the remaining might he can muster from
as the eldest. Up to this day, he acts out as the father of his body.
the family. His father, three years now without work, The soldier reaps the sweet taste of
wastes his life on cigarettes - cigarettes bought with the fruits of his unparalleled efforts not
his own hard-earned money. just in the end, but also in the battle
So the soldier may topple hundred itself. The golden success, the long
times, moving forward is his only choice. awaited victory comes not only in
His part-time jobs are the oxygen that well-deserved, shining circular
sustain his family, so halt he must metals he grasps in his strong-
not. Keep on pedalling, he always tell willed hands every month
himself. Working and studying at the of March, not only in papers
same time might be exhausting, but containing his name that he
on this soldier's mind is one thing: his receives with a beaming smile,
mom. And, that mental picture of but also in the energy and
her keeps him going. endurance, the inspiration and
Hence everyday while momentum he acquired along
half the world sweetly falls the way, and reserved for his
away under the starry sky, the dreams of the future.
luminous moon shines down on
this young iron-willed soldier
as he pedals his life along its
treacherous road, moving
forward while maintaining
balance, towards his
deserved success.

www.facebook.com/prismtshs photo by Alex Estrella Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 13

 PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School sci-tech
With the unrelenting wave of
technological innovations making new arrival
after new arrival, scientists and ITs alike push
on further, harder in bringing you the most
cutting-edge software, services and gadgets
galore to the front of your doorstep - but at
what cost? In the world of data service where
transfer rates are rocketing their way to
exorbitant speeds, the world’s meteorologists
fear such a project’s success as being ‘too
successful’ even for its own good.

THE WAVY CONUNDRUM

A driving force in the realm of wireless

communication, 5G data service promises data
speeds up to 100 times faster than current
4G networks - a probable proponent for the
integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution
technologies in the modern setting.
However, in spite of the boons this
promise advertises, organizations reliant on
satellite-data such as NASA, NOAA, and the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
fear that signals blasted from 5G antennas
could compromise their forecasts, leading to
jeopardy of human lives.
Eric Allaix, chair of the WMO group
dealing with the radio dilemma, said that
frequencies dedicated to meteorological study
should have to be balanced with commercial
interests; he explains the risks posed by radio
interference when it comes to early warnings
of bad weather.
The agency also adds that earth
observation services, vital to weather forecasts
and long-term climate change monitoring, are
being pinned to using more limited bandwidth
with the advent of new communication
devices, including the recent 5G data service.

A CLOUDY RESOLVE

The United Nations weather agency

warns that if the persistence of wireless
technology such as the new 5G data service is
not kept under careful watch by governments,
lives would be put at risk.
Though months of rigorous studies and
Dominic Ibay debate have been heavily scrutinized over this
foregoing issue on bandwidth encroachment,
there has yet to be multiple stages of criticism
and careful negotiation to undergo.
Running from October 28 to
November 22, the quadrennial World
Radiocommunication Conference, this year
held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, will address
these given concerns in an effort to reach a
sound agreement in global radio regulation.
The 193 member states belonging to
the International Telecommunications Union
(ITU) will be in attendance, along with 267
members of the ITU Radiocommunication
Sector.

Our advancements may blow up to

sky-high proportions but alas, even the sky
has a limit. There will always be drawbacks
from the things we find too good to be true.
However, such barriers are not reason enough
to stagnate us from being able to draw new
lines for where we can take ourselves to.
Besides, even men could make it to the
moon.

14 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 www.facebook.com/prismtshs

sci-tech PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School

ASEAN launches
campaign against
ocean plastic
pollution A current
commercial,
industrial
Dominic Ibay and residential
center in Metro
Manila, the city of
Despite the seemingly infinite Taguig has proved
vastness of ocean space and depth, in the to be a thriving common
tragedy that is plastic waste pollution, place for business belief
our beloved blue waters have now begun and industry. However, that there
to ooze gray from all the litter that were alongside the continuous is a conflict
carelessly dumped into them; in the thick process of development, the between
of it all, human negligence towards taking municipality also promotes the urban
care of the environment is to blame. its campaign of showcasing an lifestyle and
In a 2017 Ocean Conservancy urban and rural quality of life. the rural culture,
report, it was found that China, Indonesia, In 2017, a project of Taguig it even advocates
the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are converted a 2500 square-meter a beneficial
source for more than four million tons of of waste site into a sustainable relationship between
plastic waste that ends up in the oceans farm, the Taguig Integrated Urban the two, Solis pointed
annually - the East and South-East Asian Farm, which exhibits different out.
regions are the biggest contributors to functionalities despite being Lastly, it
plastic waste pollution. placed in a densely-populated reinforces awareness in
Experts from the United Nations area. agriculture among city
Environment Programme throw figures inhabitants as it exposes
revealing that plastic pollution as a threat POWER PLANTS them to cultivation methods
to biodiversity kills about one million that can be often neglected in
seabirds and over 100,000 marine animals Sitting by the Manila Bay, a city sprawl informing them
every year. the said farm utilizes modified of information which can prove
For the likes of such as the set-ups like vertical farming, helpful at certain times in our
numbered species of sea turtle, this wooden rack and pole gardening. lives.
problem proves to be more than just a This enables the plants to grow As much as a place needs
pervading biological nuisance. in an urban environment where a technological development
Of the seven species of marine space is limited. to flourish, preservation
of the basic practices to

Farm
turtles in the world, three are classified by It also showcases the
the International Union for Conservation following: a pond inhabited by live also serve a part in the
of Nature as endangered and another tilapia and catfish, a greenhouse improvement. Now, with
three as critically endangered wherein six that sustains lettuce and green a farm and a city working
of the said species are found in Southeast salads, a coffee shop that boasts together, the former notion

and
Asia. products made with the plants that urban cannot coexist
In response to this biodiversity and vegetables coming from the with rural may now be
threat, the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity farm itself and an orchidarium dismissed.
(ACB) recently collaborated with the circumscribed by fruit-bearing

the
Center for Possibilities Foundation last trees and vegetables – with
October in arranging an art exhibit on tomato, eggplant, okra, lettuce,
biodiversity and autism awareness in cabbage, and mustard being some
Taguig City, Philippines. of them.
It is here where the ACB launches Moreover, a bamboo

City
their campaign against ocean plastic classroom was also built,
pollution dubbed “Oceans Are Fitter intended to teach Taguig students
Without Our Litter” in line with the about urban agriculture and
commitments of ASEAN Member States its implication in a widely-
to the Bangkok Declaration Combating developed city.
Marine Debris in the ASEAN Region, Furthermore, the farm
issued at the 34th ASEAN Summit held in ensures that all of its crops are
June this year.
The exhibit for a cause at the
organically grown, which means
the plants are nurtured without Taguig
Enderun Colleges in Taguig featured 40
paintings of Samantha Kaspar, a 22-year-
the use of pesticides or synthetic
fertilizers. pursues
old artist diagnosed with autism.
ACB executive director Theresa REAPING THE YIELD ‘Probinsyudad Taguig Goes Green
Mundita Lim points out that the subjects
in the paintings and their campaign Advocating a project Living’ City of Taguig transforms idle
lands into urban farms as a way
against plastic pollution are just a few such as this certainly results to to address food security issues
of ASEAN’s natural treasures, especially a fruitful harvest, and with that, and healthy nutrition, and to
given that though the ASEAN region City Agriculture Office officer- showcase the probinsyudad
living in the community.
constitutes only three percent of the in-charge Emelita Solis stated
earth’s surface, it is home to 18 percent that the produce are usually sent
of the world’s fauna and flora with the to feeding programs conducted photo retrieved from
Philippines, being one of the world’s most by the local government, and thinkbigtaguig.com
biodiverse countries, hosting 70 to 80 institutions like Bahay Pag-Asa
a
percent of species around the world. and Bureau of Jail Management
“We are urging all of you to and Penology.
support the ACB’s campaign against This does not only help
plastic pollution. Without the marine the beneficiary children, but
animals, we won’t have any more also sends a positive message
inspiration for Samantha to paint,” Lim of generosity among city
added. dwellers.
Nonetheless, even though the right Additionally,
decisions are being made, these actions are by cultivating a farm
merely first steps in the staircase towards in an urban area,
achieving complete ecological restoration. it does not
In the spirit of protecting the wildlife and only refute
preserving earth’s natural body systems,
everyone should have their fair share
of combating the detrimental effects of
plastic waste to the ecology.

www.facebook.com/prismtshs
 PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School sci-tech

Charging towards the future

Arthur Betez

Known for being practical,
efficient, and eco-friendly, electric
vehicles or EVs really have made
its way through the next industrial
revolution. From the first ever
working electric car by Thomas
Davenport in 1834, to the rise of
commercial EV giant aka Tesla Inc. -
one could not deny that the evolution
of electric cars becomes more
inevitable as time and technology
moves forward.
A ZAPPY ENTRANCE
An electric vehicle can
be described as an automobile
that, instead of gasoline or diesel-
powered engine, uses an electric
motor powered by batteries or fuel
cells which can be plugged in and
recharged.
Compared to a conventional
engine-type vehicle, an electric car
features a lot of great advancement
in transportation technology. Such
improvements are long-range driving,
autopilot, and of course - front trunk
(removing those engines paved way
for a lot of space). Also, it opened
the way to the creation of smart
cars - wherein system updates can be
downloaded per car.
Aside from its
transmogrifying driving features,
one thing that highlights the rise
of EVs is the environmental impact
it creates. Since it uses electricity,
carbon emissions through vehicles
are lessened (which greatly helps
in reducing greenhouse gases) -
which then makes the diversion to
sustainable energy easier.
As of now, the
implementation of EVs is rapidly
growing - with various companies
spearheading it such as Tesla, BMW,
Nissan, and Chevrolet. According to
Edison Electric Institute in 2019, as
of March this year, more than 1.18
million EVs are already roaming the
streets in the United States.
WATT NOW?
The technology in Electric
Vehicles surely is exponentially
advancing. Access, however, is an
imposed problem - with only certain
countries being able to grasp the
availability. The Philippines is one of
the countries being not able to fully
appreciate these EV giants.
However, the country is
coping up with the technological
trends and the future is still full of
opportunities and possibilities to
reach the point of total advancement.
If ever it reaches the point
of ‘EV dominance’, a lot of positive
impacts would come into play. Air
pollution released by the country
would drastically decrease - opening
up a better place to live and healthier
people to be with. Dependency on
fossil fuels would also decline as
the country transcend into greener
energy. Lastly, citizens would be able
to enjoy and appreciate the state of
advancement the country would
have.
Policies, regulations, and
incentives are currently being
implemented in the country to
further the strive. It might take years
but as long as it sees the vision of the
future, technology will come through
and provide the light it promises to
supply.
It was in the 17th century
when the steam engine turned the
motors of the first ever industrial
revolution. And now, with Electric
Vehicles, it is time to drive a
milestone further - because the world
of technological evolution, as we
know it, is just one plug-and-charge
away.

Dominic Ibay

Predatory Prey: World’s largest eagle faces

critical endangerment
Spanning decades’ worth
of industrialization and global
competition, nations around the
world have been steadily climbing
in technological and corporate
progression, revelling under their
own accomplishments. However,
where we are succeeding in the
industrial aspect, we are failing in
the ecological. For yet another of
the mightiest of species, dubbed
“king of birds”, the Philippine eagle,
is confronted with the threat of
extinction.
AN ENDEMIC PREDICAMENT
Listed among the IUCN’s
2018 Red List of Threatened Species,
the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga
jefferyi), has been numbered down to
roughly 250-750 individuals.
Known to be the world’s
largest eagle, this species is
exclusively found in the Philippine
archipelago, spread across eastern
Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao,
with Mindanao supporting the bulk
of the population.
In the past 50 or so years,
extremely rapid declines have been
observed in the species’ population,
primarily because of extensive
deforestation activities conducted in
their natural setting.
In addition, the IUCN also
remarks that the rate of adult
propagation shows to be very low
indicating that unless immediate
action is taken, these declines may
extend over to the future.
TRIBUTE TO THE KING
Last February 2018, the
Philippine Eagle gained global
attention as world-renowned wildlife
cinematographer Neil Rettig’s Bird of
Prey documentary hit the big screens
and soared sky-high in film ratings.
Ecological preservation
groups from both the Philippines and
foreign nations have been launching
awareness campaigns and action
plans since then.
Volunteer groups such as
the Philippine Eagle Foundation,
which spearheads most of the
locally conducted eagle conservation
programs, have been mobilizing their
staff in restoring denuded lands for
the creation of larger habitats for the
eagle.
Furthermore, even local
corporations such as the San Roque
Power Corp. are playing their role,
urging the masses to do their share in
protecting the country’s wildlife.
The Philippine Eagle, though
mighty in size and excellent as a
natural predator, also falls prey to
man’s industrial endeavors. With
the downward trend of population
growth continuing, it is only a
matter of time for when the dreaded
conclusion befalls the Philippines’
national treasure. And thus, it is
urgent we must take the necessary
steps in promoting environmental
recovery and wildlife preservation,
lest the country loses its king
forevermore.

16 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 www.facebook.com/prismtshs

sports PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School

A youngster takeover: G11 prevails as basketball

event champion
Dominic Beler

The humid temperature

of Wawa Court clenched out all
of Sky Chinel's sweat and added
more to his struggle of playing
with still untreated injury in the
Game 2 of their Men's Basketball
Championship Finals against
the staggering Grade 11 infantry
yesterday, September 13.
Chinel's supposedly injured-
but-still-won story was hindered
by Jomari Charles Reyes who stood
in the frontline of the grade 11 and
went on a third quarter rampage,
spearheading the team to the over-
all champion title for the basketball
event of Taguig Science High School's
2019 Intramurals, 64-57.
Reyes, after being unable
to attend the last game yesterday
because of a journalism contest,
instead poured out his efforts in the
match, garnering a team-high 16
points and a 3rd quarter-lone back-
to-back steals .
The twice-to-beat G11 still
wore their composure from the
last game and snatched the 1st
quarter, 14-10, with some early
game highlights including a Jofer
Tabia 5-point silence-breaker and a
last second jumpshot in courtesy of
Eduardo Diaz Jr.
"Of course sad since we lost plus
injury's really untimely, so I couldn't
give my best. But there is still a part whi
I was happy because of the challenge
the g11 gave us, especially those who
plays solid ball in their batch.," said
Chinel in Filipino.
Enraged by their Game 1
loss,the seniors welcomed the
second quarter with a Kyle Vivas to
Chinel fastbreak, heading to their
first lead in courtesy of a Jose Lito
Mataac lay-up which swole up to 8
with a Basty Santos buzzer beater
photo by Julianne Riosa Game On triple.
Eduardo Diaz Jr, grade 11, faces head-to-head the g12 team's ace player Sky
Chinel in their game finals for the basketball event of Taguig Science High
School's Intramurals 2019 on September 13 at Wawa Court, Taguig.
Second Half Frenzy
The floor went bloodier in
a 3rd quarter action as both teams
displayed their thievery skills in the
last 3 minutes, but Reyes stood out
with a back-to-back steal and score
getting the lead back into the grade
11 again, 35-34,with 1:03 remaining.
Adding more tension in the
game, a double foul was called to
Diaz Jr. and Chinel shortly after, but
the G11 athlete transferee quickly
recovered as he poured down a
triple,spelling the margin apart into
4 while Reyes accumulated his 4th
personal leaving the team with a
slim deficit in the end of 3rd quarter,
40-39.
Marc Adrian Batac tried to
retaliate with his consistent free
throw goals but the g11 battalion
ripped the tally even wider in the
4th quarter as Diaz Jr, Sibayan
and Yuan Ramirez fueled up and
showcased a series of fastbreak, lay-
up and steal combination.
The total defeat of G12 was
marked when Chinel went out of the
court in the last 1:11 while groaning
because of a knee injury that he got
from the very first game, leading
to the victory of the younger ones,
64-57.
"Tiwala lang talaga kailangan
at meron ako non sa mga kakampi
ko, alam kong kaya nila manalo kahit
wala ako. Di na mahalaga sakin yung
padamihan ng points, gusto ko lang
manalo kami," said Reyes
"You only need trust and that's
what I have in my team, I know that
they can win even without me. The
points isn't really important to me,
I just want the team to win," said
Reyes.

STOP AND SALUTE Ivan Amarillo

Taguig Generals reign over NBL

Championship
"Very sweet kasi all tally closer within two, 64-62, while
The first season may not homegrown players at trinabaho a Zha Mamaluba jumper finally
be theirs, but this time, there is namin. [Very sweet since they locked the score up which founded
something we must do—salute. are all homegrown players and the team's last minute rampage that
Coming from a 6th overall we actually worked it out] Last left Delta behind.
last season, Taguig Generals has season we were [only] number "We were surprised at the
refueled its game up, 84-75, to six. We proved that we can be the start but the players are really
display a 2-0 whitewash in the champions," mused head coach decided to grab the championship.
National Basketball League best- Bing Victoria in an interview in Before, last season, we dominated
of-three finals, solidifying their Tiebreaker Times about her feeling every game but we collapse in the
championship throne in National after winning the championship. fourth quarter. Now, we showed
Basketball League last October 20 at A Rickson Gerero-frontlined how we improved...the team
Hagonoy Sports Complex. Generals rekindled their chilled matured. The outcome is pretty
The Generals had Pampanga offense and bit-by-bit trimmed the good," coach Victoria added in
Delta's hopes fell down even lower halftime deficit of 12 into a slim 5 Filipino.
as they showcased a back-to-back points by the end of third quarter,
come-from-behind win on Games 55-60.
1 and 2 which hailed them as the Gerero, concluded as the
second team to grab the title. Finals MVP, managed to pull the
photo retrieved from
facebook.com/taguigcity

www.facebook.com/prismtshs Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 17

 PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School sports

sportseditorial Paul Hernandez

The one that got away

Regret is always at the end; the
decision that has been done cannot
be withdrawn. Unfortunately, this
had been true on how the Philippine
government treated Wesley So as a
mere pawn and turned its back on
him; little did they know he will be
the king of the board someday. Sadly,
he was caught carrying another, more
star-spangled flag as he was crowned
as the champion of the FIDE World
Fischer Random Chess.
But now, it seems everyone
feels entitled to their opinions against
the Random Chess world champion,
who, for some, has turned his back
from his country. Did Wesley So
really turn his back or he just wants
to improve his life status and gaming
style?
A lot of Filipinos are asking
why he represented the United States
instead of the Philippines. Consider
this: just like our OFWs, So felt that
the Philippines cannot support him
enough in the field of chess that gave
him no choice but to transfer to the
USA.
This shows how terribly
frustrating and exasperating the
Philippine sports those. The way how
the government shows favoritism
to sports such as basketball, Philippines. The major problem is normal people, it’s impossible.”
visibly neglects the importance of one word. “Nakakapanghinayang” he corruption. It’s hard for athletes to So serves as an example of
underrepresented sports: for this said. get financial assistance to compete what might happen if the Philippines
instance chess. So declared the main reason abroad, especially if they don’t have continue to overlook underrated
Regret and frustration were why he chose the US Chess connections,” said So in an interview. sports. If we do not recognize this
some of the reactions that the Federation over POC.“There’s a basic So continued his wrathful as a problem, time will come when
Philippines Olympic Committee (POC) chess structure in the Philippines, but sentiment: “Corruption is embedded we will suddenly realize that the
as they lose the king in their own there’s very little support systems deep within our culture. You have to people that would have been flag-
game. Joey Antonio his former chess for developing good players into know people to get anywhere. People bearers are left with no choice but
trainer encapsulated his regret in just global stars. There’s no long-term say, you can only get rich within the to find sanctuary in other countries’
strategy for development in the Philippines if you’re a politician. For possession.

sportseditorial Dominic Beler

Why do Filipino balls look different?

It has been ages since the
Philippine Commissioner's Cup
planted its seed in the Philippine
Basketball Association grounds
wherein it emphasized the
permission to have an “import”:
foreign players that were hired to
help and come up with, if not better,
the best of the team's capability. Now,
after 26 years, it has honed numerous
imports with different nationalities
and races that greatly contributed to
each of the team like Bobby Parks,
Norman Black and Marqus Blakely.
However, the diversity also
gave birth to various forms of
discrimination which have been
crippling us up to this date. One of
which is the case of the well-known
San Miguel Beermen player Arwind
Santos who made racist taunts by
dancing like a monkey at the bench
when Terrence Jones, import of their
opponent TNT KaTropa, was called
for a foul.
Santos, after the game, still
insisted, though acting such acts in an
African-American is a clear racism,
that he is not sorry. The six-four small
forward said that it was only a clear
'mind game' and he's been doing it
since his Air 21 days with Barako Bull
former player Dorian Peña.
"Magso-sorry ako? Hindi,
kasi depende 'yun sa kanya. Kung
mapipikon siya, totoong monkey siya.
Kung hindi ka mapipikon, hindi ka
monkey. Kami, nang-aasar lang. Kami
ngang magkakapatid nag-aasaran din
kami," stated Santos.
Recalling the "basketbrawl"
between PH and Australia, the
main reason of Gilas, the lack of
respect and mockery, was pretty
considerable; it is fine to be annoyed
when other nations are already
crossing the line of proper values;
however, the same rule applies to
them: rudeness can also be felt by
other nationalities; racism as for
example.
Filipinos cultivate toxic
cultures of tolerance which makes
racism viewed only as a joke and a
thing not to be cared for since it has
been part of that so called norms or
"nakagawian". Despite it, there is still
a solution: and everyone has a role to
play.
For the PBA management
As Santos said, he has been
doing it even in the past which
could only mean one thing: there
is something wrong with the
rule implementation. The PBA
management should be accountable
for the adjustments regarding the
policies that are hardly followed.
However, their immediate
action of imposing fine on Santos for
his misbehavior was a good move
and so the hopes of them being a
responsible organization are still high.
For the Filipino spider-man
As a public figure, Santos,
dubbed as the Filipino spider-
man for his skills, should be kept
reminded of his influence, especially
in an era where one's words can
be broadcasted through different
platforms or media; his words do not
only affect others’ mentality but also
his public image.
As his alyas' famous quote
says: With great power comes great
responsibility.
For every Filipino
Still, the heaviest burden is
dealt to every Filipino who can think
and decide by themselves. Everyone
has their own mind that allows them
to have freedom,though it still needs
to be parallel with moral ethics. The
actions that they’ll be doing are still
dependent with them, considering
the society at large— their social
responsibility.
In an age where equality
among races should be raised in
every stance, especially in social
engagement activities like sports,
close-minded individuals are just
victims of ignorance; they are in need
of someone or maybe something to
have their mind's lock unlatched.
Santos' action is a clear misconduct;
however, it could also be the eye-
opener which upholds what we've
been looking for— the one and only
truth: the ball has been and should
always be round.

18 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 www.facebook.com/prismtshs

sports PRISM
The Official Newsletter Publication
of Taguig Science High School

UNCHALLENGED WILL

A slowly
Edmar Mamaclay, a bus crash survivor
who lost his left leg in the process, is still
going strong with flow; accumulating
at least 10 medals in various swimming

fading torch competitions.

photo retrieved from thinkbigtaguig.com

Paul Hernandez

It's the Southeast Asian

Games; the torch will light up again,
like it always did. However, the
flames are likely to burn differently
as the country's reputation of hosting
is fast smoldering to its very own
people.
Kaldero ng Diyos as they call
it. The cauldron, a large scale version
of the torch, standing tall like a
"symbolic piece of art" as deemed by
Philippine Southeast Asian Games
Organizing Committee (PHISGOC)
Chairman Senator Alan Peter
Cayetano, has been loaded with–
complaints because of its 50 million
worth enough to already tarnish its
supposed attributes even before its
actual completion.
But worse is continuously
coming.
"I can tell you, handang-
handa na tayo [I can tell you, we
are assuredly ready]." Despite this
assurance of Sen. Cayetano a week sportsfeature Dominic Beler
before the opening ceremony, the

Through the waters

actual circumstances seem to speak
otherwise.
Each day that departs in
the SEA game countdown marks a
beginning of another frustration.
From the "overpriced" cauldron to
poorly-designed welcome signs and On the 29th of July 1948, once people see that I was disabled,
roll-up standees to logistic problems though gunshots and explosions A community-based defiance they become happy," Mamaclay
on early arriving delegations of the second world war were still said in Filipino on the verge of his
of Timor-Leste, Myanmar and reverberating on people's mind, It is not a rare moment to find Palarong Pambansa career.
Cambodia to a nutrient-deficient there was once a man of name an athlete who have escaped the However, despite this
breakfast of kikiam and egg for the Ludwig Guttman, a neurologist, who Filipinos' long-aged chains, take seemingly pleasant news, there still
athletes to an unfinished, action film had thought of an idea: through Adeline Dumapong and Josephine inhabited a problem: why is it still
set-like press conference hall of the sports, the permanently-injured Medina as examples. unusual?— still a limited edition?
football event, constant criticisms solidiers would regain strength. What is unlikely to be heard It seems that the people
from the participating countries Seven decades later, it is a life of young, victorious disabled haven't completely realized that
make our morale as a country was apparent that Dr. Guttman's athlete— a still few-written book these "differently-abled" individuals,
degraded– like an Olympic torch perception would break a stigma of series yet its resolution is already on especially the young ones, are no
slowly losing its blaze. which a lot would benefit. par with the finished ones. However, longer chained to an Apolinario
"Hosting the SEA Games The footprints of the stirred since the declaration of Palarong Mabini story but also, they excel in
will show the world how far the taint lasted up until this age; the Pambansa Special Games in 1997 for sports competitions, fulfilling what
Philippines has come, especially Philippines followed it legally nearly Special Education (SPED) athletes, Dr. Guttenburg initiated.
during the Duterte Administration," three decades ago through Republic the limited edition book have started After all, they only want their
said senate committee on sports 7277 or the Magna Carta for printing. stories to be like Mamaclay's— a
Chairman Bong Go on July, four Disabled Person. However, Filipinos Taguig, on its great luck, have hardly to be found book but shares
months before the games. and their toxicity is what deters the been offered with one copy; Edward the same blurb: through the waters
However, with these failures, supposedly successful law: from Mamaclay, an NCR delegate in 2017 I feel complete, just like everybody
we are not showing a distant- the mere street aliases like "putol" edition, created his first chapters as else.
achieved Philippines, but rather a on amputated person or "banlag" he bagged 5 gold medals.
country falling short. for misaligned-eyes up to sports "I'm happy because I thought I
discrimination. would be discriminated at first. But

sportsfeature Dominic Beler

The concealed divergence

Behind what everyone thought
to be an unbothered face of a great
boxer, there resides a faint unease;
it grew alongside the twelve rounds
that dealt him more frustration as
each passed through. In his mind
resonated a lone voice: I promised
my sons, they would see it in the
morning.
Filipino pride Nonito
Donaire had fallen short to defend
his bantamweight crown via
unanimous decision at Saitama Super
Arena,Japan against the younger
Naoya Inoue.
It was on Friday, November 8,
a day after his match, when Donaire
announced through a Facebook post
that his victorious opponent, Inoue,
allowed him to borrow the trophy for
one night— a step that, according to
him, would leave his kids whom he
promised of winning a lesson to be
learned through his experiences of
failure.
"And with tears in my eyes, I
humbly asked Inoue to borrow it for
a night, not for me but for my world,"
the Filipino Flash said.
It should have been a
cliche story of a great king being
overthrown, however, Donaire
decided to show up an imperceptible
version of himself in the four-
cornered battleground: a mixture of
a tough fighter and a soft-hearted
father whom after losing, displayed a
bruise-filled face but didn't hide the
pain for a figure that his beloved sons
could grasp a motivation into.
"It'll pain them to see my face.
They'll kiss my wounds. They'll see a
trophy we don't get to take home and
understand what it means to want to
train harder," Donaire added.
'The monster' as they called
him. However, ironically, Inoue, a
Japanese artisan of knockout having
no losses out of his 19 matches, has
shown no subchthonic characters of
a frightening creature, but rather a
heart of an unselfish professional— an
ideal sportsmanship which everyone
should be aware and possess of.
In a global atmosphere of
toxicity and hatred, is there still
a little hope of inhaling another
perception with regards to loss? — a
viewpoint like Donaire's: a chance
to grow despite the failure; not a
fathomless cave to dwell the rest our
life into.
If not, then we've become the
real definition of Inoue's pseudonym:
a monster

www.facebook.com/prismtshs Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 19

 prism off the page

Ears will bleed Alex Estrella

Can you hear the hymns of

the broken sickle
The crooked backs’
whimpers and whispers
As we lay on the ground, our
blood trickle
The song and the music of
crimson red rulers

Harvest the hearts of our

fields’ wardens
And reap their living spirits
quick and clean
Sow unto the minds of our
kin, like gardens
The seed of hatred their
fathers foreseen

Let the grains be smothered

in gunpowder
And the plains be littered
with grim proper
Silence our voice and hinder
our scream
Vain is to revolt and uprising
is to dream

When the sunlit grains turn

pale and grey
Will they consider it as
triumph or defeat?
They wiped the rebel,
ushered the stray
Rid the peasants and served
the elite

No land will grow wheat

with the waters of hell
Yet no wheat can amount
with the land they will sell
So they brandish their
weapons and sing it aloud:
“Slay, burn, be proud. Take,
bury, cover with shroud!”

And when the fields finally

loses the last of its souls
Our humming, our shrieks;
they shall grow louder
Soon will they be hearing
the last of their tolls
And soon will they hark to
the song of our anger

They will hear the hymns of

the broken sickle
They will harvest their sins
and reap their deeds
They will hear the hymns of
the broken sickle
We will make them listen.

20 Volume XV Issue No. 1 June-November 2019 illustration by Timothy Solis www.facebook.com/prismtshs