test

Bea Santina The human body is a wondrous timekeeping machine that “changes” with age; various phenomena occur in our biological system that most of us aren’t even aware of. As the human body takes years to fully develop, many changes come as someone transitions throughout the adolescence stage and even towards adulthood. These changes are part of our biological clock.  Photo Courtesy to DW/Stock Photo It is a long established fact that women have clocks that dwindle until they reach menopause. Yet, a new study about men’s bodies reveals that they may possess clocks of their own. Men and women in puberty Among women, there is a puberty determinant called the menarche, which is the first monthly cycle that defines girls’ entry towards womanhood. On the other hand, men show signs of puberty through the growth of facial hair, growth spurts and the development of a deeper voice. Aside from puberty, women also encounter the menopause phase. In their lifetime, women have a limited number ...

Juan Carlo R. Mercado Fifteen years ago, a towering 7-foot center from Spain set foot on Los Angeles soil. That time, the Lakers were looking for a perfect Robin to Kobe's Batman -- they found Pau Gasol. The Lakers then emerged victorious during the next couple of years, sealed by two championships.  Photo Courtesy of Sporting News The Los Angeles Lakers retired Pau Gasol's No. 16 jersey and hang it beside Kobe Bryant's retired number 24 jersey during the halftime period of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies last March 8. This is to recognize Gasol's hard work, work ethic, skill, dedication, and all the tangibles and intangibles that he poured out during his exceptional 18-year career. Gasol was initially drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2001 but was traded to the Grizzlies that same year. However, in 2008, a drastic change came into his life and career, playing alongside the Mamba and for one of the known teams in the NBA–the Lakers.  With Gasol's presence in ...

Axell Lumiguen Highlighting the passage of SOGIE Equality Bill, and recognition of HIV and AIDS conditions, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Communication Student Council (PUP-COC SC) conducted a forum with the title "Beauty Sleep: A Dream for the SOGIE Equality Law and HIV and AIDS Acceptance" at Charlie Del Rosario Building, PUP Main Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila, March 17.  The event featured three speakers that explained the topics each for SOGIE Equality Bill, HIV, and AIDS.  File Photo Miss Trans Global 2021 Albiean Revalde opened up the program by giving examples on how power dynamics, gender roles, SOGIESC spectrums, and gender-based violence exist in the country and how it was fueled and imprinted by factors within politics, culture, and society.  HIV Counselor James Edward gave insights about the virus, starting with some few historical facts on how HIV has become rampant in Asia in 1984, emphasizing difference between HIV and AIDS, its non...

As the autumn of March settled in and the leaves began to don their golden hues, the magical School of Witchcraft and Wizardry stirred with anticipation, as it readied itself for the most illustrious and anticipated event of the year: The Department of Quest & Mysteries: Economics Tournament of Houses. Amidst the palpable excitement, the four Houses brimmed with pride, each harboring a unique characteristic that set them apart. The Gryffindors, known for their valor and indomitable spirit, coveted bravery above all else. The Ravenclaws, with their insatiable thirst for knowledge, revered the intellect and celebrated the brightest minds. The Hufflepuffs, ever loyal and hardworking, deemed perseverance the most deserving of admission. And the cunning Slytherins, with their unbridled ambition, held high those with the loftiest of aspirations. In this enchanted realm, the magic of the Tournament of Houses pulsated through the air, beckoning all aspiring witches and wizards to partake i...

Aldrich Allaga “For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.” - William Shakespeare While the pledge of brotherhood may seem to run thicker than blood, so does the irrevocable scar of betrayal as one inflicts a wound on his brother— this, in my opinion, best expresses the counterintuitiveness of hazing. Cartoon by Joseph Idusora As defined by Lehigh University, hazing is an action or situation, whether on or off-campus, intended to create mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. From the time of Plato, hazing has been a sort of “torment,” growing in popularity until post-World War I 1912, wherein educational institutions began to prohibit the act. The Philippines has its bitter history of hazing too. Republic Act No. 8049, otherwise known as the “ Anti-Hazing Law of 1995 ,” was enacted upon the death of former Atenean and Aquilia Legis initiate  Leonardo "Lenny" Villa  four years prior. The aforementioned law perfectly describes ...

The UP Career Assistance Program (UP CAP) is UP Diliman’s premier career assistance organization, and serves as every undergraduate student’s career development partner, with a focus on business and economics related opportunities. UP CAP serves as a bridge between students and professional institutions, promoting a high standard of competence among students by providing holistic and meaningful development initiatives rooted in service and excellence. On its 35th year, UP CAP shifts to the hybrid setup as it hosts its annual flagship event—Career Fair 2023: Ascending to Greater Possibilities, a nationwide internship and employment fair where you can network with company representatives, turn in their resumes, and pursue jobs that they’ve been eyeing on.  This week-long recruitment event is the first of its kind as it consists of both online and on-ground executions. On March 13 and 14, you can tune in to a series of online webinars hosted by reputable Human Resources managers and g...

The tendency of people to develop a skewed sense of change over time is the fatal flaw of centuries-old agendas. Engulfed by the reforms that had happened in the last years, the illusion of having done more than enough for the cause is already amplified among the masses, obscuring their perception of advancement and impeding actual progress. This year’s International Women’s Day calls for a thorough review of the status of Filipino women in recent history—for it may feel like the country has already done enough for them when the work has barely even begun. Cartoon by Maurice Gimena Recent figures show that the Philippines remain unsafe for many women. According to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey administered by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), one in four women aged 15-49 has experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their husband/partner. This is a cause for concern, considering that there are laws penalizing violence against women such as the R...

Cartoon by John Ezekiel Santos

Lance Arevada Nagpasya ang grupong Manibela at PISTON na wawakasan na nila ang kanilang plinanong isang linggong tigil-pasada matapos makipagpulong ngayong gabi sa mga opisyal sa Malacañang. Photo Courtesy to One News PH/ABS-CBN News Nakipagdialogo sina Manibela Transport Group Chairman Mar Valbuena at PISTON President Mody Florada kina Presidential Communications Office Sec. Cheloy Garafil at Office of Executive Secretary USec. Roy Cervantes kung saan kanilang idinulog ang ipinaglalaban ng kanilang hanay. "Upang masimulan ang diskurso, nagdesisyon ang aming grupo na ihinto ang transport strike kasama ang PISTON at magbalik-pasada na simula bukas," pahayag ni Valbuena. "Nais naming humingi ng paumanhin sa ating mga mananakay sa naisagawang transport strike ng aming grupo upang mabigyan ng boses ang aming mga hinaing. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyong pangunawa." Pahayag naman ng Palasyo hinggil sa pagwawakas ng tigil-pasada, "Sa huli, iisa lamang ang layunin ng ...

Lance Arevada Karamihan sa mga pangunahing ruta sa Metro Manila at mga karatig pang probinsya ang nakaranas ng kawalan ng mga pampublikong jeepney bunsod ng pag-arangkada ng unang araw ng isang linggong malawakang tigil-pasada nitong Lunes, Marso 6, bilang protesta sa jeepney modernization program ng gobyerno. Photo Courtesy by PISTON Ayon sa grupong PISTON, na lumahok sa transport strike, tinatayang nasa 80% ng mga pangunahing ruta sa Metro Manila, gaya ng sa Quezon CIty, Manila, at Pasay, at maging hanggang sa mga lungsod ng Calamba at Antipolo ang apektado ng kanilang malawakang pagkilos. Taliwas naman ito sa pahayag ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) na nasa 10% lamang sa mga ruta ang naapektuhan ng tigil-pasada at aabot umano sa 5% lang ng kabuuang ruta sa buong bansa ang tinamaan ng naturang pagkilos. "“As of 11 a.m., in Metro Manila, we have only at least 10 percent po ang affected na areas or routes. But again, we have rescue buses and libreng ...

  Cartoon by Maurice Gimena

Pebrero 2—nawalan ng kulay, humina ang bass, at tila ba nanlumo ang mga hari ng daan sa biglaang anunsyo ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Memorandum Circular No.2023-013 , ang pagbabalik ng hilaw na planong Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. Binigyan ang individual operators ng mga tradisyonal dyip at UV express hanggang Hunyo 30, na kalaunan ay ipinagpaliban hanggang Disyembre 31, upang magpatuloy sa kanilang mga ruta bago ang phaseout ng kanilang mga sasakyan pang pasada; may palugit hanggang sa huling araw ng taon naman ang mga operator na bahagi ng kooperatiba o korporasyon.  Kartun ni Alex Macatuno Sa laban ng ating mga tsuper sa ilang taong pagpupumilit ng LTFRB sa modernisasyon ng public utility vehicles, isasagawa ng Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) ang isang linggong tigil-pasada simula sa Marso 6.  Mukhang nagambala naman ang Malacañang sa hinaing ng ating mga drayber, dahil bagaman a...

Dion Mikhail Fetalvero Carlos Yulo went on an impressive medal run in Doha, Qatar, bagging all medal iterations in three apparatus finals at the 2023 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series, Saturday. Photo Courtesy of Inquirer Sports The Filipino gymnast delivered a stellar performance in his pet event, bagging gold and finishing with a total of 14.833 from an 8.333 execution and 6.5 difficulty in the floor exercise.   The 2019 world champion stayed ahead of the competition, scoring 0.633-points higher than Japanese Minami Kazuki who bagged silver and Luke Whitehouse of Great Britain who secured bronze with 13.966. His runner-up at that edition of the world championships, Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, topped the qualification round last Wednesday but ultimately withdrew from the finals. Meanwhile, the Filipino pride carried his brilliance on his other two apparatuses, pocketing a silver medal in the parallel bars with a 14.933 score – a shy away from gold medallist Illia Kovtun...

Lynxter Gybriel L. Leaño Ipinatawag na mismo ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. si Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian upang mapag-usapan ang palagiang pantaboy at hindi magandang pagtrato ng mga Tsino sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at sa mga mangingisda sa South China Sea. Photo Courtesy by ABS-CBN News Kinumpirma ito ng Presidential Communications Office noong Pebrero 14 kung saan itinalakay ng dalwang presidente ang ang pagpapaigting sa tamang pagpapamahala sa South China Sea. "They exchanged views on how to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen dialogue and communication, and properly manage maritime differences between China and the Philippines," giit pa ng Chinese Embassy. Kamakailan rin ay kinontrahan ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang mga aksyon ng Chinese Coast Guard sa mga Pinoy dahil sa kanilang “latest aggressive activities” sa inaangking karagatan. Napagkaalaman ng DFA na gumamit ang mga Tsino ng military-grade laser upang itab...

Rjay Castor Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senator Risa Hontiveros are at word war yet again after the former claimed that the “bottomline” of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality bill is to legalize same-sex marriage in the country.  Photo Courtesy by Senate of the Philippines/CNN Philippines  "Yun po yung pinaka-bottomline nito. Gusto nila ng same sex marriage? Ano ba? 'Wag na tayo maglokohan. Is it what they are asking for? Pero sinasabi nila hindi. 'Wag na tayong maglokohan. Same-sex marriage talaga ang gusto," Villanueva said in an interview with reporters. Hontiveros, who authored and sponsored the measure in the 17th Congress, refuted Villanueva’s claim, reiterating that the bill under Committee Report No. 15 did not include provisions on marriage licenses. "Hindi aabutin ng higit benteng taon ang labang ito kung tayo ay nakikipaglokohan. Walang nakasaad sa SOGIE Bill ukol sa same se...