𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘵: Unveiling rising indie-rock band, HEY JUNE!” by Justine De Guia

 

Layout by: Jessie Claire Gozun

Published by: Lean Miguel Tizon

Date Published: May 21, 2024

Time Published: 2:07 PM

“𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦” Indeed, it is right now.

Acclaiming from the Metro, HEY JUNE! is a teenage indie-rock band that conveys its listeners to a highly vibrant genre of music. Their composed tracks, which are typically validated by catchy sounds, are incredibly common amongst Pinoy-pop culture enthusiasts.

These young ones live for their passion for music with their own artistic diversion. Before the idea of creating this three-piece band came up, these kids were complete strangers.

Moreover, let's give it up for Jim Mase, who strives as their vocalist and guitarist, Coey Ballesteros as their bassist while backing up vocals, and Aci Fodra as the drummer.

Its members were originally determined to join a project band, until their management company, Soupstar Music, saw what wonders these people could create together, they formed HEY JUNE!

Recently, in 2023, they finally released their debut album “Curiosity Killed the Cat” under Island Records Philippines, which features eight single tracks including "ORASAN," "LASIK," “SINO MALI," “Asan Ang Gana Ko," “Back to You," “Katulad Mo," “BIGLANG TAOB," and “Curiosity Killed the Cat.”

These three young people are curious cats in their own way, as young people exploring the early phases of life and maturity, hence the title of the album.

“One of the reasons why [Curiosity Killed the Cat] ‘yung naging title ng album kasi it’s about sa mundo natin ngayon and sa personal buhay namin. Ang daming nangyayari sa mundo and it’s overwhelming, lalo na’t may AI [and we’re] in the digital age,” Jim stated.

The band ensures to use their opportunity not merely to hear them perform live but also to acquire a thing or two from them while regularly being surrounded by other amazing musicians who have been in the profession for quite some time.

It wasn't a while before the band began sharing their musical works with the public, with their debut single "Just A Hit" arriving just before the end of 2021. Months later, they released "Panahon," which unexpectedly became their top hit.

HEY JUNE! stands out for their commitment to continuous growth and their obvious band harmony; their efforts have undoubtedly paid off.

REFERENCES:

Reyes, J. (2023, November 8). From strangers to hitmakers: Meet young OPM band HEY JUNE!. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/.../strangers-hitmakers-meet.../

Abanilla, I. (2022, February 17). Catch Hey June on GMA Playlist this February 18. GMA Music. https://www.gmanetwork.com/.../catch-hey-june-on.../story...

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: “Wandering” by Jessie Claire Gozun

 

Layout by: Jessie Claire Gozun

Published by: John Kurt Gabriel Reyes 

Date Published: May 20, 2023

Time Published: 3:00 PM

Category: Prose 

Theme: Waiting for someone you love.

“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦?”

Three words and a question mark. It’s an easy question—quite simple, really—but why are you having such a hard time answering? It’s been months and I still ask the same thing. I wonder what goes on in your head whenever I ask. I’m no mind reader and you’re just someone who caught my heart. 

“𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴𝘬?” you question me instead. Why? I tell you again and again. “‘𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪’𝘮 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴.”, I mutter. I’m always curious about you, yet you laugh at me for being so. I don’t understand why. I know you but you tell me otherwise. I know what you tell your friends; you tell how we’re just friends, best of friends. They know better than to believe your word though. They know who you are, and I do too, even if you think otherwise. 

My friends think of me as a fool, for hanging onto you, for still believing that we could be something more. But what do they know? All they have are their infatuations masked as love. They don’t understand what we have. Our relationship is different, it’s special. 

I’m serious about you, and you know I mean it—I know you truly do. I’ve opened up all of my heart to you, you know? But why can’t you do the same? Am I not enough for you? Is something wrong? Is something wrong with me? I have so many questions, I know you won't answer but can you at least hear me out? 

But you don’t hear a thing. You ask me to repeat. I chuckle, ruffling your hair as you glare at me.

I want to know what you really think of me if—we even feel the same way. Maybe one day you’ll let me know, I really hope so. I’ll continue waiting for that special day when your answer finally changes. But for now, I’ll have to settle with the same three words. Three words that keep me wandering. 

“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸.”

IMAGE SOURCE:

Waiting for the train at Union Station, c.1960, Chicago. | Train, Old photos, Union station. (n.d.). Pinterest. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/448811919096151979/

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: “Authentic Imperfections” by Danesa Cruz

 

Layout by: Jade Nathalie Taruc

Published by: Akira Joy Gabion 

Date Published: May 20, 2024

Time Published: 12:15 PM

Category: Poetry

Theme: Appreciating one’s imperfections 

I stared in the mirror searching for flaws,  

Making a list of nature’s raws.

Picking apart freckles and spots on my face,  

Wishing for silk where was uneven lace.

But in the mirror's reflection I see the cracks and lines,

Imperfect lips, flaky skin like nature's intricate designs.

Yet your love transcends the surface's guise,

Embracing the imperfect, seeing beauty through loving eyes.

Like a delicate rose untouched by the artist's brush,

You admired me, my flaws, with a heart full of lush.

Imperfect makeup elements symbols of authenticity,

Revealing the depths of a love that defies normality.

A skin not fair enough like the moon's gentle glow,

Unplucked eyebrows, wild and free like a river's gentle flow.

Imperfect eyeliner tracing the contours of my soul,

And blush, a shade imperfect like a sunset's golden role.

In the symphony of your admiration there's a sweet harmony,

Where imperfections dance creating a unique melody.

For it's the one who saw me before the makeup's charade,

Who admired me as a girl one of a kind never to fade.

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: "Sen. Gatchalian proposes cellphone ban during school hours" by Elijah Evangelista

Layout by: Carmelo Padernal

Published by: Simoun Jarred C. Erpilo 

Time Published: 1:35 PM

Date Published: May 17, 2024

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian proposed a ban on the use of cellphones and other forms of gadgets in class for all Basic Ed. students at a Kapihan sa Senado press forum on Thursday, April 25.

This will be implemented due to most students being distracted and heavily relying on their cellphones. It is also to encourage students to read books during school hours.

Gatchalian stated, “Because many of our young people are addicted the use of cellphones that they even use it inside the classrooms and within school hours."

“They waste the time looking at their cellphones, and their focus [is] trained on social media," he added.

According to the senator, he believes that the use of mobile phones rather than reading books makes students socialize and study less.

“Dapat nagbabasa sila, pero nanonood YouTube, TikTok. So pinag-aaralan ko ngayon na i-ban na sa mga bata lang ang paggamit ng cellphone sa loob ng classroom school hours."

Additionally, this is also to promote reading among grade students in line with Senate Bill No. 475, “An Act Institutionalizing A National Reading Month In November Every Year," which he filed in 2022.

REFERENCES:

Abarca, C. (2024, April 26). Gatchalian mulls cellphone ban in class: Youth are addicted to cellphones | Inquirer News. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/.../gatchalian-mulls...

Abante TNT. (2024, April 25). Gatchalian: Cellphone, iba pang gadget ipagbawal sa klasrum. Abante TNT - Tunay Na Tabloidista. https://tnt.abante.com.ph/.../gatchalian-cellphone.../news/

INQUIRER.net. (2024, April 25). Gatchalian mulls cellphone ban in class: Youth are addicted to cellphones. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSDG3vxIcbY

Torres, S. A. (2024, April 25). Senator eyes cellphone ban in schools, calls for mandatory “reading month.” ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/.../senator-eyes-cellphone-ban...

Senate Bill No. 475 - Senate of the Philippines. (2022).

http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=19...

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: "LOA Researchers bags glory in 4th PSALM International Conference" by Jan Gabriel R. Manaog

Published by: Faith Villaluna

Date Published: May 13, 2024

Time Published: 9:30 PM

Student-researchers from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand, along with members of the faculty of the Lyceum of Alabang, participated in the 4th Passion for Scholarship And Love for Mission (PSALM) International Conference (2024) at the University of Santo Tomas, Sampaloc, Manila, on May 4. 

 

Student-researchers from grade 12 were the only students from the Senior High School who were accepted and given the chance to participate. 

 

Abigail Job F. Alla, Dianna Grace F. Carina, Shanon Colonia, Reniza P. Manalaysay, Samantha Kier C. Olazo, and Hannah G. Rondaris were the participating grade 12 students from HUMSS - Bethsaida who presented their research topic titled, "Implementation of Expert Jigsaw in Teaching Literature To Selected Grade 11 Students of Tunasan National High School."

 

In an interview, Alla, one of the researchers, said that being a part of the conference was a big achievement for them. 

 

"Sobrang saya and sobrang laki n'yang accomplishment kasi actually na-receive namin 'yung email na pasado kami for UST is, literal na the moment before na sumalang kami sa defense. So, parang bigla kaming na-shock and parang sobrang proud kasi lahat ng pagod namin, efforts, as in literal na pagod, talagang nagbubunga s'ya," Alla stated when she was asked about what she felt as one of the only two accepted senior high school representatives in the conference. 

 

"'Yung pinakapagkakaiba n'ya mula doon sa naunang dalawang (research conferences) is sobrang laki. Kasi dito kay UST, international conference kasi s'ya eh. So, talagang ang daming professionals, professors from big universities like UP, La Salle, UST, like walang ibang senior high school student na nandoon maliban sa'min na nagpe-present," she added. 

 

Leocela G. Deliva, Drahcke M. De Leon, Mary Rose A. Diras, Kate Kathleen M. Faderon, Kiefer Chaysser T. Gavino, Rose Ann R. Hapita, and Prince Nathaniel K. Rentino were also students from grade 12 HUMSS - Bethsaida who delivered their research topic titled, "Seeing the 'Able' among 'Disable': Exploring the Lived Experiences of Special Education Teachers in the First District of Laguna."

 

In an interview, Deliva, one of the researchers, said that she was initially hesitant to represent their paper at the conference. 

 

"Una, hindi talaga dapat ako kasi leader nila ako, but ang pinili ko si Kate Faderon saka si Rentino. Para kasing nape-pressure pa 'ko that time na parang 'di ko kayang humarap sa maraming tao at i-represent 'yung paper namin," Deliva answered when asked about what she felt when they were selected to present. 

 

"Nanghingi ako ng motivation or sign na if ako talaga 'yung para doon, bibigyan ako ng sign na i-represent 'yung ano(paper). Tapos may nakita ako na post na, "Lose the chance or take the risk." Naisip ko, parang, kaya ko naman s'ya gawin, so why not ako mag-represent sa paper namin," she added. 

 

Meanwhile, respected educators from different schools and universities also attended the conference. 

 

Neil Celestino M. Ochoa, John Rafael D. Risos, Leonardo D. Alfaro, and Jamaica R. Villamil presented their research topic, "Amazing R.A.C.E: Utilizing Revisions, Action Item, Changes, and Evaluation to address productivity among Senior High School Students in Writing Research."

 

Ochoa, one of the researchers from the faculty, said that he, and his fellow teachers, learned a lot from the conference. 

 

"It was intellectually saturating. It's a good thing na intellectually saturating s'ya kasi sobrang daming topics about education na nabuksan, especially in teacher education kasi ayun yung focus nung event eh," Ochoa stated when asked about his experience from the conference. 

 

"For me, it's an overwhelming moment for my students na marinig nila from the experts themselves, the challenges encountered by their teachers and soon-to-be teachers. But, nonetheless, the good side of it [is] na-enlighten kaming lahat on how transformative education will enable us teachers and learners to achieve a common goal which is efficient, effective learning for both of us," he added. 

 

Neil Celestino M. Ochoa, Engr. Rodrigo P. Calapan, Kristopher Casquero, Christelle Burgos, Leonardo D. Alfaro, Jamaica R. Villamil, and Erick O. Mendoza also attended the conference and delivered their research topic, "Challenges and Level of Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Senior High School Teachers: Basis for Professional Development Plan."

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: “The Shape of a Heart” by Mary Elizabeth D. Luzon

Photo by: Nash Adelino

Published by: Clarence Pasco
Date Published: May 13, 2024
Time Published: 4:45 PM

Category: Prose
Theme: The unconditional love of a father

I turn to you because I realize that you are the echoes of nirvana. You are the escape. You are the entrance. You are the key that unlocks the greatest part of my life. I’ve always known you—not because you were there at my birth, but because I feel our souls are inseparable.

You say that you are the brawn and I am the brain but the beauty that I learned came from you. You taught me to fight the way you taught me to love. You showed me how to pack a punch and you showed me how to hug. You invest your time telling me of the dangers and yet you can only show me the best parts of life. You are a protector and you are an artist. I wish you saw yourself in my eyes, you are delicate only the best fathers can be.

The thunder vibrates through paper walls, and you find ways to soak up the tears of the crumbling ceiling. The lightning blinds me, you wrap your body around mine. I felt small shocks. Pain prickles my body no matter how much you try to shield me from the window. Your effort goes into hiding me to the forest corner possible and whisper to me lullabies only you and I knew. It was beautiful. It was too soft.

I asked you, If the lightning strikes in our home, where will you hide?

“In your heart. Will you save me a spot there?”

I tell you, It is cramped and impossible.

“How? We can make a spot for me, just for me.”

Your hand rests above my heart, I feel your love expanding it. This fullness inside my chest is heavy. This fullness inside my chest burns me only a fire in winter nights can. You cradle my heart and like magic you imprinted your spot there, we both knew only the shape of your heart can fit. My heart stays the same shape, no matter who or what occupied it, there is a place for you to hide in thunderstorms.

And it pains me that one day you won’t cradle me anymore. You barely do now; and, I burn only the growing fiery candles on birthday cakes when I whisper each year closer to the end. Not to your end, the end. It is the end of a fighter, the end of a painter, the end of a teacher, the end of a creator, the end, the end, the end. But with each candle I blow, the farther your memories go, my heart stays the same shape and waits for you to take cover. And when the end comes, and it will, your legacy ends with me giving all the love you taught me.

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗡: "Paalam, Sa Dating Minahal" ni Ashlyn Regado

Disenyo ni: Princess Almira Reyes

Inilathala ni: Ellen Clare Carballo

Petsang Inilathala: Mayo 13, 2024

Oras na Inilathala: 3:45 PM

Kategorya: Tula

Tema: Pagkatapos ng nasirang pagmamahalan

Kailan nagsimulang maging basura

Ang dating bagay na mahalaga?

Paano naging kulang ang sobra

At ang dating buo ay nawasak at nasira?

Ang himig na nagbibigay noon ng saya—

Ngayon ay nakakawala na ng sigla,

Ang iyong halimuyak na nagpapahiwatig ng pag aari at pagsinta—

Ngayo'y nakakapagbigay na ng hilo at panghihina

Ang iyong pagsuyo sakin ang naghatid sa kalaliman,

Ngunit sa halip na malunod, ako'y natutong sumisid.

Ang matutuhang lumayo paaalis sayo ang pinakamaganda at pinakamasakit na pagsalba ko sa sarili,

Upang ang paglunas sa sarili ay mapaglaanan

Marahil ganito talaga ang kahihinatnan—

Lalo na at alam kong hindi ka naging akin kailanman

Masyado akong nagpa-alwan sa iyong tabi,

Na hindi ko namalayang aalis ka rin sa aking panig nang walang pasintabi