Arcling

Injecting the Line Between Life and Death

By: Riand Argabioso

 “We may be in the same storm, but we are in different boats”. – Damian Barr

 For the past year, we have been in the lockdown state due to the infamous global pandemic that affected us in more ways than we could possibly imagine. Fear and anxiety have been working together in order to take down man’s spirits. Of course, as we would imagine, there have been physical and mental consequences regarding their health—not just for the children or teens, but the adults as well.        

 Some people have been scared to go out of their homes due to paranoia, and took the time to reflect and change their unsanitary habits.

 Though, while some people think that this is enough to combat the virus, it is important to look at the scientific evidence that supports the study of vaccines and its benefits for the general populace.

 Peoples’ mistrust of vaccines aren’t a new thing that suddenly cropped up in the middle of nowhere. These people have been around since the very beginning, perhaps even long before you and I were even born.

 These kinds of people have been dubbed by the public as “Anti-vaxxers” or simply, people who do not believe in vaccines.

 Could you blame some of them, though? After the Dengvaxia vaccine fright, a lot more people have been wary of vaccines, and those same people received and spread false truths and misinformation regarding the topic, especially since its media coverage hasn’t exactly been on the positive side.

 Misinformation has been the enemy of both mankind and science, and both parties, even if they try their best, could not fully counteract these statements solely due to the fact that… not everyone is willing to listen.

 People could talk and point out scientific research and wave them in front of their own eyes, but the skeptics would still find a way to dump the factual argument by flipping the narrative in a way that makes it seem that the scientific researchers are the one spreading false information.

 These types of instances are dangerous, especially nowadays as we are in the middle of a pandemic. Herd immunity due to the vaccine is one of the ways that we can slowly, but surely return to normal.

 The national expert panel on vaccines of the Philippine government is eyeing the inclusion of people aged twelve to seventeen in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, in a bid to ramp up the virus response and prevent the spread as much as humanely possible

Additionally, vaccine trials for the aforementioned age group are currently being held, wherein the government would only just be waiting for the conclusive report. the results of which could be released sometime between June and July 2021. 

 Philippine authorities also plan to vaccinate children below 12 years old from the COVID-19 virus, once jabs for them become available.

 According to government authorities, population below 18 years old is comprised of more than 29 million people. Hence, this age group needs to be vaccinated for us to achieve herd immunity.

 COVID-19 vaccines were developed in record time but getting those vaccines into the arms of people around the world is a different story. The challenge is the equal distribution of vaccines, especially for a developing country like the Philippines. This pandemic has magnified every existing inequality in our society – systemic racism, gender inequality, and poverty.

 It is up to you whether or not you draw the line on the spread of misinformation. It is also up to you which information gets passed down to your friends and loved ones. Intensive research should be done before passing on such information, because you never know how the statement you shared on social media platforms would affect the person on the other side of the screen.

Songs of the Heart

By: Riand Argabioso

 The final note rang in the cool, midnight air, trapped inside the four walls of the lonely room. With every strum, I could feel the lines between fantasy and reality blurring as I sank into my own peaceful paradise where it was just me and the music…

 I’ve been known to dabble in all sorts of different things, ranging from experimenting with recipes, to creating art pieces from recycled items!

 So, when a cousin of mine asked me what I liked to do for fun, I stopped for a moment and thought: what DO I like to for fun?

 My first thought, as I went through the options in my head, was writing. I loved it—the feel of creating universes that stemmed from your own imagination, the absolute thrill of seeing different stories unfold right before your very eyes. Of course, I wouldn’t dare forget the joyous feeling of piecing together a puzzle that only you can solve, with a satisfying click to the brain with every piece you stitch together.

 But I’m getting ahead of myself.

 Sure, writing novels and short stories, as well as designing characters and creating their own concept art held a special place in my heart that burned with intense passion. Though, that’s the thing. Writing, to me, is not just something I did in my spare time, or something that I do when I want to procrastinate. It’s more than just a hobby—it’s something I’m passionate for… something I know I want to do for the rest of my life on this slowly-decaying Earth.

 To be honest, I didn’t think my 3-year-old relative would understand. So, the hobby-hunting quest had begun!

 At first glance, it shouldn’t have been hard to think of a random thing for us to do with the abundant free time she had. But I wanted it to be a special thing—not just something only she or I wanted or understood, but something we could share together. A golden memory for her to look back on, one could say.

 So, I thought to myself, what unites us more than anything in this simple household? I wanted to say food, but that was just the hunger talking, if I had to be honest.

 Then, I saw it—rather, I heard it being played just outside the porch, a bittersweet melody that almost brought tears to my eyes.

 I excitedly grabbed my cousin’s hand and we sped across the hall to reach the source of the music.

 Though, by the time we reached the porch, the musician (who turned out to be my aunt) had left the area, leaving a couple of instruments behind. I smiled to myself as I picked up the guitar, and gently struck a chord, much to the delight of my young cousin.

 “More, more!” she squealed, clapping her hands excitedly as she jumped up and down. Of course, I humored her, striking random chords that seemed to fit well together, strumming the strings up and down to a certain beat that only the two of us could hear.

 I had forgotten this blissful feeling— yes, I played various instruments (though, I mostly stuck with the piano and ukulele), and enjoyed singing, but due to other priorities, I didn’t have time properly enjoy the music the way I did with my cousin.

 Every time we would come visit, I’d bring my ukulele and she’d beg me to make up a tune, and eventually, we’d both fill the upbeat piece with random words until we’d finally have a full “song”.

 Now, even though my cousin lives in another country, we’d still find the time to video chat on social media platforms, and we’d continue our tradition to make up silly songs.

 On my own, however, I found out that actually writing songs seriously helped me feel better, and inspired me when it felt like nothing’s going the way it should. It acted as a channel for me to mediate my thoughts, other than writing novels.

 As of now, I have made a few original songs, and I even made a few parody versions of popular songs. I currently post these songs and parodies on an international platform, with a following of around 500 people worldwide and views ranging from 1.1k to 6.6k which also helps improve my confidence as I see the number of supportive comments I receive.

Trese: Your Guide to the Supernatural! 

by: Riand Argabioso

(spoiler free)

 “Tabi-tabi po!” Do you hear that? Could it be the sneaky movement of a nuno? Or perhaps, the sound of the tikbalang trampling across the fields? Nevertheless, you can count on Alexandra Trese to help!

 Surely, you have heard of the latest Netflix Original that made a huge splash on its release on the 11th of June, 2021. From the memes you can find scattered across various social media platforms, to the fanart that could be seen at almost every turn, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that Trese has definitely made an impact not only in the Philippines, but also in other countries (such as Singapore, U.A.E, New Zealand, and many more).

 But for those of you who miraculously haven’t heard of this latest series to binge with family and friends, Netflix’s version of the graphic novel Trese introduced Filipino culture and mythology to international audiences. Though the Filipinos are familiar with supernatural beings’ presence in the provinces, the settings and backdrop of Netflix’s Trese is set in modern-day Metro Manila.

 Even though the animated series was released only recently, the graphic novel that it was based on published its first issue way back in 2008.  

 The series follows occult detective Alexandra Trese as she goes around the city solving crimes, slaying monsters, while trying to maintain balance between the real world and the underworld.

 As of now, the series only has six episodes with lovable, well-written characters, in addition to a thrilling story line, and heart-wrenching, excitable plot twists that would keep you on the edge of your seat at every turn. While there is no official news for a second season, fans from all around the world are begging for more.

 In English, the word “trese” means “thirteen”. Though, its rankings in Netflix Philippines are far from thirteen. Since its release just a few days ago, Trese immediately climbed the ranks of the top 10, currently holding the number one spot for trending. However, its outstanding rankings are not only limited to the Philippines. This popular Netflix show has earned a spot in the top 10 in eighteen other countries!

 The show is available to watch in four languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, and of course, Filipino. Liza Soberano herself voiced the titular character in the Filipino dub, which drew even more attention to the show. Philippine fans have shown mixed feelings for the actress as she claimed her role as the voice actor for Alexandra. Some fans have expressed their sour tunes for the actress, saying that her delivery wasn’t as good as it should’ve been, while there are others, such as Inka Magnaye (a professional voice actor) who have been defending Liza from her bashers. Though, as they say, you can’t please everyone.

 As someone who has watched the series in its entirety for at least three times since its release, Trese is definitely a must-watch for those who are interested in Philippine mythology, or for those who just simply enjoy watching thrillers and mysteries.

Stage Fright, Who? Ten Tips for Public Speaking by Riand Argabioso

Do you feel it? Do you feel your heart pounding as you nervously fidget in front of the cold, silent crowd? Do you feel the intensive heat pressing against your skin as your mind draws a blank and you oh-so-desperately try to dig your way out of the abyss of your own creation?

If you’re anything like me, you dread the feeling of having to go up and talk in front of people, whether it be 15 classmates, or the whole country. Luckily, I’ve found out ways to combat the anxiety that comes with speaking publicly with the help of experience, and my supportive friends and family.

1.   Prepare yourself mentally.

This may seem obvious at first, but you’d be surprised at the number of people who skip this crucial step.

In order to give an effective speech, you need to first convince yourself that you can do this—that you are capable of conquering the task presented to you.

2.   Study the given topic.

If you’re lucky, you will be given the chance to choose your own topic to present, but more often than not (especially in students), this is not the case.

Understanding the topic helps you easily convey the ideas you want to share to the crowd. Instead of drily reading from clearly scripted cue cards, you would be sharing information that you know by heart, which leaves a better impression overall. Additionally, you can watch other speakers present the same topic in order to gain some more insight on how you want to present your topic.

3.   Organize your speech

Creating the speech you’re going to present seems easy at first glance. Though, if you don’t know what kind of message you want to deliver to your audience, knowing which points to include and exclude can prove difficult, and oftentimes frustrating.

Organize your thoughts in a sheet of paper (or sheets, if you have a lot of ideas). Then, decide the most and least important points about the given topic. Afterwards, you can plot out the flow of your speech, and eventually move on to editing and finalizing

 4.   It’s okay to rewrite.

As stated in the previous step, after plotting out the desired framework, you can start writing the initial draft (which doesn’t have to be perfect). Reread the paper for things that seem unnecessary, or repetitive, or even simple grammar mistakes.

 Rewriting your speech can help you see which areas are lacking, and which parts feel unnecessary.

5.   Practice, practice, practice!

Great speeches don’t happen overnight (though, I wish they did). Practice your speech in front of a mirror, or even in front of trusted friends and family to slowly build your confidence in public speaking.

 Listen to their suggestions and constructive criticism, because they’re speaking from the audience’s perspective.

 You can make little note cards to mark important details—but don’t rely on them too much. Additionally, you can record yourself giving a speech, and listen for possible mistakes. Speak clearly, and watch out for flat tones and filler words and correct them with even more practice.

 6.   Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

After all, we’re human beings—nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes! In order to become a great speaker, you must first be able to acknowledge your mistakes. The important thing is to adapt and learn from them, so that we can improve.

 7.   Dress the part (trust me).

Wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable is important, but it is also a good idea to wear something that fits the occasion. You wouldn’t want to wear pajamas to a press conference, would you?

 Feeling comfortable, as well as looking good helps boost your confidence, which, in turn, allows you to become a more effective speaker.

 8.   Maintain eye contact.

Looking at the audience from time to time makes them feel like you’re actually talking to them instead of reading out loud to the air surrounding you.

 Maintaining eye contact also allows you to see the audience’s reaction to the things you are saying, which makes it easier for you to adapt to the situation and apply a proper response in order to stimulate the crowd.

 9.   Smile!

Have you heard about faking an emotion until you trick your brain into feeling it? Yeah. The same goes with public speaking.

If you pretend to be confident and smile brightly, eventually your brain is going to think that you actually are.

If my point hasn’t been made clear by now, smiling goes a long way. As your audience sees that you are relaxed, you project those feeling onto them, easing them into a space that allows both you and the listeners to relax instead of stressing out over nothing.

   1O. Pray.

Before you step up on the stage, or even before you start writing your speech… it is important to whisper a prayer to our Almighty God to give us the guidance and strength that we need in order to effectively speak publicly.

As a final note, I want you all to know that it is impossible to please everybody, and that not everything will always go according to plan. Yes, it is important to be prepared—but it’s also important to enjoy yourself in what you do. It is important that you are willing to learn, and at the same time, share that knowledge with others.

These tips may or may not work for you, and that’s okay. What’s important is that you took up an opportunity to improve, and that you’re one step closer to finding your true self.