#featurewriting

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.

by Aezel Eugenio

Dadum! Netflix is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of award-winning TV shows, movies, anime, documentaries, and more on thousands of internet-connected devices.

You can watch as much as you want, whenever you want without a single commercial – all for one low monthly price. There's always something new to discover and new TV shows and movies are added every week!

When I'm not too busy, I always watch Netflix. It is something that recharges my energy after a long and exhausting day. Something I enjoy doing at night, something I find addictive. This is how I spend my time alone.

But, even before the pandemic, my friends and I used to watch Netflix when class was too boring. We usually sit near the back of the room or near the wall, and because the students in our room have a table for two and open storage under the desk, we keep our phones under the table. It's perfect for Netflix and chill. We got the aircon on, had our hoodies on, snacks are ready under the table, and ready to hit the play button.

When I watch Netflix in bed with the lights turned off, I find it very relaxing. It serves as both a stress reliever and a pain reliever. This is where I go when I have a problem and need to take a break. I was always captivated by the movies or television shows I watched and developed an attachment to them.

I enjoy talking with my friends about the shows I've seen and ranting at them if something I don't like happens on the scenes. This may be a common hobby, but it is an important part of my life that I cannot give up. Watching great and good series or movies relieves my boredom and provides me with pleasure.

by: Aizzel V. Jacinto

The sky is the limit! Overwhelmed with the riding joy and fun. Keeping closer and closer to the beautiful sunset from the view of Taal volcano, with the freedom to laugh and enjoy the day in chilling and adventurous of Sky Ranch in Tagaytay.

It was a fulfilling day in December 2019, when I and my friends decided to go to Sky Ranch. It was easy and only took only one hour and a couple of minutes from Las Piñas to Tagaytay. At first, it was just a joy ride but then my close friend said, "We're already here, why don't we make the most out of it?" she grinned. Without any hesitations, we agreed to her idea. We jumped out of the car and embraced the cold breeze of the wind of the beautiful Tagaytay.

We arrived at exactly 4'oclock in the afternoon. We don't know exactly what to do or what ride we want to try. There's no plan, but always the unexpected plan happened with memories that I couldn't imagine that stays within my heart.

Few minutes passed when we decided to try Vikings. It was a fifty-fifty decision. I silently step back and thinking if, whether I stay alive or die. Then, my friend started a bet, if no one will come, she/he will pay for the foods later and guess what? It's like swaying my inner soul out of my body. Yes. I chose the half fifty of my life. Crossing my fingers and calling the angels above. Literally, it is Super Vikings.

After that ride, we curse our friend who invited us to join the ride. He's just laughing at our reaction and said that we should roam around before the sun dawn. We took a picture behind the Sky Ranch sign, along with the attractive views and some selfies. Smiling and different pose that takes tons of shots. It was surreal. the place was great and filled with happiness that makes it more amusing.

There's a lot of food stalls to choose from. We just got a little amount of food because we are scared that we might vomit after riding rides. We laughed about the epic pictures of everyone of us. A new way to control your friends. And then we waited until five-thirty to ride in the Sky Eye. Before that, I pray. Indeed.

While lining up. I felt that I'm having convulsions that I'm nearly going to explode. It's like a do or die. Then it is now our turn. We all giggled and the excitement arose along with the fear. While opening the door, my heart race and I said to myself, it is an eclipse of my life, that it will only happen one time in my life.

It started now to move, at first, I can handle it. I am safe inside and I have nothing to worry about. However, when we are already in the middle and I tried to look down at the window. I thought that was the end of my life. It triples the beat of my heart and makes me a little dizzy. Good thing I have a friend who is very concerned, that the first thing she does is took a video of mine.

Minutes passed and we reached the top. I have no words to say. The fear and excitement collab suddenly. The city lights and the beautiful view of taal. My eyes have been blessed with the beauty of nature. I was speechless and moved by the scenery.

Remembering those good old days brings back a lot of joy and I have no regrets in every single moment that I cherished. Tagaytay, Sky Ranch is one of the places to ease your stress and enjoy your youth.

by: Aizzel V. Jacinto

"You can make anything by writing," quoted by C.S Lewis. He is a British writer and he began his literary career as a poet. Poetry that flows naturally through the waves of your passion that leads you to the mountain peak of success.

Spoken word poetry is oral poetic performance art. Expressing your piece with emotions. It's a late-twentieth-century continuation of an ancient oral artistic tradition that emphasizes the aesthetics of recitation and wordplay, such as the performer's live intonation and vocal modulation.

During my elementary days, I always like to write different words on the back of my notebook. Thinking of rhyming words or something deep or unusual. It has been my habit and way back then, I am just playing and trying to explore without knowing that it is poetry already.

On a summer vacation between my junior high school, my friend gift was a beautiful notebook and a pen. I write quotes, one stanza and later on spoken word poetry. I practiced to rehearse the piece little by little, putting emotions through my words and eventually, I find it as my way to ease my sadness and pain.

The notebook contains different of piece and melody. I write when I am happy, when I'm in pain and even when I am inspired. There's a lot of events that can't be explained and through words, it can easily burst out, the true meaning and the purpose of it to deliver those emotions that can encourage many people.

I only gain confidence to deliver my poetry on the last grade of junior highschool. My Filipino teacher and my fellow classmates reaction gave me courage to do more. It is my first time, at the end of my performance everyone clapped and show their mix emotions about the piece. I genuinely smiled. That is the purpose of it, that my words finds it's own way to pass on their mind and hearts. And it feels wonderful that makes the piece more effective ans satisfying.

Unfortunately, the pandemic happened. I am assigned to deliver a spoken word poetry for our moving up. However, it was cancelled. Up until now the notebook is still on our classroom. Honestly, I regret it. Those are memories too, my baby steps and my growing process. However thinking on the positive side, it is a melody. I already memorize every single of notes.

by: Aizzel V. Jacinto

Red, blue, and yellow shimmers and overwhelmed the stage as Rabiya Mateo ramp on stage. As she holds 21 kg wings that spread magnificently on the National Costume for Miss Universe 2020.

Rabiya Mateo is 24 years of age and graduated as a licenced physical therapist with Latin honors in Iloilo city. She's living simply with just enough source of living is not a hindrance for her dream, to be on stage and to represent the Philippines.

She joined at the Miss Universe held on Baguio last October 2020 as a representative of her hometown—Iloilo city. She wins the heart of the judges because of her wonderful answers without a blink of an eye. She answered confidentiality to the question, "If you can create a new paper currency with the image of any Filipino on it, dead or alive, who would it be and why?" and she answered, Miriam Defensor Santiago who is also an Ilongga. She admires her knowledge and bravery. And the last sentence that she voice out, "Afterall, she is the best president that we never had," Everyone clapped and filled with adoration. A cold breezing Baguio suddenly covered by red flames, that she will be the Miss Universe that we never had.

In the finals, she crowned as the representative for the Philippines and the remaining months as productive as she practiced for the walk and rehearsals. While upon putting an efforts to win the competition, her goal is to find his Indian-American Father who left her since she was a child. She said that Miss Universe is her way, to let her father saw her. That she grows up as a fine woman. It gives her motivation and inspiration to strive for the crown.

In May 2021 the most awaited competition, Miss Universe 2020, held in Florida. Gorgeous lady from different countries and Rabiya Mateo is confidently stunning and overflows her natural beauty.

Rabiya Mateo cheered by Filipino's on the event and especially in the Philippines. Social media are flooded by support and love and the most trending is "Ariba, Rabiya!" However, the negative comments of the others due to her National Costume and other political matters affects Rabiya and make a quick live expressing her emotions. She stated that "It's never been easy, pero kinakaya ko parin," and smiled.

On the big day, she confidently walks. Especially on her swimsuit, everyone asked where's the sun on her national costume, it answered by her glowing and radiating performance. She's the sun that completes the Philippines flag.

Rabiya Mateo did her all efforts into the Miss Universe 2020 and ended up as the top 21 finalists and awarded with Best Swimsuit. In years, the Philippines are still always on top 21 which shows Filipino are competitive in terms of any competitions.

After the coronation night, she said that It will never be a loss hence it will be an open door for any possible opportunities. She congratulates the winner, Miss Mexico and every woman who shows their beauty and their uniqueness.

by: Aizzel V. Jacinto

Poverty. Deprived. Poor, and Unprivileged. This is the situation of the Philippines under the deadly pandemic.

The COVID 19 has a big impact on the daily lives of people. It is not only on their health but also on their sources of living. Everyone is not prepared for this long term situation. Some of the Filipino's died with the virus, and the others died in hunger. Fighting their own lives to survive was not enough without any source of strength and power.

A woman who lives in Quezon City, Maginhawa—Ana Patrica Non seen the situation and she thought of an idea on how to help despite the pandemic. The rising concept of the “community pantry” began with a sign and simple idea: give according to ability and take base on your needs.

It started with basic needs such as instant can goods and vegetables. In just a few days the community pantry spread to different cities and provinces. Ana Patricia Non was surprised by the speed action of the fellow Filipino's that has the same goal as she has and it is to help the people in needs.

She said, I'm happy that people saw the need but at the same time, happy and sad. She's not pure positive ... It also exposed the need for food security among our Filipinos ... We are happy to be empowered. After all, we need to work together because we are first while we are getting less," In the end, We are Filipino's will help each other to surpass this rampant.

The community pantry helps a lot of people in need. They follow the right protocols and only get their needs and to give something that they can with their own pocket. It shows the Filipino concept which is the "bayanihan."

by: Aizzel V. Jacinto

Who would you call for justice? in the state of the justice system here in the Philippines? Wherein your voice can be heard, and let the justice chase you.

Raffy Tulfo in Action is a segment in a radio program entitled Wanted sa Radyo on Radyo 5 92.3 News Fm. This program focuses on the injustice, suppression, and cruelty of the reality within the society or between the person involves.

It sounds that justice will be in the hands of the victim hence will receive rewards from the team of Raffy Tulfo in Action. They trust Raffy Tulfo as he helps the poor and offers donations. Multiple issues happened around, not only in society but of course in social media which is wide and broad. That results in a lot of netizens who have been oppressed, immediately called or went to the program to share their stories in front of the media.

However, is this how justice works? To let the other people witness and judge every angle of the story without even knowing the whole story. To let the younger generation watched and heard truly inappropriate words. And to let the victim or the oppressor forced to be on the segment without proper consent. According to The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, in section 12(1) of Article 3 (Bill of Rights), states: Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel preferably of his own choice.

The phrase "Ipapa-Tulfo kita!" is popular when something isn't right. That make the others uncomfortable and it can be a joke or a threat. A word that triggers justice and to seek power from the media.

Instant justice is where the other victims hold on when the legal process is not in favor. Those are the faces, who is extremely exhausted, hopeless and desperate to aim for justice. Most of the victim said: "Magrereklamo lang po," outside the station with hundreds of people line up.

There is a strike question from the PulseAsias of the world, "Kailan ka huling nakaranas ng katarungan?"

A moment of silence. Hence, all of us knows the answer already.

In this current situation, When you don't know the face of justice when you don't feel and heard the voice of justice. You will be mistaken on who is the right justice when it is not available for everyone. Most of the victim said once: "Kay Idol Raffy nalang kami,"

Soon, multiple of netizens with different issues or problems will line up on the radio station and circulating around social media to be heard.