APRIL-MAY 2021

THE LAMPLIGHT
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL TEACHERS COLLEGE

FIAT LUX X OSA:

SUCCESSFUL WEBINAR “CHECK NA
CHECK! FACT-CHECKING AND THE
FIGHT AGAINST DISINFORMATION"
BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL

In the middle of COVID-19 Pandemic and the Ms. Kai Pajutagana, MA English, Coordinator of
increasing policies made by authorities that Academic Services of Collegio de San Lazaro,
undermines the democratic norms in the freelance English writer/proofreader, writer of ELS
Philippines, it is imperative for journalists to Publication, and former Editor-in-Chief of Fiat Lux
remain critical and hold power to account, and discussed the enlightened the audience with her
to always prevail the truth to the public. talk on the Basics of Fact-Checking. She discussed
To commemorate World Press Freedom Day, an overview on the tips to verify a source through
the official student publication of National checking the background of the source; V.I.A-
Teachers College’ Fiat Lux in coordination with Verification. Independence. Accountability;
Office of Student Affairs, implemented an online Triangulate or finding at least three credible
seminar entitled “Check na check! Fact-checking sources to verify information; read beyond the
and the fight against disinformation" on May 11, headline; and check you biases. Answering the
2021, Tuesday at 2pm-5pm via Zoom meeting audience’ question about national government to
and Facebook live with distinguished guest step-up in fighting misinformation: “They should be
speakers. the one the one too encourage people—they
Ms. Sheryl Nazareno, School Paper Adviser of should be the at the frontline of the advocacy
student publication in De Castro Elementary against misinformation and fake news. They should
School, and NSPC Winning Coach discussed the be the primary driver of information literacy” and
History of Fact-Checking. She also emphasized she added that it should be a collaborative effort
“do not believe what you see, what you read, with people and different affiliation of government
to combat this matter.
without verifying it first.” she also shared that
The webinar come to an end encapsulating the
people can also use social media platform to
talks that this fight against misinformation is not
educate friends and relatives. She ended her
only an individual effort but rather an action
discussion with a strong message dedicated to
obliged by the public. Also, this webinar will serve
the youth: “Common agent of change. If you
as a commemoration as well as to pay tribute
want to change, start within yourselves and be
journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise
mad to fake news and the spreader of it by
of their profession.
means of educating them.”
APRIL-MAY 2021 EDITORIAL / COLUMN

QUARANTINE IS NOT FOR ALL

BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL
President Duterte once again While the situation is not Also remembering the time where How can we stand with the President if he
announced on April 11, the lifting certain people in lower social class is the one in the frontline of human rights
that good, the President
most strict form of lockdown, called has to go outside just to survive, violation? Dictating his disciples to shoot
enhanced community quarantine stated various comments like those innocent citizens who just want to
and privileged people call them
(ECQ), that had been in place in Metro threat to shoot those who survive by going outside is a no-no. How
out by saying “sumunod nalang about the extra judicial killings? The
Manila and 4 surrounding provinces. violate the rules, while
The lockdown in the "NCR Plus" kasi kayo.” (Just follow the rules) corruption in the middle of pandemic by
netizens responded to it as and it made clash on the internet.
coined encompassing the places in Philhealth? We can also add that up to how
Metro Manila and 4 neighboring
why these people tend to Since mostly of the Luzon area are it made us—woke Filipinos made angrier
provinces such as Bulacan, Rizal, violate is simply because “a in lockdown—schools, malls, towards the government.
Laguna, and Cavite – will be eased to a hungry stomach knows no establishments, and public And if you are looking for a sign to register
modified enhanced community transportation are closed, that for 2022 elections for change. This is the
law”. Netizens spoke out their
quarantine (MECQ) starting Monday, sign to think and evaluate the candidates
sentiments regarding the means the source of living is
April 12, until April 30. deeply.
speech of the president that temporarily stopped. By that, weep
Due to this announcement, netizen And if you’re still not angry, why not?
and rage started to arise as the
provoke their inner humor stating affects many, it completely
that they felt like it’s ‘Déjà vu’ a French empty stomach tends to violate
divides peoples’ opinion to
term refers to a feeling that someone protocol in order to have alms in
eagerness to oust the their mouth and food on their
has encountered the present situation
before. In fact, that it is true exactly a president in the position and tables that should sustain them for
year ago on March when this all those who stand for the a couple of days.
lockdown started. president.

For that reason, I can say that

IS POVERTY
we are not in control of all the
things we have or we choose
them by choice. Don’t tell me

A CHOICE? that farmers and fishermen are

lazy that’s why most of them
are in the lower social class.
BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL You might say that “That is
why they need to work hard in
First of all, if you agree with the notion order for them to step up the
ladder.” I’d like to reiterate that
that the factors of being poor are
there are vast factors for them
equivalent to poor decisions that people to be freed from poverty. The
made. Well, I think you should expand first factor is a no-brainer: it is
your thinking more than that. easy to climb up the social
In case you missed your social science ladder if even from the start
they have the resources, and if
class, I’d like you to know that our the parents that raised them
society is encompassed with systems—a are already wealthy and well
political and economic one, planned for their future
international and local. I’d like to agree education in prominent
with you with the part that people have school.
The effects of this unending
the ability to change the way they live or pandemic to us are not the
how we will live inside the system but of same. Some do not have the
course, it has limitations. These choice but to face the risk to
limitations we called the ‘social class’, go outside for them to survive.
every group of people are entitled to
I cannot deny the fact that
there are some poor people
certain access based solely on privileges who are lazy but do not
they have. generalize it—this statement is
Take the following scenario as an for the people who are the
example: The owner of the biggest mall middle-class or self-entitled
middle class who usually say
in the country will only breathe and
“it's their choice that’s why
sound asleep but still have profit the they are poor” because it is not
next morning. Whilst, a fast-food service how it works and also keep
crew or a construction worker has to this in your mind that: your
render full hours of duty or sometimes chance to collapse back to
being poor is a 99% chance
had to overtime at work just to have
than to succeed as a wealthy
minimum or sometimes—below individual.
minimum wage. I know that the part of And finally, tell me, is poverty a
the businessman is hyperbole but you choice?
know—how can he achieved that
without endless access from his wealthy
generations of his family.
 FEATURE
APRIL-MAY 2021

Imagine your Korea: A Must Visit Tourist

Destinations after Pandemic in South Korea
BY MIRIAM ARCIBAL

Allow me to reckon that you have binge- Traditional house with storage pots in Jeonju
watching these worthy Korean dramas on Once hailed as the spiritual capital of the Joseon
Dynasty now a historic city 90 minutes away from
Netflix while staying at your homes. After long
Seoul. It is known to many ancient temples and
hour shift or done at your work from home set-
shrines along with Hanok village. Hanok village is a
up, this is your time to set your mind free if you traditional home commonly found anywhere in
have been stressing out over the government or Korea, a preserved ancient neighborhood.
in your school works. We cannot deny the fact
that South Korea is not only portrayed by its Bukchon Hanok Village
Just like in Jeonju, Bukchon Hanok Village is a
famous music and film industry but they also
preserved ancient neighborhood, they offer visitors
have a say in their tourism.
to experience to live in Hanok 600 years ago. There
are also services such as renting a Hanbok (A
Quarantine in the Philippines is taking longer Korean traditional clothing) while walking around
and longer as if it is an unwanted falcon who the village, so be sure to avail them to fully
keeps on soaring high, while other countries are experience walking and appreciating their history.

moving forward, ours seems to can’t move on.

Bulguksa Temple
After several quarantine extensions, boredom
One of the Korea’s must-see Buddhist temples. A
hits when you finally realize you are tirelessly considered the country’s most important place
waiting for the normalcy—and then you begin to due to its historical value and scenic site classified
plan on your travel. Crazy over historical Korean officially by the Korean government. It is home to
dramas like Scarlet Heart Ryeo, and Eternal seven of the country's national treasures, sacred
pagodas, and statues of the Buddha. The temple is
Monarch? Well then, this is the sign for you to
located on the slopes of Mount Toham in
choose famous historical sites in South Korea.
Gyeongju, the ancient capital city of Korea. It’s also
called as "museum without walls" due to the
Changdeokgung Palace fascinating history of the temple.
Built in the Joseon Dynasty in the 15th century
around Seoul were preferred as the royal It is guaranteed that you’ll enjoy walking with the
history while you’re on the present but please do
residence. The palace consists of complex
make sure that you’re not gonna enter into some
buildings that has different purpose including
portal and be transported into parallel world. Also,
libraries, dining rooms, meeting rooms, and be mindful when visiting another country because
other uses. You may not want to miss taking a cultures is relative to one another. You might not
photo appreciating in the 78-acre Huwon or want to get in trouble, right? Excited to hop and
palace garden, located behind the palace. It's travel to Korea? Just wait and relax until the
pandemic comes to an end.
filled with pathways, green spaces, pagodas,
streams, and lakes.
APRIL-MAY 2021 SPORTS

UAAP S83: “HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST”

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) recently announced that
the Season 83 will be cancelled and has no definite date until further notice due to
the restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic.
The association emphasized that they will be first prioritize the safety and health of
the student-athletes and its staff involved in different sports.
There had been reports that the league has plans to start the season in April 2021 but
as of now, no announcement was released.
“The decision will allow UAAP member-schools to plan their activities for the
remainder of the academic year, as well as their athletic programs for next season,”
UAAP said.
In the meantime, John Andrei Medrana of Adamson University Baseball Team Pitcher
said that their training-at-home is ongoing while having an online class. The system of
their training will be recorded by themselves and sent to their coaches.
“Yung training namin ay ganoon pa ‘rin, pero sariling disiplina lang talaga ang
kailangan dahil kailangan din hindi pabayaan ang pag-aaral—para rin ito sa aming
scholarship” He added.
(Our training is still the same. However, self-discipline must be practiced at all times
because we have our classes at the same time. It is also for the sake of our university
scholarship)
The UAAP Season 83 will be the first time that won’t be played since Season 8, 1945-
1946, during World War II. The UAAP was previously suspended starting 1941 and
returned in 1946.