https://www.facebook.com/103824134410883/

The Regata

Home
Philippines
Bacolor
The Regata

The official student publication of DHVSU - College of Social Sciences and Philosophy since 2023.

24/01/2025

𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

Most of us grew up hearing these words from our parents or guardians: “Mag-aral kang mahusay, anak!” On the other hand, when we played too much or neglected schoolwork, we would often hear, “Bakit hindi ka mag-aral nang mabuti!” These familiar phrases reflect the value placed on education in many Filipino households. Yet, there are heart-wrenching stories that reveal another side of this reality: a mother desperately telling her son to stop attending school because of financial constraints, or individuals dropping out of school to endure the hardships of labor just to support their siblings’ education. These stories highlight a painful truth: education is imperative, but access to it is not always guaranteed.

In the Gospel of Luke (2:41-52), we find the story of a 12-year-old Jesus thirsting for knowledge and wisdom. After three days of searching, Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple, sitting with teachers, listening, asking questions, and astonishing all with His understanding. This image of Jesus—persistent in learning and seeking truth—illustrates the transformative power of education. It was likely through this quest for wisdom that Jesus came to understand His mission, later capturing the minds of people through His teachings.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Education in December 2018. Celebrated annually on January 24, this day emphasizes the right of every child to education and the role of education in driving transformation, innovation, peace, and freedom. According to Kiani (2022), this celebration invites us to rejuvenate the joy of learning and reflect on how education equips individuals and communities to address societal challenges.

Despite global recognition of education’s importance, many remain out of school. UNESCO’s 2024 survey revealed that 251 million children and youth worldwide are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate (Culture and Education, 2024). Locally, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that in 2016, there were 3.8 million out-of-school children and youth (OSCY) in the Philippines. Alarmingly, this number surged to 11 million as of May 2024, with 68.5% aged 20-24 (Desiderio, 2024). Among them, 41.9% entered Grade 1 but never completed Grade 10, according to Childhope Philippines’ August 2024 survey.

Childhope Philippines and the International Journal research by Dumadag (2023) identified seven root causes of OSCY. The first is economic hardship. Poverty forces students to prioritize earning money over education. Many become breadwinners or working students, juggling jobs and studies to support their families. Academic struggles also play a role. Lack of support and affirmation leads to low self-esteem, causing students to lose interest in education. Family dynamics, such as marital disputes, parental separation, and familial trauma, negatively affect students’ psychological well-being and academic performance. Some are even forced to take on parental roles at an early age. Mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and stress, severely impact academic performance. As Cardinal Ambo David noted in his Jubilee of Hope 2025 reflection, rising mental health cases indicate a deeper societal issue.

Another root cause is a lack of engagement in schools. Some students find school irrelevant or boring, leading to absenteeism and eventual dropout. Early marriage and pregnancy further derail educational pursuits, with some students taking on responsibilities that prevent them from continuing their studies. Finally, age perception discourages older students, as they feel out of place and believe they are too old to attend school.

Addressing the OSCY crisis requires a collective effort from the government, communities, families, and individuals. Strengthening financial support programs, such as scholarships, conditional cash transfers, and livelihood initiatives, can help alleviate economic barriers. Expanding free technical-vocational training centers provides alternative education for older youth. Schools should enhance support systems by offering tutoring programs and mental health counseling to help struggling students. Teachers should also be trained to identify and address learning difficulties early.

Flexible learning options, such as alternative learning systems (ALS) and online education, are essential for working students and those with family responsibilities. Community engagement is also crucial. Local governments, non-governmental organizations, and religious groups can collaborate to create community-based learning centers and support networks. Raising awareness through campaigns emphasizing the long-term benefits of education can combat the stigma faced by older students or working learners. Accessible mental health services in schools and communities are vital to addressing students’ psychological needs. Finally, mentorship programs where successful individuals inspire and guide OSCY can motivate them to return to school or pursue vocational training.

As we observe the International Day of Education, we are reminded that education remains an unguaranteed right for many. To bridge this gap, we must approach the challenge with urgency and compassion, ensuring that everyone, regardless of circumstance, has access to the transformative power of education. Only through collective action and unwavering commitment can we ensure that the pursuit of knowledge is truly a universal opportunity.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Bryn Galura
𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Louize Anne Sicat
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Kevin Bacani

23/01/2025

𝗜𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗸𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗼 𝘀𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗮𝗻: 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘀

Sa patuloy nating pagtamasa ng kalayaan mula nang ito’y ating makamtan, tila hindi sapat ang atensyon na ibinibigay sa mga salik at proseso ng pagkamit nito sa ating kasaysayan. Bagamat mulat ang karamihan sa kung ano ang ipinagdiriwang tuwing Araw ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas, tila nawawalan ng pansin ang tunay na kahulugan, importansya, at pananaw sa nasabing selebrasyon. Ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga pangyayari sa nakaraan; ito rin ay isang pag-alala sa mga sakripisyo at paghihirap na pinagdaanan ng ating mga ninuno upang makamtan ang demokrasya at simulan ang landas tungo sa kalayaan. Sa kabila nito, patuloy pa ring nakararanas ng impluwensya ng kolonyalismo ang ating bansa.

Ayon sa kasaysayan, ang Araw ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas ay itinatag upang gunitain ang nakamit na kalayaan at kasarinlan ng bansa—isang yaman ng nakaraan na patuloy nating tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan. Ito’y regalong iniwan ng mga Pilipinong nagpakita ng kagitingan upang makamit ang kalayaan ng sambayanan. Sa kabila ng matinding hirap at napakaraming pagsubok, nanaig ang kanilang determinasyon, na naging pundasyon ng ating kasarinlan. Ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang simpleng kasaysayan; isa itong aral na dapat balik-balikan upang maunawaan at mapalalim ang pagpapahalaga sa demokrasya.

Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Emilio Aguinaldo, opisyal na itinatag ang Unang Republika ng Pilipinas noong ika-23 ng Enero 1899 sa Malolos, Bulacan. Sa panahong ito, isinabatas ang Konstitusyon ng Malolos, na nagsilbing simbolo ng pagkakamit ng kasarinlan mula sa kolonyalismo. Ayon sa Batas Republika Bilang 11014, itinalaga ang ika-23 ng Enero bilang opisyal na selebrasyon ng Araw ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas (Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Malolos, n.d.). Ang paglikha ng batas na ito ay isang hakbang tungo sa pagbibigay-pansin sa makasaysayang araw na ito, na naglalayong patatagin ang demokrasya at kilalanin ang kahalagahan ng kalayaan.

Ang Unang Republika ng Pilipinas ay kinikilala rin bilang kauna-unahang demokratikong republika sa Asya. Ipinakita nito ang determinasyon ng mga Pilipino na ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan at kasarinlan. Sa kabila ng mahabang panahong sinakop ng kolonyalismo—tinatayang umabot ng 333 taon sa ilalim ng mga Espanyol mula 1565 hanggang 1898—naigpawan ng ating mga ninuno ang hamong ito (The Remote Group, 2024). Gayunpaman, kahit na nakalaya mula sa Espanyol, nananatili pa rin ang impluwensya ng mga malalakas at maimpluwensyang bansa sa ating kultura at pagkakakilanlan bilang isang bansa.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang kolonyalismo ay umiiral pa rin sa Pilipinas sa hindi gaanong napapansing mga anyo. Ang tinatawag na “neokolonyalismo” ay makikita sa patuloy na pagdepende ng bansa sa mga dayuhang produkto, teknolohiya, at kapital. Bukod dito, nananatili ang impluwensya ng banyagang kultura sa ating wika, media, at sistema ng edukasyon. Ang mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mga kabataan, ay nahihikayat na pahalagahan ang banyagang ideyal higit sa sariling kultura. Ang ganitong uri ng kolonyalismo ay inilalagay ang bansa sa isang estado ng paglimot sa sariling pagkakakilanlan, na nagiging hadlang sa tunay na kasarinlan at kaunlaran.

Sa kasalukuyang panahon, maaaring isa lamang itong simpleng pag-alala sa isang makasaysayang kaganapan. Gayunpaman, mahalagang maunawaan ng bawat Pilipino ang tunay na halaga ng araw na ito. Hindi lamang ito paggunita sa nakaraan, kundi pagninilay din sa kahalagahan ng kalayaan at demokrasya sa kasalukuyan. Upang labanan ang kolonyalismo, mahalagang palaganapin ang pagpapahalaga sa sariling kultura, wika, at kasaysayan. Kailangang palakasin ang edukasyong nakatuon sa lokal na kasaysayan at tradisyon upang itanim sa kaisipan ng kabataan ang pagmamalaki sa pagiging Pilipino. Mahalaga rin ang suporta sa mga lokal na produkto, negosyo, at sining upang maisulong ang ekonomiya at mapanatili ang identidad ng bansa. Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng aktibong pakikiisa sa mga proyektong nagpapalaganap ng nasyonalismo, nagiging mas makabuluhan ang ating paglaban sa neokolonyalismo at mas natatamasa ang tunay na kalayaan.

Kababayan, ipagpatuloy ang hakbang tungo sa kalayaan!

𝐈𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐢 Juliana Francheska Antenor
𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐢 Janna De Guzman

15/01/2025

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪: The Regata Editorial Board and Staff joins the Circle of Prayer, organized by the Philippine Association of Social Workers Incorporated (PASWI), via Zoom Meeting.

This solemn gathering brings together social workers, students, and other allied professionals to reflect, pray, and renew their dedication to their shared mission.

04/01/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻

“What is a skill you are very proud of?”

I was once asked this question, and without hesitation, I answered, “Writing.”

I believe writers and authors are like cooks. They meticulously prepare the plot, let it simmer on low heat, carefully mix the words, and then serve the dish with exquisite plating. This is why countless anonymous readers have loved some of my published works on a certain reading and writing app.

A knock on my door snapped me out of my reverie. It was my mother. She had gone to the grocery store earlier to buy ingredients for my favorite dinner—tinola. I smiled and waited for her to approach. She handed me a brand-new book and said I might like it.

“Ma, what’s the color of the cover?”

“It’s mostly green—not the neon type, but the shade you’d see if you were in the middle of a forest at 6 in the morning. The title is written in a dark, shiny wooden brown. Below is a woman. Her hair is light brown and disheveled, cascading down her back. She’s dressed in white and carries a bow and arrow. Not sure if she’s a princess or a warrior—maybe both.”

I raised my hands and scanned the book’s cover. My fingertips moved silently over the rough dots as I traced them from left to right. Memento Vivere.

“Remember to live,” my mom translated softly. I felt her kiss the top of my head. She tapped on something at the corner of my large table. Sitting there was the passion I had lost on the night of my accident—the night that had taken away the thing I cherished most for over twenty years of my life.

“You’re lucky you survived the impact. Only your vision was gone.”

But how am I supposed to live? I had lived through the colors of this world, through the words I scanned on every page, through the pictures snapped and drawn by others. I had dreamed of becoming a writer—a cook stirring emotions with my words. How could I write if all I could do was rely on dots, like a child learning a new alphabet, while the world kept evolving and inventing new words I would be too late to know?

Remember to live.

Those words etched themselves into my mind as I slowly stood up from my seat. I had already memorized every corner of my room. All I needed to do was touch the edge of my table to find the exact spot where my typewriter—my Braille writer—sat. It was a gift from my aunt overseas. The moment she heard about my accident, she learned about this typewriter from a friend and sent it to me. I often ran my fingers over its surface but had never tried using it.

I couldn’t bear the thought of starting over. I had already memorized the Braille alphabet, relying on it when I ventured outside, feeling for dotted pavement beneath my feet, holding my mother’s hand on my left and a walking stick on my right. The idea of learning to write again—to find a way to share my words with the world—felt overwhelming.

However, the embers of my passion still lingered, quietly smoldering beneath the ashes of my despair. They hadn’t been extinguished, merely waiting—for a spark, a breath of courage, to ignite them into a blazing fire once more.

Another knock at my door broke my thoughts. My mother entered silently, and I sensed her presence. She must have been stunned to see her once-lifeless daughter touching the keys of the typewriter.

I smiled slowly. “Can you help me learn how to write again, Ma?”

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Abby Gale Santos
𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Clarence Vergara
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Mary Christine Angela Damian

01/01/2025

“𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝘁𝗲!”

The December air coldly embraces me throughout my trip back to my hometown–Pampanga from Manila, where I work, for the New Year celebration. This coldness, however, quickly subsided as I was greeted with a warm welcome from my little sister, smiling from ear to ear. I immediately knelt before her and apologized for not being able to buy her the present she had been asking me for because I was tight on my budget. I just paid an advance in my apartment. Instead, I presented her munchkin donuts as her New Year's gift, her favorite dessert. She grabbed the paper bag, pecked my cheeks, and ran towards the kitchen.

The aroma of callos enveloped my nose, and my childhood memories flashed like a scene. Like in the old days, I saw my mother with her disheveled hair standing before the stove I bought on my first paycheck. I came up to her and promised to buy her a new one next year. I also apologized for not giving her enough money to buy more ingredients. Now, we just have to serve three different dishes instead of five. I immediately bid a short goodbye and went straight to my room.

After finishing a bath, I looked over my cabinet for some clothes when a piece of paper fell on my feet. I dressed quickly and read what was written in the paper dated eight years ago when I was in 11th grade.

“𝘕𝘢𝘨𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘪 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪 𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦. 𝘒𝘢𝘥𝘢 𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘪 𝘯𝘪 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢’𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘰, 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘵𝘢 𝘬𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘵𝘶𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘺-𝘨𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘢. 𝘈𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘺 𝘬𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪-𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 ‘𝘥𝘪 𝘬𝘰 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘨. 𝘐𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘸 𝘯𝘪 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢. 𝘛𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘰 𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘴, 𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢 𝘪𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘯. 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢, 𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 ‘𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘺𝘢 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘬, 𝘴𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨’ 𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘺𝘢’𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘬𝘰 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢. 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘬-𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘬 𝘴𝘪 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘥 𝘬𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯. 𝘔𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪 𝘬𝘰 𝘳𝘪𝘯 ‘𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘰, 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨. 𝘕𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘢 𝘴𝘪 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦 𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘨𝘰𝘯, 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘣𝘰 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘥. 𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘶𝘱𝘰 𝘬𝘰 𝘴𝘪 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘪 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰, 𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘯𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘮𝘶𝘶𝘣𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘭 𝘴𝘢 𝘶𝘴𝘰𝘬 𝘯𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘱 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘨𝘰𝘯. 𝘚𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘥 𝘮𝘢, 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘰. 𝘕𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘰 𝘬𝘰 𝘴𝘪 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘢, 𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢 𝘯𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘰. 𝘒𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘢’𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘰 𝘶𝘴𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘱 𝘬𝘰, 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘢-𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘺𝘰 𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘰 𝘬𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘮𝘢–𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘴. 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘭 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘱, 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘢. ‘𝘋𝘪 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢, 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘯 ‘𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦. 𝘒𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘬𝘰 𝘯𝘢, 𝘢𝘬𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘢.”

I smiled as tears streamed down my face. The life we had eight years ago was not simple; rather, it was incredibly difficult. My mother and sister never demanded anything from me, but I demanded to shower them with the things we never had or could have had. At the back of the paper, I wrote the date today—December 31, 2024, and wrote a short letter.

“Sa susunod, hindi lang donut ang mabibili ko kay bunso, induction cooker na ang iuuwi ko kay mama, at higit sa tatlong putahe na ang maihahain natin sa lamesa; next year, mas babawi pa ako sa inyong dalawa.”

I came out of my room when my mother called for me. I looked at the time; it was almost midnight. Before this year ends, some realizations have been made. This year, despite my hard work, I felt I had not pampered my family enough. I kept noticing how I lacked the things I had promised myself to give them, failing to see how much I had improved our state before I finished my studies. I failed to see how genuine and happy my mother’s smile had become. This year has been a rollercoaster. It may be a cliche, but it was a ride worth risking for.

“3, 2, 1…𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧, 𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖, 𝙖𝙩𝙚!”

“𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧, 𝙗𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙤!”

Now, I’m looking forward to the ride 2025 has in store for me.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Abby Gale Santos
𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Clarence Vergara
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Kevin Bacani

31/12/2024

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗴𝘀𝗵 𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗴𝘀𝗵 𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗮 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗼𝗻?

Hep hep! Torotot at mga kwitis muna ang pasabugin natin ngayong patapos na ang taon!

The jingles of the bells have faded, along with the melody of the Christmas carols. Santa Claus went home, casually sitting on his couch while sipping hot cocoa, satisfied with his empty sack. Christmas is over, but wait there’s more!

Paandarin na ang mga sasakyan, businahan na ang mga kapitbahay, kalampagin na ang mga kaldero, makisabay sa countdown sa telebisyon, tumalon na nang tumalon dahil we’ll be kissing goodbye kay 2024 at maingay nating sasalubungin si 2025.

O teka, heto na! 𝟱…𝟰…𝟯…𝟮…𝟭

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Abby Gale Santos
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Gerlyn Daphne Sison

30/12/2024

𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗹

"𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭” - 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘭

Many of us are familiar with the phrase "the pen is mightier than the sword." Some may remember hearing it in high school from their Filipino lessons, or even in elementary school when studying Araling Panlipunan and Sibika in Kultura subjects. Perhaps others saw it firsthand from social media. Nevertheless it can never be denied that this remark will always be strongly linked to Jose Rizal for us Filipinos.

As the year draws to a near, the 30th of December is a major national holiday as it marks the anniversary of our national hero, Jose Rizal's death at Bagumbayan, Manila, in 1896. It is a day that honors bravery, dignity, and the Filipino Revolution. Now, if we think about it, the fact that it falls on the final day of the year unintentionally makes it an additional symbol of hope and change for the year that follows, doesn't it?

𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼

Known by his friends and family as "Pepe," Jose Rizal (Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda) was a student with exceptional talent. It's no surprise that he won multiple literary awards at a young age, considering that he is fluent in 22 different languages and dialects. In addition to being an avid writer, according to Marco (n.d.), he was also an architect, professor, artist, businessman, researcher, poet, and a lot more—far more than one person could possibly be.

However, it is also important to know that Rizal came from an affluent family, which allowed him to study and acquire knowledge not only in the top universities of the Philippines but also in other countries which truly honed his knowledge and skills—that, we can clearly see through his works that evoke powerful emotions and features meticulous structure and wordplay. He is, if not the most well-known, one of the prominent Filipino Ilustrados that brought enlightenment ideas to the Philippines.

Compared to his Filipino peers in the subject of heroism, with the means to have them and, of course, as the national hero of our country, Rizal stands out as one of the most documented Filipino heroes, with vast records published by him and about him. From his accounts of his childhood in Calamba, Laguna, to his studies in Europe, nearly each and every moment in his life is documented through letters, journals, and accounts further proving the credibility of his legacy.

𝗣𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

Jose Rizal has proven that fighting oppression may take different approaches, not just through swords and daggers. His spark of political reformation and revolution was fighting with words—sharp, piercing, and intentional. His choice of weapon? Literature, specifically his novels Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed), which exposed the injustice and corruption of the Spanish colonial tyranny and the atrocities they committed to the Filipino people. These were especially significant during his era, when even the slightest opposition to Spanish dominance would cost one’s life, regardless of status or wealth.

With most of his life spent in learning, Rizal's two novels truly elicit the emotions only a skilled writer can. By utilizing sarcasm and compelling language, they lit a fire in the hearts of Filipinos, opening their eyes from the stark reality and motivating them to rise above, while causing an uproar to the Spaniards. In his other literary works, such as Mi Ultimo Adios (The Last Goodbye), Rizal continued to fight for Filipino independence, and despite his image as a casanova, he wrote To the Young Women of Malolos, where he showed gratitude to women and emphasized how they deserved the equal opportunities as men—a liberal feminist, indeed.

Jose Rizal, whose influence extends well beyond his own time, inspired both the present and previous generations. His quotes, "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan" and "Without liberty, there is no light," act as a call to all of us, especially the younger generation, to stand up for what is right and to be the voice that inspires change in our society despite how others attempt to push us down. Rizal prevailed with words and intelligence rather than using violent force, proving that education and courage are capable of being used as means for change.

As we remember him on December 30, let us recall these heroic yet perilous decisions and actions he made despite knowing that pursuing justice and change for the country may ultimately lead to his own demise, costing his own life.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Roviena S. Angeles
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Kevin Bacani

25/12/2024

𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁

The gentle breeze of the season’s cold air caresses our skin, wrapping us in a sense of excitement and an overwhelming glimpse of vibrant colors—a warm Christmas. The radiant hues of joyful life flow from the streetlights that bring glow to every corner. The joy of hearing the kids pour their hearts on their carols that scream unforgettable memories humming into your ears even after years, the joy of it all. We embrace the magic and wonder this season so kindly offers, and the child within us jumps and giggles with unbridled joy. It gently fills every void created by the year's difficulties, showering us with a deep, reassuring warmth and, in the end, a lovely sense of tranquility and acceptance.

The facade of a warm Christmas illustrates a traditional perfect family, hence it is the idea of having someone to hold, feel, and celebrate with. On the other side of the road, such completeness was felt not in the four corners of a family house. It was somewhere in a building that is filled with hugs so far from familiar yet deeply embraced Christmas. Indeed, this season has different faces. Elderly homes, once empty and quiet, come alive with laughter and color, not just from festive decorations, but from the radiant spirit of Christmas that fills the air. There are people celebrating while getting cured at a hospital—finding hope in this season. Forster children who are deserving of love are made extra special. Inmates who are surviving their own shadow and still continuing with life. No matter what, the warmth still finds its way to shower us.The love that everyone radiates during this season is unforgettable.

It is a season where people hope for a brighter Christmas next year or are excited about experiencing a first happy Christmas this year. We might be in a situation where the only thing we can do is imagine baskets of fruit overflowing and tables laden with delicious dishes or find ourselves stressed over where to place yet another dish because there’s no room left. Although we would always like to associate happiness with this special occasion, we cannot deny the fact that it has different faces for every one of us—who believes in it. While Christmas is often seen as a season of giving, its true beauty lies in the diverse ways it touches each of us.

Celebrating Christianity and tradition, even the smallest gifts are given with heartfelt sincerity, keeping everyone united with one goal: to spread joy and hope for all. It is the most awaited season for a reason; it brings the true essence of the gift of life—the day believed to mark the birth of Jesus. That is where the gratitude and love of this season comes from. The thing that binds us, and creates a better foundation of appreciation towards each and every one.

For whoever puts the star at the top of the Christmas tree, or for whoever wishes to have one, may we be reminded that every memory built in this season is something that will last within us forever. To be filled and feel the warmth of this life, is what Christmas is all about. The echoes say, fill the void, feel the love, a warm Christmas for us all.

𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴!

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Lucky Andrea Gagui
𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Clarence Vergara
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Mary Christine Angela Damian

12/12/2024

“‘𝗪𝗮𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗵𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝗼, 𝗱𝗼𝗰?”

You’ve surely seen and even sung along to it—a catchy jingle playing on television that sticks in the minds of many Filipinos: “Wag mahiyang magtanong, may RightMed ba nito?” The iconic ad from a popular health supplement brand tries to convince people it has the best medicines. We cannot deny that it has left an imprint on viewers and has even been the subject of several parodies online. However, beyond the captivating tune, it may lead us to an overlooked issue that many of us may not realize. There are a lot of pharmaceutical ads that claim to have “right meds.” However, the harsh reality remains that not everyone has access to them. As our screens continue to be flooded with ads for medicines and healthcare options, for those who cannot even afford a basic check-up, it is just a distant dream that is hard to reach.

As we celebrate International Universal Health Coverage Day, raising awareness about the critical importance of strong and resilient health systems takes the spotlight. The voices of individuals waiting for affordable and quality healthcare must be heard. The goal is to urge those in power to prioritize health and invest in it. In our world today, what should be a fundamental right has been turned into a privilege. If we open our eyes and look within, it's clear that the doors to healthcare are often closed to some and restricted by an invisible barrier that is difficult to break. What should be available to all has become a race to obtain.

In the Philippines, healthcare has made strides and achieved new heights over the past few years. At the forefront of this journey is the Universal Health Care (UHC), known as Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP). It has been serving as a bridge for our fellowmen to healthcare. However, the undeniable truth remains—long waiting lines in public clinics, shortages of equipment, and insufficient medical staff are just some of the challenges Filipinos still encounter. While private hospitals often offer better facilities, they remain out of reach for those from lower-income backgrounds who must work day and night to afford their needs. Although new medicines to treat illnesses are being developed, the reality is that for many, even the basic act of seeing a doctor is already a big mountain to climb.

As this event serves as a reminder, we must take a look at every individual who is being denied this right. We live in a society full of discrimination and inequality, where not everyone is fortunate enough to access basic needs. Many face numerous challenges and hardships just to live comfortably. Some even choose not to see a doctor due to the high costs. What they should prioritize first is their health, not the money they would spend. Pieces of paper are not as valuable as someone’s life. Unfortunately, it now seems like they are needed to live.

Aligning with the aim of International Universal Health Coverage Day, may we see improvements in medicine and healthcare matched with making these advancements accessible beyond the screen. However, before that, we need to stand and be seen. Let’s not be passive viewers watching everything innovate while we dream of being able to experience it. May we not forget our fellow citizens who are left in the dark and help them shine by advocating for proper and free healthcare. Let them be aware that this is their right, and they must demand it and remind others of it. Right mo 'to. Right natin 'to.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Marielle Guinto
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 Elaine Margaret Tibung

Address

1st Floor, CAS Building, Don Honorio Ventura State University/Main Campus
Bacolor

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Regata posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Regata:

Videos

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝗼𝗮𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱! As the sun rose on the 5th day of December, marches from afar reverberated through every part of Bacolor–all leads back to Don Honorio Ventura State University. The morning air was supposedly cold; however, from a certain distance covered with purplish accents–it was blazingly hot as the fire suppressed within the bodies of the Intellectuals kept them from the shivers brought by the December air. It was a fire, not enough to burn their souls but more than enough to fuel their courage and competitiveness as the 2024 Intramurals have officially started. As the moon lights up the sky on the 9th day of December, the 3-day 2024 Intramurals have successfully ended. Still, the identities you–Intellectuals have established will live inside and outside the walls of Dubai. As you stare at your competitors, the life within your eyes is captured through every lens of cameras being hypnotized by your presence. Every drop of your sweat counts for your success. Through the air harshly exhaled from your lungs, up to your pulsating heartbeat–all are heard from far and beyond. Let us paint the town purple as we present the Intellectuals and their coaches who brought a glimmering recognition to our college–the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Abby Gale Santos 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 Carmela San Pedro 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 Scribes Intramurals Team

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 | A Glimpse into New Beginnings The boat has sailed off! With the boat now set on its course, The Regata is ready to navigate the vast seas of creativity and exploration driven by the passionate spirit of the aspirants of truth and quality news. The journey towards boundless horizons and countless possibilities have unfolded, as The Regata’s Editorial Board, Senior Staffers, Advisers, and Consultant warmly welcomed the qualified new souls to the publication during the recently held Oath-Taking and Induction Ceremony at the University Learning Resource Center (ULRC) Audio Visual Room (AVR). 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 Pamela Kassandra Guevarra