Issues Archives - The Flame

Mar52023 by No Comments

Artlets burdened by online-onsite class schedules

Issues

by JASMINE MAE ALARDE, ROBB NIGEL MOYA and MARIANE YSABELLA PANTE EVERY TUESDAY, Keziah Cinco, an Asian studies senior, leaves her home early to avoid heavy traffic going to the University for an afternoon onsite class. As someone who lives in Novaliches, Cinco has to travel for two to three hours to go to Manila. But this came with additional hurdles. She needed to attend her online class first in the morning, which usually ends before lunchtime, giving her only a few hours to prepare. “The most I can do is compensate, which means I'd need to sacrifice [my time by going] to UST early and […] take morning classes there if I can’t really make it on time,” Cinco said. Based on the course guidelines released by the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) for the second term, only high-st...

Jan222023 by No Comments

F Files: Is mandatory SIM card registration effective in fighting cybercrimes?

F Files, Issues

In this episode, The Flame Files explains the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act and the security and privacy concerns surrounding it. Directed by Bless Aubrey Ogerio Researched by Robb Nigel Moya, Mariane Ysabella Pante, and Joss Gabriel Oliveros Video edited by Catherine Dabu

Dec272022 by No Comments

Socially distant, virtually close: Filipinos adapt to the ‘new normal’ Christmas

Issues

THE PHILIPPINES is known to have the longest celebration of Christmas. It arrives as early as September as homes, malls, and streets begin to be adorned with holiday lights and decorations. Filipinos conduct gatherings left and right. Then, on Christmas eve, families remember the birth of Jesus Christ together around one table. But because of the restrictions brought by the pandemic, Filipinos found other means to celebrate Christmas. UST Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Assoc. Prof. Maria Vida Caparas said the spirit of resilience among Filipinos has been ever-present since the pandemic's onset. She said that many became "very adaptable, more contemplative, and more reflective" despite challenges and losing loved ones. "Definitely, while we still have the spiri...

Dec232022 by No Comments

VLOG POPULI: Christmas Wish

Vlog Populi

The Thomasian community is now in the holiday spirit. In this Vlog Populi Christmas special episode, The Flame asked Thomasians their grown-up Christmas wishes and hopes. Director: Axel Aldana and Bless Aubrey Ogerio Writers/Researchers: Pauline Nicole Bautista and Joss Gabriel Oliveros Voiceover Artist: Lyle Joseph Paraboles Videographer: Ethan Cardaño Animator: Allyzabela Fernandez Video Editor: Angeline Tanqueco

Dec82022 by No Comments

Compromise and Sacrifice: Thomasian dorm renters burdened by soaring inflation

Issues

WHEN THE University announced the gradual return of in-person classes, architecture freshman Diane Sombilon said she felt relieved to finally go back to normal. However, the latest inflation figure made Sombilon, who lives in Las Piñas, hesitate to rent a dorm and eventually return to campus. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has been reporting about rising inflation in the past few months. The country's inflation – the rate of the increase in the prices of goods and services over a given period – climbed to a 14-year high of 7.7% in October. It was higher than the previous year 6.9% posted in September and the 4% recorded in October last year. In November, the PSA reported anew that the inflation rate spiked to 8% due to increased costs and services. “Although I ...

Nov252022 by No Comments

Gathering thesis data through email blasts: Ethical or not?

Issues, The Flame Explains

“GREETINGS IN the name of St. Thomas Aquinas! We are fourth year students conducting a study on…” Thomasians know that it’s already thesis season when they receive requests to answer survey forms in their university email accounts – and such requests usually begin with these sentences or lines hugely similar to them. The search for respondents is crucial for undergraduate seniors completing their most important academic requirement before graduation. Institutionalized email accounts like the UST Educational Technology Gmail account allow their users to search for the names of anyone affiliated with the organization, However, this method of gathering data has raised concerns among some students and researchers at a time when people are plagued with spam texts and promotional me...

Nov132022 by No Comments

‘Info leaks could put our lives in jeopardy:’ Gov’t urged to do more to fight online scams

Issues

By JASMINE MAE ALARDE IT WAS just a regular day for Michael,* a political science senior, until an unknown number called his mother. The caller claimed to be a bank employee. Believing there was an issue with her bank transactions, his mother provided her bank details to the caller. After some time, her mother discovered that P50,000 has been deducted from her account. She immediately alerted the bank, changed her contact details and secured her account. “When my mother learned of the scam, she first alerted the bank wherein the said bank guided her through the necessary procedures to address the said problem. Aside from that she changed her contact information in the said bank and also got herself a new number,” Michael told The Flame. Because of what happened to hi...

Nov22022 by No Comments

VLOG POPULI: Beyond the grave

Vlog Populi

Beliefs vary about where souls rest after their journey in the physical world. In this special Vlog Populi episode, The Flame asked Artlets about their thoughts on the afterlife. Director: Bless Aubrey Ogerio Writers/Researchers: Pauline Nicole Bautista and Joss Gabriel Oliveros Voiceover Artist: Aubrey Lim Animator: Tcheky Cabrera Video Editor: Rainiel Angelyn Figueroa

Oct252022 by No Comments

VLOG POPULI: The impacts of SK polls postponement

Vlog Populi

In this episode, the Flame asked the Artlets if the postponement of the Barangay & SK Elections this year is justified. Episode Director: Bless Aubrey Ogerio Researchers: Axel Aldana, Mariane Ysabella Pante, and Robb Nigel Moya Animator: Anjellyca Villamayor Voiceover Artist: Chris Ann Sabandal Video Editor: Ayie Elgarico

Sep262022 by No Comments

F Files: Mask-free Philippines, are we ready?

F Files

F Files: Are we ready for a mask-free PH? In this episode, the Flame Files examines the country's readiness for the easing of face mask rules following the national government's decision to make the wearing of face masks outdoors voluntary. Directed by Bless Aubrey Ogerio Researched by Jasmine Mae Alarde and Axel Aldana Video edited by Rainiel Angelyn Figueroa