by Samantha Tan, Grade 12 Martin Luther

Covid-19 is a virus that has been running rampant for the past 2 years. From rumours of a flu-like virus in late 2019 to a full-blown pandemic in late 2021, the virus has spread to all of the different corners of the globe, with multiple variants such as the Delta variant and the recent Omicron variant that turns the virus into something far worse than before. However, science has allowed us to create vaccines that protect us from the worst. Here in the Philippines, the vaccines are given out to adults 18 years old and above. The thing is, most of these vaccinations are Sinovac, which has an efficacy rate of about 51%, compared to Pfizer, which has an efficacy rate of 93% (McPhillips, 2021). A total percentage of 32.7% of Filipinos have been fully vaccinated so far (Covid-19 Tracker, 2021).

by Fritz Co, Grade 12 Hudson Taylor

The web of silk cables and wires we live on is world-encompassing, and we may all well be the insects that can never escape it. For better or worse, society expects us to project our best image of ourselves online, and these impressions and pictures will be sent like little vibrations on the web to our family, friends, and future employers. You and I need the internet to communicate, avail of government services and attend school and, as time goes on, there won’t need to be essays like this one for there won’t be living memory of life without the internet. The question for many then is how much has changed and, more importantly, was it all for better or worse? The answer is difficult to reduce to a simple yes-or-no, good-or-bad answer. In reality, technology has given people the freedom to communicate instantly, the equal opportunity to be heard, and a greater capacity to achieve their goals.

by Fritz Co, Grade 12 Hudson Taylor

The election will come and go, and if you’re reading this then you very likely know more about how it went than I do at the moment that I write this. And yet, do you remember any of our candidates’ promises to you? Do you remember their platforms and ideals? We Filipinos grow too fickle and forgetful - I’d like to help change that by reminding you of what the presidentiables have said so far, and what to expect of the one that does win Malacañang.