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by The Science Net

The International 10 Cinderella Story: Team Spirit claim the Aegis of Champions

by: Jeb Garganera || Photo credit: Team Spirit on Instagram ||

Team Spirit overwhelms PSG.LGD at the 10th ‘The International (TI)’ Dota 2 tournament grand finals, claiming the Aegis of Champions and the $18.2 million grand prize. The Eastern European team won the best-of-five Grand Final against PSG.LGD last October 17, 2021, in Bucharest, Romania.  

In the win or go home finale, Team Spirit allowed PSG.LGD’s undefeated Tiny-Lycan combo to play in exchange for the Undying ban. They won the game with relentless pressure from Yatoro’s Terrorblade, TORONTOTOKYO’s Ember Spirit, Mira’s Bane, Miposhka’s Winter Wyvern, and Collapse’s Magnus. 

Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov led Team Spirit’s bouts and took control of the matchup, concluding with 8 kills and 18 assists against PSG’s 2 deaths. Even after getting junked by Rubick’s counter pick on a game, Collapse still had the confidence to rally the team in the deciding game 5.  

Team Spirit began the finals against PSG.LGD with a clear strategy: ban Ame’s Monkey King and split up their Tiny-Lycan combo. With that, Team Spirit breezed through the first two games with Yatoro’s Naga Siren and Collapse’s Magnus.  

In the second game, PSG.LGD became more aggressive, forcing Spirit to play with a calmer Dota style. Miposhka, on the other hand, rallied his squad with his Bane, ensuring that they did not go into any precarious circumstances. Spirit turned a switch and powered their way to another Moksha victory.  

The Undying, who in Game 3 allowed Ame’s Spectre and NothingToSay’s Tinker to take overall control of the game, and in Game 4, provided PSG.LGD’s Mangus-Luna combo free reign under the safety of Tombstone— a champion that Team Spirit had no answer for.  

This jumbled draft failed to provide Spirit with a clear victory condition against a strong PSG.LGD core—led by Ame’s Luna and NothingToSay’s Kunkka— appeared to be unwinnable. The game took a while to get going, but LGD gradually built a lead and had their mojo flowing— until one team fight altered everything and demonstrated that Spirit was more than capable of standing their ground. 

After Spirit picked off Ame’s Tiny, LGD withstood what appeared to be a game-ending push, but there was nothing else they could do. They lost a fight in the Rosh pit, Ame died for the second time with no buyback, and Spirit rushed the Ancient and won TI10. 

The victory was a surprise. PSG.LGD appeared to be the most likely candidate—  making amends for its second-place finish in the 2018 tournament by winning its preliminary group and progressing to the grand finals without dropping a series. Meanwhile, Team Spirit had to battle its way through the lower bracket, dethroning two-time winner OG and edging Team Secret to earn a spot in the grand finals against PSG. LGD.  

The pro-gamers will walk away with $18,208,300.00 in prize money in addition to making history in the league. 

by The Science Net

Pisay-EVC bags awards in International Chemistry Quiz 2021

by Aya Ecaldre ||

Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) raises the Philippine flag in the global spotlight once more after bagging awards in the International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ) 2021 held last July 28.  

The event was organized by the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute to promote and encourage awareness of the nature and relevance of chemistry among students. As the competition is not syllabus-based, the contest proper was centered on testing the students’ critical thinking and scientific reasoning. According to ICQ’s website, the involvement of the application of knowledge in the contest serves as a training ground for participants on their future endeavors in the field of chemistry. 

This year, the quiz was conducted online through a Moodle-based system and was open to Grade 7-12 students from 20 countries. Several PSHS-EVC scholars gained recognition after topping the ranking. Among the participants, 12th grader Jim Cadion received the Certificate of Excellence and was awarded the ICQ Lapel Pin after gaining a perfect score on the quiz. Certificates of High Distinction were awarded to Jolinel Reoma and Benedict Chua for the junior and senior divisions, respectively. Certificates of Distinction were awarded to 11th graders, Curt Cervantes and Calina Pamplona. Denice Carles and Jade Mendiola received Certificates of Credit, while Certificates of Participation were awarded to Vean Cordero, Alchris Ceballos, and Cherlaine Chu.  

Cervantes and Reoma stated that they were not able to prepare for the said competition. Reoma further explains that he only used the knowledge he had acquired from past lessons. Cervantes added that he wished that he could have prepared more, but relayed that this type of environment made it more stimulating.  

Carles expressed the joy she experienced with the other participants. “When we finished the test, we laughed it off as the test was hard, but we didn’t expect that we would be receiving awards for our hard work,” she said. 

“ICQ was a unique assessment for me since it included topics that were not taught in school. Recalling the lessons learned and reviewed was quite fun, and this may reflect how effectively we were reviewed by our coach and taught in PSHS-EVC as well,” Cadion expressed. 

The ICQ Lapel Pin Awardee further stated that his results surprised him because he felt that obtaining a perfect score in the quiz and attaining the ICQ Lapel Pin was nearly impossible, adding that he felt ecstatic because of how the time and effort he had allotted for the ICQ paid off.

Photo Credit: ICQ
by The Science Net

PSHS-EVC holds its 8th Typhoon Yolanda Commemoration

by Samantha Macabit || Photo by: Mrs. Ma. Lorna Garnace

To commemorate the eighth anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda, a mass and candle lighting ceremony was conducted at the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC), which was broadcast live on Facebook last November 5. 

Only the faculty and staff members were physically present to witness the said event whilst scholars were able to watch it virtually on the EVC Direct, the school’s official Facebook page. Health protocols such as wearing face masks and social distancing were strictly observed.

The Ecumenical Committee, led by Mrs. Maria Lorna L. Garnace, organized the event in coordination with the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish for the Holy Eucharist. 

In an interview, Garnace stated that the commemoration aimed to relive the resilience shown after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, express gratitude to God for the many blessings and people who helped us recover, and remember the Pisay members who perished during the typhoon.   

She also mentioned that the only difficulty they encountered in preparing for the event was ensuring the students’ participation in the virtual commemoration. 

“Be grateful for the second life and acknowledge that there are opportunities in every disaster,” she expressed in a message to the families of the victims whose lives were taken away due to the calamity. 

by The Science Net

PSHS-EVC Virtual Sports Fest 2021: Scholars Pitch in the Virtual Fray

by Vera Avila || Photo Credit: EVC Athletic Council ||

PSHS-EVC’s Batch 2024 officially commenced this year’s Sports Fest with the theme “The Fray in the Threads of Fate” yesterday, November 4, 2021, through a Zoom meeting. 

In the opening remarks, the Athletic Council, alongside batch adviser, Ma’am Daisy Gaut, encouraged PSHS-EVC scholars to showcase their best efforts in unity by participating in cheers and games for their respective houses: Klotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. 

“I think that [this] is what makes your whole stay in Pisay more memorable—because there is a sense of community for you to be able to just connect with people who have the same passion as you,” said guest speaker Karl Eugene Pamat, 2013 AC President and volleyball athlete. 

Two games were included in the latter part of the event: Artistwo, a celebrity guessing game, and Ano Tanong, which involved guessing the correct question using keywords, phrases, and images shown. In between the games were intermission numbers from selected students and guest band Vyses. 

Videos of previous Sports Fests were played, showcasing beloved events such as the cheer dance performances and the sports competitions, ending the program with a trip down the memory lane.

PSHS-EVC Sports Fest 2021: Scholars Pitch in the Virtual Fray

by The Science Net

Nobel Peace Prize 2021: A Battle for Press Freedom

by: Norielle Eco ||

June 2020. Dozens of reporters fill the venue, each of them eagerly awaiting answers. They stand outside the courtroom of Manila Regional Trial Court, where, sitting in the center is a prominent journalist, devastated by the court’s verdict. Beside her are her lawyer and a former colleague who shared the same fate. 

This was only minutes after Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr. were found guilty of cyber libel, becoming the first-ever journalists to be convicted of the crime in the country. 

Government critics called for the journalists’ defense, deeming the conviction as a big blow to press freedom. Loyalists, on the other hand, viewed this as a win, claiming that justice has been served. 

Little did everyone know that more than a year after that conviction, Maria Ressa would become the very first Filipino Nobel Prize Laureate. 

How It All Started 

Maria Angelita Ressa (58) is a Filipino-American writer and journalist. She was born in the Philippines but migrated to the United States at the age of 10. She graduated cum laude at Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English and achieved certificates in theater and dance. In search of her roots, Ressa applied for the Fulbright scholarship, which allowed her to study Political Theatre as a master’s degree at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, the flagship campus of the UP System that is considered by Philippine law as the national university. 

In 1987, Ressa landed her first job as a member of the Probe Team. A year later, she became Cable News Network (CNN)’s bureau chief in Manila, holding the position for almost a decade before running the Jakarta bureau from 1995 to 2005. Her focus as CNN’s lead investigative reporter was terrorism in Southeast Asia. Returning from Jakarta, Ressa worked as the head of the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs until 2010. 

Together with her fellow journalists and entrepreneurs, Ressa co-founded and became the Chief Executive Officer and President of Rappler. Rappler, starting originally as a Facebook page named Move.PH in 2011, soon evolved into a complete website in 2012. As of today, it is one of the biggest news websites in the Philippines, having garnered multiple local and international awards. 

The Perilous Battle 

Rappler is notoriously critical of current President Rodrigo Duterte and his policies. The news site often covers stories that tackle corruption, misogyny, and human rights violations. It also pays critical attention to the anti-drug campaign, together with the extrajudicial killings and the fast-rising death toll. Ressa, in particular, has posted several articles on said topics on the news site and has also been known to personally document the spread of government propaganda and fake news on Facebook. 

These past few years, Ressa and Rappler have been subjected to multiple criminal charges, unending investigations, and harsh online verbal attacks. After being convicted in 2020, Ressa and Santos paid the post-conviction bail to enjoy temporary freedom while filing for an appeal. Ressa and Rappler have currently posted a total of ten bails and are still facing seven active cases, which range from breach of foreign ownership rules in the Philippines to alleged tax violations. Ressa, however, believes that these cases filed against her are used as “political tools.” Moreover, Rappler and other government critics view these acts and cases as harassment and political intimidation that threaten freedom of expression in the country. 

Yet, despite the numerous threats against them, Ressa and the staff of Rappler vow to continue the battle for press freedom. 

Bagging the Prestigious Prize 

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five prestigious Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel. Every year, the award is awarded to the candidate/s who have done significant action for union between nations, the reduction of standing armies, and the promotion of peace. 

On the 8th of October 2021, Ressa was recognized as the first Filipino to receive a Nobel Prize. Alongside Dmitry Muratov from Russia, Ressa was hailed as this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner. The Norwegian Nobel Committee commended Ressa for using freedom of expression to “expose abuse of power, use of violence and growing authoritarianism in her native country, the Philippines.” 

Among the 329 candidates, Ressa and Muratov were announced as the recipients of the award in recognition of “their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” 

The formal awarding ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize is set to be held in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, 2021, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. It is the only Nobel Prize that is not presented in Sweden. Nobel laureates will receive 10 million Swedish kronor (SEK) or $1.15 million, a diploma, and a gold medal. Ressa will share the prize with Muratov. She hopes that she could be granted permission to travel to Norway to receive the award. 

The Nobel Prize is not the only major international award that Ressa has received. Some of her major awards are as follows: the 2017 Democracy Award, the 2018 Knight International Journalism Award, the World Association of Newspapers’s Golden Pen of Freedom Award, and the Committee to Protect Journalists’ Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award. In 2018, she was also included in the Time’s Person of the Year issue. 

Ressa’s Nobel Prize does not signify the end of the battle for press freedom, as her fellow journalists hope that the global attention brought by the award may be what turns things around for them. 

There is still a long road ahead, but to know that they are not alone in this battle and that the world is watching them, has sparked hope in the hearts of Filipino journalists and citizens alike. 

Sources for quotations: 

Nobel Prize Outreach. (2021, October). The Nobel Peace Prize 2021. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2021/ressa/facts/

by The Science Net

Change Is Not A Game Of Chance: Your Vote Matters

by Kassie Fallorina || Illustration by Sophia Cabalona

We need change.  

Since 2016, the country has seen everything except the change it was promised. From social injustices to widespread poverty, the “Change is Coming” mantra seems to have taken a turn for the worst.  

As Duterte’s war on drugs continues on, so does the call for justice by the slain victims’ relatives. “Mahal na mahal ko ang anak ko at hindi ako papayag na ganyan na nga nangyari sa kanya tapos makakalimutan pa ng mga tao na walang hustisya para sa kamatayan niya. Nilakad ko iyong police report, hindi sila willing ibigay kahit ano. Marami silang dahilan,” Nanette Castillo told Rappler as she recalled how her son, Adrian, was killed by seven masked men in Tondo, Manila on October 2, 2017. (I love my son so much and I won’t allow that this happened to him only for his death to be forgotten— without justice— by the people. I went to the police; they aren’t willing to give me anything. They gave many reasons.)

In a survey conducted by the ASEAN Studies Centre, 53.7% of the participating Filipinos disapproved of the administration’s pandemic response—the highest among Southeast Asian countries. 

In the midst of the chaos, thousands of Filipinos took to social media to express their disappointment on the Philippine government’s lack of action and urgency, with posts including hashtags such as #OustDuterte and #DutertePalpak. However, these complaints seem to fall on deaf ears as people in power continue to turn a blind eye, leaving citizens to fend for themselves.  

We have lost trust in key institutions and seen our sovereignty handed away on a silver platter. We have witnessed how the innocent were accused and ruthlessly killed in the brutal campaign against drugs. We have had too many preventable deaths from a pandemic that the government belatedly responded to and still inefficiently deals with. 

Our democracy is crippling right before our eyes, and we need more than just social media posts and Twitter hashtags to restore it— we need strong, competent leaders. Leaders who will live by their constitutional promise of service to the country. Leaders who will take criticism as a step towards improvement and not as a threat for deposition. Leaders who will listen and take accountability for their actions.  

So, with less than a year until the 2022 elections, the difficult decision of whom to put in power now rests on our shoulders.  

“As of September 11, we already processed 63,364,932 registered voters,” Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Sheriff Abas told CNN Philippines on September 29. 

While this may seem like a big number, it is still 9.7 million short of the total number of voters eligible to vote in the 2022 polls. It is important to note that every vote wasted is a step taken back in the march towards restoring our democracy.  

To the individuals who haven’t registered yet, your country needs you now, more than ever. With the looming voter registration deadline on October 30, don’t look away, especially when so much is at stake. For you, for us, and for every Filipino deserving of good governance.  

One vote, may it be yours or someone else’s, could be the deciding factor that would either plunge us deeper into crisis or shed light amid the darkness. 

Change shouldn’t be left to chance anymore, because as we have learned the hard way, it is a choice that will determine how the story sees itself through. 

by The Science Net

What it Means to be a Teacher

Aine Latoja || Illustration by Erika Flanco ||

The 5th of October passed by without much fanfare. Even so, many students took the initiative to greet their favorite teachers a Happy Teacher’s Day, likely motivating and brightening their day as they continue to teach in this current mode of learning.

Therefore, let us review what it means to be an educator.

First and foremost, our teachers are our first guardians outside our home. They make sure that we learn in a welcoming environment that reassures its students that they are in a safe space. They support us in our academic endeavors, give criticism when needed, and even play along with our jokes. It is their role to ensure that all students flourish and showcase their passions in the learning environment they have created.

When asked about the importance of creating a stimulating learning environment, Sir Emman Patata, a Social Science Teacher, makes it a point that no learning will occur if said environment is not conducive to both the teachers and students. 

“If the students are not motivated, they may not participate in the learning process,” Sir Emman emphasizes. “The best way for us to know if we are on the right track is to ask for feedback from the students themselves directly. Let us involve them in designing the learning process because they are the best judge of what works and what does not.”

Educators today continue to ensure that students continue to exercise their critical thinking skills despite the set-up, instigating the curious minds of students with various learning styles. Even as children, our first question was “Why is this like that?” or “Why is that like this?” In this way, teachers further act as parental figures to us— providing  answers to our never-ending queries and developing our love of learning.

In Filipino Teacher Ma’am Darry Portillo’s case, she revealed that she didn’t change anything in her teaching style. ”I give my own materials na nandoon na ang topics na kailangan matutunan ng students. I make sure din na relatable ang discussions like kayang maconnect sa real world para mas meaningful ang learning.” [I give my own materials that already have the topics that students need to learn. I also make sure that the discussions are relatable, like connecting it to the real world for more meaningful lessons.]

However, online classes have also opened new opportunities for teachers. When asked about some of these, Sir Ely Tajos, a Filipino teacher, says that, “The pandemic has [created] an opportunity for me to validate and make my students aware of the important role of humanities in our lives, especially language, literature, and art. Ang mga disiplinang kadalasa’y isinasantabi o minamaliit ay ngayo’y malaking salik sa pagpapanatili ng ating katinuan ngayong may krisis.” [Disciplines that were often ignored or underestimated are now a big factor in maintaining our sanity in this time of crisis.]

Lastly, teacher and adviser of The Science Net, Ma’am Remalyn Tomol, would like to close this year’s Teacher’s Day by saying: “Teacher’s Day is that one day in a school year that teachers want to feel appreciated for all the efforts that they are exerting to facilitate the learning process of their students. But as the adviser of SciNet, I really don’t have to wait for Teacher’s Day to feel that because I was and am blessed to have staff willing to take on the additional responsibility of school journalism. Fearless but ethical and fair. Consistently publishing articles worth reading. Always challenging and improving themselves by joining contests and workshops. What more could a school paper adviser ask for?”

Even after Teacher’s Day, don’t forget to express your gratitude for their endless efforts and hard work. 

And so, with all that said, go, show some love to your favorite teacher— or all of them at that.

by The Science Net

EJ Obiena: Redefining Asia’s Pole Vaulting

 Margarette Joelly C. Nunez ||

Photo Credits: ABS-CBN News

“We’re getting there.”

The Philippines’ very own EJ Obiena showcases his prowess as this generation’s leading Asian pole vaulter as he shatters records left and right. An upcoming sensation, Obiena has represented the country in various international leagues such as the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paris Diamond League, where he earned a podium spot. 

Not only is he known to be an upright individual for speaking with officials about his case in Tokyo, Obiena also serves as an inspiration to all as he lives his father’s dream in his career. This then begs the question, how was he molded to redefine Asia’s pole vaulting, given his current blooming success?

“The facts of the matter are simple: I still love the sport of pole vaulting. I still love representing my great country. I still love competing. I still know I can win. You can draw your own conclusions from this. I will be back, and I will be back to win,” Obiena expressed in an interview after finishing 11th in his maiden Olympic stint.

Growing up with track and field athletes like his father— who was also a pole vaulter— it was undeniable that Obiena would follow in their footsteps. At 8, Obiena pursued track and field, participating in 100 and 400-meter hurdles events. When he was 16, he shifted back to pole vaulting, for which he was granted a scholarship at the University of Santo Tomas, pursuing an engineering degree. He then represented the university at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

With his career swiftly progressing, Obiena persistently surpassed his own records. He obtained a silver medal in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games (5.25 meters), then a gold medal at the 2016 Philippine National Games Finals (5.47 meters). In addition, he secured a spot at the Tokyo Olympic Games by surpassing the qualifying standard of 5.80 meters; he placed 11th at the finals with 5.70 meters.

At present, his record currently stands at 5.93 meters— a new Asian record in the pole vault— which he set at the International Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria on September 12, 2021.

“I believe … that if I truly believe I am right, I would fight for it,” Obiena stated. “When you truly believe you’re right, there should be a right way to explain it. There’s always a right way to fight for it.”

Indeed, to achieve such a peak in one’s career requires a mentality and courage that perseveres despite the odds.

by The Science Net

SpaceX’s Inspiration4: The First All-Civilian Crew to Orbit the Earth

Jun Kwon M. Shin||

Photo credits: Space.com

Elon Musk and his aerospace company, SpaceX, takes another leap for mankind with the success of the first all-civilian space flight mission, Inspiration4.

On September 15 at 8:02 p.m. EDT, SpaceX successfully launched its Crew Dragon spacecraft. Aboard the spacecraft are four amateur astronauts. With this achievement, the company has yet again made history by successfully sending the first all-civilian crew into orbit. That is to say, they are the first crew to orbit the Earth without any professional astronauts to guide them on board.

The mission commander of Inspiration4 is Jared Isaacman, the 38-year-old billionaire founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments— a payment processing company. He also bought all four seats for Inspiration4, donating three of the seats to raise awareness and fund St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a research and treatment center for children with cancer and other pediatric diseases, such as leukemia.

One such patient is Hayley Arceneaux, who, at the young age of 10, was diagnosed with bone cancer but made a full recovery after receiving treatment from the hospital. Arceneaux is now a healthy 29-year-old who works as a physician assistant at this hospital, and one of the three ‘civilians’ to join Mr. Isaacman in the spaceflight mission.

The other two ‘civilians’ to join the mission are Christopher Sembroski and Dr. Sian Proctor. Sembroski is a 42-year-old US Air Force veteran and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumnus who works as a data engineer for aerospace company Lockheed Martin. Dr. Sian Proctor, 51, is the eldest member of the crew, and an African American geoscientist and professor who teaches at South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, Arizona.

The Inspiration4 crew prepared and trained for the spaceflight mission for about six months. During this period, the crew members would pore over important guidelines and complete simulation tests. 

In an interview with NBC, where the crew was asked whether they were scared for the spaceflight, Mr. Sembroski expounded that, “We were trained so well, we were not scared in the least.” 

“I felt really comfortable because the training that we got from SpaceX was the same training that NASA astronauts are getting right now,” added Dr. Proctor.

The Official Inspiration4 website announced that the crew would perform several experiments during the spaceflight mission. The site states the main purpose of these experiments, which is to “expand our knowledge of the universe,” but does not mention any details on said experiments. Nevertheless, in the same interview with NBC, Mr. Isaacman stated that, “When we splashed down, it felt like all of our on-orbit objectives, everything we set out to achieve while we were in space, we completed.”

The crew safely returned to the Earth’s surface when the Crew Dragon capsule splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean on September 18 at 7:06 p.m. EDT,  after three days in orbit. 

This marked the conclusion, and the success, of the Inspiration4 mission.

by The Science Net

A New Fight: Pacquiao’s Run for Presidency

Kyle Abello ||

Photo credits: ABS-CBN News

After nearly three decades of professional boxing, Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr.— better known as Manny Pacquiao— has decided to retire from the sport. However, even with the matches over, he is set to tussle for another title: the president of the Philippines.

While Pacquiao fits the criteria to run— as stated in Article VII, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution— the boxer should observe the three requirements one should look for in a presidential candidate, according to late senator Miriam Defensor Santiago: academic, professional, and moral excellence.

To start, academic excellence. Pacquiao earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science after a year of study last December 2019 from the University of Makati (UMak) through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). However, UMak is not authorized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to issue the degree to Pacquiao. Although earning a bachelor’s degree is not a requirement to become president, it would be a risk to have a nation led by someone considerably uneducated. After all, the presidency is the highest position in the Philippine government and should not be treated as a training ground.

Second, professional excellence. Having the worst attendance record and no official mission in the senate, Pacquiao, as a senator, did not focus on being a lawmaker. Instead, he concentrated on boxing, participating in professional matches such as the fight with Ugas to reclaim the welterweight title. That being said, lawmaking became Pacquiao’s side job. He dedicated his attention to the sport when, instead, he could have utilized his years as senator to become more knowledgeable and efficient as a politician.

“‘Pag sa araw, wala akong iisipin kundi ang training ko. After training, relax-relax ako, tawag ako sa family and mga bata. After that, pag-uusapan ang work sa senate (During the day, I don’t think of anything but my training. After training, I’ll relax and call my family and the kids. After that, I’ll focus on my job in the senate.),” Pacquiao disclosed in an interview with Toni Gonzaga.

Third, moral excellence. As a known philanthropist, Pacquiao empathized with the poor, lending a hand to those in need and by offering free housing. Another point to note about him is that he has been known as a devout Christian throughout his career. While Pacquiao’s actions may be taken as a sign of good morals, it does not help the struggle of the Philippines to separate the state and religious beliefs. Furthermore, in an interview, Pacquiao made remarks directed at the LGBTQIA+ community, calling them ‘worse than animals’, which may have been influenced by the old ideologies of his religion.

In Pulse Asia’s latest pre-election survey, 12% of 2,400 Filipino voters support the boxer for the presidency. But, being a good boxer does not equate to being a good politician or president. Therefore, Filipinos should be more thorough in choosing who to vote for in the 2022 elections, especially if their top pick is Pacquiao. 

Manny Pacquiao may have united the nation and reignited the Filipinos’ nationalistic flame when his fights were on, but the presidency might not be the best fit for him nor the country. His intentions and platforms may be good, but the Philippines needs someone knowledgeable, compassionate, and well-versed on what is best for the nation.