The GUIDON

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: In celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the University will be closed on Wednesday, July 31.

Onsite and online operations will resume on Thursday, August 1.

Photo courtesy of Ateneo de Manila University

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: Online enlistment schedules for the first semester of AY 2024–2025 have been released. Regular online enlistment per year level will begin on August 1, while free-for-all enlistment will be open from August 2 to 6.

Additionally, students are reminded to update their AISIS student information and BluPHR health records. Any pending hold orders must also be cleared before the designated enlistment schedule.

Photo courtesy of RegCom’s Helpdesk

ICYMI: The website of the Department of Energy's Green Energy Management Program has been hacked and defaced by a group named "DeathNote Hackers."

In its message, the group claimed that the attack was done as a wake-up call for the government agency to improve its cybersecurity measures and digital infrastructures.

According to cybersecurity watch group Deep Web Konek, no compromised data was reported in this recent cyberattack.

The hacked website is inaccessible as of writing.

NATIONAL UPDATE: The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced on Saturday, July 27, that 1,215 schools have delayed the start of classes initially scheduled on Monday, July 29. These schools are from the National Capital Region, Region I, Region III, and Region XII.

DepEd released the media bulletin after its announcement on Friday, July 26, that at least 12,866 schools throughout Luzon and Visayas were affected by torrential rains and flooding triggered by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.

With the postponement, the said schools have scheduled the beginning of Academic Year 2024–2025 after July 29 but no later than Monday, August 5.

LOOK: The estimated size of the oil spill of the MT Terra Nova shipwreck has increased almost five times of the initial estimate. From 14.4 square kilometers, it has already extended to more than 68 sq. km., according to the latest RCM-2 satellite capture released by the Philippine Space Agency.

To address the urgent need for the oil spill's containment, President Marcos earlier ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force led by the Office of Civil Defense, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Photo Courtesy of Philippine Space Agency

LOOK: The Philippine Space Agency has released preliminary satellite images showing the extent of the possible oil spill in Manila Bay after the sinking of the MT Terra Nova tanker.

According to data from the RCM-2 satellite by the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, the estimated size of the oil spill was approximately 14.4 square kilometers when it was captured on July 26 at 5:40 AM.

Field validation is being conducted to confirm its true extent. Meanwhile, efforts are still underway to contain the oil spill.

Photo courtesy of Philippine Space Agency

EXPLAINER: With the University’s Supply Agreement Partnership with Shell Energy Philippines in full swing, observers note reasons to keep watch over the decision to pair with the country’s largest fossil fuel company.

tgdn.co/3YkVCR1

Two months after the University’s shift to renewable energy resources, The GUIDON revisits the Ateneo administration’s explanations behind partnering with Shell Energy Philippines and SolX Technologies amid the Ateneo community’s questions on the partnership.

https://tgdn.co/4d9luni

LOOK: Volunteers from the Ateneo community and various external organizations are currently organizing relief goods at the Richie Fernando Covered Courts (RFCC). The initiative is part of the donation drive spearheaded by the Ateneo Disaster Response and Management Team and Tanging Yaman Foundation for those recently affected by Super Typhoon Carina.

In-kind donations may be dropped off at the RFCC until July 31. Meanwhile, interested volunteer operations may apply through https://bit.ly/SangguVols4CARINA.

Photos by Morris Mananguite and Meg Victorino

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: The Ateneo de Manila University has opened its undergraduate college applications for aspiring first-year students and transferees for AY 2025–2026.

Interested applicants may submit their requirements online via apply.ateneo.edu until September 20, while those applying for scholarships must submit their application on or before September 27.

Moreover, the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET) will be conducted at the Ateneo de Manila's main campus on October 19 and 20, while provincial testing centers will hold the ACET on October 26 and 27.

Meanwhile, requirements for incoming transferees must be submitted on December 13, with their ACET scheduled in January 2025.

FLOOD UPDATE: As of July 25, 3:00 PM, the Marikina River water level has returned to normal at 14.9 meters.

All alarms have been lifted, according to the Marikina Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

JUST IN: An oil products tanker MT Terra Nova carrying 1.4 million liters has capsized and submerged off the area of Bataan this Thursday, July 25, according to reports from the Philippine Coast Guard.

Oil tanker ships, once submerged, may release its contents into the open sea, resulting in an oil spill.

VOYAGER: Faculty members and graduate students from Ateneo's Chemistry Department won the Best Poster Award for their separate studies at the 2024 Philippine Chemistry Congress' (PCC) Poster Presentation last July 22–24, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

Jesza Mei Ganiron and Fabian Dayrit, PhD won the award for their study, "Secondary metabolites from the leaves of mulberry (𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘣𝘢) grown under different light conditions: 13C NMR Analysis."

Their study aimed to assess the effects of different light conditions on the growth of the mulberry plant through the Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C NMR) analysis of secondary metabolites or plant products not directly involved in the plant's growth and development.

Meanwhile, Camille Palomares (BS CH-MSE '20), Erwin Enriquez, PhD, and Olivia Buenafe, PhD won the same award for their study, "In vivo nanotoxicity of GHS-CulnS2/ZnS quantum dots in larval zebrafish (𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰)."

Their study explored the nanotoxic effects of the quantum dots being considered for bioimaging applications on larval zebrafish, a model organism for vertebrate development biology.

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: With the continuous rainfall and extensive flooding in Metro Manila, both work and class suspensions for all Ateneo campuses will continue until July 25, Thursday.

Moreover, the Ateneo Loyola Heights Campus remains open to faculty, staff, students and their families who may need to evacuate due to flooding in their areas.

Photo courtesy of Ateneo de Manila University

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: The Tanging Yaman Foundation, in partnership with Ateneo Dream Team and Angat Buhay, is accepting monetary donations for those affected by Super Typhoon Carina.

Starting July 26, Friday, the foundation will start accepting in-kind donations, such as food packs and hygiene kits, at the Richie Fernando SJ Covered Courts in the Ateneo De Manila University located in front of Jesuit Wellness Center.

For additional information and inquiries, visit their post below: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/mKMCkBMbZv712Rep/

FLOOD UPDATE: La Mesa Dam's Water Level has now reached its overflow elevation of at least 80.15 meters. As of July 24, 6:00 PM, the water level is recorded at 80.16 meters, according to DOST-PAGASA.

The overflow is expected to affect low-lying areas near Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Malabon. Residents are advised to stay alert and prepare to evacuate.

VOYAGER: PAGASA has reported that Typhoon Carina has rapidly intensified into a super typhoon as it approaches Northern Taiwan. It currently has sustained winds of 185 kph and gusts up to 230 kph.

The center of the super typhoon is positioned 395 km north of Itbayat, Batanes, and is nearing the vicinity of New Taipei, Taiwan.

Authorities warn of heavy rainfall continuing until Thursday, July 25. Metro Manila is already in a state of calamity due to severe flooding caused by the typhoon.

FLOOD UPDATE: As of July 24, 3:50 PM, La Mesa Dam's water level continues to rise at 80.0 meters, maintaining the "alarm" level. PAGASA reports that the dam will overflow once it reaches 80.15 meters.

An overflow of the dam is expected to affect low-lying areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Malabon. PAGASA advises all residents, especially those near the riverbanks, to stay alert for possible flooding or evacuation in their areas.

VOYAGER: The National Capital Region is placed under a State of Calamity today, July 24 by the Metro Manila Council. This declaration is due to the strong rains, winds, and floods brought about by Typhoon Carina.

By placing the region under a state of calamity, the local government can quickly access emergency funds and implement relief operations to aid displaced residents.

FLOOD UPDATE: The Marikina River water level has reached 20 meters, maintaining its third alarm status as of July 24, 1:50 PM.

Forced evacuation procedures are currently being implemented by the Marikina Local Government Unit.

FLOOD UPDATE: As of July 24, 11:50 AM, the water level at La Mesa Dam sits at 79.41 meters, raising the "alarm" level. Water supply company Manila Water reports that the dam will overflow once it reaches 80.15 meters.

An overflow of the dam is expected to affect low-lying areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Malabon. Manila Water advises residents to ready emergency go bags and stay alert for possible flooding or evacuation of their areas.

FLOOD UPDATE: As of July 24, 10:00 AM, the Marikina River water level has reached the third alarm, with a water level of 18.00 meters above the normal.

The third alarm is raised when water levels reach 18 meters, resulting in expected forced evacuations. As of writing, however, the Marikina Local Government Unit is yet to announce any forced evacuation protocols.

ADDENDUM: The Marikina Local Government Unit has begun forced evacuations in high-risk and low-lying areas.

NATIONAL UPDATE: The Senate has approved Senate Bill No. 2457, discontinuing the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3, on its third and final reading on Tuesday, July 23.

Under this bill, all forms of instruction must revert to Filipino, and will only use English as provided by law, pursuant to Article XIV, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution. Subsequently, all regional languages will serve as auxiliary media of instruction.

As the bill's sponsor, Senator Win Gatchalian asserted that “the mother tongue is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every classroom.” Furthermore, he said that its use is only effective in monolingual classes where all students speak the same language.

Gatchalian filed the said bill in October 2023 to amend Sections 4 and 5 of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 on the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education in the country's basic education system.

FLOOD UPDATE: As of July 24, 8:30 AM, the Marikina River water level has reached the second alarm with an above normal water level of 16.7 meters. Consequently, all of the Manggahan flood gates have been opened.

A second alarm is raised once water levels reach past 16 meters, indicating that residents must begin their evacuation. Once the water level reaches 18 meters, a forced evacuation will be imposed under the third alarm.

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: Classes and work operations in all Ateneo campuses will be suspended today, July 24. This comes after the red rainfall alert from the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Carina.

Moreover, the Loyola Heights campus will remain open for members of the Ateneo community and their families, who may need to evacuate due to serious flooding in their areas.

Photo courtesy of Ateneo de Manila University

ASSEMBLAGE: The Aeta communities of Yangil and Banawen, along with other environmental advocates, have successfully led reforestation efforts in Zambales. In an effort to make their ancestral lands more sustainable, the Aeta communities planted over 62,000 agroforestry trees and shrubs designed to produce crops and improve the biodiversity of the area.

This initiative is part of a long-term, 20-year plan to reforest 4,000 hectares of their ancestral domain. By optimizing their land with these crops, the Aeta communities are able to reap more economic and social benefits, promoting sustainability.

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: Due to heavy rainfall advisories from the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Carina, onsite work at the Loyola Campus is suspended starting from 3 PM today. Consequently, all on-campus operations will be closed.

Photo courtesy of Ateneo de Manila University

FLOOD UPDATE: Following recent heavy rains, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported gutter-deep flooding in several areas in Metro Manila.

As of 12:18 PM, Quezon City Balintawak Northbound and Southbound, Dario Bridge Northbound, and E-Road Araneta Northbound and Southbound are submerged in 8 inches of gutter-deep flood.

Similar situations are reported in Shaw EDSA Southbound in Mandaluyong City, McArthur Calle Uno Southbound in Caloocan City, Andrews Tramo intersection in Pasay City, and España M. Dela Fuente in Manila City.

IN PHOTOS: Various advocacy groups and youth organizations staged the "SONA ng Bayan" protest ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, July 22.

The gathering took place along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, where multisectoral participants called on President Marcos Jr.'s administration to address urgent issues, such as human rights abuses, political repression, and the country’s mass economic downturn.

Photos by Liana Fernando

NATIONAL UPDATE: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced a complete ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), effective today, July 22.

In his State of the Nation Address held today, President Marcos instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to “wind down and cease the operations” of all licensed POGOs by the end of the year.

At its height in 2019, almost 300 POGOs, owned by various foreign corporations operating in the Philippines, were granted licenses by PAGCOR. By the end of 2023, only 75 licensees remained. With his declaration, President Marcos ordered the number of licensed POGOs to be reduced further to zero by the end of 2024.