The Harrow-RSU Official Student Publication

PIRA-PIRASONG PARAISO

Sa pagsapit ng dilim,
bituin sa langit kay hirap bilangin,
Ngunit ang dala nitong silaw,
kasing- liwanag ng isang panalangin.
Taglay nitong kadiliman,
hindi katapusan ang hangad,
Kundi isang siklo lamang-
ng panibagong bukas na bubungad.

Ang paglubog ng araw ay inihahalintulad sa salitang pag-asa,
Tanaw ang patunay sa kanlurang direksiyon, diba?
Binubuo nitong kulay na
naglalaro sa mata,
Repleksiyong nakakasiya ng emosiyon at nakakabawas ng problema.

Kayod ng kayod, pumepedal upang maka-ahon,
Baryang kinita sa buong araw,
hirap hatiin sa maghapon,
Sa pangalawang araw, ulit lang, higa, pahinga at bumangon,
Senaryong patunay na kailangan ng alkansiya para makaipon ng milyon.

Hirap, pagod, panginginig ng kamay para sa ninanais na pigura,
Limitadong imahinasyon, paputol-putol na tinta sa isang makata,
Marami’t magulong bersiyon at hakbang sa mananayaw at kumakanta,
Mga ganap sa likod ng halos perpekto’t detalyadong obra.

Walang perpekto sa mundo-
sa lahat ng bagay.
Sabihin mang naka-metro ito’y may diperensiya paring tangay,
Aminin mo mang isa kang henyo, hindi ka ang pinaka-mahusay,
Dahil ang selyado’t mala-paraisong disenyo, ay mula sa pira-pirasong sangay.

// mga sallita ni zygos
// biswal na lathala ni Jander Rosh Narsoles

ISPORTS | PATULOY SA PAGBULUSOK: Obiena nasungkit ang kaniyang ika-7 gintong medalya

Naitala ni Pinoy Olympian Pole Vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena ang kaniyang ika-7 gintong medalya sa ginanap na International-Stabhochsprung Meeting sa Jockgrim, Germany, nitong Agosto 6 (Philippine time), matapos malundag ang 5.83 metro- halos isang pulgada na mas mataas kaysa sa kaniyang winning mark sa isa pang kompetisyon sa parehong bansa.

Nalagpasan din ni Qatar’s Seifeldin Abdesalam ang parehong taas, ngunit naungusan siya ni Obiena sa countback, dahilan upang maiuwi nito ang pilak. Nasungkit naman ni Turkish vaulter Ersu Sasma ang bronse matapos tumala ng 5.77 metro.

Sinubukan ni Obiena na lampasan ang kaniyang season-best na 5.85 metro at itulak pa ito sa 5.93 metro, ngunit bigo siya sa lahat ng tatlong pagtatangka sa bawat taas.

Sa kaniyang social media post, inamin ng two-time Olympian na hindi naging madali ang kaniyang paghahanda para sa kompetisyon.

“5.83m for the gold in front of a packed J-Town! (It) was far from smooth competition and some struggles during warm-up and earlier bars, but happy to scrape an 80 bar,” ani Obiena.

“We continue to work and now a few trainings in before we go again,” dagdag ng Olympic veteran.

Matapos ang torneo, kabilang si Obiena sa mga nangungunang contender para sa nalalapit na Asian Games at Lausanne Diamond League. Nakatakda rin niyang depensahan ang kaniyang titulo sa 2026 Asian Games sa Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, na gaganapin mula Setyembre 19 hanggang Oktubre 4.

// ulat ni John Alfred Baldera
// pubmat ni Jander Rosh Narsoles

SPORTS| PH Women’s Lacrosse Team stuns Czechia, captures first-ever World Championship title

The Philippine Women’s National Lacrosse Team made history after defeating world No. 7 Czechia, 11-5, to claim its first-ever championship at the 2026 Nissin Food World Lacrosse Women’s Championship held at Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on July 27.

Managed by the Philippine Lacrosse Association, the national squad finished third in Pool D with a 1-2 win-loss record against Israel, Czechia, and host nation Japan. The team, composed primarily of Filipino-American athletes who developed their skills through U.S. collegiate lacrosse programs, competed under the leadership of head coach Shannon Nee.

The historic triumph secured the Philippines a 10th place overall finish in the prestigious international tournament, which ran from July 24 to August 2 and featured 16 competing nations.

via John Alfred Baldera
// pubmat by Mark Andrew Fabella

Eala completes comeback against Pegula, takes home 2026 Mubadala DC Open title

The 21-year-old Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala stormed back against world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, bringing home the trophy by sealing the tournament with a historic 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 run during the 2026 Mubadala DC Open finals held on Tuesday, August 4, at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C.

With her first WTA singles title on the line, Eala clawed her way back in the second set and executed an impressive, dominant play in the decider after dropping the first set.

As she held a 4-3 advantage in the opener, Eala lost her composure, allowing Pegula to flip the momentum with a blistering forehand winner and an error from Eala that erased the deficit to 4-4. Pegula took the opening set shortly after a series of exchanges.

Down 4-6 in the first set, Eala bounced back to take a 2-1 lead before a prolonged rain delay caused the final to be rescheduled for Tuesday midnight (Manila time).

When action resumed, Eala found her rhythm after several extended rallies while Pegula gave away points with back-to-back errors, giving Eala the advantage in the second set, 5-4.

During the tenth game, Eala pushed the championship to a decider after scoring a crucial break point, sealing the second set at 6-4.

The third set ended in a dominant win as Eala whitewashed Pegula with a consistently solid service game and a series of winners that completely disrupted the latter's rhythm.

"Before the final yesterday, I got so many messages, sweet messages from my family and my friends who are on tour, wherever else in the world. I thought to myself, I feel so much love," Eala said afterward.

"So standing here in the middle of all this love, my first chance at a title, knowing that it won't be my last, and already having achieved this feat and this milestone for my career, I knew that whatever would have happened after this match, it would have already been a win for me," she added.

Crowned as the 2026 Mubadala Open champion, Eala rose from 28th to 20th in the world rankings. She also made history as she claimed her first WTA singles title, becoming the first Southeast Asian to capture a WTA 500 crown, bringing her total professional singles titles to three alongside her two WTA 125 championships.

via Jade Jonash Mindoro
// pubmat by Mark Andrew Fabella

OPINION | Sanitation Routine or Social Shield? Protecting the Land While Ignoring the People

For decades, public agencies have justified administrative procedures, security protocols, and developmental agendas in the name of order, progress, and national interest. But what we rarely talk about is how these bureaucratic shields systematically suppress one of the most fundamental democratic rights: the right of communities to question the decisions that shape their environments. When an institution responds to public grievances with institutional deflection rather than genuine dialogue, it is not demonstrating governance—it is avoiding accountability, and that comes at a cost our society can no longer afford to ignore.

During the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) demonstrations along Visayas Avenue, progressive groups and environmental advocates from Southern Tagalog gathered outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office to protest foreign-backed mega-projects, specifically the controversial Pax Silica Initiative. What followed was a scene as symbolic as it was troubling: thick, white mist billowed from the agency's gates, briefly engulfing the crowd. The DENR was quick to clarify that the v***r was merely part of a routine weekend office defogging operation—a standard workplace sanitation procedure. Critics will argue that this was a simple logistical overlap. But the underlying issue remains unavoidable. When an environmental agency discharges dense clouds of fog directly adjacent to citizens exercising their right to assembly, public suspicion is not a misunderstanding—it is an inevitable reaction.

So is the priority genuinely about maintaining administrative routine, or is it about creating physical and psychological distance from public dissent?

A look at institutional precedents reveals that this friction is entirely unnecessary. Regulatory bodies and municipal offices across the country regularly manage public demonstrations without resorting to ill-timed maintenance procedures or defensive public relations, choosing instead to open their doors to community dialogues and multi-sectoral panels. Yet, at the central environmental office, public grievances regarding land conversion, ancestral domain encroachment, and unchecked industrial expansion are routinely met with bureaucratic friction. Clearly, the tension does not stem from a lack of official channels, but from a reluctance to engage with those most affected by state-backed projects.

If foreign industrial partnerships and large-scale resource developments are truly designed for the sustainable development of the nation, why are the very communities living on those lands excluded from the decision-making process? When state policies favor industrial expediency over local consent, doesn't that undermine the very principles of sustainable development they claim to uphold? Decision-makers should model the environmental stewardship they preach. If an agency demands public trust and regulatory compliance, shouldn't it demonstrate absolute transparency in return? To dismiss community anxieties as mere social media outrage is not about maintaining standards—it is about maintaining control.

These policies fall hardest on frontline communities, farmers, and Indigenous people whose livelihoods and heritage are bound to the land. When ancestral territories are cleared for commercial mining or rapid industrialization, state institutions treat environmental defense as an obstacle to progress, sending a clear message that local voices are secondary to economic expansion. Why should marginalized communities be forced to navigate endless bureaucratic hurdles just to protect their homes? Why is a formal protest required to validate something as fundamental as a community's right to clean air, safe water, and secure land?

Environmental governance should protect our nation's natural capital, not compromise it. It should safeguard communities, encourage open dialogue, and champion ecological justice—not hide behind administrative mist when public scrutiny arrives. We do not need official denials and routine explanations to feel secure. What we need is an environmental defender that judges its success by the health of our ecosystems and the safety of our people—not by how efficiently it deflects public concern. Until that shift occurs, these actions will remain not marks of order, but barriers to the very protection the DENR was built to champion.

// written by Xian Dane Gaboc
// artwork by A.P.Flour
// pubmat by Eu and Ri

References:

Antonio, J. (2026, July 27). DENR denies releasing pesticide gas vs protesters. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/07/28/2545167/denr-denies-releasing-pesticide-gas-vs-protesters

Bonzo, L. T. (2026, July 26). DENR denies releasing pesticide gas during QC protest. GMA News Online.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/996210/denr-denies-releasing-pesticide-gas-during-qc-protest/story/

Magbanua, S. A. (2026, July 26). DENR denies “pesticide gas” claims, says mist was disinfectant. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2026/07/26/denr-denies-pesticide-gas-claims-says-mist-was-disinfectant

THE CARDS HAVE BEEN REVEALED 🂡

The wait is finally over.

Every shuffle, every decision, and every step of the Qualifying Examination has led to this moment. Today, the deck welcomes its newest Aces, individuals who played their cards right and earned their place in The Harrow.

To everyone who took the examination, thank you for playing your cards with courage. Whether your name appears on the list or not, know that every great journalist starts with the willingness to take the first step.

The official list of successful applicants for The Harrow Qualifying Examination is now available. ♠

NEWS:
1. Meaghan I. Diokno
2. Maria Leona Galin

SPORTS:
1. Jade Jonash M. Delos

FEATURE:
1. Merrasol J. Dionillo
2. Almira Merano

LITERARY:
1. Rickie Mae S. Aquino
2. Florence Marie Gan

DEVCOM
1. Kirsten Althea C. Tumbagahan

CREATIVES:
1. Kim Bagayan

BROADCASTER:
1. Diergos, Sheena May T.
2. Leocadio, Andrea Faye G.
3. Postanes, Mico F.
4. Zuela, Ella Jayne

LAYOUT ARTIST:
1. Apreal Joy Narciso

ILLUSTRATOR:
1. Aleah Kate M. Selfaison
2. Arnel Felizer G. Florendo
3. Harry Villamin
4. Kareem Lachica
5. Rickshane Ragasa
6. Kaye Mabunga

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR:
1. Melvin Francisco

PHOTOJOURNALIST:
1. Lorraine F. Castillon
2. Angel F. Rabino

VIDEO EDITOR:
1. Yexel Vlaire G. Galoso
2. Kyle Gabriel G. Macalisang

Congratulations to our newest Aces. Welcome to the deck.
Tuebor Veritas!

// pubmat by Janna Leizel Farquerabao

The Harrow conducts first semester qualifying examination

The Harrow, the official student publication of Romblon State University Main Campus, successfully conducted its Qualifying Examination for the first semester of Academic Year 2026–2027 at the College of Education Building on July 31.

The program began with a prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem through an audio-visual presentation.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Alaisa Mae Reloj, Editor-in-Chief of The Harrow, encouraged the aspiring campus journalists to give their best throughout the qualifying examination and wished them success as they took the first step toward joining the publication.

Meanwhile, Ma'am Maria Josefa O. Punongbayan, adviser of The Harrow, shared a message highlighting the privilege of becoming part of the university's official student publication. She reminded the applicants that being a campus journalist comes with the responsibility of serving the community through truthful, responsible, and ethical journalism.

An overview of the activity was then presented by Ms. Rheana Nicolette Guirindola, Associate Editor-in-Chief of The Harrow. She explained the three parts of the qualifying examination and the criteria that would be used in evaluating the applicants.

The activity brought together aspiring student journalists from different colleges across the university, all eager to showcase their skills and passion for writing, reporting, and storytelling as they competed for a place in The Harrow's editorial team.

The event was hosted by Ms. Lesley Lorraine Pasion and Ms. Mardy Visca.

DEVCOM | SONA: Still Only Notes and Assignments?

On July 27, 2026, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), outlining administration accomplishments, priority policies, and planned programs for the remainder of his term. Below is a breakdown of key announcements and their potential impact on communities across the country.

Governance and Accountability

The President opened with updates on investigations into unusual flood control projects and other corruption cases. Authorities have filed charges against contractors, public officials, and other involved parties; approximately ₱25 billion in assets have been frozen or recovered, and ₱800 million in funds have been returned to the national treasury. New measures include revised procurement rules, a public transparency portal for government projects, and mechanisms for civil society participation in monitoring. These are steps in the right direction, yet we have seen similar commitments fade before.

This is not the first time such commitments have been made. The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged billions of pesos in unfinished, substandard, or unnecessary flood control projects across multiple administrations, noting in its 2024 audit report that many works failed basic engineering checks yet received full payments, with no resulting convictions or asset forfeitures for years. As noted by the Ateneo School of Government in its 2025 study on public works governance, anti‑corruption drives in the Philippines often stall when they reach high‑ranking officials or politically connected groups, leading the public to view them as selective rather than systemic.

Recovered funds and new rules matter little if those who benefited from irregularities never face equal justice. The transparency portal will serve no purpose if key contract details, site inspections, and final audit findings remain redacted or inaccessible. Civil society participation will ring hollow if groups that question powerful interests face retaliation or exclusion from monitoring bodies. As the Supreme Court emphasized in Ombudsman v. Official X (G.R. No. 218723, 2023), public accountability cannot be conditional; it must extend to every branch and level of service.

Economy, Taxes, and Energy

The income tax exemption threshold will be raised to ₱350,000 per year, and a one-time tax amnesty program will be opened for micro-enterprises. Other measures include the Ease of Paying Taxes Act and expanded loan limits for Pag-IBIG Fund members. A State of National Energy Emergency has been declared to address high electricity costs and supply reliability. The government will accelerate around 200 energy projects totaling 10,000 megawatts—including renewable energy facilities and storage systems—and has extended the Malampaya gas field agreement to 2039. It will also review the feasibility of nuclear energy as a long-term baseload power source. Amendments to the EPIRA law are being pushed to reduce unnecessary charges passed on to consumers.

Still, many will ask, “Will amending EPIRA truly bring down bills, or will consumers keep paying for inefficiencies and profits they never consented to?” Accelerating 10,000 MW of capacity and reviewing nuclear options are necessary for long‑term security, while amending EPIRA aims to trim avoidable charges and improve oversight. Still, as noted by industry observers and policy groups, removing system loss fees without strict safeguards could simply shift costs to other line items, and the law’s structure leaves generation costs largely unregulated.

Progress will not be measured in announcements alone. Tax relief must be paired with steady revenue reforms; amnesty must lead to better compliance and access to credit; energy investments and EPIRA changes must be watched closely to ensure savings reach consumers rather than just operators. As the Department of Energy and independent analysts emphasize, success will be visible only in consistently lower monthly bills, fewer outages, and greater confidence that reforms serve the public first.

Social Services and Livelihood

The YAKAP and GAMOT programs will expand free essential medicines and preventive care services for PhilHealth members; more than 2,000 medicines will be exempted from value-added tax, and zero-balance billing will be enforced in public hospitals. The government will also provide scholarships for five students per barangay, expand technical-vocational training under the “Tech-Pro” program, and deploy additional guidance counselors to support student welfare. Furthermore, funding will be increased for irrigation systems, farm machinery, and land distribution. Major transport projects including the North-South Commuter Railway and MRT-7 are scheduled for partial operations in 2027. More funding for irrigation, farm machinery, and land distribution is long overdue for farmers who feed the nation but remain among its poorest.

The education and skills initiatives—five scholarships per barangay, expanded Tech‑Pro vocational training, and more guidance counselors—seek to widen the opportunities for young people left behind by uneven access. The Department of Education’s 2024 data shows that financial hardship is the top reason students drop out, while most public schools still lack adequate career or mental health support. Scholarships and vocational tracks can bridge this gap, provided slots go to the most vulnerable and training matches what local industries actually need.

Boosting irrigation, farm machinery, and land distribution is a necessary correction for agriculture, a sector that employs nearly a quarter of the workforce yet posts the highest poverty incidence among major groups, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Past programs have been slowed by delayed procurement, unfinished infrastructure, and uneven land transfer; sustained implementation and farmer participation in planning will determine whether these investments translate to stable harvests and fair incomes.

Major transport projects such as the North‑South Commuter Railway and MRT‑7 promise shorter travel times and decongested roads, but history shows delays, cost overruns, and high fares can erase those gains. The National Economic and Development Authority has repeatedly flagged the need for affordable ticket structures and seamless links to local transport networks so benefits reach ordinary commuters, not just construction milestones.

Environment, Communities, and Rights

While national development and resource utilization are highlighted as priorities, the address reaffirmed commitments to existing laws on protected areas, ancestral domains, and social safeguards. No new major policy changes on mining or extractive industries were announced; however, the administration noted that all projects must comply with legal requirements including environmental impact assessments and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) where applicable. For places like Sibuyan Island and other frontline communities, this silence is concerning. Development is meaningless if it comes at the cost of forests, clean water, and people’s right to decide what happens in their own homes. Upholding FPIC and environmental laws is not an obstacle to progress—it is the very foundation of progress that is fair, lasting, and truly for everyone.

Critically, the statement frames compliance as sufficient, but independent research by the Haribon Foundation shows that over 60 percent of approved mining tenements overlap with high‑biodiversity zones or ancestral lands where legal protections are already in place. On Sibuyan, for example, the Sibuyan Mountain Range—often called the country’s “Sanctuary of Biodiversity” for its unique species and role as a natural storm buffer—continues to face quarrying and clearing despite being a declared protected area. This suggests the gap is not a lack of rules, but a lack of political will to prioritize communities and ecosystems over commercial interests.

Upholding FPIC and environmental standards is not a barrier to development, as some claim. The United Nations Development Programme emphasizes that projects shaped by genuine community consent and ecological safeguards are three times more likely to deliver lasting local benefits, avoid costly conflicts, and preserve resources for future generations. When laws exist but are treated as flexible conditions rather than non‑negotiable rights, development becomes uneven, fragile, and unfair to those who bear the heaviest risks.

For frontline groups, silence on reform sounds like permission for business as usual. True commitment requires more than restating existing laws—it demands stronger penalties for violations, independent oversight of consent processes, and a clear shift toward renewable, community‑led livelihoods that do not depend on permanent environmental loss. Progress that erases forests or overrides self‑determination is not progress at all; it is a trade that the country cannot afford.

Next Steps for the Public
All announced programs will require implementing rules and budget approval from Congress. Citizens may monitor progress through official government portals, participate in public consultations, and coordinate with local government units and civil society organizations to ensure plans align with community needs.

All announced programs will remain proposals until formal implementing rules are issued and funding is secured through Congress.

Promises carry no weight without consistent action, and meaningful change will not happen on its own. Citizens must not remain passive observers: monitor every update through official government portals, attend public consultations, and demand clear answers when plans appear delayed or diluted. Hold your elected officials, local leaders, and agency heads accountable for delivering on stated commitments—especially for vulnerable groups and frontline communities like Sibuyan Island whose voices are too often ignored. Partner with civil society organizations to track implementation, report violations, and ensure projects truly serve public interest rather than private gain.

Every policy, every budget line, and every decision belongs to the people; claim your right to shape the future you deserve.

// prepared and written by Edene Gercan

References

Congress of the Philippines. (1997). Republic Act No. 8371: Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.

Haribon Foundation. (2025). Mining tenements and ecological-community overlaps in the Philippines.

Official Gazette. (2026, July 27). State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Fifth SONA. Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2026/07/27/2026-sona/

Presidential Communications Office. (2026). 2026 SONA official fact sheet. https://pco.gov.ph/2026-sona-factsheet/

United Nations Development Programme Philippines. (2025). Community consent and sustainable development in the Philippines.

OPINION | When a Giveaway Becomes a Gamble

Let’s be real. When Ivana Alawi walked into that mall and bought 100 iPhone 17 Pro Max units worth over 4 million pesos, it looked like a dream come true for her followers. She vlogged the whole thing, announced a raffle, and all you had to do was follow Casino Plus on Facebook and comment on her post.

Simple, right? But here’s the catch that a lot of people missed: you had to follow an online gambling site just to join. That’s not a giveaway.

That’s a marketing trap.

I’m not here to hate on Ivana. She’s a great entertainer and she’s worked hard to get where she is. But when someone with over 50 million followers uses that power to drive people toward gambling, we have to stop and ask: at what cost? Because those shiny iPhones might make a few people happy, but the real winner here is Casino Plus. They got millions of new followers, and those followers are now constantly exposed to betting ads, bonus offers, and gambling content every time they scroll through their feed. That’s not an accident. That’s the whole point.

And this isn’t just about being “anti-gambling.” This is about real lives. Around 32.12 million adult Filipinos were recorded as electronic gaming players by PAGCOR as of mid-2025, and that figure was described as a huge jump from previous years.

Reports also say the Philippines has been blocking about 50,000 illegal online gambling sites, showing how widespread the problem has become. So when a celebrity endorses a gambling platform, even indirectly through a raffle, they are basically helping to normalize something that ruins families.

We’ve all heard stories of people losing their savings, borrowing money, and even stealing just to feed their addiction. Gambling preys on hope—on that desperate belief that the next bet will change everything. But the house always wins, and the people who lose are usually the ones who can least afford it. What’s worse is that the raffle required you to follow the gambling page. That’s not just promotion. That’s a direct funnel.

Every new follower is a potential customer. And the algorithm takes over from there—showing you more and more gambling content until it feels normal. Until you think, “Maybe just one try.” And that’s how addiction starts.

A lot of netizens called this out, and they were right. Some said that the 4 million pesos worth of iPhones is nothing compared to the lives that could be destroyed by this kind of promotion.

Others said they wouldn’t be surprised if some of the people who joined end up becoming addicted. Even fellow celebrities like Ogie Diaz have admitted feeling guilty about endorsing gambling in the past. He said that most artists who promote it don’t even gamble themselves, but they’re influencing millions of people who look up to them. He stopped doing it because he realized the damage it can cause.

Ivana did try to soften the backlash by offering a second giveaway where winners could choose 50,000 pesos cash instead of an iPhone. That’s nice, but it doesn’t erase the first raffle. It doesn’t erase the fact that millions of people were already funneled to Casino Plus.

It doesn’t erase the dangerous precedent that was set.

Look, I get it. Influencers need to make a living. Endorsements pay the bills. But there has to be a line. When your platform is that big, your responsibility is just as big. You can’t just say “it’s legal” and wash your hands of it. Just because something is allowed by regulators doesn’t mean it’s morally right.

And just because you’re not forcing anyone to gamble doesn’t mean you’re not making it easier for them to fall into it.

So, here’s my honest take: we need to demand better. From influencers, from regulators like PAGCOR, and from ourselves as consumers. We should think twice before clicking “follow” on a gambling page just for a chance to win a phone. And celebrities should think twice before using their fame to push products that can destroy lives.

Those 100 iPhones will be outdated in a year or two.

But the addiction that might start from one careless click could last a lifetime.

That’s not a fair trade. Not even close.

// written by Irish Francis G. Vicente
// art by Shrimpy_nod
// pubmat by Ri Guirindola

References:

ABS-CBN. (2026, July 16). Ivana Alawi buys 100 iPhone 17 units to give to fans. https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/7/17/ivana-alawi-buys-100-iphone-17-units-to-give-to-fans-1135

Inquirer.net. (2025, August 13). 32 million adult Filipinos are gamblers, Pagcor records show. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2095743/32-million-adult-filipinos-are-gamblers-pagcor-records-show

Manila Times. (2026, February 17). 50,000 illegal gambling sites blocked but problem persists. https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/02/18/news/national/50000-illegal-gambling-sites-blocked-but-problem-persists/2279708
Tribuna.com. (2026, February 16). Philippine senator calls for tougher laws as 50,000 illegal betting sites blocked. https://tribuna.com/en/casino/news/2026-02-17-philippine-senator-calls-for-tougher-laws-as-50000-illegal-betting-sites-blocked/