Bekët Panitikan: Para sa Katwiran at Kalikasan

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Kumukuha ng katutubong lakas ang tema ngayon ng Buwan ng Panitikan para itanghal ang kapangyarihan ng panitikan na pagkaisahin ang bayan. Hango ang “bekët” sa mga Agutaynë́n ng Palawan at nangangahulugan ito ng pagkakaisa at pagbibigkis.

Sa ganitong paraan, kinikilala ng “Bekët Panitikan” ang mahalagang ambag ng katutubong haraya sa pagbuo ng panitikang pambansa. Dahil ang bayan ay binubuo ng iba’t ibang pamayanan ng mambabasá’t manunulat na patuloy na yumayabong ang ugnayan. Itinatanghal din nito ang panitikan bilang mahalagang bigkis sa haraya, gunita, at intelektuwal na pag-unlad ng bayan.

Ang subtema

Mahalagang pinaglalaanan ng pokus ang pagkakaisa na itinataguyod ng panitikan. Sa pagdiriwang na ito binibigyang-pansin ang pangangailangan upang pagkaisahin ang lakas para sa katwiran at kalikasan. Ang katwiran, at ang pananaig nito sa bayan, ay noon at noon pa idinambana ng mga bayaning manunulat ng bayan para marating ang minimithing ginhawa at kalayaan. Mahalaga rin ang pagbibigkis para sa kalikasan upang maging maláy pa lalo ang mamamayan sa kanilang gampanin na pangalagaan ito. Dahil bahagi lamang sila nito at kailanma’y hindi makatataas sa kalikasan.

Bekët hindi?

Sa dulo, isang pang pamilyar na tanong ang aalingawngaw kapag binigkas ang katutubong pamana ng mga Agutaynë́n: Bakit hindi panitikan? Dahil nasa ikalawang dekada na ng implementasyon ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Panitikan mula nang ilabas ang Proklamasyon Blg. 968 noong 2015, patuloy ang panawagan para sa pagpapahalaga at patuloy na pagpapayaman pa ng tangkilik sa panitikan ng bansa. Dahil sa hulí, ang panitikang pambansa rin ang magpapakita ng ating malalim na ugnayan sa isa’t isa bilang kapuluan ng mga wika, bilang kapuluan ng mga tekstong patuloy na nabubuhay.

EcoWaste Coalition Urges Swift Action to Protect Children from Imitation Roblox Toys with Lead-Containing Parts

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(Lead exposure early in life may contribute to irreversible damage to brain development, group warns)

26 March 2026, Quezon City. Amid ongoing safety reviews of Roblox and other online gaming platforms, the EcoWaste Coalition called on the government to also look into the proliferation of knock-off Roblox plastic figures in the market.

“As the authorities tighten their watch on Roblox and other online games amid child exploitation concerns, we also urge the authorities to block the entry of imitation Roblox figure toys with lead-containing parts, which may pose lead-poisoning risks,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition, noting “childhood lead exposure can irreparably damage the brain and nervous system, and is linked to aggressive and violent behavior later in life.”

“Because lead causes permanent, irreversible damage to a child’s developing brain and body, exposure prevention is the only solution. Since no amount of lead exposure is safe, we must strictly eliminate all sources, like contaminated toys, to protect children before harm occurs,” said Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol, Environmental Health and Global Health Security Flagship Program Head, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health - Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI).

The toxics watchdog group sounded the alarm after conducting chemical screenings on imitation Roblox figures being sold in Binondo, Manila, particularly at toy stores in popular budget shopping malls.

As part of its advocacy to expose lead-containing products, inform consumers and regulators, and control, if not eliminate, the risks that such products pose, the EcoWaste Coalition bought 14 sets of Roblox figures, all made in China, which are sold for P100 to P250 per set. All in all, 60 assorted Roblox figures were collected.

Using an Olympus Vanta M Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the EcoWaste Coalition screened the 60 Roblox figures for heavy metals, particularly lead, a toxic chemical associated with stunted growth, learning disabilities, lowered IQ, and behavioral problems, as well as juvenile delinquency and violent crime in later years.

While lead was not detected on the hard plastic parts, 28 out of the 60 Roblox figures analyzed had lead contamination in their PVC head accessories. These accessories, which can be easily detached, handled, or chewed by children, contain lead levels up to 1,602 parts per million (ppm), with 11 items exceeding 1,000 ppm.

US regulations, particularly the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, prohibit lead in children’s toys, limiting total lead content in accessible parts to 100 ppm and lead in paint to 90 ppm. The DENR-issued Chemical Control Order (CCO) for lead and its compounds also prohibits the use of lead in the manufacture of toys.

All samples provided small-parts choking warnings, but lacked any mention of lead hazards on the labels. The samples were all inadequately labeled, the EcoWaste Coalition observed.

While the labels identify China as the country of manufacture and provide for age grading and choking hazard alert, the other mandatory labeling requirements, as per RA 10620 or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act, are missing such as the manufacturer’s markings, the License to Operate (LTO) number issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), instructional literature, and the item, model, stock keeping unit (SKU) number.

The EcoWaste Coalition will duly notify the FDA about its findings and reiterate the necessity of removing lead-contaminated Roblox toys from the market to protect children.

The Future of Thomasian Media: Bida One Production Unveils a Dual-Sensation Season

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In a bold fusion of student life and environmental activism, Bida One Production—a powerhouse formed by the third-year Communication students of the 3COM1 block at the University of Santo Tomas—has officially announced a groundbreaking lineup of television shows for their latest production cycle. Operating under the Faculty of Arts and Letters’ Department of Communication and Media Studies, these young visionaries are set to redefine campus media with two distinct series: the emotionally resonant campus drama "On Your MARCH" and the high-stakes sustainable fashion competition "KATHALIKASAN".

On Your MARCH: Navigating the Thomasian Soul

Launching on March 27, 2026, the first series, On Your MARCH, is a student-centered campus saga that captures the high-stakes journey of becoming and remaining a Thomasian. This isn't just a guide; it is an immersive narrative designed to inform and empower.

Episode 1 (March 27): The journey begins at the precipice of the USTET. Viewers will follow a student navigating the anxiety of the admissions test, supported by expert insights from the Office for Admissions and the show’s digital mascot, TomTom.

Episode 2 (April 6): The drama shifts to the pursuit of opportunity. After passing the entrance exam, the narrative dives into the complex world of scholarships, featuring guidance from the Office of Student Affairs to help students pursue their dreams with confidence.

Episode 3 (April 13): The finale looks toward the horizon, tackling the daunting transition from campus life to the professional world. With help from the Career Center, the show explores how internships and organizations forge the path toward graduation and beyond.

Supporting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, this series emphasizes the collaboration between students and university institutions to foster a supportive community.

KATHALIKASAN: Where Waste Meets the Runway

While On Your MARCH explores the internal journey, Bida One’s second production, "KATHALIKASAN," turns its gaze outward toward the planet. This sustainability-driven competition challenges students to transform everyday waste into "fashion-forward" masterpieces, championing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Episode 1 (April 27): The competition ignites. Teams introduce their creative campaigns and mechanics, setting the stage for a battle of environmental wit and design.

Episode 2 (May 4): The tension rises in the studio. This episode documents the grueling process of gathering materials and the "final assembly" of outfits under strict time constraints.

Episode 3 (May 11): The grand finale. A high-energy runway showcase where models present completed designs crafted exclusively from recycled materials. The season concludes with a dramatic reveal of rankings and the crowning of the sustainability champion.

The Minds Behind the Vision

This ambitious dual-show season is spearheaded by a dedicated leadership team committed to professional-grade storytelling:

Supervising Producers: Abigail C. Belza and Chrisna S. Granil

Business Development Heads: Dominique Jean M. Santos and Cobbie Andrew C. Feliciano 

From the halls of the Faculty of Arts & Letters to the flicker of the television screen, Bida One Production is proving that the next generation of communicators is ready to tackle the world's most pressing stories—one episode at a time.